Wei Wuxian did not close his eyes all night. He lay awake, stubbornly fighting off sleep until just before dawn, when he finally felt the tingling numbness leave his body and regained control of his limbs. With deliberate nonchalance, he slipped off his upper garments beneath the covers and tossed them to the floor beside the bed.

Then, with deft fingers, he loosened Lan Wangji's sash and began to pull down his robes. His original intention had been to fully undress him as well, but as he exposed Lan Wangji's chest, Wei Wuxian's hand froze. His gaze fell upon the brand mark below Lan Wangji's collarbone, and unbidden memories of the disciplinary whip scars on his back surfaced. A pang of guilt shot through Wei Wuxian as he realized the impropriety of his actions. He hastily moved to pull Lan Wangji's robes back up.

But in that moment of hesitation, Lan Wangji stirred, perhaps sensing the cool air on his skin. His brow furrowed slightly as his eyes slowly opened.

The instant those pale eyes focused, Lan Wangji rolled off the bed in a most uncharacteristic display of gracelessness.

One could hardly blame the usually composed Hanguang-jun for such an extreme reaction. What man, waking from a night of heavy drinking, would remain calm upon finding another man lying half-naked beside him, their own robes partially removed, bodies pressed close in a single bed beneath shared covers? There was no room for elegance in such a startling situation.

Wei Wuxian draped the blanket artfully across his chest, leaving one smooth, bare shoulder exposed. He watched with barely concealed amusement as Lan Wangji struggled to process the scene before him.

"You..." Lan Wangji began, his voice hoarse.

"Hmm?" Wei Wuxian hummed in response, a hint of mischief in his tone.

Lan Wangji swallowed hard. "Last night, I..."

Wei Wuxian winked playfully, propping himself up on one elbow. "My, my, Hanguang-jun. You were quite... uninhibited last night."

Lan Wangji fell silent, his face draining of what little color it had.

"Don't you remember anything from last night?" Wei Wuxian pressed, his eyes glinting with poorly concealed glee.

It was clear from Lan Wangji's expression that he did not, in fact, remember. The usually stoic man's face had turned ashen.

Inwardly, Wei Wuxian felt a surge of relief. If Lan Wangji had remembered Wei Wuxian sneaking out to summon Wen Ning in the middle of the night, it would have led to difficult questions - lies would be risky, but the truth equally problematic.

After so many failed attempts at teasing that had backfired spectacularly, Wei Wuxian finally felt he had regained some of his old swagger. Though tempted to press his advantage, he knew he couldn't risk alienating Lan Wangji completely - he still wanted to trick him into drinking again in the future, after all.

Deciding to quit while he was ahead, Wei Wuxian dramatically flung back the covers, revealing his fully clothed lower half and boots still firmly in place. "Fear not, you paragon of virtue! I merely removed our upper garments as a jest. Your chastity remains intact and unviolated!"

Lan Wangji remained frozen in place, seemingly at a loss for words. Before he could formulate a response, the sound of shattering porcelain cut through the tense atmosphere.

The noise was not unfamiliar - it was the second time they had heard it. Once again, the qiankun pouches containing the sealed corpse parts had grown restless, overturning the teapot and cups on the table. This time, the disturbance seemed even more violent, with all three pouches active at once.

In their alcohol-addled and exhausted states the previous night, both men had completely forgotten about their plan to play music to calm the remains. Wei Wuxian, fearing that Lan Wangji might act rashly in his shock and potentially harm him, quickly spoke up: "Right, we have important matters to attend to. Let's focus on that first."

He hastily grabbed a robe to cover himself and rolled out of bed, extending a hand towards Lan Wangji, who had just regained his footing. His gesture, intended as an offer of assistance, looked alarmingly like he was about to tear at Lan Wangji's clothes again. The other man, still reeling from the morning's events, took an instinctive step backwards. His heel caught on something - glancing down, he realized it was his sword, Bichen, which had lain forgotten on the floor all night.

