"You were you." 

~JIANG CHENG'S POV~

Jiang Cheng rounded the corner of Lotus Pier, pacing nervously back and forth. He cursed under his breath. Earlier today, one of his disciples had spotted a small entourage of Lanling Jin Sect disciples heading this way. It was clear that Jin Guangyao knew what he had done. And he intended to put a stop to it. 

"Shit, shit, shit..." Jiang Cheng muttered, wringing his hands in frustration. His spiritual energy hadn't fully recovered yet, and at this rate, there was no way it would return before Jin Guangyao came. It was ironic wasn't it? Half of the cultivational world was here, but all of them were like useless toads, sitting there in wait. 

His only real allies, were all gone. Xichen had left for Gusu to notify the elders of the situation at hand. He had promised to come back quickly, but his spiritual energy was low, and he was still recovering from his wounds. 

Wei Ying had dragged Lan Zhan away, saying that they would be exploring the area. What it really meant was that his fool of a brother, wanted to get laid. 

Jiang Cheng rolled his eyes. Some things never changed. 

"Sect Leader Jiang! Sect Leader Jiang!" his head disciple exclaimed, rushing towards him. His face was full of panic, and his hands were trembling nervously. 

"What?" Jiang Cheng barked, the fear breaking through his facade. There was very little that could scare his head disciple. And for him to be this worried, something bad must've happened. 

"Sect Leader Jin was spotted near Yunmeng! He will be here within the hour!" 

"Fuck!" Jiang Cheng growled, narrowing his eyes in concentration. This was bad. This was really bad. Jin Guangyao couldn't have found a better time to strike. Zewu Jun and the Yiling Patriarch were both gone. While the rest of the Sect Leaders were too weak and cowardly to be of any use. That meant it was Jiang Cheng against the whole Lanling Jin Sect. 'Fuck,' he thought, cursing his luck. Jin Guangyao might not have a high level of cultivation, but he was certainly better than Jiang Cheng in his weakened state. "Send a disciple to Lan Xichen. Tell him that Lotus Pier is under attack, and he needs to bring reinforcements." 

"Yes Sect Leader!" 

"When Jin Guangyao gets here, make sure to stall him long enough for Gusu to come."

"Yes Sect Leader!" the young man saluted, as he scurried away to fulfill his orders.  

Jiang Cheng gave a weary sigh. The most important thing now was to get rid of Jin Ling and Jingyi. There was no way he was going to risk his son and nephew getting hurt. Jin Ling was a magnet for trouble, and Jingyi was way to impulsive for his own good. 

No. Jiang Cheng was not going to let them get hurt. He had to get them out of here. 

"Jin Ling? Jingyi?" he called, knocking frantically on the door to their rooms. "Hurry! Get up, let's go!" 

"Uncle?" came Jin Ling's groggy voice? "What's going on?" 

"There's no time, A-ling, let's go. Grab your brother, hurry!" 

"Hey! He's not my brother! He's way to annoying to be my brother!" 

"Shut up," Jingyi groused, thumping Jin Ling on the head. His messy locks and barely opened eyes were indication that he had been sleeping soundly before he was rudely awakened. 

"Mama? What's going on?" he muttered, tilting his head at Jiang Cheng. 

Jiang Cheng felt a rush of fondness surge through him. After his tenth birthday, Jingyi had refused to call Xichen his father, instead addressing him as Zewu Jun. He said that it was too embarrassing to say out in public. 

It was only with Jiang Cheng, that he had continued to call him his mama. Jiang Cheng smirked. Some habits were hard to break.

"Mama?" 

"Let's go," Jiang Cheng murmured, ushering his children outside. He grabbed them, leading them to the docks of Lotus Pier. There was a little boat there, hidden underneath the boardwalk. Jiang Cheng pushed the two juniors inside, gently cupping their faces before he left. "Listen to me. Find Han-Guang Jun, tell him that Lotus Pier is under attack. Tell him he needs to hurry and get here. I've already sent a message to his brother." 

"U-Uncle? Bu-" 

"No buts A-Ling. Listen to me. You must live. Take your brother with you, and find Han-Guang Jun." 

"Mama! What about you! You can't stay! Come with us," Jingyi whimpered, clutching onto Jiang Cheng's robes. 

Jiang Cheng gave a small, sad smile. "I can't. I'm the master of Lotus Pier. My home is under attack, I can't leave." 

"But-" 

Jiang Cheng silenced them, unraveling Zidian and placing it in Jingyi's hands. "All our hopes rest in you now." 

"Mother!" Jingyi struggled, trying to untie the binds of Zidian. "Let us go! We can help! Mother! Mother don't leave us! Don't leave me..." he whispered, trailing off in fright. 

But Jiang Cheng had already pushed the boat away, watching as their figures drifted into the horizon. A pained smile flitted across his face. 

The scene looked eerily familiar.

Was this how his mother felt when she sent them off? Did she too, whimper in fright at the thought of leaving her children behind? Jiang Cheng never thought he would be able to sympathize with her in this way. How she managed to still keep her head high, Jiang Cheng had no idea. It physically pained him to do this- but he had no choice. He would never let that slimy bastard Jin Guangyao, get ahold of his kids.

Turning around, he straightened his back, and walked back into the Swords Hall. 

There, sitting on a lotus throne, was none other than the Chief Cultivator himself. Jin Guangyao let out a sly smile, and slithered off his throne. "Sect Leader Jiang! How nice of you to join us!" 

Jiang Cheng scoffed, "Nice? Do you even know what that word means?"

"Why Sect Leader Jiang, have a cup of tea, there's no need for insults. I would prefer to do this the more civilized way, but if Sect Leader Jiang has a problem, then we can always discuss this in the dungeons?" 

