Disclaimer: I do not own the characters and art used in the story. OOC and AU.

Assurance

The main hall was shrouded in heavy silence. First, Wei Wuxian walked away, talking the Yin Hufu with him, then one camp of prisoners disappeared. During routine inspections, guards at Qiongqi Path were found dead with their throats slit and no traces of the struggle. It looked like a perfect ambush. Some tried to blame the demonic cultivator, suggesting he took revenge on Jin Clan for shaming him. Fortunately, a Young Master Nie convinced them otherwise.

"Da-Gege, they can't possibly think that one person could do it? It's ridiculous," he said with a loud and exaggerated voice. "He could get one or two before rest started to fight back, not the whole camp. Besides, why would the person who killed the most enemies during war liberate the camp? It doesn't make sense."

"Young Master Nie is right," Luo Qingyang said after a long awkward silence. "Wei Wuxian may be strong, but he is just one person who doesn't even carry a blade. No one had seen him since the hunt on the Phoenix Mountain, while the camp was discovered barely a few days ago."

Nie Huaisang hid his amused smirk behind the fan, leaving large confused eyes for others to see. He never expected Lanling Jin's negligence to work in their favour, leaving several weeks' gap between the two events. What worried him was Jin Guangyao's annoyed expression he tried to cover with his picture-perfect fake smile. He was always slimy and suspicious, but since the Sunshot campaign, this impression increased. 

Guangyao worked too hard to anger Wei Wuxian under the disguise of a shy and lowly cultivator. Another reason was his brother. Asked about camps, Nie Mingjue answered that Jin locked Wen Cultivators participating in the war. When he pursued the topic, Minguje snapped and told him to ask Meng Yao about it since he supervised camps. Among the survivors, Wei Ying and Wen Qing saved was only one cultivator, who didn't even carry a sword. Someone was lying to other leaders, but why? Huaisang promised himself to assign more men to watch him.

"Sect Leader Jiang, how can you not know where your head disciple is?"

His jaw tightened, and Zidian sparked dangerously on his finger. "Former head disciple," he hissed.

"Right, right," Sect Leader Yao pipped in. "He was forced to leave the sect by Miss Jiang after creating another mess. It's probably for the best."

Luo Qingyang accused them of hypocrisy and lack of appreciation for the person who saved them from Wen Ruohan. She argued that the cultivation method does not matter if one's heart is pure. Unfortunately, sect leaders made fun of her and questioned her motives. Angry beyond imagination, Mianmian threw her sect robes on the floor and walked away.

Huaisang glanced at Lan Wangji's pale and tired face. There were rumours he spent last month searching for someone under the pretence of night hunts. He would even visit remote villages and areas just to return empty-handed. 'Now you care? Where were you when Wei-Xiong needed you? I will make you suffer, bastard.'

He stepped out to get some fresh air. It has been a month without news from Wei Wuxian and Wen Remnants. Huaisang could only hope they crossed the mountains safely. Did they manage to find a place to settle? It was expected that news would be delayed, but it didn't stop him from worrying.

"Thank you for what you did there, Young Master Nie. Wei Wuxian saved me in my time of need. I'm embarrassed I couldn't return the favour," a gentle female voice spoke beside him.

Nie Huaisang looked at her with a gentle smile, giving her a glimpse of his true face. "I will make sure he knows it."

"Thank you," she replied with a respectful bow. "I pray for his safety. Goodbye, Young Master Nie."

Huaisang nodded with acknowledgement. It seemed like one day, she could become their ally. Her moral and sense of justice was unlike average Jin disciple.

"Where is he?"

Nie Huaisang turned around with his eyebrow cocked questioningly. "I-I'm not sure what you mean, Ha-Hanguang-Jun," he stammered, putting on a mask of scared and useless Second Master Nie.

"He had no one else to turn to. Give him back."

His eyes narrowed and gleamed dangerously. "What do you take him for?! Wei-Xiong doesn't belong to you... a bastard who turned his back on him," he hissed, shaking with anger. "You knew he had no one, yet you discarded him for your own convenience. You will never see him again, Hanguang-Jun," Huaisang added, his voice dripping with venom, then turned to walk away.

