Journey to the Beautiful Ending

C24 - Test

"Sect Leader Jin is a cutsleeve?"

"I can't believe Childe Lan was also like his fathers. He inherited Lan Wangji's talent but why does he have to be a cutsleeve too?"

"Disguting humans!"

"I saw them occupying one room."

"They're holding hands the other day."

"Sect Leader Jin was rising his power by getting into future sect leader of Lan Clan."

The news spread like fire. Jin Ling went back to Lanling with contentment in his heart but those happiness he kept inside him was greeted by unpleasant words. He didnt't know where it came from but he was sure mad and ready to beat anyone. With Sizhui in his mind, he decided to ignore the gossips and work like he had not heard anything. Not until one of the elders proposed something he never wanted to hear.

"Would it be great for you to marry someone from the daughters of other sect? I'm sure Sect Leader Jiang can find someone suitable for you."

"We need an heir, someone to continue your lineage."

Jin Ling could not hold his anger, he slammed the table causing the uproar in the hall.

"What gave you the right to decide for my marriage?! I will marry whoever I want!" Jin Ling raged. These elders will do everything to dethrone him.

"Sect Leader Jin, we are proposing this to subside the rumors." One of the elders explained.

Jin Ling knew about this rumors but he turned a deaf ear. "What rumors are you talking about?!"

"Its an insolent rumors. So shameless to say." Another elder said with disgust in his voice.

"Sect Leader Jin, I tell you. These rumors are nonsense. Someone said that you are having an intimate relationship with Childe Lan of Lan Sect."

"Childe Lan's adoptive parents are both cutsleeve. We don't care if he turned out to be one but we know you aren't like that. If you marry, the rumors will die down."

Jin Ling thought of Sizhui. Both of them decided to take it slowly but it looks like they are being tested now. With determination, he announnced, "Then let me tell you. The rumors aren't rumors at all. It was true. Lan Sizhui and I are lovers."

His confimation made them gasped and the chattering started to create noise in the Koi Tower. No one have thought that Jin Ling wouldn't deny the truth.

"I don't care about your opinions but I'd appreciate if you'll respect my personal life. If you have nothing important to say, you're all dismissed!"

He left the hall leaving them dumbfounded. He's anger haven't subsided yet but he did not regret what he did. He will be called cutsleeve but he didn't care. Loving Sizhui was the most right decision he ever made.

"I can say you are not very careful with your words."

Jin Ling doesn't need to turn to know who it was. He have been dealing the issues since he became a sect leader with Jin Chan. They were not as close as before. He's been bullied oftentimes but it has been changed years ago. They still aren't that close but they sure made improvement.

"You can call me disgusting whenever you want. I won't mind."

Jin Chan sighed and sat beside him. They were both in the garden pavilion. The lotus garden Jin Zixuan built for Jiang Yanli. Jin Ling made sure to maintain it as it was the memories of his parents.

"Before they could do something, you need to build your army." Jin Ling knew what he meant. Those sect elders will definitely use the issue to make it look that he is not worthy as a sect leader. "You have all the disciples at your back. Just let us know how we can help."

Jin Ling turned to Jin Chan and sincerely smiled at him. "Thank you." Those words he never have thought he would utter at this point in time. Wei Wuxian have once told him that one day he would used those words while crying. He chortled and sighed deeply.

"You should ask Wei Wuxian to scare those elders."

"But one of them is your father."

Jin Chan laughed. "Hahahaha...my father always supported you. He saw the difference of the leadership from the past. He have high hopes for your uncle but he turned out to be..." He sighed and  did not attempt to finish his sentence.

"Well, I guess I still have a lot to fix in my hands."

The rumors and the confirmation of Jin Ling travelled fast. Jiang Cheng was enraged but he didn't go to Lanling to scare the elders again. He will let his own nephew to handle it on his own and face the consequences of his own actions. In Cloud Recesses, one of senior Lan disciple who went on night hunting delivered these news to Lan Qiren and Lan Xichen.

Sizhui was called with Lan Wangji and Wei Wuxian. Lan Qiren in raged upon seeing Wei Wuxian and almost had a heart attack.

"Sizhui, have you heard the rumors roaming around right now?" Lan Xichen asked calmly.

Confused, Sizhui saluted and answered softly. "No, ZewuJun."

"Apparently, someone saw you with Sect Leader Jin. There are rumors saying you have a special relationship with him. The elders of Jin Sect proposed to have their sect leaders to involve in a marriage to deny the rumors."

"What?" Wei Wuxian was stunned. He turned to Sizhui and the latter looked surprised, guilty and hurt. Those are written in Sizhui's eyes but his lips are showing a different emotion.

Sizhui, "Sir Lan, Sect Leader Lan, I don't deny my relationship with Sect Leader Jin."

"What did you say?" Lan Qiren held his chest as he was about to have another heart attack. He turned to his nephew, Lan Wangji, and angrily scolded him. "How could he turned out to be just exactly like you?!"

Sizhui knelt down and saluted. "Sir Lan, please don't blame HanguangJun.  He has nothing to do with my decision."

"He taught you everything. He raised you. How could you say he has nothing to do with it?" Lan Qiren let out a heavy breath. "Do you know what that brat is facing right now? His sect elders are pushing him to his edge. He maybe forced to decided against his volition."

Wei Wuxian, "What is Jiang Cheng doing?"

Lan Xichen, "Sect Leader Jiang was not doing anything right now. I think he is letting his nephew to face this matter alone."

Sizhui raised his head. He was stunned. He curled his fingers into a fist as guilty was eating him. He expected to face this issue sooner but he didn't expect to face it this early. Knowing that Jin Ling was facing it alone, he wish to be there, hug him and tell him everything will be okay.

"Sizhui, Jin Ling needs you right now." Wei Wuxian told him.

"I'll go to Lanling–"

"No, you can't!" Lan Qiren immediately stop him.

Sizhui turned to Lan Wangji and as soon as he see him nodded, he went out and travelled down to Lanling.

'Wait for me. I'm coming now.' Sizhui whispered to himself. He won't let anyone harm his love or make him decide for something he didn't want. Even if he had to...

...break up with him so he could protect him and not to ruin him. If that is the only way for Jin Ling not lose everything he have. He...

...will do it.