By now, the strings securing one of the qiankun pouches had loosened, and a pale, ghostly hand was clawing its way out of the small opening. Wei Wuxian, seizing the opportunity, reached into Lan Wangji's half-open robes and retrieved a familiar flute. "Don't be frightened, Hanguang-jun," he said with a disarming smile. "I'm not trying anything untoward - you took my flute last night, and I simply needed it back." With exaggerated thoughtfulness, he then helped Lan Wangji straighten his robes and retie his sash.

Lan Wangji's gaze was filled with a complex mix of emotions as he regarded Wei Wuxian. It was clear he wanted to inquire further about the previous night's events, but his innate sense of duty won out. Forcing himself to focus on the task at hand, he retrieved his guqin without further comment.

The three qiankun pouches before them contained different parts of the dismembered corpse - one held the left arm, another the legs, and the third the torso. With so much of the body reassembled, the resentful energy had grown exponentially, making their task even more challenging than before. It took three full performances of the calming melody "Rest" before the violent movements within the pouches began to subside.

As Wei Wuxian lowered his flute, preparing to gather up the scattered remains, he suddenly let out a surprised exclamation. "Well, well! Our friend here certainly didn't skip his training regimen!"

The burial robes covering the torso had come loose in the commotion, revealing the well-defined physique of a young man. Broad shoulders tapered to a narrow waist, with impressive abdominal muscles on full display - the epitome of masculine strength without crossing into the realm of excessive bulk. It was the kind of body many men could only dream of attaining.

Unable to resist, Wei Wuxian playfully slapped the corpse's abs a couple of times. "Hanguang-jun, just look at this! If he were alive, my hand would probably bounce right off. How does one even achieve this level of fitness?"

Lan Wangji's brow twitched almost imperceptibly, but he remained silent. Undeterred, Wei Wuxian delivered another couple of appreciative pats to the corpse's midsection. At this, Lan Wangji's expression became utterly blank as he wordlessly retrieved the qiankun pouches and began the process of re-sealing the remains. Wei Wuxian quickly stepped aside to give him room to work.

In short order, Lan Wangji had secured all the body parts back in their respective pouches, tying each with several tight knots for good measure. Oblivious to any underlying tension, Wei Wuxian glanced down at his own physique, raising an eyebrow before retying his own robes with a flourish, once again the picture of propriety.

Catching Lan Wangji's lingering gaze, which seemed filled with unasked questions, Wei Wuxian couldn't resist one last tease. "Why are you looking at me like that, Hanguang-jun? Are you still worried? Trust me, I truly didn't do anything to you last night. And of course, you didn't do anything to me either."

Lan Wangji hesitated for a long moment, as if steeling himself for something, before speaking in a low voice. "Last night, aside from taking your flute, did I..."

"Did you what?" Wei Wuxian prompted, his eyes dancing with mischief. "Oh, you didn't do much else. Just talked a lot."

Lan Wangji's throat bobbed as he swallowed. "...What did I say?"

Wei Wuxian leaned in conspiratorially. "Nothing too serious. Just that you really like..."

Lan Wangji's gaze intensified, a flicker of apprehension crossing his features.

"...rabbits," Wei Wuxian finished with a grin.

Lan Wangji closed his eyes and turned away, the tips of his ears burning red. Wei Wuxian, feeling a twinge of sympathy, quickly added, "It's nothing to be embarrassed about! Rabbits are adorable - who doesn't like them? I like them too... especially how they taste! Haha!"

Seeing Lan Wangji's continued discomfort, Wei Wuxian softened his tone. "Look, you drank quite a bit last night... well, not that much by normal standards, but it was a lot for you. You're probably not feeling your best this morning. Why don't you wash up, have some water, and rest a bit? We can set out once you're feeling better. Our next destination is slightly west of south, remember? I'll go downstairs and buy us some breakfast. Take your time, no rush."

As Wei Wuxian turned to leave, Lan Wangji's cool voice stopped him. "Wait."

Wei Wuxian looked back, eyebrows raised. "Yes?"

Lan Wangji stared at him for a long moment before finally asking, "Do you have any money?"

