MDZS Fanfic

Red Strings of Connections

Chapter 33 The Isolated Old Man

"Lan Zhan!!!" Delight, and happiness could be heard from Shi Ying's voice. The cultivator she fell in love is standing in front of her, and if weren't for his black hair, Lan Wangji could be miss because of his robes that is matched to the whiteness of snow. But Shi Ying sees that he is still as handsome as ever, gorgeous, and beautiful.

With her excitement, she spread her arms and jogs towards him, about to give him a tight hug, but Lan Wangji took a step back, with knitted eyebrows. This action of him made Shi Ying blinks her eyes in confusion, yet it is only for short moment as she realized what was wrong, and a huge, mischievous grin spread on her.

Shi Ying palmed her cheek, fisted hand is placed at her chest as she begun to act like a shy bashful girl from well-own family, spouting many claims like:

"Oh, I can't believe my fiancé forgotten his soon-to-be wife!"

Continue with... "And here I am obeying your order to behave in this village! To wait for your return, that you definitely be back to take me away!! You're here now and yet you cannot even recognize your beloved?!"

Matching with tears and sobs, and... "Don't tell me you were eloping with someone else! Oh! This poor maiden's heart has been crushed!"

Adding oil on fire... "I've been waiting for you, esteem young master, and yet! You hurt me so much!"

Shi Ying keeps teasing Lan Wangji, but soon realize that no matter what she throws to him, his expression wouldn't barge, she thought; that these never happened.

Getting no reaction from Lan Wangji, Shi Ying sighs in defeat. "Lan Zhan, really doesn't recognize me? It's me Wei Ying!" He saw Lan Wangji eyes look at him from head to toe. "Aye! There's a reason for this! By the way, why is Lan Zhan here?"

Finally recognized him after closer inspection, Lan Wangji response, "Night-hunt."

"You mean the rumor "Divine Beast" here?" Lan Wangji nodded. "Great! then let's work together!"

"Those clothes are..." Shi Ying or Wei Wuxian sees his eyes looking at him from head to toe, again.

"Hmm? Yes, yes, just like what you thought Lan Zhan. Me—dressed like this is connected to this night-hunt." Wei Wuxian hooks his arm to Lan Zhan's. "Come with this pretty shimei, and she'll tell you everything she knew so far!" As usual "mn" came out as a response from Lan Wangji, Wei Wuxian pulls him down the mountain and give the information that have been gathered so far.

As talkative as he always is, Wei Wuxian able to fill Lan Wangji all the information they have gathered in short amount of time.

The trip at the foot of mountain has been easier and faster than climbing.

Upon their descendance, Lan Wangji quickly grasps the situation, and he said in almost quiet voice: "Dressing like that will just make you their target." Lan Wangji meant about the villagers. "Marrying in age fourteen might be their way to save the girls."

"Right! The bones I have saw inside the cavern were all belonged to maidens in ages fourteen to eighteen." Wei Wuxian clicks his tongue in playful manner, "Aren't I a great candidate?"

"You are. But—" Lan Wangji no longer says anything.

Soon the two young master reach Hua Xie's house, but the said owner is nowhere within, he might be still working on what Wei Wuxian assigns to him.

Three days, three days from now the villagers will surely add bones on that cavern; if the candidate must be a teenage pure maiden, then their only target is no other than Wei Wuxian who they didn't know were a guy that only dressed as a woman—by Sect Leader Zhu, Wei Wuxian's mother—for what purpose? Obviously, to be the honey trap for the "Divine Beast".

Sect Leader Zhu never want to put her son in danger by becoming the sacrificial lamb for the villagers, but they must enter the cave where the "Divine Beast".

"Wei Ying."

"Yes Lan Zhan?"

"Why are you the only one that sent here?"

"What do you mean? Do Lan Zhan really doesn't like seeing Wei-gongzi in dress? Is this young master looks hideous?"

"No," Lan Wangji calmly replied, and add "You are beautiful." Wei Ying's face warms at the comment, he turns his head away to hide his blush.

Wei Wuxian never learns! He digs another grave for himself again! He have this feeling that teases Lan Wangji is the same like digging his own grave; despite that, he just couldn't help but keep doing it.

He just teases Lan Wangji, to see Lan-gongzi defend himself, but to think that Lan Wangji would attack him like that, with those words directed to him.

Wei Wuxian clears his throat as well as trying to clear the warm on his face, either successful or not, Wei Wuxian turns back to Lan Wangji. "You meant why Sis Rein isn't here instead right? Well, she's gone with Brother Yu in different mission. After all they are already come-to-the-age."

"Myo Qing?"

"Sister Qing is currently with Brother Liu and Uncle Cai somewhere—currently, I'm the only one available for this, so..." Wei Wuxian cannot say. He cannot say that this mission might be connected to Baoshan Sanren's mission for him. After all, other than the mission is confidential itself, him being under care of his "Zumu" is also a secret to all.

Wei Wuxian felt guilty for hiding things to Lan Wangji, but confidential is confidential, no matter who is the other party.

"So, Wei Ying went there to investigate further?"

