Memories of the Lotus Pier

二

十
年
后

Ten years later

Jiang Cheng snapped back into reality. Shaking his head, he looked around him to see corpses littering the Burial Mounds, fresh blood staining the black rock.

He saw Lan Zhan, the second child of Lan, the Light-Bearer, holding his guqin, his fingers dripped in blood due to playing for a long period of time. His expression was mixed; horror, sadness and anger.

Lan Zhan scrambled to the edge of the cliff, where Wei Wu Xian was thrown off by his brother, who betrayed him. He looked down to see if he had the slimest chance of being alive, but the body at the foot of the cliff showed no movement. He dropped to his knees, knowing that there was no way that he could save him now.

Tears ran down his cheeks uncontrollably, and Jiang Cheng felt the slightest pang of guilt.

Wei Wu Xian had stolen his father's attention, he took away his home as well as his sister and her husband. Wei Wu Xian also practiced demonic cultivation, which sent the Jiang Clan's reputation down a mountain.

Despite all the horrible things he did, Wei Wu Xian also gave him the joy and wonderful memories of having a brother that he never had.

Unfortunately, the jealousy and hatred that accumulated in him could not completely be cleansed away.

He slowly stepped back, walking away, leaving a broken Lan Zhan behind him.

Deep down in his heart, he knew that he loved Wei Wu Xian, but now, his father, his mother, his beloved Shi Jie and his brother are now dead.

Alone, he rebuilt the Jiang Clan with a heavy heart. He raised his Shi Jie's child, Jin Ling, courtesy name Ru Lan given by Wei Wu Xian.

Lan Zhan on the other hand, became more and more introverted and depressed as he once loved Wei Wu Xian. He played The Inquiry on his guqin day after day, hoping that his soul would answer Lan Zhan's inquiry.

Jealousy engulfed Jiang Cheng, and his brother died because of it. Today, the laughter of the two brothers remains only amongst the lakes and lily pads.