"Why do I need to wear these clothes again?" The redhead tries to ask, his neck already stiff from the jewelry that were hung.
It's even a good thing that they spared Cale the heavy headpiece that they used back then at Qishan.
"Of course you need to be the most beautiful person in that banquet, gege!" Wei Ying says, making the Jiang siblings nod in agreement.
"A-Xian is right. Why are you asking something so obvious, A-Xun?" Jiang Yanli says, making Cale blink for a while like a fish caught in a net.
Why is she using his own words against him anyways? Isn't the pregnancy cravings and mood swings supposed to end when you reached the final month of gestation?
Cale just sighs defeatedly, shrugging it off since he's not the one who is carrying a child in his stomach.
"Since Sect Leader Jin had planned this banquet for months, then we need to doll you up and win this competition." Jiang Cheng suddenly says, spiraling the redhead into confusion.
"Competition? What competition?" The redhead asks, in which the younger simply shook his head.
"It's better off not knowing anything."
He says that but Cale already had a hunch on whatever Jiang Cheng is talking about.
"Shijie." The redhead calls, in which the girl hums.
"When is your due according to the physician?" Cale asks, fixing his earring to make it a bit more comfortable.
"This week, perhaps. So I can't go to the banquet with you." Cale nods in understanding before looking at Xue Yang who was simply watching them.
"Don't worry, gege. I'll be with her all the time." He says without much warmth, but his words are enough.
A part of Cale misses the bubbly and menace of the child, adding it to the pile of regrets that were buried on the redhead's chest.
Even if he wanted to comfort him by giving him is usual favorite candies, Cale knew it wouldn't change a thing.
Xue Yang wouldn't ever get to taste the sweet delicacies that he once loved.
"Gege, you're thinking useless things again." Xue Yang says the moment he sees the fleeting look that was etched in the redhead's face.
Cale just scoffed, but he didn't particularly disagreed at his statement.
"And we're done." Jiang Yanli says, giving her final touch in his eyelid.
"Aiya, there nothing that will beat gege's face." Wei Ying teasingly says, before wiping a fake tear as if he was watching his son finally mature.
"More handsome than your Hanguang-jun?" The redhead says, his lips curling up the moment he sees the switch in the younger's emotion.
"Lan Zhan is another case, gege."
The redhead huffs together with Jiang Cheng and Xue Yang, "Just confess already! I'm sick of seeing you two flirting and dancing around each other!"
Cale cackles, "What makes you think they wouldn't smooch each other's faces whenever they see fit?"
They all ignored the series of words that came out of Wei Ying's mouth, and they also would rather not acknowledge his babbles.
"Let's go." Jiang Cheng says, pulling his two brothers away as Jiang Yanli bid them goodbye.
The moment the girl is out of sight, Cale's two younger brothers turned a whole three sixty degrees in their expressions.
"Don't go anywhere without any of us by your side, gege." Jiang Cheng starts.
Why does these two look like they are going to a bloody war against someone?
"And please stay still as best as you can, gege." Wei Ying then says, in which Cale had received that with an offended look.
Though the redhead is a bit intimated by the two, mainly thanks to their tone and taller stature than him. Cale is sure that he can defend himself, though it's another story if the one who is offending him is a certain Sect Leader.
He is not looking nor pertaining at Jin Guangshan, no he isn't.
"A pleasant evening to the important figure of Yunmeng Jiang."
Speaking of the bastard.
Almost immediately, Jiang Cheng and Wei Ying walked in front of him as if tpp shield him from Jim Guangshan's sight.
In a blink of an eye, Wei Ying was smiling ear to ear, "We are quite flattered for you greeting us personally, Sect Leader Jin."
Before the man could reply, Wei Yung bowed which was followed by Jiang Cheng who pulled Cale down to greet the Sect Leader.
And the man couldn't even utter a word when Jiang Cheng had bid him goodbye and practically run far far away from the bastard.
Seeing how they act, Cale could only sigh and came into a conclusion that the two of them know what was going on between him and the Sect Leader.
The redhead just ignored his conclusion, thinking that he'll talk to them at a later time.
"You look magnificent, Jiangshuai-zun." A girl's voice were suddenly heard, making the three of them look at a familiar face.
"Oh! Mianmian! It's been a long time."
Cale could see how the girl smiled wryly, but the redhead could sense that it was just awkwardness.
