Recesses of the Heart

11

Lan Zhan and I left Cloud Recesses after a couple of days. He needed to take care of some things before we left. The Yin Piece in the cold caves, we went to get it before leaving. We met Ancestor Lan Yi again and she was glad that we were able to try this again. She told us to be there for one another, it is a way to make it through what is to come. Bearing the burden of everything on my own once was enough and now I had help. Lan Yi also said it was smart to hide my identity for a while.

After leaving the cave, we left. We had plans to go to Baoshan right away, but we decided that we should get the Yin Iron first. Defeated Xuanwu was going to be a lot easier with me being immortal. I had abilities hidden away and with it just being Lan Zhan and I, I can finally let some of my abilities out.

It was strange though, when Lan Zhan and I got to Xuanwu, he didn't attack us. It sensed I was immortal and I like I could connect to it. He was in pain, the sword has been with him and it makes me feel angry and sad. He feels cold when he shouldn't. I spoke to him, saying that I was there with Lan Zhan to retrieve the sword and destroy it. He gave it to us and hopes it would never see him again. I made a promise that he wouldn't have to worry.

Lan Zhan and I cleansed the beast of the resentful energy that lingered within the beast and he was much better. I warned him of what was going to come and when we returned, we will protect him as long as he doesn't harm certain people. He was grateful for this warning and he will be cautious.

When Lan Zhan and I left the cave, we were still a bit stunned, "me being immortal changes everything. These creatures, like Xuanwu, we can help them. Maybe not the fierce corpses but maybe we can, and for some reason, I have hope in trying. If you were immortal, that will really change everything."

"We agreed that I would," Lan Zhan said, "am I still?"

"Of course, but I need to ask, is this something you really want? Once you gain immortality, there is no going back. Baoshan warned me of this. I was a young child but she gave me a choice. Live as a normal person and not cultivate or live this eternal life. I told her if she can do it then so will I. She said she'd be there for me whenever I needed her. This is the same to you. I am here for you when you need me, but I want you to be sure that it is what you want," I explained.

"It is, as long as I am with you, I am willing to do it. I cannot live another life without you in it, Wei Ying," he said.

"And you won't have to," I said, "I am not going anywhere...I couldn't even if I wanted to."

"I go where you go," he said.

"Lan Zhan, I have to ask," I said, "that day of the night hunt after the war ended, it was you, wasn't it?"

He looked away from me, "I was wrong to do that. I lost myself for a moment...you are...tempting," he said.

I smiled, "and here I thought it was a young maiden with incredible arm strength," I said, "but I'm glad it was you. I know I said things to tease you, but in truth, you are my first kiss."

"I, what?" He asked.

I nodded, "I don't know why but I for some reason thought you'd think less of me if I wasn't experienced. I might have been a flirt back then but I never did anything. Never kissed anyone, never tempted anyone, the most I know is from reading erotica," I said and let out a light laugh at the end.

"I do not care if you are experienced or not," he said, "now that I know you are not, we can learn together...if you're willing."

My eyes widened, "huh?"

"Let me court you, Wei Ying, and when this war is over, I will be there still. I will be there when you reveal who you truly are," he said.

I smiled, "it won't be easy to be with me, there may come a day where the world turns against me again," I told him.

"I will still be by your side this time," he said and took my hand.

Lan Zhan has always been one who never really liked to touch others. He is not like that with me, especially in this life, "I will court you," I said.

He smiled and brought my hand to his lips. He left a kiss behind and he continued to hold it, "thank you for giving me a chance, and I promise, I won't ever go back to how I was when we first met," he said.

I laughed, "I thought you were quite cute," I said, "I do not know how but I was so attracted to your personality. I wanted to close to you and by teasing you, it was the only way, plus your reactions were the best."

"You still tease me," he said.

"Not as much...but if you want I can bring more of it back," I said.

"Please don't," he said.

I laughed, "I am messing with you...we should get moving. We have a couple other Yin pieces to get. I want to get that piece from the Chang residence before Xue Yang does."

"Let's go," he said.

We hopped on or swords and just as we arrived, we noticed that something was off. When we met got to the Chang residence, they were already dead but Xue Yang was still there and the yin iron was in his hand.

"Why?" I asked.

"They deserved it," Xue Yang said, "someone wrongs me, I will get my revenge, but worse."

"What gives you the right to take these lives away?" I asked.

"I am doing this for my superior," he said, "the more resentment collected the better. Now, leave and I will not do anything to you."

"No," I said, "hand over that Yin Iron."

"Mmmm, I don't want to," he said and lunged forward with his sword in hand.

Lan Zhan and I were already prepared and ready to fight back, but a person stepped in front of us and blocked the sword with a blow. It was a sword I was very much familiar with.

"Shishu?" I asked.

"Hello A'Ying," it was Xiao Xingchen.

"Song Ge with you?" I asked.

"Of course, we won't let this man get away again," Xiao Xingchen said. He was aware of the future and what I went through. He knew of Xue Yang, "let me and Song Lan take him back to Baoshan's she will handled him."

"He has the Yin piece," I said.

After being bound by binding cables, it takes the spiritual power away from the person it bound, Xingchen handed me the Yin Iron he confiscated.

"We will be at Wai Po's once we have them all. The only one we won't have is the one Wen Ruohan took from the fairy statue," I said.

"That is alright, even with one, he will not be as strong this time. Go get the last of them and return safely," he said.

I nodded, "I will, and see you soon."

He and Song Lan took Xue Yang, "Wei Ying?"

"You remember them?" I asked.

"I do," he said, "let us put these people's souls to rest and then contact the city council to take care of them."

"Alright," I said.