Lan Zhan and I were heading back to Baoshan's today. He is getting ready to start his new training. I told him there is a chance that he'd have to wear new robes as he will be a disciple at the mountain now. He said it was fine. I told him the forehead ribbon will probably be fine to keep. He was able to bring his sword and guqin, but I told him that his use for them will be limited for a while. I told him this training will probably take four years like mine did, maybe longer if he didn't want to rush anything. His uncle and brother were okay with this, and just hope Lan Zhan writes when he can.

Before leaving, I did reach Lan Xichen and Lan Zhan that cloud charm. They seemed to really like it. Baoshan actually thinks it's a nice charm for the Gusu Lan Sect to have as it is usually played as a stress reliever. So Lan Xichen got approval from Baoshan herself that he could teach others within the sect how to use the charm.

At the moment, I was standing in the Jingshi watching Lan Zhan gather a couple things that he wants to take with him. He is able to bring his Gusu robes and whatever he wants but he may not need that much. He is aware of that but I didn't want him to feel like he can't do anything. I wanted him to be comfortable at the Mountain because I know the training that he will be doing will be very difficult.

"I am asking one last time, as I want to be sure, do you want this?" I asked him, "this training isn't for the faint of heart. It's very intense and you will basically be starting your cultivation process all over again. There have been disciples that Baoshan has taken in and they could not handle the training and even died from it, that is how difficult it can be on you."

"I want this," he said walking over to me and took my hand, "not only will you be my master, but I am doing this so I can be with you longer. This is something I know I can accomplish and I know it will not be easy. I also know that just because you love me, does not mean you will go easy on me."

I smiled, "Mnn, that is true," I said, "you finally addressed me as master. How sweet of you?"

"Master Wei Ying, should I make my vow now?" He asked.

I giggled, "there is a place at the mountain for you to do that. It is good to know that you are okay with this. And Master Wei Ying, I suppose that is okay for you to call me."

"Good, I just like calling you Wei Ying," he told me.

"And I like calling you Lan Zhan....but you yelled at me for calling you that once," I pouted.

"I am sorry," he said, "you can call me Lan Zhan. You will have opportunities to get back at me I am sure."

"Playing tricks and pranks on my disciple?" I asked, "yeah that sounds like me...Baoshan does that to her disciples too. Just a warning, something she always does to new members, she has them eat a spicy pepper, and knowing your clan's diet...you should be prepared."

"I will be fine," he said.

"If you say so," I said and pulled out a hot pepper, "then let's test it now so you know what to expect. She will probably test you just as I would. She will probably guide me on how to train you as you are my very first disciple, so you will have to forgive me for any mistakes."

"I will always forgive you," he said and took the pepper, "how hot exactly?"

"This is the level of spice you will be expecting," I said and summoned a glass of milk, "you have to hold out for as long as you can or even until the spice dies down."

Lan Zhan sighed, "never thought that my second lesson from you would be how to handle a hot pepper."

"Second lesson?"

"The first was the cloud charm," he said.

"Oh right," I said, "and yes, this is going to be a lesson. We leave tomorrow so you have until then to get through this. That is why I have milk..." Lan Xichen soon entered the Jingshi and had some herbs in his hand, "and some herbs to make sure your stomach doesn't feel like it's going to explode."

Lan Zhan's eyes widened at my words which made Xichen and me laugh, "Good luck, Didi," Xichen said.

"You aren't staying to watch?" I asked.

"I have a meeting with the sect elders soon," he said, "but I could stick around for a moment."

Lan Zhan glared at us both and just ate the pepper he had in his hand. He seemed to do well with the first pepper. The heat from the pepper usually lasts for about an hour before it finally starts to cool down. Lan Zhan broke after twenty minutes.

"Good first start," I said.

"If this isn't actually a tradition she does, I will make you pay for this," Lan Zhan said.

"Lan Zhan, is that a way to speak to our Master?" I asked, "and I know what I am doing. Even if it wasn't, which it is, it's payback for you hurting me all those years ago," He suddenly pouted out his bottom lip and I found it to be the cutest look I have ever seen him make, "are you pouting?" I asked.

"I do not pout," he replied.

"Lying is forbidden, Wangji, you haven't left Cloud Recesses yet," Xichen said taking my side, "and that was definitely a pout."

"Not pouting," Lan Zhan argued again.

"Okay, not pouting, I am just seeing things," I said, "and I guess Xichen-Ge was also seeing things too. I guess we are being messed with."

"Could be," Xichen said.

"Are you both done?" He asked.

"With what?" I asked, "is our teasing too much for you?"

"One day, that teasing of yours will come back to bite you," Lan Zhan told me.

I scoffed, "Sure it will."

"Oh it will," Lan Zhan said, "until then, you will have to just wait to see what I am talking about."

I looked at Xichen, "is this normal behavior?"

"From him, no," Xichen said, "then again, since you have been around him, he has not been, what you would say, normal, in terms of his character."

"I don't follow," I told him.

"You will just have to wait and see what he means by that threat," Xichen said.

"Well, when he makes his vow, he can't make such threats," I told him.

"Until then, beware," Xichen said and left us alone, "you two have fun."

I just rolled my eyes and then looked at Lan Zhan, holding out another pepper, "ready to go again?"

He just glared at me before taking the pepper and ate it. I giggled knowing he was having to do this and he wasn't even sure if he actually had to do this for Baoshan. He will just have to wait, and see now won't he.