In the Shadows

Chapter 19

In the hushed and dimly lit study, amidst the gentle flicker of candlelight, Wei Ying and Haikuan stood locked in a fervent argument. Their voices resonated within the room, each word a testament to the mounting tension that had enveloped them since Lan Zhan's unexpected return.

Wei Ying's anger seethed, his frustration boiling over as he confronted Haikuan. "I'm certain of it," he seethed, his eyes ablaze with intensity. "She got to him first, before we even had a chance. She filled his head with lies, made him believe he needed to come here to investigate us. It has to be that. And now she possesses a vial of the sunlight potion. She'll decipher its secrets, and she'll strike when we least expect it."

Haikuan paced restlessly within the study, equally consumed by anger and frustration. He couldn't help but be infuriated by what he perceived as Wei Ying's recklessness. "She intends to use him as a bargaining chip," he retorted, his voice laced with exasperation. "She'll want to exchange him for her brother."

Wei Ying, seeking solace in the presence of Lan Zhan's guqin, delicately traced his fingers over its strings. It was a cherished relic, one that held a piece of his beloved, and he drew strength from its familiar touch. He inhaled deeply, yearning for Lan Zhan to be with him, to hold him once more. Yet, he knew it wasn't the right moment, not amidst this escalating clash with Wen Qing. "Even though it's his body," he sighed, "it's not truly him."

Haikuan, taken aback by Wei Ying's words, probed further, "Would you allow her to kill him if it comes to that?"

The question sent a shiver down Wei Ying's spine, triggering painful memories—recollections of Lan Zhan dying in his arms, a dagger piercing his heart, and his beloved drawing his last breath. Wei Ying pinched the bridge of his nose, struggling to push these haunting images aside. "He will return," he declared, his voice brimming with resolve. "He waited 400 years for me; I can do the same."

Haikuan's gaze flickered to the constellation of red marks adorning Wei Ying's neck, remnants of the night he believed he had shared with Lan Zhan. Wei Ying turned away from Haikuan's judging stare, his determination unwavering. "Next time," he vowed, "I will think before I act. I won't let my guard down again."

"You should release his soul," Haikuan persisted, growing increasingly frustrated. "We would have the upper hand, and he could act as a spy for us."

Wei Ying cut him off, his tone unwavering, "I said no. I won't take that risk."

"But he would know what to do," Haikuan argued, his patience wearing thin. "He's not as reckless as you are. Remember when you first appeared? He was cautious, he took his time to figure things out."

Wei Ying's anger flared, his patience running thin. "I am the one who brought us into this mess from the beginning," he confessed bitterly. "I resorted to demonic cultivation to create what I am today. I should be the one to end this feud with Wen Qing."

Haikuan's frustration finally boiled over. "Your return only made everything worse," he growled. "We lost the entire wolfpack. We lost Master Yibo. Release his soul, and we can use him to gather information for us."

The two men stood mere inches apart, their anger and frustration creating an almost tangible tension in the room. Wei Ying's determination clashed with Haikuan's exasperation, and neither was willing to back down.

"I said no. I won't take that risk," Wei Ying repeated, his resolve unwavering. "I won't risk losing him, and I won't let her have Wen Ning. Not after everything she's done. If I release him, she'll use him against us. Then there would be nothing left."

Haikuan struggled to contain his rage, his eyes locked onto Wei Ying's. He wanted to fight, to let his wolf instincts take over, but he knew it wouldn't solve anything.