Mo Dao Zu Shi: Astray

The Pursuit of Knowledge, Part Three

The gossip had spread like wildfire.

The rogue cultivator Pan Wukun had jumped in to defend LanlingJin sect heir Jin Zixuan from an attack by YunmengJiang sect's head disciple Wei Wuxian.

The murmurs and whispers of Pan Wukun's classmates followed her wherever she went.

Unnerved by everyone's staring, Pan Wukun quickly retreated to her room.

With all the trouble it was worth, Pan Wukun wondered why she even interfered.

Why had she stopped Wei Wuxian from getting kicked out of the Cloud Recesses?

That was her chance to get rid of Wei Wuxian and study in peace at the Cloud  Recesses for the entire year. It would've been a good way to steer  canon back on track.

At those horrible thoughts, Pan Wukun winced at herself in disgust. Damn, that actually sounded cold and heartless.

And returning everything back to canon as normal? Who was she kidding?

Wei Wuxian's relationship with Lan Wangji hadn't even been mended yet.

Meng Xingyao was at the Cloud Recesses at the same time as Jin Zixuan!

Pan Wukun's very presence was affecting the timeline!

As for Wei Wuxian...Pan Wukun supposed he wasn't too bad. He was an intelligent guy. If anyone was a good discussion partner for her studies, it was him.

And if she did let Wei Wuxian punch Jin Zixuan, Jiang Yanli would've felt  guilty. And Lan Wangji would've been upset at Wei Wuxian's departure.

...Perhaps what she did will turn out for the better instead of causing irreversible damage.

As Pan Wukun rested in her room, someone knocked on her door.

Pan Wukun got out of bed and opened the door to see Jiang Yanli and Jiang Cheng.

"Good afternoon, Pan-xiushi."

"Good afternoon, Jiang-guniang, Jiang-gongzi."

Jiang Yanli smiled amiably. "May we come in?"

Pan Wukun nodded and set out seats and refreshments for Jiang Yanli and Jiang Cheng.

The three of them sipped their tea in silence.

Jiang Yanli sighed. "A-Xian had gotten into serious trouble lending you the  Library Pavilion's books, Pan-xiushi." She was obviously upset.

Jiang Cheng scowled at Pan Wukun. "What you did to Wei Wuxian was disgusting."

Pan Wukun flinched. "...My apologies, Jiang-guniang. Jiang-gongzi."

Jiang Yanli's eyes softened. "But you kept A-Xian and Jin-gongzi from  fighting. And you spoke up to defend A-Cheng and A-Xian when I wasn't  able to be there. For that, I am grateful."

Pan Wukun was relieved. "Of course, Jiang-guniang. Jin Zixuan doesn't know what he has."

Jiang Cheng nodded in agreement.

If things had proceeded as they did in canon, Jiang Fengmian would've  broken off Jin Zixuan's engagement with Jiang Yanli and Yu Ziyuan  would've been furious with Wei Wuxian.

Jiang Yanli stood up. "Thank you for having us, Pan-xiushi."

Jiang Cheng followed Jiang Yanli to the door.

Before leaving, Jiang Yanli turned around and said, "A-Xian is incredibly  loyal to the people he cares about. Please treat him kindly,  Pan-xiushi."

While Jiang Yanli had a pleasant smile on her face, Jiang Cheng gave Pan Wukun a look in which he promised to break her spine should she do anything to harm Wei Wuxian.