#wwx gets adopted by wenzhou

[silversnowblossom]

mdzs and qzgs crossover idea and notes

In this world, given that lineage isn’t as important, sect heirs would be appointed and become sect leader if the sect leader dies 

inner and outer disciples - trainees, guild members are outer disciples, and the actual main line-up, the pro team, are the inner disciples - inner sect disciple - or maybe make it senior disciples instead

All the “old guard” (Sect Heirs) - Ye Xiu, Han Wenqing, Lin Jie, Wei Chen, Zhang Jiale, Sun Zheping, Lin Jingyan, Huang Shaotian (but not Yu Wenzhou) - are friends, know each other from night-hunts together back before the tension got really bad - think, like jl, lsz, ljy, and ozz’s group - this is the equivalent of them knowing each other in-game, back before the glory pro alliance

ee as wen sect - Tao Xuan gets greedy for even more land and power, despite ee already being the most powerful of the great sects

Great sect (before war): ee, tyranny, blue rain, tiny herb, hundred blossoms

After war: tyranny, blue rain, tiny herb, samsara

Blue Rain would be like the Lan sect - place of knowledge, etc etc except without the million rules. Everyone thinks Huang Shaotian’s going to be appointed sect heir, that he’s Wei Chen’s intended heir, so everyone is super surprised when it’s Wenzhou instead - Everyone knew Huang Shaotian was going to be the Sect Heir. Wei Chen hadn’t actually confirmed anything or made the official announcement, but it was only a matter of time, really. 

Huang Shaotian is def their generation’s best/strongest swordsman. Ywz is prob better at talismans and formations - his golden core is slightly weaker than the other sect heir/leader’s, but he more than makes up for it w/his knowledge - think wwx after being resurrected w/mxy’s weak golden core

Huang Shaotian lived on the streets like wwx before Wei Chen took him in at around age 8-ish?

Inner disciples - Yu Wenzhou (Sect Heir and eventual Leader), Huang Shaotian (Head Disciple - eventual Sect Heir, though before ywz everyone expected him to become Wei Chen’s successor), Zheng Xuan, Yu Feng, Song Xiao, (eventually) Lu Hanwen (Huang Shaotian’s adopted kid/younger brother)

Fang Shijing is Acting Sect Leader, the way Lan Qiren was, after Wei Chen dies - he’s standing in until Yu Wenzhou eventually officially takes the position

So burning of the Blue Rain/attack on Blue rain - ee comes to burn blue rain, huang shaotian tries to stop them and get a leg broken like lwj; ywz is like lxc and flees with some of their great library’s priceless books. Just like how in canon, lxc escapes and lwj is captured when the Cloud Recesses is burned, ywz flees and huang shaotian is captured? Or maybe not. Maybe EE just leaves him behind with a broken leg. huang shaotian insists on staying at Blue Rain and not fleeing with ywz, not only to (try to) protect the sect but also to cover ywz’s retreat. ee (liu hao, maybe) kills Wei Chen through underhanded means during the sacking, and hst hasn’t spoken a word since (kind of like how he is in canon after wc leaves)

So, yeah, wei chen’s dead

Hst doesn’t speak, not until he’s reunited with Yu Wenzhou again

Or, idea 2 - this is before hst respects ywz, so he’s quiet bc wc’s dead, and then he and this no-name low-ranking (but surprisingly, startlingly intelligent) blue rain disciple defeat the Xuanwu of slaughter and so starts their close bond, because there’s nothing like taking down a legendary beast together to make friends

Huang Shaotian hasn’t spoken in fourteen days. Because—

Wei Chen’s dead, and Blue Rain has been burned to the ground. He’s been sent off along with nineteen of their disciples to EE’s indoctrination. And where before he might have burned in indignation at EE’s arrogance, now, all he feels is numb. He passes the days in the haze, only vaguely aware of the EE overseeing them—some arrogant brat named Liu-something—berating him (probably wanted to recoup some pride after the utter thrashing Huang Shaotian gave EE in the Discussion Conference a couple weeks back, the small part of him not frozen in grief thinks smugly).

Wei Chen had died for him; that hit had been intended for him, and even as the blade hurtled towards him and he wanted nothing more than to wipe the smirk off Liu Hao’s face—that EE bastard—he’d known he wouldn’t be able to dodge in time, not with the broken leg hampering his movements.

He’d braced himself for the pain, but— It never came.

(The sight of Wei Chen, bloodied and dying from taking a hit meant for him will be forever burned into his mind, he thinks.)

His fellow disciples are worried, he knows, has seen them shooting him concerned looks when they think he’s not watching. Even Zheng Xuan has approached him. And he’s the head disciple, should be there to rally and reassure them now that Wei Chen and Yu Wenzhou are gone, but— Every time he tries, the words get caught in his throat/lodge in his throat and not a sound escapes. 

I think Liu Hao would take Wen Chao's place - so with the Xuanwu, the whole Mianmian situation still happens only Zhang Jiale and either ywz, wjx, or szp take the place of lwj and jzx and refuse to stand aside - ee uses this as excuse to attack hundred blossoms - 'they led the rebellion/incited resistance to our sect's authority' - so zjl feels guilty, like wwx in canon, even tho it's not his fault and szp would never blame him for the destruction of hundred blossoms the way Madame yu blamed wwx

Also, in Xuanwu cave - Huang Shaotian would be like canon wwx, capitalize on opportunity to turn tides by taking Liu Hao-as-Wen Chao hostage

And then like Yu Wenzhou would show up later - he’s running, has been for a while, with the books he’s safeguarding, taken from the library so that they wouldn’t be destroyed. It’s his duty, he knows, even as he worries about Huang Shaotian. He’s heard no news of Shaotian’s condition, on whether or not he was injured, not when he’s busy evading EE. And that’s when he runs into the disciples of the other sects, fleeing the battlefield that the indoctrination has become, and his blood goes cold when he hears that Shaotian’s still in the collapsed cave. With the Xuanwu of Slaughter. 

He doesn’t think. The books are entrusted to him, Blue Rain’s knowledge and heritage and they should be his first priority, but— This is Shaotian. His best friend. His partner. And there is no way he won’t go back for him. 

So he does. He gives the books to Zheng Xuan, who he knows he can trust; for all that he is lazy and unmotivated, he’s still a brilliant cultivator, and as loyal as they come besides. He and Shaotian have that in common, so loyal it hurts. And then he braves EE territory. For the first time since he fled the flames and Blue Rain, Yu Wenzhou unsheathes his sword and flies. He hadn’t dared to, before, hadn’t wanted to be caught by EE when he’d had the books to protect. Too conspicuous, he’d known, too easy to spot. But walking all the way to the cave the disciples had been in, all those li, would take far too long, and he doesn’t know how much time Shaotian has. “He was hurt,” Zheng Xuan had told him, a protective frustrated  worry?anger lacing his voice, “but I don’t know how badly. I didn’t get a chance to see.”

He has to believe Shaotian’s still alive. Still he flies as fast as he can, fast enough to strain his golden core, though not fast enough to deplete it completely. He’s not that far gone; he knows better than to leave himself vulnerable, in the extremely likely chance that he runs into the Wen.

He’s lucky that the sky is cloudy, a storm brewing in the distance. The cover is a boon, and miraculously, he’s not spotted. Ye Xiu’s not organizing the patrols, then, he realizes, because if the Battle God had, there’s no way he wouldn’t have been caught by now, cloud cover or no. In the corner of his mind that’s not currently preoccupied by Shaotian, he wonders what this means for Ye Xiu’s relationship with his sect. He’s not blind; he’s noticed the burgeoning tension—they all had.  

Hundred Blossoms would be like the Jiang Sect - EE shows up with an army, Hundred Blossoms is razed to the ground, all of its disciples killed - only 2 survivors: Zhang Jiale and Sun Zheping - szp loses his golden core (or has it weakened bc of qi deviation induced by sx), tho, and unlike wwx, he can’t exactly hide it or make up for it - so, like his hand injury forced him to retire and no longer be a pro player, here, he can no longer be a cultivator. he disappears, bc losing a golden core is traumatizing + he’s just dead weight now and doesn’t want to drag down zjl now that they’re in the middle of a War

Zjl’s not jc, doesn’t burn and burn with hate and anger - he can’t single-handedly revive his sect - Hundred Blossoms is no longer one of the Major Cultivation Sects, are decimated by the burning. eventually zjl joins Tyranny and becomes one of Tyranny’s Four Heavenly Kings

Samsara was originally a minor sect, but they grew to prominence during the war, and would take hundred blossom’s place as a Major Sect

Bc honestly, the fact that Jiang Cheng was even able to revive his sect at all, nevermind making it remain a Great Sect, is nothing short of astounding. Sure, the war probably helped with the recruitment, but still. And anyway, zhang jiale’s not a leader the same way jiang cheng is

Zhang Jiale’s pretty much running on spite and revenge during the war, using the singular goal of taking EE down to distract himself from his grief and his feelings of abandonment from Sun Zheping leaving. And he’s damn good, earns himself a reputation and a name during the war. And he’s doing okay for a while, rebuilds Hundred Blossoms, but it’s never what it once was. All those generations of knowledge, of cultivation forms and traditions—lost. And he’s only twenty-four years old and running a sect by himself, all his friends dead or in other sects, and the only one’s left from the remnants of what Hundred Blossoms once was are Tang Hao and Zou Yuan and he can’t burden them with his troubles, they’re children, and the pressure keeps building and the burden grows ever-heavier, until the days comes where he just. Can’t do this anymore. It’s too much pressure, too much stress, and he’s never been meant to be sect leader, had always thought that he’d step down when Sun Zheping did, that they’d hand over the reins to the next Blossoms duo, and certainly not on his own—he’s always thought he’d have his partner by his side—they’d promised to always have each others backs—and he aches with the knowledge that Sun Zheping had never cared for him nearly as much as Zhang Jiale cared for him. He has a duty to his sect but—he’s too weak, it’s a burden he’s crumbling/crumpling under

zjl can use a sword, obvs, but he prefers the bow - is the best damn archer of their generation

kind of like Jin Ling, now that I think about it, and how he favors a bow but is obvs good with the sword too

Tang Hao and Zou Yuan survive the massacre, by sheer virtue of not being in the sect when it happened - though, like the Wen, EE ordered the sects not to night-hunt, even in their own territory (and so pretty much every disciple was at Hundred Blossoms when the attack came), Zou Yuan was out visiting his family and Tang Hao was sent w/him - because it’s dangerous to travel alone now, and Zhang Jiale wants them to travel in pairs, at least, to be safe - they’re actually on their way back when they hear what happened

Tang Hao is furious at Zhang Jiale (and, to a lesser extent, Sun Zheping) - not for causing the attack, the way Madame Yu blames Wei Wuxian, but for not rebuilding the sect afterwards - how could you abandon Hundred Blossoms? he wants to demand. His lips twist into a sneer. Coward. — for leaving them behind and joining Tyranny

Tyranny is like Nie sect - militaristic, have been preparing for war against ee for ages. Zhang Xinjie is like Meng Yao, the ultra-capable deputy/administrator. Only, of course, w/out the whole “bastard-child” and “backstabbing” thing. zxj is as capable as meng yao, but minus the huge ambition - he’s content to remain in tyranny under hwq

hwq as nie mingjue - both super powerful and strong - the “head general” of the war/campaign

su mucheng and ye xiu as wen ning and wen qing - only, of course, ye xiu is a powerful cultivator in his own right - battle/war god - plus, they both clearly defect early on, tired of ee’s posturing and bullshit and arrogance. this is not the sect they once knew. muqiu wouldn’t want them to stay and let ee continue to commit their atrocities

“We’re leaving, Ye-ge,” Su Mucheng says, resolute. “I know you love Excellent Era, but this is not the sect we once knew.”

She expects resistance, protest, because EE is where it all began, is what Muqiu died for, and the sect holds Ye Xiu’s loyalty fast, but— 

Ye Xiu doesn’t. Dips his head, and says softly, “I know.”

They leave the sect that night.  

They don’t tell Tao Xuan, because he would try to stop them. Not that he could have, not when Ye Xiu’s Head Disciple and the best cultivator in the sect, but if he set the rest of the cultivators on them, it would wear Ye Xiu down. And, neither of them want to leave with the broken and injured remains of those they were once loyal to lying behind them. There’s time to fight EE later; now, a quiet exit is infinitely preferable. 

Or maybe instead, Tao Xuan still kicks out Ye Xiu - “Ye Xiu disappears in the second year of the war” - ooh, a disappearance, and then han wenqing and su mucheng look for him, just like wwx’s three-month disappearance and how lwj and jc looked 

And then when they find him again, he’s cultivating differently - figure out a way to transfer the whole unspecialized/Lord Grim thing - maybe it’s sort of like wwx’s demonic cultivation?

Maybe in this world, Ye Xiu’s losing credence/respect from EE because he keeps stepping in when they act against the other sects, because Ye Xiu’s a good person — for all that he bullies people shamelessly in glory, I highly doubt he’d do the same if it meant their deaths for real - because that’s not shamelessness, that’s cruelty - ex in the Indoctrination, Liu Hao’s in charge of them, like Wen Chao, but Ye Xiu keeps popping in, and stops him from going too far (i.e. branding anyone or other permanent injury)

ee falls, ofc, but it’s still a bloody war

hwq/yx is like lwj/wwx - ye xiu def is as oblivious as wei wuxian, plus just like wangxian, hanye has that whole everyone-thinks-they’re-rivals/enemies/hate-each-other thing going on

They meet when they’re both head disciples of their respective sects, at the discussion conference hosted by Excellent Era. 

