𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗶𝘁 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝘀𝗲𝗲𝗺𝘀 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝗶𝘁'𝘀 𝘄𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗴, 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼 𝗔𝗹𝘁𝗼𝗻 𝗝𝗼𝗵𝗻.
𝗔𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗳𝗲𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗴𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗲𝗱.

Today was an auspicious day.

Today was the day of Jiang YanLi and Jin ZiXuan's marriage.

It had taken a painfully long time for them to confess to each other. But eventually they had done it. Jin ZiXuan finally had the balls to say 'I love you' to her, which was answered with mutual feelings.

Lanterns and decorations were filled to no end in Lotus Pier. The groom would arrive any minute now.

Tian Xing laughed quietly as she looked at the bride, the wonderful woman who was nothing but a gift in this harsh world, to the Jiangs.

She spoke with fondness, "A-Li, you look beautiful."

Jiang YanLi blushed, "Thank you, Xing-jie."

Tian Xing replied, "Never thank me for saying the truth. What I said is merely what I am seeing."

Jiang YanLi's eyes sparkled with happiness, "No, not just for today, but for everything."

"Huh?" Tian Xing was confused.

Jiang YanLi spoke, smiling that gentle smile of hers, "Xing-jie, you have always helped us from the beginning to the end. You have always given us all the support we needed. If not for you, I don't know how things would have ended up." she spoke that last line with melancholy.

Tian Xing thought, 'I do. And that's exactly why I helped. I cannot let the people here be ruined in my watch.'

But outside she replied, "A-Li, I just did what I thought was right."

Jiang YanLi spoke, her voice breaking a bit, "I know. But to think that you have done so much for us without asking anything in return. Do you know that day what A-Xian told me?"

Tian Xing cocked up her head in curiosity.

"When we were discussing about A-Xuan, he told me to know my worth. If I do, none can stop me from reaching higher, but if I do, none can make me reach higher."

Tian Xing remained silent.

"He told me for a fact that those were not his own words." Jiang YanLi smiled. Saying the rest was not necessary.

Tian Xing sighed, "Well I hope he applies it on his own case."

Jiang YanLi sighed, "Me too Xing-jie. Me too."

Then there was an announcement of the groom arriving.

Tian Xing smirked, "It's show time."
_______________________________

The groom party had arrived.

There were no ends to the lavishness of the Jin Sect. They spared no expenses on it and met the Jiang Sect on perfect standards.

Jin ZiXuan was gorgeously dressed from top to bottom, draped in gold and red with all sorts of ornaments.

But to get to the bride they had to get past the Jiang YanLi's younger brothers, Wei WuXian and Jiang Cheng.

Jin ZiXuan was faced with the twin prides of YunMeng in the entrance of the Swords Hall. And it was a massive showdown to see.

Wei WuXian came forward, his face solemn for such a happy occasion. He spoke in a tone of authority, "Jin ZiXuan, you had previously insulted my Shijie before. How do you plead to justify your actions? Do you really think of yourself as worthy of her?"

After the words were spoken, Jiang Cheng came up, "My A-Jie is the kindest person in the world. Even after you seemingly spoke bad of her she forgave you. But we are not that easy to give forgiveness. How do you speak for yourself?"

Jin ZiXuan lowered his head at the reminder of that horrible day. He knew it was just the two of them testing him, but even so he felt extremely ashamed of his past actions.

Jiang YanLi was only deserving of the best. And he doesn't really deserve her, but he was a boy in love.

He wanted her.

Jin ZiXuan spoke with humility, "It was wrong of me to speak of her like that. It is now that I understand that in fact it's me who is unworthy of her. She definitely deserves better, but"
He looked up, "I do love her, I love her from the bottom of my heart and soul. I promise to make her happy for the rest of my life. All I want is a chance to do so. All I need is an opportunity to make myself deserving of her, and I will make sure it happens. I will make up for those times with the endless shower of love and affection. I will make sure she is happy in life."

Jin ZiXuan spoke with such determination in his eyes that the Twin Prides had to admit, the peacock definitely was well off now.

