DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN MO DAO ZU SHI OR THE UNTAMED THEY BELONG TO THEIR OWNERS.
A/N: alright folks the moment you all have been waiting for. The start of the ritual that would make our two leads head off into the darkness of the unknown.
Just kidding they are getting ready to get the dragon. So don't worry about it. Just to warn you however things will get a bit weird from here on till the end. The inspiration came from both Tomb Raider and Indiana Jones as well as a few other things. I don't claim to know Wuxia so well so bare with me. I am just a stupid American.
THE LAST WESTERN SPIRIT
Chapter 8: Rituals and Preparation
CLOUD RECESSES
"Alright young Masters if you would please drink this," said the Lan Healer as he handed Lan Wangji and Wei Ying their medicine. When the healer came in with a pot of something in his hand the two boys looked as if something was going to happen to them. Both Wei Ying and Lan Wangji did not like the sensation that their were becoming something else.
Right beside the healer was Lan Qiren who aided in preparing the medicine. Both boys drank the medicine with some reluctance, and both had sour looks on their faces. Though Wei Ying's face was more evident then Lan Wangji's.
Wen Qing was only there briefly to explain things to the healer before she and Wen Ning had to retire due to the curfew about to take place. Seeing as she was not part of the Lan clan, and a guest, she had no choice but to obey the rules. The Lan Healer had to ask Lan Qiren if he could fetch some herbs that are in his rooms. Then had prepared the medicine for the boys to drink knowing of their condition.
But as soon as they finished the markings looked less like they were going to burst from their skin at any moment. In fact it receded to nothing more then faint markings.
"I am sorry I was so late in getting all the ingredients, but I had to find a trader who traveled past the Western mountains," said the Lan Healer.
"We understand," said Lan Wangji as he finished his bowl first. The horrid taste in his mouth seemed to travel down his body as he swallowed the last of it. The marks as they disappeared also retracted his claws. Breathing a sigh he felt like he was back in his skin.
"Master Qiren when will we be able to use the cold water ponds. I would like to be able to walk and go to the bathroom without assistance," said Wei Ying.
"Soon, the waters are still receding thankfully. It should be ready within the next week or so. That way I can see your sorry ass in my class again," he said and as they stared at him in shock at such use of language they both noticed a slight twitch in his lip.
Wei Ying had to pinch himself to make sure that he wasn't dreaming.
Did Lan Qiren just make a joke? He thought, things are getting stranger and stranger. Even at how late the hour was he was thankful that Wen Qing was able to get the healer to help before retiring to bed.
MEANWHILE
"Enter," a dark and scratchy voice said.
The door opened and Wen Qing entered. She carried with her a bowl of something steaming.
"Ah Wen Qing enter," the voice said and Wen Qing walked up to the table the bowl steaming as she placed it down in front of the man sitting there.
"Uncle, I've brought your dinner and your medicine," she said to him. Wen Ruohan nodded as he put his spoon in his bowl and started to eat. When he was done she did her normal checks on him.
"So, from what I understand you are no longer under my banners is that correct?" he said to her. She bowed low her demeanor shaking as she tried to hide the symbol on her hand. But Wen Ruohan's hand was faster as he grabbed it and pulled it up for her to see. The symbol of the dragon burned when he put his hand on it.
"I see, so the dragon has chosenyou as one of its guardians. My son told me as much," he said to her. Her fright was what he expected to see as he noticed her quivering as his hand still held hers tightly.
He let go of her hand.
She was shaking when she looked at her hand as it quickly healed the bruise that formed. Wen Ruohan watched it with fascinated eyes, "So it is true that your cultivation has grown since your eventual transformation." he said looking at her with interest.
As she rubbed her hand she did not see the slap until it connected with her face. She was thrown a bit by the blow as she was made off balance by the power that Wen Ruohan had. Shaking she reached her hand up to feel the blood coming down from the side of her mouth and the swelling that her eye was currently feeling. There was spiritual power behind that blow and it surely would have killed her. But she was lucky her golden core was strong enough to withstand the blow.
"You stupid witch! How dare you side with that useless lizard!" he said as he came at her and all Wen Qing could see was his hand on her face.
SOMETIME LATER
Wen Xu was in his rooms when he heard the screaming. The wind from the bamboo forests nearby alerted him that something was not right and when he opened the door he saw his cousin Wen Qing on the ground just outside of his father's rooms. She was struggling to get up from her position. Quickly and quietly as he could he told his guards to bring her to him. They ran towards her and quickly helped her up and gently brought her to him.
Wen Xu then shut the door to his rooms and placed silencing talismans on the doors, walls, and windows.
"Cousin!" he said to her. Concern and worry etched into his features as he took her in. Her ragged breathing was all that he saw as she tried to orient herself.
"Don't worry cousin Qing here drink this," he said handing her a cup of medicinal tea. She took it in her hands and drank it down. She could feel him checking her over to make sure she is fine before allowing him to put her on the guest bed. She was hesitant about this until he took a cloth with water from the water basin and began to dab the bruises and cuts. She looked up at him with thanks.
"Cousin why do you still serve him when the dragon has set you free," he said to her.
"I...I thought that if this was my last night as a member of the QishanWen. Then I was going to treat uncle one last time before I have to leave for Yiling," she said to him.
Wen Xu nodded as he cleaned the blood off of her face. Understanding dawned on him of what was happening.
