By the time his call ended, so did the investigation of Bei Zangli. Fu Ran watched with confusion as his disciples all returned with tired eyes.

“Nothing?” he asked.

Tian Han shook his head and gave Lin An a ginger pat on the head. She in particular seemed upset to tears. “Seems the people remembered their previous attempts at questioning and wouldn’t talk to any of us,” Tian Han explained.

Fu Ran saw the looks of failure in his disciple’s eyes and decidedly came to the conclusion that perhaps, this day was not the best for investigating. They got a late start into the day because of sleeping well past morning, and the day was mostly over by the time they even had their “breakfast.”

Yet again they returned home to their rooms, though this time, Tian Han bought a separate room. It seemed the children taken in from the auction house had already abandoned their nightly safe haven as the rooms were opened up to purchase again.

It was better this way: The disciples could sleep in a collective room, since there were suddenly four of them, and they heavily outnumbered the adults. Fu Ran would sleep in the second room, along with Tian Han, though he knew there wouldn’t be much sleeping happening tonight.

It was quiet and comfortable in the room away from the children, and getting to undress, and then dress up, in peace, was satisfying. “So, are we going to go thieving under the cover of night, again?” Fu Ran playfully referred to their previous night’s outing, and chuckled. The auction house was his first heist.

“When in Jinan, do as the residents do.” Even Tian Han’s laughter sounded sweet.

Fu Ran shook his head, “I am already labeled a criminal if they chose to punish me. You too, you know! I know you didn’t give them any money.” He pointed at Tian Han accusingly, but the man only silently feigned offense.

The sound of his own amusement did seem a bit strange, as Fu Ran rarely shared quiet moments like this with Shesui Lang or Zhi Lao anymore, so to do so with the man of his nightmares… felt wrong?

He nervously ran his fingers along the detailing of his new mask. Tian Han picked it out for him while they were wandering the streets of Jinan after breakfast. Since The Faceless City seemed to fancy black, it was sleeker than the previous. It wasn’t needlessly embedded with gems, but it had a simple and elegant embroidery of silver swirls. Fu Ran liked this one much better than the ones he had seen in the auction hall and around the Guang Blind Alley.

For a short while, his brows furrowed, distraught. Which is more important right now? he thought, mentally going over the best course of action. Locating the spirit vessel, and investigating Bei Zangli, could stop an onslaught of rabid evil spirits, but the time limit for that was still a few days away. The second option: Finding out more information on that double, seemed like it would bring equal amounts of issues should it be ignored. Both were imperative, but deciding between the two was not simple.

Fu Ran wanted to ask Tian Han, but as he opened his mouth to speak, lights illuminated the bedroom.

Colors emerged one by one, gradually blending into a vibrant cascade of color. Distant buildings began to flicker to life, as if an artist were meticulously adding the final touches to a grand canvas before them. Fu Ran rose to his feet, his mouth slightly agape in wonder.

Tian Han drifted toward the open balcony door, where the night lights began to shimmer, one after another. Brilliant reds, blues, and yellows flared like distant fireworks. Despite being so high up, they were only halfway up the slope of Jinan, with many lights still shining from the buildings above. Mid-conversation, Tian Han seemed momentarily distracted, his hand resting on the smooth wooden trim. Drawn by his own fascination, Fu Ran found himself subconsciously moving closer, eager to take in the dazzling display.

“This is a sight not seen from Xingti Pavilion’s window,” Fu Ran said, smiling at the profound sight — he even chuckled at the absurdity that something like this would ever be outside his home window. However, Tian Han did not respond. His eyes looked distant, and his mouth was parted in a small gap. It was the look of wonder in a child’s eyes, not usually seen in those of a man’s.

With such an intriguing look in his eyes, Fu Ran had to ask: “Do you miss the sights of your home?”

Tian Han’s golden gaze blinked awake, and turned to Fu Ran. For a moment he seemed to not process the question, but his lips curled up. “No.” His expression sneaked into a somewhat satisfied grin, and playfully, he said. “In fact, I think the view from the garden gate of Xingti Pavilion is even better.”

If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

Fu Ran huffed. It was clear that Tian Han was only trying to displace his thoughts. “Nonsense,” he denied the claim.

“How about Shizun? Is it good? The view of Jinan, I mean.”

“It is pretty, I like it,” Fu Ran answered honestly. It didn’t take any large amounts of thoughts for this Peak Master to come to the conclusion. Because well, the sight was beautiful. One of the most beautiful sights he had seen in a long while.

“Do you like it enough to live here?” Tian Han asked. He seemed to eagerly await an answer, despite the question coming from seemingly nowhere.

Clearly, Fu Ran was taken aback. Where did that come from? He had no intention of moving away from his little pavilion any time soon. Besides, he had too many memories on An Xian Yun Peak to up and leave them.

