Hua Xianle

Chapter 74:

Disciples of every sect and color flooded into Qishan within the three days granted. There were twenty from each clan, no one wanting to risk incurring the wrath of the Wens so soon after what happened to Gusu Lan. They were all brought together in the same massive courtyard where the Discussion Conference competitions had taken place, but some things had changed since then. 

The stands that had been erected were all gone, replaced instead by a single platform with the Qishan Wen symbol emblazoned upon it. It was currently empty, but the Wen Cultivators flanking it suggested that this would be a temporary thing.

As the disciples mingled amongst their friends and companions, their discussions were kept to a low murmur. Tensions were high and everyone was gripping their swords as if waiting for an ambush. Hua Ying felt the same as the rest of them, keeping a tight grip on his fake sword as he scanned the crowd.

“Hua-gongzi,” Wei Ning whispered, too quiet for anyone but the prince to hear. “The Lans.”

Immediately, Hua Ying’s gaze turned to a collection of white and blue cultivators, all of them haggard and rough-looking. At least a few of them had been ones who were injured in the battle for Cloud Recesses, and Hua Ying knew from experience that they were likely still suffering from lingering pain.

Then, his gaze fell on Lan Zhan, who seemed to be searching the crowd. When their eyes met, they walked briskly toward each other. They embraced each other tightly, despite having seen each other less than a month ago.

“Hua Ying… why are you here?”

“The Esteemed Chief Cultivator extended an invitation that I could not refuse.” The Prince surveyed the growing crowd with ever-increasing concern. “And it would seem that similar invitations reached every clan not currently under the banner of the sun.”

Lan Zhan’s gaze flickered to Wei Ning, who was doing his best to be unnoticed and silent in his Master’s shadow.

“Not safe for him.”

“His presence was demanded as well.” Hua Ying’s mouth quirked into a playful smile. “But don’t worry. A-lin is perfectly safe. I have everything under control.”

“You?” Mingjue’s booming voice cut through their chatter. “Control? I doubt you know the meaning of the word.”

“Mingjue,” Lan Zhan greeted, giving a small bow before the elder Nie caught his arm.

“Enough of that. Have you seen Xichen?”

The second jade’s face became clouded with grief and worry. “No. No sign of Xiongzhang.”

“Speaking of brothers, where is yours?” Hua Ying questioned, scanning the Nie contingent for signs of the younger Nie. “We could use his clever mind right about now.”

Mingjue snorted, crossing his arms. “Father wasn’t about to risk both of us and Huaisang pointed out that I would be more likely to survive whatever cheap tricks the Wens throw at us. That and he felt he would be better suited for intelligence gathering and communication.”

Hua Ying perked at that. “Of course, he still has one of my butterflies. We can use it to tell him what’s going on and vice versa.”

“Clever,” Wangji commended.

“Did we miss the scheming?” Mianmian called out as she and Jin Zixuan joined their little group. “That’s one of the best parts of all of us getting together.”

“Mianmian, don’t encourage them,” Jin Zixuan muttered. “We can’t afford to be reckless here.”

“Aiyah, Zixuan,” Hua Ying remarked as he threw an arm around his golden-clad friend. “Do you not remember how careful we were back during the Guest Lectures? Or how easily things went down for the Jiangs? We’re not going to be reckless.”