Wang LingJiao didn't have the time to pay them any more attention. Having rushed over, she took a look at it, then beamed, "Young Master Wen! They found it! The entrance!"

"I don't have a good feeling about this." said Jiang Yanli.

"Because I can feel that nothing's good will happen." said Jiang.

"You guys should be careful." she said with full of worry.

"We will survive, shijie." said Wei Wuxian with an assuring smile.

It was a hole in the ground, hidden quite well beneath an old banyan tree with a trunk as large as the hug of three men. The first reason as to why they couldn't find it was that entrance was rather small, not even five feet in width, and the second that the thick, tangled roots and vines weaved a firm web, blocking the entrance. Above it, there was also a layer of leaves and branches, mud and stone, and thus it was almost unnoticeable.

Pushing aside the rotten leaves and mud, cutting away the roots, and the dark, eerie hole had been revealed.

The entrance led to deep underground. The cold air plunged into everyone's face, sending chills down their back. Nothing was heard of the pebble that had been tossed inside. It was as though it had sunk into the sea.

"Will they really enter that?" asked Nie Huaisang.

"It's nothing safe just by looking at it." he added.

"They have no choice." said Nie Mingjue.

"We do have one." said Wei Wuxian.

"Only if we will all of them." he added referring to the Wens.

"Which is also not good." said Jiang Cheng.

Wen Chao was ecstatic, "This must be it! Quick, everyone, get down there!"

Jin ZiXuan couldn't hold it any longer. He spoke coldly, "You brought us here, saying that we'll be hunting a beast. Then, if I may ask, what sort of a beast is it? Informing us beforehand would allow us to cooperate with more efficiency so that we wouldn't be as confused as last time."

"Yeah, we don't even have any idea of what we are hunting." said Jin Zixuan.

"It will only be a miracle that Wen Chao is going to inform us." said Wei Wuxian.

Wen Chao, "Inform you?"

He stood up, first pointing at Jin ZiXuan and then at himself, "Just how many times do I have to make myself clear for you to remember? Don't get it wrong. You are only the cultivators who serve me. I'm the one who gives the orders. I don't need others to tell me their suggestions. I am the only one who directs the battle and commands the troops. I am also the only one who can conquer the beast!"

"Does he really think we're going to serve?" Jin Zixuan asked in disbelief.

"And he's the only one who can conquer the beast?" asked Wei Wuxian.

"That's quite impossible." he added.

"I bet he will be running away first at the sight of that beast." said Jiang Cheng.

People laughed at his comment.

He spoke the words 'only one' with great emphasis. The lofty voice and arrogant tone evoked both laughter and hatred within the ones who listened. Wang LingJiao scolded, "Didn't you hear what Young Master Wen said? Get down there, quick!"

"This woman is making me lose my patience." said Jiang Cheng.

"She's the only woman who can make my blood boil like this." he added.

"I myself want to strangle her." said Jin Zixuan.

"Wait, she's mine to kill." said Wei Wuxian.

"He hurt my Lan Zhan." he added.

"You three can kill her together." said Nie Huaisang.

Jin ZiXuan was standing at the very front. Holding back his anger, he lifted the hem of his robe, grabbed one of the thickest vines, and jumped without any hesitation into the endless hole.

"A-xuan, that's reckless." said Madam Jin.

"It's more better that seeing that horrible couple." said Jin Zixuan.

This time, Wei WuXian could relate to his feelings on a profound level. No matter what creatures haunted this cave, facing them would be much more comfortable than facing Wen Chao and the others. If he let this hell of a pair damage his eyes any longer, he was afraid that he really might choose to perish alongside them!

The people following Jin ZiXuan entered the hole one by one.

Since the group of forcibly gathered disciples had their swords taken away, they could only crawl down slowly. The vines grew along the wall of the hole. The were quite sturdy, thick as the wrists of young children. Clinging to it, Wei WuXian silently calculated how deep they were going as he lowered himself at a leisurely pace.

"Facing the danger is far more better than facing those two." said Jiang Cheng.

"You guys, be careful, okay." said Jiang Yanli.

"We will." said Wei Wuxian.

"Now, I'm curious of what they are going to hunt." said Nie Mingjue.

"Out of all things, da-ge?" asked Nie Huaisang.

