Chapter 15, Part 15

Chapter Summary: [When Wei Wuxian realized he couldn't get into the game, he casually tossed the painting aside and said, "Here you go."]

The painting was thrown on the mat, Lan Wang...

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Seeing that he couldn't get away with it, Wei Wuxian casually tossed the painting aside and said, "Here you go."

The painting was left on the mat, and Lan Wangji made no attempt to pick it up. These past few days, all the papers Wei Wuxian had written to him—whether scolding him, trying to please him, apologizing to him, begging for forgiveness, or simply scribbling—had received the same treatment. He was used to it and didn't care. Suddenly, he said, "I forgot, I have to add something for you."

After saying that, he picked up the paper and pen, added a couple of strokes in a few quick strokes, looked at the painting, then at the real person, and burst out laughing. Lan Wangji put down his book, glanced at it, and realized that he had added a flower to his temple in the painting.

His lips twitched slightly. Wei Wuxian scrambled to his feet and interrupted, "'Boring,' is that what you're going to say? I knew you were going to say 'boring.' Can you use a different word? Or add a couple more words?"

Lan Wangji coldly replied, "Utterly boring."

Wei Wuxian clapped his hands: "As expected, two words were added. Thank you!"

Lan Wangji withdrew his gaze, picked up the book he had just placed on the table, and reopened it. After only one glance, he threw it away as if it had been licked by flames.

He had originally been reading a Buddhist scripture, but when he flipped through it just now, all he saw were naked, intertwined figures—a truly obscene sight. The volume he had been reading had been switched with a book cover disguised as a Buddhist scripture containing erotic illustrations.

Spring! Palace! Picture!

The first thing everyone did wasn't to be surprised, but to look at Lan Qiren's expression as Wen Qing touched the three silver needles—

Mr. Lan, please calm down!

Breathe in, breathe in...

The space was so quiet that only the sound of Lan Qiren's deep breathing could be heard.

puff

A soft laugh broke the silence.

Madam Lan covered her mouth and smiled: "This must be the first time that A-Zhan has been teased like this, right?"

Everyone: ...

Mrs. Lan, is it really okay for you to mock your own son like this?

Wei Wuxian blushed. What could be more embarrassing than flirting with someone in front of their parents?

"Wei Wuxian! Where did you get these erotic pictures?!"

Yu Ziyuan, regaining her senses, let out a loud shout.

Jiang Yanli quickly pulled her enraged mother back: "I guess A-Xian just thought it was funny at the time, there's no spring... this at home."

Wei Wuxian quickly sat up straight and nodded repeatedly like a chick pecking at rice.

"snort."

Yu Ziyuan snorted coldly. How could someone who carves kissing figures on the bedside table not have any secrets? She would definitely teach him a lesson when they got back.

It's obvious who did this without even thinking; someone must have taken advantage of the moment when he was distracted by the painting. Besides, Wei Wuxian made no attempt to hide it, even slamming his fist on the table and laughing maniacally: "Haha ...

The book was thrown to the ground. Lan Wangji, as if avoiding a snake or scorpion, instantly retreated to a corner of the library, roaring in fury, "Wei Ying—!"

Wei Wuxian laughed so hard he almost rolled off the desk, finally managing to raise his hand: "Here! I'm here!"

Lan Wangji suddenly drew his Bichen sword. Since they met, Wei Wuxian had never seen him so out of control. He quickly grabbed his own sword, its blade partially unsheathed, and warned, "Manners! Second Young Master Lan! Mind your manners! I've brought a sword today too. What if we fight? What will happen to your library?" He had anticipated Lan Wangji's anger and had carried the sword specifically for self-defense, to avoid being accidentally stabbed to death in a fit of rage. Lan Wangji pointed his sword at him, his pale eyes practically spitting fire: "Who do you think you are!"

Wei Wuxian said, "What else could I be? A man!"

Lan Wangji rebuked, "Shameless!"

Wei Wuxian said, "Is this something to be ashamed of? Don't tell me you've never seen anything like this before. I don't believe it."

Lan Wangji's weakness was that he couldn't curse. After holding it in for a while, he raised his sword and pointed it at him, his face frosty: "Get out. We've already fought."

