Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation: I Have Acquaintances in the Heavenly Realm - Chapter 11

After bidding farewell to Xie Lian and Hua Cheng, Wei Wuxian held the protection charm in his hand and examined it carefully.

The talisman looked quite different from the ones he usually drew. It appeared to have a figure depicted on it, one that bore a striking resemblance to Daozhang Xie.

Is this how all talismans in the Heavenly Realm are drawn? Wei Wuxian wondered.

He held the charm out to Lan Wangji and said, “Lan Zhan, look. Doesn’t this talisman look like Daozhang Xie?”

Lan Wangji glanced at it and nodded. “Mn.”

“Lan Zhan, keep this protection charm safe,” Wei Wuxian said. “I’m afraid I might accidentally misuse it the next time I’m drawing talismans.”

Lan Wangji took the charm, placed it securely into his Qiankun bag, and said, “Wei Ying, let’s go.”

With that, he unsheathed Bichen, stepped onto it, and extended his right hand toward Wei Wuxian.

Wei Wuxian happily placed his hand in Lan Wangji’s. With a firm pull, Lan Wangji brought him into a close embrace, and Wei Wuxian leaned his entire back against Lan Wangji’s chest. Once they were steady, Bichen carried them both toward the Cloud Recesses.

When they arrived at the mountain gate, the disciples on duty immediately stepped forward and bowed. “Hanguang-Jun.”

Lan Wangji gave a slight, expressionless nod and entered the gate without looking back. Wei Wuxian followed behind him with a beaming smile.

Lan Wangji brought Wei Wuxian to the Jingshi and, after seeing him settled, headed to the Hanshi to meet Lan Qiren.

This wasn’t Wei Wuxian’s first time in the Jingshi, but his mood felt different this time around. Although the place was still as dull and austere as ever to him, it now felt like a “home.”

In the past, it would have been nearly impossible for Wei Wuxian to wait obediently inside without venturing out. But the current Wei Wuxian was different; forget not leaving the room—he wouldn’t even mind not leaving the bed.

Wei Wuxian took out the Emperor’s Smile that Lan Wangji had hidden in the Jingshi. Sitting at the writing desk, he took a sip and began to draw with a brush.

He looked at his first attempt, felt dissatisfied, crumpled it into a ball, and threw it away. He tried again. Still dissatisfied, he threw that one away too.

He continued to drink and draw. The wine was long gone, and he had no idea how many drafts he had produced, but the floor was soon covered in crumpled paper balls. Eventually—whether from exhaustion, a slight buzz, or simple drowsiness—Wei Wuxian slumped over the desk and fell asleep.

When Lan Wangji returned with a food box and opened the door, he was met with the sight of paper strewn across the floor. His brow furrowed slightly, but his gaze quickly moved to Wei Wuxian, who was fast asleep at the desk.

He set the food box down and, before cleaning up the mess, draped a robe over Wei Wuxian’s shoulders. He then bent down to pick up a paper ball. Opening it, he saw a drawn talisman, though its specific purpose was unclear.

Guessing that Wei Ying might be researching a new type of talisman, Lan Wangji didn’t throw them away. Instead, he gathered them all and placed them together.

Just as Lan Wangji was about to carry Wei Wuxian to the bed, the latter woke up.

Wei Wuxian squinted, looking at Lan Wangji with bleary eyes. “Lan Zhan, you’re back? How did I fall asleep?”

He rubbed his eyes and stretched, only to feel the robe sliding off his shoulders. He reached down to pick it up and asked, “Lan Zhan, why didn’t you wake me when you got back? What time is it?”

Lan Wangji replied, “The Hour of Xu (7:00 PM – 9:00 PM).”

Wei Wuxian smacked his forehead. “Oh no, I slept for so long. It’s almost the Hour of Hai. What should I do? I probably won’t be able to sleep then.”

“It does not matter,” Lan Wangji said. “First, have dinner.”

At the mention of dinner, Wei Wuxian realized his stomach was empty. Rubbing his belly, he walked toward the table.

As Lan Wangji set out the food, Wei Wuxian noticed there were two bowls of rice. He looked at Lan Wangji in surprise. “Lan Zhan, don’t tell me you haven’t eaten yet just because you wanted to wait for me?”

Lan Wangji said softly, “Mn.”

Wei Wuxian threw his arms around him, burying his face in Lan Wangji’s chest. “Lan Zhan, why are you so good to me? You didn’t have to do that. Just count—how many house rules have you broken since I arrived?”

Lan Wangji returned the hug. “It is no matter.”

Wei Wuxian looked up from his embrace and teased, “Lan Zhan, you are the one in charge of punishment. Are you really going to show such blatant favoritism and bend the law?”

Lan Wangji replied, “I should be punished.”

Wei Wuxian sat up straight. “What? Then how many times would you have to copy the rules for these violations? How long would that take? Lan Zhan, forget it—let’s not eat. Let’s just go to sleep.”

He moved to get up, but Lan Wangji held him fast. “Eat first. You will not copy them; I will.”

Wei Wuxian was stunned for a moment, then said, “In that case, I’ll just accompany you and copy them together.”