"As you said you have your own priorities and I let you. I also have my own priorities." said Nie Mingjue.

"What a weird of a priority is that." said Nie Huaisang.

His feet finally touched the ground after sliding down for almost thirty feet.

Wen Chao shouted a few things from above ground. Having ensured that it was safe underground, he flew easily down, sword under his feet, Wang LingJiao in his arms. A while after, the disciples and servants also landed one by one.

"They could've just stayed there." said Jin Zixuan.

"They won't let us to be in peace, huh." said Wei Wuxian.

"Maybe peace doesn't exists in their f*cking vocabulary." said Jiang Cheng.

Jiang Cheng whispered, "Hopefully the prey he wants to hunt this time won't be anything too difficult. I don't know if there are any other exits here. If the ghoul or beast flips out inside of here, such a long vine might break in half and it'd be hard for us to even run away."

The rest of the group was thinking the same thing. They couldn't help but look up at the small, white spot that was the entrance. Everyone was worried.

"I can say that prey as far more dangerous than they thought." said Nie Mingjue.

"They must be on high alert." said Lan Xichen.

"Nothing bad happened to them there, right." he asked his son.

"Lets just watch, a-die." said Jingyi.

"That doesn't sound so assuring." said Wei Wuxian.

Wen Chao leaped off his sword, "What are you doing just standing there? Do you need me to teach you what to do? Go!"

The group of the boys were chased into the depths of the cave.

"Such a good feeling when you guys just followed my orders." laughed Wen Chao.

"And you know, your death will give us the most happiest moment of our life." said Wei Wuxian.

"You can't kill me. My father won't let you." said Wen Chao.

"Not for long." said Jiang Cheng.

Since they needed to scout the path at the front, Wen Chao ordered his servants to provide them with a few torches. The ceiling of the cave was both high and broad, unreachable by the light of the torches. Wei WuXian paid attention to the echoes. He felt that the deeper they went, the more spacious the echoes sounded. It was likely that they were already more than a hundred feet below ground.

The people at the front maintained high alert. They didn't know how long had passed when they had finally arrived before a deep pool of water.

Even if the pool was above ground, it'd be considered a vast lake. The water was eerily black. Stone islets of all sizes were also protruding from the surface.

And there was no other path before them.

"There's nothing there." said Jin Zixuan.

"No." said Wei Wuxian.

"You guys, get out of there." said Wen Rouhan as he glared at his son.

"What's gotten into your mind to bring them there?" he asked.

"And most of all, without their swords." he added.

"But, fuqin." said Wen Chao.

"I bet, you didn't told me about this." said Wen Rouhan.

"More likely." said Wen Xu and Wen Chao glared at him.

But, even though the path was at an end, they still hadn't found the prey of their night-hunt. They didn't even know what exactly it was. Everyone's heart was filled with uncertainty, still stiffly maintaining their vigilance.

As he hadn't seen the beast that he was expecting, Wen Chao also felt irritated. After cursing a few words, he suddenly had an 'idea', "Find somebody, hang them up, and let out some blood to lure the thing out."

"Outrageous." said Lan Qiren.

"My dear idiot of a cousin, that was easy for you to say. Do you know how important life is?" asked Wen Qing.

"At such time, it's more important to get the prey than their useless life." said Wen Chao.

"Your life is the one that is useless." said Wen Qing.

"A f*cking waste of space." she added.

Beasts usually craved blood more than anything. It'd definitely be lured out by the scent of the blood and the immobile human being hanging midair!

Wang LingJiao answered and immediately pointed to a girl. She ordered, "How about her?"

The girl was the one who gave out perfume sachets on their way here, 'MianMian'. Suddenly having been chosen, her mind went completely blank. Although this choice of Wang LingJiao's appeared random, she'd actually been planning it for a long time. Most of the people that the sects sent here were boys. Thus, toward the few girls, Wen Chao couldn't help but pay more attention, especially MianMian. She looked fair and had been harrassed a few times by Wen Chao, though could only suffer in silence. Yet, Wang LingJiao had seen and loathed everything.

"Me?" asked MianMian.

"That can't be. Why me?" she added as she paled.

"I don't deserve that. I can never imagine myself dying like that." she added as she sobs.

"Calm down, you won't die." said Sizhui with an assuring smile.

"Really?" she asked.

"Mn. Watch, for you to know." said Sizhui.

