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“Da-ge!” a cheerful voice distracts Nie Mingjue from his sabre training. He looked to where the voice was coming from and he saw his 7-year old younger brother across from him, in the middle of the training field. His eyes widened, he dropped his sabre and ran across to suddenly grab his brother and go into a shed.
“Huiasang, what are you doing? Where are your guards?” Nie Mingjue asked his brother, but his brother probably thought that Nie Mingjue was angry with him as those black eyes glistened and his lips wobbled. Nie Mingjue can’t help but calm his nerves and hug his brother. “Da-ge is not angry at A-Sang. But A-Sang needs to know that it is dangerous to just run in the middle of the training field, A-Sang could get hurt, do you understand?” he coaxed his younger brother as he gently caressed Huiasang’s hair. Huaisang nodded in understanding but didn’t pull back from the hug instead tried to hug his Da-ge tighter.
“A-sang just misses Da-ge since Da-ge didn’t eat breakfast with A-sang.” Huiasang explained, words were muffled but nonetheless still coherent enough for Nie Mingjue to understand.
"Da-ge is sorry, A-sang. But Da-ge promises that he will be with you at dinner. After all, Da-ge promised you that we will be together, forever." Nie Mingjue said softly to his little brother.
Huiasang looked up to his Da-ge, eyes full of hope and happiness. "Really?" Huiasang asked. And Mingjue smiled at him, "Da-ge promised. And Da-ge never breaks his promises." And Nie Huiasang just giggled at his Da-ge.
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Nie Mingjue sighed as he rubbed his shoulders. He has been training from noon till dusk, and he was forced to sit down to do some heir lessons and what he needs to know. Learning from scriptures is not his thing but he needed to know, it is essential when it comes to him inheriting his Father’s Great Sect.
He was about to walk past the dining hall when he saw the light in it. He looked at it and he saw a little lump on a chair and he saw a familiar fan.
“What are you doing here, A-Sang?” he asked his little brother, as he walked to his brother.
Huiasang got startled as he looked at the taller person, his eyes were like a deer caught in headlights, so bright and round. But the little kid just smiled at his brother.
“Waiting for you.”
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Nie Mingjue and Nie Huiasang go to the market near the Unclean Realm and decide to roam around and to spend some time outside of Unclean Realm. Huiasang was holding his hand tightly, as if scared of letting go, as he curiously looked around.
However, a particular bird made in paper mache got his little brother fixated on his eyes. Nie Mingjue chuckled as he asked his little brother, “Does A-Sang want that toy?”
Huiasang nodded his head, “Please.”
The smile on his little brother was stamped on his mind, as he slept that night.
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Nie Mingjue was awoken by a light knock on his door. He opened his eyes and he could see the door open only revealing his little brother clutching his pillow. “What’s wrong, A-Sang?”
“I had a nightmare.” Huiasang sniffed.
Nie Mingjue smiled as he walked to his brother, “Wanna sleep with Da-ge?”
“Please.” and with that Mingjue carry his brother to his bed, covering the two of them in blanket.
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Nie Huiasang was astonished to hear that his brother is one of the leading the war against the Wens. The complication of that information has so many, his brother could die, either on the hands of Wens or his qi deviate. “Da-ge, please don’t go.” he begged his brother, hoping his brother won’t sacrifice his life for others.
Nie Mingjue understands his brother, but if he wouldn’t lead this war, no one would. And if no one would rebel against the Wens, it could be bad for his brother and Nie Mingjue doesn’t want his brother to even got hurt. “A-sang, the cultivation world needs me.”
“Please?” For the first time in Huaisang’s life, he was rejected by his Da-ge.
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The two don't talk as they used to. They only see each other sometimes during dinner. The cooks decide to cook them a bunch of meat, but Huiasang would rather eat something sweet. “Da-ge, I want tangyuan.” he asked his brother, remembering the times his brother would cater to his every whims when he was a child. However he doesn’t expect his brother’s cold reply.
“Eat whatever was served in front of you.” Nie Mingjue scowled at him.
“Please?”
“Stop wasting food.”
And with that Nie Huaisang kept his head low as he nibbled his food as quietly as possible.
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“Da-ge, can I sleep with you?” Huiasang asked his brother as his mind still replaying the moments where his da-ge coughed out blood, his qi was in disarray.
“What are you? A child?” Nie Mingjue raised his eyebrow at him.
“Please?”
“Go to sleep on your own room, Huiasang.”
