Chapter 112 Open Heart Talks

When the hunters and the Xian reached the border, they were greeted by fellow hunters. Zheng Tingfeng quickly gave way to Guozhao Zhiqiang.

Zheng Tingfeng said, "Senior brother, we found childe Hu when we are coming here."

Guozhao Zhiqiang said, "How do you find him?"

"We found him alone in a local temple, "Zheng Tingfeng said. "He was exhausted and had no energy. At first we thought he was dead, but then he was still breathing."

Zheng Yaozu said, "We couldn't just leave him behind, so we brought him with us."

Guozhao Zhiqiang sighed, "Let's go see him."

Guozhao Zhiqiang and Yang Bao walked to Hu Dingxiang. They checked Hu Dingxiang's pulse, stood up, and looked down at Hu Dingxiang.

Guozhao Zhiqiang said, "What do you think?"

Yang Bao said, "His pulse is good, but he seems to be asleep."

Guozhao Zhiqiang asked, "Is there any way to help him?"

Yang Bao said, I'm not sure either. Maybe...first master has an idea."

Guozhao Zhiqiang glanced at Hu Dingxiang and said, "Send him back to Snow Sector." He looked at Tiang Xiang and Yu Lei. "Ah Xiang and Ah Lei, you two take the juniors and send childe Hu back to Snow Sector." He looked at Tiang Xiang. "You haven't visited your family for two years."

Tiang Xiang said, "Alright."

Guozhao Zhiqiang said, "When we get to Captial City, Tingfeng, Yaozu, and twenty juniors will take the Xian up north to the Wasteland. Ah Xiang, Ah Lei, and eight juniors will send childe Hu back to Snow Sector. Ah Bao, you can take the rest of the juniors back to Cloud City."

Fu Pengfei said, "After South Mountain, we will return to Lotus Sector." He looked at Xiao Mei. "Are you going with us?"

Xiao Mei looked at Guozhao Zhiqiang then Yang Bao. She said, "No, I'm returning to Cloud City."

Fu Yongrui smiled and said, "Big brother, go to Cloud City with them. I will bring our juniors back to Lotus Sector. Sixty days from now, no matter what, we will come to the wedding banquet of brother Yang and Lady Tam."

Fu Pengfei smiled and said, "Are you sure?"

Fu Yongrui, "No problem, I got it."

Fu Pengfei smiled and patted Fu Yongrui twice on the right shoulder. He said, "Then I'll leave the juniors in your care."

It took the hunters and the Xian ten days to reach Capital City. On the dock of Capital City, Tian Xiang and Yu Lei said goodbye to Guozhao Zhiqiang and Yang Bao.

Tian Xiang looked at Guozhao Zhiqiang and said, "Senior brother and second senior brother, don't worry, we will send childe Hu safely back to Snow Sector."

Guozhao Zhiqiang said, "If you have any difficulties, just call me."

Yu Lei said with a smile, ""How dangerous is it to send childe Hu back to Snow Sector."

Yang Bao looked at Tian Xiang and Yu Lei, "Every mission has its own dangers, remember this."

Yu Lei smiled and said, "Understood..."

Yang Bao turned to look at the other seven male juniors, "Be alert, safe journey."

"Thank you, second senior brother." They looked at Guozhao Zhiqiang and said goodbye.

Yang Bao and Guozhao Zhiqiang watched Yu Lei, Tian Xian, and other juniors mount their horses, and their pony carriages slowly left the Capital City wharf and headed west.

Yang Bao turned to Guozhao Zhiqiang and said, "Well, I guess, this is also where we part."

Guozhao Zhiqiang said, "When everything is settled, we will return to Cloud City."

Yang Bao said, "Senior brother, regard of brother Deming's soul."

Guozhao Zhiqiang said, "Don't look for his soul anymore."

Yang Bao asked, "Why?'

Guozhao Zhiqiang said, "I have found Deming."

Yang Bao asked, "When or how?"

Guozhao Zhiqiang patted Deming's head lightly and said, "Deming's soul is inside this fox."

Yang Bao was taken aback, "Really?"

Guozhao Zhiqiang said, "When I return, I will tell you."

Yang Bao sighed and said, "Alright...have a safe journey traveling up north."

Guozhao Zhiqiang said, "So do you." He walked towards the big ship waiting for him, while Yang Bao slowly walked back to the gate of Capital City.

Guozhao Zhiqiang climbed onto the ship and stood aside to watch Yang Bao enter Capital City. He looked at Deming and said, "When we travel, you must pay special attention to where we're going. So, you can always find your way home."

Deming frowned, "Who made you tall and big? I can't see clearly when I walk behind you."

Guozhao Zhiqiang chuckled softly, "Are you blaming me now?"

Deming frowned, "Yes, I blame you."

When the Xian arrived at Waterfall City, Lim Junjie was already waiting for them at the pier with many soldiers of Waterfall City. When Guozhao Zhiqiang disembarked, Lim Junjie flew into Guozhao Zhiqiang's arms.

Lim Junjie shouted happily, "Zhiqiang..."

Mu Yin looked at Guozhao Zhiqiang and asked, "Who is he?"

