Chapter 14

Let me say something before you start reading this chapter. I could OBVIOUSLY make the second Extra chapter better, I even had something else in mind for it (with Zhēn actually fighting), but since I was close to writing 5000 words, I grew scared Wattpad might freeze or something and I didn't want to make a part two. So I had an idea, what if I make a separate book but for Extra chapters or "What if?" chapters about this series? You guys can even write me in the comments in the said book the ideas and scenes you guys might have and would like me to write! Let me know in the comments if you would like for me to make a One-shot book of this series! Now you may enjoy the chapter!❤️

~At the Lan Clan (day of the war)~

Ouyang Zizhen: "What do we do if the enemy were to come?"

Lan Shizui: "Me and Jingyi know a few secret routes that can even lead towards a river, and the river can take us to the open ocean. If anything were to truly happen, we can escape as long as we're ready to."

Lan Jingyi: "*nod* Shizui's right, but for now, we should get ready if it we were to escape sooner than we think."

Jin Ling (annoyed): "Do you really have this little faith on our superiors? Some disciples you are."

Lan Jingyi (offended): "It's not that we have little faith on them, we are just doing what we are ordered. To prepare ourselves if anything were to happen."

Ouyang Zizhen: "Jin Ling calm down. Just think about it, if our own superiors couldn't beat the enemy... What could a bunch of juniors do?"

Jin Ling tched at this, but they were right... But still, he had hope; he thought of this when looking down on his wrist where Zǐdiàn is wrapped on, remembering his Uncle.

Lan Shizui: "Uh! Grand Master."

Hearing Shizui's sudden words, the boys turned and bowed respectfully to Lan Qiren who was walking towards them with Wen Ning by his side. He nodded at them and then focused on Jin Ling and Ouyang Zizhen.

Lan Qiren: "The two of you should start an escape plan, I suggest you go do so at the Pavilion Library. Take this as a test in preparing yourselves for when you become Clan Leaders, and take Shizui and Jingyi with you, they know these grounds very well. Once you come up with at least three plans, you may come to me and explain, I'll be the judge of you work. Understood?"

They nodded, but Zizhen stepped up.

Ouyang Zizhen: "What about Miss Lan?"

Lan Qiren: "Don't worry, protecting her it's Wen Ning's job, not yours... or at least it will only be if Wen Ning were unable to do so. Until then, it will remain as his job."

The four boys nodded, bowed respectfully to the Lan Gran Master and left.

Once the boys were away, Wen Ning looked at the Grand Master with a worried and sad look, while Lan Qiren looked back at him with a serious one.

Lan Qiren (lowly): "Let's go."

The two then went inside where Zhēn was located, sleeping soundly on her bed. Lan Qiren gently sat on the edge of her bed and stayed there, taking in her beauty, gently stroking her head... His eyes were starting to water from his plans... but it was just inevitable. He pulled away his hand and then gently tapped on her forehead with a bit of his core's energy, this made her shift a little and her eyes then softly fluttered opened, she yawned and rubbed the sleep away from her eyes. Once semi awake, she saw her Grandfather and lovingly smiled.

Lan Zhēn: "Good morning Grandpapa."

Lan Qiren exhaled, his eyes watering more; this made her sit up, confused and alarmed.

Lan Zhēn (worried): "What's wrong?"

Lan Qiren: "Zhēn... Xichen didn't want to tell you this nor let you know, but it's just inevitable..."

Lan Zhēn got more worried, but payed close attention.

Lan Qiren: "There's a war *she gasps*, and it's happening now as we speak."

Lan Zhēn (worries/teary): "No... Please Grandpa... Don't tell me that..."

Lan Qiren: "*nod* It's just like how we feared, but worse... All the Clan Leaders left to fight off the enemy, but I'm sure the enemy was much more prepared than we were. Zhēn, Xichen is out there, and he's in grave danger. I know that, if I were to wake you up after the war, you'll immediately sense something is wrong and figure it out on your own immediately. If you were to find out any later, you would never forgive me... And I'd rather live my life being hated by my nephew... Than being hated by you..."

Lan Zhēn teared up and held her dear Grandfather's hand which was gently placed on her cheek.

Lan Qiren (teary): "Zhēn... Please... Bring Xichen and the rest back."

Lan Zhēn looked up at her Grandfather and nodded with a sad smile. She inhaled and quickly pounced on him, hugging him tightly.

