"HELP! SOMEONE!"

"Mistress!"

"Xiangxiang-jiejie!" Jiang Meilien wept and howled, clinging onto Xiao Xiang's red robes.

Her own were in tatters.

"Meilien?" Wen Ning knelt on one knee before her and held her arm. "What is it?"

Jiang Meilien was in tears and tatters, clearly having fought a furious fight just now. Xinqing lay on the grass, and somewhere near her flute...

"Wen Shushu..." Sniff! "A-Xuan..."

While Wen Ning picked Zhao Haoxuan up in his arms and laid the boy on his lap, Xiao Xiang questioned the weeping, terrified girl.

"Mistress, tell me exactly what happened."

"But- Could you save A-Xuan first? He was strangled..."

"Goodness, I can't even feel his pulse," Wen Ning shot up onto his feet. "Where's Senior Yunxi, Meilien?"

"Senior Yunxi's... I'll take you there! Xiangxiang-jiejie can come, the rest of Lotus Pier is asleep."

"It is past midnight," Xiao Xiang nodded and the three ran out with the lifeless Haoxuan. 

**********

"Nothing to worry, this should do the trick. Revives the circulation, works perfectly well on the mediocre people," Jiang Yunxi unplugged the bottle and dripped the potion down Zhao Haoxuan's throat. "He'll take some time to wake up, Wen Ning."

"That's fine, Jiang Yunxi. Thank you."

"No need for–"

"Past midnight and you still came, so thank you."

"My pleasure. You can leave him here till he wakes up... Meilien, what on earth happened? Why is Young Master Zhao like this?"

"He... erm..." Meilien snivelled and looked down at her feet. "He got into a fight."

"A FIGHT? With our Jiangs?"

"Oh no, they'll never dare lay a hand on him with me around. Some kids in town. He came to find me, weak... But collapsed."

"I see... these kids must be awful. Strangle another child's neck in what should just be a children's fight? Terrible indeed. Eh, right, remind me to tell Jiang Cheng of this when he gets back, Meilien. Jiang Cheng would know just how to put these idiotic children in their place. Talk to their parents. I mean, he does love Young Master Zhao after all. Meilien, we'll tell your father, yes?"

"Hm!" Meilien nodded, wiping her face on a hand towel Yunxi had handed her.

Wen Ning gulped.

Xiao Xiang looked at him in a side-glance, and saw him biting his lower lip.

Wen Ning glimpsed back at her and pursed his lips tight. 'Don't say a word.'

Xiao Xiang nodded imperceptibly.

"Then if Young Master Zhao will wake up... I'll return then. Lady Xiao stay with Meilien," Wen Ning inclined his head.

"Wen Shushu's going back? To the fight? Is it really the Qiong Qi? Are you going to kill it?"

"We'll have to," Wen Ning clenched his fist. "But first, we need to talk. Meilien, come with us," Wen Ning held her arm and dragged her out of the hall with a wave to Yunxi.

Once they were outside and safe, Xiao Xiang bent to her level. "Tell us what happened."

"These ghosts came into my garden out of nowhere. A-Xuan and I were chatting–"

"A boy and a girl chatting past midnight all alone in a garden, child, what on earth were you two talking about so late at night?" Wen Ning narrowed his eyes, uncle's instincts sinking in.

"Aish, Wen Shushu! Nothing like you worry, really! A-Xuan came to give a letter Zhilan sent about our fathers having gone to fight that damned beast."

"Oh, I see. So Nie Zhilan knew. And the ghouls?"

"So the ghosts came in out of nowhere and started attacking me. Just me. A-Xuan fought them, and chased off quite a few, but then a bunch of black hands wrapped around his throat."

"And you?"

"I saved him."

"Fought all those ghosts? How did you send them away?"

"I used Xinqing and got their attention. Asked them why on earth they were here. They'd apparently been roaming the parts, and sensed my vulnerable dark energy. Thought I was possessed or something, they'd wanted to devour my energy."

