"Wei Wuxian" Jiang Cheng embraced Wei "if you need our assistance, just say the word and I'll bring the entire Yunmeng to help you out" turning his gaze to me he bowed "Wangji, next time I hope we meet under a joyful occasion".

"Jiang Cheng" I reciprocated the humility. We both have come a long way and the reason was the person standing next to me. We both saw his hesitation as he approached the Wu Meiming "Wei Wuxian told me that I wronged your family and a person like me also knows that no amount of apologies would matter but still I would. Lady Lan Wu Meiming, I sincerely apologise for what I did. I have wronged many in the past and it is a burden that I will carry with me even in my afterlife. I hope you have the kindness and willingness to forgive me one day" he bowed and I was indeed surprised.

I was reminded of a time when we were always at logger heads. He and I were poles apart. He hated my loyalty and I hated his betrayal but we were always connected. Connected through Wei Ying.

It was endearing to see Jin Ling standing guard by Wu Meiming's side and it was when she bowed back did the kid relax. His gaze met mine and I gave him an imperceptible nod to which he gave an awkward hug to Jiang Cheng.

Bidding them farewell we set sail with Wen Ning and Wu Meiming at the other end of the boat. He was teaching her about sailing and rafting. He is truly a great teacher. Patient to her curious mind.

At the other hand the boys surrounded us and I wondered where did their cautiousness go? They seemed to be exuberant today to an extent that Jingyi was sharing Lotus Pods with Sizhui and the moment Wei witnessed this, there was a mischievous glint in his eyes.

Hm.

"Jingyi" he started and I silently shook my head "did you know in Yunmeng if you feed someone Lotus Pods, it means your confessing your love for them?" His face was of absolute seriousness that Sizhui chocked on the pod he was eating and Jingyi looked baffled.

"Don't tease us Senior Wei!" He looked at Sizhui and then back at Wei "you're joking right?"

"Nope I am not" he pointed at me "ask your Hanguang-Jun if you don't believe me?".

Nice play Wei Ying.

"Hanguang-Jun?" Jingyi was wide eyed and ZiZhen was almost in fits of laughter. Jin Ling on the other hand stealthily snuck some pods into his robes. I just chose to ignore this question.

"See your Hanguang-Jun is not answering. Did you know it took me a lifetime to finally feed him these Lotus Pods? He's a stubborn one I tell you. If you like Sizhui then just start dating him" Wei commented and this time even I was shocked.

Way too subtle Wei.

"Wha...at?" Sizhui was beet red "the...there is nothing goin on" he turned to look at Jingyi who was caressing the pods "tell him Jingyi!".

"Senior Wei" Jingyi looked up and continued "why do you keep insisting that we date or get married?".

"Well for obvious reason" he picked one pod and popped it into his mouth "I want to become a grandfather as quickly as possible".

"What?" Jingyi looked around "are you even serious?"

"Yeah! Well when I was your age I already had my first kiss" he boasted and at that I laughed inwardly. Such a lie!

"Whom did you kiss?" This was asked by ZiZhen and Wei smirked "Lan Zhan ofcourse".
We were surrounded by silence but that was short-lived when is escalated with their suprise "What?".

"Oh sorry I need to correct that. It was Lan Zhan who stole my first kiss from me. How? Why? When? It does not matter. So don't think your Hanguang-Jun is chaste. He isn't. He's a pervert like me" Wei was laughing and I again chose to ignore all this.

Before we could continue, Wen Ning informed us that we were reaching the shore. "Alright kids that's it for story time" he pats Jingyi's shoulders and jumps onto the land.

"Hanguang-Jun" Jingyi whispered "did you really kiss Senior Wei when you were young?" For that he received a whack on his head from Sizhui "Shut up Jingyi that's none of our concern" he murmured when ZiZhen commented "Actually I am interested in knowing too". Sizhui draged both of them away from me "No you aren't. Don't trouble them. Come on".

I sigh and smile at their antics as I remisince the past, the warmth seeps into my heart. Yes, I did steal his first kiss. It was my first kiss too. It was our only kiss during that lifetime. Even today I hoped I could have prolonged it for a while. Had I known that the future would lead me to yearn for him all those years, I would have taken more time to memorize the feeling.

Sighing, I join them on the land and we walk together towards the path that we once took.

Yi City.

"Senior Wei" whispered ZiZhen "do you think we could see some fair maiden like last time?" Oh this child is too sweet for this world.

