Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation: I Have Acquaintances in the Heavenly Realm - Chapter 31

The Elegant Room (Mingshi)

Lan Qiren sat upright with several clan elders. Lan Wangji and Wei Wuxian stood respectfully before them, reporting on the situation regarding the Water Abyss in Biling Lake.

Lan Wangji said, “The lake water has turned completely black, and the Water Abyss is running rampant. It cannot be suppressed; it must be eliminated entirely.”

Lan Qiren’s brow furrowed slightly. “For so many years, the elders and I have tried every possible method, yet we could never eradicate it, only suppress it. Now that suppression is no longer possible, must we truly drain the lake and expose the riverbed to the sun?”

An elder chimed in, “Indeed. Draining the lake is no easy feat. Furthermore, Biling Lake is the very lifeblood of Caiyi Town. Sigh!”

Lan Wangji stated firmly, “Elimination is the only way to ensure no future troubles remain.”

Lan Qiren said, “If it were a newly formed Water Abyss, our Gusu Lan Sect could act as one and perhaps have a chance. But now that this Water Abyss has grown so powerful, I fear even our united strength may not be enough to eradicate it.”

“But we cannot simply leave it be. What should we do?”

“Things have come to this; regardless of success or failure, we must try. Otherwise, how can we answer to the people of Caiyi Town? How can we answer to the world?”

“Indeed. Our Gusu Lan Sect has a century of reputation as a prestigious clan. We cannot allow it to be destroyed by this Water Abyss. Whether we succeed or fail, we must make the attempt.”

“We old bones have lived long enough. We must do something. The future belongs to the young; let us old men meet this Water Abyss together once more.”

The elders spoke one after another, their words filled with a sense of righteous self-sacrifice. Lan Qiren was visibly moved.

Suddenly, a different voice broke through.

Wei Wuxian said, “Master Lan, elders, Wei Ying has a plan that may be worth a try.”

The elders turned to look at Wei Wuxian, and Lan Qiren looked at him as well, saying, “Speak, let us hear it.”

Wei Wuxian said, “This method of mine may be something you all disagree with or find difficult to accept. However, it is currently the only feasible way.”

Everyone held their breath, waiting for Wei Wuxian’s next words.

“I am, after all, the Yiling Patriarch. To deal with such monsters and ghosts, I naturally must use the Yiling Patriarch’s methods.”

Lan Qiren’s face darkened. “What do you mean by this?”

Wei Wuxian cupped his hands in respect. “Before the Stygian Tiger Seal is destroyed, I can use it along with Chenqing to control the Abyss.”

Lan Qiren asked, “Control? How? This Water Abyss is not a common walking corpse or fierce corpse. Furthermore, the Stygian Tiger Seal is far too dangerous. If even the slightest thing goes wrong, the consequences would be unthinkable. No!”

Wei Wuxian replied, “I admit, I do not have a hundred percent certainty that I can control it. But at this moment, besides this method, do you have a better one? We can afford to wait, but can the people of Caiyi Town wait? I hope Master Lan and the elders will allow Wei Ying to try.”

Lan Qiren looked at Wei Wuxian with a grim expression. “Wei Ying…”

Lan Wangji, who had remained silent until then, suddenly spoke: “Wangji believes Wei Ying’s proposal is feasible.”

Wei Wuxian turned to look at Lan Wangji. The other was also looking back at him, his gaze full of unwavering determination.

He had originally worried that Lan Zhan would be angry, but he hadn’t expected that not only was he not angry, but he was standing by his side without hesitation. He couldn’t help but murmur, “Lan Zhan…”

The crowd looked at Lan Wangji in shock. Lan Wangji calmly cupped his hands and said, “Wangji will work with Wei Ying to eliminate the Water Abyss. Please, Uncle and elders, be at ease.”

Lan Qiren said with a pained voice, “Wangji… do you know how dangerous this is?”

Lan Wangji’s expression remained unchanged. “Wangji knows.”

Wei Wuxian immediately bowed. “Please, Master Lan and elders, do not worry. Lan Zhan and I can definitely do this!”

A long silence followed.

After a long while, Lan Qiren sighed. “Very well… Remember, do not push yourselves beyond your limits. Act within your capabilities.”

Wei Wuxian smiled and said, “Don’t worry, Master Lan. I guarantee Lan Zhan will return without a single hair out of place.”

Lan Qiren snapped irritably, “You all must return without a single hair out of place! Do you hear me? Especially you, Wei Ying! This is not Yunmeng; our sect rules are not ‘Attempt the impossible’!”

Wei Wuxian bowed. “Yes, Wei Ying will keep Master Lan’s teachings in mind.”

The two of them bowed together to the group and left the Elegant Room.

They walked side by side toward the Jingshi (Quiet Room). Neither spoke along the way. As they neared the Jingshi, Wei Wuxian could no longer hold it in and stopped walking.

Lan Wangji was ahead of him, the ends of his forehead ribbon fluttering in the wind. Wei Wuxian reached out and caught one end, giving it a light tug. The ribbon slid from Lan Wangji’s forehead and fell into Wei Wuxian’s hand.

Wei Wuxian looked at the ribbon in his hand, then looked up at Lan Wangji, who still hadn’t turned around.

Looking at Lan Wangji’s back, Wei Wuxian teased, “Hanguang-jun, do you really not care that your forehead ribbon has fallen off?”

Lan Wangji still did not move.

Wei Wuxian had no choice but to circle around to the front of him, holding the ribbon before Lan Wangji’s eyes. “Hanguang-jun, do you not want your ribbon anymore? The ribbon will be very sad.”

Lan Wangji’s light, glass-like eyes simply stared intensely at Wei Wuxian, still silent.

Wei Wuxian said, “Oh, Hanguang-jun, don’t look at me like that. If you keep looking at me like that, I might…”

Lan Wangji asked, “Might what?”

Wei Wuxian leaned closer to Lan Wangji and whispered into his ear, “I might just sleep with you.”

Lan Wangji replied, “Fine.”

After saying that, he pulled Wei Wuxian straight back into the Jingshi.

Though he said that, Lan Wangji pulling him back was not actually for Wei Wuxian to sleep with him, but rather to use his spiritual power to inspect Wei Wuxian’s body.

Wei Wuxian sat obediently and let Lan Wangji investigate. In any case, the condition of this body was something Lan Wangji already knew well enough.

When the inspection was finally over, Lan Wangji released his hand. Wei Wuxian propped his chin on his hand and blinked. “Well, Hanguang-jun? Is ‘every day’ not an issue?”

Lan Wangji, however, did not have the slightest hint of playfulness. “Tomorrow, do not overexert yourself. I will assist you with my zither.”

Wei Wuxian nodded like a chick pecking at grain. “I know, I know. Do you Lan family members only know how to say ‘don’t overexert yourself’?”

Lan Wangji said, “Wei Ying, to me, you are more important. If it does not work, I will fight with all my might. You must not act recklessly.”

Wei Wuxian cupped Lan Wangji’s face with both hands and said seriously, “Lan Zhan, I am the most important to you, but have you considered that you are also the most important to me? If anything happens to you, do you think I would live on alone? I wouldn’t. So, tomorrow, we must both be fine.”

Lan Wangji pulled Wei Wuxian into a tight embrace. “Alright.”

Wei Wuxian laughed and patted Lan Wangji’s back. “Lan Zhan, the situation might not be as bad as we think. I am the Yiling Patriarch, after all! What monsters or ghosts wouldn’t be terrified upon seeing me? Relax a little, there’s no need for this.”

Lan Wangji did not answer; he only held the person in his arms even more tightly.