Flipside

Chapter 27

The tension was palpable as the three squared off against Lan Qiren. The air was thick with the smell of sweat and fear, as each combatant eyed the others warily.

"Han Wu, go back; you can't handle this." Wangji gripped Bichen, knuckles white, beads of sweat forming on his forehead.

"You're insane if you think I'm leaving you, Lan Zhan. " Jihua opened his fan, while Wangji shook his head.

"Lan Zhan, we're in this together."

Wei Ying put a hand on his shoulder, his face hard with resolve to stay and fight. Feeling buoyed by the complete support on either side, Wangji leapt into the air and struck first.

A blinding sword glare rushed towards Lan Qiren, who used the Chord Assassination Technique, to send the glare back. A shrill whistle was heard just before the wall behind the three exploded. Wangji barely dodged Qiren's sword strike, as he stepped back from the debris.

Wei Ying instantly went to his side, blocking and pushing Lan Qiren's attack back before turning and supporting him. Wangji looked into his eyes and nodded, as he steeled his resolve against the rage in his Uncle's voice.

"Enough of this nonsense! Wei WuXian! I knew you were trouble, just like your mother! You are to blame for this! Now, Wangji, this is your last chance to come to your senses! Submit yourself to punishment right now!!" Lan Qiren shouted, his face beet red with bulging eyes and veins.

"No, I don't think he will!" Jihua leapt forward at such speed, it was just one turquoise blur. Jihua threw his fan while dodging the glares, with lightning-quick reflexes.

He landed behind Lan Qiren and delivered a fierce palm strike to his back. But Lan Qiren wasn't a Grandmaster for nothing; he was just as skilled, turning and blocking the attack just in time.

"What the actual hell was that?!" Wangji screeched while Jihua put some distance between him and Lan Qiren, barely dodging his steel blade. Wei Ying joined in, his sword flashing as he swung at Lan Qiren's legs.

But he was quick and agile for someone his age, easily dodging his attack and countering with a swift strum of Chord Assassination.

"Don't question it!" Jihua hissed; Wangji took the chance to help him while Wei Ying traded sword strikes before falling back.

"Lan Wangji, it truly was a mistake to raise you. To think you'd be so easily influenced by these unruly outsiders. To frequent a brothel and have this-this plaything of yours!" Qiren went on a pious rant, while Wangji openly scoffed.

"Well, damn, excuse you!" Jihua scoffed, throwing his fan, watching it boomerang back to him, but Lan Qiren batted it right back.

"Jihua is my best friend ever! And if you think I'm easily influenced, just assume I'm a lost cause and leave me alone!" Wangji threw a piece of wood at Qiren to distract him, while Wei Ying tried to get one strike in.

"You degenerate! I will not tolerate you shaming the Lan Sect any longer!" Qiren roared and sent a volley of attacks. Destruction was left at every hit. 

"Loud noises are prohibited. Do not come to judgment before learning the Truth. Do not disrespect others. Do not harm the innocent. The only one disgracing the Lan name is you, Lan Qiren."Wangji shouted back but regretted it as a large table was thrown his way.

He wasn't able to fully dodge it and took a hit on his left shoulder, which left him hissing in pain.

"Gosh, for somebody so old, he's still nimble," Wangji muttered under his breath, clutching his injured side. Wei WuXian and Han Jihua stood on either side of WangJi, and together, the trio managed to repel the elder's attacks.