Wei Wuxian's face split into a wide grin. "Of course! I know exactly where you keep it. I'll bring something back for you too, alright? Take it easy, Hanguang-jun. No need to hurry."

As he closed the door behind him, Wei Wuxian allowed himself a moment of silent, gleeful laughter in the hallway.

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Lan Wangji, seemingly shaken by the morning's events, remained secluded in the room for quite some time. While waiting for him, Wei Wuxian leisurely made his way downstairs and out of the inn. He wandered the streets, buying various snacks on a whim, before settling on the steps to bask in the warm sunlight as he ate.

As he lounged there, a group of children, perhaps thirteen or fourteen years old, came running down the street. The child in the lead was sprinting, a long string clutched in their hand. At the end of the string, a kite bobbed and weaved through the air, neither too high nor too low. The children following behind wielded toy bows, shouting excitedly as they tried to shoot small arrows at the airborne target.

The sight brought a wave of nostalgia to Wei Wuxian. This game had been a favorite of his in years past. Archery was a required skill for all disciples of the prominent cultivation sects, but most young cultivators found little joy in the rigid practice of shooting at stationary targets. Outside of night hunts where they could test their skills against real monsters and spirits, games like this kite-shooting provided a welcome diversion. Each participant would fly their own kite, competing to see who could achieve the highest altitude and greatest distance while still maintaining enough accuracy to hit their target. The game had originated among the younger members of the various cultivation clans but had since spread to ordinary children as well, though their arrows lacked the power and precision of those shot by the cultivators-in-training.

During his time at Lotus Pier, Wei Wuxian had often played this game with the Jiang Sect disciples, frequently claiming first place. Jiang Cheng invariably came in second - his kite would either fly too far for his arrows to reach, or he would hit the target but fail to match the distance Wei Wuxian's kite achieved. The two of them had kites that were a full size larger than those of the other children, crafted in the shape of a fantastical flying beast. Vibrantly colored and elaborately decorated, these kites had gaping maws and multiple pointed tails that whipped about in the wind. From a distance, they appeared remarkably lifelike - fierce, yet with an oddly endearing quality. Jiang Fengmian himself had constructed the frames, while Jiang Yanli had painted them. Every time they brought out these kites to compete, both boys had felt a special sense of pride.

Lost in these bittersweet memories, a faint smile played across Wei Wuxian's lips. He found himself gazing up at the kite the children were currently flying, curious to see its design. To his surprise, it was a simple, circular shape in a bright golden hue. He furrowed his brow in confusion. "What is that supposed to be? A flatbread? Or some kind of spirit I've never encountered?"

Just then, a gust of wind swept through the street. The kite, which had already been flying quite low in the confined space, suddenly plummeted. One of the children cried out, "Oh no! The sun is falling!"

In that moment, Wei Wuxian understood - these children were likely reenacting the legendary feat of "shooting down the suns."

This town, Yueyang, was not far from the former stronghold of the Qishan Wen Sect. During the height of Wen Sect's power, they had terrorized the surrounding regions. The people of Yueyang had undoubtedly suffered, either from encounters with poorly controlled fierce corpses and spirits or at the hands of arrogant Wen cultivators. After the successful campaign against the Wen Sect, which saw their century-old dominion crumble in an instant, many nearby areas had enthusiastically embraced celebrations of the Wen Sect's downfall. Over time, these celebrations had evolved into local traditions. This children's game, it seemed, was one such tradition - a playful reimagining of the ancient tale used to commemorate their liberation from Wen tyranny.

The children halted their chase and huddled together, their faces scrunched up in puzzlement. A heated discussion broke out among them: "What do we do now? The sun fell on its own before we could shoot it down. Who gets to be the leader?"

One child raised his hand enthusiastically. "It should be me, of course! I'm Jin Guangyao, the one who killed the great villain of the Wen clan!"

Wei Wuxian, still perched on the steps in front of the inn, watched the scene unfold with keen interest.

