The Song of Inquiry | The Untamed 陈情令

Chapter 04: Clarity

ASHLEY, ALREADY DRESSED IN BLACK AND RED KIMONO perfumed smell of fresh bath satisfied her while walking with Lan Wangji towards Lan Qiren's room, the two never spoke after what happen in the bathtub. She felt shy about it and she can feel that Lan Wangji felt the same, Lan Wangji opened the door as Lan Xichen is already there with Lan Sizhui and Lan Jingyi beside him. "Uncle." Ashley and Lan Wangji bowed as Lan Qiren nodded,

"Since Ashley is here, we will accompany her in a journey." Ashley widen her eyes when she heard her real name, "You two,,,know?" she asked as Lan Sizhui nodded, "yes, we are curious of your flute playing skills...because Master Wei is the only one who could play such a soothing music compare to Lan Xichen...we clarify our doubts to Master Lan and he told us the truth." Ashley smiled as she replied,

"ohhh is that so? Well it seems I am not using 'Usagi' anymore..." Ashley muttered as Lan Sizhui smiled, "Did you pick that name because HanGuang-Jun like rabbits?" he said as Ashley blushed, "Mn?" Lan Wangji asked and stared at Ashley who is already blushing, she shook her head and chuckled,

"So, what are we waiting for? To the Lotus Pier we go!" Ashley exclaimed as Lan XIchen chuckled in response while Lan Sizhuia and Lan Jingyi walk beside her - Lan Wangji behind them. Lan Xichen whispered to Lan Qiren, "She's still the same as we knew." Lan Qiren nodded.

The travel in Lotus Pier is not that hard, the boat is the only transportation and seems Lan Zhan and Ashley are in the same boat while Lan Xichen and Lan Qiren in the other while Lan Sizhui and Lan Jingyi are in the other. As they passed the entrance of Lotus Pier, the cacophony of me and woman endorsing their products triggered Ashley's memories of the days she spent in her time - her grandma and her walk alongside the corner while the market is filled with goodies and food.

As she stared she saw the liquor called "Emperor's smile" which a memory flashed upon her where Wei Wuxian considered it as his most tasty liquors. Lan Wangji noticed Ashley's stare in awe in the liquor and smirked, knowing the reason why.

"Gusu Lan Sect is here!" exclaimed the old man as both went out of the boat while Jiang Cheng is already there with his nephew, Jin Ling - Ashley widen her eyes as she remembered in the series that Jin Ling is the son of Jiang Yanli and Jin Zhixuan who both died - Ashley felt the sting of pain, Wei Ying...I feel your pain she thought to herself as they walk towards and greeted them.

"Good evening, Yunmeng Leader Jiang Cheng." Ashley greeted as Jiang Cheng stared at her didn't reply. "As I expected, I never knew Lan Xichen would bring a girl." Lan Xichen smiled, "Do not worry she is a very important guest, Yunmeng Leader Jiang Wanyi" He replied as Jiang Cheng smirked and replied, "Very important indeed." For Ashley, she read human behavior and seems she cringed when she saw Jiang Cheng's fake act.

I'm not a fool, Jiang Cheng...I knew...that you knew... she thought to herself as they both walked towards the Sword Hall of Lotus Pier. "Sit and indulge yourselves." Jiang Cheng spoke as they are about to sit when he added, "Ashley." She widen her eyes when she heard her name.

"Uhhh...yes?" she asked as Jiang Cheng's glare give her the creeps. "I will talk to you for a moment." She nodded as she was about to get up, Lan Wangji hold her wrist with a 'are you going to be fine' expression as she nodded and continue to follow Jiang Cheng whose waiting on her near the riverside. "Yes, Yunmeng Le-"

"I know your situation and I don't care if your him or not! I just want to say is that..." Jiang Cheng stop as tears began to flow down in his both cheeks. Ashley walk towards him as she wipe his tears away, "Jiang Cheng, whatever Wei Wuxian did to make you like these...don't blame him...yes, he is a hero and a villain that every people sees...but remember, he never want to shadow you from that role...he did what he is doing in the past..." Jiang Cheng shoved Ashley away.

"How? How are you in this time? Who put you in this situation?" Ashley replied, "I don't actually know...I wish I would find a way to do s-"both are disturbed when a sound from the riverside startled them. Jiang Cheng prepared his Zidian whose inside is a spiritual whip as he move Ashley beside him, "Stay into me, I bet you still can't fight in that girlish figure." Ashley chuckled,

"You know, you are a bastard and a joker at the same time." Jiang Cheng chuckled as a creature rise above. Jiang Cheng's expression turn into serious when he point his Zidian to the creature and pushed Ashley away.

"Ash! Call the others! While I deal with this thing!" he exclaimed as Ashley surprised when he called her Ash, "you're still calling me names?" Ashley sarcastically asked as Jiang Cheng exclaimed, "Call them out, Idiot!" Ashley was about to run back when Lan Wangji, Lan Xichen, Lan Sizhui and Lan Jingyi came to fight the creature.

"What the hell is that thing?!" Jin Ling exclaimed as Lan Wangji summon his Guqin and play the Lan Assassination technique to aim the demon, "It's the Aqua Demon!" Ashley exclaimed as she pull out her flute and played a music that which she knew out of nowhere - but Wei Wuxian's soul inside her. Wei Wuxian and Lan Zhan already destroyed that thing...I never knew it existed in Lotus Pier she thought to herself as she played the music to calm the Aqua Demon, whose rising higher - aiming both of them.

"Lan Xichen! Play with me!" Ashley exclaimed as Lan Xichen heard her as the two prepare their both flutes and play the song of Clarity. The melody attracts the demon as it stopped form aiming Lan Wangji, Lan Sizhui and Lan Jingyi as it rise and came back to its place by splashing a huge impact of water, Lan Wangji played the assassination technique once more as it perfectly aims the demon as it creates a huge explosion, causing some bits of lotus seeds fell in front of them.

"Yehey! Lotus seeds!" Ashley exclaimed as Jiang Cheng smiled as he knew Wei Wuxian's love for Lotus seeds but deeply feel the hint of pain when he remembered his sister, Jiang Yanli who always play with A-Xian during planting season.

As Ashley ate some Lotus seeds, Lan Qiren spoke to Lan Xichen abou something and walk towards her. "Ashley." She stood up and replied, "Yes?" Lan Xichen continued, "How the demon attacked you two?" Ashley thought for a moment, Oh yes...I didn't thought about that... she thought to herself as she deeply think.

The demon appeared between me and Jiang Chen...but nothing in particular or related to the reason I am here...but what if the sudden murders? But I wonder how it happened...she thought to herself as she replied, "What I think is that Aqua demon is the cause of killings around Lotus Pier and no particular connection with my situation." Lan Qiren nodded, "She is right...we still need to find other clues." He said as Lan Wangji spoke,

"According to the people around here, the demon appeared 1 week ago and seems Zewu Jun found Ashley a week ago..." Ashley became confused and replied, "What I know about this creature...it appears during the Wen Clan's usage of..." A hint of realization sting her as she stared at Lan Zhan who knew what she meant, "It means...Wei Wuxian's Stygian Tiger Amulet is used in this creature?"