After Su She has confessed his crimes and his involvement in the elaborate scheme planned and executed by Meng Yao, the disciples are rendered speechless. But it's Jin Ling who looks most affected. 

 After Su She has confessed, the young future clan leader grabs his collar, "Are you telling me that uncle wanted father dead... That.. that, uncle had his own brother killed just to become the next clan leader?"

Su She for the first time since his capture, actually looks guilty, "Clan leader Jin deserves to be the chief cultivator... He has nothing against you Jin Ling, he has never once harmed you."

"Harmed me!?" Jin Ling fumes, "He took my father from me!"

Jin Ling suddenly stands and unsheathes his sword, "You don't deserve to live, and neither does he." The young boy bites out between his sobs.

"Stop, Jin Ling." Wei Ying commands. He holds the young boy's wrist and pulls him away from Su She.

"Don't taint your hands with his blood, Jin Ling. Shijie would not have wanted that." Wei Ying reminds.

"But Uncle Wei, he killed father." Jin Ling sobs, burying his face in his uncle's neck.

Wei Ying takes a deep breath and returns the hug, "Jin Ling, he will get what he deserves, I promise. He was responsible for the misfortunes that befell my Shijie, trust me, he will be judged for his sins." Wei Ying's words are meant to comfort the young boy, but shivers run down Su She's spine.

The men step away from each other and Jin Ling looks at Wen Ning, "Ghost General, " He mutters, with his eyes lowered, he walks over to Wen Ning and bows, "For all the times I have wanted to harm you and have harmed you, I am sorry." The young boy apologizes.

"It's alright. I never blamed you, young master. Your mother was a kind and benevolent woman. She showed me kindness when others did not, and if I can help you keep safe, I would feel obliged." Wen Ning replies with a small awkward smile on his face.

Meanwhile, Lan Zhan once again places the silencing charm on Su She and after a few moments of awkwardness the motley group of cultivators start making their way towards the cave.

Lan Zhan and Wei Ying decide that the best way for them to go undetected would be if the three split up. Wen Ning, Lan Zhan, and Wei Ying are all aware of the cave's location. Wei Ying suggests to split the disciples among themselves and take different routes to which Lan Zhan doesn't agree.

"I am not letting you out of my sight, Wei Ying." The light bearer announces resolutely when Wei Ying tries to argue.

Wei Ying's protests get cut short when Lan Zhan purses his lips and starts instructing the disciples on how to conduct themselves on their way to the cave.

"We will go off-road. I don't want anyone to complain. No running. No bickering." Lan Zhan starts to instruct. SiZhui is the only one looking at Lan Zhan and nodding excitedly.

The rest, however, start getting the feeling like they have entered cloud reassess with its 3000 rules.

Luckily, Wei Ying puts a hand on his husband's shoulder, "Lan Zhan, they know what's at stake here. I am sure everyone will cooperate wholeheartedly." Wei Ying smiles and Lan Zhan's lips twitch. He nods and starts leading the way.

One of the disciples' suggests, "If we ride our swords, we can reach earlier."

"We can't. Any use of our spiritual energy may expose us to the chief cultivator, and alert him that we have been rescued. We don't know if he has more spies in the area." SiZhui answers. Everyone misses the proud smile on Lan Zhan's face... everyone, except Wei Ying.

Wei Ying walk ahead and bumps his shoulder with Lan Zhan, "Hanguang Jun, you raised him well....you didn't have to... but you did. Thank you."

Lan Zhan catches Wei Ying's eyes, "I had to. You told me that he is yours, Wei Ying, after you left, I was just an empty shell, had it not been for A Yuan, I probably would not have had the strength to go on."

Wei Ying looks away and wipes his tears, "Lan Zhan, I wish I had come to Gusu with you the first time you asked me." Wei Ying admits, his voice heavy with the weight of regret.

"Wei Ying, we can't change the past. All that matters now, is that you are here and we are together."

Wei Ying nods and a comfortable silence falls around them as they walk towards the cave that will decide the fate of their families.

*Lotus Cove*

 *Just Before Dawn*

"Clan leader Jin, " There is a knock on Meng Yao's door and he opens it almost immediately.