Han Wenqing fights using a saber, straightforward and blunt

only, no internment camps, or if they do happen, it’s not on the orders of any of the major sect leaders

Not rlly sure how Tiny Herb fits in here, but rest assured, they aren’t as corrupt as the Jin

After the war, the EE land is given to yx, and he creates a new sect - Happy

Huang Shaotian adopts Lu Hanwen, a war orphan, after the war - kind of like how lwj takes in sizhui, except ywz would be the wwx in this scenario - minus the whole ostracization and death thing, of course. lhw adores hst and absolutely always listens to ywz

Of the juniors - lu hanwen of blue rain (as lan jingyi maybe), gao yingjie + liu xiaobie + qiao yifan - yifan as zizhen, who’s not as powerful as the others but is still damn good - plus, they’re both very sweet; gao yingjie as sizhui, very polite, so that leaves liu xiaobie as jin ling - haughty but insecure

and yeah that's it. still working on the who yuhuang and blossoms duo threads. kind of got stuck halfway, so i figured i might as well post my au notes in case i never end up posting the actual story

#mdzs #qzgs #crossover #cultivation #ye xiu #han wenqing #huang shaotian #zhang jiale #yu wenzhou #sun zheping #qzgs characters in mdzs #story ideas #drabble

[pastelcheckereddreams]

Wangxian and Wenzhou go on a double date to get fast food. How do they choose a restaurant, and what do they order?

Ngl Brig, all I can think of is the "McDonald's! McDonald's!" meme 😂 So, McDonald's it is.

I feel like LWJ probably never eats fast food, so just kind of pokes at the sad, warm lettuce in his veggie wrap with distaste. He eventually takes a bite at WWX's insistance, and immediately regrets it because no one said it was spicy. His ears burn as he (silently dying from Spice) hears WKX say to WWX, "You're right, he is cute when he's flustered."

WWX orders from the saver menu because being scrupulous with money is engraved in his bones at this point, but splurges on the spicy nuggets to split with WKX, and LWJ indulges his fiery palate by ordering a range of the spiciests dips for his burger, nuggets and fries respectively.

WKX wolfs down a double quarter pounder so fast that ZZS makes a cannibal joke about his taste for the reddest meat. WKX grins at him, playful and dangerous, with ketchup staining his upper lip. In return, he shoves his pickles at ZZS's face and tells him to take his vinegar.

ZZS has opted for a single order of fries and a piping hot black coffee. The fries are mainly a prop to shove into WKX's mouth when he's being a brat (which is, of course, why WKX did not order fries), while he nurses the hot coffee and periodically tries to top it up with liquor from the bottle he slipped from their hotel minibar a few nights previously without getting them all thrown out. Then again, he doubts the bored cashier neither cares nor notices, because he's been flicking coffee stirrers at the menu screen for the past half hour and picking at his chipped nail polish while taking drive-thru orders.

This might be a hot take but I feel like ZZS and WWX would actually have a lot to talk about? (I feel like he'd carry the same social seniority as NMJ and LXC, tbh, and WWX has always been good at steamrolling right across that gap) WKX would chime in, of course, and could relate to a lot of WWX's sketchy upbringing, but his pilosophy and poetry knowledge would be much more in LWJ's lane. WKX would therefore absolutely be the social butterfly of the double date, able to engage everyone in conversation equally while ZZS broods over his alcoholic coffee and LWJ sulks over his sad lettuce.

OH but what if we add in the juniors? And Ying'er and caoxiang, and of course sonboy Chengling:

Han-dage and Weining-dage would be so shixiong shaped for the juniours.

WWX would try to buy happy meals for them all. Sizhui would let him.

Zizhen would listen into WKX and LWJ's art history conversations with Big Round Eyes.

ZZS would take one look at brats-in-crime Jin Ling and Jingyi and adopt them on the spot.

Chengling can have a little crush on Jingyi as a treat, and WWX would absoultely try to adopt him as well.

Feel free to add to this! (Brig or anyone else!) I'm having so much fun imagining them all together.

#nikkianswers #brigwife #nikkiwrites #wenzhou #wangxian #fast food double date #modern au

[satan-chillin]

Spirited Away

Wei Ying, abandoned and homeless in the middle of a snowstorm, is spirited away by an entity that must have been the White Ghost.

He's brought home.

(Or WenZhou adopts WWX. The Fic.)

Also available in Ao3

❆❆❆

Wei Ying exhaled hotly against the cusp of his palms and shivered.

The snow had raged for days without letting up, and the cold did nothing on the itchy scabs of dog bites on his arms and the hunger squeezing his stomach. Wei Ying hunched into himself further. This would pass, though whether it was the snowstorm or the pain of his wounds or the hunger, he couldn’t say.

Carefully, he broke half of the molded baozi and then broke the half again into two; this way, the baozi would last him another three days. Hopefully, the remaining pieces wouldn’t be spoiled by then.

He was thirsty after a single bite that it took him to eat. Nothing filling, as usual, but it would be enough for now and something that sleep could improve through the night. The upside of having a snowstorm was the lack of nocturnal predators also hunting for food, therefore less to worry about whether he’d wake up mauled on the sidewalk. Curling himself into a ball in order to preserve what little body heat that he could, he prepared for sleep. He tended to sleep easier these days, tired and worn out as he was even without moving about much.

Wei Ying must have fallen asleep immediately that night and was quickly lulled into a dream because the next thing he knew, he could make out a vague shape of someone approaching him.

White. White as the storm of snow. Long white hair and robes billowed in the harsh wind. A ghost, Wei Ying thought immediately. He had heard of tales of a white ghost around the town, one that would eat unruly children who strayed out of their beds late at night. He used to believe that the white ghost had yet to find him, though now that he was found, oddly enough, he was not afraid.

Not when a pale hand reached for him, tender atop his head. Blearily, Wei Ying stared at the face and couldn’t seem to focus on anything else aside from the sudden warmth coursing from his head to toe. If the White Ghost would eat him, he wouldn’t mind as long as he got to be this warm forever.

“Sleep, little one,” came from a voice that was seemingly carried by the wind. “I’ll bring you home.”

Home. Wei Ying would love to go home.

❆❆❆

Wei Ying woke on an actual bed and with a man hovering over him by the bedside.

“You’re awake,” said the stranger with a tentative smile. He made no move to come closer, looking unsure the longer Wei Ying stared at him, the silence spanning between them. “I brought food.”

Wei Ying did not shy away from the tray laid before him. He took a bite out of the bread and drank deeply from the cup of tea. He almost choked if not for the man’s sudden alarm, gently patting his back and encouraging him to eat slowly. He reached for the soup before Wei Ying could, taking a spoonful and blowing before feeding it to him. Wei Ying obediently opened his mouth, delighted at the right temperature of the soup.

By the third spoonful, the man sheepishly brought down the spoon, murmured an apology, and asked him if he’d rather eat by himself. Wei Ying did not mind one bit, did not understand what the apology was for, and boldly requested to be helped with the soup. Something shifted on the man’s expression, his previous smile turning soft and sure when he assisted Wei Ying with the food, occasionally pausing to let him drink the tea or take a bite of the bread first.

“I’d get you more, but maybe later, once your stomach settles,” the man said. “It’ll hurt if you suddenly eat too much.”

Wei Ying remembered the baozi he kept under his robes, though upon touching his clothes he discovered that they were no longer the dirty ones he had slept in for as long as he could recall. The one he was wearing felt nice and soft and clean, something new and in the color of light blue with long sleeves that hid the bite marks on his forearms. He checked on his scabbing wounds and stared at them in wonder seeing as they were almost gone.

“A good friend of mine is a healer. He came by last week to take a look at you,” the man told him. “And Lao Wen made sure to apply medicine on them every day.”

Wei Ying did not know this Lao Wen—and what did he say? “Last week?” he asked, voice hoarse from sore throat. Wordlessly, the man handed him a cup of lukewarm water.

“What do you remember?”

“Snow,” Wei Ying answered. “Lots of it.” He frowned to himself, mind clicking on a significant memory. “The White Ghost came for me last night.”

The man blinked, a hint of amusement in his raised brows. “White Ghost?”

Wei Ying nodded eagerly. “It must be him because of his white hair. He also wears white. They say he eats unruly children who don’t return home in time.”

That earned him a snort, a grin lighting up the man’s face. He had a pleasant face, Wei Ying realized. “Ah, Lao Wen doesn’t eat unruly children, I assure you, not when he can be unruly as a child himself,” he said with a shake of his head. “He brought you here roughly three weeks ago. From what I understand, it was a long journey back from where he picked you up to here, and you had a fever during the trip.” He glanced at Wei Ying’s thin wrists peeking from his sleeves. “Ten days later, he arrived home with you.”

Oh. So this was the home the White Ghost was pertaining to. Wei Ying’s eyes darted around the room. It wasn’t cold here despite the snow he could see still falling outside the window that painted a night sky, and there was food.

“You’re in the Four Seasons Manor,” the man said as if reading Wei Ying’s mind. “Forgive my manners, my name is Zhou Zishu. Later, you’ll meet Lao Wen. What do I call you?”

“Wei Ying. My name is Wei Ying.” Wei Ying liked Zhou Zishu already for the sole reason that he did not ask where his parents were; he honestly had no idea. “Can I live here?”

“Of course,” Zhou Zishu said without hesitation, though his palm hovered uncertainly over Wei Ying’s head as if silently asking for permission. Wei Ying beamed up at him, inching closer to his side that had Zhou Zishu smiling. “This can be your home, Wei Ying, if you want.”

“I do!” It wasn’t as if Wei Ying had anywhere else to go, and it must have shown in his face judging from the flicker of Zhou Zishu’s expression. “I will help around, I promise!”

Zhou Zishu tsked amusedly. “Don’t make that promise when you haven’t seen the entire place yet.” He stood. “It’s better if you go back to rest, but I won’t stop you if you want to stretch your legs.”

Wei Ying felt the length of time he spent lying down on the bed through shaky knees, and Zhou Zishu was instantly there to carry him instead in his arms. Wei Ying automatically circled his neck, hooking his chin on Zhou Zishu’s shoulder.

“Right. You can stretch your legs later. I’ll carry you for now. Is that alright?” Zhou Zishu asked him. “If you fell asleep, then I’ll bring you back here.”

Wei Ying gave him an affirmative, liking the sound of that. Zhou Zishu swaddled him with a thick blue robe that was twice Wei Ying’s size before bringing him outdoors where the breeze swept the last dredges of snow. A firm hand stroked Wei Ying’s back comfortingly as they took a sedate trip around the manor. Zhou Zishu explained to him which was which, whose room was whose, pointing at specific locations. Later, he would let Wei Ying pick out his own room.

Wei Ying could not pinpoint what hour it was in the evening. It was quiet enough that he’d think only Zhou Zishu originally lived there; he did mention that he had some disciples and that if Wei Ying wanted he could join them once he recovered.

“But I already recovered,” he protested. “I can join them tomorrow.” He looking forward to meeting other children that he couldn’t wait to play and train with them.

“Not yet, brat. Give it another three days at least.”

Wei Ying pouted. “A-niang said my golden core is strong so I heal quick.”

“Golden core?” Zhou Zishu paused, thoughtful. “Your parents are cultivators?”

Wei Ying nodded. “They left for a night-hunt. They never came back.”

A frown creased Zhou Zishu’s forehead before a sigh escaped him. “I’m sorry to hear that. I’m sure they were good people.”

His parents were never called ‘good’ by anyone who took one glance at Wei Ying, who was a homeless boy anyone would take pity in and promptly forgot once they crossed over to the next street.

“Do you want to be a cultivator like them someday?” Zhou Zishu asked.

“Maybe,” Wei Ying muttered. “I don’t know. Are you also a cultivator?”

“No. The Four Seasons Sect is not a cultivation sect. Not that kind of cultivation, at least. Though I can teach you its foundations: martial arts and the way of the sword, and help you develop your own body and spirit in order to prepare both for cultivation.” Zhou Zishu peered at him. “How about that?”

If Wei Ying couldn’t learn cultivation here, then that meant he would have to eventually leave and learn somewhere. Wei Ying did not want to, not so soon. His hold tightened, though Zhou Zishu hardly minded.

“Don’t overthink. You’re young, it won’t happen for years,” Zhou Zishu reminded him. “I’m a strict teacher, Wei Ying. I won’t deem you ready unless I say so.”

“Okay,” Wei Ying whispered elatedly. He would be a good student… or not if it meant staying here longer.

“And there’s also Lao Wen. He also teaches here.”

Wei Ying blinked at Zhou Zishu. “The White Ghost?”

“White Ghost doesn’t sound bad as far as titles go.”

There was a new voice from behind. The same white robes and the same flowing white hair from Wei Ying’s dreamlike memory. Like a floating ghost, he was quiet when he approached them, and Wei Ying stared at how the faint moonlight was caught at the White Ghost’s head.

The White Ghost pursed his lips at Zhou Zishu. “Isn’t it past bedtime for sightseeing?” At Wei Ying, he smiled fondly. “How are you, little one?”

“I’m good!” Wei Ying said, perhaps with a cheer that the White Ghost did not expect. “A-Shu toured me around the manor.”

“ A-Shu?” Delightfully, he addressed Zhou Zishu, “I see you already endeared yourself to the child you thought I kidnapped.”

“You—Do you even know his name before you picked him up?” Zhou Zishu demanded. He sighed exasperatedly at the shrug he received in return and the conspiratorial smirk the White Ghost shared with Wei Ying. “This is Wei Ying, Lao Wen. Wei Ying, that man you called the White Ghost is Wen Kexing, but he’s known as Lao Wen.”

“Wei Ying,” the White Ghost—Wen Kexing—Lao Wen—tested his name. “You have a good name, little one.” Delicately, he tucked a stray lock of Wei Ying’s hair behind his ear. “You can call me Lao Wen.”