"Yup! Well, I didn't get too much—or I... actually get something more?" Lan Wangji waits patiently. "Or... someone..."

"Who is it Wei Ying?"

Wei Wuxian propped his chin on his hand, looking at Lan Wangji knowingly, with coy smile he mouthed "You."

Lan Wangji has no expression on his face despite hearing this from Wei Wuxian with his flirtatious voice, unbeknownst to Wei Wuxian, Lan Wangji's could feel his ears flaring in heat. Surely, Wei Wuxian flirting is actually effective on Lan Wangji.

The next second Lan Wangji startled Wei Wuxian to the max, when the Second Young Master of Lan Clan rose his hand and brush his fingers and nails onto the other's cheek. As if he was scalded by Lan Wangji's touch, Wei Wuxian back away a little, he feels his heart will jump out from his chest if he keeps letting Lan Wangji touch him.

Awkwardness coated their atmosphere, the ever so blank canvas of Lan Wangji's face changes slightly as his eyes widen in bewilderment through Wei Wuxian's reaction and that deep red blush. Too bad though, Wei Wuxian couldn't be able to see these small changes, as he was busier at the heat on his face, and heart pounding.

He cannot understand, its same action, but different matter.

The Wei Wuxian before may blush and felt his heart pounded by this kind of affectionate movement from Lan Wangji, but once the conversation changes that heart pounding and red face would disperse as soon as it appeared.

Now. With the awareness of his feelings for the Second Young Master Lan, the heart pounding increases in beat, the simple red tint becomes deep red, much redder than ripe tomato, and his body would stiff.

He just doesn't understand, he has been flirting with Lan Wangji since they were kids but now with feelings all clear, Wei Wuxian is just... just want to pounce on Lan Wangji, something he mustn't do, no matter what. After all, only Wei Wuxian fell.

For Lan Wangji, this is like Wei Wuxian rejected him. This really hurts Lan Wangji to the core of his heart.

Lucky save for Wei Wuxian, the awkwardness in the house has been disperse when the door abruptly open, Hua Xie sees and senses what was inside his house, he blinks, greets the two young master, and then excused himself about to close the door while going back outside, but Wei Wuxian stops him.

"Shidi!" quick as lightning, Wei Wuxian runs towards his shidi. Hua Xie halted but contemplating whether he really should've.

"Shijie...?" Hua Xie closed the door behind him.

"How's your search?"

Hua Xie pursed his lips, preventing himself from laughing for that blush on his shixiong's face, and on how obvious of what is the reason for it. "It's good news." He clears his throat, "Just like Shijie's thought, there's someone who could provide us with real information."

"Th—That's great!"

Hua Xie nodded, "The person wants to meet Shijie tonight."

"Tonight? Why?" Lan Wangji's voice rung into their ears, although it has no effect on Hua Xie, the shidi could see the slight trembling of his shijie/shixiong; he bit his lips preventing a smile to surfaced.

"The person is someone that have conflict with the current village chief, and all of the villagers are banned from associating with him. Lan'er gongzi, I did say that he wants to meet Wei gongzi, but he cleared to me, that anyone can come along to listen in the discussion." Hua Xie saw it, he saw that Second Young Master Lan has become doubtful to this person the moment he heard "Tonight", and he understand why, and it is something everyone in Zhuque Sect is aware of.

The night came, in careful and quiet sneaking, Hua Xie guide the two young masters in the darkness of the village, hiding away from the eyesight of the patrollers, avoiding them, like prisoners that escape from jails.

Why is it like this? According to Hua Xie the person he found is someone that has old blood with the current village chief. The only person who is against with the village's tradition and went against it, finding ways to contrast it.

Who knows if this person will really tell them the truth. If he is against the 'Priestess of Night Snow Village' and the "Divine Beast".

Soon the three cultivators arrived at the forest, in this place they have finally relax, although not completely as they have to make sure that none of people from village would see them going to the territory of their 'enemy' or hear them discussing truth behind the snow covered mountain, "Divine Beast" and the priestess.

During this walk, Hua Xie was curious as of why the two young masters were quiet. It's normal for Second Young Master Lan, but not his shixiong.

From the corner of his eyes, he seems senses and sees some distance between the two, while Lan Wangji is looking straight ahead, still with his ever so stoic expression; Wei Wuxian who is in very back of their parade, is seems like to be averting his sight to the person in front, pulling his very best not lay an eye on the white robe cultivator.

Hua Xie thought and wished that Tiao Reinshun is here, if it is her whose here, she already figures out what's going between them, but only him is here and all he could do is be confused by sudden distance.

Looking back on the events since reuniting with the Second Young Master Lan, he could only conclude that something happened between them when he found them on his house, together, alone. At that time, they are already distance and Wei Wuxian is already trying to avoid Lan Wangji. He thought earlier that is something common, like: Lan Wangji made a move making Wei Wuxian fluster, but to think that it would lead to this awkward situation.

To think that the shameless becomes shameful.

Hua Xie is no relative to Wei Wuxian and he is only a shidi in the same sect, so there's still wall between them, and this wall is what stopping Hua Xie from approaching the issue. Quite a restriction for someone like him who wants to see further progress between the two young masters.