MianMian calm herself down and glared at the woman sitting next to Wen Chao who also glared back at her.

MianMian realized that she really was the one who had been chosen. With a face brimming with fear, she staggered a few steps back. Seeing that this girl was the one Wang LingJiao chose, Wen Chao remembered that he never had the chance to have her yet and felt that it'd be a pity, "This one? How about someone else?"

Wang LingJiao looked as though she'd been wronged, "Why someone else? I choose this one. Don't tell me that you'll miss her?"

She let loose her coquetry, and Wen Chao was over the moon with delight, half of his heart having already melted. Then, turning to look at the way MianMian dressed, he was certain that she wasn't part of the sect's clan. She was at most a disciple, so she'd surely be the perfect bait, as even if she was gone the sect wouldn't come pester him, "Nonsense. Why would you think that I'll miss her? Do whatever you want. Everything is up to JiaoJiao!"

"I will never give myself to him." said MianMian.

"Disgusting manwhore." she added.

"Don't worry, if he tried to harass you, me and ChengCheng here will beat him into pulp." said Wei Wuxian.

"You can do that yourself." said Jiang Cheng.

MianMian knew that if she was hung up, she probably wouldn't be able to come back down alive. She tried to run away, but wherever she fled, the people dispersed around her. Just as Wei WuXian twitched, Jiang Cheng held him firmly down. MianMian suddenly noticed that two people remained still. She hid behind their backs at once, shivering.

The two were Jin ZiXuan and Lan WangJi.

"Surely, they will protect her no matter what." said Nie Huaisang.

"Nice choice of protector, MianMian." said Wei Wuxian.

"You can also choose me and ChengCheng. He might be holding me firmly but we are so willing to protect you." he added.

"Thank you, Wei Wuxian." said MianMian with a smile.

As the Wen Sect's servants that were about to tie MianMian up saw that the two didn't intend on moving, they shouted, "Move to the side!"

Lan WangJi was silent with indifference.

Seeing that the situation wasn't good, Wen Chao warned, "Why are you standing there? You can't understand human speech? Or do you want to save the damsel in distress?"

"You think you can scare them?" asked Wei Wuxian.

"Those two are more powerful that you." he added.

"Finally admitted that Jin-xiong is powerful too, Wei-xiong?" Nie Huaisang asked with a laugh.

"Only because he was standing next to my Lan Zhan." said Wei Wuxian.

Jin Zixuan glared at him while Jiang Cheng laughed.

Jin ZiXuan lifted his brows, "Is that enough? It wasn't enough for people to be flesh shields for you, and now you want live humans to bleed for you to use as bait?!"

Wei WuXian found this somewhat surprising, So Jin ZiXuan really does have some nerve.

"Of course, I do. I won't let such thing happen in front of me without a fight." said Jin Zixuan.

"Why not use himself or any from his people?" asked Nie Huaisang.

"Since he didn't give importance to any life within him." he added.

"I'm willing to hang him up myself." said Wei Wuxian.

Wen Chao pointed at them, "Are you rebelling against me? Let me warn you, I've been tolerating you for a very long time. Right now, hang the brat up with your own hands! Or else none of the people from your sects can expect to return!"

Jin ZiXuan sneered and refused to budge. Lan WangJi also looked as though he had heard nothing, so motionless that he seemed to be meditating.

"Don't step out of their protection, MianMian." said Wei Wuxian.

"Of course, I won't." said MianMian.

"Thank you, Jin-gongzi, Lan-er-gongzi." she added and the two just nod at her.

However, one of the GusuLan Sect's disciples on the side had been trembling as he listened to Wen Chao's threatening words. He finally couldn't hold it any longer as he rushed over, grabbing MianMian, and prepared to tie her up. Lan WangJi's brows stiffened. He immediately struck the disciple to the side.

Although he didn't say anything, the way he looked at the disciple was more than imposing. What such a look meant was clear to everyone-it truly is a shame that the GusuLan Sect has taught a disciple like you!

"That man-" said Wei Wuxian and turned to looked at Su She.

"Is you." he added.

"Why would you do that?" he asked.

"Do you think you can save yourself by doing that?" asked Jiang Cheng.

"You just made the situation worse." he added with a glare.

