Lan Zhan checked the boy's pulse twice while they waited for the Grandmaster to return.

"I think we should go back to that orphanage in Yiling." Wei said, quietly.

"Mn."

"Maybe at night, when there are no guards, or at least less guards around. There was definitely something not right about the extra people in the infirmary." Wei Ying stood up and stretched.

Lan Zhan couldn't stop looking at him, this magnet for his eyes. It was a pull he could not resist, did not want to. He watched his husband come closer, the familiar hunger in his eyes, he knew was reflected in his own.

Wei Ying put his arms around his neck and kissed him.

"You know, it's getting harder and harder to be alone together." He whispered against his lips.

"Mn."

"We need a solution for this."

"What does Wei Ying suggest?"

"Well, technically, we don't actually need a bed, right?"

"Mn."

Tight arms wrapped around him.

"So-"

"Breakfast time!" A loud and too cheerful voice announced, as his grandmother walked into the cave.

They split apart like a pea pod. Wei Ying was redder than the sun kissed blushes on the peaches outside, same shade as someone's ears.

"So Grandmother, I was thinking, we will have to go back." Wei Ying covered, wondering how much she had heard.

"I knew you would." She waved a hand and their breakfast appeared, complete with table and seating mats.

"Tonight." Wei Ying shovelled the food into his mouth, Lan Zhan stopping just to wipe his mouth now and then.

"Make sure you're not seen. We need evidence before we can take it further."

"I have talismans especially for this!" Wei Ying replied, gleefully. But his thoughts turned serious. "Lan Zhan, what did you think of Auntie Shin Zhou? Do you think she's in on it? Or innocent?"

"Not sure."

"Hmm. Me either. We'll just have to see."

"I will start treatment today." Baoshen Sanren stared at the little boy still asleep on the ledge.

"He'll be fine." Wei Ying said, gently.

The rest of the day was spent lazing around - Wei Ying - and making plans - Lan Zhan. Evening stars scattered in the gradually darkening sky as they left the sanctuary of the mountain and flew into town.

Yiling was especially beautiful at night. The streets were empty and a calmness lay over the land. They landed just outside of the orphanage, waiting until the last lights were out. Wei Ying slapped a talisman on himself and Lan Zhan.

"No one can see us now." He whispered.

"Mn."

The wards around the building must have been placed by amateurs and were easily broken. Wei Ying replaced them immediately so as not to raise suspicion.

The grounds were eerily silent, no children present except for the echoing sounds of their joyful mirth. They crept along the sides of the main building, not wanting to cast unnecessary shadows. Wei Ying made a mental note to remember and fix this.

There was nobody around. Wei Ying was in two minds about this; on the one hand, he was happy that they did not run into anyone, but then, where were they?

Lan Zhan pointed to a door on the side. He nodded and joined him. They entered silently. Wei Ying could hear voices, and in the darkness, the sound was amplified. There were people behind this door, but he couldn't quite make out what they were saying.

Wei Ying pressed his ear against the cold wood, trying to make sense of what he was hearing. Without warning, the door suddenly opened, and he had mere seconds to jump out of the way.

"We need to be more careful." A man said. "Are you sure it was them?"

"Of course!" This familiar voice belonged to Auntie Shin Zhou. "Who else dresses in black and red, is married to the one always in white? It was definitely the Yiling Patriarch and Hanguang-Jun."

"Did they know you recognized them?" The man asked, sharply.

"No, I don't think so."

"Then it is time to put our plan in action. Tell the team in JinLinTai to go ahead. I will be back at the end of this week." He stopped walking to frown at her, his features lit by the candle in her hand. "Do not let me down this time. We cannot afford any more mistakes."

"Yes, Master. I am sorry, and it won't happen again." She dutifully bowed.

"In fact, let's change the location of the infirmary. They might come back. Just leave a skeleton crew behind and use it for cuts and bruises rather than anything else. Do I make myself clear?"

"Yes, Master. Where shall we move the infirmary to?"

"Basement."

"She gasped. "Are you sure?"

"Do NOT question me!" He roared, the reverberation sounding off from the walls.

"I'm sorry, Master! I'm sorry!" She cried, bowing.

They walked further away, their voices fading as they went.

Wei Ying pulled Lan Zhan into the newly vacated room and closed the door quietly behind them. He used a flame talisman to light up the room, and stifled a scream just in time.

On the wall in front of him, a huge carved lion face, mouth gaping with teeth glinting off the light in his hand. Lan Zhan grabbed his other hand, looking at him questioningly.

"I'm alright." He whispered, listening to his thudding heart. "I just wasn't prepared for...for that!"

There was an altar placed under the statue, used candles with melting wax pooled onto the hard surface. Bowls of fruit were laid upon it as offerings. Flowers were scattered along the length and faint scent of incense filtered through the mustiness of the room.

"This is a temple room?" Wei Ying whispered, his voice sounding loud in the too-quiet room.

"Mn."

"Isn't that," he pointed to the figure looming over them, "the same as the emblem on the rings?" He pulled it out to make sure, comparing the features.

They were identical.

"Uncle Qiren said the Suanni has the likeness of a lion. I would agree." He continued.

"Mn."

"So these people are definitely worshippers of this Suanni. I don't think we'll find anything else here."

They left the room, continuing down the corridor.

"Maybe we should try and find this basement?" He suggested.

"Mn. There must be something there. She sounded..."

"Panicky." Wei Ying finished for him.

"Mn."

"We should find a way to take us down rather than staying on this level." Wei Ying started opening all the doors they came across, but most were just empty rooms.

Some were obviously school rooms with tables spread out in formation, all facing the front. When they stumbled upon actual dorm rooms, they knew they had to be much quieter.

"I'm amazed she knew who we were." Wei Ying said, peeking behind another door.

"Mn."

"I guess we're more famous than we thought." Wei Ying sighed. "In this case, it's detrimental to our cause."

"Mn. Must warn Jin Ling."

"You're right. We have to tell Grandmother, too."

They found themselves at the back of the building. Wei Ying opened another door; this led to their crop fields. Moonlight glinting of a shiny structure had Wei Ying moving forward without thinking.

It was a greenhouse, glass panels surrounding the long edifice. Something caught his eye.

"Look, Lan Zhan!" He pointed, excitedly at the plant, growing in abundance.

Its leaves were jagged and toothy, but the yellow and red flower grabbed his attention.

"Isn't that the castor oil plant?" He whispered. "Healer Fei described that, didn't he?"

He tried the door but it was locked.

Suddenly, lights blazed all around them, followed by the ringing of a loud bell.

"We should leave!" Wei Ying grabbed Lan Zhan and they ran towards the gates.

People started streaming out of the main building. Wei Ying was so glad they were still invisible. He waited until more people came closer to the gates and disabled the wards, then he and Lan Zhan slipped out without alerting anyone.

*****

A/N

My dear readers, so sorry for the late update! You can blame the protein noodles I ate for dinner last night, something I am NEVER EVER going to do again!

Feeling much better now though, so see you in the evening!