Hearing the voice, all of the blood from Wei WuXian’s body traveled to his head and drained away a moment later. The good thing was that his face was already a pile of white. A shade whiter wouldn’t make too much of a difference.

"Why does it seems that you're scared of me?" asked Jiang Cheng.

"I don't know." said Wei Wuxian.

A violet-clothed youth approached in confident steps, his jianxiu robe flowing smoothly and his hand pressing on the hilt of his sword. A silver bell hung by his waist, although it made no sound as he walked.

The young man had thin brows and almond eyes. His features were handsome in a sharp way, and his eyes held a composed vigor, with a slight intention of attack, appearing to be two bolts of lightning as he stared. He stood ten steps away from Wei WuXian, his expression resembling a honed arrow on the bow, ready to be released at any moment. Even his posture emitted an air of arrogance and overconfidence.

"Wei Wuxian!" shouted Jiang Cheng but his brother only laughed at him.

"He looks handsome though." said Nie Huaisang.

"Of course my a-niang is beautiful." said Jingyi.

Lan Xichen was admiring his future husband.

He frowned, “Jin Ling, why did you linger for so long? Do you really need me to come and pick you up? Look at what a terrible situation you’re in right now, and get up!”

"And here comes Jiang Cheng's aggressive love." said Wei Wuxian.

The juniors just chuckled.

After the initial numbing of his head, Wei WuXian quickly realized what was going on. He curled a finger inside his sleeve and made the piece of paper retreat. Jin Ling felt his back lighten and immediately rolled up, grabbing his sword in the process. He shifted near Jiang Cheng and pointed at Wei WuXian accusingly, “I’m gonna break your legs!”

"He took after you, Jiang Cheng." said Wei Wuxian.

"And that is a-niang's famous line." Jingyi said, agreeing to his uncle.

"You shouldn't talk to elders like that, a-ling." said Jiang Yanli to his who only nodded his head.

With the pair of uncle and nephew standing beside each other, it was clear that they shared a close resemblance, probably able to pass for brothers. Jiang Cheng moved his finger, and the paper doll swiftly flew out of Wei WuXian’s hand and into his own. After taking one look at it, hostility came over his face. He pressured his fingers, and the paper was ignited, burning to dust with the screams of dark spirits.

Jiang Cheng spoke grimly, “Break his legs? Haven’t I told you? If you see this sort of evil and crooked practice, kill the cultivator and feed him to your dogs!”

Wei Wuxian shivered hearing the word.

"Why am I like that?" asked Jiang Cheng to his son.

"The screen will show it a-niang." his son only replied.

"Jiang Cheng it's not that evil." said Wei Wuxian.

"Don't worry I won't do that." said Jiang Cheng knowing that his brother has a trauma about dogs.

Wei WuXian couldn’t even attempt to grab his donkey, backing away at rapid speed. He thought that, after so many years, no matter how much hatred Jiang Cheng had held for him, it would have disappeared long ago. He didn’t expect that not only did it not disappear, it became richer, as if it was a jar of aged alcohol. At the present time, his hatred had grown to affect even people who cultivated like him!

"Hatred? What does that mean? I will never hate him." exclaimed Jiang Cheng, getting anxious of what will happen in the future.

The juniors only looked at him with sadness.

The Jiangs can't believe it since they know that the two treated each other as brothers and really close to one another. Even Madam Yu was in disbelief.

With someone backing him up, Jin Ling’s attacks became more aggressive. Wei WuXian slid two fingers into the spirit-locking bag, about to take something out, when suddenly, the blue glare of a sword slashed out like lightning. It collided with Jin Ling’s sword, breaking the powerful sword’s golden rays in an instant.

"That is-" said Lan Xichen looking at Lan Wangji.

The Lans already have an idea what sword it was.

It wasn’t because of the quality of the swords, but rather the great disparity in the strengths of the persons using the swords. Wei WuXian had originally calculated the timing, but his movements were suddenly interrupted by the sword’s glare, causing him to trip. He fell toward the ground, right on top of a pair of snow-white boots. After pausing for a moment, he slowly lifted his head.

