Valour. Fearsome. Fierceness.
That battle was one that is etched in my memory. One battle before you changed. One battle before you became the Yiling Patriarch.
One battle we were on the same side.
I had already picked up all the bows, using the strings, strumming them together, used it to tie it all around the cave.
"Chord Assassination?" Wei enquires and I look at him in surprise.
"Yes" is my curt reply.
"Yes" is my curt reply.
Chord Assassination is a unique technique to Gusu Lan Sect, cultivated by Sect Leader Lan Yi.
"Breach through within" I strum the strings as I look at Wei. Our plan has to work. We tried attacking it from the outside but it's exterior is thick. So we decided that Wei would enter the beast and lure him out and I will attack him from the outside.
Instead of waiting for our death, this is the best tactical approach. Atleast this way, it would be so that we tried our best.
He's about to enter when I stop him "Wei, be careful" and he smiles, nodding he enters and all I can do is patiently wait for the beast to be lured out and more so for him to come back safely to me.
Seconds pass into minutes and my fingers tightens against the chords in anticipation. Just when my worry peaks, I hear a horrific screech.
Watching the beast being lured out, I tighten the chords. Stuck, it's unable to retract nor come out. The pressure in my arms, cause my fingers to bleed as I hold onto to the strings and the battle ensues for 6 hours. In those 6 hours my worry enfolds ten times when I don't see Wei.
Where are you Wei?
Are you alright?
The laceration in my fingers dig deep and the bleeding seeps into my sleeves and dyes the strings red.
Finally, the beast is subdued and breathes its last. Just as it's about to shut its mouth, I sprint towards it and find Wei unconscious, holding onto an iron sword
emebeded into its skin.
Wei!!!
Pulling him out, we jump into the water and I drag him away from the blood filled pool.
Limping back to the same spot from before, I quickly and gently rest him on the ground with him leaning against the wall of the caves.
"Wei Ying" I call his name but when he doesn't respond, I feel his forehead. It's burning.
Wei!
Taking his hand in mine I transfer my spiritual energy to him. I touch his cheeks softly when he stirs.
"Stop Lan Zhan, your health is weak too" he coughs up blood and I rest his head against my chest. Not listening to him, I continue to transfer the energy.
"Lan Zhan" he spouts blood and I hold his body steady "You're so warm" he murmurs.
"Wei" I hold him against me "please be awake, don't sleep" I whisper against his ear.
"Funny" he coughs "how just few days ago, it was you, who was sick" he sighs "I feel a bit dizzy, Lan Zhan" his eyebrows furrow in pain and I try to soothe him.
"You have fever Wei Ying, you have used up all your medicine on me, nothing is left, your wounds on your chest must have gone septic too" I caresses his wet tresses and he faintly opens his eyes.
"Lan Zhan" he whispers "in the end, it was worth it. If it saved you, it's worth it" his smile is weak and he closes his eyes.
Wei Ying.
"Lan Zhan, this ground is uncomfortable to lie down" he coughs.
"Where do you want to lie down?"
"Let me use your lap" he murmurs. When I don't answer, he turns and falls asleep, but unable to see him uncomfortable, I gently place his head on my lap. His face at once changes and he is deep asleep. The entire night, I caress his hair, brush his cheeks with my knuckles. I gently trace his eyebrows, his nose and finally his lips. In trance, I am mesmerised just by looking at this man on my lap, who came to mean so much. Passing on my last few spiritual energy to him, I reach a zen mode within me.
"Lan Zhan"
"Hm"
"I'm hungry"
I look around but find no food and he looks dejected "Nevermind, leave it" he sighs.
"Lan Zhan"
"Hm"
"I am bored" he comments and I don't know how to respond to that.
"Sing a song for me" he comments sleepily.
Surprising myself, an Untamed emotion within me perks out, and he too is surprised when I actually sing for him.
"Lan Zhan, wow you have got a beautiful voice" his compliment humbles me and I bow.
"Lan Zhan"
"Hm"
"What's the name of the song?" He inquires and as I answer, he faints.
Holding him dearly to me, I wait.
Wei Ying, if I need to wait for an eternity, just so I could protect you, for the way you are, I shall gladly give up my life to save yours. Your life is much more important to me than mine. Wei Ying, unfortunately I can never express my feelings to you, it's forbidden, that's what I have been told. But how can a heart which seldom feels anything, could feel such abundant feelings for you?
A day later I hear some voice and my ears perk up.
"Quick" search there, I hear Jiang Cheng command and just before I could react, one deciple having found us, intimates the others.
"Second Master Lan!" Jiang Cheng rushes forward when he observes Wei Ying lying unconscious.
"Wei Wuxian!" His concern is evident and he picks him up "What happened?" and thus I reveal everything "Wei Ying, defeated the beast and in the process, has fallen ill, please treat him well" as we walk out of the cave, I observe thag they have opened up the old entry.
"I apologise Second Master Lan, we had lot of hurdles whilst coming back. We had to battle our way from the Wen Clan" the contempt is evident.
As I turn to leave, Jiang Cheng stops me "Second Master Lan, you're injuries haven't healed, please come back with me to Yunmeng, treat your injuries there".
I bow but decline the offer "I apologise, I need to get back to Gusu, my Sect needs me".
They understand, bow and leave with Wei Ying.
At top of the mountain, I observe them carry Wei Ying carefully back with them.
Take care Wei. The moments that we spent will be cherished by me forever. I appreciate everything you've done for me. Truly am. Maybe under different circumstances, we could meet again. Until then, goodbye.
Seldom did I know, the Wei Ying I knew, would not be the same when I meet him next. He would have changed. His core would have changed. His soul would have changed.
As I walk back to Gusu, I see a shed that was being rebuilt. Surprisingly, a man standing outside smiles when he sees me approach him.
"Lan Wangji" he bows and in turn I bow back.
"Meng Yao"
"Brother is waiting for you at the cold pool" he smiles and not waiting for any other information, I walk to the cold pool.
There a sight beholds and the child within me rejoices when he sees his only parent safe and sound. Hearing me approach, he turns and grins. Walking towards me, he envelopes me into a gentle hug "Wangji" he whispers and I close my eyes. My core shudders and I realise I missed him so much.
Keeping me at arms length he assesses my injuries "Come with me" he states taking my hand and walks me to a small house near the pool "I know this is not Jingshi, but this is your house. Rest. Get your injuries treated. Freshen up, I'll get some food" he leaves without any comment.
Pealing away the bloodied clothes, I stash them away, dip into the pool and rejoice the freshness from within. Back inside the house, I dawn fresh clothes and brother knocks. Placing the food at the bedside, he hands a medicinal soup to me and I drink it swiftly.
"Rest, we'll talk soon" he ruffles my hair and smiles. As he walks out, he stop and says "I am glad my heart, you, are safe." He smiles "and by the way, that money pouch looks fancy" he winks and leaves.
Eyes widening, I look at the pouch next to me. It's the same one which Mian Mian gave Wei Ying and he used the herbs within to save my life.
Caressing the material, reminiscing the events that happened in past few days, I smile.
Phew, what a big chapter!!! With total word counts of 1493.
What's your take on why Meng Yao is in Gusu? Any ulterior motive? Hmmm
thank you so much reading 🥰
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