"Lìngxiāo Kùmsūn is here!"
"He can tell if there's a curse more easily than anyone!"
"How did we not notice him?"
The crowd's whispers swelled around the newcomer. He was, of course, one of the most well-known exorcists and demon slayers—even high-ranked sect cultivators rarely matched his power.
"He's here? But… wasn't Wèi waving at me?" Xio whispered, utterly confused, but he kept watching.
Kirihito parted his lips thoughtfully. He had noticed something—something only he could see. So he twisted his words with his usual grin. "Yes~ Wèi was waving at this golden-red insect~"
Wùji blinked, his gaze shifting from Kirihito, to his sibling, then to Lìngxiāo. He recognized the young man immediately—the Hàngwō Sect had requested his allegiance countless times. He was a practical diamond, a talent who could rank highly in any sect.
He was in immense demand. Yet he always refused, working alone, answering to no one's orders but his own.
All the Hàngwō and Yīn Lán members bowed respectfully, Wùji and Suji included. For a moment, their petty rivalry was forgotten, their focus solely on the task at hand and the courtesy owed.
"It is an honor to meet you, Lìngxiāo Kùmsūn," Wùji said. Though high-ranked himself, he felt no shame in showing respect to one who was arguably his superior, even if no Dàozǔ had ever formally declared it.
"Long time no see, Lìngxiāo Kùmsūn," Suji added with a bow, their sleeves floating gently with the motion.
Lìngxiāo bowed in return. His trademark smile never left his face. But today, it felt… different. Or perhaps it had always been like this. It seemed a touch wider.
"Nice to meet you as well, Wùji Kùmsūn… Suji Kùmsūn," Lìngxiāo said.
He then gave a single, silent nudge to his curse-partner, Mò Qīn—a clear instruction to show respect. Mò Qīn groaned and mumbled something in curse-tongue, as if meant for someone else entirely. He couldn't speak freely here, but he lowered his head in a brief bow.
Wùji was one of the few who could see Mò Qīn clearly as a curse coiled around Lìngxiāo's shoulder. Almost everyone knew Lìngxiāo's companion was a special-grade curse known as Mò Qīn.
"I feel… too much curse energy from him," Suji mumbled to Wùji without turning, his eyes fixed ahead. "Isn't it excessive for a slayer? An exorcist?"
"He has captured more curses than we ever have. That is why," Wùji answered softly, his violet gaze analyzing Lìngxiāo as if to confirm he was truly himself. He felt something was off, too.
Their silent exchange shattered when Lìngxiāo stepped forward, a little boldly, positioning himself between Wùji and the dance group.
Suji cleared his throat and subtly moved aside, giving them space.
Wùji's eyes locked with Lìngxiāo's—the familiar, yet now unfamiliar smile. He tried to pinpoint the source of his unease. Was he, like so many others, unfairly judging this pure-hearted soul who lived only to protect common people?
But he saw it. Lìngxiāo's golden-brown eyes held a reddish tint. His skin was not its usual pale gold, but a papery pallor that sent an unexpected chill down not only Wùji's spine, but Suji's as well.
"May I ask what you are attempting here, Wùji Kùmsūn? I arrived a little late," Lìngxiāo said. His smile was warm… yet dark. It felt like a warning.
Wùji's eyes lowered. He noticed something. Lìngxiāo's left fist was clenched tightly, trembling slightly as if fighting against an opposing force.
Before Wùji could process it, Lìngxiāo quickly raised his hand to adjust his bamboo hat, his fingers brushing the thin veil. "If you are struggling with something related to a guǐ or a mò… I can help."
The crowd's chatter resumed, lower and more uneasy than before.
Wùji thought for a second. He glanced at Kirihito and the other dancers, their innocent facades intact, then back at Lìngxiāo.
"How prideful," Suji mumbled under his breath. Wùji gave him a light, sharp pinch from behind—a clear command: Do not be disrespectful.
Suji hissed faintly and glared, but Wùji's expression remained unchanged.
"Well," Wùji began, "could you tell us if there is any curse present? Among these dancers? In the crowd?"
Everyone held their breath.
Suji swallowed hard, his blue eyes scanning the area once more in hopeless search.
"Of course. Why not? It is my duty, after all," Lìngxiāo replied warmly, instantly—just as Wùji and the others were always used to.