"Has Zewu Jun regained consciousness?" He enquires.

The young man at his door nods and Meng Yao rushes to Jiang Cheng's chamber.

He enters without knocking only to be graced by XiChen's smiling face, "A Yao,"

"Er ge! " Meng Yao gushes and runs inside. He wraps his arms around XiChen's neck, "I was so scared, Er ge."

XiChen pats his back, "I am feeling fine, A Yao. I am sorry for worrying you."

Someone clears their throat. It's Jiang Cheng.

Meng Yao reluctantly lets go of Zewu Jun, 'Why does he always arrive at the wrong time.' The Chief cultivator curses Jiang Cheng internally, "Please come in, Clan leader Jiang."

Jiang Cheng bows to the others and takes a seat next to XiChen, "Clan leader, how are you feeling?"

"I am feeling fine, Clan Leader Jiang," XiChen reassures.

"Fine enough to travel?" Jiang Cheng presses on.

"Clan Leader Jiang!" Meng Yao exclaims irritatedly. "Er ge just woke up. Let him... "

XiChen interrupts, "A Yao, it's fine." He turns his gaze towards Jiang Cheng, "Yes, I am fine. We can travel... A Yao, you should have gone without me."

"I couldn't, Er ge, I need you." Meng Yao coos.

'To help you or as a collateral?' Zewu Jun wonders dejectedly. "I will help you as much as I can." XiChen reassures before once again looking at Jiang Cheng, "Clan leader, I want to thank you for taking care of me and for being patient till I recovered. I will make sure that no harm comes to Jin Ling. After all, I too am like an uncle to Jin Ling."

Jiang Cheng's heart starts racing on its own accord when XiChen smiles at him, 'Stop being so fucking perfect, Zewu Jun!' Jiang Cheng thinks standing up abruptly, "I need to check on my men." He blurts out abruptly and leaves.

When XiChen looks at Meng Yao questioningly, Meng Yao shrugs and shakes his head.

After making sure that XiChen is indeed fine, Meng Yao leaves to take care of the departure plans.

Within half an hour all the clan leaders are ready and awaiting instructions. Soon Meng Yao and Zewu Jun join them.

"We will now begin our journey to the cave I mentioned yesterday." Meng Yao pauses till he has everyone's attention before continuing, "I hope all of you have meditated and rejuvenated your spiritual power. " 

 Everyone nods in agreement.

Meng Yao presses on, "Since we would need every bit of spiritual power we can spare, and the road is not suitable for carts, we will have to go on foot."

Once again, there are no complaints as all the clan leaders are more worried about getting their children back.

Meng Yao smiles reassuringly, "Thank you, I had expected nothing less. That being said, if you follow everything I say, you will be having your next meal with your family."

Everyone looks at Meng Yao appreciatively and bow to the chief cultivator.

Meng Yao reciprocates and the clan leaders and their soldiers, start walking towards the cave.

When Wei Ying and Lan Zhan, accompanied by Wen Ning and the young heirs are almost at the sight, the Yiling patriarch gestures them to stop.

Without being told, Lan Zhan puts a silencing charm around their group. The young disciples, accompanied by the three men, move towards a thick patch of bushes.

Wei Ying turns to his husband, "Lan Zhan, I don't think we should let them accompany us further. It may not be safe."

Dissatisfied murmurs break out among the young boys, but all of them are too intimidated by Lan Zhan's firm, intense gaze on them which screens, 'Don't you dare make things difficult for us.'

Thus, Jin Ling is the only one who protests, "Senior Uncle Wei, what's the point of coming till here if we can't even fight!" He cribs.

Wei Ying chuckles, "Who said anything about fighting, Jin Ling?" The Yiling patriarch questions, his eyes hold a mischievous glint.

Everyone falls silent and looks at Wei Ying with dumbfounded expression adorning their young faces. Lan Zhan, however, catches his husband's eyes and smirks.

{Note :- That's it for today's update. I know what you guys are wondering and that will be revealed in the coming updates.
And if you have not figured out what I am talking about, that good for you 👍

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