Three Poisons

Wei Wuxian's heart hung in his throat: 'Were we seen? Escape now? Or not?'

At that moment, faint weeping came from within the walls. Amid the sound of footsteps, a man's voice said gently, 'Don't cry anymore, your face is all stained.'

This voice was utterly familiar to both Wei Wuxian and Jiang Cheng — it was Wen Chao!

Immediately after, Wang Lingjiao whimpered, 'If my face is stained, will you stop liking me?'

Wen Chao said, 'How could that be? However Jiaojiao is, I'll always like her.'

Wang Lingjiao said with emotion, 'I was so, so afraid... today I really... almost thought I would truly be killed by that bitch, never to see you again... Young Master Wen... I...'

Wen Chao seemed to embrace her, comforting: 'Don't speak of it, Jiaojiao, it's all over now. Fortunately, Wen Zhuliu protected you.'

Wang Lingjiao pouted, 'You still bring him up! That Wen Zhuliu, I hate him. If he hadn't arrived so late today, I wouldn't have suffered so much. My face still hurts, so much, so much...'

It was clearly she who had driven Wen Zhuliu away, refusing to let him hover before her eyes, which led to her own beating — and now she turned black into white. Wen Chao loved nothing more than hearing her aggrieved coquetry, and said, 'It doesn’t hurt, here, let me stroke it... It's fine if you dislike him, but don’t provoke him too far. This man’s cultivation is formidable; my father has said many times that he is a rare talent. I still hope to make use of him for many years.'

Wang Lingjiao said defiantly, 'Talent... talent, so what. Under Sect Leader Wen there are so many renowned scholars, so many talents, thousands upon thousands — can't we do without just one?'

She was hinting that Wen Chao should punish Wen Zhuliu to vent her anger. Wen Chao chuckled twice. Although he doted on Wang Lingjiao quite a bit, he didn't dote enough to punish his personal guard for a woman's sake. After all, Wen Zhuliu had shielded him from countless assassination attempts, and he was tight-lipped, absolutely would never betray his father, which meant he would never betray him either — such a loyal and powerful bodyguard was not easily replaced. Wang Lingjiao, seeing he took it lightly, added, 'Look at him, clearly just a lowly pawn under your command, yet so brazen. Just now, when I wanted to slap that bitch Yu, he even stopped me. The woman's already dead, nothing but a corpse! To disregard me like this — isn't that the same as disregarding you?'

Jiang Cheng suddenly lost his grip and slid off the wall. Wei Wuxian, quick of eye and hand, grabbed him by the back collar.

Both of them brimmed with hot tears; teardrops streamed down their cheeks, spattering onto the backs of their hands and the earth.

Wei Wuxian recalled how this morning, when Jiang Fengmian had left home, he had quarreled with Madam Yu, and the last words they left each other were anything but gentle. He didn't know whether they had seen each other one last time, whether Jiang Fengmian had a chance to say one more thing to Madam Yu.

Wen Chao said dismissively, 'That's just his temperament, so peculiar — something about “a scholar can be killed but not humiliated.” He killed all those people himself, so what does it matter?'

Wang Lingjiao chimed in, 'Exactly. Hypocritical!'

Wen Chao loved hearing her echo him, and burst into a laugh. Wang Lingjiao then added with spiteful glee, 'That bitch Yu well deserved it. Back then she used her family's power to force a man into marriage, and what came of it? Even married, he still didn't like her. She spent over a decade as a cast-aside wife, everyone laughing behind her back. And still she never learned restraint, throwing her weight around. This end is just karma.'

Wen Chao said, 'Really? That woman had some looks — why didn't Jiang Fengmian like her?'

In his understanding, as long as a woman was good-looking, there was no reason for a man not to like her. Only plain-looking women and those who refused to sleep with him deserved scorn. Wang Lingjiao said, 'Just think about it — that bitch Yu was so overbearing, a woman yet always brandishing a whip and slapping people's faces, with no upbringing at all. Jiang Fengmian marrying a wife like that and being dragged down by her — truly eight lifetimes’ worth of bad luck.'

Wen Chao said, 'Exactly! Women should be like my Jiaojiao — obedient, gentle and adorable, devoted completely to me.'

