The gossip had spread like wildfire.

The rogue cultivator Pan Wukun had jumped in to defend LanlingJin sect heir Jin Zixuan from an attack by YunmengJiang sect's head disciple Wei Wuxian.

The murmurs and whispers of Pan Wukun's classmates followed her wherever she went.

Unnerved by everyone's staring, Pan Wukun quickly retreated to her room.

With all the trouble it was worth, Pan Wukun wondered why she even interfered.

Why had she stopped Wei Wuxian from getting kicked out of the Cloud Recesses?

That was her chance to get rid of Wei Wuxian and study in peace at the Cloud Recesses for the entire year. It would've been a good way to steer canon back on track.

At those horrible thoughts, Pan Wukun winced at herself in disgust. Damn, that actually sounded cold and heartless.

And returning everything back to canon as normal? Who was she kidding?

Wei Wuxian's relationship with Lan Wangji hadn't even been mended yet.

Meng Xingyao was at the Cloud Recesses at the same time as Jin Zixuan!

Pan Wukun's very presence was affecting the timeline!

As for Wei Wuxian…Pan Wukun supposed he wasn't too bad. He was an intelligent guy. If anyone was a good discussion partner for her studies, it was him.

And if she did let Wei Wuxian punch Jin Zixuan, Jiang Yanli would've felt guilty. And Lan Wangji would've been upset at Wei Wuxian's departure.

…Perhaps what she did will turn out for the better instead of causing irreversible damage.

As Pan Wukun rested in her room, someone knocked on her door.

Pan Wukun got out of bed and opened the door to see Jiang Yanli and Jiang Cheng.

"Good afternoon, Pan-xiushi."

"Good afternoon, Jiang-guniang, Jiang-gongzi."

Jiang Yanli smiled amiably. "May we come in?"

Pan Wukun nodded and set out seats and refreshments for Jiang Yanli and Jiang Cheng.

The three of them sipped their tea in silence.

Jiang Yanli sighed. "A-Xian had gotten into serious trouble lending you the Library Pavilion's books, Pan-xiushi." She was obviously upset.

Jiang Cheng scowled at Pan Wukun. "What you did to Wei Wuxian was disgusting."

Pan Wukun flinched. "…My apologies, Jiang-guniang. Jiang-gongzi."

Jiang Yanli's eyes softened. "But you kept A-Xian and Jin-gongzi from fighting. And you spoke up to defend A-Cheng and A-Xian when I wasn't able to be there. For that, I am grateful."

Pan Wukun was relieved. "Of course, Jiang-guniang. Jin Zixuan doesn't know what he has."

Jiang Cheng nodded in agreement.

If things had proceeded as they did in canon, Jiang Fengmian would've broken off Jin Zixuan's engagement with Jiang Yanli and Yu Ziyuan would've been furious with Wei Wuxian.

Jiang Yanli stood up. "Thank you for having us, Pan-xiushi."

Jiang Cheng followed Jiang Yanli to the door.

Before leaving, Jiang Yanli turned around and said, "A-Xian is incredibly loyal to the people he cares about. Please treat him kindly, Pan-xiushi."

While Jiang Yanli had a pleasant smile on her face, Jiang Cheng gave Pan Wukun a look in which he promised to break her spine should she do anything to harm Wei Wuxian.

Pan Wukun nodded stiffly. "Yes. I understand. Enjoy the rest of your day, Jiang-guniang, Jiang-gongzi."

The Cloud Recesses were quite peaceful at night.

Pan Wukun breathed in the fresh mountain air.

"Pan-xiushi."

Pan Wukun turned around to see Lan Xichen. "Zewu-jun."

"How are your studies?"

"Great. Thank you."

"Good…Pan-xiushi. May I ask you a question?"

"…Yes. Go ahead."

"Why didn't you request me to have the Cloud Recesses accept you as a guest disciple so you can access the Library Pavilion? We don't restrict rogue cultivators. And it would've been expected after you assisted us with the Waterborne Abyss."

Lan Xichen's face filled with concern. "Was I too unapproachable? Too difficult for you?"

"No, Zewu-jun. That's not why. I was just…nervous."

The thought of becoming a guest disciple and having an extended stay with the canon characters had scared Pan Wukun away. And she didn't want to go through the horrors of homework again either.

Lan Xichen chuckled. "Ah. I see. I assure you that there is no need to be intimidated by me. Let me know of any concerns you may have."

"I shall keep that in mind. Thank you, Zewu-jun."

Pan Wukun paused. "Zewu-jun…why did you and Lan-xiansheng allow me and Meng Xingyao to attend the lectures here?"

Lan Xichen smiled. "I believe that you and Meng Xingyao could enrich yourselves as well as the other disciples with your experiences as rogue cultivators. You two have traveled around extensively and have valuable knowledge."

