Koi Tower.

"And now, why are we back in this place?" asked Wei Wuxian.

"And who is that person from earlier?" he added.

"Who knows." said Jiang Cheng.

"It didn't even show if it is a man or a woman. How would we know?" asked Nie Huaisang.

"It will probably show it again." said Jin Zixuan.

Side by side, Lan XiChen and Lan WangJi strolled along the endless waves of Sparks Amidst Snow.

With a twist of his wrist, Lan XiChen swept over one of the snowcolored flowers, its petals in full bloom. The motion was so gentle that not even a dewdrop fell. He spoke, "WangJi, is there something on your mind? Why have you been so tense?"

Of course, in most people's eyes, the 'tenseness' probably looked no different than Lan WangJi's other expressions.

"It's probably Wei-xiong." said Nie Huaisang.

"Why me?" asked Wei Wuxian.

"You're the only one who is capable on making him have that expression." said Jiang Cheng.

"Maybe because of their last meeting." said MianMian.

"Maybe." said Jiang Cheng.

Lan WangJi's brows sunk low as he shook his head. A few moments later, he replied in a low voice, "Brother, I want to take someone back to the Cloud Recesses."

Lan XiChen was surprised, "Take someone back to the Cloud Recesses?"

Lan WangJi nodded, his expression pensive. After a pause, he continued, "Take him back... and hide him somewhere."

"Oh Lan Zhan." Wei Wuxian muttered.

"Wei Ying." said Lan Wangji as he hugged the man tightly.

"If only a-die said it to a-niang then maybe they won't have any misunderstanding." said Sizhui.

"But Wei Wuxian will surely not listen to him." said Jiang Cheng.

"Yeah right." said Wei Wuxian with a low voice.

Lan XiChen's eyes immediately widened.
Ever since their mother passed away, this brother of his had gradually become more and more withdrawn. Apart from going on night-hunts, he'd shut himself in his room all day long, reading, meditating, practicing calligraphy, playing his guqin, and improving his cultivation. He never talked much to anyone except for him, his elder brother. Yet, this was the first time that such words found their way outside of his lips.

Lan XiChen, "Hide him somewhere?"

Lan WangJi frowned softly. He began again, "But he is not willing."

"Sorry, Lan Zhan." said Wei Wuxian.

"It's nothing. I will never force you." said Lan Wangji.

"If only I could help." said Lan Xichen.

"Even if you told me about it and even if I will help you, no one can change Wei Wuxian's decisions once he made one." said Jiang Cheng.

"All Lan Wangji could do is maybe protect him from afar." he added.

Suddenly, the noise of chatter came from before them. Someone spat, "Is this a road that someone like you can walk on? Who let you roam around!"

A young voice replied, "I'm sorry. I..."

Hearing this, Lan XiChen and Lan WangJi looked up at the same time. Beside the wall reliefs stood two men. The one who had just scolded someone was Jin ZiXun, with a few servants and cultivators following behind him. The one who had been scolded was a white-clothed young man. When the man saw Lan XiChen and Lan WangJi, his face immediately went pale. He couldn't even continue with the things he wanted to say. As Jin ZiXun kept up his haughty guise, Jin GuangYao came to the rescue just in time.

"That's him, right?" Wei Wuxian asked as he pointed at Su She and the man on screen.

"Mn." said Sizhui.

"What is he doing there?" asked Wei Wuxian.

"Maybe to have some connections since he just built a sect." said Zizhen.

"Unlucky him, he crossed path with Jin Zixun." said Wei Wuxian.

The juniors are glaring at the screen.

He went to the white-clothed man, "The paths of Koi Tower are rather intricate. Young Master Su, it's not your fault that you got lost. You can come with me."

Seeing that he appeared, Jin ZiXun sneered and walked around them. The white-clothed man, however, hesitated, "You know me?"

Jin GuangYao smiled, "Of course I do. Why wouldn't I? Haven't we met each other once? Young Master Su, Su MinShan, your swordsmanship is quite good. I've been thinking ever since the hunt at Phoenix Mountain about what a pity it'd be if such a young talent didn't come to our sect. In the end, though, he did come to our sect. I was over the moon with joy. This way, please?"

There were countless cultivators who sought assistance by going to the LanlingJin Sect like Su She did. He thought that not many people would recognize him, having never expected Jin GuangYao to be able to remember him so clearly, going as far as to praise him, after just one hasty encounter with him. Instantly, Su She seemed to be more relieved. He ceased to look at the Lan brothers and followed Jin GuangYao away, scared that they'd mock or point at him.

"Even we don't like you, we will never mock you." said Lan Xichen.

"Yeah, they don't even know how to do that." said Wei Wuxian.

"It will be us. Me and ChengCheng. Don't you dare to cross path with us especially if you did something we didn't like, you'll be scurrying away by the sight of us." he added.

Su She scoffed at them.

"Jin Guangyao is so good at compliments." said Nie Huaisang.

"So fake." said Jiang Cheng.

