Wei Wuxian's eyes darted up like a bunny's who had heard something unexpected. During his two year stay in Yunmeng, he had learnt the history of the clans and sects in the continent he was currently living in, but had never even heard of countries and kingdoms from the other continent in any of those classes. It was no surprise, since the places were so far apart and the Jiang Sect focused more on practical classes rather than history classes.

However, the Lan Sect was different. The Lan Sect was like a library that collected knowledge and books from all over the world. They took pride in their vast knowledge, and their prudence that came with wisdom. Wei Wuxian already expected that such a clan would have records or scrolls about his homeland's history, but actually hearing it excited him. He didn't even get to finish grinning when Lan Qiren continued,

"Of course, none of you other than Wangji would know. No clans other than our Lan Clan record the history of the other continent. So listen carefully. The Kingdom of Banyue was one that was established in the Gobi deserts. It was the first country to prosper from trading and marketing, and using their renowned strong soldiers as mercenaries. However, the rise of the economy attracted the attention of another kingdom, Yong'an. Now, Yong'an was another nation which had been established for hundreds of years. They were the one dominating the business and economy in the continent, thus, the emergence of a new nation was nothing but a hindrance to them. For a long time, the merchants of the two countries fought- for goods, the market, the customers. Banyue only had trading as its source of income, yet Yong'an was not letting it go. Thus, in a few years, war broke out between the two kingdoms. After fifty years of the prolonged war, the Yong'an kingdom won and thus, destroyed the Banyue Kingdom."

The students in the class overworked their hands to take notes on what Lan Qiren said, as they might be part of the test. Only Wei Wuxian listened with a frown; he had heard about the war between Yong'an and the Kingdom of Banyue but all he heard were in the form of bedtime stories or just stories when he was younger. He had never heard it to be interpreted in this way. Wei Wuxian did not know whether it was true or not, since the time when his sister Banyue joined the war, it was already decades after it started and he had never asked anything about how the war started. He took a mental note to later ask Xie Lian or Hua Cheng about this.

"For those who are not taking any notes on my lecture, I believe you are able to answer all the questions related to this topic in the test," said Lan Qiren.

In the class, the hearts of almost all the students visibly dropped to the floor. Only Wei Wuxian let out a yawn as he sat with his elbow on the desk, propping his chin up.

The next few weeks followed monotonous history classes, necessary-for-all-cultivators etiquette classes, revision on the ancestry of the great five clans, weekly repetition of the rules of the Lan Clan and more monotonous classes. By this point, Wei Wuxian was wondering whether it would have been better to have just stayed behind at Yunmeng since he was just a guest disciple. He came by beating every inner disciple that wanted to come except for Jiang Wanyin. Even then, Yu Ziyuan refused to accept that he was qualified to go, and so they had to leave without Yu Ziyuan sending them off. Wei Wuxian felt a little guilty for Jiang Wanyin since she was his mother. However, Jiang Yanli did send them off. She even gave them a lot of snacks and pocket money to spend while they were there. Wei Wuxian guessed that must have made Jiang Wanyin feel better.

"Wei Wuxian! ARE YOU EVEN LISTENING IN MY CLASS?! How dare you look around while I'm teaching!"

The vociferous roar from Lan Qiren brought Wei Wuxian back from his thoughts and some other students back from their slumber.

"How would I dare, Lan shifu! I'm listening carefully to everything you teach!" 'It's been the same story about Jiejie's Kingdom for the whole week!' Wei Wuxian smiled broadly as he said.

"Fine then. Close your book. When was the year the war between Yong'an and Banyue started?"

"The 523th year of the Kingdom of Yong'an [1]"

"When did it end?"

"The 586th year."

"Who was the general that led the troops to victory?"

Wei Wuxian smiled, "General Pei Su of the Yong'an army."

Lan Qiren continued although his brows were twitching, "Which tactics did he use to win?"

"General Pei Su led an army of two thousand soldiers into the capital of Banyue Kingdom and with unceasing spirit and perseverance, he fought until he had captured the enemy general."

