The Phoenix embraced the Sun

Make a change, pt. 1

The night was restless. As the air grew thicker, the young men could feel the metallic taste on their tongues and the weight in their lungs. An unfamiliar distant howl cut through the silence of the Cloudy Recesses.

Jiang Fengmian, unluckily sharing a room with Jin Guangshan, couldn't get over the fact that they were simply sent back to Gusu Lan after that Sects meeting ("...for your own safety..." they said back then).

Just like any other heir, he wanted to show off his abilities, and that night hunt was a great chance for many to once again demonstrate the power of Great Sects cultivators.

Despite the escalating situation around them, and as much as he wanted to help, Sect leader Jiang didn't send anyone to the rescue, making the excuse that the waters in his territory were also raging. According to the latest reports, the water ghouls were gathering in large groups and sowing confusion in the lake towns, so Jiang's disciples were needed more by his sect and the people.

Of course, no one dared to speak against Sect leader Jiang.

Only Jiang Fengmian didn't share his father's thoughts and after the meeting, he argued with him that it was still worth sending a few people to help Jins. Needless to say, Sect leader Jiang didn't even bother to listen to his son. 'First and foremost, you have to take care of the safety of your lands, Jiang Fengmian. Only afterwards, when you are completely sure that your people are safe, you can go save even the whole world,'' he commented then surprisingly calmly without snapping at him. Normally, Jiang Jiahao would have reacted angrily to his son's suggestions, but it seems that over the years he has tried to be gentler to him.

It was a fair question to ask, why was Jiang Fengmian so eager to help?

The young man had no clue of his feelings himself.

However, he realised that it occurred when the leaders had decided that Wei Changze would be among those who would take the first stand. This news brought a dull ache to his heart and the voice in his head kept screaming 'Don't let him go! '

He had absolutely no connection with young master Wei at all. They never spoke face to face even once. So why was he so concerned about the fate of the Wei heir?

"Jiang-ge, why are you so gloomy?" asked Jin Guangshan melodiously, rolling over on the bed to face him. "Your eyes are burning with a wild fire, it makes me feel a bit anxious. Did you catch a pretty face in Caiyi?"

"Don't talk nonsense, Jin-gongzi. Catching beautiful people is your speciality, don't you dare bring me into your lifestyle."

"Eh, you'll never have a peaceful and colourful life, my friend. Why lock yourself into a hateful frame?" Jin Guangshan smirked slyly. "Go have some fun, otherwise married life with a bitchy spider woman will ruin the man in you."

"Please shut up." Jiang Fengmian spat out resentfully and turned away from his companion.
He'd rather pretend to be dead than strike up a conversation with a womaniser.

Jin Guangshan snorted, muttering that the Jiang heir's narrow-mindedness would still fall on him.

It couldn't be said that the recent events didn't bother him. After all it was about his sect, and what little sympathy he had left for his people (better said, the pride and power hunger that had gripped his heart) lingered in his soul.

The youth didn't want to inherit a wasteland and an empty treasury due to numerous hunts against despicable dogs in the event of a failed raid.

If he could just have the knowledge that would allow him to destroy these creatures at once. Or, alternatively, be able to take over their minds and deprive them of their freedom. They're stupid creatures, they just want to satisfy their hunger. It doesn't matter whose flesh they want to eat.