Chapter 12

Chapter 12 - Elegant Turmoil Part 4

The brand captured all of Wei Wuxian's attention, making him wonder if he had seen things wrong, so much so that he didn’t even have time to look at the other person’s face, his breath catching for a moment. Suddenly, his vision turned white, as if a curtain of snow had descended before his eyes. The snowy curtain parted, and a blue sword aura, carrying a chill, shot toward him.

Everyone recognized Hanguang Jun's famed sword, Bichen. To his horror, it was Lan Wangji!

Wei Wuxian was no stranger to evading swords and escaping; it was second nature to him. He rolled out of the way just in time, narrowly dodging the attack. As he dashed out of the cold spring, he even had the leisure to pluck a grass leaf that had caught on his hair. Like a headless fly, he ran into a few night patrol members who happened to be passing by. They grabbed him and scolded, "What are you running for? Running is prohibited in Cloud Recesses!"

Seeing that it was Lan Jingyi and the others, Wei Wuxian was overjoyed. He figured he might as well get chased down the mountain with a good thrashing. So, he played up his act, "I didn't see anything! I didn't see a thing! I definitely wasn't spying on Hanguang Jun taking a bath!"

The disciples were stunned by his audacity, their eyes wide with shock. Hanguang Jun was a revered figure in the family, someone untouchable and to be respected. The thought of spying on him while he bathed in the cold spring was a grave offense. Lan Sizhui's voice trembled in fear, "What? Hanguang Jun? Hanguang Jun is inside?!"

Lan Jingyi, furious, grabbed him. "You shameless bastard! How dare you spy on him?!"

Seizing the opportunity, Wei Wuxian solidified his 'guilt', "I didn't see a thing of Hanguang Jun without his clothes!"

Lan Jingyi retorted angrily, "That's an admission of guilt! If you didn't see anything, what were you sneaking around for? Look at you, you're too embarrassed to even show your face!"

Wei Wuxian covered his face with his hands and said, "Don't be so loud. It's against the rules to make noise in Cloud Recesses."

Just as the situation was spiraling out of control, Lan Wangji, dressed in white robes with his long hair loose, emerged from behind layers of orchids. In just a few moments, he had dressed himself completely, though his sword Bichen was still unsheathed. The disciples quickly bowed in respect. Lan Jingyi, trying to explain, said, "Hanguang Jun, this Mo Xuanyu—"

Wei Wuxian thought he would be kicked out of the mountain gate without a doubt this time. However, Lan Wangji gave him a casual glance, remained silent for a moment, and with a soft clang, sheathed Bichen. He simply said, "Disperse."

Though his words were plain, his authority was undeniable. Everyone immediately scattered. Lan Wangji nonchalantly grabbed Wei Wuxian by the collar and dragged him back to the secluded chamber. In his past life, Wei Wuxian had been nearly the same height as Lan Wangji, only slightly shorter. Both were tall and slender, and when they stood together, the height difference was barely noticeable. However, after waking up in this new body, although he was considered tall among ordinary people, he was still two inches shorter than Lan Wangji. Being grabbed by him, Wei Wuxian found himself unable to struggle free. Stumbling and staggering, Wei Wuxian wanted to protest, but Lan Wangji coldly said, "Noise-makers will be silenced."

While being thrown off the mountain would have suited him fine, being silenced was a punishment he definitely wanted to avoid. Wei Wuxian wondered in confusion: since when did the Lan family become so lenient toward such shameless offenses as spying on a revered family member taking a bath? How could they tolerate this?!

Lan Wangji dragged Wei Wuxian into the secluded chamber and straight to the inner room, where he was unceremoniously dropped onto a bed. Wei Wuxian yelped in pain and couldn't get up for a moment. He had been about to whine and tease Lan Wangji to unsettle him, but when he looked up and saw Lan Wangji standing over him, sword in hand, he thought better of it.

Wei Wuxian had grown used to seeing Lan Wangji with his forehead ribbon and hair neatly tied, always precise and proper. This was the first time he had seen him with loose hair and wearing light clothing, and he couldn't help but stare for a moment longer. After all the dragging, Lan Wangji's collar had come slightly undone, revealing his collarbone and, beneath it, a distinct brand.

Seeing that brand drew Wei Wuxian's attention once again.

Before he became the Yiling Patriarch, Wei Wuxian had a similar brand on his body.

The position and shape of the brand on Lan Wangji's body were identical to the one Wei Wuxian had borne in his previous life. It was impossible for him not to notice it and feel curious.

It wasn't just the brand that was strange. There were also the over thirty lash marks from the disciplinary whip on Lan Wangji's back.

Lan Wangji had been a renowned figure from a young age, highly regarded as an exemplary cultivator of the noble families. He was one of the twin jewels of the Gusu Lan Family, and his every action was considered a model for younger cultivators. What unforgivable sin could have led to such a severe punishment?