Defeated, he walked away from his brother.
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“Da-ge, can I skip tomorrow?”
“Huiasang, stop skipping your training.”
“But I don't want to.”
“Stop acting like a spoiled brat.”
“Please?”
“No.”
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“Huiasang, you should be like A-Yao. He was late to form a core yet can wield a sword.”
Nie Huiasang, for the first time in his life, ignored his Da-ge.
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Nie Huiasang was horrified at what welcomed him inside of his room. All of his paintings and fans were burned in a pile. He doesn’t know what but something inside him snaps. He can take all of the comparisons, all the insults and all of the training he was forced to do, but does his Da-ge actually go and burn his precious treasures? How dare he! He will not continue to keep his silence in order to keep the peace in this house!
With all of his burned treasures on his arms, he burst inside of his Da-ge’s office, he noticed his brother's new brothers. He scoffed at that thought, but he doesn’t care about the righteous and perfect Zewu-jun or the timid and cunning Lianfang-zun or even the strong and stern Chifeng-zun. He needs to make his point right now, or else who knows what might happen to his morals.
“Nie Huaisang!” Chifeng-zun growled at him. “How disrespectful can you be?” Nie Huisang didn’t falter at his brother’s angry glare. All of his admiration and respect for his Da-ge was now washed away by anger and resentment.
“Did you do it?” Huiasang asked as he showed the burned paper in his arms. Nie Mingjue looked at what his brother was showing him and scoffed, “Yes, I did that. You focused yourself on leisure instead of actual responsibility. You are a Nie, Huiasang!”
Huiasang sneered at that comment, “You think just because you burn these, ruin these, I will slave myself for my sabre, like you did? Like what A-Die did? Ha! Never!” he scoffed.
Nie Mingjue was angry before and now is furious. Lan Xichen tried to interfere but was gestured not to by Nie Mingjue. “Nie Huiasang!”
“Nie Mingjue!” For the first time in his life, he called his Da-ge his full name. His eyes are full of tears but the heaven forbids him to cry, his vision starts to blur but he was going to keep himself safe and intact before he burst.
“If you don’t want to wield a sabre then get out of my sect!” Nie Mingjue never meant it. He doesn’t want to Huiasang to leave but the burst of anger with the addition of resentment energy from Baxia makes him unreasonable to the point that he didn’t notice the hurt and betrayed look his brother has.
Nie Huiasang was surprised to hear those words from his Da-ge. His mind goes through all of the memories that his Da-ge promised him that they will be with each other forever, that they will never ever be apart. But Nie Huiasang had enough. Enough of being a worthless brother. Enough with all of this ‘Incompetent Nie’, ‘Lazy Heir’, ‘Pampered Prince’ that he never thought he will replied, “Fine.” He dropped the burned paper and start removing his official sect robe. He put it on Mingjue’s table and declared, “I, Nie Huiasang, is forfeiting my position as the heir of QInghe Nie and will surrender the name Nie. With the witness of Zewu-jun, Lianfang-zun and Chifeng-zun. Nie Huiasang is now a rogue cultivator.” and with that he walked off office, he heard Zewu-jun and Lianfang-zun call him but was stopped by his Da-ge.
He went back to his room. Not to gather anything that is valuable but rather to take off all of his accessories as a Nie to be able to live as just Huiasang. He lastly took off his Nie token, a token that his brother gave to him on his 13th birthday. He took a deep breath and placed it down on a table together with all of his other accessories. He walked over to a hidden drawer and pulled out his sabre. He might not like using it but he can make his brother believe that he will actually be a rogue cultivator if he was with his sabre.
After removing everything that will make him think of Qinghe Nie Clan, except for his sabre, he went to his window, opened it and saw that there were no guards at this spot at this certain hour. He carefully climbed down using some protruded stones and after reaching the ground he walked towards the secret path that he discovered when he was running away from his sabre training.
Knowing his Da-ge, or rather, Chifeng-zun, if he didn’t come back to the sect after three days he will start asking his close friends such as Yunmeng Jiang Leader, Jiang Cheng. Because his brother knew how much Huiasang would rely on other people just to survive. So it means that going to Yunmeng is not a choice he would rather take.
His brother is wrong. He likes to rely on other people because it is easier and less hectic if other people just thought of him as a useless person, it means he doesn’t have to do anything with expectations. And since Yunmeng is not a choice, he had no choice but to go north.
That’s what he thought as he went to the path that leads to Pingzhou.
