Dust & Gold

39

It's the second day at Qishan for the Conference. The sect leaders met up again to discuss the issues within each sect or just the development of them. As everyone was discussing things peacefully, someone decided to try and stir up trouble.

"I have heard some rumors that I would like some clarification on," Sect Leader Jin said.

"Of course," Sect Leader Wen said. He was also the current chief cultivator so there was no telling what would happen.

"I've had someone recently attend the guest lectures at the Gusu Lan Sect. I was informed that the former head disciple of the Yunmeng Jiang Sect was recently exiled and was taken into the Lan Sect. If the disciple was banished, it would definitely be a stain on the Lan Sect's reputation," Sect Leader Jin explained.

"If this is true, I want this disciple to come forward and tell his story," Sect Leader Wen said.

Wei Wuxian sighed as he couldn't refuse an order from the chief. He stood up and walked the front of the hall and bowed, "I am Wei Ying, courtesy name, Wei Wuxian. I was banished from the Jiang sect but it was because the sect leader did not want to believe his wife was abusing me. He'd rather have some reputation lost for banishing an abused disciple than being shamed for harboring a tyrant who gets off on harming children."

"Do you have proof of these claims of abuse?" Sect Leader Wen asked.

"If you allow me, I have scars on my body. It would require me to remove my robes," Wei Wuxian said.

Wen Ruohan nodded and stepped down from his throne. He then examined Wei Wuxian's body after he removed his robes, "what was used?"

"Whips, chains, branding irons...and Madam Yu Ziyuan's spiritual tool, Zidian," Wuxian answered, "I have spent my time in Gusu healing due to their location and good healing methods."

Wen Ruohan nodded and turned to Sect Leader Jiang, "you allowed this to happen within your sect and even ignored his pleas for help," he said, "you will compensate for the damage. You will give two thirds of your clan's money to him to make up for the damage and costs of medical care. Also, Madam Yu Ziyuan, please stand."

Madam Yu stood up, "sir, I am sorry for my actions."

"Oh you will be," Wen Ruohan said, "Wen Zhuliu! Remove her core."

The people gasped and spoke in whispers. Two disciples held Madam Yu down while Wen Zhuliu crushed her core, disabling her of ever cultivating again. Wei Wuxian bowed to Wen Ruohan, "thank you for allowing me justice," he said.

"Of course," Wen Ruohan said, "also, I already know of your marriage to Lan-Er-Gongzi. You can head back to your seat."

Wuxian bowed once more and went to his seat. The Jiang sect did not even consider giving him any more trouble. Even Sect Leader Jin was nervous about saying something about it again. After the meeting, Wei Wuxian and Wangji went back to their rooms at the inn.

"That was...interesting and unexpected," Wuxian said as he sat down, "do you think Wen Ruohan will still cause the sect issues later?"

"There is no telling," Wangji said, "but how are you doing?"

"Ugh, I am still trying to calm myself down from all of that," Wuxian said, "...that money...what will I do with it all?"

"What we will do, is put it in our vault back at the Sect. We have a place to story it," Wangji said, "we can also put some back at our place in Yiling."

Wuxian nods, "out of everyone to cause a scene today, I wasn't expecting Sect Leader Jin. What did he have to gain from that?"

"He would have been given praise for making something like this come forward. I am sorry if it came about like this," Wangji said.

Wuxian shook his head, "it's fine, I felt as if something was to come up."

"At least they didn't bring up the curse, I was thinking they would want to prove that too," Wangji said.

"That is why I didn't say anything. The compensation of the abuse is enough. If Wai Po has anything else to add, she will deal with it herself," Wuxian said, "but also, two thirds of the sects funds. Will they ever recover from that?"

"They are known for trading and exporting goods on the water. Lotus Pier is also famous for its lotus flowers. People pay just to buy them," Wangji said, "it is the sect's fault in the end for this anyway."

Wuxian nodded, "let's hope nothing else happens."

Wangji nodded.

On the third day of the conference, the discussions continued. Most of the sects were complaining about the extra amount of when disciples everywhere, "I am just setting up a supervision office in each town. It will help me set aid to others quickly," Wen Ruohan told us.

It was obvious that there was more to it but no one was going to say anything more on that. Wen Ruohan has been getting to be a bit aggressive about things lately. With the recent incident that happened to Sect Leader Jiang and his wife, many others were afraid. The disciple the wen sect has known as Wen Zhuliu, was someone who could take a person's cultivation away. It was witnessed firsthand with Madam Yu.

During the conference, the sects would have a recess every so often for a break but also there was a break for lunch. The Lan Sect members were raised to not be picky but when it comes to excessive spices, they tend to forget that rule. They all just fed a bowl of rice and steamed vegetables. Anything else was too spicy for them. To Wuxian it was perfectly fine.

During the meals, Sect Leader Wen's two sons would come out to supervise. They were hot headed and arrogant. They would taunt the Lan Sect members but when they got no reaction, they moved on. It seems that the two sons were just trying to stir up trouble. Wuxian couldn't help but shake his head.

After the meal, the meeting resumed. Wuxian was bored out of his mind but he sat through it. Wangji helped a bit by occasionally taking Wuxian's hand under their shared table and played with Wuxian's fingers. Wuxian blushed when this first happened but he realized no one was really paying attention to them, so he let Wangji be. To Wuxian, it was just nice to hold hands with his husband.