Over thirty lash marks—it was as if they had been trying to beat him to death. Once the marks of the disciplinary whip were on a person, they would never disappear, meant to serve as a permanent reminder to never repeat the offense.

Noticing Wei Wuxian's gaze, Lan Wangji lowered his eyes and adjusted his collar to conceal his collarbone and the scar beneath it. Once again, he became the cold and unapproachable Hanguang Jun. At that moment, a deep bell tolled from afar.

The Lan family's rules were strict, and their daily routines were rigorously followed. Rest at the hour of the pig, rise at the hour of the rabbit—the bell was a reminder. Lan Wangji listened carefully to the bell's toll before speaking to Wei Wuxian, "You will sleep here."

Without giving Wei Wuxian a chance to respond, he turned and entered the inner room, leaving Wei Wuxian lying on the bed, confused.

Wei Wuxian had wondered if Lan Wangji had guessed his true identity. But logically, it didn't make sense. The soul-summoning technique was a forbidden art, known to very few. The surviving fragments were incomplete and couldn't be used effectively. Over time, even fewer people believed in its efficacy. It was unclear from which obscure text Mo Xuan Yu had summoned Wei Wuxian back. There was no way Lan Wangji could have recognized him just from the tune he played on the flute.

In his previous life, Wei Wuxian didn't have a deep or memorable relationship with Lan Wangji. They had been classmates, gone on adventures together, and fought side by side, but their interactions had always been fleeting. Lan Wangji, being a member of the Gusu Lan Family, was bound to be both "elegant" and "righteous," traits that didn't quite mesh with Wei Wuxian's personality. Wei Wuxian felt that their relationship couldn't be called bad, but it wasn't exactly good either. He guessed that Lan Wangji's evaluation of him was the same as others: too much evil energy, not enough righteousness, and bound to become a major problem someday. After Wei Wuxian betrayed the Yunmeng Jiang family and became the Yiling Patriarch, the rift between him and the Gusu Lan Family grew wider, especially in the final months before his death. If Lan Wangji had recognized him as Wei Wuxian, they would have been at each other's throats long ago.

Yet, the current situation was almost absurd: in the past, Wei Wuxian had done countless things that Lan Wangji couldn't stand, but now, no matter how much trouble Wei Wuxian stirred up, Lan Wangji seemed to tolerate it. Was this progress to be celebrated?

After lying on the bed for some time, Wei Wuxian quietly rose and tiptoed toward the inner room.

Lan Wangji was lying on his side on the bed, seemingly already asleep. Wei Wuxian silently and soundlessly approached him.

He still wasn't giving up. He reached out, hoping to find the elusive Jade Pass Token. However, as soon as he stretched out his hand, Lan Wangji's long lashes fluttered, and he opened his eyes.

Wei Wuxian steeled himself and lunged onto the bed.

He remembered that Lan Wangji hated physical contact. In the past, even a single touch would send one flying across the room. If he could endure this, it wouldn’t be Lan Wangji at all. He would suspect that Lan Wangji had been possessed!

Wei Wuxian's body loomed over Lan Wangji. His legs straddled Lan Wangji’s waist, and his hands braced against the bed, pinning Lan Wangji between his arms. Their faces drew closer and closer until Wei Wuxian could barely breathe. Finally, Lan Wangji spoke.

After a moment of silence, he said, "Get off."

Wei Wuxian shamelessly replied, "I'm not."

A pair of extremely light-colored pupils were right in front of him, locking eyes with Wei Wuxian. Lan Wangji stared at him intently and repeated, "Get off."

Wei Wuxian said, "I won't. You told me to sleep here, so you should have expected this to happen."

Lan Wangji said, "Are you sure you want to continue?"

For some reason, Wei Wuxian felt he should think carefully before answering. Just as he was about to curl the corner of his mouth into a smile, a sudden numbness struck his waist, and his legs went weak. With a thud, he collapsed onto Lan Wangji.

The smile froze on his lips. His head rested against Lan Wangji's right chest, and his entire body was immobilized. Lan Wangji's voice came from above.

His voice was low and deep, vibrating softly with each word, "Then stay like that for the whole night."

Wei Wuxian had never expected this outcome. He tried to move, but his waist was still weak and unresponsive. He was forced into an embarrassing position, tightly pressed against another rigid man, and he was completely dumbfounded.

What had happened to Lan Zhan over the years? How had he changed so much?

Was this still the Lan Zhan from before?

If anyone had been possessed, it was Wei Wuxian himself!

Just as his mind was reeling with shock, Lan Wangji sat up slightly. With a casual wave of his hand, he extinguished the lamp.

The room fell into darkness, and the past began to resurface.