What first came into his sight was a long, slender blade, crystalline and translucent, as if it was made of ice.

"Gusu Lan Sect." said Su She.

"Only the Lans who have that kind of swords." said Meng Yao.

"I wonder who it is." said Nie Huaisang looking at Lan Wangji.

In the cultivation world, this sword was one of the most famous ones. Wei WuXian had experienced its powers countless times, including both battles fought beside it and against it. The hilt of the sword was forged from pure silver that had been refined with secret techniques. The blade of the sword was extremely thin, almost transparent, sending forth the cold breaths of ice and snow. However, at the same time, it could cut through iron like cutting through mud. This was why, although the sword looked light, as if it could fly away any instant, it was actually quite heavy, unable to be wielded by the average person.

Its name was “Bichen.”

"You even describe the sword more than you describe me." said Jin Ling, sulking.

Wei Wuxian only laughed at him.

"Wangji, it's you." exclaimed Lan Xichen.

"I already expected it was him." said Nie Huaisang.

The blade turned, and the clank of the sword being inserted back into the scabbard sounded from above Wei WuXian. At the same time, Jiang Cheng’s voice came from afar, “And I was wondering who it was. So, it is you, Second Young Master Lan.”

Jiang Cheng was stunned seeing himself at the screen talking to Lan Wangji.

"Aren't you two are brother-in-laws." said Jin Zixuan, curious why the two seemed to hate one another.

The pair of white boots passed around Wei WuXian and calmly walked three steps forward. Wei WuXian raised his head and got up. As he walked past the former, slightly brushing their shoulders, he made eye contact with him for a short moment, pretending that it was unintentional.

"Lan Zhan you came." exclaimed Wei Wuxian.

"Why are you so excited?" asked Jiang Cheng.

"I think he will annoy him." said Nie Huaisang.

He had an aura of smooth moonlight. The seven-stringed zither that he carried on his back was narrower than most. Its body was black, made using wood of soft color.

The man wore a forehead ribbon with cloud patterns. His skin was fair, features both refined and elegant, as if he was a piece of polished jade. The color of his eyes was especially light, like they were made of colored glass, causing his gaze to be overly distant. His expression held the traces of frost and snow, stern to the degree of being stiff, unwavering even as he saw Wei WuXian’s ridiculous face.

"Polished jade? Really?" asked Jiang Cheng in disbelief.

"Heh! You even describe him as a polished jade. You're not fair." said Jin Ling, still sulking.

"Wei-xiong always talked about him." said Nie Huaisang and Jiang Cheng agreed.

"Is it necessary to disclose that? Traitors." said Wei Wuxian.

"Oh a-xian." said Jiang Yanli, giggling.

There wasn’t a single spec of dust or wrinkled spot on him, from his head to his feet. It was impossible to find any fault with his appearance. Even so, two capitalized words jumped into Wei WuXian’s mind.

Mourning clothes!

Everyone laugh hearing Wei Wuxian's thoughts.

Lan Qiren could only glare at him to avoid breaking their rules.

Mourning clothes, indeed. Although all of the clans in the cultivation world used extravagant words to describe the GusuLan Sect’s uniform as the best-looking uniform and Lan WangJi as an incomparable beauty who only appeared once in a blue moon, nothing could help the bitter facial expression that made him look as though his wife had passed away.

Everyone was still laughing making Lan Wangji's ears turned red.

"Wei-xiong is right. It seems that Wangji-xiong really lose his wife." said Nie Huaisang, still laughing.

In an unlucky year, enemies would often find their paths to cross; good news always traveled alone, but one disaster always followed the next… Thus, the situation right now.

Lan WangJi was silent, staring straight ahead, standing motionlessly in front of Jiang Cheng. Jiang Cheng was already exceptionally handsome, but as they stood face to face with each other, he still seemed a few degrees inferior. He raised one brow and spoke, “HanGuang-Jun, you sure live up to your reputation of ‘being wherever the chaos is’. So, you had time to come to this remote area today?”

