Chapter Text
Lan Xichen steps out of Hanshi, his breath trembling slightly. Two years, he have been in seclusion. Two long years.
Since the Guanyin incident, there have been no single day where he haven't lamented his ownself. The death of his sworn brothers have traumatised him far worse then anyone can think.
Whether his indirect involvement in Nie Mingjue's Qi deviation or Meng Yao's betrayal. Everything did happened so fast, that processing all of it made him qi deviate.
Thankfully his uncle and brother saved him at right time. Still, everytime he looks at his sword, Shuoyue, his heart trembles. That is the sword that have pierced on Meng Yao's chest, leading him to death.
"Xichen?" A calm voice calls him out of his thoughts. Xichen looks at his side and sees Lan Qiren, his uncle standing.
"Shushu¹." Xichen replies, bowing respectfully. As he raises his eyes, he sees Lan Qiren assessing him. For the first time, he does not see the strict teacher of his youth but an old man, tired in ways Xichen had never noticed before.
The man had once took responsibility of his brother and raised his two nephews, even though he himself was young. Now, when Lan Xichen had once abandoned his duties, without complaining Lan Qiren took on as the acting sect leader.
"Xichen, I'll not force you." Lan Qiren says, "If you do not wish."
The words are simple. Reassuring but Xichen have done enough being weak. He needs to face his reality. He simply cannot throw his duties and responsibility on his uncle and brother. "Do not worry, Shushu. I am fine."
It's a white lie, both the uncle-nephew knows but Lan Qiren doesn't comment anything. He nods, giving space to Lan Xichen so that he could walk side by side.
"Where is Wangji?" Lan Xichen asks. In the two years, Lan Wangji have took most of the night hunts and teaching duties. It helped Lan Qiren who focused more on the political alliances. After Jin Guangyao's reveal there had been huge power balance tipping. Nie clan had took the chief cultivator post. Gusu Lan remained side lined, people questioning too much on Lan Xichen's involvement with the late Sect Leader Jin. Even Yunmemg Jiang remained silent on that matter. But it was mostly because Sandu Shengshou care less about power and more about his nephew's position in Jin Clan.
"He is currently looking over at the Study program." Lan Qiren replies, as he strokes his long beard. Beside him Lan Xichen nods, looks like the world have gone back to normalcy.
The Cloud Recessed under the morning sunlight looks peaceful. The mountain mist gives soft cold humming to the nature. Lan Xichen stops for a second, outside of Hanshi, nothing jabe ever changed. As if the hurt and betrayal didn't touched the ground at all. It's only Xichen, whose heart have been reshaped into someone who can never go back to who he was before.
"Good. This year, who are joining?" Xichen asks, returning back to strolling beside Lan Qiren.
"Jiang and Nie clan are sending their disciples." Qiren says, "From Jin Clan, Jin Rulan will be joining with his peers. Among the smaller sects, Ouyang Clan heir, Shen Clan and Yao Clan will be joining."
Xichen nods. This year will be chaotic. "Jin Rulan... he will be taking the sect leader position next year?"
Lan Qiren pauses for a moment then nods, "Jin Rulan is still young, Sect leader Jiang thinks he should learn how to take responsibilities then take up the position. More then that, Jin elders seem more enthusiastic to judge Young Master Jin."
Xichen shakes his head, "It's true. Young Master Jin is too young for such position."
"Yes, And Sect Leader Jiang have personally asked me to guide him. I couldn't say no to my old student."
Xichen laughs softly, "After Wangji, Sect leader Jiang was definitely your favourite, shushu."
Lan Qiren gives a side eye to Xichen then huffs, "I have no favourites."
"Of course."
"Ah, Xichen. I remember, there have been some reports from Jingwu." Lan Qiren continues, "Some low level Yao² have been seen attacking the villagers, would you like to take a look into it?"
Lan Xichen looks at his uncle for a moment, he understands that Lan Qiren is trying to make him adjust before making his political re-debut. "But, Jingwu shares border with Yunemng, will it be alright?"