"Fine. All of you should know this by now since I've covered all of them the past weeks. Now I shall tell you a history that has only been recorded by our ancestors."

Lan Qiren cleared his throat and continued the class.

"As you all know, Yong'an is a kingdom that had been established hundreds of years before Banyue was even a small village. So why could the Kingdom of Banyue, a small country that is like a new-born child compared to Yong'an, withstand the attacks of such a big country for such a long time? － This is where you'll learn the difference between righteousness and wickedness. So listen well."

Lan Qiren stood up from his seat. He walked among the disciples with his hands placed elegantly on the back of his waist. He continued his lecture,

"First, the war was not beneficial to Yong'an. The Kingdom of Yong'an was already rich and ruled over a large territory, almost all of the eastern half of the continent. Thus, it is believed that this war was just to distract their rivals in business, the Banyue Kingdom, so that they could do their business without any interference from them. That is the reason Yong'an was not serious in dealing with Banyue. They would only send out small troops and prolong the war."

"Second, the soldiers of the Banyue Kingdom were strong. They were originally from the desert and have great perseverance and stamina. Thus, even if their numbers were small, they could fend off the Yong'an for long."

"And lastly, there wasn't any significant reason for Yong'an to conquer Banyue up until the year 580th."

Lan Qiren stood before all the disciples in the Orchid room. His strict, rigid eyes glancing over them.

"Can anyone tell me what happened in the year 580th?"

A disciple from the front rows and in purple garbs raised his hand up.

"A woman who was the master of scorpion snakes became the Guoshi of Banyue Kingdom."

"Good."

It was Jiang Wanyin who answered. Wei Wuxian looked over and gave a raised brow while his eyes glinted mischievousness. The former ignored him despite the veins popping up on his temple.

"A woman who wielded devious arts came to Banyue. She could summon thousands of vicious scorpion snakes, which are extremely poisonous with a snake's body and a scorpion-like tail. Just one bite or sting from it could kill you in less than a day. The people of Banyue worshiped her like a master, a savior. She did indeed help them by joining the war. Using the malicious acts, her snakes defeated the soldiers of Yong'an vastly.
Ever since she joined the war, more and more people died on the field and Yong'an suffered many losses. For a few years, it seemed like the Kingdom of Banyue was making progress in its advance. But the reality was far from it. The Guoshi of Banyue was a devil in disguise."

Wei Wuxian blinked and listened but he couldn't make sense of what Lan Qiren was saying no matter what.

"The Guoshi of Banyue used her wicked powers to fool the King of Banyue and pretended to be on their side. Whilst in reality, she just used them for her demonic arts. The Kingdom of Banyue did make progress in the war, but along with that, the population in the country dropped drastically as well. The number of deaths only increased after her appearance. Thus, in the latter years, the army of Banyue could not be supported well by its citizens and had to fall back to their capital. And, in that same year, General Pei Su bravely led his troops into the capital and ended the reign of the devilish woman."

"As I've told you all, History is where we learn to avoid making mistakes in life. If the Kingdom of Banyue had not depended on a person who cultivated demonic arts, it would not have been destroyed. The only outcome of demonic arts is that they bring disaster to all living things. We as cultivators have a birth-given duty to protect the common people. We protect the people by fighting off ghosts, demons and monsters. The most basic rule you must never forget as a cultivator is to not give in to the temptations of the demonic arts. Therefore, remember the story of the Kingdom of Banyue and never trust a demonic cultivator."

Wei Wuxian's brows frowned at the words that were too inconceivable for him.

"WAIT, WAIT, WAIT, WAIT. Lan Shifu, how... how are you saying that Jie...I mean the Guoshi of Banyue was a wicked person?"

Lan Qiren glanced irritatedly at the loud discorteous boy. The boy was asking frantically as if he wanted to come up to the stage and punch him in the gut. Nevertheless, Lan Qiren was an experienced teacher. It was not his first time dealing with a rebellious student. One or two harsh punishments and scoldings and they would all become a presentable gentleman at least.

"As I've said, from the year that woman took charge, the death rate of people increased."

