The Song of Inquiry | The Untamed 陈情令

Chapter 17: Make Things Right

"I NEVER SAW THE MASKED MAN MYSELF." Jiang Cheng replied as he stared at Jin Ling, who is still asleep, he woke up at the sudden noise and get up to see himself, but saw Lan Wangji and Lan Xichen aiding the two lan disciples, Lan Sizhui and Lan Jingyi who are already lay down as they had injuries during the unexpected duel of a masked man. Jiang Cheng leave the sleeping Jin Ling and went inside Lan Xichen and Lan Wangji's room.

"This is very interesting..." Lan Sizhui replied as both stared at him.

Jiang Cheng replied, "What do you mean?" Lan Sizhui stared at him and replied,

"The masked man didn't attacked you...but we as a Lan Clan...he did...It's obvious that the man behind this mask is somewhat targeting us." Lan Xichen stood in his sit and dazed upon the opened window, who he assumed is where the masked man entered.

"Well then, it seems we have no time to lose." Lan Wangji suddenly replied as Jiang Cheng stood and replied, "True...tomorrow morning, we will venture to Yi City and save Ashley from Xue Yang..."

"We can interrogate him somehow about the situation...if he has connection in the sudden deaths and odd things around Lotus Pier...and why Ashley is brought in our world." Lan Jingyi added as they all agree with his statement.

"Right, you must two rest..." Lan Wangji replied as Lan Sizhui and Lan Jingyi nodded and rest in their injuries they get from the masked man. Lan Xichen gazed in the window as Lan Wangji walk and stood beside him.

"Do you think...Ashley had a reason of why she is here in the first place?" Lan Xichen replied as Lan Wangji stared at him.

"What do you mean?"

"Ashley talked to me last time...after her return and after you...escort her in her room...she went to the Jingshi and talked to me and Uncle."

Lan Wangji widen his eyes and replied, "What did she told you?"

"It's about a warning...like she knew what will happen in the future...she warned me about Jin Guangyao and she didn't even told me the reason why..." Lan Xichen replied as Lan Wangji thought for a moment.

He knew Ashley is keeping something from him, he admittedly that he had this feelings toward he girl...but he felt it's platonic...and he think she felt the same as well...but, kidnapped and never saw her from about 2 weeks, he didn't refrain himself from being worried for her. He felt the sudden betrayal when Lan Xichen told him about that night where Ashley warned him and uncle. But as the time passed, he deeply understood her perception why she needs to hide it from him.

"What else did she say?"

"That is all she said...I can remember her expression at that time, she is seem worried yet determined at the same time as if she knew what she said is the right thing...for that, I think she will tell it to you sooner or later...just don't tell her or show anything a sign that you knew...don't pressure her...what she is trying to protect or doing...let her be the one to tell you about it..." Lan Xichen replied as Lan Wangji nodded.

He is right... he thought to himself as he returned to his table and summon his qin, he positioned his both hands to the both tip of the instrument and started playing the music he composed to Wei Wuxian. He realized he never said the title of the music he played to him 10 years ago...and in fact he knew to himself he must hide it to himself.

Morning came and all woke up very early, both parties ready themselves as they continue to travel in Yi City. Lan Sizhui and Lan Jingyi's experienced in travelling there is like you enter a horror and never came back. With the two jades of Gusu Lan Sect and Jiang Cheng with his nephew, Jin Ling...both are safe. Their injuries are almost healed, but need more rest since the injuries they received are in the midpoint of critical.

As they finally reached the peak of Yi City, Lan Wangji felt the sense of danger as they walk through the entrance of the city itself. The rumors are indeed true as the city that was once filled with people and cacophony of them since make the place interesting, now it's filled with rotting corpses of unknown people, Lan Sizhui walk towards the body and widen his eyes in his sudden realization.

"HanGuang-Jun, Zewu Jun!" he exclaimed as both walk towards him.

"HanGuang-Jun, Zewu Jun...some of the corpses here are cultivators from different clans..." Jiang Cheng widen his eyes as he recognized some of the corpses.

"It is true...some are one of my own." Jiang Cheng replied as they examined more of the corpses as a sound of footsteps disturbed them.

"What is that?" Jin Ling exclaimed as they unsheathe their swords while Jiang Cheng summon his zidian ring. Lan Wangji is the first one to start walking towards the direction where the sound came from and stared exactly where the sound came from.

Lan Xichen prepared his flute, Lan Sizhui and Lan Jingyi are stood beside him while Jiang Cheng felt attentive when he is the first one to attack the intruder using his Zudian. The masked man caught he magical whip but failed to escape as they whip wrapped all around himself, Jiang Cheng caught the masked man as both parties walk towards him and interrogates the masked man.

Lan Wangji is in the same direction, feeling the same energy around the area, as he was about to walk towards them...an unknown figure bumped into him. His eyes widen when he realized its Ashley. Lan Sizhui noticed Ashley's unconscious figure and suddenly walk towards her.

"Young Miss Ashley!" he exclaimed as Lan Wangji hold Ashley within his embrace and realized she is wearing a modernized clothes. Lan Sizhui came towards them, he became confused at Ashley's clothing.

"I assume she is kidnapped in her time, isn't it?" Lan Xichen asked as Lan Wangji nodded.

Jiang Cheng walk towards them and alongside with Jin Ling, Ashley's eyes open as she realized she is in Lan Wangji's embrace.

"HanGuang-Jun??" she asked as she adjusted her view and stood away from Lan Wangji's embrace.

"W-What happened? How did I?" Ashley asked as Lan Xichen became confused and suddenly realized when an intruder attempt to hit him an unknown sword.

The sword flew where the owner was and realized it was Xue Yang.

"Do you like my present?" he sarcastically asked as Lan Wangji unsheathe his sword and point towards where he stood.

"Well...you see, I never knew she can be useless...I expect more of her...such a weakling human being." Xue Yang added as Lan Wangji gritted his teeth in annoyance while Lan Sizhui guided Ashley's numb body.

Lan Xichen spoke, "The murders around Lotus pier...are you the one who did it?"

Xue Yang chuckled darkly, "Who else would it be? You thought I'm working with someone? Who do you think am I?!" Ashley numbly woke up and chuckled.

"Liar." She replied as Xue Yang widen his eyes through her response.

"So...he is right...you knew everything that is happening didn't you? What a big pretend you are! Who knew the reincarnation of Wei Wuxian can be very arrogant same as him?!" Xue Yang exclaimed as they all stared at Ashley,

Lan Xichen replied, "What are you talking about? Ashley...?" she widen her eyes as she realized what is going on.

Shiya...he is smarter...Wei Wuxian is right about him she thought as her eyes became numb and fainted due to her unhealthy stay.

"Well...don't ask her right now and tell you some bit of things I discover about her...she is a liar and pretend! She knew what is happening! She may seem dumbfounded...but she knew all! What do you think she is planning right now?!" he exclaimed as he was about to say another when Lan Wangji aim his bichen towards him, almost stabbed him, Xue yang smirked and used a portal talisman to escape.

"Damn!" Jiang Cheng exclaimed as Xue Yang escaped out of nowhere and they realized that the masked man is nowhere to be found as well. Lan Wangji brought Ashley in a bridal style as they all decide to come back in the nearest part which is Lotus Pier.