"I'll handle the talisman." Xiao Zhan offered.
Lan Wangji spoke, "No, I shall do it."
"Butâ" Before Xiao Zhan could say another word, he was cut off with Lan Wangji pressing his finger against his lips.
Xiao Zhan obediently fell silent, allowing Lan Wangji to continue speaking, "You have already expended too much energy today. Let me do it."
"But your energy level has yet to returned fully," Xiao Zhan insisted.
Lan Wangji shook his head, his expression insistent.
Xiao Zhan sighed, knowing better than to argue further.
A couple minute later, they appeared in the tent. Xiao Zhan had expected to see both Nie Mingjue and Lan Xichen waiting for them upon their return. That being said, it didn't quite take him by surprise. He knew they probably heard his flute playing earlier and they surely would have plenty of questions.
"Didi, we need to talk." Nie Mingjue announced, taking a step towards them.
Before Xiao Zhan could say anything in response, he felt his head was spinning like a tornado. He popped the pill Wen Qing gave him quickly, hoping that it would work fast enough. He took a deep breath, trying to steady himself. He'd dealt with this before but now it seemed like every time he teleported, it was bringing more intense side effects.
"Ah, Da Ge... Give me one moment please." Xiao Zhan requested, holding up a hand as he tried to contain the onslaught of nausea that threatened to overwhelm him at any given time.
Nie Mingjue had a look of concern etched onto his features as he watched Xiao Zhan struggle, "Are you okay?" he asked.
"Yeah, yeah. I'm okay." Xiao Zhan waved him off dismissively. His eyes watered, but at least the medicine started to work and his stomach stopped the wild somersault. He could already feel the thundering headache begin to build behind his eyes. He managed, "...Actually, I probably need another minute...
His hands shook slightly as he reached out to grip hold of the nearest support for balance, "Shit..."
Lan Wangji immediately moved forward to place a supporting arm around his waist. "Wei Ying, are you sure you're alright?"
Xiao Zhan couldn't even speak, let alone reply, so all he did was nod vigorously as the room began to spin violently around him. If he hadn't already been clinging onto Lan Wangji's arm for dear life, he wouldn't have been able to stay upright.
That's it! I hate teleportation!
"Come on. Lie down." Lan Wangji stated firmly, guiding him back to his bedroll and gently pushing him down onto it, "You don't look so well."
Xiao Zhan had no energy to protest and complied. He laid down, practicing diaphragmatic breathing to calm the overstimulated senses that overpowering him at the moment. He then felt a stream of spiritual energy flowed into him which helped him almost instantly in reducing the urge to vomit. He opened his eyes to look at Lan Wangji after a brief while, looking over at his lover with concern, "Lan Zhan, it's okay. You're drained too."
To say Lan Wangji looked uncharacteristically distressed would be an understatement. He was clearly exhausted too but still stubbornly stated, "I can manage."
"I'll be fine." Xiao Zhan reassured him, reaching a tentative hand out to stop the transfer, "Please."
Lan Wangji stared at him for a long moment, before letting out a sigh and finally acquiescing, "Alright, as you wish."
Xiao Zhan's suffering lasted for a couple more minutes before he felt good enough to sit up again. He guessed Wen Qing's medication finally took a full effect. He rubbed at his temples with shaking fingers and spoke up, directing his gaze to Nie Mingjue, "Alright. What do we have to talk about?"
"Are you feeling good enough to have this talk?" Nie Mingjue asked with worry plastered all over his face.
Xiao Zhan nodded, still looking a little pale "As good as I am going to be."
Lan Wangji furrowed his brows in response and protested, "Wei Ying, you are not in a good condition to talk."
"It's fine, Lan Zhan. I can still talk." Xiao Zhan said as he held his lover's wrist to calm him down. He looked over to meet the other two men's gazes, "What is this about?"
Both Lan Xichen and Nie Mingjue remained silent for a moment as they regarded each other. After a few moments, Nie Mingjue turned back to face Xiao Zhan, speaking up, "Were you the one who played the music earlier?"
"Yes." Xiao Zhan answered bluntly.
