The White Phoenix

Chapter 7 - Flames

Wei Wuxian began stirring in his sleep as he felt a cool damp cloth pat at his face. He could hear footsteps and quiet chatter but he couldn't make out what anyone was saying.

"A'Xian?" His ShiJie's voice was heard.

Wei Wuxian slowly opened his eyes and saw her sitting beside him, "ShiJie," he said and saw Jiang Cheng behind her, "Jiang Cheng?"

"You idiot, what sort of trouble did you get into to end up at the infirmary?" Jiang Cheng scolded, "if mother found out-"

"She will not find out!" Jiang Yanli interrupted him, "A'Xian didn't do anything according to Second Master Lan. He just passed out. It is expected from someone underweight."

"Underweight?" Wei Wuxian asked. He clearly remembered getting angry, the heat building up in his body, and the golden flames, "what happened?" Wei Wuxian slowly sat up.

"Didn't you hear Jie? She said you passed out from lack of nutrition," Jiang Cheng told him, "have you not been eating?"

"What reason would I have to starve myself?" Wei Wuxian asked, "plus I'm with you or ShiJie almost everyday, you know what or when I eat."

"Still, you need to take better care of yourself," Jiang Cheng demanded.

"I will, okay!" Wei Wuxian yelled.

"A'Xian, try not to get worked up, you have been unconscious for two days now," Yanli told him.

"He will be fine," A girl said from the other side of the door. They all turned to the door as two young women walked in, "he is a strong man, he can overcome a lot of things."

"Um, who are you?" Wei Wuxian asked.

"My name is Annchi, this is my apprentice, Yīnuò. We are here for you, Young Master Wei."

"Me? Why?"

"Because we were asked to protect you, on behalf of Sect Leader Jiang," Annchi said.

"We are all from Yunmeng, me and my sister are both heirs. We have never seen either of you," Jiang Cheng told them.

"We were called upon by your father, Young Master Jiang. Plus we have your sect's silver bell," Annchi said taking out the bell, "we are newer disciples yes, but we are trained well. But even though Sect Leader Jiang knows about us, we come from higher up."

"Higher up?" Jiang Cheng asked.

"We are here to help and protect Young Master Wei. Especially from what happened to put him in that bed," Annchi told them.

"Help him and protect him from starvation?" Jiang Cheng asked.

Annchi laughed, "you and your sister can go. We would like to speak with Young Master Wei alone. When the time is right, your head disciple can share with you what he likes."

"Alright," Yanli said, "A'Xian, please take better care of yourself."

Wei Wuxian nodded as he watched his sworn siblings leave then looked to the young girls, "what do you know?"

"We are not here to hurt you," Annchi said.

"What do you know?" Wei Wuxian asked again.

Annchi sighed, "we can't speak a lot about it as per orders, but we can say this, your true identity is starting to come out. Some people witnessed you turn to golden flames. Though I doubt the two Lan brothers will hurt you, there is a girl here who wants to know your secrets. The Wen Sect is wanting to know about your true identity and your power. His excellency is powerful and has his own plans and worries you will stop him."