drunk
The banquet was held in a side hall of the Guiyun Sect, with dozens of white jade round tables arranged inside.
The dishes on the table were exquisite. The disciples sat down according to their seniority, talking in hushed tones, but their eyes kept glancing toward the entrance.
As soon as Yun Wei stepped into the hall, the noise stopped abruptly, and seven or eight young disciples swarmed around her.
A female disciple in red asked first, "Junior Sister Wuming, you are truly amazing! How did you manage to reach the top so quickly on the final Path of Inquiry? Is there any secret to it?"
"Yes, yes, your swordsmanship is amazing! Can you tell us about it?" another tall, thin male disciple chimed in.
"You don't remember anything from before? Do you even remember how you practiced your sword?"
Problems followed one after another, some well-intentioned and some probing.
Yun Wei paused slightly. She disliked being surrounded and questioned by the crowd, especially feeling the probing gazes as if they were thorns in her back.
She nodded slightly, her voice cool and aloof: "As for the path of the heart, it is only the heart that matters. As for swordsmanship... practice makes perfect." Her answer was brief, indicating she didn't want to say more.
Seeing her like this, the disciples looked at each other, and the atmosphere became somewhat awkward and silent.
At this moment, a voice sounded from behind: "Fellow junior brothers and sisters, Junior Sister Wuming has been engaged in a series of competitions today, and her mind and spirit have been greatly exhausted. Let her rest and have some food first. If she has any questions, she can ask them later."
Everyone turned around and saw Ning Xihe had walked over at some point, with her usual gentle smile on her face.
When the disciples saw her, they all bowed and greeted her respectfully.
The female disciple in red stuck out her tongue and said awkwardly, "Senior Sister Ning is right, we were too impatient." With that, she dispersed with the other disciples.
Ning Xihe walked to Yun Wei's side, naturally reached out, gently grasped her wrist, and whispered, "Come with me."
Yunwei glanced at her, but did not break free. She let her pull her through the crowd to a relatively quiet corridor on the side of the hall—a place where she could see inside the hall while avoiding the noise.
"Thank you for getting me out of that predicament," Yun Wei said, her voice still calm.
Ning Xihe released her hand and smiled slightly: "It's nothing. I know you're used to being alone and not good at handling these kinds of situations."
This statement seems to have a deeper meaning.
She had had very little contact with Ning Xihe since returning to the Guiyun Sect, so why would he say that? Unless…
Before she could ponder this further, Ning Xihe changed the subject, her gaze sweeping over the lively scene inside the hall, her tone tinged with a hint of wistfulness: "Regarding the position of leader... do you think I would hate you, would feel resentful?"
Yun Wei shook her head and spoke frankly: "Although I haven't had much contact with you, I can tell that you are not a narrow-minded person. Your cultivation is solid, your character is resilient, and your conduct is upright. Although I don't know everything about you, I can still see some of that."
Upon hearing this, Ning Xihe turned to look at her, a genuine smile spreading across her lips, a glimmer of light in her eyes: "Thank you for looking at me like that. I do indeed desire that top spot; I've thought about it for a long time. But your strength is undeniably superior to mine, that's a fact. I cannot... nor do I wish to go against my conscience and resent someone who won through merit." Her voice was low, tinged with complex emotions, "Moreover, if I hadn't seen you, a woman, reach the pinnacle of swordsmanship and be revered by the entire sect, I might not have believed that women could also stand at this peak. All that I'm doing now is simply repaying your unintentional guidance back then."
Yun Wei's eyes narrowed, and she was shocked.
Her words were almost a direct statement.
As her emotions surged, numerous clues came together: she stepped in to help her out when she signed up; she invited her to observe the Bracelet of Shared Dust; she took the initiative to suggest forming a team; and even that meaningful "Five Cranes Dispersing Clouds" formation... It turned out that it was not a coincidence, but all had their reasons.
Yun Wei's mind raced: Was Ning Xihe friend or foe? What was his purpose in revealing himself now? Was it to show goodwill, or to remind her that her identity was no longer a closely guarded secret?
Thinking of this, she remained calm and said in a low voice, "Junior sister has keen insight and clear understanding. I just don't know what you mean by bringing up the past?" Her words were probing, both acknowledging the other party's guess and trying to find out her true intentions.
Ning Xihe suddenly extended his index finger, gently pressed it against her lips, and shook his head, signaling her to be quiet.
She leaned closer, her voice extremely low, almost a whisper: "Does Senior Sister understand what 'Five Cranes Dispersing Clouds' means now? Five elders are eyeing it covetously, and the sect leader is orchestrating everything behind the scenes... Do you really think you and Xie Lanchen can handle it all?"
She has her own plans, but she is not entirely sure if they will be perfect.
Just as she was about to speak, Ning Xihe withdrew her hand and said softly, "I'm a little tired, I'll go first." She turned to leave, but then stopped and looked back. "Senior sister, you should go find him. He's stubborn and inflexible, and he says one thing but means another, but..." She paused, her tone becoming serious, "He treats you differently, Senior sister. Even I, as an observer, can see that difference clearly."