"How did you two take out a dozen of guards unscathed? What was your music having to do with that? " Nie Mingjue pressed urgently. "What happened anyway?"
Xiao Zhan hesitated for a bit, wondering if he should tell them the truth or not. There was no doubt in his mind that Nie Mingjue was part of his family in this world, but there was still part of him that held some reservations. It wasn't that he did not trust them, it was just that the only person he trusted fully was Lan Wangji alone.
And this is not the right time to do this.
"Well, you see..." The others fell silent, allowing Xiao Zhan to formulate his words properly. He took a breath and continued, "Look, I understand that both of you want answers and I promise, I'll tell you everything I can when I'm ready."
Both of the others were obviously unhappy with this arrangement.
Nie Mingjue's eyebrows furrowed as he continued to stare at Xiao Zhan, questioning him firmly, "What are you hiding? Do you not trust us?"
"I trust you both completely. You know that." Xiao Zhan said honestly.
"Then, tell us." Nie Mingjue demanded. Lan Xichen looked at him expectantly as well.
Xiao Zhan bit his lower lip as he thought on how to answer the man at this moment. He actually had planned to let them know about his secret cultivation when the conference is over. It was a gamble he chose to take. At the end of the day, whether they believed him or not was immaterial. If they didn't believe him, well... He'd just cross that bridge later on. But right now, he needed to buy some time and he knew just the way to diffuse this stressful situation. By cracking a joke, of course.
He cleared his throat to speak, "If you must know..." he paused to take a deep breath, "...I am pregnant."
"What??" Both Nie Mingjue and Lan Xichen asked in unison, their eyes wide with shock.
"..." Lan Wangji's jaw dropped slightly at the unexpected anecdote of an answer as he looked at Xiao Zhan in utter disbelief.
Xiao Zhan couldn't help smiling mischievously their reaction at his totally absurd crap.
For a moment, the two seemed to believe it since Xiao Zhan just displayed the very symptoms that one could related to carrying a child. But then, incredulity set in and Nie Mingjue scoffed, "You're joking."
"Of course, I am." Xiao Zhan replied, unable to contain the laughter that bubbled within him.
Nie Mingjue gave Xiao Zhan a sharp glare, and reprimanded him, "Stop joking around, Didi! This is serious business."
"Okay, okay, sorry." Xiao Zhan said in a placating tone, raising his hands in surrender, "Da Ge, I will tell you everything, I promise. But now is not the right time and I am really exhausted."
Nie Mingjue regarded him warily, his eyes wandering at the slightly blanched face of his brother before nodding curtly. He conceded resignedly, "Okay, rest then. We'll discuss it again later."
"Thank you for understanding." Xiao Zhan answered as he sighed internally.
Lan Xichen was still not over the initial shock that Xiao Zhan would joke about something like this and remained speechless, unsure what to think. He eventually found his voice, "Young Master Wei."
"Yes, Zewu-Jun?" Xiao Zhan acknowledged him politely.
"You're not... really pregnant, are you?" Lan Xichen asked.
Lan Wangji sighed heavily at his brother's question before answering on Xiao Zhan's behalf, "He is not, Brother. Wei Ying was joking."
Xiao Zhan looked towards Lan Xichen with a sheepish smile, before shaking his head, chuckling faintly, "No. I don't have that kind of miraculous ability, Zewu-Jun. Don't worry."
"Well, Young Master Wei, you always proved yourself to be an oddity and you often showed that you possess abilities that are beyond our expectations. That being said, how you will surprise me next? Besides, you and Wangji have been-"
Lan Wangji cut across Lan Xichen, frowning deeply at the conjecture, "Brother, stop."
Lan Xichen smiled softly, "I apologize, Wangji. You are my little brother. It is only natural to worry."
"..." Lan Wangji gave him a flat look.
"And besides, you can never guess what Young Master Wei could pull off since almost nothing is impossible for him." Lan Xichen remarked.
