Lan Zhan puts a hand on Wei Ying's shoulder when he sees the Yiling patriarch's eyes turn red with anger.

"Wei Ying, what's wrong?"

"Lan Zhan, look." Wei Ying points at Su She's now exposed chest.

Lan Zhan's face darkens, "These look like the remnants of a curse." The light bearer observes, crouching next to Su She who is struggling to get out of Wen Ning's grip.

"They are not remnants of a curse, Lan Zhan. They are marks that a caster bears, as a price for casting a spell that can harm others.

Wen Ning, who has been up till now, only focusing on holding their captive still, shifts and sits facing the clan leader.

"Thousand mark curse!" The ghost general exclaims and looks at Wei Ying.

Jin Ling cuts through the crowd of disciples and crouches down next to the captive clan leader, "Is it... " He stutters unable to form the words. He has heard about this curse. It's the curse Wei Ying had been accused of using on his uncle, Jin Zixun.

Wei Ying moves Wen Ning out of the way and pulls Su She up by his collar. Without looking at Lan Zhan, he growls, "Lan Zhan remove the silencing charm from him and cast it around us. I have done questions for clan leader Su."

The way Wei Ying says the words, has everyone except the light bearer a little scared. They cower subconsciously.

'Fuck! Uncle Wei can be scary when he wants to be.' Jin Ling muses, utterly impressed with his infamous uncle.

A second later, Lan Zhan informs, "It's done."

"Speak." Wei Ying orders, directing his gaze at a trembling Su She.

The clan leader purses his lips and shakes his head.

Wei Ying smiles menacingly, "You know Minshan, though I never killed without a reason, those who died, did so quiet painfully."

Su She gulps and looks away.

Wei Ying puts his finger under Su She's chin and forces him to make eye contact, "One way or the other, I will have the truth. Whether or not you are in one piece by the end of it, is entirely up to you."

When Su She continues to remain quiet, Lan Zhan unsheathes Bichen and puts it on the clan leader's shoulder, "Wei Ying, I don't think he believes you."

Lan Zhan looks directly at Su She, "Clan leader Su, unlike Wei Ying, I don't believe in giving second chances, either you tell us the truth now, or continue to lose a limb for every time you chose to remain silent."

Wei Ying holds his husband's wrist, "Lan Zhan, wait. I think Su She is just being loyal, I understand that." He pauses and looks at the clan leader, "Clan leader, what have I ever done to you that has made you want to hurt me?"

"You are unruly, proud, and untamed. You were a nobody, yet they praised you." Su She finally speaks. And it's like a dam has broken, "You, an orphan, did whatever you wanted and got away with it. What's more, you even bewitched Hanguang Jun to help you." Su She chuckles mirthlessly, "And you," He shifts his eyes towards Lan Zhan, "Always proud, winning at everything, having name and fame bestowed upon you...looking down on commoners like me. Thinking of us as less than yourself... "

Wei Ying loses control and slaps Su She leaving everyone shocked, "Lan Zhan never looked down on you, you fool. And he did not get everything without deserving it. He worked hard for everything he has achieved. And he has suffered for...." Wei Ying trails off, remembering that his husband may not want things of private nature to get exposed.

He closes his eyes. Black smoke starts to surround the Yiling patriarch and the tunnel starts to shake.

"Wei Ying!" Lan Zhan exclaims holding Chenqing.

Wei Ying instantly calms down, "Lan Zhan, maybe your way is best. Su She thinks that he can save his master by remaining silent... Don't bother torturing him. I can tell that he will not bulge. He thinks that his silence can save his master. Just kill him." Wei Ying suggests, turning away.

Bitchen glows and Lan Zhan positions himself in front of Su She and lifts his sword.

"Wait!" Su She blurts out, "I will tell you everything." he adds, his head hanging low.

*Lotus Cove*

Jiang Cheng sits in the meeting hall with the worried clan leaders.

"I need a moment of silence please, " Jiang Cheng requests. It doesn't sound like a request though. Nonetheless, his guests comply.

Jiang Cheng points at Meng Yao and continues, "As you may have already been notified, the Chief cultivator wants us to leave tomorrow at dawn. I would like to inform you all that it was a decision taken entirely by him. He thinks that we need Zewu Jun for the plan... I am merely a host here... I would once again like to put forth a..."

"Clan leader Jiang, " Meng Yao interrupts, "This matter is closed for discussion."

He looks at the other guests, "If you all believe in my capabilities and my integrity, then I promise you that I will not rest till I have rescued every child." He smiles exposing his dimples and the other clan leaders relax under the disarming charm.

"Clan leader Jiang, I want to thank you for your hospitality and your generosity. I know that your clan is not doing so well, so as a sign of goodwill, Jin clan will bear all the expenses for the next few days."

Jiang Cheng nods curtly and gestures everyone to begin their meal.

After everyone has retired for the night, Jiang Cheng invites Meng Yao to stay for a few.

He bows to the chief cultivator respectfully, "I am sorry, Clan leader Jin, it was not my intention to illicit a rebellion against your decision. I....I... It's just that Jin Ling is all I have left of my sister and to think that Wei Wuxian has him... It's... "

Meng Yao puts on his usual mask of compassion, "I understand that you are in a lot of stress. But please try not to put me in such a situation again." Meng Yao threatens... It's disguised as a request.