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Seven months.
It’s been seven months since he left his former home. But living alone under the pseudonym of NianCang, a painter that loves to be alone inside of the forest of Pingzhou is rather refreshing after all the nagging of a certain someone to tell him what he was supposed to do.
He was happy. Lonely but happy. There are nights where he will cry of loneliness at night. He misses those days where they are both happy and can run freely without any responsibilities. During those nights, his mind will be filled with, ‘Is Da-ge finding me?’, ‘Does he really want me to leave?’ and the voices in his head will answer, ‘No, he won’t waste his time to find you.’, ‘Of course he wants you to leave so that he could be with his sworn brothers that he actually respects and values.’. Those nights were the worst. But then, he grew accustomed to it.
Living as a commoner, not a cultivator, is more peaceful, much rather than his style of living. No more night hunts. Talismans are still a useful thing to keep himself safe at night in the middle of the wild. No need for knowing who is supposed to be respected or who is below him, but just knowing how to write, read, and paint, he can make his living comfortably. Not as comfortably back in Qinghe, but still comfortable. However, he has to learn how to do everything on his own, some are easy, some are extraordinarily hard. Cleaning the house was easy, however doing the laundry and cooking is the hardest one he could do. Cooking is easier than doing laundry. Doing the laundry makes his hands rough and he almost drowns at the river just to wash his robes.
In all honesty, he wants to go back to Qinghe but after hearing the rumours of his Da-ge throwing a party three days after he went away just solidified his decision to just stay at Pingzhou. At least in Pingzhou he was not being directed and monitored of his every single move. If his Da-ge is now happy that he has power, luxury, and brothers that he wanted, he also could! He was now painting every single day of the week without being reprimanded. He now has two fans that he alternates to use day by day. He was doing great if he said so himself. He never thought that living by himself in such a secluded forest would be his end.
Today, he wants to go to the town to sell his painting to make some money, but the sudden knock on his door made him stilled in the moment.
‘Could it be, Da-ge?’ he thinks. His heart is full of hope but he didn’t see a tall man with Qinghe Nie robes but he saw no one. He was supposed to walk out but he saw a basket with a baby in it. He was disappointed at first but then it was washed away by worry. He was about to pick the baby up but he remembered, he forgot that he didn’t know how to pick a baby up.
With all of gentleness inside of his body, which thankfully, a lot, and a little panic, he carefully picked up the baby. The baby oddly was quiet. He was rocking the baby when he remembered something crucial. How will the baby eat? With a sigh, he grabbed the bag full of his paintings and some of his savings from seven months. He has a lot of things on his hands now.
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Five years since he left Qinghe.
Five years since he became independent and started standing on his own feet.
Four years since he became a father, or a mother because of how his kid calls him ‘A-niang’.
Four years of him being happy and content with his son.
“XunZhao, wake up if you wanna go with A-Niang to Anping.” he whispered in his son’s ears gently. His son woke up and opened his eyes and smiled at him. “Good morning, my Xiaohe.” he greeted his little crane.
“Good morning, A-Niang.” Xunzhao, his little crane, greeted him back.
“Come on. Get ready, we have to be on Anping before wushi.” He told Xunzhao and the kid started getting ready. His kid kept saying that he was A-niang instead of A-die. He asked why he thinks he was A-niang and his little crane answered it was because that A-niang was the beautiful, gentle and caring person of the house while the A-die is the one who is strong and nagging one and he fitted that criteria of A-niang more than A-die. He laughed at his son’s reasoning and just decided to let it go. Once his son is old enough, he will stop calling him A-niang.
He went outside to see if the carriage was ready to load their products to sell in Anping. Once he saw that the carriage was there, he started to put his paintings in the carriage, some food on the way, just in case his son got hungry, and also his sabre just in case anything happened. Then after, he sat down on the coach box beside the person who would manoeuvre their carriage.
As NianCang, going to Anping is now a monthly routine. Anping is much more civilised and more people appreciate art there than here in Pingzhou.
In all honesty, at first, he didn't want to go to Anping. Anping is close to Unclean Realm, too close to his comfort but he lets his rationality win over his anxiety. Xunzhao is getting older and their expenses cannot be covered by his money he got from selling in Pingzhou. And also the fact that his brother cannot find him in five years just made him lose hope that his brother didn’t actually spend any time to find him.