"He is not pregnant..." Lan Wangji repeated again before a glimmer of doubt sneaked in his mind. All of sudden, his brother's word made some sense in his head. He could not deny that Xiao Zhan was always unpredictable that he often displayed his abilities of achieving the impossible. Who knows what kind of miracle he might perform, be it intentional or not? His brain stopped being logical and he started to question his own knowledge. He turned to Xiao Zhan and asked innocently, "...Right?"
"..." Xiao Zhan gaped slightly and looked incredulously at his lover. He did not see such query coming from Lan Wangji himself. His cheeks heated slightly as he denied vehemently, "Of course not! I can't be even if I want to."
"...are you... sure?" Lan Wangji stuttered slightly. His eyes subconsciously fell on the Xiao Zhan's abdomen in uncertainty.
A smirk tugged at the corner of Lan Xichen's lips. Feeling good at his petty revenge for Xiao Zhan's joke. He was enjoying himself immensely at watching his naïve younger brother roused at the thought that Xiao Zhan could possibly be pregnant with his child and how Xiao Zhan tried to make up for his untimely jest.
Okay, probably it was a bad joke. Really bad joke! Why did I even start this nonsense??
"For heaven's sake Lan Zhan, I'm not!" Xiao Zhan insisted through gritted teeth, covering his abdomen on reflex. He emphasized each words as he said, "It's not possible anatomically and physiologically, alright?"
Lan Wangji looked a little relieved despite his cool exterior. He nodded, "Good."
"Good!" Xiao Zhan echoed, also relieved. "Now, can we not-"
As if it was on cue, the heavens played Xiao Zhan back. He felt the urge to vomit once more, sending an overwhelming sense of nausea rushing over him. His body trembled as he heaved, retching violently although nothing came up.
Ah, fuck! Not good!
Lan Wangji quickly reached over to support him, pulling him up so that he wouldn't fall off. His expression turned into panic once more. "Wei Ying, what's wrong?"
"Nausea..." Xiao Zhan said between puffs of breath. Fortunately for him, the wave was over after a couple minute. When the heaving subsided, he laid against Lan Wangji's embrace, panting and sweating profusely, his heart pounding rapidly against his chest.
What a perfectly shitty timing
Both of the others stared at them blankly, too baffled to talk. Their minds worked overtime as they continued to debate whether man pregnancy was a viable idea or probably Wei Wuxian was actually a hermaphrodite and that was the secret he had been keeping from them.
Either way, all three men had their eyes on Xiao Zhan who was trying to pull his shit together in Lan Wangji's embrace.
Nie Mingjue finally voiced out, frowning in concern, "Are you certain that you are not pregnant, Didi?"
"Yes..." Xiao Zhan answered weakly, his voice trembled slightly. This joke had backfired on him and turned into a complete nightmare that even he himself started to question the validity of his own statement for like five seconds.
Ah! Me and my stupid mouth! But...Those three looked like they were just fine after teleportation. Why am I the only one who have this symptoms? In this world, even the dead came back to life.... Am I really... Should I see Wen Qing after the conference for a check up, just in case?... No! What am I thinking? Why am I even considering this?
He shook the absurd thought away, adding to affirm, "Definitely not."
Then he closed his eyes as he attempted to collect himself. Feeling slightly better, he extracted himself from Lan Wangji's hold, pushing against the man's chest lightly to sit upright. He muttered, "Okay, I need to go back to my tent."
Lan Wangji shot him a worried glance, unwilling to let Xiao Zhan leave the room alone whilst he still seemed a little sick. He tightened his grip on him tightly, wanting to prevent him from going anywhere. "Wei Ying, where do you plan on going?"
"To my tent?" Xiao Zhan answered simply with a guileless expression.
"You are not well enough yet," Lan Wangji stated firmly.
"But my tent isn't far from here." Xiao Zhan argued, attempting to pull himself free from Lan Wangji's grasp. However, he was unsuccessful. "I can handle it."
Lan Wangji was adamant, "No. Stay."
Xiao Zhan was dumbfounded by the stubborn request. He pointed out, looking between the two Lan brothers, "Uh, you're sharing this tent with your brother. I don't want to bother you and your brother with-"
"It's alright, Young Master Wei. We are all men here. It's not that unusual." Lan Xichen offered with a kind smile. "You can stay with Wangji."