Wei Wuxian shook his head repeatedly, feigning innocence: "No, no. Don't you know, Young Master Lan? Private duels are forbidden in Cloud Recesses." He reached for the book that had been thrown away, but Lan Wangji snatched it from his hand. Wei Wuxian's mind raced, guessing that Lan Wangji intended to use this as evidence to report him, and he deliberately said, "Why are you grabbing it? I thought you weren't going to read it anymore. You want to read it again? Actually, you don't need to grab it. I specifically lent it to you to read. After you've seen my erotic pictures, you're my friend, and we can continue our exchange, there's more..."

Lan Wangji's face turned completely pale, and he said, word by word, "I...don't...look."

Wei Wuxian continued to twist the truth: "If you didn't want to look at it, why did you steal it? To hide it? That won't do. I borrowed it from someone else. You have to return it after you've looked at it... Hey, hey, don't come any closer. You're making me nervous. Let's talk this out. You're not thinking of handing it over, are you? To whom? To your... to your uncle? Second Young Master Lan, can you give something like this to an elder in the clan? He'll definitely suspect that you looked at it first. You're so thin-skinned, wouldn't you be so ashamed..."

Lan Wangji channeled his spiritual energy into his right hand, shattering the book into countless fragments that fluttered down from the sky. Wei Wuxian, relieved that he had successfully provoked Lan Wangji to destroy the evidence, feigned regret, saying, "What a waste!" He then picked up a piece of paper that had fallen onto his hair and showed it to Lan Wangji, whose face had turned pale with anger: "Lan Zhan, you're good in every way, except you love to litter. Tell me, how many crumpled pieces of paper have you thrown on the ground these past few days? Today, throwing crumpled pieces of paper wasn't enough for you, so you started tearing them up. You clean up your own mess. I don't care." Of course, he had never cared.

Lan Wangji endured it all, but finally lost his temper and roared, "Get out!"

Wei Wuxian said, "You, Lan Zhan, everyone says you're a paragon of virtue, a pearl of the world, the most virtuous and courteous person imaginable, but it turns out you're nothing special. Don't you know that noise is forbidden in Cloud Recesses? And you actually told me to 'get lost.' Is this the first time you've used such a word on someone..." Lan Wangji drew his sword and thrust it at him. Wei Wuxian quickly jumped onto the windowsill: "Fine, I'll get lost. I'm the best at rolling around. No need to see me off!"

roll……

Everyone: ...

I've witnessed Lan Wangji breaking the family rules in my lifetime!

Is Tianying planning to release a "lifetime series"?

Jiang Cheng and Nie Huaisang had already remembered what happened afterward. The two of them lowered their heads, wanting only to find a hole in the ground first, just in case...

But it seems Tianying didn't give them a chance to hide.

He jumped down from the library, laughing maniacally, and charged headlong into the woods, where a group of people were already waiting for him. Nie Huaisang asked, "How was it? Did he see it? What was his expression?"

Wei Wuxian said, "What kind of expression is that? Hey! Didn't you guys hear him yelling so loudly just now?"

Nie Huaisang looked at him with admiration: "I heard it! He told you to get lost! Brother Wei, this is the first time I've ever heard Lan Wangji tell someone to 'get lost'! How did you do that?"

Wei Wuxian beamed with pride: "Congratulations! I helped him break this restriction today. You see, the cultivation and upbringing that Lan Er Gongzi is praised for are completely inadequate in front of me."

Jiang Cheng, his face dark, retorted, "What are you so smug about! What's there to be smug about! Is being told to get lost something to be proud of? You're a disgrace to our family!"

Wei Wuxian said, "I wanted to apologize to him, but he ignored me. He's silenced me for so many days, what's wrong with me teasing him? I kindly gave him a book to read. It's a pity about your rare erotic book, Brother Huaisang. I haven't finished reading it yet, it's so exciting! Lan Zhan is really clueless about romance, he was unhappy when I showed it to him, what a waste of his good looks."

Nie Huaisang said, "It's no pity! We have as many as we want."

Jiang Cheng sneered: "You've offended both Lan Wangji and Lan Qiren. You can just wait to die tomorrow! No one will collect your corpse."