"I have already talked to Yunmeng Jiang's second in command. They are busy with the harvesting this year, so we can look into it."
Lan Xichen hums quietly in agreement. "Well then. I will take some junior disciples, they need some exposure too."
Lan Qiren nods.
Under Xichen's gaze, the Cloud Recess remains silent. As if the hurt and betrayal didn’t touch the ground at all. Except him.
Jiang Cheng had one rule when it came to high-risk missions: never let his emotions take hold. Unfortunately, he have a habit of breaking his own rules.
The black robes shimmered under the moonlight, far too brightly. Black was meant to conceal, not announce his presence. He really need to have a word with Jiang Hao³ about 'subtlety.'
He looks at the young boy in front of him, who is crying hysterically. The boy is from Gusu Lan, too evident of the white robe and the signature forehead ribbon. Thankfully the boy haven't yet realised that the seemingly passing by cultivator is no stranger but the sect leader of Jiang Clan, infamously known as Sandu Shengshou. If he had known, he would likely have cried even harder.
"Young boy, how will I understand what is wrong if you keep on crying?" Jiang Cheng asks, his voice soft, gentle, almost convincingly feminine. It is because he is currently disguised himself as a woman, begrudgingly, but it is necessary for the mission! And the young boy reminds Jiang cheng so much of Jin Ling, his nephew. So he tries to be as must patient he can be.
The young boy raises his red eyes, hiccuping, "Qianbei⁴.. our sect leader... he-he is injured."
Sect leader? Is he talking about Zewu-jun? Jiang Cheng frowns, he did heard of the news of Zewu-jun coming out of seclusion after two years. If only he knew that the sect leader is out at Yunmemg outskirts for night hunt, he would have avoided this path. But did the young disciple said injured? Zewu-jun is among the most powerful cultivators alive, how can he be injured?
"Injured? What happened?" Jiang Cheng asks, trying to remain as neutral as he can. The young boy is already panicking, and crying hysterically. Calming him is the first thing he needs to do.
"S-sect leader was injured by an yao...." the young boy pauses for a minute, "We were told it was only a minor yao disturbance… so sect leader took us- juniors, to night hunt. But then it escalated so quickly, we don't even know what happened. Sect leader told us to run while he fought the Yao alone."
The boy sighs sadly, "When we returned, sect leader was unconscious and breathing shallowly. I ran back to find someone who could help." The boy then looks up at Jiang Cheng will hope sparkling in his eyes, "Thanfully you were passing by Qianbei! Are you a healer by any chance?"
Jiang Cheng presses his lips in thin line, "I am not." Which immediately brought a deject look on the young boy, "But i know how to heal certain injury. Take me to your sect leader. If i couldn't help, we should hurry back towards the village."
Hearing this the young boy found some courage, nodding. He takes Jiang Cheng towards Sect Leader Lan. The forest path is dark, barely visible under the moonlight. Jiang Cheng really do feel some sympathy for the young disciples, by the looks, he can understand they are totally inexperienced. Normally a low level yao wouldn't be dangerous to an inexpirenced cultivator much less to Lan Xichen or Jiang Cheng. If Lan Xichen told them to run, it must be a high level yao but then to get injured, which is rare among cultivators like them, it must be quite powerful or Lan Xichen have grown weak.
Upon reaching the place, Jiang Cheng sees at least five to six white robed cultivators hovering over a half-conscious Lan Xichen.
"What should we do?"
"What if Sect leader dies? What will happen to us?"
"Maybe Grandmastet Lan will whip us?"
Jiang Cheng sighs hearing them talk, even standing so far, he could definitely feels Lan Xichen's spiritual energy which indicate that the sect leader is totally fine but just weak from over exercising the body. It is understandable as he had been in seclusion for past two years, and suddenly using such spiritual energy have taken a toll.
