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ninjakk · 2 years

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WWX meeting LWJ post Burial Mounds escape

The chapters entitled "Evil" (or the more aptly named "ill winds" - 7s), is where we finally see the true extent of how traumatised WWX has become after escaping the Burial Mounds. In my opinion, it has some of the most heartbreaking scenes in the whole novel.

His lips trembled, saying something in silence. Jiang Cheng stood up almost immediately. It was Wei WuXian! However, apart from the face, from top to bottom, this person was nowhere like the past Wei WuXian. Wei WuXian had clearly been a bright, high-spirited boy. The tips of his eyes and eyebrows had always retained the hint of a grin, always refusing to walk properly. Yet, this person was entirely enveloped in a cold, dark energy. He was handsome, yet pale-faced, his smile eerie.

Chapter 62 ExR translations

In all honesty, the minute I read the description of WWX in this chapter, a tear rolled down my cheek. In fact, I continued to cry silently throughout this chapter as I read it. The difference in WWXs appearance and personality just broke my heart to read. To some extent, the fact we never fully find out what WWX went through during those three months trapped in the Burial Mounds, could almost be worse than knowing. With MXTX leaving it up to our own imaginations to fill in the gaps on his torturous time there, most of our minds probably go somewhere awfully dark and extremely unpleasant, very quickly.

Wen ZhuLiu couldn’t attend to both sides at the same time, blundering amid the chaos. As he looked to the side and saw Wei WuXian’s cold smile, he threw himself at him. Both of the two on the roof frowned. Lan WangJi smacked down. The tiles shattered and the roof collapsed. Through the roof, he descended into the second floor of the courier station and blocked Wen ZhuLiu from Wei WuXian.

In an effortlessly cool fashion, LWJ descends from the broken roof in a shower of tiles and a flutter of white robes, in order to protect WWX. If WWX had been his usual self at this point, I think he might have swooned! It was pretty epic. It's a 10 from me as far as dramatic entrances go! LWJ, falling with style.

WenZhuLiu’s large, heavy body had been lifted up by the surging whip and was now dangling in the air. Immediately, there came the crunching sounds of his neckbones cracked. At the same time, Wei WuXian’s pupils shrunk. He took out a flute from beside his waist and spun around, standing up. The ghoul child and blue-faced woman who had been tearing at Wen ZhuLiu quickly backed off to his side and stared with vigilance at the two strangers.

Meanwhile JC takes advantage of the sudden distraction and attacks WZL, using Zidian to garrote the man who murdered his mother and father. At the same time, the minute WWX sees LWJ and JC, he does not react the way he should. Even in the current circumstances, you would assume he would be happy to see JC, at the very least. And let's be honest, WWX is usually rather excited to see LWJ! But seeing them just now only evoked negative emotions, resulting in WWXs pupils contracting. Shrinking pupils usually indicates anger or anxiety - and I think it's safe to assume it's most likely anxiety here. From his reaction, we can see WWX seems almost nervous that he's been found out. He is somewhat uncomfortable that LWJ and JC have witnessed his behaviour - he wasn't expecting an audience!

The ghoul child snarled at Lan WangJi and Jiang Cheng, not at all hiding its enmity. Wei WuXian raised his hand slightly for it to withdraw its fangs. His gaze swept back and forth between Lan WangJi and Jiang Cheng. Among the three, nobody spoke up. A few moments later, Jiang Cheng waved his arm and tossed something over. Wei WuXian caught it without a second thought. Jiang Cheng, “Your sword!” Wei WuXian’s hand slowly dropped. He looked down at Suibian and only responded after a pause, “… Thank you.”

Again, if WWX is around things aren't usually that quiet! As such, there is an awkward moment where no one speaks. This is most likely because the two who fell with style only minutes ago, are probably in shock at what they have witnessed. WWX is uncharacteristically silent, possibly because he is worried they will judge him for the severity of his actions and the method he is using to extract such vicious revenge. In the end JC finally breaks the ice because he is simply not as concerned about the whole situation. He's relieved to see WWX is back and seems intrigued by his new cultivation method - but he doesn't seem concerned by the stark difference in WWXs personality and demeanor. If anything, JC seems positively delighted to see WWX so fixated on unspeakable revenge. The coldness around WWX starts to dissipate as he notices JC is not treating him any different from usual and he starts to open up a little more. Although he's still reluctant to fully address everything.

