1. Wen Ruohan - for starting the war and killing thousands of people.
2. Wen Xu - Burning Cloud Recesses.
3. Wen Chao - throwing Wei Ying into the Burial Mounds.
4. Wen Zhuliu - burning Wei Ying's core.
5. Jin GuangShan - starting the hate campaign.
6. Jin GuangYao - Manipulator.
? 7) Madam Yu - hurting Wei Ying.
? 8) Jiang Cheng - always blaming Wei Ying.
? 9) Wang Lingjiao - demanding Wei Ying's hand.
? 10) Su Minshan - betraying those hiding in the cave during the attack on CR.
Wei Ying goes through the list twice more. He's feeling much better after his nap, more level-headed and clear, able to think about this in a useful way.
"The way I see it, everything is connected to Wen Ruohan." Wei Ying's finger lands on his name. "By killing him, not only do we save thousands of lives, but we will definitely change the trajectory of fate, for most of these people."
"I do not wish to take any chances." Lan Zhan unconsciously pouts.
It makes Wei Ying smile ever so sweetly back at him. "I agree. We can't predict what will happen by having us change one thing, and this is a big one. Lan Zhan, I have to thank you." He leans forward and plants a warm kiss on Lan Zhan's cheek, blushing all the while.
Lan Zhan thinks he might die!
That was a kiss! From his Wei Ying! The real one, the one of sound mind if not body yet!
"Wei Ying never has to thank me," he says in a daze, "but what for?"
"Lan Zhan, I don't know how you did it, but you managed to save my parents. That alone puts me in your debt-"
"No debts! Never for Wei Ying!" Lan Zhan shouts, terrified of holding such a thing.
"Okay, okay, no debts," Wei Ying quickly concedes. "But by saving them, by letting me have my parents, you saved me from both Madam Yu and Jiang Cheng. That's huge." He puts his warm pudgy hands on Lan Zhan's chubby cheeks. "Let me thank you. I-I can't put into words how much it means to me. And I'm going to be a big brother! A Da-Ge! To two brothers or sisters! Can you imagine how wonderful that feels?" Wei Ying throws his arms around Lan Zhan's neck and hugs him tight. "By saving two lives, you actually saved four."
"Wei Ying drew the array. Wei Ying thought of it first." Lan Zhan refuses to have all that gratitude poured over him.
"But you activated it. Do you know the amount of spiritual energy that would have been needed to activate such a thing? Only a powerful cultivator could have done it." Wei Ying pouts too, stubbornly hanging onto his argument.
"Then let us agree that we both made it happen equally. Therefore, no need for thanks," Lan Zhan replies smugly. "But I wish to ask a sensitive question. Wei Ying does not have to answer it, if he is not comfortable."
"Fire away," Wei Ying leans back, waving a hand nonchalantly. "I can take it!"
"Now that Wei Ying will not be spending his youth in Lotus Pier, how do you feel about Madam Yu? About Jiang Cheng? And Jiang YanLi? And their father?"
Wei Ying ponders the questions, deep in thought.
"I'm not going to miss Jiang Cheng's dogs, that's for sure," his smile wavers.
"Are you still frightened of them? Dogs, I mean," Lan Zhan clarifies.
"Kind of? It feels like a dream, that last life. But even though I'm not living on the streets, I think the trauma of those beasts will always stay with me, no matter what." Wei Ying laughs awkwardly.
"I will save Wei Ying." Lan Zhan vows vehemently. And he means it.
Wei Ying pats his knee fondly. "Thank you."
