YILING PATRIACH'S PROTECTOR

37

Zhen Huatian was upset at the situation at hand. Clearly, Lan Xichen should not be punished for announcing their relationship. He did nothing wrong.

But the fact that the Grandmaster of the Gusu Clan immediately cast the verdict down towards them without hearing their reasoning is just very rude. While she was mulling over those things, Lan Xichen took the chance to sit closer by her side and placed a chaste kiss on her cheek. 

Zhen Huatian perked up and looked at him with surprise in her eyes, her hand holding the cheek that was kissed just now. 

"Wha- you have the time to fool around when our relationship is being questioned?" Zhen Huatian asked in disbelief. Lan Xichen gave her a small smile before leaning his head against her shoulder. 

"These things are not something to get worked up on, if things come to worst, we can always leave the sect and live in a secluded place instead," Lan Xichen said which made Zhen Huatian look at his head on her shoulder. 

"You... are willing to throw everything away and live quietly with me?" Zhen Huatian asked almost breathless.

Who was Lan Xichen? He was the next grandmaster of Gusu Sect, the person that was leading hundreds of hundreds of cultivators to the right and proper path... If they leave.... What will happen to the future of the cultivators?

Lan Xichen looked at her and smiled, he clearly knew what she was thinking about, so his hands took both of her hands and gently held them. 

"Of course, Zhen Huatian, wherever you go, whatever you want to do, I will always follow after you. Of course, living a quiet life is just a suggestion but I would want it if it I was with you," Lan Xichen said with a smile. 

Zhen Huatian was sat there, stunned. How... how could someone throw away the life set in stone for them for something so uncertain?

"I see that frown in your face, were you thinking how I can easily put down everything I worked so hard for, and do something uncertain in the future?" Lan Xichen voiced her questions and Zhen Huatian nodded reluctantly. Not that she was ashamed to ask that, but knowing about his achievements and his glorious future, why put it all aside and waste his life with her?

Lan Xichen smiled and leaned down to kiss the pair of soft hands that he was still holding, before he looks up and answered it.

"Because a glorified life is not happy. It is not those achievements that I want to chase, but to be the best swordmasters that could guide and help those future cultivators. However, that was before I met you. Right now, all I want for the rest of this life of mine is to be by your side and to be happy with you. Zhen Huatian, my feelings and actions towards you, do they reach you now?" Lan Xichen asked with a hopeful look on his face.

Zhen Huatian pursed her lips and looked down, not meeting his eyes.

She was feeling warm and fuzzy inside, Lan Xichen's words... she did receive his message.

"Huatian..." Lan Xichen called her out sweetly, his fingers rubbing her soft hands in a gentle manner.

"Y-You... Finish your scriptures first... T-then we will talk," Zhen Huatian said, and he smiled in defeat, He turned his attention back to writing before Zhen Huatian left the place before anyone could see them together.

'Lan Xichen is willing to be with her, for his love and devotion towards her, for his future sacrifices with her in the future... She needs to tie the loose ends of her past lives.

And that past life was...

"Someone's looking for me? Who-" Wei Wuxian asked Lan Wangji before turning around, it was Zhen Huatian.

"Jiejie! You are here?" Wei Wuxian was both confused and happy to see her. She looks healthy and was being taken care of, just like what Lan Xichen  promised.

He walked towards her and was given a small jewel box from her.

Wei Wuxian looked at it in confusion before looking back to her way.

"Wei Wuxian, these are the remains of the people of Lotus cove. I give this to you with a parting message," Zhen Huatian said, her face with a serious expression and her voice steady.

"For a long time I have kept them with me, believing that I will put them to rest as I go, however, I want to live more than ever, I want to live with... Lan Xichen..." Zhen Huatian confessed and looked straight at Wei Wuxian's eyes.

"Wei Wuxian, before the tragedy, I was your servant and a friend. I was your sister and companion, but now that you have grown and have your own sense of right, I bid you, the sweetest goodbye," Zhen Huatian said and smiled.

Wei Wuxian clutched the box tightly, he was trying to understand what she was telling him.

"I... I see... I-I'm happy for you, Jiejie... Truly..." He said with a sense of loss inside his chest.

"Uhm... Will you be keeping in touch with us? Ah-no, you're saying your goodbyes so it means you want to break contact with us, right?" Wei Wuxian asked with an awkward look on his face.

Zhen Huatian gave him a faint smile before answering his question.

"Maybe when we settled down somewhere, we will make sure to give you the address in the future, for now... We just want to travel the world," She said and Wei Wuxian smiled, this time its not forced or awkward, but a happy smile.

"Then... I will look forward to it in the future, so jiejie... Don't die so soon," Wei Wuxian said and she nodded with a determined look on her face.

"I promise you, I will live longer, be safe Wei Wuxian, Lan Wangji," Zhen Huatian said and bid them goodbye before leaving.

Wei Wuxian looked down on the jewel box and slowly opened it, inside were the jewelries that each of the people of his clan  before they died, all were neatly arranged by pairs, shining like they were never touched before.

Wei Wuxian silently closed the box and looked up to see the worried expression on Lan Wangji's face.

"Don't worry Lan Zhan, I am fine," Wei Wuxian said, his voice was calm and steady.

He wished for the prosperity and health of Zhen Huatian and Lan Xichen as the sun started to set.