In games like this, it was no surprise that the currently illustrious Chief Cultivator, Lianfang-zun, would be a popular choice. Despite his questionable origins - or perhaps because of them - his rise to power was all the more impressive. He had spent years as an undercover agent during the Sunshot Campaign, effortlessly deceiving the entire Qishan Wen Sect while leaking countless secrets. After the campaign, he had maneuvered his way through countless political intrigues with unparalleled cunning, ultimately securing the position of Chief Cultivator and becoming the undisputed leader of the cultivation world. Such a life story was truly legendary. If Wei Wuxian were playing, he too might be tempted to try his hand at being Jin Guangyao. The child's choice seemed entirely reasonable.

Another child protested vehemently. "I'm Nie Mingjue! I won the most battles and captured the most prisoners. I should be the leader!"

"Jin Guangyao" countered, "But I'm the Chief Cultivator."

"Nie Mingjue" raised his fist menacingly. "Chief Cultivator or not, you're still my sworn brother. Don't you always run away with your tail between your legs when you see me?"

True to his role, "Jin Guangyao" immediately hunched his shoulders and scurried away, fully immersed in the act. Another child chimed in, "You're just a short-lived wretch."

Naturally, choosing to play a particular sect leader implied some level of admiration for that figure. "Nie Mingjue" bristled at the insult. "Jin Zixuan, you died even earlier than me! You're the short-lived one!"

"Jin Zixuan" refused to back down. "So what if I'm short-lived? I still rank third!"

"Third in looks, maybe!" retorted "Nie Mingjue".

At this point, one of the children who seemed to have grown tired of running and standing, scooted over to sit beside Wei Wuxian on the steps. With a dismissive wave of his hand, he adopted a peacemaker's tone. "Alright, alright, stop arguing. I'm the Yiling Patriarch, the most powerful of all. I suppose I'll have to step up and be the leader."

Wei Wuxian: "..."

Glancing down, he noticed a small wooden stick tucked into the child's waist, presumably representing Chenqing.

Only children like these, Wei Wuxian mused, could so innocently disregard notions of good and evil, focusing solely on power levels, and willingly take on the role of the Yiling Patriarch.

Another child interjected, "No, that's not right. I'm the Poison Master. I'm the strongest."

The "Yiling Patriarch" responded knowingly, "Ah, Jiang Cheng. What makes you think you can compare to me? When have you ever beaten me? How can you claim to be the strongest? Aren't you embarrassed?"

"Jiang Cheng" retorted with a huff, "Hmph, I can't compare to you? Do you remember how you died?"

The faint smile that had been playing on Wei Wuxian's lips instantly vanished.

It was as if he had been unexpectedly pricked by a needle laced with potent poison. A subtle, stinging pain suddenly radiated throughout his body.

Oblivious to Wei Wuxian's discomfort, the child playing the "Yiling Patriarch" beside him clapped his hands excitedly. "Watch this! Chenqing in my left hand, the Tiger Seal in my right, and add in the Ghost General - I'm invincible! Hahaha..." He raised a stick in his left hand and held up a rock in his right, laughing boisterously before calling out, "Wen Ning! Where are you?" A small child at the back of the group timidly raised his hand. "I'm here... um... I wanted to say... during the Sunshot Campaign, I wasn't dead yet..."

Wei Wuxian felt an overwhelming urge to interrupt.

"Esteemed sect leaders," he said, addressing the children, "may I ask a question?"

The children, unused to adult intervention in their game, especially one that wasn't a scolding but a serious inquiry, looked at him with a mixture of curiosity and wariness. The "Yiling Patriarch" eyed him suspiciously. "What do you want to know?"

Wei Wuxian asked, "Why isn't there anyone from the Gusu Lan Sect?"

"There is," came the reply.

"Where?"

The "Yiling Patriarch" pointed to a child who had remained silent throughout the entire exchange. "That one."

Wei Wuxian looked over and indeed, this child had delicate features that hinted at future handsomeness. A white string was tied around his smooth forehead, serving as a makeshift forehead ribbon. "Who is he supposed to be?" Wei Wuxian inquired.

The "Yiling Patriarch" wrinkled his nose in disdain. "Lan Wangji!"

...Well, Wei Wuxian had to admit, these children had grasped the essence of the character. To play Lan Wangji, one indeed should remain silent!

