Chapter 123 One Hundred and Twenty-Three

Chapter Summary: Wei Wuxian squatted in the courtyard, placed the empty bowl of soup on the ground, and gazed at the sparse stars for a while…

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Wei Wuxian squatted in the courtyard, put the empty bowl of soup on the ground, looked at the starry night sky for a while, and smiled slightly.

Today, he ran into Lan Wangji on Yunmeng Street and suddenly remembered many things from his time studying at Cloud Recesses.

On a whim, he called out to Lan Wangji, intending to steer the conversation in that direction as well. But Lan Wangji reminded him that everything was different now than it had been back then.

However, as long as he returned to Lotus Pier and to the Jiang siblings, he had the illusion that nothing had changed.

Wei Wuxian suddenly wanted to find the tree he had hugged back then.

He stood up and walked out of Lotus Pier. Along the way, his disciples bowed and nodded respectfully to him. They were all unfamiliar faces. His familiar junior brothers, who refused to walk properly like monkeys, and his servants, who would wink and make faces instead of bowing properly, were all gone.

Crossing the training ground and stepping out of the Lotus Pier gate, one arrives at a wide dock. Day or night, there are always vendors selling food on the dock. The aroma of oil frying in the pot fills the air, and Wei Wuxian can't help but walk over, smiling, "You've got plenty of food today."

The vendor chuckled, "Young Master Wei, would you like one? Consider this a gift; no need to put it on your tab."

Wei Wuxian said, "Come on. The accounts will still be kept as usual."

Beside the vendor squatted a filthy person. Before Wei Wuxian approached, the person was hugging their knees and shivering, seemingly both cold and exhausted. After hearing Wei Wuxian say a few words, the person suddenly looked up.

Wei Wuxian slightly opened his eyes and said, "You?!"

One by one, faces appeared on the celestial screen, reflecting Wei Wuxian's memories.

Does this scene look familiar?

Of course we're familiar with it; these are all things the Jiang family has personally experienced.

They never expected that Wei Wuxian, who was always carefree and irresponsible, would remember their every word, action, and expression so clearly.

Fortunately, they still have a chance to go back.

Until I saw that figure squatting next to the vendor, looking like a beggar.

The moment that person looked up, everyone present was as astonished as Wei Wuxian.

"A gentle girl..."

Nie Huaisang softly called out the name that had been swirling in everyone's minds.

Meanwhile, the cultivators who had the good fortune to witness the Yiling Patriarch's display of power at Jinlintai quickly connected the dots and recalled everything that followed.

Jinlintai.

Lan Xichen and Lan Wangji walked side by side through the sea of ​​flowers in the Venus Snow Wave.

Lan Xichen casually brushed aside a full, snow-white wave of golden starlight, his movements so gentle that not a single drop of dew fell. He said, "Wangji, is something on your mind? Why do you seem so worried?" Although to others, this worry probably looked no different from any other expression on Lan Wangji's face.

Lan Wangji frowned and shook his head. After a long while, he said in a low voice, "Brother, I want to take someone back to Cloud Recesses."

Lan Xichen asked in surprise, "Take people back to Cloud Recesses?"

Lan Wangji nodded heavily, lost in thought. After a pause, he added, "Take him back...and hide him away."

Lan Xichen's eyes widened immediately.

The sight of two handsome men strolling leisurely through a sea of ​​flowers is a delight to behold.

But what the handsome man said left everyone speechless.

I want to take someone back to the Cloud Recesses.

Even the Lan clan members, who were used to seeing Lan Wangji and Wei Wuxian flirting, never expected that their once aloof and cold-hearted Hanguang-jun, who had just begun to experience love, would utter such simple yet sincere words of affection.

Lan Xichen saw his uncle beside him close his eyes, his forehead twitched, but his complexion didn't get any worse. He couldn't help but sigh, Tianying was really lowering his uncle's bottom line time and time again.

Will he still be able to control his younger brother and brother-in-law in the Cloud Recesses?

Since their mother's death, his younger brother had gradually become more and more withdrawn. Apart from going out night hunting, he would lock himself in his room all day to read, meditate, write, play the zither, and cultivate. He didn't like to talk to anyone, except for him. But this was the first time he had ever spoken such words.

Lan Xichen asked, "Hide it?"

Lan Wangji frowned slightly and said again, "But he doesn't want to."

Everyone: ...

Lan Xichen: ……

Lan Wangji: ...

Lan Qiren: ...

This is truly eye-opening; there are people in this world who can refuse Hanguang-jun.

