WangXian Forever 5

Chapter 63 Venus

In the morning, they all rose later than usual, still suffering the aftereffects of the Stargazer's drink.

Wei Ying couldn't remember ever feeling this bad from drinking before, and yet, was lamenting the fact that he'd forgotten to ask them for a recipe.

But it was not only him. Lan Zhan had stayed in bed next to him too, well past the usual time of five in the morning. Li XiWang had seen Wei Ying and wordlessly climbed into his lap, closing her eyes again.

The only one totally unaffected was Hui Gai. He sat back at the breakfast table, watching them all. Zhitiao held her head in her tied hands and went green when food was placed in front of her.

Still the decision was made to leave anyway, so slowly, they walked away from the inn. Their pace reflected their sluggish thoughts, but not enough that both Lan Zhan and Wei Ying knew that they were being followed.

Hui Gai had noticed a while back and notified Wei Ying, who had gestured to his husband. Lan Zhan knew already.

They continued as they were, not changing their pace or showing any concern for the moment.

The moment they left the shelter of the town, things came to sharp and sudden twist.

They had just reached a relative clearing, almost hurrying towards it, the feeling of being chased now uncomfortably prominent in their minds. Even Zhitiao looked wary.

Wei Ying wished his mind was clearer, but Hui Gai reassured him.

If anything happens, take Li XiWang and go. Wei Ying told him through their mind connection. The demon had nodded when Wei Ying had looked at him.

A rain of darts fell upon them, deflected away by WangJi's blue beams and the quickness of Lan Zhan's reflexes. But before they could move, they were circled by a ring of red robed figures. What was strange, was that their backs were towards them, as if ready to defend them from another threat.

Lan Zhan stood in front of Wei Ying, who was shielding their daughter. Hui Gai stood between her and Zhitiao, who was progressively looking nervous, shifting from one foot to the other.

"Do not be concerned. We can fight them for you." A deep voice told them.

It was definitely a woman, Wei Ying thought, and looked around. In fact, they were all women, wearing hoods to cover their faces, yet they were taller and stronger looking than average women. Their scarlet robes covered them from head to toe, keeping their identities a secret.

This was all in the space of a few seconds. They were attacked by darts again, but this time, Lan Zhan did not need to do anything, for the leader of the red robes performed a strange manoeuvre with her hands, and it was as if the very air around them shifted to expel the threat. The darts fell upon the ground, useless and obsolete.

The owners of the flying weapons appeared then, surrounding them like the blue circle within a fire. Now they had two rings of people around them, ready to fight.

Wei Ying thought this was a very interesting situation. Currently a stalemate, because neither dared to move. Action hidden in the tenseness of the air became almost stifling as they waited.

Swords and daggers were drawn, almost silently.

Alright, take her away. Wei Ying told him. Hui Gai vanished before anyone knew what happened. Lan Zhan summoned both Bichen and Suibian, and handed Wei Ying his sword.

A single cry was all it took.

The fight broke out, and once it did, sword slashing erupted all around them. Metal zipped and flashed, the sounds vibrating as blood spilled and enemies clashed. Lan Zhan turned into a whirlwind of moves designed to defend and obliterate his enemies. Wei Ying decided to sheathe Suibian and just watch the glorious Hanguang Jun as he aced the battle by himself.

White robes danced with energy and perfection, alongside the red robed women, lethal in their own right.

For their common foes were no ordinary folk, assassins and trained killers, known for their prowess. The fighting was fierce and harsh with casualties until just as suddenly as it had begun, it stopped.

The brown robed Children of the Tree, vanished, melting into the trees, taking their wounded with them. Lan Zhan sheathed Bichen finally, when he was sure it would not be needed further.

The leader of the red robed women came forward and bowed to both of them. She lifted her hood to reveal a beautiful face, with a flame upon her forehead.

Wei Ying had gasped at her form. Lan Zhan had, what was for him, scowled and stood in front of him, blocking his view.

"Lan Zhan! They're on our side!" He had whisper protested.

"Not sure." Lan Zhan had replied adamantly, not moving an inch.

"I assure you, we are." The leader smiled enigmatically. "My name is Hongse*. And we are on the side of anybody who is against them." She gestured towards the woods where the Children of the Tree had disappeared to.

"Why?" Wei Ying piped up, tiptoeing so he could see her properly.

"They are set in their ways and completely against progress. Plus, unwilling to change or negotiate. It's their way, or no way." She rolled her eyes.

Wei Ying liked her immediately. He grabbed Lan Zhan's hand and bowed, like it was a formality he needed to get over with.

"I love your dress code." He said, making her blush.

Of course, he was yanked back against a solid chest.

"It's okay, Lan Zhan. They're friends." He looked up into a stoic face. "Lan Zhan?"

Lan Zhan looked at him.

"Are we good?"

It took him a moment to finally relax. A little.

"Thank you." Wei Ying reached up to kiss his cheek. And then he remembered that Lan Zhan had forbidden him to say that. "I love you." He amended, smiling.

Well, how was Lan Zhan supposed to resist now? But his face became so much softer.

"Fifty times." He reminded him.

"You're on!" Wei Ying grinned at him enthusiastically before turning back to Hongse.

"What's with the uniform?"

She grinned back at him. "We are the Flowers of Venus." She bowed again and this time, all of them did.

"We are what you might call witches. Although any other name is preferable, given the stigma. And, may I ask, what happened to your daughter? And your prisoner?"

Wei Ying turned around at that.

Where Zhitiao had been standing, was now an empty space.