"They dare even think of harming their own mistress..."

"Oh no, they didn't even know who I was! So I told them I was the Demon Mistress, Jiang Meilien, and then they got all respectful and apologetic and ran away."

"Ooh, so they know and respect the Mistress now. Good."

"But Wen Shushu, Xiangxiang-jiejie... they ran away bowing and crying in fear... I mean, I didn't threaten them..."

"Who sent them here? I doubt they came here randomly."

"They said some name when they were going. Ah yes, some Melody."

"Tsk, that whore again," Xiangxiang frowned. "Mint Melody, the demonic fox behind all this. Right, we'll deal with her. Now then, as for their fear and respect... One, because you're their new Mistress. But the fear would be... Haha! They know Jiang Meilien is Wei Wuxian's niece. Who'd dare harm anyone related to the terrifying Demon Master?" Xiao Xiang laughed. "Wei Wuxian isn't frightening, he's like you. He'll talk to the ghosts who came to literally kill him. An understanding master, just like you. But well... step over the line..."

"Mn." Wen Ning nodded. "Pure wrath."

"Oh... makes sense, then. So I've said my part. Now you two! Wen Shushu, Xiangxiang-jiejie, where are Papa and Daddy?"

"Fighting the Qiong Qi with the Nie couple."

"Ah. And Susu and Shushu are there too right?"

"Master and Hanguang-Jun?" Xiangxiang nodded. "Yes."

"Hm... Will it take long...?"

"For?"

"For Daddy and Papa to come home?"

Gulp.

Wen Ning glanced at Xiao Xiang. How on earth were either of them to bring themselves to hide anything or lie to this angel?

Xiao Xiang shook her head. They had to.

"Sure they will, Mistress. Why do you ask?"

"Nothing... just... I saw that dream again. Silver, purple. Blood all over a beautiful green."

"And?"

"I just thought it meant Daddy was in danger... But no. Daddy's strong. And I'm silly for ever doubting his power. Sorry, Xiangxiang-jiejie, just that I miss them."

"Haha! Child, they were gone only for one night!"

"But... Papa gives me a bath..."

"Oh? Zewu-Jun?" Wen Ning blinked.

"Yeps! Papa scrubs me and sings something or other in the bath. Gentle, he is. And then Daddy puts me to sleep with a story! No bedtime story today..."

Wen Ning grinned at the thought of a twelve-year-old whining for a bedtime story. "I didn't know Young Master Jiang was good at storytelling!"

"Oh, but he is! Daddy and Susu and that Auntie Yanli. He tells me stuff their trio did back then."

"Heroic Fables of the Lotus Trio, hm?" Xiao Xiang knew they couldn't leave and return to battle before Meilien was calmed. "Well, you can tell yourself a story. There's a Lotus Trio just like them now too. Jiang Wanyin, Wei Wuxian, Jiang Yanli. Jiang Delun, Zhao Haoxuan, Jiang Meilien."

Meilien gasped loudly. "Goodness, yes!"

"Now we want your help. Mistress, could you summon a few ghosts, maybe the same ones from tonight? Master needs your help."

"Why can't Susu himself...?"

"Ying-ge's injured, he can't use Chenqing. But don't worry, Ying-ge's doing alright," Wen Ning hastily reassured.

"Okay then..." Meilien nodded and ran to her garden to get Xinqing from where she had dropped it. Having surrounded herself with a massive cocoon of ghouls and demonic sprites, she walked back to the elders.

"You guys stay with me," Xiao Xiang waved her hand at them. When they didn't bother to edge away from Meilien, she grinned and added, "Master's orders."

In seconds, every last spirit was at her side.

Meilien gave a thumbs-up. "I'll stay in the Healing Hall until A-Xuan wakes up, for now."

"You better go to bed right after," Wen Ning patted her head.

"Sure, Wen Shushu! Shushu and jiejie bring my fathers back safe and sound! Take care!" She beamed at them and skipped her way back to her pal's side.

