Wei Wuxian's PoV

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We left Xichen and Meng Yao at the Hall of Ancestors. I didn't worry about him anymore, I could see that they had grown closer during the trip. I hoped that the softness displayed by Nie Ming-Jue's right hand man was not fake and that he actually cared about Xichen.

For the moment, my concern was for the well-being of my soul mate and his recovery. A short visit to the cold spring could only do him good.

We had walked along the ruins of the destroyed pavilions. Without the buildings, the wind was blowing everywhere. I had never realized that their orientation was intended to cut the natural currents that could be encountered at altitude. The architects of the Lan clan had really been ingenious.

We took the path down to the spring. The stones covered with moss had kept the humidity of the place and made them slippery. As we approached, I could see that the kiosk that overlooked the pool was still standing! It was really incredible to find an intact construction in this place. The sweet music of SiZhui's Qin reached our ears. Xiao Xingchen and Song Lan must still be there. I looked at Lan Zhan. I knew he didn't like to show his half-undressed body to anyone but me. He hesitated, but then walked back to the spring.

I thought to myself that to have taken this decision in view of his natural modesty, he must have really suffered. But of course he wouldn't say anything about it. He would bear his pain in silence!

Wen Ning had placed himself high on a rock. He was standing guard. SiZhui was on the bank playing his Qin. Xiao Xingchen was in the ice-cold water with his eyes closed. Song Lan was standing next to our son, not taking his eyes off his partner.

Lan Zhan walked to a bend in the stream and took off his robe. He slipped into the water and sat down to meditate. He was neither too far nor too close. At a good distance to hear and enjoy the benefits of the melody of SiZhui. I sat on a rock not far from him. Just like Song Lan for Xingchen, I did not leave Lan Zhan's eyes.

They went towards the place where I knew to be the passage to reach the cold cave. We took advantage of being there before the rest of our group to check that the Iron Yin was there.

When we arrived at the foot of the stone wall, we could only see that the seal had broken. The fear that the cursed amulet had been recovered by Wen Ruohan had taken hold of us.

When we crossed the passage, we found that the Iron Yin was resting on the ice rock next to the Lan Yi Qin. When it detected our presence, its strings vibrated, but it did not hurt us! He had recognized that we both belonged to the Lan clan! I wondered why at the time, he had not done the same, knowing that I had the blood of Lan running in my veins! I had asked Lan Zhan the question.

"The blood has nothing to do with it, it's the headband you wear that he recognizes! Remember the rabbits and the way I protected you!"

It had to be said that I would have had a hard time forgetting it! That was the day we had our first wedding ceremony, even though I didn't know it at the time and Lan Zhan had been careful not to tell me! I instinctively put my hand to the ribbon in my hair. Since Lan Zhan had revealed our union, I was wearing it in the eyes of all, not without a certain pride, moreover! Especially when Jin GuangShan was around!!!

Under the protection of the Qin of Lan Yi, the Iron Yin was safe. We preferred to leave it in its place. We would take it back just before we left.

After our visit to the Cold Cave, we looked for some items that we could retrieve... but after almost 18 years, there was not much left. We were nevertheless able to find something to heat us for the night to come and also something to build some semblance of walls to preserve our privacy. I could not see myself sleeping in front of everybody, snuggled up in Lan Zhan's arms like the previous night! Especially that we had in our company 2 "guests"!

It was at this moment that the rest of the group had joined us.

I looked up, through the foliage of the trees. The sun was already high in the sky. It would soon be time for lunch. Lan Zhan and Xiao Xingchen both needed to eat to regain their strength.

"Lan Zhan, it will soon be time for lunch, I'm going to join Meng Yao and Xichen.

I stood up and passing by SiZhui and Song Lan.

"Don't take too long, they can come back after lunch, we will stay at least two days".

I left my love in the hands of our son. I knew SiZhui was serious, I knew he would listen to me. The question was whether Lan Zhan would listen to me!

I went back through the forest to the HanShi. Xichen, Meng Yao, Jiang Cheng and Jin Ling were there. At first sight my brother had given permission to Jin Ling to talk with his uncle A-Yao!

Soon after I arrived at HanShi, Lan Zhan, SiZhui, Xiao Xingchen, Song Lan and Wen Ning joined us. We sat down around the fire to have lunch.

Song Lan sat next to Xiao Xingchen opposite Lan Zhan and me. SiZhui, Meng Yao and Xichen were on our right and Wen Ning, Jiang Cheng and Jin Ling were on our left. Jiang Cheng held out his hand for more rice. Xiao Xingchen grabbed it.

"You are Jiang Cheng, aren't you? Wei Wuxian is your adopted brother!" the blind man asked.

"That's right, why do you ask?" said my brother, abruptly removing his wrist from Xiao Xingchen's grasp. He looked at him suspiciously!

"I met Wei Wuxian a long time ago... and I feel the same spiritual energy in you... How is this possible since you are not related by blood?"

The silence became almost palpable . How could he so easily identify Jiang Cheng's spiritual energy? Xiao Xingchen had a strange smile on his lips. He spoke again.

"Wei-Gongzi, there was something else that surprised me. In addition to your brother's spiritual energy being the same as the one I knew about you, as far as you're concerned... yours has also changed! And ... I know it too! Wei-Gongzi, why do you possess the spiritual energy of my Master Baoshan SanRen?"

Around the fire the reactions were diverse. Lan Zhan had his usual impassive face, only the crinkle of his eyes had changed slightly! SiZhui was staring at me just as Jin Ling was staring intently at Jiang Cheng. Wen Ning, who was standing slightly back, looked at us with a worried look at the turn of events. Only Xichen and Meng Yao did not seem to understand.

"Xingchen-xiong, I forgot that you were a disciple of Baoshan... regarding Jiang Cheng's energy...

I looked at my brother, could I reveal that he was carrying my golden core within him? And that I was carrying Baoshan's? I trusted Xichen and Meng Yao but we didn't really know the disciple SanRen and his partner. I based on what I remembered of them in our world, but here, they had lived much longer! Maybe they had changed, even though I didn't believe it! I was about to reply when Jiang Cheng anticipated me.

"The energy you feel is my brother's energy. When Wen Zhu Liu destroyed my golden core, A-Xian gave me his!"

Disbelief was painted on everyone's face, but for different reasons! I never thought Jiang Cheng would talk about his golden core! It had always been a contentious issue between us and we never discussed it!

Xiao Chingchen tilted his head to the right... he seemed to be thinking.

"If Jiang Cheng is carrying your golden core, it's normal for him to have the same spiritual energy that I knew. Wei Gongzi, you didn't have any power left, so that explains why you turned to demonic cultivation, which I can feel traces of in you, because it doesn't require any! Now, you are generating spiritual energy again and this energy is identical to that of my master..."

"She gave me her golden core just before she left us forever! My uncle Baochen transferred it to me!

"Your uncle, I suspected that Cangse and Baochen had a connection..."

"They were brother and sister!"

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