"Red Mountain Prince, don't worry, older brother."
" Wangji....."
Lan Wangji ignored his own brother's loss of composure, took a sip of tea, and asked:
" the Lanling Jin Are there any Su Sher among the people sent to Xi Ping County?"
"Ah? Oh, yes, the leader is."
"Mm."
"Elder brother, you've had a tiring day. You should rest early." (As if about to leave)
" Wangji, should you... explain to elder brother?"
"Sigh. Forgetfulness or absent-mindedness, what are you planning?"
Lan Wangji remains silent, sitting quietly as if not prepared to respond. Under normal circumstances, Lan Xichen would never force him, but the current situation makes Lan Xichen urgently want to get an answer.
"Let me speak instead."
The sight of the green-clad figure with a folded fan caught their attention - it was Nie Huaisang. But before he could speak, Lan Xichen's previously furrowed brow suddenly relaxed.
"It seems Brother Xichen has figured it out, so I don't need to explain too much."
"...... Is it because of Ah... *cough* *cough*, because of Jin Guangyao?"
Lan Xichen reacted quickly, immediately noticing the displeasure in his brother's eyes, and changed his tone. Although he still hadn't fully understood why Lan Wangji suddenly showed such obvious aversion to Jin Guangyao, not hurting his brother's feelings had almost become Lan Xichen's instinct.
" Brother Xichen guessed half right."
"Is there the Lanling Jin?"
"Mmm... more or less."
"What do you want to do?"
" Brother Xichen, it's not about what we want to do, but about what some people want to do. Lord Hanguang and I have no choice but to go along with it."
"Is it for... Young Master Wei?"
"I have only known Young Master Wei for a short time, but I believe in one thing."
"What is it?"
"He lived his life openly and cleanly, and should not be destroyed because of deceitful people's hearts."
"What did Jin Guangyao do?"
This is a statement, not a question. Compared to Jin Guangyao, whether it's Lan Wangji who shares the same blood or Nie Huaisang who grew up with him, he should trust him more. Moreover, from the moment Lan Wangji removed the internal spy from the Lan, cracks appeared in his trust in Jin Guangyao, and in matters of trust, cracks mean the end.
" Brother Xichen Why would I take such a roundabout way, even willing to poison myself to send my big brother away?"
"......Blade Spirit. Is there a problem?" (frowning)
Blade Spirit is the secret of the the Nie Family, which has always been known only to the high-level cultivators within the the Nie Family. Due to the previous family head's discovery that they could no longer stably suppress the Blade Spirit on their own, they sought help from The Lan family's Qingxin Yin. As a result, some members of The Lan family are also aware of this, but only the sect leader, hand penalties, and a few elders.
After the Sunshot Campaign, Nie Mingjue's Blade Spirit had already reached the edge of suppression. Since then, Nie Mingjue has refrained from major military actions, and Baxia has almost become a mere decoration. In order to alleviate the hostility within him, Lan Xichen would regularly play Qingxin Yin for him. During this process, he inevitably encounters Jin Guangyao. As sworn brothers, Lan Xichen does not avoid him, and if Jin Guangyao is interested or has any doubts, he will also openly express them, unknowingly creating hidden dangers.
" Brother Xichen, do you remember the two times when you were busy with official duties, and Jin Guangyao took the initiative to play the qin for my brother to soothe his mind?"
"That did happen. Although he was just starting out, he was quite knowledgeable in qin playing. If it were now, I naturally wouldn't agree, but at that time..."
" Brother Xichen, I am not here to blame you. I know what kind of person you are, especially considering Jin Guangyao's character. At that time, even I couldn't see through it. Fortunately, I discovered it early."
"What did you discover?"
"Although Big Brother's temperament is a bit impatient, he is not hot-tempered. After Jin Guangyao played twice, Big Brother was much calmer at first, but within three days, he would become unreasonably irritable. Once could be considered a coincidence, but two times raised suspicions, so I immediately sought out Lord Hanguang."
Lan Wangji quietly took out a music score from his embrace, glanced at the cover with the four characters "Dongying Qinza," and Lan Xichen confirmed that it was something kept in the forbidden section of the library. A dreadful thought raced through his mind, and with just one look exchanged with Lan Wangji, a certain guess was confirmed.
"Which piece is inside?"
"Luan Po Chao."
"How is Da-ge now?"
" Brother Xichen Don't worry, I have already taken Da-ge to a safe place and arranged for a doctor to take care of him."