The disciple's shoulders quivered as he backed off slowly, unable to face the others' eyes. Wei WuXian whispered to Jiang Cheng, "Uh-oh. Judging from Lan Zhan's personality, this won't go well."

Jiang Cheng clenched his fists as well.

In such a situation, it was almost impossible to care for oneself only and hope that no blood would be lost!

"They're going to fight." said Nie Huaisang.

"That won't be good." said Wen Rouhan.

"Is there something you're not telling us?" asked Qingheng-jun.

"Surely, you guys knows what kind of creature living there." Wen Rouhan said.

"A very dangerous one." he added.

Wen Chao was enraged, shouting, "How dare you! Kill them!"

A few of the Wen Sect's disciples unsheathed their swords, rushing toward Lan WangJi and Jin ZiXuan. The 'Core-melting Hand', Wen ZhuLiu, stood behind Wen Chao with his hands folded behind him. He never attacked, as though he thought that he didn't need to do so. He was right, seeing that the two boys were at a loss in terms of both weaponry and sheer numbers. Even more, after the past days of being constantly on the move, they were in quite a bad state, not to mention that Lan WangJi had been injured. They definitely wouldn't be able to last long. Watching his subordinates fight with the two, Wen Chao looked as if his mood was much better. He spat, "Talking back to me-what did you think you are? People like you really do deserve to be killed."

A grinning voice came from the side, "That's right. All those who oppress others and do evil relying on the power of their clan should be killed. Not only that, they should be beheaded for tens of thousands to revile so that those to come would beware."

"You knew?" asked Wen Rouhan.

"About what?" asked Wei Wuxian.

"Where did you get that, Wei-xiong?" asked Nie Huaisang.

"I don't know either." said Wei Wuxian.

"What was that, fuqin?" asked Wen Chao.

"You made them read it yet you yourself doesn't know it?" asked Wen Rouhan.

"Just how idiot and dumb of a son are you." he added.

Wen Xu snickered at the side.

Hearing this, Wen Chao spun around, "What did you say?"

Wei WuXian pretended to be surprised, "Do you need me to repeat it? Sure. All those who oppress others and do evil relying on the power of their clan should be killed. Not only that, they should be beheaded for tens of thousands to revile so that those to come would beware. You heard it this time?"

Hearing this, Wen ZhuLiu seemed to ponder as he glanced at Wei WuXian. Wen Chao erupted, "How dare you say such absurd, outrageous, and pretentious words!"

"Wen Chao!" shouted Wen Rouhan as his voice thundered around the room.

"F-fuqin?" asked Wen Chao.

"You dare say that?" Wen Rouhan asked.

"Are you really a Wen?" he added.

"Such an insult, really." said Wen Qing.

"Why?" asked Jiang Yanli.

"It's an insult to our founder." Wen Qing answered.

Wei WuXian first lifted the corners of his mouth with a 'pfft', then immediately burst into unbridled laughter.

Under everyone's shocked eyes, he laughed so hard that he was out of breath, clutching Jiang Cheng's shoulder as he spoke, "Absurd? Outrageous? I'd say you're the one who's all of those! Wen Chao, do you know who was the one that said those words? I'm sure you don't, do you? Let me tell you. This was said by the most, most, most famous cultivator of your sect, the one who founded the entire thing, Wen Mao. You dared say that one of your ancestor's remarks are absurd and outrageous? Well said, very well said! Ahahahahaha..."

"Even an outsider knows it yet you." said Wen Rouhan.

"A punishment when we get back will be bestowed upon you." he added.

"Good luck, little brother." said Wen Xu.

Within the Quintessence of the Wen Sect that had been given out, even the most ordinary of smalltalk comments could be analyzed over and over, their deep meanings boasted with exceptional extravagance. Let alone memorizing it well, Wei WuXian felt disgusted after just flipping through its pages. However, he found this quote of Wen Mao's quite ironic, which was why he could recall it with ease.

Wen Chao's complexion switched between red and white. Wei WuXian added, "Right, what was the accusation given to those who insult famous cultivators of the Wen Sect again? How should they be punished? I remember that it was execution, right? Yes, very well, you can go die now."

"Yes, kill him." said Jin Zixuan.

"I've been waiting for his death." he added.

"He won't have a face to show his ancestors anymore." laughed Wei Wuxian.

"He messed with a wrong person." said Nie Huaisang.

