Nie Huaisang continued to to tell them what he had discovered.

"So the Dragon Hunters were hunted down themselves because of their practices. But they needed information only the clans knew, regarding night hunts and in some cases, the locations of dragons. So they pretended to want to study with different clans but leaked information instead."

"Are you saying they're still doing this?"

Nie Huaisang pointed his fan at Wei Ying. "Now you get it! They even got people to support them. I found a village full of sympathizers."

"So what are you saying?" Jiang Cheng said.

"Well, you need information, and I found you a way." The fanning continued. "If they're a secret sect, they aren't suddenly going to open up and tell you their problems, are they?"

Wei Ying realized this was a mastermind at work. He had already foreseen difficulties, and planned at least six steps in advance, while the rest of their team, including himself, had been winging it, playing by ear. He had to admit it, Nie Huaisang was the strategist they needed and therefore, worthy of respect, albeit grudgingly.

"You want us to pose as ordinary cultivators, sympathetic to their cause and find out what we need to know." Wei Ying finished off for him.

"I've always admired your brain." He said, peeking out from the top of his fan.

"How did you get all that just from what he said?" Jiang Cheng was incredulous.

XiChen patted his hand. "I also didn't quite understand Sect Leader Nie's meaning."

"I want to do it." Wei Ying announced.

"No."

"No!"

"You can't."

The first was the firm negative from his husband, followed by his brother. But he listened to the owner of the last objection.

"Why not?"

"They'll see you coming a mile away. The Yiling Patriarch is far too famous to go undercover." Nie Huaisang explained. "The same goes for Hanguang-Jun."

"We don't have anyone else." Wei Ying was persistent.

"I'll do it." Jiang Cheng suddenly said. "It's my destiny."

"What do you mean?" This was a worried and frowning XiChen.

"I'm sorry, I didn't get a chance to tell you first. Actually I didn't understand it myself until Wei Ying spelt it out." He took XiChen's hand by way of apology. "The soothsayer...he told me something. He said by losing myself, I will receive a chance for redemption."

"That could mean anything!" Wei Ying scoffed.

"But I agree with him. I think this is it. Otherwise how would I lose myself?"

"But Jiang Cheng..." Wei Ying came forward and touched his shoulder. "When you say redemption, you can't possibly mean-"

Jiang Cheng covered his hand with his own. "I do. I don't think I will ever not feel bad for what you had to go through."

Wei Ying's eyes filled. "I told you. It was my choice. Mine!"

"Regardless, I'm your best choice. You can't send anyone younger; they have to look old at least."

"He's right. I agree." Nie Huaisang said.

"I have to go back to Lotus Pier anyway. This time when I go, I'll spread it around that I'm entering secluded meditation. Then I'll come back here, change my clothes and my appearance. I can leave secretly and appear at your village with a new back story." He looked at Nie Huaisang at that last part.

"Alright, if that's decided, then I'll go back to the Unclean Realm. We can meet back here in a few days. I'll bring some clothes with me." Huaisang stood up to leave.

Wei Ying grabbed Lan Zhan's arm too. "Shall we see if Shen Ling is back yet?"

"Where did he go?" XiChen asked, concerned.

"I accidentally upset him." Wei Ying admitted.

"I'm sure you didn't mean to." XiChen patted his arm kindly.

Lan Zhan smiled at his brother. He had always been understanding of Wei Ying, and Lan Zhan had always been grateful for that.

*****

Shen Ling was back and apologetic. "I am sorry, Young Master. You had something to tell me?"

"Yes I do. When we were traveling to the soothsayer's hut, on the way...on the way, I thought I heard Shen Qing. In my mind."

He heard Lan Zhan intake a breath.

"Really? Young Master, are you sure?" Shen Ling was hopeful.

"I wasn't then, I thought I was imagining it. But it really sounded like her voice. So I just wanted you to know...that she's still alive." He looked down.

"I thank you, Young Master. I believe you." Shen Ling padded into the stables after bowing.

"Wei Ying didn't say." Lan Zhan gazed at him.

"I-I wanted to, but Lan Zhan, I couldn't. The Dragon Guard for all their blustering, I don't know. I can't really trust them and I don't know why I'm feeling that. I never did get a chance to talk to Li Hua."

Lan Zhan raised a brow.

"She wanted to talk to me, but not when the others could listen. I'm not sure if she's afraid of them, or...I don't know." He sighed. "I feel bad that Jiang Cheng has to volunteer for this mission."

"I don't." Lan Zhan took his hand and started walking towards the healer's quarters.

Wei Ying laughed, not noticing where they were going. "That's because it's what you wanted!"

"Mn."

"Hey, wait! Why are we here?" He dug his heels in, refusing to move.

"Wei Ying's arm."

"It's fine. It doesn't hurt now." He tried to take his hand back. "Lan Zhaaan!"

The healer got to work straight away. They unbound his arm from the dressing. Even Wei Ying could see it was much worse. The black marks had spread to form a curving shape, the skin a darker red.

"I will strengthen your dose." The healer said, in a tone that dared him to argue back.

When they left, Lan Zhan's mood had brightened considerably.

"What would Wei Ying like to do now?" He asked pleasantly.

Wei Ying frowned at him. "You're just a bully."

Lan Zhan pulled him forward in a show of strength and kissed him hard, in delight.