Who You Are Book 2

Chapter 23 - Discussion Conference At Lanling

The time of the Discussion Conference at Carp Tower came within the blink of an eye.

Most of the prominent sects' residences were built in areas of beautiful scenery, but the Lanling Jin Sect's Carp Tower sat in the most flourishing part of Lanling City. The main road used to visit the tower was a carriage path more than half a mile in length. It only opened for important events such as banquets or the Discussion Conferences. According to the Lanling Jin Sect's rules, one must not walk at a fast pace here. Both sides of the path were covered in murals and reliefs, telling stories of the Jin Clan's leaders and other distinguished cultivators. During the journey, disciples of the Lanling Jin Sect would act as guides as they drove the carriages.

Out of all of them the four most famous sections about the current sect leader—Jin GuangYao—were respectively "disclosure", "assassination", "oath", and "kind austerity". Of course, the scenes showed how during the Sunshot Campaign Jin GuangYao hid in the QishanWen Sect and reported important information, assassinated the Wen Sect's leader Wen RuoHan, became sworn brothers with the rest of the Venerated Triad, and rose to the position of Chief Cultivator. The painter was quite adept at painting people's expressions. Although nothing seemed special at first glance, a more detailed look would reveal that even when his figure was executing the assassination, cheeks dripping blood, Jin GuangYao still had the hint of a smile over his face. One could feel their hair stand as they looked.

Immediately after it were Jin Zixuan's murals. Usually, in order to signify their absolute power, sect leaders would purposely lessen the number of murals for cultivators of their own generation or perhaps switch to an inferior artist, so that they wouldn't be outshone. To these acts, everyone gave silent approval, showing their understanding. However, Jin Zixuan had four murals as well, unbelievably standing on equal footing as Jin Guangyao. The handsome man in the paintings displayed both pride and vigor.

Hopping off the carriage, Wei Wuxian, now wearing his mask, stopped in front of the murals and stared for a while. Lan Wangji also stopped, waiting for him.

From not far away, a disciple declared, "Sect Lan of Gusu, please enter here."

Lan Wangji, "Let us go."

Wei Wuxian didn't reply. The two just walked together.

To Wei Wuxian, being in Lanling, he felt uncomfortable and a bit nauseated. He has no good memories from the place. The last few times he was in Lanling, he made a scene and demanded information no matter how he got it, the other was seeing his Shijie in tears. He broke a lot of hearts and a lot of families. He did not like being at Lanling for that reason. Now he was here for a new reason, and it was a huge risk on his part.

...

"I knew you were nervous about being at Lanling, but I didn't know how badly it effected you," Wangji stated.

"I wasn't very vocal about much back then," Wuxian said, "so how could you know for sure, as to what extent I was nervous or scared?"

"I just ask that you be open from now on," Wangji told him.

"I promised you a dozen time already...but I will promise you a dozen more times if I have to," Wuxian replied.

"Good," Wangji said.

...

Following the stairs up Carp Tower was a wide, brick-paved square, bustling with people. The Lanling Jin Sect had probably been expanded and refurbished during the past few years. The extravagance was greater than what Wei Wuxian had seen back then. To the far side of the square, an alabaster base sat over a flight of nine stairs in the ruyi style. On top of the base, a magnificent palace complete with a hip-and-gable roof overlooked the ocean of Sparks Amidst Snow.