Jiang Cheng nods and the two clan leaders have chamomile tea.

"Clan leader, the physician told me that whoever is responsible for Zewu Jun's condition can attack again. But he thinks that it can't be Wei Wuxian... This has me worried. I don't know whom to blame? Today this person has attacked Zewu Jun, tomorrow it could be any of us." Jiang Cheng voices his thoughts.

Meng Yao nods, "I understand your concern, but I think we are safe for the time being."

"How can you be so sure?"

"It's just a feeling, clan leader." Meng Yao deflects and changes the subject, "By the way, tomorrow more of my soldiers will be arriving. I think you must prepare your men too."

Jiang Cheng agrees, "Baring a few, I have ordered everyone to be ready for departure at dawn."

"Perfect." Meng Yao smiles.

"Clan leader, could you please elaborate on what you are planning to do tomorrow?" Jiang Cheng enquires.

Meng Yao shakes his head, "Looks like you still don't trust me."

"Clan leader, I just wanted to be prepared." Jiang Cheng assures.

Meng Yao chuckles, "I was just trying to lighten the mood."

Jiang Cheng shakes his head disapprovingly.

"Clan leader, sleep well. I will take my leave now." Meng Yao rises and bows before retiring for the night.

'Meng Yao, I know you will not go to your room directly.' Jiang Cheng smirks at Meng Yao retreating back.

As expected, Meng Yao goes to Jiang Cheng's jingshin where Lan XiChen has been lying unconscious and knocks.

The physician opens the door and welcomes the chief cultivator inside.

"How is he? Any improvement?" Meng Yao enquires.

"No improvement, but no deterioration either. Clan leader, no need to worry, Clan leader Cheng has instructed me to take extra care of Zewu Jun. So, I will be spending the whole night next to him." The old man informs.

When Meng Yao shows no signs of leaving, the physician asks, "Clan leader, are you planning to spend the night here?"

That snaps Meng Yao out of his thoughts and he shakes his head, "Will Er ge be fine, come morning?"

"I believe so. You will be the first person to know if there is any change in his condition." The physician assures.

"Thank you. I will take your leave now, please close and secure the door and open it only for me." Meng Yao directs a genuine smile towards the old man before looking over Zewu Jun one last time and exiting the room.

As soon as the physician closes the door, Jiang Cheng enters his chamber through the hidden trap door.

The physician bows and leaves to stand guard at the entry of the trap door.

"Zewu Jun," Jiang Cheng whispers and Lan XiChen opens his eyes.

"Jiang Cheng, any news from them?" He asks his co-plotter.

"Nothing since the last one we received about the kids being in burial mounds." Jiang Cheng informs.

"I will wake up just before dawn, I need to be there with him when he goes to the cave. I...if you all are right about him, then A Yao owes me some answers." Zewu Jun says looking crestfallen.

Jiang Cheng nods, "Whatever he is planning to do to get to the Ying iron, must require a lot of spiritual power."

Lan XiChen nods, "Truth be told, I am more worried about what will happen if Wangji and Wei Ying are unable to rescue our children by then."

Jiang Cheng gives a light squeeze to Zewu Jun's hand, "I trust Wei Wuxian, he will make sure to free the kids. And Lan Wangji is there as well. I have a strong feeling that they will be fine."

"Thank you," XiChen says slowly, a small gently smile plays on his lips.

Jiang Cheng's heart starts racing and he looks away, "There is no need for that. It's I, who should be thanking you and apologizing to you. I have been a jerk to you...you didn't deserve to be treated like that." Jiang Cheng pauses and looks into the kind eyes that always stood by him, and believed in him, "Zewu Jun, will you forgive me?"

Zewu Jun smiles shaking his head slowly, "How can I forgive you Wanyin, when I never blamed you...for anything?"

Jiang Cheng blinks and the dam holding his emotions in check, breaks. Tears roll down his face unchecked. "I am truly sorry Zewu Jun... I am... I don't know why I said those unfair hurtful words to you..I... I... "

"Wanyin!" Zewu Jun exclaims and pulls the sobbing man in his arms, "You were hurting... you were alone and you blamed Wangji because you felt that he took your brother away from you...I know you did not say those words to hurt me. Wanyin, you are a good man, a good uncle and a good clan leader. You are trying your best with what you have. I have the utmost respect for you." XiChen comforts Jiang Cheng.

When XiChen finally let's go Jiang Cheng's face is flushed.

"I will see you in the morning," Jiang Cheng blurts out and turns away. He doesn't want to embarrass himself any more than he already has.

"Clan leader, wait." XiChen calls and Jiang Cheng turns and looks at the older clan leader questioningly, "Yes?"

{Note :- That's it for today's update. I will probably update next on 19th.

Those of you, who are reading Mine and have left heartwarming comments, I want to thank you all 😢❤. I was really feeling worthless and was losing confidence in my work then, and your words made me feel much better.
So, THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH ❤

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Have a nice day.}