Beyond Control

Chapter 45

I felt relaxed, feeling my spiritual energy slowly spread through my body. Even with the chill of the cold spring, the energy kept me warm. I was doing well, but I was soon interrupted by Lan Zhan.

"Wei Ying?!" He called out.

When I opened my eyes, water from the spring was all around me. Swirling around in the air like liquid tendrils. The water was surrounding me, as if it was trying to shield me from something. I saw Lan Zhan off to the side a bit worried. Xichen-Ge was beside him.

"A'Xian, remember how you did it last time. Focus your energy on the water and get it to settle back into the spring," Xichen-Ge advised.

I closed my eyes again, and did what I felt during my meditation. I let my energy run calmly through my veins and then let it out externally. I felt the water around me settle. When I opened my eyes again, the water was gone and back in the spring where it belonged. I sighed as I got up and left the spring. Lan Zhan handed me my robes and I put them on. Neither of them seemed phased about me walking around in my trousers...though Lan Zhan's face was a bit red.

"I'm sorry that happened again," I said as I put my boots on, "I don't have much control over that yet. It might take me a while."

"It's alright, though we don't know much about this type of cultivation, there might be something in the library if you want to go look," Xichen-Ge suggested.

"Can we go look now?" I asked.

"Wei Ying, you should eat lunch first. You did not eat much this morning," Lan Zhan said.

"I haven't been hungry," I told him.

"You should still try to eat," Lan Zhan said.

I sighed and nodded, "alright, I will go eat at the dining hall first."

"Will take Wei Ying to town," Lan Zhan said, "we can check the library later."

I looked at Xichen-Ge then to Lan Zhan, "why to town?" I asked.

"You like the food better, and we can get out of the sect. We could spend some time out in town. Huan-Ge can come if he wants," Lan Zhan said.

***

~*Lan Xichen's POV*~

"I wouldn't mind going out to town for a bit. I actually think A'Xian has a few places in town he likes to go to," I said.

"Can I get Emperor's Smile?" Wuxian asked.

I laughed a bit, "a couple jars will be fine," I told him, "but you should eat a proper meal first."

"Deal....but I don't have money," he said.

"I can pay," Wangji insisted.

I saw A'Xian was about to protest so I stepped in, "it's our treat, A'Xian. If you find anything from the vendors, let us know. You have been here for a while and even back in Yunmeng, have you ever spoiled yourself on goods?"

He shook his head, "I wasn't given much. Just enough to eat while I was out, maybe an occasional drink or two. Shijie's would usually buy things for me," he put his head down a bit, "I wasn't given much. Just a bed to sleep on and a roof over my head. Plus meals and training."

I nodded, "Wangji, would you two wait for me at the gate? I am going to inform Uncle that we will be heading out."

"Mnn, we need to stop at the Jingshi first anyway," he said.

I nodded. From there we went on our separate ways for a bit. I stopped over to visit Uncle.

"Shufu," I greeted.

"Xichen," he greeted back and motioned me inside.

"Wangji and I are going to take Wuxian into town for a while," I told him, "get him out of Cloud Recesses for a bit to let him let out some pent up energy."

"That sounds like a good idea," he said, "he has too much energy so he needs some sort of outlet. We should give him a Jade token at some point so he can come and go as he pleases. I trust he will come back as he knows about curfew."

"I will look into it...I was also thinking about one other thing," I said.

"And what is that?"

"Wuxian explained to me that he wasn't given the proper allowance of a head disciple. So he wasn't able to buy what he wanted. I was considering giving him a pouch for him. I wanted to know what you think about that," I told him.

He nodded and stroked his beard, "it doesn't surprise me that he wasn't given a lot of freedom. If he was punished often and for small matters, how would the Jiang's consider giving him the proper allowance. I will allow it. He is a good kid and I trust him....I can't believe I am admitting that."

I smiled, "he has that impact on people...but since he has been here, he has not broken a single rule. He has followed them all. All the while still being his playful self again. I think because we give him that freedom and trust, as well as guidance, he is willing to compromise. I don't think he really ever means to cause trouble. It's just there are times within his personality where it comes out," I explained.

He sighed, "I believe you," he said, "have you found much in his new water cultivation?"

"We will go search the library either later this evening or tomorrow. I think it will be good to let Wuxian out and about," I said.

"Alright...and I am okay with the money pouch. He should be responsible enough to handle it," he said.

I nodded and left him. I quickly went over to the treasury and gathered a pouch with some silver and gold. Even though he isn't our head disciple, I want to pay he the proper amount he is owed. He may object to taking it but I will try to persuade him into taking it. He lived here with Wangji and is getting ready to settle an engagement with him. It's fair for him to have his share.