The birth of the Yiling Patriarch

The man in front of me was the one who knew that I couldn't consume alcohol. Having him stand for me, my heart skipped a beat but knowing the wrath in those eyes, it wasn't for the best that he was present here.

"There" he showed Jin Zi Xun the empty glass "I drank on behalf of Lan Zhan". The hall was eerily quiet. To salvage the situation, Jin Guang Yao came forward and welcomed Wei.

"Young Master Wei, I wasn't aware that you would be here. Please take a seat" Jin Guang Yao tried to placate the situation but to no avail.

"I am not here for the banquet but here to talk to Jin Zi Xun" Wei turns his attention to the man who was still carrying the jar of wine on him "let's talk in private"

"Nope. Can't do. You need to wait" the voice of Jin Zi Xun carried an arrogance in them and my hands clenched involuntarily.

9

"How long?" Wei's patience was being tested.

"2-3hrs or maybe tomorrow?" The voice mocked Wei and I saw the subtle dark changes in him.

"I can't wait that long" the impatience was evident in his voice.

"Young Master Wei, what is the pressing need for you to talk Jin Zi Xun? I am sure if it's urgent, you could just talk here" Jin Guang Yao smiles as he tries his best to placate Wei.

"Alright, Jin Zi Xun, do you know a man called Wen Ning? They were amongst the group that you had captured during your night hunt" Wei turns his attention back to Jin Zi Xun.

"Why would I know anything about a Wen dog? Moreso, how am I supposed to remember anything of such minor concern?" Jin Zixun laughs out mockingly.

"Is that so? Then let me refresh your poor memory! Wen Ning was present amongst the group that you had captured. The torture you had rained on them, he was the one who stepped out and retaliated against your atrocities. You divided the group and now he's not to be found. So tell me quickly where he is and I shall be kind enough to spare your life" his warning is quiet evident.

Flabbergasted by the words of Wei, Jin Zi Xun's pale face was quite evident that he was scared of Wei's powers. Everyone did witness his power back when Wen Sect was annihilated. "Wei Wuxian, how dare you interrupt the banquet? We're you even invited? Your Sect Leader is not even present here. How dare you create such disturbance?"

Sighing and not paying heed to Jin Zi Xun, Wei turned his attention to the Lan Lingjin Sect "I apologise for my behavior today, but this is quiet a pressing matter and needs urgency. One of the Wen Sect member saved my life and I need to reciprocate the same" at that statement, I look at Wei.

Saved your life? How? When? What happened to you that you're going against everyone present here? Wei!

I wish I could have stopped the time then and there. I wish I could have stopped you from committing the act of rebel which was treated as treason by everyone present. I wish I could have helped you keep the Stygian Tiger Seal safe. But I couldn't do anything. Not even save you from yourself.

Being questioned of your motives, ridiculing you in front of all the Sect, my Wei, I was torn between the promise I made to my uncle and my heart to protect you.

"Wei Wuxian, no matter who they are, the moment they have the surname Wen, they're our enemies and we shall avenge the fallen" Jin GuangShan boasts and the anger within Wei seeps out "and even if that means to kill them, we shall do so". Before he could complete the statement, Wei's takes his Chenging out and there is a sudden fury of activity in the hall. It's the fear of Chenqing in the heart of everyone present there.

Before he could play it, my hands clasps around his and his eyes find mine "Wei" I whisper and the hesitation in there is apparent to my eyes.

"Please Master Wei, this can be resolved by civil conversation" Jin Guang Yao tries to placate Wei but the darkness consumes him. Completely.

"Please Wei, put down the Chenging" I plead and his eyes are filled with regret. He knows this is wrong. So why are you acting this way? Why? Is this so important for you? Why won't you listen to my plea?

The moment the decision is made, I know there is no way to bring him back to me. He has chosen his path. He would no longer be treated as a hero but would be treated as monster.

Still looking at me, the last remaining innocence in his eyes vanish forever as he roars Jin Zi Xun's name "I shall count to three, tell me where the Wen Sect are placed or be ready to face the wrath of my Chenqing!" with the last fleeting look, he moves his hand away from mine and I am left with the cool air that once had his pulsating wrist under mine.

"One" he shouts and Jin Zi Xun stands there, unable to move and too shocked to speak. Taking the Chenging to his lips he roars "Two" and finally not wanting to take the matters on his shoulders, Jin Zi Xun surrenders "Fine. Find those Wen dogs down Qiongqi Path all on your own!".

"If only you had surrendered much before, we needn't have gone through so much drama!" Wei mocks and just he is about to exit, his eyes find mine. A subtle message hidden there for me to read.

What I read in there, breaks my heart further. It's a goodbye. Closing my eyes, I bow my head as he exits like a gust of wind. The storm is stirred and the calmness has been disturbed. The end is near and I have no way to stop the massacre.

8

2

The unrest created by Wei Ying, is a reaction at worst. Jin GuangShan storms out of the hall, being humiliated by Wei but not before throwing a jar of wine on Jin Guang Yao who tries his best to salvage the matter with a smile.

As each Sect leave the hall with disappointment, brother turns to comfort Jin Guang Yao "Are you alright?"

"Yes brother, I am" he smiles at my brother but then subtle change in his expression is a matter of concern to me "Young Master Wei is really impulsive. How could he speak such a way in front of all the sect?" and that's when I know, I have had enough with everyone ridiculing him.

"Was he wrong?" at that my brother's eyes widen and he knows my tolerance level has reached its peak.

"You're right Wangji, Young Master Wei is not wrong but he can't speak this way" and before I could rebut him, my brother's words hurt me the most "Young Master Wei, sure has changed a lot. His heart is not the same as it used to be".

Pain. Immense pain pierces through me and I turn to walk away from there. Had I been more perceptive, maybe I would not have missed the subtle smile of Jin Guang Yao.

That night, the rains are heavy. Dawning an Azure colour cloak, the heaviness that lies around makes me captive to the emotions bearing down on me.

"Wangji" my brother calls my name and I turn around. He observes my movements and he realises what I am about to do. "Wangji, you must stop" he warns and I look at him with heavy eyes.

"Not tonight, brother. Don't stop me. I... I need to try. One last time. If not now, I shall have my regrets forever"

"Wangj Young Master Wei, is no longer the boy you once knew. He has changed" my brother pleads and I look away.

"Be as it may, he might have, but not me. I have not changed. My heart has not changed. It's the same. Always has been. Always will be" without looking back at my brother, I step out that night

Walking towards the Qiongqi Path, the torrential rain pouring down, maybe the sky is crying too. With bated breath I wait. I wait for him. For my heart. For my soul. For him.

Oh man, here we are! The start of everything.

Firstly I would like to thank everyone. Cause of you guys, my book ranks first.