[ Lan Wangji sits down in the water with him, reaching out for his arm, trying to reassure him. ]

You did not want to return to Gusu. I could not blame you for this.

But I feared if I did not, and speak with the other clans, they would want to chase after you.

[ And so there he was, having taken the title of Chief Cultivator just to have enough influence to repair Wei Ying's reputation. To follow any of the clans into skirmishes just in case Wei Ying was there.

And finally, to give up his title, to go where he needed to be. ]