Lan Zhēn (teary/softly): "Thank you for everything Grandpapa."

Lan Qiren (teary): "No *he separates*, thank you for giving me the honor and privilege in being your Grandfather."

She sadly smiles and huffs a small laugh, she then lowers his head and softly kisses his forehead. After this, she ran with Wen Ning by her side.

While running though, she remembered the last few words they shared, causing her to tear up again...

"Take Wen Ning with you, he knows where the Nightless City is and he can help you get through any enemies around, that way you can pass through without wasting unnecessary amounts of energy and time."

"Okay... I love you Grandpapa..."

"... I love you more, my Princess..."

Cleaning her tear stained face and drying her eyes, Lan Zhēn made a few portals for her and Wen Ning to arrive sooner; but as she ran, she couldn't help but ask herself...

'Why?... Why didn't he tell me?'

She internally hoped that her father and everyone else were still okay, or at least still be alive. Once reaching the war zone, she gasped, seeing so many men and women dead on the floor as well as gang members and a few giants. At that moment, some giants noticed her presence and charged towards her, but Wen Ning didn't let that happen and ran ahead to fight them off.

Wen Ning: "Go Princess!"

Lan Zhēn sadly smiled, leaving Wen Ning fight off the giants. When inside, she saw how the Clan Leaders were fighting against the enemy Leader. On how they were desperately trying to prevent the sword from piercing the ground and kill everyone, she gasped when the enemy pushed her father to the ground with brute force. She ran to the center near where they were and reached out for Crystal Heart, commanding her to come.

Tài Yǎzhù (rising Crystal Heart): "I will rule all of China!- *surprised look*"

*Swoosh*

*Grab*

Tài Yǎzhù (worried/scared): "No."

Lan Xichen (shocked/scared): "Zhēn."

Zhēn then lifted the sword with both hands... and pierced it through her abdomen, letting out a painful scream.

Tài Yǎzhù (desperate): "NOOOOOOOO!"

Xichen exhaled deeply and shakily at what he witnessed.

*small shattering/crack*

Zhēns cheek cracked, the crack glowed a light blue and white light... But so did Yǎzhù, this made him panic greatly, after all, he's connected to the sword. If the sword reborns thus turning into a new sword, he'll die. While Yǎzhù panicked from witnessing how he was shattering, Xichen ran as fast as he could towards his loving and caring daughter, extending his hand out to her... While she did the same...

*crack*

"Papa?"

"Yes Zhēn?"

"What's a sacrifice?"

(Shocked) "Where did you get that word?"

"I heard some men talking about a book they were reading."

"I should keep a better eye on you, the word sacrifice can mean anything, whether it's good or bad."

"Is it bad then?"

"It depends what the situation is or the reason why it's needed. There are two kinds of sacrifice, the good ones and the bad ones, right now you're too young to know the bad kind."

"What's the good kind like?"

"For instance, if a bee were to fly towards you, I would step in front of the bee and let it sting me instead of you.

"So you'll be taking the hit that was supposed to be mine?"

"*Chuckle* Such a smart girl at such a young age."

"Can I sacrifice myself for you Papa?"

"I won't allow it."

"Hmm... I'll save and sacrifice myself for Daddyyy!" *Runs away laughing*

(Worried) "N-No! Zhēn wait! Come back!"

"Wait!"

.

.

.

'Please... wait...'

*SHATTER*

Upon shattering, a huge energy pulse pushed everyone away from the center of Nightless City. Lan Xichen was thrown but was caught (or more like bumped into) by Nie Huisang in which he kindly held his Gēgē from getting further pushed. The light it emitted was so bright that everyone had to cover their eyes or else they would most likely go blind. Once the light started to slowly diminish, they slowly uncovered their eyes and saw how a ball of light in the sky slowly floated down, extending in length until it reached the ground. It stayed floating in the air and saw how it pulsed as if it were a beating heart, slowly revealing itself... As the true legendary sword, Crystal Heart. Lan Xichen got out of Huisang's grasp and ran towards the sword but tripped when close, he forgot he was wounded and couldn't run well, but when looking up... Why was he running in the first place?... when the reason why wasn't there anymore?...

... The Lan Clan Leader cried...

