Mischief in Gusu

Chapter 7: A Day of Playful Chaos

The Cloud Recesses were bathed in the warm morning sunlight as Wei Wuxian bounded down the stone steps, a grin on his face as he half-skipped, half-walked toward the training grounds. Lan Wangji followed behind, his usual calm demeanor masking the faint amusement that flickered in his eyes at Wei Wuxian’s boundless energy.

"Wei Ying," Lan Wangji called out, his voice soft but steady, "what are you planning?"

Wei Wuxian slowed, turning to walk backward so he could face Lan Wangji, his grin widening. "You’ll see, Lan Zhan. Don’t you trust me?"

Lan Wangji raised a single eyebrow. "Trust? Yes. Predict? No."

Wei Wuxian burst out laughing, clearly delighted by Lan Wangji’s dry wit. "Fair enough! But I promise it’s nothing too dangerous. Just a little fun."

As they approached the training grounds, the sound of clashing swords and the voices of the junior disciples filled the air. Lan Jingyi and Lan Sizhui were sparring, while several other juniors watched with interest. Seeing the two senior cultivators approach, the juniors straightened up immediately, but their wide eyes betrayed their curiosity.

Lan Sizhui bowed respectfully. "Hanguang-jun, Senior Wei."

Lan Jingyi, unable to hide his excitement, blurted out, "Senior Wei, are you going to show us some new tricks today?"

Wei Wuxian winked at him. "Ah, Jingyi, always ready for something exciting. Maybe later." His gaze shifted toward Lan Wangji, who stood tall beside him, and his grin turned sly. "But first, I was thinking we could have a little competition. A duel, just for fun. What do you say, Lan Zhan?"

Lan Wangji blinked slowly, his face impassive. "A duel?"

Wei Wuxian nodded, clearly pleased with his own idea. "Yeah! We haven’t sparred in a while, and I’m sure the juniors would love to see it. Right?" He looked over at the gathered disciples, who all nodded eagerly.

Lan Wangji glanced at the eager faces of the juniors before turning back to Wei Wuxian. "If that is what you wish, Wei Ying."

Wei Wuxian’s smile softened for just a moment. It never failed to amaze him how easily Lan Wangji indulged him, even in his most impulsive ideas. "Great! Don’t go easy on me, Lan Zhan. I want to see how well you fight when you’re not holding back."

Lan Wangji’s expression didn’t change, but there was a subtle intensity in his eyes that Wei Wuxian recognized all too well. Lan Wangji never spoke of it, but the idea of facing Wei Wuxian in combat always stirred something in him—a need to protect, even when it wasn’t necessary.

The juniors quickly cleared the training grounds, giving the two senior cultivators space. Excitement buzzed in the air as they watched their idols prepare to spar. The contrast between Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji was as stark as ever—Wei Wuxian with his wild, untamed energy, and Lan Wangji with his composed, disciplined calm.

Wei Wuxian took a few playful steps forward, tossing a grin over his shoulder. "Let’s make it interesting, Lan Zhan. If I win, you have to…"

Lan Wangji tilted his head slightly. "What do you want?"

Wei Wuxian’s grin grew mischievous. "If I win, you have to wear one of those ridiculous flower crowns again, and this time, you have to keep it on for the rest of the day."

There was a collective gasp from the juniors, followed by a few stifled giggles. Lan Sizhui gave Lan Wangji a worried glance, as if wondering how he would react to such a proposition.

Lan Wangji’s face remained perfectly neutral, but Wei Wuxian could see the smallest flicker of amusement in his eyes. "And if I win?"

Wei Wuxian tapped his chin thoughtfully. "If you win, I’ll…" He paused for dramatic effect. "I’ll be good for the whole day. No pranks, no teasing, no causing trouble."

Lan Wangji’s lips twitched. "That is not possible."

The juniors snickered, and even Wei Wuxian laughed at that. "Well, I can try, can’t I?"

Lan Wangji stepped forward, his hands resting gracefully on the hilt of his sword. "Very well."

Without another word, Wei Wuxian summoned Suibian, his expression turning serious for a moment as he weighed the sword in his hand. He hadn’t used it much since recovering it, and sparring with Lan Wangji was always a reminder of the level of skill required to keep up with him. Despite the playful tone, Wei Wuxian knew that this would be no ordinary match.

The juniors gathered closer, forming a respectful circle around the training grounds, eager to watch the duel unfold.

With a single, smooth motion, Lan Wangji drew Bichen, the sword gleaming in the sunlight. He stood in a perfect stance, his expression calm and composed, as though waiting for Wei Wuxian to make the first move.

"Come on, Lan Zhan," Wei Wuxian teased, spinning Suibian in a lazy arc. "Don’t hold back."

Lan Wangji didn’t respond, but the intensity in his gaze spoke volumes. He made the first move, a swift strike aimed at Wei Wuxian’s left side. Wei Wuxian easily parried, the sound of their swords clashing ringing through the courtyard.

The duel was a graceful dance of speed and precision. Wei Wuxian’s movements were fluid and unpredictable, his swordplay infused with his playful nature, while Lan Wangji’s strikes were controlled and exact, every motion deliberate. The juniors watched in awe, their eyes wide as they tried to follow the rapid exchange of blows.

Wei Wuxian grinned as he leaped back, landing nimbly on his feet. "You’re getting faster, Lan Zhan."

Lan Wangji’s response was another swift attack, forcing Wei Wuxian to block and step to the side. Wei Wuxian, always the strategist, took advantage of the opening and feigned a counterstrike, only to dart behind Lan Wangji with a laugh.

"Too slow, Lan Zhan!"

Lan Wangji turned quickly, his expression unreadable, but Wei Wuxian could see the faintest glimmer of amusement in his eyes. They continued their duel, moving fluidly across the training grounds. Wei Wuxian reveled in the exhilaration of it all—facing Lan Wangji, feeling the familiar rush of adrenaline, and, most importantly, enjoying the unspoken connection that their sparring brought out.

After a particularly swift exchange, Lan Wangji managed to disarm Wei Wuxian, Suibian clattering to the ground a few feet away. The juniors gasped in surprise, but Wei Wuxian merely grinned, his eyes sparkling with mischief.

"Looks like you win this round, Lan Zhan," Wei Wuxian said, catching his breath.

Lan Wangji lowered his sword and stepped closer, his expression softening as he regarded Wei Wuxian. "You fought well."

Wei Wuxian picked up Suibian and sheathed it, brushing off his robes with a satisfied sigh. "Not bad for an old man like me, right?" He winked, earning a few more giggles from the juniors.

Lan Wangji shook his head, the barest hint of a smile playing at his lips. "You are far from old, Wei Ying."

As the juniors dispersed, chatting excitedly about the duel, Wei Wuxian turned to Lan Wangji with a mock-serious expression. "So, what do you want me to do? Be good for the rest of the day?"

Lan Wangji gave him a sidelong glance. "That was the agreement."

Wei Wuxian groaned dramatically. "You’re going to make me suffer, aren’t you?"

Lan Wangji’s gaze softened. "Just stay by my side."

Wei Wuxian blinked, surprised by the simple request, and then his smile turned warm. "That, Lan Zhan, I can do."

And so, side by side, Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji walked together through the Cloud Recesses, the unspoken bond between them stronger than ever. No matter what chaos or mischief Wei Wuxian might bring, Lan Wangji was always there, steady and unyielding, just as Wei Wuxian was always the spark of life that lit up Lan Wangji’s quiet world.