The next day dawns bright and early as all the cultivators gather in the banqueting hall for breakfast.

Lan Qiren is glad that Wen Tang Changpu has decided to keep the burglary attempt of the Lan quarters a secret for now, because otherwise these busybodies would, no doubt, be having the time of their lives gossiping about the possible reasons such an act happened.

But if you want to catch a mole, you have to lay a trap, and success depends on secrecy.

He's glad no one was hurt yesterday, although he's warned all those in his clan and under his protection to be on their guard. There's no guarantee that his loud denouncement of helping Wen Tang Changpu with the Yin Iron was heard by the guilty party. So far, they have no information on who it was or whether they are working alone or in a group.

If it's the latter, then Wen Tang Changpu will have her work cut out for her, because dissent within one's own disciples could lead to mutiny and a coup, but he sincerely hopes it doesn't come to that.

He's glad the children remain unaffected by last night's shenanigans. All four of them had slept in the same bed in the foreign room, pushing three beds together so that the younger ones wouldn't be scared. He smiles at the memory of waking up with Wei Ying next to himself, snuggled up to WangJi, who, in turn, was being hugged from behind by Lan Huan.

And considering everything that has happened under this roof, Lan Qiren is glad that he's successfully looked after everyone, especially these three children, and that they'll be leaving tomorrow as soon as they can.

**************

Wei Ying hasn't had a chance to talk to Lan Zhan privately since last night, and he wants to talk to Wen Qing, too. He waits until Lan Qiren is distracted before grabbing Lan Zhan’s hand and signing his question.

Wei Ying: What do you think the person who burgled our rooms last night was looking for?

Lan Zhan: I don't know. Do you have any ideas?

Wei Ying: Yes. When Xue Yang and I went to free the fierce corpses, we saw a piece of Yin Iron down there. I thought, with the roof falling in, that it might have been buried under all that debris. But now I'm thinking that Wen Qing's Mama might have cleaned up and found it. And because it would have been her disciples rather than herself, I think she might have given it to Shifu for safe keeping, and someone else knows this. I think whoever broke in was looking for it.

Lan Zhan: That, unfortunately, makes sense.

Wei Ying: We have to look after Shifu and make sure nothing happens to him. And we have to tell Wen Qing. She was around Wen Ruohan in our past life when her uncle got hold of three pieces. We know one is in Cloud Recesses, and one was hidden here in Nightless City. Another one was kept by the Damsel of Annual Blossoms in Tanzhou, but Wen Chao got to her first before we could. No one knows about the fifth piece, the sword inside the tortoise of slaughter. I think we can safely say that's the only one which is safe, out of anyone's reach.

Lan Zhan: We should tell Wen-Guniang as soon as possible. And wasn't there a fourth piece? We searched Xue Yang for it when we apprehended him.

Wei Ying: We should ask him. Will we get time today? Straight after breakfast, we might get a few minutes, but I don't want to risk anyone overhearing us. This should definitely be kept secret.

Lan Zhan: Agreed. Also, about Wen Qing, she may not be able to come to our room like last time. We are in a different place, and there might not be a secret way in.

Wei Ying: Oh, yeah, I forgot. Then we'll do our best today.

Lan Zhan: Maybe there will be time after the open day finishes.

Wei Ying nods earnestly, and they quickly finish eating.

By the time the bell is rung to signal the end of breakfast time, their plates and bowls are clean.

***************

The weather is nice enough with dappled sunshine on the ground for the new Wen Sect Leader to hold the open day outside. All the sects looking to recruit fresh blood are gathered in the massive stone courtyard, separated by necessity so that children who are unfamiliar with each Sect will not get confused as to who's who.

There's a huge crowd of children waiting, the line stretching far past the gates to the palace, and in some cases, the parents are accompanying them, throwing wide and hopeful gazes at the Sect Leaders who are present. The age of the potential recruits are varied from six up until fifteen, even if the older they are, the less likely they will be accepted into a Sect unless they show a remarkable skill or willingness to learn.

There is a group of around twenty Wen Healers who form a wide semi circle, waiting to welcome the new children forward; their task is to see if the person who is standing in front of them has already formed a golden core, and how strong it is. Then they are asked a few questions by the Sect Leader, and that is the basis of whether or not they can join the Sect of their choice.

