Even Xiang Xian and Xiao Kun, who had seen much of the world, felt as if they were in a dream.
For several breaths’ time, countless thoughts flashed through Xiang Xian’s mind: What exactly was this thing? An artifact? A monster? The head of some renowned immortal cultivator that had been sealed away?
Could its words truly be trusted? What was this so-called Heavenly Mandate? Was the ancient treasure hidden in the underground palace of Buddha Palace Temple profound because it revealed the Heavenly Mandate of the human world?
Xiao Kun was the first to recover. “Who will ask first?”
Xiang Xian stared in astonishment and said, “Let me be shocked for a moment first. To be honest, I always thought there was the Imperial Jade Seal inside. That’s the information Lord Guo received.”
Xiang Xian looked toward Xiao Kun. After a moment’s hesitation, he still couldn’t judge whether this “head” was some monster imprisoned for thousands of years, harboring resentment and merely tempting them to unleash revenge, or if it was truly the world’s one-of-a-kind magic treasure.
“You knew long ago?” Xiang Xian asked in surprise.
Though Xiao Kun was astonished, his expression quickly calmed.
“How could it be something as vulgar as the jade seal?” Xiao Kun said. “When I was young, I read about this item in the Mysterious Bird Ancient Scroll. Legend has it as a magic treasure capable of knowing all matters of past, future, and present. It had existed in the world for thousands of years, even before the establishment of the Exorcism Division. Obtaining this casket allows one to know the ‘Heavenly Mandate.'”
Xiao Kun observed Xiang Xian’s expression. “I have only one question, which is the wish of my lifetime. If you let me ask it today and get the answer, then you and I need not become enemies or even fight. You can have the box along with the head.”
Xiang Xian half-believed it. He was already imagining: If he didn’t find the jade seal, would he have to bring this demon head back to Kaifeng? The scene of taking it out in the court would surely be quite sensational.
Hearing Xiao Kun’s words, Xiang Xian decided to listen to his question to judge the truth. Since it was Xiao Kun’s sole wish, granting it to him would do no harm.
He made a gesture, signaling Xiao Kun to ask.
“But I must be present,” Xiang Xian said. “No offense, brother, but I swear that no matter what I hear today, if you don’t want to say it, I absolutely won’t mention it to a third person afterward.”
Xiao Kun did not reply. He stared at the head, took a deep breath as if organizing his words, and the valley fell silent.
Xiang Xian suddenly said to the head, “Do you know Xing Tian? You two seem like a match made in heaven.”
“Don’t interrupt with jokes!” Xiao Kun had already thought of what to ask, but he hadn’t expected Xiang Xian to crack such an untimely joke at this moment.
“I am the God of Time, Shuhu,” the head said. “Is this your first question?”
“No!” Xiang Xian and Xiao Kun both changed color and clarified simultaneously. They didn’t understand why this guy named Shuhu limited them to three questions, and inexplicably, they had been led into its trap.
Xiao Kun took another step forward and said, “Shuhu, since you know all things, you must surely know why I came.”
Xiang Xian: “Right! That’s a good method. When encountering fortune-telling charlatans on the rivers and lakes, usually asking like this reveals their true skills in three sentences… Hey! Let’s talk it out!”
Xiao Kun made a motion to draw his saber threateningly at Xiang Xian, who instantly dodged to the side.
“Fine, fine, I won’t speak!” Xiang Xian raised his hands in surrender and observed Shuhu’s expression. All the previous words had been probes, and at the same time, his mind kept recalling the ancient texts he had read—none of them mentioned Shuhu.
“You are a descendant of the Khitan,” Shuhu ignored Xiang Xian, opened its eyes, stared at Xiao Kun, and answered. “Your father is Jing Pian Ge, your mother is Xiao Shuang, a descendant of Xiao Chuo. Do you need me to recount your father’s origins?”
“No need,” Xiao Kun said. He had already realized that Shuhu truly knew many things.
Xiang Xian: “!!!”
Xiang Xian looked at Xiao Kun. At this moment, Xiao Kun said gravely, “Yes, I am Khitan.”
Xiang Xian’s expression became extremely complex for a time. Xiao Kun said to Xiang Xian, “Not only am I Khitan, I am also a descendant of the imperial Xiao clan. My ancestors are from the Xiao Family of Empress Dowager Xiao.”
If it had been before, Xiang Xian would have immediately become fully guarded, for Song and Liao were now mortal enemies. But he knew that compared to the deep hatred between the two countries, there were more important things to do now.
“I want to ask about the Heavenly Mandate of the Liao Kingdom,” Xiao Kun finally asked Shuhu. “Where exactly is it?”
Shuhu answered, “The Khitan’s allotted span has ended. Liao is like a river flowing into the sea, with no chance of resurgence. I know you are still pursuing the whereabouts of the imperial clan. Emperor Tianzuo was captured, and the Jin People claimed outwardly that he still lived, but in truth, your emperor hanged himself on the road north.
“The Liao imperial clan was slaughtered entirely. The empress and empress dowager have been captured and taken to Huanglong Prefecture. Do not pin hopes on futile matters. You have more important things to do, Xiao Kun.”
Xiao Kun tried his utmost to remain calm, but one hand trembled uncontrollably.
Xiang Xian sighed, unable to tell if it was pity or sympathy in his heart.
