Grandmaster of Heavenly Charm

The crimson mark captured Wei Wuxian's full attention, making him doubt if he had seen correctly. He was so focused on it that he couldn't spare a glance at the other person's face, his breathing becoming erratic. Suddenly, a white flash appeared before his eyes, as if a snow curtain had fallen. The curtain then split apart, revealing a blue sword radiance imbued with an icy chill rushing towards his face.

The renowned sword "Bichen" of Hanguang-jun was known to all. Wei Wuxian's heart sank - it was actually Lan Wangji!

Escaping from deadly situations was second nature to Wei Wuxian. He executed a practiced roll on the ground, narrowly avoiding the sword strike. As he burst out of the cold spring, he even had the presence of mind to pluck a leaf that had stuck to his hair. Like a headless fly, he crashed into a group of night patrollers, who seized him and reprimanded, "Why are you running about? Rushing is forbidden in the Cloud Recesses!"

Recognizing Lan Jingyi and the others, Wei Wuxian was overjoyed. He thought to himself that now he could finally be chased down the mountain with a barrage of blows. Eagerly, he offered himself up: "I didn't see anything! I absolutely didn't see anything! I definitely wasn't trying to peep at Hanguang-jun bathing!"

Upon hearing this, the young disciples were struck dumb by his audacity. Hanguang-jun was a revered and untouchable figure, especially to the younger generation of the clan who regarded him with utmost respect. The mere thought of spying on Hanguang-jun while he bathed was an unforgivable sin. Lan Sizhui's voice trembled as he exclaimed, "What? Hanguang-jun? Hanguang-jun is in there?!"

Lan Jingyi, enraged, grabbed Wei Wuxian by the collar. "You... you... you perverted cut-sleeve! How dare you peep at such a thing?!"

Wei Wuxian, seizing the opportunity to solidify his supposed crime, declared dramatically, "I absolutely did not see Hanguang-jun without his clothes on!"

Lan Jingyi retorted furiously, "A guilty conscience needs no accuser! If you didn't, then why were you skulking around here? Look at you, too ashamed to show your face!"

Wei Wuxian covered his face with both hands and said in a mock-chiding tone, "Don't be so loud. Remember, shouting is prohibited in the Cloud Recesses."

As the commotion escalated, Lan Wangji emerged from behind the layers of orchids, clad in a white robe with his long hair unbound. In the brief span of their conversation, he had managed to dress himself impeccably, though Bichen was not yet sheathed. The young disciples hastily bowed in greeting. Lan Jingyi hurriedly reported, "Hanguang-jun, this Mo Xuanyu is truly despicable. You brought him back out of consideration for his assistance at Mo Manor, but he... he..."

Wei Wuxian thought that this time he would surely be kicked out of the mountain gates in exasperation. To his surprise, Lan Wangji merely gave him a cursory glance, remained silent for a moment, then sheathed Bichen with a crisp sound. He simply said, "Disperse."

These three calm words, backed by his imposing presence, left no room for argument. Everyone immediately scattered. Lan Wangji then calmly grabbed Wei Wuxian by the back of his collar and began dragging him towards the Jingshi. In their previous life, the two had been of similar height, both exceptionally tall. Wei Wuxian had only been slightly shorter than Lan Wangji, the difference barely noticeable when they stood together. But in this life, having awakened in a different body, although still considered tall among ordinary people, he was now a full two inches shorter than Lan Wangji. In Lan Wangji's grasp, he had no chance of struggle. As Wei Wuxian stumbled along, about to cry out, Lan Wangji coldly stated, "Those who make noise shall be silenced."

Being thrown down the mountain would have been a welcome outcome, but being silenced was not something Wei Wuxian could accept. He was utterly perplexed: since when had the Lan Clan become so tolerant of such shameless crimes as peeping on their esteemed cultivators while bathing? How could they endure this?

Lan Wangji dragged him into the Jingshi, heading straight for the inner chamber. With a thud, he tossed Wei Wuxian onto the bed. Wei Wuxian let out an "ouch" as he was thrown, unable to get up immediately. He sat up awkwardly, intending to throw out a few coquettish remarks to make Lan Wangji's skin crawl. But as he looked up, he saw Lan Wangji standing over him, holding Bichen, his gaze fixed upon Wei Wuxian.

Accustomed to seeing the Second Young Master Lan with his forehead ribbon neatly tied and his appearance impeccable, Wei Wuxian had never seen him like this - with slightly disheveled black hair and light, casual clothing. He couldn't help but steal a few extra glances. The scuffle had loosened Lan Wangji's originally tightly closed collar, revealing his clear collarbone and below it, that deep red mark.

At the sight of that mark, Wei Wuxian's attention was once again captivated.

This mark, before he had become the Yiling Patriarch, had also been on his own body.

The one on Lan Wangji's body now, both in position and shape, was identical to the one he had in his previous life. He couldn't help but find it familiar and strange.

What was odd was not just this mark, but also the more than thirty lash scars on Lan Wangji's back.

Lan Wangji had been famous since his youth, highly regarded as one of the most orthodox cultivators of the righteous path. He had always been one of the Twin Jades that Gusu Lan Sect took pride in, his every word and action viewed by the elders of various sects as the model for excellent disciples of the cultivation world. What unforgivable mistake could he have possibly made to deserve such a severe punishment?

