"Wei Ying!"

"Didi, wake up!"

"Daddy?"

Words buzzed through Wei Wuxian's ears, muddling his sleeping brain. Wei Wuxian winced. Why were they shouting? Can't they shut up? Who were they? He wondered, squeezing his eyes in confusion and anger.

And amidst all those voices came two soft voices: soft and calming, but nightmarish to him.

"A-Xian?" Deep red scattered across his black vision. Blood.

"A-Ying?" A pale white back half covered by the bubbling cold springs. Lines criss-crossed across the jade-like skin. Thirty-three unmistakable, unforgettable whip scars.

Blood. Scars. All because of him.

The voices and the sights filled his mind as he began to twist, writhing from left to right, mumbling one word: "Stop!" But the memories wouldn't listen.

No, he had to wake up. He had to find him.

"LAN ZHAN!"

Wei Wuxian sat up on the bed, screaming his beloved's name. But he received no reply. Beads of sweat and tears blended, glistened, as they streamed down his frightfully white face.

"Didi!" Xichen slumped on the bed next to him, before pulling him into his chest. "Didi, please calm down. Wangji wouldn't want to see you like this."

"Then he shouldn't have left."

The children stared, never having seen such a distraught Daddy. Sizhui walked over and took his father's hand. "Daddy... please..."

"A-Yuan," Wei Wuxian mumbled, stroking his son's head, slowly softening and becoming tranquil. "Gege, why are you here? Why am I here?" Again? For the second time today, Wei Wuxian remembered falling unconscious in one place and waking up in the Jingshi.

"Didi, Jingyi came to tell us you fainted at their place. It must have been out of shock."

Wei Wuxian nodded. "Gege..." Wei Wuxian didn't know how to ask.

Xichen tilted his head. "What is it, Didi?"

"Ge, why didn't he come back?" Wei Wuxian spit it out as fast as he could, praying desperately not to hear the worst.

"Wangji, he was... Didi, he's alive, I can assure you. We don't know where he is. Wanyin said Wangji went missing."

Xichen gulped, waiting for a response.

"What the hell was Jiang Cheng doing at the time?"

"Didi, the group had split up. Wanyin and Wangji had left the seniors somewhere around the outskirts of the forest, while they walked into the jungle and onto the hills. There, the two had split up again."

"And when I went to the top of this hill we had agreed to meet up within four hours, he wasn't there. We combed the hills to no gain!" Jiang Cheng explained, marching into the room.

"And you didn't find him? Anywhere?" Wei Wuxian's voice was fading into a whisper.

"A-Xian," Jiang Cheng said, walking towards the head of the bed. "We will find him, we promise. He couldn't have gone far."

No, he didn't go anywhere. Wei Wuxian felt it in his gut, and in every bone and drop of blood. He was taken. By who? How? Where? He'd have to wait for these people to leave to do anything.

"Ge, A-Cheng, it's fine. There's nothing I can do?" He asked, round eyes gleaming with sorrow.

Xichen sighed. After exchanging a glance with Jiang Wanyin, he spoke, "Di, you need to rest."

"We'll handle this, you stay here," Jiang Cheng said.

"We have a few leads, we'll bring him back to you," Xichen said.

"Wei Ying. Don't even think about running away," Lan Qiren glared at his nephew.

Wei Wuxian nodded. "You guys leave, quickly, find him."

Xichen stood up and stood beside Jiang Cheng. "Alright. Take care."

"Promise me you will, for God's sake, take care?"

"Yes yes yes, A-Cheng," Wei Wuxian nodded his head repeatedly.

Reluctantly, the three seniors left.

"Yiyi, shut the door!" Wei Wuxian said, jumping out of bed.

Jingyi stared for a few seconds before running to close the doors.

"Good. Now you three listen to me very well," Wei Wuxian said, pulling his three sons closer. "They won't be able to find him, but Chenqing and I can. I'll bring Father back–"

"But–"

"You three have to promise me! Not a word. Let them find out for themselves. I might have even come back with Father by then." He certainly hoped so.

