Lan Zhan slowly got back to his feet. He looked around hastily. Youn was lying unconscious next to him. He grabbed the boy and knew that he really had to hurry now. Since it was impossible that the inhabitants of the city had not heard the explosions. Very soon they would come and then he must be gone. And he must leave the city immediately!

If they saw him now with Youn, after he had arrived without a child, they would know immediately that he had killed the men in the camp. And because the explosions and the resulting fire burned the bodies, no one would see that all those children were deathly ill or even already dead. They would undoubtedly believe that he killed all those children.

But before he leaves the city, he has to go back to the inn to get his personal belongings and his money. Because in his personal belongings he also has documents on which his name and address are written. Also, he has been keeping a journal for quite some time with notes about his blood sources. As well as his notes about the Inquisitor and his numerous crimes against the villagers.

So he had to quickly find a way to get into the inn with the unconscious Youn and get his belongings without being seen or heard. And he must get a horse so he could leave the city that night. Although he could try with his Vampiric speed, with Youn he would only be half as fast and his strength would fade faster. Which means he wouldn't be able to get fast enough, far enough away from the city.

Lan Zhan crept back toward the city. Many people were awake and on the street, as he had already assumed. They were running toward the forest. Fortunately, however, there was little to see in the darkness and so he made it to the inn unseen. But this time he did not take the door, but hid Youn in the stable with the horses and then climbed up the wall of the house to the roof, where he entered the inn through an open window.

From the attic, he just had to go down a staircase with 9 steps and then turn right into the hallway and to the second door. Once again it helped him to be a vampire. Because so he could move silently in the dark house and reach his room. He hurriedly packed his belongings, put three silver pieces and a gold coin on the table and left the room again.

The same way he entered the inn, he left it again. He went to the stable, picked out one of the horses that looked strong and fast, tied his bag with his belongings on the horse's back, lifted Youn onto the horse, opened the stable door, took the horse out of the stable, sat on it and rode off.

Several times he had to dodge people who came out of their houses and suddenly appeared in front of him on the road. Nevertheless, he was out of the city within a few minutes and quickly moved away from it. For a long time he could still hear the bells of the town ringing the alarm about the fire in the forest. He believed that the bells were loud enough to alert the inhabitants of the neighboring village as well.

He rode without stopping for nearly two hours and could already see the sun rising when he arrived at a river. "Damn. I don't remember passing a river on the way to the city." He muttered. Youn was still unconscious. But as Lan Zhan listened into him with his senses, he realized he was fine. He was just knocked out and will wake up soon enough, probably with a severe headache and ringing in his ears.

Lan Zhan stopped at the river and climbed down from his horse. He looked around the area lost, trying to see anything that could get him back on track. "If you need help, just ask me." He heard someone say. That someone came out from behind a tree and smiled. It looked like his body was surrounded by a glow.

"Who are you?" Lan Zhan asked. He sensed that the man was not human. Was this the first time he had met another vampire? In all the years he had been immortal, he had never met any vampires other than Wen Rouhan, his sons and men, and the Inquisitor.

"I could tell you my real name, vampire. But I fear you would not be able to pronounce it. It is very old. But if you insist on hearing a name from me, call me Wei WuXian."

"How do you know what I am? And what do you want from me?"

"I just want to help you, vampire. We are both the same. And somehow also not."

"What does that mean? Are you a vampire or not?"

"Does it really matter now? Shouldn't you rather get the boy and yourself to safety? After what you did in that slave camp, you shouldn't waste time and get as far away from the city as possible."

Lan Zhan walked toward Wei WuXian. "Have you been watching me? Are you following us?"

"Haha, I've been watching you for years vampire. Or should I call you Lan Wangji, or no Lan Zhan?"

"How..."

"We don't have time to explain. Just believe me that I know exactly who you are. But don't worry, I'm not planning to do anything to you."

"I'm not worried about that."

"Oh no? Are you sure?"

"I am sure. Now tell me why you're following me? What do you want from me?"

"Shh...be quiet. Someone is approaching."

"If it's just one, it's not a problem."

"It's not human."

"Another vampire?"

"Oh, no. It's something else. It's dangerous. Go back to your horse and get the boy out of here. Ride west along the road and you'll find a way back to your house."

"But-"

"No! You've got to go now! Go on and get out of here. I'll stop the creature. Go and protect the boy. Go!!!" Wei WuXian shouted.

