The White Phoenix

Chapter 58 - Burnt

Lan Ying was started to get tired but he did not let that stop him. These corpses were not stopping. He had to send out a flare for more reinforcements from Sky Kingdom. More people came within a few minutes. Lan Ying's parents told him to look for his husband and get his family safe. Lan Ying flew around Cloud Recesses, taking out any soldiers and corpses along the way, looking for Wangji, Xichen, or even Lan Qiren. Just outside the cold cave, Lan Qiren was laying there unconscious.

Lan Ying transformed into his human form and ran over to him. He carefully turned Lan Qiren over to his back. He then checked his vitals. He was heavily injured but he should survive. Lan Ying was able to pick him up if he lifted him in his phoenix form. He then carried Lan Qiren inside the cave. One of the healers took him and started looking over him. Lan Ying had some people come from Sky Kingdom to help out with the wounded.

Using his senses, he now had to find Wangji. He felt that he was close by. Lan Ying left the cave and found Wangji just outside the crumbled remains of a burned down Hanshi. Lan Xichen's home was burnt to a crisp. Lan Ying had to scan the rubble to make sure Lan Xichen wasn't trapped inside. He did not sense anything, not even remains of a body.

"He's not here," Lan Ying told Wangji, "but he isn't at the cold caves. Shufu was collapsed just outside. I got him inside and some healers are looking after him."

"Where would Xiongzhang go?" Wangji asked.

"He had just ascended not long ago, he should be around, he is probably out fighting at a different place," Lan Ying said, "I will send people to look for him."

"If something happened to him...I don't know what I will do," Wangji said.

"You blame me...don't you?" Lan Ying asked.

"Of course not!" Wangji argued.

"This happened because Guiwang is trying to get to me. He is going after my new family. If he's trying to make me feel small, it's working," Lan Ying said turning into his human form, "this is my fault. If I never existed, this would have never happened."

Wangji turned back into his human form and pulled Lan Ying into a hung, "stop blaming yourself. I will not let my husband fall into such a state of guilt. This happened because somebody is trying to get greedy for power."

"That's why they want me, Lan Zhan!" Lan Ying yelled as he pulled away from Wangji, "they want my powers!"

"Taizi Dianxia (Your Royal Highness, the Crown Prince)," a voice said.

Lan Ying turned to see Annchi, "what is it?" He asked.

"This note was found on the ground by the main hall," Annchi said, "it is addressed to you."

Lan Ying took it and read it:

Taizi Dianxia,

It's been some time hasn't it. Such a nice new home you have here...to bad it's now in ruins. If you want your new brother-in-law, and the sect leader Lan Xichen, to be safe and well, you better come to see me within three days.

Place...Burial Mounds near Yiling.

If you don't show, Lan Xichen dies...your husband can come, but he better behave, or his brother will die anyway.

See you in three days.

Guiwang

Lan Ying's anger turned that note into ash in seconds, "A'Ying, what is it?" Wangji asked.

"Guiwang has Xichen-Ge," Lan Ying said, "I am to meet him in three days alone...Lan Zhan can come, but if he he does anything drastic, Xichen-Ge dies. If I don't show, Xichen-Ge dies....Annchi, keep your distance when Lan Zhan and I go to him."

"We will wait for your signal, but where are we to meet them?" Annchi asked.

"Burial Mounds," Lan Ying answered.

With everything that happened, Lan Ying became overwhelmed and again, started blaming himself. He started crying. Even though he was in pain, the celestial healers felt that it was the best time to collect his tears to help heal others. As much as Lan Ying hated people all up in his space right now, he let them be so they can get what they need. Once they were done, Wangji immediately pulled Lan Ying into a hug.

"I'm sorry...your brother...I'm sorry," Lan Ying said.

"Shhh," Wangji hushed him, holding him.

Wangji cannot put blame on Lan Ying. Lan Ying was in a position where he will always be a target for his powers. Lan Ying was the only White Phoenix in existence. He was the crown prince. For the ghost king to target him, it is not on Lan Ying. It's just how his life it. That being said, Wangji was worried about his brother but he knows that Lan Ying and his family will do everything in their power to get Lan Xichen back safely.

Wangji and Lan Ying wanted so badly, to go rest to calm their thoughts, but this time, Cloud Recesses was in total ruins. Even the Jingshi was gone. Lan Ying knew what he could do. He turned into his phoenix form, and off into the sky he went. His glittering glistening gold that coated his snow white feathers, started to rain down over Cloud Recesses. Suddenly, the land started to change. Everything that was burnt, torn down, and ruined, seemed to have gone in reverse, like it was rebuilding itself. Within minutes, it was as if Cloud Recesses was never touched.

Lan Ying, with a wingspan of 20 feet (240in./610cm), landed on Wangji's arm that was held out for him. Despite Lan Ying being such a big bird, Lan Wangji had no problem holding him. Since Cloud Recesses was repaired, healers spend more time with helping the wounded. Wangji took his Lan Ying to the Jingshi. Lan Ying turned into his human form and immediately wrapped his arms around Wangji.