Chapter 4

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I do not return to the town immediately. I linger, examining the charred trees, brushing a hand against their ash, collecting some in a bag in case it may be useful later. I also wipe my swords clean. I wait for my mind to quiet, for the song of the battle to quiet. It would do me no good to return to town with such vigor coursing through my bloodstream.

When my mind finally becomes calm, I make my way back to the town. The rest of my stay is short and uneventful. I now have a new quest: find Wei Wuxian and Lan Zhan and tell them what I know. My only obstacle is that I have nowhere to start--so, I follow the common wisdom of the time, just as I had before: ask the locals. News travels to their ears like moths to a flame.

The townspeople tell me that two powerful cultivators, possibly three, made their way through Qinghe last week. The last news of them was their residence in the Unclean Realm, the seat of the Nie Clan--which may mean they are still there.

The Unclean Realm is a day's journey from the outskirts. I leave tonight, under cover of darkness, as it is best if I simply disappear after what happened in the forest. Travel is difficult in the dark, I know, but in this instance, I must risk it, even if I attract the attention of some resentful spirits.

Fortunately, I do not encounter any resentful spirits. I reach the Unclean Realm by midevening the next day, but I do not enter. I must rest, and I do not wish to rest in the town until I have my wits about me.

The next morning, I enter, and quickly realize I am in a city, not a town. Such difference from Cloud Recesses: instead of elegance, sturdiness; instead of beauty, practicality. There is a charm to the functionality and the efficiency of the architecture: it does not say more than it needs to, does not attract more than it should. The city's personality also reflects the people, I soon notice--they are much like their buildings: efficient, practical, functional, and they do not dance around their words or actions.

Now I am tasked with finding two people in a city as large as this. As I look around, something tickles my nose from above. I catch myself before sneezing, looking up. Colored leaves flutter down from the heavens on light gusts. A harvest festival: the people of the Unclean Realm celebrate.

I wander the streets, not ready to ask around yet. I want to make my observations first, maybe catch the pair myself without the help of the city residents. From what I know of Wei Wuxian, it is likely he is in the city proper today. He would not miss a party, especially if there is liquor.

I start at the wine houses. They prove dead ends, and they leave me with a headache from their noise. I take to the streets next, scanning the masses for any sign of either of them: a white scabbard, or perhaps a strip of red. I see pieces, but every time I follow the movement, I find nothing. I push down my frustration with a huff. If they are still here, I will find them. But there are so many people; it will not be easy, nor will it be simple.

Something catches my eye as I idly walk through a merchants' avenue: the flash of a black robe and a glimpse of a white scabbard. Turning a corner, it disappears. I dash to the next street, fiendishly following the glimpse. It enters a wine house, and I follow seconds afterward. As I step into the room, I find Wei Wuxian, accompanied by none other than Lan Zhan, Jiang Cheng, and Nie Huiasang. They sit in a corner, conversing. I settle at a table within earshot, my back to them.

I must decide how to approach them. I consider my options: I could take a direct route, or I could pull them aside on the street, and each depends on where I am and where they are. If we were on an empty road, I would directly approach them. But we are in a city brimming with people. As such, I decide to pull them aside. They may be surprised and react with hostility, but I would rather that then cause a public scene.

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