Lan Qiren watches his nephew and A-Ying leave and is suddenly reminded that he forgot to tell them that Qingheng-Jun is unofficially out of seclusion, and probably against his will, at that. But Xiongzhang's reaction to having been removed from his house is a problem for another day.
Right now, he has to deal with this traitor.
Nie MingJue didn't recognise him, so he doesn't belong to the Nies.
"Get him up. We're going to use the Mingshi," he tells one of the senior disciples. To another, he says, "Go and fetch Wen-Zhongzhu. Bring her here." This is just in case his theory is correct that the traitor belongs to the Wen Sect, given that this person knows how valuable and dangerous the Yin Iron is. He wants Wen Tang Changpu with him to identify this person, and if she doesn't, then she can help by being a witness and providing important insights on what to ask him.
Two senior disciples stand on either side of the unfamiliar young man, and when they remove Wei Ying's pressure point talisman, they grab him before he can make a run for it.
He still drags his feet as they bring him inside the Mingshi.
The Mingshi is a special room, with incantations written and sealed inside the bricks and the foundations, an action that their forefathers correctly predicted would be invaluable. There's a natural suppression around them caused by the containment array drawn in the centre of the room. Nie XiongMeng looks around in awe and with respect, feeling the weight of the atmosphere in this place. It's a little harder for him to move around, too.
Wen Tang Changpu arrives out of breath, and Lan Qiren quickly fills her in.
The senior disciples have tied the young man's hands up to a circlet of iron hanging from the ceiling; this contraption is designed to be lowered or raised as needed to cause maximum discomfort.
Nie XiongMeng eyes it with interest. "I didn't know the esteemed Lan Clan was into torture," he remarks, as if it is a casual thing.
"We're not," Lan Qiren replies curtly.
"I meant no disrespect," Nie XiongMeng bows immediately.
Lan Qiren checks his face for sincerity. Finding it, he forces himself to relax by breathing deeply and lowering his shoulders, a technique that Healer Fei told him about long ago. It's been useful to him, and Lan Qiren never appreciated it as much as he does now.
"That's okay. We're not here to torture him unless there's no other way." He looks at the young man, and then remembering that his eldest nephew and his son are inside with them, he turns to Lan Huan.
"You may return to the swimming event," he excuses him.
"Shufu...can I stay?" Lan Huan asks him.
That's interesting...
"Let them," Nie XiongMeng speaks up when Nie MingJue stares pleadingly at him. "You never know. They might learn something."
"You wish," the young previously masked cultivator says, giving them all a big smile.
"Very well, you may stay, but keep away from him," Lan Qiren tells all four kids, noting how Xue Yang looks far too happy. He waits until they go to sit down far behind the tied up man before turning to him. "What's your name?"
"How do you know I'll tell the truth?" He counters, winking mischievously.
"You can make this as easy or as hard as you like," Lan Qiren tells him. "If we think you are telling falsehoods, there are many options for us to choose to counteract that situation. Now, what is your name?"
"What do you think my name is?" He asks back with a mocking glint in his eyes.
"Raise the iron," Lan Qiren tells one of the disciples. "And let's leave him here to think about his behaviour. The four of you must stay and watch him at all times." He tells the four senior disciples. "If he supplies anything of use, then write it down, but he is not to be lowered. If he makes a nuisance of himself, then feel free to use the silencing spell. Come and find me if there is a change in the developments." He makes eye contact with Nie XiongMeng and Wen Tang Changpu to follow him out, beckoning the children to also leave with him.
