It's...kind of overwhelming to hear Zichen's voice again. And to hear him say so much. Xingchen tries to pay attention to every word, he really does, but there's so much and Zichen doesn't sound angry and that's good, right? That's really good and it brings a smile to Xingchen's face for a moment from simple relief.

Zichen is here. Zichen hasn't told him to go away. Zichen has taken his hands. "It's me. I'm okay."

But then the sword at his back begins to vibrate insistently against him and the smile drops. Shuanghua has never let him down before. Corpse energy is nearby.

He stiffens, hesitant to take his hands from the grasp on his own, but knowing that something must be done. "There are corpses close by. What do you see?"