Wùji offered a faint smile and a nod, his eyes catching the unusual tremor in Lìngxiāo's hand again. He didn't press; Lìngxiāo carried many curses. Perhaps they sometimes struggled for control. The others offered small, respectful bows.
Lìngxiāo stepped forward onto the stage. His golden-brown boots echoed softly. His hands were clasped behind his back, his thoughtful smile unwavering.
Kirihito tilted his head as if watching something fascinating. The other dancers relaxed slightly.
Wùji and Suji shared one more look before returning their attention to him.
Lìngxiāo's eyes swept over the gathered crowd with a look of tired boredom. Then, in a motion almost too fast to follow, he drew a talisman from his robe, raised it, and flung it directly into the center of the mass.
Wùji blinked, tracking its path. Suji raised an eyebrow.
The crowd gasped and scrambled back. The talisman struck a woman. Her eyes widened, bleeding crimson, before she screamed and burned into ashes.
Everyone froze.
Lìngxiāo lowered his hand, dusted his robe, and said softly, "That was the only one. Otherwise, there are no more curses here. If there were… they have already fled back to Fukaki."
"A curse was among us in human form, and we didn't even notice!"
"Lìngxiāo Kùmsūn truly is a high-class exorcist!"
"The Hàngwō Sect would be unstoppable if he were with them!"
The crowd buzzed with awe.
Xio blinked again. He knew one truth, but the reality unfolding was something else entirely—a puzzle he couldn't piece together.
Meanwhile, Wùji stayed silent. He was not satisfied. He had felt more than one curse. Yet Lìngxiāo had just destroyed one right before their eyes. He wasn't a liar… so why couldn't Wùji believe him?
Suji felt the same; he, too, had seen more than two shadows.
So Wùji stepped forward. Slowly. Surely.
Lìngxiāo turned to face him, confident. Wùji stopped beside him, hands behind his back, gaze lowered.
"Are you certain… Lìngxiāo Kùmsūn?" Wùji asked, his voice gentle, suspicious, yet respectful.
"Yes. I am quite certain," Lìngxiāo answered, turning his head just enough to let his brown hair fall across his face.
Wùji turned to face him fully.
"Not even among the dancers here?"
"They are completely human,Wùji Kùmsūn," Lìngxiāo stated simply.
Xio felt his head spin. Kirihito wasn't human, and this great exorcist was… lying? There was something deeper at play. But one thing was good—Kirihito was out of immediate danger. He decided to let the drama continue.
"See? Wèi is innocent. You've just ruined Wèi's performance," Kirihito added innocently.
Lìngxiāo looked at Kirihito and smiled. Kirihito grinned back.
Wùji sighed. This wasn't working. He needed to push further. His tone shifted, becoming determined. "Then, Lìngxiāo Kùmsūn… why don't we let them finish their performance? Since the curse reacted to it… they will dance. In front of me." The offer made Kirihito and the other boys grin mischievously. A glance—unnoticed by most—passed between Lìngxiāo and Kirihito.
"What is actually happening here?!" Xio whispered furiously, feeling like a fool stranded in the middle of a river.
The crowd chattered anew about Wùji's unexpected interest.
Surprisingly, Lìngxiāo's smile turned into a faint, confident smirk. His decision was final. "Alright. If you do not believe me."
Lìngxiāo's body jerked slightly, as if jolted by a shock. As if someone had just… switched places with him. Wùji paused, searching, but found nothing more.
"Let us begin, then," Lìngxiāo said, stepping down from the stage.
Then, suddenly, Kirihito boldly approached Wùji. It was the dark voice again. "Would you… join Wèi? If you find anything unusual… you can take Wèi to your quarters. If you desire."
"What is he saying now? Why?" Xio facepalmed, hoping against hope that things wouldn't go where he feared. That voice… it reminded him of the previous night's events.
Is he really going to dance now? Gods, no. He never even sang a bedtime song for me as a child, and now he'll dance in front of everyone? Never. I'll shatter my sword if he does, Suji thought, annoyance settling on him like a weight as he crossed his arms.
Wùji looked at Kirihito. Then, surprisingly, he raised his chin and said, "Deal."
"What?!" Xio, Suji, and half the crowd gasped in soft disbelief.