"Fine! I accept that he is better than me so why do you have to compare the two of us?" exclaimed Jiang Cheng.

"ChengCheng no need to be mad. You're still my brother." said Wei Wuxian.

Jiang Cheng was glaring at him in which he is already used to.

"You have a great reputation in the future, Wangji." said Lan Xichen, proud of his brother but not showing it because of their rules.

"Why am I talking to him like that?" asked Jiang Cheng.

People only shrugged. The juniors refused to answer.

Powerful cultivators from prominent clans usually didn’t care to pay attention to lower level preys. However, Lan WangJi was an exception. He never cared for the prey of a night-hunt, and wouldn’t refuse to go just because the creature was not threatening enough to increase his fame. If anyone wanted help, he would be there. He had been like this ever since he was young. “Being wherever the chaos is” was the comment that the public gave him for his night-hunts and, also, praise for his moral character. Right now, Jiang Cheng really didn’t seem too polite as he said the words in such a tone. Even the juniors who came following Lan WangJi didn’t seem comfortable hearing it.

"A-cheng, even if you are a Sect Leader you still have to be polite." said Jiang Yanli.

"Yes, a-jie." said Jiang Cheng, looking down.

"Don't worry, a-niang. That's just how you and shushu interact." said Jingyi.

"He doesn't hate me?" asked Jiang Cheng since he thought that Lan Wangji dislikes him especially when he married his brother in the future.

"No, of course not." Jingyi answered.

Lan JingYi spoke straightforwardly, “Isn’t Sect Leader Jiang here as well?”

Jiang Cheng replied grimly, “Tsk, do you really think that you should butt in when your seniors are conversing? The GusuLan Sect has always been known for its respectful conduct. Is this really how it teaches its disciples?”

"A-cheng." said Jiang Yanli.

"I'm sorry, I won't talk like that in the future." said Jiang Cheng.

"I don't think so." said Wei Wuxian receiving a glare from his brother.

"Aren't they mother and son? Why are they talking like that?" asked Jin Zixuan.

"Maybe he adopted the Lan after that time." said Meng Yao.

"I am not an adopted." said Jingyi.

"So you are Jiang Wanyin son who grew up in Lan Sect?" asked Jin Zixun sarcastically.

"Yes, my a-niang gave birth to me then decided to let me grew up in Lan Sect." said Jingyi.

"A-niang? You mean Jiang Cheng? But he is a male? How can he gave birth to you?" asked Wei Wuxian.

"Do I need to explain the process of getting pregnant and giving birth?" asked Jingyi which received a smack from his mother.

"I mean the both of them are male so how can Jiang Cheng get pregnant?" asked Wei Wuxian.

"Oh! Zu-shufu said that if the couple are soulmate they are blessed with a child no matter what their gender is." said Jingyi.

"So me and Zewu-jun are soulmate?" asked Jiang Cheng, his face is getting red.

His son only nodded his head. Lan Xichen was very happy.

No one dare to question them again.

Lan WangJi seemed as if he didn’t want to engage in conversation, throwing Lan SiZhui a look. The latter understood and told the juniors to speak among themselves. Afterward, he spoke to Jin Ling, “Young Master Jin, night-hunts have always been fair competitions amongst the different clans and sects. However, to set up nets all over Dafan Mountain is clearly hindering the cultivators, causing them to fall into the traps. Is this or is this not against the rules of night-hunting?”

"How could they understand one another?" asked Wei Wuxian.

"They are father and son though. That's maybe the reason why they understand one another." said Nie Huaisang.

"This kid is so polite. Expected from Wangji's son." said Lan Qiren making the Lan elders agree.

Jin Ling’s grim expression was exactly the same as his uncle’s, “What can I do? It was their own fault for stepping into the traps. I’ll solve everything after I finish capturing the prey.”

"I promise I will never be like that again." said Jin Ling, already expected that his fanily will reprimand him.

"As you should." said Wei Wuxian and Jiang Cheng.

