Rebound

32

Wuxian and Wangji wrote to Lan Qiren first and requested to meet. He agreed and decided to meet at the Gentian House inside the Lan Sect. Wangji would know where it was, so they teleported there. Wangji sent a butterfly to Lan Qiren to inform him that they arrived and they placed charms on the walls to keep their conversations private.

When Lan Qiren arrived, Wangji and Wuxian told them what Nie Huaisang told them, "Huaisang suspects that Jin Guangyao was behind his brother's death. He explained that when he got to where Chifeng Zun was when he died, Jin Guangyao was already there and he was happy. As soon as he heard Huaisang coming he pretended to be concerned. Jin Guangyao was also the only other person in the area when it all happened. Huaisang wouldn't kill his brother and Chifeng Zun shouldn't have had a random deviation at home," Wuxian explained, "we also suspect that Jin Guangyao is manipulating Zewu Jun in some way. We fear for his safety."

"If Nie Huaisang is able, we can ask him to send forces to Lanling. Maybe even Jiang Wanyin if we asked. We can also join and surround Jin Guangyao. He will have to answer questions," Lan Qiren said.

"We were thinking that at the next conference meeting, Lan Zhan and I can make a move. We will be hidden until we have a cue to come out," Wuxian said, "this way, all the sects are in one location when it all goes down."

"That might be a better solution, but Jun Guangyao will have guards everywhere," Lan Qiren stated.

"Lan Zhan and I will be safe. We have ways of being present without being seen," Wuxian told him. He then looked at Wangji, "we can also ask Wai Po for some assistance."

"She said she'd help us when we find out who framed you," Wangji said.

"We should go see her next and tell her what we know," Wuxian said.

"I will send you a letter when I know the date for the conference," Lan Qiren said, "take care of yourselves."

"We will," Wangji said, "you too, Uncle."

With that, Lan Qiren went back to his residence, and Wangji and Wuxian teleport to Celestial Mountain. Baoshan was outside in her garden. She was picking herbs that were ready to be picked.

"Hello boys," she greeted, "I take it you have some information about what's happening?"

"We do, but we can wait as you seem busy. Did you want some help?" Wuxian asked.

"No need, your company is plenty," she said, "how about you tell me everything while I do this. I'm good with multitasking."

Wuxian nodded and told her about everything so far. After only a few sentences, Baoshan turned her full attention to Wuxian as she heard some interesting things. Especially because Jin Guangyao was the suspect to Wei Wuxian's demise.

"Well, while we wait for news of the conference meeting, let us go to Yi City and see for ourselves what is happening," Baoshan suggested.

"What about A'Yuan?" Wuxian asked.

"Hmm, do you trust him with Jiang Wanyin in Lotus Pier? He will have your little nephew to hang out," Baoshan said, "that or you take him to Lan Qiren and hope he is safe there with Jin Guangyao coming and going."

"Let us try Jiang Cheng first," Wuxian said, "you said he has since repented and has been doing better. I also wish to see him. I think It's time I faced him again."

"Alright, Let's go," Baoshan said. She took care of the herbs she picked and went to get A'Yuan. A'Yuan has grown quite a bit now. He is about ten now and he has just started cultivating. Being around kids his age would be great and Wei Wuxian's nephew was just a couple years younger than A'Yuan.

Baoshan teleports them all to Lotus Pier and one of the guards immediately noticed Baoshan and took off inside the main hall. Baoshan grinned as she knew that she had instilled a small bit of fear into these disciples, "What has you so happy?" Wuxian asked.

"These disciples are afraid of me," Baoshan said, "as well as Jiang Wanyin."

"I wonder why," Wuxian said sarcastically and laughed at his grandmother's mischievous behavior. Wuxian then looks at Wangji and leans in to speak to him, "and you wonder where my mischievous behavior comes from."

Wangji smiles and takes Wuxian's hand, "I like it," he said.

Wuxian laughed, "of course you do. Is there anything about me you don't like?"

"Yes," Wangji said.

Wuxian looked at him wide eyed, "What about me do you not like?"

"I do not like it when you aren't touching me," Wangji replied.

Wuxian blinked a couple times at Wangji's confession. He bellowed out a laugh and hugged him, placing a kiss on the corner of Wangji's lips, "You shameless man," he said, "since when did you learn to flirt."

"It's the truth," Wangji said.

"Well, when this is over and we are back in our bed, you can have me as much as you want," Wuxian said with a mischievous glint in his eyes.

"Mark your words," Wangji demanded.

"Once said, they cannot be taken back," Wuxian said.

Wangji smiled and placed a kiss on Wuxian's cheek, "good."

Baoshan pretended to ignore most of that conversation but she thought it was quite endearing and a bit cute. Even though their relationship was different, the two still reminded her of her friendship with Lan Yi. Lan Yi was the more serious one and Baoshan was the more playful one. The two balanced each other out perfectly.

"Alright you two, we are able to go inside," Baoshan told them.

Wuxian nodded and walked hand and hand with Wangji and followed behind Baoshan. A'Yuan was holding Wangji's other hand. Wuxian was a bit nervous about seeing Jiang Cheng again, but it was time they both talked. Wuxian hoped that Jiang Cheng would keep a calm head but knowing his personality, it was wishful thinking at most.

"Madam Sanren," Jiang Cheng greeted, "what brings you here?"

"I came with my grandson to ask you for a favor," Baoshan told him.

Jiang Cheng looked behind her and saw Wuxian. Jiang Cheng stood up and went to him, "you actually came back here?" He asked.

"I am sorry about everything that happened," Wuxian told him and went to kneel.

Jiang Cheng stopped him and pulled him into a hug instead, "I am actually glad to see you alive. It was wrong of me to do what I did, and I am the one who should apologize, but also thank you...but why did you do it?"

"Jiang Cheng, you are my Shidi, and I'd do anything for you. Your health was declining and you needed to run the sect. Plus, I promised your parents I'd protect you, even if it cost me my life," Wuxian explained.

"That promise has been fulfilled the moment you gave up your cultivation for me. I should have known something else was going on and I was too blind by politics to see it," Jiang Cheng said.

"Well, we can try to make this right. We found out some things and we are hoping that you could help. It involves knowing who framed me, and it might lead to how Shijie got to the battlefield that day," Wuxian said, "I tried to stop them...but my control was taken and I couldn't—"

"I don't blame you," Jiang Cheng said, "not anymore anyway. She wouldn't have wanted that and I believe you when you said you were framed. I will hear what you have to say and we can work something out."

"Thank You," Wuxian said, "we did bring our adopted son with us, hoping he could meet Jin Ling and maybe have him stay here where it's safe for a while so we can continue our investigation."

"Of course," Jiang Cheng said, "Jin Ling is currently with Elder Li Hua."

"She is still alive?" Wuxian asked, "she survived the Wen Attack?"

"She did, she managed to escape and get to Meishan where my mother grew up," Jiang Cheng said, "she stayed there until she knew it was safe to return. Since then she has been helping me with our nephew."

"That's great," Wuxian said.