In the dark karst cave, Xiang Xian snapped his fingers, and a golden-red flame leaped up, illuminating the surroundings.
Xiao Kun leaned against the bottom of the collapsed abyss, panting slowly as he tried to reattach his twisted and deformed arm.
Xiang Xian watched for a moment before walking forward. Xiao Kun raised his head, his eyes filled with wariness, refusing to let him approach.
Xiao Kun placed his right hand on his broken left arm, gritted his teeth, and twisted it fiercely, snapping it back into place. He gasped in severe pain. A faint blue light then glowed on his left hand, and as he flexed his shoulder and arm, it had already recovered freely!
Xiang Xian took it all in but asked no questions. He extended a hand toward Xiao Kun—a gesture hinting at a temporary truce.
But Xiao Kun did not take his hand and stood up on his own.
In the silence, Xiang Xian tossed back a small package. Xiao Kun caught it and threw Xiang Xian’s waist badge back. Xiang Xian then tossed over another item—Xiao Kun’s Dragon Jade Pendant.
With their belongings returned to their rightful owners, each stowed their items away. They both knew clearly that in this environment, turning swords into silk was the wise choice. After all, they had no grudge against each other, and fighting was meaningless.
“You came for the Heaven’s Mandate Box?” Xiang Xian finally said.
Xiao Kun sized up Xiang Xian. A soul-seizing power gleamed in his gray-blue eyes, making Xiang Xian feel dizzy again, as if the other was peering into his heart. He instinctively raised a hand to shield his brow and eyes.
“Indeed,” Xiao Kun said gravely. “Great Song Demon-Exorcists, your emperor sent you to find it?”
Xiang Xian replied, “If the Heaven’s Mandate Box falls into the hands of the Jin People, it will only reignite the flames of war. No matter where you’re from, we surely share a common enemy.”
Xiao Kun snorted coldly. Xiang Xian continued, “I know where it might be. How about a truce until we find the magic treasure?”
Xiao Kun said, “Deal. Lead the way.”
A muffled rumble echoed from outside. Their cave was not safe either. No doubt, beyond the waterfall, the massive Black Mountain God was advancing by moving mountains and smashing rocks.
Xiang Xian delved deeper into the karst cave, with Xiao Kun following behind, alert to the surroundings. After the Dragon Jade Pendant returned to his waist, it emitted light, illuminating the area.
“From which sect are you?” Xiang Xian asked.
“No sect, no school,” Xiao Kun answered.
“From which country?” Xiang Xian asked again.
“A man without country or home,” Xiao Kun replied.
Xiang Xian pressed, “Why are you looking for the Heaven’s Mandate Box?”
“No comment,” Xiao Kun said, gazing toward one side of the cave and sensing the wind blowing from the depths.
They stopped at a fork. Xiang Xian volunteered, “This is where Gongsun Bang is hiding. It’s called Nine Dragons Cave.”
“The right side,” Xiao Kun turned and headed down the other path. “There’s wind here.”
The karst cave branched in all directions like a maze, living up to its name of Nine Dragons. Forks led to more forks. Soon, Xiao Kun spotted footprints on the ground.
“Someone’s been through here.” Xiao Kun quickened his pace. Finally, he and Xiang Xian arrived at the edge of a vast underground lake, where faintly glowing fish swam in the waters.
Nearly an hour had passed since entering the cave. With no sun or moon inside, they lost all sense of direction. They were deep in the belly of Xuan Yue Mountain. Xiang Xian felt both hungry and exhausted. After all, he had endured two battles, and the earlier pointless spar with Xiao Kun had drained his stamina severely.
“Let’s rest a bit,” Xiang Xian said. “We won’t find anyone in a short while. Fatigue leads to rash wandering. Better recover our strength first.”
Xiao Kun was clearly exhausted too and silently agreed. The two sat on the ground by the lake.
“Want something to eat?” Xiang Xian pulled out a paper package and said, “This morning, I searched you thoroughly. How do you go out without rations?”
Xiao Kun had no retort; he was indeed starving. He took the meat-filled huoshao Xiang Xian offered. Though cold, with the meat juices congealed into jelly, it was still delicious.
“Old Zhang’s huoshao from Datong Prefecture,” Xiang Xian said. “It’s a local specialty.”
Xiang Xian talked a lot, seemingly to himself, but in a way that invited response, gradually eroding Xiao Kun’s vigilance.
He had not wanted to owe Xiang Xian anything, but having eaten the enemy’s huoshao, his resolve softened.
“You’re stationed in Kaifeng?” Xiao Kun asked into the silence.
“Yeah.” Xiang Xian finished his in a few bites, bent down to drink from the lake, and answered, “A month ago, Buddha Palace Temple sent a messenger for help, so Lord Guo sent me. What about you?”
“What does Guo Jing think is in the Heaven’s Mandate Box?” Xiao Kun asked slowly as he ate the flatbread.
Xiang Xian replied, “I don’t know. The Imperial Jade Seal? My superior told me to retrieve it, so I follow orders. What rumors have you heard?”
Xiao Kun fell silent again. Xiang Xian asked, “Where did you get your information?”
Xiao Kun clearly did not want to say more and asked instead, “How fares the Great Song today?”
