She looks at Wei Ying.

"...Xiao-xiong, we really have to keep pursuing the matter of the Yin Iron. If we bring Xue Yang to Sect Leader Nie to seek justice, would that satisfy you? Uh, this fellow here is Nie Huaisang, the Sect Leader's little brother." 

Xiao Xingchen considers this, then bows. 

"Sect Leader Nie is known for his righteousness and strong sense of justice. That would be acceptable." 

- oh shit Meng Yao's waiting for him to say something, right - Huaisang clears his throat. "Ahem. Yes. Of course."

"We should leave soon, if it is acceptable." He turns to Xiao Xingchen and Song Lan and bows again. "Friends, since you have also worked hard catching Xue Yang, will you come with us? We should discuss how to handle Xue Yang and the Wen Sect of Qishan."

"With all due respect, we don't especially want to become involved in the affairs of major sects. If Sect Leader Nie is taking care of Xue Yang, that's good enough for us."

He nods. "If you need us for the sake of the larger world one day, we will be of assistance to you then." They bow.

"Where do you cultivate, and how can we find you?"

"Oh, I cultivate at the Snow White Pavilion, though just as often Xingchen and I travel together."

"And my master was Baoshan Sanren." 

"Baoshan Sanren!?"

"...Yes?"

"My mother was a student of Baoshan Sanren--her name was Cangse Sanren--" 

"--I see. I've heard of her from those who were around when she left, but I never met her personally." 

"...I see. Well, thank you anyway." 

"I hadn't realized I would meet my shijie's child out here--even if I never met her, it's still something I didn't expect." 

"...Yeah. Even if we're the same age, you're my uncle. That's so weird." 

This is very sweet, all this accepting-your-family and everything, but they really should start heading to Qinghe now.

Meng Yao sends the Nie disciples into the building to retrieve Xue Yang and begins shepherding everyone else towards the road.

Fine, fine. 

That was really cool!!! Apart from all the horrible murder. Xiao Xingchen and Song Lan were really cool, anyway, and she will happily chatter at mostly Lan Zhan and Jiang Cheng but really anyone who will hold still long enough about it. 

Nie Huaisang is happy to chatter about how cool Xiao Xingchen and Song Lan are!!!

Yeah sooooooo cool. Wow. So wonderful. What paragons of decency and justice, if only their assholes were still available so that these twats could shove their noses in a little deeper!

Xue Yang does not say this but he does think it loudly while smirking.

Lan Zhan spends the walk to Qinghe quietly, worrying about the Cloud Recesses and whatever cause Brother must have had to write to Nie Mingjue.

Thinking about Xiao Xingchen and Song Lan going off and exploring the world together. Just the two of them. No sects, no restrictions...

But restrictions are important.

Are they as important as Wei Ying grinning at her and talking about how cool it is for Xiao Xingchen and Song Lan to form their partnership based on bonds of trust and philosophy and not blood and run around night-hunting with no politics involved?

hhhhhnn. Objectively yes, precisely because of hazards like this.

But also.

Lan Zhan is very relieved when they get to the Unclean Realm and this can be over. Now there is no need to consider the temptation of a life of freedom with Wei Ying in the wilderness ever again.

Here they are. The fortress of the Unclean Realm is massive, built all from heavy wood and stone. Meng Yao flicks his fingers and the enormous wooden gate grinds slowly open so that their party can enter.