"Daddy... you will come back right? Both of you?" Jin Ling asked, worried.

"Of course, silly!" Wei Wuxian laughed, clicking his fingers against Jin Ling's forehead.

"Quick, now, you three leave first."

"Mn," the three nodded. Neither knew why, but all three pairs of eyes were leaking as they turned on their heels at a snail's pace.

Wei Wuxian chuckled heartily, and yet, sadly. Without a single word, he dragged the three by their collars and pulled them into a bear hug.

"You three... I don't know what to do with you guys..."

"Daddy..." the three chorused and began to sob into their father's night robes.

"My three little babies... you better take care of yourselves... or Father and Daddy will be sad when we come back. Promise me?"

"Mn."

"Didn't hear!" Wei Wuxian said in a singsong voice that shook with intermittent sobs.

"PROMISE!" The trio shouted, before bursting into laughter and louder sobs.

For once, Wei Wuxian didn't cry like a baby. He held on to them, huddling them tight together, absorbing the tender warmth.

Time flew by. None knew how many hours had dashed by when Wei Wuxian tapped his three son's shoulders and reluctantly pulled them apart. "Alright, you three get going. Here, keep this. So you won't miss us too much." He fished out a rattle drum from his sleeve and handed it to the three. Sizhui took it and the three looked up at their father.

"This is both Daddy's and Father's," Jin Ling recalled from the memory of that one morning tea. Sizhui and Jingyi shook the rattle for some time before the three smiled and shuffled out of the room.

Watching them walk away, closing the doors behind them, Wei Wuxian let out another teardrop. Forgive me, Shifu. A-Cheng, I'm sorry for always breaking my promises. A-Yuan, Rulan, Yiyi... I won't leave you, but if I do, take care of Father for me.

Wei Wuxian turned to his drawers, pulled out his red inner garments and black robes, changed into them, tied his hair with his treasured red ribbon and took Chenqing in his hands. Chenqing, you told me you know where that swine is. Take me there.

The red tassel waved in agreement. Wei Wuxian summoned a blue talisman and teleported to Dafan Mountain to find his love.

**********

Arriving at the place, the red tassel pointed into the forest and continually, Chenqing pointed the way. It guided Wei Wuxian through the forest around Dafan Mountain, across the shallow waters of the creek, into the other side of the viridescent valleys.

Somewhere into the hillside, Chenqing's pinpointing stopped. Wei Wuxian nodded silently and drew out a blank talisman. Pointing his index finger and middle finger at his forehead to extract his demonic energy, he directed it at the sheet, drawing a blood-red spell. When the talisman was done, he shot it into the air in front of him. He had used this trick once before, when finding Xuanwu Cave for Wen Chao and his whore. And this trick shall help him again, returning to action as many more old tricks will today.

The talisman flew into the hillside. Wei Wuxian dug Chenqing into his belt and chased the talisman into the hills. Deeper and deeper, until he reached a tall hillock into which the talisman disappeared. Yes, Wei Ying felt it. Lan Zhan was nearby. Wei Wuxian smirked.

"Cave? Not bad. No wonder Huaisang didn't find them yet. You can't escape from me!" He mumbled in a singsong voice before marching into the rock cave, Chenqing now in his hand, black and red smoke already enclosing him.

On and on he walked, deeper and deeper into the heart of the mound. There was absolutely nothing for the first kilometre, until Wei Wuxian saw a light. Fire.

He picked up his pace. Gradually, the light grew brighter and brighter, as Wei Wuxian advanced towards an opening at the centre of the mounds. He, too, was dressed in black, such that at first glance, none cared. The men there and this new visitor looked quite alike. However, one man noticed the red ribbon floating behind him. Eyes widening, he nudged the others.

"What?"

"Look. Isn't that..."

One by one, everybody turned to stare at the guest who was now staring at the centre of the compound. Red ribbon. Black flute. Red tassel. "Chenqing?" One man whispered.

"Not good."

