Inside Nightless City

Currently, Wen Rouhan was absolutely livid. He had just found out that somebody had not only managed to steal the Dafan Wens from right under his but also found a way to render the Dire owl useless.

He was on edge, he had never been made a fool of in his entire life. He was desperate to know who had the audacity to trick him like this.

After hearing what Wen Qing had to say, he came to the conclusion that it had to be a sect leader, as only someone like that would have the capability to pull something like that off.

But who? That was the question.

"Sect Leader Wen, we've received some information pertaining the sect leaders." A disciple walked in.

"Speak." He ordered.

"Acording to our information, there's been a few notable events. Qingheng-Jun had come out of seclusion a few months ago. A student who was attending lectures in Gusu convinced him to leave." The disciple
stated.

"A student? Who?"

"Her name is Qian TaiFeng, she goes by the title of Yuzhao Long. She also happens to be the Sect Leader of the YueYang Qian Sect."

"You said she's a student. How could a mere child have a title and become a sect leader?"

"She had taken over the sect on account of the previous sect leader being removed from his position. But that's not all. She's also said to be able to see into the future."

"Oh?" Wen Rouhan, shifted in his seat, his eyes displaying a myriad of emotions.

"She said to be an extremely powerful cultivator rivaling that of her seniors. Her sect is also risen to power quite quickly, the YueYang Qian Sect is due to become a major sect in two and a half weeks." The disciple finished.

"A powerful Sect Leader who can see into the future. She's the youngest sect leader in cultivation history, has a title and is said to have immeasurable power. Interesting.....she could be useful."

Meanwhile in YueYang.

"Dear friends and enemies, we are gathered here today to morn the death..... of my fashion style." TaiFeng said facing a wardrobe, adressing her robes.

"I had a good thing going with the red aesthetic. But times are changing, red is becoming controversial. I'm no longer FeiHong Long, so there's no reason to wear red." She said solemnly taking all the red out from her wardrobe and replacing it with other colours.

After some careful consideration, she made the decision to stop wearing red. After all, she didn't want to be associated with the likes of Wen Rouhan and his wen dogs.

After a a few tears and a brief performance of I Will Remember You, she folded the clothes and permanently put them away.

"Okay, new wardrobe, new me. Besides it's only a colour, there are lots of other perfectly good colours." She said changing into a pair of light blue robes.

'These are just as nice as my old ones.' She said putting her hair up in a half up half down style with a jade hairpin.

Lately she just didn't have the time or the energy to do her hair in any other way.

'I've already done most of my work, so I guess I can just take a quick cat nap before lunch.' She thought going over to her homemade bean bag.

She had made it from the finest silk from the east and had it filled with high quality cotton.

This wasn't just a bean bag. Oh no, this was a bean bag.

Sitting down, she closed her eyes and relaxed her body. It didn't take long for her to drift into the land of sleep.

You've been busy.

Yep, I took your advice on getting smarter. I also took the initiative and dicided to get richer as well.

The talismans are a nice idea. Just don't get too side tracked or let your guard down. You still have to find a way to win the war without demonic cultivation, remember.

Of course I remember. It's all I ever think about. But I've got an idea...Well, it's more like an idea for an idea...But it's something.....But, can I ask you something?

Go ahead.

You're dead, right?

That would be correct, yes.

Then why haven't you gone into the afterlife or entered the wheel of reincarnation? Do you have regrets?

I died before I was able to achieve anything. My only regret is that I never made a difference in the world before I passed. However, that's why I'm here. I'm here to change things with you.
Why do you ask this?

No reason in particular....I was just curious...

Does it have something to do with the notes in your desk?

How did you find out?!

You really should stop leaving your sword splayed across your desk all the time. Buy a sword holder or something.

Then... you know?... And you don't mind?

Xiao Jen, I died a thousand years ago.

Make me proud.

Waking up she looked out at the setting sun, realizing she had slept in.

'Woah, so much for a quick cat nap. But at least I feel a little less tired.'
She thought, getting up from her comfortable bean bag.

Going over to her desk she shifted around some papers that were covered in scribbles and notes.

She couldn't afford to let anyone else know about this. She was even reluctant about telling Zhishu her plan.

But now he knew.....and he agreed.

But she was still nervous and unsure as to whether it would work.

Best case scenario, someone kind of dies and they win the war.

Worst case scenario, basically everyone dies and they lose the war.

"I guess I should start working on the design then." She said pulling out a brush and ink and getting to work.

After coming up with a design that she liked, she took a walk around the sect to stretch her legs.

She walk past a few disciples who respectfully greeted her, their eyes lingering for a moment before walking away.