“But you don’t look old,” Wei Ying pointed out. “Can I call you A-Xing?”

Wen Kexing’s laugh rang like a chime in the silence of the evening. “This little one is not shy at all.” He grinned. “I think we’ll get along really well.”

“He has a name,” Zhou Zishu interrupted. “And don’t encourage him to be troublesome!” he reprimanded. “He’s going to be a promising student of mine.”

“Aiyah, A-Xu, can’t he be both? Besides, he’ll be my student too, and I’ll teach him the ways of a proper gentry.” Wen Kexing winked at Wei Ying. “Would you like that, little one?”

Wei Ying believed he would. His father had mentioned studying before, though his mother would rather he play instead, so he never had the chance to actually sit down and learn, either alone with his father as his tutor or with other children.

He wondered for a moment whether this was also a dream. The last time he closed his eyes to sleep, he was alone outside the cold, freezing and starving and with no one to call; then he woke up somewhere warm and big and comfortable with two nice people, and more he’d meet tomorrow.

A part of him thought he might have been truly eaten by the White Ghost that night, though if he was, it would not be A-Shu carrying him but his quiet father who preferred smiling that private smile of his than speaking, and the one with the nice-looking face and draped in all white would not be A-Xing but his mother from his vague memories of her.

Maybe someday he’d see clearer faces of his parents, but not anytime soon when he had just committed A-Shu and A-Xing’s faces to memory and when Wei Ying started to picture himself growing familiar with them instead.

Wei Ying grinned excitedly at what tomorrow would bring. “I’d like that.”

#fanfic #fanfiction #shl fic #shan he ling #cql #cheng qing ling #mdzs #untamed fic #crossover #wwx gets adopted by wenzhou #wenzhou #wen kexing #word of honor #zhou zishu #the untamed #wei wuxian

[wangxianficrecs]

in the mood for a fic where...

Y'all don't forget to make use of @mdzs-kinkmeme as a place to submit your prompts! Authors actually use them for ideas. You're likely to get what you order!  ***Your prompt doesn’t have to be kink!  Fluff, crack, whatever is fine!***

*Nonny who uses Asks to submit answers for these posts:  you can use my @mojoflower Asks while this box is closed*

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1. HI OKAY YOUR BLOG IS FANTASTIC AND A LIFE SAVER. [Ha, thank you!] for your next ‘mood for’ do you know of any where (1a) lan qiren is portrayed as bad/abusive? or any where (1b) the lan sect forbids homosexuality? thank you

1a.

life as a house by terri botta (T, 55k, wangxian) modern au, but lqr is awful)

moonlight falls by RoseThorne (T, 11k, wangxian, songxiao, series in progress)

1b.

❤️save a sword, ride a socialist by sysrae (E, 33k, wangxian, my post)

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2. Hi! Before anything else, thank you so much for your effort. I’ve found a lot of gems in your space. And I was just wondering if you know anything where wwx’s 2nd life is somehow in a female body? I’m just dying to know how’d that go. TYSM. [I love this trope SO MUCH!!!]

❤️Beauty and the Boot by PTchan (T, 45k, wangxian, my post, WIP)

To Deserve So Much More by renysen (T, 20k, wangxian, my post)

The Fox and the Deer by mercyandmagic (M, 59k, xiyao, wangxian, my post) - in which jiggy comes back as a female

@stiltonbasket​ has a running au where wei wuxian comes back as qin su on their tumblr:  #qin su!wwx au but I don’t think anything’s made it to AO3.

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3. Hi momjo 🥰 for your next (or next next next -I understand you're always overloaded with asks so I can wait!) I'm in the mood for fics, please may I ask for some dom!Lan Zhan and sub!Wei Ying? I know some fics have them but don't tag them as such. If they're long/plotty as well it's a bonus! I'm a sucker for like, protective or in control Lz over a somewhat gremlin/self destructive/too selfless WY, who keeps getting himself into trouble so LZ has to step in and sort him out. Thank you! Take care!

Y’all.  This one got so full I made a whole separate compilation post for Dom Lan Wangji.  Go save it!!!

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4. First off, thank you for all that you do for this fandom, it’s certainly encouraged my addiction but hey, we love it here. [Hee, hee, hee.] Do you know of any fics that have (4a) LWJ finding WWX’s body post-Nightless City? Or if that’s too rare, (4b) any favorite 16 years fics? Thank you!!!!

4a.

4b.

❤️the heartlines on our hands by occultings (microcomets) (E, 47k, wangxian)

❤️no new age by everythingispoetry (M, 146k, wangxian, my post)

❤️To be of use by Erisette (not rated (G), 53k, wangxian, my post)

❤️scatter and sunder by silversshadow (T, 16k, wangxian, my post)

❤️Begotten by ecorie (G, 37k, wangxian, my post)

❤️The Rules of Living by syriala (G, 12k, xicheng, lan wangji & jiang cheng, my post)

❤️ And Miles To Go Before I Sleep by Glitterbombshell (T, 24k, wangxian, WIP, my post)

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5. Could you or you followers recommend to me some wangxian crossover fics where they meet characters from other stories, I don’t mind what the stories are.

More Questions than Answers by tiniestawoo (T, 2k, wangxian, sterek, Teen Wolf, my post)

Atlas by etymologyplayground (M, 12k, wangxian, hualian, TGCF, my post)

ShuangXiu by panda_desu (M, 55k, wangxian, Nirvana In Fire, my post)

Spirited Away by PhantomWriter (T, 21k, wenzhou, wangxian, series in progress) -  WWX adopted by Wen Kexing & Zhou Zishu from Word of Honor

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6. Mojo! I have been struck by a fic mood and I have no idea how to find what I’m looking for 😩 For your next in the mood post can you (in your infinite knowledge) or anyone else recommend a fic where LWJ and WWX’s first meeting doesn’t go smoothly. Where WWX is more annoyed by LWJ’s inflexibility with the rules and the curfew or the no entry debacle. Just something where teen LWJ has to put in way more effort to get WWX to forgive him and win him over.

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7. Mrs. Mojo!! I need your and your followers help to recommend fanfics of teen wangxian getting caught doing papapa.

'A Question of Safety' verse by h0peless_oblivion (E, 7k, wangxian, series in progress)

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8. Helloooo!! Thank u so much for all you do!!! We all 💖 and appreciate you very much!!! [And I love you right back!] I’ve been having a craving for wangxian who meet eachother and get married like… incredibly fast. Like married after a week of knowing eachother. Not in like an arranged marriage way but just bc they 💖 eachother :):) thank u!! ~ @camppureblood

Hua Qi 花期 by lazulink (E, 9k, wangxian)

Fighting Chance by fyredancer (E, 16k, wangxian)

me and you, always and forever by fyredancer (E, 150k, wangxian, series in progress)

Found Family by fyredancer (T, 11k, wangxian)

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9. Hi! I was wondering if you knew of any fics where wwx grows mxy’s core super strong like wwx’s original. I’m only ever finding ones where wwx can’t do much with the core or gains his old powerful core back. But I really want to see wwx regrow a new core and be proud about it and stuff. ~ @greenpandi2004

补救; to remedy, to do something to correct or improve something that is wrong by ravenditefairylights (G, 22k, wangxian)

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10. hello mojo! thank you for your recs, do you have any of adhd wwx?

❤️in the arms of the angel by ScarlettStorm (E, 38k, wangxian, my bookmark) - fox wwx

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11. heyyyy!! I am craving for some bet trope fics. like wwx is betting on seducing lwj kind of thing? thak you!!! I absolutely love your page <3 [Thank you!]

❤️Bet Your Heart by Vamillepudding (G, 14k, wangxian, my post)

❤️Love wakes me by dea_liberty (E, 46k, wangxian, my post)

perfect pretenders by skyestiel (T, 61k, sangcheng, wangxian)

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12. Hiiiii 👋! I was wondering if you knew any fanfics modern au where wangxian was married and had shizui and shizui’s friends did not know them, or met them or did not know he had two dads

Meet the parents by Lucky_Moony (G, 1k, wangxian)

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13. Any Hybrid or creature!LWJ fics that contain plot?

Magical Marriage Ribbons by starandrea (M, 482k, wangxian, series in progress, my bookmark)

Of the Shadows by nockingarrows (G, 35k, wangxian, my post)

if you go chasing rabbits by occultings (microcomets) (T, 24k, wangxian, my bookmark)

bring you home by Alasse_Irena (T, 29k, wangxian, my bookmark)

a cyborg’s three laws by FairyGardenCorgis (M, 110k, wangxian, modern au, may depend on your definition of “creature” or hybrid)

❤️These woods hold the promises we make by jaws_3 (T, 30k, wangxian, my post)

Cultivation of the Pack by Midshipsman (E, 55k, wangxian, my bookmark, werewolf a/b/o)

❤️this river runs to you by sundiscus (T, 53k, wangixna, my post)

... and these have much less plot:

softly through pine trees, the moon arrives by theLoyalRoyalGuard (G, 3k, wangxian, my post)

sometimes curses are fun, or: the one where lan zhan is a squirrel by Malachic (T, 11k, wangxian, my post)

far longer than forever by jaws_3 (G, 9k, wangxian, my post)

❤️what else is there? by mme_anxious (T, 13k, wangxian, my post)

Do not waste your pearls for me by moonwaif (G, 9k, wangxian, my post)

Buried in the Sky, Hallowed by thy Depths by themunchking (T, 9k, wangxian, my post)

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14. Hello dearest Mojo!!! This idea just came up to me but i wanted to know, do you know any fics (modern au preferably) where wangxian are married and have a school reunion where they meet their old schoolmates ☺️

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15. Can you please recommend any fics where wei wuxian's talismans are somewhat of a focus point? Thanks

Moonlight as My Guide by BromeliadDreams (M, 32k, wangxian, my post)

❤️To have and to hold by Moominmammashandbag (M, 79k, wangxian, my post)

Talismans by brooklinegirl (E, 10k, wangxian, my post)

Hyperprosexia by malkinmalkout (E, 192k, wangxian, my post)

Gentians in bloom by teawater (M, 251k, wangxian)

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16. hello mojo! hope you're having a nice day <3 i have two request for the next i'm in the mood for. first one (16a): i just read family dinner by antebunny and now i desperately need more jin sibs ruining jgs's day skshjsjwk second one (16b): fics where wwx gets to be jc's right hand man (doesn't have to be in the canon universe). thank you <3 <3 <3

16a.

❤️save a sword, ride a socialist by sysrae (E, 33k, wangxian, my post, has a funny scene w/jin sibs at the end)

16b.

Magical Marriage Ribbons by starandrea (M, 482k, wangxian, series in progress, my bookmark, I think this qualifies)

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17. hey, i was wondering if you knew of any heist aus? i've never read in this fandom one myself, and i honestly don't know whether one exists, but i thought it could be fun and it wouldn't hurt to ask. thanks :)

(i've got) trouble in mind by seularen (E, 77k, wangxian, xiyao)

I'd be the one to hold you down (kiss you so hard) by AlfAlfAlfAlfAlf, tardigradeschool (E, 85k, wangxian, Leverage AU)

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18. Do you know any fics where lz is dared to kiss his crush and everyone is surprised he kissed wy?

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19. Hi do you know any fics with de aged or time travel to cloud recess era wangxian fics? I've read the main ones and I was wondering if there are more. Thank you

It is a serious thing just to be alive by Itgoeson (E, 58k, wangxian)

how does one begin by Shializaro (T, 3k, wangxian, series)

rerun from the outside by Eicas (T, 3k, wangxian, my bookmark)

ripples spread out when a single pebble is dropped into water by RoseThorne (G, 1k, wangxian)

The Art of Wishing Well by ElDiablito_SF (T, 3k, wangxian) Wangxian time travel to CR to traumatize their teen selves

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20. Hi there! I hope you're doing well!! I was wondering if you know any fic where the juniors (4) are Doing Shenanigans? just kids having fun!!

The Full Form of Press by Vamillepudding (G, 13k, wangxian, my post)

Cut sleeve (m/m), slow burn, pining (lots of pining) by Lucky_Moony (T, 6k, wangxian, my post)

The Junior’s Guide to Setting Trends & Making Money by Wildcard (T, 1k, wangxian, WIP, my bookmark)

Half-Baked Quest by Jump_Pilot (T, 19k, zhuiyi, wangxian, my post)

A Dramatic Reading by pupeez4eva (G, 6k, wangxian, my post)

The Great Bathtub Conspiracy by pupeez4eva (M, 3k, wangxian, my post)

❤️The Absolutely True Story of the Yiling Patriarch: A Manifesto in Many Parts by aubreyli (T, 20k, wangxian, my post)

❤️anyway, here’s wuji by kakikaeru (T, 18k, zhuiyi, wangxian, my post) and its sequel

The Batsh*t Adventures of the Junior Quartet: Halloween Edition by KTheKryptid (not rated, 40k, no slash)

The Stuff of Legend by pupeez4eva (T, 21k, wangxian, WIP)

Detention, You Four! by hwalight (G, 1k, The Juniors)

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21. Momjo, you are an ice cream truck caravanning through the desert of life (translation: I love this blog thanks for all you do ❤️). [Now all I can hear is that ice cream truck music to the tune of 'Wuji'] Any fics where some nefarious foe uses/takes the form of Jiang Yanli to torture Wei Wuxian? Or anything along those lines? Thank you! [You should submit this as a prompt to @mdzs-kinkmeme or @angstymdzsthoughts]

But You Always Return by uponmountains (T, 17k, wangxian)

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22. Hello I’m new here, but I am so glad I ran into this blog. It’s amazing. [Thank you!] Do you know of any fics where Wwx and lwj get caught kissing or being sweet by like lan xichen ? I have scrolled for far too long on ao3 😩😩😩 I hope you have a nice day :)

Teenage Wangxian! Series by like_a_bird_that_flew (T, 6k, wangxian)

'A Question of Safety' verse by h0peless_oblivion (E, 7k, wangxian, series in progress)

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23. hey so uhhh do you perhaps know these fics where wwx and lwj from mdzs meet the cql version or like idk modern versions of them? i read one and i saw some others too, quite recently even, but idk what they're called or what tags people use for that?? do you or your followers know them maybe? [Hmmm, if there's a specific tag, I don't know it. But there should be!] thank you sm! i hope you have a great week and stay safe & healthy!

