They say that ignorance is an absolute bliss! Is it true? If it is, then why do I feel absolutely horrified right now? How could I never understand the pain you're going through? Didn't I pride myself for loving you wholly? If my love was true then why couldn't I see the change even though I knew you were different? Why did I believe the world and not support you when you needed me the most? Why didn't I come to Yiling and stand by your side? Why...why did I loose to you Wei Ying? Why did I loose to the pretense you put up? Why did I not see the facade you wore so beautifully? You're fragile life was being torn apart and I could do nothing but be a bystander. Why couldn't I see what you were trying to tell me all along?

You renouncing Suibian. You renouncing the path of cultivation. You giving up your honourable status and yet you never ever gave up the one thing that everyone eventually does, your humanity.

You're most humane than all of us my dearest Wei Ying and I apologise, I didn't belive you even when you asked me too. So blinded was I with the the thought of honour, I refused to give you benifit of doubt.

Will you ever forgive me? My love.

Today your Lan Zhan's soul is so broken that only your forgiveness can mend it. I am truly at loss of words. I can neither cry nor show my wrath. Who can I blame but myself? I lost against you my Wei. Your humble soul truly is so precious to me.

Come back.

This Lan Zhan only loves you.

I am glad to have Wen Ning with me on this small ferry that we have boarded for he is the one who can tell me the truth. I am glad he was there when Wei Ying had no one.

"Master Wei pleaded with my sister to transfer his golden core into Yunmeng Sect Leader. He knew Young Master Jiang was a competitive man and if he did not have his golden core he would be utterly shattered. They just lost Lotus Pier to the Wen Clan, Master Wei was unable to see Young Master Jiang broken too." Wen Ning rows the boat quietly "My sister refused him at first because never had anyone tried this before. Yes, she did write theories but they were all just theories nothing was tested. When he found her notes she flatly refused him because no one allowed her to try it on them. Why would they? Who wouldn't want to reach great heights and Master Wei was truly a successful cultivator. She knew if they were unsuccessful either they both would loose their core or their life."

"What were the chances of survival?" My heart sinks when he says truthfully "50/50".

I gasp. The man in my arms for whom I yearned for so long, his chance of survival was far less then I could ever imagine. You were fighting a battle for so long?

"Did it pain?" Unable to stop my tears I cup his face and caress them softly "Was he in too much pain?"

"Yes Hanguang-Jun, I won't ever lie to you. My sister tried her level best to gather the best anesthesia for Master Wei but then she realised it would hamper the Golden Core so..." He trails away and I look up "So you're saying Wei Ying was aware of the core being ripped away?" and he nods.

Involuntarily I clutch him to my chest and tuck his face into my neck. Why didn't you tell me Wei Ying?

"How long he had to be awake?"

"Two days and one night. Non stop".

"How was he after the surgery?" I think back to the time when I saw him. He had indeed changed. He by then had chosen the Diabolical path.

"He was constantly bleeding. Coughing blood. Hanguang-Jun, Master Wei is indeed a brave soul. He never once thought about himself. Even after his core was ripped away he made my sister and me promise never to tell anyone the truth" he looks into my eyes "please don't tell him for now that you and Young Master Jiang are aware. Tell him eventually but not right now?" He pleads and I agree.

A moment of silence and then I hear Wen Ning again "Hanguang-Jun"

"Hm"

"Thank you from bringing up A Yuan. He's such a wonderful boy. Reminds me of my cousin. I thought no one survived from my clan but because of you, my ancestors will be forever indebted to you". Wen Ning bows.

"He had heavy fever when I found him. He does not remember much from the time before" I look at Wen Ning "did you tell him about his roots?"

"No. He's safe and happy. He will know the truth eventually but for now I did not reveal the truth" he bows again.

"Wen Ning?" I call his name and he looks up "how have you been all these years?" I hesitate to enquire as never before have we ever had a reason to interact.

"I do not remember much. All I know is after the threat to kill Master Wei, we went to surrender to the LanLing Jin Sect. My sister..." He pauses "All I remember was someone inserting screws into my head to suppress my memories and kept me alive for all the wrong reasons. It was when at the Dafan Mountain I heard Master Wei's flute did I react to his command".

"Thank you for being there for Wei Ying. Thank you for trusting him. I owe it to you" I bow my head and he looks suprised "No Hanguang-Jun, you don't have to thank me. Master Wei was and has been my only friend. He trusted and belived in me when no one did".

I nod.

My Wei Ying.

Always believing every other soul but what did you get in return? Betrayal. Abandonment. Pain.

When Wen Ning turns away I caress Wei Ying's face and gently kiss his forehead. Forgive me. Please.

A while later he slowly gains conciousness and blinks his eye. "Lan Zhan" his voice is hoarse and I give him some medicines "How did we escape?"

"We had to fight our way out" I reply and I see Wen Ning visibly relax.

"I apologise on Jiang Cheng's behalf. He was always a brat please don't pay heed to his words" Wei smiles and I look at him.

I won't pay heed to his words but what about yours? What am I to you? Friend? More than friend?

"Lan Zhan" he looks around "I am hungry!" He looks around and breaks a stem of a lotus pod "Oh Wen Ning, you're here too. Just stop for a moment, we can eat some of these, they'll be sweet" he winks.

"Wei Ying?" I look at him "I have heard that these lotuses have owners" and he visibly sighs "Hanguang-Jun" he throws away the pod and looks away.

Smiling inwardly I quickly take out the stem filled with pods and hand it over to him "There's going to be no next time". His eyes widen and grins "Lan Zhan, aren't you the sweetest?"

No my dear Wei Ying, you are.

"Master Wei, where are we headed?" Wen Ning enquires and Wei ponders "ZewuJun could still be under Jin Guang Yao's command so going back to Lan Lingjin Sect would be futile" he pauses and looks back at me "Yunping City" he exclaims.

"Yunping City?" I ask and he nods "Lan Zhan when I was in Jin Guang Yao's secret room, not only did I find Nie Mingjue's head but I also found my manuscripts as well as land deed of a place in Yunping City. Wen Ning set sail that way" he points out towards Yunping City and I knew a new adventure awaits us there.

As we reach the gates of Yunping City, some boys trouble Wen Ning and it is hilarious to see Wei Ying save Wen Ning. If only those kids knew who they were messing with.

"Lan Zhan" Wei whispers "I still remember my promise to you. One day soon when we go back to Lotus Pier, I'll feed you the lotus pods then" he winks "come it should be this way" he guides us.

Minutes later we're both surprised to see the direction that Wei saw in those land deeds were of the Guanyin Temple, the God of Mercy.

"Lan Zhan" he whispers as we walk around "the array here is different. You can definitely feel the suppressed energy. Jin Guang Yao is using this place to fulfill his deed knowing that no one would dare raise question".

"Hm"

"Let's come back tonight to check this place out" he suggests and I agree.

Tonight is definitely going to be a long night for all of us. A one that would probably be written down in the history. We just weren't aware of it yet.