In their eyes no one was truly deserving of Jiang YanLi, but if anyone could make her happy, it was Jin ZiXuan.

Wei WuXian smiled, "Make sure to keep that promise, if you don't,"

Jiang Cheng continued from there, "Our swords' end will meet your body." He spoke with a smirk. Wei WuXian grinned back at him.

Jin ZiXuan smiled softly, "I would have you two do it than having A-Li hurt because of me."

Wei WuXian spoke in a fake scowled tone, "Yeah yeah whatever. Just go already. Don't put up with those cheesy lines."

Jiang Cheng side eyed him, "You say cheesy things to Lan WangJi all the time."

Wei WuXian went beet red, "Shhhh, now is not the time A-Cheng."
"Hmph! Well then that's that." Jiang Cheng spoke with a gruff tone.

Jin ZiXuan was alright on his way to the bride chamber. In front of the room's door, he found both Yu ZiYuan and Jiang FengMian. They had smiles on their faces.

"JiXuan, today we will hand over our daughter to you. For life and for death, for will and for woe, I expect you to be with her. Will you keep well care of her?" Asked Jiang FengMian in a soft tone.

Yu ZiYuan spoke, "If you don't then, Zidian is here, I can make it look like an accident." Her amethyst eyes sparkled.

Jin ZiXuan gulped, "I promise to be with her in well and woe, life and death, and make her happy."

The parents of the bride smiled, "Then you may enter."

Jin ZiXuan entered the bride chamber and what he saw stole away his breath.

Inside was Jiang YanLi sitting in her bed, in all her glory, the room wholly decorated in red and gold.

But Jin ZiXuan only had eyes for his bride.

Today onwards, they would call each other husband and wife.

Today onwards they would be together forever.

The thought made him giddy and happy. He went on and picked up Jiang YanLi bridal style, earning a surprised yelp and a giggle from Jiang YanLi.

Jin ZiXuan kissed the top of her head affectionately, "You are mine now."

Jiang YanLi kissed his cheek, "You are mine too you know."
"Always and forever." Promises Jin ZiXuan.

The farewell was bittersweet. The actual wedding ceremony was held in Koi Tower.

The newly weds bowed to the Heavens and the Earth, to the father and mother, and then to each other.

No expenses were spares in the banquet. It was a wedding that the cultivation world would remember for ages.

Wei WuXian cried a lot when it came time to say goodbye to her. Jiang FengMian shed silent tears hugging his daughter. Jiang Cheng and Yu ZiYuan tried to stay strong but ultimately ended up crying too.

Tian Xing had attended the wedding too. She had given all her well wishes to the couple.

The family hug was the best part of the parting. With a huge and long hug, the goodbyes came to an end and the bride party returned to Lotus Pier.

The next few days were a bit melancholic. But eventually everything picked up it's pace again.

Tian Xing wanted to stay in Koi tower for a while, none had objections. Well- Jin GuangShan did, but due to his wife and son's dagger glaring eyes and sword sharp words, he couldn't really say no. He could only sigh and accept, so to not humiliate himself any further.

Even after meeting and parting for so many times, it was always difficult for the Jiang Sect, especially the Twin Prides, to say goodbye to Tian Xing.

_______________________

"Peacock, you don't seem to care that much." Said Wei WuXian nonchalantly.

Jin ZiXuan shrugged, "I don't. He deserved a lot worse. But he died an easy death."

The said 'he' was Jin GuangShan. And this was Jin GuangShan's funeral.

Well, it was just a funeral in name. Because none really cared for this man. He had done more harm and than good- actually he never did anything good in life.

The only thing he did in life was sleep with half of the woman in the world. 

Now the question comes. How did he die? Well that's simple.

One month after the wedding of Jin ZiXuan and Jiang YanLi, Jin GuangShan was simple sitting in the Fragrance Hall of the Jin Sect, on his throne.

Suddenly, a pillar fell down from the side, failing down straight on his head. It was so sudden that there was no way for him to dodge and survive it.

As for why the pillar fell, it seemed like some wall eating insects had sneaked in, eating away at the pillar. And coincidentally it fell on him.