Jiang Cheng grumbled under his breath. That snake. 

He gave an overly sweet smile of his own, "Of course! Tea is perfectly acceptable." 

"Why that's good to here! Please try this, this is Er-Ge's favorite blend." 

Jiang Cheng's brows twitched. How dare that bastard bring up Xichen. He always thought that Jin Guangyao had some weird fixation with his lover, and it bothered him to no end. He hated the way Jin Guangyao would drop flirty touches, and sultry remarks around the First Jade. He loathed the witty remarks and quick laughs the man would give. Hell he nearly shattered a teacup when he heard the Chief Cultivator talk about heirs and how the Gusu Lan Sect could further reinforce their alliance with Lanling Jin, through marriage. Granted Xichen had immediately declined the notion, saying that their alliance was already strong enough. But the damage had been done. Jiang Cheng had very nearly attacked Jin Guangyao, right then and there. It took three rounds of sex before he finally calmed down enough not to permanently maim the man.

But it wasn't just that he hated Jin Guangyao for touching his lover, it was something deeper. It was insecurity. Jiang Cheng was scared. Scared because for all his faults, Jin Guangyao actually made him feel somewhat inferior. Not that he would ever admit it, but sometimes he wondered if Xichen would prefer someone like Jin Guangyao. Someone more gentle and calm. He knew that Xichen was never a big fan of his temper and harsh ideals. 

Jiang Cheng felt a wave of anger overcome him. He glared at the man in front of him. It was easier to hate him than it was to admit his own vulnerability. "What do you want?" he snapped, far harsher than he intended. 

"Well Sect Leader Jiang, I was hoping we could talk. Who knows, if all goes well, maybe I'll even let you live by the end of this," Jin Guangyao replied, an innocent look on his face. 

Jiang Cheng felt his temper rising before he forced himself to stay calm. He had to keep his cool. He couldn't let his anger get the best of him. He needed to stall for time- needed to give Jin Ling and Jingyi some time to escape. 

"Ah then, what would Sect Leader Jin like to talk about hm? Maybe you're here to address the rumors?" 

"As a matter of a fact, I am," Jin Guangyao smiled slyly. "Truly Sect Leader Jiang, you did not strike me as the plotting type. Knowing you, you would sooner strike me dead on the battlefield, than exchange rumors about me in the dark."

"Hm." 

"I must say, I was sorely disappointed. To have Er-Ge kill a Sect Leader and call everyone here to spite me, I will say I was quite surprised when I heard! Interestingly enough, I also heard that Sect Leader Jiang was particularly friendly with the Yiling Patriarch, even going as far as to take a killing blow for him!" 

"And?" Jiang Cheng asked, unamused by his tactics. Jin Guangyao always had a way with words. His mouth was one of his biggest threats. It was impossible not to get riled up from those carefully constructed replies- words that always held double meanings and threats behind them. 

And Jiang Cheng was no stranger to lashing out with his tongue. He could make grown men cry with just a few sharp remarks. No, Sandu Shengshou was well known for his ferocious temper and unfiltered mouth. 

But Jin Guangyao was different. Jin Guangyao would find your weakness, and pounce on it. It wouldn't be something as simple as telling someone to fuck off. He would peel you, layer after layer, until you felt naked under his watchful gaze. He would dig deep and find that one blemish to your character, that one mistake you tried so hard to hide away. And then he would attack. And he would attack so ruthlessly and unforgivingly, that you would be left no time to react- much less properly defend yourself. 

"Well I just find it interesting. Sect Leader Jiang is well known for his hatred of demonic cultivation. I found it quite admirable actually, which is why I was quite confused when I heard. Why is Sect Leader so fond of the Yiling Patriarch- the worst of demonic cultivators?" 

"Maybe because he's my brother?" Jiang Cheng rolled his eyes. He really didn't want to deal with Jin Guangyao's backhanded compliments. But for his children's sake, he would manage. 

"But wasn't he the one that led the Wen's to Lotus Pier? Wasn't he the one that killed your sister and brother in law? Why would Sect Leader Jiang still care for such a brother?" 

"I find it interesting that Sect Leader Jin thinks he's fit to talk about a person's moral character." Jiang Cheng smirked, a smug smile spreading across his face. Jin Guangyao had provided him with an opening. And he'd be damned if he didn't make use of it. "Did Chi-Feng Zun not treat you well? If I remember, he was the one that saved you after your mother died. Look where that got him. Sect Leader Jin, Nie Mingjue was your sworn brother! Don't you think it's a bit hypocritical of you criticize me over my brother, when you killed yours?" 

Jin Guangyao gritted his teeth, jaw clenching in frustration. His face paled, and his fingers tightened into a fist. 

'Bullseye,' Jiang Cheng thought, giving himself a pat on the back. It wasn't everyday when one could outspeak Lian-Fang Zun. 

"We're done here," Jin Guangyao declared, rising from the lotus throne. "Block their spiritual powers, and bind their hands. Make sure you get Han-Guang Jun and Wei Wuxian when they come." 

"And how do you know they'll come?" Jiang Cheng taunted, his voice mocking. 

Jin Guangyao shot him a small smile. "Because you're here." 

Jiang Cheng narrowed his eyes, adopting a nonchalant pose. Shit. He really hoped that Lan Wangji wasn't stupid enough to actually storm Lotus Pier. When he told Jingyi to find him, he thought that the Second Jade would go to Gusu first, in search of reinforcements. 

Jiang Cheng cursed under his breath. With Wei Ying there, that probably wasn't very likely. 

'Fuck,' he thought, grumbling to himself, 'I really hope they don't come.'