Chapter 16: Longevity Part 1

Winter’s Chengdu was shrouded in a sudden thick fog. Layers of white mist lingered over the Min River, spreading throughout the city, making it seem as if it had sunk into a vast white ocean. Only the eaves and tiles protruded above the boundless sea of fog, with Qingyang Palace’s flying eaves standing upon the surface.

Xiao Kun reined in the Golden Dragon and landed near the city gate.

“This way, we no longer have horses. How will we leave Chengdu? We can’t walk, can we?” Although Chaosheng was carefree about most things, he found it hard to keep up with Xiang Xian, who was on a higher level.

“Xiao Kun wants to use Dragon Control,” Xiang Xian said. “Ask him.”

Xiao Kun: “You two kept dawdling at Guanjiangkou.”

Xiang Xian changed his tune: “We can just buy more. It’s such a hassle to keep horses around everywhere.”

Chaosheng: “Fine.”

Xiang Xian had always been like this. He would release mounts anywhere, and if the food wasn’t to his taste, he wouldn’t force himself. Besides, with a dragon ride available, why bother with horses?

“I’ll handle the report later,” Xiang Xian said seriously for once. “You two try not to speak or touch anything in Qingyang Palace.”

Xiao Kun: “Good, I don’t want to lie anyway. It’s all yours.”

Xiang Xian hopped onto an ox cart shuttling through the city and tossed half a broken silver tael into the bamboo tube. Xiao Kun finally understood his spendthrift ways. Thus, the three rode the ox cart back to the front of Qingyang Palace.

The fog was so thick everywhere that one couldn’t see their fingers. Mist permeated Qingyang Palace, with incense fires flickering dimly in the haze, accompanied by the intermittent sound of striking stone chimes from within. Amid the solemnity and reverence, an air of mystery was added.

Compared to their last visit, there were no longer noisy crowds of commoners competing to burn incense today. The vast temple complex stood empty. When Xiang Xian arrived at the gate, a male disciple came forward and said, “Deputy Envoy, please come inside.”

The disciple led them to another pavilion on the western side today. Shan Yu Hong leaned on a cane, standing alone. The pavilion was empty, save for a single portrait of a man with an immortal, daoist air.

“Senior Shan Yu,” Xiang Xian cupped his fists.

“This is a portrait of my late husband.” Shan Yu Hong did not turn around, her back to the three. She said, “I hail from the Ancient Dong Women’s Country, with my hometown in Changdu. At fourteen, I followed my clan’s tea-horse caravan to Chengdu. The caravan was attacked by demons and monsters at Tiger Leaping Gorge. My uncles and kin all died to the Leopard Demon’s claws, leaving me alone. It was my late husband, wandering as a traveler, who saved my life.”

With that, Shan Yu Hong let out a long sigh and continued, “From then on, I followed my husband into the Chengdu Demon Exorcism Office. Upon his recommendation, I apprenticed under a senior with profound magical power. Yet I’ve lived too long. Events from a hundred years ago feel like passing clouds, as if they were someone else’s life.”

Xiao Kun shot him a look with his eyes, and Xiang Xian knew he was up to no good, inwardly mocking him.

“You’re back.” Shan Yu Hong finally turned around and said, “I’m quite surprised that the Northern Exorcism Division and Southern Exorcism Division could set aside their grudges and cooperate fully. What about that Flower Demon?”

Xiang Xian took out the Demon-Suppressing Banner and handed it to Shan Yu Hong. She accepted it and glanced at Chaosheng, who stood behind Xiang Xian.

Chaosheng’s face shifted from its previous naive curiosity to a more solemn expression as he sized up Shan Yu Hong.

“Who is this little bro?” Shan Yu Hong asked.

Xiao Kun had been specially cautioned by Xiang Xian not to reveal Chaosheng’s origins. Xiang Xian answered, “Chaosheng is an orphan of the Liao Kingdom. After his country fell, he traveled the south with Brother Xiao.”

Shan Yu Hong asked no more and said, “Regarding Yao Ji and Ba She, the office found a letter from many years ago. We’ve learned the rough details.”

Xiao Kun and Xiang Xian made expressions of rapt attention.

Shan Yu Hong spoke slowly: “Ba She once cultivated a human form named ‘Chaoyun,’ with a Demon Seed sealed within him. He hid in the Wushan Holy Land. Later, the divine emissary Yao Ji from Kunlun White Jade Palace arrived at Wushan and met Chaoyun…”

Chaosheng’s expression changed.

“…Perhaps this divine emissary descended with a mission? I don’t know the specifics. In any case, she stayed in the holy land, accompanying the Demon King Chaoyun for many years. That’s roughly it. The letter is badly damaged, and the disciples are still deciphering it.”

“Hand it over to us.” Xiang Xian said.

Shan Yu Hong replied: “Take it, no problem. How much longer will Deputy Envoy Xiang stay in Chengdu?”

Xiang Xian: “With the Heavenly Demon Reincarnation calamity approaching, we must set off quickly.”

Shan Yu Hong did not press them to stay. Xiang Xian signaled Xiao Kun with his eyes that it was time to go. The three passed through the thick fog and returned to Qingyang Palace’s Main Hall.

Chaosheng: “I feel like…”

“Shh.” Xiao Kun and Xiang Xian both signaled him to be quiet.

Chaosheng wisely shut his mouth.

A disciple came forward, presenting a small red cloth package on a wooden tray. Xiang Xian glanced at Xiao Kun, who took the package.

“Master asks if there’s anything else we can assist with,” the disciple said. “Do you need a mount or documents to leave Shu?”