The open day is easier because if any of these would-be cultivators approached a Sect on any other day, the chances are that they would have to face gruelling tasks, tough challenges to test their mental capabilities and physical strengths and STILL be rejected. That's why open days are so much better.

Wen Zhang, the Wen Sect Head Disciple, announces the procedure of how today's event will go ahead, and then the bell rings for commencement.

It is an orderly event, and with the twenty healers diagnosing the candidates fast, the lines move forward quickly.

Most of the children are awestruck by the Nie Sect, with their powerful fighting style and impressive sabre skills, and equally inclined towards the Lan Sect for their musical cultivation. The Jiang contingent, along with the Meishan Yu Sect, have only left a few disciples as representatives of their sects, choosing to leave Nightless City at the earliest convenience. The Jins, too, though they don't seem unhappy at all. It's quite the opposite with cheerful waves and promises to return to the next conference, whenever that may be.

For obvious reasons, the Wen Sect has also lost popularity, and so it is the Nies and the Lans that do well today.

However, many smaller Sects have also added to their numbers: the Ouyang Sect had seven youngsters wanting to join, and the Baixue Temple received three new recruits.

Two of them are very familiar.

A-Qing and Xue Yang, who winks at Wei Ying and Lan Zhan before going with his sister to join the ranks of Song Lan and his master.

“That's unexpected,” Wei Ying whispers to Lan Zhan, his voice drowned out by the cheers from the crowd. “I thought, after his little speech yesterday, that he was going to join the Lan Clan. Though I can't say I'm not relieved,” he giggles. “I like Xue Yang, but it's really hard to reconcile the past one from our last life and this one.”

“Mn. But the difference in this one is that he has a sister. And he said before that A-Qing was drawn to Song Lan.”

There's a gasp from the crowd as a young man steps forward, around twenty years of age, dressed all in white, and surrounded by a formidable aura. There is a sword tied to his back made from white jade and silver. Yet his face is kind and sweet. He's too old to be a novice recruit anywhere, but still, he marches up to the closest Healer and draws his sleeve back, offering up his wrist.

“Oh my God,” Wei Ying says, suddenly recognising him. “That's-”

The young powerful cultivator smiles serenely when the Healer gasps, letting him pass quickly.

“My name is Xiao XingChen, and I wish to study at Baixue Temple,” he says in a clear, firm voice.

Wei Ying beams then, glad to see that his martial uncle has not looked away from Song Lan once, instead of looking at his new teacher. There follows a short hushed conversation, and everyone nods, smiling with starstruck expressions on their faces. Then, to the surprise of everyone, Xiao XingChen walks over to the Lan contingent and bows low to Lan Qiren.

“While I wish to join the Baixue Temple as a student, my shifu, Baoshan Sanren, asked me to check upon my martial sister, Cangse Sanren. I was told she is staying at the Cloud Recesses at the moment?”

“That is correct,” Uncle Qiren tells him, looking him up and down.

“Then, may I have your permission to travel to your home with you, so I may meet her? Then, I will go back to the Baixue Temple.” He bows again.

“Very well,” Lan Qiren agrees, letting the young man go back to his chosen Sect.

Wei Ying is still staring at his back when Lan Zhan tugs on his sleeve to get his attention.

“Meng Shi and Meng Yao.”

Wei Ying sits up straighter, paying close attention now. Lan Zhan has told him all about his own speculation regarding the terrible events at Qiongqi Way, and how he suspects Meng Yao to have manipulated all the correct people to be there at that precise moment to cause as much chaos as possible. Lan Zhan has always felt guilty about suggesting Wei Ying be invited to Jin RuLan's one month celebration, never guessing that it would turn out so badly.

In their last life, neither he nor Lan Zhan can remember either Jin ZiXuan or Jin ZiXun being kinder towards their new half-brother/half cousin. And Meng Yao had a lot to gain by getting rid of both of them. But those circumstances had been different, and Meng Yao would most likely not be kicked down the steps of Koi Tower now, and certainly not by the Sausage King, Jin GuangShan since he had recently passed away.

“Where do you think he will go?” Wei Ying asks Lan Zhan, clasping their hands together tightly.

“I hope, not with us.” Lan Zhan replies vehemently.

