𝗜𝘁'𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗯𝗲𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗴,
𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘁'𝘀 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝗮 𝗱𝗿𝘂𝗺,
𝗯𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗹𝗼𝘂𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗻𝗼 𝘄𝗮𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝗴𝘂𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗶𝘁.

Koi tower was significantly changing.

There were simultaneous differences and there were some amazing occurrings.

Jin GuangYao and Lin YiZhou had been improving their relationship. Sure it was still awkward to talk to each other, but with time Lin YiZhou understood where the boy was coming from.

Jin ZiXuan was beyond happy. His family was somehow coming together.

The only problem was his father. He didn't like this new development.

He didn't actually think acknowledging the boy would change things up. And it seemed like Jin ZiXuan was planning to take over the sect soon.

Lin YiZhou one day came in his chambers.

"Where is the Wen labour camp?"
"Huh?" Jin GuangShan asked, his eyes wide, "What do you mean my lady?"
"I mean what I said. Don't play dumb. I saw those Wens used as targets. Everyone did. Those people are not cultivators. Where are the Wens?"

Jin GuangShan remained silent. Then he spoke, "They are Wens. Why do you care about how they are treated?"

Lin YiZhou snapped, "They were all elderly and woman used as targets. There is no way they participated in the war."

Jin GuangShan argued, "How do you know? They can be murderers for all we know."

Lin YiZhou spoke, "How can they murder when they are incapable of doing it? How exactly would they fight in war without knowing how to use weapons? Take them out and tell them to use some weapons then. See if they can do it."

This argument completely shut up the Jin Sect Leader.

Tian Xing came out from behind the shadows now.

Jin GuangShan's eyes widened, "You-"

"Me?" She raised an eyebrow.

Lin YiZhou stepped forward, "We did not win a war to have another Wen Ruohan, GuangShan. What's the difference between us and the Wens if we act like them?"

Jin GuangShan didn't day anything for a while.

"So? What's the decision?" Asked Lin YiZhou.

______________________________

Tian Xing heaved a sigh of relief as she brought many Wen remnants in Lotus Pier.

The Jiang disciples had already heard of what she was about to do from Wen Qing. And welcomed the new remnants. Wen Ning and Wen Qing were especially happy.

They had been living peacefully in YunMeng town. Having more people made it merrier.

After successfully having a meeting with Jiang FengMian, they were all given passes for living with the Wen Remnants.

Wei WuXian was beaming through the whole ordeal. Then he turned at Tian Xing and asked, "So? How did you manage to break through the security?"

Tian Xing shrugged, "Knocked the guards out."

Wei WuXian knew it was much more than that.

Wei WuXian sighed, "Alright then. Let's get this over with."

Tian Xing smiled.

So far so good....

_______________________

Tian Xing was practicing her sword forms in the Jiang Sect drill ground when Wei WuXian came in. Tian Xing saw her from the periphery of her eyes and stopped, smiling gently, "A-Xian."

Wei WuXian smiled back, "Your are still in amazing shape."

Tian Xing laughed, "Still not as good as you are."

Wei WuXian joked, "Nonsense. You are amazing. Who was the one who taught us those sword forms that day huh?"

Tian Xing responded with cheek, "I just taught what I knew. Doesn't mean I can solo you down with you having the Jiang fighting style."

Wei WuXian smirked, "Wanna learn some of our sword formations?"

Tian Xing beamed, "I would love to. Please do teach me Shifu."

Wei WuXian laughed, "Stop that. I am younger than you by who knows how many years."

Silence.

Wei WuXian suddenly asked again, "By the way Xing-jie, how old are you? We have known you for two years, but we know so little about you."

Tian Xing shrugged, "How old do I look?"
Wei WuXian pouted, "Don't divert the question."
Tian Xing replied, "I was just asking. Do I look older than before now?"

Wei WuXian shook his head, "Not at all. You still look the same as before."
Tian Xing laughed heartily, "Well then? How old do I look?
Wei WuXian's expression turned puzzled, "As old as Shijie?"

Tian Xing gasped, "Oh wow."

Wei WuXian asked again, more persistent, "How old are you then?"

Tian Xing saw no point in hiding it anymore as she replied, "32."

Wei WuXian, "................"

The silence was deafening until Tian Xing burst out laughing, "What's with that face of disbelief? I am really 32."

Wei WuXian was too shocked to say anything. This old woman, she looked like she had just become 20 a few days ago.

"Are you shitting with me?" Asked Wei WuXian, scandalised.