Key Differences by pupeez4eva (T, 6k, wangxian)

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24. Any fics where Xue Yang actually managed to abduct Wei Wuxian at Yi City? Or him capturing wwx in general

Down in the Valley by memequeen1127 (E, 44k, xuexiao, wangxian)

~*~ [My ko-fi.]

#wangxian #mdzs #the untamed #wangxian fic finder #in the mood for a fic #i haven't read these unless noted #crowd-sourcing #fic finding #fic finder

[yilinglaozuhot]

Please don’t feel pressured to answer this. But chengxian literally grew up together as brothers. Even though they are not biologically brother, isn’t it still a little weird?

No pressure, and it's totally cool that we see things different ways. But warning, I've snapped a little bit in this long ass rant.

You and many many other fans see their relationship as brotherly and I and a tiny tiny fraction of the fandom don't. If I didn't ship them romantically, I would only see them as friends. Perhaps not even best friends with all the shit that goes down between them. Wwx arrives at lotus pier when they're like 4 and 5 (idk, kids' age is always a mystery to me) and it all starts with jc's dogs getting taken away because wwx is afraid of them. Jfm puts a street urchin as priority against his own son by doing that and basically says to him "there, here's your new assigned best friend" so jc as a stubborn, angry but rather filial son makes friends with wwx. He doesn't have much choice in the matter but he learns to like the kid. And after that first day they never stop being pitted against each other. They have a cruel competition going on although none of them wants to participate in it. Who's better in martial arts? Wwx. Who gets more affection from jfm? Wwx. Who's the legitimate heir of lotus pier? Jc. But should it really be him? Wouldn't be the first disciple better at even being the clan leader?

How can wwx feel like he's part of the family when Madame Yu never fails to remind him that he's only a servant? She's protecting his own son against an unwelcome guest in her house, a cuckoo in the nest as @necroprankster has said it once. She sees him as a potential threat, not an adopted son. If she saw his as his son, it wouldn't be such a problem that he has better skills than jc and may be more suited as clan leader in the future. Only jyl treats wwx as a little brother and keeps the three kids together and what does she get from Madame Jin at the phoenix mountain when wwx wants to escort her back from the hunt? That she shouldn't be alone with an unrelated young man.

Wwx also has to reassure jc from time to time that he doesn't threaten his position: "you'll be the clan leader and I'll be your subordinate." He says it himself once that he doesn't want to take on the Jiang name as he already has his own or something like that, I don't remember the exact quote. Anyways, they have a stricter hierarchy between them than bothers have and they would be comfortable in their positions if they wouldn't be compared to each other by jc's immediate family and the whole clan. This whole measuring thing fucks them up so badly.

They're martial brothers, and being martial brothers isn't equal with being blood brothers or even adopted brothers. Martial brothers don't have to live under the same roof but wwx's case is special. He's being reminded of it constantly, and he has to know his place. Also, in wuxia/xianxia "martial siblings falling in love" is a popular trope, and I don't see anyone complaining about wenzhou being martial brothers for example. I know, they didn't grow up together so it doesn't count.

Yes, if they were blood brothers or relatives there would be the threat of one trying to snatch the "throne" underneath the other as we've seen it in Shakespearean plays and TV shows. But wwx doesn't have the ambition to do so and he'd inherit the clan leader title anyway as he's older than jc if they really were brothers.

So, imo you can put them into the "brothers competing for the throne" shoebox if you want to but definitely not into the "loving brothers" shoebox. I know fandom mostly sees them as loving brothers but they have too many expectations from the whole clan, they hear too many things being said about them, and there is too much awkwardness and tension between them to fit into that shoebox. They love each other but they're also painfully aware of how they're seen and treated so they try to balance between being clan heir/first disciple, friends, shidi/shixiong and (adoptive) brothers and look how well it goes for them. So how can they be brothers after all this? And what does it matter if some of us add romantic/sexual tension to this whole hot mess? It's certainly interesting to explore the possibilities this extra flavour adds to their relationship and shipping is exactly about this, isn't it?

Oh, and I haven't even touched the golden core transfer but as we say it in chengxian circles: the inherent homoeroticism of being inside your shidi for 16 years. Or something like that.

#i've got mail #chengxian #disk horse #i've written a whole ass essay at 3am #i wonder how coherent it will be in the morning

[vrishchikawrites]

Would love to write a spite fic where wwx gets adopted by WenZhou who wanders the world and learn martial arts from the best dads along with ZCL, best gege lol. (Rogue martial artist wwx meets LWJ totally not like in canon lol)

WWX deserves two powerful fathers who would wreck havoc for him and is not afraid to turn both heavens and hell for their baby’s safety. As he should.

Definitely nonny. Parent-children fics are some of my favorite fics! If you do write the spite fic, link me please!

#reader asks

[satan-chillin]

Hereafter (2/7)

Wei Wuxian is sent off of Cloud Recesses, bade by his fathers to "have fun and make friends" which, now that he thinks about it, sounds like a gross oversimplification of what the next six months away from home will entail.

If he happens to form unlikely connections, start a matchmaking, and gets unwittingly involved in the presently strained political state of the cultivation world, those are just par for the course.

Chasing after one of the famed Twin Jades of Lan, however, is an added bonus.

(Or, WWX was sent to Gusu by his fathers Wen Kexing & Zhou Zishu)

Part 2 of Spirited Away Series. Part 1 here.

Also available in Ao3. Hereafter Chapter 1 here.

❆❆❆

Putting aside the Wen debacle in the orientation day and his shixiong’s leave—which Chengling had done after waiting for Wei Wuxian’s first classes to end so he could bid his junior a proper farewell—his first week was rather promising.

For one thing, he finally had the name of that Lan Disciple: Lan Zhan, courtesy name Lan Wangji. Wei Wuxian shouldn’t be surprised at the name given his display of dedication; he, of course, elected not to call him that. Lan Zhan rolled off the tongue more than Lan Wangji.

“You’re quite bold, aren’t you?” was Nie Huaisang response to that. He was a fast acquaintance and a faster friend who found Wei Wuxian a quick study and who in turn Wei Wuxian also found interesting. They got along like house on fire especially during the times Nie Huaisang proved to be a trove of gossips within the cultivation world. “I’ve known him longer, but I won’t dare address one of the Twin Jades of Lan informally."

Twin Jades sounded fitting. Notwithstanding Lan Xichen’s warm disposition and Lan Zhan’s standoffish character, Wei Wuxian could somehow understand how the brothers were said to be similar in appearance—at a glance, that was. He was quite proud to admit that he could spot numerous differences between them aside from the eyes.

Wei Wuxian hummed, absently remembering the forehead ribbon he had snatched and safely kept in a pouch at the bottom of his chest. For safekeeping. Not that it was terribly missed, he thought, not after he last noticed Lan Zhan wearing a new one.

“And you?” he asked. “What do they call you?”

“I might have earned the title of the Most Useless Young Master,” Nie Huaisang replied blithely. “I haven’t heard it directly from anyone, mind, but Wanyin might have mentioned it in passing.”

At the careless shrug Wei Wuxian got in response to his incredulous blink, he scoffed. Alright, so Nie Huaisang might not have the making of a standard cultivator—belonging from a prominent sect famous for their prowess with the saber and as a younger brother of a known cultivator might have demanded more than the average from him—but he was far from useless. While he was aware of his complete lack of martial talent combined with a weak golden core, Nie Huaisang excelled in the other aspects like the finer arts and literature.

The first time they interacted, Wei Wuxian had mistakenly thought that he cultivated with a fan and wielded it in place of a sword, but instead, they had ended up discussing the finer details of the intricate painting on his fan. Wei Wuxian lacked the aptitude for painting despite liking to watch a-die paint, and Nie Huaisang, with his own creation depicting the mountains of his homeland, was outstanding in his own right for their age.

From what Wei Wuxian knew of the Qinghe Nie Sect, Nie Huaisang must be the polar opposite of their values, with his slight build, meek personality, and overall soft nature. You’d look at him and see someone to protect instead of a protector—the impression which Wei Wuxian might have instinctually adopted as the truth. Not to mention that he was already piling up plenty of owed favor after Nie Huaisang handled the previously unruly raven Chengling left for him as a messenger bird between Four Seasons Sect and Cloud Recesses. Nie Huaisang had not only adeptly tamed the raven; he was also going into the trouble of keeping it from stern eyes together with the variety of his kept birds caught in interest.

Up to this day, Wei Wuxian still didn’t know how the raven remained silent.

“You’re not useless,” he argued, though Nie Huaisang’s pout said that he was more offended by that. “What I’m asking is what they call you if the Lan has the Twin Jades. Surely the Nie Sect aren’t blind and can see that they have an attractive young master.”

Nie Huaisang blinked at him in disbelief before an endearing tint of red broke across his cheeks that he hastily hid behind his fan. “Wei-xiong! D-Don’t say embarrassing things like that!”

Oh ho, Wei Wuxian thought gleefully. Who would have thought that a young master was unused to compliments? And he thought that was only Lan Zhan. Smirking, he touched the top of the fan with a finger and brought it down to uncover Nie Huaisang’s face teasingly.

“Huaisang!”

A scowling young master came approaching with thundering steps. Wei Wuxian racked his mind for a name; Jiang Wanyin, if he recalled correctly, who Nie Huaisang was quite close to.

He went to make a gesture of a formal greeting when Jiang Wanyin outright ignored him in favor of Nie Huaisang, glaring down at him as he barked, “Where have you been? You promised A-jie you’ll join us for lunch.”

“Ah, sorry, Wanyin. I kinda forgot,” came the nervous reply. “I’ll make it up to Yanli-jie. Promise!” Nie Huaisang glanced between Wei Wuxian and Jiang Wanyin. “Speaking of which, you two haven’t been introduced yet, have you?”

“We haven’t,” Wei Wuxian said. Standing straighter, he bowed and introduced himself. Oddly enough, the mention of his name merely deepened Jiang Wanyin’s scowl, though he was not remiss in his courtesy, a little curt it might be. “Nie-xiong and I lost track of time when he showed me how to track that rosefinch by the stream.”

“Wanyin, you should come with us next time,” Nie Huaisang eagerly said. “You can teach us how to fish.” At Wei Wuxian, he shared, “Yunmeng Jiang is based in Lotus Pier so they’re near a big lake. Their disciples are very good swimmers, and Wanyin here is one of the best.”

Interestingly, Jiang Wanyin’s face colored—truly, what was with the young masters here being unused to a little bit of compliment?—though he hid it with a clearing of his throat. He didn’t seem keen to engage with Wei Wuxian in a conversation, electing to mutter, “I’ve taught you before.”

“That was years ago! You can’t expect me to remember how when I can’t even remember the lesson earlier.”

“Says the person who can memorize an anthology,” inputted Wei Wuxian. “Which reminds me—drop by later tonight. I’m going to show you something.” Nie Huaisang would definitely like his baba’s written poems.

“There’s a curfew at nine,” Jiang Wanyin retorted, crossing his arms in disapproval. “Your brother won’t like it if he heard you’ve been fooling around,” he admonished Nie Huaisang.

“Da-ge knows I’m fooling around though. Besides, what makes you think we’ll be caught?”

Wei Wuxian nodded sagely. “Nie-xiong will provide the silencing talisman, and I have an extra measure of security in my room. You’re invited too, Young Master Jiang. I’ll supply the alcohol, of course, but you have to bring in something too. Peanuts, maybe?”

“Wanyin, Yanli-jie still has lotus seeds, right?” Nie Huaisang asked. He nudged Wei Wuxian. “You have to try them.”

“Alcohol is forbidden here.” With Jiang Wanyin’s impassioned reminder, one would think he was doing very well mimicking an uptight Lan Disciple. “Just because you like breaking rules from day one means you can drag others into doing the same.”

And, oh, that was for Wei Wuxian.

Nie Huaisang smacked his folded fan on Jiang Wanyin’s arm with a resounding hit which would have been amusing, seeing as he was also adorably glaring like an angry puppy, if Wei Wuxian wasn’t befuddled at the sudden hostility from basically a stranger. It was enough, however, to send Jiang Wanyin into confused indignation that Nie Huaisang took advantage of, bodily turning him by the shoulders and dragging-ly pushed him with merely a yell of a “Later, Wei-xiong!” before hurrying away.

Wei Wuxian watched their backs, distantly hearing the unintelligible noise of bickering, and wondered what to make of Jiang Wanyin’s peculiar attitude towards him.

❆❆❆

He heard the coded knock at the exact time, and Nie Huaisang slipped in noiselessly alone.

“I went to Wanyin first. He’s already sleeping,” he said sheepishly. “Sorry about earlier. Wanyin has a temper, but he’s not normally that rude.”

Wei Wuxian waved a hand dismissively. He expected this already. “It’s done, Nie-xiong. Don’t sweat it.” Though he would rather not have Nie Huaisang apologizing when he wasn’t the impolite one in the first place.

He smiled, easing the tension on Nie Huaisang’s shoulders. With Wei Wuxian’s permission, he set on placing the silencing talismans. He observed him work, whistling lowly; he had to learn how to recreate those.

