Before long, Xiong Zhan left the Heavenly Sovereign's Divine Hall. Rather than immediately carrying out the task Ao Yue had given him, he first hurried back to the Heavenly Emperor Palace and reported everything to Gungun, who was eating homemade ice cream.
After hearing Xiong Zhan's report, the ice cream in Gungun's paw instantly fell to the floor. The bear stared blankly ahead and muttered, "Sure enough, he's gotten smarter. He's no longer the innocent, easily fooled-oh, no, I mean, willing-to-listen-to-a-bear dragon he used to be!"
"Your Majesty, should I deliver the edict to Chi You?" Below him, Xiong Zhan raised his head and asked Gungun.
Back then, Yuanshi had sent him and Xiong Meng to serve as Chi You's mounts, helping him defeat Xuanyuan and contend for the Human Emperor's Position. In the end, Xiong Zhan had lost to Yinglong, while that spineless Xiong Meng had been so frightened that he abandoned Chi You and fled alone to the Heavenly Court, leading to Chi You's capture by Xuanyuan and subsequent public beheading.
This left Xiong Zhan feeling somewhat guilty toward Chi You. After that battle, he had never gone to see him despite knowing where he was, precisely because of that guilt. So, if possible, he really did not want to make a trip to the Miao Lands.
"Hmm..." At Xiong Zhan's question, Gungun took a deep breath, rallied his spirits, and gave it serious thought. After a while, he said, "Go. If Chi You joins the battle, so be it. Give him this."
Whoosh! As he spoke, Gungun waved his paw. A streak of blue light shot out and landed in Xiong Zhan's hands, turning into a small banner.
"Your Majesty, is this... the Black Tortoise Water-Control Banner?" Xiong Zhan asked Gungun as he looked at the banner