A chapter a little longer than usual because it is in 2 parts. The 1st is serious but the 2nd is lighter.

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We arrived in Yueyang in the afternoon. I was worried about the curse on Wei Ying's leg. He had authorized me the night before to play "healing" for him. I asked him.

"How is your curse mark? "

"Almost healed, there's still a little left" He was holding his left arm! What was he hiding from me? The curse was on his leg, not on his arm! Did he have another mark he hadn't told me about? When I turned back to him, he released his arm and acted as if nothing had happened.

"What do you mean a little? "

"A little is a little, or let me strip down to show you."

I was tempted for a moment to tell him to do it, for his own good, of course! But my education and the rules of the Clan had always forbidden me to talk openly about such things! He knew it!

I looked away and continued on my way.

Wei Ying began to think aloud, about the groups involved in the events that were coming. There were two of them and they were opposite. One was hiding to act and knew the secrets of the Nie Clan and the other seemed to be guiding us by having put the spirit of Nie MingJue's sword on our path.

Suddenly, Wei Ying changed the subject again, asking me how I recognized him. He would never change, he still didn't understand! Was he doing it on purpose?

"Think about it for yourself! "I headed for Qiting Tavern.

Did he remember that we had been here before? I had been back several times in the last 16 years. In fact, I had been back to every place we had been together.

We sat down at a table. While Wei Ying ordered our meal, I took care of the room. The innkeeper put down the dishes and a jar of alcohol. My love took a cup filled to the brim.

At the next table, a waiter was telling 3 customers the story of the haunted house of the Chang clan. Wei Ying and I were well placed to know this story since we were the ones who had solved it.

That day we met Xiao XingChen and Song Lan.

We were listening to them, Wei Ying seemed to be amused to hear a ghost story!

After the waiter left, one of the customers talked about the two farmers and Xue Yang. After that, I had to tell Wei Ying that Xue Yang had escaped the execution momentarily thanks to Jin GwangShan who without any witness had not wanted him to be executed. The only survivor of the Chang clan had retracted and had cleared Xue Yang. It was only after the death of his father a few years later, that Jin GuangYao could have him punished.

Wei Ying asked me what Xiao Xing Chen and Song Lan did when Xue Yang was released. I had to tell him that Xiao XingChen had disappeared and Song Lan had left. I had experienced these events very closely 12 years ago. I was the last person to see Song Lan. Like him, I did not believe that Xiao XingChen had killed Chang Ping in revenge!

When Wei Ying heard about it, he didn't believe it either! Xiao Xing Chen was a man of honor!

He was outraged...so was I! But I couldn't show it, just as I couldn't talk about some things I had witnessed 12 years earlier!

Wei Ying poured himself a cup of alcohol. He cursed the fate of those two righteous men, for whom we had respect. He was angry. I was angry too!

I suddenly took his cup from him. I wanted to forget this story!

"Things are so unpredictable! "and I drank.

The alcohol burned my throat. I knew what effect it would have on me! Anyway, maybe it would help me to say or do...what I didn't have the courage to do when I was sober.

What followed was .... Messy and ...wobbly!

I think Wei Ying helped me up to the room and put me to bed. I looked at him wondering why he didn't lie down? He tucked me in...I don't want you to tuck me in I want you to lie down!!! Why wasn't he listening to me? Ah...maybe because I couldn't talk? Maybe... Wei Ying, why are you slapping me? I haven't done anything! Where are you going? I can't see you, where are you? I have to find you!

I stand up. Why is the room moving so much? Is the room on a boat? I get out. No water, no boat.

The street is dark. I move forward. I always feel that the street is rocking! I hear the flute of Wei Ying. He can't be far. I try...ola! I wobble to the left...to the right... I can't hear the flute anymore.

I see two black spots in the middle of the street. What is he doing? I try to see who he is with. It is blurred! I approach a little more...Wen Ning!

So, just like that, he put me to bed and left to join another one ! What are they doing? Why is he stroking her head? Why is Wen Ning shouting? They are talking. I can't hear them! I approach again. It's really strange, it's getting weirder and weirder!

What did he just say? Does he want to steal my sword? Wei Ying, just ask me and I'll give it to you...unless it's for Wen Ning! And then why did you play our song for him earlier. The only person you can play it for is me and nobody else!

I take another step forward. Wei Ying turns around. I look at them. Why, are they bent over?

