Recesses of the Heart

5

I stood at my seat within the Orchid Room. The sects were all here for a welcoming ceremony. I was in the seat I once sat in another life. I sat behind Jiang Cheng, and Lan Zhan was standing to the left of me but one seat up. Like last time, Jiang Cheng was interrupted during our turn to greet the sect. Wen Chao had arrived.

Seeing Wen Ning and Wen Qing again, and alive, put an ease on my heart. I am sure they know that their Dafan village was moved and completely safe with Baoshan. I will have to find a time to get them alone to talk.

Of course, like last time, Wen Chao tried to target my brother. I stood in front of Jiang Cheng and stared at Wen Chao, "Second Master Wen, please be mindful of where you are. You are not in the Wen Sect, but the Lan Sect. You should respect their principles. Just because your father is Chief Cultivator does not mean you can do anything you want," I told him.

"Who are you to speak to me, Dog!" When Chao spat, "I will do what I want. Everyone knows this."

I sighed, "You call me a dog, but what does that make you?" I asked, "you are all bark and no bite as you have people do your fighting for you. So that makes you a weak little jackass."

Wen Chao pulled out his sword and pointed it at me. I sighed again and in one swift move, I disarmed him so fast that he didn't even have a chance to react, "teach this guy dog here a lesson for trying to challenge me," Wen Chao commanded his guards.

I knew I was going to get into trouble for this but I will not let this man do this again, "if you wish to fight me, then we cannot do that here," I said, "fighting without permission is forbidden."

"Then it looks like we have the upper hand," Wen Chao said.

Wen Qing finally couldn't take this anymore and stood in front of Wen Chao, "Your father specifically told me to keep you out of trouble and here you are causing it. What will he say when I tell him you are disobeying his orders. Do you remember why you are here? You aren't staying anyway," She said and looked at Sect Leader Lan, Lan Qiren, and Zewu Jun, "I apologize for the disturbance we have caused. It is me and my brother who are staying, the rest are to leave."

Qingheng Jun nodded and smiled, "very well, as long as your second master here causes no more trouble, we will let this slide only this once. You must be tired from your travels. Go rest and be prepared for lessons tomorrow," he said.

Wen Qing nodded and led her brother and Wen Chao out. I turned to the front, "I apologize for my actions but I didn't want them to harm my Shidi. I will take a punishment if that makes up for it," I said with a bow.

"No need, defending family is import," Qingheng Jun said, "also, nice counter to disarm the man."

I nodded and turned to Jiang Cheng, "you may continue with your presenting," I said.

With that, the ceremony continued. If I were still under the name of Wei Ying, I bet I would have been punished. Being that I am under a different name, it seems that made a change. Then again, Lan Zhan did tell me he told his father for the future and by that, he must have told him about me. Qingheng Jun might know who I am and is keeping that a secret. If he is doing that, I am grateful.

Once the ceremony ended, I was asked to stay behind along with Lan Zhan. I now stood in front of all four Leading Lans, "May I ask what this is about?" I asked.

"We just wanted to thank you for stepping in earlier," Qingheng Jun said, "May I ask for your name?"

I bowed in greeting, "my name is Xiao Wuji. I am the adopted son of Sect Leader Jiang," I answered.

"You are quite talented from that disarming skill you showed earlier," Qingheng Jun stated, "I am guessing before you were taken in by the Jiangs, you trained under someone else?"

"I did," I replied and pulled out Baoshan's badge, "I am one of Baoshan Sanren's disciples. My parents traveled often and they'd leave me with her while they traveled. The last time they traveled, however, I was with them. They passed away due to a disagreement with another Rogue Cultivator."

"I am sorry for your loss," Qingheng Jun said, "if you need anything, feel free to reach out. Otherwise you are free to go. I just wanted to personally meet you."

I nodded and took my leave. I then went to go check on Jiang Cheng. I found him with Nie Huaisang, just walking around the main courtyard, "Jiang Cheng," I called out.

"Xiao Gongzi, you are quite bold to challenge Wen Chao like that," Nie Huaisang said.

"He is acting the bold one to challenge me," I said, "even Jiang Cheng knows that."

"He is not wrong," Jiang Cheng said but then lightly punched my shoulder, "but you are an idiot for stepping in. What if he takes revenge?"

"First, I wasn't going to let him lay a finger on you," I replied, "I told your parents I would keep you and Shijie safe while we were here. And second, if he wants revenge, he is just seeking his own death."

"Xiao Gongzi, you are quite confident in your abilities," Huaisang said, "how can you say such things."

"Wuji has always been this way," Jiang Cheng said, "to proud for his own good. But I do not doubt his capabilities. Last time I checked, Wen Chao really can't fight for himself. He always has his lackeys fighting for him."

"Even so, what if he tells his father of what happened, do you think he will act?" Huaisang asked.

"Only time will tell," I said, "but I am not worried. Anyway, I am going to the library for a while. Thought I'd look through some of the material for tomorrow."

"Just keep out of trouble," Jiang Cheng said.

"Am I ever in trouble?" I asked.

"You have put yourself in such situations in the past," Jiang Cheng said.

"I don't think I can do that here," I said, "Cloud Recesses is too tame for such things."

"Even so, do not go angering Second Master Lan. I heard he is head of disciplines. He isn't lenient on them either," Jiang Cheng said.

"I won't anger him," I said, "believe me."