Within Glamor Hall, Lan XiChen and Lan WangJi were seated one after the other. In the hall, it wasn't appropriate to continue the discussion that they were holding. Lan WangJi returned to his norm of ice and frost. The GusuLan Sect was famous for its abstinence from liquor. By Jin GuangYao's arrangements, no liquor cups were placed on either of the two's table. There was only a teacup and a few fresh, dainty dishes. Nobody had come forth and proposed them any toasts, either, so all was calm.

Unfortunately, just as the calmness settled down, a man wearing a robe of Sparks Amidst Snow suddenly approached them, one liquor cup in each hand, "Sect Leader Lan, HanGuang-Jun, a toast to each of you!"

"This man." Jiang Cheng muttered with a frown.

"What is he trying to do? Inviting the Lan brothers for a toast?" asked MianMian.

"He's probably showing off. I'm going to strangle him if he insist for the two of them to drink." said Jiang Cheng.

"What's wrong with offering them a drink?" asked Jin Zixun.

"Ask yourself." said Wei Wuxian.

This was Jin ZiXun, who had been toasting everyone for the past while. Jin GuangYao knew that neither Lan XiChen nor Lan WangJi liked liquor, so he hurried over, "ZiXun, both ZeWu-Jun and HanGuang-Jun grew up in Cloud Recesses. There are over three thousand rules on their stone wall. Instead of asking them to drink, why not..."

Jin ZiXun regarded Jin GuangYao with much aversion. He thought that his background was lowly and was ashamed to be of one clan as him. He interrupted, "The Jin Sect and the Lan Sect have always been like one family. We're all the same. My two Lan brothers, if you don't drink this, you'd be looking down on me!"

On the side, a few of his followers all praised, "What a bold move!"

"That's just how an esteemed cultivator should act!"

"How is that good? An esteemed cultivator should act like that? That means he didn't give importance to the rules of the Lan Sect." said Jiang Cheng.

"What's wrong with those people's mind?" he added.

"He's the one who's looking down on them since he is not giving a damn about the rules they follow." said Wei Wuxian.

"You two are saying that like you followed the rules. Like you didn't made them drink an alcohol." said Jin Zixun.

"We don't need to follow the rules." said Jiang Cheng

"Besides, they will be the one who will break the rule because you're insisting them to drink." said Wei Wuxian.

"What's wrong with a cup of alcohol? It's not like they're going to die." Jin Zixun said with a scoff.

Wei Wuxian and Jiang Cheng glared at him.

Jin GuangYao continued to smile, though he sighed under his breath, rubbing his temples. Lan XiChen stood up, wanting to decline the offer politely. Jin ZiXun continued to pester, turning to Lan XiChen, "Don't say anything. Sect Leader Lan, our two sects aren't strangers to each other. Don't deal with me like how you deal with strangers! Just tell me one thing -are you drinking it or not?"

"No, he won't." said Jiang Cheng.

"And you're really just a stranger to him." he added.

"Also, brother-in-law will only drink alcohol when it is offered by Jiang Cheng." said Wei Wuxian.

"Which make me think that why aren't you doing anything, Jiang Cheng?" he asked.

"You'd definitely not let him force your lover to drink." he said.

"I noticed, Jiang-xiong isn't there." said Nie Huaisang.

"Because he isn't there." said Jingyi.

The corners of Jin GuangYao's smile were starting to twitch. He glanced at Lan XiChen, eyes full of apology. He tried to speak gently, "After this, they'll return on their swords. Drinking would probably affect their..."

Jin ZiXun thought nothing of this, "It's not like they'd get drunk with just a few cups. Even if I drank eight large bowls, I'd still be able to fly away!"

"Just eight bowls?" asked Wei Wuxian.

"I can drink more than that and can still have a fight." he said.

Jin Zixun scoffed.

"Jin Guangyao is wrong." said Nie Huaisang.

"This two Lan brothers could still fly in their swords even if their drunk but probably they will be acting all strange that only my best friends could handle." he laughed.

"I prefer my peace than taking care of a drunk Lan." said Jiang Cheng.

Lan Xichen chuckled at him.

"Well, you have no choice because he will only listen to you." Wei Wuxian grinned.

"Well, Lan Xichen is easy to take good care when drunk compared to yours." said Jiang Cheng.

Lan Wangji looked at him.

"How is that?" he asked.

"Think for yourself." Jiang Cheng grumbled.

A wave of cheers came from all around them. Lan WangJi was still sitting, staring coldly at the cup of liquor that Jin ZiXun forced into his sight. He looked as if he was about to speak when a hand suddenly took over the cup of liquor.

Lan WangJi paused in surprise, his knitted eyebrows unravelling at once. He looked up.

What first reflected against his pupils were black robes. A flute hung at the waist, tassels in the color of blood dangling off one end. The person who came stood with hands against his back. With a lift of his head, he drank all of the liquor and showed the empty bottom to Jin ZiXun, "I drank it for him. You satisfied yet?"

Laughter clung to both his eyes and his words. Handsome features accentuated his slender physique.

"What are you doing there?" asked Jiang Cheng.

"To rescue my lover, I guess." Wei Wuxian grinned.

