A/N: I have a few dramas to deal with at the moment so I am having to take a few weeks hiatus. I will back with the rest of the story as soon as life allows.

Ch 34: for those willing to pay the price.

Lan XiChen whipped his head around when he heard a sudden loud sound outside his office door. The sound seemed to get louder, thumps and groans could be heard without even trying inside. Then a loud clunk of a body thumping against his office door. As he looked down at his piece of paper, where he had been keeping track of the placement of both enemy and allies, his eyebrows furoughed. According to the information he had, except for the men stood outside, no one from either side should be anywhere close to him. So what was happening outside? Where the men suddenly fighting amongst themselves?

Just as he was going over the possibilities in his mind the door to the office and in walked Lan SiZhui, blood dripping from Suibian which hung loosely in his hand. Lan XiChen stood in shock for a moment, the ink from his brush dripping onto the desk beside the paper. He had never seen SiZhui stepping off a killing field before, or with blood dripping off his sword, but what was most surprising was the look on his young nephews face. Gone where the sparkling eyes that where always laughing at Wei Ying's antics, gone was the nervous child who's hands had shaken when given the famous Suibian and cried himself to sleep in his fathers arms as a child. Instead who stood infront of him was , who could only be described as the child of HanHuang Jun and the YiLing Patriarch. SiZhui currently had the blank look on his face Lan Zhan used to wear at all times, but at the same the aura around the youngster made XiChen feel the same way he had felt looking at Wei Ying that sad day in Nightless City.

Seemingly he had been staring into space for a while, as SiZhui began waving his hand in-front of his face. His voice raised in worry.

'Uncle XiChen…..Uncle XiChen…...are you ok?'

Lan XiChen shook his head to clear his vision.

'I am fine SiZhui. Why are you here? Weren't you helping Wanji protect the Library Pavilion?'

'Father has already solved that problem' SiZhui said, the normal warmth still not returning to his voice. 'He sent me to help you, and then go and meet up with JingYi who is checking that the visiting Sect Leaders are alright.'

Lan XiChen nodded, thinking for a moment before responding.

'That makes sense' He spoke normally 'but if you have been sent to help me, where has Wanji gone?'

This time SiZhui's face did light up, with the type of smile XiChen had long ago learned from Wei Ying meant trouble.

'Father has gone to help Baba'

XiChen groaned theatrically before rolling his eyes and walking out the office.

Wei Ying was trying to hide the fact that his head was aching, his vision was alternating between blurry and spinning. Wen Ning was keeping one eye on the men around him and the other on Wei Ying. He was definitely getting more and more concerned about the amount of power his Master was using but all he could do was protect him until more help came. Wei Ying's shoulder had started resting on his back for support a little while ago, and even though outwardly he was keeping his head held high. Wen Ning could barely hold himself back from saying anything when the tune from Chenqing suddenly sped up and became more powerful, the power emanating from Wei Ying had obviously been increased, something the man could hardly bare to do.

Although the Sect Leader was still shivering uncontrollably, unable to feel his hands or feet and unable to move because his feet had been stuck to the floor for an hour. He still however was aware and noticing that the YiLing Patriarch was struggling with the amount of cultivation he was being forced to use. A few problems with the observation though, one: he no longer had any people to take advantage of this weakness as the Ghost General had killed them all. Two: He could barely move let alone speak, leaving him at the mercy of anyone who cared to approach him. Three: The Ghost General was still stood like a guard next to its Master's side, he had thought once HanGuang Jun had left things would be simpler, however this man was even more trouble.

There had at one point been over two dozen men surrounding the small courtyard, almost stood on top of each other in the cramped space. Now though due to the music Wei Ying had been playing his tune so long, there were only a few stubborn men still stood. All with their eyes closed and hands firmly fixed over their ears. This was the picture that Lan Zhan saw when he arrived back in the courtyard. He had only been in back in the courtyard a few seconds when he felt a wave of…...something…..wash over him. It filled him with a desire he couldn't explain, a desire to move towards Wei Ying and help the man stood in the centre. Of course Lan Zhan normally had a desire for Wei Ying, but somehow this felt different, this felt wrong. Wrongness and desire for Wei Ying were not things he was used to feeling together.

His feet took an involuntary step forward before he stopped himself. This felt very wrong and he had to consciously forcing his feet to stay still as his hands to unclench. His voice also felt wrong when he opened his mouth to speak, full of abnormal need, not sexual but still desire.

'Wei Ying stop playing'

Wei Ying didn't seem to be hearing him, if he was he wasn't responding.

'Wei Ying….stop playing!' Lan Zhan tried to shout again.

This time Wen Ning turned around and looked directly at him, a clear look of worry on his normally placid face. Lan Zhan noticed that as Wen Ning turned Wei Ying slumped a little, he was obviously leaning on the other man for support. That explains why he isn't responding….He thought….he is too tired to even stand up. Gritting his teeth against what he knew would come next Lan Zhan took first one step, then another, closer to the unresponsive Wei Ying. His head throbbed harder each time he took a step, to the point where he could no longer speak, his entire focus had to be on the man in front of him or his body would completely obey the orders of that flute. Part of him had noticed that a few men where stood around with their hands over their ears, at the time it hadn't really sunk in his mind, now he understood. Wen Ning would not harm him, in fact he would probably appreciate the help. For those men that had invaded their home however, the power of the Ghost General would not bode well if they got too close.