Yun Wei's expression froze for a moment.
She lowered her eyes, the image of the boy's cobalt blue eyes appearing in her mind, and recalling how he had protected her time and time again.
In the past, I only thought it was a bond of life or a youthful obsession, and never delved into the word "love".
Now that Ning Xihe has pointed it out, and after careful consideration, many previously ambiguous points have suddenly become clear.
She couldn't help but ask herself: Xie Lanchen... did he really harbor such feelings? But she had treated him distantly in the past, and even indirectly caused him suffering, how could he...?
"Wait..." Yun Wei called out to the departing figure, "In your eyes, what kind of person is Xie Lanchen?"
She suddenly wanted to know what the boy looked like in the eyes of others.
In the past, her gaze was only on the road ahead and the way of the sword; she never paid attention to the young man behind her.
Ning Xihe shook her head: "I've mostly been recuperating at Jingfeng, so I haven't had much interaction with him." She pointed to the disciples in the hall, "Senior Sister might as well ask them; they might know more."
At 3:45 PM, at Yunwei's former residence.
Xie Lanchen sat with his back against the wall, directly on the dusty ground, one long leg bent, his arm resting on his knee, and the other leg casually stretched out.
Several jade wine bottles lay askew beside him, their bodies slender and their glaze clear, but now they were all empty.
The boy lowered his head, his dark robes making his face appear even paler. One hand hung limply to the ground, his long fingers unconsciously curling. He exuded a cold aura that kept strangers at bay, and his half-closed eyes were filled with a drunken haze, revealing a deep-seated resentment.
"Creak—"
Hearing the door open, he reacted quickly, gripping the hilt of the Lone Goose Sword tightly with his drooping hand, and threw the sword toward the door without hesitation.
The sword transformed into a streak of light, carrying a sharp killing intent as it pierced through the air, only to freeze abruptly in mid-air, emitting a faint hum.
Yun Wei stood at the doorway, calmly looking at the trembling Lone Goose Sword before her.
This sword is connected to her mind and spirit, so it will not harm her.
The evening breeze swept through the hall, ruffling a few strands of her dark hair, but she paid no attention. Her clear eyes swept over the mess in the room: the empty wine jar that had rolled over, and the boy huddled in the shadows.
He was injured by Zhao Changsheng the day before yesterday. Although he used the best wound medicine, he still needs to take good care of himself. How could he drink so much? Does he really not care about his life?
"What are you doing here?" Xie Lanchen spoke first, his voice low and hoarse from the alcohol. He raised his hand, his fingertips twitched slightly, and the Lone Goose Sword hummed and flew back into its sheath at his waist.
Yun Wei thought to herself, "Of course I've come to find you."
She had been searching for Xie Lanchen for a long time, never expecting that he would be hiding in this old residence.
Yunwei walked straight up to the young man, knelt down on one knee, and looked him in the eye.
Her gaze first swept over the empty wine bottles lying scattered beside him, then settled on his pale face, which was flushed with an unusual blush due to drunkenness.
"You're injured; you shouldn't drink alcohol," she said coldly.
How long has it been? He dares to disregard his health and go to this remote old house to get completely drunk.
Upon hearing this, Xie Lanchen scoffed and turned his face away, avoiding her questioning gaze.
The boy's long eyelashes drooped, casting a small shadow under his eyes, and his tightly pursed lips revealed a stubbornness and obstinacy.
"My affairs are none of your business," he said in a muffled voice, but his heart was in turmoil. He both hoped she would come and was afraid of seeing her seemingly caring but actually distant appearance.
Seeing that he was being hypocritical again, Yunwei was no longer surprised.
She suddenly reached out and flicked the boy's smooth forehead with a light touch, the soft "smack" sounding particularly clear in the silence.
Caught off guard, Xie Lanchen covered his forehead, staring blankly at her, his eyes blurry with disbelief: "You...you flicked me again?"
He seemed completely taken aback by her intimate gesture, and for a moment he forgot to maintain his cold and aloof facade, staring blankly at her.
Yun Wei withdrew her hand, realizing that his disregard for his health was a wake-up call.
“Some disciples say that Senior Brother Xie is cold on the outside but warm on the inside.” She said calmly, “They said that in the past, when a disciple was bullied and his allowance was withheld, you secretly stepped in to teach that person a lesson and then returned his allowance.”
Xie Lanchen was stunned for a moment, perhaps because of the alcohol, and his reaction was a beat slow. When he understood the meaning of her words, his ears quietly turned red.
His fingertips unconsciously twitched, avoiding her gaze, and he hurriedly retorted, "That's because they're too stupid! They're being bullied and they don't dare to say a word. I just couldn't stand it... You actually believe such idle gossip?" His voice grew softer as he spoke, as if he realized he had lost his composure, and he quickly lowered his head.
"Is that so?" Yunwei asked. "I wonder who it is, who is usually so cold to others, yet cares so much about such 'trivial matters'?"
