The Child of Demonic Cultivation

The Obscure -11

WC: 1138

Ignoring Lan Tian's comment Wei Wuxian defended himself, "I meant to release the evil he'd suppressed in the temple, to delay him for however long we could. How could I have known I'd wind up letting these kinda things out...?"

Lan Wangji only took one glance at the vengeful spirits before averting his gaze as Lan Xichen had. As he looked in another direction, he stated, "Fire."

Wei Wuxian immediately nodded and agreed in a serious tone. "Yeah. These vengeful spirits were burned to death. Looks like a fire once broke out in this place, killing many people. Then Sect Leader Jin built a Guanyin Temple here in an attempt to pull these spirits who turned malevolent after their fiery deaths."

"Sect Leader Jin," Lan Xichen asked, "did you have something to do with this fire?"

Lan Tian felt a sharp pain in the back of their head, jumping and looking to Jin Ling, "Stop staring at them," Jin Ling mumbled, "Isn't there something about modesty in your clan rules or something?"

"And since when did you think I cared about those?" They smirked, "Besides, think of it as research, you never know..." they trailed of unable to finish their thoughts.

"Looks like Sect Leader Jin isn't willing to talk," Wei Wuxian said. He raised his hand, and a naked female corpse instantly popped up under his palm. he placed is hand on her head of jet-black hair. "But even if you don't say a word, do you seriously think there's no way for me to find out?"

"Wei Shizun, can I try?" Lan Tian said looking eagerly at him.

Wei Wuxian huffed, "Since when were you so formal?" He shook his head before smiling, "Sure, better than you trying it on your own."

He instructed Lan Tian on every move before they began the session of empathy. The moment it started, even before they opened their eyes, the two found themselves surrounded by the strong fragrance of rouge and powder. A coquettich voice came out of Lan Tian's mouth.

Lan Wangji and Jin Ling sat completely on edge watching every twitch, breath and heart beat Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji made. Both of them were against this from the beginning, so much could go wrong. Neither knew exactly what but at a time like this it couldn't be good. They were wildly out numbered and with no one to control the corpses if something went wrong... Jin Ling didn't want to think about it.

With in a few moments Lan Tian collapsed in a cold sweat. Their body laid limb in Jin Ling's arms as he shook them gently.

"Wake them up." Lan Tian said firmly staring at Lan Tian's chest movements.

"I'm trying." Jin Ling said moving a piece of hair off their face. "Come on Ti Ti, you can do it. Just open your eyes."

Su She chuckled softly, "Serves you right."

"Shut up!" Jin Ling's voice echoed through the temple.

A soft moan escaped Lan Tian's mouth, "Wow, I've got to give it to you, you definitely have the volume of a future Sect Leader."

Jin Ling pulled Lan Tian into his chest, "Why do you always have to make me sweat?"

"How was it?" Lan Wangji asked.

Lan Xichen too said, "Wei-gongzi, what did you see?"

Wei Wuxian sucked in a breath to compose himself a little. "My guess is that this Guangyin Temple is where Sect Leader Jin grew up."

Jin Guangyao remained unperturbed.

"Where he grew up? Didn't he..." Jiang Cheng trailed off. Before he could state that he thought he grew up in a brothel. He clicked with him as well. "This temple used to be a brothel. He burned it down and built a Guangyin Temple in its place!"

"Were you really the one who set the fire?" Lan Xichen asked.

"Yes," Jin Guangyao asked.

After a moment of silence, Lan Xichen said, "Did you do it to hide your origins?"

"Not entirely," Jin Guangyao said.

Lan Xichen sighed but did not continue the conversation.

Jin Ling and Lan Tian hadn't moved from their spot on the ground, watching as everyone else put together the web of lies and truth.

Jin Ling glanced back at Lan Tian and noticed their gaze was firmly set on Jin Guangyao. Their eyes were glossed over but held fear and anger within. "Lan Tian, are you okay?" He whispered.

They blinked a few times as their body swayed. "I could feel it... hear it..." They mumbled.

"See what? Hear what?" Jin Ling spoke slowly running his eyes over Lan Tian.

"...Everything." Lan Tian moved their head to look at every corpse they could see in one sweep. "Their thoughts, feelings, pain, the smell...I will never be able to forget that smell. The look of their corpses as they slowly become engulfed in flames, the ear bleeding screeches and wails..." Their body recoiled as the memory of the experience seemed to wash over them.

"I...I'm sorry." Was all Jin Ling could say, he silently pulled them closer once again. He rocked their bodies back and forth cradling Lan Tian's head.

"Aren't you going to ask me why?" Jin Guangyao asked.

Lan Xichen shook his head. He replied after a while, without answering the question. "It wasn't that I didn't know of the things you'd done. But I used to believe you had you reasons. However, you have gone too far. And I...do not know if I should believe you anymore."

His tone was one of the profound weariness and dissappointment.

The storm raged on outside the temple, accompanied by peals of thunder. Wind leaked through the cracks of the temple doors. Amidst the mournful howls, Jin Guangyao suddenly dropped to his knees.

Everyone was stunned. Wei Wuxian, who had just seized the sword from his waist, was shocked as well.

"Er-ge, I was in the wrong," Jin Guangyao said meekly.

Wei Wuxian was left speechless by this. Even he felt embarrassed on Jin Guangyao's behalf. He couldn't help bit say, "Uh, about that... Let's skip the talking and fight it out. Can we just fight?"

This man changed face at the drop of a hat and kneeled on a whim. He had no dignity or air of authority to speak of. Lan Xichen also had an indescribable look on his face.

"Er-ge, you and I have known each other for years," Jin Guangyao continued. "No matter what anyone says, you are well aware of how I've treated you. I have no more designs on the position of Cultivation Chief, and I have already completely destroyed the Yin Tiger Tally. After tonight, I'll travel to Dongying and never return in this life time. Please spare my life for these reasons."

Lan Tian's body froze forcing Jin Ling to follow. They slowly looked over at Jin Guangyao with malice flowing from their eyes. The howls and moans of the corpses too seemed to quiet with Lan Tian's movement. Jin Ling could almost swear that they were staring at Jin Guangyao just waiting for a signal to pounce.