Mo Dao Zu Shi: Astray

Inferno, Part Eight

Chapter warnings: Very heavy angst ahead. If you want to be happy during the holiday season, I advise you to save this chapter for later.
Execution through being burned alive.

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Pan Wukun remained silent throughout Pan Heng's story. "So that's how you knew Wen Zhuliu. And how you ended up in Xuhou."

Pan Heng leaned down, using his hand to cover his mouth from the view of anyone trying to read his lips (like Wen Zhuliu). He whispered into Pan Wukun's ear, "He's also my...ex."

"..." Pan Wukun almost choked on the water she was drinking.

Pan Wukun let out a bitter laugh. So, Pan Heng had known Wen Zhuliu all this time. And they were once lovers too? She was doomed to get involved with canon from the start.

She rested her head against Pan Heng's shoulder. "Shit, now that you're here, what's going to happen to us?"

Pan Heng stroked Pan Wukun's head. "Rest, A-Chun. A-ge will take care of everything."

Pan Wukun gave in to her exhaustion and shut her eyes, falling asleep.

Pan Heng's eyes softened. He gently set Pan Wukun down on the prison cell's bed.

Pan Heng glared at Wen Zhuliu. "Now let me talk to Wen Ruohan."

Wen Zhuliu frowned. "Address him as Sect Leader Wen."

"He stopped being my sect leader a long time ago."

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Pan Heng had never met Wen Ruohan face-to-face. But back then, he always saw him from afar.

Having high cultivation, Wen Ruohan looked no different than he did years ago.

Close up though, Pan Heng could fully feel his oppressive presence. He pushed down his uneasiness. He needed to act calm if he was going to negotiate.

"Long time no see, Wen Ruohan." Pan Heng did not bow.

Wen Ruohan scowled. "You must have a death wish since you dared show your face here again."

Betraying one's sect was one of the worst crimes one could commit.

Pan Heng kept speaking calmly. "You've had problems with deserters lately, haven't you? Strange happenings going on at Wen sect posts lately? Cultivators found with blood leaking from their orifices and their faces frozen in terror?"

Wen Ruohan's eyes narrowed.

Pan Heng smirked. "Well, I've got a solution to your impending cultivator shortage. You need to make an example of someone. Who better than someone who managed to desert the sect for years?"

"Hmph." Wen Ruohan waved his hand. "Continue." For someone to willingly give themselves up to death was new to Wen Ruohan. At least he wasn't going to be bored.

Pan Heng was interrupted by a knock on the throne room's doors.

"Father! May I come in?"

"Yes, Chao-er."

Wen Chao entered, looking at Pan Heng curiously. "I had to see one of Wen Zhuliu's old friends for myself!"

Wen Chao scrutinized Pan Heng. He squinted. "Hey, I recognize that cloak and sword..." Wen Chao pointed a finger at Pan Heng. "You! You're that guy I saw at the swordsmithery years ago!"

The memory stood out to Wen Chao since it was the day he received his sword.

"That swordsmith lied to my face! I'll kill him!"