Lan WangJi frowned. Jin Ling was about to speak again, but he suddenly realized that, shockingly, he could neither open his mouth nor make any sounds. Seeing that Jin Ling’s upper and lower lips became inseparable as if they were glued together, anger appeared on Jiang Cheng’s face. The sloppy manners that he upheld before this were all gotten rid of, “You, with the Lan surname! What do you mean by this? It’s not your turn to discipline Jin Ling yet, so release the spell, now!”

"What is it? Why can't he speak?" asked a random disciple.

"What did you do to my grandson?" asked Madam Yu in visible anger.

"Don't worry, Madam Yu. It's not harmful." said Sizhui.

The silence spell was used by the Lan Sect to reprimand its disciples. Wei WuXian had suffered a ton from this little trick. Although it wasn’t anything too complicated or obscure, only people of the Lan Clan could release the spell. If one wanted to forcibly speak, it would result in either their lips being ripped bloody or a hoarse throat for a couple of days. The only solution was to stay silent and reflect upon the wrongdoings until the time limit of the punishment was over. Lan SiZhui spoke, “Sect Leader Jiang, there is no need for anger. As long as he does not break the spell forcefully, it would release on its own, after thirty minutes.”

"Lan Silencing Spell? That was great." commented a random cultivator.

"I already suffered from that?" asked Wei Wuxian in disbelief.

"Of course you did. You never know when to shut that mouth of yours especially in front of a Lan." said Jiang Cheng.

"What about him? Did he also suffered from that?" asked Wei Wuxian to Jingyi referring to his brother.

"No." answered Jingyi which made him pout.

Before Jiang Cheng opened his mouth to speak, a purple-clothed man in the Jiang Sect’s uniform ran toward them from within the forest. He shouted, “Sect Leader!” However, after seeing Lan WangJi’s presence, he hesitated. Jiang Cheng spoke satirically, “Talk. Is there more bad news?”

"He already predicted that it was a bad news." said a random cultivator.

The man spoke in a low voice, “Not long ago, a blue sword flew over and destroyed the deity-binding nets that you had set up.”

"Of course it's Wangji." said Lan Xichen.

Jiang Cheng glanced at Lan WangJi harshly, his displease plastered all over his face, “How many were broken?”

The man replied carefully, “… All of them…”

That’s more than four hundred!

Everyone was worried about Jiang Cheng's reaction.

"How wealthy you are is, Jiang Cheng." said Wei Wuxian.

"I always know that Jiang-xiong is good at making money." said Nie Huaisang.

Jiang Cheng seethed with anger.

He didn’t expect the journey to be this unlucky. Originally, he came to help Jin Ling out. Jin Ling would be turning fifteen this year, the age of which he should already be making his debut and starting to compete with the juniors of other clans. Jiang Cheng considered the decision carefully before choosing Dafan Mountain as the location of the hunt. He also set up nets everywhere and threatened the cultivators of other clans, showing them the consequences so that they would retreat, in order to let Jin Ling take the top prize without anyone fighting against him.

"That's not how it worked, a-cheng." said Jiang Yanli.

"You're spoiling him." said Wei Wuxian.

"That's not how we gain our fame in the cultivation world." he added.

"It's because the both of you are able to enter the top five rank of the cultivation world." said Zizhen.

Although four hundred deity-binding nets were a whopping price, it wasn’t too much for the YunmengJiang Sect. Nonetheless, losing the nets were a small matter, but losing face was not. With Lan WangJi’s actions, Jiang Cheng felt a whirlpool of anger at the bottom of his heart, rising higher by every second. He narrowed his eyes, his left hand casually stroking the ring on his right hand’s index finger.

"Hey, Jiang Cheng. That's my Lan Zhan out there." exclaimed Wei Wuxian making the ear of the certain Lan turn red.

"When did he became yours?" asked Jiang Cheng voicing out Lan Qiren's thought.

The juniors laughed.

This was a dangerous sign.

Everyone knew that the ring was a menacing, strong magical weapon. Whenever Clan Leader Jiang started touching it, it meant that he had the intent to kill.

"Really? Why do I have that ring in the first place?" asked Jiang Cheng.