Empire (Xichen X OC)

Chapter 21

After the celebration of the final battle, two months passed in peace. The clans were stronger than ever, having formed alliances, and everyone's lives returned to normal. Well, almost everyone's.

Unfortunately, anyone under the Wen surname was chased and taken away. Words said it was concentration camps because they were highly dangerous, being cultivators that survived the final battle by the time of Wen Ruohan's death.

Many seemed to have big hate about them, treating them as if they lower beings. Yet not many could genuinely be heard about what was going on behind the scenes. It was mostly the Yao and Jin clan responsible for it.

They made sure to let as little information as possible. The majority, if not all the cultivators were okay with that. They didn't honestly care about the Wen or their condition and didn't want to have any part of it.

Instead, they wanted to continue with their lives and their goals and their cultivation. I, however, was not like them. The fact that I could barely learn anything about those camps made me suspicious.

I didn't understand why, and it was even weirder when I asked Xichen. Even him, as a sworn brother and a war hero, didn't know much. That was also partially because he never honestly questioned.

He was officially the clan leader, making him have more responsibilities than before. He had to rebuild Cloud Recess back to its formal glory, recruit new cultivators and attend the meetings with Yao.

That cultivator was odd. At first, I didn't pay it much attention, but then I started seeing things. The smile he always wore, it felt fake and maybe even forced. Yet, it was his 'obsession' with Xichen that made me wary around him.

Frequently visiting cloud recess, spending hours having tea with him and wanting to help. Inviting him to different tea meetings in their sect.

Because of that, I happened many times to spend less time with him. With Wangji being occupied looking after Wuxian and actually, coming closer...I was left alone. I had the other disciples, but I never truly bonded with anyone.

I might have been accepted back to the clan, but I was not part of their little community. They were friends, talking and working together. I was the woman who Xichen saw something, the one who was taught by a legendary cultivator.

I stood out like a sore thumb, and I could feel it. They didn't try to hide it that they didn't like me there. Considering the strict rule of no women cultivators in the Sect and yet, me being the exception...I couldn't say I was blaming them.

But you know what? Screw them and their opinions. I didn't need them, and I wouldn't start needing them now. I also wouldn't become dependent on Xichen. No. That was not me, and it would never be me.

With my head high, I ignored each and every one of them. I spent my days studying in the library, practising with my flute, and mastering everything I hadn't. My original goal was always to become a better cultivator, get a name for myself.

It was not too late. I would prove to them that even though I had an outstanding teacher, I was where I was back then because of me. Me, and me alone.

Sometimes, when I would lay on the bed at night, I would turn and look at Zixiu. It would always remind me why Baoshan had named it for me and what it meant.

I was practising my sword fighting with her. Barely a month since I got Zixiu and I had trained non-stop to become familiar with my blade, my partner. I rushed forward, my loyal friend carrying me fast as I aimed to slice the side of my teacher.

She moved back, almost flying as I tried to follow then. Then, she landed and did a semi spin. I missed her body entirely, and I was left open to her attack. With a small strike of spiritual energy from her two fingers, I was sent to the side.