Chapter Thirty Eight

Wang Minglan didn't reply to his questions seeming to be deep within his own thoughts digesting Feng Shuchang's story unhurriedly as he finished his last cup of wine. "The way my daughter died was different from your brother-in-law." Was all Wang Minglan could say to the man who was enduring so much pent-up fury and sadness after so many years. Finding no need to lie to the grieving person who had misunderstood his daughter's death and used it as a reason to unite. "I feel for your experience, however, my daughter has never been a victim of this type of scenario." Being told as such Feng Shuchang was startled, but then seemed to steel up and insist anyway. Throwing all caution to the wind as he could tell Wang Minglan had been moved by his story, even if it was a tiny bit. "Even if you say so, how can you know for sure you will remain untouched forever? Your student's future will be affected by this wave no matter how much you deny it." 

"Do not taint my daughter's memories by using her as a means to your end." Feng Shuchang wasn't afraid of Wang Minglan's threat as he had already told the man everything. "Sir Wang most likely noticed it too, the bubbles of discontent appearing among people towards the great five. A war is coming, and this time it will be a war amongst fellow cultivators, not demonic beasts. I have nothing left to lose being among the weaker side and telling you of our plights and plans. But a neutral sect like your Azure sect will be the first to be harmed in the aftermath of this future conflict." 

Minglan sneers at him "You are threatening my Azure sect?" Feng Shuchang shook his head at him revealing a deep look in his eyes to show his sincerity to the other. "It's not a threat, it's a friendly warning. The Golden Cloud sect is ruthless, if they cannot have your loyalty they will destroy you so the other side also cannot have it. Upright sects cannot escape this battle, because it will be a battle between those who are seeking vengeance in the right and those who gained success in being wrong." Brows furrowing the man knew Feng Shuchang was right, however, he had just lost his pearl. He was reluctant to agree and force the rest of his disciples into a quicker demise.

It was enough losing his daughter, if even more children of their sect fell how would they continue to stand? Killing a fellow human was different than killing beasts. Taking part in this war, there was no ending in bodies that would fall to not only his blade but also his untempered young students. And though he spoke as though he had many allies, these allies were strangers to him and he wasn't foolish enough to be so easily emotionally swayed. Looking up from the table Wang Minglan chillingly eyes and expressed his doubt to the other. "Prove it the me, this future you are so confident will happen to us if we do not take a side." 

________________________________An Xing Rebellion Year One________________________________

Da Chuanli enters Wang Minglan's courters quietly after all had fallen asleep and knelt at his master's side as he meditated peacefully by himself. Being who he was, Minglan was settled in the largest room in this courtyard by himself with no need to share. It was old but clean due to his diciple's diligence. He was still wearing the morning clothes he did all day, and would most likely keep them on for the next few years. A man who was diligent in wearing red at least once a day with a charming smirk on his lips now solemnly wore a pale color unbefitting him without a single complaint. Just like all the elders in the sect had implored him to when he was young, now, they had their wish. 

The meditating worn celestial in his prime casts his equally silent disciple a glance, subtly looking him over for any signs of disturbance in his spiritual sea. To his relief and sadness, there was none anymore. However the teen still stubbornly bore the same plain white robes as himself showing his daughter respect. "Tell master, even if I no longer guide you for some time will it affect you?" Da Chuanli didn't take long to answer seeming to have no complaints about his master's current aloofness. "It will not." Minglan smiled at his independent disciple sadly.

"You heard it all, what are your thoughts?" Da Chuanli didn't answer right away this time as if still pondering all of the possible futures if they got themselves entangled in this mess. "It would explain the manipulated results of the competition that day." Minglan sighed as he knew his disciple was on the same track of mind as himself. Feeling a bit complicated himself as his disciple carefully pried apart the possibilities. "It seems that their intentions were not directly malicious, but it is also possible it was merely a cover-up to prevent early conflict with us and lower our guard." 

"To pick a side, no doubt our sect will be divided with either outcome." Minglan too thought the same muttering bitterly "Your elder brother will most definitely delay answering but take Feng Shuchang's side once it becomes too dangerous to keep saying no. However, as he is in seclusion his vote does not count until cast so even if I wish to say yes or no to either side it will split our clan apart." He regards his disciple calculatedly "-as the young master of our sect what say you? Younger brother of the Patriarch?" 

Da Chuanli showed no indication of his thoughts on the outside remaining indifferent on all fronts even after being called out by his master. Having already known his master's thoughts on the matter his response was vague yet unyielding "...Junior sister's memories are still fresh." Minglan's gaze eases approvingly towards Da Chuanli who though cold-hearted was at least considerate of his master. "Mmn. As expected your thoughts align with mine." Da Chuanli awaited his master to dismiss him but to his surprise and heedfulness, he never heard it. Lifting his head ever so slightly to observe his master's side profile. 