"Or to show off." said Jin Zixun.

"Or to give you a lesson." said Wei Wuxian.

Jin Zixun scoffed.

Lan XiChen, "Young Master Wei."

Someone exclaimed in a hushed tone, "When did he come?!"

Wei WuXian put down the cup. With one hand, he fixed his lapel, "Just a moment ago."

Just a moment ago? But, just a moment ago, clearly nobody notified the room, much less greeted him. Although surprising, it was true that not a single person noticed when he managed to slip into Glamor Hall. The crowd couldn't help but shiver in disgust at the mere power of his abilities.

"Shiver in disgust or shiver in fear?" asked Wei Wuxian.

"Both." said Jin Ling.

"Maybe, Wei-xiong is there because of that person. We all know that he hated the Jin Sect the most so he will never go there without a proper reason." said Nie Huaisang.

"Or to have a fight with Jin Zixuan." Wei Wuxian grinned.

"Why me?" asked Jin Zixuan.

"You're the best target to fight with." said Jiang Cheng.

Jin Zixuan rolled his eyes at them.

Jin GuangYao was quick to react, his enthusiasm still warm, "I wasn't aware of Young Master Wei's arrival at Koi Tower. The lack of a welcome was my fault. Would you like to be seated? Oh, right-do you have an invitation?"

Wei WuXian didn't make small talk either, getting straight to the point, "No thanks. I don't." He nodded slightly at Jin ZiXun, "Young Master Jin, could I please have a word with you?"

Jin ZiXun, "If you have anything to say, come after our banquet is over."

"What do you want from him?" asked Jiang Cheng.

"Why aren't you invited?" asked Wei Wuxian.

They both asked it at the same time.

"I don't know." they both answered.

"Maybe Wei-xiong need an important information from Jin Zixun while Jiang-xiong isn't invited because the Jin Sect doesn't involve the Jiang Sect especially when Wei-xiong is under the Jiang Sect." said Nie Huaisang.

"That means, they're leaving me out of all their plans and connections with one another." said Jiang Cheng.

"Who cares? I don't want to have a connection with them either." he added.

In reality, he didn't want to talk to Wei WuXian at all. Wei WuXian could see this as well, "How long do I have to wait?"

Jin ZiXun, "Probably around six to eight hours. Or maybe ten to twelve. Or until tomorrow."

Wei WuXian, "I'm afraid I can't wait for that long."

Jin ZiXun's voice was arrogant, "You'll have to wait even if you can't."

Jin GuangYao, "Young Master Wei, what do you need ZiXun for? Is it a pressing matter?"

Wei WuXian, "Pressing indeed. It allows for no delay."

Jin ZiXun turned to Lan XiChen, holding up the other cup, "Sect Leader Lan, here, here. You haven't drunk this cup yet!"

"What does he need from him?" asked Jiang Cheng.

"Why does he keeps on pestering my man on drinking? Why don't he pester others?" he added.

"Yeah, yeah." Wei Wuxian agrees.

"Why don't he just talk to me and answer whatever I am going to ask since curiosity is slowly eating me." he added.

"If it's not that important, I should have strangle him already. He's messing with my patience." he continued.

"You need to wait. Don't expect me to lend you my time." said Jin Zixun.

"Who are you? You're not some royalty that I'm going to be patience of you." said Wei Wuxian.

"Can't you see? The Jins Sect is already above all so you have to look up onto me." said Jin Zixun with pride.

"In your stupid dreams." said Wei Wuxian.

Seeing him stall purposely, a dark cloud flashed before his face. He narrowed his eyes, the corners of his lips curling up, "Fine. Then I'll talk about it right here. Young Master Jin, have you heard of someone by the name of Wen Ning?"

Jin ZiXun, "Wen Ning? I haven't."

"Oh." Wen Qing mumbled.

"So it's Wen-guniang." said Lan Xichen.

"What about him?" asked Wen Rouhan.

"Don't tell me something bad happened to him." he added.

"If he is under the Jin then, that's possible." said Lan Qiren.

"Whoever hurt my nephew will be dead right on the moment I find out." said Wen Rouhan with a dark look toward the Jins.

"Lets see if you can." said Jin Guangshan.

"Don't challenge me." said Wen Rouhan.

Wei WuXian, "You definitely remember him. Last month, when you were night-hunting in the area of Ganquan, you chased an eight-winged bat king to the gathering place, or the detention camp, of the Wen Sect's remnants and brought a group of the Wen Sect's disciples. The one in the lead was him."

After the Sunshot Campaign, the QishanWen Sect was destroyed. The territory that it was expanding was shared among the other sects. The Ganquan area was appointed to the LanlingJin Sect. As for the remnants of the Wen Sect, they were herded into a small corner of Qishan, not even a thousandth the territory it onced owned. They were crammed into the place and struggled to live.

"What are the Jins doing with the non-cultivator Wens?" Wen Rouhan asked.

"For slavery, I guess." said Wei Wuxian.

"That's a proof that the Wens aren't that powerful." said Jin Guangshan.

"Jin Sect are the most powerful." he added.

