The Song of Inquiry | The Untamed 陈情令

Chapter 41: Truth Untold

LOTUS PIER IS VERY KNOWN to it's great reputation as the neutral disciplined sect. They taught their disciples in a very serious manner, etiquette was most not likely applied but in terms of that, they're able to produce great cultivators - Wei WuXian and the leader of the sect, Jiang Wanyi.

Ashley and Lan XiChen rode in a boat to make their way towards the sect, after the sudden news by Wen Qing, they both immediately went there to help Jiang Cheng. She believes it is connected to Jin Guangyao...but she can't conclude yet, she wanted to see it for herself.

XiChen noticed her serious gaze towards Lotus Pier, "Ashley, are you alright?" he asked. She stared at him and smile, "Well...i'm nervous, I had this gut feeling that this is connected to our situation." she replied. XiChen stretch a soft smile, "Do not worry much, it can lessen your attentiveness."

Ashley chuckled, "Well, is the great and honourable ZeWu Jun is teaching me the golden rule of Gusu?" she teasingly asked. XiChen suddenly get what she meant, "I think so." he replied as both of them smiled to each other, not long a man exclaimed, "Lan XiChen of GusuLan sect is here!!" the voice caught everyone's attention. All eyes are on hers, a cacophony of voices welcome her.

Ashley began to doubt if going in Lotus Pier is a mistake, but she cannot think of that now...Lotus Pier is indeed in danger. As both of them walk through the entrance, many girls muffling some nonsense. XiChen notice her uncomfortable expression, I guess Ashley feel unease around these people He deeply thought before he place his hand beside her waist - much to her surprise.

Aiya! What is he doing?! she screamed in her thoughts, her cheeks are already pink in embarrassment. Suddenly, she realized what he is doing, her eyes widen in realization.

He is introducing me as his partner to everyone...

She chuckled awkwardly as both of them walk their way towards the main hall of Lotus Pier which Jiang Cheng expect them inside. Both of them bow in front of him, "Jiang gonzi..." Ashley greeted. Jiang Cheng crossed his arms, "I am glad you two came, where's Wen Qing?" he asked.

"Jiang gonzi, Wen Qing didn't come with us...she went with Nie gonzi to do their task at hand." Lan XiChen replied. Jiang Cheng stretch a playful smirk, "Tsk, I see. Well, some of my people are
injured...dead living corpses enter the Lotus Pier." he spoke, "They all thought it's Wei WuXian." he added, saying his name slowly makes him bitter.

XiChen stare back and forth, he became curious why Jiang Cheng's nephew, Jin Ling is not with him. He notice XiChen's gaze, "ZeWu Jun, what's wrong?" he asked. Lan XiChen stretch a soft smile, "Why Jin Ling is not with you?" he replied.

"Wait...what?!" Jiang Cheng exclaimed as he stare back and forth, the soldiers behind him became alert and all of them split up to find Jin Ling who escaped unbeknownst to them. Jiang Cheng's eyes redden, "THAT BRAT!" he exclaimed while XiChen speechlessly helped him.

"Senior Wei!", SiZhui exclaimed while Wei WuXian caught his attention and stared at him. SiZhui walk towards him, "Jingyi and I found something." he added. Wei WuXian raise an eyebrow in curiosity, "Hm? what did you find?" he asked. He follow SiZhui until they heard a sound of a dog.

Wei WuXian's eyes widen and hesitantly hide behind Lan Wangji's back, "D-Dog!!" he exclaimed. Lan Wangji on the other hand, sigh deeply as he somehow never understood why Wei WuXian is scared of dogs. 16 years back, he learned of his fear while he violated the rules in Gusu, despite of that, he hid it from Shufu.

Is not bad to ask in this state...right?

Lan Wangji held a deep sigh and emotionlessly stared at him, "Wei Ying...why are you afraid of dogs?" he asked. Wei on the other hand, felt this odd feeling whenever Lan Wangji asked him - as if he is curious about him. He stretch an awkward smile, "Err...don't ask me either..." he replied.

For some reason, Lan Wangji became sad in the inside knowing that he cannot unravel something about him. Wei WuXian noticed his cold and unsatisfied gaze, his heart soften as he give in, "Fine fine! I-I'll tell 'ya..." he replied, "When I was a kid living in the streets, I used to steal food from street dogs so I had to survive because they keep chasing me...luckily, Jiang Fengmian save and kept me from their sect..." he added.

Song Lan on the other hand, watched the two - he cannot determine whether both of them have this strange relationship or just in love. But seeing them interact remind him of XingChen, under some circumstances, he deeply had knowledge about the reincarnated person of Wei WuXian whom he investigated 6 years ago.

From what happened, Song Lan and XingChen's fate has changed - XingChen never got blind, both of them escaped during Xue Yang's sudden attack where they both conclude it's Guangyao's doing.
Yet, they both went parted because XingChen believed that it is the best of them. All of those years, they never see each other again.

His thoughts interrupted when Jingyi exclaimed, "WE FOUND JIN LING!" Lan Wangji and Wei WuXian gaze towards them, "What the?!" he reacted when both of them including Song Lan walk towards them where Jin Ling is there with his ally, Ouyang ZiZhen. Wei WuXian roll his eyes in confusion, "Damn, why are you here?!" he asked.

Jin Ling scratch his head awkwardly, "Err, I-I investigate Yi City with ZiZhen..." he make up an excuse but failed to convey when he saw Lan Wangji with them, he deeply respected the noble cultivator for his excellence and discipline manner. He sigh in defeat, "I...I honestly went there, because I believe you'll be here, W-Senior Wei..."

"Eh??" Wei WuXian replied, he became dumbfounded in this situation, yet Jin Ling is Jiang Yanli's son, so he has no choice but to make up to him...since his father and Shijie's husband died because of him technically. So he nodded, "Well, come with us! It's better not to go alone, we are facing a huge and dangerous bastard in here!" Jin Ling became so much dumfounded around him despite his selfish behaviour inherited from Jiang Cheng.

Ashley explore the main hall while the two converse about the situation. She realized that she mostly never explore of this place 6 years ago. She let out a deep sigh, I guess...the sudden attack of the aqua demon says it all...gladly I have this opportunity to explore just a little bit...she thought.

Compare to her symptoms of being Wei WuXian's reincarnation, dreaming of his past memories stopped. It seems because he is alive, the part of her being the reincarnated one has slowly vanish...which she became slowly confused, she starts to assume that perhaps it was the song of inquiry's doing or effect on her.

But she can't argue much...or make sudden conclusions.

As she explore the weapon hall, there she discover a wall filled with ancient swords. She scratch her head out in curiosity and slowly walk towards the wall, Ashley's eyes widen in surprise when she realized that the swords display there are from Jiang Fengmian, the father of Jiang Cheng even Madam Yu's sword, whom she knew that it was never used because Madam Yu use her zidian often, which it's given from Jiang Cheng as he uses it 'til today.

Yet her eyes caught an attention of a dizi hang beside the swords of the tragedy lovers, Ashley suddenly realized what it was, her eyes stared in familiarity while her heart ache rapidly. Tears began to flow down her eyes when she realized that this object is somehow...

chen...qing

~~

a/n:
1. Shijie - it's a Chinese term where it is used to call your older sister.
2. Dizi - Chinese traditional Flute