Messed up love

Chapter 41- Arrows

   Xue Yang arrived with Wei Ying back at Lotus Pier, where Jiang Cheng was waiting. "Jiang Cheng, you're still awake?" Wei Ying asked, "Perfect. I brought you liquor."
  "Piss off," Jiang Cheng snapped.
  Wei Ying sighed, "What are you scrubbing your sword all day long for? How many times will you scrub your sword for a day?"
   "Where's yours?" Jiang Cheng asked, "How long ago did you scrub it?"
  Wei Ying's eyes flickered down before raising back up and taking a sip of the alcohol. "I left it in my room," he replied as Jiang Cheng put his sword up. "Once a month should do."
   "Not carrying a sword in public. Drinking in a tavern all day. Someone must presume that Lotus Pier is the inn where you can rest when you've drunk enough." Jiang Cheng said angrily. He stalked off.
  Wei Ying scrambled behind him, "Don't be so mad, Jiang Cheng." He hugged the man sideways.
   "Go away," Jiang Cheng pushed the man off him. Wei Ying fell to the ground, and Xue Yang stepped in between them.
  "Are you fine? Too drunk to manage your spiritual power?" Jiang Cheng sneered. "Looks at yourself. Saying something about reviving the Jiang Clan with me."  
   "Shut it," Xue Yang said darkly, shoving Jiang  Cheng back. He turned around and helped Wei Ying up, "You alright?"
   "Yeah," Wei Ying said softly.
   "Let's go," Xue Yang pulled Wei Ying away gently after throwing Jiang Cheng a dirty look.
Xue Yang took the man to his room and let his lay down in his bed, "Xue Yang," he whispered, "why must this always happen? I love him to death and he's my brother, but it's as if he doesn't care about me at all."
"He's just an asshole, that's all. He's insecure about himself and takes it out on you," Xue Yang replied. "Don't think about it. Sleep."
He stayed there until Wei Ying fell asleep before leaving the room.

The next morning Wei Ying, Yanli, Xue Yang, and a few other disciples went out to pick some fresh lotus plants.
On the way back Wei Ying chatted with the disciples, "Look at your skinny arms and legs. You seem so weak." He teased a boy, "How can you carry a blade or wield a sword in the future?"
"You have to work out often!" Xue Yang jumped in, "It has to be enhanced since your master is the awe-inspiring Clan Leader Jiang. Understood?"
They turned a corner and saw the said man with his uncle, "Jiang Cheng, Uncle, you're just in..." Wei Ying trailed off when he saw another familiar face. Jin Zixuan.
Yanli saw him and looked away. Jiang Cheng moved his head to gesture towards the man, Couldn't help it, his eyes read.
Wei Ying rolled his eyes and pouted in anger.
"You kids go take this, Yanli will accompany you," Jiang Cheng said.
"Yes sir," the disciples said. And walked away with the baskets along with Yanli.
Xingchen saw the look in Yanli's eyes and said, "I'll go with her." He took a basket and walked away with them.
As he walked he spoke with the woman, "A-Li, I'm sure you have a few words to say to Young Master Jin."
Yanli blushed and shook her head, "Of course not, he came here for business and for business only."
"I'm sure that business includes you, so go ahead and join them," Xingchen said with a smile. "I know you want to."
Yanli hesitated before nodding, she passed the basket she was holding to him and smiled widely, "Thank you Uncle!" She swiftly walked away.
Xingchen sighed and shook his head with a smile. He continued walking with the disciples away.

A few days later they went to the Sunshot Campaign that they had been invited to by Jin Zixuan.
There were flags for each clan and the disciples were each lined up while the leaders sat somewhere else.
Wei Ying stood in between Wangji and Xue Yang while Xingchen stood next to Xue Yang. Wei Ying and Xue Yang chatted while Xingchen and Wangji chatted as well.
Jing Guangyao suddenly spoke, "Everyone here must know the rules already. I want to highlight again that this row of targets is the first barrier before entering the mountain. Only participants who hit one of the targets beyond the required distance can achieve his entering ticket.
"The target has seven circles which correspond to seven mountain paths. The closer your areow is to the bull's eye, the easier the way will be. And this year, we have designed a special activity to delight out guests." He waved an arm.
Out of the sidelines, guards walked in with prisoners. Wen prisoners to be specific.
Everyone's eyes widened at the sight. They were all women and old men, nobody who could fight back.
Wei Ying tightened his grip on his flute while Xue Yang bit the inside of his cheek.
Wangji kept a straight face but he was raging inside. Same with Xingchen.
Jin Guangyao continued talking but nobody paid attention. Wei Ying was about to step forward but was stopped by Jiang Cheng's stare and head shake.
Jin Zixuan scoffed, "Not difficult at all." He stepped forward and walked over to the mark where he grabbed a bow and arrow. He jumped up into the air and drew the arrow back before letting it go.
The men and women ducked down but the arrow wasn't even close to hitting them. It went above their heads and hit close to the middle.
The man walked back to his spot. His cousin, Jin Zixun spoke, "Anyone who wants to take up the challenge, just step forward." He looked straight at Wei Ying as he said this. "I'm looking forward to who will have a better shot than that."
Wei Ying turned to Wangji, "Lan Zhan, do me a favor."
"What's the matter?" Wangji asked.
The man smiled hopefully, "Can I borrow your headband?"
Wangji sighed and turned away.
Wei Ying pouted and walked to the mark like Jin Zixuan had sone earlier. He, however, took a band from his wrist and wrapped it around his head, covering his eyes.
Everyone looked at him in shock.
He took a bow and five arrows. He drew the arrows back and let them go all at the same time, without moving from his spot.