Lan Wangji harshly grabbed his arm and pulled him to a stop. "Give him back."

Huaisang smirked at him, then tears started flowing from his eyes as he began to scream at the top of his lungs in panic. "I don't know! I don't know! Why are you hurting me?! Da-Gege! Help!"

Shocked by a sudden change, Wangji stepped back while others instantly surrounded them. Nie Mingjue was fuming as he pulled his brother behind for protection. Faced with sobbing Nie Huaisang and his angry older brother, Xichen scolded Wangji and ordered him to return to Cloud Recesses for punishment.

'Serves you right, traitor.'

****

Tiredness peeked from behind reassuring smiles as they pushed forward. Northern Mountains were long left behind them, leaving only lush forest to accompany their steps. How far could be considered safe? How far did they need to travel to never be found again? How far will it take to heal a broken heart?

All light... all life, left his eyes. They were the eyes of someone who had given up on everything. Once sparkling with a neverending smile gaze was hollow. It worried them. Despite being together for barely a month, Dafan Wen absorbed him as part of the family. They wished to help him but was it even possible? How could they relieve his pain?

"A-Ying?" Wen Qing called out to him softly. They stopped for the night and set up camp with several bonfires. The forest was full of mouthwatering aroma, yet he didn't seem to notice. "Let's have dinner together."

"Mm."

Following instinct, she wrapped her arms around his waist and buried her face in his firm back. "Talk to me, A-Ying. Please."

The tenderness of her voice broke the dam. "It hurts so much when the person you love doesn't see you the same way... never will...." Wei Ying trailed off and drew a soft breath to push back tears filling his eyes. "Yet they are being nice to you... for some reason, they make you believe you are important to them. It's cruel... yet you yearn for each touch and wish it would mean more... or go further... you want their smile to be yours... you wish for all those things even if you know it will never happen... even if it kills you day by day... thought by thought... till there will be nothing left.... How do you stop it, Jiejie?"

"I don't know, Didi," Wen Qing replied honestly. "I can't even imagine how hard it is for you, but you don't need to carry this burden alone. Share it with us. It may not help immediately, but at least the weight on your shoulder will be lighter."

"I can't burden you further."

"What does it even mean?!" she yelled at him. "You helped me save our family without hesitation, then spend last month protecting us, and you are the burden? Have you lost your mind, Didi?!"

Her loud voice attracted attention, and soon they were surrounded by everyone, inquiring about their argument. Wen Qing's explanation left them shocked and heartbroken. They couldn't imagine what Jiang put him through that Wei Wuxian thought so little about himself. It seemed they not only left him with physical scars but also even deeper emotional ones.

"No grandson of mine is a burden!" Granny Wen exclaimed so loudly others flinched. She was always soft-spoken and gentle; they forgot about her fierce side. "All three of you are the most precious to me, and you aren't allowed to think otherwise."

Wei Ying was speechless. He used to be alone and misunderstood. No one could ever understand what was going on inside his head. How devastating Madam Yu's poisonous words were. Because of her, when he looked in the mirror, all he saw was a mistake. A burden no one wanted. It would often make him wish he was dead.

"Whatever you are thinking, stop it," Wen Qing's stern voice brought him back to reality.

"I wasn't..." he tried to argue, but multiple voices cut him off.

"What they did to you, A-Ying was wrong," Auntie Han said, pulling him into a warm hug. "It's called abuse and should be condemned. You did nothing wrong nor deserved what had happened to you. It was wrong and despicable."

Others quickly expressed their agreement, bringing out buried deep inside a dream about loving family. Lotus Pier often felt alien and cold, as if he didn't belong, but he felt at home in the woods with nothing more but bonfires and a couple of tents. It made him realise that home wasn't a place but people.

"Once we settle in somewhere, I will brew my special wine for you!" Uncle Four offered to lighten up the mood. "But we need to hide it from A-Qing."