Tian Xing replied within the laughs, "No no no. I really am 32. See, this is why I didn't wanna tell, I knew none would believe me."

Tian Xing was, after all, a human and a demon at the same time. Her age was something that didn't come to light. She looked exactly like she has when she was 20 as Rubi.

Young and beautiful.

Tian Xing changed the topic, "Oh yes. Didn't you wanna teach me sword forms? Let's do that."

Wei WuXian was silent for a while before saying, "Old woman."

Smack!

"Owwww. That hurt." Pouted Wei WuXian.

Tian Xing smiled, "That's what you get for talking nonsense. Now go on with the sword forms."

Wei WuXian smirked, "Old woman."

This time, before Tian Xing could smack, Wei WuXian started running away, Tian Xing chasing her, both of them laughing.

The sword forms were taught in a much later time of the day than they originally planned.

_______________________

Somedays later, an army of almost 50 Jin disciples stood before the Lotus Pier.

This was surprising, to everyone except one person.

Tian Xing had been staying in Lotus Pier for a while, expectant of this. She hadn't forgotten about the Hundred Holes Curse.

True to her suspicions, that son of a bitch Su She still cursed him, even though Jin GuangYao didn't help him at all this time.

Sigh...evil finds a way...

Wei WuXian, Jiang YanLi, Jiang Cheng, Jiang FengMian and Yu ZiYuan came out of their chambers to their entrance to see what was going on.

Wei WuXian raised an eyebrow, "Who is that?"

Jin ZiXun raged, "I am Jin ZiXun!"

Wei WuXian said, "Never heard of you, but why are you here?"

Jin ZiXun pointed an accusing finger at him, "Lift this curse!" Saying that he removed the robe parts which were hiding his chest, revealing a chest full of ugly holes.

Ewww....

Tian Xing came out, "What's happening?"

Jin ZiXun looked at her, "How do you always come out from behind when he is in trouble? Are you his personal maid or something?"

Wei WuXian's eyes instantly became cold, "Watch your words. That's my elder sister you are talking to."

Jiang FengMian cleared his throat, "Young Master Jin ZiXun, how did you come to the conclusion that it was A-Xian who cast the curse and not someone else?"

Yu ZiYuan's harsh voice spoke up, "I have the same question."

Jin ZiXun spoke with rage, "He clearly holds a grudge against me from the time of the Phoenix Mountain Hunt. And isn't he the one who invented spirit attraction flag and the compass of evil? Surely he can also out a curse on me."

Tian Xing spoke, "Those who put curses on others suffer backlash of it."

Wei WuXian opened his own chest, "See? If I would have cursed you, there would have been a backlash on me but I have none."

Jin ZiXun spoke, "If you can invent such things that need blood to work, then you can invent ways to stop backlash as well. Lift the curse this instant!"

Tian Xing spoke, "Or maybe it was just someone else. With that behaviour of yours, I am surprised you haven't been cursed up until now."

"Young Master Jin ZiXun, I assure you it is not my brother." Said Jiang Cheng impatiently, "And besides, what gives you the right to blame the Head disciple of the Jiang Sect so blatantly?"

Yu ZiYuan spoke now, "A-Cheng is right."

Jin ZiXun shouted, "Then help me find out who cursed me. If you do only then will I believe it was not you."

Wei WuXian groaned, "Ugh fine. We will. Now go. I am getting a headache here."

Tian Xing spoke, "Young Master Jin ZiXun, give us a few days, we need to think of a method to come up with how to catch the casters."

Jin ZiXun fumed, "Three days. I will come back after three days."

Tian Xing smirked, "Three days it is."

With that, a fuming Jin ZiXun left with the Jin disciples.

Wei WuXian sighed, "Why do I always have to encounter morons?"

Jiang Cheng spoke, "At least you don't have to live with one. I have to."

Wei WuXian gave him a scandalised look and Tian Xing burst out laughing.

The rest of the day went normal.

But that normal turned from bad and then from bad to worse.

Two days after the first encounter with Jin ZiXun, Wei WuXian and Jiang Cheng were training the disciples.

Tian Xing was talking with Jiang YanLi about how her medical cultivation was going.

At that moment, a disciple from the Cloud Recesses came hurrying. He looked exhausted and agitated.

"Young Master Wei... is he here!?"

Wei WuXian came forward and held him, "Yes what is it?"

The Lan disciple said in a hurry, "You must come to Cloud Recesses! HanGuang-Jun...!"

