The Founder's Secret

ENTRY - 19 Part - 2

FLASHBACK

"Lan Gongzi, I need your assistance. My means of travel malfunctioned. I am unaware of my area of landing since I don't think I am in cloud recess."

PRESENT TIME

"Yilling," replied Lan Gongzi, looking away. I couldn't help but curse. How the **** did I end up in Yilling? I should visit A'Ying since I'm near Yunmeng. Wait... I should curse myself for my memory. How can I forget that the place was destroyed and captured in such a short time? Well, only this pretty Lan is around here, so it can only be his desperation; unless there's someone else hiding here under the dense bushes or on top of the trees, maybe I should just start looking all around or just search for qi. I started walking away from the pretty Lan to find out the cause of the disruption, because this place is too gloomy for my tastes. However, I truly didn't expect for him to call me. "Wait," he said in a commanding tone. So I stood still, until he caught up with me. "Who are you?" he asked, looking at my attire. "I am Athanasia Black-Peverell of Peverell Estate, England." "Lan Wangji of GusuLan," he said, bowing politely, compelling me to show the same curtesy. "Since you asked me a question, it's only fair that I do the same." "Hm," he acknowledged in agreement. "Why are you dressed as if you are mourning the death of your husband?". ****, my words were impolite, but the second jade looked away bashfully, so he is actually mourning for his husband. But if he was married, why didn't A'Ying tell me? He probably wouldn't have known. He let out a small "Hm," responding to my earlier question.

As we stood in the oppressive silence of Yilling, the rustling of grass broke through the gloom, sending a chill down my spine. "Did you hear that?" I whispered, instinctively reaching for my dagger. Lan Wangji nodded, his expression shifting from curiosity to alertness. Suddenly, a creature with a python's head, with a long, pointed snout and piercing yellow eyes, a ferocious black moon rhinoceros python emerged, its scales glistening ominously in the dim light. Its eyes locked onto us, and with a guttural hiss, it lunged forward. We fought fiercely; each strike from my dagger met with the creature's thick hide. Lan Wangji's graceful movements complemented my frantic energy, but the python was experienced, dodging and countering our attacks with brutal precision. After what felt like an eternity, we finally managed to subdue the beast. Panting heavily, I leaned against a tree, my heart racing. "That was intense," I gasped.

"Why are you here?" he asked, breathing heavily. "I truly don't know why the hell I am here." He looked as if I committed a great sin by using such a word in his presence. "My turn," I said, giving him a moment to understand my words. I asked, "Who is your husband?" He looked at me conflicted. "I won't tell anyone," I told him. "Wei Ying, curtesy Wuxian.".

"Ice cave, Gusu's healing pond?" I inquired, There's no other suitable place, since A'Ying narrated to me the events of that day; only that day were they ever in the presence of a willing elder who could've blessed their marriage. "How?" he asked, eyes narrowing. "Let me reintroduce myself, Lady of House Peverell, Athanasia Estelle, ally of Clan Sanren, whose heir is your husband, Wei Ying."