"Lan Zhan, I wanted to borrow your sword, not steal it Hein"

Wen Ning, walks away. I must have scared him! I follow him with my eyes! Have a nice trip! Don't turn around my Wei Ying!

Strange, I am stable. Maybe I'll stay like this!

"Lan Zhan, look at you, You shouldn't go out when you are drunk! "

Drunk? Not at all, it's the street that's not straight!

Wei Ying takes my hand. Where are we going? I follow him. He stops for a moment.

Ooh this house is pretty! Wei Ying walks away.

Everything starts to sway again. I go towards the barrier. I lean on it. I signal to Wei Ying to follow me, I think I saw some chickens. You like chickens, it's good to eat! I enter.

Why isn't the straight line the shortest way to the chickens? I squat down by the cage and catch one. I give it to Wei Ying.

"Why are you giving me a chicken? "

Ah...he wants a second one. He wants a second one. I turn around and grab another one.

"Lan Zhan, what are you doing, you know these chickens are not yours? You know you're stealing them? "

Stealing? No, they are not flying, we are holding them firmly in our hands! Are they plump enough to eat them? I ask Wei Ying.

"Are they good chickens?"

"Yes very good" Why does he look so embarrassed?

"For you, it's for you! " and I put the second chicken in his arms...

I didn't take my money for the chickens.... I stagger to the porch of the house and carve my name. That way they'll know who to contact.

Wei Ying joins me. He tells me that I keep doing stupid things. It's not true, Lan WangJi never does silly things, I'm a serious person, everyone knows that!

"Let's go home to sleep"

Yes, let's go home ... he leaves me for a while and then comes back. We end up going back to the hostel... but these streets are really not straight! When we arrived in front of the room, Wei Ying asked me:

"Lan Zhan, you had turned off the lights" I nod.

Wei Ying takes a talisman in her dress and pushes the door. A masked man is searching our room. Wei Ying throws the talisman, the man makes a sword appear. I have to come to my senses!

I concentrate and draw Bichen. The fight begins. Strange, he seems to know the art of the Lan sword! Is he one of mine? Wei Ying managed to immobilize him and get my Qiankun pouch. Before we could do anything, he disappeared with a teleportation talisman.

Wei Ying thinking that I am still drunk, rushes to me to calm me down and make me sheath Bichen.

I wonder what I should do. Do I tell him that I am sober, .... or do I take the opportunity to see where this is going? I decide to continue...just a little.

I pretend to stagger. He helps me to the table. It's funny how attentive and considerate he is to me! He pours himself a cup of water...and I don't get one?

"Toooo driiiiiink ....waaaaterrr"

He serves me and gives me the cup. I have to pretend a little more. I lift the cup as if to empty it on my head. He stops me and helps me drink. He wipes my face. Wei Ying advises me to forget about it when I'm sober or I'll be embarrassed. He doesn't know that I'm already sober...and a little embarrassed to play him!

He shows me two fingers. What do you have in mind my love? I see your mischievous look.

What trick are you going to try to play on me?

"So, can I ask you some questions? "

"Mnnn"

So you want to play that!

"Did you ever drink from the emperor's smile in Guzu?"

"No."

I'm surely not going to tell you that I've already done it and that's why I have this mark on my chest!

"Have you ever broken the rules"

"Yes"

You already know that. You saw the lashes on my back. You know I broke them!

"Do you like rabbits? "

"Yes"

Now I can answer you honestly, I love them since you gave them to me, 17 years ago. You're suddenly getting serious. What question are you going to ask me next?

"Why are you helping me? "

Now I can finally tell you things that I normally can't!

"I have regrets, .... in the city without night, I was not by your side"

"So all these years you've been looking for me? "

I take on a guilty look. You have a slight smile and there are tears in your eyes. You take my hand.

Did you understand what was behind those few words I said to you?

"Lan Zhan, remember. None of this is your fault. Deserting and studying demonic culture was my choice. Do you understand? "

Yes I understand those were your choices, but what I don't understand is why you made them. I think the game has to end here.

I get up and stagger to the bed.

"It's time to go to sleep.

Tomorrow will be another day.

Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)

I always wondered, in the drama, why Lan Zhan came to his senses during the fight and then was drunk again afterwards! Moreover, the next day why did he remember the fight but not what happened before and after?

The answer for me is that at some point he had to come to his senses and act! It is this idea that gave this chapter, which I hope you liked!