Meng's Revenge: Vol.4 of Life Among Clouds WangXian Series

IWhite Clouds, Azure Sky

Qinyang, Qing and Xiao Mian, as well the servants and others, left Yunmeng seven days before the meeting at Cloud Recesses. They departed by sleighs and had already arrived safely, escorted by Lan GeBan and Lan Sya Mu , two veteran fighters, recently both promoted to Captians and both commanding their own companies. 

Lan Sya Mu had made her name during the fierce fighting at the burning of Cloud Recesses.  A cadet of twelve at the time, a third cousin to the Jades, she had run to the aid of Lan Zhan and the men at the freezing pool. She suffered severe wounds and was left for dead by the enemy as her body floated, face-up, in the frigid water. Rescued by the elders and hidden in the Cave, she continued to defend them after she healed. 

Lan GeBan, a second cousin to Lan Sya Mu as well as Lan Zan and Lan Xi  Chen, was the man who was left standing, protecting Xiao Mian during the attack on Anshi and Mian Mian. That battle had cemented a strong friendship between the 3 survivors.

Both fighters were a few years younger than Lan Zan. Their ferocity and extreme dedication to Lan Clan, family, and the people of Cloud Recesses were unquestionable. They would die for Lan Sect without thinking twice. They were among the warrior elite of the upcoming forces and would, by everyone's estimations, become great Generals in their own right. In the meantime, they, and their companies would be in the advance forces to first challenge Meng Shi and her army.

The two Captains and their soldiers stood in the Square flanked on four sides by the rebuilt buildings of their childhood and waited, surrounded by Cloud Recesses citizens, for the flyers led by Lan Zhan to arrive. This was disconcerting to them. All the death, the destruction, the betrayals, and misplaced hatred had nearly cost the Sects everything. Now, years later, they were to face the same sick and twisted game again. The only difference was that the enemy was clear unlike in the past. They were determined to utterly eliminate the threat this time. 

The anticipation that rose from the crowd was tremendous. Most of the civilians had not seen their Sect Leader in four years. Their horror at his condition when he was found had hurt them all deeply and their love for him was stronger than ever. The desire they all had to see for themselves that he had recovered was uppermost in their minds. And they were angry at the audacity of this lunatic who had made him suffer so badly. They fully supported any action needed to end the Mengs' twisted plot of vengance. Their enclave would never burn again.

Excitement swept through the throngs that lined the square as people began to emerge from the Library. Lan Sect Leader Lan XiChen exited first, followed by his wife General Lan Hu Ming with their two adorable children in each hand. Lan An Xi was  a happy, composed and sweet boy of four and his younger sister, two-year-old Lan QinYenay stubbornly refused to be held, and danced on her tiptoes in excitement.

They were followed by QinYang, General Yenay, and their children, 12-year-old Chang  Qiang, ten-year-old Chang A'Soo, and 7-year-old  Chang A'Liu. Their eldest son, Anshi, would fly in with the Arial Regiment. The three younger siblings were about to burst. They completely idolized their older brother and could not wait to see him again. 

Dr. Yue Wen Qing, Jiang Cheng, and her medical protege, Lan Xiao Mian were also with the family as was Dr. Yue and his cousin, Lady Yue. Xiao Mian, still suffering her case of puppy love, was waiting on pins and needles to see Anshi again. All stood on a high dais overlooking the landing area. 

Young A'Qiang, a high flush across his cheekbones, slowly threaded his way to Xiao Mian's side and stood tongue-tied next to her, his large soulful eyes locked on her face as she searched the skies for the first glance of Anshi. It had been months since he last saw the beautiful child and saw himself staring at a blossoming teen, his own age. The natural ease that they had before as sometime playmates over the last year was now replaced with an awkward reserve. He had daydreamed about seeing her again and he removed a delicate, light pink peony from his sleeve and silently held it out to her. Xiao Mian \looked down, pleased and surprised and nicely, thanked him. Then she went back to the skies, scanning for the man she adored.  A'Qiang knew of her crush; he had heard the adults around him speaking of it. He knew who she was looking for and his heart sank, his handsome young face, crestfallen. Who could compete with the man who saved her life and was around her much more than he could be? He ducked his head to hide his disappointment and eased back to his family grouping. Nobody saw him wipe a few tears away and he was glad for the solitude the excitement afforded him. He also decided that he would try another approach in the future. Maybe, one day, she would finally notice him.

All at once several people cried out and pointed. Far in the distance, small figures began appearing in the deep blue sky. Tiny QinYenay began to frantically tug on Lan XiChen's robes and he reached down smiling proudly and swung her up onto his strong fatherly shoulders. She squealed in delight, grabbing his top knot with both chubby hands, dislodging his headpiece, and causing tendrils of hair to fall out of place. A nanny stepped forward to remove her and the indulgent Papa just grinned and waved the woman away. The younger children were all lifted to various shoulders in the entourage for a better view of this historic moment as the flyers moved in formation and hovered in place above the throng. Then slowly, with perfect grace and majesty, Lan Zhan, GusuLan Sect Leader, floated down, radiant in pristine white, and firmly set foot in Cloud Recesses once more.