Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation: I Have Acquaintances in the Heavenly Realm - Chapter 26

After the Discussion Conference concluded, Lan Xichen returned to the Hanshi and remained behind closed doors. Lan Wangji had no choice but to see off the various Sect Leaders himself.

Wei Wuxian called out to Lan Qiren, who was preparing to return to the Yashi (Elegant Room). “Teacher Lan, please stay a moment. Wei Ying has matters to discuss.”

Lan Qiren stopped and turned around. Looking at Wei Wuxian’s respectful manner, he truly could not find any fault. He said in a cold, detached tone, “You still have matters to discuss with me? Don’t you usually discuss everything with him?”

Wei Wuxian replied, “Lan Zhan and I have already discussed this, but as it is a matter of great importance, I still need to consult you, Teacher Lan.”

Lan Qiren flicked his sleeve. “Since you have already discussed it, why bother asking me?”

Wei Wuxian hurriedly added, “It concerns the Stygian Tiger Seal. I hope Teacher Lan will listen.”

Upon hearing that it concerned the Stygian Tiger Seal, a flash of surprise crossed Lan Qiren’s face. He said, “Follow me.”

The Yashi

Lan Qiren stood with his hands behind his back, facing away from Wei Wuxian. “It is only the two of us here. Speak. What is it?”

Wei Wuxian said, “The half of the Stygian Tiger Seal that was in Jin Guangyao’s possession is indeed in my hands.”

Lan Qiren did not respond.

Wei Wuxian continued, “I know that right now, all the great sects are eyeing this seal like tigers watching their prey. Though they don’t say it openly, in secret, they certainly want to obtain it. And if they cannot obtain it, they would rather destroy it so that no one else can have it either.”

“Whoever holds the Stygian Tiger Seal becomes the target of public criticism—the object of attack for the entire cultivation world.”

“And I, the Yiling Patriarch Wei Wuxian, am already a target. Holding the seal only makes the sects more wary and hateful toward me; they wish they could tear me apart.”

“Since you, Teacher Lan, authorized me to wear the Lan Sect uniform and attend this conference openly with Lan Zhan, it counts as an acknowledgment of my status. At the very least, it tells the cultivation world that I, Wei Wuxian, am now a member of the Gusu Lan Sect.”

“From now on, my every word and action represents the Gusu Lan Sect and represents Lan Zhan. If I am not careful, Lan Zhan and the Gusu Lan Sect will become targets of public criticism alongside me.”

Lan Qiren asked, “And so?”

Wei Wuxian said, “So, I intend to grant everyone their wish and bring this matter to a final conclusion, so that the cultivation world no longer has a reason to use this against us.”

Lan Qiren turned around and looked at Wei Wuxian. “What do you intend to do?”

Wei Wuxian replied, “I intend to destroy the Stygian Tiger Seal in front of all the prominent sects.”

Hearing this, Lan Qiren’s face betrayed his shock. He stared at Wei Wuxian for a long while before asking, “Are you… speaking the truth?”

Wei Wuxian nodded with absolute sincerity. “I am!”

Seeing that Wei Wuxian was not joking in the slightest, Lan Qiren felt quite surprised. He had heard rumors about why Wei Wuxian had abandoned the path of the sword for the “wicked path,” and he actually admired Wei Wuxian’s resolve in giving his Golden Core to someone else, rendering himself an ordinary person without spiritual power.

If giving up his core back then was to repay the debt to the Yunmeng Jiang Sect, then destroying the seal now was a way of declaring his stance to the Gusu Lan Sect—doing so so that the sect would not be subjected to gossip, and to preserve its century-old reputation.

This happened to be what Lan Qiren cared about most. Unconsciously, he began to see Wei Wuxian in a slightly more favorable light.

Wei Wuxian cupped his hands and performed a deep, formal bow. “Many thanks to Teacher Lan for being willing to give Wei Ying a chance to remain by Lan Zhan’s side.”

Lan Qiren flicked his sleeve and said, “You needn’t thank me. Just remember what you said today, and do not bring shame to my Gusu Lan Sect.”

Wei Wuxian smiled and said, “Yes. Wei Ying will certainly keep today’s words in mind and will never bring shame to the Gusu Lan Sect.”

Lan Qiren said, “Regarding the matter of the Stygian Tiger Seal, I shall discuss it with the sect elders before making a decision. You may leave now.”

Wei Wuxian bowed. “Yes.”