"People are already dying from the war. Why would they decide that it's unacceptable only far later? Why is it being called a wicked thing only when she appeared?!"

Wei Wuxian urged again. A small crack appeared in the small desk in front of him from the sheer pressure his hands were putting on it.

"If she hadn't appeared, then would the Kingdom of Banyue be destroyed? It is because of her that the Kingdom was destroyed, to the point that no one was left alive."

"The Kingdom of Banyue... was planning to use themselves as bombs to blow up the people of Yong'an. The Guoshi knew this, and BECAUSE...because she didn't want any more deaths to appear, she stopped them. She... She is the one who despises meaningless deaths more than anyone..."

Words after words came pouring out of Wei Wuxian through a trembling voice. The ridiculous slander towards his sister made his blood boil. Knowing the truth, it was even more preposterous. Yet, because of the promise he made with his fathers, he could not reveal his identity that easily as well. He knew that if either Xie Lian or Hua Cheng heard about this, they would not stop until all those scrolls containing those ridiculous stories in the Lan Library were all burned to dust. However, for now, he could only defend her this way. His sister who worked hard to prevent meaningless deaths, who had been feeling guilty for years thinking she caused General Hua's death, she who sacrificed herself over and over again for the sake of other people... Wei Wuxian's voice only trembled more as his thoughts increased.

"Wei Wuxian! I have no idea where you got such a ridiculous idea. However, the more unacceptable thing is that you're defending the demonic woman! Have you no dignity!?"

Lan Qiren yelled at Wei Wuxian as he slammed his table. His eyes seemed to flare as he pointed at the black-robed boy and scolded.

"The wicked will always be wicked. Demonic cultivation will always bring disaster to the world. If you don't have that much basic sense in your head, get out of my class right now!"

A loud screech came as Wei Wuxian abruptly stood from his place and walked out of the Orchid room, stomping without looking back. All the students had their heads down, some praising the braveness of Wei Wuixan, some cowering at the fury of Lan Qiren. Jiang Wanyin slapped himself in the face, thinking how he should solve this problem. And one particular student among this group of students, a boy in all white who sat at the most front row seat and who listened the most attentively to Wei Wuxian's retorts at Lan Qiren, was quietly looking at the way Wei Wuxian left. Nobody noticed him, not even Lan Qiren, since his posture did not waver even for a second. His eyes, however, followed the black-robed boy unknowingly, before he reconducted himself and looked forward again.

"Inexperience is not a sin, however, ignorance is. Even more so with such arrogance!" Lan Qiren raged. He couldn't believe there was a student who believed demonic cultivators can be good, and even came up with a ridiculous excuse! "Such free spirit will only cause your downfall! None of you shall repeat the same atrocious manners. Remember from the bottom of your heart: Neither ghosts nor demonic cultivators can ever be good."

"Oi! Why did you have to say that in class? Now the old goat is all pissed off. You can spout as much nonsense at Lotus Pier, but why here?"

Jiang Wanyin said aloud, as he spotted Wei Wuxian laying idly on the top of a tree. He just finished Lan Qiren's class and had to endure the mad teacher's rigorous lecture for more than an hour. Behind him followed a dark-brown robed boy, his head hanging as if his soul had left the body. Nie Huaisang carried Wei Wuxian's scrolls and utensils back from the class as he toggled behind Jiang Wanyin.

"Whatever! I don't care. He's the one who's spouting nonsense."

Wei Wuxian retorted from atop the tree branch, not even moving the two arms he had used as pillows. Jiang Wanyin's eyebrow twitched again, suddenly feeling the urge to pull the guy down the tree from his leg.

"IN ANY CASE, we're at the Lan Sect. You can't just openly disrespect the most prestigious elder of their clan. Mind your manners. Since you're coming as a representative of YunmengJiang Sect, you have your responsibility to not damage our Sect's name. And, GET DOWN FROM THERE."

