Perseverance (Wangxian)

Chapter 15 - Golden Core

As they arrived to Lotus Pier, Wei Ying was hesitant to get off the boat. He hasn't been here in a long time, and he knows it is longer the same, it never will be. At one point he may have considered it home, but now, this is just a place of the past to him. He followed beside Lan Zhan until they reached the gates of the sect.

Lan Zhan stood there beside Wei Ying outside the gates of Lotus Pier. Just holding his hand, Lan Zhan could feel his partner trembling. It's the fact that he is facing his past, death haunts him here. Jiang Fengmian and Madam Yu, for example. Many put blame on Wei Ying for their death, and so did Wei Ying himself. Lan Zhan gently squeezed his hand to let Wei Ying know that he was there and he was not alone.

Wei Ying looked at Lan Zhan, taking a deep breath and went inside. It was later in the evening, and there were multiple sect leaders and disciples in the main throne room with Joan Cheng sitting up front. They were on calmly having conversations with one another as a Jiang disciple went in and spoke to Jiang Cheng about something. Standing at the doorway, Jiang Cheng noticed the two's presence and just rolled his eyes.

'The classic eye roll,' Wei Ying thought, 'he is definitely still the same angry purple lotus as always.'

"Everyone wait here and remain comfortable, I will return momentarily," Jiang Cheng said and walked out of the throne room scowling at the two lovers as he left.

"Still angry, I see," Wei Ying mumbled.

"When isn't he?" Lan Zhan asked.

Wei Ying chuckled, "you have a point."

As they stood there Jingyi and Ouyang Zizhen approached them, "there you are, we were wondering where you two went," Jingyi said, "Wei Qianbei, why are you stealing Hanguang Jun from us?" He pouted.

"He didn't steal me, he gained me," Lan Zhan told him, "he can be with me as he so chooses."

"Yes, Hanguang Jun," Jingyi said a bit nervous.

"Aiyo, Lan Zhan, must you scare the boy?" Wei Ying asked.

"Not intentional," Lan Zhan stated, "he is just scared naturally."

Wei Ying couldn't help but laugh, "honestly, I believe you. I saw him freak out over a leaf the other day, thinking it was a gross bug."

"Hey!" Jingyi said, "for your information, I thought it was a giant spider. I hate spiders!"

"Like the spider on your robes there?" Wei Ying teased.

"Where!?" Jingyi freaked out taking his most outer robe off and threw it away.

It ended up landing on Jiang Cheng's head as he returned. Lan Zhan and Wei Ying were trying very hard to keep a straight face and not laugh at the situation. They both know Jiang Cheng is going to explode.

Jiang Cheng took the robe and tossed it back to the junior, "what are you screaming for?" He scowled.

"Spider!" Jingyi said dropping his robe to the ground.

"Grandmaster Qiren, is this how all your disciples act with a small insect?" Jiang Cheng asked.

"No, I apologize for his reckless behavior, I will punish him accordingly when we return to Gusu," Lan Qiren said scolding Jingyi.

"But it was a spider!" Jingyi argued, "I am afraid of spiders!"

"Then for your punishment I will lock you alone in a room with one for a few hours," Lan Qiren scolded, "now pick up your robe and stop your nonsense. Wangji, control that disciple of yours. Whether Wei Wuxian is with you or not, I still suspect you can handle your disciples."