Stepping out of the Yashi, Wei Wuxian took a deep breath and stretched. He felt refreshed and invigorated. This Cloud Recesses isn’t so devoid of ‘human flavor’ after all; it’s actually quite nice.

Wei Wuxian took two happy, skipping steps before suddenly remembering Lan Qiren’s face; he immediately reverted to walking properly and obediently.

He muttered to himself: Must not break sect rules! Must not break sect rules! Must not break sect rules!

After walking for a short while, he saw a figure standing under a tree in the distance, holding a fan and gazing into the horizon. This person was Nie Huaisang.

Wei Wuxian had been wondering how to find him, so he was delighted to run into him by chance. He walked over and said with a smile, “Hello there, Huaisang-xiong.”

Nie Huaisang turned around, fanned himself with his folding fan, and also smiled. “Hello, Wei-xiong.”

Wei Wuxian remarked, “It’s been a long time. Huaisang-xiong is as elegant as ever.”

Nie Huaisang replied, “It’s been a long time. Wei-xiong is as arrogant as ever.”

Wei Wuxian laughed. “Kind words, kind words. What are you looking at, Huaisang-xiong?”

Nie Huaisang closed his fan and pointed toward a distant mountain peak. “Wei-xiong, look. The peonies on that mountain—aren’t they blooming beautifully?”

Wei Wuxian looked in the direction he pointed and indeed saw the mountainside covered in peonies, blooming vibrantly and beautifully. He nodded. “They are indeed beautiful. As expected of Huaisang-xiong; you noticed them the moment you arrived. I’ve been here so long and didn’t even notice.”

Nie Huaisang smiled. “Wei-xiong must be joking. Is there any place in Cloud Recesses that you don’t know about?”

Wei Wuxian gave a hearty laugh. “The Discussion Conference is over. Is Huaisang-xiong preparing to return to Qinghe?”

Nie Huaisang nodded. “That’s right. I’m preparing to bid farewell to Teacher Lan and head back.”

Wei Wuxian said, “I heard that Huaisang-xiong’s performance at Chifeng-zun’s coffin-sealing ceremony was quite extraordinary. When Lan Zhan and I were out night-hunting, we heard the common folk praising it endlessly. You truly are a model for our generation.”

Nie Huaisang replied, “Wei-xiong overpraises me.”

Wei Wuxian countered, “Huaisang-xiong is too modest.”

Nie Huaisang smiled but said nothing more. The two stood side-by-side, gazing at the peonies for a long time in silence.

In their past life, when they studied at Cloud Recesses, Wei Wuxian and Nie Huaisang had been quite close and had broken many rules together. But after the events of the “Sacrifice” and Jin Guangyao, the relationship between them had changed to the point where it could no longer even be called a former friendship.

Ultimately, if Nie Huaisang hadn’t wanted to avenge his brother, Chifeng-zun, he might not have encouraged Mo Xuanyu to use the forbidden sacrifice ritual. If Mo Xuanyu hadn’t performed the sacrifice, Wei Wuxian would never have returned to the world.

However, for the sake of revenge, Nie Huaisang had calculated against everyone, even disregarding their safety. This was something truly difficult to move past. Nevertheless, since he had successfully avenged his brother without causing substantial harm to others, it was hard to hate him. Yet, Wei Wuxian found it difficult to view him the same way he had in their past life.

After a long while, Wei Wuxian broke the silence. “Have you gone to see Zewu-jun?”

Nie Huaisang’s expression turned complex. “Second Brother, he…”

Wei Wuxian said, “As you’ve seen, Zewu-jun’s condition isn’t good right now.”

Nie Huaisang hesitated. “I…”

Wei Wuxian said, “Whether you saw Sect Leader Jin about to strike back then is no longer important. Whether everything was part of your plan is also no longer important.”

Nie Huaisang stared blankly ahead and said nothing.

Wei Wuxian turned to face him fully. “But there is one thing I need Huaisang-xiong’s help with.”

Nie Huaisang snapped out of it and looked at him. “What is it?”

Wei Wuxian asked, “Where is Chifeng-zun currently buried?”

Nie Huaisang asked uneasily, “What do you intend to do?”

Wei Wuxian replied, “Huaisang-xiong, don’t be nervous. I don’t intend to do anything. It’s just that Zewu-jun is currently plagued by inner demons, and his condition is worsening. If it continues like this, I fear…” He paused, then continued, “I believe Huaisang-xiong wouldn’t want Zewu-jun to remain like this forever, either?”

Nie Huaisang asked, “What does Wei-xiong plan to do?”