Chapter 28 – Zijing
In the end, A Jun and Xiao Jiuwuo were fortunate enough to return to their companions' sight. At that moment, A Jun felt the world suddenly blur, then movement ceased. His legs gave way, and he dropped into a squat, sitting down.
—Hmm, where am I? Who am I… Ah, this feels like the ground, soft enough. Did we… make it back? Where are they? No one…? Wait—Xiao Jiuwuo? Huh, that is…
The recent crisis had left A Jun, never good under pressure, drained and muddled. His mind was foggy, his thoughts only gradually clearing, confusion still lingering—until his gaze fell again on the golden-glowing horn. Then he began to realize—
"My goodness, why are you still sitting there hugging the cat in a daze? Hurry down already…"
After a while, a familiar voice reached his ears. Hugging Xiao Jiuwuo tightly, A Jun looked around quickly.
—Ah… found them!
Below, a small-eyed, chubby, cheerful boy with a teasing tone was shouting. His presence brought a strange sense of warmth and joy. Beside him stood a melancholy fairy-like girl and a cold-faced youth… familiar faces.
—Yes… it was them. We're safe!
"You're okay, Xiao Jiuwuo?"
"Meow!"
Finally, A Jun was fully awake. He looked at the cat with excitement and concern. They gazed at each other, hearts full of gratitude. But… why weren't they on the same level as the others?
"Bro… what are you two doing—look down properly!"
Xiao Xi's shout startled them. The cat wriggled free, diving into the hat. A Jun looked down—his companions all wore grave expressions. He touched his head, lowered his gaze, eyes widening—
—Uh… if I say I didn't mean it, would you believe me… Lord Xi!
"S-sorry, I was confused just now, didn't realize… We'll come down immediately!"
At last, A Jun realized he was sitting on the divine beast's back. That explained Xiao Xi's shouting and the others' strange looks. Flustered, he prepared to climb down.
But Saint Xi didn't seem to intend letting him escape. She folded her wings, then lifted them upward, pinning A Jun and the cat between them. —You two little troublemakers, stay put.
—What does this mean? I can't get down… It feels like being confined. Is this punishment for our mistake?
"—It's to stop you from running off again."
The cold voice pierced his ears—it was Yuwen Lu's explanation. So… what should he do now?
A Jun was torn. He couldn't sit, couldn't flee. But as the saying goes, great beings are magnanimous. Just as the guilty boy sank into self-blame, Saint Xi suddenly withdrew her wings and led the group forward.
—Who is he, really? For Saint Xi to protect him so… Since ancient times, only the goddess of Xuanwu County had ever been treated so.
And so, the two children, overwhelmed by such favor, sat obediently on the divine beast's back, occasionally peeking down at their companions—Xiao Xi squinting and smiling, Ning'er calm and composed again, and Yuwen Lu, face full of questions yet eyes stern.
What they thought, A Jun didn't know. He had no energy to care. The shock still lingered, leaving him shaken. Though he had endured, the aftermath left him exhausted. Soon, he lay down and fell asleep.
"Xiao Jiuwuo, those fireworks were beautiful… But let's not take such risks again… I'm just glad you're safe…"
"Ah… Ning'er, look, light ahead! A Jun…"
After a while, Xiao Xi's shout roused A Jun from his dream. Sleepy-eyed, he looked forward. A bright point of light grew larger, dazzling. Had they arrived?
He rubbed his eyes, looked again—yes. He quickly tapped his hat. The cat poked her head out, still drowsy, and together they awaited the moment of passage.
With a burst of radiant sunlight, the group passed through the shortcut's other gate and emerged outside. The children squinted, shielding their eyes, unaccustomed to the brightness—but their hearts were clearly lightened.
There were wildflowers in bloom, tender green grass, blue skies, clear streams, dense forests, and behind them, a towering mountain. The gate stood at the mountain's base, glowing faint purple.
Now that they had arrived, they had to continue. But A Jun and the cat still lingered, reluctant to move. Saint Xi seemed unbothered, but clearly the two little ones were being a bit ungrateful.
Soon, Xiao Jiuwuo tapped A Jun's head with her pink paw, then nodded, reminding him.
A Jun understood. He nodded back, then leapt carefully down, landing nimbly beside the others.
"Sorry, Lord Xi, for troubling you just now. Thank you!"
At once, A Jun bowed with the cat, sincere and proper. The great being seemed to accept his apology, gazing softly at them, then lowering her head to touch their cheeks.
In that moment, A Jun felt warmth and closeness. Though he had erred, Saint Xi bore no blame—only comfort. Truly, a magnanimous being.
"Bro, you okay?"
"A Jun, are you alright? And… Xiao Jiuwuo?"
Xiao Xi rushed over, eager to ask. Ning'er, slightly tense, glanced at A Jun, then at the cat, gently hugging her.
Yuwen Lu also approached, but calmly, still reading his book, expressionless.
"Hey, don't you care about your companions at all?"
Xiao Xi couldn't stand him, as always. How could someone be so cold?
"He made the mistake. Why should I care?"
Yuwen Lu retorted coolly, eyes on his book. Xiao Xi, used to him, grumbled a bit, then turned back to A Jun and the cat.
"Not to nag, but risking your life for a cat—was it worth it?"
His words weren't wrong. He knew from his master that A Jun was important. Even in danger, he wouldn't let A Jun face it alone.
So this time, Xiao Xi's worry was genuine. Even if A Jun weren't so important, he was still his brother. If anything happened, their mother's wrath alone would terrify him—not to mention the bond of friendship.
