oceanic heart- Wangxian (English Version)

22- Trauma

A few days earlier...

When the stones exploded, Jiang Cheng raised his head. On the top of his tail was the head of Wei Wuxian, who was unconscious. As they did so, the remaining stones rolled away and the passageway was large enough for several people to enter. Lan Wangji arrived, followed by Lan Xichen and then the other members of the group.

-Ah, you're here at last.

Lan Wangji came forward and took Wei Wuxian in his arms, then used his magic to heal some of his wounds. Jin Ling approached Jiang Cheng.

-Jiujiu, what happened?

-Did you see the fish?

-Yes, but Hanguang-jun allowed us to escape.

-All right, then. We ended up here because of him. What's more, Wei Wuxian is seriously injured.

-I saw it...

The group left the cave. Lan Xichen turned to Jiang Cheng and walked towards him.

-Sect leader Jiang. I'm sorry about earlier.

-It was nothing...

-Yes, it is. If I hadn't said that, you and Wei Wuxian wouldn't have been hurt.

Jiang Cheng stiffened and turned to him.

-What makes you think I'm injured?

Lan Xichen huffed. He took hold of Jiang Cheng's wrist and began to pour a healing stream into his body.

-Just because they're internal injuries doesn't mean I don't notice.

-I'm fine, there's no need to overdo it.

-No, you're not fine. You really need to stop keeping your injuries a secret. One day, it will turn against you.

-...

Finally, Jiang Cheng gave in. The group continued stealthily on their way, escaping the fish that had been chasing them. When they reached an area of strong currents, they finally felt safe. Then it was only a few days before they reached the Cloud Recess. Wei Wuxian hadn't woken up from the journey, but most of his wounds had healed. Once they arrived, Jiang Cheng avoided any arguments and went to his room.

As he lay on his bed, he reflected. The whole thing with Jin Guangyao had caused him a lot of trouble and he wasn't going to stay at the Cloud Cage indefinitely. Should he go back to Yunmeng with Jin Ling? For the time being, he'd better not.

He was drawn out of his thoughts by a disciple of the Lan clan who informed him that he had to go to the meeting room to discuss what to do next. When he arrived, Jiang Cheng noticed that an argument had broken out between Lan Xichen and a clan elder.

-We can't let them go! Yunmeng and Qinghe are too far away! A trip would be the best opportunity for Jin Guangyao to attack!

-True, but they can't stay here. Neither can the human. All the people you brought back are people that Jin Guangyao has in his sights. If he attacks us and disciples die, it'll be their fault!

-We have a barrier to ward off attacks, that's not the problem.

-Sect leader, you should think twice before making any decisions. Believe me, giving them asylum is not a good solution.

Jiang Cheng sat down next to Nie Mingjue, a little behind Lan Xichen. The elder noticed him and suddenly had an idea.

-Speaking of the barrier, have you forgotten how ineffective it was during the Sun Campaign?

-I don't see the connection.

-Well, I can see it. You know, sect leader, just how much our clan has suffered because they wanted to meddle in external affairs. I even think that handing them over to the sect leader Jin would be a possible solution.

Lan Xichen, Nie Mingjue and Jiang Cheng widened their eyes.

-What did you say?' asked Lan Xichen.

-I said we should hand them over. Perhaps young master Jin could stay, but the others could not. Jin Guangyao will lock Sect Leader Nie's corpse in the Void, he'll kill the human for the sake of killing him, and as for Sect Leader Jiang, everyone here knows what will happen to him.

The elder laughed, while everyone else stood in a daze. Jiang Cheng sat up angrily.

-Elder, may I ask what you're referring to?

-Sect leader, come on, don't play the ignorance card... You know very well what I'm talking about. There have been quite a few rumours about what happened to you during your captivity in the Sun campaign. But honestly, I think the rumours are true.

He didn't have time to laugh as Jiang Cheng lunged at him and scratched him several times. Nie Mingjue and Lan Wangji rushed to get him out of the way, while disciples from the Lan clan checked on the old man. Just then, Wei Wuxian arrived.

_

-I see...' said Wei Wuxian.

Lan Wangji had explained the situation clearly. Wei Wuxian sighed.

-What's all this about?

-The?

-The campaign of the Sun?

-You've never heard of it?

-No, I haven't.

-It's a war that took place a few years ago with the aim of dethroning the Wen clan, who were imposing their tyrannical reign on the entire underwater world. It was called the 'Sun Campaign' in reference to their clan's emblem. During this war, the Lotus Port, the home of the Jiang clan, was burnt down. The sect leader and his wife were killed. As for their son, Jiang Cheng, he was captured and no one heard from him for several months, before he reappeared to take over the reins of the Jiang clan.

-Ah... So the elder was referring to what happened during his captivity, right?

-That's right.

-I see. Well... And what do the rumours say?

Lan Wangji hesitated a little. But Wei Wuxian's insistent gaze made him give in.

-People think he was used to satisfy the members of the Wen clan.

Wei Wuxian almost choked. He opened his eyes wide and wore a complicated expression. Wei Wuxian began to panic. What if the rumours were true? What if this really had happened to Jiang Cheng while he was quietly going about his life on dry land?

He was about to speak when the door opened. Lan Xichen appeared and looked worried.

-Brother, what's going on?

-We've just received a letter from the Jin clan. It says that Nie Huaisang is being held in the Golden Carp Tower.