Once Nie Huaisang was done, Wei Wuxian did his own magic, gesturing at Nie Huaisang to crouch next to him. He watched with curiosity at the wooden cube half the size of a palm inlaid with a square of metal that Wei Wuxian placed where the edges of the doors meet. Pressing the metal that served as a button, tiny, curved, iron barbs embedded themselves on the wooden frame.

“There! No one will barge in on us.” At Nie Huaisang’s rapt stare, he explained, “It’s a mechanism from Longyuan Valley. They have all sorts of toys there, from locks to specialized boxes, but the most fascinating are their traps and the structure of the Longyuan Cabinet itself.”

He went into a narration of the brief history of Longyuan and how his shixiong came to be its sole disciple. Nie Huaisang was a great listener, especially when Wei Wuxian launched into tales about his known home in the middle of sharing a jar of wine.

“You know, some of our scrolls said that our clan founder originated from jianghu,” he said. “He was a butcher, but that’s as much as we know of him.”

It wouldn’t be surprising if it was true. The people of the Nie Sect were martially inclined, famous for the typical aggression that characterized the pugilists in general. Wei Wuxian would also bet that way before there had been no clear distinction between cultivators and those who did not cultivate in the same manner.

“Maybe our ancestor was like one of those martial artists who managed to achieve immortality. It’s not like they’re different from cultivators who cultivated longevity,” Nie Huaisang speculated, hiccuping slightly. “We have this regular guest in the Unclean Realm who’s not a cultivator but is a semi-immortal, I think.”

“Semi-immortal?”

“I remember seeing him around since I was a kid, and he still looks young except he has more white in his hair. It suits him since he wears all white, and if anything, he looks handsome. Da-ge thinks so too, even if he's shy to say it aloud. I know him! Not that he needs more reason to like him because he’s really strong and likes to spar as much as da-ge. He gets really happy for weeks when he’s around.”

Wei Wuxian chuckled. Oddly enough, the white attire and wisps of white hair reminded him abruptly of a certain sour grandpa who he hadn’t seen for quite some time now. Grandpa Ye’s last visit at the Four Seasons Sect was three months ago.

Eventually, he remembered why he invited Nie Huaisang in his quarters past curfew, though he might be a little late in remembering seeing as they were already slurring by the time they perused baba’s original poems. At one point, Wei Wuxian whipped out his dizi, belting out random notes while Nie Huaisang whacked the table as an accompaniment, all the while singing praise to the great poet that was Wei Wuxian’s father and loudly claiming that he was ashamed of himself for not knowing him.

Thank the gods for the silencing talismans.

❆❆❆

If Wei Wuxian was asked, he’d say that it was a coincidence to stumble upon the clearing near the back hills of Cloud Recesses. If he happened to have heard that a certain young master could be found around this area, well.

A glare greeted Wei Wuxian. “What are you doing here?”

“Oh, don’t mind me. I’m strolling the grounds and simply came across a young master diligently practicing his drills,” Wei Wuxian said airily. “Go on, Young Master Jiang.”

Jiang Wanyin clicked his tongue. “And enjoy a free commentary? No, thank you.”

“Fine. You’ll hear nothing from me. I’d love to watch and study forms from different cultivation sects. Lan Zhan made an exhibition of his, though I’m curious to see more of Lan Sect.” Jiang Wanyin looked as if he was torn between asking how in the hell he fought the Second Young Master Lan and responding with silence to discourage Wei Wuxian’s presence. The joke was on him if he thought he could send Wei Wuxian away that easy. “It was quite an evening,” he said wistfully. “In the blue night, he stands in the dark svelte and urgent. ”

Jiang Wanyin rolled his eyes and turned his back, completely missing the mischievous grin. Wei Wuxian reclined languidly once Jiang Wanyin continued with his training.

He moved like someone who began training at a young age, likely as young or younger than Wei Wuxian when a-die started instructing him. While his movements were not the fluid motion of Lan Zhan, Jiang Wanyin’s were just as solid with a different center for his foundation. He had a long torso and upper limbs—a swimmer’s build that might have influenced his prioritizing of strength over stealth.

“Your form is crooked,” Wei Wuxian called. While not as adept as Lan Zhan, it wasn’t necessarily a poor balance; call him petty, but this was his payback for their previous encounter. “Your right is your dominant side, isn’t it? Placing your left foot behind your right will abort your turn halfway.”

Jiang Wanyin threw a scowl past his shoulders but minutely corrected his posture. “I’m ambidextrous,” he argued.

“Yes, that’s very amazing of you, Young Master Jiang,” came the instant reply that further irked him. “I heard that Yunmeng Jiang practices archery. Your skills must be superb.”

“It’s a rudimentary skill any Jiang Disciple should learn.” Jiang Wanyin turned to him without sheathing his sword. “And you? What does your sect specialize in?” Coming from him, the question was akin to a demand.

“Plenty,” Wei Wuxian said. “My fathers are masters of different martial arts, but they use different weapons. A-die taught me the sword, and baba the fan. There’s also a skill in disguises passed down from generation to generation by Four Seasons Lords so a-die does the same but only to those interested. Baba originally came from a family of healers so he also teaches what he learned from his father. Four Seasons Sect is connected to two more sects because of its First Disciple, my shixiong, Zhang Chengling, and through that link, Four Seasons adopted other forms of teaching to disperse among its inner and guests disciples. If you’re looking for a single specialization our sect is known for, I can’t give you a definite one since we’re more of a sum of many parts.”

Jiang Wanyin looked at him peculiarly, and Wei Wuxian could see several questions running through his head yet voiced none. Then Jiang Wanyin’s scowl morphed into a perpetual frown instead. “Is that how they met your parents?”

Wei Wuxian was perplexed. “What?”

“Your masters… fathers. They sound like worldly people. Did they meet your birth parents on the road or did they come across your sect first?” Jiang Wanyin hesitated before adding, “I know you—or at least, I’ve heard of you before from my father. He said he was close friends with your birth father, Wei Changze. He used to be a Yunmeng Jiang Disciple who became a rogue cultivator when he married your mother, Cangse Sanren, a student of the immortal Baoshan Sanren.” At Wei Wuxian’s wide eyes at every word that spilled out of his mouth, Jiang Wanyin paused. “Wait. You don’t know this?”

“I—I don’t. I’ve never—I don’t know anything about my birth parents aside from their names and occupation before they passed away.”

And Wei Wuxian used to believe that he already made peace with the knowledge, or the lack thereof. He had a father and mother who birthed him to this world, and he also had two fathers he grew up loving as his true parents, the family that he recognized. But to think that someone actually knew about his birth parents that he could remember merely vague faces of.

It was… it was…

“Oi. Don’t cry!” Jiang Wanyin said urgently. His panic, Wei Wuxian found subconsciously, was kind of funny. “I’ll tell you more—just don’t cry!”

“Okay.” Wei Wuxian wiped his face hastily. “You said you heard my name before?”

Jiang Wanyin swallowed but nodded awkwardly once he was sure that Wei Wuxian wouldn’t go crying on him again. “My father looked for you,” he said, stooping down next to him. “The news of your parents' death reached him a year late. He searched everywhere, even the streets, but he couldn't find you. If he had, then he would’ve brought you home to Lotus Pier to raise you.” He shuffled on his feet. “He kept looking for you for years, and I think he gave up when he thought you died. He mourned for you and your family. He had no idea that you were somewhere far away.”

“I was in the streets,” Wei Wuxian whispered. “I remembered that much. I think your father would have found me if baba hadn’t done so first. He… came across me in the middle of a snowstorm and brought me to his home and to a-die.” He smiled. “My home.”

He would have a different life raised next to Jiang Wanyin, calling Jiang Wanyin’s father as his too, but Wei Wuxian couldn’t imagine a life where it wasn’t his a-die who spoonfed and carried him around the Four Seasons Manor that first night he woke up with them, where it wasn’t baba who took him away from the cold and brought him to the warmth and called him ‘little one’.

It warmed Wei Wuxian’s heart to discover that his birth parents had people who had cared for them, and, by extension, him. Perhaps it was a tad selfish of him to be glad that Jiang Wanyin’s father had not found him, that Wei Wuxian would willingly endure the snow and hunger if it meant having the years he would have with his fathers.

“Thank you for telling me, Jiang-xiong.”

❆❆❆

They wouldn’t call each other friends just yet, but with Jiang Wanyin’s increasingly constant presence, Wei Wuxian could probably call him an acquaintance.

Well, he had looked after far more difficult children before.

Jiang Wanyin took it as a personal offense that Wei Wuxian lacked the basic knowledge of creating simple talismans and decided to take up the mantle of a tutor; a tutor with an incredibly short fuse for patience that his student couldn’t resist goading. As recompense, he would invite himself to Jiang Wanyin’s daily drills, offering a regular training opponent that was reluctantly accepted at first until Wei Wuxian wiped the ground with him.

They never spoke again of his birth parents, though he doubted that Jiang Wanyin had more to say beyond what his father had told him. If Wei Wuxian wished to learn more, he would have to reach out to Sect Leader Jiang.

He sighed, unable to concentrate. He escaped the confines of his room to get some air. He couldn’t sleep, and he’d rather not seek the assistance of alcohol tonight. A-die had told him once that there was no comfort of reprieve in drunkenness, only an added headache in the next morning.

It was baba’s xiao that had done wonders on the random evenings he was plagued with insomnia. Baba wasn’t here now so Wei Wuxian would have to resolve this himself. Bringing the flute to his lips, out flew the notes of his favorite ballad that baba used to play for him about a ghost king who met a wanderer with three years of his life left.

Then, as if beckoned by the lulling of the music, a Jade in white descended in front of Wei Wuxian, enrapturing as always.

He smiled. “Hello, Lan Zhan.”

#fanfic #fanfiction #shl fic #cql #chen qing ling #mdzs #untamed fic #crossover #wangxian #wei wuxain #lan wangji #the untamed #word of honor #wwx gets adopted by wenzhou

[satan-chillin]

Hereafter (1/7)

Wei Wuxian is sent off of Cloud Recesses, bade by his fathers to "have fun and make friends" which, now that he thinks about it, sounds like a gross oversimplification of what the next six months away from home will entail.

If he happens to form unlikely connections, start a matchmaking, and gets unwittingly involved in the presently strained political state of the cultivation world, those are just par for the course.

Chasing after one of the famed Twin Jades of Lan, however, is an added bonus.

(Or, WWX was sent to Gusu by his fathers Wen Kexing & Zhou Zishu)

Part 2 of Spirited Away Series. Part 1 here.

Also available in Ao3

❆❆❆

Emperor's Smile was a good wine as advertised, and Wei Wuxian lamented that he was pouring it to accompany his sullen mood.

The departure of his shixiong brought an inexplicable feeling of gloom. He had never been this far from home—oh, there had been trips to Mirror Lake Sect and Longyuan Valley once or twice a year but always with the company of either the senior or junior disciples or sometimes his fathers—and never alone like this, in almost what seemed to be the other end of the map and a place where it might as well be a different world.

He thought of the half-finished letters he would be sending back with his shixiong. The long-overdue one was for his shijie Xiaolian who in their last correspondence told him that she was expecting; it was only natural that he would suggest she took a character from his birth name. The shortest missive was for the juniors left at the Four Seasons Manor who had him promise that he would tell them of the cultivation world; their minder, Shu Feng, would read his letter to the juniors—who were yet to learn how to read on their own—as if their usual bedtime stories.

The longest letters were for a-die and baba, separated only because he doubted he could fit in his sentiments for them in a single letter. He kept their reminders at heart despite his initial complaints of their nagging; from his baba, most of all, who had hardly let him out of his sight and had prepared his favorite meals during supper in the last few weeks leading to his departure. Even his a-die had doubled his training regimen a month prior, a lot stricter and meticulous in gauging his progress, though Wei Wuxian had suspected that it had been his way to ascertain his readiness—and to spend more time with him.

Simply put, he missed his home and family already, right off his first evening in the Cloud Recesses. And to think that he had long been waiting for this moment to come, brimming with excitement for years at the prospect of delving into a world that seemingly came from a myth. He had been a child filled with wonder when told that he was originally a part of it too, that once he was of the right age he would return where his birth parents had lived.

And so far, he was... reserving his judgment in that front, so to speak.

Wei Wuxian let out a sigh. He was aware of being uncharacteristically despondent under such a pleasant evening of bright moon and a delectable wine at hand. The right company wouldn’t be so bad, and if his shixiong was amenable they might as well spend the night before his leave.

“Trespassing is forbidden in Cloud Recesses.”

It was the colors Wei Wuxian first registered: the shade of white that was almost reminiscent of his baba’s snowy hair; the soft hue of blue that was barely distinct in the dark but not so much under the moonlight, the color of his favorite robes as a boy because it was the first that he had worn at home; the long dark hair billowing in the breeze in sharp contrast with the white ribbon; the golden eyes that hinted a brewing righteous anger the longer Wei Wuxian stared without any response.

He blinked slowly, almost afraid of the night carrying away the illusion, and threw caution in the wind as the words tumbled out of his mouth.

“Not even to catch a glimpse of you?”

Not a mirage, he decided, not with the deepening frown he got in response. Wei Wuxian smiled invitingly, raising a toast to the direction of the Lan Disciple.

“Alcohol is prohibited.”

He savored the lingering tang, not moving from his spot at the roof as the disciple approached in warning. Wei Wuxian took out an empty cup and poured one for this chosen company. He received a reproachful stare for his trouble, and he gambled with a pout that he knew only his fathers could resist. “Not even to share it with me?” He was, quite expectedly, met with silence that had him shaking his head ruefully. “I toast to the moon on high. That’s two of us; my shadow makes it three.”