Wang Lingjiao giggled. Hearing these vulgar, unbearable words, Wei Wuxian shook all over with grief and fury. He feared Jiang Cheng would erupt, but Jiang Cheng, perhaps overwhelmed by sorrow, seemed to have fainted, utterly motionless. Wang Lingjiao said plaintively, 'Of course I can only be devoted to you... to whom else could I turn?'

At this moment, another voice cut in, saying, 'Young Master Wen! All the rooms have been searched, and over two thousand four hundred magical artifacts have been inventoried — they’re being sorted now.'

Those were Lotus Pier's belongings, those were the Jiang family's things!

Wen Chao laughed heartily. 'Good, good! A time like this calls for a grand celebration. I think we’ll hold a feast here tonight. Make the best use of everything!'

Wang Lingjiao's voice dripped sweetness: 'Congratulations, Young Master, on taking possession of Lotus Pier.'

Wen Chao said, 'What Lotus Pier — change the name, tear down every door bearing the nine-petaled lotus emblem and replace them with the Qishan Wen clan's sun motif! Jiaojiao, come perform your best song and dance for me!'

Wei Wuxian and Jiang Cheng could listen no longer. Both flipped off the wall and, stumbling and lurching, fled Lotus Pier. Even after running far, the raucous laughter of that motley crowd on the Training Grounds would not fade; a woman's coquettish singing drifted merrily across the skies above Lotus Pier, like a blade tipped with deadly poison, slicing at their ears and hearts again and again.

After running several li without pause, Jiang Cheng suddenly stopped.

Wei Wuxian stopped as well. Jiang Cheng turned to head back, and Wei Wuxian grabbed him: 'Jiang Cheng, what are you doing! Don't go back!'

Jiang Cheng flung his hand away. 'Don't go back? Are you speaking human words? You tell me not to go back? My parents’ bodies are still in Lotus Pier — can I just leave like this? If I don't go back, where else can I go!'

Wei Wuxian tightened his grip. 'What can you do if you go back now? They’ve already killed Uncle Jiang and Madam Yu — going back means certain death!'

Jiang Cheng shouted, 'Death then! If you’re afraid of dying, get lost, don't block my way!'

Wei Wuxian moved to restrain him. 'A gentleman's revenge can wait ten years. We must retrieve the bodies, but not now!'

Jiang Cheng dodged and struck back. 'If not now, when? I’ve had enough of you — get lost!'

Wei Wuxian shouted, 'Uncle Jiang and Madam Yu said that I should look after you, that you must stay safe!'

'Shut up!' Jiang Cheng shoved him violently, roaring, 'Why?!'

Wei Wuxian was shoved into the underbrush. Jiang Cheng threw himself upon him, grabbed his collar, and shook him relentlessly: 'Why?! Why?! Why! Are you happy now?! Are you satisfied?!'

He seized Wei Wuxian's throat, eyes shot through with blood: 'Why did you save Lan Wangji?!'

In the grip of overwhelming grief and fury, Jiang Cheng had lost all reason and could not control his strength. Wei Wuxian pried at his wrist: 'Jiang Cheng...'

Jiang Cheng pinned him to the ground, roaring: 'Why did you save Lan Wangji?! Why did you have to stick your neck out?! How many times have I told you not to stir up trouble, not to act! Do you love playing the hero so much?! Have you seen what being a hero gets you?! Ah?! Are you happy now?!'

'Just let Lan Wangji, Jin Zixuan, and the rest die! Let them die! Their deaths are their own business — what does it have to do with us?! What does it have to do with our family?! Why?! Why?!'

'Go die, go die, all of you die! Die, all of you!!!'

Wei Wuxian's face flushed crimson from suffocation as he bellowed, 'JIANG CHENG!!!'

The hands choking his neck suddenly loosened.

Jiang Cheng stared at him fiercely, tears streaming down his cheeks. From deep in his throat, a dying-like keen squeezed out, a sob of agony.

He wept: '... I want my father and mother... my father and mother...'

He was asking Wei Wuxian for his father and mother. Yet no matter whom he asked, they could never be brought back.

Wei Wuxian was crying too. The two sat crumpled in the weeds, watching each other weep.

Jiang Cheng knew perfectly well in his heart that even if Wei Wuxian had not saved Lan Wangji back then at the bottom of the Cave of the Xuanwu of Slaughter on Muxi Mountain, the Wen clan would have sooner or later found some pretext to force their way in. Yet he couldn't help feeling that if it hadn't been for Wei Wuxian's matter, perhaps it would not have happened so quickly — perhaps there might have been room to maneuver.