"I can hear you...."

His face lit up with a genuine smile for the first time in weeks. Everyone knew his problems won't vanish overnight, but it was a good start. Step by step, they will teach him how to be loved and how to love himself.

A few days later, they arrived at the small village called Lingjian. It was peaceful, surrounded by abundant resources and breathtaking views. At first, they planned to get some supplies and keep going, but welcomed by the villagers, Dafan Wen decided to settle in. With the help of locals, they started constructing houses and clearing space for fields. In natural flow, everyone began to look at Wei Wuxian and Wen Qing as their leaders, supported by Granny, Uncle Four and Wen Fang – an elderly teacher.

Everyone was busy construction when two cultivators rushed into the village looking for Wei Wuxian. One dressed in pure white robes, the other in black.

"What do you want with my Didi?" Wen Qing asked harshly, ready to protect him at all cost.

"My apologies. We should have introduced ourselves. Xiao Xingchen and this is my partner Song Lan. After our brief meeting before the war, we returned to the Celestial Mountain to inform Baoshan Sanren about his existence. Unfortunately, upon our return with an invitation from her, he was already gone. Luckily, Young Master Nie directed us north and informed us about everything. I must say fate works in mysterious ways," he added.

Wen Qing looked at him questioningly.

"You are at the foot of Celestial Mountain, where Wei Ying's grandmother lives."

Her face lit up with excitement. "Do you think she could help me with something? During the war, A-Ying gave up his core for an ungrateful asshole, and I've been looking for ways to help him. His dantian is undamaged despite him relying on the resentful energy. I believe it could be used to create a new core, but my knowledge about demonic cultivation is limited."

"He gave up his core? Why?"

"Jiang abused him for years, especially Madam Yu. That bitch made him believe he was nothing more but the son of a servant and owed them everything. A-Ying was there to protect their children with his own life. Even now, he still has moments he sees himself as nothing more than a mistake and burden."

Xiao Xingchen paled. How could anyone put a child through so much suffering and force so much responsibility on them? Sects were even more disgusting than Baoshan Sanren told him. How was it possible Wei Ying remained so cheerful? His strength and resilience were impressive. "Where is he now?"

"By the lake, teaching children about talismans," Wen Qing replied, leading them towards a makeshift school. "But he is no longer a person you met... A-Ying rarely smiles after Lan Wangji broke his heart and his so-called senior sister betrayed him."

"Don't worry, Miss Wen. Every heartbreak ends. I can see he has a loving family around him, including us. All he needs is a time."

"I don't mind staying, A-Xi," Song Lan said, gently squeezing his hand. "We can build our dream here with people united by the same ideals as ours."

"Mm."

****

How much one hundred days can change a person? How much can a person change during a thousand years of isolation? Will they still be the same upon reunion?

Once Baoshan Sanren learned what happened to her grandson, she was furious and full of regrets. Nothing would happen if only she left the Mountain to look for him. He would live a happy life with her by his side. But maybe this pain was necessary to make him the person he is now. Someone who wouldn't hesitate to save innocent. Someone so pure and untamed that he could not be swayed by greed or power.

"It's time to wake up," she said, gently touching a glowing red bubble. A young man with long hair tied in a half ponytail, dressed in black and red loose, flowing robes hovered inside in a lotus position. It had been only one hundred days for them, but it was ten times more for him. "Your Jiejie is waiting for you."

The crimson red eyes slowly opened, then gazed at her with calm maturity before turning silver with a unique hue of the moon. His handsome face lost its youthful charm, replaced by more clean and defined lines. The raven black hair cascaded down his back, reaching below his hips. The bubble disappeared as his feet touched the ground in the spiritual cave.

"How are you feeling, A-Ying?"

He slowly stretched, getting used to movement again. Every cell in his body vibrated with demonic energy, but it did not feel suffocating like resentment. Crimson red core glowed with immense strength in his dantian, giving him a new chance to live and enjoy every moment. A possibility to protect his family if sects were to find them again. For others reaching immortality was a pinnacle of cultivation. For him, another stepping stone to gaining power and skills to keep them safe.