"Please call me Luo Qingyang, Young Master. I can't bear Hanguang-jun's gaze every time you call me that." She says, in which Wei Ying just tilted his head.
"Lan Zhan is jealous then?"
Oh? Something is progressing.
"He likes you then?" He then says.
Right, something is indeed progressing, and it's Jiang Cheng's anger not Wei Ying's pea sized brain.
"Listen here once and I won't tell you this ever again. The one that your Lan Zhan likes is you, Wei Wuxian! You! Drill that to your head if it's necessary!" Jiang Cheng says, shaking the older back and forth by his collar.
"Ay ay ay! I'm getting dizzy Cheng Cheng! Spare me!"
Cale simply sighs before looking at Luo Qingyang.
"Thank you for the compliment, Young Lady Luo. You look beautiful tonight as well."
The redhead knew it was simply a greeting, and Cale acknowledges it considering she was the only one who greeted them while the other stood away from them.
Cale was no stranger to the rumors that were circulating around him and Wei Ying, but he knew it's better to ignore such things and mind his own business.
"A-Xun, here you are."
Just then, Sect Leader Jiang arrives.
"My my, Sect Leader. You look quite dashing tonight, are you leaving an impression to Madam Yu?" The redhead teases, making the girl with him stifle a giggle.
"Spare me the embarrassment in front of the Young Lady, Genius of Yunmeng Jiang. Come with me, you too A-Cheng."
Really, this old man and his pettiness.
"What about my brother?" Cale asks, in which Lan Wangji coincidentally appears.
"Wei Ying will be with me."
If it was the usual, Wei Ying would tease the latter saying he misses him and whatnot. But now, Wei Ying was the one who is silent and all flustered, helplessly thinking what Jiang Cheng had said to him just moments ago.
"Then, please excuse us." Jiang Cheng says, already pulling his gege away from the three since he could feel the heavy tension around them.
It wasn't even that long until Luo Qingyang bid them goodbye, feeling the same.
As Cale followed the father and son duo, he looked around the lively banquet.
Wines were given to the guests and women dancing in a stage. And it's obvious enough who is the one who arranged such party.
The moment they finally arrived, several pairs of eyes landed on them making Jiang Cheng inch closer to the older, a frown on his face.
"Ah, Yunmeng Jiang Clan is here. Please sit here." Jin Guangyao says, leading them to their respective tables as Cale looked around.
Lanling Jin, Qinghe Nie, Gusu Lan, Yunmeng Jiang, and Dafan Wen.
At the back there were also people from Baling Ouyang, Laoling Qin, Yao, Meishan Yu, Moling Su which is relatively new, and then...
Hoh?
Cale couldn't help but smile wickedly when he sees a familiar face.
The Yueyang Chang Clan is here. The same Yueyang Chang he dried of money for hitting Xue Yang back then.
"It's been a long time, isn't it Master Chang?" The redhead says, supporting his head by placing his against his own cheek.
Though he didn't quite expect the feisty response he got from the man.
Chang Ci'an glared, while the Sect Leader of Moling Su just patted the man's shoulders as if to calm him down.
Now he have a hunch on who upheld that Clan from being erased in the cultivation world.
Su Minshan.
Cale sometimes wonder why there are so many bastards around him as much as the people he care.
Before Cale could further provoke the old man, a hand stopped him from doing so.
"Behave now, Wei Xianghuan."
It was Wen Qing who was beside him.
"I am rather behaved, Qing-jie." He says with a bashful look.
Wen Qing just raised her eyebrows, "Really now? You're behaved but you didn't see Zewu-jun looking at you like a puppy that was ignored by his owner."
True to her words, Lan Xichen does look at him like an ignored puppy across the room.
Before Cale could greet and wave at the older, Sect Leader Jin arrives.
Goddammit.
"Greetings to all of you, fellow leaders and cultivator. We are here today since I want to suggest something that would further our strength and make it easier for us to work together."
The Sect Leader talked, flattered everyone around the room with his flowery words as the guests below laughed to themselves, unknown to them what the higher ups are talking.
It was basically a meeting between Clan leaders, their heirs and aides.
So that is why Cale was included in this political talk.
How troublesome.
"So you are saying that we should place a chief cultivator?" Nie Mingjue directly says, already tired on whatever the older was saying.
"Precisely, Sect Leader Nie."
Then, Wen Qing had asked, "And how do you plan to do that, Sect Leader Jin?"