It was this agonizing sliver of hope that left his heart full of inextinguishable regret and rage, his very entrails torn apart.

By the time the sky grew faintly light, Jiang Cheng was nearly catatonic.

Over this single night, he had actually slept several times. First, he was too exhausted, worn out from weeping, and slipped into unconsciousness. Second, he still clung to the hope that this was a nightmare, desperately longing that upon waking and opening his eyes, he would find himself still lying in his own room at Lotus Pier. Father would be sitting in the hall reading and polishing his sword; Mother would be venting her complaints again, scolding Wei Wuxian as he waggled his eyebrows; Shijie would be crouched in the Kitchen in a daze, racking her brains over today's menu; all the shidi would be neglecting morning practice, leaping and frolicking about.

Not that he should, after a night of cold wind, wake with a splitting headache amid the weeds, to find himself still huddled behind a desolate, remote hillside.

Wei Wuxian was the first to stir.

He braced his legs and forced himself upright, his voice hoarse: 'Let's go.'

Jiang Cheng didn't move. Wei Wuxian extended a hand to pull him up, repeating, 'Let's go.'

Jiang Cheng said, '... Go where?'

His throat was parched. Wei Wuxian answered, 'To the Meishan Yu Clan, to find Shijie.'

Jiang Cheng struck away his offered hand. A moment later, he sat up by himself, then slowly got to his feet.

The two set out toward Meishan, traveling on foot.

The whole way, both forced themselves onward, their strides heavy, as if bearing a colossal weight.

Jiang Cheng kept his head down, cradling his right hand; the Zidian on his forefinger pressed near his heart, and he touched this sole remaining keepsake of his family over and over again. Then he would glance back frequently toward the direction of Lotus Pier, gazing at the place that had once been his home, now fallen into a demon's lair. Time after time, as if he could never gaze enough, as if he still held onto that last faint hope; yet tears would always, uncontrollably, spill forth.

They had fled in haste, carrying no provisions. From yesterday till now their strength had been severely drained, and after half a day of walking, both began to feel dizzy. They left the desolate wilderness and entered a small town. Wei Wuxian glanced at Jiang Cheng, who looked utterly spent and unwilling to budge, and said, 'Sit here. I'll go find something to eat.'

Jiang Cheng neither replied nor nodded. Along the path they had come, he had only spoken a few words total to Wei Wuxian.

Wei Wuxian repeatedly exhorted him to sit still, and only then left. He often stuffed spare change into various pockets of his clothing, and now it came in handy, saving him from an empty purse. Walking a round, he bought a stack of food, as well as dry provisions for the long road ahead; less than an incense stick's time later, he swiftly returned to where they had parted.

However, Jiang Cheng was gone.

Carrying a heap of steamed buns, flatbread, and fruit, Wei Wuxian's heart lurched. Forcing calm, he searched the nearby streets but still did not see Jiang Cheng. Only then did he truly panic. He caught hold of a cobbler working nearby: 'Uncle, there was a young master about my age sitting here just now — did you see where he went?'

The cobbler sucked on a thick thread, saying, 'The one who was with you just now?'

Wei Wuxian: 'Yes!'

The cobbler said, 'I had work in hand, didn't see clearly. But he kept staring vacantly at the people on the street. Later when I looked up again, he was suddenly gone. He must have left.'

Wei Wuxian murmured, '... gone... gone...'

He must have gone back to Lotus Pier to steal the bodies!

Like one gone mad, Wei Wuxian broke into a run, sprinting back the way they had come.

In his hands he still carried the food he'd just bought — heavy, dragging him down. After dashing a while he threw them behind him. But after running some distance, dizziness swept over him, his strength failed, and with his heart in turmoil, his knees buckled, and he crashed to the ground.

The fall plastered his face with mud, the taste of dust in his mouth.

A tidal wave of helplessness and hatred surged through Wei Wuxian's chest. He slammed a fist against the ground, let out a cry, and only then scrambled up. He doubled back to retrieve the buns he had thrown aside, wiped them against his chest, and swallowed one in two ravenous bites, chewing fiercely as if tearing flesh with his teeth. He choked it down, the lump in his throat stabbing faint pain into his chest. He stuffed a few more into his robes, then ran on while eating one, hoping to intercept Jiang Cheng on the road.