Having got half way to Wei Ying Lan Zhan suddenly found his teeth chattering. The air surrounding them all seemed beyond frigid. Keeping his mind and eyes focused forwards to fight off the music he noticed the colour of Wei Ying's skin for the first time, it was pale to the point of being white. If He hadn't been worried enough before he was almost to the point of being frantic now, although he forced himself to keep his footfalls steady as he continued forwards.

Finally reaching his husband he lifted his almost frozen limbs around Wei Ying's waist. The later felt like an ice statue and didn't give any response or show any recognition to him at all. The worry almost choked Lan Zhan to the point of him loosing his mind, he had to focus on saving Wei Ying and to do that he had to keep his fear in check. Forcing himself to move one arm away from Wei Ying's waist he moved it up to where Wei Ying was still playing ChenQing. Thankful the flute recognised him enough to not defend against him, he grasped it as hard as his shaking hands could manage. Pulling the flute hard, he managed to pull it away from the lips and hands of it's Master easily. Too easily! Either Wei Ying was shocked at the movement or he was simply incapable of moving his hand any further. Before Wei Ying could get his mind back working Lan Zhan passed the flute to Wen Ning, after all no matter what happened with ChenQing Wen Ning would be immune.

'Go' He managed to grate out.

Wen Ning nodded and moved forwards slightly, allowing Lan Zhan to take over supporting Wei Ying's weight, before he vanished round the back of the JingShi with a speed only he was capable of. With the music gone Lan Zhan suddenly felt his head begin to clear and once again wrapped his arms around his still no responsive husband. At this point he heard loud footsteps running towards him. Grating his teeth against his sheer bad luck at more intruders arriving right now he heard an unexpected voice.

'HanGuang Jun are you ok?'

It was one of the senior disciples of Lan, the disciple must have been in an extreme hurry to ignore the 'do not run' rule, however at the moment Lan Zhan couldn't bring himself to care.

'I am fine, do not get to close. For now capture those men and take them to my brother.'

The disciple glanced from Lan Zhan to Wei Ying before nodding quickly and walking towards the Sect Leader who still stood in the courtyards entry way, his hands over his ears and a thin layer of ice surrounding his feet and lower body. The disciple, for once, didn't seem to bother with the bad condition of a Sect Leader and just pulled the man physically away before he had chance to protest. Lan Zhan had already returned his attention to Wei Ying, who had now focused those almost dead red eyes on him. There was still no response or recognition, however Lan Zhan could clearly feel the normally proud and strong physique slumping in fatigue in his hands.

Wei Ying look at me' Lan Zhan tried speaking gently but Wei Ying seemed too far gone to respond. The mixture of fatigue and using an astonishing amount of power had sent Wei Ying into some kind of fugue.

'Wanji?'

Lan XiChen's voice echoed through the courtyard, sounding nervous.

'We are fine brother' Lan Zhan responded quickly, well aware the air was still cold and full of the remnant of the flutes power. His brother wasn't stupid he would know something happened. 'Just stay there!'

'Understood' was the only response from XiChen.

With the courtyard secure and the men taken away this left only Wei Ying to refocus. The problem was Lan Zhan wasn't sure how to do that. He wasn't sure how to break Wei Ying out of this and back into his normal self. How would Wei Ying do it if it was me? He wondered for a moment before thinking of an idea that made his ears turn pink….we are in public I can't do that…...but would it work if I did? ...After going back and forwards in his thoughts Lan Zhan just steeled his spine and pressed his lips to his husbands, knowing they were both in full view of not only his brother but some of the most senior disciples of Gusu.

At first nothing happened, then gradually he felt the hard lips beneath his ease slightly. Ignoring the part of his mind that kept screaming ….everyone is watching you!…..Lan Zhan deepened the kiss, letting his lips run firmer over the others and his hands stroke the small of his back. After a few more seconds Wei Ying's mouth opened almost mechanically and Lan Zhan slid his tongue inside, gently teasing in the way he knew his husband enjoyed. Although it seemed an age it was probably only a minute or so before Wei Ying's tongue started returning the movement and playing with his own. The relief that surged through Lan Zhan's body was almost indescribable as he worked more forcefully with his tongue. A small groan came from Wei Ying's mouth caused him to pause and break off the contact.

Wei Ying's eyes has returned to their normal colour. His skin was still too pale however he definitely showed both recognition and response. Lan Zhan tried to hold back the hope back as he spoke gently.

'Wei Ying…..do you remember who I am'

Wei Ying looked confused for a moment before speaking with a voice horse from overuse.

'Lan Er-gege, why did you forget your own name?'

Then as if speaking had taken the last of his energy Wei Ying closed his eyes and collapsed into the arms of the waiting Lan Zhan.