The old physician quirks his brow and shrugs, "Clan leader Jiang, it's what it sounds like."

Jiang Cheng shakes his head, "I urge you to elaborate, please." He begs, confusing both Elder Bao and Zewu Jun.

Noticing that Jiang Cheng is unsure of what to expect, the physician gives in and elaborates. "Imagine penning down a book that holds your most treasured memories; things that are closest to your heart, your dreams and desires; everything that makes you who you are, and give it to the one who you are ready to show all of yourself to; merging of cores is something like that. Then it is left to your mind and his, as to what part of you gets exposed."

Jiang Cheng gulps, "Fuck!" He mutters under his breath and closes his eyes. "I assume that's the only way to save Wei WuXian and Lan Wangji?" He questions, even though he knows that he is right. That karma hates him and loves seeing him miserable.

The old man nods, confirming his fears, "And will we remember all that has come to light because of merging of cores?"

The physician nods again, "Technically, yes. But if you would rather forget what you have discovered, we have a technique for that as well."

Lan XiChen gasps, "Elder, does the technique belong to our clan?" He asks, utterly scandalized. "But that goes against our rules." He points out, but before Elder Bao can reply, Jiang Cheng interrupts, "I am sure it has its uses, Zewu Jun."

"I suppose it does, but it still doesn't sit well with me."

"Zewu Jun, you are not alone in this. And the level of cultivation and skill required to master this art is very high as well. To date, only a handful of clan members have been able to perfect it."

"I presume you are one of them." Jiang Cheng guesses hopefully, but almost immediately, his hopes go up in flames when Bao shakes his head, "Unfortunately, I couldn't master it, not for lack of trying though." He reminisces and chuckles.

"Elder, then who mastered it?" Zewu Jun asks, feeling perplexed; the physician points at Lan Zhan and Wei Ying's bodies, "The only cultivators to have mastered the art are presently lying unconscious in front of you." He informs.

"What!?" Jiang Cheng exclaims, and Zewu Jun's eyes widen, "When?" He enquires.

"Years ago." The Elder replies.

"What about Wei WuXian? When did he learn it." Jiang Cheng asks.

"A few months after he started studying here. Come to think of it, even though Lan Wangji learned it faster, Wei WuXian learned it better." The elder elaborates. When he finishes, two pairs of eyes urge him to explain further.

The old man sighs, "That's all know. It's all in the book of records. Since it's a special technique, anyone who masters it has to mention it in the book of spells."

Understanding dawns on Zewu Jun, "That explains the confounded looks on the soldiers' faces at the cave. Wangji must have made them forget."

********

"Lan Zhan, what are you talking about?" Wei Ying asks, holding his husband's hand, "Why can't you let them see?"

"I have done things... " Lan Zhan starts, but Wei Ying interrupts him, "Yes, you have. But how does that matter? I have never blamed you for them."

Tears roll down Lan Zhan's cheeks, "You haven't seen everything... You haven't seen all the times..."

"Maybe I haven't, and it doesn't matter. Lan Zhan, don't you see that whatever you did, we did, I have never blamed you for it!"

Lan Zhan shakes his head and turns away, "Wei Ying, I stole kisses... touches... I did it against your will."

"I am glad that you did." Wei Ying interrupts. "I mean, I am glad that you did. Lan Zhan, from what I have witnessed, even though you were the one who initiated it, I was the one who reciprocated, Hanguang Jun, how many times do I have to tell you that I love you, I want you; I need you every day. And I swear that once we are back, I will not let you go out of our jingshin till you have satisfied me. I will make you do me every day. No, scratch that, I will make you do me till you are tired of my ass!" The Yiling patriarch blurts out; he throws his arms around Lan Zhan and captures his lips.

Lan Zhan gasps, allowing Wei Ying to slide his tongue into his husband's mouth. He backs the light bearer till his back makes contact with the ice-cold wall of the cave, drawing a throaty moan from the older man.
Wei Ying breaks the kiss but keeps a firm hold on his husband, "Don't you want to cum inside me, husband?" He demands, stepping between Lan Zhan's legs, "We have been married for a while, but you don't seem to want me... " Wei Ying trails off and pouts.

Lan Zhan's eyes get drawn to his husband's lips, and he leans in, but before he can touch them, Wei Ying closes his mouth, "You see, Hanguang Jun, I have needs too. When will you let me touch you?"

