WangXian Forever Book 8

Chapter 29 Lan Zhan

Wei Ying was holding Lan Zhan’s hand under the table. It was the last connection left before they would have to part because of their under cover operation.

"Good luck." Wei Ying told Jiang Cheng just before he left.

They watched him climb up the stairs and then he disappeared down the right corridor.

Everything appeared normal for now, with music playing in the centre of the room while people chatted in low voices as they drank and got ready for their evening.

Perhaps everyone was not there for clandestine activities, but from how many eyes watched the goings on around the staircase, and the amount of interest it drew, it was a safe bet that most of them would be entertained in one way or another.

I love you, Lan Zhan. Wei Ying told him through their mental connection.

Mn. As I love you. Please be careful.

Of course I will. I promise. But I think we will have something else happen to both of us. It's just a gut feeling for now, but do you think given what that man's wife told us, and her open dislike of cut-sleeves...that this may be someone who doesn't like them? And since we both knowingly chose men, it stands to reason that either we shall meet the prime mischief maker tonight, or we will gain further insight.

Wei Ying rubbed his nose thoughtfully.

Either way, Wei Ying must be careful. Please.

Wei Ying squeezed his hand under the table.

You need to be careful too. None of us know what is going to happen from one moment to the next, but...we should trust our intuitions.

"Mn." More of a message was conveyed through golden eyes deeply worried.

"I wonder how XiChen-Ge and Jiang Cheng are faring...I hope they come back with some useful information." Wei Ying continued, trying to distract him.

Just then their waiter came back and tapped Lan Zhan on his shoulder. Lan Zhan was up in an instant, his face stoic and devoid of feeling. Only Wei Ying could tell from the slight downward tilt of his mouth that Lan Zhan was greatly upset.

Still they had said everything that was important to them; the only way to get through this night was to continue as planned.

Lan Zhan climbed the stairs, back ramrod straight, eyes forward.

He reached the guards and showed them his hand. They gave him a key and directed him down the left corridor.

"Who knew someone as beautiful as him had trouble finding someone to warm his bed..."

He heard the guards say that and more insidious comments.

Lan Zhan was even tempered enough to let it go, for now.

He checked the door numbers and stopped at the right one.

Hui Gai? Are you with me? He spoke through their mental connection.

Right here, don't worry. He said close by.

Thank you for coming with me...I do not do well...with strangers.

No worries, happens to the best of us. Hui Gai said, easily. Shall we?

Mn.

Lan Zhan opened the door after turning the key.

There was a young man sitting on the bed.

The room was decorated in black and gold, shimmering organza hanging from the ceiling in places, while gold and black vases contained the strangest looking flowers.

Lan Zhan already felt uneasy, but there was something wrong here.

Wei Ying had told him to pay attention to his surroundings so he kept his eyes on the stranger, but he sent out his awareness around the room.

He could sense Hui Gai to the left of him...himself and...two other beings?

Two?

He looked around, trying to see where this fourth person was.

The young man stood up unevenly, as if he wasn't quite used to his body.

And in that instance, Lan Zhan knew.

Immediately, Bichen was unsheathed and pointing at his neck.

"Who are you?" He bit out, alert and on edge.

"Will you really kill this useless body? Are you not the Great Hanguang-Jun? Light Bearer of the North?" The voice did not match the body.

It was coarse and heavy, as if the person speaking hadn't quite gotten used to the speech in this language. That body's eyes snapped open, redder than vermillion.

That body was possessed.

And Lan Zhan knew he couldn’t kill that body, because the Demon inside would simply vanish. But he kept Bichen out because it made him feel so much better.

"I ask you again, who are you?" He enunciated, his nerves already frayed.

If this was the person responsible for the Sleeping Sickness, Lan Zhan had to do something...anything to prevent more people from dying.

"I think you know who I am..." the lips were not cooperating, so his words were not coming out correctly, but slurred as if he was drunk.

"Then...why are you doing this? What is the reason?" Maybe if he could draw the Demon into a conversation, the solution would present itself.

Understanding dawned in those bright red eyes.

"Will you not try and find out by yourselves? Why should I make it easy for you?" The Demon watched him through the black slits in those red eyes. "You may know this: I mean you no harm...unless you do not give me what I want."

"And what exactly do you want? Isn't all of this is meaningless without that knowledge?" Lan Zhan edged closer.

"I can sense your partner...and I know for a fact...he is much more fun to talk to. Bye." The body dropped onto the bed, and the room filled with a green gas so fast, their eyes watered.

Hui Gai teleported Lan Zhan out of there immediately, and they ended up where they had sat down for drinks.

Their sudden appearance caused many of the clientele to gasp and shriek but Lan Zhan ignored the chaos.

He was searching for Wei Ying but their table was empty.

"Didi! There you are! Where's A-Xian?" XiChen was running down the stairs, closely followed by Jiang Cheng.

But Wei Ying wasn't there.

Lan Zhan felt his blood go cold.

"Hui Gai? Take me to him. Now."