Chapter 4

Wen Ning: "Ng..."

Wen Ning flinched in discomfort, this alarmed everyone within the room. He shook his head furiously, loosing his balance in the process making Shizui run up to him and help him be still, but When Ning still kept shaking. Before Shizui could ask if he was okay, he noticed how the curse marks were extending and dark energy started looming out of him. This alarmed everyone even more, making them stand up and ready their swords. Xichen moved Zhēn behind him while Wangji stood infront of the Grand Master who also stood up alarmed.

Lan Jingyi: "Shizui! Get back!"

Jingyi grabbed Shizui and pulled him away, and he did so just in time before Wen Ning's eyes turned completely black.

Wen Ning (looking at Zhēn): "Diamond... core..."

Wen Ning stretched his arm as to reach for Lan Zhēn, but his arm was immediately caught by Jiang Cheng's Purple Lightning wip and swinged Wen Ning out of the room. Thrown out, Wen Ning stood his ground and didn't let go of the wip, pulling Jiang Cheng out of the room as well, smashing him towards the wooden walls from the building in front of the Yashi room.

Jin Ling (alarmed): "Uncle!"

Jin Ling ran over to his Uncle's aid and protected him until his Uncle was in good enough state. Wen Ning looked back to everyone else and used his chains to try and take Lan Zhēn, but Childe Ouyang prevented this by using his sword to block the chains from getting the her. Unfortunately, that didn't stop Wen Ning from using his chains continuously; one of the chains was being used to prevent anyone from getting near him while the other is focused in eliminating his obstacles so he could get Lan Zhēn, in which he was little by little succeeding, eliminating disciple by disciple until he was able to reach the Leaders and start eliminating them too. Seeing that the situation is worsening, Lan Xichen took out his Liebing flute and started playing it, Wangi saw his brother's intention and took out his Guqin, playing it as well to help his brother calm Wen Ning. The music was effective and slowed Wen Ning's attacks, the music even paralyzed him, but it was loosing it's effects in a matter of seconds; his curse marks were growing more, thus making him stronger, the music's effectiveness getting weaker and weaker with each pulse his corrupted veins made. The disciples took this opportunity to stop Wen Ning from doing further damage and used the killer string technic to tie him up; even though they succeeded, Wen Ning was still stronger and it was visible that the disciples were having a hard time trying to restrain him, even the disciples from other Clans were trying to help in restraining Wen Ning. Lan Zhēn knew this wasn't going to end very well, so she decided to investigate what's going on in her own way, so she quickly escaped her father's grasp and ran to Wen Ning completely ignoring her father's desperate calls; she neared Wen Ning until she was able to grab his head. Searching as to what triggered the poor man by connecting her mind with his...

Only to see a corrupted Wei Wuxian in nothing but a void of darkness, slowly turning around, revealing his black eyes.

Lan Zhēn: "*small gasp*"

Wen Ning: "GrrrrAAAAAAH!"

Wen Ning broke through the ties, the force pushing everyone around him while Lan Zhēn only jumped back, Wen Ning stretched his hand out to grab her, but she reacted faster. She concentrated a bit of her core's power into her hands making them glow and docked quickly as to face Wen Ning's chest/abdomen, she then quickly made a special seal on him. Resulting in knocking Wen Ning out cold and blocking anything from controlling him for, what she explained, was for 1 hour.

Lan Xichen: "Zhēn!" (Gets her attention) "Don't ever run away like that. Wen Ning almost had you, who knows what could've happened if he caught you."

Lan Zhēn was about to speak, but Shizui spoke first.

Lan Shizui (next to Wen Ning): "What happened?..." (Looks at his Leader) "What made bro Ning do this?"

Lan Zhēn: "Because he's being called."

Everyone looked at Lan Zhēn in confusion.

Lan Wangji: "Called?" (Lan Zhēn nodded) "By Wei Ying?"

This made Jiang Cheng look at her in worry. Lan Zhēn shook her head with a worried look and slowly looked at her Uncle.

Lan Zhēn: "By Chenqing."

Everyone got more confused by this.

Lan Xichen (concerned): "Zhēn. What do you mean by Chenqing?"

Lan Zhēn: "Predecessor Wei has been cursed by Chenqing, (*gasps*) and it's slowly taking over his body. If we don't get him in time and take away the curse, we will loose Predecessor Wei forever."

Jiang Cheng (panicked): "But I think he's been cursed before, can't he survive it like he did back then?"

Lan Zhēn: "We're talking about Chenqing herself, not some simple curse from some random location. Both her and Predecesor Wei are bonded together, so this case is different. What's worse is, since Predecessor Wei is mediocre, he doesn't have the sufficient energy to fight her back this time, nor does she have a core to take energy from... So, she takes his life instead." (Everyone tenses and gasps) "If we don't save him in time, Chenqing will take absolute control of Predecessor Wei's body, making it hers and do whatever she pleases, including taking away A-Ning."

