Recesses of the Heart

3

At age twelve, I was able to start practicing swordsmanship. I started off with a sparring sword like every other disciple. When Sect Leader Jiang asked me about having my own personal sword, I told him my father left me his before he passed. I played another little lie. This sword was still my Suibian and it was exactly like my old one. Baoshan was kind enough to make sure it was as close to the original as possible. Over time, it gained a spirit like before. It only answers to me.

I made sure I wasn't overpowering anyone. I followed the Jiang style as best as I could. I had my own style that I hid away from others. I also made sure Jiang Cheng wasn't being over competitive and he learned at his own pace. He was still hotheaded like his past self but I suppose that is to be expected. I don't mind as long as he doesn't go overboard. Something's just don't ever seem to change no matter which life you live.

What has changed recently though, is that I was actually properly adopted into the sect. I kept my name Xiao but I was officially considered a Jiang heir. I told Sect Leader Jiang that even though I am older that I have rights to the leader position before Jiang Cheng I do not want it. I told him to give it to Jiang Cheng first since he is of the bloodline. He tried to argue with me on it but Madam Yu seemed to like my way of thinking. She saw that I saw her children before myself even though I was official their adopted son. She managed to convince Sect Leader Jiang. I guess even though she treats me better, her children will always come first before me to her.

I actually didn't mind. As an immortal being, I cannot die. I may disappear for a short time but I will always return. I had no desires for power. I never have and never will. How people saw me as a tyrant and lust for power as the almighty Yiling Patriarch was just bizarre. It goes to show that people are just to quick to judge and follow the words of another.

I was now sixteen and Shijie, Jiang Cheng, and I were on our way to Gusu. The guest lectures were here. I had plans to be good this time as I wasn't as unruly as I used to be. I wanted to keep a low profile. To make sure we didn't lose the invitation this time, I hid it my Qiankun pouch where I kept my things I have had since I left my grandmother's mountain. I still had my money from her and her badge. I also had my own allowance now that I was an official Jiang heir. Though I was adopted as their son, I had the head disciple position again. I guess that doesn't change either.

This time, we didn't stop at the inn and get kicked out. We stopped at the town before Caiyi, and put on our guest GusuLan robes. Once we arrived to Caiyi town, we just went straight to the sect. Shijie, Jiang Cheng, and I were given a shared space as we were family. Jiang Cheng and I had one room and Shijie had her own bedroom. The two rooms were attached to the main room.

"I am going to go look around the sect for a bit, I will be back shortly," I said.

"Alright, please be careful and be mindful of the rules here," Shijie said.

I nodded, "I will," I said.

I left the guest house and went to the main courtyard. It was just like I remembered it. So tranquil and peaceful. I laughed quietly as I looked up at the rooftops. I had a vivid memory of the time I fought with him that night. The moon was full and it was the first time I really found someone who matched me. He was also beautiful. I know I let go of his hand when I fell from that cliff but I had no choice. He would have died too. I didn't want that.

"Wei Ying?"

My smile faltered. No one knows that I am Wei Wuxian other than Baoshan. Then again, that voice, his voice. I slowly turned to see him. He was as beautiful as I remembered. I sighed, "I am not him," I said.

"Yes you are," he said, "you are Wei Ying, the Wei Ying who fought the entire cultivation world to save people, the Wei Ying who sacrificed so much of himself and not once was given praise for his deeds."

"My name is Xiao Wuji," I told him.

I grinned slightly as I notice his face soften at the name, "why hide your identity?"

"I am safer this way," I said, "people do not know I exist and think I am a completely different person. I know you wish to call me by me proper name, but I ask that you call me Wuji for the time being."

"Very well," he said, "but you remember everything?"

"I do," I said, "I take it you do as well?"

He nodded, "I have changed some things here. My father is out of seclusion. He knows of my past life. He won't tell anyone but he will help me."

"That's good," I said and frowned, "my parents still passed...Lan Z— Lan-er-Gongzi, can we talk somewhere more private?"

"You can still call me by my birth name," he said, "also, follow me."

I smiled and followed him. He took me to a secluded house that is more towards the back hills, "Where did you just take me?"

"This is my place," he said, "no one other than my brother, father, and Shufu come here. Otherwise it is the most secluded space here in Cloud Recesses."

I nodded, "very well," I said and followed him. He lead me to the backyard and had me sit down at a table on a wooden deck. He brought out a pot to brew tea and we had some privacy to talk further, "Even though my parents are gone, they took me to Baoshan's before they passed. My spiritual energy was altered by the time traveling. Because of her though, I am immortal already."

"Wei Ying, your spiritual energy back then?" He asked.

"Jiang Cheng lost his golden core after Lotus Pier was attacked. Wen Qing had a way to help him. In doing so, I gave my golden core to him. Later I was captured by Wen Chao and he threw me into the burial mounds. I used resentment only to protect myself. Things just got worse and worse as time went on. When I traveled to the new life, I still had spiritual energy but the spark that created the core was gone. Meaning I wouldn't have been able to form one if Baoshan hadn't helped me," I explained.

"That is why you stopped using your sword?" He asked, "I am sorry."

"You don't need to apologize. You didn't know. I can tell you were probably coming from a good place when you tried to help me. I just didn't want to be helped," I told him, "nor could I be."

"And now?" He asked.

"I left Baoshan's when I was ten. I hid my identity and became Xiao Wuji. The Jiangs don't even realize it's me. I am no longer treated terribly by Madam Yu and I was adopted by them. I hid my immortality from them of course," I explained.

"Why Xiao Wuji?" He asked curiously.

"Xiao is connected to my martial uncle Xiao Xingchen. It still connects me to my mother and Baoshan. Wuji...I am sure you can figure that one out," I said.

"Mnn," He nodded.

"Lan Zhan, I still want to try and change things," I said, "Baoshan took the Dafan Wens to a safe location, they aren't in danger this time. Which means we can focus more on our sects and families."

"We will do this together this time," He said.