As soon as the words are out of Wei Ying's mouth, Lan Zhan shuts down once again. It confuses and hurts the Yiling patriarch, 'Why doesn't he ever let me touch him? Even after he healed my core, he didn't... '

Wei Ying shakes his head, clearing his mind. He doesn't have time to think about that. He has to make sure that Lan Zhan cooperates.

"Lan Zhan, " Wei Ying whispers, stepping away; he holds his stomach and scrunches his face, immediately getting a reaction out of his husband, "Wei Ying!" The light bearer holds Wei Ying, who is swaying and looking like he is in immense pain.

"Lan Zhan, when I am gone, please find a way to go on. Promise me that you will pull through. Promise me, Lan Zhan." Wei Ying begs.

"I will not let anything happen to you, Wei Ying." Lan Zhan reassures, but it sounds like he is doing it for himself.

"I don't think so, my Fuddy Duddy. From what Jiang Cheng tells me, my body has sustained a lot of damage. I am hanging by a thread, Lan Zhan. And that thread is your core."

Lan Zhan finally remembers the last moments before he had lost consciousness, "Wei Ying, you need to accept my energy."

"I won't, husband."

"Why?"

"Because you are already weak. Your core is not strong enough for me to draw from." Wei Ying shrugs casually before remembering that he was supposed to be acting like he is in pain. He bends over and shakes his head; he closes his eyes shut and adds, "All I wanted to know before I pass on, was why even though you love me are you not letting us be together like a married couple should. But seeing as you have closed that line of communication, I will have to die a virgin once again." Wei Ying asserts dejectedly.

Lan Zhan holds Wei Ying, who had turned away from him and was walking into the cold water again, "Wei Ying, is there no other way to save you?"

Wei Ying shakes his head and strokes Lan Zhan's face, "It's alright, Lan Zhan, even though you love me, I understand that there are things that are more important than me; things you need to protect, and it's fine, Lan Zhan, I don't blame you." Wei Ying says sympathetically and strokes Lan Zhan's shoulder.

"No, you are wrong. There is nothing more important to me than you!" Lan Zhan swears, looking away, "I will do what brother suggested even if afterward, you and brother hate me." He adds resolutely; Wei Ying smiles mischievously. He had known that guilt-tripping Lan Zhan would work.
When Lan Zhan looks at him again, there are tears in his eyes, "I will do it. I will do whatever you ask me to do, but promise me that you will never leave me. And as far as brother is concerned, I think I will have no choice but to cut ties with him." He contemplates.

Wei Ying nods and embraces his husband, "Are you so scared of what you did?"

"Mn."

"In that case," The Yiling patriarch pauses, "I will try to erase his memories of the time our cores are connected. I will make sure that he remembers nothing of what he has seen."

"Connected cores?" Lan Zhan repeats, "What do you mean by his core will connect to ours?"

******

Jiang Cheng nods, "Fine. I am ready." Jiang Cheng states and takes the seat next to his brother, 'You dumb fuck, you better pull through or else I will have shamed myself in Zewu Jun's eyes for nothing.' Jiang Cheng thinks and looks at Zewu Jun, who is looking at Wangji with a mix of affection and concern in his eyes.

The older Jade mirrors Jiang Cheng's actions and takes a seat next to Wangji, giving his hand a gentle squeeze, "Wangji, I will try not to fail this time." He promises and looks at Jiang Cheng. A look of understanding passes between them. They look at the physician and nod, signaling their readiness.

The physician returns their nod and walks out, closing the door behind him.

As soon as he leaves, Jiang Cheng stands up and bows to Lan XiChen, "Zewu Jun, there is something I need to tell you, it will take but a moment of your time." He requests formally.

Zewu Jun is at his side immediately, "Clan leader, you are embarrassing me. We are friends now, comrades even; we fought side by side. I respect and admire you. And after the things I have done, if anyone should be bowing, it should be me, not you."

Jiang Cheng strides over to the older Jade and puts a hand over his mouth, startling the older man, "Zewu Jun, please," Jiang Cheng begs; Zewu Jun nods, and Jiang Cheng steps away, "Our cores are going to merge, soon, you will know me... my thoughts and my heart... "

{Note :- Please point out my errors (grammatical or otherwise) if you come across any.

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