Beyond Control

Chapter 34

I walked Wen Qing back to her place, "thank you for helping with A'Xian," I told her.

"It's not a problem," she said, "my village always strived on being a place for healers and medicine. I wanted to be a healer but not because it was something that was tradition in my family. Growing up, I have always felt the need to help those who were injured or sick. My village, being near Dafan, we were close to Tiannu's Temple. The dancing fairy statue there, took my brother's spiritual cognition from him as a little boy.

"Grandma Wen and I worked tirelessly to get it back. In the end, only half of it returned. He is fully functional as you can see, but it left him with a stutter and he is heavily affected by resentful energy. When Wen Ruohan told me to come here to search for the Yin shard, he made threats to my family, including my Didi. I brought him with me hoping he could be safe from him. Later, he kept making threats.

"Wen Chao dragged me along to watch as he followed your brother and A'Xian while they were searching for the yin iron. When he told me he was luring them to Dafan, I had to try and do something. A'Xian helped my brother by giving him a charm to ward off evil spirits and resentment go help protect him. I couldn't just stand by and watch them get hurt. They tried to get me to talk after I helped them but I couldn't, out of fear. I wanted to do more, but my brother's life came first and I couldn't open up without risking his life."

When I thanked Wen Qing, I wasn't expecting to hear such a background story. Now that she told me, it only made me admire her more. She works tirelessly to keep her Didi safe and if she can, she will repay the favor if someone helps save him. She isn't apart of Wen Ruohan and his schemes anymore.

"I appreciate you telling me this about you," I said to her, "I want to tell you, you are safe here in Cloud Recesses. As long as I am here, I will not let you or your Didi suffer in any way. I want you to feel safe and welcome here."

"Thank you, Zewu Jun," she said.

I smiled at her, "I think it's okay for you to call me Xichen. No need to be formal with me," I told her as we arrived to her place.

"Well, I still thank you, Xichen," she said, "if A'Xian is doing okay tomorrow. I can take A'Yuan over to see him."

"Of course," I said, "there is still a good amount of daylight left, get some well earned rest."

"Okay, see you later then," she said and went into her home.

All I did on my way back to the Hanshi, was think of her. She was very much similar to me in wanting to protect her Didi. Wei Wuxian was like that to her too, and I could tell. I felt that I should spend time with Wen Ning sometime soon to get to know him.

When I got back to the Hanshi, Wangji had left to go attend his second class to teach disciples. I was happy for him to come such a long way. So A'Xian was alone when I got home.

"Hello, Xichen-Ge," he said sitting at the main table.

"How are you doing?" I asked him as I sat across from him.

"I'm doing a lot better," he said, "I oh you a big thank you...I feel like I owe you so much."

I shook my head, "you don't owe me anything. But if you feel so inclined, pay it forward, and also, love my brother like you have never loves someone so dearly before," I told him.

He smiled but also blushed, "I can do that. Though, you should work on your relationship with Wen Qing," he said.

I narrowed my eyes at him, "excuse me?" I asked playfully.

"Oh come on, Xichen-Ge, you like her. Just admit it...or do you fancy someone else?" He was teasing me now.

"A'Xian, you're pushing it," I told him playing along, "I can use the silence spell just like Wangji can."

His lips shut into a straight line. He sat there to think for a minute, "okay, don't admit it," I told him.

I glared at him. I missed this playful mischievous side, "it's good to see you so cheerful again," I told him.

He nodded, "I am happy," he said, "though, I think I have to go back to Lotus Pier at some point."

"I spoke to uncle," I said, "we were talking about sending an engagement proposal to Lotus Pier. With the proposal, it gives you more reason to stay as much as you want. You don't have to return if you don't feel comfortable."

"Engagement?" He asked.

"With Wangji," I said. He blushed, "oh, it can be a while before the wedding. It's just to set up something to get you to stay. I am not going to lie to you, I don't want you back in Lotus Pier either. You are miserable there. With this proposal, you can stay. You and Wangji can still take the time you need to court each other but the engagement will be set in writing."

"If Lan Zhan accepts this, then I will agree to it," he said, "if...Jiang Cheng doesn't comply or if he causes problems...I can always secede from the sect."

I was surprised he'd go that far to leave, "you would go as far as secede?" I asked, "don't you have to have a duel?"

He nodded, "a duel until one concedes, if I concede first he can decide if I can leave or not, or even imprison me if he likes. If he concedes first, I can leave freely...we don't fight until someone is dead but it can get close to it if the sect leader is stubborn enough," A'Xian explained.

"I know you're getting your core strength back, but I don't know if you'd be able to handle a fight with him," I told him.

"Maybe, I may be weaker in that way, but I know his fighting style. Being I'm from the sect, I know the Yunmeng sword style. I learned it, but I also made up my own. I felt bored with their sword style so I created one. It's usually why people have a hard time fight with me, they don't know my sword style very well. I can also mix my style with the Jiang's sword style to mix them up more," he explained.

"To create a style on your own, and at such a young age is quite difficult, how did you manage to do that?" I asked.

"I found a couple books in the Jiang Sect library. While I was here for lectures, I saw some books in your library. I keep adding to my sword style if I read something about creating a style that I find useful," he explained, "plus, when I use my own style, I can feel my sword react to it, like it's happy with it. It reacts negatively to the Jiang's style."

"Since your sword has a spirit, it makes sense that it would. Spiritual weapons are actually quite smart and if cultivated enough, they can create a conscious. A being if you will," I told him.

"Really?" He asked and looked at his sword over on the sword stand, "I miss using Suibian, that's for sure."

"It's been a long time, I think after another session or two in the cold spring, you can be strong enough to handle the sword again. I'm sure Wangji would love to spar with you again," I told him.

He smirked at me, "I look forward to it...but I want to spar with you as well. Just to see if you are as strong as people say."

I couldn't help but smirk back at him, "okay, I accept your challenge. But you have to use the cold spring three times before going against me," I told him.

"Deal," he said holding out his hand.

So we shook on it...I'm sure we just broke a rule but I am not going to count it. I actually look forward to sparring with him. We could learn from each other and bond at the same time.