#nhs figures things out but has to pretend he hasn't | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

thebiscuiteternal · 2 years

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Writing Jam: reverse nie verse? 👀 I’d love any content from that au, but maybe NMJ and NHS reunion

The rest of the series, for those who want to catch up. Apologies for Cliffhanger.

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The news that Jin-zongzhu had died at the hands of a fierce corpse wasn't entirely a surprise. The man was a middling cultivator at best and even when he'd been in charge of the forces at Langya, no one could actually recall him fighting.

The news that Jin-zongzhu had died at the hands of a fierce corpse while sleeping in his own bed had garnered much more attention.

The more snide commentary had expressed surprise that he'd even been in his own bed, given his proclivities for visiting others, but there was a legitimate concern to be noted here.

While Koi Tower didn't have the sheer level of protective wards and guard presence the other three great sects had been putting up since the end of the war, it was in the position easiest to guard, as the only two ways to reach it were either straight up the cliff face or its infamous stairs. Either of which would have not only been an arduous climb, even for a body that couldn't feel exhaustion, but would have been in clear sight of the guards.

Had the Ghost General escaped from wherever Jin-zongzhu had had him dragged off to and come to avenge his master? Had it been one of the surprisingly numerous aspiring demonic cultivators that had popped up after the Yiling Laozu's demise looking for payback for being robbed of their chances to become his disciples?

Nie Mingjue ignores the gossip swirling around the room like the clouds of a building storm. His mind is primarily on counting down how much longer he has to be part of this circus before he has officially met the requirements for politeness.

It could be worse; at least no one expects him to pretend he's actually mourning the asshole.

His eyes meet those of a frazzled Jiang Cheng over the head of some well-wisher or another the poor man has been dealing with for nearly a full incense stick. He raises his cup in offer and, getting a desperate half-nod in reply, snorts and turns to go steal a wine jar from the guest table.

He nearly trips over Jin Guangyao in the process.

His brother's once-aide-and-lover looks like he hasn't slept in a week, the shadows too deep even for the heavy layer of makeup he's wearing to hide. "Let me guess. Jin-furen left it all to you."

Jin Guangyao blinks up at him like a dazed owl, and wow, he must be even more fried than he looks for the comment to take so long to land. "The funeral preparations," he finally says, his expression difficult to decipher.

"...Yeah. The funeral preparations." Nie Mingjue squints at him. "Are you... okay?"

That's the wrong question to ask, apparently, because Jin Guangyao makes a brittle little noise in the back of his throat like he's just barely keeping himself from breaking down into hysterical laughter.

"Whew, that’s a ‘definitely not.’ Wait here."

There's luckily been a lull in the guest line, which means he's able to hand over the wine without having to wait.

"Thanks," Jiang Cheng mutters. "What's wrong?"

"I'll tell you that when I know myself," Nie Mingjue replies, then returns to the guest table.

Jin Guangyao's condition hasn't gotten any worse when he gets back, but he's definitely still not looking good.

"Come on, let's get you some air before you pass out in the crowd."

"But the servants-"

"Can deal for a little bit. Let's go."

---

They've been in the gardens for a little over a shi, and Jin Guangyao still looks like a stiff breeze might knock him flat.

It's now evident that whatever is going on with him, it's something much more complicated than just figuring out auspicious burial dates and things like that.

"Yao-ge," Nie Mingjue entreats, and he's not sure he likes the way the honorific makes the other man jump. "Talk to me here."

Jin Guangyao stares at him with that same confusing expression from before, then closes his eyes and takes a deep breath.

Almost instantly, talismans plaster themselves around the pavilion, and Nie Mingjue doesn't even have to look to know they're for a silence bubble.

"What if... what if I told you that I... that I know who killed Fuqin?"

Oh. Shit.

Nie Mingjue swallows hard. "The reports said he was killed by a fierce corpse."

That gets a shaky nod.

"Then you know who sent it here?"

Jin Guangyao makes the brittle not-laugh noise again. "Fuqin had him brought here," he says, twisting his hands nervously in his sleeves. "He wasn't happy about it."

That leads credence to the Ghost General theory, but something's...

He puts up a few silencing talismans of his own, hoping that will ease Jin Guangyao's nerves enough that he'll stop being quite so cryptic.

It works... sort of. The other man reaches out and cautiously touches the closest talisman, then gets up and turns towards the southern edge of the compound. "Okay... Okay, let's go."

"Go where?" Nie Mingjue asks, caught off guard by the sudden change in direction.

"It'll be easier to show you than to explain. Come on."

---

The door Jin Guangyao leads him to is so non-descript that it might as well lead to a storehouse, but the room inside is clearly some sort of guest room.

He's in the middle of deciding maybe he doesn't want to know its actual purpose when he realizes they aren't alone. Someone's sitting by the window-

"Jue-er?"

Nie Mingjue freezes.

It can't- he's just hearing things, it can't-

The room's other occupant gets up and steps into the light of the small lamp by the bed, and-

Nie Mingjue doesn't feel his legs buckle and give out. He is only barely aware of his knees hitting the floor.

"Sang-ge..."

#mdzs #reverse nies #nie huaisang #nie mingjue #jin guangyao #fanfic

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