Cale could see how fast expression on the man's face flickered into one of distaste before he smiles like nothing happened. And before Jin Guangshan could talk, Sect Leader Jiang defeated him to it.
"How about voting?"
That earned agreement from the crowd, so they casted their votes.
The possible chief cultivators are from the five great clans only. Meaning, the candidates would be Nie Mingjue, Qingheng-jun, Jin Guangshan, Jiang Fengmian and Wen Qing.
"Ah right, I forfeit." Wen Qing suddenly says impassively before the voting could even start.
"Sect Leader Jiang Fengmian." Jin Guangyao says, moving without further ado as his father said.
There were four hands that were raised at the mention of the man's name.
"Qingheng-jun."
Two were raised, including Lan Xichen's hand and also Nie Mingjue's.
"Sect Leader Jin Guangshan."
The moment his name was uttered, seven hands were raised including Jin Guangshan's own(making Cale raise his eyebrow for a while before he calmed his expression).
"Last is Sect Leader Nie Mingjue."
After his name was uttered, the Jiang father and son raised their hands, it was the same to Cale and Wen Qing as four other hands were raised (including Jin Zixuan's).
The vote on Sect Leader Nie is a total of eight, defeated by one vote apart from Sect Leader Jin.
It was silent at first, but Cale could see Jin Guangshan's fist tremble, perhaps in annoyance but the redhead just ignored him then.
"Aha, congratulations Sect Leader Nie! You should host a banquet next time in Qinghe in celebration for your new title." Sect Leader Jin says, yet Cale notice how those words were quite forced.
Though the look on Nie Mingjue's face is confusion as he turns to look at Jiang Fengmian who was casually drinking his tea that was being mirrored by his own son, Jiang Cheng.
"Sect Leader Jiang? Why did you choose me, if I may ask?" The man politely asks, still remembering how the two of them exchanged personalities back then in Sunshot Campaign.
"I am far too old for such position now, Sect Leader Nie. It's time for the new generation to lead the current ones now."
Now the old man is all humble and courteous, making Sect Leader Nie feel his sweat drop at his nonchalance.
Nie Mingjue blinks for a while before composing himself, he then bows to everyone.
"Thank you for choosing me, I shall do my best." It was short, but Cale knew that the older would do a better job than Jin Guangshan.
Ehem.
"As congratulations, we prepared a special wine for all of us to drink." Jin Guangshan says as he ushered his son to get the said drink.
'May I ask what is special about it, Sect Leader Jin?" Su Minshan asks, curious.
Cale didn't notice how Jin Guangshan's eyes looked at him before smiling.
"It is said to enhance our cultivation and polish our golden cores better."
Oh? Then it would be a good thing for Jiang Cheng or Lan Xichen, Cale had assessed.
"Though I do not know what would be the consequences of someone without a golden core had drank it. Maybe a bit uncomfortable? I do not quite know since I haven't tested it yet."
Those words are quite ominous and made Cale freeze, making eye contact with the bastard as he smiles at the redhead.
'He knows something.'
Cale's hands are slowly going cold, sweat started to gather as he looks at the cups that were being distributed to each of them.
Then, a cup filled with red wine was placed in front of him. And Cale had silently stared at the liquid sloshing.
It will be fine, he comforted himself. Everything will be fine as long as he has the Vitality of the Heart.
"Cheers to the new chief cultivator!" Sect Leader Jin started, his smile bright compared to his earlier one.
"Cheers to you, Sect Leader Nie."
"Congratulations, Da-ge."
As they all congratulated Nie Mingjue, Wen Qing had noticed the indifferent look on Cale's face against the cup.
So, she took it and examined it. Smelling the drink before looking closely at the tips to see if it was poisoned.
But Wen Qing had found nothing.
"Cheers, Jiangshuai-zun." Wen Qing says before drinking her own share.
Only Cale was left who had yet to drink.
He was slowly starting to feel pressure when eyes looked at him.
"Jiangshuai-zun, is there a problem with the wine?" Jin Guangshan asks, his head tilting.
"No...nothing." Cale says as he held the cup in both of his hands before looking at Nie Mingjue.
"...Congratulations on being the new chief cultivator, Ming-ge."
At the same time, Cale drank the wine from his cup, not leaving a trace behind.
Jin Guangshan waits, and waits, and waits.
But nothing happened, making him frown internally.
Oh well, there will always be a next time, he thought before changing the topic again.
"Now for the trade routesㅡ"
"A-Xun!"