People weren't sure how to react to that. It was disrespectful, but none were really sad for him.

Right now, the 'funeral' of this guy had been going on.

Tian Xing stood at a discreet corner of the funeral, her eyes sharp with a glint of light.

"You did something didn't you?" Came the e voice of Lin YiZhou.

Tian Xing smiled a bone chilling smile at her.

Lin YiZhou was quiet for a while before saying, "Don't worry. I am just guessing. Besides, I really don't care who killed him or not, it's better that he is dead. A-Xuan can finally take over the sect now."

Tian Xing didn't say anything. She was quiet as she looked at her finger nails, as if examining them was more important than listening to what Lin YiZhou was talking about.

As if she didn't care if she was exposed.

Lin YiZhou sighed.

Tian Xing spoke with a smile, "Why do you think it was me? It was the insects who ate the pillar. How did I come into this?"

Lin YiZhou didn't probe her any longer. Some things were better left in the dark. She didn't want to know about the whole fiasco.

Tian Xing then spoke, "Madam Jin, I will be going now. Be well and take care." With that she bowed towards her and started walking.

Tian Xing, with slow, aesthetic steps, left the funeral area. Her aura was majestic and dominating, pressurising and domineering. Her walk was filled with a confidence none could imagine a person would have. It was not arrogance. It was simply the attitude of a woman who knew who she was.

Wei WuXian looked at her before averting his eyes.

Tian Xing started her journey for QingHe. There were some things she had to do there.
__________________________________

Tian Xing laughed as she saw Nie HuaiSang's fan collection. They were all such amazing work of arts but to think he had these many fans was astonishing.

Sure, Tian Xing knew about Nie HuaiSang's obsession with arts and crafts but this was way more than she imagined it to be.

Nie HuaiSang spoke,"Da-ge always wanted to me to learn how to use a saber. But truth be told, I don't want to learn it. I don't know why he is so insistent on me learning it. Nowadays he has toned things down due to me being involved in political works, but he still hasn't given up on it." His tone was sad and there was a tinge if frustration in it.

Tian Xing understood completely how he was feeling. Being from a family who wanted her to join the military, she understood the pressure of legacy and expectations.

But he also understood why Nie MingJue wanted Nie HuaiSang to learn how to use a saber.

Tian Xing spoke solemnly, "A-Sang, your brother just wants you to be able to defend yourself in fights. He wants your best and for you to lead a life the way you can be proud of."

Nie HuaiSang sulked quietly.

Tian Xing smiled, "However, it is not necessary to learn how to defend yourself only using a saber. You can also use something else as a weapon, no?"

Nie HuaiSang looked up at her with his bright eyes filled with awe.

Tian Xing continued, "How about a spiritual weapon? Or better, how about using a fan as your spiritual weapon?"

Nie HuaiSang's expression visibly brightened, "Wow. That's a brilliant idea."
But the next moment his shoulders sagged, "But...Da-ge won't allow it."

Tian Xing spoke, "Why not?"

Nie HuaiSang replied, "He would still want me to learn how to use a saber."

Tian Xing spoke with certainty, "If a spiritual weapon serves the purpose of you being able to fight, then why would he ask you to use a saber? The purpose is the same, whether you wield a weapon, a sword or a saber. If your brother doesn't allow you, I will talk him out. Besides learning something you want to learn is obviously going to come easier to you."

Nie HuaiSang seemed nervous but he nodded.

Truth be told, when this lady had come in the Nie sect quarters, he was startled a bit. This lady was familiar with all the gentry sects and almost all of the people knew about Tian Xing.

He was cautious of people from childhood and had always been sharp mentally.

But after seeing her freely converse with Nie MingJue, he had let some of his guard down.

When she approached him and talked with him, he instantly understood that she was not going to harm anyone. In fact, she had a dynamic and humorous personality.

There had been awkward air between them in the start but it gradually cleared out.

In the meantime, she had asked to address her as 'Xing-jie', he had heard other disciples and young masters of sects calling her before, which he gladly agreed it. In return she started calling him 'A-Sang'.

It was nice to have an elder sister.