Wei WuXian instantly became alert at once, "Lan Zhan? What happened to him?"

"He is...he got cursed...the Hundred Holes Curse...someone casted it upon him..!" The disciple said trying to catch him breath.

Wei WuXian's blood froze in fear.

Tian Xing's eyes widened.

Shit.

It's the butterfly effect.

Wei WuXian didn't waste another second, "Jiang Cheng-"
"Go. Don't worry about here." Jiang Cheng reassured.

Tian Xing said sternly, "I will come along."

Wei WuXian nodded and didn't waste another second more as he climbed up his sword, heading towards Cloud Recesses and Tian Xing following.

Wei WuXian's heart was beating unusually fast and he was tense. He wanted to go to Lan WangJi's side as soon as possible.

'Faster. I have to go faster.'

_____________________________

It took them half a day to reach Cloud Recesses and Wei WuXian burst into the infirmary after knowing that's where everyone was.

Lan WangJi was sitting on a bed discussing things with Lan Qiren and Lan XiChen.

Wei WuXian yelled, rules be damned, "Lan Zhan!"

He dashed towards his love, his life, his heart, his everything and cupped Lan WangJi's face.

Lan WangJi's golden eyes first widened and then softened into the look of pure love.

Wei WuXian looked down and saw his chest. He felt a huge hurt in his heart.

Seeing Lan WangJi's chest countless times, he had always seen it clean, white and steady. But now it was filled with the painful and ugly holes of the curse.

Wei WuXian looked at Lan Qiren and Lan XiChen with hard eyes.
"Who's the caster?"

"That is the main problem. We have no idea who it is. It could be anyone, but who could have holden a grudge against WangJi?"

It was a valid question.

Tian Xing could only think of one person.

"Su She, courtesy name MinShan. Sect Leader of MolingSu sect."

Instantly realisation dawned upon the present Lans.

Lan XiChen said solemnly, "That's a very good deduction. I truly cannot think of any other person who would want to harm WangJi."

"Su She? Who's that?" Asked Wei WuXian.

Tian Xing was about to say the answer, but then she stopped herself when she remembered she was not supposed to know that Wei WuXian had saved him from the Waterborn Abyss.

Luckily Lan WangJi answered, "Remember the boy you saved from falling into the Waterborn Abyss in Biling Lake? That's Su She."

Wei WuXian's face turned constipated.

Lan Qiren spoke, "Su Minshan was a disciple of the Lan sect once. He had always felt remorseful of WangJi. Apparently he had let the Wens inside the hidden areas of the Cloud Recesses when the Wens had come to ambush it in order to save his own life. After that he was kicked out of Cloud Recesses shortly and he opened his own sect in Moling."

Lan XiChen pinched the bridge of his nose, "But to think he would actually put a curse on WangJi....."

Tian Xing spoke, "He has an ego complex. Apparently he thinks that A-Zhan is arrogant and pretentious, and looks down upon people."

Wei WuXian had a very complicated look on his face.

"Wei Ying?"
"Ah nothing. I was just wondering how and where he saw you as arrogant. I just don't get it."

"It's because of A-Zhan's aloofness. He mistook A-Zhan's expressionless face as arrogance. In reality it was nothing but he thought that HanGuang-Jun is arrogant. Su She can't stand people who look down upon him. That includes people like Jin ZiXun."

Lan XiChen frowned, "What are you trying to imply?"

Tian Xing smirked, "A-Huan, when did this curse appear first on him?"

Lan XiChen understood, "Today. We searched evey disciple of our sect. But none had the backlash."

Tian Xing and Wei WuXian shared similar looks.

"That guy is smart. He deliberately delayed casting the curse on A-‌Zhan later so that there would not be suspicion that only one person was responsible for casting the same curse on two people."

Lan Qiren asked, "I get where you are coming from. The person who cursed Jin ZiXun is the same person who cursed WangJi.

Tian Xing smiled, "As expected of Elder Lan. That is exactly what I am implying."

Wei WuXian spoke, "Regardless of that, we first have to find this Su She guy and talk with him. I couldn't care less for Jin ZiXun but if he is the caster of the curse on Lan Zhan..."

His eyes darkened, revealing just how many dark plots of punishment were swirling in his mind.

Tian Xing gulped, "A-Xian, we will departure in an hour or so. Don't worry. Right, Elder Lan?"

Lan Qiren agreed hurriedly, "Ah yes yes yes. We will."

Lan XiChen spoke, "Then me, Xing-jie and WuXian would go. Uncle needs to stay here to take care of the sect."