Jiang Cheng gives a light cough, watching as the young disciples quickly shuts up and looks at them, the young boy who had been with Jiang Cheng steps forward, "Everyone, I found this Qianbei. She said she will help us!"
For a second Jiang Cheng thought he is watching a brood, who quickly jump at him and asking him questions.
"Qianbei, you can heal our leader!?"
"Please tell us, Sect leader will live!"
"He will not die right?"
Jiang Cheng presses his thumb over his forehead, the familiar migraine coming back. Isn't Gusu Lan disciples known for their discipline. He definitely prefers rigid Lans over panicked one!
"Alright, alright!" Jiang Cheng is too close to shout. "If you ask me so many question, how will I look at your leader. Now scram!"
With that, all the disciples dispersed immediately under the lady's scolding eyes. Jiang Cheng steps forward, looking at the sect leader. Kneeling down, he immediately takes Lan Xichen's wrist. As Jiang Cheng expected, the spiritual energy is slightly wavered thus the condition.
Jiang Cheng looks back at the worried young disciples and gives a reassuring smile, "No need to worry. Your Sect leader is not in danger, just fatigued from the attack."
Finally everyone gives a sigh of relief, hugging each other that their sect leader is not dying. The previous boy comes forward, bowing his head, "What should we do then?"
Jiang Cheng glances at Lan Xichen then back at the boy, "I'll give some spiritual energy, it will stabilise the flow. After he wakes up, take him to the nearby Inn where he can rest."
Everyone nods quickly. Jiang Cheng presses his two finger on Lan Xichen's wrist and let his qi flow into Xichen. Jiang Cheng didn't expected it would take so much time. Lan Xichen's body is like rusted iron, with no spiritual exercise for two years, it defoected Jiang Cheng's energy immediately. Frowning he pushed again, this time with lot more concentration.
Behind him, the young disciple looks at Jiang Cheng in awe. Now that the fear have subsided, they truly looks at the young lady who have helped them. She is remarkably beautiful, with her high pony hair and a slender waist, she also is an amazing cultivator who can heal their sect leader easily! As Lan Xichen and the young lady sits side by side, both the figure looks like an heavenly couple descend on the mortal realm.
It is well known fact that the First Jade of Gusu, Lan Xichen, is the most handsome man in the entire Jianghu. With his sculpted like face, tall figure and gentle smile, there have been many ladies who had their heart stolen by the Jade. For the young disciples, they are still young and quite prideful of belonging to such man's sect. There had been countless ladies who had approached them to get some gossips about Lan Xichen, but as they are prideful, they are also very possessive of their leader. They believe that only the most worthiest lady must have the right over Sect leader's heart.
But seeing the mysterious lady who is a beauty with sharp eyes, slender waist and high-cultivation power, in their mind they think that maybe this lady can capture there leader's heart?
But it is again a silly question. Lan Xichen have remain aloof from any relation with ladies. And mostly lead an ascetic life. After all countless beauty have thrown themselves on Lan Xichen's embrace only to be rejected politely.
Jiang Cheng on the other hand can completely feel the burning gazes of the disciples. In his heart, he cursed his fate. Why must heaven hate him so much? He truly hopes that Lan Xichen doesn't wake up right now. Even though he is currently in disguise, but imagine if someone learns of this? That would be an embarrassment Jiang Cheng willingly die for.
More then that, why did Jiang Hao didn't inform him about Gusu Lan's night hunt here? This forest area is closer to Yunmemg area, any night hunts performed need permission from Jiang Clan. Lately, due to Jin Ling's study program at Gusu Lan, Jiang Cheng had been quite busy. So he had let Jiang Hao took care of small matters. Ah, he really needs to give earful to his second in command! Once he finish gathering information!
He really hopes he doesn't loose any trail. It only been two days since he have been out of Jiang Clan after such a long time and honestly, he really need to get back soon. There's so many paper works left, together with the upcoming sect conference coming up.
As Jiang Cheng looks at the night sky with twinkling stars, he didn't see Lan Xichen waking up. His mind wavering from work to Jin ling to work to more work. Why does he work so much?