Xiao Zhan hesitated as he turned to look at Lan Wangji who was still holding him protectively. Looking at the expectant face, he sighed before decided that he may as well accept his fate. "Alright."
"Well then, I'll get going. See you all in few hours." Nie Mingjue excused himself, walking out of the tent and leaving the other three alone in the tent. He too was overwhelmingly tired since the transportation talisman activation zapped his spiritual energy, leaving him with barely minimum amount in his reservoir.
Silence ensued in the tent once more. Xiao Zhan closed his eyes, trying to fall asleep while being hugged tightly by the man without any hint of shame. It didn't even take him long to fell into dreamland when his lover stroked his hair comfortingly.
"Rest well, Wei Ying" Lan Wangji whispered. Xiao Zhan mumbled incoherently, barely conscious as he snuggled closer into the warmth of his beloved's embrace out of habit.
Lan Xichen, on the other side of the tent, felt like a giant third wheel in the room with the loving couple sleeping together. He turned to face the wall; the sight of Xiao Zhan curled up in the arms of Lan Wangji made him smile inwardly while blushing deeply. The couple looked like they were made for each other, and he hoped that this whole endeavor would not turn out badly for them. However, there was no telling what would happen when tomorrow came. But for now, they need to recuperate.
Day two of Qishan Wen discussion conference begun as the following morning dawned bright and early. The birds began to awaken in the woods, filling the air with chirps and songs. The scent of early morning dew filled the air.
"Where the hell have you been?" Jiang Cheng asked, his arms crossed in front of his chest as he saw Xiao Zhan finally returned to their shared tent when the sun was already up.
Xiao Zhan yawned loudly while walking over towards where his space was supposed to be, taking off his outer robes as he replied nonchalantly, "Wherever I wanted to be. Why do you have to ask? And you shouldn't be so loud, you know? It's still too early to hear your yelling."
Jiang Cheng frowned in frustration and continued to scold him, "Don't give me that crap! What am I supposed to do? You've been gone all night and you look like shit!"
Xiao Zhan rolled his eyes before answering him, sounding a little tired, "I was on a date. Do you want to hear the details?"
"Fuck no!" Jiang Cheng immediately bristled with anger upon hearing this. If it wasn't for the fact that he couldn't afford to offend Xiao Zhan in any way, he would have kicked his ass already. Instead, he opted to stare sharply at his martial brother.
Xiao Zhan merely shrugged, removing the rest of his outer robes stretched his body languidly, "Fine, suit yourself then. Ahh... I felt so sticky. I need to shower."
That remark resulted in Jiang Cheng cringing as the hair on his neck stand up. He gave another annoyed grunt as he scoffed with flushed face and started to walk away, grumbling under his breath, "You're are absolutely filthy..."
"Me? Filthy? What do you think I was doing all night long?" Xiao Zhan retorted.
Jiang Cheng turned around to show his disgusted expression at Xiao Zhan from tent entrance, "...do you really want me to vomit right here?"
Xiao Zhan laughed, "You really need to get your head out of the gutter, Jiang Cheng."
"And you need to repent!" Jiang Cheng shot back, throwing his hands on the air in exasperation and began to walk out.
Xiao Zhan did not miss a beat to counter, "Said the one who was having dirty thoughts."
"Just go for a fucking shower already!" Jiang Cheng yelled from outside. His ears began turning redder due to embarrassment which he would deny ever happening.
Xiao Zhan cackled loudly at the response before he proceeded to go for a quick wash.As much as he enjoyed pissing Jiang Cheng off, the idea of having a shower was rather enticing, especially after the exhausting day of travelling and dealing with so much bullshit the day before. After he finished on putting a clean set of clothes and looking as damper as ever, he left his tent to see Lan Wangji already waiting for him outside.
"Lan Zhan~" Xiao Zhan greeted cheerily. He sauntered towards the man, looping his arms around his shoulder comfortably.
Lan Wangji glanced down at him, smiling gently. "Are you feeling better now?"