"..."

"Wen Ning... I really never knew you and I had this high an endurance."

"Nor did I," Wen Ning sighed. "But no. Young Master Jiang will be alright. Ying-ge won't let anything happen to him."

"You mean Master will do anything and everything to keep him alive? That there is a fact. Come on, let's get going."

**********

"Ugh would you stop tortur– Arrrgh!"

"I told you once and twice," Chen Xuanji dug the tip of her sabre into Aria's wounded lower lip. "My Nie disciples back home know that I never tolerate third times. Time for you to learn that lesson too!" She smirked and twirled her sabre in her hand.

Round the blade spun, cutting into and pulling off Aria Verduria's lower lip.

"AAAAAARGH!"

"Shut up, who said it's over?" Slit! Upper lip sliced off. Deep gash drilled into both arms. "There. Another word and your tongue's coming clean off."

"Dare you to," Aria grinned through the searing pain of talking through a lipless mouth. "AAH-"

The scream that followed was cut short.

Literally.

Tongue slid to the ground, ruthlessly chopped clean off by an exasperated general. "I warned you. At least no more singing and talking to you. Enjoy the dumb life, dumbo."

Aria growled at her, snarling, but writhing in pain.

"Good, thanks," Nie Huaisang nodded. "Wei-xiong, how you doing back there?!" He shouted over his shoulder.

"G...reat! You k- keep fighting..."

Huaisang flinched. "Ji-xiong need not come, stay with him."

"Mn, thanks."

"Er-Ge!"

"Wanyin's here." 

"OI! Shut up and get on with the battle!"

"Yes, he's definitely here," Nie Huaisang chuckled. Flashing a quick wink at Lan Sizhui to calm the boy's nerves, he swung his fan in a rapid pirouette around the Qiong Qi's neck, slicing around it at one edge, but not a full round of it because of its powerful thrashing knocking the fan away.

"HEY! NOBODY, and I mean NOBODY, dirties my fans!" Nie Huaisang shouted as he picked up the fallen paper fan. Gripping the handle tight, he slashed the golden fan at the beast, cutting right across its waist in a furious laceration.

"Chief Cultivator truly is awesome," LanGui nodded as he snapped the Qiong Qi's weak wings.

Nie Huaisang smiled. "Thank you. Oh, Ning-xiong!"

"Nie-xiong," Wen Ning inclined his head as he re-entered the battle. "Meilien's safe," he nodded to them all. "Young Master Zhao had been there, unconscious, Yunxi's seeing to him."

"Thank goodness," Lan Sizhui sighed. The wolf nodded furiously, clearly having been relieved of his impending worry all this while.

"Xiangxiang..."

"Master," Xiao Xiang rushed to Wei Wuxian's side and looked at Lan Wangji. Lan Zhan shook his head calmly to show Wei Wuxian was alright. "Master, they're here."

Wei Wuxian nodded and looked weakly up at the demoness and the ghouls around her. "Nothing to say. Kill it."

Zoom! Zing! The ghosts dashed toward the beast instantly.

"Xiangxiang... thank... you..."

"Master, don't talk, rest. We'll finish this."

Wei Wuxian nodded his gratitude.

"DAMN RIGHT YOU ARE!" Nie Huaisang shouted all of a sudden. "Finish this CURSED thing! Lady Xiao, the ghosts you brought are real cheeks! Mister Qiong Qi here is outraged!" 

"Delighted to hear, but be careful, Chief Cultivator, that also means it'll be more furious in force."

"Watch out!" Wen Ning swung his chain, flinging it at the beast as it dived down at Nie Huaisang.

Metal chains and scarlet shawl wrapped around the tiger's neck, holding it back from attacking the Chief Cultivator, while Nie Huaisang daringly grabbed the opportunity to slice his fan at the beast's chin, grazing the skin right below it, on the only bare neck.