The truth was that Lan Xichen had also done it all for Lan Wangji. Perhaps the different perspectives rogue cultivators had to provide without the pressure of social niceties with other sect cultivators could be a positive influence on him.

Pan Wukun smiled politely at Lan Xichen. "I see…I greatly appreciate the opportunity you provided for me and Meng Xingyao, Zewu-jun."

Lan Xichen's smile widened. "Of course. It was my pleasure."

Pan Wukun was pretty sure that the other reason was that Lan Xichen enjoyed Meng Xingyao's company. They had been talking to each other a lot these days.

The peace of the night was interrupted when ghastly cries echoed in the distance.

Lan Xichen and Pan Wukun tensed.

Those were the cries of walking corpses.

Jin Zixuan slashed through one of the corpses with Suihua.

The corpse's remains dissipated on the ground.

He and the other guest disciples were called to help contain the walking corpses that had gotten loose in the Cloud Recesses.

He couldn't believe GusuLan cultivators could be so careless.

More corpses appeared, forcing Jin Zixuan into a corner.

Jin Zixuan cursed, readying Suihua.

Another cultivator dressed in pink appeared, taking down some of the corpses with her sword.

She gave Jin Zixuan an opening and he was able to dispose of the rest of the corpses.

The pink-clad cultivator smiled. "Looks like I made it just in time! Are you alright, gongzi?"

"Yes, guniang. Thanks to you. You are quite adept with a sword."

To Jin Zixuan's surprise, the lady looked at him with irritation. "…For a woman?"

Jin Zixuan blinked in confusion. "What does your sword skill have to do with being a woman? Your sword skills are refined regardless if you are a man or woman."

Seeing the sincerity in Jin Zixuan's expression, the lady smiled. "Thanks. You're quite good with a sword yourself, gongzi."

Jin Zixuan regarded the lady cautiously. He relaxed once he realized that she was not staring flirtatiously at him. So she was complimenting his skills as a peer.

"I appreciate your help. I am Jin Zixuan of LanlingJin sect."

The lady was shocked for a moment, wondering why a future sect heir like Jin Zixuan was talking to a servant like her. Then she quickly composed herself.

"A pleasure, Jin-gongzi. I am Luo Qingyang of LaolingQin sect."

Meng Xingyao tightly gripped Fanhua as he ran through the forest.

This was almost like the night hunts he went on with Pan Wukun.

A shriek came from Meng Xingyao's left.

"Back off, you rotten corpses!"

Meng Xingyao rushed over to see a young female cultivator swinging her sword at two corpses.

"Back! Back! I said, 'back'!"

Meng Xingyao swooped in and took out one corpse. The lady took out the other.

The lady's eyes sparkled as she looked at Meng Xingyao. "You are an incredibly talented cultivator! May I know my savior's name?"

Meng Xingyao paused.

This young lady had to have noticed that he had no sect emblem on his robes. Yet she wasn't mocking him at all, but praising him with sincerity.

…And she was quite beautiful.

Meng Xingyao's cheeks flushed. "Meng Yao, courtesy name: Xingyao. May I know your name, fair maiden?"

The young lady giggled. "Qin Su of YuelingQin Sect."

Pan Wukun and Lan Xichen agreed to split up to cover more ground.

Pan Wukun flew around on Yuyun, surveying the area for walking corpses.

She spotted Lan Wangji swiftly restraining some corpses with his guqin. He plucked at the strings and made glowing blue circles appear underneath the corpses, holding them in place.

Little Carrot popped out of the bushes and ran towards Lan Wangji.

Lan Wangji crouched down and scooped up the whimpering Little Carrot, holding him against his chest.

A guttural groan came from below to Pan Wukun's right.

She turned to see a corpse pouncing on Lan Wangji and Little Carrot from above a tree.

That corpse was trying to sneak attack them!

"Look out!" Pan Wukun rushed forward on Yuyun, subduing the corpse.

Lan Wangji stepped back in alarm, cradling Little Carrot against his chest.

Little Carrot honked happily at the sight of Pan Wukun.

Lan Wangji looked at the dissipating corpse on the ground and then at Pan Wukun. He nodded at her in thanks. Then he gently tucked Little Carrot underneath his robe's collar to keep the rabbit safe.

Jiang Cheng appeared flying atop his sword. "Lan-er-gongzi! Pan-xiushi! Have either of you seen Wei Wuxian?"

"No," Pan Wukun said. She wasn't too worried about Wei Wuxian. She had faith that he would be okay just like in the donghua.

Lan Wangji shook his head with a frown. He was stricken with worry for Wei Wuxian.

Jiang Cheng felt the same as Lan Wangji. "Come on! Help me find him!"

Pan Wukun, Lan Wangji, and Jiang Cheng flew on their swords to search for Wei Wuxian.

Wei Wuxian panted as he swung Suibian at the walking corpses surrounding him.

Maybe he shouldn't have split up from Jiang Cheng. He could've used the backup.

