People called out to Fu Ran and the children as they ventured deeper. Tian Han seemed to be avoided, since he walked with a different stride compared to the rest of the sheltered cultivators. Tian Han shooed most people away like he had done this hundreds of times before, until eventually people stopped waving at them. Only the entrance to The Faceless City was this outwardly horrid, Tian Han had explained this much. It got better further in, but the people often became worse. Salesmen and thieves were the type that filled the entrance, and they were easier to handle.

It had been so long since his last visit, that Fu Ran didn’t remember it being in this state.

At night people donned masks, so that the nightlife could exist separate from the day life. People were more willing to commit atrocities, infidelity, or thieve during the nighttime. Criminal behavior became normal in the city of Jinan, and the people were used to it. With the expectations drawn, the entire population knew how to get away with egregious acts. All they had to do was: join the nightlife with concealed identity.

It was easy to learn this information, and suddenly think the city unlivable, but Tian Han explained that Jinan had its own method of handling these minor issues. Fu Ran never heard of this when he traveled here previously, as he only stayed for a few days and lived under order of staying in the inn during the nights.

“The city makes people vanish,” Tian Han explained. The words slithered from Tian Han’s lips like a snake, and while he appeared to wear a smile, the rest of his expression was more sinister.

“Vanish?” Meng Xiao wore a disgusted and judgmental face, and pulled back like he had heard something gross.

Tian Han nodded, “They end up missing from all records. When someone vanishes, there might be some small traces left if you look. But suddenly, their home is lived in by someone else, or the shop they ran is turned into a completely new shop overnight. It is jarring at first, but the people get used to it.

“Each night could be different, and that fact might just be the reason The Faceless City is so popular. People live their day to day, with only one purpose: To see the next night.”

Tian Han led them beneath the bridge connecting the two ornate inn buildings. Being the largest buildings in Jinan, or maybe even the entire north half of the nation, they commanded attention. His mouth dropped and his eyes widened to take in the sight. The two buildings had changed greatly since his last visit. They were not nearly this large.

If Fu Ran counted the rows of windows going upwards, the count came to be 13.

The twin inn buildings dropped large banners from the sides, and with the wind blowing through the bridge connection like a tunnel, they flew wildly despite their size. During a span of calm air, it could be read clearly written in bright red ink. Twin Summit Inn, the name of the only room rental building in Jinan.

Fu Ran visited this place with Yi Yang during the years when he was still training.

The crowds filling the bridge up above talked loudly, and it made Tian Han hard to hear, when he continued. He waited to say the last part of his sentence until they were under cover of gossiping civilians.

His expression darkening, Tian Han explained, “No one will tell you, but they love it. The suspense of the unexpected lures people in, and they grow to love the city. Even this aspect could be seen as a drug, or a gamble. The citizens of the Faceless City enjoy the changes that occur on a nightly basis, with their sole comforts being the belief that it won't be them. I have seen too many people fall under the ideals like: It might be my neighbor, or my favorite shopkeeper, or my child… but it won't be me. They get too lost in it.”

“Child?” Fu Ran asked, incredulously grimacing.

“Are you confused?” Tian Han asked solemnly. “It isn't proper, but when someone is lost in the city. You forget them. That is the culture here.” Fu Ran couldn’t make out more than a strained frown, but somehow he felt he should be feeling one thing: pity.

Lin An held onto Fu Ran's hand and she had begun to yawn, catching the teacher’s eyes. It was the middle of the night, so he guessed that she was incredibly tired, only made worse after the day of fright they must have had. Fu Ran was used to sleepless nights, but both of the young disciples went to bed on a schedule set by the sect. While Meng Xiao seemed the type to power through a day or two if needed, even he looked exhausted. He wasn’t going to say it though.

Fu Ran smiled and asked, "Should we buy a room?"

Fu Ran tapped Tian Han’s shoulder, giving him a shock. Though, giving one look to the children forced a smile. The battle to keep their eyes open was evident. “They look tired. We can go to Twin Summit for the night, and the children can rest. While they sleep, we can explore the more adult areas of the city."