“A-niang, Xiaohe is done getting ready.” His thoughts were pulled out when his little crane timidly announced. He smiled that his child was definitely not a Nie, he was everything opposite to a Nie. Maybe it also affects the fact that he never ever shouted at his son or forced him to do something he doesn’t like. He will never ever let this kid experience the wrongs of his childhood.
He got down from his seat, “Come to A-niang.” he said as he helped his son to get up from the carriage. He closed the gates of his house, got in the carriage and told the coachman, “Let’s go to Anping.”
He was only hoping that his trips to Anping won’t bring any problems to his peaceful life with his little crane.
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Lan Wang Ji was on his way to Anping, after hearing a series of disorder of fierce corpses there. It was the only way for him to cope that his Wei Ying is still alive and just needed to be found.
Anping was a walled city but inside of it, it was rather a beautiful city hidden by the rough appearance of its walls. Anping is a city full of chaos, unruly citizens, unlike in Caiyi Town. But he doesn’t have the time to spare for those unruly people but he wanted to know if Wei Ying is here or not.
But two days in, he found nothing that is relevant about Wei Ying. He goes to the town to rent an inn to stay for the night, probably to do some sightseeing and treat himself since he was outside of Gusu, he doesn’t have to be aware of his relatives finding out he was indulging himself.
He was looking over to some sweets selling stalls when he saw a hanging painting over by the store across the sweets. It was familiar. He looks at the distance and he can recognise that the painting is the Library Pavilion in Gusu. He was about to go to the said store but stopped when he saw a young man holding a young child in his arms. He knew that, it’s Nie Gongzi, or rather just Huiasang. He heard about his xiongzhang that the Nie brothers had a fall out after Nie Zongzhu burned all of Huaisang’s paintings and fans, Huiasang got angry and denounced himself in the witness of Lan Xichen, Jin Guangyao and Nie Mingjue. However, the three just thought of it as a rebellious act of the younger heir but after three months of no news nor rumours about Huiasang, Xiongzhang got anxious and started to find the whereabouts of Huiasang.
He sighed and went back to his inn. He doesn’t want to partake in any drama that doesn’t concern Wei Ying.
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He sighed as he paid the coachman after they came home from Anping. He was thanking the heavens that nothing major happened to his trip to Anping. He smiled after remembering the smile of his son as he was stuck on different fabrics he saw at Anping. His son was really fascinated by different fabrics, maybe he wanted to make his own robes one day and he will support his son, like how a mothe— father should do. He shook his head in disbelief, even himself was beginning to be convinced that he was a mother and not the father.
At Anping, he always heard how preposterous and peaceful the Nie Clan was after all these years, apparently his disappearance was still hidden. He smirked, his Da-ge probably just wanted to have some years to be so peaceful that he doesn’t want any rumours spreading about him. And that said, his Da-ge could probably never actually go and try to find him. It cracked his heart but at least now he is free. Or so what he told himself.
XunZhao is now sleeping and he started to clean his body. The trip to sell his painting is a success. The two of them could live for a month with their usual spending and also an addition for their savings when the winter comes around. He was having a weird feeling earlier but nothing spectacular really happened. Maybe it’s just his nerves being so anxious about him being so close at his old home.
Well! Now, it’s time to stop being a painter and start to do his chores.
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Lan Wang Ji just got back from Meishan after some of the demonic cultivators tried to summon Wei Ying from the dead but they didn’t succeed. They only summon a fierce corpse at best.
He was eating dinner with his xiongzhang, since they never got any time to spend with each other. Xiongzhang was busy being a sect leader and he was busy trying to find his zhiji. The two of them met today after a couple of months.
His xiongzhang was definitely under a lot of stress. Many people may not see it but he can, just like how his xiongzhang saw his emotions through him. After he finished his meal, he asked his xiongzhang, “Xiongzhang, what seems to bother you?” Lan Wang Ji asked as he put his bowl down, indicating he was finished eating.
Xichen just smiled at his didi. “I can’t really hide anything from you, can I?”
Lan Wang Ji just looked at his xiongzhang with those cold golden eyes. Xichen shook his head, “It’s just that Huiasang’s whereabouts is still unknown. Da-ge was already mostly cleansed of resentment energy and started to be more a level headed person, he started to realise that Huiasang is actually gone. A-Yao and I are still trying to find a single piece of information where Huiasang could possibly be.”
So, the reason for his xiongzhang’s worries is about someone he saw three months ago? “Anping.” He simply said and his brother was confused why he suddenly talked about Anping. “I saw Huiasang in a painting shop in Anping.” He simply said.