Jiang Wanyin said each word clearly as he walked towards the tree Wei Wuxian was using as a bed. Wei Wuxian didn't even look back or even flinch a bit at Jiang Wanyin's words, making the purple-robed boy twitch with anger. Wei Wuxian still didn't move even as he reached right beneath the place where he was sleeping; making him finally snap and thrashed his arm towards the sleeping guy's leg.

"Fine. Fine. I'll stay out of the way."

Jiang Wanyin reached the branch but Wei Wuxian was already behind his back. He threw another punch at him but Wei Wuxian carved his body and went behind Nie Huaisang.

"Huaisang! You brought my stuff. Thanks!"

"Ah. It's no big deal, Wei-xiong! Actually I have a favour to ask..."

"Oh? What do you wanna ask?"

"Don't think about slacking around or sneaking out to get alcohol these days. The old man assigned you to copy the virtue part of 'Righteousness' for three times. Apparently because your virtues are flawed." Jiang Wanyin said, giving a glare at Wei Wuxian.

"What?! What does that have to do with copying the rules!??" Wei Wuxian made a face as if he just witnessed a cat barking.

"Me Me ME! I mean I can copy them for you Wei-xiong!" Nie Huaisang blurted out while holding his hand up, desperately waving in a way.

Wei Wuxian curled up his lips at the grand offer, "Oh ho. I'm listening. What's the catch?"

"That's... Um... as you know Wei-xiong, Lan-shifu likes to test his students about all the materials in his class, a lot in that. And! And, I've actually been studying even before I came here but I really can't keep up with his lectures. And, my brother will kill me if I get a failing grade! So... Wei-xiong, I just wish you would help me a bit when it's time for..."

"SHuush!"

Nie Haisang was desperately pleading his case when Jiang Wanyin suddenly shushed him. He was startled but all three of them understood the situation when they all panned to the direction Jiang Wanyin was looking at.

The second young master of Gusu, a talented prodigy revered as the one of the twin jades, Lan Wangji was standing within a certain distance from them, fairly distant but for a cultivator like him, it was possible that he heard their conversation. The air seemed to drop a few degrees around his frosty expression. The three boys noticed that his cold eyes were definitely looking impassively at their direction. Nie Huaisang was already shaking, thinking Lan Wangji might have heard his conversation and decided to punish him. He tried his best to stay quiet, and not make a sound.

"Wangji-xiong! Are you coming this way?"

Surprise to both the trembling Nie Huaisang and frowning Jiang Wanyin, Wei Wuxian waved towards Lan Wangji with a bright smile. So bright that it looked like he was greeting an old friend. Lan Wangji stopped and stood there for a second, but without a single change in his expression, he turned and left, disappearing from their sight.

"I guess he's not interested in me at all."

Wei Wuxian lamented sorrowfully.

"Of course he isn't. He's most definitely pissed off at you, like his uncle." Jiang Wanyin said, looking at Wei Wuxian as if he was looking at a dog meowing.

"What did I do?? I just waved at him." Wei Wuxian replied like he was being wronged.

"What the hell are you trying to do? Lan Wangji is in charge of punishments and discipline at the Lan Sect. I heard he's even more strict than my mother. You'll be in serious trouble if you cross him further." Jiang Wanyin said.

"What?! He can't be that bad. He's our age, isn't he? I'm just trying to teach him how to have some fun in life." Wei Wuxian replied.

"And that monk-like guy would listen to a scoundrel like you? Stop wasting your time." Jiang Wanyin shrugged, rolling his eyes.

"But you have to admit. It's fun." Wei Wuxian replied with a wink.

"Sometimes I do not understand what the heck is going on inside your head." Jiang Wanyin said, with a face like he just stepped on dog poop.

"Hahahahah! You're just too young and slow-witted to appreciate my greatness."

"WHAT FUCKING GREATNESS. Tch. Get back here, you freaking piece of shit!"

"Hahahahhahahah!"

The following weeks, Wei Wuxian chose to sit at the back corner of the class, furthest from Lan Qiren's table. And, one would always see him lying with his head on his arm, taking a nap, probably even dreaming.

[1] – Please note that this is just the author's imagination according to the two novels. It probably makes no sense so, please don't dwell too much on it. >P<