He cried like never before, his pain being so unbearable that he screamed. He screamed, he cried, he hit the floor... He never felt this type of pain in his life, he was throbbing, aching, no words can describe the intolerable pain he was feeling... The feeling of a father... loosing his loving child... Huisang ran towards Xichen and held him as to try and comfort his dear Gēgē but cried with him, feeling pained upon witnessing his Gēgē's pain. Xichen unconsciously accepted the hug and clotched Huisang's sleeve, too broken to even care anymore. Jiang Cheng exhaled, a single tear escaping his eyes... His eyes then wondered and layed upon a stoned Tài Yǎzhù, him and the two other Clan Leaders neared the now statued man in awe, shocked of what happened to him... But Jiang Cheng was furious, furious that they couldn't punish the man now that he was already dead. He swinged Sāndú out of pure anger towards the stoned Tài Yǎzhù, but it turned to dust once being hit, no crumble, no cracking, just thin dusts, as if he only hit air. This wasn't satisfying to Jiang Cheng, but what could he do? The man was dead in the first place. He clenched his sword, and could only try to bare the cries and screams of agony his dear friend was letting out. Some were even asking... Did they really won the war?... Or did they lose?...

Wen Ning witnessed everything without letting himself be seen by anyone... With stinging eyes and a heavy heart, he ran back to Gusu as fast as he could to report to the Gran Master that... It was done.

Back at the Clan, they were actually fighting off gang members who were able to infiltrate into the Clan, or more like they already were in the Clan. Seeing everything going from bad to worse, Shizui and Jingyi actually ran towards where Zhēn was sleeping, only to see their Gran Master with a tear stained face. He told them right there...

"It was her fate, it could not be avoided."

Which obviously, Shizui didn't believe and wanted to go after her, but ended up constantly fighting off gang members and giants. He didn't know why, but they were somehow aiming for Jin Ling for some unknown reason and instead tried to protect him, at least until there were less gang members. Throughout the fighting though, he kept her in his mind at all times. When he finally had an opening, a chance to go after her and save her... The gang members and the giants froze and suddenly fell to the ground... Dead... He was confused but decided to ignore this and go after Zhēn, but before he could sprint off, Lan Qiren stopped him.

Lan Qiren: "It's too late... Our victory was thanks to her sacrifice."

Ouyang Zizhen and Jin Ling were exhausted, but nonetheless walked/limped towards them when seeing how intense that extremely short conversation was since Shizui looked mortified by it, which was suspicious.

Ouyang Zizhen (worried): "W-what wrong?"

Shizui trembled, his grasp on his sword weakened, resulting in his sword falling to the ground. He fell on his knees and silently cried, Jingyi let go of his own sword and quickly knelt down as to comfort his crying friend who bent down completely on the floor... But he couldn't help but shed tears as well, pained that she was gone. Jin Ling and Ouyang Zizhen kept asking Lan Qiren of what was happening, only for them to feel empty and unsuccessful upon hearing their answer. They fought to protect her, to keep her safe... But it was all in vain.

Lan Wangji was unaware of what was going on (he didn't know the Clan was under attack), he was too busy playing the Guqin to Wei Wuxian who's spirit was a bit restless lately and was in need of being soothed so he could heal. He was playing until a misty 'POP' sound interrupted his music followed by a small thud of an object. He knew of Zhēn's fate, but like Xichen, he preferred the idea of Zhēn being alive and on the run. He turned his head around with glazed eyes towards a small bowl-like structure of the cave where Zhēn had filled with seals for when the mist bubble would break (pop) and keep Chengqing sealed/asleep. He turned back around, staring at the distance with sorrow, a tear falling on to a string of his Guqin, playing a single note... A note that will forever remind him of this pain.

A few hours later, Wen Ning came back and gave the news, not that everyone wanted to hear it, let alone know anything about it, but it clarified to everyone that their Princess was truly gone. A few more hours later, Lan Xichen was restless and wanted to come here instead of Lanling to rest and heal, all the other Clan Leaders followed as to hear the Lan disciples story of what happened and to make sure their Lan friend were to go back to his Clan safely. Once within the Clan, the juniors bowed and kept their heads down while Xichen stared at them with red puffy eyes, but before he could speak.

Lan Qiren: "If you're going to blame someone for her death, blame me."

Lan Qiren walked forward and stood between Xichen and the juniors while the juniors straighten, but kept their heads down.

