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- Chapter Start –

It was almost two in the morning when Wen Xiao, yawning and heavy lidded, pushed open one of the heavy doors and stepped inside the inner courtyard of the Demon Hunting Bureau. The sight of two figures sitting close together on the steps of the main hall was a heart-warming one, one that made her smile despite her exhaustion. They jumped up in unison, Pei Sijing approaching her at a swift clip while Pei Siheng followed a step behind.

"You're late. What happened?" Pei Sijing reached for Wen Xiao's nearest hand and frowned. "Your hand is like ice!"

"Lu Wu caught me at the Kunlun gates and wanted to go over the rules regar – ahh…" Wen Xiao covered her yawn with her other hand. "Excuse me."

"Rules can wait," Pei Sijing told her in a reproving tone. "You need sleep."

"Wen Xiao-jiejie, I'm glad you're back," Pei Siheng said with a smile. "I'll leave you two to catch up."

He disappeared inside his puppet body before either female could say anything.

"Pei-jiejie, I'm hungry. Any leftovers from dinner?" Wen Xiao put on a wheedling tone, linking her arm with Pei Sijing and giving her a slight pout.

"No, but I'm perfectly capable of cooking a bowl of noodles. Come on."

- o –

Zhuo Yichen came to an abrupt halt before he could slam into an increasingly wide eyed Zhao Yuanzhou who looked like he didn't know if he should stay put or flee. Chest heaving, heart slamming against his ribcage, Zhuo Yichen stared at him with a mind too full of words, yet empty at the same time.

"Long time no see." Zhao Yuanzhou's voice was soft, like his eyes.

"Long time no see," Zhuo Yichen echoed shakily and exhaled, a huff that was one part laughter and one part sob.

"Xiao Zhuo, you fulfilled your vow and saved a piece of my soul." Zhao Yuanzhou smiled at him. "You don't have to feel guilty anymore."

He knew.

Of course he knew of the torment Zhuo Yichen had been in these past two weeks, desperately trying to connect with his sword, often waking up to find himself slumped over his table instead of lying in bed, increasingly haunted by the fear that he had failed to save a piece of Zhao Yuanzhou's soul after all.

Zhao Yuanzhou knew which was why he looked so calm. Understanding. Even benevolent.

Zhuo Yichen wanted to hit him for it.

"Well, now that you are here," Zhao Yuanzhou said, "how about a proper greeting?"

Zhuo Yichen punched him in the chest.

"Ow! What was-"

Zhuo Yichen flung his arms around him.

"Oof! Xiao Zhuo?"

"Shut up."

"I just want-"

"If you're not going to hug me back, then at least be quiet!"

"That depends. Are you going to hit me again?" Zhao Yuanzhou sounded pitiful.

Teeth grinding together, Zhuo Yichen drew back only for two arms to snake around his back and pull him in again.

"You did it, Xiao Zhuo," Zhao Yuanzhou whispered in his ear. "Thank you."

It was the last two words that did it. Zhuo Yichen slumped in his embrace, tears soaking into the soft black and white strands of hair. He was trembling or perhaps Zhao Yuanzhou was. He didn't care. He was content to remain here like this for-

Someone cleared their throat. It was like being doused in icy water.

Startled, Zhuo Yichen yanked his arms from around Zhao Yuanzhou's neck and pushed at his chest to put some space between them. Heat rose in his neck and burned in his cheeks, skin prickling all over.

"Xiao Zhuo." Stumbling back a step, Zhao Yuanzhou stared at him with stunned, hurt eyes like he had no idea whatsoever why they shouldn't be embracing so shamelessly in front of Zhuo Yichen's older brother and an ancient great demon.

"At the risk of repeating myself," Ying Long said with a chuckle, "Bingyi once said that the two most beautiful things in the world are a false alarm and a reunion after a long separation."

"It wasn't that long," Zhuo Yichen muttered, wiping his cheeks.

"It was to me." Zhao Yuanzhou went to stand shoulder to shoulder with him and even nudged him a little.

Zhuo Yichen nudged him back and regretted it instantly. He glared at him only to be met with a soft smile which teased an answering one from him.

"So..." Zhuo Yixuan began.

Zhuo Yichen froze, smile vanishing as he remembered what had happened eight years ago during the Blood Moon. He lifted almost fearful eyes to Zhuo Yixuan.

What should he say?

I'm sorry, but I now regard the great demon Zhu Yan, who killed you and fuqin and countless others, as my best friend.

I'm sorry, but I have also become a demon, the very thing I had nightmares about.

Zhuo Yixuan smiled at him and Zhao Yuanzhou.

"It's alright, didi. I have already reconciled myself to what happened in the past. Shall we all go sit down?"

- o –

Again, Zhuo Yichen lost track of time as he recounted the events of the past two weeks to his rapt audience. Never once did he imagine that he would one day drink wine with his beloved brother, his best friend and his benefactor. If he couldn't stop smiling the entire time and his eyes were constantly wet like Zhao Yuanzhou's, the other two didn't mention it.

"So, Chongwu camp is no more," Zhuo Yixuan mused, topping up their wine from the seemingly bottomless jug. "That is good news."

