The four sat together in a restaurant. Though in a private area on a loft, the other patrons can see them from where they sat. Wanning is seated in the middle, seen to everyone. They can all feel the stares.
They sit in silence. Waiting for their food. Wanning making a point to not look at either men. Qing Su smiles but they can see she's nervous. She takes a look at Wanning then at the boys. "I'm going to check on the food, I'm sure you three have important things to discuss." she says slowly getting up from her seat. Wanning looks at her. Not wanting the woman to leave but too thin faced to say so out loud. So Wanning sat in his seat as he watch her walk away.
The way he frowns ever so slightly makes Mo Ran want to smile and watch him all day long. Xue Meng does not feel the same way. As he sets the cup down he looks to shizun, still not looking at them. Embarrassed all the way to his bone with how he must look to them. He knows he looks ridiculous but the servant dressed him and the clothes he brought are impractical in this weather so he had no choice.
"Any leads shizun?" Xue Meng asks.
Wanning looks at him. Right, they have a mission. It's why he's here, he shouldn't be selfish and think about himself. "Other than the road they all took and disappeared on nothing." Wanning answers looking down. He's been here for two days and hasn't gotten any closer to finding out the problem. Xue Meng and Mo Ran blink stupidly unsure they heard right.
"Nothing?" Xue Meng asks leaning closer to make sure he hears correctly this time.
Wanning nods. "Nothing. Other than all woman leaving down the same road at the same time, there's no other hints. They just disappeared." Wanning eyebrow twitch with slight frustration.
"Is there anything to help narrow down what did this?" Mo Ran wonders. Wanning shakes his head.
"What I have gathered is all woman were young, black hair, different backgrounds, some were tourists but all of them were eye catching with their beauty. None of them were married though. And most of their families aren't cursed. Even the road is safe. No accidents. No dark hidden truth. Si Ge Jianting is peaceful." Wanning tells them.
"Then what's the plan?" Xue Meng asks.
"I'm going on the road tonight. I told Qing Su about my plan." Wanning says as if it's no big deal.
"You're going to become bait?" Mo Ran asks with a bit of bite to it. Wanning looks straight into Mo Ran wide eyes.
"Yes. It's the only way." Wanning says.
"No, there must be... it's dangerous." Mo Ran shakes his head.
"Yeah shizun. You never know what's going to happen." Xue Meng agrees which prompts Wanning to raise an eyebrow at the two. When did they start getting along?
"I can handle myself, I'll be fine."
"Shizun..." Mo Ran about growls, eyes on him. How many times has shizun said he's fine or it'll be fine when it's not? When he'd be hiding the pain from them? When he bandages himself up in another room all to him self, alone with no one to comfort him? He always says he's fine but no way that's true. He's human too. "We're going too." Mo Ran states.
Wanning expression change slightly to shock for a second. Then he shakes his head. "I have to go alone or it won't work." he says firmly.
"I know but we'll watch closely." Mo Ran says not giving up on the idea. He's not going to let there be even a slight chance Wanning gets hurt.
Wanning lets out a breath. "If you insist." he gives in. He can't stop them, especially now that they are no longer shizun and disciple anymore. He can't order them around. Plus, there is a glint in Mo Ran beautiful purple eyes that scream he's serious and won't take no for an answer. Wanning can't find it in himself to challenge him. Instead he gives in and turns his head.
Xue Meng smiles. Though it was Mo Ran who said anything and insisted Xue Meng knows the permission extends to him too. "So what's the plan?" Xue Meng wonders.
"Like the other woman did I'll be going out late at night too. Since I'm new to the area I'll be taking a small lantern to light my way. Qing Su promised to give me a map of the road, and directions I will need to take." Wanning says.
"Then we'll follow behind. Not to close that the spirit can sense us." Mo Ran says.
"What time should we be going?" Xue Meng wonders.
"From reports the woman all left around 9 in the evening. So I will to." Wanning answers.
"Then we'll leave a bit behind you." Mo Ran says.
"Where will you both be staying?" Wanning asks, how would they know when he leaves?
"Ah, do you think Qing Su will let us stay along with you?" Mo Ran wonders, rubbing the back of his neck. He had forgotten about asking for a room with Wanning in front of him looking like that. Still looking so beautiful with every change in expression or position.
"Ask her yourself." Wanning says looking at her leading a few waitresses to their table. She gives them a smile. Gently she sits in her seat. They wait to be served and the waitress leaves before digging in to their food. All warm.
It feels nice eating something warm after being out in the cold traveling. The two men did not fully realize just how hungry they truly are until now. Qing Su chuckles turning her attention to Wanning.
"Did you tell them the plan?" She asks.
"Yes. They have decided to follow me as back up." Wanning says. Qing Su nods.
"I will have everything you need prepared before the time." Qing Su nods. Mo Ran perks at this, reminded of what he needs to asks.
"Would it be trouble if we also stayed at your place?"
Qing Su shakes her head. "It's no problem. I'll have a room prepared for you both." She says. She turns her head to look at Wanning. "Will you look around again?"
"Yes. I'll try to find more information." Wanning answers.
"Then after this I'll go back home to get the rooms set up. I'm sure you three will be working hard." she says.
Like she says once she's done she leaves after paying for them. Wanning leaves to get more information without the two. Deciding if they spread out it'll cover more ground. Maybe they'll find something new, a clue to what type of demon or spirit is the cause? Or maybe the key to what triggers the mad spirit?