"Who is that?" he asked pointing to the person inside the tomb. 

Wei Ying scrunched up his brows. The tapping sound was gone now, but clearly whoever this body belonged to, was important. He just wasn't sure how. Wei Ying tried to rack his brain, 'Maybe this man had studied at Gusu? No... Wei Ying was sure he had never seen this man in cloud recesses before. Was this another hero of the sunshot campaign? Perhaps. Back then, Wei Ying didn't really know- nor did he care, about anyone besides Jiang Cheng, Shijie, and Lan Zhan.'  

"Hm..." he mused. "Who are y-!" he yelped when a strong surge of resentment suddenly hit him. Wei Ying felt his body collasping as he was unwittingly pulled into Empathy. He felt his vision darkening, the last thing he heard being the juniors panicked shouts. Wei Ying's head was splitting open, 'Just a minute. Let me rest... I'll deal with all of this after a quick nap...'  he thought before being sucked into oblivion. 

-------

When Wei Ying opened his eyes, he saw a strange sight. He looked down to see pretty young maidens sashaying around giggling. He heard the rambunctious laughter and hearty bellows below him. Stories were told in a loud, obnoxious fashion. Seductive smiles were exchanged and barely there clothing littered the area. The pitter patter of rain could be heard, gently sliding down from the rooftops. 

A bitter feeling swept across him. 'Why was everyone else having fun when he was stuck in the attic? It wasn't fair.' 

Wei Ying was confused. What was he doing in a brothel? 

"Chuan Han?" a soft voice called. Wei Ying immediately stiffened. He knew that calm and collected voice anywhere! That voice that held a tint of liveliness to it, but at the same time, still maintained its seriousness. 

"Meng Yao?" he found himself replying. 

He was met with a sharp grin, "Brother Chuan. I've come to bring you food." Jin Guangyao said before gently setting down some bread and water. It was the bare minimum, but Wei Ying found himself grateful nonetheless. 

Wei Ying had heard rumors of Lian-Fang Zun growing up in a brothel, but he had never thought much of it. In fact, if anything, it made him admire the man more. He somehow managed to thrive despite having such humble roots. It was no small feat, especially with the cultivational world being as hypocritical and arrogant as it was. 

"Brother Chuan, since you've eaten my food, are we somewhat brothers now?" Jin Guangyao teased, his voice was light but the undertone of it suggested something deeper. 

A pause, slight hesitation on the other end. "Mhm," the other finally grunted, happy to finally have something to ease his hunger. 

Wei Ying frowned and thought, 'So the man inside the coffin was Chuan Han? Who even is that? And what does this Chuan Han have to do with Lian-Fang Zun? From the looks of it, they were childhood friends. But what happened? What changed?'

"Brother Meng..." a shy Chuan Han replied, looking down as he blushed. 

Jin Guangyao clapped his hands in glee, "You needn't be shy! We're brothers now!" he called with childish delight. 

Chuan Han smiled. It was a small smile, but one that opened the door to a whirlwind of possibilities. 

Wei Ying quirked a brow up. At this point, his eyebrows were engaged in a serious discussion with his hairline. He sighed, "Children will always be children," he muttered with a small smile of his own. 

-------

"Meng Yao!" a deep voice called. It was Chuan Han. Nearly 13 years had passed since that fateful night in the attic. 13 years of fooling around, shouldering responsibilities, and weathering the storms. 13 years of what seemed to be an everlasting friendship. 

As the years progressed, Chuan Han and Jin Guangyao's bond had carved itself deeper and deeper into their hearts. The two had become close friends and confidants, even closer than brothers. 

"Yes?" the soft voice replied, with a longing look in the distance. 

"Jin Guangshan," Chuan Han's brows furrowed when he saw what Jin Guangyao was looking at. His lips curved into a mocking smile, "Why are you looking at that bastard?" 

Jin Guangyao turned to face the younger man and his eyes radiated disapproval as he let out a defeated sigh. "He's my father," he said as a way of explanation. 

"So?! That doesn't mean shit! It doesn't give him the right to stomp all over you like that!" 

Jin Guangyao sighed again. "I appreciate your concern Brother Chuan, but it's not needed. It's just his way of showing affection." 

"Affection?! Did you see the way he looks at Jin Zixuan? He practically dotes that peacock!" 