"What are you staring at? Call your rascal of a leader!" The Yiling Patriarch barked at them.

Almost shaking at the sight of the stands of smoke emanating from him, one minion dashed behind the red curtain, not bothering to ask permission, shouting "LEADER ZHEN!"

After a minute or two, Leader Zhen walked out. "Well, well, Yiling Patriarch, what might you be doing in my humble abode?" He asked with a grin full of malice. Wei Wuxian pretended to not notice how he nearly shouted his title. So he was here... 

"Well, it is quite decent for a dirty old rock cave! So, Mr Scarface has a name? Leader Zhen?"

Leader Zhen laughed. "Oh well, Young Master Wei can call me anything he wishes to! What brings you here?"

Wei Wuxian smirked. His grin immediately turning into the darkest frown, he flashed crimson eyes at the Rebel Leader, saying "I think Scarface knows exactly what I came for."

"Oh? Do I now?"

"Leader Zhen, don't test my patience. Where is he?"

"Right here!" Leader Zhen replied to his growl. He raised his hand to lift the curtains when Wei Wuxian waved Chenqing and pushed the cloth down with a sharp breeze.

"No need. Just tell me what you need."

"What I need? REVENGE! That's what I need you bloody devil! Master Jin's death, our exile: you... you did it all. It was YOU!" Leader Zhen poked his finger menacingly in Wei Wuxian's direction.

"Tch! Why would you even bother to avenge that dimpled snake's death? He deserved it!–"

"You–!"

"You idiots were his lackeys, so you better be thankful you were let off with just exile instead of a death sentence!"

"Wei Wuxian!"

"Zhen Xiuming!"

"Oh? So you know who I am?"

Wei Wuxian tossed his hair with a laugh. "My best friend happens to be the greatest investigator ever," he grinned.

"Of course. How sad it is that I couldn't give Sect Leader Nie as well a little gift of dead men: you've already come!"

"Right. Here I am. What do you want?"

"I told you!"

"I see," Wei Wuxian mumbled, tapping his nose. "Alas, revenge for that bastard isn't something I can give."

"Then you shall never see your sweetheart again!" Zhen Xiuming chuckled and marched back to his room.

"Oh yes, I will!" Wei Wuxian was not in the mood to let this man off scot-free, nor leave his A-Zhan trapped here.

Spinning Chenqing up to his lips, he began to play a not-at-all harmonious tune. Abyss-black and blood-red strings of smoke wafted into the room. Demons and ghouls condensed before the terrified men's eyes, glaring at each of them, their energy full to the brim with the desire for manslaughter.

Unsheathing their swords, the men charged. Crashing and clashing against demonic spirits, they fought on and on, wrecking the objects in their compound, attacking furiously. Meanwhile, Wei WuXian summoned a few talismans and tossed them over the floor. There were thousands of men here; he would need more help. Chanting a familiar spell, he pointed his palm at the ceiling, and a bright red light began to glow and diffuse over their heads.

"Eyes behind thy long lashes, lips parted, smiling in tease.

Mind not the good or evil, with smeared eyes I summon thee!"

A deep red array was rapidly formed and its light poured onto the sheets on the ground, making them stir. Within seconds, the sheets had metamorphosed into possessed paper mannequins.

While they stood, awaiting commands, Wei Wuxian played the last tune. Three familiar figures appeared in seconds.

The hundred or so paper dolls and three superior demons bowed to the summoner. 

"Kill them all."

"SURE!"

The paper mannequins split up, spreading throughout the compound, slaying, slaughtering. The Demons did no less. One broke necks, one tortured to death, one teased to death.

Wei Wuxian grinned at the sight. Splendid, things will finish soon.

"Master, Scarface?"

"Xiangxiang, let me do it."

Now, then, let's find Scarface, he thought, walking into the room behind the curtain. Right behind the curtains, however, he encountered a blazing orange ward. Did he actually think this would stop me? Breaking wards was the one thing I did long ago! With a proud grin that brought back to mind the young Wei Wuxian everyone loved long ago, he wiggled his fingers, cast a spell and broke the ward in moments.