“How do you know so much?" Curiosity drew Fu Ran’s brow together and he crossed his arms, but he was only met with a small chuckle and an overly simple response.

"I wonder why?"

The yawns grew more incessant until they made their way to the inn, and purchased a single room. It would be fine for now, as the adults would be investigating.

***

Coming into the room brought back familiar memories. It was one of the higher floors, since Meng Xiao and Lin An wanted to see the view. Although he mentally mocked their excited pleading, Fu Ran also wanted to see what the lights looked like from this height.

With a rousing exhilaration, the room was revealed to be modest, yet well decorated. It had a more mature air to it, some details being lined with red and golds. The furniture choices were safe, as to not upset any strange or foreign tastes, but still elegant nearing the elevated style of a palace.

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The aesthetic choices are the same as I remember. Fu Ran covered his trepidation with Tian Han’s sleeve, but in truth the view was one of the best. The way the room lit up with life from Jinan through the window was breathtaking.

Fu Ran deeply inhaled, breathing in the leftover scents of incense in the room. It was nice having a place to clean up and keep their things, as lugging his bags up the mountain truly almost took Fu Ran out. Besides, with pickpockets around every street corner, it was best to carry light.

"Night night, Shizun and Tian Shibo..." Lin An already looked like she was close to falling asleep, and barely managed to get under the covers. She didn’t even have the energy to pull the covers over her body, so Fu Ran tucked her into bed.

Meng Xiao just gave a simple word of "g’night,” before he turned to his side, taking the red covers with him.

Coaxing his disciples to bed was something he didn’t feel in the mood for, so he was overjoyed that they were knocked out so quickly. He would have chuckled if not for fear of interrupting their early attempts at rest.

“Gonna wash up,” Fu Ran said quietly for only Tian Han to hear, before he walked into the connected wash room.

If he was expected to mingle with high-end citizens in his for Wan Yu then he should appear presentable, and right now his current state is far from it. He was still covered in dirt from digging graves all evening.

Fu Ran was in the middle of cleaning up his face when the door behind him opened, and the mirror revealed Tian Han in a vastly different appearance.

He changed quickly, Fu Ran thought.

Fu Ran's eyes widened as he took in the new look of Tian Han, who had discarded the familiar robes of the An Xian Yun Peak. Now clad in all black, he looked relaxed yet stylish, with a hint of elegance in the gold detailing that poked out from under the sleeves. As the man crossed one leg in front of the other, the brief flash of pale skin immediately caught Fu Ran's attention. To top it all off, his messy ponytail was tied up higher than usual, creating an entirely unexpected but undeniably attractive appearance.

Tian Han let his back fall against the wall by the door, and explained, "Cultivators aren't appreciated here. You should also change the way you dress a little." His lips took a grin.

"You never did explain to me how you know so much," Fu Ran looked away from Tian Han, but still kept his eyes locked to him in the mirror’s reflection. He fixed the strands of his hair that had become stringy and misplaced due to the constant traveling throughout the day.

A small annoyed sound escaped his lips when he looked at his hair pin. It was blatantly a symbol of his cultivation sect with little branch markings on the tip. His face soured realizing that he would have to remove that too.

Tian Han must have seen a change in expression, and he stepped closer bringing his hands up to inky hair. Fu Ran’s eyes widened, and his body went rigid from feeling fingers brush near his ears.

Tian Han’s gaze caught in the reflection. Upon landing on lavender eyes, he noticeably swallowed, his throat bobbing, and he asked, “May I?”

Hands weren’t touching him, and merely hovering nearby, but it still dug up fresh anxiety. Fu Ran thought, The tyrant will do as he wants anyways. He groaned but kept the words down.

“Fine,” Fu Ran said.

Tian Han plucked the silver and white hairpin from the bun, and it fell like shiny threads around him. Suddenly the view of himself in the mirror had mostly become veiled in black. Fu Ran felt fingers comb through his hair with a sickening, foreign gentleness. Whenever the back of Tian Han’s hand would press to the nape of his neck, he shuddered.

