Chapter 11 (1/2)

Elegant Disturbance (1)

Water pavilion gardens lay scattered in an irregular arrangement with charming effect. Shrouded in mountain mist all year round, white walls topped with black roof tiles stretched into the distance. Staying here amongst this scenery, it was as if one had come to live in a wonderland of infinite clouds. The first rays of the morning sun had begun to diffuse through the early morning mist. Its name was a perfect fit – – “Yun Shen Buzhi Chu”. (2)

Calm mountain, calm people, hearts like still water. From the top of the only tall building came the ringing of bells. Although it wasn’t a Buddhist temple, in this place was located a desolate cold mountain school for the purpose of Zen. (3)

This Zen however, was abruptly pierced by a long cry, causing many of the younger generation and disciples, who had been right in the middle of morning studies and sword drills, to tremble. Unable to help themselves, they looked for the source of the sound coming through the main gate.

In front of the main gate, Wei Wuxian wept and hugged the flower donkey. Lan Jingyi said: “Why are you crying! You yourself that said you liked Hanguang jun. But now that we’ve brought you back here, you’re crying even more!”

Wei Wuxian looked miserable.

After that night in Dafan mountain, he had right away been taken away by Lan w.a.n.gji. He hadn’t had an opportunity to re-summon Wen Ning. He also didn’t have a chance to investigate why Wen Ning had lost his self awareness. Furthermore, he didn’t know how it was possible that he could reappear in this world.

When he was a teenager, he had been sent to the Lan Clan with the rest of the clan’s children to study for three months. He had personal experience of Gusu’s Lan clan’s boring dull lives. Towards this clan and those more than 3000 densely engraved stone inscriptions of clan rules, regulations, and teachings he still had lingering trauma.

Just now as he was dragged uphill, he pa.s.sed by and saw a wall of engraved teachings. With numerous carvings in excess of 1000, now it had increased to over 4000. 4000!

Lan Jingyi said: “Well! Stop making a fuss. It’s prohibited to cause a disturbance within Yun Shen Buzhi Chu!”

It was precisely because he didn’t want to enter Yun Shen Buzhi Chu that he had started making a racket!

Once he was dragged in, it would certainly be difficult to leave again. Back then when he had come to study, each of the clan’s younger generation was issued a jade tablet pa.s.s. Carrying this item allowed them the freedom of being able to come and go as they pleased. Without this item they would be unable to pa.s.s through Yun Shen Buzhi Chu’s protective barrier. Over a decade later, the rules could only be more rigid. It was unlikely that they had become more permissive.

Standing silently in front of the main gate, Lan w.a.n.gji turned a deaf ear as he indifferently spectated to the side. Once Wei Wuxian’s voice had softened a little, he said: “Let him cry. Once he’s tired from crying, then drag him in.”

Wei Wuxian embraced the small flower donkey, weeping even more broken-heartedly, knocking his head against the donkey.

Too bitter! Originally he had believed that by allowing Zi Dian to strike him one time, that this would wash away any doubt. But this had made him become temporarily complacent. So he had found himself opening his mouth as usual for some frivolous affectionate teasing, and proceeded to blurt out that embarra.s.sing sentence about Lan w.a.n.gji. How could he have known that Lan w.a.n.gji would not stick to his normal routine? What kind of justification was this? Is it possible for someone to change to such an extent? With such a high and vast cultivation, did his heart in turn instead become narrow and stunted?

Wei Wuxian said: “I like men. Your clan has so many beautiful youths, I’m afraid I won’t be able to control myself.”

Lan Sizhui explained the reasoning to him: “Young master Mo, Hanguang jun truly brought you back with us for your own good. If you didn’t come with us, Jiang sovereign wouldn’t have dropped the issue. Over the years, he has caught countless people and brought them back to Jiang clan Lian Hua Wu to interrogate under torture. No one has ever been released.”

Lan Jingyi said: “That’s right. Haven’t you experienced Jiang sovereign’s methods? He’s exceedingly vicious…”as he was explaining, he suddenly remembered ‘One should not discuss a person’s rights and wrongs behind their back’, but then snuck a glance at Lan w.a.n.gji. Seeing Hanguang jun didn’t seem to be showing any interest in chastising him, he then worked up his nerve and muttered quietly: “He seems to blame Ancestor Yi Ling for promoting some malignant social trends. There are those who choose to imitate his behavior by experimenting with indecent practices which has made Jiang sovereign overly suspicious. Do you understand that if you returned he would simply s.n.a.t.c.h you up? Also, don’t you see the way you act and the way that you play the bamboo flute … … ahh.”