Wei Wuxian hurried into the room. Stone seat, stone table all were here, but the Rebel Leader was not here. Hm? Where did the rascal go? He sensed a hostile presence, but there was no Zhen Xiuming in sight. Was he hiding?

Suddenly, Wei Ying's sixth sense caught some other sensation. One of fatigue, anxiety — but no fear at all. There was a third in the room. Tired, worried, but among all that radiated a strong feeling of divine affection. Wei Ying's eyes that were flashing red minutes ago were now tearing up. That affection... that feeling of being soul-bound... and of course, the unmistakable sandalwood.

"A-Zhan?" Wei Ying walked in the direction of the fragrance of sandalwood intertwined with pure love. His voice shook as he called out his most cherished name in the world. 

"A-Zhan?"

Slowly, a bob of dark hair moved upwards to show a face of eroded jade. "A-Ying?"

Wei Wuxian ran the last steps to his husband and flung his arms around him, sobbing with relief on finding him alive. He knew it: Lan Zhan would never leave him.

"Ouch!"

Wei Wuxian quickly stepped back. "What is it, A-Zhan?" He asked, stroking the face of the worn-out GusuLan Jade.

Lan Zhan merely shook his head. All at once, Wei Wuxian looked at Lan Zhan properly, taking in his appearance.

Mourning clothes and silky hair covered in sand and rock-dust. Robes torn and partly loose, revealing the even worse skin underneath. Wei Ying gasped. The sight before him defeated the terrible one he saw every day on Lan Zhan's back.

Lines. Whip-marks. All over that gorgeous chest. That beautiful, feather-smooth, starlight-white chest was covered in blood and scars. Blood and scars... so my dream was a warning...

"A-Zhan... Come, let's go home," he said, slowly pulling Lan Zhan's arms around his shoulder. Sadly, there was not one part of his beloved's body that wasn't bleeding — but he couldn't help it. They had to get out of there.

"Lan Zhan, where's Bichen?" Neither sword nor zither were anywhere to be seen.

"S-Seized."

"I'll get it for you later, we'll go home first. The chains..."

"No, A-Ying, d-don't come back here once we leave," Lan Zhan broke in, head still held low.

"Leave?" A voice boomed across the room. "Who said you may come and go as you please, Yiling Patriarch?"

"Zhen Xiuming, just come into the light and face me, you coward!" Wei Wuxian roared: he was, by now, more determined than ever to tear this man apart.

"But I'm right here," a voice whispered in his ear. Wei Wuxian turned his head — to realise that a thin golden thread was wrapped around his neck already.

"A-Ying!"

"A-Zhan, I'm fine. Xiuming, ah Xiuming, I told you, I will not give you what you want!" Wei Wuxian sniggered, puckering his lips to whistle.

Immediately, the strong Leader Zhen tossed away the thread and replaced it with his own firm hand. Choking the Yiling Patriarch, lifting his head, he brought out a dagger. "Hm. But what a pity, you wouldn't be as talkative anymore. Maybe just a scrape." And with that, he pricked Wei Wuxian's tongue with the dagger, making a small linear cut on the surface. "Don't worry," he cackled, tossing away the dagger, "It's just a tiny cut. You may talk — chatting with you is fun, you know — but no whistling hereafter! And yes. Zhang Xin! Feng Li!"

The two men from earlier ran into the room and brought out more chains and ropes from somewhere in a corner of the room.

Wei Wuxian struggled to free himself. A lousy hand like this shouldn't be a problem. But the minute he started to writhe and kick, Zhen Xiuming shouted again. "Any movements and this is going down on your husband!" Wei Wuxian gaped in horror at the hideously long and painfully thin whip in his hand, before immediately stilling himself.

"Good." The two men chained him up to the opposite wall to face his husband. "Now, I'll take this!" He cackled as he grabbed Chenqing and marched out of the room through a different doorway, which Wei Wuxian studied by heart. They will get out of here, soon.