Rebound

28

Though they agreed to talk about what has been happening in the outside world, they waited until A'Yuan was in bed for the night. Baoshan had some news to share and she wanted to make sure she had Wangji and Wuxian's full attention.

"So, how bad is it out there?" Wuxian asked.

"I have many different animals and people located in every town. I get intel from them. The animals I get visuals on each of the sects and the people I get the lasted gossip and news. There are a few things that has happened in the seven years you have been in seclusion. First, no one believes that A'Ying is alive. They had the sources come from Jin Guangyao saying that you were but everyone believes it to be a lie.

The next thing is people assume Wangji has left the cultivation world due to what happened. Lan Xichen isn't speaking on it nor is Lan Qiren. As they do not gossip they don't say anything about this, especially to the outside world.

Third thing, there is a new sect that Lan Qiren has been trying to take down. The sect is calling Moling Su Sect. Apparently a former member of the Lan Sect who was banished, made his own sect and began using techniques similar to the Lan Sect. For this, Lan Qiren has been trying to shut it down. The sect using music as a secondary source like those in Gusu, but their teachings are mediocre at best. The robes of this new sect are also very similar to the Lan Sect too.

The last thing is probably the one that will surprise you the most and I'm sure you would want to look further into it, Chifeng Zun has died," Baoshan explained.

That was a lot of things to take in. Whether people knew Wuxian was alive or not was not a big deal right now, and even though the new sect was an issue, the fact that a very healthy and powerful individual had so suddenly died, was the being shock.

"We can go back to the Sect issue but Chifeng Zun died? How?" Wuxian asked.

"I only know from spread of words, that he had a Qi deviation. I had someone try to get into contact with Nie Huaisang but he isn't seeing anyone right now," Baoshan said, "not unless you were Lan Xichen or Jin Guangyao."

"I don't believe that Chifeng Zun could die like that," Wuxian said, "though I know they cultivate using sabers and there is more to their cultivation than other sects, but I really can't think of him dying for that reason specifically. Can someone die only to make it seem like they Qi Deviated but it was from something else entirely?"

"It's possible, but we need proof to confirm it," Baoshan said, "but that is where the issue lies, shortly after he was set to rest in the Nie family burial grounds, his body was missing. Nie Huaisang has been focused on trying to find him."

"I know we probably have more things to do here but I think we should visit Nie Huaisang," Wuxian said to Wangji, "but how do we get him to meet with us?"

"Maybe I can," Wangji said, "people think I just left the cultivation world but no one knows anything. I could just make up something. I can go to him saying I heard of what happened and I wanted to look further into it without my brother or Jin Guangyao getting involved."

"You think your brother was involved?" Baoshan asked.

"Maybe not intentionally but he has been around Jin Guangyao a lot since Wen Ruohan's death. I honestly think that it is more Jin Guangyao. He has been most suspicious about everything but I need to prove it," Wangji said.

"You think he is behind my demise?" Wuxian asked.

"He was the one to convinced me to write you that letter to get you to come to your Shijie's party. He knew if I wrote to you, that you'd come. I find it peculiar that after that letter was sent, you were ambushed and the two Jin heirs were killed. I don't think it was just a mere coincidence," Wangji said.

"Well, since Jin Guangshan is also dead, Jin Guangyao is Xiandu," Baoshan said.

Wuxian suddenly became aware of something else, "Jin Ling?" He asked.

"He is safe," Baoshan said, "he is staying at Lotus Pier. Though Jin Ling is the heir to the Jin Sect, he is too young. Since Jiang Wanyin repented, I gave him a new golden core in order to protect the boy. I do fear that the boy could be a target."

Wuxian nodded, "then Jin Guangyao has to be our main suspect," he said, "he paved his way right to sect leader. I'm guessing that if Jin Guangshan had any other illegitimate children they would want to have a shot for the position, but first, those people would need to know of their illegitimacy, and also prove it. Jin Guangyao has been low on cultivation but my guess is, he has been getting help from Zewu Jun."

"If Jin Guangyao knew of those illegitimate children, he'd rid of them before they tried for his position. Especially if he was the one who plotted everything. Which also means that he is a lot more cunning than what he is others believe," Baoshan said.

"Zewu Jun is probably blindsided by his friendship with Jin Guangyao that he doesn't realize he could be in danger," Wuxian said and looked at Wangji, "we should talk to your Shufu about this at least. He needs to be informed."

Wangji nodded, "we will see him first and I will write to Nie Huaisang. I will make sure it's a private message so only he can read it."

"Good idea," Wuxian said, "now, the new sect, I imagine copying another sect is just trouble waiting to happen."

"Yes," Baoshan said, "every sect has similar characteristics yes, but they also have differences. The Lan Sect has always had a special characteristic which is their ability to cultivate with music. Anyone could do so but for another sect to start with the same principles, styles, beliefs, and practices as another, that is crossing a line. Everyone knows this. Even the smaller clans know this."

"Are they copying the music Gusu uses specifically?" Wuxian asked.

"Yes, and they don't play as well so anyone can tell which sect they are from just from how they play. But Moling is just founded and takes any jobs they can. They actually cause more problems than fixing them, but people call for them because they are cheaper. It is the Lan Sect who cleans up the mess. It does boost the Lan Sect though," Baoshan explained.

Wuxian looked at Wangji, "what do you think?"

"Mediocre teaches mediocre," Wangji said, "no one can improve that way if everyone is not playing properly. Playing a song wrong can actually have major consequences in terms of cultivation and exercising spirits. It could have the opposite effect."

"So what do you think should be done?" Wuxian asked.

"The Lan Sect doesn't like to do things by force until they are pushed to do so. They won't go to them with their swords out and ready. They'd want to work on something more civilized," Wangji said.

"We might have to convince your Uncle that might not be the best idea," Wuxian said, "I have a feeling that the Moling Su won't give up so easily. They'd just rival more with your sect."

Wangji nodded. He knew Wuxian was right. He needed more information about this to really know how he could help potentially resolve this. He had to speak with his uncle first.