Wei Wuxian waved his hand and hooked his arm around Jiang Cheng's shoulder: "Why worry about so much? Let's tease him first. You've collected my corpses so many times already, one more time won't make a difference."

Jiang Cheng kicked him, yelling, "Get out! Next time you do something like this, don't let me know! And don't call me to watch!"

"Nie Huaisang!!!"

"Jiang Cheng!!"

Two different but equally furious voices rang out in the space.

Wei Wuxian quickly straightened up and said, "Oh, Madam Yu, this isn't Jiang Cheng's fault..."

He was ruthlessly interrupted before he could finish speaking:

"Shut up, it's not your turn yet!"

Wei Wuxian: ...

"Mother, I was wrong." Jiang Cheng looked utterly dejected. How reckless he was in his youth! Why did he have to follow Wei Wuxian and fool around like that?

However, his face suddenly darkened. He had collected so many corpses, but where would he find one to collect this last time?

"Never mind, Acheng is all grown up now. He was just a kid back then and always wanted to have fun."

Jiang Fengmian patted Yu Ziyuan's hand and offered words of comfort.

Seeing that the anger on this side had subsided a little, Nie Huaisang felt like he was about to cry. He felt like he was standing on a powder keg that was about to explode.

"Nie Huaisang, as many as you want, I have them all."

Nie Mingjue's voice drifted over again, faint and distant.

"Big brother..." Nie Huaisang cried out.

"If I see another one of these when we get back, you'll be living in the sword-training ground forever!"

Nie Huaisang's heart skipped a beat, and he said with a wronged expression, "...Yes, elder brother."

To prevent the old and young Lan brothers from attacking him in the middle of the night and dragging him out of bed to punish him, Wei Wuxian slept with his sword by his side all night. Unexpectedly, the night was peaceful, and the next day, Nie Huaisang came to him overjoyed: "Brother Wei, you're truly blessed! The old man went to Qinghe last night for my family's intellectual discussion meeting. You don't need to attend classes for the next few days!"

With the old one gone, only the young one remains. This one is not easy to deal with! Wei Wuxian jumped up, putting on his boots while exclaiming with delight, "Truly, good fortune is upon me, auspicious clouds are overhead, and heaven is helping me!"

Jiang Cheng carefully wiped his sword, then poured cold water on his enthusiasm: "When he comes back, you still won't escape a punishment."

Wei Wuxian said, "Why should we care about what happens after we die? Let's live as long as we can. Let's go, I don't believe we can't find a few little pheasants on this mountain of the Lan family."

The three of them, arms around each other's shoulders, passed by the elegant reception room of Cloud Recesses. Wei Wuxian suddenly exclaimed "Eh!" and stopped in his tracks, asking in surprise, "Two little Gu... Lan Zhan!"

Several people emerged from the elegant room. The two young men at the head of the group were of ordinary, with features as exquisite as ice sculptures and dressed in the same snow-white robes. Even the sword tassels on their backs swayed in the wind along with the ribbons. Only their demeanor and expressions were vastly different. Wei Wuxian immediately recognized that the one with the stern face was Lan Wangji, and the one with the peaceful expression was undoubtedly the other of the Lan Clan's Twin Jades, Zewu-jun Lan Xichen.

When Lan Wangji saw Wei Wuxian, he frowned and glared at him almost fiercely, as if looking at him for even a moment would defile him. He then looked away and gazed into the distance. Lan Xichen then smiled and asked, "And who are you two?"

Jiang Cheng bowed and said, "Yunmeng Jiang Wanyin."

Wei Wuxian also bowed: "Wei Wuxian from Yunmeng."

Lan Xichen returned the greeting, and Nie Huaisang's voice was barely audible: "Brother Xichen."

Lan Xichen said, "Huai Sang, I came from Qinghe not long ago, and your elder brother asked about your studies. How are they? Are you able to pass this year?"

Nie Huaisang said, "It's probably possible..." He looked at Wei Wuxian pleadingly, as if a wilted gourd had been struck by frost. Wei Wuxian chuckled, "Zewu-jun, what are you all going to do?"

Lan Xichen said, "To exorcise the water demon. We're short-handed, we'll go back and find Wangji."

