Windswept Willow and Rain

Jiang Guangyi chewed slowly, savouring each bite of the steaming congee as he sat at the table. Beside him, Jiang Xudong dug right into his meal, as if he were at war with the bowl.

Across from them, Wang Yuling carefully observed their every move, the smile on her lips belying the suspicion held in the depths of her eyes.

Suddenly, Jiang Xudong spoke up, breaking the silence that had been filling the small room. ''What if Jiang Xicheng returns?''

The question lingered in the air, making it heavy with tension. Everyone around the table seemed to understand what he meant: that their peaceful existence as the leaders of the sect could easily be taken away if Jiang Xicheng were to come back.

Sect leader Wang Yuling's face darkened. ''He doesn't need to return for us to lose our place here''.

She said, her voice betraying her worry. "We must carefully keep him away from finding who the real murderer is and be sure that Jiang Xicheng does not return and take it all away from us''.

Jiang Xudong's eyes widened in surprise and his brother Guangyi stopped chewing. Everyone around the table let the gravity of the situation sink in. They all knew that if Jiang Xicheng returned to the sect, anything could happen. The fear of the unknown hung above the table like a dark cloud, letting no one escape its gloom.

Jiang Guangyi and Jiang Xudong exchanged glances, their eyes speaking of their concern and determination in equal measure. For a while, everyone remained quiet, their minds running wild with possibilities. Finally, Sect Leader Wang Yuling rose from her seat. ''We cannot linger any longer''. She said in a determined yet weary voice. ''We must focus all of our efforts on determining to keep the secret hidden of who is the real murderer and ensuring that Jiang Xicheng does not return to reclaim his place as sect leader''.

Everyone around the table nodded. In silence, they finished their breakfast, each one of them remembering the weight of their positions and the dangers that could potentially lay ahead should Jiang Xicheng return.

Jiang Guangyi's retainer Fan Peng approached him and whispered something in his ear, his expression darkened, ''Wei Liuxian..from Kunlun mountains!''

Sect leader Wang Yuling's expression changed, and Jiang Xudeong also choked on his food.

Jiang Guangyi gestured for Fan Peng to leave.

Jiang Guangyi sighed as he spoke, ''Wei Liuxian went to attend the joint meeting in the capital''.

Jiang Xudong gritted his teeth, ''Brother, he shouldn't be here?''

Before he could say something, Lady Jiaxin Xu entered the hall, her voice sounding excited, ''Wei Liuxian from the Kunlun Mountains is in the capital?''

Jiang Xudong quickly corrected his posture and his ponytail and gave a smile to Lady Jiaxin Xu. ''Do you know Wei Liuxian?''

''Of course, who wouldn't know the heir of Ancient Guardians of the Mountains''. She glanced at her husband who seemed pissed.

Wang Yuling changed the topic, ''Are all preparations ready for Xudong's birthday?''

''Yes, everything is ready. All the invitations have been sent''. She replied.

Sect leader Wang Yuling thought something, ''Since the heir of Ancient Guardians of the Mountains has stepped out this time, send an invitation to him too''.

Although Jiang Guangyi didn't seem to like this idea he couldn't go against his mother. Unlike other clans and sects, the Windswept Willow of North district was unlike any other sect. Rather than focusing on the cultivation of traditional martial arts, this sect favoured knowledge and skills that will benefit their position in the government.

The members of this sect prioritized high social status and political power. While the adepts belonging to this sect were talented in various forms of combat and martial arts, they rarely displayed their prowess in the practice of the same.

Instead, they often rely on their natural gifts of intelligence, cunning, and wit. This sect was highly travelled and was well-connected to many of the governing bodies across the land.

They strived to build relationships with influential figures to strengthen their already powerful status. The members of this sect valued hard work and take on the challenge of learning and executing their tasks with much enthusiasm.

''Wei Liuxian...it's very strange that someone from Kunlun mountains came to attend the joint meeting''. Jiang Guangyi said. ''After that incident many years ago, Kunlun mountains cut off its relationship with the outside world''.

In the heavenly realm, the day and night were very different from the Earthly realm.

The courtroom of the heavens was abuzz with excitement and anticipation. It had been five long years since Lord Jiang Xi Cheng had last set foot in this chamber, and today he was to defend himself against a far more grievous charge — the murder of his stepbrother and his wife.

The presiding gods of the heavenly court had decided that if Lord Jiang Xicheng was to be released from his lengthy sentence of imprisonment, he must be tasked with bringing peace to earth by solving whatever new conflicts may have arisen since his detainment.

As Lord Jiang entered the courtroom, the gods gave him a solemn look of warning. They had set in motion a mechanism that would be placed upon his body, to ensure his obedience and further carry out his mission.

In the centre of the courtroom, the gods began to deliver their verdict. First, they invoked the spirits of Lord Jiang's stepbrother and wife, asking for their testimony in the matter. They then proceeded to review all of the evidence and testimonies in the case, ultimately determining that Lord Jiang was not guilty of murder.

Heavenly Lord Tan Ju sat quietly throughout the trial.

After much deliberation, the gods declared that Lord Jiang Liwei should be allowed to return to the mortal realm, burdened with his task of restoring peace to the troubled lands.

Before doing so, however, they placed the mechanism of obedience on his body.

With a sense of relief, Lord Jiang Liwei stepped out of the courtroom and began thinking of his journey back to earth, with the gods closely monitoring his activities from up above.

Perhaps this would be his chance to finally redeem himself and save the world from further distress.

General Huo Guang smiled warmly at Lord Jiang Xi Cheng, congratulating him on a successful trial. "Your devotion to finding the truth has been commendable," he said. "You sought justice, and now you have found it. You should be proud of your accomplishment."

Lord Jiang nodded in response, the weight of the mechanism was still fresh and heavy in his mind. "This is a great relief," he said. "I am honoured and thankful for your trust in me. But I still had to teach a lesson to the guards at the prison, sadly I won't be able to beat them now''.

General Huo Guang shook his head slightly. "This is a tremendous opportunity," they said. "You must be mindful of your task and strive to obtain the best outcomes. May the blessings of the gods be with you."

Lord Jiang bowed in gratitude. He was relieved to be given the chance to redeem himself and ensure a brighter future for the lands below. He looked skyward and thanked the gods for their guidance.