"Love recognizes no barriers. It jumps hurdles, leaps fences, penetrates walls to arrive at its destination full of hope."
— Maya Angelou

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Zewu Jun

I abandon all my work and head to an Inn which was in the nearest city to Cloud Recess, anxious and nervous about what I'd find.

Earlier I received a message asking me to come to this particular Inn with no trace of the sender. This quite startled me. With the events that have been happening, I did not know what could get worse. Especially since this spirit happened to be formed with Wei Wuxian's power.

I was more worried about Wangji. Losing Wei Wuxian is what he's most afraid of. Witnessing his death once was bad enough, now seeing his corpse almost alive once again...

I always admired the way he survived those years. I've seen him plenty of times near the fall playing Inquiry for his beloved soul, eagerly waiting for an answer. I've seen the way he breakdowns each time he doesn't get one. This time, if Wei Wuxian doesn't survive...

I take a deep breath and knock on the door. The door opens slightly and a person comes out.

"Jiang Wanyin?" I exclaim, not expecting him at all. He looked shaken, which gave me the impression of the worst that could happen.

"Come in," he says.

I enter the room. My eyes immediately fall on the bed. Wangji was lying on it.

"He's just unconscious," Wanyin says noticing my worried face. "You can come out. It's Zewu Jun," he calls out.

With that, a door towards the far end opens and I see Wei Wuxian, majestic in his old body. I never thought that seeing him would ever bring me this much relief.

"My apologies for the anonymous message I sent. I couldn't risk being seen by anyone. Not yet at least."

I nod and avert my gaze to Wangji.

"He overused his energy. He will be all right with some sleep." Wei Wuxian says. "And Zewu Jun, I would appreciate it if you don't ask him to explain what happened."

"Of course." I know that I had no say in this. This was a battle they fought by themselves. If they wished to keep the facts, so be it. "I suppose you need to take Wangji back to Jingshi without being noticed."

He nods.

"I will help you," I say.

***

Since most of the disciples were in their relevant lessons, we were able to enter Cloud recess without any suspicion. We take a route that fell through the parts of the woods where Wangji used to keep his rabbits hidden.

Wei Wuxian carried Wangji in his arms refusing every time we offered help. Even though he wasn't struggling, I understood why he did so, after watching Wangji himself suffer back in those years.

When we finally reach Jingshi Wei Wuxian lays Wangji on the bed. He sits next to him and takes Wangi's hand on his.

"Jiang Cheng," he says softly. "I'm sorry... for suddenly appearing like this."

"Don't be." His brother replies. "I should get used to it anyway."

I along with Jiang Wanyin leave Jingshi letting them be alone.

"You look troubled, Sect leader Jiang," I say as we near Hanshi.

"I'm fine." He mutters.

"All three of you are the same. Stubborn." I say with a chuckle. "Sect leader Jia-"

"Quit it already, we agreed to call our names." He says making me laugh.

"Pardon me," I say. "Jiang Wanyin. Why don't we talk inside?" I say opening the door.

All these years, witnessing how much it could hurt, I was afraid of love. But maybe I could try after all.

Wei Wuxian

I take Lan Zhan's hand and run my thumb over his knuckles.

He is safe, I am safe.

There aren't any words that could explain the relief I felt. There was a slight pride that I felt within when I realize that I survived it all for him. His will to have me back, and my need of staying with him. And our hope of a future together.

That alone was the sole reason for success.

If Lan Zhan gave up when I didn't answer him in the first time, the pathway wouldn't have remained long enough for me to get through.

But if I had been any late.

I couldn't move my body. As if all my limbs were made with stones.

The painful feeling of needles on my skin I felt when I dived into the pathway was over. Which meant that the ritual was successful. But I now I was overwhelmingly numb.

I force myself to turn to my side. After a lot of struggling I manage to lift my torso, releasing a groan in the process. I look at my hands and touch my face. I couldn't stop the smile that crept into my face. Being in my old body was oddly satisfying.

My eyes immediately scan the surroundings looking for Lan Zhan. But I can't find even a trace of his white robes. And there were voices. In my head.

The more conscious I was, the more voices I heard in my head.

The wards! The suppressing forces I set were broken. Then, Lan Zhan! He must be affected by them.

I get to my feet, which still felt numb. I take a step front, keeping my foot on a line of the array and a jolt of pain runs through my body.

Of course, the array was guarded. I cease them with a wave of my hand.

"Lan Zhan!" I yell. Where was he?

A sudden realization strikes me.

I didn't answer him when he called for me. Did he think that I'm not coming back?

This is bad.

I close my eyes concentrating on the energy flows. I feel his energy, fainter than usual, in my cave.

Hold on Lan Zhan, I'm here.

I run to the cave as fast as I can. The sight before me... I'm sure I will never want to see it again.

Lan Zhan was unconscious next to my bed, and hundreds of dark spirits were whirling around him, attacking him.

I instantly jump next to him. Picking up Bichen which was lying next to him, I attack the spirits in swift moves. His sword, which indeed was strong, surprisingly obeyed me as if it recognized me.

When the cave was fairly clear, I gently release Chenqing from Lan Zhan's hands and play it to suppress the dark energy again.

Finally, when the wards were set, I sit on the ground and I scoop Lan Zhan in my arms and caress his head.

"I'm here," I tell him. I couldn't recall a time where those words have been more meaningful. I hold him close to me whispering soothing words in his ear.

I managed to get to Yunmeng using Bichen and ask help from Jiang Cheng. He was beyond shocked when he saw me in this body. After some explaining, he helped me to get to Gusu, although the blankness in his face remained.

It would've been better if we could meet in another situation, to have a good conversation to sort things out. But I didn't have much of a choice.

There are some things we can't choose in our lives. They just happen, as if all the possible endings lead there. They can't be reasoned nor can be helped. Our only choice is to adapt to them as much as we can.

But there will be people who could soothe that unfairness you face. People who will trust you when the whole world wants you dead, a light that shines when all you could see is piercing dark.

You, my Lan Zhan, have always been that light. I cherish you with my life. 

----

Told ya! I'm innocent 😁
Anyways, here's the update as I promised. Honestly, I ran out of my patience and updated it sooner than I thought.

I'm really thankful for this 👇. You guys are amazing 🌹

Thanks again 😊

Till next time...