All three having attacked, Wen Ning signalled to the other two. At the same time as the ghouls wrapped tighter around the Qiong Qi, the wolf and Lan Sizhui lunged at the beast. Lan sword dug into its injured neck alongside sawtooth fangs.

"NO!"

"Daddy?" Sizhui called as he hopped back onto the ground.

"Not the neck! Neck... soft spot leaks venom..."

"Right," Lan Wangji hurriedly looked over at them. "Sizhui, put your sword aside, quick. Before it becomes like Zidian."

"Mn," Sizhui dropped his sword and kicked it away from the field. "Wait... Oh no! A-Ling!"

The wolf looked up at him, eyes wide in inquiry.

"You bit it!"

Jin Ling nodded and bared his teeth to show them dripping with green fluid. Not blood... was it energy? Nothing but a physical form of resentment energy?

"What!" Wei Wuxian and Jiang Cheng both sat up.

"Wanyin, I told you to stay PUT!"

"But that blasted idiot went and bit–"

"Sizhui will take care of him, you keep quiet and stay put."

"..."

"What's the glare for?"

"... No............thing..."

"Wanyin?" 

"..."

"Wanyin!"

"What's the matter?" Wen Ning cried, still holding onto the beast's neck with his chains, beside Xiangxiang's shawl.

"Wanyin... he's... fading..."

"No–" Wei Wuxian shook his head.

Lan Zhan sighed and gripped the shoulders of the man lying on his lap. "A-Ying, you need to stay calm–"

"Wanyin? WANYIN! JIANG WANYIN, DON'T PLAY THE FOOL WITH ME!"

"Shushu?" Lan Sizhui's eyes swelled at hearing Lan Xichen shouting so loud for the first time in his life. Seeing Jiang Wanyin, the great and strong Sect Leader Jiang, going lax in Lan Xichen's arms... all he could do was hold Jin Ling back by the fur.

"GRRRAAAAAAAAR!" The Sawtooth Blood Wolf desperately tried to get out of his grasp.

"A-Ling, stop! Jin LING!"

Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji sat there, shell-shocked.

"A-Zhan... did A-Cheng just..."

"Don't know."

"But... but... A-Zhan? A-Zhan, talk to me! What's with you? You aren't the one to fear of A-Cheng being harmed at all..."

"If Jiang Wanyin goes, so will gege."

Wei Wuxian gulped. "Darn it, you're right. We'll... we'll get this crap done fast and get them both home. Treat A-Cheng. Save gege."

"Mn."

"THEN GO HELP THEM FIGHT!"

"... No."

"A-Zhan, don't tell me you're choosing me over your brother."

"Don't know." 

"That's your new 'yes' isn't it... Ngh!" Sensing throes of pain shooting up his throat, Wei Wuxian shuffled backwards and spat out onto the ground. Dark nearly-black blood.

Lan Wangji held him closer and rubbed circles on his back, desperately hoping. Hoping for Jiang Wanyin to stay. Hoping for gege to not go. Hoping for A-Ying to be alright.

From the corners of his golden orbs, now welling up under the emotional pressure, he could see thick black clouds slowly nearing.

Great. I wish for the rainclouds to hide away the moon, let Rulan come out of his frenzy. For the night of the super wolf blood moon to end.

The Qiong Qi had to choose precisely that moment to roar in frenzied fury at the pain and whack its closest attacker. The fangs that had bit into its flesh were too painful for the thing to tolerate.

SMACK!

Splinters and shards of wood shattered and fell to the ground, flying in every direction. Seven silvery strings fell with a tinkling clatter amid the harsh crashing of the wood. Scarred and torn wood lay on the ground, dark red smears all over it.........

Dark red smears...

Drops of doom.

The Qiong Qi bit down its tongue to let the pain sink away, smirking at the thought of having given that blighted wolf the death he deserved. The smug snarl vanished at the sight beside him. Because instead of 'punishing' the wolf as it had aimed.......

It had destroyed...

An instrument?