More than thirty lash marks - it was practically a beating meant to kill. Once such disciplinary scars were inflicted, they would never disappear in this lifetime, serving as an eternal reminder to never repeat the offense.

Following Wei Wuxian's gaze, Lan Wangji slightly lowered his eyelids and casually pulled at his collar, covering his collarbone and hiding the scar. Once again, he was the frost-like Hanguang-jun. Just then, a deep bell sound echoed from afar.

The Lan Clan had strict rules and a rigorous schedule - rest at the hour of Hai, rise at the hour of Mao. This bell was a reminder of that. Lan Wangji listened intently until the bell's echo faded, then said to Wei Wuxian, "You will sleep here tonight."

Without giving Wei Wuxian a chance to respond, he turned and entered the inner chamber of the Jingshi, leaving Wei Wuxian lying awkwardly on the bed, his mind in a whirl of confusion.

He had indeed suspected that Lan Zhan might have guessed his true identity. But this suspicion didn't make sense, emotionally or logically. Soul possession was a forbidden technique, known to very few. Even the texts that had been passed down were mostly incomplete and ineffective, leading to even fewer believers over time. Mo Xuanyu must have stumbled upon some secret scroll to summon Wei Wuxian back. Lan Wangji couldn't possibly have recognized him just from that broken flute melody he had played.

Wei Wuxian didn't feel that he and Lan Wangji had shared any deep, unforgettable bond in his previous life. Although they had been classmates, had adventures together, and fought side by side, it had always been fleeting, coming and going in a rush. Lan Wangji was a disciple of the Gusu Lan Sect, which meant he was destined to be both "refined" and "righteous," quite incompatible with Wei Wuxian's nature. Wei Wuxian felt their relationship couldn't be called bad, but he also wouldn't dare to call it good. He guessed Lan Wangji's evaluation of him was probably the same as others: overflowing with negative energy and lacking in positive energy, bound to become a major problem one day. After Wei Wuxian had betrayed the Yunmeng Jiang Sect and become the Yiling Patriarch, the grudges he had formed with the Gusu Lan Sect were not small, especially in those last few months before his death. If Lan Wangji had truly recognized him as Wei Wuxian, they should have been fighting tooth and nail by now.

Yet the current situation was both laughable and crying: in the past, even the slightest thing Wei Wuxian did would irritate Lan Wangji, but now, no matter how outrageously Wei Wuxian behaved, Lan Wangji seemed able to tolerate it all. Should this be considered great progress, worthy of celebration?

After lying awake for what seemed like an eternity, Wei Wuxian rolled off the bed and silently made his way to the inner chamber.

Lan Wangji was lying on his side on the bed, seemingly in deep sleep. Wei Wuxian approached without a sound.

Still not giving up, he prepared to feel around, hoping to find that elusive jade token he had been searching for. But just as he reached out his hand, Lan Wangji's long lashes quivered slightly, and his eyes opened.

Wei Wuxian steeled himself and pounced onto the bed.

He remembered that Lan Wangji greatly disliked physical contact with others. In the past, even a slight touch could send Wei Wuxian flying. If Lan Wangji could tolerate this, then he definitely wasn't the Lan Wangji Wei Wuxian knew. He would suspect that Lan Wangji had been possessed!

Wei Wuxian positioned his entire body above Lan Wangji, his knees straddling Lan Wangji's waist, his hands pressing against the wooden bed, effectively trapping Lan Wangji between his arms. He slowly lowered his face. As the distance between their faces grew shorter and shorter, to the point where Wei Wuxian was almost having difficulty breathing, Lan Wangji finally spoke.

After a moment of silence, he said, "Get off."

Wei Wuxian, with brazen audacity, replied, "I won't."

A pair of extremely light-colored eyes, now mere inches away, met Wei Wuxian's gaze. Lan Wangji stared at him steadily and repeated, "... Get off."

Wei Wuxian said, "No. If you let me sleep here, you should have expected something like this to happen."

Lan Wangji asked, "Are you sure you want to do this?"

"..." For some reason, Wei Wuxian felt he needed to seriously consider his answer.

Just as he was about to curl his lips into a smirk, he suddenly felt a numbness in his waist, and his legs went weak. In the next moment, with a thud, he collapsed onto Lan Wangji.

The half-formed smirk froze on his lips as his head rested against the right side of Lan Wangji's chest, his entire body immobilized. Lan Wangji's voice came from above.

His words were low and deep, his chest vibrating slightly with each syllable:

"Then you can stay like this all night."

Wei Wuxian had never anticipated this outcome. He tried to move, wanting to get up, but his waist remained weak and powerless. He could only maintain this embarrassing posture, pressed tightly against another man's unyielding body, his mind completely blank.

What on earth had happened to Lan Zhan over these years to change him like this?

Was this really the same Lan Zhan as before?

Wasn't he the one who was supposed to have been possessed?!

As his inner turmoil raged on, suddenly, Lan Wangji shifted slightly. Wei Wuxian thought he had finally reached his limit of tolerance and felt a spark of anticipation. However, Lan Wangji merely raised his hand slightly.

The light went out.