After his relaxing and restorative bath, Xiao Zhan returned to his bedroom, where he slept until the next day.

All the good mood he had felt when he woke up was destroyed by the blissful book that appeared before him and clearly meant he had no choice, only to accomplish the task. He could pretend (as he had tried to do) that he is blind and did not see the clear note, however that has some rather painful consequences.

Having no other options, Xiao Zhan went straight to the kitchen where he would think about how to accomplish the task assigned to him without breaking rules and having anyone suspect anything.

How is he supposed to go about getting the blood of the "Thousand and One" demon? What kind of name is that, "Thousand and One Nights"?

And the scariest part of the whole thing.

A demon?!

Xiao Zhan is not someone coward to say the least but being in this world where one has to kill and confront ghosts, monsters or ferocious corpses...not the best scenario one would prefer to see, or in his case, be in.

He held back a sigh. He needed to figure out a way to do it or the next punishment would be beyond just an energy zap.

Distracted and with his spirits and strength at a low ebb, he wandered aimlessly, looking for something or someone who could help him. He wanted to cry but had no tears for it, he stomped his foot on the ground in frustration.

Damn it!

He sat by the artificial pond next to Zewu-Jun's conference pavilion, exhausted and mentally drained, as he watched the koi fish swim freely. Xiao Zhan felt envious of their quiet and simple lives, they only had to swim, eat and more swimming.

"WangJi, you must be careful" Zewu-Jun's voice caught Xiao Zhan's attention, who hid behind a wooden pillar and continued to eavesdrop "This demon that appeared in the village is very dangerous, you must not be reckless."

"Brother, I understand."

"I know you are very careful, but with everything going on lately I can't help but worry" Lan XiChen sighed, he smiled at his younger brother before continuing "It would be nice if you could take some disciples with you."

"No need" Lan Zhan replied expressionlessly.

"WangJi..." Lan XiChen gently shook his head "I know you are strong and capable, but this is a high-grade demon, it is necessary for you to take someone with you."

Are they talking about the same demon? Xiao Zhan couldn't help but wonder that, if so, he had to join Lan Zhan to go after that demon together.

"N-..."

"I'll join him Zewu-Jun!" interrupted Xiao Zhan coming out from his hiding place and entering the pavilion "I want to help Lan Zhan in this night hunt".

"Young Master Wei" Lan XiChen was surprised to see Xiao Zhan enter "Good morning".

"Eavesdropping is forbidden" was the greeting from Lan WangJi.

"You have nothing else to say besides rules?" spat a little irritated Xiao Zhan, he did not now have the patience to deal with this man with facial paralysis, so he changed his expression and smiled at the elder Lan "Good morning Zewu-Jun and excuse me for being nosy, however I wish to go out and assist in the extermination of this demon."

"You can't."

"And why can't I? We have a week without lessons, so that's no excuse" refuted Xiao Zhan "When do we go out?"

"You can't go."

"I can't go? Force me "challenged Xiao Zhan. (TN: Grrrrr, someone wants to know what Lan Zhan is capable of doing with his forehead ribbon...")

"Young Master Wei can come too" interjected Lan XiChen "It can count as experience and training for both."

"Great!" a dazzling smile shone on Xiao Zhan's face "I'll go get my sword".

Xiao Zhan rushed off to his bedroom to drag Suibian, feeling very happy that he no longer had to torture himself thinking about how to hunt down this demon.

Meanwhile the Jade twins were silently on their way to the entrance, the soft smile did not disappear from Zewu-Jun's lips.

"Brother" Lan Zhan called calmly "Why did you allow him to come?"

"I saw that you wanted him to come" he replied just as calmly "I remember saying that it would be good for you to make friends with young men your age and Young Master Wei is certainly someone interesting."

Lan WangJi did not reply, he just tightened his grip on Bichen. (TN: *repressed gay clench*)

Xiao Zhan who was unaware of the conversation between the Lan brothers had met his siblings, and after telling them where and with whom he was going to go out night hunting, Jiang Cheng invited himself and the Wen siblings along.

In the end it was not only Wei Ying, but Jiang Cheng and the Wen siblings who had joined the group. Xiao Zhan had a strange feeling, that the Wen siblings should have self-invited themselves to something else and not on this night hunt but he did not think much of it, so smiling full of happiness he said goodbye to Zewu-Jun and followed Lan Zhan.

The group of five young cultivators set out for Chu Village* which is under the domain of Caiyi City although it was far away from it by a day and a half's walk.

Xiao Zhan prayed to the heavens that this demon is the same and that there is not another one that is also called "The Thousand and One" but what is this Thousand and One?

He couldn't help but look at Lan Zhan's profile, he was as calm and aloof as ever. Xiao Zhan couldn't read what he was thinking, he shrugged his shoulders and walked over to talk to Wen Ning. The latter's elder sister, Wen Qing, gave him a deep look. Xiao Zhan just smiled at her to which she ignored him, so rude thought Xiao Zhan.

This journey promises to be very long and exhausting both mentally and physically.

*Chu Village was invented by the author.

If you found any spelling or grammar mistakes inthis chapter, please let me know, and I'll do my best to correct it. Thanks forreading, don't forget to , if you can please also