Yet, even by the time he ran all the way back to Lotus Pier, under the sparse stars and bright moon of the night sky, he had not caught a glimpse of Jiang Cheng along the way.

Wei Wuxian gazed from afar at the brightly lit Lotus Pier, hands braced on his knees, panting heavily. The metallic tang of blood after a long run spread through his chest and throat, a mouthful of irony taste, his vision dimming in waves.

He thought: Why didn't I catch up to Jiang Cheng? I ate something, and I could still only run this fast; he was more exhausted and more devastated than me — could he possibly run faster? Did he truly come back to Lotus Pier? But if not here, where else would he go? Without me, to Meishan alone?

After regulating his breath a moment, he still decided to confirm matters at Lotus Pier first. Creeping along that stretch of wall, a voice within Wei Wuxian's heart prayed almost desperately: This time, please, let no one be discussing Jiang Cheng's body on the Training Grounds. Otherwise... otherwise I...

Otherwise?

Otherwise, what could he do?

Nothing at all. He was powerless. Lotus Pier had been destroyed, Jiang Fengmian and Madam Yu were gone, Jiang Cheng was missing. He was alone, utterly alone, without even a sword, knowing nothing, able to accomplish nothing!

For the first time, he realized how small his own strength was. Before the Qishan Wen clan, that colossal monstrosity, it was no different from a mantis trying to stop a cart.

Wei Wuxian's eye sockets burned hot, nearly shedding tears again. He rounded a corner in the wall — and suddenly, a figure in a Blazing Flame Robe came straight toward him.

In a flash, Wei Wuxian seized the person.

With his left hand he firmly locked both of the person's hands, while his right gripped his throat. Lowering his voice, he threatened in the most vicious, venomous tone he could muster: 'Don’t make a sound! Or I’ll snap your throat in an instant!'

The person, seized fast, hurriedly said, 'Young Master Wei... Young Master Wei, it's me, it's me!'

It was a young man's voice. Wei Wuxian's first thought was: Could it be someone I know, wearing Wen clan robes to infiltrate them?

But the voice was completely unfamiliar, and the thought was instantly overturned. He tightened his grip: 'Don't try any tricks!'

The youth said, 'I... I won't play tricks. Young Master Wei, you... you can look at my face.'

Wei Wuxian thought: Look at his face? Could he have something hidden in his mouth, ready to spit?

Full of wariness, he twisted the person's face around. The youth had fine, refined features, with a fresh, youthful handsomeness about him — it was precisely that young master of the Qishan Wen clan they had seen yesterday while peeping in.

Wei Wuxian thought indifferently: Don't know him.

He turned the face back, kept his grip on the throat, and hissed, 'Who are you!'

The youth seemed slightly disappointed and said, 'I... I am Wen Ning.'

Wei Wuxian frowned: 'Who is Wen Ning?' But inwardly thought: Whoever he is, he's of some rank — holding him might let me trade for someone!

Wen Ning murmured timidly, 'I... a few years ago, at the Hundred Clans Discussion Conference in Qishan, I... I... archery...'

Hearing him fumble and stutter, a surge of anxiety rose in Wei Wuxian, and he snapped, 'You what?! Do you stutter?!'

Wen Ning flinched in his grip, as if wanting to cover his head and crouch, and said softly, 'Y... yes.'

Wei Wuxian: '...'

Looking at his pitifully timid, stammering appearance, something suddenly stirred in Wei Wuxian's memory: 'The Hundred Clans Discussion Conference in Qishan the year before last... Hundred Clans Discussion Conference... archery... Ah, it seems there was such a person!'

Wei Wuxian probed: 'You're that... Wen... Wen something, the one who shot arrows pretty well?'

Wen Ning nodded vigorously, joyfully: 'Yes... it's me! Yesterday... I saw Young Master Wei and Young Master Jiang, and thought you might come again...'

Wei Wuxian: 'You saw me yesterday?'

Wen Ning: 'I... I saw you.'

Wei Wuxian: 'You saw me and didn't tell anyone?'

Wen Ning: 'I wouldn't! I won't tell anyone!'

