Reliving Our Fears

The Search Begins

"Uncle, please calm yourself!"

How often does one see an elder throw a tantrum amidst the tranquil atmosphere of the Cloud Recesses? Not that often, so it seems, as every pair of eyes seemed to be on the aged man as he trampled through the blades of grass that were dancing elegantly in the wispy wind.

"WANGJI, THAT TRAITOR," Lan Qiren raged, clutching a brush with an iron grip, knuckles whitening. As Lan Qiren finished his last stroke on the scroll, rather aggressively may one add, he shoved it roughly in Lan Xichen's direction. Lan Xichen, making futile attempts to calm down his uncle, took the scroll from his hands. Staring at it blankly, Lan Xichen hesitantly asks, "Shufu, what exactly do I do with this?" 

Trembling with rage, Lan Qiren growls, "As I am not the Sect Leader, I cannot finalize plans. I am running it through with you to get it approved!" Laughing nervously, Lan Xichen looks at the scroll horizontally, the ink still yet to dry. As his eyes scanned the page, Lan Xichen heaved a heavy sigh before adding his name to the bottom of the page, indicating that the sect leader had approved of such an operation.

Unraveling it, he began to read aloud to all the onlookers. 

Clearing his throat, he began reading, "Shufu has proposed a scavenging team to find Yilling Louzu and Hanguang-jun's location. The team will be a volunteer-only group. If Yilling Louzu and Hanguang-jun are found within the next three weeks, the persons who have assisted with the search will each be promoted up to the next available rank, relative to their current position in the sect."

Several murmurs could be heard in the crowd. "We have to work day and night for years just to move up a rank," A cultivator, Lan Zhou contemplated, "While Wei Wuxian and Hanguang-jun are very powerful, they are only two people. The deal doesn't say we have to fight them in any way. Just locate them!" Lan Zhou's wife, Lan Yue, gripped his arm, shaking her head firmly. Although it was against the rules to discourage bravery, Lan Yue was beginning to think her husband is crossing the line between bravery and foolishness. "Do not put your life on the line for such a reward. Work hard and earn the promotion. Do not climb trees to catch fish*," Lan Yue whispers, worry coating her voice. 

"Volunteers, please step up now," Lan Xichen ordered, looking directly at the crowd that was gathered. Everyone stood where they were, feet laced to the ground. Everyone looked at each other, expecting at least one person to take the offer. However, nobody moved to take the task. 

Lan Xichen looked worrying back at his uncle. "Shufu," he whispers, "No one is willing to take the offer."

Looking scandalous and outraged, Lan Qiren snatched back the scroll to make a few adjustments. Handing it back to Lan Xichen with a sour look on his face, Lan Qiren looked as if he were about to pop a blood vessel. 

Re-reading the edited scroll, Lan Xichen sighed, putting on a soft smile before reading aloud, "The reward has now been changed. As long as the location of Yilling Louzu and Hanguang-jun are found within the time frame of 3 weeks, every participant will be given a promotion as well as 50-night hunts worth of payment."

The crowd was sent into an outrage. Or as much as an outrage as one can get when still following the 3500 rules of the Cloud Recesses. "50 night hunts worth of payment?!" Another cultivator piped up, "That is more than twice my annual earnings!" Sounds of agreement were made at his words. Lan Xichen began to grow worried. "Will we be able to spare this many resources on such short notice?" He thought to himself, a smile slipping off his face.

"Volunteers may step out now," Lan Xichen alerts. 

3 men stepped out immediately, followed by 12 more which did so with a small amount of hesitation. As Lan Xichen told the gathering they had one more opportunity to step out before the door shut on this chance. This convinces 4 more to step forward. 

The team started almost as soon as they were assigned roles, immediately, scouting out all possible locations and reporting back as soon as they got news. They worked efficiently and strategically, handling a 25-kilometre radius within a day.

Lan Qiren was sure that it would not be long before they were found.

*A Chinese idiom meaning, do not do something that will obviously not give you the desired results.

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Look at this clown who is 2 days late with the update T-T

Comments and tips appreciated! Have a good day.