The next few days were relatively quiet. Brother and Uncle did not return to ask me to participate in another training session. But the rumor that I had taken advantage of my "retirement" to develop a new way of using the "murder rope" spread very quickly as did the rumor of the surprise appearance of my qin from nowhere! The idea of turning my sleeves into a Qiankun pocket had had its effect!

Nobody dared to ask me any questions. The disciples had always respected me deeply. When they heard that my strength had grown even more after my retirement, they were excited. I soon noticed that the number of them had increased when I meditated in the orchid room or when I trained alone with Bichen!

One evening, Brother invited me to dinner. He told me that the main clan leaders were coming. They would be here in three days. There would be Jin GuangYao, Jiang Cheng, Nie HuaiSang and the leaders of the Yao and Ouyang sub-sects. He and Uncle wanted me to attend or at least make an appearance. I decided to comply with their request. It would be a way for me to learn about the current situation.

I would just have to take it upon myself to face them, especially Jiang Cheng. But it shouldn't be too difficult, I had learned to hide my feelings behind a cold face since my mother died.

When they arrived three days later, some of them were surprised by my presence, but others hid their reactions well. But Jiang Cheng's eyes and his face spoke for him. He was not happy to see me. One can understand him! Was he afraid that I would reveal to everyone that, contrary to what people said, he had not killed Wei WuXian? That his sword had been stuck in the rock at the last moment? And that it was Wei Ying who had deliberately thrown himself into the void? I could destroy his reputation with one word... if I wanted to!

I greeted them. Before anyone spoke to me, Uncle told them that I had taken a vow of silence since my retirement. I thought I saw relief in Jiang Cheng's eyes! Well !!!!

Brother asked some disciples to lead our guests to their pavilions and beckoned me to follow him.

When we arrived at the orchid hall, he sat me down in one of the alcoves and served me three cups of tea. I frowned slightly.

After a few moments, Jin GuangYao joined us. After greeting us, he sat down in front of my brother and turned to me.

"Han GuangJun, it's really nice to see you again, I was wondering when you would come out of retirement. Your brother told me that you took the opportunity to perfect your swordplay and the Lan clan's 'murderous rope'? "he said with a friendly smile.

I nodded.

My brother had already told him what had happened a few days earlier? So he told him .... everything?

"I understand your pain, Han Guang-Jun, Wei Wuxian was your friend. His betrayal and death must have touched you! I hope that these years of meditation have helped you to find peace.

Appeasement? It only exacerbated my anger towards you all and my lack of understanding!

I nodded again.

I would punish myself later for this lie!

"I don't know if your brother told you, but the Jin Clan has recovered Wei Wuxian's sword, Siubian. Shortly after it arrived in Lanling, the sword was sealed in its scabbard. I must admit, I was surprised, only the most powerful spiritual weapons are capable of this! You'll have to ask Jiang Cheng... "

"Ask me what?" said Jiang Cheng as he walked into the room with a determined step. He looked at the three of us and greeted us.

"Please, Jiang Clan Chief, come and join us," said my brother, pointing to the seat in front of me! Jiang Cheng sat down and served his brother a cup of tea, which he pushed in his direction.

"What's up? Ask me what?"

"Well, I was telling Han GuangJun, that the sword of....end Siubian had sealed itself when he arrived in Lanling and I was wondering if Chenqing had done the same? "

Jiang Cheng looked a little uncomfortable.

Jin GuangYao had avoided saying Wei Ying's name in front of him. I wondered why?

"I don't know if it's sealed, but you can't get any sound from it! This flute is mute! "

Jin GuangYao's face lit up!

"It's sealed! It was logical, the spirit in it is as powerful as Siubian's! Do you know what they say about spirit objects that seal themselves after their master dies?" Our three heads nodded negatively.

"Well, it is said that the guardian spirits of these weapons fall asleep waiting for their master to return like faithful dogs. They only do so if they are certain that their master will return! "

"Nonsense, it's a legend! "Jiang Cheng said.

"If it's a legend, Jiang Clan Chief, why are you hunting down all the demonic cultivation users trying to make them confess that they are Wei Wuxian?"

"Any demonic cultivation user should be punished! And it's not safe for one of them to succeed in summoning his spirit and making him possess a body! My duty is to hunt them down, that's all! Now excuse me, but I have to go get ready before the banquet tonight".

"You're right, that's what we should all do" said my brother.

Brother and Jin GuangYao left behind Jiang Cheng, leaving me alone.

If this legend was true, then it meant that both Siubian and Chenqing knew that Wei Ying would return! A wild hope sprang up in my heart.

If that was the case, then I too had to go on a hunt! If a demonic cultivator managed to bring my love back to life, I had to find him before Jiang Cheng and bring him to safety. And this time, I would use force if necessary!

I had to talk to my brother to get him to let me leave Yunshen Buzhi and travel the world.

I had to convince him to let me go wherever the chaos was!

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