"Powerful?" Jiang Cheng scoffed.

"You can't even defend Langya on your own." he said.

"How is that powerful?" he asked.

"If you said greedy for power then I might have agreed with you." he said with an eye roll.

Wen Rouhan is smirking at Jin Guangshan.

"You don't have nephews who are ready to side with you." he said.

Lan Qiren glared at him.

Jin ZiXun, "I don't remember, which means I don't remember. I'm not so idle as to go out of my way to remember a Wen-dog's name."

Wei WuXian, "Fine. I don't mind explaining it in greater detail. You couldn't catch the bat king and happened to run into a few of the Wen Sect's disciples who were there to investigate the same thing. And so, you threatened them to carry spirit-attraction flags to be your bait. They didn't dare do it. One person stepped out and tried to reason with you. That's the Wen Ning I'm talking about. After some delay, the bat king got away. You beat up the Wen cultivators, took them away by force, and the group disappeared. Do I need to say any more details? They still haven't returned yet. Apart from you, I don't know who in the world I could possibly ask."

Jin ZiXun, "Wei WuXian, what do you mean? You came for him? You aren't standing up for a Wen-dog, are you?"

Wei WuXian wore a broad grin, "Since when is it your business whether I'd like to stand up for him or cut his head off? Just give him to me!"

"So it's him." said Wen Rouhan as he surrounds a resentment energy on Jin Zixun making him unable to move.

"What are doing to my nephew? Let him go." said Jin Guangshan.

"I will let him go." said Wen Rouhan.

"Once he's dead." he added.

"Wait." said Wen Qing.

"Lets wait." she repeated.

"I will be the one to decide of what will happen to him." she added.

"Whatever my beautiful niece wants." said Wen Rouhan as he gestured his hands to resentment energy making Jin Zixun blast on the wall.

"Tie him." he said.

A few Wen Sect cultivators stood up and tied the man next to Jin Guangyao.

At the last sentence, the grin on his face vanished. His tone turned cold as well. It was clear that he had lost his patience. Many of the people within Glamor Hal shivered in fear. Jin ZiXun felt his scalp tingle as well. Yet, his anger soon soared. He shouted, "Wei WuXian, you are too bold! Did the LanlingJin Sect invite you today? And you dare run wild here. Do you really think that you're invincible, that nobody has the courage to confront you? Do you want to overturn the Heavens?"

Wei WuXian smiled, "You're comparing yourself to the Heavens? Excuse my language, but your face is a little too thick, isn't it?"

"Heavens? These Jins are really something." Wen Rouhan scoffed.

"They think so highly of themselves because they're on top but that doesn't mean that all off us will listen to them." said Wei Wuxian.

"They didn't even do anything good in the whole cultivation world." he added.

"Besides, Heaven is such a big word to call their Sect. Those who lives there are mostly immoral, it doesn't suit the Heaven." said Jiang Cheng.

Wen Rouhan is laughing out loud.

"I loves your nephews, Qiren." he said.

Although in his heart, Jin ZiXun had already begun to think of the LanlingJin Sect as the new Heavens, he too knew that his words were too rash. His cheeks flushed slightly. Just as he was about to rebut, sitting on the foremost seat, Jin GuangShan spoke up.

His voice seemed kind, "It's not anything too important anyways. You youngsters, why lose your tempers over such a thing? However, Young Master Wei, let me be fair here. Barging in when the LanlingJin Sect is holding a private banquet is indeed inappropriate."

To say that Jin GuangShan didn't mind what happened at Phoenix Mountain would be impossible. This was also why he only smiled when Jin ZiXun bickered with Wei WuXian but didn't stop them, and only spoke up when Jin ZiXun was at the disadvantage.

"How is life isn't that important?" asked Wei Wuxian.

"Wen Ning might be in danger." he added.

"Why would we care about Wens and gave importance to them?" asked Jin Guangshan.

"Because they're humans." said Madam Jin.

"Where was I during that time? Why am I not doing anything?" she asked.

"Because you dislikes the Wens too, that's why you're not doing anything." said Jin Ling.

"At least I could stop my nephew from spouting nonsense." said Madam Jin.

"You will never take Wei-daijiu side because you dislikes his closeness to a-niang so you never tried to stop your nephew." said Jin Ling.

Wei WuXian nodded, "Sect Leader Jin, it was never my intention to disturb your private banquet. My apologies. However, the whereabouts of the people whom Young Master Jin took are still unclear. Just a moment of delay, and it might be too late. One of the group had once saved me before. I will definitely not sit back and watch. Please do not feel pressured. I will make amends for this at a later date."

Jin GuangShan, "Whatever it is, it must be able to wait a little longer. Come, come, you can sit down first. Let's talk about this with no rush."

"Can't he understand human language?" asked Jiang Cheng.

"Wei Wuxian is in a hurry to save that man and here he is, asking him to sit down and talk." he added.

"He's saying that because he's not interested." said Jin Zixuan.

"He might going change the course of the conversation once Wei Wuxian sat down." he added with a glare.

