The Untamed 2: Deranged Minds

Chapter 8

Wen Ning and Lan Sizhui had said their good byes to Zhou Luli and her grandmother earlier next morning. None of the two groups seemed to show any interest in lingering in that abandoned place more than necessary. They seemed glad to get away from the others' company as well, for they seemed to make each other nervous and uncomfortable.

However, Sizhui asked out of politeness. "Where will you be going?"

"Qishan, or YiLing. Luli said she cannot see that much darkness there. She said the crying kid might even leave her alone if we went there. I just want to find a place where Luli can grow up without this mess."

"Yes, that will be best. But Madam, that is a long way. Will you be alright?" Wen Ning sounded genuinely concerned.

"I will look after my child as long as I have the strength to."

Neither Sizhui nor Wen Ning felt like arguing with that. So, they set off to Gusu as well. They reached Caiyi town early one morning.

"A-Yuan, there is this tavern. I heard Master Wei liked the food there a lot. Why don't we have some breakfast there before heading to Cloud Recesses?" Wen Ning asked hopefully.

"Senior Wen, we can head to Cloud Recesses and have breakfast there. We don't even have that much money left."

"Money... I have money. What I meant is, I have some money that I saved. Master Wei gave it to me before. I didn't spend it. It's not Hanguang Jun's money. Oh! Now I think about it... It Master Wei might have got it from Hanguang Jun. It didn't occur to me before."

"Senior Wen, it's okay. Wherever it came from, now it's yours. You should keep it. Senior Wei must have given it to you for you to use it. So, we don't have to waste that money. Let's go to Cloud Recesses first."

"A-Yuan, I just wanted to treat you with that money. With the money that belonged to me and Master Wei. Hanguang Jun had looked after you very well all these years. And I'm really thankful for that. But as your blood uncle I really didn't do that much for you. And there's still nothing much I can do. I'm really sorry for that. But I at least want to treat you to a nice meal."

Sizhui was shocked. He didn't know what to say. It really wasn't Senior Wen's fault. He was sure Senior Wen loved him so much before he was taken as a prisoner by the Jin clan of Lanling. Senior Wen really shouldn't be sorry. But him saying so would only make Senior Wen even more sad. So, instead Sizhui said, "Senior Wen, then why don't you treat me to a huge, delicious meal. And make sure you would pay and not run away without paying like Senior Wei did," he added.

They both laughed at that, and Wen Ning led the way to the restaurant.

The food was really spicy. Sizhui should have known when he heard that it was a favourite place of Senior Wei. But it tasted pretty good too. So, he ate a lot to satisfy Senior Wen even ignoring his sect's rule saying do not have more than three servings. They barely talked during the meal. They spent months together and it felt like there was nothing more to talk about. Sizhui was thinking whether Jing Yi would have ever run out of things to say even when he was locked inside a cave for years.

At the end Sizhui could barely walk. But after Wen Ning paid for the meal, he stood up and started to lead the way towards Cloud Recesses. This time Wen Ning followed him without a single word.

They were almost at the gate of the Cloud Recesses when they could hear running footsteps and loud voices. This was so unlike Lan sect members that Sizhui and Wen Ning looked at each other in surprise. But before they could comprehend what's going on a familiar voice could be heard over the others.

"Sizhui xiong, Sizhui Xiong you are finally back. What took you so long. I thought you decided on going back to Burial Mounds and living there or whatever." Even though Lan Jing Yi's voice sounded accusative he beamed and giddily jumped around the two.