Suddenly, the corners of Wei Wuxian's mouth curved upward once more.

It was as if that poisoned needle had been plucked out and tossed aside, instantly dispelling all traces of the stinging pain. Wei Wuxian murmured to himself, "How strange. How can someone so dull consistently bring me such joy?"

When Lan Wangji came downstairs, he found Wei Wuxian seated on the steps, surrounded by a group of children sharing steamed buns. Wei Wuxian was simultaneously eating and directing two children who stood back-to-back. "...Now, imagine you're facing millions of Wen Sect cultivators. They're fully armed and have you completely surrounded. Make your eyes sharper - yes, just like that. Lan Wangji, pay attention now. You're not your usual self - you're covered in blood! Exude a strong killing intent! Make your gaze fierce! Wei Wuxian, move closer to him. Can you twirl a flute? Let's see you try, with one hand. Be more graceful - do you know what grace means? Here, let me show you." The child playing "Wei Wuxian" handed over a thin wooden stick. Wei Wuxian expertly twirled "Chenqing" between two fingers, drawing gasps of admiration from the children who crowded around to watch.

Lan Wangji: "..."

As he silently approached, Wei Wuxian noticed his arrival. He stood up, brushing the dust from his clothes, and bid farewell to the children. As they walked away, Wei Wuxian seemed to be struggling to contain his laughter, as if afflicted by some strange poison.

Lan Wangji: "..."

Wei Wuxian, still chuckling, said, "I'm sorry, Hanguang-jun. I gave all the breakfast I bought for you to the children. We'll have to buy more later."

Lan Wangji: "Mn."

Wei Wuxian: "So, weren't those two children adorable? Can you guess who the one with the string tied around his head was supposed to be? Hahaha..."

After a moment of silence, Lan Wangji finally couldn't resist asking, "...What exactly did I do last night?"

Surely it couldn't have been that simple, or why would Wei Wuxian still be laughing about it?

Wei Wuxian waved his hands frantically. "Nothing, nothing at all. You didn't do anything. I'm just amusing myself, hahaha... Alright, ahem, Hanguang-jun, let's talk about serious matters now."

Lan Wangji: "Speak."

Wei Wuxian adopted a solemn expression. "The coffin-tapping sounds at the Chang family burial ground had been silent for ten years. Their sudden resurgence can't be a coincidence. There must be a trigger."

Lan Wangji: "What do you think the trigger is?"

Wei Wuxian: "Excellent question. I believe the trigger is the exhumation of that torso."

Lan Wangji: "Mn."

His intense focus reminded Wei Wuxian of how seriously Lan Wangji had grasped his two fingers when drunk the night before. Suppressing another laugh with difficulty, Wei Wuxian continued gravely, "I'm thinking that the dismemberment wasn't just an act of revenge or venting anger. It was a malicious method of suppression. Whoever divided the body intentionally chose locations with unusual phenomena to place the body parts."

Lan Wangji: "Using poison to counteract poison, maintaining a balance through mutual restraint."

Wei Wuxian: "Exactly. So when that grave robber dug up the torso, there was nothing left to suppress the Chang family's resentful energy, and the coffin-tapping resumed. The principle is similar to how the Nie clan's Blade Hall suppresses both blade spirits and wall corpses. Perhaps this method was even learned from the Nie family's Blade Hall. It seems this person had close ties with both the Qinghe Nie Sect and the Gusu Lan Sect. Likely not an ordinary character."

Lan Wangji: "There aren't many such individuals."

Wei Wuxian: "Indeed. The truth is gradually coming to light. Moreover, since they've started moving the body parts, it indicates they're getting anxious. They're bound to make more moves soon. Even if we don't seek them out, they'll come to us. As they continue to act, they'll inevitably reveal more clues. Besides, our friend's hand will guide us in the right direction. However, we need to move quickly too. With only the right hand and the head left, we must find them before our opponents do."

The pair journeyed southwest, following the left hand's guidance to their next destination: the fog-shrouded eastern Shu region.

A ghost town that the locals avoided at all costs.