Chapter 15
Lan Zhan sat in the library, surrounded by books and scrolls, but his mind was elsewhere. He had no interest in sect affairs or complaints today.
Meanwhile, Wei Ying lay sleeping in his lab, exhausted from an accident earlier that day. While experimenting with talismans, Wei Ying had caused a small explosion, damaging part of the study room. Luckily, no one was hurt, but the incident had left Wei Ying shaken.
The library door burst open, and Jiang Cheng's booming voice echoed through the room.
"Wei Wuxian, where are you?"
Wei Ying jolted awake, his heart racing, and instinctively clung to Lan Zhan's body like a koala bear. Lan Zhan held him tight, rubbing his back to calm him down, while shooting a glare at Jiang Cheng.
"Shouting and scaring people is forbidden in Cloud Recesses, what do you think you're doing, Jiang Sect Leader?"
Lan Zhan's intense gaze made Jiang Cheng roll his eyes, and Jin Ling hide behind him.
Wei Ying laughed to ease the tension, then kissed Lan Zhan's cheek and whispered, "It's okay, my love." Lan Zhan's expression softened, and Wei Ying smiled reassuringly before sitting beside him.
Jiang Cheng glared back at Lan Zhan, then said, "Can't I come to see my brother?" Wei Ying ignored the question and instead greeted Jin Ling, who was shaking. "Ahh, Jin Ling, what's wrong?" He embraced the boy, then turned to Jiang Cheng. "What brings you to Yushan, Cheng Cheng?"
Jiang Cheng hugged Wei Ying, then said, "I'm his brother, and he's Jin Ling uncle. We're just greeting each other, Hangung Jun. You can't stop us from hugging him."
Lan Zhan's grip on Bichen tightened, but Wei Ying intervened, "My love, don't listen to his nonsense. He's just joking."
The tension eased slightly, and Lan Zhan brewed tea, filling the room with the aroma of cardamom, lemon, and cinnamon. As they sipped their tea, Wei Ying and Jiang Cheng chatted, while Jin Ling remained quiet, and Lan Zhan listened silently.
Wei Ying yawned and stretched his muscles. "Lan Zhan, I think we should go on a night hunt. It's been a while since we've had a good fight."
Lan Zhan nodded. "If you want to go, we should do it sooner rather than later. There's a creature killing people near Qinghe Nie Sect, and we should help deal with it."
Wei Ying's eyes narrowed. "What is Nie Huaisang doing about it?"
Lan Zhan shrugged. "Probably asking for help from other sects, but I'm sure he's doing what he can."
"Then we should go as soon as possible," Wei Ying said, his eyes gleaming with excitement. "And we should count you in, Jiang Cheng. You and Jin Ling can come with us. We have nothing better to do right now, anyway."
Jiang Cheng raised an eyebrow but nodded. "Fine, we'll come with you. But don't expect me to keep up with your crazy fighting style, Wei Ying."
Lan Zhan frawn, trying not to glare. "Let me inform Shifu and gather some disciples, including our sons. I'll meet you at the entrance of the sect."
Wei Ying grinned. "I'll be waiting for you, Lan Zhan."
Jiang Cheng rolled his eyes good-naturedly. "Don't mind us, we'll be waiting at the entrance with him. Try not to take too long, Hunguang Jun."
This time...Lan Zhan did glare.
Lan Zhan, Wei Ying, Jiang Cheng, Jin Ling, Lan Sizhui, Lan Jingyi, and four other disciples arrived at Qinghe Sect, with Lan Zhan and Wei Ying teleporting, they arrived first, and the others flying on their swords.
Nie Huaisang briefed them on the situation: an unknown creature had killed around 25 people, and no one had survived to describe it.
Wei Ying asked, "No one knows what the creature looks like?" Nie Huaisang fanned himself nervously, "No one has seen it and lived to tell the tale."
Wei Ying relaxed, drinking his tea, and Lan Zhan nodded in understanding.
After the rest of the group arrived, Nie Huaisang added 10 disciplines to joined them, making their total number 20. They entered the forest, ready to face the unknown creature.
Under the moonlight, they gathered at the forest's edge, weapons at the ready. Wei Ying and Lan Zhan stood together, scanning the darkness for any sign of movement.
As they ventured deeper into the forest, they heard a distant rumble, which grew louder and caused the ground to shake.