Zheng Yaozu said, "Oh, that's my sister-in-law." He looked at Mu Yin. "Don't worry about him, he won't take senior brother away from you."

Zheng Tingfeng frowned and said, "Drop your joke."

Lim Junjie said, "Zhiqiang, my uncle told me to tell you, you can either continue to the Wasteland or stay here for the night."

Chuju said, "We would rather continue our journey until we reach our new home."

Ankh said, "That's what we agreed upon."

Lim Junjie said, "Hump...auntie expected you to say that, so we just came with the carriage. Anyone who can walk, walk, and anyone who can't walk, jump on the carriage." He turned to the Zheng brothers. "Your father has already had the necessary equipment brought there."

Zheng Yaozu teased, "I think you should change the way you address father."

Lim Junjie said, "Why should I?"

Zheng Yaozu said, "Because soon you will be my sister-in-law." He smiled, and Gen and Wan also laughed.

Zheng Tingfeng knocked on Zheng Yaozu's head and said, "Enough."

Guozhao Zhiqiang said, "Alright, everyone has heard Junjie, pack your things, everyone gets off the ship and we set off. We will walk for half a day before we reach our destination."

The Xian quickly grabbed their personal belongings, put them on the carriage, and with the help of Waterfall's soldiers, they started to walk north. When the Xian arrived in the Wasteland, it was already too late. They rest in bamboo huts built for tourists visiting the Heroes Graves.

Guozhao Zhiqiang sat on the deck of one of the bamboo huts, overlooking the graves of fallen heroes. When Chuju walked in front of Guozhao Zhiqiang. She handed Guozhao Zhiqiang an apple.

Guozhao Zhiqiang said, "The apples here are better than those in other places in the land."

Chuju sat beside Guozhao Zhiqiang and said, "I agreed."

Guozhao Zhiqiang asked, "Where is Ankh?"

Chuju said, "Ankh is sleeping." She pointed to a hut not far from Guozhao Zhiqiang's hut. "Now, I feel better. I hope that one day all Xian can walk freely among other people without fear."

Guozhao Zhiqiang stroked Deming's back, and Deming was lying on Guozhao Zhiqiang's lap. He looked at a bright moon and said, "The moment you step into Waterfall City, that day has already arrived."

Chuju said, "I heard some soldiers say they want to visit their comrades. Are these graves?"

Guozhao Zhiqiang said, ""This is the tomb of the fallen heroes in the heroic war against the Demon King."

Chuju said, "It's no wonder that I heard Hunter Zheng mentioned about a demon King."

Guozhao Zhiqiang said, "There is a gate call Demon Gate located inside Immortal Valley. That gate is the gate between us and otherworldly demons. Centaurs have been guarding this gate for a long time, just to prevent such monsters from breaking out and disturb our peaceful way of life." Guozhao Zhiqiang looked at the mountains. "In a way, they are the gatekeepers between the living and the demonic creatures." He looked at Chuju. "Lady Chuju, you can be a great help for them."

Chuju asked, "How?"

Guozhao Zhiqiang said, "You are the descendants of the original Xian, and your talent is of great help to them."

Chuju said, "You are also descendants of the original Xian, why didn't you stay?"

Guozhao Zhiqiang said, "I am a hunter and cannot settle in one place. I will go wherever the people need me."

Chuju smiled at Guozhao Zhiqiang, "To be a hunter, you must dedicate your time and energy to others. I will never be a hunter like you, and I will consider your proposal." She looked at the many graves, and then turned to Guozhao Zhiqiang. "Since these graves are the graves of fallen heroes, why don't you go and see the graves of your fallen juniors?"

Guozhao Zhiqiang said, "There are no Guozhao hunters here."

Chuju was stunned, "How come?"

Guozhao Zhiqiang said, "After the heroes war, the third master brought all the ashes of the Juniors back to Cloud City."

Chuju jumped off the deck and said, "I'm going back. Oh, take me back to my hut, I have something for you."

Guozhao Zhiqiang put Deming on the deck and followed Chuju back to the hut where she and Ankh share. Guozhao Zhiqiang stood outside, Chuju walked into the hut, a moment later, Chuju came out with two small bracelets. She handed it to Guozhao Zhiqiang.

Chuju said, "The elders have blessed them, and they want to give you a thank you gift." She smiled. "I forgot to give it to Hunter Yang, please bring it back to him."

Guozhao Zhiqiang said, "I will bring it back to him."

Chuju, "Goodnight."

Guozhao Zhiqiang turned around and walked back to the hut far away from the crowd. He stared at the bright moon, shining on the lonely land of the dead. The full moon was bright, and with his eyes, he didn't need a lantern. As he slowly approached his hut. He stopped suddenly. What he saw sitting on the deck surprised him. He saw Deming sitting looking at the moon, red hair fluttering in the wind, dangling his legs, swung his legs back and forth. The nine tails behind him swung from side to side.

Guozhao Zhiqiang approached slowly and said in a trembling voice, "Deming..."

Deming turned to look at Guozhao Zhiqiang with angry red eyes. He said angrily, "Who are you?"