Soundlessly, Jin GuangYao had already prepared a new seat. Wei WuXian, "Thank you, Sect Leader Jin, but I won't stay for long. The matter can't be delayed. Please let this be sorted out as soon as possible."

Jin GuangShan, "There's no need for hurry. If we break things down, there are indeed a few things between us that haven't been accounted for yet, things that can't be delayed. Now that you're here, how about we use the opportunity to sort those things out as well?"

"What does he mean by that?" asked Wei Wuxian.

"It means he wants something from you." said Wen Rouhan.

"This man, he's unbelievable." said Jin Zixuan.

"A life is more pressing matter and he's going to talk about whatever Wei Wuxian. What's wrong with him?" he asked.

"I bet he's talking about Wei-xiong's new way of cultivation." said Nie Huaisang.

"What elese?" asked Jiang Cheng.

Wei WuXian raised a brow, "Account for what?"

Jin GuangShan, "Young Master Wei, we've brought this up a couple of times with you already. You haven't forgotten, have you? ... During the Sunshot Campaign, you had once used a certain object."

Wei WuXian, "Oh. You did mention it before. The Tiger Seal?"

Jin GuangShan, "It is said that the Stygian Tiger Seal was casted from the iron of a sword that you acquired in the cave of the Xuanwu of Slaughter. Back then, you used it on the battlefield once. Its powers were horrifying, causing even a few of our own cultivators to be affected by its residual force..."

Wei WuXian interrupted, "Please get to the point."

Wen Rouhan suddenly let out a loud laugh.

"What's wrong with him?" asked Nie Huaisang.

"Don't care about him. He might have gone crazy as time passes by." said Nie Mingjue receiving a glare from Wen Xu.

"Jin Guangshan, Jin Guangshan." said Wen Rouhan.

"Your greediness is showing. It more dangerous than me." he added.

"Does he mean that Wei Wuxian should listen to him? Or he wants Wei Wuxian to give up the seal?" asked Jiang Cheng.

"It's both." said Jin Zixuan.

Jin GuangShan, "This is the point. In the battle, apart from the Wen Sect, our sides undertook great losses as well. In my opinion, such a weapon is quite difficult to be controlled. For it to be in the hands of just a single person might be..."

Before he even finished his words, Wei WuXian began to laugh.

After a few laughs, he continued, "Sect Leader Jin, let me ask you something else. Do you think that, because the QishanWen Sect is gone, the LanlingJin Sect has all right to replace it?"

"Good job, little Wei." laughed Wen Rouhan.

"No one could say that to Jin Guangshan's face without a second thought." said Jiang Fengmian.

"My son-in-laws are either straightforward and blunt or just way too honest at everything." said Qingheng-jun.

"He's right though." said Lan Qiren.

"Why is he taking the lead? It should be decided by the whole cultivation world to choose their leader." he said.

"Maybe because Jin Guangyao is the one who killed Wen Rouhan in the future that's why he considered his sect to have the most achievements and should be the one to lead." Nie Mingjue said with a scoff.

"Or the people in the future are way to dumb to let him lead." said MianMian.

All was silent within Glamor Hall.

Wei WuXian added, "Everything has to be given to you? Everyone has to listen to you? Looking at how the LanlingJin Sect does things, I almost thought that it was the QishanWen Sect's empire all over again."

Hearing this, over Jin GuangShan's square-shaped face flashed a hue of embarrassed anger. After the Sunshot Campaign, the criticism of Wei WuXian cultivating the ghoul path that the sects had once veiled began to rise. He mentioned the Stygian Tiger Seal here intending to threaten Wei WuXian, reminding him that there was still something they held against him, that others were still watching him, and thus he shouldn't be so bold as to want to climb above the LanlingJin Sect. Nobody expected Wei WuXian's words to be so harshly straightforward. Although he'd held the quiet thought of succeeding the Wen Sect's position since a long time ago, nobody had ever dared to bring it to the surface so fearlessly, going as far as to mock him.

"I won't give up the seal to him." said Wei Wuxian.

"Either I'll broke it or give it to Jiang Cheng and the first one is the good option. We don't want Jiang Cheng to come across with resentment, can we? He have to wait for my death to get a hand on it." he added.

"Maybe that's the reason why they held a war against you." said Jin Zixuan.

"I'm tired of this family. Why did I even end up on this kind of sect?" he asked.

"You're just way too unlucky." said Jiang Cheng.

"Made you think that it's far more better to followed the thousand rules of Lans than having a disgusting father." he added.

Jin Zixuan nodded his head.

A guest cultivator on his right shouted, "Wei WuXian! Watch your words!"

Wei WuXian, "Did I say something wrong? Forcing living people to be bait and beating them up whenever they refused to obey-is this any different from what the QishanWen Sect does?"

Another guest cultivator stood up, "Of course it's different. The Wendogs did all kinds of evil. To arrive at such an end is only karma for them. We only avenged a tooth for a tooth, letting them taste the fruit that they themselves had sown. What's wrong with this?"

"Excuse me!" Wen Qing said loudly.

"I never do anything evil much less my brother." she said.