Lan Wangji said coldly, "Brother, why say so much? Let's not delay and set off now."

Wei Wuxian hurriedly said, "Wait, wait. I know how to catch water ghosts. Zewu-jun, can you take us with you?"

Lan Xichen smiled without saying a word, while Lan Wangji said, "That's against the rules."

Wei Wuxian said, "What's wrong with the rules? We often catch water ghosts in Yunmeng. Besides, we don't have to attend classes these days."

Yunmeng is full of lakes and water, and is rich in water spirits. The Jiang family is indeed good at this. Jiang Cheng also wanted to make up for the embarrassment that the Yunmeng Jiang Clan had lost in the Lan family these days, so he said, "That's right, Zewu-jun, we can definitely help."

“No need. The Gusu Lan Clan also…” Lan Wangji hadn’t finished speaking when Lan Xichen smiled and said, “Alright then, thank you. Let’s prepare and set off together. Would Huaisang like to come along?”

Although Nie Huaisang wanted to join in the fun, seeing Lan Xichen reminded him of his elder brother, and he hesitated, saying, "I'm not going, I'll go back and study..." He hoped that Lan Xichen would say a few good words for him in front of his elder brother next time. Wei Wuxian and Jiang Cheng went back to their room to prepare.

Lan Wangji frowned, puzzled, as he watched the two figures walk away. "Why did you bring them along, brother? Exorcising evil spirits is not a time for jokes and playful fighting."

Lan Xichen said, "Sect Leader Jiang's first disciple and only son have a good reputation in Yunmeng, and they may not just be good at joking and playing around."

Lan Wangji remained noncommittal, but his expression clearly showed his disagreement.

Lan Xichen added, "Besides, didn't you want him to go?"

Lan Wangji was taken aback.

Lan Xichen said, "Judging from your expression, it seems you want Sect Leader Jiang's eldest disciple to go with you, which is why I agreed."

Before the elegant room, silence reigned like ice.

After a long pause, Lan Wangji finally managed to say with difficulty, "Absolutely not."

Seeing the previous exorcism of the water demon, Yu Ziyuan snorted coldly: At least those two brats did something decent.

Jiang Yanli covered her mouth and laughed, "A-Cheng and A-Xian grew up playing in the water, they're no less clever than water spirits."

But the more I look at it, the more something seems off. Isn't the Lan family motto a prohibition against lying? This...

"So Lan Zhan was already so reluctant to part with me back then?"

Wei Wuxian leaned close to Lan Wangji's ear once again.

Lan Zhan is so taciturn, it's hard for him to even open his mouth. Now that we've finally caught this opportunity, I must make sure to remember it well in this little notebook.

Lan Wangji: "...Sit still."

As he spoke, he pulled Wei Wuxian down and held him in his arms.

Wei Wuxian: ...This guy is secretly a pervert.

Bystanders: ...

Before he could offer any further explanation, Wei Wuxian and Jiang Cheng had already swiftly brought their swords over. Lan Wangji had no choice but to remain silent, and the group set off on their swords.

The place haunted by the water ghost is called Caiyi Town, which is more than 20 miles away from the Cloud Recesses.

Caiyi Town is crisscrossed by waterways; it's hard to tell whether the town is simply a network of canals or if houses are densely packed along the banks of these spiderweb-like waterways. White walls and gray tiles adorn the waterways, which are crowded with boats, baskets, and people of all kinds. Flowers, fruits, bamboo carvings, pastries, bean tea, and silk are all sold along the river.

Suzhou, located in Jiangnan, is filled with soft, gentle sounds. Two boats collided head-on, spilling several jars of glutinous rice wine. Even the two boatmen's argument sounded like the soft chirping of orioles. Yunmeng has many lakes, but few water towns like this. Wei Wuxian, finding it fascinating, bought two jars of glutinous rice wine, handing one to Jiang Cheng, saying, "People from Suzhou speak in such a sweet, delicate way. This isn't an argument; go see how people from Yunmeng argue—it'll scare them to death… Lan Zhan, why are you looking at me like that? It's not that I'm stingy and won't buy it for you; it's just that your family can't drink."

