“We had clothes made for you too.” Wu Yingzong doted on Chaosheng endlessly, and crucially, Chaosheng was very dependent on him. Whenever Wu Yingzong showed interest in something, Chaosheng responded in kind. The two were already deeply smitten.
Chaosheng changed into an emerald-green scholar’s robe, which made him look even more ethereal. Wu Yingzong’s was a dark blue martial robe.
“Let’s go,” Xiang Xian said, seeing that it was getting late. “Time for New Year’s Eve dinner.”
Wu Yingzong hired a carriage, and the four of them boarded. Xiao Kun said, “His attitude during our talk today with Guo Jing really surprised me.”
Xiang Xian replied casually, “He’s never involved himself in Division matters. He’s really just the head of the Gold Stone Bureau and only holds the position in name. These past few years, he’s used me and the Exorcism Division as bargaining chips in court politics, raising his status and gaining plenty of benefits. He wants the perks without doing the work—where in the world does he get off?”
“Besides, the Exorcism Division falls under the Gold Stone Bureau,” Xiang Xian added. “He’s still our direct superior.”
Xiao Kun said, “Just what makes Guo Jing so formidable? What do you think of his Cultivation Base?”
Xiang Xian: “I don’t know. Master was always polite to him before passing, but he’s hardly ever made a move.”
Chaosheng: “?”
Wu Yingzong: “What are you trying to say?”
Chaosheng: “Are you talking about that uncle?”
Xiao Kun: “Mm, he’s the Southern Great Exorcist, but I couldn’t gauge the depth of his Cultivation Base.”
“I couldn’t either,” Xiang Xian said. “Since I came to Kaifeng, he’s never shown it.”
Chaosheng: “Isn’t he just a mortal?”
“Huh?” everyone exclaimed at once.
Chaosheng: “He’s a Grand Demon-Exorcist? But he has no Heart Lamp, no Wisdom Sword, and no Magical Power at all. Isn’t he a mortal?”
“How could that be?” Xiang Xian said. “He… Guo Jing has been famous for years…”
Xiao Kun believed Chaosheng, though. Chaosheng might not understand much else, but his eyes were incredibly sharp. At their first meeting, he’d seen through Xiao Kun’s background and Nether Eyes. Upon seeing Xiang Xian, he’d pinpointed his Pure Yang Body. With Wu Yingzong, he’d discerned his Ape Body. He practically had fire eyes and golden pupils.
“How did he become famous?” Xiao Kun asked.
“He performed spells in front of the Official Family and the court,” Xiang Xian said. “I forget the details—it’s just hearsay. Supposedly, he could make mice fearless of cats.”
Chaosheng jumped in fright. “You can’t judge by appearances—he’s impressive!”
Xiang Xian: “Chief Emissary, what’s with that look on your face? Isn’t that difficult? From the time of the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors, name one person who could make mice fearless of cats.”
Xiao Kun corrected himself. “It truly shocked me. My ignorance is to blame.”
“That’s the right reaction,” Xiang Xian said. “How could a mere mortal like you comprehend Lord Guo’s divine abilities? Hold reverence for spells you don’t understand!”
Xiao Kun: “Yes, yes, Master’s lesson is well taken.”
But upon closer thought, Xiang Xian wasn’t wrong. It really was difficult. Slaying demons was simple for them, but making mice fearless of cats? No one had ever learned or even studied such a spell. Suddenly, Xiao Kun couldn’t decide whether purifying the Heavenly Demon was harder or making mice fearless of cats.
“Maybe he has lots of Magic Treasures,” Wu Yingzong chimed in unusually. “Master Shen became famous for his research into them too.”
Xiao Kun’s mind was a mess. On careful reflection, if Guo Jing’s Cultivation Base was so low that Chaosheng judged him a “mortal,” then the man was an incredible actor… Meaning for all these years, the Great Song Exorcism Division had been propped up by a powerless mortal? Only after Xiang Xian arrived did Guo Jing relax and send him out to capture demons.
It was terrifying. For nearly a decade, the Great Song Demon-Exorcism Division Headquarters hadn’t had a single true Exorcist? Any random monster could have wiped out all of Kaifeng! Yet ten full years without incident—truly blessed by heaven.
Xiao Kun thought it through and suddenly found it all made perfect sense!
Guo Jing’s reaction today stemmed from his lack of Cultivation Base, forcing him to accept Xiang Xian’s terms. That explained why Xiang Xian had always found him easy to deal with!
“I can’t think about it anymore,” Xiao Kun said. “It’s too bizarre.”
Xiang Xian: “No worries. You’re the Chief Emissary now—you can puzzle it out slowly.”
“You just want to slack off, don’t you?” Xiao Kun said.
“Yes.” Xiang Xian admitted shamelessly.
Chaosheng, having grasped the gist, burst out laughing.
“You handle the Crown Prince when he comes too,” Xiang Xian said. “Don’t make me decide.”
“What does the Crown Prince want?” Xiao Kun hadn’t expected to get dragged into so much trouble right after arriving in Kaifeng.
Xiang Xian: “Guo Jing made it clear enough today… We’re here—get out. Besides treason, what else could it be?”
Xiao Kun remained calm. “The world belongs to the Zhao family anyway. Hardly treason.”
The carriage arrived at Fanlou Chun Nuan Pavilion, one of Kaifeng’s Eight Great Buildings. It stayed open even on New Year’s Eve, crowded with nobles and officials outside. Many recognized Xiang Xian and greeted them warmly.
Chaosheng asked, “What’s treason?”
Xiang Xian’s face paled to match Xiao Kun’s and he hurriedly said, “Don’t talk about it here!”
“Lord Xiang.” Servants on the Fanlou bowed to them, and the manager came out with a beaming smile to welcome them.
“Old patrons,” Xiao Kun said.
“This is Lord Xiao.” Xiang Xian let Xiao Kun go ahead. “This place is just for eating! Don’t think I don’t know what you’re scheming…”
Xiao Kun laughed and ascended to the third floor.
The manager led them to a screen in the corner of the third floor. The entire level buzzed with activity—shadows of people toasting behind other screens, waiters darting about, laughter and clinking cups everywhere. From their seat, they had a distant view of the brilliantly lit Wansui Mountain, overlooking most of Kaifeng.
Red lanterns and green wine painted a picture of peace and prosperity, brimming with festive joy.
“Master, should we soundproof?” Wu Yingzong asked.
Xiang Xian looked to Xiao Kun, who replied, “No need. A bit of outside noise adds to the liveliness.”
Chaosheng was clearly curious and tried to peek behind other screens, but Xiang Xian pulled him back.
Xiang Xian said, “No need to serve. We’re all eating together.”
Wu Yingzong replied “Yes,” but still went downstairs to inspect the dishes and have tea and hot towels brought up.
