Ch7 - Plague

Neither of them was sure what to expect when they landed at Lotus Pier, but it wasn't the almost total absence of anyone around. It was true that they knew the Lan Sect were coming and they didn't have to defend against a friendly Sect, it was also true that Wei Ying had lived at Lotus Pier for most of his teenage years and know it intimately. But Wei Ying had been disavowed by the Sect years before, and even though he was now an official member of the Lan Sect, he shouldn't be allowed to roam freely. Another thing was that even with the most trusted partners a Sect still had secrets, so there was always someone there to greet them and keep them away from sensitive areas.

When they both landed their where people moving about but none seemed to give them a second glance. Some where moving backwards and forwards with buckets, others with mops and brushes...some seemed to be sat on seats or beds just staring at nothing. The whole place seemed to be somewhat organised but not like the strong Sect it had been before. Both men looked at each other a little puzzled, after all when they where sent here they where not told this illness was this widespread. Wei Ying's head whipped round, partly in relief and partly in concern, when he heard the familiar growl coming from a room across the courtyard.

Wei Ying took hold of Lan Zhan's wrist, partly for support but partly to prevent him from getting lost in the frenzied dance that seemed to be unfolding ahead of them, before stepping through the open gates and into Lotus Pier for the first time in many years. The voice got louder from inside the room and Wei Ying's heart relaxed a little.

'Well at least we know he's healthy' He muttered sarcastically under his breath.

Lan Zhan just smiled at his husbands relief and followed obediently until they reached the door that Jiang Cheng's voice was coming from. Wei Ying didn't waste time knocking or even announcing himself he just pushed the door open and walked in, pulling Lan Zhan behind him. The inside of the room seemed like the same kind of organised chaos as the outside. People moving everywhere, some with and obvious destination while others seemed to have none at all. At the middle of the movement stood Jiang Cheng, looking as if he was teaching new soldiers rather than an illness.

Something made Jiang Cheng look there way and his arm dropped, which resulted in someone dropping something out of eyesight. Jiang Cheng moved over to them, his movement stiff as if he didn't know whether to welcome his, once, brother home or remove him completely. Lan Zhan had moved silently to stand side by side with Wei Ying as the Sect leader approached...…..the healers and other helpers bought from Gusu had begun to file in behind them.

Jiang Cheng stopped in-front of Lan Zhan and bowed gracefully.

'HanGuang Jun! I see my letter to Sect Leader Lan has been received and'…..he glanced over at the people and boxes by the door 'I assume he has sent you to aid us?'

None of the three men were fools, all of them had realised that Jiang Cheng had skilfully acknowledged Lan Zhan, the Lan Sect and their aid…...while totally ignoring Wei Ying. Lan Zhan though wasn't easily put off.

'Yes Wei Ying and I have been sent by my brother and uncle to what aid we can supply.' Lan Zhan said blandly. 'We have bought healers and some of the most knowledgeable minds in Gusu to see if we can help put a stop to this illness'….….Lan Zhan then nodded to Wei Ying. 'Sect Master Jiang if you require anything else please do not hesitate to ask either of us.'

Wei Ying had to fight back the laughter as Jiang Cheng face turned red. By mentioning Wei Ying as he had Lan Zhan had made it impossible for him to be ignored. Jiang Cheng had to make the choice whether to accept the Lan Sects help, and Wei Ying, or decline both and risk more harm coming to his own people. Jiang Cheng's hand unconsciously twisted into a fist before eventually relaxing as he nodded once.

'Then if both of you would like to follow me I will update you on what is happening.'

Jiang Cheng led them to the main hall of Lotus Pier, it was different from when Wei Ying had lived there and he paused for a second before ascending the steps into the space that was familiar and unfamiliar at the same time. The hall really summed up his feeling for the whole of the Lotus Pier, it was the place where he had grown up happily with his siblings and adoptive parents, but those days had long gone and people had also changed. Wei Ying sighed inwardly, some things could not be fixed no matter how you tried. Originally there had been him, Jiang Cheng and their elder sister. Now she was gone and that hole in both their hearts would always be a rift between them, however she would also be the reason he would not abandon his brother without helping to save the place he grew up and his sister loved.

Not wanting to make things more difficult for his brother than necessary, Wei Ying stood slightly back while Jiang Cheng motioned to a table filled with scrolls. For a man who always liked organisation this mess showed a lot about his current frame of mind. Having got all three of them around the table Jiang Cheng motioned to one of the scrolls and began speaking.

'From the little we have found out so far this illness only affects cultivators because for some reason it attacks the golden core. We don't know however if the core if attacked first and then the person gets ill of if the core is attacked as a result of the illness.' He sighed and continued.'We have also noticed that some people are falling ill faster than others, but it doesn't seem to be following any pattern we can find, not age or gender.'

When Jiang Cheng paused Lan Zhan spoke into the silence.

'What happens when the core is attacked?'

Wei Ying had to keep himself from laughing, that was such a sensible question and one he would expect of Lan Zhan.

Jiang Cheng just sighed again though and replied, it becoming more and more obvious of his lack of sleep now help had arrived.

'We are not sure of that either. We just know that once someone falls unconscious their core tries to heal them and for some reason can't. The core fights but the person just gets weaker. We haven't had anyone die yet…..…...but…...' he trailed off.

'But a few are close.' Wei Ying finished quietly for him.

Jiang Cheng looked up at his brother tiredly and just nodded without saying a word. Wei Ying couldn't help feeling a little sympathy for all he had gone through the past few days, and spoke quietly as he stepped up to Lan Zhan's shoulder.

'Jian Cheng I can see you are exhausted, why don't you go and get a few hours sleep. Lan Zhan and I can look through these scrolls and speak to the Gusu healers we bought with us. By the time you wake up everyone will be up to speed.'

Jiang Cheng just stared at his brother for a moment before turning to Lan Zhan, only to get an affirmative nod from the second man as well.

'Very well, I will rest for a few hours'

He grumbled as he left the hall, looking like he would collapse at any moment.

After he had left Wei Ying turned to Lan Zhan and spoke almost in a whisper.

'This could be worse than we thought'

'mm' came Lan Zhan's normal non-committal reply

'I think we need to go and inform the others of what we know'

Lan Zhan simply nodded and turning together the two men walked silently but companionably out of the hall to find the Gusu healers and begin one of the hardest tasks they had faced.