“Then,” Lan Xichen asked, “what about Jin Guangyao?”
“He is untrustworthy,” Lan Wangji stated.
Lan Xichen chuckled.
“And how do you judge a person to be trustworthy, Wangji?”
He looked at Wei Wuxian.
“You trust Wei-gongzi, but I trust Jin Guangyao. Neither of us personally witnessed whether da-ge’s head is in his possession. We rely entirely on our own understanding of another, our own trust in their words. You think you understand Wei Wuxian, and that is why you trust him. I also think I understand Jin Guangyao and therefore trust him. You trust your own judgment. Why can I not trust my own judgment too?”
Wei Wuxian, worried that the two brothers would quarrel because of this, quickly interjected, “Sect Leader Lan!”
It wasn’t that he couldn’t understand Lan Xichen’s feelings. He had seen Jin Guangyao from Nie Mingjue’s perspective and witnessed all his treachery, cunning, and ambition. But if Jin Guangyao had worn a mask in front of Lan Xichen for all these years, then there was no reason for Lan Xichen to distrust his own sworn brother in favor of someone who was notorious for bloody deeds.
Lan Xichen nodded. “Wei-gongzi, there’s no need for you to worry. I will not be partial to any one side until the truth is uncovered, nor will I reveal your whereabouts. Otherwise, I would not have allowed Wangji to bring you to my Wintry Room or helped treat your injuries.”
“Many thanks to Sect Leader Lan for giving me a chance,” Wei Wuxian said. “Chifeng-zun’s head is in Jin Guangyao’s secret chamber—that’s the honest truth. Not only did I see the head, but I was also assaulted by its aura of resentment and saw some other stuff in the process. I wonder if any of that could be considered proof?”
With composure, Lan Xichen said, “Wei-gongzi, perhaps you did indeed see some…things. But you cannot prove that you saw them in the secret chamber of Golden Carp Tower.”
“That’s true.” Wei Wuxian grunted. “Then lemme say something else. Chifeng-zun’s direct cause of death certainly was qi deviation, but Sect Leader Lan, don’t you think the timing was too great a coincidence? The saber spirit’s influence is one thing, but did you ever consider that there could be other causes behind it?”
“And what might those causes be, do you think?” Lan Xichen asked.
“A spiritual song of purification,” Wei Wuxian said.
“Wei-gongzi,” Lan Xichen said, “are you aware that I personally taught Jin Guangyao how to play that song of purification?”
“In that case, I’d like to ask Sect Leader Lan to listen and see if there’s anything off about this melody.”
His flute was right there at the head of the bed, so Wei Wuxian picked it up. He lowered his head and thought for a moment before he began to play.
Once the song was over, he asked, “Sect Leader Lan, is this really the song you taught Jin Guangyao?”
“It is,” Lan Xichen confirmed.
Wei Wuxian was a little surprised, but he kept his cool. “What’s it called?”
“This piece is called ‘Cleansing,’” Lan Xichen answered. “It can purify the heart and calm the mind.”
“Cleansing,” Wei Wuxian echoed. “I’ve listened to plenty of famous songs from around the cultivation world, so why have I never heard this name or its melody before?”
“The piece is obscure,” Lan Wangji said, “and difficult to learn.”
“Precisely,” Lan Xichen agreed.
“Did Jin Guangyao specifically ask to learn this piece?” Wei Wuxian asked.
“Correct,” Lan Xichen confirmed.
“Is it really that hard to learn?” Wei Wuxian wondered. “Then why did Jin Guangyao pick it and not something easier?”
“Because I told him that even though Cleansing is hard to learn, it is of the utmost effectiveness,” Lan Xichen explained. “And yes, the piece is indeed tricky. Did Wei-gongzi not just play one of the sections incorrectly?”
Something clicked in Wei Wuxian’s mind when he heard this. “I played it wrong?”
“There was a section in the middle that was incorrect,” Lan Wangji confirmed.
Wei Wuxian laughed. “Nah. It wasn’t me who was wrong—it was Jin Guangyao! That was definitely what he played during the assault of resentful energy. I guarantee you that I replayed that version without a single mistake.”
Lan Xichen was astonished. “Then he was the one who learned it wrong? That…is impossible.”
“That’s true indeed,” Wei Wuxian said. “Lianfang-zun is awfully smart and has an excellent memory. How could he have misremembered the melody? I’m afraid it’s most likely intentional. I’ll play it again. Sect Leader Lan, Hanguang-jun, this time, please listen carefully to the ‘incorrect’ bit.”
He played the song again. When he neared the end of the second section, Lan Wangji said, “Stop.”
“It is the section you just played,” Lan Xichen said.
Wei Wuxian withdrew the flute from his lips. “Really? It doesn’t sound out of place to me.”
“It certainly is not discordant,” Lan Xichen agreed, “but it does not form part of Cleansing.”
If it had been an ordinary mistake, it would not have blended so seamlessly with the rest of the original melody, like milk in water. This particular revision must have been deliberately polished before its inclusion. And the unfamiliar melody that had crept its way into Cleansing was very possibly the key to Nie Mingjue’s death.
Lan Xichen thought for a moment, then said, “Both of you, come with me.”
As they stepped out of the house, Wei Wuxian was slightly taken aback.
It was a small and secluded cottage located in some hidden corner of the Cloud Recesses. The Lan Clan’s residence was situated deep in the mountains, and its territory was capped by towering pine trees. Most of the scenery consisted of lush green trees and eupatorium grass. There were some flowers, but they were all simple, elegant varieties such as magnolias, gardenias, and white chrysanthemums—and even then, they were rare and fleeting sights, serving mainly as occasional ornaments.
But the area around this cottage was abundant with purple gentians. The flowers were dainty and delicate, and their color was vivid and captivating, capable of ensnaring the hearts of all who wandered there. They seemed to emit a faint glow under the night’s dark sky. The sight was beautiful, like a dream, an illusion.