Wei Wuxian was of the belief that it must be the first time that someone had an objection to the emphasis of their ethereal grandeur, though it could be because he fell short on words to properly describe this young master’s beauty. Not that he was given the chance to convey his intentions.

He sidestepped from the obvious assault to his precious alcohol, deftly keeping it away from the flash of silver. Wei Wuxian clicked his tongue reprovingly. “Young master, if the selection is not to your liking, this one will get another and share it with you.” Unable to resist, he asked, "Will you await my swift return?"

“Leave and do not come back,” came the clipped reply that betrayed none of his growing irritation.

“Aiya, there appears to be a misunderstanding.” Wei Wuxian showed the jade token and mustered a bow as formal as his occupied hands allowed. “This one is called Wei Ying, courtesy name Wei Wuxian, who came to Cloud Recesses to study under the Lan Sect’s prodigious tutelage.”

Prodigious was in the vein of how his parents had described the Lan Sect in general. His fathers had been the one to personally explain his situation to the Lan Masters, after all, something which Wei Wuxian had sulked and grumbled over during last year’s spring when he had not been allowed to come with them. A respectable sect rooted in tradition, a-die had said; ascetic and a stickler for discipline, had come from baba, if that isn’t obvious yet with their 3,000 rules.

A bunch of hard-asses, they meant to say. It was as if they had known Wei Wuxian would have gripes with the somewhat stifling ways of the Lan Sect and had softened the blow and at the same time had given him a warning. It helped, he supposed, and while he was usually called tactless, let it not be said that he did not have his moments. He wasn’t a child and student of Wen Kexing for nothing.

At the display of abrupt politeness, the Lan Disciple seemed to ease a little, keeping a respectful distance and returning the gesture with an acknowledging nod—still miffed, however—before stating, “Venturing out at night and bribing an officer are prohibited.”

Wei Wuxian sighed. Calling this disciple a hard-ass would sound unseemly, especially when he deemed his comeliness warranted poetics. He took it back; it was all an illusion, and this display of ridiculous uptightness was the disappointing reality.

“This one asks to be forgiven for not knowing the rules. He is but an outsider who is unlearned of the ways of the Lan.” Wei Wuxian inclined his head, cognizant of how it highlighted his profile and the imploring gaze under thick lashes. “Perhaps if the young master is willing to teach this one...”

Later, he would vehemently claim that he meant no offense (truly!) with his words, but he couldn’t determine whether something slipped in his tone or it was a complete misinterpretation on the Lan Disciple’s end that earned him, and his jar, another strike which was honestly uncalled for.

Wei Wuxian dodged a well-aimed swipe at the wine as if it personally offended the Lan Disciple (it probably did) and kept to his own left side once he figured out the disciple’s dominant hand. He was light on his feet, his footwork firm and steady on top of uneven ground, and it was a mark of a good foundation that he supposed he should have expected from a disciple of a major sect.

The fluidity of his steps and the grace of his swings were an admittedly admirable display of internal balance, and Wei Wuxian had to discern any chink he could press. He twisted, chest against the elbow of the disciple’s right arm that held his sword, a masterful creation that suited its owner. Wei Wuxian leaned, his finger following the curve of the clothed forearm and to the peek of a wrist where a single touch told him of harmonious meridians that resonated with a powerful golden core. Impressive.

He drifted to the hilt of the blade. “Nice sword.” He winked.

“You—”

The Lan disciple pivoted, and Wei Wuxian crouched low from the hit that definitely wasn’t just to incapacitate. He leapt backward, a little captivated at the positively incensed look present that replaced the previously stoic expression. He had a suspicion that this one wasn’t often riled up, and wasn’t that such a regret when he looked nice when impassioned?

Still, Wei Wuxian had to pull back almost reluctantly. It wouldn’t do to antagonize someone way before he could even establish acquaintance with his peers. The last thing he wanted to reach his fathers’ and shixiong’s ears was him causing trouble less than a day since he stepped on the grounds of Cloud Recesses.

“I propose a deal with the young master,” he said, “A duel. If you win, then this one will submit to his punishment.” He smirked. “Any kind of punishment that the young master thinks befit this transgressor.

“And if I win, then the young master will consider the matter settled and this one will leave for the night… with the promise from the young master to share a jar of good wine with me next time, of course.”

Golden eyes narrowed. “Fighting without permission is prohibited.”

“What exactly is not prohibited here?” he asked dryly. “Alright, no duel. Hmm.” His eyes landed at the silk band tied at the young master’s forehead. “Keep me from taking that, then.”

Whatever protest or recitation of another rule broken that was about to escape the Lan Disciple was promptly cut off the second Wei Wuxian darted forward, as quick as a snap of fingers. To the disciple’s credit, his stance barely faltered, already on the defense.

Unfortunately for him, Wei Wuxian grew up playing this game with his senior brothers and sisters, and his favorite distraction for his junior siblings. He could picture himself in the Lan Disciple’s perspective, watching him in slow motion as he snatched the silk ribbon with a wicked, triumphant smile.

A top quality of silk with a pattern of clouds, and it glided against his palm like a touch of feather and carried a faint scent of sandalwood and incense. Wei Wuxian glanced at the frozen young master whose face remained blank as if still processing the quick succession of events, and, in a stroke of inspiration, brought the forehead ribbon to his lips.

“Wei Wuxian will treasure his reward,” he announced earnestly—and immediately retreated in a manner that he hoped was graceful enough for a hasty exit before the young master could recover from his state. “Until next time!”

❆❆❆

Come midnight, his letters were finished, and the ones addressed to his fathers were marked with the recollection of the night’s encounter. A part of him dearly wished he could hear his baba’s chuckle and his a-die’s snort of amusement. No matter. He had half a year to gather anecdotes for them, and as far as he was concerned, it wouldn’t be the last time he would see of... of…

Huh.

Wei Wuxian frowned, thought hard, and scratched the back of his head.

Wait. What was his name again?

❆❆❆

“Four Seasons Sect, take your bow.”

There were not so subtle whispers and murmurs that ensued the declaration, though most that Wei Wuxian could hear was confusion as to who and which sect it was. He stood straighter, making sure his posture exuded his pride for representing the name of his sect, his home. He fell into step next to his shixiong who spoke in a clear and equable voice.

“On behalf of Four Seasons Sect, Zhang Chengling pays respect to Master Lan. I present our disciple who is sent to learn under your guidance, and may he serve as a bridge between the jianghu and the cultivation world.”

“Wei Ying, courtesy name Wei Wuxian of Four Seasons Sect greets Teacher,” Wei Wuxian said, raising his voice amidst the growing incertitude that followed his and his senior’s words as they bowed in perfect synchrony.

“Your mother Cangse Sanren and father Wei Changze are lauded rogue cultivators,” Lan Qiren said, effectively silencing the incredulous mutterings at the distance and doubts at jianghu producing cultivators. “It is good to find their son hale after several years.”

“This one is fortunate to be taken under the care of Four Seasons Sect, to grow and be a part of them. At their behest, we present gifts to symbolize our aspirations for a fortuitous relationship between Gusu Lan Sect and the Four Seasons Sect.

“A sapling of rowan as a symbol of connection, to provide protection against malevolent beings, and to guide home those who are lost. Blackthorn for discipline and control that are the known cores of Lan Sect’s teaching, and also to symbolize overcoming obstacles and hope in the middle of devastation. The last sapling is from a tree that bears a multitude of blooms in varying colors and is native to the Four Seasons Sect where flowers bloom all year round, hence the name after our sect. These are dear treasures from the home I know, hoping for them to grow on the soil that my birth parents lived on.”

The tall man standing beside Lan Qiren, Lan Xichen—the Lan Sect heir, if Wei Wuxian was correct—smiled serenely. “The Lan Sect is grateful for the gifts, and we look forward to them growing in a year’s time. We’ve had the pleasure to meet Master Zhou and Zhen, and it shows in their disciples their virtue and great esteem as sect leaders.”

The mention of his baba’s birth name of Zhen Yan instead of Wen Kexing startled him, though he was certain that there was a valid reason for it. Chengling sent him a small smile that told him he did well, and a knowing look that promised an explanation later.

The welcoming atmosphere was suddenly heckled by a commotion from men in red and black barging in unannounced, the man in the lead sneering how easy it was to get into Cloud Recesses. Lan Xichen addressed him as a Wen, and from what Wei Wuxian gathered, the presence of the Wen Sect was uncommon, not to mention unwanted.

Coming from a sect that outright insulted Cloud Recesses’ lectures, the Wens were keen to send two of their disciples, related to the main branch, no less. Wei Wuxian was unable to contain his snort at the dramatics of it all.

“And who’s this scoundrel?”

Wei Wuxian turned to him with a raised eyebrow. “Scoundrel is too big a title for me,” he quipped, a rakish grin forming when he crossed his arms. “Four Seasons Sect, Wei Wuxian.”

“This boy dares to interrupt me.” The Wen gave him a scrutinizing glare before letting out a sharp bark of a derisive laugh. “I wasn’t aware that Gusu Lan accepts runts from no-name sects.”

“After all that boast of Wen education, I wasn’t aware that disrespect is what they teach you, but here we are.”

“Fine. I’ll teach you how Qishan Wen deals with those who don’t listen well.”

“Master Wen,” called Chengling placatingly. “This is a simple disagreement. There’s no need to be aggressive.”

The attempt to pacify the situation merely grated at the idiot. “And why should I listen to vermins who don’t know their place?!” Seething, the witless Wen jerked and his armed retinue immediately surrounded them, blades drawn and pointing not only at Chengling and Wei Wuxian but also towards others who had been watching the exchange warily. Chengling moved in front of Wei Wuxian, his hand on the hilt of his own sword and keeping him partly hidden for his hand to clutch his fan on the ready.

After a tense minute that felt as if it lasted an hour, soothing notes that he recognized from a xiao resounded, deceptively lulling if not for its effect of disarming the parties involved, the Wen Sect’s weapons clattering down in warning.

“Today is Cloud Recesses’ ceremonial day for taking new students,” Lan Xichen said, his volume never rising but firm. “We ask that Second Young Master Wen conduct himself.”

A woman who called herself Wen Qing stepped in a flourish, ultimately keeping the brittle moment of stillness with her tact. “This is my and my brother Wen Ning’s first time in the Cloud Recesses, and we know not of some of the rules. We hope Teacher Lan and Young Master Lan are forgiving.”

She bowed apologetically to Lan Qiren, Lan Xichen, and even at Chengling. Wei Wuxian, begrudgingly impressed, was under the impression that within the Wen Sect it was either you had modesty in spades or did not understand it at all.

The rest of the Wen retreated, though not without the Wen moron committing Wei Wuxian’s face to memory. Not that he cared a lick after that outright disrespect to his senior—he was willing to give that sneering face a healthy dose of beating next time if necessary.

He was struck with an insight related earlier when his father’s name was brought up. The name of Wen Kexing was never given, and after the distasteful encounter with the Wen Sect, he had a suspicion as to why.

Gripping his shixiong’s arm reassuringly when asked if he was alright, Wei Wuxian cast an assessing sweep across the room, restlessness blanketing pretty much everyone else from the sects present. These were inner disciples of their respective sects, so it was safe to assume that they were no stranger to this kind of behavior from the Wens.

Lan, Nie, Jiang, Jin, and Wen were prominent names in cultivation, and out of all the five, the last was the most dominant in terms of manpower and territory. Knowing how terrifyingly efficient his a-die was when it came to gathering information, Wei Wuxian had an adequate background when it came to the major sects, though he wished he had listened more if only to come up with a better approach from here on out.

He was starting to think that the advice of ‘have fun and make friends’ from his parents was a jest in poor taste. Sighing, his eyes landed on the familiar-looking disciple quietly observing him before his attention snapped elsewhere.

Lips unconsciously twitching into a smile, Wei Wuxian wondered if he was imagining the light pink dusting those pale ears.

#fanfic #fanfiction #shl fic #shan he ling #cql #cheng qing ling #mdzs #untamed fic #crossover #wwx gets adopted by wenzhou #wenzhou #wen kexing #word of honor #zhou zishu #the untamed #wei wuxian #lan wangji #zhang chengling

[satan-chillin]

Hereafter (4/7)

Wei Wuxian is sent off of Cloud Recesses, bade by his fathers to “have fun and make friends” which, now that he thinks about it, sounds like a gross oversimplification of what the next six months away from home will entail.

If he happens to form unlikely connections, start a matchmaking, and gets unwittingly involved in the presently strained political state of the cultivation world, those are just par for the course.

Chasing after one of the famed Twin Jades of Lan, however, is an added bonus.

(Or, WWX was sent to Gusu by his fathers Wen Kexing & Zhou Zishu)

Part 2 of Spirited Away Series. Part 1 here.

Also available in Ao3. Hereafter Chapter 1, 2, 3

❆❆❆

Wei Wuxian stumbled, sputtered, and shivered—exactly in that order.

“Lan Zhan, are you alright?!”

The question was apparently unnecessary seeing as Lan Zhan was already standing, unfazed as if they hadn’t been dragged into some—Wei Wuxian’s eyes darted wildly everywhere to take a stock of the white rocky walls—cave underneath a cold spring.

He hauled himself steadily on his feet amidst his heavily drenched clothes weighing him down to the fortunately shallow (but fucking cold brrrr) water. Resolutely, he cleared his throat to hide a cough and another shiver, straightening his appearance as much as he could, sweeping back his wet hair on his now thankfully numb back.

“We’re in a cave,” said Wei Wuxian uselessly. “Ah, do you happen to know the exit?”

Lan Zhan’s mouth remained that firm line before trudging ahead in dismissal. Wei Wuxian followed after him and found that continuous movement helped fend off the chill. After composing himself in silence, he managed to abate the chattering of his teeth and regulated a bit of his internal body heat, a trick he learned young and grew up using in particularly frigid winter nights.

