The research into the origin of Onyx had resulted in a deep (but in Wei Ying's case, unwanted) knowledge of where that kind of mineral would be found.

They were looking for rivers with a high content of silicates; as the water found its way into the mountains via cracks and fissures, it formed the specific colour saturation of the black and white mix. It formed in places of low temperature, adding to their theory of where to start their search.

The healers had especially advised caution as places containing this mineral were notorious for causing breathing difficulties, plus if they were travelling upwards, the altitude could also pose another problem.

So far, they had not shown the knife to anybody. Wei Ying had severely warded the knife so even if he touched it by accident, it would have a seriously lower effect.

They travelled quite far that first day. Wei Ying was exhausted by the time they set up camp. He rolled into the mat used for bedding and immediately closed his eyes, clutching his bad arm to his chest.

Lan Zhan only woke him up for his medicine and to make him eat something.

Jiang Cheng kept an eye on his brother, worry stretched taunt on his face.

"How is he doing?"

"Mn."

"That's not an answer."

Lan Zhan glared at him.

"Look, I thought we put our differences aside. You can't just-"

"What are your intentions regarding my brother?" Lan Zhan interrupted him.

"What? What did you ask me? He asked, incredulously. "Don't change the subject-"

"I want to know."

They were going to have the shovel talk. Jiang Cheng sighed deeply. He did not want to do this now.

"I care for your brother." He admitted, reluctantly.

"That's it?"

"Anything else is not your business."

"I disagree."

"I don't care. I'm not telling you anything else."

"I can make you talk."

Jiang Cheng agreed. An angry Lan was formidable at the very least.

"Wait!" He held a hand up as the Jade advanced. "Okay, I love him. I'm in love with him. And I kind of wanted to tell him first. Definitely not you." He sighed into the cup he was drinking from. "So much for the surprise."

That at least appeased him and Lan Zhan sat down.

"If you hurt my brother-"

"I get it!" Jiang Cheng shouted, waking up Wei Ying.

"What? Wash going on?" He looked around in a daze.

"Your husband just threatened me." Jiang Cheng scowled.

"What did you do?" Wei Ying grinned, sleepily.

"Why are you taking his side?! Why did you assume I did something?" He got up and went to kick something.

*****

In the morning, they received a butterfly from XiChen. Lan Zhan intercepted it and told them what his brother said.

"Nie Huaisang found an old abandoned town, name is Hui Wu. It is at the bottom of a mountain famous for its mining quarry. They think we should look there first."

No one mentioned that they knew they were being followed deciding that when they camped, one of them would keep watch. Lan Zhan had a good idea of who it could be. And whoever it was, they were in for a surprise.

*****

They passed by many towns, all remote and looking sparser as they traveled. But they always asked about the knife, showing it to a few people, just to see if they knew anything. Unfortunately, their search was proving fruitless.

In some cases, people said a prayer upon seeing the knife, in a few villages, the inhabitants had become openly hostile. One such encounter finished with Wei Ying pushed from his horse. As he only used one hand, this was not difficult to do. His companions were hardly the calmest of people, and Wei Ying had to play at peace maker, whilst trying to downplay his injuries.

*****

On the fourth night of traveling (and bickering), things came to a head.

Fighting broke out a small distance from them. Jiang Cheng immediately unleashed Zidian and Lan Zhan brought out Bichen. They didn't have to go far before they came across a heap of bodies.

And Wen Ning.

He bowed when he saw the cultivators.

Jiang Cheng laughed.

Lan Zhan silently put Bichen away disappointed, and returned to Wei Ying.

Wei Ying was ecstatic to see his soul-brother.

"I hope you didn't hurt them too badly," he told him after they hugged.

He shrugged noncommittally.

The Dragon Guard - Wei Ying found himself laughing at their name now - joined them when they had sufficiently recovered from their first meeting with Wen Ning.

"Why are you following us?" Jiang Cheng demanded.

"We can go where we like." JunJie Kang replied, hotly.

"Don't test me," snarled Jiang Cheng. He was tired, hungry, and up to his limit with these people.

"Why are you following us?" Wei Ying asked the other man, who had come to sit beside him.

"We thought you could lead us to more dragons." Chang Chao told him.

Wei Ying laughed outright to his face.

Chang Chao told him all about himself. Many centuries ago, dragon hunters had decimated their towns and villages. The elders who were left had created an alliance of people dedicated to preserving the lives of dragons. But as the dragon population declined, their way of life also followed. They became a nomadic group, going where the work was.

His parents had died young and he was brought up by a combination of relatives and friends. In that, Wei Ying could relate.

"How did you meet with them?" He pointed with his chopsticks.

"We kept meeting up unintentionally and because we worked well together, we decided to combine our skills."

Li Hua was quieter of the three. She seemed to prefer watching their interactions as opposed to joining in herself. JunJie Kang was just loud and overbearing.

"Why don't you travel with us?" Wei Ying offered, later that night.

Jiang Cheng choked.

They looked at him dumbfounded.

"What are the chances that if we turn you away now, you'll simply keep following us?" He added.

JunJie Kang said, "we might not."

Jiang Cheng scoffed at him. "Could you be more obvious?"

"So why not travel with us? As long as you do your share of cooking, we don't mind."

So it was agreed.

On their fifth day, they finally had a piece of luck.