Jiang Cheng: "How far is he, and how long do we have before it's too late?"

Lan Zhēn: "I'm afraid we only have 20 minutes to save him, and he's still too far. We won't be able to make it in time by foot nor by horse."

Everyone then started poundering and thinking of a way to save Wei Wuxian's life.

Lan Zhēn: "But!" (Grabs everyones attention) "I can teleport maximum 3 people at the same time towards where Predecessor Wei is located. I think it's best that my father and Uncle comes with me to save him." (They nodded)

Jiang Cheng: "Let me help too!"

Lan Zhēn: "Yes! It's best if you come too. After all... He might need his brother's encouragement, he'll very much need you Clan Leader Jiang."

Jiang Cheng tensed from her words, getting worried as to why Wei Wuxian would need him, Wei Ying barely ever needed him for anything. Lan Zhēn turns to Shizui who stood up right when their eyes connected.

Lan Zhēn: "Shizui. Go to my spot at the Pavilion Library where you'll find the list of medications and make the #36 as fast yet precise as possible and immediately go to the Cold Cave behind the Cold Pond. Jingyi! Go help Shizui with the medicine in case he needs help."

Both Shizui and Jingyi nodded while bowing and quickly left to prepare the medicine.

Lan Zhēn: "Everyone else stays here and waits for my father's return, he will explain you later as to what happened and what the current situation is at the moment."

Everyone nodded; and with that, the three men and Lan Zhēn left, the men following the Princess towards the place she said it would be best to save Wei Wuxian. Jiang Cheng, seeing how the Princess and everyone else got in the cave with ease, he followed.

*SMACK*

*thump*

Lan Zhēn (panicked): "GOODNESS I'm SO sorry! I forgot you didn't have a headband!"

Wangji and Xichen came out of the cave after hearing the painful sound of a hit, only to see the Clan Leader of the Jiang Clan on floor looking like he got a concussion. Wangji hurried and helped his niece to gently lift the unbalanced man up; while Wangji held Jiang Cheng steadily on his feet, Lan Zhēn placed her two glowing fingers unto his forehead. A few seconds later when she removed her fingers, his forehead had a glowing dot (AN: Like the ones the rabbits had).

Lan Zhēn: "There. Now you have a temporary headband that will last for only one hour, alright?"

Back to normal, Jiang Cheng nodded and all of them went inside the cave. Lan Zhēn then dissipated the first female head, Lan Yi's Guqin and rised/extended the sides of the place where the Guqin was placed as to make it more fittable for a human body to be placed on, adding a few curves to it such as where the back will be located.

Lan Zhēn: "Alright!" (Pleased with her work) (She turns to the men) "Here's the plan, I will open a teleportation portal for Uncle and Clan Leader Jiang to get in, the both of you will grab Predecesor Wei and then place him here. Since Chengqing will do anything to keep the body to herself, even if it means fracturing the body, father will be holding his head to make sure no damages will be made to his brain nor cranium. Got it?"

Everyone nodded at this. After this response, Lan Zhēn turned around and made a few small hand movements making her hands glow; after her final hand movement, she moved a small flat circle of light towards the empty space in front of her, only for a portal to appear.

Lan Zhēn (while holding the portal open): "One last thing! (This stopped the men) Predecessor Wei is already experiencing mayor damage on his body, internally speaking; so please, do as little damage as possible to him. All I need you guys to do, is to grab him and place him here (signalling the table), got it? (They nodded) Now GO!"

After this being said, the two men entered the portal and teleported to a green field. Once there, they could see fighting up ahead, but the fight stopped once they neared.

The Lan Disciples: "Hanguang Jun!"

After getting a closer look, they saw how a corrupted Wei Wuxian turns around to them with black eyes, soon grinning and chuckling at them once their eyes met, his voice being mixed with a feminine voice. The few disciples that were awake looked exhausted and hurt. The two men were hurt, seeing Wei Wuxian like this, they looked at eachother and nodded, they turned to the corrupted man again and ran to him.

Wei Wuxian/Chengqing: "GrrrAAAH!"

After her roar, Chengqing began to fight the two men and did not give up in any way, this resulted them semi-wrestling for about 8 minutes until Lan Wangji and Jiang Cheng were finally able to hold Wei Wuxian strongly. Two disciples decided to try and help the superiors and went to the portal with them (separately). Once they entered, Wei Wuxian was basically pinned to the table by all the men around him; Lan Wangji and Jiang Cheng were holding his arms and shoulders, Lan Xichen held his head, and the two disciples held his legs.

Lan Zhēn (serious): "Hello Chengqing, it's a pleasure."

Wei Wuxian/Chengqing: "Diamond core."