Wei Wuxian paused. Frowning, he reached for his sleeves and found the item he was searching for missing. He had been holding that pouch before falling, hadn’t he?

Oh no.

“Crap.” His voice was loud enough to ring within the cave, halting even Lan Zhan though not exactly turning to look back at his companion to ask. “Wait. Let me go back a bit—the pouch—your ribbon!”

The statement warranted Lan Zhan’s attention this time. Wei Wuxian felt rather sheepish under the stare. Stupid. He was supposed to return it as an apology and then they would go on their merry way and forget Wei Wuxian’s moment of weakness (and stupidity). Resigned and chastised the longer the pointed stare lengthen, he said, “Look, I’m really sorry about what happened. I don’t know if you believe me, but I honestly didn’t know no one’s allowed to touch it.”

Lan Zhan did not blink, and it would have been eerie if he wasn’t doing a great job imitating a magnificent statue carved in jade. The shade of color that stood out the most from him was the gold of his eyes amidst the reflection of what little light there was within the cave walls, like a relic hidden and untouched by time.

Wei Wuxian swallowed down the poetics threatening to spill from his tongue. Not the time.

Wordlessly, Lan Zhan unclenched a closed fist to reveal the familiar pouch and pulled out the ribbon within, blessedly dry, and without breaking eye contact tied it around his forehead before turning his back once more and proceeding ahead.

Wei Wuxian could only blink after him.

… Was that a smile?

His mind must be playing tricks on him, or it could be the cold, come to think of it. It wasn’t hard for him to come to the conclusion that he was indeed still dazed, probably from the rough tumble earlier into this cave and the low temperature, or both, when the next thing he was seeing was rabbits.

Fluffy white bunnies with tiny Lan forehead ribbons. Wei Wuxian wanted to laugh at the absurdity this day was turning.

To be fair, though, those were really cute bunnies with beady eyes that noticed their visitors and sniffed at the ground. Wei Wuxian resisted the urge to gather a bunch of them to cuddle for warmth.

“Lan Zhan,” he called, barely taking his eyes off the little animals that littered the narrow outcropping to the side. “Are you seeing what I’m—”

Wei Wuxian collided with what felt like an invisible force that slammed him back to the water. Indignantly, he rose, hacking out water. “Oh, come on!”

While Lan Zhan didn’t appear to be worried, he was equally confused between the white guqin that was simply sitting there, unassuming, and Wei Wuxian waddling through the water.

He had seen it the second time, a strike that came from a single, resounding note that went from behind Lan Zhan and straight to Wei Wuxian as if it knew he was an offender—and damn if he didn’t terribly regret not having Suibian or at least his fan to counter that. His reflex kicked in, diving narrowly to the shallow surface and twisting.

The next one followed immediately as he was about to pivot his heel and maneuver toward the dry ground. This one, however, did not reach him in time, Lan Zhan’s blade effectively blocking the assault.

Wei Wuxian figured that it was a protective measure of some sort, and whatever this cave was, it was clearly guarding something. Interestingly, it didn’t care enough to throw Lan Zhan out despite the fact that the two of them were technically intruders, recognizing that he wasn’t an outsider like Wei Wuxian was.

Sharply, he glanced back at the harmless rabbits that were seemingly imitating Lan disciples with their snowy fur and little forehead ribbons that, now that Wei Wuxian realized, could only be seen among the inner disciples of the Lan Sect. He was yet to get an explanation why that silk ribbon was too much of a big deal to be considered sacred, although...

Hold on.

“Lan Zhan! You’ll probably hate me for this, and I swear I’m sorry in advance, but unless you want me to die, you’re going to have to let me touch that ribbon again!”

For a split second, Wei Wuxian had an ugly feeling that Lan Zhan actually wanted to be rid of him permanently, and, oh, his cold-hearted muse, a beguiling, unsmiling—

Lan Zhan was on his side in the next beat, the silk ribbon coiled around his and Wei Wuxian’s forearm. The cloth was pulled taut between them, a mere couple of inches that Wei Wuxian was certain he could close with a strong tug.

He raised an eyebrow, lips pursing into a quirk at the edges. “Thank you.”

In lieu of ignoring Wei Wuxian’s eyes and slight grin, Lan Zhan stared at the guqin and led the way back to where he had been. Still a little mesmerized, Wei Wuxian was going to pretend that Lan Zhan’s pace wasn’t slow for his sake.

“I wonder what kind of treasure this is,” he said, humming appreciatively at the craftsmanship of the instrument in ivory and the delicate engraving of patterns, “that it’s not letting strangers near it.”

“Don’t touch it,” Lan Zhan warned needlessly as if Wei Wuxian would dare lay his wet hand on a fine creation. “This instrument is hard to obtain and has magical value. It knows how to target people with a different family name using Chord Assassination.”

Well, damn, that was the longest he’d heard from Lan Zhan. Also, Chord Assassination? Wasn’t that the one Lan Qiren mentioned in one of his lectures an ultimate move passed down from generation to generation in the Lan Sect?

“One of Lan Sect’s heirlooms then?” Though he wondered why hide this exquisite instrument when it could be displayed; why the magical protection for this thing alone? “Hm. Can we investigate?”

“Don’t touch it,” came the same warning. “You’ll be disrespecting my ancestor’s possession.”

“Fine. How are we supposed to investigate it without touching it?”

Lan Zhan moved around and to the other side of the guqin, sitting. Wei Wuxian decided to situate himself next to the instrument, watching raptly at the long fingers that tuned the strings, a pale hue of qi danced across the surface where he touched.

Wei Wuxian was aware that Lan Sect’s expertise lay in musical cultivation, and he had to admit that there was something enrapturing to observe a Lan performing it even if what Lan Zhan was doing was one of the basic aspects of it.

He did not recall closing his eyes, though when he next opened them, Lan Zhan was pointedly looking at the spot where Wei Wuxian sat. Consciously, he stood, patting nonexistent dirt away from the instrument.

Then the notes came, a response to Lan Zhan’s playing. A flash of what must be a surprise lit Lan Zhan’s features.

“It’s her.”

“Who?”

From the walls, there echoed a sudden noise of a hundred thundering steps, of multiple voices clamoring at once. They were both on high alert in an instant upon hearing the recitation of the names of the five major clans. Lan Zhan withdrew his sword, and Wei Wuxian, subconsciously, positioned himself a step in front of him.

There were loud chants of killing a holy mountain and destroying the Stygian metal, of demands for a Xue Chonghai to give up the said Stygian metal. The yells alone were enough to determine that the five major clans were to attack a clan of this Xue Chonghai.

“What is Stygian metal?”

“I’ve never heard of it,” Lan Zhan admitted.

The noise settled into a deafening silence before a clear and gentle feminine voice said: “Stygian metal is cursed. It’s best not to talk about it.”

At the place Lan Zhan previously occupied, a woman in blue of the shade of skies sat down, her face serene and timeless, not a hair out of place as she regarded them.

Lan Zhan went to his knees, bowing deeply, the gesture pulling Wei Wuxian down with him. “Gusu Lan Sect disciple, Lan Zhan, greets Elder Lan Yi.”

Wei Wuxian paid the same respects, almost floundering doing so. “Four Seasons Sect disciple, Wei Ying, greets Elder Lan Yi.”

At him, Lan Yi said, “You came a long way.”

Wei Wuxian was tempted to ask how in the world did she know and if that meant his fathers’ sect could be traced as far back as the ones in the cultivation world. He held his tongue, observing her quite taken with a rabbit that had wandered over to her. She stroked its fur fondly, and for a moment Wei Wuxian could believe that she wasn’t an elder of centuries old.

“Elder, do you raise those rabbits?” he asked.

“Yes. To keep me company,” she answered. “My magic has waned over the years,” she said evenly. “They love to play so they frequently run outside.”

“Elder, they said you passed away years ago,” said Lan Zhan. “Why...”

“Is it related to the Stygian metal?” Wei Wuxian could gather as much from what they’d heard.

A flicker crossed her face, akin to a disturbed surface of perfectly tranquil water. “It is the biggest mistake of my life. Because of it, I’ve used all of my spiritual energy as the price for suppressing the Stygian iron.”

On her palm, she produced an old piece of chipped metal, tarnished but not rusted. This must be the Stygian metal, and Wei Wuxian’s mind raced with questions upon questions and settling for two.

“What’s up with this metal? And the yelling earlier, where do they come from?”

“Since it has been unsealed, my psyche, along with my magical powers, weakens day by day,” she said. “And then you two came. It must be fate.”

Lan Yi spoke of a few hundred years back, when the Stygian metal hadn’t been broken into pieces, and what was presently named Yiling Burial Mounds was then called a holy mountain. She mentioned Xue Chonghai who had been the most powerful advisor to the emperor, and how the facts had been muddled by time as to why he had wielded the Stygian metal to absorb resentment and used human beings as sacrifices. With the Stygian metal, he had controlled a notorious beast known as the Tortoise of Slaughter. Formidable, Xue Chonghai slaughtered cultivators of various sects, both big and small.

“The five major sects,” Wei Wuxian began. “They banded together to bring him down.”

“Indeed. It cost a lot of lives, and the Yiling holy mountain became the Burial Mounds for the fallen.”

“Elder, where was the Stygian metal after that?” Lan Zhan asked.

“It absorbed numerous living beings’ spiritual awareness, and all the resentment couldn’t be contained.”

“The metal was capable of spirit consumption?” Wei Wuxian asked in disbelief.

He’d read of theories and the subjects that encompassed spiritualism, and he would wager that not all the scholars who scribed and penned those in old books and dusty scrolls had seen half of what they’d written in practice, one of those about how a spirit could transform into its own awareness that was capable of destroying either itself or another, or capable to growing itself by multitudes through absorption or consumption.

“The Stygian metal was originally a national treasure that could absorb nature’s natural aura,” Lan Yi said. “Xue Chonghai used that ability to absorb living beings’ awareness and cultivators’ spirit essence, and because of this the resentment completely polluted the metal and can never be cleansed. The closest to suppression the five greatest clans managed was to divide the metal into pieces, stored in four locations where the spiritual vein is in abundance in four cardinal locations. To prevent the same mistake of Xue Chonghai, it was agreed not to pass the knowledge of Stygian iron to any of the future descendants.”

“Forgive me for speaking directly, Elder, but using the logic of absorption, why not absorb instead the opposite of resentment, an amount that can overwhelm the resentment within? And the iron must have its limits too for it’s not a pocket of unlimited space to contain everything there is. Why not stuff it full of resentment until it cannot contain all in itself? It doesn’t have to be the living; the dead or beasts, like the Nie Sect’s way of cultivation. Or—or what if we utilize the resentment within the metal? It won’t be like Xue Chonghai if we—”

“Wei Ying!” exclaimed Lan Zhan. In truth, his volume hardly rose a level, but it was as much of a sound of incredulity at what Wei Wuxian was saying.

She shook her head. “What Young Master Wei said was exactly what I had in mind then. The folly of youth is arrogance and the inexplicable need to prove oneself.” She turned wistful. “As the first female sect leader who wants prestige for her sect and to prove them wrong, I carried those follies through the years and pursued the Stygian iron. It was futile, in the end.” Lan Yi smiled ruefully. “Baoshan Sanren was right.”

Wei Wuxian jolted. “B-Baoshan Sanren?”

“She was a good friend, and she tried to stop me. I’m a fool for not listening.” Her eyes were distant, regretful. “I thought I could enlighten it on my own but merely ended up unsealing the iron. Once unsealed, it couldn’t be reversed. Now here I am in Han Tan Cave, unable to leave after I used my psyche instead. I might not have passed away all those years ago, but I’ve been fading away since then.”

A slow death and dying alone. Wei Wuxian couldn’t think of anything worse.

“What happened to my grandmaster?” he asked quietly.

“Grandmaster?”

Wei Wuxian nodded. “My mother, Cangse Sanren, was a disciple of Baoshan Sanren. She lived with her master and came down from her mountain. She met my biological father afterward and had me.”

“I didn’t know.” Lan Yi stared at him in wonder. “Who would have thought that Baoshan Sanren would take a disciple? We were both young back then, and last I heard of her she went to seclusion. I was… ashamed to seek her.”

“Elder, I have a question,” Lan Zhan spoke. “Are you the one who brought us here?”

“No, not with my weakening state, but I suspect that it’s the Stygian metal. It has been restless since the past decade when the other pieces resurfaced.”

Wei Wuxian shared a look with Lan Zhan. Someone was aiming to be another Xue Chonghai, and it didn’t bode well for their generation and the next.

“The pieces must be gathered together to seal the iron once more.” Her lips pursed. “Only then will the resentment quieten, and hopefully will be laid to rest here forever, frozen in this cave.”

Lan Zhan clasped his hands in front of him, kneeling. “As a descendant of Gusu Lan Sect, Lan Zhan vows to fulfill this obligation to Elder Lan Yi.”

Wei Wuxian imitated the gesture, much to Lan Zhan’s surprise. “Wei Ying of the Four Seasons sect vows to accomplish this with Lan Zhan.”

“This is a matter of the Gusu Lan alone,” Lan Zhan protested.

“I might be from a different sect, from somewhere far away from here, but it doesn’t mean I’ll stand by when there’s potential harm to many. I might have been raised in jianghu, but my fathers raised me to care for the lives of others,” he declared, glancing briefly at Elder Lan Yi and noticing her soft gaze at them. “Besides, Elder is right. Maybe it is fate that brought us here.”

Personally, Wei Wuxian hadn’t been a believer of fate for it only happened to him once: his baba finding him in that terrible snowstorm, way before Sect Leader Jiang or even death itself found him. He felt the tight grip of Lan Zhan’s silk ribbon against his forearm, connecting him to his owner.