"ZiZhen, why would you ask this question? Do you want to fulfill Senior Wei's request of becoming a Grandfather?" Wu Meiming enquires and he blushes.

"Well I don't mind being adopted by the OuYang Sect. Imagine they'd have me, the greatest, the smartest cultivator in their Sect" Wei grinned " but that would also mean Lan Zhan having to shift his base. Na too much of an hassel but I will still accept you as my son" he patted ZiZhen's back and Sizhui looked away.

"Wei Ying" I call for his attention "stop teasing them" to which he obliges as we reach closer to the gates of Yi City when his steps halt.

I knew something was wrong when his eyes start to change it's color.

"Wei Ying" I whisper and his gaze finds mine they were crimson blood. This time even the kids noticed the change.

"Lan Zhan, heavy resentment lies inside" he warns "Children, I need you to be with Lan Zhan. This time there are no poisonous smokes but something far more sinister" they nod to his warning and we enter the city. Unlike last time the energy was far more powerful.

We were following Wei Ying. Bichen was in my hand to protect him and I was ready to summon Wangji at any moment. In trance he walked around just to stop by one house that was placed away from the other residences. Upon entering, a dark aura slowly engulfed Wei Ying as he placed his hands on the gate. Turning to look at me, his eyes sought mine "Lan Zhan, apparently a part of the Stygian Tiger Seal was here. Xue Yang had sealed it well" just as he said this we heard a loud crash from afar and in seconds Wei Ying was following the sound.

"Hanguang-Jun" the kids were worried.

"Be careful and stay close" was all I could say to keep up with Wei Ying.

Shoulder to shoulder we were standing together to fight the dark energy, when my heart faltered to see that the corpse in front of us was Nie Mingjue's. He had the saber in his hand and was pointed towards Wei Ying "The Yiling Patriarch has been warned. The battle is inevitable. The dead will rise again and the cultivation world will tremble. The Diabolical King will kneel and the darkest energies will prevail. The master will rise and the seal will be reborn" he prophesied and with that he vanished into thin air.

"Wei Ying" I saw him swaying. He was feeding from the dark energy around him. He gave me a smile that was not his but of the man I once knew.

"Lan Zhan, take the kids out of this city and meet me at village. I'll be there soon" placing his forehead on mine he walked away.

Even though none of them were in a state of mind to eat, they still needed to replenish themselves. They were eating in the village Inn when I noticed Wei amble his way towards us "Finish your food and wait for us here. I'll be back" I commanded and they agreed. I was not worried for their safety as Wen Ning was present.

I on the other hand met Wei Ying and together we walked past the village to stop by a small lake at the end. He was back but I could sense a change in his spirit. It surprised me when he placed his head on my chest and held me close to him. Not the one to give up on such rare opportunity, I embraced him in my warmth and he sighed.

"Lan Zhan" he whispered and I knew whatever he would state is something I won't agree on but I have to accept it.

"Hm"

"I need to leave for Burial Mountain" his arms around pulled me closer to him, scared that I would deny and walk away "I need go there to be ready for whatever challenges we would be facing. Go back to Gusu and inform ZewuJun about the prophecy. Intimate Jiang Cheng too and after two days come and get me in Yiling".

"Two days?" I enquire and he nods "Yes two days. You'll come won't you?" He questions and that breaks my heart. Placing my fingertips under his chin, I place my lips on his and kiss him sweetly "I promise".

"I won't loose to them Lan Zhan" he kisses me again "I promise". Time stands still for both of us and I cherish this moment cause something did tell me that the next time I see Wei Ying, it won't be him but it would be the formidable Yiling Patriarch. He whistles a tune and Wen Ning joins us. Together the embark on a journey to Yiling and I head back towards the children. The kids never raised any questions pertaining to Wei. Maybe they themselves knew that no amount of questions would entail for an answer. We proceed towards Gusu and as per his direction I inform my brother and uncle. We send a message to Jiang Cheng too informing him of the inevitable. Meetings were held amongst the clans and they state their loyalty to us.

Two days later I leave for Burial Mountain. The road to his abode is quiet but the energy is dark. My heart pounds when I hear his voice and the first one to greet me is Wen Ning. Directing me into the cave my feet halts when I see Wei Ying.

His eyes were closed but his body was coverd in blood. He was channelling the energies within him. He sensed my presence and when he opened his eyes I knew it was not my Wei Ying.

It was indeed The Yiling Patriarch.