This sentence, unusually, had no stutter, and his tone was firm, as if swearing an oath. Wei Wuxian hesitated, half-doubting. Wen Ning added, 'Young Master Wei, you're here to find Young Master Jiang, aren't you?'

Wei Wuxian: 'Is Jiang Cheng inside?!'

Wen Ning honestly replied, 'Yes...'

Hearing this, Wei Wuxian's thoughts spun like lightning: Jiang Cheng is inside — I have no choice but to enter Lotus Pier. How? Use Wen Ning as a hostage? Useless; Wen Chao probably dislikes this Wen Ning. What if taking him hostage is futile? And is he lying? Isn't he from the Wen clan? Yet he truly saw us yesterday and didn't expose us. If I let him go, will he betray me immediately? Could there be such a kind-hearted person among the Wen dogs? To ensure absolute safety, I can only...

A flash of murderous intent crossed Wei Wuxian's heart.

He was originally not one given to murderous urges, but after the great calamity befallen his family, his heart had been filled with hatred these past days, and the dire situation left no room for mercy. Just one squeeze with his right hand, and he could snap Wen Ning's neck!

While his thoughts were in turmoil, Wen Ning said, 'Young Master Wei, are you coming back to rescue Young Master Jiang?'

Wei Wuxian's knuckles curled slightly; he said coldly, 'What else.'

Wen Ning actually gave a nervous smile: 'I knew it. I... I can help you rescue him.'

For an instant, Wei Wuxian doubted his own ears. He said in astonishment: '... You? You help me rescue him?!'

Wen Ning said, 'Mm. Right now, I can bring him out immediately. As it happens, Wen Chao and the others have all gone out!'

Wei Wuxian grabbed him tightly: 'You really can?!'

Wen Ning said, 'I can! I... I am also a scion of the Wen clan, and I have a number of disciples under my command who listen to me.'

Wei Wuxian's voice turned sharp: 'Listen to you? Listen to you and kill people?'

Wen Ning hastily said, 'No no no! My disciples never kill people indiscriminately! People of the Jiang family — I haven't killed any either. I heard that Lotus Pier had met with disaster, and only rushed over afterward. Truly!'

Wei Wuxian stared at him, thinking: What is he plotting? Lying? Pretending compliance? But this lie is too absurd! Does he take me for a fool?

What terrified him was that, from the bottom of his heart, a frantic joy of survival against all odds actually surged.

Inwardly, he cursed himself to the bitterest depth: stupid, useless, absurd, unimaginable, fantastical. Yet, he was alone, without a spiritual sword or magical artifact, while within these walls were stationed hundreds upon thousands of Wen cultivators — perhaps even Wen Zhuliu.

He did not fear death; he only feared dying without rescuing Jiang Cheng, betraying the trust Jiang Fengmian and Madam Yu had placed in him. In this situation, the only one he could pin his hopes on was, indeed, this Wen who he had seen in total only three times!

Wei Wuxian licked his parched lips, his voice rough: 'Then... can you... can you help me... help me with Sect Leader Jiang's and Madam Jiang's bodies...'

Before he knew it, he too was stammering. Halfway through, realizing he still held Wen Ning in a threatening grip, he hastily released him — though still kept a hidden countermove: if Wen Ning ran or shouted the moment he was freed, he would instantly smash his skull. However, Wen Ning only turned around and said earnestly, 'I... I will do my utmost.'

Wei Wuxian waited in a daze. Pacing in circles, he thought: What's wrong with me? Have I gone mad? Why would Wen Ning help me? Why should I believe him? What if he's deceiving me, and Jiang Cheng isn't even inside? No, it would be better if Jiang Cheng isn't inside!

Not even an incense stick's time passed, and that Wen Ning actually came out, silently, carrying someone on his back.

That person was covered in blood, face ghastly pale, eyes tightly shut, lying motionless on Wen Ning's back — it was Jiang Cheng.

Wei Wuxian said in a low voice, 'Jiang Cheng?! Jiang Cheng?!'

He reached out and felt: he was still breathing. Wen Ning extended a hand to Wei Wuxian and placed something in his palm, saying, 'Young... Young Master Jiang's Zidian. I brought it.'

Wei Wuxian didn't know what else to say. Recalling that he had just been about to kill Wen Ning, he murmured, '... Thank you!'