"Just because you have a Wen surname, they thought you're all evil." said Sizhui.

"They failed to investigate." he added.

"This cultivator, he might not have known me or the other Wens." said Wen Rouhan.

"Those Wens living under me might have done some unacceptable things but my niece and nephew's family have never." he added.

"They're just running their mouth thoughtlessly." said Qingheng-jun.

Wei WuXian, "Take revenge on the ones who bite you. Wen Ning's branch doesn't have much blood on their hands. Don't tell me that you find them guilty by association?"

Another person spoke, "Young Master Wei, is it that they don't have much blood on their hands just because you say so? These are only your one-sided words. Where's the evidence?"

Wei WuXian, "You think that they killed the innocent-aren't those your one-sided words as well? Shouldn't you be the first one to show evidence? Why would you instead ask me for evidence?"

"Why does he wants to defend them so much?" asked a random cultivator.

"Because I owed them something." said Wei Wuxian.

"They sacrificed their safety just to help me and Jiang Cheng back then after the fall of Lotus Pier." he added.

"Besides, those people have no evidence if the Wen siblings really did such things related to evil." said Nie Huaisang.

"People in our timeline doesn't need any evidence as long as they can point it to someone." said Jin Ling.

"And that someone is me." said Wei Wuxian and the juniors nodded their heads.

"If I were to travel to your timeline, I would beat them all to death." said Wen Rouhan.

"It's much more better if you would only stay here." said Zizhen.

"We don't want you causing troubles on our timeline." he added.

"Well, I won't cause trouble. How about strolling around and meet my nephews, little Jiang and little Wei?" he asked with a laugh.

"We're not your nephews." the two grumbled.

"Still, thank you for defending us." said Wen Qing.

The person shook his head, the words 'this man refuses to reason with me' written all over his face. Someone else sneered, "Back then, when the Wen Sect slaughtered our people, it was thousands of times crueler than this! They didn't treat us with justice and morality, so why should we treat them with such?"

Wei WuXian grinned, "Oh. The Wen-dogs did all kinds of evil, so anyone whose surname is Wen can be killed? That's not it, is it? Many of the clans who defected from the Wen Sect are quite well-off right now, aren't they? In this hall, isn't there a few sect leaders from clans that used to be under the Wen Sect's wing?"

As the sect leaders saw that he recognized them, their expressions changed at once. Wei WuXian continued, "Since anyone whose surname is Wen can be used an outlet of anger as one pleases, no matter if they're innocent or not, does it mean that it's fine even if I kill all of them right now?"

"Go Wei-jiujiu." said Jingyi.

"Just kill all of them and it won't be a problem anymore." he added.

"Those people are the cause of headaches in our timeline." said Jin Ling.

"I'm not that cruel." said Wei Wuxian.

"That's the reason why they didn't learn their lesson. You didn't show them cruelty." said Sizhui.

"I won't be cruel, that's ChengCheng's job." said Wei Wuxian.

"Oh shut up." Jiang Cheng said with a glare but Wei Wuxian just grinned.

Before he even finished his words, he placed his hand on his waist where Chenqing hung. Instantly, it was as if a piece of memory was stirred up in the minds of everyone within the hall, as though they returned to the battlefield where darkness became the sky and corpses became mountains. At once, people stood up from among the crowd.

Lan WangJi's lowered his voice, "Wei Ying!"

"Ohh scary." said Wen Rouhan in amusement.

"You didn't saw or experienced the power of Chenqing that's why you can say that." said Jin Ling.

"That's one of the most dangerous instrument in the future." he added.

"Well, if something really happened there then that's not Wei Wuxian's fault." said Jin Zixuan.

"They made him lose his patience." he added.

Jin GuangYao was the closest to Wei WuXian, but he maintained his composure, speaking in a gentle voice, "Young Master Wei, please don't overdo things. Things are still open for discussion."

Jin GuangShan stood up as well, his face a mixture of shock, anger, fear, and hatred, "Wei WuXian! Just because... Sect Leader Jiang isn't here doesn't mean you can be so reckless!"

Wei WuXian's voice was harsh, "Do you think that I wouldn't be reckless if he were here? If I wanted to kill someone, who could stop me, and who would dare stop me?!"

"Of course you will be reckless." said Jiang Cheng.

"Either I'll be mad at you for causing such trouble or support you instead." he added.

"If Jin Guangyao said that the situation are still open for discussion then why don't he say that to his father?" asked Wei Wuxian.

"They're the one who isn't open for discussion." he added.

"Maybe even Lan Wangji can't stop him." said Wei Wuxian.

"No one can." said Nie Huaisang.

"So full of himself." said Jin Guangshan.

"It's true though." said Zizhen.

Lan WangJi spoke, one word at a time, "Wei Ying, put down Chenqing."

Wei WuXian looked at him. From against the pair of eyes as mild as glass, he saw his own hideous reflection. He spun around, shouting, "Jin ZiXun!"

"You can't take it when you look at him." said Jiang Cheng.

"You can't be cruel in front of him that's why you turned around." he added.