"Yep." Xiao Zhan replied with a bright grin. His expression soon turned serious as he saw Sect Leader Nie approaching them slowly.
"Ying-Er, shall we go for a walk?" Sect Leader Nie suggested after receiving their bows.
Xiao Zhan nodded, "Yes, Father."
Sect Leader Nie turned towards Lan Wangji, asking earnestly, "Would you care to come along, Second Young Master Lan?"
"Yes, Sect Leader Nie." Lan Wangji answered immediately. Sect Leader Nie nodded in approval as he led Xiao Zhan to a secluded area nearby.
Once they were far enough away from the others, Sect Leader Nie stopped walking. He looked at his son as he said, "Mingjue told us everything that happened last night. But he mentioned that there is more to the story. "
Xiao Zhan pursed his lips. "There is." He lowered his gaze momentarily, before lifting it back up again as he gazed at his father imploringly. "Father, I must apologize for keeping certain things as secrets from you. Please believe me when I say that I meant no harm."
There was a brief moment of silence. Sect Leader Nie stared at him before he sighed heavily. He placed a hand on Xiao Zhan's shoulders, patting it lightly before saying solemnly, "There is no need to apologize. I have always known that there is something that you have been keeping to yourself. But it doesn't matter. All that matters to me that you are safe and sound. We can discuss everything further later when you are ready to tell. "
Xiao Zhan nodded, allowing himself to breathe out, relieved to know his father wouldn't ask too many questions. "Thank you, Father."
"Can you at least tell me about the extent of severity of the situation with the guards?" Sect Leader Nie requested.
A grim look flashed on Xiao Zhan's face before he answered, "They were heavily injured and there was no following back up team looking for them when we left."
"You left them alive?" Sect Leader Nie was slightly bothered with that fact.
"...yes." Xiao Zhan rubbed his neck, trying to come up with an answer for his action. He knew the risk of leaving those men alive but he just couldn't take their lives. His humanity just did not allow him to do so.
"Wei Ying did what he thought is right, Sect Leader Nie." Lan Wangji spoke up for him. He knew that Xiao Zhan was uncomfortable with the idea of killing someone.
Sect Leader Nie nodded his head in solemnity as he considered his option. He then decided, "Let me take care of them then."
"But-" Xiao Zhan cut himself off. He fully understand what his foster father meant by that and even though a part of him wanted to protest, he couldn't came up with a reason to fight the decision. This world he was currently living in was not the same peaceful land that he once lived in. It's the world of dogs eat dogs. A cruel and unforgiving realm. He sighed resignedly. It was the only way to delay the news of the Wen fugitives disappearance from reaching Wen Ruohan's ears.
Sect Leader Nie noted his acquiescence and informed him quietly, "I'll send a team of our elites."
Xiao Zhan fell wordless for a while, trying to push down the guilt that was creeping into his mind while Lan Wangji silently lifted his hand and placed it on lower part of his back to give him some comfort.
Sect Leader Nie gave him a little time to arrange his thought before he asked hesitantly, "Uh... Ying-Er. Mingjue also mentioned that you did not feel well and there's a slight possibility that-"
"Father, it is zero possibility. Zero." Xiao Zhan immediately cut his adopted father's sentences; his face reddened in an instance. He regretted cracking that joke with his whole life right now.
"Are you sure?" Sect Leader Nie asked again, although this time it was tinged with a hint of teasing.
"Very." Xiao Zhan replied quickly, nodding his head vigorously as he mumbled sheepishly, "I shouldn't have make that kind of joke."
"Mn. Agree." Lan Wangji interjected with a nod of his head.
Xiao Zhan blinked at him before he let out a small laugh, shaking his head, "Right. Of course, you'd agree with that."
Sect Leader Nie chuckled softly at the sight. The atmosphere lightened. It was obvious that the topic that had just been brought up between the two was bothering both of them. "Let's go for breakfast. We got a big day ahead of us."
"Ah. Yes... yes of course." Xiao Zhan muttered. He got no appetite to eat at all but he needed all the source of energy he could gather at this point. He knew for sure that it was going to be another long day.
