Backlash Part 1

Chapter 124: Signal the Sun

Zidian snapped like the strike of a viper, releasing a loud crack. The dangerous light encasing the whip flashed so brightly that the violet sparks became a burning magnesium white. Wei Wuxian flinched at the sudden movement and sharp sound. His body remembered the sensations that accompanied that sound, that swift movement. Wei Wuxian expected a forceful impact and sharp pain. He expected Zidian to slice through his robes, split open his skin, and scorch his nerve endings.

The impact didn't come. Not the force, the painful cuts, not even the burning of electricity through his body. Wei Wuxian opened his eyes and blinked in confusion. Lan Wangji was still standing between Wei Wuxian and Yu Ziyuan, but Yu Ziyuan was not even turned towards Wei Wuxian. Wei Wuxian flinched as Zidian snapped out again. He expected it to strike him but it snapped to the sides, throwing the QishanWen sect escorts to the ground like they were toy soldiers waiting to be knocked over.

Yu Ziyuan never even spared a glance for any of them, all her attention, all her fury, was focused on Wang Lingjiao. Wen Chao's Mistress was crumpled on the floor like a broken doll. The air smelled of burnt fabric, and Wei Wuxian could see Wang Lingjiao desperately trying to move. She was too weak to even push herself away from the floor. Wei Wuxian remembered vividly what it felt like to be struck with Zidian and, given Wang Lingjiao's lack of spiritual energy, he wasn't surprised that she was unable to stand.

"You come in here, barking like a dog. Who do you think you are? Wang. Ling. jiao." Yu Ziyuan enunciated each syllable of Wang Lingjiao's name. "What hole did you crawl out of, Trash? What made you think you could lecture me?" Yu Ziyuan's voice thundered through the hall, venom dripping off of every word. Her maids moved as swiftly as Zidian. With blades in hand they slaughtered the QishanWen sect escorts with brutal efficiency.

"Wen-gongzi will be here shortly! If anything happens to me, he won't let you off easy!" Wang Lingjiao screeched desperately. Yu Ziyuan laughed. The sound crawled down Wei Wuxian's spine and settled in his stomach like a stone.

"What will he do? Destroy Lotus Pier? Replace it with a supervisory office? You make it sound as though he does not intend to do these things already." Yu Ziyuan mocked. Jiang Fengmian watched in calm resignation as Yu Ziyuan stalked menacingly towards Wang Lingjiao. Zidian flashed, cutting through the air on its journey to Wang Lingjiao. A sudden crash and suddenly Zidian was stopped. It was caught in the grip of a man, standing between Wang Lingjiao and Yu Ziyuan.

"Wen Zhuliu!" Wang Lingjiao cried out. Yu Ziyuan gave Wen Zhuliu a look of disgust.

"Wen Zhuliu? Huadan Shou, was your surname not Zhou Zhuliu? Is the surname Wen so desirable that you would forsake your ancestors for it?" Yu Ziyuan inquired, disgust clear in her voice.

"Zi Zhizhu, I merely serve His Excellency." Wen Zhuliu replied. Wang Lingjiao pulled herself to a sitting position.

"Why are you still talking? Wen Zhuliu! Wen-gongzi ordered you to protect me! Is this how you protect me?!" Wang Lingjiao screeched. From this angle Wei Wuxian could see the bloody trail of Zidian as it ripped and scorched Wang Lingjiao's robes. It sliced across her chest going so high up that it cut into Wang Lingjiao's cheek. Wen Zhuliu's gaze shifted toward Yu Ziyuan once more. He bowed slightly in respect to her.

"Zi Zhizhu, forgive my impertinence." Wen Zhuliu said with utmost sincerity. He launched forward to attack.

Wei Wuxian remembered that in his last life he had not understood why Wen Zhuliu did not use a sword. Nor did he understand why Madam Yu was so cautious about preventing contact with Wen Zhuliu's hands. Later Wei Wuxian understood why, when he understood what Wen Zhuliu's title, Huadan Shou, really meant.