Black Greed

FOURTEEN

"Lan Huan," Wei MeiLan called out from the woods. "I know you're there. I want to tell you something,"

A soft footsteps from behind were coming towards her, instinctively making her turn around towards the sound. "What is it, Wei Qing?"

"If something bad happens to me, don't tell anyone, except my brother. Some people had been stirring up some troubles to others, and it's not funny at all,"

"What do you mean?" His smiling face went confused. "Are you planning something?"

"I'm trying to lessen the demonic activities," Wei MeiLan answered. "Now that my brother is cultivating that path, I fear that he will be subjected to scorns and disdain of the people. Sure, he might not look like worried about that, I know it can still affect him mentally,"

Lan XiChen didn't speak and just listened at her. "Lan Huan, he's the only relative I have. I didn't managed to stop our parent's death back then. And I can't stop it no matter how hard I try to. All I can do is lessen it. Seeing them dying one by one is too painful for me.

"As much as I want to prevent their deaths, I once tricked it, and the cost is heavier than I expected. I don't want to lose my brother, Lan Huan. So I'm taking this path and see it to end. I want him to be happy,"

Lan XiChen never expected that Wei MeiLan will open up on him when she guards her past like everything depends on it. "Wei Qing, if you choose that path you're saying, will you die too?"

"No. Even if I take a reckless path just to keep my brother safe, it won't let me die. I think, I must do something but I don't know what could it be," Wei MeiLan shook her head in confusion.

"Well then, why not use two brains to think what it could be?" Lan XiChen offered. "If you are quite lost on how to do it, I can help you,"

"Lan Huan," Wei MeiLan was baffled at his offer. "Do you know what that means? You're going to be the next head of the Gusu Lan Clan, doing things that I do isn't suitable for you,"

"Then teach me, Wei Qing," Lan XiChen might be smiling, but his eyes are serious. He won't let go of her on his sight. Not ever.

That made her raise an eyebrow. "Lan Huan asking me to teach him? Is the cultivation world declining?"

Lan XiChen chuckled. "Well, I'm curious what you do according to Madam Jiang's instruction as her main disciple,"

"Some random tasks. She do night hunts, and I collect beforehand so that she can go ahead when the time comes. My main job is to gather enough information for her. Whether it's unreliable or a gossip, I collect it and give a summary for her before she do the night hunt. What do you think it can be?" She looked confused.

"Well, I'm not expecting that you can do that. Are you Weis good with deduction?"

"Who knows? I usually follow my gut feelings and it hadn't failed me. Aunt Jiang also seek my advice before she do the hunting," She shrugged.

"Then why not help me with my—"

"No, thank you. I know you can do it yourself. Your arms are way stronger than me,"

"What do you mean by that?"

"Slash them away and its done," She answered without hesitation.

Lan Huan laughed. "Why would you think that?"

"Why? Are you going to use your instrument for subjugation?"

"Why not?"

"Well it's up to you. I can only borrow your brain," She turned around. "In a week or so, I might leave the Cloud Recesses and start my hunt,"

"Too fast to leave. Can't you stay for more?"

"No. I know you're going to stop me, but I still need to swipe clean the messes I made back then so that you guys won't be involved," She sighed. "A'Xia is here. She can accompany you or your brother,"

"I prefer your company,"

What a smooth talker. She thought to herself.

"My decision is final, Lan Huan. I will also tell Elder Lan of my departure. I overstayed and perhaps abuse your hospitality. I will repay your kindness in the future,"

"You can pay it right now. By staying here. Stay by my side," Lan XiChen answered.

Her first step faltered from his proposal. "I'm not a part of this clan. I'm merely imposing for now. I don't have capability and qualifications to stay here,"

"Being you is enough as qualification to stay here," Lan XiChen answered. "Of all female cultivators, only you were the one who caught my attention,"

Wei MeiLan steeled her mind to not hesitate. "Lan Huan—"

"Fine, maybe not now," He decided. "When this all ends, will you stay at my side?"

"Twenty years or less," She answered. "Will you be able to wait that long? Because your brother can do it for him,"

"Even if its forever," He sincerely answered. "I will wait. No matter how long it takes. Whether we meet at underworld, I will wait for you,"

She sighed in defeat. Wei MeiLan wished he will give up, but he's way persistent than she expected. "Then I hold you for that. Remember your words,"

"I will. Just let me see you, let me know if you are well. That's the only thing I want for now,"

She pulled one of her hairpin, it's the blue one. She turned around and walked closer towards him. "Then I will lend this to you. This represents me. If you see something strange on it, I might be in danger. It will help you to track me. But if you gave up in your promise, please return it,"

Lan XiChen accepted the hairpin with mirth in his eyes. "I'll keep this then. If this is the only thing that can ensure me that you are well, then I'll always bring it with me,"

Wei MeiLan stared at him. The Lan XiChen that she sees when interacting with others is way different than who she sees right now in front of her. It's like she managed to look at the other side of this man that she encountered a few times, despite of watching his habits.

Others will think she's lucky, but she might think otherwise then.