"A-Qing you know as well as I that a war is brewing. Father is not of the right mind anymore. The Yin Iron has poisoned him and no matter how many times you treat him…" and he was hesitant when he said this. Wen Qing reached up and gently took his hand, "What is it?" she said to him.
"Father….has been obsessed with the Yin Iron. He even recruited the help of the last living descendant of Xue Chonghai. The Yin Iron is dangerous! He...did unspeakable things back in Nightless City. You saw it yourself!" he said to her and she sadly nodded. Knowing full well what he was talking about. But her worry was there.
"A-Xu, you know that speaking about it will anger your father even more. I just sent word to my relatives in Qishan to head towards Yiling. I know the others are doing the same...well at least the ones going to Yiling." she said to him. But he held her hands in his own.
"A-Qing you are one of the strongest people in my family that I've known. I hope someday when this is all over that you will make someone happy," he said. When he said this he saw the blush on her face when he mentioned someone.
"A-Qing? Do you like someone back home?" he asked her and she shook her head.
"There is no one at home that I am interested in," she said glad for the change in topic.
"Well is there anyone here then?" he asked her gently and she suddenly felt her blush grow deeper. Chuckling he leaned back after he cleaned her face to survey his work. Satisfied he cleaned up the bowl and water.
"Well I hope he or she in that matter makes you happy A-Qing," he said and he saw a rare sight on her face. A small smile graced her lips as she looked down in embarrassment.
"Well, I hope you keep in touch cousin," he said to her and she gave him a hug, "You too cousin," she said to him as he helped her to the door. When he removed the talismans he allowed her to return to her own rooms on the women's side of the Cloud Recesses.
He leaned back against the door as she left. He could tell that she was in pain, but as a doctor she refused to acknowledge it. But that is what Wen Xu is afraid of. His cousin is so stubborn at times that she forgets that she is part of a family. But luckily for her, her cultivation is high enough that she will be fully healed in a few hours time.
The only other worry he has is her new status as one of the dragon chosen.
"Wen-Gongzi," a voice said and Wen Xu turned his head towards the voice. It was one of his personal guards.
"I'm alright, resume your duties," he said and the man nodded before returning to his post.
Wen Xu walked towards his bed and the colors that were draped over the room. Though GusuLan favors simplicity, the QishanWen like to show off their sect colors. The familiar red and golds of his home was accented by the black flames. It made one wish to house any member of the main branch they had to have a room decorated with the colors.
But Wen Xu felt insulted by the notion. Not at the GusuLan themselves, but at his father for insisting it. Saying it was to show respect when all Wen Xu saw was suppression. It was not fair that they had to adorn his rooms in the colors of his clan. This was their home not his, and the fact that instead of advertising their clan's wealth and prestige they had to suppress it to show off his father's clan the QishanWenSect just to justify his father the Chief Cultivator. Anyone else they would have adorned the colors of their sect save the Emperor himself. But then even the Emperor would not stoop so low as to do this sort of thing.
Wen Xu wanted nothing more then to tear down these red drapes to ensure that the clan who is hosting is shown the proper respect.
But who was he kidding. He is the heir to QishanWen and nothing more then something his father sought to corrupt into another him. Well he should have been more proud of his other son Wen Chao, who had been following their father's footsteps with a passion. Wen Chao, Wen Xu hated to admit was a cruel boy who prefers to torture and humiliate then to honor with discretion.
He had heard from some of the guards what his brother had done to people. It was disgusting and cruel and Wen Xu wanted nothing but to torture and kill his brother for what he had done.
And he had nearly done the same if it wasn't for the dragon cleansing his soul.
He looked down at his hand with the mark of his sect. The mark of the sun with the double headed phoenix in the middle. His ancestor Wen Mao was said to be a wise and compassionate leader, and had led their sect into glory. The book that was said to be the doctrines and rules of the Wen Sect was not written until nearly a hundred years before when his grandfather started to stray from the path.
Sighing to himself he looked at his bed in disdain before going towards it. The events of the night weighing heavily on his mind.
ELSEWHERE
Lan Xichen walked towards the building where his father was located. Since he emerged from seclusion due to the summoning of the dragon. He had since returned to continue his confinement. He brought with him some food since his uncle is busy with Lan Wangji. The soft knock on the door was all that he allowed himself to do.
"Enter," said a raspy voice.
Lan Xichen entered carrying the tray in his arms. It was the dinner tray for his father and since his uncle has to treat Wangji he asked Lan Xichen to drop off the food. Now the door to his father's home was in front of him. Lan Xichen slowly opened the door and held the tray. The figure of his father Qingheng-Jun sat at his table a cup of tea in his hand. Lan Xichen noticed the elongated fingernails had a haphazard look on them. His hair was wiry not like the normally well kept hair of any other member of GusuLan.
"Father," he said softly. The figure turned to look at him his beard and shadowed face let Lan Xichen know that he was being acknowledged.
"So, my son the dragon slave has returned home. Tell me how is that cutsleeve brother of yours!" he spat at Lan Xichen. His anger and his hatred was shared with him. Lan Xichen's hands shook as he put the tray of food down before him.
"It...feels strange," he admitted to him as he sat down. His father sent him a glare and Lan Xichen knew where he had gotten his eyes from. His father's dark eyes glared at him with such anger that he wanted to run.
"That creature should not have touched you! You are my heir and it took you from me! Now all I have left is my dignity and my pride. I can't even rule my own clan anymore because I have been confined here. I should not have saved your mother if all it would bring is a pacifist wimp and a fucken CUTSLEEVE!" his father's voice rang with such hate that Lan Xichen had felt hurt and angry at what he said.
