Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation: I Have Acquaintances in the Heavenly Realm - Chapter 10

After breakfast, the thought of immediately setting off for the Cloud Recesses made Wei Wuxian feel a bit apprehensive. He quietly told himself: I must obediently follow the house rules and not cause any trouble for Lan Zhan.

Lan Wangji tidied the room slightly—at the very least, enough so that one couldn’t tell how intense the “battle” had been last night.

Wei Wuxian said, “Lan Zhan, since we’re heading back to the Cloud Recesses, I find myself quite reluctant to part with Daozhang Xie and the others. Can we invite them to come along with us?”

Lan Wangji nodded. “Mn.”

Wei Wuxian’s spirits instantly lifted. “Lan Zhan, you’re the best!”

With that, he opened the door and walked out. Lan Wangji took up Bichen and followed him out of the room.

The two walked downstairs but did not see any sign of Xie Lian or Hua Cheng. After asking the inn waiter, it was confirmed that they had likely not woken up yet.

Wei Wuxian propped himself up against a table, leaning back with a grin. “Lan Zhan, look at how terrifying your house rules are. You wake up at the Hour of Mao every single day, while even a Heavenly Official and a Ghost King can’t manage to get up.”

Lan Wangji sat at the table and poured a cup of water, remaining silent. He had no intention of telling Wei Wuxian about his meeting with Hua Cheng earlier that morning.

Wei Wuxian sat down beside Lan Wangji, took the cup of water, and swirled it in his hand. “Lan Zhan, can we stay one more night in that small town at the foot of the mountain of the Cloud Recesses?”

Lan Wangji asked, “Why?”

Wei Wuxian leaned against him and said, “I want to drink some more Emperor’s Smile. Alcohol is forbidden in the Cloud Recesses, so I won’t be able to drink once we’re there. Just let me have a bit more before we go, okay, Lan Zhan?”

Lan Wangji replied, “There is wine.”

Wei Wuxian asked in confusion, “There is wine? Are you saying there is wine in the Cloud Recesses?”

Lan Wangji said, “The Jingshi.”

Wei Wuxian sat up straight and stared at Lan Wangji. “Lan Zhan, oh Lan Zhan! You actually hid wine in the Jingshi? Hahahaha! Are you still that ‘Walking House Rule,’ Hanguang-Jun?”

Lan Wangji took a sip of tea and remained silent.

Wei Wuxian hooked both arms around Lan Wangji’s elbow. “But Lan Zhan, even if there is wine, it won’t do. Alcohol is forbidden in the Cloud Recesses, so I still can’t drink it. Let’s just stay one night in Caiyi Town, please?”

Lan Wangji said, “In the Jingshi, it is not forbidden.”

Wei Wuxian’s mouth dropped open as he stared at Lan Wangji. Was this truly the “Little Stiff” he knew?

While Wei Wuxian was still too stunned to speak, Xie Lian and Hua Cheng came downstairs.

Lan Wangji spoke softly: “Wei Ying.”

Only then did Wei Wuxian snap out of his shock. He had been about to pull Lan Wangji into a full embrace, but stopped when he saw Xie Lian and Hua Cheng approaching.

He halted his movements, took two steps forward, and said with a smile, “Did Daozhang Xie and City Lord Hua sleep well last night? This is the first time I’ve met people who wake up later than I do. You have no idea—the schedule at Lan Zhan’s house is terrifying. They wake up at the Hour of Mao every day.”

Xie Lian gave a light cough and said with a smile, “An hour in the morning is worth two in the evening; waking at the Hour of Mao is a very good habit.”

Wei Wuxian sat back down next to Lan Wangji. “But that habit is too frightening. I usually wake up at the Hour of Si.”

Xie Lian gave a faint smile but said nothing. Many times, he and Hua Cheng couldn’t even manage to get up by the Hour of Si.

Wei Wuxian picked up the teapot and poured a cup for both Xie Lian and Hua Cheng. “Daozhang Xie, Lan Zhan and I are setting off for the Cloud Recesses today, so we won’t be able to continue night-hunting for now. Would you like to come with us?”

Just as Xie Lian was about to speak, a communication reached him.

Shi Qingxuan: “Your Highness, where did you and Crimson Rain Sought Flower go? Come back quickly! The Green Ghost has come to Ghost City again!”

Xie Lian: “Mn, we’ll be back immediately.”

Lowering the two fingers he had pressed to his temple, Xie Lian ended the communication and said to Wei Wuxian with a smile, “My apologies, Young Master Wei. I just received news that a ‘guest’ has arrived at Ghost City. San Lang and I need to return. We’ll go another time when there’s an opportunity. I am also quite curious to see what a place with over four thousand house rules is like.”

Wei Wuxian said, “In that case, Daozhang Xie, please go ahead and attend to your business. Next time you come to the cultivation world, remember to look for us!”

Xie Lian smiled and cupped his hands. “Certainly. Then the two of us shall take our leave.”

Wei Wuxian returned the gesture. “Safe travels to you both. Until next time.”

Lan Wangji also rose and cupped his hands in return.

As the two were about to turn and leave, Wei Wuxian hurriedly added, “Wait, Daozhang Xie! I haven’t asked yet—if I want to contact you, how should I go about it? It doesn’t seem like we can reach your realm.”

Xie Lian thought for a moment, then reached into his robes and pulled out a protection charm of the Crown Prince of Xianle that Hua Cheng had painted previously. He handed it to Wei Wuxian and said, “Young Master Wei can contact us through this charm. Simply say ‘Your Highness the Crown Prince’ to the charm first, and then speak; I will be able to receive it.”