XiCheng: The Last Lotus [AU- OMEGAVERSE]

18

"I'm buying you time to escape."

~JIANG FENGMIAN'S POV~

Jiang Fengmian gazed blankly into the horizon, his mind still reeling from the events of earlier today. He had left for Lanling, thinking that he could secure an alliance against the Wens. He thought that as bad as Jin Guangshan was, even he was no fool. The Wens were too power-hungry, and it was only a matter of time before they swallowed all the other sects. A few of the minor sects were already under Qishan's control.

Jiang Fengmian believed that as wretched as Jin Guangshan was, he too- would sense the danger slowly creeping up behind them.

He was wrong.

Jin Guangshan was nothing but a slimy bastard- a cowardly, spineless, fool of a man. He had waved off Fengmian's complaints, choosing to believe that his "strong" alliance with Wen Ruohan was not something to be undermined.

Jiang Fengmian resisted the urge to roll his eyes.

Strong? More like fawning.

Jin Guangshan did nothing but grovel at the Wen's feet. He sucked up to Wen Ruohan, seemingly quite pleased with the scraps of favor shown his way.

How pathetic. The leader of a major sect- one renowned for its gold and treasury, now shying away in cowardice and fright.

Jiang Fengmian gritted his teeth. He should've known better. One could never trust the den of vipers that was Lanling Jin. Full of hypocrites and devious schemes, Koi Tower- was a dreadful place to be.

Indeed, even in the few days that Jiang Fengmian had stayed, he could still feel the malicious presence and malevolent ploys. He had left sooner than expected, having grown weary of the fake smiles and calculative looks.

Jiang Fengmian gave a tired sigh. His time in Lanling had taken its toll on him.

Looking out into the horizon, he frowned when he saw the smoke rising through the air, draping over the boat in languid strokes.

"What is that?" he muttered, gesturing towards his head disciple. "Why is there smoke?"

The disciple squinted his eyes, glaring into the distance. "Sect Leader Jiang? Is that... Lotus Pier?" he asked, gasping in horror when he took in the flames towering over Yunmeng.

Jiang Fengmian felt his blood run cold as he stood up in alarm. "Lotus Pier? But why would Lotus Pier be burning?" he muttered, brows furrowing when he saw the waters ripple as a small boat made its way closer.

It was full of passengers, each clothed in deep purple. An enigma of the Lotus decorated the lapels of their robes, and two children were tied together with a violet whip- crackles still running down its side.

On the right, a young boy in plum purple clutched his sword tightly. A blue and white tassel dangled from the ends of it, and a snake decorated the hilt.

On the left, a child in black robes, with crimson fringes along the sides. His piercing silver eyes were full of panic and despair as they glanced helplessly into the horizon.

"Is that... A-Cheng?" Jiang Fengmian cried, panic bleeding into his voice. "And A-Xian?!"

"What are they doing here?! And why are their Jiang Sect disciples on board with them?" Jiang Fengmian bellowed, dread mixing in with the mounting fear.

"A-Cheng?!" he screamed, nearing his son's boat. "A-Cheng, why are you being tied with Zidian? And where is my lady?!"

"FATHER!" Jiang Cheng called, tears of relief flooding down his cheeks. "Father, Lotus Pier is under attack! Father, we have to go back! Mother is injured!"