7 A Faithful Lucky Chance

Wei Ying

In a way, Wei Ying was surprised that after so many years of resentment and tragedies between Jiang Cheng and himself, they had the chance to mend their broken relationship, even if it was one fissure at a time. He knew it will take a long time to be normal again, although their relationship will never be the same, from when they were younger and oblivious to the tragedies that were closing on them.

So he took that first step, as a positive change to a better relationship that at least will not become an emotional whirlpool with each encounter and there was an extra gain, seen that Lan Zhan's expression had soften a few degrees after the apology, which make him sigh with relief. Lan Zhan was without a doubt his new home, life and horizon, because he fervently wished to share this second chance that had been forced on him with Lan Wangji in full, but he honestly didn't wanted for Lan Zhan to hate Jiang Cheng either, because for good or for bad, their lives were connected not only by a golden core, but by fate itself.

He smiled at Jiang Cheng and wiped away his tears with his fingers, in a caring gesture that make Clan Leader Jiang want to cry even more, yet he restrained himself and turned Wei Wuxian the smile, to reassure him he was willing to try again and mend their relationship later on. Wathever or not it will work out was yet to be seen, but he will try his best, not only for him, but also for Jin Ling, who obviously cared for Wuxian, despite his denial.

Right then, the Nie Clan Leader wake up and Xichen hurry to help him stand, but at the same time, there was the sound of something been released, as well as some yells from behind the huge statue. They all looked in surprise as the Chief Cultivator along with Su She by his side, moved away from the back of the temple in a hurry. There was a penetrating smell they all ignored, focusing more in finding out just what happen.

Wangji helped Wei to stand, but out of precaution he keep him behind him. There was no way he will risk Wei Ying to be cough in another dangerous situation, especially when it turned out that the Jin Guangyao was hurt in some way. Behind Lan's back, Wei smiled, quite pleased that his man wanted to protect him from all harm, even when he was quite capable to take care of himself. It was not like he minded his silent protection, which curiously spoke volumes of how much he cared and love him.

"Are you alright, Clan Leader Jin?" Su asked with concern and Xichen approached to see just what happen to Guangyao. There was a huge burn in his left hand that looked quite awful and painful. His first instinct was to help Jin, but then he stooped the thought, because he could not predict what he will try next, so he repressed his natural instincts until he had a clearer idea of what he needed from that place and what he was planning to do with those he had taken as hostages.

"What happen to you?" Xichen asked, unable to resist the question.

"I was careless in my impatience to finish here." Guangyao responded holding on his pain. A second later, he realize that his wound was actually poisoned, so he asked Su to wrap it tightly. He will take care of the poison on his own in an hour or two, but first, he needed to see the coffin, extract what was inside it and then be off to his next destination to hide himself for a long while.

The Chief Cultivator rushed back to the extracted coffin, yet when he open it, he was sincerely utterly astonish to find not what he had left there, but something else entirely. Behind him, there were gasps of even more surprise, especially from Huaisang, Xichen and Jin Ling. Huaisang expression was that of hatred toward Jin, as he watched the body of his brother lie down inside the coffin, with his head sew to his body.

"Just what were you trying to do with this?!" Xichen exploded, unable to resist the anger any longer. This was just too much to take in in such a short amount of time. He could no longer blame Wangji for losing control and confront Jiang Cheng for Wei Wuxian's sake, because right at that moment he was about to do the same.

However, Wei Ying had seen more to Jin's expression than the others, mostly because he had seen the former leader of the Nie's head before, for which he was not as shocked as the rest. He moved a step forward, but Lan Zhan held his hand to keep him close. Wei smiled and turned his head to look at Wangji, while Xichen keep asking Jin for an explanation, Wei knew he could not give.

"Lan Zhan, it's fine. I promise I will not put myself in danger." Wei whisper to his Second Master Lan, but Wangji was still reluctant to let him take part in another discussion, for which Wei came even closer, gently putting a hand on his lover's torso and reclining his head close to Wangji's neck, to whisper directly in his ear.

"Trust me, this could be our chance to turn things around. We still have some more enjoyable private matters to finish and it's getting late." Wei whisper, slightly kissing Wangji's cheek in the process.

"So shameless..." Wangji whisper back, yet he showed the hint of a smile in return, softly letting go of Wei's hand. With a mischievous smile, Wei turned back and approached the coffin, with an air of confidence surrounding him.

"Clan Leader Lan Xichen, I think you are asking for an answer the Chief Cultivator can't give you, because he seriously don't know the answer." Xichen turned to look at Wuxian, but said nothing, expecting him to further explain the reason.