"Mm… I know. But Xiao Jiuwuo isn't just my friend—this was Auntie's request. I must deliver her safely to Uncle. How could I abandon her?"
"Oh, so it's a mission. That's fine then. Otherwise, you'd be in trouble. Still, I was wondering—your bond seems unusual… Heh, what if she could take human form one day? What would you do? Don't forget, you already have Liuli!"
"Huh? Xiao Xi, what are you thinking… Auntie said Xiao Jiuwuo is just an ordinary cat. And Liuli is my family, not what you're implying!"
"Mm? Bro, you really believe Auntie's words?"
"Meow?"
"Keep this up, and you'll be in real trouble!"
Xiao Xi's teasing wasn't without reason. But A Jun dismissed it. He was a simple boy, even naïve—never pondering Lan'er's thoughts, Liuli's actions, or the sweet girl's feelings. Almost like an emotional insulator.
Of course, his dullness was tied to his innate flaws. Perhaps he simply lacked the capacity to notice.
Ning'er, however, seemed to agree with A Jun's words. The awkwardness on her face suddenly eased into comfort. As for Yuwen Lu, he likely hadn't been listening at all—his only task was to ensure A Jun completed his trial. Everything else was irrelevant. He kept reading his book, then coldly urged A Jun—time was running out.
—Oh, right. Where was Lord Xi?
A Jun also realized the urgency. Soon, he would need to deliver the cat to a plaza called Xingfuli. Even with the wristband's holographic navigation, it would take some time.
So, with little confidence, he raised his arm and gave it a hopeful shake.
"Hello, A Jun. Navigation starting now…"
—Ah! The wristband responded. That meant they wouldn't get lost.
He turned, ready to bid farewell to Lord Xi out of courtesy—after all, she had helped them. But all he saw was mountain and air… the gate was gone.
"Gone… Hmm, the gate was around there. I'd better remember, in case we need to return…"
"You think she'll wait for you? That location is random—and one-way!"
"A Jun, ignore him—let's go!"
With a dismissive snort, Yuwen Lu gave A Jun a shove and led the way. Xiao Xi, surprisingly thoughtful, comforted A Jun and then followed with Ning'er.
"Xiao Jiuwuo, how did that passage take only half an hour, when it should've been days of travel?"
"Meow!"
"Amazing—like a wormhole…"
"Meow?"
"Oh, that's a scientific concept. A wormhole is a tunnel formed by spacetime distortion. If discovered, it could let us travel between planets—or even galaxies—easily."
"Meow…"
"A Jun, look—we're here! Ning'er, this is the city I mentioned before—Emperor North City!"
Under Yuwen Lu's lead, they soon reached the outskirts of Zhuque County's main city. From the cliff, they overlooked a metropolis nearly twice the size of A Jun's hometown, with immense building density. Within it lay a city within a city.
Xiao Xi explained—that was Zijing City, the royal residence for generations. Though ancient, it had been lavishly restored, encircled by walls like a great fortress, well protected.
The outer city, by contrast, was modern, bustling with crowds and full of technology. Its walls were simpler, its gates less ornate than the inner city's.
"At last… just in time. Xiao Jiuwuo…"
"Meow?"
"You're here too. Soon, we'll have to say goodbye…"
"Meow—meow…"
"What, you want to stay with A Jun?"
"Meow!!"
"Ah! Don't scratch me—it hurts, Ning'er!"
"Alright, Xiao Jiuwuo. I'll miss you too. But Master told me: the moon waxes and wanes, all feasts must end. If fate allows, we'll meet again."
"Meow~"
"Let me hold you once more!"
"Meow!"
"Hey, time's short!"
"…I understand. Let's go. Yuwen Lu, I'll take Xiao Jiuwuo home first. Can you wait for me, then we'll regroup?"
"I'll take them into the palace. You come alone—here, take this token."
"Alright, thank you. Xiao Xi, stay with Ning'er. Everyone's tired. I'll be fine."
"Sure, the city's safe enough."
"A Jun, be careful!"
"Meow!"
"Mm!"
"Yuwen Lu, what's that place?"
As they neared the main gate, A Jun noticed a ruined city in a western valley. Though dilapidated, it bustled with life.
—That city…? Strange, the wristband didn't show it on the map.
"That is Jianghu Town…"
"—Ah, I know! My teacher told me. It was once the imperial capital, abandoned after war. Refugees settled there, along with criminals and exiles. Oh, and those bounty assassins we fought—their base is said to be there! But after all these years, no one's found it. Useless, huh…"
"You're the useless one."
"Hey, what's that supposed to mean!"
Yuwen Lu answered A Jun plainly. Xiao Xi, however, launched into a lively history lecture. The others listened with interest, like watching a TV program. He explained fluently, sneaking glances at Ning'er with smug pride.
But Yuwen Lu gave him no face. With a gentle flick, he left Xiao Xi fuming.
"Jianghu Town… life adrift in the rivers and lakes—huh? What's that? Ow, so bright!"
A Jun and Xiao Jiuwuo, listening quietly, gazed into the distance. Suddenly, a purple light flashed into A Jun's eyes.
—Purple light, so far away, yet so bright?
He blinked, ready to look again—but the light was gone.
—Strange. What was that? Such brightness, from so far… too coincidental.
"Hey, everyone, did you see that purple light from Jianghu Town?"
"Light? No, nothing."
"Meow?"
The others looked puzzled. At that distance, light shouldn't have been so dazzling. Could it have been a laser?
—Forget it. Even Xiao Jiuwuo didn't see it. Maybe it was just my imagination. Too sensitive.
"Ah, we've arrived—this is Zhuque County's main city!"