Chapter 21: Kaifeng Part 1

This morning, not long after Xiao Kun left the inn, he regretted it.

Being around Xiang Xian always left him restless. Shuhu’s prophecy had become his nightmare, and to top it off, Xiang Xian acted as if nothing was wrong, speaking to him in a mix of sincerity and teasing.

In the past, Xiao Kun would have activated his Nether Eyes to peer into his heart.

But right now, he did not want to do that. He just wanted to get away for a little while.

Before leaving, Xiang Xian had been sleeping soundly in the hall, slumped crookedly against the table. His sleeping face had a childish innocence, with thick eyelashes and rosy lips. His features resembled the statue of Xiansheng Zhenjun—handsome and exquisite.

Xiao Kun draped one of his outer robes over him and murmured softly,

“Until we meet again.”

Last night, Xiao Kun had hoped Xiang Xian would return to his room. If he had followed and tried to persuade him to stay, Xiao Kun might have agreed.

He walked past Xiang Xian, summoned the Golden Dragon, and soared into the air. The houses and walls of Zigui City shrank into an indistinguishable distant view of the Jing Region. The mountains receded, but the Yangtze River rolled eastward, its roaring winds howling past his ears. Once he rose above the clouds, the heavens and earth opened up vast and clear.

In this immense world, people were truly so insignificant. After this parting, would they meet again?

When he had left Yinchuan City back then, he had not anticipated the calamity of Sa Luan’s abduction so soon after.

The karmic ties between people could snap at any moment. Some crossed paths only once in a lifetime, and others parted hastily with a “until we meet again,” only to realize years later that it had been a final farewell.

Could he still save Sa Luan? Facing this boundless world, Xiao Kun felt an unprecedented wavering.

“…You must join hands to endure… You will be the lone spark of light amid the encroaching darkness…”

Shuhu’s words still echoed in his ears. Xiao Kun still did not believe the third prophecy, but to some extent, he knew that he and Xiang Xian were the only comrades on this earth whom they could entrust their lives to.

Back when Master Le Wan Shuang was still in the Central Plains, she had occasionally told him, “Most people regret the things they did; but they do not know that many things, if left undone at the time, will also bring regret.”

That day, he had carved a bloody path through the encircling Jin Troops with Sa Luan, fleeing from Shangjing. When he looked back, the orphanage was engulfed in flames. He had no strength left to save them. Looking back now, had it been right or wrong?

A cold wind blew, clearing Xiao Kun’s mind. He urged the Golden Dragon downward, flying back toward the earth.

On the Golden Dragon’s back, Xiang Xian was thrilled, while Chaosheng looked relieved.

“We’ll head north,” Xiang Xian said. “It’s not that far, actually. We can arrive by tonight. If we fly fast, we might even make it home for dinner.”

Xiao Kun: “Yes, Master. Of course, Master.”

Xiang Xian paused, then burst into laughter. He sat cross-legged at the front of the dragon’s head, while Xiao Kun stood at the head, pressing out a Wind-Averting Incantation with one hand to shield Chaosheng and Wu Yingzong from the high-speed gales behind them.

“You cast the spell!” Xiao Kun finally lost his patience and withdrew the incantation. Xiang Xian nearly got blown off from the dizzying height and hurriedly took over.

“This is the first time I’ve flown in the sky for so long.” Xiang Xian’s mood clearly recovered in an instant. With curiosity, he gazed at the mountains and rivers below and said, “Chaosheng! Look! That’s Xiangfan City!”

“Wow!” Chaosheng said. “Such huge cities!”

Xiao Kun lowered the altitude slightly to let them take in the scenery. Xiang Xian asked, “Tired? Want to rest in Xiangfan?”

Xiao Kun glanced at him and said, “You talk a lot.”

Xiang Xian just smiled it off. Xiao Kun was indeed a bit tired—Dragon Control consumed a great deal of Magical Power—but he could hold on. After all, once they reached Kaifeng, there probably would not be any major battles, and he could rest early.

The Golden Dragon ascended from Zigui, passing over Xiangfan and Xuchang. By the time they arrived at Kaifeng, the sun had set in the west, and the dragon’s body began to flicker, nearly turning into a translucent light shadow.

“We’re here,” Xiao Kun said with a deep breath. Xiang Xian knew he was on the verge of collapse and said, “Land quickly and rest.”

They descended outside the brightly lit Kaifeng City. Xiao Kun sat on a roadside stone to recover.

“Want me to carry you into the city?” Xiang Xian said.

“Can’t you wait just a little longer?” Xiao Kun was utterly exasperated.

Xiang Xian gestured: Fine, rest as long as you need.

Night had fallen, and Chaosheng had not idled for a moment. He climbed a tree by the road to gaze at the distant city.

“Wait,” Xiao Kun suddenly remembered something. “I recall you saying that before leaving Jingcheng, you spoke bluntly in remonstration and offended the Song Emperor?”

Xiang Xian had completely forgotten about it—it was just a trivial matter to him.

“Guo Jing will handle it,” Xiang Xian said. “Don’t worry. He’ll find a way to plead for me no matter what.”

“You weren’t arrested?” Xiao Kun said.

Xiang Xian replied, “Do you think the Heavenly Prison can hold your Master?”

Xiao Kun could hardly believe it. “Deputy Emissary Xiang, you first berated the Emperor, got thrown into the Heavenly Prison, and escaped! You’re bringing us back to get locked up!”

Chaosheng, clinging to the tree, overheard and asked curiously, “What does ‘locked up’ mean?”

“No need to worry,” Xiang Xian said. “Lord Guo must have sorted it out long ago—he always does. Rested enough? Let’s go.”

There were only two days until New Year’s Eve, and Kaifeng had entered its most dazzling season of the year, with lanterns filling the city.

The four great night markets at Drum Tower, Yuwang Platform, Horse Market Street, and State Bridge ran from dusk until the third watch, keeping the whole city awake through the night. Colorful lights hung along Dragon Pavilion Lakeside, resembling a mirage.

“This is the Immortal Realm!” Chaosheng’s eyes reflected the multicolored lights.

“Head to the Exorcism Division first.” After entering the city, Xiang Xian said, “Old Wu, go to the market and buy some wine and food to prepare.”