The Untamed (Season 2)

Chapter 21

We Wuxian's P.O.V

The days swiftly passed, and we found ourselves on our way to A Ling's hometown, a place steeped in memories and familiar faces. Our mission was clear: to investigate the cause of the recent typhoon that had wreaked havoc in Gusu Lan. As October 30th approached, I felt a mix of excitement and trepidation; tomorrow would mark my birthday, and with it, the realization that I was growing older.

Upon our arrival in A Ling's hometown, we were warmly greeted by the locals. Their faces lit up with smiles, yet I couldn't shake the feeling that a lingering fear still resided in their eyes as they glanced at me. Side by side with my husband, Lan Zhan, we made our way through the crowd. I noticed Jiang Cheng, ever observant, scrutinizing the cultivators milling about in A Ling's town, a habit of his that always kept us on our toes.

After a while, Jiang Cheng approached us, as serious as ever. "Don't forget, later this evening, we'll be starting our investigation," he reminded us. Lan Zhan and I nodded in agreement, the weight of our task settling in.

As we arrived at the grand mansion that would serve as our temporary abode, we momentarily parted ways with Jiang Cheng. Lan Zhan and I retreated to our room to rest, the air thick with an unspoken tension.

Once inside, Lan Zhan turned to me, his brow furrowed in thought. He expressed his unease about the guard stationed outside the mansion, raising my curiosity. "What makes you suspicious?" I asked, my own eyebrows arching in surprise.

He explained, "Even A Ling doesn't know who that guard is." The implication sent a shiver down my spine. A faint realization began to dawn on me.

"What if someone is attempting to mislead us, making us believe we know more about the typhoon than we actually do?" I mused, my mind racing. "After all, only the Jin Clan has a true understanding of the typhoon's power, right?"

Lan Zhan nodded thoughtfully, and together we recalled the harrowing events from our teenage years when we faced monsters from the depths of the sea. Back then, Jin Zixuan had seemed at a loss, utterly unprepared to confront such challenges.

If the Jin Clan wasn't behind this, then it's possible there was someone here, posing as a member of their clan while being a demonic cultivator in disguise! The notion sent a thrill of apprehension through me, sharpening my focus for the evening ahead. We had to uncover the truth before it was too late.

'In the evening'

"Are you ready?" Lan Zhan asked softly, his hand gently caressing my back. I met his gaze with a bright smile, and he returned it with a softness that warmed my heart. We quietly slipped out of our room, the night air cool against our skin as we ventured into the dimly lit corridors. Our mission was clear: we needed to find Jiang Cheng and Zewu Jun.

As we made our way outside, we were relieved to spot A Yuan, Jingyi, and Wen Ning in the backyard. They were engaged in a casual conversation, their laughter echoing serenely in the night. When we approached them, we briefly explained our investigation, and to my surprise, they insisted on joining us. Realizing we could use their support, we agreed and turned our collective focus toward our search.

After some time wandering the outskirts of the familiar grounds, we caught sight of Jiang Cheng and Zewu Jun amid the trees. They seemed to blend into the forest, but as soon as they noticed us, they descended from the branches with ease, landing soundlessly on the forest floor.

Jiang Cheng cleared his throat, his expression serious. "I'm suspicious about the guard," he stated, his voice low and deliberate.

I nodded in agreement. "We are too." I encouraged him to continue as he explained what had transpired earlier. The guard had left his post at 6:00 p.m., but Jiang Cheng had spotted him again at 7:30 p.m. near A Ling's door. When the guard attempted to open the door, Jiang Cheng rushed toward him, prompting the guard to flee in a hurry.

"So it means he knew that we know?" I ventured, crossing my arms thoughtfully. Jiang Cheng confirmed my suspicion with a curt nod.

This was beginning to unravel into something far more intriguing than we had initially anticipated. Suddenly, the rustling of leaves interrupted our contemplation. Lan Zhan acted swiftly, scooping me up and hiding us both behind the thick trunk of a tree, our breath held in unison.

While Jiang Cheng engaged with the juniors and Zewu Jun, we remained silent, straining our ears to identify the source of the noise. My heart raced as I squinted through the foliage, my pulse quickening with each footstep. To my shock, I glimpsed Jin Ling approaching us, his expression a mix of determination and uncertainty.

We spotted another man accompanying Jin Ling, and my heart sank. Could this kid really be trying to betray us?

Jin Ling turned to face the man, his expression shifting with a mix of authority and confidence. "We had an agreement. You completed the task with the typhoon," he stated firmly. Hearing those words felt like a dagger to my heart. I cast a quick glance at Jiang Cheng, who was perched on a nearby tree branch, his fists clenched tightly. The look on his face revealed his deep sense of betrayal as he watched our nephew align himself with the enemy.

The man nodded in acknowledgment. "Yes, Sect Leader Jin," he replied, bowing slightly before making his exit.

With the man gone, Jin Ling stood alone, a smirk creeping across his face. "Now I can finally live my life with Sizhui, free from their interference," he declared, his tone dripping with a sense of triumph. Just as he began to turn away, Jiang Cheng descended from the tree with a determined grace, drawing Zidian from his ring in a swift motion. Without hesitation, he slashed it toward Jin Ling, a flash of anger fueling his every movement.

Jin Ling was taken aback, his body trembling as he struggled to rise, but the weight of Zidian held him firmly in place. The sheer power of Jiang Cheng's tool rendered him helpless, a stark reminder of their strained relationship.

Jiang Cheng's anger boiled over, his voice rising to a furious pitch. "ARE YOU LOSING YOUR MIND!?" he shouted, each word punctuated with raw outrage. The intensity of his gaze felt like a physical blow, pinning Jin Ling further to the ground.

Stunned into silence, Jin Ling averted his gaze, his eyes fixed on the dirt beneath him. The shame was palpable, filling the air with tension. I watched him, tears welling in my eyes, the pain of confusion and betrayal overwhelming.

"Why?" I finally managed to ask, my voice barely above a whisper, filled with a mix of desperation and hurt.

A Ling remained mute, his expression shifting as he caught sight of Sizhui. His eyes widened, as if realizing the gravity of the situation only now.

He opened his mouth to explain himself, to bridge the gap of misunderstanding, but before he could find the words, Sizhui interjected, his voice laced with fury. "What on earth did you do!? Have you lost your mind? I can't be around you anymore!" Sizhui's words were like daggers, sharp and painful, and with that, he turned on his boots, leaving Jin Ling behind in a storm of emotions. Wen Ning and Jingyi followed him, their expressions mirroring his disappointment.

As if sensing the need to protect me from the unfolding drama, Lan Zhan grabbed my hand and began to pull me away. He didn't want me to cry over Jin Ling, the turmoil in his heart evident in his determined stride as he led us both into the quiet shadows, away from the chaos.