Backlash Part 1

Chapter 113: Narrow Escape

Luo Qingyang kept walking back towards the lake. As the lake came into view, Luo Qingyang could see that small island again. Or rather, the tortoise shell Wei Wuxian had stood on was back near its original place. Luo Qingyang's foot suddenly slid forward. She was just barely able to keep her balance and not tumble down to the lake. Someone grabbed her arm to steady her. Once Luo Qingyang could breathe again she saw Wei Wuxian looking at her with concern, holding her steady.

"You alright?" he asked quietly. Luo Qingyang nodded. She hadn't recalled the rocks being so slippery before. The torchlight flickered a bit brighter and Luo Qingyang saw why it was so slippery now. Dark red fluid glistened on the rocks leading toward the space beside the lake where the fighting had broken out. Discarded weapons were strewn about with pieces of... Luo Qingyang grimaced. Apparently this tortoise only bothered to pick up big pieces and didn't mind leaving behind smaller bits.

Luo Qingyang chanced to look behind her and saw that everyone seemed to have more or less decided to follow once someone took the lead to head back toward the lake. This was more or less what she had hoped would happen. Since no one was coming up with a better plan, and she was tired of sitting around doing nothing, Luo Qingyang had walked toward the lake hoping it would put an end to the squabbling and they could attempt to do something. Even Jiang Wanyin was following, though his face was set in a deep scowl. He was not the only one scowling. Luo Qingyang caught sight of Lan Wangji's face that, for once, was not so unreadable.

"Wei Wuxian, I think you're boyfriend is going to murder me if you don't let go." Luo Qingyang said in a hushed whisper.

"Huh?" Wei Wuxian blinked in confusion. Lan Wangji stepped forward and wrapped an arm possessively around Wei Wuxian's waist. Wei Wuxian let go of Luo Qingyang's arm as though he had forgotten it was there. All Wei Wuxian's focus was immediately on Lan Wangji. Luo Qingyang had to stifle the chuckle rising in her throat. It wouldn't be funny if her laughter roused the tortoise again and ruined this plan to escape before it even got started.

They found a spot that was partially concealed from the water. Wei Wuxian and Jiang Wanyin moved slowly as they stepped into the water. The surface rippled lightly, but there were no sounds of splashing. Once they were waist deep into the water both of them took a deep breath and silently sank beneath the dark glassy surface.

It was horribly silent in the cave. The sounds of the water lightly hitting the stone walls of the cave and the sound of something dripping echoed in the darkness. The torches weren't going to last much longer. Luo Qingyang wondered how the two cultivators were going to see under the water. She didn't remember them saying anything about it, but admittedly she did stop listening to them after a while. Finally there was a sound of splashing water and a gasp as Wei Wuxian emerged and gulped in air.

"Did you find anything?" A male voice called from behind Luo Qingyang. The volume of the voice made Luo Qingyang uncomfortable. They did remember there was a sleeping monster they weren't trying to rouse, didn't they?

"Not on my side." Wei Wuxian said as he shook his head. He swam to shore and began climbing out of the water. There was a loud splash and everyone's head was immediately turning towards the sound. Luo Qingyang saw a few smaller pebbles falling into the water where a large splash had emanated from. Several disciples were backing away from the edge. Luo Qingyang couldn't tell which of them had managed to knock over some of the loose rocks, but she had a distinct feeling of dread in her stomach.

Ripples emanated from around the tortoise's shell as the head emerged from the water once more. Everyone froze in place as it extended its long neck, swinging its snake-like head around the area. A sudden splashing sound drew its attention as Jiang Wanyin emerged from the water. Wei Wuxian ran forward, hastily drawing on his hand with a bloody finger. He slammed his hand onto the ground causing flames to spurt up in a small column of flame.

"There's an opening we can get through. Large enough for five or six people to pass through at a time." Jiang Wanyin called out.

"Pair off. Swimmers on the left, wounded and non-swimmers on the right. Make sure everyone is accounted for." Wei Wuxian rattled off as he moved a few meters to the side before striking the ground again causing a new column of flames to shoot up. People moved around in a somewhat panicked rush to follow the instructions. Luo Qingyang saw Jiang Wanyin hesitate.

"Wei Wuxian!" Jiang Wanyin called. It seemed like there were more words he wanted to say, but nothing more came out.

"I'll distract it and follow after." Wei Wuxian called. Jiang Wanyin continued to hesitate. "You're the only one who knows where the exit is. You need to lead everyone else out of here." Wei Wuxian continued. Jiang Wanyin scowled again before he moved in front of the group. Jiang Wanyin began swimming out to where the exit was with disciples following behind him.

Luo Qingyang glanced back somewhat nervously. Luo Qingyang saw one of the disciples recover a bow and arrow from the floor. With shaking hands they drew back on the bowstring. Luo Qingyang frowned, even from this angle their aim didn't seem right. Too low to the ground, even with the beast's head bent down toward Wei Wuxian.

The arrow was set loose propelling through the air with a swish. It embedded itself deep in Wei Wuxian's arm. In seconds Lan Wangji was snatching the bow from the disciples hands. Luo Qingyang would almost swear she saw a murderous light in Lan Wangji's eyes.

"Lan-er-gongzi. I-I was trying to hit the monster." The disciple stuttered. Wei Wuxian hissed in pain as he broke off the arrow shaft.

"Just follow the others. Stop making trouble for me." Wei Wuxian called. A monstrous roar emanated from the throat of the giant beast. Its pupils dilated wide.

'Oh no, Wei Wuxian is alive and now bleeding so close to it.' There was no way Wei Wuxian was going to be able to follow them out. Luo Qingyang paused.

'Did that bastard do this on purpose?' She looked at the disciple that was retreating to follow everyone. Lan Wangji was glaring after him, but quickly redirected his focus to Wei Wuxian. Wei Wuxian struck the ground again creating a line of fire that rose several feet in the air. It was a wall between Wei Wuxian and the other disciples still on land. Wei Wuxian was making sure this beast looked at no one but him.

Luo Qingyang hesitated to leave. She kept herself toward the back of the group. Luo Qingyang knew that Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji were better equipped to deal with this than anyone else here. She also knew that as one of the poor swimmers she needed to make sure she left with one of the capable swimmers. She was the last person to dive under the water. As her partner helped her dive down, she caught a glimpse of Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji retreating back towards a narrow tunnel, the tortoise had begun climbing onto land trying to pursue them into the tunnels of the cave.