"But uncle said that it was an honor to become part of the dragon guard," he said, but his father glared at him with the malice of someone who will not tolerate such actions.
"You are no longer a son of mine! You and your damn brother are nothing more then weak fodder! Go to Yiling and become the bitches of a damn lizard! I will enjoy rotting in here for knowing that I sent away such failures!" he said to Lan Xichen. Then he threw some of his tea at him and yelled for him to get out.
Lan Xichen left with tears in his eyes as he raced down towards the Cloud Recesses. He did not stop until he was in his Uncle's rooms crying. Lan Qiren had yet to return but he remained there hiding. Even though he is eighteen years of age Xichen is still sensitive to the hurtful words of his maddening parent. And he remained there motionless and crying for what seemed like hours.
It wasn't until the door to his uncle's rooms opened and a figure rushed in. He saw the white of Lan robes wrap themselves around him an a fatherly hug. Lan Qiren had seen his nephew there sobbing on the floor and held him until the tears stopped flowing.
"I knew I shouldn't have sent you there! That fucken no good asshole!" Lan Qiren said to him.
Lan Xichen looked up at him with sadness in his eyes, "Does he really hate us for so long?" Lan Xichen said to him and his uncle sighed.
"Your father his succumbed to his madness long ago. When one is in seclusion for so long it is only a matter of time before loneliness and bitterness turn you against yourself. Normally seclusion is to help one's cultivation. But in the presence of your father it was more of an imprisonment. We have dungeons available for him but because he is the sect leader we allowed him to 'voluntarily' go into seclusion to avoid the drama," said Lan Qiren.
"Obviously it has driven him mad," said Lan Xichen in anger.
"He did it to himself! Seclusion is supposed to be used to reflect on ones transgressions obviously from what he did to your mother…." he said to him.
"What did he do to mother?!" Lan Xichen said looking up his eyes demanded to know.
Lan Qiren sighed and it was the first time Lan Xichen saw his uncle in a new light. Gone was the stern uncle who had guided him and Lan Wangji throughout their lives. Raising them to be the best the Lan Clan has ever seen. Instead what he saw was the weary old uncle who had always been there for both brothers in their times of need. The man who had brought them up on righteousness and who had loved them still and had been almost a father to them.
Though he had his faults Lan Xichen and Lan Wangji both loved him with all their hearts. And only now Lan Xichen realized that his uncle….
That his uncle is as human as himself.
"He...he forced her to marry him against her will. He did it so that she can live instead of her facing her crimes as a cultivator of the righteous path does. But the truth… the truth I found was march harsher then that," Lan Qiren said to him.
"One of the elders, Elder Lan Hui...well he as we found out later did not follow the righteous path. Instead he indulged himself in debauchery. Going to Gusu City to participate in the brothels. He drank when he felt the need to. And given the Lan Clan's very low tolerance for alcohol lost control of himself one night. I remember hearing one of the disciples who was on guard duty that day.
The man was out in his cups walking along the road towards the Cloud Recesses when he came across a woman. She was a rogue cultivator with exceptional skills. She was out night hunting when the elder came for her.
As she was she was powerless against the Lan's physical strength. So she had to use her speed to avoid him since he was not of his right senses. However that didn't stop him from coming for her. She managed to fight him off but barely. In the end she managed to stab him through the heart and kill him instantly. Just defending herself was enough to warrant some reprieve from the elders.
However another elder hasn't seen it that way." said Lan Qiren.
"Father," was Lan Xichen's whispered word.
"Your father was in love with her for a long time apparently, but she held no feelings for him. Now the rule is that a Lan will love only once in their lifetime. But that love has to be returned or else they will not be so...obsessed." Lan Qiren corrected.
Lan Xichen nodded in understanding. It was a common paraphrase for any cultivator out there in the cultivation world. That when a Lan falls in love they love only once in their lifetime. But obsession makes them human hence the rules.
"He was obsessed with her...it was not true love," said Lan Xichen and at this Lan Qiren nodded.
"He told the elders he had witnessed the murder himself along with several others. Not giving time for her defense he forced her to marry him to save her life. Because the way he word it she was unable to speak for herself. He even forbid anyone from stepping up to defend her, and if I was there even I would have been forbidden." Lan Qiren said to him.
"Where were you at this time uncle?" Lan Xichen said to him. Lan Qiren sighed as he finally admitted defeat.
"I was night hunting in Qishan with an old friend of mine from the Wen Sect when I had gotten news. I quickly rushed back to the Cloud Recesses to see what had been done. By the time I had gotten there I was too late. Your father had done the unspeakable. The Lan elders all were forced to agree to such an issue because he was the sect leader. But the one who stood up to him was the Grandmaster. He was displeased with how he handled it. The master had been away also to Lanling to a discussion conference with the other masters. When he returned he was just as horrified as me to what my brother, your father, had done." Lan Qiren said to him.
"What would you have done had you been there?" asked Lan Xichen his voice in a whisper.
"I would have stopped him and demand an investigation. But your father and those who followed him had led our sect to follow a darker path. When you both were born I had vowed never to let your father influence your lives. I promised your mother as much. As further punishment for her so called 'crimes' and to keep her prisoner he did the unthinkable. He stripped her of her golden core," he said to Xichen causing the younger Lan to gasp in horror.
"Why did you keep him alive if that is what it took?" he said to his uncle.
