WangXian Forever 7

Chapter 24 Mystery

Wei Ying marched forward in a haze of disbelief and anger. Which sect would ever do something as dangerous as this? There should be some way to punish this type of wilful irresponsibility, this careless and actually terrifying leadership...

He was so lost in his thoughts, he wasn't aware of Lan Zhan calling his name until the second Jade stood in front of him, blocking his way.

"Wei Ying!"

Wei Ying stopped suddenly, his chest heaving with the effort it took to keep his rage inside. Tears escaped despite his wanting to keep them at bay.

"I... I'm sorry, Lan Zhan..." He wiped them away in a futile attempt, but Lan Zhan only came closer, replacing his hands with the softest white handkerchief.

"No need. I will report this to Uncle regardless. But where is Wei Ying going now?"

Time was short so Lan Zhan held him tightly now, offering him strength.

Wei Ying held on to him, the scent of sandalwood automatically calming him immediately.

"I...we should go tell the children what is happening, especially Jin Ling. He should know what his sect is up to. This is not on! Lan Zhan...look at them!"

Jiang Cheng and XiChen caught up with them.

"I bet since they're still letting the hunt go ahead, the low level prey will be at the bottom." Jiang Cheng said, frowning.

"Then that might be the only thing that saves the young, inexperienced ones." Wei Ying broke away from Lan Zhan but kept a hold of his hand. "We should fly there, but not really interfere with the ones at the base of the mountain or slightly higher up. Phoenix mountain has a sort of ledge thing midway, I'm guessing the higher level action will be there."

They turned and went back to their rooms.

Li Xiwang was teaching Jin Ling how to play jacks and SiZhui had a proud smile on his face. Rumi was laughing at Jin Ling's attempts to win but Li Xiwang had been playing this game a long time, taught by Hui Gai, the Master of Games. He was losing badly.

"Listen children, things have changed." Wei Ying said, upon entering. His tone must have frightened them, because both Rumi and Li Xiwang ran up to him.

He hugged them both tightly.

"It's nothing to worry about, we are more than capable of dealing with this. Do you understand?" He reassured them.

Li Xiwang nodded, her big burgundy eyes round with concern. Rumi looked at her before deciding how he felt.

"WingAnLaZhan...?"

"Yes, we're going to Phoenix mountain...but the reason we came back, is to tell you that even if it takes longer, even if we return tomorrow morning, you are not to worry. There could be lots of reasons why." Wei Ying kissed both their foreheads.

"Should we come with you?" Jin Ling asked.

"No, because I don't want them left without protection." Wei Ying told him, motioning towards the children.

"But you should know what your Sect is up to." Jiang Cheng told him. "We'll explain when we get back."

"But father, we may be able to help." Li Xiwang said, her bottom lip quivering.

"I don't doubt that." Wei Ying held her small face in both of his hands. "You are already highly skilled for your age, and us keeping you here has nothing to do with your capabilities. You must understand, when we ask something of you, there are many factors at play, especially here."

"Friends are few and far between." Lan Zhan told them.

Rumi growled.

"So while we are away, we are trusting you both to look after yourselves and each other. Remember, if you are in danger, you can call upon Hui Gai too." Wei Ying reminded her.

Li Xiwang looked much calmer after he said that.

Jin Ling was saying something to SiZhui, who was nodding and squeezing his hand.

"Fathers, please let Jin Ling come with you. He needs to see what is happening. I am enough if someone wants to try anything here." SiZhui said, bowing to both of them.

Wei Ying thought about it. Behind the children, Jiang Cheng was nodding his approval too.

"Alright," he said at last. To SiZhui, he smiled. "We'll send word. Keep an eye out for butterflies."

"Mn." SiZhui replied, and it sounded so much like Lan Zhan, that for a second, Wei Ying could only stare.

"Let's go." He said.

Jin Ling was the last to leave. SiZhui pushed him out and waited for his fathers and uncles to leave, and making sure his siblings couldn't see him, he pulled Jin Ling in for a short rough kiss.

"You better be careful out there." He said, gruffly.

"Worried about me?" Jin Ling tried to play it off as a joke, but he was well aware that this was the first time they were separating, and it was a serious situation.

"Always." SiZhui replied, whispering the words so quietly, Jin Ling strained to hear.

"I have to go. But I'll be careful." Jin Ling promised now.

SiZhui watched him climb aboard
Suihua and fly off. He waited until he couldn't see him anymore, and then sighing softly, he returned inside to his brother and sister.

*******

Wei Ying had unfurled his wings knowing Lan Zhan wasn't far behind.

Phoenix mountain was looming up ahead of them; down below, they could see the occasional flash of spiritual energy, the blue pulses of battling fighters pitted against the lower levelled prey and Wei Ying knew Jiang Cheng was right.

Anything remotely dangerous to them as Cultivators was way higher up. They swooped down to land in a clearing that looked mighty familiar to Wei Ying.

"We should split up. It will be faster." XiChen said. "In pairs." He quickly clarified when it looked like Lan Zhan was about to protest.

Wei Ying shot him a cheeky grin. They watched their brothers go off into the distance.

"I know we're short of time, my love." Wei Ying sidled up to him. "But I believe we have a wager to fulfill..."

Lan Zhan whirled around so fast, grabbing him and pulling him in for a fast, hot kiss, counting on the fact that Wei Ying simply couldn't resist. He moaned into his mouth as Lan Zhan sucked and bit his lips. He was dazed when Lan Zhan let him go.

"Challenge accepted." Lan Zhan smirked.

"No fair!" Wei Ying whined, but he grinned.

He tucked Chenqing away and called for Suibian.

"I promised." He grinned at the surprised Lan Zhan.

"Wei Ying is hot with sword." Lan Zhan said, his ears on fire.

"Mine or yours?" Wei Ying couldn't stop the smile on his face.

A roar nearby, brought them out of their conversation.

"Let the games begin!" Wei Ying shouted and ran towards the noise, spinning Suibian.