"I don't know, I really don't know..!"

It was a weak mantra, the only phrase that disciples of the Qinghe Nie clan seemed to ever hear from Nie Huaisang, their supposed leader. The curtains were drawn, Lan Xichen and Jin Guangyao taking control of the clan rather than their own blood.

Nie Huaisang finally freed himself from the onslaught of questions, rubbing between his brows. His usual ethereal, prince-like expression was pale, already feeling a headache settling in.

Just a few more years, and I'll have my revenge...

His cold, unfeeling green eyes sharpened as he took out his painted paper fan, fanning the sweat off the side his forehead.

He eyed the Stone Castle, no, the Man-Eating Castle off to the distance, stepping onto the bridge overseeing it. Just some more time—

A crunch on the dirt. Nie Huaisang's head whipped back, his grip tightening on the fan. "Who's there?" His guards should've intercepted an intruder already.. How could someone have gotten so close?

Dangerously close to revealing his true identity.