'I guess everbodys pretty weirded out by the blue robes.'

It wasn't just the robes that had changed, it was her entire demeanour.

She was always a confidant person but it seemed to stand out more.

She had stopped tying her hair up in extravagant updos with ten different hairpins sticking out of her head.

Most of the time she would either have a goofy smile on her face when she walked or she would just straight up daydream.

Now she had a mature face. Not scary or aloof, just a face that made it look like she had everything figured out in life.

Her steps were careful and precise, never stumbling or hesitating.

Her voice had become less childish, slightly deeper.

She had truly become a sect leader.

"Making my way downtown. Walking fast, faces pass and I'm homebound~ Du-du du-du du-du~ du-du-du"

... Nevermind.

"Uncle Six, do you have any lavender oil left?" She said tapping on the door of the healers den.

"Ah, Sect Leader Qian, I think so, just a moment." Uncle Six said, getting up to look around.

He was in the middle of boiling special herbs to give to Wen Xing, one of the Wens staying in the sect. She was currently six months pregnant and was deteriorating quickly.

TaiFeng knew that she was A'Yuan's mother and that she would most likely succumb to her illness, but that didn't stop her from ordering as many medicines as she could.

Everyone deserves to have a mother growing up. She wanted him to know who she was, even if she didn't make it.

"Ah, here you go, I had some left over from last time." He said handing her a small bottle.
"Light blue, huh?"

"Yep, new responsibilities, new wardrobe." She said, twirling around.

Over the past few weeks she had really bonded with all the Wens. Uncle Six was like the uncle she never had.

...In all honesty, she considered just about everyone that was nice to her as a relative she never had.

"Is that for Wen Xing?" She asked eyeing the contents of the pot.

"Ah, yes. Hopefully she gets better with this." He said, rubbing the back of his head in tiredness.

TaiFeng looked at him with apologetic eyes.
"I could take the medicine to her, if you don't mind that is."

"Oh no, I wouldn't want to impose. I'm sure you have other things to do." He declined.

"Nonsense. I finished my work ages ago."She lied.

She still had to start on making her ultimate weapon, but for Wen Xing, it could wait.

The woman needed soup!

"Ah, no arguing with me on this." She said, taking the bowl from him and briskly walking away.

"Wen Xing, I brought you a herbal tonic." She said, opening the door.

"Ah, Feng'er, come in, come in."
Wen Xing weakly responded.

"Are you feeling any better since yesterday?" TaiFeng asked.

"A little bit. I'm still rather drained though."She coughed.

"Ah, here's the tonic. Drink it slowly." She said carefully handing over the bowl for her to drink.

"Feng'er, there's something I'd like you to do for me." She solemnly said.

"I'd like you to pick the name for my child."

"Wen Xing, I can't! I simply can't! That's something you should have the privilege of doing." She said, swiftly turning to face her.

"Feng'er, my body is failing, you know that. You keep saying I'm going to get better, but something tells me you've already seen what fate has in store for me. I see it in your eyes when you think I'm not looking." She said, gently grasping  TaiFeng's hands in her own.

"... But I can change it. I know I can.. I just have to try hard enough." She cried.
"I've already changed so many things. What's one more?... So please don't give up."

"Feng'er, whether I live or not, I want you to name my child. It's important to me, so please?" She said.

Wiping away her tears, she sadly smiled.
"Wen Yuan... He should be named Wen Yuan."

"So it's a boy then. Wen Yuan, A'Yuan, it's a lovely name."She smiled.

"Technically you picked it, not me." She chuckled.

"Take care of him....when I'm not here."

"I'll make sure he knows all about you."She smiled, getting up to leave.

Back in her study she layed out an empty scroll on her desk and started painting portraits among portraits of Wen Xing.

She hated the powerless feeling that came with being unable to help someone despite her best efforts. It tore at her insides and burned in her throat like boiling hot acid.

She wanted to give A'Yuan and Wen Xing better lives, but fate liked toying with her cruelly. It seemed like some things just can't be changed.

But that wasn't going to stop her from resisting fate.

Only dead fish go with the flow.

After finnaly composing herself, she went to the library to finish the final stage of her research.

After looking through the numerous bookshelves, she came across a old book that Lan Qiren gave her.
It looked like it went though a natural disaster. The ends of the pages were tattered, the spine was worn down and it had a small illustration of a Dragon on the front.

Flipping though some pages she came across a small story. Stopping in her tracks, she gasped.

'This is it. This is what will win the war.' She thought gently holding the book.

She kept brushing her finger over one character in particular.

Wenzhou Mountain.

'This changes everything.'