Wei Wuxian smiled.

"You really understand me." he said.

"It seems that in the future, I failed to understand you which ended up on us being separated." said Jiang Cheng.

"That's fine. As long as we, in this timeline, won't be separated and won't be enemies." said Wei Wuxian.

Jin GuangShan hurried, "ZiXun!"

Wei WuXian, "Cut the nonsense. I'm sure everyone knows that my patience is limited. Where is he? With so much time wasted on you, I'll give you three. Three!"

Jin ZiXun wanted to resist, but when he saw Jin GuangShan's face, he felt his heart shiver. Wei WuXian began again, "Two!"

Jin ZiXun finally yelled, "... Fine! Fine! It's just a few Wen-dogs. Take them if you want to. I'm not fooling around with you any longer! Go find them at Qiongqi Path on your own!"

Wei WuXian laughed coldly, "If only you said it sooner."

"Fooling around? You're just scared." said Wei Wuxian.

Jin Zixun scoffed even if a blood trickled down from his mouth.

"You look cool when you're like that, Wei-jiujiu." said Jingyi.

"I'm cool even if whatever I look." said Wei Wuxian.

"Being childish isn't cool." said Jiang Cheng.

"Then, you want me to act like that?" asked Wei Wuxian.

"Yes!" some female cultivator exclaimed.

Wei Wuxian gave them a look.

"You look so hot and sexy." one of them said boldly.

"You're dead." Jiang Cheng and Nie Huaisang smirked at the girl as Lan Wangji turned to glare at her.

"That man will never enter my sect from now on." said Jin Guangshan.

"You're the one who won't be entering the sect. It's not yours anymore." said Madam Jin.

He came like wind and went like wind. When his silhouette finally disappeared, the storm over the people's heads finally dissipated. Within Glamor Hall, most of those who stood up sat back down again. Almost all of them had already broken into cold sweats. On the other hand, Jin GuangShan, standing with a blank face where his seat was, finally lost his temper and kicked over the table in front of him. All of the gold dishes and silver platters rolled down the stairs.

Seeing his discomposure, Jin GuangYao wanted to ease the situation, starting, "Fa-"

Before he could finish, Jin GuangShan had already left. Jin ZiXun also felt that by giving in, he lost face in front of everyone. Out of both anger and hatred, he wanted to leave as well.

Jin GuangYao hurried, "ZiXun!"

Jin ZiXun was at the peak of his anger. Without a second thought, he flung away the cup of liquor that was turned down, directly towards Jin GuangYao's chest. A splash of liquor immediately sprouted on top of the Sparks Amidst Snow blooming passionately over the white robes. It was more than embarrassing, but because of how chaotic the state of the hall was, nobody really minded the act of great misconduct.

"Embarrassed eh." said Wei Wuxian.

"Can't take it when you lost face in front of many." he added making Jin Guangshan glare at him.

"Jin Guangshan got outsmarted by my nephew." laughed Wen Rouhan.

"His not your nephew. One day he will end up killing you." said Jin Guangshan.

"No, you're the he's going to kill." said Wen Rouhan.

"And don't ever think that they will do that to me since they already grew fond of me." he added.

"That's not true." said Wei Wuxian.

"Well, poor Jin Guangyao. He have to take care of everything because of what those two did." said Nie Huaisang.

"That's because he's too pretentious." said Jiang Cheng.

"You just hated him." said Wei Wuxian.

"I hate all the Jins." said Jiang Cheng.

"Except Madam Jin." he added.

Lan XiChen was the only one who exclaimed, "Brother!"

Jin GuangYao, "I'm fine, I'm fine. Brother, please be seated."

It was unsuitable for Lan XiChen to comment on Jin ZiXun, so he took out a snow-colored handkerchief and passed it to him, "Go retire and change your clothes."

Jiang Cheng narrowed his eyes at the screen.

"How can he retire on his room when no one is left to take good care of the rest?" asked Nie Huaisang.

"Young Master Wei, gave me so much troubles." said Meng Yao.

"I deeply apologize for that." said Wei Wuxian.

The two smiled at each other.

"So fake." Jiang Cheng mumbled but Wei Wuxian grinned at him.

Jin GuangYao took the handkerchief, wiping away as he forced a smile, "I can't leave, can I?"

He was the only one left to clean up the mess. How could he leave the scene? He reassured the crowd as he ranted, completely exhausted, "Young Master Wei really is too impulsive. How could he speak in such a way in front of so many sects?"

Lan WangJi spoke coldly, "Was he wrong?"

Jin GuangYao paused almost unnoticeably. He immediately laughed, "Haha. Yes, he's right. But it's because he's right that he can't say it in front of them, correct?"

"I can say whatever I want." said Wei Wuxian.

"It will help on making people open their eyes on what will happen if they let the Jins lead." he added.

"It doesn't." said the juniors.

"They will never open their just because of what you said. They're so blind of the power Jin Guangshan have." said Jin Ling.

"That power is nothing against what's right." said Wei Wuxian.

"You're right but, they will never listen to you." said Jingyi.