“When have you seen Huiasang?” Xiongzhang asked, a little ray of hope in his eyes.
“Three months ago.”
“Thank you, Wang Ji.”
“Hm.”
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He was already in Anping for three consecutive days and not a single hair of Huiasang was still found. He wants to give up but when he sees one of the paintings in the shop, he knows it’s Huiasang’s painting. Afterall, who could possibly paint the back gardens of Unclean Realm in such a detailed manner.
He stood up from the table he was sitting on and left the restaurant where he was looking after the shop where Huiasang’s art was sold. He looked around and saw some kids toys. He remembers going to Yiling with Wang Ji and his brother asking for a rattle drum but after his brother got out of his sight for a couple minutes, the rattle drum was gone and Wang Ji didn’t say anything where his toy went.
He smiled at memories of stubborn Wang Ji that he heard a voice that he heard five years ago. He looked behind him and it’s him. Nie Huiasang. Huiasang definitely changed. His short hair was now waist long that is tied in a half top knot. He did grow a little taller, but his face changed the most. Instead of a carefree smile, he now held a mature, more formal smile. But the one that he didn’t expect the most is that, the child called him, ‘A-niang’.
His mind went into turmoil. Why does the child call him A-niang? Is he a female wanting to be male? Or rather the opposite? Or did the kid just think that Huiasang is the A-niang instead of A-die?
But all of his questions can be answer after he coax Huiasang to go back at Unclean Realm. Knowing that this little brother of his was okay and thriving, that is already enough for him, for now.
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Discussion Reference.
The three sworn brothers hated it. But they have to endure it for the sake of their sect. The remaining four great sects are now being controlled by much younger leaders after what happened due to the Wens. And all the younger leaders are pretty much in a hurry to get married.
Sect Leader Jiang has a valid reason that he would rather raise Young Master Jin in the place of her sister than getting married.
A-Yao is getting to know the Laoling Qin Young Lady, Qin Su.
A-Huan kept telling them that he doesn’t find the one that he fancy, yet.
And him, just never answer anyone definitely, instead he just kept telling them that this is a discussion between their sects not their private lives. And also he is still busy finding that brother of his. He was certain that Huaisang couldn’t survive a week in the wild without his protection and that the brat was actually hiding his presence for five years without him and his sworn brothers, some of the best cultivators, could not find any information about his location.
After almost the entire day of discussion about the different problems and mostly how Hanguang-Jun was always there if trouble was on sight. He could see how Lan Qiren nodded his head, obviously showing how proud of him to his nephew.
It was almost time to wrap up everything, but he didn’t expect the question that was thrown to him.
“Sect Leader Nie, how come we never seen Young Master Nie these days?” Sect Leader Yao asked. He doesn’t know if he somehow knows that his brother is missing or if it’s just his own curiosity. He doesn’t know how to answer that but he doesn’t expect Sect Leader Jiang to answer it with no hesitation.
“Young Master Nie is really busy, afterall taking care of a son, a child in general, is like a full time job.” Jiang Cheng said as he sipped from his cup of tea. With this comment, everyone was silenced. They have no idea that the Qinghe Nie has produced another offspring. He looked at A-Yao and A-Huan. A-Yao was also as shocked as him but it was not as shown, however, Lan Xichen looked at Jiang Cheng, like thinking how did the Jiang Sect know. Xichen knows. He knows about the location of Huiasang and also about the hidden heir.
“Congratulations to Qinghe Nie!” was heard at the end of Discussion Reference.
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He doesn’t care if he looks so arrogant to walk around the Lotus Pier to find its Sect Leader. He had so many questions that needed to be answered. He was followed by A-Huan and A-Yao. A-Huan knows that Huiasang was seen in Anping.
“You know where Huiasang is?!” Nie Mingjue yelled at Lan Xichen.
“I just know before attending the Discussion Conference, Da-ge. I was supposed to tell you after the conference today, but things happen.”
“Where have you seen him, Xichen?”
“At Anping. He was selling his paintings at one of the well-known shops there.”
“Do you also know about the heir?” Nie Mingjue asked and Lan Xichen nodded, “The kid was probably at 4 summers as of now, and the one that fascinates me the most is that the kid calls A-Sang, A-niang.”
He couldn't comprehend what just happened. They asked Sect Leader Jiang years ago if he had seen Huiasang but they remember that he was also surprised that Huiasang was actually going out on his own.