A massive, terrifying creature emerged before them, its numerous legs resembling weapons rather than limbs.
Wei Ying whispered to Lan Zhan, i never saw something like this my love "I think it's a Dragon Spider." Lan Zhan explain, his voice low, "I've read about it before. It's a powerful and deadly beast. We need to strike its head to kill it."
Wei Ying giggled, "My love, how are we supposed to reach its head?"
The creature roared, and they scattered, ready to attack.
Lan Zhan released Bichen, Wei Ying fired arrows, and Jiang Cheng used Zidian to send waves of energy attacks. The rest of the group joined in, their swords clashing with the Dragon Spider's legs.
Wei Ying use their mind connection to Lan Zhan, "Remember, we can teleport." Lan Zhan nodded, and they continued their assault, their movements swift and precise.
The battle raged on, intense and fierce, with everyone giving their all. The Dragon Spider was severely injured but refused to fall, and it also managed to inflict wounds on some of the group.
Wei Ying switched to fighting with his sword, dodging the Dragon Spider's attacks, but eventually got hit in the left arm. Lan Zhan panicked, rushing to his side and gathering him in his arms. Wei Ying coughed, trying to hide his pain, "I'm okay, Lan Zhan."
Sizhui and Jingyi joined them, calling out "Baba" in worried tones, while Jiang Cheng's voice echoed through the night, asking about his brother's well-being. Wei Ying yelled back, "I'm okay, Cheng Cheng, don't worry!" Lan Zhan helped him stand, and Wei Ying smiled, reassuring the boys, "I'm really okay, guys."
Lan Zhan checked Wei Ying's arm, the wound already healing. He embraced Wei Ying tightly, "Oh, my love, I'm so relieved you're okay. You're not leaving me that easily. You're stuck with me forever!" Wei Ying teased, "You have to deal with me forever, Lan Zhan."
When Lan Zhan released him, Wei Ying suggested, "Lan Zhan, if you don't mind, I'd like to use Chenqing to see if I can sense any weird dead creatures or the people the Dragon Spider has killed. You can use your Gugin." Lan Zhan nodded, knowing Wei Ying's immortal core would protect him from the resentment energy.
Wei Ying called out to Jiang Cheng, "Cheng Cheng, we'll try to corner the beast. You reach for its head and slice it off!" Jiang Cheng replied, "I'm honored!" The group continued fighting, determined to end it.
Lan Zhan summoned his Gugin and began playing a melody, while Wei Ying swirled his flute, calling upon the deaths to awaken and aid them. The resentment energy circled around him, then hit the ground, raising the pale bodies of the dead.
The Dragon Spider roared loudly as the group attacked simultaneously, its body flailing wildly in an attempt to break free.
Jiang Cheng managed to reach its back and used Zidian to hold its tail in place, while the others continued to pierce its weapon legs.
Wei Ying, with his hair and red ribbon swirling in the air, stood confidently, his eyes locked on Lan Zhan with a seductive gaze.
Lan Zhan, entranced by his husband's pose and expression, stopped playing his melody. Desire surged through his veins, and he couldn't help but rush towards Wei Ying. Their lips met in a passionate kiss, ignoring the chaos around them.
Jiang Cheng, exasperated, yelled, "You two are going to get us all killed!" Wei Ying grinned, breaking away from the kiss, "Later, my love. We have a situation to deal with." Lan Zhan nodded, and Wei Ying vanished, reappearing at the Shadow Serpent's head. With a swift thrust, he plunged Suibian into the beast's skull, and Lan Zhan slid Bichen across its neck, severing its head.
The Dragon Spider collapsed, defeated.
The group stood victorious, their chests heaving with exhaustion.
Lan Zhan turned to Wei Ying, pride shining in his eyes, "We did it, my love." Wei Ying grinned, his silver eyes sparkling with joy, "We did it, together."
Lan Zhan then turned to the disciplines, instructing Sizhui to report to Nie Huaisang and return home.
He glanced at Jiang Cheng and Jin Ling, offering them hospitality for the night.
Before anyone could respond, he grasped Wei Ying's hand and teleported away.
In the privacy of their Jingshi, Lan Zhan captured Wei Ying's lips once more.
Wei Ying grinned, suggesting they take a bath first, as they had just fought a beast. Lan Zhan's desire was too strong, and he couldn't hold back. He shoved Wei Ying onto the bed, tearing off their robes before pouncing on him.