Nie MingJue also called her Xing-jie, which was rare because he barely called anyone except Nie HuaiSang so informally.

Tian Xing had also addressed him as A-Jue, to which he didn't seem to mind.

Nie HuaiSang had asked her if they were dating or not, to which Tian Xing had roared with laughter, saying that that they were not in love with each other and that she was way older than him. It only turned out that they became close during the time of the war.

Nie HuaiSang had been surprised with it. Because she didn't look that old at all. None would think she was not in her early twenties at maximum.

But oh well.

It was a good starry night and they were on the dinner table.

Tian Xing suddenly coughed lightly, "A-Jue, may we discuss about something?"

Nie MingJue looked up to her, curious, "Sure. What is it?"

Tian Xing glanced at Nie HuaiSang who looked nervous, then he returned his gaze to Nie MingJue, "I have seen A-Sang's collection of fans and arts. He is truly remarkable in those aspects alongside politics."

Nie MingJue went a bit stiff, "Ah well yes. He has always had a fascination for art."

Tian Xing was direct to the point, "But not in fighting. Am I right?"

The atmosphere turned cold.

Nie MingJue seemed enraged. Tian Xing spoke, playing a dangerous gamble, "Is it only the issue with fighting? I believe it's only that he doesn't want to use a saber. Instead if he can use something else to fight-"
"Absolutely not!" shouted Nie MingJue, "Saber has always been the tradition of the Nie sect. He has to learn how to use it."

Tian Xing's eyes turned cold, "If the purpose is self defence, then why must he use a saber? Just because he is a Nie, doesn't mean he has to use a saber."

Nie MingJue roared, "A Nie carries himself with the pride of the saber."

Tian Xing spoke, "And he can't be proud of himself unless he uses a saber? A-Jue he is your brother, not you!"

Nie MingJue finally lost patience, "Who are you to barge in our personal matters? Whether he uses a saber or not is not something for you to mingle in. That is solely in between us."

Tian Xing now countered back in a horribly chilly voice, "It's exactly because it's between you two that I am mingling. If I don't, no one else will. You are forcing your ideologies on him when he doesn't even want to do it. And because of your personality, he can't even tell you, obviously you will not listen to him. There are other means for self defence, he can use any one of them. Mark my words, he will never be able to learn the use of a saber, because he doesn't want to use one. Instead of wasting time on something he can never do, why not let him give time to something he would willingly do? Stop being such a stuck up obsessive and simple minded person Nie MingJue. The world is not just you, nor is it black and white."

This shut Nie MingJue up. To straight up being told that Nie HuaiSang cannot ever wield a saber was a bold statement to him.

Tian Xing continued, "While you might think that you are doing it for the best, you are not. You cannot force someone to do something correctly when the person is unwilling. I suggest you let him take a spiritual weapon, a fan as it to he exact. That is something he would willingly take and be comfortable with it while being able to defend himself. One stone killing two birds sounds like a better option right?"

The offer was tempting. Nie MingJue though, was reluctant.

What she said made sense. He looked at Nie HuaiSang, "Is is true that you do not want to use a saber but you would use any other weapons?"

Nie HuaiSang was startled with that question. He didn't expect to be involved in this conversation.

He meekly nodded his head. He really didn't want to use a saber.

Nie MingJue took a deep breath. Then he seemed to ponder for sometime. At the end, he nodded, "Fine. Do as you please. But if whatever you said doesn't work-"

"I give you permission to punish me." Spoke Tian Xing quickly.

Nie HuaiSang looked at Tian Xing with wide eyes. She continued, "I will take whatever punishment you ask of me to take, however you will not punish him as the suggestion is made by me and not him."

Nie MingJue was a person who valued justice, so he agreed, "Very well. So what do you suggest? Making a spiritual fan as a weapon? Kind of like the instruments of the Lan sect?"

Tian Xing smiled, "Exactly. Seems like you are working your brain well. If we can make a weapon like that for him, I am sure he will do well with it."

Nie HuaiSang's face was turning brighter and brighter by the second. His Da-ge had agreed to it. That thought itself made him giddy with happiness.