He could see his master in a rare state of melancholy his hand reaching out of habit towards a nonexistent object in front of him. His master's outstretched hand stiffens and closes into a fist before slowly returning to his lap after touching the air where he had expected a warm cup of tea. "Ha." Laughing softly to himself Minglan ignored the pinch of sadness in his heart turning to dismiss Da Chuanli as if nothing were wrong not daring to show any more of his flaws to his disciple. Yet, before he fully turned his head he heard the click of a pot of tea being set down in front of him. Steam still escaping from its sprout, a rather simple kit yet it soured his eyes pinching his tear ducts as a grown man. 

He watched quietly as his inconsiderate disciple calmly placed a cup where he had once reached for in the hushed room. His motions were a bit awkward and not as beautiful as his daughter's, not as delicate and gentle. Not as careful or natural. However, he still did it under his master's red and welled-up gaze. "Junior sister always prepared ginger tea for you whenever you drank before. This disciple only hopes you won't disdain him for being less talented than junior sister at preparing tea." 

Minglan at Da Chuanli's words gradually and emotionally reached for the cup. It was too hot, but that did not stop the man from bringing it to his lips to take a sip as he was feeling especially generous and moved by his thoughtfulness. "...Pfft-hahahaha-" Minglan could not help but laugh after tasting the so-called tea prepared by his disciple. His first genuine laugh in days, laughing till tears fell down his cheeks and his stomach cramped up. Laughing so much a bit of the tea spilled from the edge and scalded his hand forcing him to reluctantly set it down. Da Chuanli's expression eased up once his master laughed, even if it was at his expense. 

"This-hahaha-is the worst tea I have ever tasted. Hahahaha-" It was too earthy, hot, and bitter. But the tears falling from his cheeks were much the same, as if finally finding a release his master laughed to himself till he was reduced to soft chuckles hiding his face behind his hand. His wide grin was the only thing Da Chuanli could see as well as the flooding on the sides of his face in contrast to his bright presentation. Da Chuanli deliberately turned away from his master as his grin started twitching and faltering into a trembling grimace. 

"Da Chuanli, your junior sister, she hardly got to see the world outside of our sect. But the first thing she learned after opening her heart to me was how to make me a pot of tea to show her thanks." His voice shook as he spoke to his solemn and much too mature disciple. "Do you want to know the first thing she said to me after pouring me that very first cup of tea?" Minglan chuckled but it was too low and lonely sounding to Da Chuanli's ears. " "Master, that guqin we saw at the shop yesterday, can you get it for me?"... Her first request was for me to buy her a cheap guqin to practice on only to later break it because of you a year later. Haha." 

Da Chuanli pictured in his mind a little Wang Lan Biyu sitting down seriously by their master's side to ask for a new guqin. The sunlight from his master's room casting a soft halo on her intricately yet simply dressed self in soft whites and blues. Her cute cloudy eyes gazing up seriously and proper-like at their master firmly asking for a guqin. The glint in Da Chuanli's flickers before dimming again like the sad brief laugh his master gave. "Wang Lan Biyu, Lan from the misty mountain, and Biyu for Jasper. Like her eyes, her personality was like that of the aloof misty mountain tops but despite that, to me, she was as charming as the most exquisite jasper. My Xiao Biyu..."

It was only once the night grew so dark you could hardly see what was in front of you when Da Chuanli finally left his master's side. He started the slow trek towards his resting spot, he was meant to share with the other boys of their sect but whether it was because they were uncomfortable with him or respected him as their senior. Both Gu Ping and Gao Chang declined and said they would share a room with the other outer disciples instead and let him have a room to himself. The only reason his master opened up moments ago was because he was still a bit drunk, and taking advantage of that Da Chuanli wished to lessen his master's burden. Even if it was only by a tiny bit. 

However, it was also a sort of selfish thing for him to do. Lips pursed Da Chuanli forcefully settled the uneasy ripple in his spiritual sea to prevent himself from looking over his shoulder for the wispy silhouette who always stood by his side when greeting and leaving his master's side before. Trying to see if she was still there wearing a serious expression on her face as always and looking over at him with contempt for something he said to tease her. "Sir Wang's inner disciple." Da Chuanli only realized he had accidentally walked past his room and entered the next-door courtyard when a concerned Feng Shuchang called out to him whilst oiling his blade on a stool. 

Internally criticizing his lack of control Da Chuanli stiffly turned to apologize to the worried man. "I was lost in thought and accidentally entered the wrong place, I apologize for the unintentional offense." After being scrutinized, Feng Shuchang accepted his apology without reprimanding him seemingly light-heartedly. "It's alright you didn't do it on purpose after all." "Then, rest well King Feng. This disciple will take his leave." As he turned to leave Feng Shuchang wiped his blade whilst commenting casually to the teen as if it didn't matter to him if he listened or not. "They say that sparring a decent opponent is a good way to vent without saying what is in the heart and mind, a swordsman can let his blade speak for him." 

"...." Feng Shuchang continued to wipe his blade down as the young man with half his foot over the threshold stayed where he was without leaving or turning around. Letting the teen think for himself whether to accept. When he was finally satisfied with the shine of his blade he noticed a pair of boots standing a few feet away. The long hair of the boy tilted downwards in a half bow in his direction. "Excuse this disciple for being disrespectful enough to accept King Feng's offer then." Feng Shuchang's eyes curve with his smile.