Wei Ying & Lan Zhan: Untold Stories - Chapter 8 "Lotus Pier Part 1"

When he arrived at Cloud Recesses, Jiang Cheng was ready to snatch back his brother from Lan Er Gongzi, who never hid the fact he planned to lock up Wei Wuxian at Cloud Recesses. The majority elected Chief Cultivator, who Jiang Cheng didn’t cast a vote for, immediately abused his powers by forbidding anyone from touching Yiling Laozu soon after he obtained the position.

The whole Cultivation World didn’t bat an eye, and even if they did, the Chief Cultivator wouldn’t have given a damn. An action that speaks louder than words.

Yet, with all HanGuang Jun’s powers and authority, he still could not win the heart of the wayward rabbit who chose to run back to his burrow, Lotus Pier. The home Wei Wuxian could never deny. The playing field should be on Jiang Cheng’s side.

As the Sect Leader of Yunmeng Jiang, he had all the intention for the situation to stay under his control, but it didn’t take long for him to recall that when it comes to Wei Wuxian, it is simply impossible. Instead of packing his belongings and following Jiang Cheng back immediately, Wei Wuxian said he still has business to attend to and tells him to wait for his arrival.

He waited, and waited, but Wei Wuxian was still Wei Wuxian. Yiling Laozu didn’t show up until after three days’ time, and with an uninvited guest, fully aware of the host’s disdain.

Jiang Cheng resisted his urge to growl at the unofficial cultivation pair in front of the entrance, but his objection was obvious when he grimmly asked, “Why is he here?”

Yiling Laozu had not improved the slightest from past or present, with the White Knight who is never far behind. It irks Jiang Cheng further when neither asks permission from the Sect Leader of Lotus Pier, not surprisingly, because when have they ever?

Wei Wuxian was all smiles as he explained, “Lan Zhan said he wants to visit my hometown. I promised him the lotus seeds here are better than those from other lotus lakes. He wouldn’t believe me, so of course, I have to prove him wrong. Jiang Cheng, our reputation is at stake here. If the Chief Cultivator advertises our clan’s lotus seeds, we can sell them for a higher price, bringing fortune to our Sect....”

Jiang Cheng’s brows lifted at Wei Wuxian’s usual rambling, his mind barely comprehending the logic behind the obvious excuse. Irritably, he remarked, “He can talk?”

“Of course he does! Say something Lan Zhan,” Wei Wuxian nudged the stoic man beside him.

“Mmm,” HanGuang Jun answered emotionlessly, without the slightest hint of acknowledging the presence of the Sect Leader of Yunneng Jiang.

Jiang Cheng rolled his eyes at the aloof response, and wondered if there was anything Lan Wangji won’t do for his clueless brother. What’s so obvious to the rest of the world, Wei Wuxian still remains deaf and blind to, remarkably even after he eavesdropped on them at Cloud Recesses. Could it be because he fell too many times from climbing trees as a kid?

“We have no extra room,” Jiang Cheng habitually tried to argue, which never goes well for him, because he should know by now that Wei Wuxian always has his way.

“Lan Zhan can stay with me,” Wei Wuxian offered cheerfully. Unaware that both men had stiffened, but of different natures.

“No need, we do have extra rooms,” Jiang Cheng quickly informed.

“But, you just said we didn’t,” Wei Wuxian reminded him.

“I meant we didn’t have one prepared yet,” Jiang Cheng clarified between gritted teeth. “I didn’t know we would have an extra guest.”

“Just as I told Lan Zhan, Lotus Pier always has extra rooms. Now that our accommodations are resolved, can we see Wen Qing? Where is she now?”

Jiang Cheng hesitated, the subtle change was obvious to the brother who could always read him well. Wei Wuxian shortened their distance and grabbed on to his arm.

“Jiang Cheng, where is she?” Wei Wuxian asked again.

Jiang Cheng swallowed uncomfortably, “She’s in Jiejie’s old room.”

The abandoned room was the best choice, because it was only across the courtyard from his own. For many nights, he had stood guard in his room, half fearing she would vanish. He could not lose her, not now, not ever. Jiang Cheng had to make many promises, all of which he planned to keep, so she would not disappear again. But she hadn’t, she stayed.

“What’s wrong, Jiang Cheng?” Wei Wuxian asked, sensing the thickening anxiety. “You can tell me, is she okay?”

Although try as he might, there were things that he could never change. Nor could he atone for.

“I...I need to tell you something first.”

*******************

Three months ago, an anonymous letter had arrived.

There were no marks or seals to indicate its origin. The sender may be mysterious, but what was more alarming were the words. They were a lure to the recipient whose dream was shattered long ago. But could it just be a deception?

For a man who had lost more than he had gained, the thought of having her back, alive, well...it was only a delusion, he had convinced himself. She perished with her brother, they said. All those years, Jiang Cheng had thought she truly was gone. The great fire from afar diminished by the time he arrived. On those steps he took, the one who waited too long, the higher he climbed, guilt more heavily weighed.

Each time he was too late, every catastrophe he was not there. Why? All the women whom he had loved, died because he was powerless. Even with the position he had achieved, in the end, he was still that helpless boy who couldn’t even secure his parent’s bodies.

Clenching the letter in his hand, hope rose.

Is this a gift from the heavens above? A second chance?

For once in Jiang Cheng’s life, he did not ponder further. He spent all his life overthinking every move he took.

Actions before thoughts. Wei Wuxian had been that kind of person all his life. It was time Jiang Cheng should do the same.

Following those instructions, he traveled night and day. Alone, because this may be too good to be true, as there was no proof or guarantee. This journey he had to take on his own. If anything, even if this was a needle in the depth of the sea, he had to try.

Because if this was true, and Wen Qing’s alive, what would he do?

No matter, Jiang Cheng soon realized. Even if she would never forgive him, he would spend the rest of his life paying for his inaction.

When he found her, deep in the northern mountain, Wen Qing was still the gentle doctor healing others, peacefully away from the cultivation world.

Nothing had changed, she was intact and unharmed. Or so he thought, until he realized never would he ever be able to hear the voice of her forgiveness.

*********************

Alone, Wei Wuxian had paused at Shijie’s old room, unable to enter for quite some time. What Jiang Cheng said was all true, he had no doubt.

He still remembered when Wen Qing walked away with Wen Ning after restraining him with her acupuncture needles. Even in rags, her elegant appearance and inner beauty shone, but Wen Qing was not just beautiful, but a rare exception from Wen Sect. A savior of her Clan, but also the one who led them to their doom.

All because they wanted to repay a debt that was never called on. Wei Wuxian, who brought doom to anyone who tried to protect him, repeatedly built the karma for his sins. For a moment, he was paralyzed from guilt. Does he have the right to see her again? Asking for her help?

His hands shook, then placed themselves on the door handle. Taking a deep breath, he pulled it open, yet his heart still stopped.

“Wen Qing.”

The table was covered with medicinal plants and books as she rolled herbs in her hands. Wen Qing had never changed. Upon hearing her name, she turned to face the guest at her door. Wen Qing was the same, slightly older, but still years younger by Jiang Cheng