The White Phoenix

Chapter 35 - Ambush

As Wei Ying was with Jilpa, training, a warning bell started to sound off. Wei Ying knew it was an emergency and they had to evacuate, "Jilpa, that is the emergency bell, Cloud Recesses is being attacked," Wei Ying told her.

"I need you to get somewhere safe, only fight to defend yourself, otherwise do not engage. Go, I will go help at the main entrance," Jilpa said.

Wei Ying ran into the back hills towards the cold cave. Wangji gave Wei Ying once of his spare forehead ribbons just in case of emergencies. This was one of those times. It helped protect him when he was inside the cave. He was the first one there but he was afraid. He worried for his GeGe and he worried for Lan Wangji. More disciples started to pile in one by one.

One specific person grabbed Wei Ying and dragged him out of the cave, "you are the reason why the sect is being attacked!" The disciple said, "get the hell out, this is all your fault!"

Wei Ying was close to crying but he had to stay strong. He was only fourteen, and his skills were much improved but he knew nothing about fighting other people. As Wei Ying stood up the disciple shoved him back down and kicked him in the stomach, "stay down!" The disciple said and went back into the cave.

Wei Ying decided to hide somewhere else. He found a tree that he always used to climb, Lan Wangji would always be upset that Wei Ying climbed it because it was so high up. Wei Ying did not care right now. Since he wasn't allowed inside for some reason, he had no choice. Just as he was climbing, an arrow pierced his right side. Wei Ying whinced and fell from the tree landing on his back. He had to go up no matter what. He decided he had no choice and used his fire cultivation to lift him off the ground. He flew up and landed high up in the tree. He saw Grandmaster Lan stop at the cave entrance guiding people inside.

"Grandmaster Lan!" Wei Ying yelled.

Lan Qiren looked up to see Wei Ying in the tree and wounded, "what are you doing up there?"

"A disciple kicked me out of the cave. He said this ambush was my fault," Wei Ying answered.

"Nonsense, get down here, now," Lan Qiren demanded.

Wei Ying was hesitant until he saw Lan Wangji, "A'Zhan!" He cried.

"A'Ying!" Wangji shouted and jumped up to him, "what happened, why are you here instead of inside, who shot you?"

"I don't know who shot me," Wei Ying cried, "a disciple yelled at me, told me this ambush was my fault and kicked me out. He even kicked me in the stomach...it really hurt!"

Lan Wangji had never been so furious in his entire life, "I'm here now, I won't let anyone else hurt you. This ambush is not your fault." Wei Ying shook his head denying his words. Lan Wangji grabbed Wei Ying and jumped down from the tree and ran inside the cave, "which one kicked you out?" Wangji asked.

Wei Ying weakly pointed to the disciple, "him, he kicked me out. Said it was my fault. He kicked me in the stomach to keep me from getting up. I climbed the tree and got shot by an arrow," Wei Ying said explained.

"Su She?" Wangji asked, "why?"

"Isn't it true? The Qishan Wen Sect has been searching for a boy who can wield fire. It's obvious," he argued.

Lan Qiren removed Su She's forehead ribbon, "you are banned from this sect for endangering the life of a child who also has no part in this ambush, now get out of the cave and don't ever set foot in Gusu again!"

"All because of that brat?" Su She asked angrily.

Bichen was now inches from his throat, "threaten him again, and I will suffer the consequences of killing within the sect!" Wangji said.

"It would be an act of justice," another Lan sect elder said, "wouldn't really have any consequences on you."

"Get out!" Lan Qiren said, "or I can allow Wangji to kill you!"

Su She stormed out of the cave after he shoved Bichen aside. He cut his hand in the process but he was too furious to care. Lan Xichen saw Su She leaving the front gate as he was checking one last time for any disciples. He let him go as he felt there was something about his composure that he was leaving on purpose. He then entered the cave to see Wangji pacing with Wei Ying in his arms. Wei Ying needed medical attention but being in the cold cave was not the best place for it.

"What happened?" Xichen asked. Wangji explained to him what happened to Wei Ying. Xichen said as furious that Wei Ying was blamed for this incident. He was a child and he has no control over what he is, "we may have to move A'Ying to a different location until he reaches eighteen. If people are now getting information about him, it will be difficult to protect him for much longer. I also do not want others to go after him for this ambush."

"We can discuss where to bring him but we need to get this arrow out of him and make sure he is not injured anywhere else," Wangji said.

Because Jilpa is a Valkyrie, she was able to enter the cave and was protected, "I have a friend that I could get you to. She is hidden from the sects so you can focus on training him and be sure that he is safe. It is up to you though," she said.

"I think it's best if we go," Wangji said, "I'm not leaving him alone though."

"As his caretaker and soulmate, it would be recommended that you stick close to him. He will need you now more than ever," Jilpa said, "I sent an SOS to Tian Jun to help with repairing your sect in the meantime. Annchi and Yinuo will also come and help. If we leave now, my friend can help tend to A'Ying's wound."

"Be safe, okay Xiongzhang. I will write to you when we are settled," Wangji said.

Lan Xichen gave his brother a hug and placed a kiss on Wei Ying's forehead, "be safe as well, both of you."

With that, Jilpa took Wangji's arm and teleported him and Wei Ying to the location she recommended. Wangji was nervous about who they would be with but he had to trust Jilpa. If it means to help treat Wei Ying and keep him safe, he would do anything.

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So that happened. More coming soon. I am glad that you all are liking the story so far. Thanks for all the support.

Happy new year to all of you. ❤️