Untamed Hearts

Chapter 11

"Sect leader Ouyang, it's good to see you," Jin Ling bowed when the boy in dark blue robes arrived in the hall. Jin Ling had been busy with other sect affairs these past few weeks and hadn't seen his friend in a long time. This time, he had a matter of utmost importance to discuss with Ouyang Zizhen as well as Jingyi and Sizhui.

"Sect leader Jin," Ouyang Zizhen returned the greeting. "You said you had an important matter to discuss with me? One that couldn't be said through letters?"

"Yes. It's been something I've been thinking about for a long time. We should wait until Jingyi and Sizhui arrive though. How have you and Liu Yue been?" Zizhen flushed.

"What do you mean?"

"You've been trying to convince her to join your sect, right? You've told us in your letters."

"Ah..right." Zizhen smiled sheepishly. "It's easy...she isn't part of the Yang sect but she is still Sect leader Yang's daughter."

"Isn't that good though? You can establish an alliance with them."

"Right," Zizhen agreed. "And Lian Qing would have to come too. If she wants to I mean and-" He broke off as a disciple hurried toward them to announce the arrival of Sizhui and Jingyi.

"Thank you. You may leave us now." Jin Ling told the disciples once they had brought them in. Now the four of them were alone in the hall.

"What was so important that you couldn't tell us by letter?" Jingyi said, tilting his head.

"I've been thinking about doing a sworn brothers alliance...between the four of us." Jin Ling swallowed and studied his friends' faces. All three of them looked surprised and taken back.

"That's a wonderful idea!" Sizhui spoke up first, his eyes shining. "There hasn't been a sworn brothers alliance in years, right? Not since-," He immediately stopped talking and looked away, but was quick to recover. "Well..not since you know." He finished. Jin Ling nodded.

"It would be nice. We've been through a lot together, haven't we?" Zizhen's eyes softened. "Our sects are all allies, but this...this is going to be something big."
"It will be!" Zizhen exclaimed. "I don't think minor sects have ever been...this close to major sects before, you know? Even when my father was a sect leader, he mostly minded his own business. Until I met you three, I guess."

"I've already spoken to my advisors and the elders. They see absolutely no problem with it," Jin Ling said. "Do you want to hold the ceremony tomorrow?"

"Tomorrow?" Jingyi blinked. Jin Ling nodded.

"Yes. I can't wait!" The other three juniors exclaimed. Later that evening, Lan Sizhui paid a visit to Jin Ling.

"Sizhui? Shouldn't you be sleeping? It's almost past your bedtime." Jin Ling blinked at him. Lan Sizhui gave him a mischievous smile.

"We're not Cloud Recesses." Jin Ling snickered.

"Lan Sizhui ah Lan Sizhui. Since when did you become so eager to break rules? Has Jingyi been rubbing off you too much?" Lan Sizhui flushed.

"I am not eager to break rules. And Jingyi has been rubbing off on me since we were very young. If I truly liked breaking the rules, I would have turned out exactly like him." Jin Ling rolled his eyes.

"Dajiu has always been curious about how Master Lan tolerated Jingyi as a kid. He even made a joke about Jingyi being his real son."

Lan Sizhui smiled.

"Jingyi is like a brother to me. We've been best friends for so long. I wouldn't mind it if A-Niang adopted him too"

"He'll end up adopting all four of us at this rate." Jin Ling snorted. Sizhui smiled lightly.