Lan Xichen opens his eyes, blinking away the blurriness. He can feel a warm energy seeping into him. He look at his wrist which is being held gently but by rough hand. It's small compared to his own, and slightly dainty but there's evident of several small cuts. Must be from sword works, as Lan Xichen himself have those.
There's is a small bright purple light coming from his wrist, or going. Lan Xichen raises his eyes and freezes for a second. The person, no, a lady stares back at him with big eyes. Faintly, he could hear murmurings surrounding him but his mind is too focused on the person before him.
Those almond shaped eyes, like that of a lotus petal slowly blooming, looks at him in shock. The lady have a full pinkish plump lips, which is slightly parted probably from a silent gasp. And she have quite high cheekbone and sharp jawlind which gives a lovely allure when she is blushing. Like right now. Her dark hair have been moved into a high pony, with braids on either side. Her black robes shimmers under the moonlight like starts twinkling on a dark sky. Or maybe when the moonlight reflects on a clean river. What attracted the most about the attire is the way the dadai⁵ wraps itself around the thin waist of the lady, it looked ethereal. For a moment, Lan Xichen almost wished to wrap his arms around the slender waist to see if he cab grasp it in one arm.
"Sect Leader Lan! You are awake!" One of the disciples calls out breaking Lan Xichen's strange hypnotised vision on the lady. He blinks and the avert his gaze. As a man he have been taught to never look at women in such a perverted way, but right now- he- His uncle would give him an earful!
But then again Lan Xichen looks at the lady, this time with a restrained gaze. By the time, the lady have already stood up and maintained a distance from him. Proper way. But Lan Xichen can't help but feel dissapointed at the loss of the warmth. He gives a small smile to the group, "I am alright. Don't worry."
Hearing this, the disciples finally exclaim in joy. Lan Xichen didn't reprimand them as shouting is against the rule, he knows the disciples must have been worries sick. Instead his eyes settles onto the lady who is quick on leaving but is surrounded by the disciples. Her face is so red, it almost looks like a tomato. The several gratitudes making her slightly uncomfortable, probably not used to it.
Lan Xichen smiles softly. standing up, he approaching the lady with careful steps.
"Guniang⁶?" Lan Xichen calls out, his deep voice cutting through the night air and pushing the disciples who moves back, giving space to their leader. The lady raises her eyes, wary of Lan Xichen. "May I know your name? I wish to show gratitude to my saviour."
The lady blinks for a second then laughs awkerdly, oh how can a person's laugh be so musical?
"There's no need. It was my duty as a fellow cultivator. I must leave." The voice is soft, but there's sharpness tinged into it. For a second Lan Xichen felt familiarity in it but it quickly dissolves as he watches the lady take two steps back.
Lan Xichen moves forward without thinking, gasping the lady's wrist, not tightly. But there's desperation in them, "Please.. at least tell me your name."
The lady looks at him for a second, biting her lips, she speaks, "Yu..." the pauses for a second as if thinking, her eyes moving back and forth around the surrounding. Then as if something clicking together, she says, "Yuelian⁷!"
Lan Xichen releases her hand, "Yu Yuelian...?" He whispers.
The lady- Yu Yuelian nods, laughing a bit, "Yes! Yu Yuelian! Well now you know my name. I suggest you must rest, and I shall go. I really have an important work!"
With that, Yu Yuelian vanishes with the wind. The disciples whispers among themselves. Their Sect leader's behaviour is quite... weird? They can't really name it properly. It's something they haven't yet studied!
Lan Xichen, meanwhile, stares at his hand which have held onto Yuelian. The name is beautiful just like its owner, Moon lotus. He presses his hand on his lips, he can faintly smell a lotus scent. He frowns a little bit, this scene, its a familiar scent mostly from Yunmeng. Generally speaking, the Jiang Clan.
'Yu Yuelian,' Lan Xichen thinks, 'I wish we could meet again.'