Wen Chao couldn't hold himself back any longer, unsheathing his sword and lunging at Wei WuXian. With that, he lunged out of Wen ZhuLiu's range of protection.

Wen ZhuLiu had always been used to defending against the attacks of others. He had never expected Wen Chao to leave by his own will. Facing the sudden difficulty, he somehow couldn't react in time. On the other hand, as Wei WuXian provoked Wen Chao, he was precisely waiting for the moment of uncontrollable rage. The smile by his lips didn't falter at all as he attacked with the speed of lightning. In a split second, he had snatched the sword and reversed the situation, subduing Wen Chao with just one move!

"Finally." said Wei Wuxian.

"Now, just one slice in his throat and his gone." he added.

"Don't let your hopes high." said Sizhui.

"He won't die that time." he added.

"Way to ruin it, a-yuan." said Wei Wuxian.

"You ruined my imaginations." said Jiang Cheng.

"Sorry, Jiang-jiujiu." said Sizhui.

One hand gripping Wen Chao, he leaped a few times and landed on one of the islets above the pool, keeping his distance from Wen ZhuLiu. With his other hand he pressed the sword onto Wen Chao's neck, warning, "Nobody move. If you're not careful, I might just decide to let some blood out of your Young Master Wen!"

Wen Chao screeched, "Stop moving! Stop moving!"

"Such a coward." laughed Wei Wuxian.

"Are you scared of death?" asked Jiang Cheng.

"Just close your eyes, but it would be much more better if you saw how we will kill you." he added.

"You can't kill me." said Wen Chao.

"Don't hope so much." said Wei Wuxian.

The disciples surrounding Lan WangJi and Jin ZiXuan finally ceased their attacks. Wei WuXian shouted, "Core-melting Hand, you're not moving either! You know how the temper of the Wen Sect's leader is. Your master is in my hand. If he loses just one drop of blood, then not one of the people here should hope to live on, including you!"

Wen ZhuLiu put his arms down as Wei WuXian had expected. Seeing that the situation was under control, Wei WuXian was about to speak when he suddenly felt that the entire ground below him had trembled.

He was on guard at once, "Jiang Cheng! Is it an earthquake?"

"You made a wrong move." said Wen Rouhan.

"Get out of there already." he added.

"That's quite impossible seeing from the situation." said Jin Zixuan.

"It would be better if you leave now." said Wen Rouhan.

"They didn't leave, though." said Jin Ling.

"They shouldn't be there in the first place." said Wen Rouhan.

"I'm praying for your soul." Wen Xu whispered to his brother.

They were currently inside of an underground cave. If an earthquake or a landslide happened, it'd be extremely terrifying whether their entrance was blocked or they were buried alive. Yet, Jiang Cheng replied, "No!"

But Wei WuXian felt that the shaking of the ground had intensified. The blade almost touched Wen Chao's throat quite a couple of times, making him scream. Jiang Cheng immediately shouted, "It's not an earthquake- what's moving is the thing under your feet!!!"

"What?" asked Wei Wuxian.

"That's what we are hunting?" he added.

"Get away from it." said Wen Rouhan.

"I have a bad feeling about it." said Jiang Yanli as he looked at his brothers.

"We're safe, a-jie/shijie." said the two.

Wei WuXian had noticed as well. It wasn't that the ground was trembling, but that the islet that he landed on. Not only was it trembling, it was also rising and rising. The area above the surface of the water grew larger and larger.

He had finally realized. This wasn't an islet, but a large creature that had been hidden within the depths of the pool-right now, he was standing on the shell behind the back the beast!

"What could it be?" asked Wei Wuxian.

"Something you should not face. It's more dangerous and powerful than you think." said Wen Rouhan.

"Just tell us already." said Jin Zixuan.

"Find it out. Just don't go there anymore." said Wen Rouhan.

"Curiosity isn't good for the body." said Jiang Cheng.

"Then don't let your curiosity take over you." siad Wen Rouhan.

Jiang Cheng glared at him.

"You will find it out sooner or later, little Jiang." said Wen Rouhan and Jiang Cheng frowned.

"Don't call me that." he said and glared at the man.

"You now have a lot of nicknames, ChengCheng." laughed Wei Wuxian.

"Shut up." said Jiang Cheng with a frown.