Xiao Kun and Xiang Xian didn’t speak the rest of the way but tacitly divided tasks upon arriving at Gongzhou—Xiang Xian took Chaosheng to find an inn and arrange lodging and food, while Xiao Kun went to the Chaotianmen docks to hire a boat for the next day’s descent through the Three Gorges. He returned with half a jin of wine.
At the inn, Xiang Xian and Chaosheng faced a charcoal stove stewing fish, their stomachs growling with hunger as they waited for Xiao Kun.
“Eat.” Xiao Kun sat down. “We need to rise early tomorrow.”
“No wine,” Xiang Xian waved it off.
Gongzhou cuisine was heavier than Chengdu’s, with spicier wine and dishes. They favored noodle dishes mixed with lotus root and lotus seeds called Jade Well Rice. One specialty was charcoal-stewed fish from Wu Xi: three-to-five jin river fish fried then stewed with pepper, celery, ginger, mustard, and other seasonings—the best winter dish.
Seeing Xiao Kun silent most of the day, Xiang Xian guessed he was pondering his background and the state of affairs. If their positions were reversed, this Chengdu trip had made things more complex and chaotic—enough to cause anxiety. He tried to comfort him: “We’ll find the Heavenly Demon Palace and rescue your disciple. Don’t worry too much.”
“It’s nothing,” Xiao Kun replied. “Liao is already gone. I don’t know Yelu Dashi’s situation in the Northern Regions. It won’t make a difference in this moment.”
Xiang Xian: “After Wu Gorge, where next?”
Xiao Kun said flatly: “Haven’t decided.”
Chaosheng happily ate the fish. “Why are you two suddenly so polite?”
Xiang Xian: “I suspect Shan Yu Hong had ‘Mu’s’ shadow behind her this time.”
Xiao Kun fell silent. Xiang Xian continued: “If we get no useful intel at Wushan Mountains, come back to Kaifeng with me?”
Xiao Kun: “What for? To work under Guo Jing?”
Xiang Xian helplessly waved. “Shan Yu Hong’s demonization is a major event for the entire Shenzhou. I must report to Lord Guo in person and brief him on the next plan.”
Xiao Kun: “Shan Yu Hong harbored obsessions for years; demonization was inevitable. Would Guo Jing really cover for you? If he truly cared about Heavenly Demon Reincarnation, he wouldn’t have let you offend the emperor and flee Bianjing.”
Seeing the conversation heading toward another argument, Chaosheng hurriedly said: “So we shouldn’t go back?”
“What’s your plan then?” Xiang Xian said. “Give me a goal.”
“I’m going to the Western Regions,” Xiao Kun said, “to track the Heart Lamp’s whereabouts. That’s my most important task since leaving Kunlun and coming to Chengdu. With the Heart Lamp, we can confront ‘Mu.'”
Xiang Xian frowned deeply. Xiao Kun added: “You can return to Kaifeng. I won’t stop you. As for Chaosheng, he’ll probably want to follow you for food, drink, and fun.”
“Ah…” Chaosheng looked between them.
“Chaosheng, do you want to go to the Western Regions?” Xiang Xian asked. He hadn’t fully processed this sudden parting of ways.
“You go with Xiang Xian,” Xiao Kun told Chaosheng. “The Western Regions are Uyghurs’ territory—harsh environment. This trip, I don’t know how long it’ll take.”
“Via Guazhou, out Yang Pass?” Xiang Xian asked.
Xiao Kun didn’t answer.
Xiang Xian: “It’s just because I didn’t draw the Wisdom Sword during the exorcism—is it that big a deal? What are you mad about?”
“It’s got nothing to do with the Wisdom Sword.” Xiao Kun said coldly.
“Don’t fight, you two.” Chaosheng had no idea what had happened today or why they were suddenly parting ways.
Xiang Xian thought maybe it was because he really did half-ass things, always letting Xiao Kun go first in fights until the last moment. He wanted to soothe him, but Xiao Kun rose after the meal and returned to his room.
Xiang Xian had booked two upper rooms: one for Chaosheng, one shared with Xiao Kun. Late at night, they lay on separate beds.
“Hey, Chief Emissary,” Xiang Xian said. “Did I piss you off today? It’s not that serious, right? I apologize, okay?”
Xiao Kun didn’t reply.
Xiang Xian: “If it’s because I badmouthed Liao, don’t take it to heart. That’s just how I am—I won’t say it again. Are you really going to the Western Regions alone?”
Xiao Kun: “It’s my duty. Someone has to do it.”
Xiang Xian: “I didn’t say I wouldn’t go with you.”
Xiang Xian sat up and glanced at the flatly lying Xiao Kun. In his snow-white robes, his skin nearly matched the fabric. Outside in the winter night, a light snow fell.
Xiang Xian pondered. Guo Jing’s side could wait—it wasn’t urgent. He could send someone else for the Chengdu Demon Exorcism Office Demon-Exorcising Envoy post. Investigating Shan Yu Hong’s demonization might yield other discoveries.
Xiao Kun was truly alone, his homeland lost. Traversing half of Shenzhou to the Western Regions for the Heart Lamp was pure luck. He couldn’t let him go alone.
Xiang Xian watched Xiao Kun for a while.
“Forget it, I’m sleeping.” Xiang Xian said.
“Mm.” Xiao Kun replied calmly.
The next day before dawn, clappers sounded at the docks. Xiang Xian couldn’t wake Chaosheng no matter how he tried, so he carried him to the Chaotianmen docks. Xiao Kun had already hired a mid-sized riverboat, waiting for them.
“We’ll boat down Wu Gorge first,” Xiao Kun said. “After investigating Wushan Mountains and finding the Holy Land with Yao Ji and Ba She, we’ll drift to Zigui. We’ll part there—you to Bianjing, me to the Western Regions.”
Xiang Xian thought it over. “Alright.”