"It's quite obvious to me that the Clan Leader didn't expect to find Nie Mingjue inside the coffin. See the way he is trembling, almost out of air... he is as shocked as the rest of you." Xichen frowned, giving Jin Guangyao a better look and he really did find him paler than before, with a hint of fear showing in his dark eyes, but he could not be certain, as he no longer knew the man as he thought he did before.

"You! Shut up!" Su moved closer putting his hand of his sword, but once again Wangji blocked his path to Wei.

"Am I wrong? I just remember something that I see while using empathy back in the Hidden Fragrance Palace. It was something about a letter sent it to you, a black mail asking you to give up your tittle as Chief Cultivator and apologize for your wrong doings, otherwise all your dirty secrets will be exposed in full in seven days... I presume, the threat was what make you come to this place, wishing to dig out whatever you burry in here, so you could disappear, but... I think, that someone came first and leave you a trap as well as another evidence of your crimes..." A thunder resonate inside the temple, as the silence dominate the room.

"This is one your tricks!" Su accused the Yiling Patriarch, moving a step forward, but Wangji once again placed himself in front of Wei, already set in not letting anyone pass him. However, Wei Ying, simply put a hand over Lan Zhan's shoulder, calming his protective lover down.

"Oh come on, I think you should know me enough to expect something way better than poison. If I were the one behind this, I would have make sure to do far more damage than burns." Wei said calmly.

"Why you!" Su was going to act, but Jin Guangyao stop him.

"Forget him, prepare to leave!" Jin yelled, but Wei was not over yet.

"Are you sure, Clan Leader Jin? What if the one behind this little trap have some other plans? You know, someone who knows your deepest secrets will certainly keep an eye on you. Who knows, he may even be here, waiting for you to run away... and why not, maybe it's not a he, but a thing that is not even human..." Wei pressed, enjoying as Jin mask finally seemed to crack with unhidden fear.

"Once I get rid of the poison, we leave!" Jin repeated, hastily getting away from the coffin in a sea of nerves. Still, the atmosphere inside the temple became ominous, with the raging storm outside and flashing bluish light that create distorted shadows all around the candle illuminated room. Obviously, Jin was afraid of retributions, but it was more so if it came from those he had already kill.

"Wei Ying... be careful." Lan Zhan whisper, worry he will push Jin Guangyao too far.

"Who knew he had such a weakness..." Wei whisper back, taking Wangji's hand on his and walking after the Clan Leader Jin, however, before he could push his buttons a bit farther, Su once again stop him.

"You are too wicked to let you run around free." The man said, looking at the joined hands with disgusts, although they were still at the side back of the temple and no one else was watching them.

"You shameless pair. What a letdown for the so called righteous Clan. Let go!" Su yelled pushing Wei away, forcing him to let go of Wangji's hand. The motion of the push, however did more than separate the lovers, it also exposed the skin bellow the ripped robes. Wei Ying, moved forward immediately, fearing Lan Zhan will strike the man he already didn't tolerate, but was surprised that Lan Zhan didn't move at all, focusing his gaze in something else.

"Lan Zhan..." Wei touched his shoulder, but then, the Light Bearing Lord simply push Su backwards, with such strength that the man was thrown several meters away, right in the middle of the temple were the others had gather again.

"Wangji!" Xichen exclaimed, as Su try to sit back, gasping for air.

"He is the one." Lan Zhan said as he move to join the others with Wei right behind him.

"The one what?" Jiang Cheng asked, quite glad the Second Lan Master had not decided to push him, after insulting Wuxian right in front of him.

"His robes..." Wangji pointed and Su try to hide his skin, but failed, as the parts ripped by the dog were a bit long. Thus, it was now plain to see for everyone the ugly holes that were all over the man skin. The obvious rebound of the Hundred Hole Curse that had been the trigger of the Yiling Patriarch downfall, along with the Wen's he had sworn to protect. It was because of the ambush that Wen Ning had killed his sister's husband and Wen Qing decision to turn herself in... to be killed by the Clans.

"So it was you... what a faithful lucky chance, although already too late." Wei Ying bitterly said, as the implication sink in in everyone, except Lin Jing, who looked at Xichen quite lost and also, it had sink in on Jin Guangyao, connecting the dots he had already missed. It was a faithful lucky chance, indeed.

AN: I hope this is satisfying, I'm taking my liberties to make the experience a bit different from the drama and novel, although not as much I as would like. If it were up to me, I will turn Lan Zhan into a superhuman, fight with his inhuman strength and steal Wei away to marry him right away. 😂😂😂 Kidding, I hope you like this one. Until the next one, please take care. 😄😁😍😚💖💖💖