Ch3 - A happy occasion

The assembly proceeded as normal. Food and drink was served, with alcohol provided for the other sects. Also as normal Wei WuXian grumbled in Lan Wanji's ear about not being able to drink the Emperors smile served to the others, only to get a slight shake of the head from his partner. They has been through this conversation so many times before that it was almost just a tradition for them now.

As the food was eaten and the wine drunk the conversation between the sects began flowing once again in a friendly manner. Quite a few of the cultivators looked up to the main dais, either as a focus of their conversation or just in passing, but both men at the table seemed happy to speak amongst themselves or with the occasional sect leader that approached for a few minutes before moving away.

Everyone had seen Wei WuXian and Lan Wanji together before so this assembly wasn't new, but no matter how many times people came to these official assemblies there always seemed to be something not quite right with the leader of the cultivation world being so intimate with the YiLing Patriarch.

The juniors, who were not young enough to have taken part in the Sunshot campaign and Wei WuXian's subsequent witch-hunt, talked loudly and animatedly with each other while the adults spoke a bit quieter. Jin Ling, JinYi and SiZhui where the most animated of the whole assembly, despite the fact that two of them where Lan sect and the third was technically a sect leader. The three boys seemed to be acting out something in a corner of the room and the occasional glance from Lan Zhan would change their volume from almost a shout to a small whisper, that was until another boy would catch the gaze of Wei WuXian and then the noise would begin back up again.

Even though they spoke amongst themselves terms and words flowed into the main part of the hall and words like 'Wen Ning'….'Night hunt' and …'Talismans' could be easily heard over the other conversations going on. Eventually though the small group of three where forced to disband when Jing Ling was forced to go back and sit next to his uncle, and the Lan pair were forced to go back to their respective places.

No one really noticed the conversation Wei WuXian and Lan Wanji had been having during this time, but a few noticed the nods the two shared before Wanji stood up to address his assembly.

'Friends and sect leaders' he began 'You all know I do not like to speak much'….he held up the bowl of tea in both hands towards the assembly…'I thank everyone for attending today. We concluded our business this morning so I know some of you are eager to get home however I ask that you bare with us a little longer.' Lan Zhan paused as if not sure what to say next, he glanced down to Wei WuXian who just nodded back before he took a deep breath and continued. 'I use this toast to remember all those who lost their lives fighting to get us where we are, and for its continued success'

With that Wanji raised his bowl and paused slightly while the others rose slowly from their seats, bowls also in hand.

'To continued success' some exclaimed as they downed their drinks, others exclaimed 'To those who died'!

Once the toast was completed everyone sat down except for ZeWu Jun who slowly and quietly walked up to the dais and knelt at the second table, this movement of course got the attention of a few of the people present, and before long everyone was gazing back up to the dais.

'My friends' ZeWu Jun began into the silence. 'Years ago we lost many of our young people to the Wen but today I am pleased to announce that a new generation of young people have reached the age where they can leave childhood behind and be considered adults.'

A few murmurs carried around the hall at this announcement but no one spoke or moved so ZeWu Jun carried on, his elegant baring and manner keeping the attention of everyone assembled.

'I know such ceremonies are normally kept strictly within a sect, however the next children have already given us all service that deserves reward' he paused for a moment before reciting….'Lan JinYi…Lan Sizhui….Jing Ling…..please come forwards'

The three mentioned boys looked around astonished as their names where read out. Curiously and a little fearfully all three boys ventured out onto the floor of the main hall. Each boy was trying to keep so close to the others that they were almost falling over one another while inching over the smooth floor towards the dais. In a ragged line they knelt in front of the sect leader, not quite sure what to do next, but certain they would be clued in when the time was right for them to know.

'Lan JinYi' ZeWu Jun smiled as he addressed the first youngster. 'You have already shown you have the honour and skill of our sect and the loyalty expected of each disciple. We all expect excellent things from you in future as you continue to grow and improve'

JinYi could only bow his head to the floor for a moment before kneeling up once again and replying 'Yes Clan leader'

ZeWu Jun then smiled once more and took a step back behind his own table. Wanji who had been up until this point silent, then moved forwards. The air in the assembly hall was changing slightly at the idea of HanGuang Jun addressing the boy he had almost single handily raised.

'SiZhui' a small smile crept up Wanji's lips, unnoticeable except for those close to him. 'SiZhui your past and your parents have not made getting to this point easy for you, but you have Wei Ying's determination, forethought and heart along with the lessons in history, etiquette and swordsmanship I have given you. We…..' Lan Wanji stole a sideways glance at Wei WuXian at the word….'believe you have the honour and skill of our sect and the loyalty expected of each disciple. We all expect excellent things from you in future as you continue to grow and improve'

Sizhui followed JinYi's example and bowed low with his head to the ground for a moment replying in a tone laced with emotion. 'Thank you Excellency'

Just as SiZhui was about to join the other two back in the line though and breathe a breath of relief about the focus not being on him, a deep voice appeared full of laughter.

'Hang on a minute your Excellency, he can't go yet!'