Jin Ling - Connected By Souls (Part2)

Gusu

As we moved in, I and Yuan started providing first aid to the injured disciples. 

Jingshi was destroyed completely. I had to pull Yuan restricting him moving inside burning Jingshi. Rage was developing inside me. But when I looked at Yuan there were tears in his eyes. With each passing minute I was feeling scared for him, scared for whats next.

Catching hold of one of the disciples who was throwing water on burning Jingshi, I enquired what happened here?

"A man in black robes came playing Guqin leading an army of ghosts. He was accompanied by Ghost General".

I looked at Yuan and he was equally surprised. It was almost 5-7 years back that Wen Ning left us after Hanguang-Jun and Wei Wuxian's death. Nobody heard anything about him since then.

Jin Ling - "Are you sure it was Ghost General? Who was in black robes?"

When there wasn't any response Lan Sizhui continued, "Where is the Sect Leader Lan Jingyi and his family?"

Another disciple responded, "Senior Sizhui, we saw leader Lan Jingyi last moving towards library".

Looking at me Yuan spoke "We should go and find Jingyi. He will explain better what happened here".

Nodding to Yuan, we both moved towards library. Guards were injured. Some of the disciples needed immediate attention. I wondered who in this world even had guts to create this havoc and what was his intention behind this? Jingyi has been one of the most friendly sect leader leaving no scope for someone to have any issues with Gusu.

As we reached library, the gates were broken. We both ran inside. The library racks were lying on floor and all books shattered around. A slim figure in white robes with his back facing towards us was sitting on floor.

Lan Sizhui immediately ran towards him. It was none other than Jingyi.

Stopping aside him he lost his balance and sat beside him. I wondered what happened to Jingyi and I ran towards Yuan just to witness Jingyi's clothes covered in blood carrying Lan Ai on his lap. Sitting beside him, I took Lan Ai in my arms and she wasn't responding. Placing my finger below her nose I tried to feel her breathing but there was no feeling either. She wasn't breathing. I shook Yuan and asked him to check. He started pumping her chest and tears were rolling down his cheeks. Jingyi's daughter, Lan Ai was no more with us.

Moving towards Jingyi I asked him. "Where is your wife and Lan Bai? Get up, we need to find them".

Yuan too was sulking and not responding. Shaking Yuan I told him. "I know how you are feeling. But listen to me we need to save the remaining. We need to get going".

Looking at me he nodded and he knew what I meant.

Gathering up all my courage I lifted Lan Ai in my arms. I and Jingyi moved towards Icefrost cave where most of the people were hidden. Lan Sizhui went to help other disciples treating their injuries.

On confirmation his other members of family are safe I placed dead body of Lan Ai on ground next to her mother and we left from there to check the situation outside.

Wu Xin was standing outside Icefrost cave with Nei Yanyi and I ran towards him pulling him into an embrace. "How come you are here?"

Wu Xin - "Signals were sent from lookout towers and we rushed here to check what happened. What happened here?"

Jin Ling - "Attack from ghosts. We need to find details later but as of now they need our assistance".

Lan Jingyi started helping Lan Sizhui providing treatment to injured disciples. I and Wu Xin moved towards dormitory to check new joinees and their condition. To our surprise dormitory wasn't destroyed much. Students were safe as they were already hidden in Icefrost cave. But so many lives were endangered which was hinting to a beginning of a battle.

News had spread like wildfire and cultivators from various sects gathered to check on their children. Most of them were injured but there were very few deaths. Unfortunate Lan Ai was one amongst them. As the situation had calmed; we started preparing for last rites of Lan Ai. I always envied Lan Jingyi and Lan Sizhui's friendship but never once in my lifetime I would have wished to see him in such a miserable state. He was broken and so was his family.

Clasping my hands with Yuan I sat beside him on floor. It was too painful! Why Lan Ai? She was just 7 years old. I still remember the smile on Yuan's face when Jingyi had placed her in his arms.