Xiao Kun fell silent in thought. Xiang Xian naturally understood what he was thinking: to confront the Heavenly Demon, they needed to gather all the power on Shenzhou Great Land. The phoenix had watched over the Human Race for millennia, guarding the mortal world—a most reliable and powerful ally.
“But after that, I never encountered that young man again,” Xiang Xian said.
“No matter,” Xiao Kun said. “We’ll find it in time. Is there anything else you want to tell me?”
“I have another steward I met by chance. He’s gone north—to Shangjing in your Liao Lands—to track down the Heart Lamp. If I’d known we’d get leads in Chengdu, I would’ve brought him. With him here, dealing with a few little demons would be no problem.”
“Mm.” In exchange, Xiao Kun volunteered, “My Dragon Soaring Jade was left by my father, whom I’ve never met. It imprisons an ancient dragon soul, but it can’t speak. My master said it needs to accumulate merits and cultivate through lifetimes to be free. This magic treasure drains a lot of stamina; I can’t use it for long.”
Xiang Xian nodded. Xiao Kun knew he wanted to ask about his background and eyes, but he wasn’t ready to say more—they weren’t familiar enough yet.
Xiao Kun changed the subject: “Department Department Envoy Shan Yu Hong of the Chengdu Demon Exorcism Office—how much do you know about her?”
“She’s of the Tibetan People,” Xiang Xian said. “Her husband’s family are Han People. She’s over a hundred and thirty now, an old acquaintance of my master’s. She gave me the Demon-Suppressing Banner to recapture the monsters from Qingcheng Mountain.”
Xiang Xian soaked a bit longer until his skin flushed pink beneath the white. He stood to change clothes and said, “Did you offend her? Did Chaosheng eat the offerings in Qingyang Palace?”
Xiao Kun thought for a moment and replied, “She’s no good.”
“What?” Xiang Xian, wearing only his undergarments with his chest bare, turned to glance at Xiao Kun.
“She has an obsession,” Xiao Kun said. “I don’t know what it is, but there’s hatred lingering in her heart.”
“Are you joking?” Xiang Xian said.
Xiao Kun: “I suspect she directed us to Guanjiangkou for some ulterior motive—at least, it’s a borrowed knife to kill kind of scheme.”
Xiang Xian replied without thinking, “She’s served in the Chengdu Demon Exorcism Office for nearly a century. Do you know what a century means?”
Xiao Kun: “Do you trust my judgment?”
Xiang Xian paused, his brows furrowing deeply. “You’re serious?”
Xiao Kun said frankly, “Forget it if you don’t.”
Xiang Xian sat to one side, drying his hair, and asked, “How did you figure it out?”
Xiao Kun pondered for a moment but did not reveal the details. The day before, when he visited the Chengdu Demon Exorcism Office, Envoy Shan Yu Hong had been displeased because he was a Liao Person. Plus, it was Chaosheng’s first visit, and he had caused trouble in the Main Hall, so her words dripped with sarcasm.
Thus, Xiao Kun had used his Nether Eyes to peer into Shan Yu Hong’s mind.
Though she had never seen such an ability, with her years of experience, she immediately sensed the probe, concealed her thoughts, and flew into a rage, expelling both Xiao Kun and Chaosheng from Qingyang Palace.
Because of this, Xiao Kun vaguely sensed that Shan Yu Hong’s true intentions were not what she claimed.
He did not want to tell Xiang Xian about his Nether Eyes—after all, he had used them to probe Xiang Xian’s mind when they first met.
Back then, he had seen a vibrant blaze in Xiang Xian’s thoughts, flames radiating light that forged all things and burned all things—a powerful force illuminating the winter cold and darkness.
As a child, upon discovering his Nether Eyes, he had been unable to resist reading the minds of those around him. But what good did it do? In the end, only he got hurt. His master, Le Wan Shuang, had told him that the human heart was the sharpest blade in the world. After that, Xiao Kun rarely used his Nether Pupil Power.
He decided not to probe Chaosheng or Xiang Xian’s hearts. In this world, they were rare friends he had made.
“I know you’d rather trust the Chengdu Demon Exorcism Office’s Department Envoy.”
“No,” Xiang Xian said. “I trust you. You have no reason to deceive me.”
Xiang Xian began putting on his boots, staring intently into Xiao Kun’s eyes. “But how did you see it? Can your eyes foresee things that haven’t happened?”
Xiang Xian approached, kneeling on one knee very close to Xiao Kun, leaning in—but he had guessed wrong.
“I trust you completely,” Xiang Xian said word by word.
Xiao Kun met Xiang Xian’s gaze. Amid the steaming mist, they could even feel each other’s breath.
Xiang Xian’s eyes were pure black, very beautiful. Xiao Kun looked at his thick brows and large eyes, and after a moment, pinched a hand seal underwater. With a splash, hot water drenched Xiang Xian’s head again.
“Hey!” Xiang Xian yelped in embarrassment, retreating and wrapping himself in his outer robe before heading back to the room.
Xiao Kun comfortably lay in the pool, submerging his whole body in the hot water. Azure veins appeared on his arms and ankles.
That morning, after leaving the inn, Xiao Kun, Chaosheng, and Xiang Xian each rode a horse across the long bridge to the west of the city, toward the Erwang Temple in Guanjiangkou. The temple fair was already bustling.
“So, are we still following Shan Yu Hong’s advice?” Xiang Xian asked.
“Don’t you have your own ideas?” Xiao Kun said. “You’re an exorcist too.”
Xiang Xian: “I’m lazy. If I don’t have to think, I won’t.”
Xiao Kun said, “Let’s check the temple first. Chaosheng? Chaosheng!”
“Big Brothers!” Chaosheng had been lured away by a mutton soup stall. “Hurry, I have no money!”
Xiao Kun: “…”