"I didn't, he stopped being my brother the day he did that to your mother. But….the elders, the ones who stood by him wanted him to produce heirs. So he raped your mother….
20 YEARS AGO
Lan Qiren stood outside of the Jingshi as he could hear the woman's screams. She cried nonstop for him to stop hurting her. But as Lan Qiren fought to get the door open the talismans that locked it forbid him from entering.
"STOP! BROTHER STOP!" he yelled pounding on the door. When he heard the screaming stop he could only hear crying as the woman cried. Lan Qiren was in tears at what his brother had done. When the door flew open the man stood there his eyes glazed in ecstasy as he was covered in sweat. His hands shook at what he saw and for the first time he saw his brother as the monster he truly is.
"There aren't you happy! I now give you heirs!" he said to his brother before walking away to be taken back to his hut in the hills.
9 MONTHS LATER
Lan Huan was held in his uncle's arms screaming for air as his mother begged the midwives to hold her son. They ignored her as they were ordered to do and handed the boy over to the elders. One of them presented Lan Huan to Lan Qiren who held this boy in his arms. The boy looked up at him with his father's eyes and Lan Qiren sighed as he walked towards the mother. He slowly handed the boy over to her and she gratefully thanked him before holding him in her arms. She then started to nurse him something that no wife of the inner clan was allowed to do. But Lan Qiren dared the others to interfere.
They backed away in alarm as he watched the boy feed from his mother's breast before turning towards the elders. His mind was blank and his face was hard when he addressed them.
"I will care for the boy as if he was my own. He will not go astray like his father do you understand me!" he said his face hardened and the other elders bowed their grace save for the grandmaster whose face had also hardened. His mind did not look well when he saw what had happened.
THREE YEARS LATER
Lan Qiren did the same for the newly born Lan Zhan as the boy was crying even louder then his brother had. The woman was even more exhausted as she pushed him out. The boy was bigger then his brother, but he was more feisty then his brother. He screamed so loud that everyone thought he was screaming towards the heavens. So Lan Qiren did the same thing he did to Lan Huan and that was to give the boy to his mother for nursing. Still to the elders disbelief he would surrender the child to its mother for nursing. As he had done to Lan Huan three years before he would do so again to Lan Zhan. The boy deserved as much and would continue to be fed by his mother just like his brother had.
It was a touching thing to do, but at the same time it was the right thing to do. The woman in general looked more frail since her golden core was taken from her. The man she called a husband did this so she could bare children. But at the same time it weakened her and aged her more then it should. That would have saddened Lan Qiren had he not hardened himself after the events three years prior.
SIX YEARS LATER
The death of Lady Lan as they called her was a hard blow for the boys, especially Lan Zhan. Who still depended on his mother more then Lan Huan did. The elder boy had grown away from his mother more then the younger and still he could see his younger brother in distress. The little boy was at the usual meeting place waiting for his mother to open the door to him as she had done years before. The illness was what took her life and cultivators rarely gotten sick. Their spiritual energies usually mitigate the disease before it takes hold leaving the cultivator with a minor cold.
But Lady Lan had been without her golden core for years and that also has a negative effect on the body. Because she became medicore she was prone to illnesses. And this year the city of Caiyi was hit hard with a plague and she just so happened to catch it. Because the boys hadn't developed their own cores yet Lan Qiren was forced to keep them away until the danger had past.
Unfortunately that meant keeping them away from their mother.
But still she managed to somehow get the illness and succumbed to her disease. But others say that she was murdered to ease her pain of loneliness. However Lan Qiren ordered an investigation but it was rejected by the elders. Hardening himself once again he decided to raise his nephews in the ways of righteousness and have them abide by the sacred rules all the time.
This led Lan Zhan now Lan Wangji and Lan Huan now Lan Xichen to become obedient children. He was very strict with them making it seem as if he was uncaring. He had hardened himself to it as well trying his best not to get too close to them.
As the years gone past it became easier since their father was sentenced to life in solitude. With only Lan Qiren to visit or one of the elders to tell him the latest news. None would dare try take the power away from him….
PRESENT
"Until now," Lan Xichen said after his uncle finished his story.
"Yes, because now the dragon had awoken, and had sensed what my brother had done to his own sons. It is punishing us for our negligence and disobedience into the right way of things," he said looking at his nephew sadly.
"For so long I wanted to keep you and your brother safe from the harm your father had done to you both. The disease he had become and the influence he had on the elders. But I fear that the dragon had taken an initiative instead because...it sensed our sins," he said to Lan Xichen.
Lan Xichen's mind was muddled when he heard his uncle confess. It was the last part that got him, "Is that why the dragon chose you to become the sect leader?" he asked him and the man sighed before nodding.
"I sensed it when we were in the temple. It wanted to punish my brother for the sins he had done to not only your mother but to our clan as well. The elder who died was his teacher and your mother was an innocent in all this. You both are innocent of his crimes but I think the dragon wanted to give you the chance to become who you really are outside the influence of the elders." he said looking at Lan Xichen. Lan Xichen in exchange looked lost and confused by this statement.
"Outside the influence of the Elders?" asked Lan Xichen.
"Yes, some of the elders are...influential in their dealings with certain things. They break the rules when the others are not looking and they are not what you thought they would be. The Grandmaster had shown me this and said that the dragon had chosen wisely when it chosen you to represent our clan and Wangji to be its caretaker. It had its reasons for doing so. We must not let this opportunity slide Xichen. For dark times are coming," Lan Qiren said to his nephew.
