Transcendent

Chapter IX: Capture

Lan Wangji pulled out the Gusu Lan Sect's jade token from his lapel. The beautiful stone glowed in a verdant light, and then the barrier to the Cloud Recesses was opened, allowing him entry. He climbed the stoney stairway at a steady pace. The cool, fresh air enveloped his presence; the sound of birds chirping and the drizzling waterfall in the distance breezed through his ears. It really did feel as if he had been away for a really long time, even though it hadn't been more than two weeks since the Biling Lake incident. His face was quiet still, but the closer he reached the gate of his home, the stronger his concern grew. He had been away much longer in the past, but during those occasions, he left properly through the gate, not disappearing all of a sudden, swallowed into a vortex to the bottom of a lake. No matter how calm and collected he was, still he could not help but think how the others' reactions would be; his uncle, his brother, the elders and the rest of the disciples.

Eventually, the main gate of the Cloud Recesses was already within reach. He continued walking towards the magnificent, hundreds years old structure, maintaining a straight posture and the same unhurried pace. Two disciples were standing at both sides of the gate on guard duty, watching those who came and left. The moment they saw his figure approaching, their eyes went wide at once and the good temper they had been keeping flew straight out of the window.

"H-H-H-Hanguang-jun!" they exclaimed, almost yelling had they not recalled the rule written on their Wall of Discipline that forbade them to make noises.

"I would like to seek an audience with Uncle and Brother," Lan Wangji told them; his expression not changing, "Are they available right now?"

"Z-Zewu-jun right now should be visiting Master Lan in his chamber with the doctor."

"The doctor?" a slight frown appeared on Lan Wangji's otherwise flawless face, "Is Uncle sick?"

"Umm, Second Young Master Lan... You may not know about this, but Master Lan and the disciples accompanying him to the Discussion Conference in Lanling were ambushed by a group of demons on their way back to Gusu," one of the watchmen explained, "Lianfang-zun and some Lanling Jin Sect disciples came to help them after receiving a distress signal, but even though they all managed to chase the demons away and escaped, many were injured including Master Lan himself."

"Terrible... It was an ambush after all. They couldn't have been prepared for battle," the other followed.

One might expect shock or anger to rise to the second young master's face at this news, yet Lan Wangji's expression showed none of those feelings. His face did darken, yet the two disciples could not discern what exactly he was thinking. They didn't dare speak any more, only waiting for Lan Wangji to speak on his own.

"...I will go to see Brother then," the younger Jade of Lan eventually replied, "Continue your duty and beware of any unknown visitors. Report immediately if something appears suspicious."

"Y-Yes, Hanguang-jun!"

The two disciples placed their hands together and bowed almost in perfect unison. Lan Wangji nodded towards them, then he resumed his steps, entering the main ground of the Cloud Recesses.

The curious, and sometimes judging gazes of others, he had grown accustomed to since he was young. But this was probably the first time that he, in his own home, was seen as a bizarre sight that everyone was staring at since the moment he stepped foot into the vicinity. He was stopped multiple times on his way, both by his elders and the disciples alike, who were so shocked by his sudden return that they could barely believe their eyes. Some even asked if he really was Lan Wangji, not a shapeshifting monster or an apparition posing as him.

It was forbidden to cause noises in the Cloud Recesses, but the sheer excitement of discovering that their Second Young Master had come back alive ended up causing some sort of commotion in the usually tranquil residence, for everyone who heard of his return immediately rushed to find him, to see him with their own two eyes.