oceanic heart- Wangxian (English Version)

14- Boena's Temple

-Did you hear that?

-Haven't you?

-I heard the human Hanguang-jun brought back is going for the third mark this morning.

-Will he?

-If I say so! Do you think he has a chance?

-Well, if he really did help young master Jin escape, and if he knows our entire culture, then maybe he can do it.

-You're right, but I think you're forgetting one detail.

-Detail?

-Yes, a detail. There's a rumor that this human is Hanguang-jun's lover.

-Really?! What makes you say that?!

-Are you kidding me? Have you forgotten how to get the second mark?

-...

-If it wasn't Hanguang-jun who gave him the mark, then it was young master Jin or his friend from the Lan clan. But both are much younger than him. In the human world, the age difference is taboo.

-Now that you mention it, it's true that the two looked particularly close...

-You know what I mean?

-If you add the fact that he's dating a newt, then it would be odd if he didn't get the mark.

-You're right about that. Some extremists will be disappointed... They still have a say as long as he's human, but if the goddess Boena herself recognizes him as one of us, then they'll have no power.

-On the contrary, if he doesn't get the mark, he risks taking a heavy price... If he doesn't deserve it, then he doesn't deserve to be here...

-Let's wait and see what happens, then we'll talk.

_

In front of Boena's temple stood a gathering of mermaids and tritons, eagerly awaiting the goddess's judgment. The arrival of a human at the Golden Carp Tower had caused quite a stir. Everyone was waiting to find out whether Wei Wuxian would become a newt or not.

In the distance, Lan Wangji, Wei Wuxian and Jin Guangyao approached. In the distance were other important figures, and among them Jin Ling and Lan Sizhui waited, looking stressed.

-Good," said Jin Gangyao. You may enter the temple, benefactor Wei. We'll wait for you here.

Wei Wuxian nodded and entered the temple. The place was spacious. There were tall columns all along the passage. Finally, he came to a large hall containing a giant statue of the goddess Boena.

Wei Wuxian advanced to a platform just in front of the statue. Then, all he saw was black.

The truth was, he'd entered the goddess' mind. Wei Wuxian looked around. Water stretched as far as the eye could see. Then, in front of him, a small ball of light stepped forward.

-Hello, Wei Wuxian.

-Hello. Are you the goddess Boena?

-Yes, it is. Indeed, it's me.

Wei Wuxian wanted to bend over, but the ball stopped him.

-There's no need for that between us. Let's you and I have a little chat.

-Of course, of course.

-You're here for the brand, I suppose?

-Yes, I am.

-Do you think you're worthy?

-You be the judge.

-I'm asking you to answer the question.

-Yes?

-Right, good. I'll be honest with you, Wei Wuxian, you're right. You've always been close to my people and helped them as best you could. I thank you for that.

-I thank you all.

-I will grant you this mark, but in exchange, I want you to do something for me.

Wei Wuxian's eyes widened.

-What would that be?

- Humans have to undergo trials to earn their place in our species, but not those born as mermaids.

-So, what are you saying?

-Something is afoot in the mermaid kingdom. Something terrible, perpetrated by someone in high places.

-Who are they? And what kind of thing is going on?

-I'm sorry, but I can't say any more... Can I trust you?

-Of course you can.

-Then I'll give you the third mark.

_

Wei Wuxian slowly opened his eyes. He was still in the temple, in front of the statue of Boena. He tried to sit up, but felt something was wrong. He looked down in amazement.

His legs had been replaced by a long red fin.

It was... strange. The sensation of not being able to move like before was rather unpleasant, and he was going to have to wait a while before getting used to it.

He straightened up and tried to move. It was complicated. He couldn't use his new limb properly, and swimming was mission impossible.

-Lan Zhan!

No answer. In any case, the outside world was far too far away for his voice to reach his lover. The only solution was to move on his own. But this was going to be complicated, for suddenly a horrible pain spread throughout his body. He screamed and almost cried out. If the previous two transformations had been painless, this one was truly horrible. How long would the pain last?

Gradually, the pain made him lose consciousness. All he felt was a pair of arms holding him.

_

Wei Wuxian awoke again, but this time on a bed. Beside him was Lan Wangji, staring at him.

-Wei Ying. How are you feeling?

-Weird.

-I'm sorry, Wei Ying. If I'd known it was painful...

-Why apologize? I don't feel anything anymore. I'm fine. I'm just... A little soft.

-Rest. We'll leave for Gusu as soon as you're ready.

Wei Wuxian sighed in response. He thought back to his discussion with Boena. So someone high up was planning something? If so, then perhaps he should feign persistent unease to delay his departure and have time to investigate.

But how could he do that? He certainly wasn't a spy, and he couldn't even swim at the moment.

-Lan Zhan, could you at least teach me to swim with a fin?

-If you like. But don't try too hard.

-I won't.

The following days passed in much the same way. In the mornings, Wei Wuxian pretended to rest and learned the layout of the tower. In the afternoons, he took swimming lessons, and gradually got used to a new body.

Once recovered and ready, he waited for nightfall to investigate. The night was well underway. He got up and checked that Lan Wangji was sleeping well before leaving the room and heading for the most suspicious spot for his taste: Jin Guangyao's room. The inside of the tower itself wasn't heavily guarded, so he had no trouble sneaking up on his target. And to his surprise, a light was shining inside the sect leader's room. Wei Wuxian approached cautiously, and the voices cleared.

-Su She, you're worrying for nothing. So far, everything's going according to plan.

Wei Wuxian's eyes widened. He certainly hadn't expected to stumble upon something so soon. Maybe his instincts were right, because right from the start, Jin Guangyao had seemed strange to him.

-But sect leader... At first, young master Jin wasn't even supposed to come back. You planned for him to disappear, but because of that human, he came back. What are you going to do now?

Wei Wuxian's eyes widened.

It was Jin Guangyao who had caused Jin Ling's capture?! His own nephew?!