"I know uncle and I'm afraid of what our father would do now," Lan Xichen replied sounding frightened.
"Now, he can't do a thing for the dragon has spoken. It's word and the words of Lan Yi are final. He no longer has power over the elders and I am the one who must make those decisions like I have done before." Lan Qiren said to Lan Xichen and the boy nodded.
"So what now uncle? If father no longer has the power to control the elders. Then what do I need to do to prepare for my journey to Yiling?" Lan Xichen said to him. Lan Qiren frowned when his nephew said this.
"There are many rituals one must partake before the journey. You and the other males must bathe with Wangji and help prepare him for his test." said Lan Qiren.
"Test? What test?" asked Lan Xichen curious as to what his uncle was talking about. Only yesterday he was forced to go into a hidden temple underneath The Cloud Recesses and discover a hidden dragon's egg. Then he found out his father raped his mother to produce himself and his brother. What secrets are there that have yet to be uncovered by the man before him.
"The reason why we have not told you was because we did not know when the dragon was going to hatch. For centuries the five great sects had sent their leaders to the temple to receive the blessings of the dragon and to uphold their ancient blood oath. Now it is hatching and times are changing for the worse. If the dragon is coming now that means someone has discovered the Yin Iron and is using it for unspeakable evil," said Lan Qiren voicing his concerns for his nephew and his sect.
"Are you saying that the object that you talked about and the puppets that we discovered are connected?" Lan Xichen said to him. His uncle nodded.
"Yes, the Yin Iron is the ultimate evil in our world. It only brings misfortune and disaster to any who wields it. If the person I believe to suspect has the pieces of the Yin Iron then all they need is the power of its true master to unleash its dark potential." he said to Lan Xichen who sat up straighter.
"Then if...if that is true then why did the dragon decide to hatch?" he asked his uncle.
Lan Qiren sighed, "The Yin Iron is made from the blood and bones of the Western Spirits. There are books in the forbidden section that tell of this tragic tale. When you go to Yiling there are books and information there that will tell you more. If you are impatient then just go back to the temple the same way you came in. It will tell you more about the Yin Iron and its evil." Lan Qiren said to him.
Lan Xichen looked towards the floor his mind a mess after what had happened. So many questions plagued his mind as to what to ask his uncle. Then finally only one question came to mind.
"When do I start preparing for the rituals?" he asked.
"At first light tomorrow," was the reply.
MEANWHILE
Jiang Yanli sat there looking at her brothers as they both had awkward gazes as they looked at one another.
"So let me get this straight? I as in Me have to bathe with the women at dawn tomorrow instead of with the men?" Wei Ying said to his sister.
"Yes, the Lan Grandmaster said it was part of the rituals of preparation for the Soul Binding Ceremony," she said to him. Now Wei Ying was confused and his face showed as much.
"Soul Binding Ceremony?" he asked her and Jiang Cheng nodded grimly.
"You are getting married," Jiang Cheng didn't beat around the bush for that announcement. There was dead silence until….
"WHAT THE FUCK!" Wei Ying shouted and tried to get up only to fall flat on his face. He was helped by his brother and sister. Since the adults are not in the room the three of them were stuck together since it is tradition in a sense for the bride's family to spend one final time with the 'bride.'
"It was decided that you and Lan Wangji are to be married by the next full moon," said Jiang Cheng who did not look happy at all.
"The fuck! I am not ready to be married! And to Lan Wangji! We barely know each other!" said Wei Ying looking distraught.
"It was not our decision," said Jiang Cheng looking just as distraught and that is when Wei Ying caught the mark on his brothers hand when he was helped back onto the bed. He grabbed it and looked up at him in shock.
"Jiang Cheng?" he said just as his brother pulled away.
"A-Xian," said Jiang Yanli her face just a pale as his. He looked up at her and she knelt in front of him.
"A-Xian an immortal being has decided it, not our parents or the GusuLan Elders. It said that you and Lan Wangji are soulmates and that you are to be bound together," she said sadly. That caught Wei Ying off guard as he looked down at his hands.
"So I am to be married to Lan Zhan then? Is that what this is about? That I have no choice like Shijie?" Wei Ying replied looking at them distraught.
"Of course not! If it was up to me you would have married a woman from a lower sect and be gone from our clan," said a harsh voice. All three heads lifted up to see Madam Yu standing there with her two maids. Jinzhu and Yinzhu entered the room carrying various items.
"What are those?" Wei Ying said.
"They are to bathe with since the ceremony is to take place on the night of the next full moon. Don't you think for a minute that you have a right to say anything, you don't, so shut the hell up," she said to him. Wei Ying was silent as they set up a tub with water and several silks they laid out on the bed.
"What the hell is this for?" Wei Ying said pointing to the silks.
"They are Lan ceremonial robes for a soul binding. Unlike a true wedding the soul binding is a different sort of ritual. You have to undergo that before the actual marriage. We have to see if you fit them first before we do anything," Madam Yu said in distaste, but she sighed as she looked at the boy sitting on the edge of the bed.
"Mother why does A-Xian have women's clothes?" Jiang Yanli asked her mother. She looked at the clothes on the bed with curiosity and found them intriguing that they bore phoenixes instead of clouds or lotus's.
"He is the Chosen Master of Yin so he has to dress in these robes. That is what the Lan Elders told me. They said Yin is the energy of women and because Wei Wuxian has the mark of the Yin Master he has to dress the part," she said to her.