The boy fell silent, his wisps of hair obscuring most of his face, revealing only the tip of his ear, which was so red it looked like it was about to bleed. After a long silence, he asked in a muffled voice, "Why did you go and ask them these things?"
"I want to hear it," Yunwei replied simply and directly.
Looking at the boy's lowered head, she was filled with thoughts: ever since her remnant soul was attached to Gu Hong and became connected with Xie Lanchen, and later formed a life-sharing pact to take human form, the Xie Lanchen she had seen and heard was mostly indifferent, stubborn, and even somewhat gloomy.
He was like a caged beast covered in thorns, refusing anyone's approach, but the occasional hints of something different made Yunwei feel that the boy might not be as cold and unapproachable as he appeared.
Yunwei wanted to know what kind of person he was beneath that cold exterior.
This has nothing to do with revenge, nor with scheming or manipulation; it may simply stem from a personal, unspoken desire to explore something within the shared bond of life.
"Want to hear?" Xie Lanchen repeated softly, then suddenly raised his head. His eyes, slightly hazy from the alcohol, revealed a deep-seated emotion. "What's the point of listening to this? It's just trivial stuff." He tugged at the corners of his mouth, his smile icy. "Yun Wei, why pretend to care about me? It's only because of the life-sharing pact, because you need my help to take revenge, isn't it? Don't speak to me like that again... I'll take it seriously."
Yunwei watched him quietly, knowing that he had spoken the truth while drunk, and that his usual suppressed disbelief and suspicion had now surfaced.
She didn't immediately refute, but said slowly, "Xie Lanchen, Ning Xihe said something to me at the banquet." Now is not the time to dwell on this matter; she needs to tell him the important thing.
"Who?" The young man frowned, his mind hazy with drunkenness. He felt the name sounded familiar, but couldn't quite place it. His eyes held a genuine sense of confusion.
Yun Wei sighed inwardly. Was he so drunk that he couldn't even remember himself?
Instead of repeating Ning Xihe's name directly, she looked at the boy's eyes, which were slightly moist from being drunk and appeared more vulnerable than usual, and suddenly reached out and grabbed his wrist hanging by his side.
Xie Lanchen stiffened and instinctively tried to break free, but Yun Wei held on even tighter.
She lowered her head and, with the tip of her index finger, slowly wrote the character "宁" (Ning) stroke by stroke in his cool palm.
The boy's drunkenness seemed to dissipate almost instantly.
He stared blankly at her drooping hair, at the shadows cast by her long, thick eyelashes under her eyes, and unconsciously held his breath.
What is Yunwei writing? Is it that person's name? Why is she writing it in his palm?
When the last stroke was completed, Xie Lanchen finally recognized that it was the character "Ning".
Yes, Ning Xihe.
His muddled mind cleared up a little, but what followed was a deeper sense of irritability and bitterness.
The boy pursed his lips, waiting for her to continue.
Yun Wei released her hand, looked up at him, her gaze calm: "Although I have entered Guiyun Sect as 'Nameless', it is not without its risks." She paused, "Ning Xihe said that the two of us alone may not be able to handle the situation properly."
Upon hearing this, Xie Lanchen snorted coldly: "What does she mean by that? Does she think I can't protect you?"
Yun Wei continued, "Her words are not untrue. The road ahead is fraught with peril and danger..."
Before she could finish speaking, she suddenly met a pair of cobalt blue eyes.
The boy was very close to her, and she could clearly see the lingering moisture in his eyes.
The drunkenness on Xie Lanchen's face faded considerably, replaced by anger and panic.
"You want to abandon me again?" he said, emphasizing each word.
He lowered his head, his forehead almost touching hers, his cobalt blue eyes churning with complex emotions—possession, panic, and a hint of almost insane obsession.
"You're always like this... talking to yourself! When you burned away your remaining soul, you spoke so resolutely, but did you ever ask me if I was willing? Yunwei, what do you take me for? An object to be summoned and dismissed at will?"
"Yes, in your eyes, I'm probably always the burden who needs to depend on you and be protected by you to survive. That's why you've made decisions for me time and time again, even deciding my life and death, and now you want to arrange my fate?"
"Xie Lanchen, calm down." Yun Wei frowned.
"Calm down? How can I calm down?" The boy scoffed, his eyes growing even colder. "You clearly think I'm useless and want to find a chance to get rid of me, don't you? Who do you want by your side? Ning Xihe? Nangong Ya? Or Xu E?"
That's not how it works.
Before she could answer, Xie Lanchen opened his mouth and bit her neck.
The force was not light; it carried a fierce, venting energy, yet it suddenly loosened its grip just before biting through the skin.
Yun Wei froze, momentarily forgetting to react. This action was far beyond her comprehension, extremely aggressive yet strangely intimate, accompanied by his hot, alcohol-scented breath, which burned her skin and sent shivers down her spine.
He didn't mean to hurt her, but rather to leave a mark in this way, a mark that belonged only to him.
"You can't leave me again, Yunwei."
"The life-and-death pact binds us together; if you die, I cannot live either—have you thought this through?"
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