Having a thousand years to work through his issues was incredibly helpful. Past was in the past. It was impossible to change it. Maybe he was a fool for believing them... for falling in love with the wrong person, but it didn't matter anymore. All the pain was now a mere afterthought. His smile could again warm up the winter cold and melt the thickest ice.

"I never felt better," he replied, his voice slightly lower and more mature. "Where is Qing-Jie?"

"How have you been, grandma? I missed you, grandma," she said teasingly, leading him towards the entrance to the cave.

"How have you been, grandmother?" Wei Ying asked with a mischievous smile playing on his lips. He appreciated everything Baoshan Sanren did for him, but it was Wen Qing who tore down his walls and taught him his self-worth. He may have rescued Dafan Wen from the camp, but they saved him from himself. They didn't let him drown in sorrow and pain nor abandon him. Over the last thousand years, he truly missed them.

****

After lengthy deliberations, they decided on the Si Ji Sect with Wei Wuxian as a leader. Their name reflected four founders working in harmony like four seasons during the year. A sect bound by common goals and ideals. They prioritised skills and knowledge over bloodline. Within a year, it snowballed in size, attracting rouge cultivators from various regions.

His life was busy, yet somewhat it felt empty. Something was missing. Wei Ying couldn't exactly put his finger on it, but the urge to scour the world for it was irresistible. It started nearly a year ago, shortly after he left the spiritual cave on the Celestial Mountain. It kept calling for him... luring him away from the safety of the Si Ji Sect and Lingjian City. How long could he resist?

Wei Ying regularly exchanged letters with Nie Huaisang, who kept encouraging him to travel or find himself a handsome boyfriend. Unfortunately, his uncles and Jiejie agreed with Young Master Nie. Unable to fight with her ferocious needles, here he was... in the new city with someone falling in his direction.

"Huh?" escaped his lips before a young man crashed into him, sending them both to the ground.

"Ouch," the stranger muttered, getting up and brushing dust from his clothes without paying attention to the person he crashed into.

Wei Ying wished to glare at him and demand reimbursement for the last bottle of osmanthus wine, but a bit cheeky smile melted away his anger. It was like a light he didn't know he needed.

"Hey, do you know where I am?"

He gave him a 'are you serious?' look, then glanced at the shattered bottle of wine. The last person he found interesting also destroyed his wine and left him with a broken heart. 'I don't care how handsome he is. Just walk away, Wuxian, walk away.'

"Where are you going?" the stranger chased after him.

"To get new wine," Wei Ying hissed, trying to get rid of him.

"What happened to the last one?"

He took a deep breath and smoothened a deep furrow between his eyebrows. "You landed on it," dead-panned.

"Oh... uh... let me replace it."

"They don't sell it here."

"What about an apology dinner?" he asked with a charming smile, looking straight into enchanting silver orbs. He was stuck in this world for nearly a year but had never met someone so alluring. Underneath his laidback appearance was enormous strength and familiar energy. Maybe this man could help him get back to the demon realm?

"No, thanks."

"At least... tell me your name," he said, but the man vanished within the crowd at the market. Dark brown eyes scanned the area, hoping to spot a crimson red ribbon but with no success. His only chance at removing the seal and returning home was gone. Ever since he escaped his confinement, he could only use scraps of energy per day. Yet, he wouldn't stop trying to teleport to Demon King's Castle. Unfortunately, it would just drop him out of nowhere in random places. As if he was searching for something. It seemed like this realm was his new prison. But maybe staying here and chasing after him wasn't a bad idea?

At first, this whole trip felt like a horrible idea. Still, after several weeks Wei Ying started to enjoy it despite multiple encounters with a handsome guy from Kunlun Town. He would always show up out of nowhere and pester him to have dinner together. His persistence was both annoying and amusing. There were days he subconsciously waited for him to show up... a nameless person he couldn't escape from.