Lan Zhēn: "I'm sorry, but I believe that body does not belong to you."

Wei Wuxian/Chengqing hissed/growled at her presence and wrestled harder, fully knowing what's going to happen.

Jiang Cheng (surprised/confused): "W-what are you doing?!"

Jiang Cheng asked in utter shock and confusion after seeing Lan Zhēn undoing Wei Wuxian's clothes.

Lan Zhēn: "I can't take Chengqing out of his body if there are clothes in the way, him having skin, muscles and veins already makes it hard for me. Any more layers and I won't be able to fully get her out, especially when Predecessor Wei's clothes are as black as her energy, I won't be able see well."

After Wei Wuxian's chest is revealed, everyone witnessed a big dark spot on his abdomen where the core is supposed to be, veins pulsing with dark energy. Lan Zhēn then 'drew' a pattern on the spot and placed the two glowing fingers of her two hands on the center, but before she could lift her right hand...

Lan Zhēn: "I'm going to extract Chengqing from out of Predecessor Wei's body now... Whatever you do, do not let go of him nor loosen your grip, got it?"

Everyone nodded, but she then gave Jiang Cheng and her Uncle a stern look.

Lan Zhēn: "Clan Leader Jiang, Uncle. Predecessor Wei is going to go through a lot of pain, I need you both to stay strong, alright? This procedure will almost be like taking a core out, so this will take a bit of time and patience, and I need him to stay still; otherwise, Predecessor Wei will die during the extraction... After all, he's a mediocre man. Am I clear?"

They hesitantly nodded and, after one last "Be strong" from the Princess...

The extraction started...

Just like Lan Zhēn warned, Wei Wuxian went through that oh so painfully familiar pain, similar to the one he went through that day. It was noticeable that Wei Ying tried to be strong and fight Chengqing off, but he either way screamed in absolute pain; after all, it wasn't a core that was being taken out, it was Chengqing... And she was practically 'clawing' his spirit and body as to not be taken out. This wasn't going well for the poor already weakened man, but for Jiang Cheng and Lan Wangji... It was pure torture and horror. They never thought they would see the strong happy man they are used to see, as a man crying in absolute pain. Suddenly, Lan Zhēn's words echoed through Jiang Cheng's head of this extraction being similar to the core extraction. Did Wei Wuxian go through this pain just to give him happiness? As much as he tried to distract his mind from what's going on, he would only be pulled back again by his brother's agonizing screams.

Wei Wuxian (pained): "*SCREAM*"

That one final scream had Wei Wuxian tremble, shake, gasp for air, and sob in pain. They slowly looked to a sweating princess with a ball of smokey darkness on her two glowing fingers, the dark ball pulsing in dark energy, filled with absolute hatred in being extracted. She took the flute that fell from Wei Wuxian's now trembling hand and placed Chengqing within the flute, she then formed a seal mist bubble around the flute and made it rise. The flute was now sealed...

Jiang Cheng (softly/teary): "Wei Wuxian."

Jiang Cheng stayed strong, forbidding his tears from escaping his eyes at the sight of his brother's pain. His right hand gripping Wei Wuxian's left as if it were the last time they would grip each other's hands, while his other kept pushing away Wei Wuxian's tears, despite the tears continuously coming out.

Jiang Cheng (shaky): "Come on... You've handled this once, and I'm sure you can handle it again... Okay?"

Jiang Cheng kept giving words of encouragement to his quivering brother; while all Wangji was able to do, was returning his partner's grip (A/N: all I know from the animation is that they ended up married?), placing the back of Wei Wuxian's right hand unto his chest where his heart was located, hoping it would calm the both of them down... But all Wei Wuxian could do, was to try to be strong, keep breathing and to just stay alive in general.

Lan Xichen (worried): "Zhēn. Is there anything we can do to calm him down? He's breathing too heavily. At this rate, he'll start hyperventilating."

Lan Zhēn: "He's not breathing like this just because of the pain, he's also just trying to breathe. His body lacks the energy to work properly and he's fighting to stay awake because he knows that if he falls asleep now, in this condition... he'll die."

This alarmed everyone greatly.

Lan Zhēn: "Which is why I need that medicine I ordered Shizui to ma-"

Lan Shizui: "WE'RE HERE!"

Both Shizui and Jingyi ran inside towards their Lady.

Lan Zhēn: "Quickly YET GENTLY! Help Predecessor Wei slightly sit up so he can drink the medicine."

Lan Zhēn had to yell the rest so she could calm the two men's nerves and not give Wei Wuxian a stroke or something from sudden movements. Jiang Cheng's nerves were already too high end, so Wangji had to do it, not that he complained.

Lan Zhēn: "Predecessor Wei. You need to drink the entire thing, that way, your body will be able to rest and heal in a faster pace. Don't worry, I assure you that you'll be fine."

