Wei Ying shrank back into Lan Zhan, forcing him to wake. He was up, Bichen ready in a flash.

"What do you want?" He said, coldly.

"The question is, what do you want?" The blacksmith scratched his chin.

Wei Ying stood behind Lan Zhan, wondering what he wanted. It was a better idea to let him speak than give themselves away.

"I already told you, I do not wish to harm you. I've had ample opportunity." He pointed at the many swords hanging from the ceiling. "I'm a straightforward man. I think you should do me the courtesy of being honest with me."

"He's right." Wei Ying sighed, leaning into Lan Zhan's back. "He could've hurt us already, but he hasn't. I'm sorry I frightened you."

"Not Wei Ying's fault." Lan Zhan continued to glare at the man, but he sheathed his sword.

"Do you want to show me the knife?" He said, watching their reaction.

"How do you know we have it?" Wei Ying hedged.

"I thought we agreed on honesty."

"Fine." He looked at his husband, who pulled it out.

The blacksmith took it into his palm, as if weighing it. His eyes took on a sheen reserved for a lover as he smiled.

"Do you know, there are only two of these knives in existence." He looked up, directly at Wei Ying, a weird intensity brewing. "I made both of them."

What do you say to that, Wei Ying wondered. Well done?

"The handle is made from the finest onyx stone, a piece I found myself. It's twin was cut from the same piece." He stepped forward. "I never thought I would see it again."

"Why did you make it? Who asked you to?" Wei Ying couldn't help himself. This was a prime opportunity for them to make progress. And there was the possibility that this man had nothing to do with the Dragon Hunters.

"A custom order. I cannot divulge who, exactly."

"What if they're bad people?"

"In this world, how can you make that judgement?" He came closer, curiosity intensifying.  "My customers value discretion. And as long as I get paid, I'm not complaining."

"But what if they're really really bad?"

"Not my problem."

"But your actions have consequences, bad ones. Are you not going to take responsibility?" Wei Ying was appalled by him.

"Do you know, onyx is usually contaminated by white silica? It is rare to find a piece so dark? Almost flawless?" His eyes became fixated on the knife. "It is said that onyx can absorb negative energy, and when it does, it's colour deepens. Have you ever seen anything so beautiful, you had to have it?"

Wei Ying looked at Lan Zhan and thought, yes.

"I took the liberty of checking your pulse." He said.

Lan Zhan narrowed his eyes.

"It would benefit you greatly, if you keep this knife next to your skin." He handed it back to Lan Zhan.

"Why?" Wei Ying felt a little offended, definitely more disgusted. Why this guy thought it was okay to touch him was beyond him.

The blacksmith walked out, leaving the echo of his terrible laugh sounding behind him.

"Just to be clear," Wei Ying said to Lan Zhan, "I only ever want you to touch me."

"Mn." Lan Zhan agreed.

*****

They told Jiang Cheng what they found out, which, when it came to it, wasn't much. Wei Ying was tired out, so he slept with Lan Zhan promising to keep watch. A while later, he was woken by low voices talking.

He kept his eyes shut, trying to hear what they were saying, but the roar of the furnace made it difficult. He could only make out a few words here and there.

"Wants...one....price..." He didn't recognize this voice.

"Same... can't...joking..." This was definitely the blacksmith.

Wei Ying stretched loudly and opened his eyes to find JunJie Kang standing beside him with a cup of water. The blacksmith had vanished.

"Thank you." Wei Ying drank from it and gave it back. Lan Zhan was asleep next to him.

Wei Ying settled back, thinking hard. It was a great piece of luck that they'd found the maker of the knives, now they knew there were two such in existence. So was there any point actually going up to the mine quarry? And was it worth asking this blacksmith anything else? Would he answer? Perhaps he would have to wait for another opportunity to ask...

*****

This was their last night. Wei Ying waited until everyone else was asleep, and the blacksmith entered the furnace room.

"Do you like being a blacksmith?" He asked.

The man showed no surprise that Wei Ying was awake.

"Yes."

"Why?"

He piled more wood into the fire. "Sense of achievement? I haven't tried anything else. What about you?" He sat on the edge of his work counter, studying him.

"What about me?"

"What's it like being the Yilling Patriarch?"

Wei Ying was shocked. "I'm surprised you know who we are."

"Two men, one in white and one in black, obviously married, of course I know. You are more famous than you think!"

Wei Ying groaned inwardly. Was this why they had encountered such difficulty in finding out information about the Dragon Hunters?

"I might be living in isolation, but I know what goes on." He smirked.

Wei Ying cringed.

"As a person well versed in the dark arts, heed my advice. Keep the knife on you, next to your skin. You might not know this, but onyx carries a secret."

"What secret?"

"You should rest now. I heard your people say they want to leave early." He left Wei Ying and closed the door behind him.

Wei Ying found it hard to sleep after that.

*****

A/N

Thank you, thank you, thank you to everyone reading so far! You all are lovely people. I look forward to reading what you think, your comments make my day! I am grateful everyday that I decided to write, but you guys make it worthwhile!

I wish you all the happiness in the world! Let's have fun together...