Foes And Sages

The banquet was opened in the large and opulent hall. All the guests had been assembled and invited to the table. The glow of the hundreds of lamps created an auspicious ambience. The lofty tables were lavishly adorned with every type of delectable food.

The servants began to ladle soups and plates of intricate dishes onto the table, drawing gasps from the guests. As cups of wine were circulated, the guests raised their glasses. The entrees began to arrive, raising more appreciation from the guests.

Sect Leader Wang Yuling and Jiang Guangyi were occupied, efficiently attending to their honoured guests and showering all the officials with the proper respect. Jiang Xudong kept a respectful distance from the throng.

Wei Liuxian noticed walked toward him slowly, holding a glass of liquor.

Jiang Guangyi's eyes narrowed as he noticed the glass. ''Since when did your body become strong enough to handle this stuff?'' he said sceptically.

Wei Liuxian's chuckle morphed into a confident smirk as he declared, "You don't know half of what I'm capable of now!"

Jiang Guangyi found Wei Liuxian's way very strange.

"Accept that gift wholeheartedly. The young master of Kunlun gave it to you, and it will be the only gift you receive from him. Make sure to guard it and use it wisely. This is my earnest wish as I give it to you." Wei Liuxian's eyes filled with sorrow, emphasizing the weight of his words.

''Wei Liuxian, enough with this pretence of wisdom and maturity. I owe you, and you'd better be ready for a substantial party.'' Jiang Guangyi struggled to find the right words.

Wei Liuxian smiled lightly as he watched Jiang Guangyi's face quietly.

The room was abuzz with conversation as Lady Jiaxin Xu entered the grand hall. She carried a small tray, containing two golden goblets that shimmered under the glimmer of the dozens of candles decorating the room.

Jiang Xicheng motioned to her, and she blushed at the flattering admiration he showed her. She walked over to where Wei Liuxian and Jiang Xudong were standing, her heart racing as she remembered the mission Jiang Xicheng had assigned her.

She stopped in front of the two men and took a deep breath. She frowned slightly before carefully slipping the vial of poison into the goblets.

She swallowed before holding out the tray in front of Wei Liuxian and Jiang Xudong, a nervous smile playing on her lips. Wei Liuxian and Jiang Xudong took the goblets, unaware of the danger they now contained. Lady Jiaxin Xu watched the conversation through the corner of her eye, her heart beating harder and harder as the seconds slipped away.

As the party centred around her, she held her breath, waiting fearfully for the inevitable.

Suddenly, Wei Liuxian felt a sudden sense of unease. Looking between Jiang Xudong and the goblets, a glimmer of understanding shone in his eyes.

Lady Jiaxin Xu had already left them and joined her husband.

Jiang Xicheng gestured to Wei Liuxian to bring Jiang Xudong out into the garden. He let out a long, angry sigh and glared at Jiang Xudong, who looked pale and uneasy.

''Xudong, let's go out and get fresh air. I am feeling suffocated here''. Wei Liuxian said.

Jiang Xudong who was already feeling the heat inside his body, nodded slowly. Wei Liuxian hastily complied, grabbing Jiang Xudong's arm and practically dragging him out to the garden. Jiang Xudong stumbled along beside Wei Liuxian.

Jiang Xicheng watched them go, his face a mask of fury. Then, with an effort, he regained control of himself. He took a shuddering breath and trailed after the two of them.

Wei Liuxian was barely holding Jiang Xudong who had almost fainted. Since Wei Liuxians cultivation was strong, the drug didn't affect him much.

Wei Liuxian glared at Jiang Xicheng as he approached, decisively releasing Jiang Xudong who crashed against the ground, his face smashing into the hard ground.

''Master Xicheng, what is this?'' Wei Liuxian demanded, seething with rage. ''We were supposed to drug Xudong, not me''.

Wei Liuxian fumed with fury, his every word dripping with rage. He spat out his sentences, every syllable heavy with contempt.

Jiang Xicheng cleared his throat and said, "I instructed Lady Jiaxin Xu to drug the wine. Unbeknownst to her, you were my accomplice, yet she drugged two glasses of wine with you and Xudong standing nearby!"

Wei Liuxian gritted his teeth and held his dizzy head.

Jiang Xicheng tried not to laugh.

''Master Xicheng, dare to laugh and I will forget the age and rank difference between us''. Wei Liuxian let out deep breaths.

Jiang Xicheng let out a boisterous laugh and declared, ''Rank and age be damned! You and I are companions, not a pair of adversaries. Don't refer to me as some aged individual!''

''Where's the key?'' Wei Liuxian asked.

Jiang Xicheng took out the golden key and showed it to Wei Liuxian who turned to pick Jiang Xudong from the ground.

''You can beat him as much as you want. He's unconscious and there's no one around other than me''. Jiang Xicheng suggested.

Wei Liuxian raised an eyebrow and looked at him with a questioning look. ''He's your little cousin''.

Jiang Xicheng nodded his head obediently. ''Same goes for you, not a first cousin but still a cousin''.

''My only relationship in Jiang's family starts and ends with you''. Wei Liuxian said sternly.

Jiang Xicheng and Wei Liuxian dragged the dazed Jiang Xudong into the small, dark cellar, lit only by a few meagre candles. The walls were lined with dusty wooden shelves, and on one shelf sat three mysterious wooden boxes.

"This is the greatest secret of the Jiang family," Jiang Xicheng explained to Wei Liuxian.

Turning to Jiang Xudong, Jiang Xicheng pressed his temples and asked, ''Xudong, explain what's inside these three boxes?''

''One of these boxes holds the valuables of our family—jewels and money. The other one contains important papers and documents. We have never opened the third one—'' Jiang Xudong's eyes darted back and forth between the three boxes.

''What do you think is inside?'' Wei Liuxuan asked.

The effects of the drug seemed to be wearing off, and he struggled to make sense of his words. "I... I'm not sure," Jiang Xudong stammered. "Perhaps... perhaps there could be something valuable inside? Ancient artefacts, or secret scrolls of wisdom?"

Jiang Xicheng and Wei Liuxian shared a knowing glance. "We'll never know for sure without opening it," Jiang Xicheng said.

''The key is carved out of enchantments and it won't work for long''. Wei Liuxian stated.

Jiang Xicheng glared at him, ''What were you thinking? If you were going to do something, it had better be worth my time''.

''Then you should have done it yourself, why ask me?'' Wei Liuxian groaned. ''Oh yes, you were busy flirting with your sweet lady Jiaxin Wu.''

''Fuck Wei Liuxian, I will break your bones.'' Jiang Xicheng roared. ''She's not my lady, I had to make her do work for us''.

''Yes, by flirting''. Wei Liuxian said.