Oh, it seems only Wei Wuxian dares to do that.

Seeing Lan Qiren's forehead twitch again, Lan Xichen intentionally or unintentionally moved his position, blocking Lan Qiren's view of Wei Wuxian.

Right now, I'm not worried about my uncle disliking the pig for taking advantage of the cabbage, but rather I'm worried that my uncle will take his anger out on Wuxian and cause Wangji to suffer heartbreak.

Just then, a commotion erupted ahead, and someone spat out, "Is this the road you're allowed to walk on? Who told you to wander off like that!"

Another young voice said, "Excuse me. I..."

Upon hearing the voice, Lan Xichen and Lan Wangji simultaneously looked up. Beside the screen wall stood two people. The one who had just spoken was Jin Zixun, followed by several servants and cultivators. The one who had been reprimanded was a young man in white. The man glanced at Lan Xichen and Lan Wangji, his face instantly turning pale, and he couldn't utter another word. Just as Jin Zixun was glaring at them, Jin Guangyao appeared at the perfect moment to defuse the situation.

He said to the man in white, "The roads on Jinlin Terrace are complicated. No wonder Young Master Su took the wrong path. Please follow me."

Jin Zixun snorted when he saw him appear, then walked past them. The man in white was taken aback and asked, "You recognize me?"

Jin Guangyao laughed and said, "Of course I remember. Why wouldn't I remember? Didn't we meet once before? Young Master Su Minshan, your swordsmanship is excellent. Last time during the Hundred Phoenix Mountain hunt, I kept thinking that it would be a pity if such a talented young man didn't come to our family. And when he did, I was overjoyed. Please, this way?"

Countless sword cultivators like Su She had sought refuge with the Lanling Jin Clan. He had assumed few would recognize him, but Jin Guangyao, having only met him briefly once, remembered him clearly and praised him highly. Su She's expression softened considerably. He stopped looking at the Lan brothers and followed Jin Guangyao, seemingly afraid they would mock or point fingers at him.

"Su She..."

Jiang Cheng called out the person's name in a sinister tone.

On second thought, Jin Guangyao and Su She's cooperation probably began from this moment.

With just a few words, Su She satisfied all his vanity and pride, bringing such a person who craved dignity and recognition into his fold.

No wonder Su She remained loyal to Jin Guangyao even on his deathbed.

That's partly due to Jin Guangyao's skill.

Inside the Douyan Hall, Lan Xichen and Lan Wangji took their seats in turn. It was inappropriate to continue their previous conversation, and Lan Wangji reverted to his usual icy demeanor. The Gusu Lan Clan was renowned for its aversion to drinking, and thanks to Jin Guangyao's arrangements, no wine cups were placed on the small tables before them, only teacups and a few neatly arranged small dishes. No one approached to offer them a toast, and the place was quiet. However, this quiet was short-lived. A man dressed in a robe with gold stars and snow-white waves suddenly approached, holding a wine cup in each hand, and loudly proclaimed, "Sect Leader Lan, Hanguang-jun, I toast you both!"

This person was none other than Jin Zixun, who had been toasting everyone since earlier. Jin Guangyao knew that neither Lan Xichen nor Lan Wangji liked to drink, so he quickly came over and said, "Zixun, Zewu-jun and Hanguang-jun are both from Cloud Recesses. There are three thousand rules of the clan engraved on the Discipline Stone. Making them drink is worse than..."

Jin Zixun disliked Jin Guangyao intensely, feeling that this man was of lowly birth and ashamed to be of the same clan as him. He interrupted him directly, saying, "Our Jin and Lan families are one family, we are all on the same side. If you two Lan brothers don't drink, then you are looking down on me!"

His supporters nearby clapped and exclaimed, "What a generous spirit!"

"This is how a true scholar should be!"

Jin Guangyao maintained his smile, but sighed silently and rubbed his temples. Lan Xichen stood up to politely decline, but Jin Zixun persisted, saying to Lan Xichen, "Don't say anything, Sect Leader Lan. Our two families are different from outsiders. Don't use the same tricks you use on outsiders on me! Just say it: are you going to drink or not?"

Jin Guangyao's smile twitched, and he looked at Lan Xichen apologetically, saying gently, "Sect Leader Lan and the others will be returning on their swords later, and drinking might interfere with their sword-flying..."

Jin Zixun scoffed: "Would drinking a couple of cups knock me out? I could drink eight large bowls and still fly on a sword!"

Amidst the clinking of glasses and lively conversation that day, the memory of this farce was largely overshadowed by Wei Wuxian's subsequent assertive stance.