Lan Qiren replied, "Very well. That is acceptable. Be careful."

A chorus of "We will." echoed.

Lan WangJi smiled. It was good to know many people cared for him.

Wei WuXian kissed his fair nose lovingly and started whispering sweet things to him.

Lan XiChen cleared his throat.

Tian Xing facepalmed and Lan Qiren sighed.

Lovebirds.

__________________________________

Wei WuXian was currently standing in front of the gates of the Moling Su sect quarters with Tian Xing and Lan XiChen.

The guards were hesitant to let then in.

In any case, they still went inside somehow. One of the disciples went in and informed Su She of their visit.

Su She came out and for a second, a scowl and a flicker of panic went through his face, after that he schooled his expressions.

He bowed in greeting, "Greetings Sect Leader Lan, Young Master Wei and Lady Tian. I was not aware of you making a visit today. Come inside please."

The three of them followed him up to the main hall. Then they sat down on chairs.

"So, what do I owe to have your visit here?" he asked in a neutral tone.

Wei WuXian was about to open his mouth to say something, but Lan XiChen beat him to it, "Well, I am not going to beat around the bush and go straight to the point. My brother has been cursed by the Hundred Holes Curse and we suspect you to be the caster." he said with a smile.

Tian Xing was seriously starting to influence people around her.

The said woman sighed.

Su She's brows twitched.
"I am afraid I do not understand why you think it is me who is the caster."

Lan XiChen's expression tightened, "There are various reasons you are aware of, Sect Leader Su. But we are not here to discuss them. All we need is for you to show us your chest. We will just see if the backlash is there or not. Surely it is not a hassle right?"

Su She was extremely angry now, "Sect Leader Lan, that is extremely disrespectful towards me and the sect. You come here in MY sect, telling ME that you suspect me to be the caster of some curse that your oh so great brother Lan WangJi is affected by and then you ask me to show my chest?"

Tian Xing spoke, "Is it that much of a hassle to prove your innocence? No one else in the cultivation world hates Second Young Master Lan enough to actually caste a curse upon him except you. Do not think that we are unaware of the fact that you hate him and think that he is arrogant?"

Su She yelled, "Well is he not!? He looks down upon people."

Wei WuXian slammed his right hand on the table, "Listen up, Su Shit or whoever you are. Lan Zhan is not arrogant, in fact he is far from it. He has never in his entire life looked down upon anyone. I don't know how you got to that conclusion but right now your behaviour has already proved our point. If you are really innocent then show us that you have no backlash."

Su She shouted, "Why should I? This is MY sect, I can do whatever I want in here."

Tian Xing grabbed Su She's upper robes, losing her patience and revealed a chest full of holes.

This was double the normal backlash of the curse.

Lan XiChen's eyes hardened like jade rock. Wei WuXian's eyes went red with anger and Su She's face turned into an expression of panic.

"So it is you." came a haunting voice.

Wei WuXian understood immediately what was about to happen. He held Lan XiChen in place.

Lan XiChen was startled, first by the voice, second by his brother-in-law to be "WuXian?"
"Shhh. Wait here until she traumatises Su She." Wei WuXian, who didn't even know how she did whatever she did, told him with clarity.

Truth be told, he had faith in her. But Heaven knows he doesn't know anything of what happens behind the closed doors.

There was a gust of wind.

And then nothing.

Su She was nowhere. It was just Wei WuXian and Lan XiChen in the halls.

"WuXian???"
"She will come back. After a while though."

_______________________________

Su She woke up in a barren place. It was a quarter.

It was a quarter in his own sect.

...But it was dark. There wasn't much light except for the few strands of sunlight peeking through the closed windows.

Then there was a small noise.

Where did that come from?

He checked around him. The quarter was quite big.

"Arroganceiswhatyouseeintruth."

Su She jumped from the sudden whisper. The voice was distorted and disturbing.

It hurt his ears. And his ego.

Somehow he knew what was implied in that sentence and he got angry.

"What do you mean!? Arrogant people...those who look down on people... I will kill them all!!! They all deserve to die!!!!!!!"

The words echoed in the 'empty' quarter.

Then someone tapped at his shoulders from behind.

Su She turned around and saw no one. He drew out his sword and got into a stance.

The problem was, whoever he was facing was invisible. Or he simply couldn't catch a glimpse of that person.

Another tap.

But this time it burned.

Su She grunted and suddenly there was something wet on his upper left arm.

He looked at it and his eyes turned round like saucers.