Wei Ying smirked at his words. Seems like it wasn't just him and Jiang Cheng who thought of Jin Zixuan as a self absorbed narcissist. 

"Brother Chuan." the way Jin Guangyao said it was almost like a warning. "Do not speak so poorly of my brother." 

Chuan Han snorted. "Ah yes, your brother. That same brother that turns his nose up everytime we walk past him? That same man who always scoffs and makes a point of ignoring us? You mean that arrogant brute that never even spares you a second glance? That brother?" 

Wei Ying smirked. This Chuan Han was almost a perfect replica of his own brother. Even the scowl was on point. He chuckled and thought, 'Jiang Cheng would've been so proud...'  

"CHUAN HAN!" Jin Guangyao snapped, his usually calm and collected voice brimming with fury. "Do not insult my brother or my father like that again." 

"B-"

"No buts." the older said, effectively putting an end to this conversation. Jin Guangyao gave Chuan Han one last disappointed look before flouncing off, leaving to join his sworn brothers. 

Seeing the Meng Yao that he grew up with, laughing and chuckling alongside Lan Xichen and Nie Mingjue, Chuan Han felt a gush of resentment building up inside him. Meng Yao was the friend he had grown up with. Did the 13 years they had together not even compare to the mere months his friend had spent with the two sect leaders? The war against the Wen's had just wrapped up and already Meng Yao was slipping through his fingers. Chuan Han asked himself, 'Was it just because he wasn't a sect leader? Was that why Meng Yao never really hung out with him anymore? Was his childhood friend just trying to curry favor? Especially since his father had never really cared much about him?' 

Chuan Han shook his head, bitterness blossoming up inside him as jealousy reared its ugly head. He immediately lowered his head in shame. He shouldn't be feeling this way. Meng Yao wouldn't betray him. If he did this, he must have his reasons to. 

With a sad smile on his face, Chuan Han dragged his eyes away and left. 

------- 

"Meng Yao?" Chuan Han asked, this time his voice was scared and insecure. A whole year had passed since the Wen's destruction. In that time, his friend had only seemed to grow more and more unstable. He would lash out more often and the glares he shot his father became more and more frequent. At first, Chuan Han was delighted. It seemed like Meng Yao had finally woken up from that ridiculous dream of his and realized what a horrible person Jin Guangshan was. But as the weeks passed, he realized that Meng Yao had not, in fact, given up on that snake. Instead, he seemed to be more determined to make his father proud. Whatever task Jin Guangshan told him to do, he would do it, no questions asked. 

At first, it hadn't been that bad. At first, it had been to plan a few parties here and there, organize a few events, attend some christenings, or something along the lines. But then the requests started getting out of hand. Jin Guangshan would command Meng Yao to commit more and more violent acts. He would scream at him- even if the latter did nothing wrong. He would blame every little thing that went wrong on Meng Yao. 

It was like forcing his son into performing murder wasn't enough for the old bastard. He wanted that Wei guy, what was his name? Wei Wuxian right? Yea him. Jin Guangshan wanted him dead. And he wanted his amulet. 

Chuan Han shivered at the thought of the amulet. The Stygian Steal Amulet. The amulet that the Yiling Patriarch, Wei Wuxian created himself. The tally that could control the souls of the dead. The tally that everyone wanted. 

They might not say it, but every single one of them lusted after the amulet. They were like hungry wolves, desperate for blood. Even the minor sects would join in, almost like they were vultures, waiting to swoop in for the grand prize. 

Chuan Han really couldn't care less if that Wei Wuxian lived or died. The problem was that Jin Guangshan was forcing Meng Yao to kill him. Wei Wuxian was dangerous, even he knew that. And even if Meng Yao could swallow the guilt of murder, it was still going to be risky. 

Just as he was about to voice his protests, Jin Guangyao interrupted him. 

"Brother Chuan," a tired voice gritted out. "No need to worry, I'm fine." Jin Guangyao said, dismissing him. 

Chuan Han felt a wave of hurt at his words. Here he was. His childhood friend, waving his fingers at him like he was dismissing a servant. 

"If you're sure," he replied stiffly before leaving. He turned back to his friend. A bittersweet smile graced his lips before he turned. 'Is it even right to call Meng Yao his confidante?' Chuan Han asked himself. 'Are we even friends?' 

**Chuān hán (川寒)