Tian Xing had been an inevitable stable pillar in the Sunshot Campaign. A lot of many things was done by her. And thus, Nie MingJue had a high opinion of her, and agreed to try out her suggestion because it worked before.

Nie MingJue spoke, "Well then, we would need to talk to a weapon maker in that case. How about tomorrow,A-Sang?

Nie HuaiSang nodded enthusiastically.

Tian Xing heaved a sigh of relief.

'That went well...somewhat.'

The next few days were amazing for the Nie brothers.

Nie HuaiSang and Nie MingJue went to the weaponry shops in QingHe to look into things in detail.

Nie HuaiSang had designed his fan and had already given it to the weapon maker of the shop they chose to make his fan. The weapon maker had been stunned to see them but complied with it.

He had thought that they would want to make a saber but oh well.

Things were going well. Tian Xing stayed for a few more days in QingHe, talking with the disciples and the Nie brothers and enjoying her time there.

Nie HuaiSang was honestly very lovable. He had a witty sense of humour and was appropriately dramatic which matched with Tian Xing. Nie MingJue often sighed a lot seeing their interactions, saying things like "You will ruin him." or "Seriously, you two are unbelievable." or "I wonder who's brother he actually is."

It was entertaining. Nie MingJue didn't disapprove of their talkings though. In fact he was happy with time being spent in this way.

Tian Xing stayed until the day Nie HuaiSang started his training with his fan.

It was astonishing how much he had improved just in one day. Nie MingJue had been more than surprised. It was more than Nie HuaiSang had learned using saber in all these years.

Tian Xing smirked, "I told you."

Nie MingJue grinned, "Well, at least he is doing well now."

Tian Xing then spoke, "I should leave too. I have been troubling you these days."

Nie MingJue raised an eyebrow, "I am starting to think the reason you came here was just to push A-Sang towards this." he pointed at the boy practicing with his spiritual fan.

Tian Xing smiled, "Why exactly? I just came to see how you guys were doing."

"Don't play dumb. It was you who had suggested me to add A-Sang to politics." Nie MingJue didn't back down.

Seems like he wasn't just all brawls after all.

Tian Xing replied with a hint of amusement, "That was something I suggested purely due to observation. Nothing else."

Nie MingJue smirked and asked, "Oh? Then may I ask the oh so knowledged Lady Tian, how did she manage to understand that he would be good at brain works?"

Tian Xing replied, "I remember A-Xian telling me he sneaked in porn books in Cloud Recesses, since then I knew."

Nie MingJue's eyes widened, because one: his brother sneaked in porn books in Cloud Recesses and he didn't know anything about it, and two: She figured things out from there???

"You actually figured it out from there?"
"Cloud Recesses is a place you know well of. You know how conservative and guarded it is. Unless he is sneaky and witty, he would not have been able to sneak in porn." Tian Xing spoke with a grin.

Nie MingJue sighed, "You are impossible, Xing-jie."

Tian Xing laughed, "Yes I am, A-Jue. Indeed that is what I am. Anyways, I will come back shortly after visiting someone else."

Nie MingJue grinned, "Yes yes, elder sister of new generation."

Tian Xing groaned, "What kind of a title is that?"

Nie MingJue shrugged,"Well it suits you."

Tian Xing glared at him, "No it doesn't. And I would much rather have a proper title."

Nie MingJue pondered, "Now that I think about it, you are the only one who doesn't have a title yet."

Tian Xing laughed, "Oh come on. I don't need one."

Nie HuaiSang came in, wiping his sweat drenched face and neck, "Of course you do. Xing-jie, I don't know, well, I don't think anyone knows how and where you even came from. But you have helped us all more than we can ever described. You deserve a proper title."

Tian Xing smiled, "We will see. Anyways, I won't trouble you any longer."

Nie MingJue spoke, "You are troubling no one here."

Nie HuaiSang agreed, beaming, "Yes, our doors are always open for you."

With a few more pleasantries exchanged, they bade farewell.

Tian Xing flew on 'Banshui', now quite good at travelling on a swird, as her aim was set on the next stop.

To find the last remained ones.