*****
The day started in smooth manner and the spell competition took place almost immediately. As expected, Xiao Zhan took the lead as he dispelled each casted spell with ease. After all, spell was one of his best subjects after all, not to mention the fact that this particular skill came quite naturally to him especially if one takes into account the fact that he was in a body of a genius grandmaster of an entirely new form of cultivation. Lan Wangji was a close second to him. After all, Xiao Zhan always shared his knowledge on almost everything with him.
As they took the victories once more, they attracted all kind of attention towards them.
From a distance, Wen Chao had a sour look of jealousy of their winnings on his face as he watched the head disciple of Yunmeng Jiang and the Second Jade of Gusu Lan interacted. The two seem to enjoy each other's company despite being polar opposites. He looked at the two curiously, observing what sort of relationship there might be between the pair. They were too close to be just friends.
"Hey! I got it!" Wen Chao exclaimed, jumping in place. He pointed a finger toward where two figures stood in the middle, talking animatedly. "It can only mean one thing! Those two must be in a relationship."
A collective "oh" rose from the crowd of Wen disciples next to him and they began whispering amongst themselves, evaluating the gossip.
"Well then! That must be Wei Wuxian's weakness." Wen Chao declared, feeling proud to come up with such conclusion. He smirked smugly as he brought Wen Zhuliu with him along with his lackeys in hopes of intimidating him. He walked over to the front of Jiang Sect party where the two was conversing. However, he underestimated Xiao Zhan who never backed down from anyone.
"So, you two are cut sleeves, huh?" Wen Chao sneered at Xiao Zhan as soon as he stopped in front of the two men. His voice were dripping with venom. The Wen disciples behind him chuckled, obviously finding amusement in his statement.
Xiao Zhan rolled his eyes slightly before he looked at Wen Chao calmly, replying indifferently, "Second Master Wen, I believe that it is none of your business. I am afraid I will have to ask you not to interfere anymore or I fear you may become the victim of your own stupidity."
Wen Chao spat angrily, "Heh, you really don't know your place!"
"Oh, I know exactly where I am standing, Second Young Master Wen." Xiao Zhan stated, raising his brow, "Do you?"
Wen Chao glared at him with utter rage, "You lowly insolent son of a servant!"
Jiang Cheng and Nie Huaisang who stood nearby were alarmed by the group of Wen disciples that was facing the Yin and Yang pair. They immediately went off to find a back up in the form of Nie Mingjue.
Lan Wangji frowned, glancing down at Xiao Zhan whose face was devoid of all emotions as he merely stared straight ahead. His gaze was steady yet cold; unlike the warm smile on his face earlier, there was nothing in the way that hinted at warmth that usually resided on his face. He stepped forward to shield his beloved, "Second Master Wen, you are crossing the line here."
"So, it's true that you two are involved with each other." Wen Chao scoffed mockingly.
Suddenly, Xiao Zhan moved next to Lan Wangji, his eyes narrowing as he crossed his arms, "Looks like you have forgotten my warning, Second Young Master Wen."
Wen Chao scowled at Xiao Zhan in response, raising his chin defiantly as he retorted, "Oh yeah? Well, if you want to fight me, why don't you bring it on? Zhuliu!"
Wen Zhuliu walked forward silently, taking position in front of Wen Chao like the perfect bodyguard. His face however showed that he was rather displeased with the Wen Chao's childish acts. He had no desire to interfere either since his main task was only to protect Wen Chao's safety.
In truth, Wei Wuxian had already caught his attention from afar since he could see the core the youth possessed within his body shone brightly. His ability allowed him to easily detect the spiritual energy emanating from one's core and the power that the young cultivator exuded was undeniable. He had seen a lot of powerful cultivators in his life and had learned to admire and respect them. However, nothing compares to this pure, unbridled power that radiated from him like a beacon. There was also something else about that teen that intrigued the curiosity in his heart, and not just because of how strong Wei Wuxian seemed to be. Yet he couldn't put his finger on it. But he had a gut feeling that the head disciple of Yunmeng Jiang was definitely hiding some great secrets within his very being and he knew he had to tread carefully.