He can usually tamp down on any hard feelings he bears towards others, but in Meng Yao's case, he cannot forgive the man for insinuating to Jiang Cheng that Wei Ying wasn't listening to him, that the Jiang Leader was unable to control his wayward Head Disciple. For all the snide remarks regarding Wei Ying’s control over the Yin Hufu, when it was that very skill which determined their fates during the Sunshot Campaign, turning the tide in their favour. In fact, Meng Yao hadn't held back any well-timed criticism of Wei Ying, a mark that will forever be held against him.

To Lan Zhan, it doesn't matter that all of those events happened in another lifetime. It's plain and simple, that this child had grown up to sow seeds of hatred towards his beloved, and that is unforgivable.

Meng Yao is cleared by the healers and he steps forward clutching his mother's hand as he looks between both the Nie Sect and the Lan Sect. He's clearly torn, unable to decide where he wants to go.

“I hope wherever he chooses, his Mama can go with him,” Wei Ying says.

It comes out louder than he intended, and suddenly, both Lan Qiren and Nie Xiongmeng are staring at him. He blushes and hides his face in Lan Zhan’s shoulder, muttering an apology for speaking out loud.

“Acting Sect Leader Lan,” Nie Xiongmeng says, standing up and coming to join them. He bows low, and the sentiment is returned by all of the Lans and Wei Ying. “As they say, out of the mouth of babes,” he smiles at Wei Ying. “Allow me to extend the offer of living in the Unclean Realm to both Meng Shi and Meng Yao. I believe this will work out in their favour, and save you from having to explain to your Elders why an unmarried Leader brought home a single mother and her child. The way of living in the Unclean Realm is more lax, and no one should bat an eyelid at past occupations. Besides, no child should be separated from their mother,” he adds kindly, glancing at both of the people standing in shock, next to him.

“I wanna go there!” Meng Yao says happily, his dimples showing on his cute face. “Wherever Mama can go! And MingJue-Ge is there! Sorry, Huan-Ge!” He looks a little upset at having to say the last bit.

The adults laugh and that's decided, and finally, Lan Zhan relaxes in his seat.

While his top priority is making sure Wei Ying is safe and happy, there's a part of him that wants to keep SnakeDimples away from his older brother. They might meet whenever the sects get together, or if the Nies visit the Lans and vice versa, but at least that conniving, treacherous viper won't be at Cloud Recesses with Lan Huan.

Lan Zhan looks over towards his older brother and knows he's disappointed, but that's okay. The attachment isn't there yet, and that's fine by him.

**************

When there's a break for lunch, Wen Tang Changpu surprises everyone by making it into a picnic type occasion. Blankets and bamboo mats are placed all around and servants bring out food and drinks.

Lan Qiren is whisked away to eat with the Nie family, something Lan Huan is extremely happy about, and Lan Qiren looks for his other two wards who are sitting not far away, with Wen Qing and Xue Yang and A-Qing.

“So, Baixue Temple, huh?” Wen Qing asks him, just as they're finishing their lunch.

Xue Yang grins and pats A-Qing's knee. “Yeah, it was a toss up between a place full of thousands of rules-”

“Or a Temple with thousands of rules,” Wei Ying snickers.

“That Temple has my sister, so it's a no-brainer.” Xue Yang retorts in good spirits. “So I guess we'll see you guys around. Laoshi,” he grins, dipping his head in a bow and taking his little sister by the hand to lead her away.

As soon as they're alone, Wei Ying scoots closer to Wen Qing. “Qing-Jie, our rooms were robbed that night but nothing was taken,” he whispers.

“Yours, too?” Wen Qing asks him in shock.

“What do you mean by ‘yours, too’?” Lan Zhan whispers back.

“Our rooms, my Ma and Ba's rooms and where A-Ning and I sleep, were turned over yesterday evening. We all returned late and ours was a mess.” Wen Qing turns thoughtful.

Wei Ying explains his theory about the Yin Iron. He hadn't wanted to say anything to Xue Yang yet, mostly because of A-Qing, and that they're in a public place.

“Either way, you have a traitor here,” Lan Zhan tells her.

“It could be anyone, not just from the Wen Sect,” Wen Qing protests.

“But your Mama would have only told trusted Wen Disciples to clean up those caves, and not anyone from outside.” Wei Ying points out.

“They could have told someone, is what I'm saying,” Wen Qing retorts.

“Just be vigilant, and if you need us, send a message,” Wei Ying tells her.

That's all he can do for now, until whoever is working against them makes a mistake and reveals themselves.

“I will,” Wen Qing promises.