With a sudden spike of energy, something landed hard on him, sending them both tumbling down the hill. It was the second robe he ruined this week because of his handsome stalker. "Do I look like a landing pad to you?!"

"Sorry, I have no control over it," he replied sheepishly. "Somehow, it always ends with you."

"Urgh," Wei Ying groaned. "One day, can you give me one day?!"

"Apparently not, but if you agree to see me for dinner, maybe it will stop?"

Wuxian glared at him. "See you in hell," hissed with annoyance, then stomped off.

"Are you asking me on a date? I accept!"

"In your dreams," he replied without looking back.

"We do much more exciting things in my dreams."

He should be annoyed, maybe even angry, but somehow it was the opposite. Part of him wished to explore it, but he only took a deep breath and pushed it away. Yet, he could not erase an amusing smile from his face. Wuxian raised his arm and waved goodbye.

"So cold," muttered, watching him leave. He wished these short daily encounters lasted longer. It would be nice to have an actual conversation instead of quipping at each other. It also made him wonder why suddenly he would teleport to him instead of random places like before. Why was he so drawn to his silver eyes?

Despite looking like someone in his early twenties, he was more than a thousand years old. How long was he planning to wait before being ready to entrust his heart to someone? Was there a reason why he kept encountering his nameless stalker? Maybe next time he could have this dinner? Perhaps he could try to find out why they kept meeting every day?

Wuxian finished his meal and placed a few pieces of silver on the table. Visiting new places, learning new customs, and trying local cuisine and wine were the most significant benefits of his journey. It gave him many ideas on how to improve life in his sect. Wei Ying was about to leave when several villagers approached him.

"Excuse me, Master. Our main fishing supply is plagued by ghouls. Can you please help us? We prepared a reward... it isn't much, but...."

It has been a few days since he saw him last time. Somehow it made him anxious, and a simple job could take his mind off a nameless stalker. "There is no need for payment."

"But..."

Wuxian raised his hand to stop them. "It won't take long, and I have nothing else to do. But I have a question in return. Did you see a man in a short burgundy coat and blue robes? He looks a bit out of place."

"I'm sorry, but you are the only visitor in weeks."

"I see. Can you do me a favour then?" Wuxian asked, then continued when villagers nodded. "If you will ever see him, tell him to meet me in Lingjian City for dinner."

"Uh... what is your name, Master?"

Wei Ying stood up and smiled. "He will know."

A large natural lake with several streams and lush greenery was breathtaking, but as soon as he approached it, an intense wave of resentment hit him. Something he didn't feel for ages. A waterborne abyss. "Feels nostalgic," muttered, bringing Chenqing to his lips.

He was lost and confused. This world felt so unknown, but he couldn't let it go. He even started to feel relieved when another teleportation failed, leading him to the same person. But why was it always him? At first, he thought it was a missing puzzle for the return home. Now, he just wished to see him. Unfortunately, he could no longer summon enough energy to teleport.

"So, you have been hiding here, demon," someone said mockingly behind his back, followed by a sharp pain in his chest.

His consciousness was fading quickly as he tried to gather the leftovers of his demonic energy. 'Go where my heart leads,' a simple thought that would always bring him home in the past. The blade was gone, and his surroundings were different. Unfortunately, instead of being in a full of demonic miasma realm, he was drowning. Delicate sunlight played on the surface above him. It was mesmerising... almost like his silver eyes. His hand moved on its own to reach it as if he could see him again. 'Oh... I understand now... I wish he knew my name... would he remember... me?' His thoughts started to fade when someone suddenly grabbed his hand and pulled him up.

The red glare of Suibian dashed through water ghouls, significantly reducing their numbers. At the same time, Wei Ying hovered in the air playing on Chenqing. An eerie melody lured resentful energy, forcing it to obey its master.

The waterborne abyss started to disperse when a lifeless body dropped into the water. After several weeks, Wei Ying would recognise him everywhere. 'What the hell happened to him?!' he thought, rushing to the middle of the lake. His feet landed on the thin blade while he reached into the water. The crimson red ripple within now clear waters was worrisome. Was he gone for a few days because someone attacked him? "Hey! Don't die on me, nameless stalker," Wuxian said, lifting him on Suibian.

