Promise and Betrayal: A Mo Dao Zu Shi (the Untamed) Story

Chapter 26

For the rest of the week after our conversation, I wait tensely for news from Jiang Yanli regarding her baby's christening. It is not until the last day of the week that Wei Ying disappears for a great part of the day in Yiling that I suspect he has received a message from Carp Tower. When sundown passes and he has not arrived, I send everyone to bed. I stay awake, pacing his bedchamber waiting for him to arrive. I stay up all night, but he does not return.

I awake the next morning to a flurry of activity from the others. They stream to the entrance of the village, both parts concerned and excited. Wei Ying must be back, but all this fuss would not take place if he returned alone.

They part for me when they see me, letting me see the gate unobstructed. Climbing up the slope, at least twelve hours late, is Wei Ying. But he has not returned alone; behind him, in immaculate white robes that hurt to look at in the sunlight, strides Lan Zhan.

He smiles when he sees me, then he smiles even broader when he looks behind me. I half turn to look, seeing Wen Ning standing tentatively in the doorway of the palace ruins. When he sees Wei Ying's smile, he takes hesitant steps to the rest of the crowd. Wen Qing follows behind, her eyes baggy and bloodshot, but still dignified.

I turn back to Lan Zhan, bowing respectfully. "Huanguang Jun," I say, addressing him. "It has been a long time."

Lan Zhan looks at me for longer than necessary, probably having either heard the rumors that no doubt have spread or verifying what Wei Ying told him. I cannot decide which, but he says nothing.

He simply bows, addressing me back. "Xiao Shelan. You have been missed around Cloud Recesses." I look at him in surprise. I did not expect him to admit missing me, but here it is, if indirect.

"I have been loath to leave Yiling," I reply. "Otherwise, I would have no hesitation in visiting the Lan Clan. I have missed them." I nod to him, our vague statements registering. We understand each other's true meaning, if only because both of us are unwilling to say it directly.

Wei Ying gives both of us curious looks, but does not say anything. He takes Lan Zhan's arm and pulls him through our makeshift town, leading him first to Wen Ning, who bows respectfully, then to Ah Yu'an. The child takes an instant liking to Lan Zhan, hugging his leg fiercely. Wei Ying, with a laugh, cannot pry him free. Lan Zhan looks down at the boy first in annoyance, but it softens to fondness after he sees the child's smile.

"Look, he likes you!" Wei Ying laughs. They wander off, Ah Yu'an in tow. I do not follow them; they have not seen each other in a year. As much as I want Lan Zhan for myself, I will not deny the lovers their alone time.

I shoo the crowd away from following them, giving them the same reason why I do not pursue them, if a bit more indirect. I do not need to broadcast their relationship, even if half the town knows already, and the other half suspects. They scatter, beginning their activities for the day. Left with nothing to do, I go to the clearing we use to conduct martial arts classes. No class is scheduled for today, so it is empty.

I know my students will hear of it if I begin to practice, but I do not hesitate. The art of the sword and the art of hand-to-hand combat have always, I have found, the best ways to clear my mind and center my being. It is a form of meditation for me.

As I begin my warmup, the muscle memory flows into my limbs. I barely have to think about how I am moving. My fists, for my swords have not been drawn yet, fly through the air. I take it slow, mindful of the coolness of my muscles. The form ends with my body feeling warm and stretched.

I draw my swords to begin the sword practice. Standing at the ready, I leap forward, bringing my swords in a great X that not many could escape. Then I proceed to fight a fantastical foe, leaping and jabbing, sidestepping and dodging. The form of swordplay I have refined for myself is equal parts agility and strength, a balance of dodging, parrying, and attacking. It makes use of opportunities, especially ones that involve two attacks. With two swords instead of one, it makes my attacks faster and far more difficult to predict and evade. So far, my style has been tested many times and has prevailed.