Though… the thought had lingered for longer than he wished. Moving? Fu Ran had never dreamed of such things, nor did he think he would be allowed. Quickly, he shook his head forcing indulgent images away. “No, I just — I can’t see myself leaving.”

“I see,” Tian Han said. “...Somewhere else then?” The second part was said quietly, like he wasn't much looking for an answer, but rather the words were filled with quiet introspection.

What do you see, exactly? Fu Ran’s brows lowered and his eyes thinned, scrutinizing the tyrant. I swear, every time this man gets a thought, I grow more nervous! If I don’t know what is coming next, how will I ever be at peace?

Tian Han headed back inside the room before putting on his white and gold mask. Fu Ran wanted to question his actions, or strange requests, but he was already tying up his hair, and stripping down to his more casual clothes.

Fu Ran sighed and averted his eyes. A few moments later he followed Tian Han’s lead, and got dressed.

***

Masks on, the two cultivators headed back to the streets. This time they followed the bridge between the two Twin Summit Inn buildings. They blended in seamlessly with the masses of hidden faces.

Fu Ran had already decided and was looking and listening out for two things: Any talks of Bei Zangli, and the man who shared his face. Though finding the latter in this location might have been more than a little difficult. All it takes is a mask, after all. He followed behind Tian Han closely, but noticed he was having trouble keeping their closeness.

Crowds shoved and bumped, until Fu Ran had to squint to barely see Tian Hans’s head over the people. He was disappearing further from view.

Fu Ran had recently discovered a significant vulnerability in the future emperor—his utter inability to maintain composure in the presence of the fake “Fu Ran.” The sight of the impostor seemed to strip away the man’s mental aptitude and physical control. If that weakness resurfaced, it could spell trouble. Fu Ran swallowed.

“Tian Han!” he called out, but his voice was engulfed by the noise of the crowd. The bridge was alive with the hum of conversations, forming an invisible barrier that deadened his words. Fu Ran watched Tian Han slip away, disappearing into the mess before his eyes.

Frustration gnawed at him. He couldn’t risk drawing Shi Wei Ji just yet, so he couldn’t fly above them. It would simply cause too much panic. His teeth clenched as he fought to keep his composure, and his gaze fixed on the slowly vanishing man in black.

***

It took far too long for Tian Han to appear in Fu Ran's eyes again. He was already stepping into a dark, narrow alleyway, though he did slow his steps in comparison to earlier.

Fu Ran couldn’t bear the idea of losing sight of him again, especially because who knew who could be lurking around the alley’s? So, when he got closer, his hands instinctively flew around a pale and slender wrist.

Fu Ran’s sudden hold must have frightened him, because Tian Han stiffened under the grip, and his head twisted around in a hurry. Though for a moment he was tense, his expression softened upon seeing Fu Ran.

Tian Han tilted his head and asked, “Is there something wrong? Shizun?” Tian Han slipped his wrist away from Fu Ran and instead presented his palm to be held.

“I am not a child,” Fu Ran said, his tone a touch condemnatory. “I do not need someone to hold my hand.”

“Yet, Shizun wants to hold onto me like I am one? Despite me being a good deal older? Shizun, I promise that if you want me near, I won't run from you.”

Fu Ran nearly yanked his hand away. “It isn't like that.” Fu Ran turned away and let his gaze fall back onto the empty alley. “Also, I am likely much older than you think,” his voice indicated that he was done with the line of talk, both dry and quiet.

“Shizun, are you not feeling well?”

He really wasn’t. being away from the bustling bridge, and the hubbub of the main streets put his mind at ease, but not enough to stop his overthinking. Fu Ran’s hands fell to the sides of his body, and his fists were tightened and shaking. Tian Han did not know that even Shi Wei Ji was nearly taken by his double. “I’m not, but nothing much can be done about it. We need to keep searching—”

“Maybe we should just head back for the night?” Tian Han asked.

Fu Ran’s eyes shrunk into a judgmental squint. Why would he want to head back? He didn’t have much attachment to Jinan, but he didn’t want to see it torn to bits by evil spirits, either. The Faceless City is so populated, and the people here are not cultivators. They have no idea how to handle threats.

One evil spirit could probably stand decently against one average disciple like Lin An. However, one of them can probably tear through 10 average citizens. And that number only includes those who might be able to fight back. Had it been a group of women and children, with no battle training, the numbers of casualties could be even higher. “And waste even more time? I am a Peak Master, I cannot do that.”

“It’s not like looking around endlessly will help either,” Tian Han said tiredly. He finally withdrew his hand and crossed his arms, and didn’t seem to want to argue on this matter. “Rest is just as important.”

“Can we just search a little? I will feel even worse should we leave with nothing gained. Tian Han, you must know somewhere we can check!”

After considering his options, golden eyes wandered further down the alley. Tian Han looked as though he had thought of something. “I do have one idea,” he said.

When he started moving, Fu Ran kept his pace quick to keep up. Tian Han was trailing down the web of alleys, his destination kept quiet.