It takes three days and nights for all those involved in the destruction of the Yin Iron pieces to make a full recovery. Except for two small bodies.

An investigation is launched into the conduct of Wen Zhang, and the resulting information uncovered leaves Lan Qiren speechless.

They found out that Wen Zhang had taken control of their prisoner a while back, way before the last day of the Cultivation conference when he was caught outside the Mingshi. Wen Zhang had been administering a highly addictive drug straight into his bloodstream, first with smaller doses, just to get him dependent on it, and then later attaching a small device to his neck that let him be dosed automatically at even intervals. He only started losing his sanity when the drug ran out. It was Healer Fei who discovered the device, and by that time, the drug was already being flushed out of his system.

That's when the young man begged forgiveness and told them everything. He said that Wen Zhang had snuck into Cloud Recesses a few days before Lan Qiren had activated the lock down, by hiding in the carts that brought grain and other supplies into the kitchens, correctly guessing that the Lans would implement safety measures.

He also told them that as Head Disciple, it was easy for him to organise searching the rooms of the main family and the Lan guest quarters, because not only was Wen Zhang against this new direction that Wen Tang Changpu was determined to lead her people towards, but he had paid far more attention to Wen Ruohan when it mattered, secretly learning whatever he could about his master's intentions and openly supporting him. Wen Zhang went as far as to sow discord among those who were loyal to Wen Tang Changpu, urging them to rethink where and what their expectations were about the Wen Clan and its future. Prior to his attack on the array and his planned disturbance, Wen Zhang was also central to instigating an outright coup, something that greatly upset Wen Tang Changpu.

She's sitting in Lan Qiren's office now, calmly drinking tea that she's poured out for both of them.

"Not that I want to see any hysteria, but may I ask why you are taking the news so well? I would have thought you'd be more upset," Lan Qiren asks her, with much surprise.

She taps the side of her cup thoughtfully, her nail making a chink-chink sound.

"I'm thinking about stepping down from being the leader," she admits, still in a tranquil voice.

"WHAT?" Lan Qiren nearly drops his cup, and she snickers.

"I didn't mean to startle you." Her smile says otherwise. "I should explain myself."

"Please." Lan Qiren tries not to look annoyed.

"I can hear your thoughts, A-Ren. You're not being subtle in the slightest with all that glaring. Just hear me out." She waits for him to nod. "I can see you comparing us both, and you shouldn't. I know neither of us wants the job of being a leader, and we're lumbered with it, but the difference between the two of us is that the GusuLan Clan is still highly respected. You have a legacy of musical cultivation to teach new disciples, while the Wen speciality depends on a bloodline used to manipulate fire. It's not exactly a teachable skill, more hereditary. That's strike one against the Wens. Secondly, my dearest brother all but killed any goodwill we might have received by terrorising the city itself and its inhabitants, and by creating the fierce corpses with the intention of making an army solely to defeat the other clans, well, suffice to say, we're not going to win many popularity contests anytime soon.

"On top of all that, you know my interests have always been towards saving lives. I still find it fascinating that some of the plants we take for granted, even going so far as to plant them in our gardens, are more lethal to humans than a hired assassin. My husband also hates the fact that my new job kept me away from his side, and frankly, I miss my kids. I'm not going to get this time with them again, and I already feel cheated with A-Qing, not really being eight years old. But then I have to remind myself that if your A-Ying had never created the time-travel array in the first place, I'd be dead, along with my dear husband, and I still wouldn't get to live my life as it is right now. So there are plenty of blessings to count." She pours more tea for both of them.

"So what, you're just going to disband your father's Clan? Just like that?" Lan Qiren is grudgingly admiring her. She's obviously thought about what she wants to do in the future. Her determination shines through with every word.

"No. I'm going to put it up for a vote. It's the only way to deal with the split of opinions now. Before, when my brother was in charge, people were too scared to give him their honest opinions. But if the majority truly don't want to follow my lead into medicine and plant study, I can hardly make them! No...we should allow the Sect to be free. Those who want to establish it as a fighting Sect, they should get their chance too. Then, whoever wants to be with me can also be free. The ones who are left over, they can pick their own leader, and I'll make sure everyone in the Cultivation world knows we won't have anything to do with each other. People are old enough and ugly enough to look after themselves," she insists with a smile.

"You sound happy about this," Lan Qiren tries and fails not to sound accusatory.