This one ‘ahh’, held endless meaning. Wei Wuxian felt it was necessary to provide an explanation: “Perhaps you won’t believe me, but I normally play the bamboo flute and in addition…”

While he was still explaining, from within the main gate stepped out a few cultivators dressed in white.

These individuals were wearing the Lan clan school uniform. Each one in robes like snow, they slowly and gently drifted out. The individuals were led by a person with exceptional bearing. In addition to the sword at his waist, he also had suspended a dongxiao (4) of white jade. Seeing them, Lan w.a.n.gji slightly bowed his head with respect. The man returned his gesture and looked at Wei Wuxian, saying with a smile: “w.a.n.gji has never before brought a guest home, and you are?”

This man standing opposite of Lan w.a.n.gji was unexpectedly almost a mirror image.

However, Lan w.a.n.gji’s eyes were extremely light, as pale as gla.s.s, while the other’s were dark, warm, and gentle.

It was Gusu’s Lan clan’s master Lan Huan, Zewu jun Lan Xichen.

The Lans of Gusu have their origin in this region. This clan has always been commonly known to produce beautiful men in large numbers. This generation’s perfect pair of siblings was especially noteworthy. Although not twins, these two brothers’ appearances were eight out of nine points similar. It was difficult to determine which was the superior of the two. However, while they had similar looks, their bearings were different. Lan Xichen was quiet, warm and refined, sincere and gentle. Lan w.a.n.gji was excessively cold, solemn, antisocial, and difficult to get close to. Therefore in the immortal family rankings for behavior and appearance, the former was number one while the latter was number two.

Lan Xichen was worthy of his position as clan head. Seeing Wei Wuxian hugging the side of the donkey, he didn’t show any unnatural expressions. Wei Wuxian smiled from ear to ear and let go of the donkey to meet with him. The Lan’s of Gusu placed heavy emphasis on respecting seniority. All it would take was to speak a little rubbish at Lan Xichen and the Lan clansmen in Yun Shen Buzhi Chu would surely rise up against him. Who would have thought that exactly when he was about to fully display his capabilities, after a glance from Lan w.a.n.gji, he was suddenly unable to open his mouth.

Lan w.a.n.gji turned his head and impa.s.sively continued the conversation with Lan Xichen: “Elder brother, are you again going to meet with Lian Fang zun?”

Lan Xichen nodded his head: “We will be discussing Jin Lin Tai’s next conference.”

Unable to open his mouth, Wei Wuxian resentfully returned to the flower donkey’s side.

Lian Fang zun, Jin Guangyao, currently holds the position of the clan head of Lanling’s Jin clan. He is Jin Guangshan’s only acknowledged illegitimate son and Jin Ling’s uncle. Jin Ling’s father, Jin Zixuan was his half brother. He also holds the ident.i.ty of being Mo Xuanyu’s older half brother. Both were illegitimate children. However there was a world of difference in their treatment. Mo Xuanyu in the Mo clan village slept on cold tile and ate leftover food while Jin Guangyao sat in a cultivator’s highest position and wielded great magical power. Lan Xichen wanted to invite him to take part in a conference and to hold it as soon as possible. In any event, it was no wonder that the two clan heads of the Jin and Lan clans were very close personal friends, after all they had sworn brotherhood to each other.

Lan Xichen said: “Uncle has taken the thing that you brought back from the Mo clan village to examine it.”

Hearing the three words ‘Mo clan village’, Wei Wuxian unconsciously began to pay attention. The feeling returned to his mouth as his lips opened slightly. Lan Xichen had dissolved the penalty gag. Still facing Lan w.a.n.gji he said: “It’s rare that you would return with a person. Even more that you’re this happy. You should treat your guest better, not like this.”

Happy? Wei Wuxian carefully examined Lan w.a.n.gji’s face.

In what way does he look happy?!

His eyes following Lan Xichen as he left, Lan w.a.n.gji said: “Drag him in.”

Wei Wuxian was then soon afterwards dragged into the place that he had sworn that he never in his life would set foot in again.

The Lan clan’s front gate was intended to be used by important people from distinguished families. Never before had there been this kind of guest. Various members of the younger generation pushed forward, jostling each other as they gathered around him. They all felt this was novel and amusing. The clan’s regulations were strict, however inevitably along the way there were sprinkles of laughter. Lan Jingyi said: “Hanguang jun, where are we taking him?”

Lan w.a.n.gji: “Jing quarters.”

“… Jing quarters?!”