"Wait? What the fuck! I have to dress like a woman!" Wei Ying said horrified and it was then that Jiang Cheng lost it and started laughing hysterically. It was so funny that he held his gut and nearly fell over on the floor.
"Jiang Cheng it is NOT FUNNY!" Wei Ying roared at him. But Jiang Cheng was too busy laughing in hysterics to care. His only answer was….
"Oh shit! You can't be serious! Wei Wuxian has to dress as a woman? Oh fuck...hahahahaha I can't wait to tell the guys back home about this!" he said.
"Fuck you!" Wei Ying yelled at Jiang Cheng only for Madam Yu to hit him on the head with her fan.
"You will watch your language while we are here Wei Wuxian!" she said to him and then turned her son, "And You will stop acting like a child! You are now a member of the Dragon Sect so act like it," she said to him. Jiang Cheng after years of dealing with his short tempered mother quickly shut up. Wei Ying did the same seeing as Madam Yu was not in a mood to deal with him.
"It is alright A-Cheng, A-Xian, things will be alright," Jiang Yanli said to them. Both brothers didn't look reassured in fact with the many maids going around Wei Ying he felt like he was going to die.
"Mother?" she said to Madam Yu. Nodding she ushered Jiang Cheng out because this was a sacred time for women.
"You maybe his brother and he maybe a man, but for the next few weeks he will be treated as a woman. So that means that you are forbidden on the women's side of the Cloud Recesses where he will be till this is over," Madam Yu said to Jiang Cheng.
"What? Why?" asked Jiang Cheng.
Just as he was about to get refuted by his mother there was a knock on the door. One of the girls rushed to the door and opened it to bring in Jiang Fengmian the sect leader who will be handing Wei Ying off to Lan Wangji.
"Father?" Jiang Cheng said to his father. The man looked at his son sadly as he placed his hand on his shoulder, "Come I will speak more to you later you must let them begin the rituals," he said to him. Jiang Cheng was stunned as he was led away leaving Wei Ying to the women.
Wei Ying watched them go and looked nervously at the women. They helped him into the tub and embarrassingly stripped him of his clothes. Feeling violated as they washed and cleansed him then dressed him in black women's clothes he felt out of place. Madam Yu surprisingly remained silent throughout the whole thing. Yanli on the other hand was enjoying the fact he has to wear his hair like a female. She enjoyed dressing him in those black clothes which surprisingly was not totally black. In fact they had patterns of the moon and phoenixes littering the design. His hair was made up with silver phoenix pins and the worse was the makeup. He tried to fight them off but Madam Yu's cold expression made him stop.
MEANWHILE
Nie Huaisang stood just outside his dorm talking to a few friends from his own sect when the doors to Wei Ying's rooms came open. He watched earlier as a group of girls made their way in and after being briefed the night before by his brother. Nie Huaisang thought for sure that they were only preparing him for the ritual at the night of the full moon.
What came out of the room however was something that would burn in his memory forever. Not only himself, but from the looks of it every cultivator out and about in the Cloud Recesses.
Madam Yu was the first to exit her head held high as she walked with her back straight. She was followed by the more timid Jiang Yanli and then a few young women. But the tall woman in the very back drew his attention. The woman who was behind them was dressed in fine black silk adorned with phoenixes and moon silhouettes. Her face was perfectly round with bright stormy grew eyes, and a faint dust of red around her eyes marked by a faint black liner. Her lips were just darkened enough that it defined her beauty.
She also was being carried by several men….just like a bride. As if she can't walk she was carried by surprisingly Jiang disciples as if she was forbidden from touching the ground. As she was being carried Nie Huaisang thought he was in the presence of a goddess. Until the woman turned to look at him with those graceful eyes of hers. Her hair flowing in the wind and the sun accentuating the hairpins in her hair also in the shape of phoenixes.
But it was when she gotten closer as they passed the Nie disciples that he finally knew the identity of the woman.
"Wei-Xiong?" he asked himself.
The 'woman' looked at him and then her lips curled upwards into that familiar smirk and 'she' winked. Nie Huaisang felt his face grow hot as a blush was formed when he realized that he was checking out his friend. And his friend was not a 'woman,'
Holy shit! That was Wei Wuxian! What the fuck! He thought to himself as he watched his friend pass him by. The makeup did him good as it made him look more female. Huaisang suddenly became aware of his brother when he appeared beside him.
"So the ritual has begun," he said to him.
"Ritual?" Huaisang was confused. He gave his brother a look to show that he had no idea what was said.
Nie Mingjue sighed, "In order for the dragon to appear Yin and Yang must be one. So since Wei Wuxian is a male and Yin is the female energy they have to prepare him as if he was a female. Since Wei Wuxian is the master of Yin he would have to undergo a ritual that would make him more female to the dragon. Because his legs still won't work that would do in their favor so he can't run away. The only other sucky part is that he has to marry Lan Wangji. Poor guy if this was any other cutsleeve wedding people would have looked down upon them. But this...this is sacred." Nie Huaisang was shocked to hear his brother say this to him.
His friend is being forced to marry someone he barely knew. They boys gotten to know each other better during their confinement but this is taking way too long. Unless….
Nie Huaisang was starting to get suspicious about them not being able to walk. But then again as he thought back to the disciplining paddles they all had to endure he admitted that he could not walk for a few days and that was only fifty lashes. Lan Wangji and Wei Wuxian had 300 lashes so he would not be surprised that it would be much longer.