"I am. I keep thinking about my parents, and then my grandparents. Exactly who is left to be affected by my decisions? I respect my elders, but in the end, they're not around. But my family is."

Lan Qiren thinks about this and then compares the same situation and himself. About the freedom which is so far out of his reach as to be nonexistent. But then, at the moment, he has his nephews, who are really his children, plus Xue Yang, the little spunky hero who saved the day, his kid, his own child, and truly, aren't they the future? Lan Qiren would give anything to see them into the future, hale and hearty, full of life. Watch them growing up to see them making good decisions about their own futures and their own happiness.

"Ah, Qiren...look at me going on about my life..." her voice turns sympathetic. "Has there been any change?" She's asking about Wei Ying and Lan Zhan.

They're lying in the infirmary right now, only a thread of consciousness keeping them tethered to their bodies.

It's so hard to shake his head. They're just babies, really. Their tiny bodies were far too small and weak to give the amount of spiritual power that was needed, and yet they had both done it anyway. Without a second thought.

Lan Qiren misses the bright laughter that always accompanies his A-Zhan, the shadow of a delightful companion in the form of Wei Ying, the child genius. He misses how Lan Zhan's glares spoke far more than any words he might have spared.

"At least Nie-Xiong is much better. What do you think about his proposal, you know, us three being the Venerated Triad?"

Lan Qiren appreciates his friend's attempt to lighten the conversation while he composes himself.

"He's still recuperating," Lan Qiren reminds her when he can speak without his voice cracking.

"I hear they had to tie him to the bed," Wen Tang Changpu said gleefully in reply.

"Gossip is forbidden in the Cloud Recesses," Lan Qiren retorts.

"Is it gossip if it's true?" She raises a brow in question, laughing at him.

Lan Qiren hides behind his teacup.

****************

As soon as all his obligations are met, Lan Qiren hurries to the infirmary again. He's taken to sleeping in the same room as A-Ying and A-Zhan, just in case they wake up. He's not allowed to transfer any spiritual energy yet, but he keeps watch over the four cultivators who take shifts to do so, preserving the bodies of his two unconscious children.

He refuses to listen to Healer Fei, whose diagnosis is unbearable.

Still, he has one day left before he has to obey. Before, he must stop wasting the spiritual energy of all the willing participants eager to donate. Healer Fei has told him more than once that Lan Qiren is hoping for a miracle, wishing for something to defy the odds of medical science.

But is it his fault?

All he wants is to be able to hug these two children again, hold them tight in his arms, and protect them from this cruel and vicious world. Just to keep them safe.

Is that too much to ask?

Lan Qiren strokes their soft cheeks, glancing at how tightly their hands are still clasped together, even while they are unconscious. How much they want to be together, how much Lan Qiren knows this is the sole reason why his youngest nephew, now his youngest son, had done everything in his power to accomplish.

It is a miracle that they got this time together, and he knows it. But if his blessings from the Universe haven't run out, if Lan Qiren is allowed to ask for more, then he will willingly give up every single ounce of his own happiness just to see these two alive again. If he's allowed, then he wants to ask the powers that be for one more miracle.

Please, he thinks, with all of his heart.

And somewhere, someone hears him.

******************

There isn't any pain. That's what Wei Ying realises as he feels the strain on his golden core. His hand grabs onto Lan Zhan's hand, and their fingers entwine. The uncomfortable feeling increases, and Wei Ying can see on Lan Zhan's face as well that he's feeling the same tugging, the same pulling on his golden core.

Wei Ying has felt something like this only once before, and even then, it was nothing to something that escalated into unbearable, excruciating pain that seemed to go on forever and ever. This is different, but no less taxing.

He can feel his life force stretching, pulsing, moving towards the battery, and as he closes his eyes, he can only hope that their efforts are enough, that they manage to destroy the Yin Iron pieces once and for all.

The last thing Lan Zhan hears is the sharp crack of lightning as it strikes the burning sword. The resulting explosion makes him close his eyes tight against the white-hot brilliance of destruction. His head hits the ground, and he knows nothing anymore.

*****************

A/N

Dear Beautiful Readers,

Thank you for your intense and lovely feedback, and I'm really happy that whatever epicness that was in my head got through the writing and into your imagination, too. Welcome to the hundredth chapter, I can't believe it myself!!! We're around 280K word count and only a little bit left.

I must say, I've been looking forward to writing these parts most of all. Happy ending is in sight!

All my love,

Charlie

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