Chapter 15:
Peony for the Soon Departed
IT WAS AUTUMN, and the place was Mount Baifeng Hunting Grounds.
Hundreds upon thousands of cultivators would select a location where nefarious creatures dwelled and compete to catch the most prey within an allotted time to showcase their prowess. This sort of event was known as a Siege Hunt.
Mount Baifeng was a large range that stretched for many kilometers. Its abundance of prey made it one of the three most famous hunting grounds and host to a number of large-scale Siege Hunts. A grand event such as this was an opportunity for cultivation clans big and small to demonstrate their strength, for clans to recruit new talent, and for wandering cultivators and trainees to make a name for themselves.
In front of Mount Baifeng was a large, spacious square with dozens of tall observation decks erected around it. The crowds milling on these decks were restless with excitement, and the air was abuzz with their whispers. The quietest observation deck was the tallest and most resplendent one, and the spectators seated there were mostly renowned older cultivators or family heads with their female family members. Behind them stood handmaids holding grand canopies or large fans. The ladies seated at the front modestly covered their faces with their smaller fans as they observed the hunting grounds below.
When the Lan Clan of Gusu’s riding party appeared, all that modesty went out the window.
Horses weren’t usually necessary once the chase really kicked off during a Night Hunt. However, riding was one of the skills the juniors of prominent clans were expected to learn. On such a grand occasion, riding into the field wasn’t just part of the ceremony—the riders stirred magnificent fanfare and painted a splendid sight.
To put it bluntly, they rode horses because the rules said so and it looked good.
Lan Xichen and Lan Wangji sat with poise on their snow-white steeds, slowly leading the Lan Clan of Gusu’s procession. Both wore their swords on their waists and carried a bow and quiver on their backs, their white robes and forehead ribbons fluttering in the wind. They looked as lofty as any immortal. Their snow-white boots were immaculately clean, without a single speck of dust upon them—in fact, they were probably cleaner than most people’s clothes. The Twin Jades of Lan truly were a pair of flawless precious stones, carved by ice and sculpted by snow. The moment they entered the field, it seemed the air itself grew fresher.
Throngs of female cultivators had fallen for them. Women who were more reserved in temperament merely set down their fans, their longing gazes betraying their eagerness. Women of a more audacious temperament, on the other hand, had already rushed to the edges of the observation decks to throw flowers they had prepared for the occasion. A shower of blooms rained from the sky.
It was customary to toss flowers as a show of admiration when encountering handsome men and women. Thanks to their clan’s prestige, exceptional talent, and extraordinary good looks, the juniors of the Lan Clan of Gusu were no strangers to these sudden floral storms. Lan Xichen and Lan Wangji had been accustomed to such things since they were thirteen. They remained perfectly self-possessed, inclining their heads toward the observation decks to politely acknowledge the gesture as they continued forward without stopping.
All of a sudden, Lan Wangji raised his hand and caught a flower that had been thrown at his back.
He turned around and saw the riding party of the Jiang Clan of Yunmeng, which had yet to depart. They were led by Jiang Cheng, who was irritably smacking his lips. The one next to him rode a silky black steed, resting both elbows on the horse’s head and looking off to the side as if nothing had happened. He chatted merrily with two slender female cultivators who were next to him.
Lan Xichen noticed Lan Wangji had pulled his reins to a stop.
“Wangji, what’s the matter?”
“Wei Ying,” Lan Wangji said.
Only then did Wei Wuxian turn his head, looking surprised. “What? Hanguang-jun, are you calling me? What’s up?”
Lan Wangji raised the flower, his expression as chilly as his voice. “Was it you?”
Wei Wuxian denied it immediately. “Nope, not me.”
The two female cultivators next to him ratted him out with equal immediacy. “Don’t believe him! It was him all right!”
“How can you guys wrong an innocent man like this?” Wei Wuxian despaired. “I’m mad now!”
The two female cultivators giggled and laughed and pulled their reins, trotting back to their own clan’s riding party. Lan Wangji lowered the hand holding the flower and shook his head.
Jiang Cheng spoke up. “Zewu-jun, Hanguang-jun, sorry about that. Don’t mind him.”
Lan Xichen smiled. “It is fine. On Wangji’s behalf, I thank Wei-gongzi for the gift of the flower.”
As they rode off amidst the fragrant air and showering flowers, Jiang Cheng glanced over to the observation decks. A myriad of handkerchiefs waved from the balconies in a sea of colors.
“What are you doing, throwing flowers like the rest of them?”
“Can’t I throw a couple at him ’cause he’s so good-looking?” Wei Wuxian asked.
Jiang Cheng snorted. “How old are you? Who do you think you are, playing games like that?”
Wei Wuxian eyed him. “Did you want some too? There’s still plenty on the ground, I’ll pick them for you.”
He pretended to lean down, and Jiang Cheng barked, “Screw off!”
Just then, Jin Guangyao’s voice resounded in the square.
“The riding party of the Nie Clan of Qinghe!”
Nie Mingjue was impressively tall. His presence was already forceful when he stood at full height, and on horseback, his power seemed to dominate the entire field. The clamor on the observation decks quieted significantly.
It was practically unavoidable for men who ranked high on the charts of prominent cultivators to be drowned in flowers when they made an appearance. But Nie Mingjue, ranked seventh, was an exception to this rule. While it could be said that Lan Wangji carried ice within his coldness, a frost colder than snow, Nie Mingjue’s coldness carried fire, a rage that might combust into an inferno at any time. He was even less approachable than Lan Wangji. Even if there were girls whose hearts raced at the sight of him, they didn’t dare throw the flowers they clutched to their chests with sweaty palms, afraid the shower would anger him into slashing down the entire observation deck with one strike of his saber. But the energy of the male cultivators who worshiped Chifeng-zun more than made up for the deficit of flowers. Today, their cheers were particularly deafening.
Next to Nie Mingjue was Nie Huaisang. In contrast to his older brother, he was smartly dressed as always, stylishly accessorized with his saber and jade pendants. With his paper fan gently fluttering, he was the very image of a fine young master in a turbulent world. Everyone was well aware that his saber would never leave its sheath and that the young master in question planned on spending the day strolling around Mount Baifeng and enjoying the scenery.
Next after the Nie Clan of Qinghe was the Jiang Clan of Yunmeng.
Wei Wuxian and Jiang Cheng made their entrance. In an instant, the sky was once again full of flower showers. Jiang Cheng’s face grew progressively darker as flowers smacked into him, while Wei Wuxian was enjoying himself thoroughly, quite at ease. He waved at the tallest observation deck.
The best spot on that deck belonged to Madam Jin of the Jin Clan of Lanling. Today, Jiang Yanli sat next to her. Madam Jin was holding her hand, talking to her and gazing at her lovingly. Jiang Yanli was always described as unassuming and demure, but when she saw her two little brothers waving to her, her face lit up. She set down her fan and shyly spoke a few words to Madam Jin, then walked to the edge of the deck and tossed two flowers toward them.
She tossed them with all her strength, and for a second, Wei Wuxian and Jiang Cheng worried she was going to fall off the deck. They only relaxed when they saw Jiang Yanli steady herself. The two easily caught the blossoms in hand and pinned the light purple flowers by their hearts with a smile before they continued onward. A good number of girls around Jiang Yanli shot her envious looks as she returned to Madam Jin with her head down.
Just then, a row of cultivators charged out on tall horses. They wore light armor over their white robes, which were embellished with golden embroidery. The one leading the procession was brightly handsome and clad in the same light armor. He was, of course, the family head Jin Guangshan.