As they watched the progression go away he could not help but feel sorry for his friend. Since it was he who has to under go a number of rituals that would prepare him for the ultimate test.
Proving himself to the dragon.
Sighing he needs some ink and a pen there is much to write.
MEANWHILE
Wei Ying was enjoying the look on people's faces when they watched him being carried out of the room dressed as a woman. However his confusion still lingered on his face as he was carried all the way towards the female dorms. From what Madam Yu told him in the room he was to transition there until after the ceremony. He has no idea and all this talk about rituals were starting to get on his nerves.
When he finally arrived at his rooms he was surprised that Mianmian, a girl who's real name is Luo Qingyang of the Lanling Jin Sect. She was there alongside Wen Qing and a few other women of different sects as well as some women he had never met before. When he gotten to his new quarters Wei Ying was helped down and into his new rooms.
"Wow such pretty women around me I must be blessed," he said but only had to take back that comment when Madam Yu came to him.
"Remember for the next two weeks you are a female so act like it," she said. And as if to rub it in Jiang Yanli started giggling along with a few other girls.
"I don't even know the first thing of how to act like a woman! First off I am a male and second of all I don't know what is going on so unless someone spells it out for me I won't know a thing," he said glaring at her defying her for the first time.
Wei Ying had put up with a lot but this is too much! All this secret talks and symbols and markings was getting on his nerves. When he was carried into the room he was placed on a chair next to the table. Madam Yu remained with her two maids. She sat opposite of Wei Ying her face serious and impassive as if trying to find something to say.
Then finally she glared at him before speaking, "So you are the chosen one of the dragon. Go figure," she said.
Wait what? Wei Ying thought when she said this.
Seeing his confused look Madam Yu sighed, "You really are that stupid to not figure it out yet? I guess I can't blame you because no one has told you. You and Lan Wangji are the chosen caretakers of the sacred dragon's egg hidden in the temple beneath the Cloud Recesses. As of this day forth you are no longer part of the YunmengJiangSect. The dragon itself has declared for you both along with several others including my Jiang Cheng. You are to travel to Yiling when this is all over and form your own sect The YilingDragonSect which is an ancient sect formed thousands of years ago." she said and Wei Ying was still puzzled by this. So when she saw this she continued.
"I saw the papers that you were writing with Lan Wangji. What do you remember of the Western Spirits?" she said to him.
Surprised Wei Ying answered, "It is a creature said to be a product of the Jade Emperor. He created them to cleanse the world of resentful energy. They were born from the souls of those who came from the West. A world on the opposite of the river of the underworld. A world of opposites. He brought those souls here to become dragons or Western Spirits. And unlike our divine holy dragons these dragons feed on resentment and shit out spiritual energy is that correct," Wei Ying answered.
"You are right in a sense but do you remember what happened to them?" she said to him and Wei Ying had to scrounge his memory for the information and then he remembered the book. "They were wiped out by Xue Chonghai and his school of demonic cultivators," Wei Ying said to her.
"Good, you do remember after all," she said, "Did the book mention something about an egg?" she said to him.
"Yeah, I mean yes, it said that the last egg was discovered by the founders of the five major sects. They found it while escaping from an army of monsters. They fled to a cave where they discovered an ancient temple and a nest. It was there the last living egg of the Western Spirits was found. They hid it from the world and said to have placed all sorts of traps there." Wei Ying replied and Madam Yu nodded.
"I didn't read anything else," Wei Ying replied.
Madam Yu looked at him her eyes cold before sighing, "The egg remained hidden here under Cloud Recesses until the time when it hatches. The five sect leaders of the major sects have made a vow using their own blood. They pledged themselves to the dragon and the continued protection of our world. So every new sect leader must make a journey here to pledge themselves to the dragon and renew their vows to the ancient beast. To refuse is to curse their clan to extinction," she said.
Wei Ying looked at her oddly, "Has it happened before?" he asked.
"A few times within the three millennia. Lan Yi was one for she had nearly destroyed the Lan Sect with her cruelty. Something that went against their ways. With her Cord of Assassination technique she became deadly in her enforcement of Lan Sect rules. Those who disobeyed were executed. But when she found a piece of the dreaded Yin Iron she became dark and obsessive. Her crime to use this ancient and deadly weapon forced the elders to lock her in the temple for their safety. But when she realized that the dragon egg was dying she made a choice. She sacrificed herself by using the Yin Iron to feed the egg." said a woman off to the side. She was a Lan disciple one of the females who dwell here.
Wei Ying looked down towards the ground feeling awkward at this.
"So am I going to be sacrificed too that is why I am dressed like this?" he said to them.
"No, you will not be sacrificed. You and Lan Wangji will be tested." Madam Yu replied her voice flat but even. There was no trace of malice in her voice.
"A-Xian," said Yanli her voice soft and even. Wei Ying turned towards her and she walked closer to him.
"A-Xian, when one is chosen by the dragon their heart, mind and soul will be tested. There are things we saw in that temple that frightened me. I never understood why until the egg has shown me. The power that it has is incredible, but it is also vulnerable until it becomes an adult and reaches its full power. Until then the chosen caretakers are there to guide it and nurture it. The old texts state that the caretakers are soulmates two halves of the whole. You A-Xian are the Yin Master someone who has power over the dead and the night. While Lan Wangji is the Yang Master someone who has power over the life and day." she said her voice sounding sad.
