oceanic heart- Wangxian (English Version)

12- Travel

From this chapter onwards, oceanic language will no longer be italicized.

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Wei Wuxian hugged Wen Ning. The two separated to stare at each other.

-You promise you'll come back up one of these days? asked Wen Ning, tearfully.

-I promise," replied Wei Wuxian. I won't abandon you. Good luck with the company.

-Thank you, and... And have a good trip...

Wei Wuxian smiled sadly before heading for the water, where the other three were waiting. Wei Wuxian approached Lan Wangji and looked at him lovingly. Lan Wangji smiled and held out his hand.

-Wei Ying, let me guide you.

Wei Wuxian took Lan Wangji's hand, and the group set off into the depths of the Indian Ocean. The group talked throughout the journey, especially Wei Wuxian and the two youngsters who wanted to get to know each other. Lan Sizhui learned of Wei Ying's relationship with Jiang Cheng, and of Jin Ling's mother. The ocean was impressive, a vast expanse of water and nothing more. It could look really frightening. Then, something caught Wei Wuxian's eye. It was a hole, defended by some kind of barrier.

-What's that?" asked Wei Wuxian.

-It's the Indian barrier," replied Jin Ling. It separates the human world from ours. You'll see, behind it, everything will be different.

-The barrier is a troublemaker," continued Lan Sizhui. Humans who venture into it lose control. It's a perfect defense against people from the surface. All the passages leading to our country are equipped with a barrier. In general, we avoid going outside the barrier.

Wei Wuxian turned to Jin Ling, who looked away, embarrassed.

-What's that expression? he sulked. All right, I had nothing to do outside the barrier, but I was going through a bad patch and I wanted to go exploring!

-Yes, but that doesn't take away the fact that you put yourself in danger," retorted Sizhui. You scared everyone.

-Yes, and that didn't stop you from coming out to get me too," teased Jin Ling.

Lan Sizhui shrugged and Jin Ling went ahead to cross the barrier. The others soon joined him. Behind the barrier, after passing through a small tunnel, things were very different. Despite being a remote area of the surface, a bright light illuminated the landscape. There was clear sand, colorful and beautiful underwater plants, and species of all kinds that Wei Wuxian had never heard of. The scenery was magnificent, and unlike anything seen before the barrier.

-Wow...

-Beautiful, isn't it? Our world is nothing like yours," says Jin Ling.

-Oh, there are some pretty places on earth. You'd be surprised.

They all kept moving.

-We'll soon reach the Golden Carp Tower," said Lan Wangji. All the clans have gathered there to discuss the sudden disappearance of young master Jin, so we'll have a pretty nice welcome.

They all turned once more to Jin Ling, who became annoyed.

-Oh, it's okay! You're not going to turn to me at every opportunity, are you!

The journey continued until the first houses appeared, followed by the famous Golden Carp Tower. The group advanced towards the site. Two guards stood guard at the entrance, and turned to the newcomers in surprise.

-Oh, young master, Hanguang-jun! You've returned!

-It was only a matter of time before everything was back to normal! Come, I'll escort you to the main hall.

The guard lost his smile when he came upon Wei Wuxian, and both his legs. He said nothing, however, and led the group into an assembly where all kinds of fish were to be found. People were talking, or yelling at each other. Wei Wuxian spotted Jiang Cheng in the assembly, who seemed to be in a rather prestigious position. No one noticed the arrival of the newcomers, except for a man in yellow standing on a throne.

-A-Ling.

Upon hearing these simple words, everyone present turned towards the entrance.

-Uncle," replied Jin Ling.

Jiang Cheng held his breath and stepped forward to hug him, asking if everything was all right. Then he looked up and met Wei Wuxian's gaze. He stood dumbfounded, wondering what his human brother was doing here.

A number of people began to approach Jin Ling to ask if everything was all right, if he'd experienced anything traumatic. Then, very quickly, Wei Wuxian was spotted lurking behind Lan Wangji. A fish-man with a strange blue fin pointed at him.

-What's this human doing here? Doesn't he know he's not welcome?!

-Su She," said the man in yellow who had called Jin Ling a few moments ago. A little restraint. If this man is here, it's for a good reason.

There were murmurs. People were debating Wei Wuxian as if he weren't present. Wei Wuxian was surprised when Jiang Cheng grabbed him by the wrist to show him to the crowd.

-This human's name is Wei Wuxian, and he's my brother, as well as the one who saved Jin Ling. He's the one I told you about.

All fell silent. The man in yellow stepped forward and took Wei Wuxian's hands.

-Then I'm delighted, Wei Wuxian. My name is Jin Guangyao, leader of the Jin sect.

-Pleased to meet you, sect leader.

Two more men approached. One had a shark-like body, huge muscles and a hard face. The other was the spitting image of Lan Wangji, only a little more expressive.

-Hello," said the man with the shark's body. My name is Nie Mingjue, head of the Nie sect.

-And I'm Lan Xichen, leader of the Lan sect and Wangji's elder brother.

Lan Xichen watched Wei Wuxian with a certain gentleness. Come to think of it, Wei Wuxian was convinced that the sect leader knew about his relationship with Lan Wangji. For he possessed the second mark, and only Lan Wangji could have passed it on to him, and in a very intimate way...

Sect leader Jin turned to the assembly, a big smile on his face.

-Well, my dear friends. My dear nephew and Hanguang-jun are back. Let's celebrate in style. I close the meeting and invite you to a grand banquet here tonight.

The meeting dissolved. Jin Guangyao turned to Wei Wuxian.

-And you, Mr. Wei, are of course invited.

Wei Wuxian nodded and joined Lan Wangji, who was talking with his brother. When he arrived, Lan Xichen looked at him, smiling.

-I'm glad to see my brother is happy. I hope you'll make him happy, Wei Wuxian.

-I promise," replied Wei Wuxian, bowing.

-Oh, let's not be so formal. Stand up straight.

Wei Wuxian complied and stared... His brother-in-law? No, it was still early days. A man then came towards the group and invited the two newcomers to follow him, leading them to a room. Once inside, the two lovers kissed madly, as if their lives depended on it. They remained in each other's arms for long minutes, before reluctantly parting.

-Lan Zhan," began Wei Wuxian. I'd like to visit the tower before the banquet, would you like to come with me?

-Of course, Lan Zhan.

The two left the room and began to explore the surrounding area. Wei Wuxian was amazed. This place looked nothing like earth.

-Lan Zhan, that's funny. Why is there so much light here when we're miles from the surface?

-There are a lot of luminous plants growing on the rock walls that separate humans from our world. This intense light makes the place very bright. But there are corners where there's much less.

-Ooh, I see.

The two continued their excursion, until Red heard muffled cries. He approached the source of the noise, and opened his eyes wide.