Chapter 167 - Ghost King

Weapons. There were so many that each students' eyes could not stay at one. Their eyes roamed and their lips grinned because today they will receive their weapon.

"It's a good thing Jade Emperor was fine parting with so many weapons," Han Mo whispered.

Zhang Xu Lan stared at his twin blades and back over at the rack of heavenly touched weapons. He wondered if his blades were also gifted by the Jade Emperor, or if this was just ordinary ones. His black eyes looked over at his father, who was currently explaining the different kinds of weapons. He remembered receiving them when he was only 15 and he remembered the weight it carried.

'But father never told me where he received them,' the pink haired man thought.

"Xu Lan," the voice of his raven-haired uncle spoke up near him and he stood straight.

There was something about this uncle that made him fearful, excited, and preened from his attention.

"Uncle Li."

"What do you call your blades?"

"Blades."

"…"

"…"

He watched the amusement in silver eyes as his uncle laughed, covering his lips for a moment.

"Just like Ah Yue," Wang Li mumbled before holding his hand out for the blades, "May I?"

The pink haired boy nodded and handed him one of his twin swords. Wang Li hummed as what he thought came to fruition. His eyes slid over to the redhead for a moment, before placing the weapon back into the pinkette's hand.

"I knew from the moment you were born, that you were different, Lan-er, special."

"Uh, thanks," Xu Lan flushed a bit.

"You know this, do you not?"

He didn't reply. Of course, he knew he was different. His father coddled him, made sure to steer him in the right path, the righteous one. But his father didn't know the itch he had since he was seven. His father did not know of the thoughts plaguing his mind. No one did. He hid it well, but Uncle Li…

"When you wish to, Lan-er, you may come to me," he felt fingers tucked his fallen strands, "I will understand."

"You mean…"

"I will not tell, nephew, but I can see it festering."

Zhang Xu Lan dropped his head in shame, but his uncle lifted his chin and smiled like he understood, he knew.

"Is something wrong, Lan-er?"

Xu Lan turned to his father with a grin, "Nothing is wrong father. Do you think they are ready for blades?"

"Your uncle thinks so," the redhead glanced over at the blonde walking over, "I think they are still inexperienced."

"No one is of Xu Lan's status. You should not compare," Wang Li stated and the pinkette grinned widely, while the redhead frowned deeply.

"I know no one compares to my son, Ghost King."

"…"

"…"

"Ghost… Ghost King?" Xu Lan questioned blinking with widened eyes.

Ying Yue, who was nearing them, only heard the last part of what was said. Quickly standing beside his husband, he looked around to make sure the students did not hear and let out a relieved sigh.

Han Mo had immersed them in a tale and he was glad.

"Lan-er…"

"You…" the pinkette stumbled on his words and Xu Ling wanted to slap his own forehead for forgetting his mouth.

"Son-"

"The Great Death… that was your fault? Uncle Li… you…"

"If you continue, I will kill your father."

Zhang Xu Lan's eyes widened and he stepped before his father with shaky arms, but his feet were firmly pressed on the ground. He held his blades before him, ready to fight if he had to.

His uncle, Uncle Li, was a murderer, a killer, the one that brought the world to death.

He felt the hands on his shoulders, heavy, grounding, but he was on edge. He had to stop his uncle. Why wasn't Uncle Yue stepping away from his husband? Why wasn't his father pulling out his blade? He didn't understand. Wasn't the Ghost King the enemy? Wasn't Uncle Li the bad guy?

"Lan-er, breathe."

The platinum blonde said softly and he tried, but breathing was hard. Everything felt like it was closing in and he just… he just had to leave! Taking a step on wobbly legs, he stumbled against his father and suddenly felt heat rushing through his forehead. He tried to move away, but he was held firmly. He could hear his students calling out to him with worry lacing their voice, yet all he could focus on was the palm on his forehead.

When the palm moved, he moved with it before the searing heat was gone. He felt heavy, tired, and dizzy.

"Master Zhang! Master Zhang!"

His black eyes stared into eyes and he hummed his acknowledgment.

"Are you sick?" They crowded him but his father told them to give him space. He heard light footsteps neared him and he watched the female crouched down.

"Master Zhang, some tea to help."

He didn't take the teacup. He didn't thank her. He didn't tell his students he was fine. All he did was stare at his uncle's silver eyes, too afraid death may come to those near him if he were to speak up. Wang Li watched the pinkette's wide black eyes staring at him, as he finished pulling some of the boy's darkness inside him. Exhaling slowly through his nose, he looked over to his wife to see worry etched along his beautiful face.

"Lan-er," Wang Li spoke softly and the pinkette flinched, "I will tell you of my past tonight. Your father may join us if you would like."

He turned and headed to the roof, putting distance between the grown boy. Ying Yue looked at his nephew, still wide eyed in fear of his husband, and kneeled at the child's level.

"Ah Lan. Everything will be alright. I promise."

"But Uncle Yue…"

Ying Yue shook his head and offered a smile, "Tonight we shall speak."

Snow had meowed softly, pushing through the crowd of students to nuzzle against the pink haired man. Xu Lan watched the big cat rubbing against him with big blue eyes staring up into his black ones. He wrapped his arms around the snow leopard and stuffed his face against the thick fur.

"It looks like Master Zhang isn't feeling well," Han Mo spoke up and then lowered his voice at the students, "What do we plan to make him feel better?"