"So I am to be tested with Lan Zhan? Then why am I dressed as a woman? Why am I placed here on the women's side?" he asked them.
It was Madam Yu who spoke up her voice even as she spoke, "Yin is the female energy. The soft energy of the moon. As the master of the night you represent the feminine power of the Yin and Yang. Male and female. Since you are born a male your appearance is a symbolism to your power. And when the soul binding ceremony is complete you will be able to understand," she said to him before getting up and walking out leaving Wei Ying and Yanli there with a few other women from different sects. Mianmian who was quiet this whole time turned to Wei Ying.
"It must feel weird to be here with all the women?" she said to him.
Wei Ying gave a cheeky grin, "Well who said I won't enjoy it and the envy of every male out there," he said and the girls started giggling instead of getting insulted.
"I bet you do A-Xian," said Yanli as she stood up to leave also.
"We better get changed the next ritual is about to begin soon," she said and she and the other girls left. Wei Ying was stuck there in his women's garb. He looked down at his hand which was still covered in the strange marks, but since taking that medicine they have faded. He wished he could walk so he can at least get something to drink. But that would not be possible. So he sighed as he leaned back on the chair. When he looked at the side there was a mirror there looking at him from afar.
He got to see himself for the first time and he was still in shock.
He could clearly pass for a girl! He giggled despite the fact that he is male. The looks he probably gotten from the men at the Cloud Recesses must have been fantastic. If he ever gets to walk again he must tease Lan Wangji. Speaking of the devil he has not seen him since the Sect Leaders came back from their meeting. The sorts of things he could come up with are insane to begin with.
Suddenly he heard shuffling from the window. Wei Ying unable to get up from his seat watched as a head peaked in and looked around.
"Psst! Wei-Xiong!" said a voice. Wei Ying's eyes lit up when he heard his name.
"Huaisang?" he whispered back.
Indeed it was Nie Huaisang as the other boy peeked into the window. Looking around he made sure he was not followed before he crawled through and was followed by surprisingly Jiang Cheng. Both boys looked sheepish at being in the forbidden section of the Cloud Recesses.
"What are you guys doing here?" Wei Ying said to them. When they saw his appearance they were shocked to see him dressed a woman.
"Wei-Xiong why are you dressed as a girl?" Nie Huaisang whispered. Jiang Cheng quickly placed a silencing spell around the room and a ward to let them know if anyone is coming. When he was done he quickly closed the window and breathed a sigh of relief. Then he turned to his brother the shock still on his face.
"Is it true?" he said to him. Wei Ying tilted his head in confusion. When Jiang Cheng saw this he sighed knowing that Wei Ying has yet to know the truth.
"Father told me that you and Lan Wangji are to be married?" he asked.
"Yeah, I heard so too. After our visit with the dragon's egg and me or should I say us getting kicked out of our sects…" Nie Huaisang started but was stopped by Wei Ying.
"Wait a minute what do you mean getting kicked out of your sects? Madam Yu only told me that I represent Yin or something like that and I have to be a caretaker to some sort of dragon." Wei Ying said to them.
"Wei Wuxian mother was not lying. You are going to be taken to the temple of the dragon. But before you do both you and Lan Wangji must present yourselves to Lan Yi the keeper of the temple. My father told me this. He said that the reason you are in the women's quarters is because you are the Yin Master. As a female representative you are the bride to Lan Wangji, his soulmate. That is why you are having the dreams of the colorless world." Jiang Cheng said to him and Wei Ying looked shocked at the revelation.
"So I am being forced to marry Lan Zhan," he said. Jiang Cheng nodded, "Whether you like it or not you are going to marry Lan Wangji." he said.
Nie Huaisang sighed, "Such a tragedy! I am not only watching my friend get married unwillingly! I am also being kicked out of my own sect!"
"So what does my wedding have to do with being kicked out of your sects? Jiang Cheng you are the sect heir! Why is your parents kicking you out?" Wei Ying said to him.
"It is the will of the Dragon. It has placed Shijie in charge of the sect when my parents passed," Jiang Cheng said to him his tone sad.
"Hey why so bummed?" asked Huaisang who looked just as devastated.
"All my life I have been training to be the sect leader. Now some lizard is telling me that I don't belong there and that my elder sister is to be the next leader. How am I supposed to feel?" Jiang Cheng replied sounding annoyed.
"I am sure Shijie will do fine. What about the peacock how is he taking it?" he asked Jiang Cheng. On then did he see a smirk on his face.
"The dragon said that the engagement is over," he said to Wei Ying. And as soon as they said it the wards went off meaning that someone was coming. Both boys quickly rushed out the window and shut the shutters before the door was opened and Wen Qing entered. She was alone this time but she sighed as she walked in. She sighed as she saw the window.
"Boys I know that is you so stop hiding," she said to them and slowly both Nie Huaisang and Jiang Cheng peeked through the window. Wen Qing rolled her eyes as they both climbed back in.
"I know you both are worried about Wei Wuxian but trust me he will be fine. When this is over he would be back with you on the men's side." she said to them and they heaved a sigh of relief.
"Now I will have to ask you both to leave since it will be time for the bathing ceremony to begin." she said to them and they both began to leave out the window. But not before Jiang Cheng gave Wei Ying a salute before departing. Wei Ying looked at Wen Qing quizzically before she started to examine him.
TBC….
Whew that took long enough! This one is hard to write! I have the parts I wanted done for the temple adventure but to get there is...well it is challenging even with what else is going on. So I will leave it at that. So long everyone.