Perhaps this, too, was fate.

❆❆❆

Lan Yi’s fading was inevitable, though for it to happen in front of his eyes brought a disquiet in Wei Wuxian’s stomach. What was left of her spiritual essence exploded into blue fireflies, enchanting and separating into several little lights that would never come together again to form a whole.

They stumbled past an egress that magically appeared on a wall, with Lan Zhan half-dragging him out like he was eager to set out as soon as possible to find the remaining pieces of the Stygian iron.

Heh. He probably was.

Completely forgetting being tied to Lan Zhan, Wei Wuxian misjudged a step, foot tangling with Lan Zhan’s, throwing them both together on the rocky dry ground.

“Well,” began Wei Wuxian, grinning down coquettishly, after finding himself on top of an alarmed Lan Zhan. “This is a nice end to our escapade, Lan-er-gongzi.”

It would be forever etched in his mind, that adorable shade of scarlet.

#fanfic #fanfiction #shl fanfic #cql #chen qing ling #mdzs #untamed fic #crossover #wangxian #wei wuxian #lan wangji #the untamed #word of honor #wwx gets adopted by wenzhou

[satan-chillin]

Hereafter (3/7)

Wei Wuxian is sent off of Cloud Recesses, bade by his fathers to “have fun and make friends” which, now that he thinks about it, sounds like a gross oversimplification of what the next six months away from home will entail.

If he happens to form unlikely connections, start a matchmaking, and gets unwittingly involved in the presently strained political state of the cultivation world, those are just par for the course.

Chasing after one of the famed Twin Jades of Lan, however, is an added bonus.

(Or, WWX was sent to Gusu by his fathers Wen Kexing & Zhou Zishu)

Part 2 of Spirited Away Series. Part 1 here.

Also available in Ao3. Hereafter Chapter 1, 2

❆❆❆

The scowl Jiang Wanyin was throwing at him was really uncalled for.

“Is that face supposed to be anger on my behalf or...”

Jiang Wanyin scoffed. “You wish. You’re obviously in the wrong here.”

Wei Wuxian was tempted to smack him if his back wasn’t aching (and itching) as hell. He rolled his eyes. “Throw me in the ditch, will you. At least Nie-xiong thinks—ow!”

“Don’t move much,” came Nie Huaisang’s warning from the other side before dabbing a wet cloth at his back. Wei Wuxian was pretty sure they were both wincing. “And, well, you were guilty for taking the sacred Lan forehead ribbon, Wei-xiong.”

“Fine,” Wei Wuxian grumbled. “In my defense, I didn’t know it’s that important. Are those ribbons made from special silk or something?”

“It has always been part of their tradition,” Jiang Wanyin said, crossing his arms unrepentantly. “Even if it doesn’t make sense to anyone else outside their sect, we respect that as their guests.”

Chastised, Wei Wuxian pouted but did not retort. He understood Jiang Wanyin’s point, and he could imagine a-die’s disapproval that he might have taken it a little too far. Wei Wuxian let the matter go. “Fine, that’s on me, but I didn’t start the fighting!”

He was certain that he had planned to get some air the previous evening to lull his bones to sleep. He’d been delighted, in fact, when Lan Zhan had pulled up short, though he seemed to have gotten it in his head that Wei Wuxian was due for a punishment and not even the fun kind. All that for sleeping late as if Lan Zhan hadn’t been doing the very same thing, and pointing it out broke a bit of that surface calm that had Wei Wuxian defending himself the next moment (or trying not to get hauled, really).

The ruckus and noise that followed resulted in… this.

He hadn’t been disciplined this bad since a-die had him running twenty laps around the manor. He was also sure that the only one suffering was him; Lan Zhan being a Lan was definitely used to this, though he would have to have been unruly himself to develop a thick skin to withstand the strikes.

Wei Wuxian was hard-pressed not to think too much of a porcelain back lined with red—er, not in present company, at least.

“What’s that expression for?” Jiang Wanyin asked haltingly.

“Heh. Wouldn’t you like to know?”

“That better not be another trouble in your mind. Look, carrying you back once is enough. I’m not looking forward to doing that again.”

“Speak for yourself. Nie-xiong can carry me.”

“Ah.” NIe Huaisang chuckled nervously. “I’m not exactly as strong as Wanyin to do it often, Wei-xiong.”

“See?”

“Pft. You’re just jealous you’re not the one being tended right now.”

“What’s that supposed to—A-jie!”

Wei Wuxian found enough energy to turn around towards the ajar door and found a young woman entering with a tray of food that smelled delectable. Jiang Wanyin closed the door behind her and helped her down to where he previously sat.

“Good morning, Young Master Wei. I apologize for barging in like this, but I heard what happened from A-Cheng and thought to bring some soup over,” she said kindly. “It’s a shame that we haven’t been introduced before. My name is Jiang Yanli.”

Wei Wuxian hid a grimace as he sat up and pulled his thin robe over. It wouldn’t do to appear indecent in front of a young lady. He bowed as low as he could. “It’s an honor to meet Maiden Jiang, even if this one is unfit for the company of a maiden.”

He knew he liked Maiden Jiang when she returned his smile brightly, waving off his apology before serving him a bowl of what she called lotus soup. “I’m guessing the three of you haven’t had the morning meal,” she addressed the three of them. “I made enough for us.”

Jiang Wanyin wasn’t exaggerating when he had called his elder sister good-natured, and it was clear why he loved and admired her greatly. She reminded Wei Wuxian of shijie Xiaolian, in fact, with both their caring and motherly nature. She closely treated Nie Huaisang like another younger brother, and based on how concerned she was over Wei Wuxian’s back and empathetic of his situation, she was probably considering him as a new addition.

Wei Wuxian wouldn’t mind, to be honest, but Jiang Wanyin probably would.

“Don’t spoil him much, A-jie,” he reminded her once she began peeling lotus seeds for Wei Wuxian. “He can move his hands.”

“I don’t mind,” Jiang Yanli told him gently. “A friend of A-Cheng is my friend too. Besides, this is the first time I’ve met the person you speak highly of.”

Wei Wuxian snickered at the sudden red on Jiang Wanyin’s cheeks. “Aiya, Jiang-xiong, you never told me,” he couldn’t resist teasing. He inclined his head. “You know, I never quite figured out why you seemed opposed to me spending time with Nie-xiong before, but I think I know now why.”

“If the next thing that will come out of your mouth is another nonsense you can forget it,” Jiang Wanyin replied shortly before offering to clean up and marching out with the dirty dishes. Nie Huaisang excused himself, muttering about fetching another basin of warm water but following Jiang Wanyin’s direction.

Maiden Jiang smiled impishly after them, eyes alight with something like a secret only she was privy of. Once left alone with her, Wei Wuxian stood, not without difficulty, and set about making a pot of tea for her. She looked startled and was about to protest about not needing to be served but thought better of it once she considered their new distance where she now sat across from him. If it was even possible, her ever-present smile softened. She thanked him, both for the cup of tea and his thoughtfulness.

“A-Cheng can be prickly to most,” she began conversationally, “but he’s a good person who finds it hard to express himself. Before, he only had A-Sang who was determined not to be shaken off. I’m glad he has you now too.”

Wei Wuxian grinned toothily then sighed, feigning disappointment. “To be fair, Maiden Jiang, when he told me about you, I thought he wasn’t actually picturing his sister,” he mock-whispered. “Now, though, I understand that you racked up all the patience and left him a sour grape.”

Her clear tinkling laugh was infectious. “I suppose that makes him more suitable for our colors,” she jested. “But you haven’t seen A-Cheng with his dogs, Young Master Wei. He loves them dearly, and they’re his first friends. They must be missing him as much as he misses them.”

“Ah, dogs,” Wei Wuxian repeated weakly. They must be as nice as Maiden Jiang, and Jiang Wanyin, thought of them, but he couldn’t help but repress a shudder. “Are they… cute?” he asked lamely.

“They are. Energetic and very cuddly too.” Maiden Jiang—bless her soul—did not point out the abrupt awkwardness. “I love them as well, but I find that I’m partial to cats. A-sang once brought one with him from Qinghe when he visited us.”

Cats were alright, he thought. There had been a female tabby that his shixiong liked to feed and had shown Wei Wuxian her kittens when he was a child. It had been one of his early memories in the manor, and he told as much to Maiden Jiang who happily listened about his childhood at Four Seasons. It was likely that she knew as much as her brother, though she made no mention of it, telling him instead about her days as a little girl in Lotus Pier and how she had taken up culinary, learning from the head of the kitchen who had been like a grandmother to her.

“Young Master Wei,” she said, “I’d prefer it if you call me Yanli.”

“Only if you call me A-Xian.”

“Very well… A-Xian.”

❆❆❆

Although he was a little better, Wei Wuxian was embarrassingly waddling come afternoon. To make matters worse, he had the misfortune to come across some sniggering peers who followed a haughty-looking young master who barely spared Wei Wuxian a glance before walking the path without pause.

Unexpectedly, though, Jiang Wanyin took a minute to properly greet the young master who merely acknowledged it with a curt nod. Rude.

Wei Wuxian raised an eyebrow. Jiang Wanyin simply muttered, “Prancing peacock.”

“You know him?”

“Who doesn’t?” He rolled his eyes. “Right. That’s Jin Zixuan.”

“I gathered as much,” came the dry reply. Wei Wuxian had made it his mission to memorize as many names as he was able, and he had started with the names of the heirs of the major sects. “I never thought you knew him personally since I’ve never seen him with you or Nie-xiong. I guess you sect heirs have an inner circle.”

“Would’ve been better if we only knew each other in passing,” Jiang Wanyin huffed. Annoyed, he supplied, “He’s A-jie’s betrothed.”

Wei Wuxian blinked at the direction where Jin Zixuan and his lackeys disappeared to. “Huh.”

He had only met Yanli earlier, but already he felt a protectiveness toward her; such a lovely and kind person better be treasured by her future spouse.

Wei Wuxian’s eyes darted once he caught sight of white from his periphery. He noticed Zewu-jun approaching, smiling. “Young Master Wei, Young Master Jiang.”

He could only return the greeting in embarrassment. He hoped that smile wasn’t a dig at his state; after all, he did commit what must have been comparable to a crime to his younger brother.

Gods, that sounded dirty.

Lan Xichen, blissfully unaware of what was going on inside Wei Wuxian’s head, said, ”I honestly did not expect to see you moving about today, but I’m glad to see you well enough to walk.” As if sensing Wei Wuxian wanting to say that it hurt all over, he added, sounding apologetic. “Uncle is strict, but his punishment is worse than necessary. It can take you a week and a half to completely heal.”

Wei Wuxian internally winced. While he wasn’t overly enthusiastic with the lectures—oh, he loved learning, and, truly, that was the only thing motivating him to wake up early and tolerate Lan Qiren’s droning voice—he really didn’t need the dent on his studies.

“I’ll let you know of a place that will help you heal faster so you won’t fall behind in your schooling,” Lan Xichen said. “Nonetheless, I’m pleased to see that Young Master Wei is being taken care of by his friends.”

“It’s kind of Nie-xiong to tend my wounds,” Wei Wuxian said happily. “Young Master Jiang might be getting a little fed up, but I admire his patience, and because of him I get to know Maiden Jiang and her cooking.” He nodded sagely, completely aware of Jiang Wanyin’s growing embarrassment. “I also believe that he’s waiting for me to heal to beat my ass for getting spoiled by his sister and Nie-xiong.”

It was funny how Jiang Wanyin struggled between wanting to throttle him and smack his back and debating whether it was worth it to do either or both in front of the esteemed Zewu-jun.

❆❆❆

The place Lan Xichen mentioned was a stream by the backhills, easy to miss with the light mist that surrounded it. A cold soak could be what he needed.

Wei Wuxian ambled by the bank, untying his belt but stopped when he caught movement in the water. He squinted.

It was Lan Zhan. Naked from waist up.

“What are you doing here?”

He was also murderously glaring at him.

“Zewu-jun told me about this place.” Wei Wuxian cleared his throat, his eyes admittedly lingering at the expanse of skin that seemed to go on indefinitely… and where angry red marks marred his back. As someone who was inflicted with the same punishment, Wei Wuxian knew it was as bad as it felt.

He reached for his sleeve, taking out a small pouch. “Believe me when I say I didn’t know—” He fell silent. He wasn’t planning to return it this soon; later, maybe, after his bath. “I shouldn’t have snatched your ribbon. I’m sorry.”

A flurry of pale cloth completely hid Lan Zhan’s torso from his sight, though he still refused to turn in Wei Wuxian’s direction. He sighed, removing the fan from his waist and propping his sword by a rock. Hesitantly, Wei Wuxian dipped his toe on the water, shivering at the frigid contact.

His soaked robes weighed him down as he trudged further into the cold water, slowing at the progressively slippery smooth stones under his bare feet. He bit his lip, grateful that Lan Zhan’s back was on him or else he’d see how utterly ungraceful he was just to reach him.

“Here,” he said awkwardly, extending the pouch. Lan Zhan determinedly ignored him, though there was an unmistakable pinking at the tip of his ears. Not knowing what to make of it, Wei Wuxian clicked his tongue and clarified, “I have your ribbon inside.” He frowned suddenly, feeling an odd shift in the water. “Wait. Lan Zhan, do you feel that?”

As soon as the words left him, a strong current took him by his ankles, dragging him underwater, and Wei Wuxian knew no more.

#fanfic #fanfiction #shl fanfic #cql #chen qing ling #mdzs #untamed fic #crossover #wangxian #wei wuxian #lan wangji #the untamed #word of honor #wwx gets adopted by wenzhou