oceanic heart- Wangxian (English Version)

27- Battle

Wei Wuxian stared up at the tower, looking out of place. So when Lan Wangji put a hand on his shoulder, he was startled.

-I'm sorry I frightened you.

-It was nothing.

-What are you looking at?

-Oh, nothing very interesting. I just... A bad feeling.

-Don't worry, it'll be fine.

-Hmm.

Lan Wangji handed Wei Wuxian a weapon.

-My brother's about to order an assault, so get ready.

-All right.

A few minutes later, they attacked. The crowd poured into the tower, and although the Jin clan were prepared for the attack, they were thrown off balance by the strange weapons.

In the distance, Jin Ling watched the battle. He was about to join the fray when Jiang Cheng stopped him.

-Uncle?

-Tell me where the tablet is and I'll go alone. You stay here.

-But I can fight! I'm not as weak as you think!

-I know that, Jin Ling, believe me. But you're a prime target. If you go, you're gonna get killed.

-Like all the other soldiers.

-Yes, but it's not the same.

Seeing that Jin Ling didn't seem inclined to obey, Jiang Cheng caught the eye of Lan Sizhui, who was further away, and beckoned him to come closer.

-Why did you call him," grumbled Jin Ling. He's got nothing to do with this!

-He'll stay with you, okay? Please, Jin Ling...

His voice lost its sternness, and gained in sadness.

-I don't want to lose you too...

Jin Ling said nothing more. He blew out his breath and indicated to Jiang Cheng the position of the tablet.

_

-Sect leader, they're gaining ground, what do we do?

Jin Guangyao didn't answer right away and just sat down comfortably in a corner of the room. Then a slight smile played across his lips.

-Soldier, listen carefully to my instructions, then distribute the orders.

-I'm listening, sect leader.

-Go and get Nie Huaisang and bring him to the entrance. Shout loudly that an exchange is possible.

-With what?

-With the human. Nothing has gone right since he arrived. He's the mastermind.

-Right, then.

-First, tell some soldiers to find me.

He got up and prepared to leave.

-Meet you where, sir?

-In the secret basement.

_

The fight was raging outside. The water was gradually turning red. Wei Wuxian fought fiercely, refusing to lose any headway. As he killed an enemy, he looked around for Lan Wangji, and instead came across another unit of the Jin clan, two of whose soldiers were holding a man in place.

-Cease fire!" shouted one of the men.

Everyone suddenly stopped and their eyes went to the entrance of the tower. At that moment, Nie Mingjue's face fell and he moved forward a little.

-Huaisang!

Wei Wuxian then realised that the man being held was Nie Mingjue's younger brother, who had been captured some time ago. Then he recognised that the man who had been howling was Su She, Jin Guangyao's dog, who seemed to hate Wei Wuxian to the bone. He approached quietly and stood at the edge of the stairs leading to the battlefield.

-We're here to make a deal. We'll free Second Master Nie if you give us the human in exchange.

All eyes turned to Wei Wuxian, and murmurs spread. Nie Mingjue snarled.

-And if we refuse?

Wei Wuxian's eyes widened. He thought that Nie Mingjue was going to hand him over on a silver platter when he learned that his brother could be exchanged, and yet he refused to obey.

-If you refuse? Then we'll kill the hostage here and now.

Nie Mingjue's eyes widened. Su She pulled out a blade and came dangerously close to Nie Huaisang, who was white as a sheet.

-No, wait..." he tried.

Su She took no notice and raised her sword. Nie Huaisang was about to shout, but someone beat him to it.

-Agreed," said Wei Wuxian.

Su She smiled and lowered her blade.

-So come on.

-No, free him first.

-Um, we're not going to agree.

He began to draw his blade from its scabbard. Wei Wuxian panicked.

-No, it's not! It's OK, it's OK! I'm coming!

He was about to move forward, but someone grabbed his wrist. It was Lan Wangji.

-Wei Ying, don't go.

-What else can I do? I can't let Nie Huaisang be killed.

Lan Wangji did not give in. On the contrary, he tightened his grip. Wei Wuxian clung to him and brought her mouth close to her lover's ear.

-Lan Zhan, if they take me away, will you come and save me?

-Wei Ying...

-They won't kill me straight away, we've got time.

He shifted and headed for the entrance. Su She seemed satisfied and ordered his men to free Nie Huaisang. Then he grabbed Wei Wuxian's arm and pulled him towards him.

-If you only knew how much I'm looking forward to torturing you to death...

Meanwhile, Nie Huaisang threw himself into his brother's arms. Su She then disappeared into the tower, and the fight resumed.

_

Jiang Cheng eliminated the last guard blocking his path and finally arrived at the cave containing the stone army. He walked over to the tablet and raised his weapon.

-I wouldn't do that if I were you.

Jiang Cheng turned and saw Jin Guangyao, quietly leaning against a stone statue.

-You... What are you doing here?

-What, you seriously think I was going to let you destroy the great treasure of the Jin clan? This action was really predictable...

He smiled and began to approach.

-But if I came in person, it's because I knew it was you who would come to destroy the tablet.

Jiang Cheng didn't reply and pointed his gun at Jin Guangyao. He looked falsely shocked and stepped back a little.

-Oh, oh, watch out! You're not going to kill me when I've got what's left of your family, are you?

Jiang Cheng's eyes widened.

-What's wrong?

-Well, yes. I have Jin Ling, and I have your sworn brother. Isn't that a valid reason?

Jiang Cheng kept his gun raised.

-How do I know it's the truth? he spat.

At the same time, several soldiers entered and pointed their spears at Jiang Cheng.

-If you have any doubts, don't worry: they'll be joining us soon.

Jiang Cheng's heartbeat began to quicken, but he didn't let on.

-What do you want, anyway?

Jin Guangyao gave an amused chuckle.

-You know very well what I want. I want you.