Time slowly passed, and in the blink of an eye, sixteen years had already passed since Wei Wuxian's death. Ever since he first heard Hua Cheng mention that Lan Zhan was performing Inquiry to search for him, Wei Wuxian had frequently gone back to the mortal realm. He had encountered Lan Wangji performing Inquiry many times, yet he had never responded.
Ghost City -- Paradise Manor
"Wei Wuxian, do you really not plan to respond to him?" Hua Cheng asked.
"What's the point of responding?" Wei Wuxian replied.
"He has been searching for you all this time. These years, even if you don't say it, I know you have feelings for him too. Since that's the case, why make him suffer day after day like this?"
Wei Wuxian gave a bitter smile and said, "Hua Cheng, you don't understand. Lan Zhan is a radiant, noble gentleman, the paragon of the cultivation sects. Sixteen years ago, when I practiced the demonic path, the mortal world had no place for me. Now that I have become a Ghost King, there is even less room for me. How could I possibly stand by his side?"
"Wei Wuxian, he wouldn't care about that," Hua Cheng said. "Look at me and Gege. I am a Ghost King, and Gege is a Crown Prince of the Heavenly Officials—didn't we end up together just the same? Wei Wuxian, don't end up like Gege and me, missing each other for so many years and suffering for so many years."
Hearing this, Wei Wuxian fell silent. He had heard all about Hua Cheng and Xie Lian from Hua Cheng himself, and it was precisely because they shared similar experiences that they had become friends. But could he and Lan Zhan really be the same? He did not know.
On this day, Lan Wangji came to the Burial Mounds once again. Hearing the sound of the guqin, Wei Wuxian appeared beside him.
It was still Inquiry and "The Untamed," played over and over again until blood stained Lan Wangji's fingertips, and only then did he stop. A voice filled with despair and deep affection reached Wei Wuxian's ears.
"Wei Ying, where on earth are you? Why won't you answer me? Wei Ying, A-Yuan has grown up. He is exceptional now, the most outstanding among the juniors. Wei Ying, I like you! Wei Ying, there is nothing left in this world that makes me want to linger. Is it alright if I go to find you? Wei Ying... Wei Ying..."
Listening to Lan Wangji's words and those repeated cries of "Wei Ying," Wei Wuxian finally admitted to himself, *He likes Lan Zhan, very much, so very much.* Before Wei Wuxian could react, he saw Bichen leave its scabbard, guided by spiritual energy to thrust straight toward Lan Wangji's chest. Startled, Wei Wuxian used a surge of resentful energy to freeze Bichen in place as his figure materialized.
"Lan Zhan," Wei Wuxian said.
Hearing the voice he had longed for day and night, and seeing the person he had yearned for so dearly, tears slowly slid down from Lan Wangji's eyes.
"Wei Ying, you've finally come back," Lan Wangji said.
"Lan Zhan, why do this? Why torture yourself like this all these years?" Wei Wuxian asked.
"You knew? You've been here all along?"
"Yes, I've been here all along. Every time you performed Inquiry, I knew. I knew when you traveled everywhere exterminating evil spirits, too."
"Then why didn't you ever answer?"
"Lan Zhan, I am already dead. Stop torturing yourself like this. Live a good life, cultivate properly, and forget about me! From now on, I will not appear again."
"Wei Ying, don't go, don't leave me. Wei Ying, I like you, I like you so, so much. I simply cannot live without you. These past sixteen years, there hasn't been a single day I haven't missed you. If not for A-Yuan, I would have gone to find you long ago. Now A-Yuan has grown up and can take care of himself. Wei Ying, let me go to find you, I'm begging you."
"Lan Zhan, you won't be able to find me. Even if you die, as long as I don't want you to, you won't find me. Lan Zhan, I am a Ghost King now, a true unorthodox demonic being. Lan Zhan, you are a radiant gentleman, and we..."
"No, Wei Ying, I don't care. As long as I can be with you, I can become a practitioner of the demonic path too. Wei Ying, don't push me away, okay?"
Looking at Lan Wangji looking so vulnerable and humble, Wei Wuxian's heart softened. After a long silence, he finally compromised and asked, "Lan Zhan, have you really thought this through? If I come back, it means you will have no chance to turn back. It's been over a decade, and I've given you chances to change your mind."
"I will never regret it," Lan Wangji said.