"As is taking care of all the demons they have captured and tortured," Ying Long added.

"Full credit for that goes to Xiao Jiu and his parents," Zhuo Yichen was quick to say.

"But the credit for taking care of Li Lun goes to you," Zhao Yuanzhou said, his eyes holding a silent question.

"Don't worry. His pot sits on my balcony and gets maximum sunshine and rain," Zhuo Yichen answered it anyway. "I daresay he will sprout his first leaves in a day or two."

His heart gave a pang at Zhao Yuanzhou's wide smile, the same way it did whenever he saw Zhao Yuanzhou and Wen Xiao smiling at each other.

"Xiao Chen, do you remember what I told you before?" Zhuo Yixuan said. "Fuqin was right to use the word 'Chen' in your name. You bear its weight well, providing a roof that shelters all, a roof that makes a home. You have a home and a family again. I couldn't be happier."

Zhuo Yichen's throat tightened as he nodded. He was starting to feel fuzzy and lightheaded. All this weeping – or perhaps the wine - was taking a toll on him.

"Are you alright?" Zhuo Yixuan's smile morphed into a frown as he touched his shoulder.

"Xiao Zhuo?" Zhao Yuanzhou's hand clamped onto his other shoulder.

"He has spent too long here," Ying Long said.

Shaking his head, Zhuo Yichen squeezed his eyes shut, hearing their words muffled as if coming from afar. There was a light touch on his forehead, followed by an odd sensation – icy cold yet burning – rippling through him from head to toe. In an instant, he felt refreshed and grounded with his senses restored. Opening his eyes, he met Ying Long's gaze.

"You have spent almost four hours inside your sword. Unlike us, your soul is still tethered to your body so you must return now. Besides, your friends are waiting for you."

Zhuo Yichen blinked, chagrined to realise he had all but forgotten where he was. Wen Xiao was supposed to return from the Wilderness tonight.

"I can come back here?" He asked Ying Long who hesitated before nodding.

"Perhaps once a month and briefly, or your health and cultivation will suffer."

Unbidden, Zhuo Yichen's eyes went Zhao Yuanzhou who nodded at him.

"I will help these two to cultivate as fast as possible, to allow them to gain human form again," Ying Long continued, holding up a hand to forestall Zhuo Yichen's question. "But I cannot say how long it will take."

"Thank you, Ying Long-daren." Zhuo Yichen stood up and stumbled. Two hands grabbed his arms and steadied him.

"I will see you all again," he said firmly.

"You will likely be weakened when you return," Ying Long cautioned. "Rest first before resuming your duties."

"Take care of yourself, Xiao Chen," Zhuo Yixuan added.

Zhao Yuanzhou didn't say anything, but his smile was the last thing Zhuo Yichen saw before he was surrounded by blinding blue light once more.

- o –

"… Zhuo? Xiao Zhuo?"

With an effort, Zhuo Yichen opened his eyes, slowly focusing on Wen Xiao's white face before turning to look at Pei Sijing, Bai Jiu and Ying Lei hovering around him. He was lying in bed and his bedroom was bright with morning sunlight.

"Wen Xiao. Pei-daren, Xiao Jiu, Ying Lei." Trying to sit up, Zhuo Yichen found he could barely move, his body heavy and his arms weak. Wen Xiao and Bai Jiu pulled him upright and Ying Lei quickly tucked a pillow behind his back.

"Xiao Zhuo, the servants said they found you sleeping out there a few times." Wen Xiao gestured to the table on the balcony.

"I'm glad you're back," Zhuo Yichen told her.

"Don't change the subject!"

"Zhuo-daren, we have been trying to wake you up for the past hour," Pei Sijing said, to the point as usual.

"Xiao Zhuo-ge, you scared us!" Bai Jiu burst out. "You were so pale and still, I thought… I thought…"

He broke off and sniffled, still clutching at Zhuo Yichen's arm. With an effort, Zhuo Yichen raised it and rested his hand on Bai Jiu's shoulder.

"I'm sorry to have scared you, Xiao Jiu. All of you. Can I have some water, please?"

A brimming cup nudged his lips almost before he finished speaking, a few drops spilling onto his robe. He gulped it down and handed the cup back to Ying Lei with a nod of thanks. A bubble of giddy relief was welling up inside him, growing too big to ignore. Taking a steadying breath, he looked at each of them in turn.

"When I stabbed Zhao Yuanzhou two weeks ago, I used the Cloud Leading Technique to extract a part of his soul."

Wen Xiao inhaled sharply and grabbed his hand, her eyes going round.

"You did… what? Zhao Yuanzhou, he - he's…"

Zhuo Yichen smiled at her, proud and relieved and a little tearful at the same time.

"I've found him."

- Chapter End –

A/N: Thank you for reading! In Ep 26, there's a poignant flashback of ZYX telling ZYC about the meaning of 'chen' and how it encompasses a home and family. I loved that scene (well, before you-know-what happened) and had to mention it here. Hope you all enjoyed this chapter and the long awaited reunion :)

daren = a title of respect for superiors or an adult
didi = younger brother (informal)
fuqin = father (formal)
ge = older brother (informal)