The world is still such a bright place

Chapter 35

Jin Zixuan had been extremely happy ever since crossing swords with Wei Wuxian. Although the Gusu Lan sect disciple's movements were extremely careful in the beginning, they got slowly used to each other's style. Wei Wuxian became more at ease and by now, he was not holding back anymore. Or at least that was what Jin Zixuan believed. It had taken almost a whole month for them to reach this point, a month during which, Jin Zixuan was sparring with Wei Wuxian every day.

It also seemed to have greatly pleased the Gusu Lan sect disciple to be able to interact with him more, and Jin Zixuan fully returned that sentiment. He just could not get enough of spending time with Wei Wuxian who, despite his condition or even because of it, was thoroughly fascinating him. He was also a great, although silent, companion. Where he could not use words, he taught Jin Zixuan a few simple signs he was using or he was writing whatever was on his mind. By now, Jin Zixuan had no problems decrypting his somewhat childish and shaky handwriting and was extremely glad that the other could talk to him at least in this way.

He was now heading back to his room in a hurry to leave his study materials and notes there and go meet Wei Wuxian again after that. He was already looking forward to another training session with the Gusu Lan sect disciple, his thoughts were solely revolving around what new figures he would be able to learn today and what he would be able to teach the other.

Wei Wuxian had proven to be very curious about the Lanling Jin sect fighting style and Jin Zixuan was more than happy to teach him. It was a really big challenge since he could only explain verbally and correct Wei Wuxian's stance one he tried out what had been explained. Nevertheless, Jin Zixuan was happy since it gave him a perfect excuse to spend more time with the Gusu Lan sect disciple without being bothered by his strange feelings.

Even when he could blame them on wanting to learn, he could not fully disregard that there had been something attracting him towards Wei Wuxian long before that. Every time he saw the other, his chest tightened and felt warm, he could not help himself but to feel fond about every single gesture which was thrown his way. He also still wanted to know more about Wei Wuxian and his enigmatic past.

That was extremely unsettling because normally, he would not try to pry into others' privacy this much, Wei Wuxian seemed to have been an exception. Jin Zixuan was even more curious about him and wanted to get closer to him than to his own fiancée, the sister of the Yunmeng Jiang sect heir, Jiang Yanli. She was also studying in the Cloud Recesses right now but luckily, Jin Zixuan did not have to interact with her too much and could spend most of his free time with Wei Wuxian.

The betrothal had been set up between their mothers and he himself never felt anything for her. He did not know the first thing about his fiancée and he preferred it stayed that way. Truth to be told, he did not like the idea of having to marry someone he knew nothing about and who was chosen for him because of political reasons and their parents' friendship.

He had only ever met the girl twice, not including attending the same lectures in the Cloud Recesses during which he made sure to avoid her as much as possible and to never talk to her. Jiang Yanli struck him as a silent character who hardly ever started a conversation and only politely replied to his questions. It was tiring to spend time with her, there was an invisible wall of politeness and decorum between them and it seemed like he was not the only one who did not want to jump over it.

"No, I do not want to think about my fiancée right now. Although mother insisted it was a good chance for me to get to know her during out time in the Cloud Recesses, I find her too boring, too ordinary. And she is also not a strong cultivator, not like Wei Wuxian. Will she even be a good match for me? But I cannot really make a choice since it had been made by my mother long time ago..."

Jin Zixuan's thoughts saddened him, he had always felt trapped in his parent's expectations of him, be it this ridiculous and completely unwanted engagement or having to behave like a perfect, representative sect heir. He tried to cheer himself up with thinking about his upcoming training with Wei Wuxian, at least for now, until he would have to go back to the Koi Tower, he could enjoy his time here.

However, it was apparently not to be, he realized when he heard an angry voice calling after him: "Jin Zixuan! Do not date to run away this time! We need to talk, and that is right now."

He sighed for himself. He had been already so close to the Jingshi and now this happened. He had been trying to avoid Jiang Wanyin as much as possible since the Yunmeng Jiang sect heir never ceased to bother him about going see his sister whenever they met each other. It seemed like he had received similar instruction from his own parents, to make sure that Jin Zixuan and Jiang Yanli spend as much time together as possible to make the connections between the two major sects even stronger.

Jin Zixuan had no option but to face him now, he could not try to leave as usual. He was too close to the Jingshi and if Jiang Wanyin decided to follow him, shouting after him angrily as he was used to, it could be heard by the two Gusu Lan sect brothers. Jin Zixuan was not worried about Lan Wangji's reaction, but he did not want Wei Wuxian to feel uncomfortable or frightened with anyone else being around and causing a ruckus.

So he steeled himself and faced the Yunmeng Jiang sect heir who was angrily stomping towards him, making sure to make as much noise as possible. In an attempt to calm the other down and stop him from turning this into a scene, Jin Zixuan spoke calmly first: "Jiang Wanyin, what do you want to talk to me about? What could be so urgent that you come disturb me during my walk?"

Although he knew all too well why the Yunmeng Jiang sect heir came to find him, he did not want to give him the satisfaction of being seen in a hurry. He never came to like Jiang Wanyin and the others seemed to despise him in turn, they were like oil and water. They could never come to understand each other; they were just too different.

As expected, Jiang Wanyin fumed even more, his face all red from anger and probably also from chasing after him for a while already. He must have made no effort to reign his raging emotions in when he scoffed: "Jin Zixuan. You really are a selfish and arrogant peacock. Where are you disappearing to all the time instead of going to see my sister? She has been eagerly waiting for you to come find her and talk to her for weeks now! Can you not see that you are making her unhappy? Or did you find a nice and quiet Gusu Lan sect disciple who is more to your taste?

Do you want to cause an affair? You know it is forbidden in the Cloud Recesses to interact with the female cultivators. Or are you so self-important that you think the rules do not apply to you? If Lan Qiren was to learn about your behaviour..."

Now it was too much for Jin Zixuan to bear, he could already not stand Jiang Wanyin's nagging to go see his sister, but being outright insulted and accused of chasing after girls? That was simply too much, and the Yunmeng Jiang sect heir even dared to threatened him with telling Lan Qiren. He had to smile to himself, the teacher already knew about him coming to the Jingshi every day so even if Jiang Wanyin complained to him, he would not accomplish anything by doing so.

Since he was in a hurry and did not want to ruin his perfectly planned afternoon, Jin Zixuan decided to not engage in a pointless fight with the Yunmeng Jiang sect heir so he only retorted: "Is that all you came to tell me? Are you finished now? Just for your information, Lan Qiren knows I am here."

His statement seemed to have finally silenced Jiang Wanyin, leaving him with gaping mouth, completely speechless. Jin Zixuan felt satisfaction flood his whole being, now the Yunmeng Jiang sect heir had nothing to use against him and he could leave with a clear conscience. He turned around, showing the other his back and started walking towards the Jingshi again.

When he was already a few steps away, Jiang Wanyin finally found his voice and shouted after him: "Whatever. Just come to see my sister, do you understand? She is your fiancée!" Jin Zixuan did not turn back nor did give any sign of agreeing, the Yunmeng Jiang sect heir can take it as he liked. Jin Zixuan did not want to waste any more time talking to him, he was already late for his appointment with Wei Wuxian.