Lan Xichen (low/weak)(shaky): "... Why?..."

Lan Qiren: "Xichen, you knew it would happen ever since she brought up the story of Crystal Heart. It was her destiny to sacrifice her core... and she knew it before all of us did."

Lan Xichen trembled and slowly shook his head, not wanting to hear anymore, but his Uncle continued and ignored his nephew's denial.

Lan Qiren: "This was bound to happen, and we were only trying to postpone it. If you only told her of what was going on, maybe you would've had a chance to bid a proper farewell... but you didn't, and now, you're blaming me for the mistake you've made."

Lan Xichen: "So when I parted... It's not that you had faith in me in winning the war... *hitched breath* You were just going to let her go..."

Lan Qiren stayed silent and looked at the floor, Ouyang Zizhen then looked over and quivered.

Ouyang Zizhen: "F-Father?"

Clan Leader Ouyang (smiling): "My son."

Zizhen ran to his father's arms and cried, happy to not only see him alive, but also know he's still considered his son. Jiang Cheng slowly walked to a trembling Jin Ling who was noticeably trying his hardest not to cry, Jiang Cheng huffed a small laugh.

Jiang Cheng: "Jin Ling, it's okay to cry when it's necessary."

With this said, Jin Ling's tears flowed out of his eyes. Jiang Cheng hugged his nephew, glad to see he was alright after the scare that snake gave him back at Nightless City. Jingyi then stepped up and bowed respectfully to his Master.

Lan Jingyi: "Master, we promise... We didn't know of what was going on... Please have mercy."

With every word spoken, Jingyi quivered and cried, while Lan Shizui was only looking at the floor, both feeling and looking empty with puffy eyes as well.

Lan Qiren: "Xichen, don't punish them. I kept everything away from them and made sure they didn't suspect a thing. The blame is on me, and only me."

Clan Leader Yao (angry): "Where were you?! Wasn't it your responsibility to take care of Miss Lan?"

Wen Ning flinched. When Lan Xichen layed his eyes on him, Wen Ning looked down, he clenched his eyes shut and fell on his knees, trembling in pain for failing the Lan Clan Leader.

Wen Ning (sad): "I-I didn't w-want to... I... I p-promise..."

Lan Xichen: "Let me guess... You didn't know either..."

Lan Qiren: "No. *Xichen looks at his Uncle* He knew, but I forced him to obey. Don't get me wrong, it was hard to convince him of the truth, he was loyal to your orders and treasured Zhēn almost as much as you did. But like all of us, he knew it was her fate... and we had to let her go."

Upon standing up, Wen Ning felt itchy on his chest and scratched... But then felt something there. Everyone looked at him and turned shocked at what he pulls out, Xichen exhales deeply at what he sees. Wen Ning walks slowly towards him, extending his hands that had nothing but Zhēn's favorite ribbon.

Wen Ning: "I found it when I was looking for her, after she got kidnapped by the Tài Clan... I-I forgot to give it back."

Lan Xichen dropped his sword and, with shaking hands, he takes her bow and stares at it. The memory of giving it to her for her 6th birthday flowed through his mind... She loved this ribbon, always bringing it to him so only he would put it on her. This memory made him hold on to the bow, clotching it on his chest and silently cry.

.

.

.

After that day... The Lan Clan wasn't the same. It was just noticeable, or at least it was for the ones who come frequently to the Clan. Lan Xichen was suffering from an intense depression ever since, more intense than the one he had after killing Jin Guangyao; and until his recovery, Lan Qiren was in charge of the Clan. Wei Wuxian hasn't woken up yet, but Wangji could feel how Wei Ying's spirit got calm after hearing Jiang Cheng again, but they didn't say anything about Zhēn. Speaking of Zhēn, it was strictly forbidden to speak of her as well as saying her sole name, especially when Lan Xichen was around. As for the legendary sword Crystal Heart, it was locked away in a room where no one could enter, where the sword remained beating like a heart...

... After that day... The Lan Clan wasn't the same... If only something could bring back that lost energy...

... Anything at all...

Welp! That was quite the ride of emotions right? This concludes the book of "The Untamed: Crystal Heart"! A kind reminder that "The Untamed" series as well as their characters belong to their rightful owner, I only own the made up characters and the plot.

Thank you SO MUCH for reading!❤

... Or is it the end?...