Without lingering, they boarded a dozen or so slender boats and rowed towards the area where the water spirits gathered. Gradually, fewer and fewer houses appeared on both banks, and the river became quieter. Wei Wuxian and Jiang Cheng each occupied a boat, competing to see who could row faster while listening to matters concerning the water spirits in the area.

This river leads to a large lake called Biling Lake. For decades, Caiyi Town has been free of water ghosts, but in recent months, people have been frequently falling into this river and Biling Lake, and cargo ships have mysteriously sunk. A few days ago, Lan Xichen set up a net here, expecting to catch one or two, but unexpectedly caught over a dozen water ghosts. After washing the bodies and taking them to nearby towns for questioning, he discovered that many of the corpses were unclaimed and unknown to the locals. Yesterday, he set up the net again and caught quite a few more.

Wei Wuxian said, "It doesn't seem likely that they drowned somewhere else and drifted here with the current. Water spirits are territorial; they usually only recognize a certain body of water as the place where they drowned, and they rarely leave."

Lan Xichen nodded: "That's right. That's why I felt this matter was of great importance, so I had Wangji come along, just in case."

Wei Wuxian said, "Zewu-jun, water ghosts are very clever. If we keep searching by rowing, what if they keep hiding underwater and don't come out? We'll have to keep searching forever! What if we can't find them?"

Lan Wangji said, "We'll keep going until we find it. It's our duty."

Wei Wuxian said, "Use a net to catch them?"

Lan Xichen said, "That's right. Does the Yunmeng Jiang Clan have another method?"

Wei Wuxian smiled but didn't answer. The Yunmeng Jiang Clan also used nets, but relying on their excellent swimming skills, they always jumped into the river and dragged the water ghosts ashore. This method was too dangerous; it certainly couldn't be used in front of the Lan family. If it got back to Lan Qiren, he'd definitely get a scolding. He changed the subject, saying, "If only there were something, like bait, that could attract the water ghosts to themselves. Or something that could point out their location, like a compass."

Jiang Cheng said, "Look down at the water, focus on finding you. Stop daydreaming."

Wei Wuxian said, "Cultivating immortality and wielding a sword used to be a pipe dream!"

"So this is the origin of the Wind Evil Plate?"

Lan Sizhui asked silently.

Everyone: ...The origin of this famous Wind Demon Disc is that this kid just casually swung it while catching a water demon.

Jiang Cheng: Back then, Lan Wangji was looking at us because Wei Wuxian bought me a jar of wine?

Something feels strange...

Wei Wuxian lowered his head and chuckled to himself: Lan Zhan is jealous!

Lan Wangji: ...

Qinghengjun smiled and nodded: Although this child seems playful and unruly, he is a careful observer and a thoughtful person who can put his thoughts into action. Wangji's judgment is quite good.

He looked down and could just see the bottom of the ship Lan Wangji was on. On a whim, he called out, "Lan Zhan, look at me!"

Lan Wangji, who was on high alert, involuntarily looked at him upon hearing this, only to see Wei Wuxian swung his bamboo pole, sending a spray of water flying towards him. Lan Wangji lightly leaped onto another boat, avoiding the splash, annoyed that Wei Wuxian had indeed come to joke and play around, and said, "Boring!"

Wei Wuxian kicked the gunwale of the boat he had been standing on, then used a bamboo pole to flip it over, revealing the hull. Clinging tightly to the planks of the hull were three water ghosts with swollen faces and deathly pale skin!

The disciples who were nearby immediately subdued the three. Lan Xichen smiled and said, "Young Master Wei, how did you know they were at the bottom of the boat?"

Wei Wuxian tapped on the gunwale: "Simple! The draft is wrong. There was only one person on the boat just now, but the draft is heavier than a boat with two people. There must be something clinging to the bottom of the boat."

Lan Xichen praised, "Indeed, you are very experienced."

Everyone: ...Besides Wei Wuxian, there's probably no one else who can tease others while exorcising evil spirits.

Lan Jingyi exclaimed in amazement, "Senior Wei is so clever!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Lan Qiren rolled his eyes at him. Although Lan Jingyi was right, how could a member of the Lan clan be so ignorant? It seems that everything he had learned had gone to waste!