The Story of Their Distance (mdzs fanfiction)

Playful deception

Disclaimer: I do not own the characters and art used in the story. AU and OOC

6 years in the Cultivation Realm (30 years on the Celestial Mountain)

Sometimes he could not help but wonder if falling in love was worth it. It made him question if love wasn't just another word for loneliness. After all, all you get from being in love is overbearing loneliness. Sometimes he found it hard to breathe as nights stretched into eternity. No matter how far he travelled, he was alone. Wei Ying disappeared during his first night in Lingjian and never returned. Villagers were friendly to him, while Pu-Shushu started to treat him like a second son. Yet, he was lonely. The only person he yearned for was gone. He learnt that Wei Ying would come and go as he pleased, often ignoring his grandmother's rules, but once, they did not see him for a year or two.

Wangji tried to push breakfast past his throat when the door slid open, bringing a crisp breeze inside. In the corner of his eye, he noticed familiar white robes.

"Welcome, Miss Suyin." The owner rushed towards the doors to greet one of his favourite visitors. "Is there anything I can do for you?"

"Greetings, Pu-shushu," replied with a radiant smile. She enjoyed trips to nearby villages, meeting new people, and trying new things. Helping people gave her a new sense of fulfilment. "I came to check if there is something you need help with."

"No, since Grandmaster Wei set up his new array, we don't have any problems. It even keeps bandits and alike away. I saw a group of them bouncing away as if there was an invisible wall. Everyone was shocked because we can walk freely, and we do get visitors from nearby settlements."

"Array only blocks people who have ill intention towards ones it is protecting. It's one of A-Ying's most successful inventions," added with pride.

"Next time he visits, we will celebrate with a grand party. Things were never so peaceful."

"I'm afraid it won't happen any time soon. A-Ying disappeared five years ago," added, spotting white robes at one of the tables. "Even sect leader doesn't know when he will return."

"Oh," his face fell down. "Fisherman's village leader was hoping to ask Grandmaster Wei for help. They have more problems with sea monsters and bandits too."

"We will send some disciples on a regular interval basis. I will inform Sect Leader immediately; she would like to hear more about it. The Northern Sea used to be quiet, but recently troubles seemed to be brewing around," she said thoughtfully.

"Thank you, Miss Suyin."

Ju Suyin smiled, then leaned closer and whispered, "What about him? Any problems?"

The owner shook his head. "Master Lan helps with monsters outside settlements. He is a rather pleasant person to have around. If I understand, he and Grandmaster Wei are old friends?"

She pushed her hatred aside and nodded. There were times one could consider them friends, even soulmates, but not anymore. A-Ying seemed to let go; any lingering feelings were frozen at the bottom of his heart. Suyin couldn't even imagine what it would take to melt her Ice Cube.

News about Wei Ying's absence caused unbearable pain in his chest. The feeling of being ignored was awful and forced him to relive his mistakes from the past. He was so cold to Wei Ying during their classes in Cloud Recesses that the latter grew to believe Wangji hated him. 'I'm not surprised he misunderstood my intention when I asked him to come to Gusu. I kept nagging about his cultivation, disliking it. He must have thought I wanted to imprison him, punish him for it. I understand now why he wouldn't accept help from a person who clearly didn't believe in him... didn't trust him. I have no one to blame but myself for losing him. If nothing, maybe we could at least remain friends?'