Wen Ning said, 'You're welcome... I've already had people move out the bodies of Mr. Jiang and Madam Jiang; they will be transferred later. This... this place is not safe to stay long — leave first...'

No need for further urging. Wei Wuxian took Jiang Cheng to carry him on his own back, but then he saw, at first glance, a bloody whip mark slashed across Jiang Cheng's chest.

Wei Wuxian: 'Discipline Whip?!'

Wen Ning said, 'Mm. Wen Chao got hold of the Jiang family's Discipline Whip... Young Master Jiang likely has other injuries as well.'

With just a couple of touches, Wei Wuxian found that Jiang Cheng had at least three broken ribs, and who knew how many more unseen injuries. Wen Ning continued, 'Once Wen Chao returns and discovers this, he will surely send people to hunt you all across Yunmeng... Young Master Wei, if you trust me, I can first take you to a place to hide.'

Now that Jiang Cheng was severely injured and urgently needed medicine and rest, they certainly couldn't wander destitute as before, eating one meal and starving the next. Their situation was nearly impossible, a dead end. Apart from relying on Wen Ning, Wei Wuxian could think of absolutely no other way!

Only a day ago, he would never have imagined that he and Jiang Cheng would need the help of a Wen disciple to escape alive — perhaps they would have rather died than yield. But in this moment, Wei Wuxian could only say, 'Many thanks!'

Wen Ning waved his hands: 'No... no need. Young Master Wei, this way, I... I have a boat...'

Wei Wuxian carried Jiang Cheng and found the boat Wen Ning had hidden in advance, settling Jiang Cheng inside the cabin. Wen Ning first cleaned Jiang Cheng's wounds and applied simple bandages and medicine. Watching his practiced movements, Wei Wuxian couldn't help recalling how he had looked back at that Hundred Clans Discussion Conference in Qishan.

That discussion conference was the year when he, Lan Wangji, Lan Xichen, and Jin Zixuan had placed top four in archery.

That day, before the archery competition began, he was wandering alone in Nightless City. Wandering along, passing through a small garden, he suddenly heard the thrum of a bowstring from ahead.

Wei Wuxian parted the leaves and stepped through the trees, and saw a youth in white light robes standing there, drawing a bow toward a target ahead, then releasing the string.

The youth's profile was very fine, his archery stance standard and graceful. On that target, the bull's-eye was already densely packed with arrows. This shot, too, struck true to the center.

Not a single shot had missed.

Wei Wuxian cheered, 'Fine archery!'

The youth had just hit the target and pulled a new arrow from his quiver, lowering his head to nock it, when an unfamiliar voice suddenly burst from the side. He was so startled that his hand trembled and the arrow dropped to the ground. Wei Wuxian stepped out from behind the flower beds, smiling: 'Which young master of the Wen clan are you? Fine, fine, beautiful, you shoot splendidly. I've never seen someone from your family shoot so...'

Before he finished speaking, the youth had thrown down his bow and arrows and fled without a trace.

Wei Wuxian was speechless for a moment, rubbed his chin, and thought: Am I that handsome? Handsome enough to scare someone off?

He didn't take the matter to heart, treating it as a curiosity, and returned to the square. The competition was about to begin, and the Wen side was in an uproar. Wei Wuxian asked Jiang Cheng, 'Why does their family make such a fuss over a discussion conference, always some drama every day. What's going on now?'

Jiang Cheng said, 'What else — limited spots, they're fighting over who gets to compete.' After a pause, he added contemptuously, 'This bunch of Wen... their archery is all equally rotten. Whoever goes up, isn't it the same? What difference does squabbling make?'

Wen Chao was shouting over there, 'Another one! Another one, we're short one more! The last one!'

In the crowd beside him, that white-robed youth from earlier was also standing there, looking left and right, summoning all his courage to raise his hand. But he raised it so low, unlike others who dared to shout out their names, that it took a while of jostling before someone nearby noticed him and said curiously, 'Qionglin? You want to compete too?'

The youth called 'Qionglin' nodded. Someone else laughed, 'Haven't even seen you hold a bow — compete in what? Don't waste a spot.'

Wen Qionglin seemed to want to defend himself, but the person added, 'Enough, enough, don't treat this as a novelty. This counts for scores — if you go up and disgrace yourself, I'm not responsible.'

Wei Wuxian thought: Disgrace? If there's one person in your Wen family who could salvage some face for you, it's him.

