Underneath The Moonlit Night

Chapter 60 - Shattered Illusions

In the tranquility of their shared dreams, Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji were wrapped in the comforting embrace of sleep. Yet, the peace was shattered as Wei Wuxian's senses prickled with a familiarity that sent a chill down his spine—a sensation akin to the dark tendrils of his own demonic cultivation.

Wei Wuxian's eyes snapped open, the weight of impending danger heavy in the air. He sat up swiftly, his movements jerky yet purposeful, rousing Lan Wangji from his own slumber.

"Wei Ying?" Lan Wangji's voice, a gentle melody in the quiet of the night, floated to Wei Wuxian's ears as he too sat upright, concern etched into his features.

Wei Wuxian's gaze darted towards the window, his eyes wide with a mixture of alarm and apprehension. "Sinister energy," he breathed, his voice laden with caution, "it swirls within the Cloud Recesses."

Lan Wangji's reaction was swift, his usually composed demeanor faltering for a fleeting moment at the gravity of Wei Wuxian's words. "Sinister energy?" His voice betrayed a hint of disbelief, though his training allowed no room for doubt. He closed his eyes briefly, reaching out with his spiritual senses in an attempt to discern the unseen threat that Wei Wuxian perceived.

"I... don't detect anything," Lan Wangji admitted, his brows furrowed in concentration as he sought to pierce through the veil of darkness shrouding their sanctuary.

Wei Wuxian sprang into action, his movements swift and purposeful as he dressed in haste, the urgency of the situation driving him forward. "Trust me," he reiterated, his voice a fervent plea, "they're among us. We must alert the Clan Leader."

Lan Wangji nodded, his determination mirroring Wei Wuxian's own, as they hurried out of their chamber. Along the corridors of the Cloud Recesses, they encountered disciples on nightly patrol, their faces etched with surprise at the urgency in the pair's demeanor. Without hesitation, Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji implored them to join their cause, their voices carrying echoes of urgency through the tranquil halls.

Meanwhile, in a scene shrouded in darkness and trepidation, the Grandmaster reveled in his clandestine activities, unaware of the impending storm about to engulf him. Positioned precariously atop one of the children, his indulgence was abruptly halted as he found himself overpowered by a force beyond comprehension. With a suddenness that stole his breath, he was pinned to the ground, each limb held fast by the uncanny strength of the children surrounding him.

Each child, their bodies pulsing with an otherworldly energy, converged upon him with a ferocity that belied their tender years. With a savage grace, they pinned him to the ground, their movements fluid and coordinated, like the tendrils of a malevolent beast ensnaring its prey.

Helpless and exposed, the Grandmaster lay sprawled upon the ground, his limbs bound tightly by the relentless grip of his captors. In his moment of vulnerability, his most intimate secrets were laid bare for all to see, his shame exposed to the merciless gaze of his assailants.

In the eerie glow of the moonlight, the oldest boy approached, his blond hair aglow and his eyes ablaze with an otherworldly intensity that sent a chill down the Grandmaster's spine. Unable to move, he could only gaze up in terror as the enigmatic figure loomed over him, casting a shadow that heralded a darkness far greater than he could have imagined.

The boy leveled a gaze of unbridled contempt at the Grandmaster, his words cutting through the silence like a blade forged from righteous fury. "Who would have thought," he sneered, his voice dripping with disdain, "that one of the Grandmasters of the esteemed and respected Gusu Lan Clan would stoop so low as to prey upon innocent children." His tone held a weight far beyond his years, resonating with a depth of maturity that belied his youthful appearance.