There were claw marks cutting deeply. Blood oozed from the fresh wound.

Su She was unable to hold his sword with two hands because of the injury and dropped his left hand in pain.

Another tap.

Another burn.

This time it was on his right upper hand.

Both his hands burned with the injuries and he dropped his sword on the ground.

Su She looked around and searched all he could. Every corner of every place but he couldn't find anything. Or anyone.

Suddenly there was a burning sensation on his legs. He fell down in pain.

What he saw were claw marks cutting both his legs deep.

The silence was eery and Su She shouted, "Whoever you are! Come in front and fight me!"

Silence.

Su She looked down at his legs at the wounds.

His wish was granted at that moment.

"ꍏꌗ ꌩꂦꀎ ꅏꀤꌗꃅ."

Someone put a hand under his chin and made him look up from the ground.

Wait-

What-

"Ŵ ʰ ʸ ᗩ 𝕣 乇 ʸ 𝐎 ｕ ร 𝐎 ᗩ ғ 𝕣 ᗩ 𝕀 ∂ , 𝔠 ʰ 𝕀 l ∂ ?
ⓢ 𝓶 𝕀 l 乇 .
丨 ғ ｕ l ғ 𝕀 l l 乇 ∂ ʸ 𝐎 ｕ 𝕣 Ｗ 𝕀 ร ʰ ."

Su She trembled. With fear. With horror. This was not-

What he ꀘꇙ꒻ꇙ꒻꒻꒯꒻꒯꒻ꇙ꒻ꇙ꒻ꇙ꒻꒻ꋬ꒻ꇙꋊꁝꉧꋊꉧꋊꉧꋊꋊꇙ꒻꒯ꋊꉧ꒻꒻ꋬ꒻ꀘꋬ꒒ꆰꉣꉣꆰꁝꏂ꒻꒯꒻ꁝꋬꋊꂵꉧꋊꁴꀘꉧꋊꅐ꒐ꅐ꒒ꇙꀘꁝꉧ꒻꒯꒐꒻ꅐꀘꇙ꒐꒯ꋊꂵꉔꄲꉣꅐꉣꋊꇙ-

Ψɸυʀ⅊αIƞIៜʍψ⅊ℓεαៜυʀε

_______________________________

It had been roughly ten minutes.

Wei WuXian and Lan XiChen were tense with waiting. Then they saw the flare of multicoloured robes.

Tian Xing walked with a satisfying grin on her face. Then she spoke in a calm voice, "Su She is in one of the quarters. I teleported a bit far to teach him a lesson."

Lan XiChen spoke, "If you had a teleportation talisman you could have said so, we would have teleported here."

Tian Xing frowned, "I didn't think of it. I am sorry."

Wei WuXian sighed, "Well, what's done is done. Just think of it later. Take us to Su She."

Tian Xing smiled, "Sure thing."

With that, they started walking.

When they reached the quarters where Su She was, they found Su She heavily injured on his arms and legs.

He looked like he hadn't slept in days. His eyes were wide open with terror and he was shaking on the ground, laying.

He was mumbling something incoherent.

Wei WuXian frowned, "What did you do?"

Tian Xing shrugged, "I guess you can say I broke him."

When Lan XiChen went near him, he grabbed Lan XiChen and yelled, "SAVE ME!NO MORE! PLEASE!!!" and then started sobbing.

Lan XiChen looked at Tian Xing, "What's going on?"

Then he looked at Su She, "Are you the caster then?"

Su She's eyes widened then he nodded vigorously. And simultaneously clutched Lan XiChen harder.

It was disturbing.

Tian Xing spoke, "There you have it. Now what should we do?"

Lan XiChen said, "That can wait. What did you do?"

Tian Xing remained silent for a while and then said, "We fought. Also there are disciples outside. First clear the whole thing to them."

With that, the case of the caster closed down.

Su She was sent into the Nie dungeons, who was more than willing to go into the dungeons. The MolingSu sect was closed and the disciples were ashamed of the actions of their sect leader. They joined different other sects.

Tian Xing, though, was interrogated by Lan XiChen yet again. And she had been vague about how she fought. Su She was way too traumatised to even speak a coherent sentence about it.

Tian Xing had told them that they had fought really hard is all. Lan XiChen still hadn't had his suspicions clear tho.

Coupled with that Wei WuXian also joined in with the suspicion gang.
_______________________

Tian Xing sighed as she roamed the streets of Caiyi town. She had to finish things soon before they found out.