Back in the room, Lan Wangji still wore a stern expression. Watching him sit there in total silence, looking as though he were angry with him, Wei Wuxian felt a mixture of grievance and annoyance. His tone shifted unpredictably as he spoke: "Lan Zhan, are you angry with me? Just because of the term 'heretical paths'? Weren't those the labels you people gave me in the first place? I'm not even angry, so what on earth are you mad about?"
Wei Wuxian's challenge only made Lan Wangji feel even more heartbroken. That was true—all of those titles had been forced upon him by their world. What right did he have to be angry? Turning to look at Wei Wuxian, his eyes filled with an unconcealed anguish, Lan Wangji softly explained: "Wei Ying, I don't like it when you talk about yourself that way. I have never considered anything outside of orthodox sword cultivation to be a heretical path, and you certainly are not one either. Please, never say such things about yourself again. Alright?"
Lan Wangji's tone, carrying a hint of pleading, pierced straight through Wei Wuxian's heart. He couldn't help but reproach himself: "Wei Wuxian, what on earth are you doing? Why are you picking a fight with him over such a trivial matter? He is such an outstanding, proud person, yet here he is lowering his voice and pleading with you. How could you bear to hurt him like this?"
Chapter 41