"In the village," he begins, but what follows leaves him leaping back to the beacon's base, frowning. A glance toward where they entered tells him a tale he can't discount: it's been blocked off.

"Going back isn't an option," he says, and it's then that a tinny, tinkling melody reaches his trained ear; Wei Wuxian cocks his head, listening, fingers stroking down Chenqing as he follows what melody he can.

Meanwhile, the water continues pouring in, steady if not overwhelming, the water level rising in the slow, inevitable way of doom.