Given the urgency of the situation, Jiang Cheng and Lan XiChen, along with fifty chosen disciples had ridden their swords straight to Koi Tower. The rest of the ground troops would reach the next day.

Jiang Cheng could not take a solid deep breath. His heart was thundering in his chest, worry like acid in his veins. His every thought centered around Jin Ling, the little boy who would always be so, regardless of age. He could not help but remember all those sleepless nights, caring for the young babe, so recently deprived of his parents. All those precious memories of him growing up, from toddler to teenager, every second burned into his brain to later recount to his sister in the Ancestors room.

What would they find when they got there?

The gates of Koi Tower were suspiciously quiet, the heaviness like atmospheric pressure before a storm. They landed and Jiang Cheng waited for XiChen to stand by his side, grateful for his presence, before climbing all those stairs.

That's where they saw the first signs of battle; streaks of blood splatter, swords bereft of their owners, and then later, the owners themselves, on the ground, never to rise again.

Disciples were picking up bodies, others scrubbing the marble floor. Jiang Cheng paused to see their emblem, Sparks Amidst Snow, the Peony of the Jin Sect stained crimson. That was a sight he knew he would never forget.

All thoughts fled the moment he spotted Jin Ling limping towards them. He ran forth and grabbed him, pulling him to his chest. He didn't realize he was crying. They stood like that for a few moments, both understanding that this very feeling could have been denied them.

Lan SiZhui and Lan JingYi followed him. Lan XiChen was surprised to see them here and was concerned.

"What happened?" He asked, after checking them thoroughly.

"Just some little cuts, nothing serious." JingYi said, proudly.

"It was a surprise attack. And there were so many of them. We were outnumbered by hundreds." SiZhui explained.

"What did they want?" Jiang Cheng asked furiously. Now that Jin Ling was safe in his arms, he was relaxed enough to settle into his normal temperament.

"We don't know."

"They took me to the treasury. Uncle, they even knew about the secret room!" Jin Ling supplied. And then, in a lower voice, "I need to talk to you. Privately."

Jiang Cheng nodded. "Show me."

Jin Ling took him to the Fragrance Room, and they entered the secret room via the mirror. He put a silencing ward on the door.

"Uncle, they looked through everything. Their leader is a man with a slashed face. He called himself Mei Tongqing Xin."

They looked around at the mess of open cabinets, empty shelves, contents on the floor. The once tidy and meticulously maintained room was in disarray.

"Do you know what they wanted?" Jiang Cheng asked again.

"I have an idea, because they left here empty handed. Only picked up a couple of daggers and such. But I think they were looking for that box." Jin Ling finished.

"You mean the one in Lotus Pier now? The one you brought to show your Uncle Wei?"

"I think so. The only problem is, we don't know what's inside. He looked at us like we couldn't know what he wanted, and that may be why he kept us alive."

"I don't think you should stay here for now. Lotus Pier is safer, if they decide to attack, we're better prepared."

"But Uncle, I can't abandon Koi Tower now-" Jin Ling protested.

"This may be the only time you can leave." Jiang Cheng insisted. "I know my brother. He will want to see you safe. And if what you think is true, the faster we get to Lotus Pier, the faster we can find out what's in that box. Then we may get a clearer idea of all this."

*****

It was decided that Lan Clan members with Jiang Cheng and Jin Ling would travel back to the Unclean Realm, leaving at least a skeleton force to deter further confrontations.

They found Wei Ying heavily sedated in the infirmary. Wen Ning was standing next to him, Lan Zhan in a familiar upright position next to him.

"What happened?" Jiang Cheng asked.

"He was worried, hyperventilating." Lan Zhan told them. "I'm glad you are all right," he added, to Jin Ling.

He was also surprised to see the young Lans.

XiChen filled him in on what had happened.

*****

It was late evening when Wei Ying finally stirred. His eyes blinked open slowly, a faint smile played upon his lips when he saw Lan Zhan. But as he woke, so did his worrying gradually manifest.

"Jin Ling?"

"He is here. Unharmed." Lan Zhan helped him sit up.

A few minutes later, he whipped off the blanket and tried to stand. Lan Zhan grabbed his waist, knowing what he wanted.

Luckily, Jin Ling chose that moment to come and visit. Wei Ying grabbed him and held on.

"You're safe, you're safe," he mumbled.

Jiang Cheng strode in after him.

"I talked to the healer, he says you can travel by carriage in a few days." He took a deep breath, knowing what he was going to say next would cause conflict, especially with the man standing too close behind his brother. "We have to go to Lotus Pier."

"No." Lan Zhan was immovable on this.

"Wait, just hear us out first!" Jiang Cheng protested.

"Uncle, do you remember I told you about that box?" Jin Ling whispered to Wei Ying, who hadn't let him go yet.

"The one you couldn't open?"

"Yes. We think that's what the scarred man wanted."

A visible shudder rippled through Wei Ying. "Did he do anything to you?" He demanded.

"No." When he saw his answer had no effect, he reiterated. "All of us are fine, just a few scratches."

"We can search the library in Lotus Pier too." Jiang Cheng suggested. "Nie Huaisang said they couldn't find anything else."

"I'm ready to leave tomorrow." Wei Ying announced.

They tried to talk him out of it, but he insisted.

"Whether I'm lying down here or in a carriage, it won't make a difference to me," he declared.

"Only if you eat properly." Lan Zhan bargained with him.

Wei Ying blushed and nodded.