The White Phoenix

Chapter 2 - Cloud Recesses

"Shufu," the two Lans greeted with a bow. Grandmaster Lan bowed his head in return and looked at Wei Wuxian.

"Oh," Wei Wuxian cupped his hands and bowed to the elder, "my name is Wei Ying, courtesy name Wuxian. I'm the head disciple at the Yunmeng Jiang Sect...I was just told to come with Sect Leader Lan."

Lan Qiren couldn't help but look at the Jiang disciple in front of him. Aside being taken into the Jiang Clan, no one knew of Wei Wuxian's real birth origins. The only thing Lan Qiren is aware of about Wei Wuxian, is that he is known to cause trouble.

Lan Qiren was the most respected elder in the GusuLan Sect. He is known for producing outstanding students, even out of the most hopeless cases.He is the uncle of Sect Leader Lan Xichen and Second Master Lan Wangji. Lan Qiren was a tall and thin man with good posture and a long, black goatee. He was described as good-looking, although his uptight manner gave him the image of an older man.

Lan Qiren was a famously pedantic and strict teacher. It was rumored that no matter how unruly the child was, once a person sent their child to Lan Qiren, the child would be reformed into a model citizen. As such, Lan Qiren was intolerant of any viewpoints that contradicted his adherence to rules and traditions.

Lan Qiren loved both his nephews dearly, as he was their primary guardian due to his brother's seclusion. He raised them strictly in the hopes that they would not repeat Qingheng-Jun's errors, an act that implies some level of grief at his brother's fate. He took great pride in their obedience to the rules and to him.

Nevertheless, despite his love for his nephews, he continually displayed intolerance and ire at any perceived errors in morality or propriety; even if it was his beloved nephews. But, Lan Qiren was also pragmatic enough to recognize that, at times, his personal pride and feelings were less important than the situation at hand.

Wei Wuxian knew of all this, he knew of this old man and his strict ways from Madam Yu Ziyuan. She wasn't shy about telling Wei Wuxian out right that if Lan Qiren desired to punish him, then so be it. Even if it involves a beating, as she has used her Zidian on Wei Wuxian several times, she knows it works long enough to keep him from causing trouble for a short amount of time.

"What brings the Jiang Head Disciple here?" Lan Qiren asked.

"He recognized that the unconscious disciple was cursed with resentful energy. Saying the disciple was still alive despite looking dead," Sect Leader Lan explained.

"Oh, and how can you tell?" Lan Qiren asked.

"I can feel it," Wei Wuxian answered, "I've been around trauma, sorrow, and anger enough, a person can feel resentful energy quite a bit. I've been able to sense resentful energy since I was seven. Some people, question my intentions because I can feel resentment so deeply, but I mean no harm. I don't like it anymore then the average cultivator."

Second Master Lan Wangji seemed to shift his stance as he heard Wei Wuxian speak. When he heard that he has been around a lot of trauma in the past, Lan Wangji was now starting to question his behavior. Like any person wants to feel such painful and sorrowful energy.

"I won't get involved with your personal matters unless you ask, but I do thank you for your observation of the disciple," Lan Qiren told him.

"Sect Leader Lan also said you may know the origins of this white feather. I've had it with me since I was an infant," Wei Wuxian questioned holding out the feather.

Lan Qiren stared at the snow-white feather in Wei Wuxian's hand. He has long heard of such creatures of what the feather belongs to, but he had never once believed it.

"Though it is white, it looks like a phoenix feather," Lan Qiren said as Wuxian handed it to him, "I've never heard of a white Phoenix before though...and in the light, it shines gold."

"I've had it since I was young, it's like I have a connection to it," Wei Wuxian told him.

"Best hang on to it," Lan Qiren said handing the feather back to him, "thank you for letting us know what you know of the disciple we brought in."

"Of course," Wei Wuxian said with a bow, "if it is alright, my Shidi is probably looking for me."

"Of course, you can go," Lan Qiren said.

Wei Wuxian nodded and stepped out. It wasnt long after he stepped out that Lan Wangji was by his side.

"Wei Gongzi," Lan Wangji called to him.

"Lan er Gongzi," Wei Wuxian stopped walking and turned to him, "what do you want now? Want to try strangling me again?"

"I'm sorry," He apologized.

"I'm sure you are," Wei Wuxian said, "the thing with me, Lan er Gongzi, I will only give one other chance. I don't give a third."

"I understand," Lan Wangji said, "I just wanted to apologize for my behavior."

"Because your brother told you to?" Wei Wuxian asked and stepped closer to him, "I don't care who you are. I will take the apology, but that doesn't mean I will forgive. I've been berated enough to know not to trust anyone."

Lan Wangji wanted to know more about this Jiang Disciple. This was the second time Wei Wuxian spoke of trust and forgiveness.

'Just how bad were you treated, Wei Wuxian?' Lan Wangji questioned in silence.

"I need to get back to my siblings, so if you will excuse me," Wei Wuxian told him.

"Let me walk you there," Lan Wangji offered.

"No need," Wei Wuxian told him and walked off.

Lan Wangji sighed as he watched the Jiang disciple walk away. He just rolled his eyes and went back to his own place, The Jingshi. Wei Wuxian got back to Jiang Cheng after a little while.

"Took you long enough," Jiang Cheng scowled.

"It's not my fault the Lan's like to chatter," Wei Wuxian told him as he sat on his own bed.

"What did they want?" Jiang Cheng asked.

"I told them what I told you, the disciple was cursed with resentful energy. There is nothing more to speak of," Wei Wuxian told him.

"That's all? Then why did you take so long?" Jiang Cheng asked.

"Cheng Cheng, if you missed me, all you have to do is say so," Wei Wuxian said.

"Who are you calling Cheng Cheng?" Jiang Cheng scolded.

Wei Wuxian chuckled, "look at you getting all worked up, just over my teasing."

"Well, stop. Learn the rules before the Ceremony tomorrow," Jiang Cheng said.

"There are over three thousand rules. How can I remember them all?" Wei Wuxian whined.

"Better start reading," Jiang Cheng told him.

Wei Wuxian huffed as he took out the GusuLan principles and just grazed through it. He fell asleep about three pages in. He might have to say it's a record for staying awake that long while reading something boring.