Recesses of the Heart

19

There has always been this feeling of comfort and peace anytime I stepped foot in Cloud Recesses. I have been back with the Lans for almost a week now and I have to admit, I really like it here, I didn't mind the rules anymore either. There were some that seemed I could get away with as long as I am beside Lan Zhan. I have been staying with him, and it's been nice to be in his presence again.

I was standing outside the Jingshi getting some fresh air after having a nice breakfast with Lan Zhan. The back of the Jingshi had a deck and I was leaning over the railing with my elbows holding me up. I was enjoying the peaceful atmosphere. We knew that it would end soon, and since this time was different, the timeline may change too. We were ready for the ambush but all we had to do was wait. We know we have at least a month but there is no telling if that would change.

"Wei Ying," Lan Zhan called, "when did you come out here?"

"Not long ago, just after cleaning up from breakfast," I answered, "are you sure it's safe to call me by my name?"

"There is a barrier around the property of the Jingshi, I am surprised to didn't detect it," Lan Zhan pointed out.

"I sensed it but I didn't know what type of barrier," I told him.

"It's one for privacy. Only Shufu, Father, and Xiongzhang can get past it. We can too, but no one comes here otherwise," Lan Zhan shared.

"Oh," I said, "I guess it's fine for now."

"So why are you by yourself?"

"I am not, you're here with me, are you not?" I pointed out.

Lan Zhan grinned, "I meant why are you out here by yourself?"

"Just wanted some fresh air," I answered, "I know I never admitted this, but I missed the energy here. I know back then I was annoying but there was always something about this place that made my heart want to calm down."

"Being in the mountains, it has a certain energy," He explained, "the more people cultivate here, the more the area seemed to come alive."

"I noticed," I said, "It is much like my grandmother's environment, but the energy she has is more...potent I suppose you could say."

Lan Zhan nodded, "did you want to go to the training grounds for a while?"

"Sure, I think we could use some time training," I said, "did you want to try one of the orbs we brought back?"

"Alright," he agreed.

We gathered our swords before heading out. I had a special qiankun pouch that had the training orbs in it. The more secluded training grounds were empty. I took out an orb and tossed it to the center of the field. Inside was a simple formation of cultivators. Four of them, the goal was to defend from their attacks. This wasn't to fight and defend, this was to test how you defend against them. Lan Zhan nodded when he understood and began the simulation.

Lan Zhan did well. He did well blocking each attack from the four simulations. Lan Zhan was fluid and precise. He knew to kick and knock back, he knew when to counter. Soon the simulation ended and the orb went back into the pouch. I did a warm up simulation similar to that before the two of us sparred. As we sparred, I noticed three people standing aside watching. It was Lan Zhan's Uncle, Father, and Brother. They seemed impressed.

We stopped when Lan Zhan eventually took noticed and we called a draw, "Hi," I greeted.

"You two fight well," Qingheng Jun said, "the training you two did paid off."

"Well, I learned from Baoshan and I have been training Lan Zhan," I said.

"While you are here, would you two like to hold a few training sessions for the disciples?" Qingheng Jun asked, "I am sure they could learn a lot from you two."

I looked at Lan Zhan and we both seemed to have the same thoughts, "Sure," I said looking back at them, "there are some things that I can't share as they are secrets of Baoshan's but I can share what I am allowed to."

"We appreciate it," Lan Qiren said, "how has your stay been?"

"It has been well," I answered, "I have always felt at ease here. I was always so busy at Lotus Pier and I don't know if I ever felt this comfortable."

"I am sure a certain person didn't make it easy," Qingheng Jun assumed.

"No it did not," I replied, "Jiang Cheng wasn't any better. I am still really surprised how different they treat me because they don't know who I really am. I know for a fact, it would change if they did."

"Have you ever wondered why the Madam was so harsh at you?" Qingheng Jun asked.

"She always thought I was a bastard son of my mother and Sect Leader Jiang. It was clearly something that always bothered me. The amount of times I heard how much my parents loved each other, I knew it was a lie," I answered.

"Why would she say such a thing?" Lan Qiren asked, "Sect Leader Jiang never corrected her on this accusation?"

"No, which is the most frustrating thing about it is that he never said anything. I just stood there like a coward and let her walk all over him. I am sure he knew how she treated me too. I think I just didn't want to believe it back then because I felt I owed them for taking me in. Later, someone told me that just because the offered to help me doesn't mean I should owe them anything. They offered to take me in and care for me but they just wanted more from me," I explained.

"How can you now still be under their care?" Qingheng Jun asked.

"I almost didn't go back, but I hid my identity for a reason. I felt that even though they treated me terribly, the other disciples did not. They were like my shidi and shimei. They are the most innocent of them. It isn't their fault they have a tyrant for a leader," I answered, "I won't be with them much longer though. Even if my identity never comes out to them, I will eventually secede. I am sure you know who my heart truly lies with."

They all smiled and stared at Lan Zhan. I noticed the hint of red covering his ears. I giggled knowing that I had an effect on him this much. It was so cute.