Lan Zhan looks around the room, feeling their pain. No one expected Wei Ying to reach that point. Naturally friendly and happy most of the time, he was a brilliant, shining master of genius, back then, his quick mind and laughing personality a joy to behold. Wei Ying loved discovering new things, taking delight in the smallest of joys. Truly, he had been the best example of a human being. If one wanted to learn how to live in this confusing, contradictory world, one had to look no further than Wei Ying to discover the secret.
But the Cultivation world had seen the gift that he was and torn him apart. Lan Zhan could never forgive them for doing that to his Wei Ying.
"Baby..." Cangse Sanren pulls Wei Ying into her arms, rocking them back and forth slowly. "That kill list makes a lot of sense now," she says vehemently, catching Lan Zhan's eyes, her own face full of approval.
It gives him hope that these people will understand his actions. It encourages him to continue telling them what happened to them.
"I had been watching Wei Ying in between defending myself from these new puppets fighting us. I saw when he flew up to that rocky edge. I followed him up there, calling out his name. I knew the moment he gave up. I saw the light leaving him as he closed his eyes and I knew I had to do something. Wei Ying stepped back into nothing, an empty space. I sent Bichen in front of me as far as I could and I jumped too, because I did not want to live in a world without Wei Ying in it."
Lan Zhan looks up sharply at the indrawn gasps from both his uncle and his brother. Their shock is all over their faces. He looks away from them then, because he's not sorry for his decisions. There's regret for the situation itself, because he wishes Wei Ying wasn't left with no other choice, and consequently himself, but he will never regret following Wei Ying over the edge of that clifftop.
"I caught Wei Ying and landed on my sword, but I was too tired for a long flight. I found a cave where we could rest. We drank some water and ate some dried fruit and nuts, and then while Wei Ying rested, I meditated, concentrating on replenishing my golden core. Loud voices speculating where we might be woke me from my trance, and I realised that the search for us had already begun. Wei Ying was in no state to stand, so I picked him up and we flew back to the Burial Mounds."
"Good choice, since those cultivators would have thought you would come back to Cloud Recesses." Wei Changze murmurs approvingly.
Lan Zhan nods. "Wei Ying was in a bad way, and I was also weaker, but I hoped I could give him some of my spiritual energy. That's when I found out about his core. I-I was devastated. Without knowing why Wei Ying had cultivated the Guidao, I had been unnecessarily harsh towards him, our encounters always escalating to a push-and-pull of opposing views. I mourned that shining sun that used to live within him, and I felt awful for my treatment of him."
"Lan Zhan, please don't feel bad any more about this. We have a new chance now." Wei Ying goes back to his side and hugs him close. "Water under the bridge. Besides, I know now that you didn't mean it like it sounded, back then. You were worried about me."
"So much," Lan Zhan draws in a ragged breath.
Wei Changze brings over two cups of water for the boys, and Lan Qiren takes this as an opportunity to brew more tea. He thinks everyone can do with a bit of caffeine. When this is all over, he will have to make sure his oldest nephew is alright, too.
"Wei Ying hadn't been idle when he had stayed at the Burial Mounds with the Wens. His brilliant work was spread out everywhere and when I began tidying it up for him, I came across a time travel array. I thought about it, realistically. Here was my chance to change everything for Wei Ying. He did not deserve to suffer so much in that past life, and I knew I could do it. But before I could begin examining it, I heard voices outside the cave and I had to go outside before anyone came in to hurt Wei Ying.