Lan Zhan sensed that the danger Wei WuXian was talking about was real. He ran to his horse, sat on the horse's back and rode like hell. He had not ridden 50 meters when he heard a frightening growl and howl. Like that of a wolf, only immensely more dangerous. For a brief moment, he was about to turn around and help Wei WuXian. But he rode on. Because that was what Wei WuXian had wanted him to do. And he did not want to endanger the life of little Youn.

Two more hours later, he reached an uninhabited farmhouse. He hopped down from the horse and looked around the house. It was small and old. There was no furniture. And there was a big hole in the roof. But for now it would be enough to hide. He laid a blanket on the dirty floor and then carried Youn into the house and onto the blanket.

Lan Zhan also wanted to rest a little. However, he couldn't. He could not get Wei WuXian out of his mind. Rather, he felt incredibly attracted to Wei WuXian. He could feel his heart beating like wild in his chest as soon as he thought of Wei WuXian. And after nearly 200 years, he felt something like warmth in his body for the first time.

"Who the hell are you Wei WuXian? Why am I attracted to you? Is it because you are also a vampire? Why have you been following me for so long? Why did I never notice you before?" He asked himself quietly. Especially the latter question wouldn't let him go. Because Wei WuXian, like him, was someone who could not actually be overlooked.

Wei WuXian is a tad taller than him. Also has long almost black hair, part of which he wore in a braid held in place with a red ribbon. His black robe was not that of a poor man. The fabric of his robe was of the same quality as that of Lan Zhan's robe. And his face resembled that of an angel, Lan Zhan thought.

Lan Zhan rubbed the back of his neck, lost in thought, and was almost startled when Youn suddenly sat up with a groan and reached for his hand. "You're awake?" Lan Zhan asked the obvious.

"Yes. And I have a headache. I hear a beeping sound in my ears." Replied Youn, leaning against Lan Zhan.

"That's from the explosion. Or rather, from the shock wave."

"Oh ok. Earlier at the river, I was awake for a moment too. Who were you talking to then?"

"His name is Wei WuXian."

"Huh? You were alone." Said Youn confused.

"No, he was there."

"I only saw you. You were looking at the river and talking."

"Maybe you couldn't see him because he's not human."

"Then what is he? Is he like you?"

"Yes, probably."

"Say. What am I supposed to call you, anyway? You didn't tell me your name."

"My name is Lan Zhan. You can call me that. But when we're among people, it's probably appropriate for you to call me uncle or father. We will claim that you are my son or nephew."

"But I don't speak your language at all. And you look too young to be my father."

"You will learn it. I will teach it to you. This language and a few others. I will teach you to read, to write, and to do calculations. And you will also learn from me how to fight. Because in this day and age, you have to be able to fight back."

"I may learn to read and write?"

"Yes. I myself will teach you everything I know."

"Yay. I always wanted to be able to read books and write letters like the other kids."

"Do you know many children who can?"

"No. Not exactly. But I always watched the children who were allowed to go to school. I always envied them."

"I see. Well, as soon as we get home, I'll start your education."

"At home?"

"Yes. I have a house with four rooms. One room will be yours."

"Really?"

"Mhm."

"Thank you very much Lan Zhan."

"You're very welcome. And now you should get some more rest. Meanwhile, I'll look for some food and water for you."

"Don't leave me alone! I want to come with you."

"You're too weak for that. I'm faster on my own."

"Please Lan Zhan!"

"No! You stay here. I'll get food, water, and preferably clothes for you. Also, soap. You look and smell like it's been years since your last bath."

"Please, please Lan Zhan. I don't want to be alone." He clung desperately to Lan Zhan's leg.

"I promise you, I'll hurry. I can't take you with me just yet. You're safer here for now. You don't know our language yet and you look like a street kid. But I promise you, very soon I will take you everywhere with me. And now let go of my leg. I'll be back soon."

"All right. But please really come back."

"I will. I promise you that." Said Lan Zhan. Youn very slowly let go of Lan Zhan's leg and sat back on the blanket. Lan Zhan immediately made his way to the nearest place of residence.

Within 30 minutes, Lan Zhan reached a village. At the market there he bought rice, vegetables, a chicken, some eggs and strawberries. At one stall, he bought clothes for Youn. At another market stall, he bought shoes for Youn. Then he bought soap and a comb. Then he moved on to a stall where toys were sold. He bought Youn a wooden sword and some carved wooden figures.

Before heading back to the farmhouse, he bought some candy for Youn and was looking forward to seeing how Youn would react when he gave him the candy. As a child, Lan Zhan had always been happy when his mother brought candy from the market for him and his brother. And he was sure that Youn would be happy as well.