He sighs, hoping for things to be back in the right track soon.

After further quiet walking Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji finally sighted a small hut right in the middle of trees, that if one not carefully look they would pass it by. Hua Xie leads them there and knocks three times; soon they heard a weak man's voice from behind the door, telling them to enter.

Upon humble entering, Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji sees the condition of the place inside; it has a small table placed at the corner, atop of it is a single white flower, various fruits that could be seen within the forest, and a painting of a beautiful person that have a flower at one hand, and sword at the other, wearing a mask; this is like a small altar that worshipping the God in painting. Other than that altar, there are nothing within, but mats that they could sit on.

Sitting in the center, not even standing, nor moving is the owner of the house is an old man that has thin body, that his bone is showing through his hands and neck down, making his yellowed worn-out robe loosen and look big for him; his cheeks were sunken and gouge eyes, he looks weak and doesn't just seem like but really did weak. Lastly long white hair that tied into bun. With all of these things that they observe at glance, Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji understands that the old man could only offer is a simple nod of acknowledgement on their presence.

Hua Xie closed the door and lightened a candle that he takes out from his lapel.

Seems like the old man couldn't even provide himself a candle, which is also they understand, seeing he has history with the village chief and the villagers.

Hua Xie, Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji claps their hands to give respect to him, and thank him for giving them time, opportunity to learn what he been carrying.

A nod of affirmation from the old man.

Hua Xie takes out three mats for them and sit on.

Silence has enveloped the whole room, as none of them made any first move. During this silence Lan Wangji's eyes sharpened in alertness as he noticed how the old man looks at Wei Wuxian from head and below. Probably noticing him as well the old man finally spoke.

"What a br—brave young maiden. This o—old man heard from Young Ma—master Hua about the la—lady's courageous stand. Vo—volunteering to become the Priestess? May this old man know wh—why the Young Lady de—cide it first?"

Wei Wuxian smiles, "We want to solve this problem."

"For?"

"This village is not completely isolated to the outside, so many cultivators have come here to investigate the rumor about it."

"M—may this old man kn—know what rumor it is?"

"The rumor is about a monster eating cultivators, and what's frightening is the villagers are in cahoots by leading them at their end. It is just a good faith that my shidi over here didn't reach that ending."

"Ar—aren't the lady af—afraid that the Beast would kill y—you?"

"Cultivators mustn't get scared. Either by monsters or ghost."

The old man nodded, "Th—this discussion may co—consume too much of young masters' and lady's time. But pl—please bear with it, as th—this old bone is weak and near in his dead be—bed."

A hundred or so year-old man, in seclusion. His voice shaky, stuttering, and weak, even so he does his very best for them.

According to him, in the history scroll his ancestor left behind that later destroyed by the current chief: The "Divine Beast" was 'created' by a cultivator who badly desired to ascend in heaven, in godhood. Thinking he must do something incredible to get their God Emperor's attention he 'created' the "Divine Beast" from the feather of legendary beast god Zhuque.

The cultivator 'raised' the beast and introduced to everyone that it is an incarnation of Zhuque. The cultivator's creation did get the attention of gods, even the attention of Ghost Kings, but they saw nothing but a hideous and dangerous creature, thus instead of ascendance he received severe punishment, and his "Divine Beast" has been sealed within the mountain.

The mountain that is full of spiritual energy has started to be covered in snow, so is the village. To not let the sealing's effects to go further, the village itself has been sealed as well. Although someone could still enter, no one could leave.

The first cultivator that trapped in this village losses his mind after finding out that he no longer could go out.

The first cultivator has started massacre the villagers; in the midst of cries, losing hope and death, the "Divine Beast" made his presence known and killed the cultivator.

Since then, the villagers started calling it "Divine Beast", and started offering. But this didn't satisfy the "Divine Beast" and made his wrath known. Angry howls emerged from the mountain and lots of lives taken within half incense time. To appease the wrath of it, another cultivator suggest that the village offers a pure, clean, untouched young maiden. Ever since then, the villagers have been offering young maiden as their priestess to their "Divine Beast" every 50th year.

"During your time as the village chief, did you also offer a young maiden?" Wei Wuxian asked.

"Th—this old man did, and it is this o—old man's own daughter."

The cultivators have shock and frown at his revelation.

"During that time, I want to save all of the maidens, including my daughter to take the role of priestess; so, I have them chose their partner and get married. But this old man realized the advisors' plot to offer my daughter. Having powerless, this old man watches his daughter enter that cavern." The old man's voice begun to horse, and tears fall down on his wrinkled face. "I shout her name, begging everyone to not to do it. I begged "Don't offer my daughter" over and over,"

As if living again to those moments the old man cries terribly and even kowtow, as if begging the people of the past. "But as they are holding me and knife on my neck, they pressured my daughter and push her inside the cavern."

"Please! This old man begs you! Please save this village! Please make it end!"

The old man cries continuously, begging, kowtowing, while the three masters watch him, pitying him.

With a promised of ending things, Wei Wuxian, Lan Wangji and Hua Xie left the hut and the old man whom able to calm down somehow.