"Bai... Jue...," muttered before passing out.

Seeing him like this was heartbreaking and sent him into panic mode. Every fibre of his being wished to save him. Why? When did he become more important than life itself? Wei Ying took a deep breath, gently laid him on the soft grass and checked his vitals. His pulse was growing weaker, and he was no longer breathing. Finally, years at Lotus Pier came in handy. Wuxian gently pinched his nose and blew the air into soft, pale lips.

"You can bother me all you want. Just come back to me, Bai Jue," he begged between breaths. The last thirty seconds made him realise that his true soulmate was dying in front of him. Suddenly, their constant meetings made sense. It almost felt like the universe was trying to bring them together. He also understood that there wasn't a next time waiting around the corner. His life was happening here and now, and postponing things will only bring regrets.

His breath was shallow, pulse still weak. But he was alive.

Wei Ying removed his upper robes to examine his chest wound. It was a clean line in size of a blade near his heart. It reminded him of his own scar left by Wen Chao before they threw him into Burial Mounds. Someone pierced him with a sword from behind if his suspicions were correct. Back then, resentful energy patched him up. Could he do the same for him? Demonic energy was much more advanced. It should be possible to use it without damaging his core. Crimson mist surrounded his hand, but it was absorbed as soon as he brought it closer to Bai Jue.

"Huh?"

How was it possible? Wuxian grabbed his wrist and checked his spiritual energy, looking for potential damage. His eyes widened in surprise. It was restricted by a seal, but he could feel something similar to demonic energy. Did it mean he could just feed it to him, and his body would fix the damage on its own? "Where is Qing-Jie when you need her," Wei Ying sighed, then decided to try it.

His consciousness was slowly returning, allowing him to feel a soft mattress underneath and securely tied bandages around his chest. He could feel a slight discomfort with every breath, but it seemed like his wound had started to heal. Then he realised that his body brimmed with demonic energy. It felt different than usual. More obedient. The person it belonged to had enormous control over it. Who was it? Bai Jue forced his eyes open and instantly shielded them from the sun. There was a red string of fate tied to his third finger. Dark brown eyes followed it to find that the other end connected him. The only person in this whole world he wished to see. "So it brought me to you again," he whispered with a soft smile. It reminded him of the long-lost past... times his father taught him to tame demonic energy and teleport to safety during his explorations in the mortal realm.

"It will always bring you safely back home, but one day you will find something else to call home. Someone you belong with. It will always lead you to them."

Back then, he didn't understand him. He was too young and careless. During his last visit to the mortal realm, he trusted the wrong person. Bai Jue ended up imprisoned for a thousand years underneath the Tian Xia Mountain with his demonic energy sealed.

"Oh great, you are awake, nameless stalker," an annoyed yet full of relief voice pulled him out of unwanted memories.

"Tell me I died, and we are both in hell."

Wei Ying sighed. "Three days in a coma, and that's the first thing on your mind?"

"Of course!"

His smile was like an enchantment that holds you a prisoner for the rest of your life. Yet, he didn't mind. He was done with leaving things for later. Wei Ying would never openly admit it to her, but Qing-Jie was right. He couldn't wait for his life to be over before deciding to be happy. He leaned closer and looked deep into dark brown eyes, then whispered, brushing his lips over Bai Jue's ear, "I'm pretty sure it's your dream, Bai Jue."

The aquatic fragrance with a captivating trial of cedar surrounded him like a blanket, heightening his senses. "Perfect, now you need to tell me your name."

"Wei Ying."

Slender fingers closed on the black coat, pulling its owner closer. "You know you will never get rid of me, right?"

"I'm counting on it."

