The Tainted Jade of Gusu

Chapter 28 : A Rain-soaked Night at Yunping city (Part 2)

"Let me go, Jin Guangyao," Wei Wuxian hissed, "I need to talk to Lan Zhan."

"Wei Gongzi," Jin Guangyao slightly pulled his hands apart, causing the metal string to tighten around Wei Wuxian's neck, "I don't think it matters that much anymore. Everyone here knows everything. Why don't you just say what you have to right here? Who knows, you might never get a chance again."

Wei Wuxian took a deep breath. He didn't know what to tell, or for that matter where to start. He was standing in front of the man who had loved him as deeply as no one had ever before, who had undergone the indescribable agony of giving birth, only to make sure his son would have the life he never had, and here he was, struggling to string his thoughts together and scrambling for words to say something.

"Jin Guangyao..." Lan Xichen rumbled like a thundercloud. While he was usually calm and composed, his anger could be destructive. 

"Er Ge," Jin Guangyao smiled, "what's the use of raising your voice at me? Do you not realise, the lives of every single one here, including your little brother, are in my hands?"

Lan Wangji shot a murderous glare towards Jin Guangyao.

"Lan Zhan," Wei Wuxian finally spoke up, "Lan Er Gongzi, Lan Er Gege, Hanguang Jun, I didn't know anything about all that had happened. I feel like I have been a terrible companion, a terrible lover, a terrible father, a terrible person in general. But I meant what I said, Lan Zhan. I don't regret a damn thing that happened. In fact, I'm honoured to have a child with someone as noble and lion hearted as you. I don't know whether we will make it out alive tonight or not, but if we do, I think I would like to get to know my family better, that is, if you will let me."

Lan Wangji's eyes were slightly red in the corners and brimming with tears.  A pair of almond shaped bluish grey  stormcloud eyes staring unblinking at a pair of golden phoenix eyes, the ice that had formed between the two of them thawing and melting away slowly.

"How touching," Jin Guangyao smiled, "but now you need to listen to me carefully, Lan Er Gongzi."

Wei Wuxian had realised that the wire in Jin Guangyao's hands had gotten a little slack. He shot a meaningful look at Lan Wangji , who took the hint and bared the wicked sharp edge of Bichen towards Jin Guangyao's wrist.

Lan Wangji was one of the most eminent cultivators, with swordsmanship skills second to none. But his skills were no match for the cunning of Jin Guangyao.

Wei Wuxian immediately felt the guqin string bite into the skin of his neck, and the strings adjusted in Jin Guangyao's hands in such a manner that Wei Wuxian's neck was pressed against the frigid, glittering silver tip of Bichen.

"Lan Er Gongzi," Jin Guangyao smiled, " you sure you want to try? This is my turf after all. You would do better to listen to me."

"Lan Zhan," Wei Wuxian spoke through gritted teeth, "don't listen to him!"

"Wei Gongzi, " Jin Guangyao chuckled venomously as he tightened the guqin string further, a drop of blood trickling down Wei Wuxian's neck, "how could he not listen to me? I'm holding his life in my hands."

Lan Wangji lowered and sheathed Bichen.

"Very good," Jin Guangyao smiled, "now I need you to seal your spirit core."

Lan Wangji looked like he was about to rip Jin Guangyao into two pieces with bare hands, but he had no other choice but to obey Jin Guangyao's commands.

Once Lan Wangji had sealed his spirit core, Jin Guangyao withdrew the golden guqin string from Wei Wuxian's neck. Wei Wuxian, without caring about anything else, threw his arms around Lan Wangji's neck, burying his face in the dark sandalwood scented tresses of inky black hair.