“What such pleasure does this one owe you to visit me this late, Sect Leader Nie?”
“Where is Huiasang?”
“What do you mean, Sect Leader? Isn’t Huaisang in Qinghe?”
“He is not.”
“He just told me that he is Qinghe. Could it be that his letters were forged?”
“Don’t mess around, Jiang Wanyin.”
“You need to keep quiet now, Sect Leader Nie, A-Ling just went to sleep. I’m afraid I will need to kick you out if you keep being that loud.” Jiang Cheng said as he glared at the taller man. No fear nor hesitations can be seen in his eyes.
“Forgive us, Sect Leader Jiang. But can you give us the specific location where Huiasang is?” Lan Xichen intervened with the two hot headed leaders.
“Why should I do that?”
“Huiasang is my family.”
“You surely didn’t think that when you kicked him out of your sect. And now you want him back?”
“I was not rational back then.”
“And it took you five years to be rational? Don’t make me laugh, Sect Leader.”
“In Da-ge’s defence, Sect Leader Jiang, was on the verge of Qi deviation when that happened. It took years of cleansing for him to get back.”
“You almost had a Qi deviation? Did you tell Huiasang about this?”
“No, I don’t want him to worry.”
“Yet you tell them.” he pointed to the other two Sect Leaders, he then smirked to Nie Mingjue, “I wonder what will Huiasang think about that?”
“What will he think?”
“Oh God. Are you really that dense, Sect Leader Nie?”
“Just get into the point, Jiang Wanyin!”
“Have you ever thought how Huiasang would feel if he knew that? He will feel betrayed, useless and most of all, worthless. His only family kept things that might be caused him to live alone.”
“What?”
Jiang Cheng rolled his eyes, and tried to deliver the harshest blunt information that was long due. “Huiasang had enough of you! That’s why he left. He is tired just by staying by your side. He is tired of being forced into something that he truly despised. He is tired being compared. He is tired of being useless. Tell me Sect Leader Nie, when was the last time you saw Huiasang smile like he was a carefree child in your presence?”
And with that, the three sworn brothers were kicked out of Sect Leader Jiang’s room.
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The conference came to an end and all he could think about now is Huiasang. Xichen, A-Yao and him decide to go to Anping to probably find some information about Huiasang’s whereabouts. While riding their swords his emotions can’t seem to calm themselves. He wondered how Huiasang would look after five years.
In the first few days, they decide to lay low as they don’t want to announce their arrival, as it might give Huiasang a warning and hide himself more. But after almost a week in Anping and not having seen the hair of Huiasang, Nie Mingjue decided to take an assertive route.
“Excuse me, may I know who painted this one?” Jin Guangyao asked the owner, before Nie Mingjue decided to scare the owner before they got any information about Huiasang.
“Lemme see, Young Master…” The owner of the shop looked at the painting Jin Guangyao was holding and his face lit up at the said painting, “Oh, that… That beautiful painting is painted by NianCang, out of the ordinary talent that man had.” he said as he started to caress his beard.
“NianCang?” Lan Xichen asked, confused. He knows that Huaisang was the only one who can paint this, given with the watermark that he always leaves.
“Yes, an elegant, beautiful painter with a son. Even with a son, men still want to have him.”
Mingjue asked as he could feel his patience was running thin, “Could you tell me more about this painter? Like where could I find him?”
“I don’t just tell information for free, young masters.” Mingjue was about to slashed the merchant but Xichen stopped him and Jin Guangyao just put a silver on the merchant’s hands. And in a drop of hat, the merchant keeps blabbing all the information he knows about the painter.
“NianCang showed up here a year ago, a kid in tow. I thought that he was some charlatan but then I saw his paintings and all I know is that those can cost fortunes. As for where to find him, he is somewhere from Ping– ahh, Pingchu?” The owner said.
“Pingzhou?”
“Yes, Pingzhou. Such a diligent young man, he is. Pingzhou is such a far away place from here but he always comes back once a month.”
“Thank you for sharing such information.” Xichen said as he gave the man another silver.
“Thank you, Young Masters. This lowly one is happy to serve you.”
“Pingzhou, huh?” Jin Guangyao wondered as the three sect leaders went out of the store. “Pingzhou, one of the peaceful towns, and then NianCang as a pseudonym… Huiasang definitely knows how to hide, doesn’t he?” he asked as he looked at his brothers.
