Beyond Control

Chapter 3

"Deeper into the cave, there was an underground pond," Wuxian explained, "Wen Chao wanted to hang someone to sacrifice for blood to lure out a creature. He first was going to use MianMian, from the Jin Clan, but Lan Zhan and Jin Zixuan refused. A fight soon broke out. I caught Wen Chao and held him at sword point on a rock in the pool. Turns out it was not a rock but it was Xuanwu."

"The Wen's fled and cut the ropes so we couldn't escape. I distracted the tortoise while Cheng searched for a way out under the water. He found a hole large enough to fit five to six people at a time. Lan Zhan ended up staying behind with me, which is how we got trapped in the cave. His leg got worse so that was when I used the herbs. I don't think he was all too thrilled to be stuck with me but he chose to stay behind."

'I wanted to strangle this boy. Get a clue! He likes you! Okay calm down Lan Huan,' I thought to myself.

"He and I killed Xuanwu and were eventually rescued. I was brought home to Lotus Pier and had a fever. Some time later, Sect Leader Jiang and my Shijie went out for a few days. While they were away, that was when the Wens came...Wang Lingjiao found a kite that we use for teaching archery to our disciples and she used it as an excuse to come inside. She then told Madam Yu that I humiliated Wen Chao and stole his sword and asked for me to be punished on their behalf. Madam Yu fell for her words...and struck me with...Zidian several times."

"Zidian?" I asked, "as a punishment?"

"It's..not the first time I've been punished with it. Though, that moment in front of Wang Lingjiao was the most energy she used on her whip. It was more painful then it has ever been but I didn't let it phase me. Wang Lingjiao wasn't satisfied and asked for my right arm as a final punishment," he explained, "That was also when Wang Lingjiao told Madam Yu she would use Lotus Pier as the main advisory office for the Wen Sect. Madam Yu struck her and threatened her. Wen Zhuliu came in and Madam Yu took Cheng and me away. She put us on a boat and bound us with her Zidian. We met with Sect Leader Jiang and Shijie. He bound Shijie to us and left for Lotus Pier. Cheng and I went back a bit later and found that everyone was gone. Madam Yu and Sect Leader Jiang, were dead. Their golden cores were taken before they finally died. Cheng blamed me because I saved Lan Zhan and caused trouble for the sect...I don't know if he still does but I still blame myself."

That was when I pulled him into a hug. He should not be blamed for such a thing, "it is not your fault," I assured him calmly, "you were injured and you did the right thing by helping others. The Wens killed Yu Ziyuan and Jiang Fengmian, not you. It is not your fault."

It was probably the first time he ever heard such words or even got any sort of comfort for what happened. He was a little younger than my brother and he carried such hard burdens on his shoulders.

"Jiang Cheng, Shijie, and I hid away at an inn for a while. Shijie got sick so I went out to buy medicine. I told Cheng to stay with her but when I returned, Cheng was gone," be continued to speak as his head rested on my shoulder, "the first thing I thought was he wanted revenge for Lotus Pier so that was where he would go. He was caught by Wens. When I got to Lotus Pier, I was found by Wen Ning, who helped me get Jiang Cheng back and the remains of Madam Yu and Sect Leader Jiang. He took me to a secret advisory office only he and Wen Qing stayed at. We found out that Wen Zhuliu crushed Jiang Cheng's golden core."

"He has one now though," I said softly, "a strong one at that."

He pulled out of my hug, "I asked Wen Qing if there was anything she could do. She let me read through her medical books and scrolls until I found something. I told Jiang Cheng that I knew the mountain where my grandmaster usually goes and she could help him."

"Who is your grandmaster?" I asked.

"Baoshan Sanren," he answered.

I guess I could have pieced that together. Cangse Sanren was her daughter and disciple so it would make sense that would make Wei Ying a disciple.

"What happened?" I asked.

"I took him there and blindfolded him. Then knocked him out. Wen Qing and Wen Ning came out of hiding and performed a golden core transfer," he explained, "it would seem impossible I know but it happened. I stayed awake for two days and a night with no anesthetics as Wen Qing cut out my golden core and transplanted it to Jiang Cheng..."

"You?" I was shocked and took a hold of his wrist. There was a small amount of spiritual energy there but the living thrum of the golden core was nonexistent within him, "you gave up your life's work of cultivation for him?" I asked.

"He needed a core to run the sect. And I owed his parents for taking me in. I wouldn't have been a cultivator if it was not for them. I mean, the last thing I did was make a promise to his parents that I would protect him and Shijie with my life...and I held up to it...until I found it hard to help out at Lotus Pier."

"And the resentful energy?" I asked.

"I waited down the mountain near a tea house for Cheng. He didn't show, even after seven days. I went into the tea house and it was swarmed with Wens. Wen Chao beat me, broke several bones and tortured me all he wanted. I couldn't fight back. I told him I wasn't born in a sect so I didn't go through a soul calming ceremony so the more they tortured me, the more likely I'd become a fierce ghost and haunt them if they killed me. It spooked them but not by a lot. They then flew high up until they reached...the burial mounds and pushed me in. As I fell, the resentful energy welcomed me, caught me, and made sure the impact wasn't too much to bear.

"I spent three months in the burial mounds learning to control the resentful energy. Created Chenqing and the Yin Hu Fu. The Yin Hu Fu is something that I know how to destroy but if I do that....I will die. It will cause a backlash and because my body is being held together by resentful energy, my bones that have not healed are being held together by it...so I can't be cleansed and I can heal.

"I am stuck like this, and it is so painful to use the energy that my chest hurts. I have to constantly keep my emotions under control or that is when I could lose control. Resentful energy reacts to emotions which is why I took to using Gusu's music techniques and use Chenqing to help me. The Yin Hu Fu is to hold the energy and use it. But in the wrong hands it can be dangerous. I do not trust Jin Guangshan and I refuse to give it to him. I don't trust anyone really."

Wuxian looked into my eyes, "you want me to go back and hide, can you help me with my pain? Help me heal? Help me get rid of this amulet? Can you help me at all? And please, do not tell Cheng about his core. He cares too much for cultivating and gains and losses. If he found out it is my core, he will not be okay with it. He has always compared himself to me as well as his parents. I don't want him thinking that if he has my core, it is still my doing for his achievements."

"I will help you," I told him, "if you at least tell Wangji about this so he understands this."

"Will he think less of me? And your uncle?" He asked.

"I will deal with my uncle. And Wangji will trust you if you tell him all of this. He needs to know it so he can help me help you. We may not be able to help get you a new core but we can heal your broken body and cleanse you from resentment. From there we will figure everything out...I also need you to convince your siblings as to why you are coming back to Gusu with me," I told him.

He nodded, "I will, I will tell them I am helping you on a night hunt in Gusu," he said.

"It would work, and I can speak with Sect Leader Jiang as well," I told him.

He nodded. I could tell he was nervous about what was to come but he was less tense after telling me these things. I will help you, Wei Wuxian. Not just for my brother but because you need someone to care for you. Your sibling do not look at you well enough to see that you are in pain. I will help you.