Jiang Cheng couldn't help but smile as he walked past the guards at the gates of Cloud Recesses. He was beginning to understand why his brother called it home, in spite of the 4000 plus rules (some added especially because of him). It was not the place itself at all, rather the person who lived here.

A disciple led him to the library where Nie Huaisang was already waiting for him. XiChen met him at the door, refraining from kissing him openly in front of the biggest gossip ever, although the desire to do so was clear in his eyes.

To his surprise and shock, XiChen opened the secret door to the Forbidden room. He paused, questioningly.

"Needs must." XiChen replied, his expression now serious. "Sect Leader Nie's suggestion. He also thinks you should leave tonight, under the cover of darkness. That way, no one will see you leave Cloud Recesses."

Jiang Cheng followed him down the curved wooden staircase. He had never been allowed here before, and would have liked to look around properly, but Nie Huaisang immediately handed him a scrolled map.

He pointed with his fan a location he had marked with a circle.

"Guan Lo?"

"Yes. To outsiders, it looks like an ordinary village. You have the normal blacksmiths, farmers and laborers. However, my sources mentioned a lot of comings and goings of strangers, in general, too much activity for a quiet, rural place."
He started fanning himself. "Also, after your last encounter with Min Qi Xue, I asked them to look out for a man with a scar or defining feature on his face."

"And? Does he actually visit?" Jiang Cheng was beginning to understand the importance of the mission.

"Indeed!" Huaisang replied, excitedly. "At least once a week. But you cannot meet him straight away or he'll become suspicious. You'll have to gradually work your way up to earn his favour."

Jiang Cheng made a face.

"I see you're no longer carrying Zidian. Good choice. I wasn't sure how to persuade you."

"I left it with Jin Ling two days ago. He knows what to say if anyone asks questions about where I am." Jiang Cheng didn't tell them that Jin Ling had cried and asked him not to go. Even pointing out that he was the only blood relative left. Leaving Jin Ling after that was like cutting off his own arm. Jiang Cheng noticed XiChen looking at him, puzzled, so he gave him a small smile and shook himself from those thoughts.

"Mostly laborers, so you that's your best option." Huaisang was saying. "I'm guessing you're no stranger to hard work, and since you're quite fit, it's not a stretch to believe."

"So...a farmer then?" He scrambled to keep up.

"I thought builder. As you have that sort of experience."

Jiang Cheng nodded. He walked to the table where a selection of plain robes in drab colours greeted him. He would miss his purple ones, he mused, fingering his own clothes. He couldn't remember a time when he hadn't worn purple, except when they'd been forced to run from Lotus Pier.

"Also, don't be friendly. They won't accept that, and you'll be made. They're a rough crowd, so you will have to earn their trust." Huaisang came as stood next to him. "My best sources even made this for you."

He handed him a shiny parchment piece with a dragon drawn on it.

Jiang Cheng looked back at him blankly.

"Give me your arm." Huaisang put down his beloved fan and grabbed it. He pushed up his sleeve and slapped the parchment face down on his bare skin. Then he activated a heat talisman on top and waited. Behind him, Jiang Cheng saw XiChen glowering, looking at the hand touching his arm. He smirked.

Five minutes later, the parchment was peeled off, revealing a beautiful dragon tattoo, complete with open fangs.

"It's kind of beautiful...if I didn't know what it stood for." He said admiringly.

"Let me see." XiChen not so subtly moved Huaisang out of the way so he could hold his arm, pretending to admire as well.

Jiang Cheng bit the inside of his mouth to stop himself from laughing.

Of course, none of that went unnoticed by the fanning man, who paused to stare at both, before continuing.

"Your name will be Bao LiJie. Min Qi Xue has already seen your face, so I have prepared some cosmetics. You can apply them on this face mask."

Jiang Cheng stared at the skin coloured rubbery looking mask with holes where his eyes, nose and mouth would be. It was disturbingly life-like.

"Do not take that off while you're there. Not for any reason." Huaisang warned him. "They are careful people, one hint that you're not who you say you are, and that's it. We won't even know what's happened to you."

Jiang Cheng felt the ripple of fear go through XiChen, who was still holding his arm.

"I'll be more careful. They won't suspect a thing." He forced bravado, hoping to reassure the man at his side more than anything.

"These clothes need to be at least a little dirty by the time you get there. If you can pick up some tools, that would be great as well."

"I understand." Jiang Cheng was more worried about XiChen who was now shaking, little tremors that passed into him through their contact.

"They are currently building a bridge to cross a small river on the outskirts of Guan Lo. It's a good cover story that you're there seeking employment."

"Okay."

"I think that's about it."

"I'll help you with your disguise later." XiChen told him. "I need to talk to you, first."

Huaisang bowed and left them, smiling to himself.

Did they think he was blind?