“Huiasang chose a remote town in the north east of Qinghe. And most of all, it was so remote that even the news from the Unclean Realm couldn't be reached there. Are we really certain that Huaisang is really that clueless? Or are we also getting into a trap of his?” Jin Guangyao continued.
“Huiasang, the kid who barely passed his studies back in Gusu, actually got away from the radar of three Sect Leaders. It’s been five years since and if Wangji didn’t see Huiasang on Anping, who knows when we will ever get a clue to where he is.” Lan Xichen explained, remembering the time Huaisang spent on Cloud Recesses.
“Am I really that bad? Huiasang changed his name and left the cultivation world. Is that how much he hates me?”
“Da-ge… it’s just a misunderstanding between you two. I believe that Huiasang will mature now that he will listen to you.”
They see the beautiful town that has no sign of any cultivation. A long river that divides the town to the cultivation world. Lands full of wheat, rice and vegetables and a mountain that hides the Pingzhou from storms. They never had a single idea that the Second Young Master Nie could be hiding here. But Huiasang is definitely more knowledgeable than they initially thought. They land far away from the village to minimise the attention that they will get.
Pingzhou might be remote from Qinghe, but the town is still prospering for its locals. With Xichen’s calm demeanour, the other two tried to be as calm as they could be to not scare the townspeople. The way they walk into the village is normal, however those side-eyes are not. They suddenly got the attention of an old woman.
“You, cultivators, are not here for NianCang, are you?” The old woman said. With the name of NianCang, the three looked at the woman. The old woman sighed, “Based on your reactions, you are here for NianCang.”
The three Sect Leaders looked at each other and Jin Guangyao took the chance to explain to the old woman. “Yes, we are looking for NianCang, could you please tell us where to find him?”
“NianCang already left the cultivation and I was hoping that you, young men, will respect his decision.” a Popo that has taken a liking to NianCang, tried to knock some sense to these cultivators.
“There are some unspoken words that are not spoken to NianCang, and if we already said those words and NianCang still doesn’t want to come back to cultivation, we will respect that.” Jin Guangyao suggested but the three of them know that that is a lie. Nothing will stop Da-ge from bringing Huiasang back to the Unclean Realm.
The old woman was sceptical at first but then, she is a weak old woman and they are cultivators, she sighed. “NianCang lives on the east side of the lake. His abode is near to a falls. Follow the sound of rushing water from the falls and you will see a bamboo house.”
Jin Guangyao thanked the old lady and they started to go to the direction where the old woman said.
“The two of you should probably stay here. Let me talk to Huiasang privately and if that doesn't work…”
“We understand, Da-ge.” Lan Xichen comforts him.
He walked to the forest and listened to find where the river that the old woman said and it didn’t take long for him to hear it. A sound of rushing water is heard. Like a huge storm was here, but there was no storm. As he walked for ten more minutes he saw it. A small bamboo house with bamboo surrounding the house. Different coloured lamps hung through the sides of the house. Robes and blankets were left drying but they also saw a moving figure behind those fabrics. He approached the shadowy figure and Nie Mingjue, carefully holding the fabrics and slowly pulled back the fabric to see who was behind the figure.
It is a young kid. He stared at the kid and the kid did the same. He froze when he saw those eyes. Those gaze, that soft and tender eyes with the sun striking down the pale haze of green, he knows those eyes, the colour might not be the same but the aura in it is so familiar. Those were his stepmother’s eyes.
He was about to ask a question when the ruffling of leaves, like someone is dragging it, was suddenly heard in the backyard.
“Wah. No matter how long I’ve been doing this, I still can’t carry it all the way here.” a soft voice complained. He looked at where the voice came from and his eyes found a figure in a lightest shade of green robes, hair done in a neat half ponytail. The figure’s back was facing him as the figure was dragging a basket full of laundry.
“A-niang, let Xiaohe help you.” the kid said as he tried to help the man in green robes. Even the kid's calm voice of his is also the same as how his stepmother kept telling him to ‘take things slowly.’
The man just petted the little child’s head and softly said, “Let A-niang do the lifting, Xun-er can do the hanging, okay?”
“Okay, Xiaohe understands A-niang.”
The scene might be something he thought was an illusion but when he coughed, the man stared at him, tender eyes turning into cold ones. He saw that face and he cannot be mistaken, that is his brother. He noticed how Huiasang’s shoulders were stiff.
“Huiasang…” he called his little brother, “... come back.”