Chapter 21: Kaifeng Part 2

“Yes, Master.” Wu Yingzong said.

A Huang, upon returning to Kaifeng, had already spread his wings and flown off.

“How about it?” Xiang Xian walked backward in front of Xiao Kun. “Worth the trip, right?”

Xiao Kun was dazzled, utterly amazed. Compared to Kaifeng, the Liao Kingdom’s Shangjing was nothing but barbaric wilderness.

“Where is the Exorcism Division?”

“Through the market. Chaosheng, don’t wander off! Tomorrow, Old Wu can take you out alone. Stick with us for now.”

The crowds grew thicker. Chaosheng said, “There are so many couplets here too!”

The three traveled wearily. Xiao Kun had been exhausted, but the beautiful sights invigorated him. Xiang Xian reached out affectionately, draping an arm over his shoulder and calling for Chaosheng not to stray, while holding his hand.

“Where’s A Huang?” Xiao Kun asked.

“Gone to find his old flame.” Xiang Xian casually asked, “Hungry? Want me to buy you something to eat first?”

Xiang Xian rummaged in Xiao Kun’s embrace. Xiao Kun pushed him away. “What are you doing!”

“Getting money!”

“Not hungry. Let’s head back first.”

“Big Brothers, I want the roasted lamb from that stall.”

“That’s no good. I’ll have Wu Yingzong buy from another place…”

On one side of the market, Xiang Xian accidentally bumped into a group of people.

The group carried lanterns, with several servants surrounding a middle-aged man. The man watched Xiang Xian and Xiao Kun playfully shoving each other and said coldly, “Ah, Lord Xiang.”

Xiang Xian recognized the familiar tone and immediately stopped, stepping in front of Xiao Kun and Chaosheng.

“Oh, Lord Tong?”

The leader was dressed in fine robes—it was Tong Guan.

“You’ve finally returned.” Tong Guan said sinisterly.

Two quarters of an hour later, in the Great Song Heavenly Prison, the clinking of chains echoed.

“Lord Xiang is back? Wall-Piercing Earth-Shrinking Technique won’t get you far!”

The prison was quite lively. In the month Xiang Xian had been away, it seemed many more officials had been thrown in.

Xiao Kun: “…………”

Chaosheng: “What is this place?”

Xiang Xian pressed a hand to his forehead, standing behind the bars and looking at Xiao Kun.

“Prison!” someone shouted noisily.

“So this is getting locked up?” Chaosheng was still curious. “What does ‘locked up’ mean?”

Xiao Kun was completely out of patience.

Chaosheng said, “When do we get out?”

“We can’t get out!” the man in the opposite cell said again. “Since we’re here, make the best of it.”

Chaosheng: “???”

Xiang Xian sat cross-legged in the cell. The only silver lining was that he, Xiao Kun, and Chaosheng were locked in the same cell, and they had not been searched.

Xiao Kun was truly out of energy. “I need to sleep first. Too tired. We’ll talk later.”

Xiao Kun lay directly on the straw-covered ground, rolled over, and fell asleep. Chaosheng, meanwhile, befriended someone in the next cell—a civil official who asked him, “Little brother, why were you arrested?”

“I don’t know,” Chaosheng clearly had no idea what was happening. He said, “I was with Xiang Xian.”

“You got dragged down by Lord Xiang, huh.” The official said.

“And you? Why are you here?” Chaosheng asked.

“Official Family matters.” The official whispered. “His Majesty and the Crown Prince have long been at odds. We’ve all become scapegoats…”

Chaosheng did not fully understand but realized that nodding was the way to go in such situations.

Xiang Xian said, “He’s not of this mortal world, Lord Lu. Don’t teach him these pointless things.”

The official dropped the subject. Moments later, he and Chaosheng started playing a grass-fighting game with the prison straw, having a great time.

Chaosheng: “I’m hungry.”

“Lord Guo will be here soon,” Xiang Xian said. “Hold on a bit. Let Xiao Kun sleep more. If no one comes by the second watch, we’ll slip through the walls.”

Speak of the devil—Guo Jing arrived, shouting loudly.

Guo Jing said, “Aiyo! Why’d you come back again?”

“Kaifeng is my home,” Xiang Xian said. “Why can’t I return?”

Xiao Kun woke up.

“Since you came back, why did you leave last time?” Guo Jing was utterly helpless. “The Official Family stewed over your words for over a month.”

“He’s calmed down now, so he should let us out, right?” Xiang Xian said. “Lord Guo, let me be upfront: if this nonsense continues, if we leave again, we won’t come back. Whether Great Song lives or dies, I won’t care anymore.”

Xiang Xian was clearly furious, speaking harshly even to his direct superior. After all, he had brought Xiao Kun and Chaosheng back to the capital, only to lose face to Tong Guan right upon entry.

“No!” Guo Jing paled. “Don’t leave again! You don’t know—for your sake, the Crown Prince and His Majesty… Sigh!”

Every prisoner in the cells perked up their ears, falling silent.

“Tong Guan knows full well,” Guo Jing said. “See? He didn’t even search you properly—just put on a show. You can come and go as you please here, but you still have to consider the Official Family’s face somewhat… And these two are…?”

Xiang Xian then noticed Xiao Kun had woken and was observing Guo Jing, while Chaosheng watched curiously.

“Hello.” Chaosheng waved at Guo Jing, who looked baffled but waved back.

“They’re my friends,” Xiang Xian said.

“Uh… alright then.” Guo Jing said. “I’ll figure something out. Try to get you out tonight. Xiang Xian, please don’t act impulsively again.”

Before leaving, Guo Jing called to the next cell, “Lord Lu, come spring, you’re exiled to Hainan. Light some incense for Su Shi on my behalf.”

“Su Shi isn’t buried in Hainan!” Xiang Xian finally snapped. “Hurry up already!”

The prison buzzed with discussion again. Clearly, Xiang Xian’s second arrest gave the prisoners plenty to talk about.

“Sleep your sleep.” Seeing Xiao Kun about to sit up, Xiang Xian hurriedly coaxed him back down.

“No matter,” Xiao Kun said. “I’m awake now.”

Xiao Kun had slept for an hour and felt much better. Xiang Xian said, “Let me massage your shoulders. You’ve had a hard journey. I didn’t expect we’d end up in prison upon return…”

“Get lost!” Xiao Kun quickly brushed off Xiang Xian, unwilling to accept his overture.

Xiang Xian looked both awkward and irritated. Xiao Kun glanced around the cell and remarked, “The Song Heavenly Prison holds more people than the Great Liao Heavenly Prison.”

Xiang Xian replied, “But our Emperor doesn’t execute civil officials. Unless it’s treason, even grave crimes mean only exile.”

Xiao Kun straightened his collar and fell silent for a moment. Xiang Xian had been planning an escape, but soon someone else arrived outside.