A flash of white appeared in Wei Wuxian's vision.

He looked down to see a trembling Snowball near a tree root.

Wei Wuxian's eyes widened. "Snowball!"

He scooped Snowball up, holding him protectively against his chest. "Did you come over here because you noticed my scent? You love me very much and I love you too but it's dangerous right now!"

Holding Snowball with one hand, Wei Wuxian tried to fight off the corpses.

One of the corpses managed to get close enough to Wei Wuxian to claw his arm, leaving three bleeding scratch marks.

Snowball screamed.

Light blue, purple, and dark blue sword beams flashed through the forest.

Bichen, Sandu, and Yuyun slashed through the walking corpses, destroying them.

Lan Wangji, Jiang Cheng, and Pan Wukun landed on the ground next to Wei Wuxian.

Wei Wuxian grinned. "Chun-ge! Lan Zhan! Jiang Cheng!"

Jiang Cheng rushed to Wei Wuxian's side. "Good! Made it just in time!"

"Wangji!"

Lan Qiren and Lan Xichen appeared on their swords and landed on the ground, rushing towards Lan Wangji.

"Are you hurt anywhere, Wangji?" Lan Qiren asked.

"No, shufu. I am uninjured and we have the situation under control."

Lan Qiren relaxed. The crisis had been averted.

Lan Qiren had brought in walking corpses for Lan Wangji and the GusuLan sect disciples to practice Inquiry on. But their own sect disciples got too careless! And his nephews had to help clean up their mess! He was going to have a long talk with those disciples later…

"Wangji, Xichen, rest. The others and I shall handle this now." Lan Qiren and some other GusuLan sect cultivators left with the corpses Lan Wangji and the others captured with their guqins.

Once Lan Qiren was gone, Little Carrot's head popped out of Lan Wangji's collar.

Wei Wuxian gasped. "Little Carrot!" He looked at Lan Wangji in disbelief.

Snowball popped his head out of Wei Wuxian's collar. He hopped out and bounded towards Lan Wangji.

Lan Wangji crouched down to pick Snowball up. Snowball joined Little Carrot under Lan Wangji's collar.

Lan Wangji handled the rabbits with care and gazed upon them with gentleness.

Wei Wuxian saw all this and grinned. "Oh? So you've taken a liking to rabbits? I didn't know you were a rabbit kind of guy."

Lan Wangji jerked his head away in embarrassment and refused to answer Wei Wuxian. He quickly walked away carrying Little Carrot and Snowball.

Wei Wuxian chuckled. "Aw. He really does like rabbits now."

Lan Xichen had a very big smile on his face at the adorable sight of Lan Wangji with rabbits.

Then Wei Wuxian winced, feeling the scratches on his arm sting.

Pan Wukun took out a cloth from her qiankun pouch and pressed it against Wei Wuxian's arm.

"Thanks, Chun-ge. Hehe."

"Do you need me to help you to the infirmary, Wei-gongzi?" Lan Xichen asked.

Jiang Cheng slung Wei Wuxian's uninjured arm over his shoulder. "No need, Zewu-jun. I'll take him there."

"Very well. I shall go see Wangji now." Lan Xichen left.

Pan Wukun observed Wei Wuxian closely. She didn't see any traces of resentful energy transmitting from Wei Wuxian. He didn't look exhausted and none of his veins were popping out on his skin. Jiang Cheng wasn't scowling and looking ready to lecture him either.

So this corpse breakout event had not transpired exactly as it did in the donghua.

This was a huge relief for Pan Wukun since she didn't need Wei Wuxian using ghostly cultivation too soon.

As Wei Wuxian walked away with Jiang Cheng, he waved at Pan Wukun. "Thanks for saving me, Chun-ge! Good night!"

Once Wei Wuxian and Jiang Cheng were gone, Pan Wukun sighed and looked up at the sky.

It had been a long night.

A/N: I know it was two days ago but Happy Midautumn. Also, it's October! So it's Wei Wuxian's birthday month!...Oh yeah, and Halloween too.

I managed to find the famous White Rabbit candy from a local Vietnamese supermarket. There was translucent wrapping around the candy that I peeled off like a fool and later found out was actually edible rice paper ;~; . It was hard when I ate it but a reader told me that I might need to heat it up or gently bite into the candy. I personally prefer the ice cream more. Update: Turns out I was eating it wrong, I was supposed to just hold it in my mouth and just let it melt and grow soft on my tongue.

Here's a little recipe for a refreshing drink. Put half of Zevia Creamy Root Beer and half of Sunny-D into a glass. Mix them together. You're welcome. Thank my elderly paternal aunts.
Sunny-D is too sour for my taste on its own. But the root beer helps to sweeten it and balance the flavor out.

I've added new cover art as you can see, teehee.

I've also added a link to a Spotify Playlist on my profile you can listen to while binge-reading. Shuffle recommended. It's the same playlist I listen to while writing this fic.