Lucidity

24

A'Ying had made the decision to remain hidden in our guest room during the conference meeting. Even though I was not a part of the Lan Sect anymore I dressed in my old Gusu robes and blended in with as the infamous Hanguang Jun. A'Ying used one of his paperman characters and stayed in my robes. It was to help him attend the meeting without having others ask questions.

To many people, they assume A'Ying to be dead. We thought it was a good idea to have him play off as dead as it would help us investigate further. Baoshan was teaching him a Shapeshifting technique so he can change his appearance. It was to hide who he is while we look for Jin Guangyao and clear A'Ying's name.

I did not like that A'Ying had to hide but at the same time, it was a safe option for him. We were going to come clean to the rest of the cultivation world but we decided that we wanted more information on Jin Guangyao. Me blending in and acting as the prominent Hanguang Jun was a good plan. No one would expect me not to be in the sect anymore but I can act as if I am. I am doing this not only for A'Ying but for my brother as well.

At the moment, the meeting was fairly boring. I was never interested in such things but I was here for a reason. I could feel the paperman A'Ying was in control of moving around in my sleeve. It was a bit distracting but I didn't mind. Most of the meeting Jiang Wanyin kept glancing over. He looked confused, which, I am sure he was wondering why he couldn't see A'Ying.

My brother soon brought up Jin Guangyao and his misdeeds. Xiongzhang did not bring up the sexual assaults he endured...which I understood why he didn't. It was personal and he did not need to have that vocalized over to the other sects. Soon others started to point out uncomfortable interactions they with Jin Guangyao and how it always felt he was up to something.

I did find it odd that after freeing my brother from Jin Guangyao and the resentful energy he used on him, there has been no sign of Jin Guangyao's whereabouts. Xiongzhang mentioned that he has not seen him since he came clean about Jin Guangyao.

"If I may point out, since when does proper and prominent Hanguang Jun sit improperly?" A Jin disciple asked.

Xiongzhang looked at me confused. I was also a bit confused. I was not sitting straight as board as I used to but I was not slouching or sitting in any way to suggest I was sitting improperly, "what do you mean?" Brother asked for me, "he is sitting how he normally does."

"I heard you have been having a hard time since the disappearance of the Yiling Patriarch," Sect Leader Yao said, "but it does not seem so."

"What makes you seem as if I am having a hard time?" I asked.

"You are hardly seen, and you even disappear before the Yiling Patriarch disappeared. Now you have returned so suddenly, one would think that you have been in seclusion for a few years," Sect Leader Yao explained.

"Sect Leader Yao, are you so fond of meddling?" I asked. Many were surprised by my sudden questioning. I was someone who others knew that would not waist time and energy arguing with others but now I was, "are you so desperate to get some sort of gossip?"

"Hanguang Jun, that is not what I meant," Sect Leader Yao said, "you are just hardly seen or outspoken. It is surprising to see you out and at a meeting like this. Also the matter of saying that the crimes against Wei Wuxian were false and you are investigating that, it seems you have gained some eyes in your direction."

I scoffed and stood up, "I do not need to explain myself to you, and I will prove Wei Ying's innocence. Once I do, you will be sorry you ever crossed me," I said and left the meeting hall.

I could not stay in that meeting for one second longer. I made my way back to my room and A'Ying's consciousness went back to him from his paperman. Xiongzhang appeared not long after.

"Wangji, are you doing okay?" He asked.

"Yes, I am fine," I said and changed back into my regular robes. No more Gusu robes, "one day it will be known I am not really living in the sect anymore."

"I know, and do not let them get to you," he said, "you and A'Xian can head back home if you want to wait for me there. I can let you know if anything happens."

I looked at A'Ying, "what do you think?"

"Since we are playing off as me still being dead, it is best that I keep a low profile until we have more information. We have evidence ready for Xichen-Ge but we have yet to gather evidence for me. I can head back if you'd rather stay here. I can even go stay with Wai Po for a bit. You might be needed here still," he said.

"I do not like the idea of us acting separately," I told him, "I would rather be with you."

"I know, but who will help your brother if not you?" A'Ying asked.

"I can?" A voice came from behind my brother. We all turned to look at the person and there stood a man with white hair and pale ember eyes. He had on white and black robes and looked to be around my brother's age.

"Who are you?" I asked.

"Well, I am Ren Guang...human Ren Guang," he replied, "I can stick close to your brother and he will be prefectly safe with me."

"You are the owl?" Xiongzhang asked.

"I am," Ren Guang replied, "I actually have a long backstory, I have been a white snowy owl for a few years now but I am actually a ten thousand year old God. I have been living in your world for some time now. I can share more of my past experiences in time but I want you to know that you can trust me."

"I do," Xiongzhang said. My brother was actually a bit speechless at the moment. I could tell he was infatuated by Ren Guang's appearance.

I smiled, "A'Ying and I will head back to our house in Gusu then," I said.

"Alright, I will keep you informed about everything," Xiongzhang said. A'Ying and I then teleport back to our house.

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Ren Guang's human form