Jin Guangshan hadn't even finished his sentence when Lan Xichen bellowed, running over the tables unfitting for a Lan heir in order to get close to the redhead.
The redhead cries in agony, biting his own hand as he stops himself from vomiting the blood from his throat.
'Fuck!'
It hurts. Goddammit! His chest hurts as if someone was hitting him repeatedly with a heavy weapon.
And at the same time, it was as if someone is tearing his hear into pieces repeatedly until nothing is left behind.
He screamed hoarsely against his hands, and he soon realized the state of his limbs the moment he look at it.
There were cracks around his hand, and Cale painfully now knew what on earth is happening on him.
He realized, that this had already happened to him once.
The moment he knew, he mustered up a glare towards Jin Guangshan before vomiting another mouthful of blood.
That wine the bastard just offered is a poison to the people who doesn't have a core. When something can't withhold such liquid like a core, it will kill someone in the most painful way.
Cale may have not a core anymore, but he has a plate. A thin fucking fragile glass plate to hold his ancient powers.
And now, that plate of his is slowly breaking into dust just like then.
The noises around him were muffled, he couldn't focus aside from the agonizing pain in his whole being.
But he could see.
He could see Jiang Cheng and Lan Xichen crying while calling out to him, he could see Sect Leader Jiang, Qingheng-jun and Nie Mingjue with worried and angry faces, he could see Wen Qing trying to save him as Jin Zixuan assisted her...
And he could see Xiao Wang materializing out of thin air.
Cale let out another scream when another wave of blood was poured from his mouth.
"You fucking bastard!" Xiao Wang yells the moment he sees Jin Guangshan and unsheathed Sihua, Jin Zixuan's sword and aimed it at the man's neck.
Lanling Jin disciples and elders alike also pointed their own swords against Xiao Wang.
"I...I do not quite know what you are talking about."
The grip against the sword's handle became tight, Xiao Wang gritting his teeth as he inched the sword closer to the man's neck.
"You still have the audacity to fucking lie when he's already dying! You already knew, you fucking bastard. It was simply common sense if a coreless person drinks that damn wine, they will die!"
With that said, Cale's secret was revealed to everyone. But Xiao Wang is still not finished.
"You knew he doesn't have a golden core! You fucking knew you damn bastard! Isn't that the reason why you lust over him?! The fucking reason why you always follow him around because he's finally weak! You can finally force yourself to him because he's just a normal person now?!"
Xiao Wang's hands trembled in rage the more he hear the pained cries of the redhead.
Qingheng-jun then holds the redhead's wrist and placed his fingers around his pulse, making him tremble in fear.
Something is happening inside the redhead, and it couldn't be explained by this world's means.
Cale's heart was slowly being ruptured by something horrible.
Before Xiao Wang could kill the man, Jin Guangshan was grabbed by the neck as he let out a sharp groan.
"S-Sect L-Leader J-Jiang...I can...e-explainㅡ!"
Jiamg Fengmian's fingers dug against the pulse on the latter's neck as he tilted his own head in mock.
"Explain? I have no need for your fucking explanation...in fact, you don't have the damn right to explain yourself."
As much as Qingheng-jun wants to see Secteader Jon's blood spill, they need to save Wei Xun first.
"Fengmian, we need to save the child first."
In an instant, Jiang Fengmian threw Jin Guangshan immediately away from him as he went closer at the redhead together with Xiao Wang.
"Save him. Do any means to save him!" Jiang Fengmian didn't mean to yell at Wen Qing, but the woman understands it.
Just then, someone talked.
"Young Master Jin! Your wife is giving birth!"
Jin Zixuan looks at them in conflict then.
"She's in critical condition, Young Master Jin!"
Jin Zixuan and the Jiangs became restless then.
'Shi...jie...'
Cale knew, he already knew the moment his hearing slightly returned.
Wen Qing cannot save him then.
But, she can save Jiang Yanli and her child.
"Qing-jie..." Cale utters in a hoarse voice, and Wen Qing had understood that tone.
"No...Wei Xianghuan...no!"
Cale...simply smiles, as if he had already accepted his faith.
"Go...shi...jie...needs..."
Right now, she had to choose. But the other choice is urging her to choose another.
And so, Wen Qing leaves to Jiang Yanli with a heavy heart.
Cale also looks at the Jiangs, nodding painfully.
"Go..."
Wei Xun had closed his eyes then.
Author: I can finally sleep