The dismissiveness in that person's tone was so matter-of-fact that Wei Wuxian felt displeased. He raised his voice: 'Who says he hasn't held a bow? He has, and he shoots very well!'

Everyone looked at him with slight surprise, then at the youth. Wen Qionglin's face, originally somewhat pale, suddenly flushed red as all eyes converged on him; his dark eyes darted nervously toward Wei Wuxian. Wei Wuxian walked over with hands behind his back: 'Weren't you shooting quite well in the garden just now?'

Wen Chao also turned, skeptical: 'Really? You? Good at archery? How come I've never heard of it?'

Wen Qionglin said in a low voice, '... I... I only started practicing recently...'

His voice was very soft and halting, as if it could be cut off at any moment — and indeed it often was. Wen Chao interrupted impatiently, 'Fine, there's a target over there. Hurry up and shoot one for us to see. If it's good, you go up; if not, step aside.'

The space around Wen Qionglin immediately cleared. He tightened his grip on the bow, looking left and right as if seeking help. Seeing how unconfident he was, Wei Wuxian patted his shoulder: 'Relax. Just shoot like you did before.'

Wen Qionglin shot him a grateful look, drew a deep breath, and drew the bow.

Alas, as soon as he drew the bow, Wei Wuxian shook his head inwardly, thinking: This is going to go badly.

This Wen Qionglin had probably never shot before an audience before; from fingertips to arm he was trembling, and the arrow flew, missing even the target. The Wen onlookers burst into mockery: 'Where's the good shooting!'

'I could shoot better with my eyes closed.'

'Alright, alright, stop wasting time — hurry and pick someone to compete!'

Wen Qionglin's face reddened to the tips of his ears. Without waiting for others to dismiss him, he fled of his own accord. Wei Wuxian chased after him: 'Hey, don't run! That... Qionglin-xiong, right? What are you running for?'

Hearing himself called from behind, Wen Qionglin finally stopped, turned with his head hanging, looking ashamed from head to toe, and murmured, '... I'm sorry.'

Wei Wuxian found it strange: 'What are you apologizing to me for?'

Wen Qionglin said guiltily, 'You... you recommended me, and I made you lose face...'

Wei Wuxian said, 'What face do I have to lose? You haven't often shot in front of others before, right? You got nervous just now?'

Wen Qionglin nodded. Wei Wuxian said, 'Have some confidence. To be honest with you, you shoot better than everyone else in your family. Among all the clan scions I've seen, those with better archery than you can't exceed three.'

Jiang Cheng walked over: 'What are you up to now? Three what?'

Wei Wuxian pointed at him: 'See, for instance this one — he doesn't shoot as well as you.'

Jiang Cheng flew into a rage: 'Courting death!'

Wei Wuxian took a palm strike from him, his expression unchanged: 'Truly. There's really nothing to be nervous about; with more practice in front of others, you'll get used to it. Next time you'll surely make everyone look at you with new eyes.'

This Wen Qionglin was probably a clan scion from a distant branch of the Wen clan, of middling status, yet so shy and self-doubting, hesitant and withdrawn, even stammering in speech. Having labored hard in practice, he had mustered the courage to compete, only to ruin it through nervousness. If not properly encouraged, perhaps this youth would close himself off even more from then on, never daring to perform before others again. Wei Wuxian gave him a few words of encouragement, then briefly pointed out some key reminders, correcting a few minor flaws in his archery from the garden. Wen Qionglin listened with rapt attention, nodding constantly. Jiang Cheng said, 'Why all this blather — the match is about to start, hurry up and get to the arena!'

Wei Wuxian said to Wen Qionglin with a straight face, 'I'm off to compete now. You can watch how I shoot on the field later...'

Jiang Cheng impatiently dragged him away, spitting as he dragged: 'Watch what — you think you're a model?!'

Wei Wuxian thought a moment, then said wonderingly, 'Yes. Am I not?'

'Wei Wuxian! I've never seen anyone so shameless!'

...

Recalling this, Wei Wuxian's gaze shifted from Wen Ning to Jiang Cheng, covered in blood, eyes tightly shut, and his fingers unconsciously clenched into a fist.

They first took the water route, going downriver by boat, then switched to the land route, boarding the carriage Wen Ning had prepared. By the next day, they arrived at Yiling.