Lan XiChen seemed as if he was deep in thought, "Young Master Wei's heart really has changed."

Hearing this, pain flashed across the light pair of eyes under Lan WangJi's knitted brows.

"Lan Zhan." Wei Wuxian murmured.

"I promise, I will never come in contact with that cultivation. I don't want to see you like that." he said.

Lan Wangji gripped his waist.

"Mn. For you to be safe." he said.

"Yeah, dearest nephew. Don't ever come in contact with that cultivation or you're going to ruin yourself." said Wen Rouhan.

Having left Koi Tower, Wei WuXian turned one corner after another until he arrived at an alley, "I know where he is. Let's go."

Wen Qing had been sitting on pins and needles within the alley. Hearing him, she rushed out at once. Her body was still fairly weak. Head spinning, she felt her ankle twist before Wei WuXian propped her up with one hand. He suggested, "Do you want me to take you somewhere to rest? It's fine if I go alone. I'll definitely bring back Wen Ning."

Wen Qing immediately clung to him, "No! No! I'll go, I have to go!"

"Jiejie." Wen Ning mumbled.

"It's okay, a-ning. People really go through such situation sometimes." said Wen Qing.

"As long as I can get you back safe then all of what I have through are worth it." she added.

"But, I'm dead." said Wen Ning.

"Let's not think about that." Wen Qing mumbled.

"You're alive, you're safe here with me." she added.

Wen Rouhan looked at his niece and nephew with regret as he turned to glare at every Jins excluding Jin Ling, Jin Zixuan, and Madam Jin.

After Wen Ning went missing, she ran from Qishan to Yunmeng with almost no rest on her way. She hadn't closed her eyes in days. When she saw Wei WuXian, she urged him and begged him as if she was mad. Right now, with pale lips and blank eyes, she was worn to a shadow. Seeing how she seemed like she couldn't hold out any longer, with there being no time for her to eat slowly, he bought a few steamed buns from a vendor for her to eat on the go. Wen Qing knew too that she was almost at her limit and that she had to eat. With tangled hair and red eyes, she bit into the bun. What she looked like reminded Wei WuXian of how he and Jiang Cheng were like when they were on the run.

"You knew that Wei Wuxian is the only one who can help you." said Jiang Cheng.

"Because I know that whatever the situation, he will be always willing to help." said Wen Qing.

"This is where me and Wei Wuxian will have a broken relationship, right." Jiang Cheng asked the juniors.

"Yes, but it won't be that bad." said Jingyi.

"Why didn't I side with him?" Jiang Cheng asked.

"I don't I can explain that, a-niang." said Jingyi.

"Then my future self is stupid." said Jiang Cheng.

"He has reasons." Jingyi mumbled as he saw his mother's glare.

He promised again, "It's fine. I'll definitely bring back Wen Ning."

Wen Qing sobbed as she ate, "I knew I shouldn't have left... But I had no choice. They forced me to go to another city. When I came back, Wen Ning and the entire group was gone! I knew I shouldn't have left him alone!"

Wei WuXian, "He'll be alright."

Wen Qing was breaking down, "He won't! A-Ning's been a skittish one ever since he was young. He's both cautious and timid. He doesn't even dare hire the more quick-tempered people to be his subordinates-they're all a bunch of mice like him! He has no idea of what to do when in an emergency when I'm not there with him!"

"D-don't blame y-yourself, jiejie." said Wen Ning.

"In this life, you won't go anywhere without me." said Wen Qing.

"Except when he's with us." said Wei Wuxian.

"You're free to hate me, a-qing." said Wen Rouhan.

"I brought that to the both of you." he added.

"Shut up. Don't ever apologize, it doesn't suit you." said Wen Qing.

"We will make your brother to become stronger as long as you let him be with us." said Wei Wuxian.

"He will learn a lot from us." he added.

Wen Qing just raised a brow at him.

When Wei WuXian, with Jiang Cheng on his back, said goodbye to Wen Qing, this was what she said, 'No matter what the result of this campaign turns out to be, from now on, we owe each other no more. It's all settled.'

Wei WuXian could still see in his mind's eye her proud expression. Yet, last night, she refused to let go of his hand, almost kneeling in front of him as she begged, 'Wei WuXian, Wei WuXian, Young Master Wei, please help me. I really can't find anyone else to help me. You really have to help me find A-Ning! I have no other choice other than you!'

None of the pride from before remained.

"That's the most breaking down moment of my life, I guess." said Wen Qing.

"It is, yet people still judge you because you never stopped your uncle about his evil doings." said Sizhui.

"It's okay as long as I could reunite with my brother." said Wen Qing.

"Older siblings will do everything for their younger siblings." said Wei Wuxian.

"Pride won't remain at such situation." he added.

"Only if you are Jiang Cheng." he muttered with a grin.

"Shut the f*ck up." said Jiang Cheng.

_______________________________________

I'm very sorry for not informing you guys of when I am going to update and also for not updating for how many days.

I have been so busy these past few days because of school works and quizzes now that my final examination is fast approaching.

I hope you guys will understand.

Thank you!