WangXian Untamed Together

Chapter 30 - Growing Stronger

The midday meal was enjoyed - such as it was given the Lan preference for nutrition over flavour - and the afternoon proceeded apace. The Twin Jades went to their duties as Wei WuXian reported to the Training Master on the Training Grounds. Once again, his burgeoning strength was taxed to its very limit, but this was comfortably familiar. Wei WuXian welcomed the fatigue as he registered the tiring muscles, the gradually slowing reflexes. All the while his body moved smoothly through exercises and attitudes, carrying the practice sword with ever-increasing grace. Less and less did he rely on his thought processes as the stances once more grew to be second nature, although following the Lan standards. The Training Master did call out Wei WuXian when he instinctively fell into the Yunmeng Jiang forms, bringing him back in line with the disciples around him, lest he hurt someone by accident as they worked in ranks. The break for Meditation practice was spent tucked away behind a small copse in one corner of the training grounds, pulling forth as much resentful energy as possible and releasing it where it could do no harm. The snack break ordered by the Healer was enforced by none other than the Training Master himself, who directed the servant bringing tea and nuts to where Wei WuXian was hidden, along with a verbal message that he "had best finish it all or there will be no sparring today."

Once the sparring began, however, the Training Master gave him free reign and Wei WuXian used everything he had in him, determined to stay the course a second day in a row. By the end of the afternoon he was beat, sweat running down his face, neck and back; it dripped from his nose and fingertips and made a ticklish stream down the small of his back.

"Ah, Master, did you see?" asked Wei WuXian, glowing both literally and figuratively from the warmth of his workout and the delight at his progress. "I stood my ground and stayed on my feet all afternoon, again."

The Training Master gave Wei WuXian a nod and a large smile.

"Indeed, Master Wei, at this rate you will improve out of our classes soon and we'll be seeking senior disciples and elders to challenge you."

Wei WuXian's eyes widened. "Really? I've made that much progress?"

"Yes, Master Wei," reassured the Training Master. "If you maintain your standing for three xun, with no more than a single defeat each xun, I will be requesting that ZeWu-Jun approve your move from class exercises to fully independent martial training."

Wei WuXian stood still a moment, shocked that he'd improved so much over the summer. He had made enough progress that the Training Master said he was on the cusp of endorsing what amounted to a graduation from the Lan program. The Training Master gave a small bow and turned to his duties, leaving Wei WuXian as he stood lost in thought, gazing sightless into the middle distance until a soft "Wei Ying" brought him back to the present.

Turning, Wei WuXian favoured Lan WangJi with one of his brightest sunrise smiles, eyes turned to crescents, teeth on full display.

"Lan Zhan! Lan Zhan, I have the best news!" Dropping the practice sword, Wei WuXian almost leapt into Lan WangJi's arms, which opened as they always would, happy to receive his husband.

Hugging him tightly, bouncing a little with excitement, Wei WuXian drew back slightly. "I kept my feet, my love! All afternoon, no one could take my sword nor my balance! The Training Master said I've improved enough that if I can keep it up, undefeated but once each xun for three xun, he'll ask ZeWu-Jun to move me to independent martial training with only seniors and elders...no more drilling in classes! Lan Zhan, this means my core must be growing – there's no way I could improve so well and quickly otherwise. I'll soon be strong enough to deal with..." Wei WuXian cut himself off, as he saw several disciples on a path that would take them close enough to hear the conversation. Resentless energy was not something Wei WuXian was ready to have made public. Most Lans nearly deviated just discussing his past manipulation of resentful energy, let alone his (currently unused) capacity to do so still, should he so choose; they would never be able to comprehend the profound difference between that and resentless energy. Taking up Lan WangJi's arm, Wei WuXian spun around, picked up his practice sword, and drew him toward the path home, taking care to replace the sword on the rack respectfully as he passed.