Now that everything has been fully exposed, most people can see the domineering attitude of the Lanling Jin Clan, who secretly claimed to be the head of all the families, held a grand banquet, took over the Wen Clan's affairs, and recruited disciples on a large scale.

Perhaps most people understood this back then, but after the great war, all families were severely weakened, and it was understandable that the Jin family, as the strongest remaining force, would seize the power of discourse.

It's one thing for everyone to understand the situation, but for Jin Zixun to bring it to the forefront is simply too arrogant.

[A chorus of praise and applause erupted around him. Lan Wangji remained seated, coldly staring at the cup of wine that Jin Zixun had forced in front of him. He seemed about to speak when suddenly, a hand took the cup from him.]

Lan Wangji was slightly taken aback, his furrowed brows suddenly relaxed, and he looked up.

The first thing that caught the eye was a man dressed in black, with a flute at his waist, from which hung a blood-red tassel. The newcomer stood with his hands behind his back, tilted his head back, and drank the wine in one gulp, showing the empty cup to Jin Zixun, saying, "I drank it for him. Are you satisfied now?"

His eyes and brows held a smile, and his voice trailed off slightly. Tall and elegant, with a handsome and refined air.

Lan Xichen asked, "Young Master Wei?"

One person exclaimed in a low voice, "When did he get here?!"

Wei Wuxian put down his wine cup, straightened his collar with one hand, and said, "Just now..."

Just now? But clearly no one announced or greeted him just now; no one seemed to notice when he had entered the Douyan Hall so quietly. A chill ran down everyone's spine. Jin Guangyao quickly recovered, remaining incredibly enthusiastic, saying, "I didn't know Young Master Wei had graced Jinlintai with his presence. I am so sorry for not welcoming you sooner. Would you like a seat? Oh, by the way, do you have an invitation?"

Without exchanging pleasantries, Wei Wuxian went straight to the point: "No, no." He nodded slightly to Jin Zixun and said, "Young Master Jin, may I have a word with you in private?"

Jin Zixun said, "If you have anything to say, come over after our family has finished hosting the banquet."

In truth, he had no intention of talking to Wei Wuxian. Wei Wuxian realized this and asked, "How long will it take?"

Jin Zixun said, "Three or four hours. Maybe five or six hours. Or maybe tomorrow."

Wei Wuxian said, "I'm afraid we can't wait that long."

Jin Zixun said proudly, "We have to wait, even if we can't."

Jin Guangyao asked, "I wonder what urgent matter you have with Zixun, Young Master Wei?"

Wei Wuxian said, "It's urgent and cannot be delayed."

Jin Zixun turned to Lan Xichen, raised another cup and said, "Sect Leader Lan, come, come, you haven't drunk this cup yet!"

Seeing that he was deliberately stalling, a dark aura flashed between Wei Wuxian's brows. He narrowed his eyes, a smirk playing on his lips, and said, "Alright, then I'll get straight to the point. May I ask, Young Master Jin, do you know anyone named Wen Ning?"

Jin Zixun said, "Wen Ning? I don't know."

Wei Wuxian said, "You must remember this person. Last month, when you were night-hunting around Ganquan, you chased an eight-winged bat king to the settlement, or rather, the place of confinement, of the remnants of the Qishan Wen clan, and took away a group of Wen disciples. The one leading them was him."

We never knew when Wei Wuxian arrived at Jinlintai, and now, in the silent Tianjing, we still can't hear a sound.

The hairs on everyone's bodies stood on end.

What I wanted to ask back then is what I want to ask now.

Was Wei Wuxian, who emerged from the mass grave, a human or a ghost?

The chill only began to dissipate as the two began their conversation; after hearing its contents, everyone thought to themselves:

It was indeed because of the day the Ghost General caused havoc at Jinlintai.

Wenqing watched from behind, her heart filled with complex emotions.

She was helpless that day. Among the cultivators she had helped, how many dared to help the Wen family, who were hated by everyone, despite the pressure from the four major clans and the world? So, apart from Wei Wuxian, she didn't know who else to turn to.

Even before she sought out Wei Wuxian, she never imagined that he would actually help her.

She had thought more than once that if she could go back to that time, she might still go to find him, but she would never let him revive Wen Ning again, nor would she bind him to the mass grave.

However, when faced with the tragic state of her loved ones, she didn't think she could remain so rational.

Therefore, as long as she remains herself, and Wei Wuxian remains that loyal, righteous, and discerning young man, all of this remains unresolved.