Important: I added a bit to the last chapter, so I would just go over the last bit if you didn't.

Back in the cave, a week whizzed past in rest after the journey.

A-Yuan and Xuanyu happily played in the water, with Jiang Cheng keeping a watchful eye over them as they played. The sect leader had sneakily got into Gusu, past the wards with his husband's token.

Ai and Yingyue were engaged in a fierce game at the side, arguing loudly, with yells of disappointment or joy. Yingyue watched the goddess as she furrowed her brows in concentration, plotting her next move.

Lan Wangji and Lan Xichen sat on the other side, as Wangji explained the entire plan to him.

"Wangji be careful when you do this, I know I will not be able to dissuade you, but know in your condition you have to be careful." Xichen said, gripping Wangji's hand tightly.

"I'll be fine da-ge," Wangji said, wincing at the tight hold of his brother's hand.

Lan Xichen gave his hand one last squeeze and stood up. "I must get back to a meeting now. Good luck Wangji,".

Wangji turned to Jiang Cheng who gave him a quick smile and rushed after Xichen.

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"Xichen!!!" Jiang Cheng yelled, running as fast as he could to catch up with him.

"Xichen!" He gasped for breath clutching onto his sleeve. "Can you promise me something?" He asked, giving him the puppy eyes.

"Yes love, what is it?" Xichen asked worriedly, wondering if something was wrong.

"Please don't tell Meng Yao about the plan or our marriage!!" He pleaded.

"Why darling? I was actually planning on telling him today. He is my sworn brother after all?" Xichen answered confusedly.

Jiang Cheng sighed, 'he can't know just yet, so I have to pull the trump card.'

"If you love me, please don't tell him!" He beseeched.

Lan Xichen sighed, giving in to his husband. 'There is something he is not telling me.' He thought slightly concerned.

"Of course I won't, if you don't want me too," he replied softly.

Jiang Cheng then gave him the brightest smile in the world, gave him a quick peck and pushed him in the direction of the Gusu buildings.

Xichen just grinned, and left happily.

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"I told Xichen not to tell Meng Yao." Jiang Cheng reported to Wangji, who was getting all the necessities for the sacrifice ritual along with Yingyue and Ai.

The children were put to nap in an alcove on the other side of the cave so they could not interfere with the process.

"Thank you Jiang Cheng," Wangji said relieved. "It's best if we prolong the betrayal for da-ge."

Jiang Cheng hummed in agreement. "Thanks for telling me though, although I'm not surprised that that snake is two-faced."

"Do you want me to stay?" Jiang Cheng questioned, seeing as Wangji had settled himself into a meditation posture.

"Just keep the kids asleep, please." Ai advised.

"Okay, whenever you're ready Wangji," Ai said, a ball of white light emanating from the palm of her hand.

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Wangji closed his eyes, furiously chanting the incantation of demonic words in his mind, a dark feeling encompassing him.

Suddenly the feeling passed, and he felt like he was standing in a large space, with no one around.

'You are in limbo,' Ai's voice said, resonating in his head.

'Call for him, he will be confused so make sure you convince him to follow you back into the living and I will do the rest.'

Wangji hummed in confirmation, and reached out.

"Wei Ying!!!" He called, "Wei Ying!!"

A ghostly apparition appeared in front of him, eyes closed, face scrunched up in the same expression Wangji had seen when he fell off the cliff.

Wei Ying, the person who had made such an impact in his life, who made him more strongly than ever before.

"Wei Ying," he whispered.

Wei Ying's eyes snapped open, instantly meeting his.

"Wei Ying, come back with me," he pleaded.

"Back where, Lan Zhan?" Wei Ying asked, flickering slightly.

"Take my hand," Wangji ordered, not giving him an answer.

A ghostly hand reached out hesitantly to him, gripping it with its cold chill.

'Lady Ai!! Now!' He screamed mentally.

"Lan Zhan?" Wei Ying asked confusedly.

Wangji gave him an apologetic smile and tugged him forward, the brightness turned to dark, as collapsed into Yingyue's arms, back in the real world.