Overwhelming passion written in his silver eyes was met with the same intensity. They moved gently, with Wei Ying supporting his weight on the one hand beside Bai Jue's head. It was delicate like butterfly wings brushing over their lips. Long enough for their breaths to mingle... long enough to create a needy ache for more. The kiss grew naturally deeper. It was full of sweet wetness and unyielding fire. Their tongues didn't fight for domination but sought a passionate union to share this sensual moment. A timeless memory of their first kiss.

****

The atmosphere in the Si Ji main hall was full of tension and amusement. Xiao Xingchen hid his smile behind a wide sleeve, Song Lan stared at them speechless, while Wen Qing wasn't sure if she should be happy or concerned about his mental state.

"Let me make sure I understand you properly," she said, looking at them sternly. "He fell from the sky and destroyed your favourite wine, stalked you for several weeks, nearly died and then you decided to simply stay together?"

"I'm not sure what is so hard to understand, Qing-Jie."

"He," she started pointing at Bai Jue. "Fell from the sky."

Xingchen could no longer hold it in and burst out laughing. "I'm more astonished A-Ying didn't kill him for destroying his last bottle of osmanthus wine."

Wen Qing looked at him slack-jawed. "Fair point. There is nothing more in this world he cares more than his wine."

"Apparently not anymore," Song Lan said, joining the conversation.

Wei Ying rolled his eyes. "Are you done yet?"

"Fine, fine," Wen Qing waved him off. "I forgot that inside this young body is a thousand years old grandpa. Show us the seal, and let's see what we can do about it."

"Your family is interesting," Bai Jue whispered, feeling Wei Ying's palms on his back. Then a wave of demonic energy rushed through him, exposing a golden seal.

"Wait till they get more familiar with you. Jiejie's favourite activity is threatening people with needles," he replied, supporting his chin on Bai Jue's shoulder. "It's designed to suppress demonic energy."

"It explains why you can't break it," Xiao Xingchen said, inspecting it closer. Suddenly a deep frown showed on his face. "Who did this to you?"

"An immortal hunting demons."

"Such cruelty," Xingchen hissed in anger. "The array suppressed your primary energy source, leaving minimal amount for survival. I'm not sure if I understand it correctly. But it seems to be bound to a second seal. Once both seals are separated, this reduces available energy with each use. It's a slow and painful death."

"Can you remove it?"

"We should call your grandmother," he replied, looking at Wei Ying with incredible sorrow. Why must fate be so cruel to him?

"You don't look very well either, Didi. How long have you been sustaining him with your own energy?"

"Two weeks."

Wen Qing slapped the back of his head. "Are you planning to kill yourself?!"

"If he is not here, what do I care?"

The tone of his voice broke their hearts and made them realise that he knew from the beginning what this seal was doing to his soulmate. There was no point in persuading him to rest or let go. True soulmates lived and died together.

"It's okay, Wei Ying."

Wuxian titled his head and glared at him. "You have no right to argue about it."

"I thought I was the only one with the right to argue."

"Perfect. Seems like my stubborn grandson finally met his match," Baoshan said, entering the hall. "Didn't I tell you to come straight to me if you encounter a problem you can't solve? I swear, I will lock you away for ten thousand years next time."

"Huh?"

"Don't act so surprised. Did you really think I wouldn't know when Demon King's son enters the realm under my supervision? You have a long way to go, grandson," she added, teasingly flicking his forehead. "Now, let's deal with our troublesome seal."

Bai Jue looked at her, shocked. "You don't mind?"

"Why should I?" she replied, working on the seal. "A-Ying chose to spend eternity with you. Who am I to oppose his decision?"

"If you ever betray his trust, I will make you pay," Wen Qing warned him, waving three spiritual needles in front of his face.

"I won't."

"Good," Baoshan said with a gentle smile, then swiftly removed the seal. "You are both under house arrest for the next two weeks till you recover. Understood?"

"In the same house?" Wei Ying asked with a cheeky smile.

Wen Qing sighed and pushed them outside, promising to check on them later. Once they were gone, she looked at others with a silent question. It seemed like they all agreed. Despite being worried and exhausted, Wei Ying never looked so happy.