Lan Wangji then helped Wei Wuxian drink the medicine in which he spat a bit at first; Lan Zhēn soon apologized after the wounded man's reaction, remembering she forgot to warn him that the medicine was extremely bitter. After that, Lan Wangji gently laid Wei Wuxian down, both men holding his hands, feeling how Wei Ying little by little lost his grip on their hands, signaling them that he is now fast asleep.

Lan Xichen (worried): "For how long will Young Master Wei be asleep?"

Lan Zhēn: "Until his body says it's ready to wake up. He's too weak to be awake, that's why I told Shizui to make that medicine."

Jiang Cheng (concerned): "What was that medicine?"

Lan Zhēn: "It relaxes both mind and body to the point where the person who digest it falls into a deep slumber immediately, which means that the person will be unable to feel any pain or anything at all that's happening in their surrounding. It's mainly used for patients with critical and even life threatening wounds... The medicine will only wear off if the person who digested it is either completely healed or almost fully healed; and by almost, I mean a 90%. Think of it as a medicine that can put someone in a coma, but that it only works if the body accepts it and as we can all see, his body accepted it immediately."

Jiang Cheng nodded, while Lan Wangji only stared at Wei Wuxian's weak body. Shizui neared and saw his father figure in such a bad state, making him shake in fear. Fear of loosing him again. Lan Zhēn quickly walked towards Shizui and grabbed his hand, the action taking Shizui's attention immediately. She gave him a reassuring smile as to show him her support, while the only thing he could do was to give her a sad smile and a few tears. This broke Lan Zhēn deeply, making her to quickly yet lovingly hug the poor man in hopes of showing him more of her support; Shizui not seeing a reason why as to reject the hug, he hugged back tightly. Jingyi walked to his Leader and bowed.

Lan Jingyi: "Zewu Jun. Shall I go and inform the other Clan Leaders what happened?"

Lan Xichen: "No, I'll do it. You go and gather some guards to keep watch over Young Master Wei from in and out of the cave while he sleeps, but make sure they come here with warm blankets, since he will be staying here for a while."

Jiang Cheng (not turning): "No, I don't think that would be necessary. I would like to bring him back to Lotus Pier and be in charge of his recovery, I have good Doctors as well as medicine at my Clan."

Lan Zhēn: "That's where I'm going to have to stop you there."

Lan Zhēn let go of Shizui, her rejection catching his attention immediately.

Lan Zhēn: "The reason why I decided to to do the extraction here, is because the cave is filled to the brim with good spiritual energy. Right now, his body is sucking the energy from the cave, one sip at a time. Consider the energy this cave provides as his body's medicine. If you get him out, by all means go ahead; but let me warn you, Predecessor Wei will not survive a single second out there... and he will die immediately right after taken out."

Jiang Cheng 'tched', his hand still gripping his brother's, but gentler as to not harm his hand.

Lan Xichen: "Clan Leader Jiang, you can come here for as many times as you'd like, you have my permission to do so; I'll even be willing to give you a headband so you can come visit Young Master Wei in the cave at any time."

Jiang Cheng sighed, but nonetheless nodded while staring at his brother's sleeping form. Xichen then excused himself and left to tell everyone what happened, Shizui following his Leader to see if Wen Ning was alright and Jingyi left to follow his Leader's orders.

Lan Zhēn (towards the disciples): "As for the two of you, since it's late and you both need to rest and heal from today's event, I won't ask; but I'm hoping you will explain what happened first thing in the morning. Am I understood?"

Both disciples bowed, their Princess then ordered them to go get the rest by horse and to take a carriage with them for the most wounded disciples. After this being ordered, they once more bowed and left.

Jiang Cheng: "Miss Lan."

Lan Zhēn: "Yes Clan Leader Jiang?"

Jiang Cheng: "Was this extraction truly the same one as a core extraction?"

Lan Zhēn gripped her sleeves in discomfort, not wanting to say anything more. Seeing that the Clan Leader of Jiang Clan was already destroyed enough, as well as her dear Uncle.

Lan Zhēn: "I-I think it's best if someone else tells you more. Either way, that question is not for me... Nor for Wen Ning. But I can assure you! It's just similar to a core extraction."

Jiang Cheng (turns): "Then for who is the question? All I'm asking is for a simple yes or no."

Lan Zhēn: "I'm afraid that the answer you're looking for is not a simple answer, Clan Leader Jiang. As for who can answer that question, you'll find out yourself in the future. You'll know it's the person when you meet them."

Lan Zhēn then bowed and walked to the exit, but before she left...

Lan Zhēn: "You have 26 minutes left before your temporary 'headband' disappears, and for the cave to push you out."

With this being said, she left the two men with the sleeping man laying on the ice table.

"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 for reading!❤