Recesses of the Heart

32

~*Wei Wuxian's POV*~

Lan Zhan and I were talking with his Shufu and Qingheng Jun. They seemed very concerned about why Xichen would protect Meng Yao when there were witnesses and I was a victim.

"He did not see Meng Yao do it, and he believed Meng Yao did it under Sect Leader Wen's orders?" Qingheng Jun questioned.

"Meng Yao stabbed Wei Ying after Wen Ruohan was killed. Just before Brother came in," Lan Zhan answered.

"I see," Qingheng Jun said, "he may try to do what I did with your mother."

I saw Lan Zhan's face get three shades darker. I saw the anger radiating from him, "if he did that, Meng Yao will not stop until Wei Ying is dead. He said he had plans," Lan Zhan said.

"I told Chifeng Zun to keep Xichen away from Meng Yao," Lan Qiren said, "and Meng Yao is being thoroughly watched. His trail is in three days in Qinghe. You two have to be there."

"We understand," I said, "I am bringing Wai Po along as she will have my medical report."

"Good idea," Qingheng Jun said.

"Father?!" Xichen called out from outside.

We all stood, "what is it?" Qingheng Jun asked.

"You have to do something," Xichen said as he entered, then looked at us, "drop the charges."

"No!" I yelled, "don't you get it? He will come after me again if I do. We know his plans."

"What plans?" Xichen asked.

"Using Wei Ying, and if he cannot, kill him," Lan Zhan said, "if he dies, so will I."

"It's not like you are bonded, and you are immortal," Xichen said.

"We are bonded," I said, "not by marriage yet but we sealed the soul bond through our blood. We made that oath already. And we may be immortal but the right methods can get us killed. Did you not learn anything about the elemental essences and cores?"

"He should have, it's the basics for every one in a child's lecture. They need to learn the fundamentals of the golden core and elemental essences. It's one of the first things they are taught as they start learning around the time they form their core," Lan Qiren said, "Xichen, Meng Yao stabbed Wei Ying after Wen Ruohan's death. He tries to kill a future member of our clan. Not only that, the heir of Immortal Sanren. Do you know how serious this is? It's not that simple as to drop the charges."

I looked at Zewu Jun carefully, "why are you in such denial about this?"

"I am not, I just care about him. I'm the only one who does as he doesn't have the support of his father," Zewu Jun spat. His anger was justified but at the same time, he needs to know the truth.

"You believe that Lan Zhan and I have been reborn?" I questioned.

"Yes," Zewu Jun said, "Wangji is one to never lie. As he is betrothed to you and trusts you, I am inclined to believe you too."

"Lan Zhan told me about the day my demise was eminent," I said, "I was sent a letter from Lan Zhan. Meng Yao persuaded his brother Jin Zixuan to invite me to my nephew's one month celebration even after I've been cast out of the cultivation world and accused of harboring criminals. They knew with being invited by Lan Zhan, I couldn't say no. Plus it was my marital sister and I loved her like a real sibling would. I looked forward to it as I was already alone.

"On my way, I had Wen Ning. As Lan Zhan told you all everything you know what came of him. He was my only protection. I was ambushed, told I cursed some Jin who I didn't even know. Because of this ambush, Meng Yao told Jin Zixuan about where his cousin was and came to us. He tried to stop it. I was scared and I let my control slip just once. A second flute took over and commanded Wen Ning to kill everyone there. The two Jin heirs died. I was accused.

"You have to imagine the pain Lan Zhan went through when he learned this. He worried for me. I tried to come to me but I was already at the pledge conference. A fight broke out when no one would listen...after my death, Lan Zhan told me that you said to him it was for the best. He was already beaten for protecting me, his core sealed and his heart broken. The last straw was his older brother saying that to him. He died shortly after that.

He and I are still trying to overcome this trauma. He and I have each other but we still struggle with support from others. All we have is Qingheng Jun, Shufu, and my grandmother. That's it. I'm even grateful for Chifeng Zun's support, considering we did save his life from Meng Yao too," I didn't know what came over me to say all that. Once my mouth opened, I just couldn't stop.

"You want to talk about betrayal, I know!" I told him, "but Meng Yao's betrayal to you, is nothing compared to being betrayed by the entire cultivation world. We suspect it was him who was behind my death back then, and his actions at Sunshot support those suspicions. So no, I will not drop the charges. If you feel the need to defend him, I have no probably charging you with aiding and abetting his actions. You may be Lan Zhan's brother but you betrayed him yet again. He said if you did, you won't get his trust back ever again!"

Zewu Jun seemed to be at a loss for words. Everyone was. I could feel my control over my anger slipping and had to leave before I hurt someone. I teleported back to my grandmother's mountain and landed at her most secluded training field. The resentment I held finally broke loose.

The pain I held, all that hurt, spilled out. I just stood there crying and screaming, trying to let that energy out hoping it would clear out. After what seemed like a long time, I heard it. I heard the sound that soothed me back then, a song that I fell in love with. That song Lan Zhan sang for me back at Xuanwu's Cave long ago. It was soothing me now. I let it take over me until my head cleared and my body going numb. The next thing I know, I collapse to the ground, the environment around me going dark. The song, never once leaving my senses.