"To answer your question, I see Jinan like you see An Xian Yun Peak."

Fu Ran was taken aback and brought his gaze back to meet gold in the mirror. He had actually answered him, to the Peak Master’s surprise. "So you see this city like home?" Fu Ran asked.

"An obligation is more appropriate," Tian Han answered seemingly honestly. Tian Han's slender and nimble fingers glided through Fu Ran's soft locks with a sensuous finesse. His touch was airy and careful, delicately gathering the strands to skillfully create the general shape of a neat bun.

Oh. That makes sense, Fu Ran thought. His mouth had hung agape slightly, at the realization that Tian Han might have been able to vocalize his feelings about his home better than even he could. Because it was the place that raised him, he did feel obligation, but it wasn’t necessarily a home. The people of An Xian Yun Peak had a habit of making him feel unwelcome with their words and actions.

A realization had dawned on him, once he drew the connection of their similarities.

"Were you raised in Jinan?" Fu Ran asked.

There was a long pause, as Tian Han looked more focused now and showed no signs of answering until finished. Soft pulls at his hair tightening the shape, and Tian Han’s movements elegant as a breeze, the look began coming together. With each touch, he seemed to caress the Peak Master's hair with affection, his touch leaving behind a trail of warmth and odd tenderness.

The bun was fashioned delicately, each strand perfectly in place.

Tian Han finished the hairstyle when he pulled out a golden hairpin from his sleeve. He stuck it inside the mass of locks. The hairpin was elegantly carved and it dangled with a single red flower of red. Fu Ran’s cheeks grew a touch pink. It was gorgeous, and fit so nicely with the colors of Tian Han’s robes.

Tian Han finally looked content enough to speak. He smiled, enjoying his handiwork, and then said, "I was born here. I was raised elsewhere, by my teacher. But I lived here long enough that I understand the city. You could say that it had a heavy impact on my upbringing."

So that’s why Tian Han looked so sad when talking about the city. This is no environment for a child to grow up. Fu Ran watched his guest in silence, observing his expression in the reflection of the mirror. Seeing it turn solemn and empty, Fu Ran felt guilty for stealing glances. He looked away.

Thanks to some outside assistance, Fu Ran thought he looked nice. With Tian Han standing at his side, they looked like a proper pair of well-off visitors, and he thought that for sure, the transition to high end society would be smooth. Both men put the masks back on their faces before leaving quietly so as to not wake the children.

"So where would we even start our investigation?"

"Great question, Peak Master. How about... where all men and women in this city go when they seek treasure? The auction house."

Fu Ran had heard about the auction house. Some Peak Masters who had once obtained spiritual weapons here. The auction house in Jinan supposedly carried large amounts of invaluable goods and items! But there was still something wrong with that answer... “Treasure? Aren’t we looking for Wan Yu?”

To his dismay, Tian Han only smiled. Curse this tyrant, he loves to talk until it is inconvenient.

Oh well, Fu Ran thought. The auction house still held surprises too, and if Tian Han thought it would be a good place to search, what reason did he have to disagree? It is normally smarter to follow after the person who knows the culture of the city when in a new place.

Fu Ran’s lips happily curled upward, and he dug out his wallet to check over his own funds. “Not bad… Not too bad!” He murmured, giggling following the quiet words. “Maybe I can pick up some interesting items. I have always been fascinated by Feng Meiying’s Jade Mirror… Or Perhaps the illustrious Heng Shui Long could find a match at a massive trading hub!”

That last sentence seemed unlikely. He doubted he would find a match to Shesui Shixiong’s spiritual blade in Jinan of all places.

His sword trembled at his side, causing Fu Ran to chuckle. Shi Wei Ji did not like this insinuation one bit. “Don’t worry, I won't look for a new blade,” Fu Ran happily tapped at the white weapon before giving it a long and gentle stroke.

Tian Han was looking at him with a polite smile. Waiting patiently, he provided not a hint of rushing.

Fu Ran let out a small nervous bout of laughter. “Sorry.”