Side by side, Lan XiChen and Lan WangJi strolled along the endless waves of Sparks Amidst Snow.
With a twist of his wrist, Lan XiChen swept over one of the snow-colored flowers, its petals in full bloom. The motion was so gentle that not even a dewdrop fell. He spoke, "WangJi, is there something on your mind? Why have you been so tense?"
Of course, in most people's eyes, the 'tenseness' probably looked no different than Lan WangJi's other expressions.
Lan WangJi's brows sunk low as he shook his head. A few moments later, he replied in a low voice, "Brother, I want to take someone back to the Cloud Recesses."
Lan XiChen was surprised, "Take someone back to the Cloud Recesses?"
Lan WangJi nodded, his expression pensive. After a pause, he continued, "Take him back... and hide him somewhere."
Lan XiChen's eyes immediately widened.
Ever since their mother passed away, this brother of his had gradually become more and more withdrawn. Apart from going on night-hunts, he'd shut himself in his room all day long, reading, meditating, practicing calligraphy, playing his guqin, and improving his cultivation. He never talked much to anyone except for him, his elder brother. Yet, this was the first time that such words found their way outside of his lips.
Lan XiChen, "Hide him somewhere?"
Lan WangJi frowned softly. He began again, "But he is not willing."
Suddenly, the noise of chatter came from before them. Someone spat, "Is this a road that someone like you can walk on? Who let you roam around!"
A young voice replied, "I'm sorry. I..."
Hearing this, Lan XiChen and Lan WangJi looked up at the same time. Beside the wall reliefs stood two men. The one who had just scolded someone was Jin ZiXun, with a few servants and cultivators following behind him. The one who had been scolded was a white-clothed young man. When the man saw Lan XiChen and Lan WangJi, his face immediately went pale. He couldn't even continue with the things he wanted to say. As Jin ZiXun kept up his haughty guise, Jin GuangYao came to the rescue just in time.
He went to the white-clothed man, "The paths of Koi Tower are rather intricate. Young Master Su, it's not your fault that you got lost. You can come with me."
Seeing that he appeared, Jin ZiXun sneered and walked around them. The white-clothed man, however, hesitated, "You know me?"
Jin GuangYao smiled, "Of course I do. Why wouldn't I? Haven't we met each other once? Young Master Su, Su MinShan, your swordsmanship is quite good. I've been thinking ever since the hunt at Phoenix Mountain about what a pity it'd be if such a young talent didn't come to our sect. In the end, though, he did come to our sect. I was over the moon with joy. This way, please?"
There were countless cultivators who sought assistance by going to the LanlingJin Sect like Su She did. He thought that not many people would recognize him, having never expected Jin GuangYao to be able to remember him so clearly, going as far as to praise him, after just one hasty encounter with him. Instantly, Su She seemed to be more relieved. He ceased to look at the Lan brothers and followed Jin GuangYao away, scared that they'd mock or point at him.
Within Glamor Hall, Lan XiChen and Lan WangJi were seated one after the other. In the hall, it wasn't appropriate to continue the discussion that they were holding. Lan WangJi returned to his norm of ice and frost. The GusuLan Sect was famous for its abstinence from liquor. By Jin GuangYao's arrangements, no liquor cups were placed on either of the two's table. There was only a teacup and a few fresh, dainty dishes. Nobody had come forth and proposed them any toasts, either, so all was calm.
