Chapter 19: Whereabouts Part 3

“The Heart Lamp,” Xiang Xian said. “The Heart Lamp flew toward Gaochang Kingdom.”

Chaosheng’s first act upon rising was to grab Wu Yingzong’s arm and curl into his embrace, finding the comfiest position. Wu Yingzong said, “I’ll take you to wash up, Chaosheng.”

“That’s flying too far,” Xiao Kun said.

Xiang Xian: “Gaochang Uyghur territory—having a general direction makes it findable.”

“Mm.” Xiao Kun remained calm, fastening his sash. “Can I have this map?”

“Take it.” Xiang Xian watched Xiao Kun, recalling their prior agreement to part ways after investigating Wushan Mountains. Clearly, Xiao Kun had not changed his mind.

Xiang Xian handed him the Dragon Jade Pendant. “Here, it’s done—but one last step.”

Xiao Kun took it and said flatly, “Thanks.”

Then, Xiang Xian struck like lightning with a small knife, slicing across. Xiao Kun immediately said, “What are you doing!”

Xiao Kun’s blood remained red. Xiang Xian’s blade nicked his palm slightly, drawing a bead that soaked into the Dragon Soaring Jade’s knot.

“I’ve woven in a supreme treasure from my sect,” Xiang Xian said. “It’s a chain that locks forever once fastened—the Thousand Mechanism Chain. Later, by chance, my master refined it into Heavenly Gold Silk. Entwined with the knot, you’ll never lose the Dragon Jade Pendant again.”

“You… fine.” Xiao Kun sighed, thinking: Though Xiang Xian spoke casually, it must be a precious treasure. Gifting me such a thing shows great favor, yet he’s so nonchalant about parting.

Xiao Kun gripped the knot; the Heavenly Gold Silk within emitted faint light, then faded.

“Healed?” Xiang Xian clasped Xiao Kun’s finger and pulled it to his face.

Xiao Kun generously flipped his palm for inspection.

“Wow, that heaven pattern in your palm lines… truly severed clean,” Xiang Xian said.

Xiao Kun quickly withdrew his hand and eyed Xiang Xian. “You read palms too?”

“You don’t?” Xiang Xian asked. “Never studied physiognomy?”

Xiao Kun’s master had taught him, but he held no interest.

“I don’t believe in fate,” Xiao Kun said, avoiding Xiang Xian’s gaze, his tone sounding rather guilty.

Xiang Xian said, “Like it?”

Xiao Kun: “Wh… what?” He then realized it referred to the knot and nodded stiffly. Xiang Xian merely smiled.

Xiang Xian produced other materials.

“What’s this?” Xiao Kun asked puzzled.

“For Chaosheng,” Xiang Xian said. “I promised to make him a Qiankun Bag.”

Xiao Kun sipped tea, watching Xiang Xian’s actions. They sat in mutual silence. Xiang Xian spread out brush and ink, drew a tree on a piece of hide, and said, “Master always said my Magic Treasures lacked finesse. I always figured functional was enough—not pretty anyway.”

“Shen Kuo was a world-renowned Magic Treasure Master,” Xiao Kun said.

When Xiao Kun set down the cup, Xiang Xian refilled it and drank from it himself.

Xiao Kun suddenly noticed only one cup on the table—he had been drinking from Xiang Xian’s cup half the morning. Utterly speechless.

Chaosheng returned laughing and chatting with Wu Yingzong; Chaosheng always had endless words.

“For me?!” Chaosheng spotted it.

“Mm.” Xiang Xian had tested one before; now he just pressed the semi-finished product. The table full of hide-working tools dazzled Chaosheng.

Chaosheng: “Big Brother, you’re amazing! So strong in fights, and you make Magic Treasures!”

“Not pretty—make do,” Xiang Xian said. “Advantage is durability. Done—take it, no need to thank.”

Stars shone in Chaosheng’s eyes; he greatly admired Xiang Xian inwardly. But his body was honest: with Wu Yingzong around, Chaosheng clung to him like a monkey demon turned.

That day, Chaosheng beamed with joy, stowing several Magic Treasures in his new Qiankun Bag. He even tried giving the Mountains and Rivers Sheji Map to Wu Yingzong as a token. Even if Wu Yingzong was reclusive, he knew that treasure absolutely could not be accepted and firmly refused.

Xiao Kun and Xiang Xian watched helplessly from the side.

Chaosheng then pressed Wu Yingzong to pilgrimage with him: after Upper Kunlun Mountain and entering White Jade Palace for cultivation, they’d be together forever. Wu Yingzong said he must serve Xiang Xian and could not neglect duty—but drawing time to visit the holy site and sightsee was already a lifelong regret fulfilled. After much discussion, they reached a compromise: after Xiang Xian naturally aged and died, Wu Yingzong would go to White Jade Palace to accompany Chaosheng.

At that point, Xiang Xian covered his face with one hand; Xiao Kun could bear it no longer.

“I’ll go stroll outside,” Xiao Kun said.

“I’ll come with you.” Xiang Xian rose to change clothes.

Wu Yingzong wanted to follow, but Xiang Xian signaled him to stay with Chaosheng—better to play matchmaker.

Wu Town held its annual New Year’s market, where all sorts of festive goods went on sale. Compared to places like Guanjiangkou, the market in Wu Town felt far more casual, attended almost entirely by locals. Xiang Xian tried several times to clap Xiao Kun on the shoulder, but each time, Xiao Kun subtly dodged.

Stalls in the market featured plenty of people writing Yichun Posts on red paper, also known as “spring couplets.” No one knew exactly when this custom had spread, but during the New Year, people always stuck peach blossoms outside their doors and pasted up the couplets.

“What are you thinking about?” Xiang Xian suddenly asked.

Xiao Kun snapped back to attention and replied, “Thinking about how we celebrated New Year’s in the old days.”

Xiang Xian and Xiao Kun stood in front of a stall where couplets were being written, watching the vendor’s brush dance like a dragon and snake across the paper.

It was the first time anyone had asked Xiao Kun, “What are you thinking about?” Xiang Xian pressed, “How did you celebrate back then?”

“We hardly ever celebrated properly,” Xiao Kun said, sinking into memories. “The Exorcism Division usually worked right up to New Year’s Eve. Then we’d enter the palace to receive rewards from Your Majesty, dine with the officials on a New Year’s Eve feast—mostly mutton hotpot and such—and have a few drinks.”

“Hm?” Xiang Xian said. “And after that?”