Lan Xichen I really want to ask a question, but looking at the two younger brothers sitting in front of me, I know they won't tell me. After the incident with Jin Guangyao, there is a rift between them. Nie Huaisang feels guilty, but it's not his biggest concern. Most of his worries are still about Lan Wangji.
"Huaisang, I'm sorry. I misjudged people and trusted too easily."
"Lan Xichen, I will tell you the truth, it's not your fault. Since we were young, you have always been the most obedient among us. Even though there have been setbacks on the path of leading the family, the experience of the human heart is something that The Lan family cannot give you, and it cannot be made up for with a single military expedition. They say that experience is the best teacher, right? In my opinion, Jin Guangyao is a good lesson for you."
What more could Lan Xichen say? He could only smile bitterly.
"What are your plans next? After sending off the big brother and making a big show of catching the spy, what do you need me to cooperate with next?"
" Brother Xichen agreed so readily? Aren't you afraid we'll ask you to do something bad?"
"If even you cannot be trusted, then who can I trust?"
This is also a rescue for Lan Xichen by Lan Wangji and Nie Huaisang. This good elder brother has always believed in the inherent goodness of people, and his intentions are good. Unfortunately, they do not align with the current state of the world. Once he discovers that someone he genuinely trusts has deceived him, it is not just a matter of being hurt emotionally, but his faith may also be shaken. Fortunately, the timely discovery has minimized the damage, and at most, he will be emotionally hurt for a period of time. Now, Lan Xichen is still in the recovery period in Gusu, and the responsibility on his shoulders will help him regain clarity as soon as possible.
"Brother, you don't have to do anything."
"Or rather, do whatever needs to be done."
Nie Huaisang and Lan Wangji are both letting off steam, one sitting upright and serious, the other fanning himself and laughing. They are very different, but complement each other well, which greatly reassures Lan Xichen.
"I understand. You don't need to tell me your plan. As for Jin Guangyao, for now, I will continue to be a good Second Brother. If there's anything you can't easily investigate about him, just let me know."
"Ah! There's actually a place right now that needs Brother Xichen's help!"
"???"
" Jin Guangyao is best at hiding and enduring. I've been searching for a long time and still haven't found any direct evidence linking him. Many things are instructed through Jin Guangshan, which is also his cleverest aspect. So, I need to find Jin Guangyao's fatal weakness. Just one is enough."
Since it's a fatal point, it must be someone who often meets with Jin Guangyao, and the only person in the entire cultivation world who has had so many opportunities besides the Jin family confidants is Lan Xichen. This is also another important reason why Lan Wangji and Nie Huaisang decided to confess to Lan Xichen. Regarding this, Lan Xichen is well aware.
The three of them discussed for another quarter of an hour in the cold room, and as midnight approached, they prepared to disperse. Just before leaving, Lan Xichen couldn't help but ask one more question.
"Huaisang, a physician can only regulate the body, Blade Spirit. It's dangerous. Should we still send our big brother to The Lan family? Cold Pool Cave is forbidden. Those not of the the Lan direct bloodline will be trapped and killed by the String Killing Technique. If I bring him in, our big brother will be safe, and it's a good opportunity for him to try out the new adjustments I've made to the cleansing solution."
" Brother Xichen, don't worry. The physician I've arranged for our big brother is extraordinary, specializing in treating spiritual confusion and strange ailments."
Nie Huaisang sells his act so well that even Lan Wangji seems clueless, and Lan Xichen doesn't press further. At this moment, the "physician" who specializes in bewitching souls and acting strangely is facing a dilemma.
The formation that trapped Nie Mingjue has eroded to its final layer, and the one it's meant to kill is his inner demon, which turns out to be Blade Spirit. Trapped within the Baxia, Blade Spirit senses its master's soul turmoil and its own danger, on the verge of breaking free from the spell's suppression.
This is not good. The mountains, water, grass, and livestock on the grassland are beautiful, and there are few people, so there is not much resentment. In order to set up this killing formation for Nie Mingjue, Wei Wuxian almost absorbed all the resentment within a radius of a hundred miles, and also used the stored resentment in the Chen Qing flute and his own original resentment power. This is how the formation was set up, and there is no extra resentment available for the time being.
The Blade Spirit seemed to have sensed a "glimmer of hope" and, in one go, tore apart the talisman, rushing straight towards Wei Wuxian. However, it was blocked by a solid body and knocked down with a punch, firmly trampled underfoot.
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