From the corner of his eye, Wei WuXian saw that Lan WangJi had always been looking at them.

WWX has been watching LWJ from the corner of his eye since they first appeared. The fact he has been purposefully avoiding his gaze shows us he's nervous and worried about how LWJ might perceive him now. WWX has always wanted LWJ's attention, now he has it under less than ideal circumstances - which is just so heartbreakingly poignant. Instead of having his assumptions confirmed, he chooses to ignore LWJ, which is something WWX has never done before.

Wei WuXian, “I just got out, hey? I heard that both shijie and you were fine, and you were rebuilding the YunmengJiang Sect and forming an alliance, so I went to kill a few Wen-dogs first to lighten up your burden, and do some contributions. In these three months, you’ve been working hard.”

WWX has somehow received information regarding JC and JYL. It's safe to surmise he would have been very anxious to find out if they were okay. Of course on a re-read, we can probably speculate WWX would have been keen to know how JC was doing post golden core transfer as well.

So from the above we can assume that over the past few days, since WWX escaped the Burial Mounds, he most likely asked around regarding the people he cares most about. In fact, it's probably the first thing he did alongside cleaning himself up and buying new clothes. There is a telling sign that WWX has also been enquiring (or at the very least, listening and taking interest in what people are saying) about LWJ as well. Which we'll get to in a minute. Just as WWX starts to thaw out and open up a little, LWJ finally calls out to him.

Lan WangJi suddenly spoke up, “Wei Ying.” He had been standing quietly at the side. As he spoke, both Wei WuXian and Jiang Cheng turned to him. It was as though Wei WuXian finally remembered to greet him. He nodded slightly, “HanGuang-Jun.”

We know from earlier in the chapter, WWX is very well aware that LWJ is present, just as he always is whenever LWJ is nearby. So it's not that he forgot to greet LWJ, but more he's reluctant to do so. It's quite obvious WWX is nervous about LWJs inevitable reaction towards his new cultivation technique.

WWX calling LWJ by his title when greeting him in the above scene is actually rather significant. This is the first time he's ever done so in his first life thus far. From what we can gather, LWJ has only just obtained the title, presumably during the Sunshot Campaign. Although we aren't told this outright, it's the only conclusion we can arrive at due the information provided in the novel. So technically, WWX shouldn't know anything about his title yet. He's only been back a few days and the cultivation world is at the start of a war. As amazing as LWJ is, it's probably one of the least important facts that you would tell a random person enquiring about the war and the Jiang sect. Unless WWX specifically asked about Second Young Master Lan... because he was worried about him also.

Personally, I think it's pretty safe to assume that LWJ obtained his title during his most recent valiant efforts during the Sunshot Campaign. LWJ has not been addressed as HanGuang-Jun until this moment in time onwards. It's not until we read the second Incense Burner chapter from the extras, that we get more evidence that this is most likely the case.

The Lan WangJi of tonight’s dream still appeared to be young, but he was more like the one Wei WuXian saw in the Cave of the Xuanwu, about seventeen or eighteen.

Chapter 119

As we can see from the above, in one of the incense induced dreams, WWX meets a 17/18 year old LWJ. He mentions that LWJ looks around the age he was during their time together in the cave of the Xuanwu of Slaughter. WWX then goes on to playfully call LWJ by his title HanGuang-Jun, while teasing and provoking him. But we find out that the 17/18 year old DreamJi doesn't understand this reference, because he has not received the title yet.

He didn’t have the spare energy to think about whom HanGuang-Jun was either, his voice harsh, “Wei Ying!!!”

With this in mind, it only gives us a short period of time for LWJ to have gained the title amid the nearly four months in between their time in the cave and the two meeting in the above chapter.

WWX addressing LWJ as 'HanGuang-Jun' during Chapter 62 holds so much meaning - even more than some might have noticed on a first read. WWX is already on the defensive with LWJ, because he knows how his sect feels about what they deem "improper" cultivating methods. As such, we could conclude he's drawing a line between them by using LWJ's formal title when he finally addresses him. It's a stark contrast to his usual casual way of addressing LWJ by his birth name. But WWX goes on to use his birth name after greeting him, so it seems this might not be the case.

As I said earlier, WWX using LWJ's title is also a telling sign he has been asking (or perhaps heard) about him post Burial Mounds escape. This could actually be quite a sweet little slip-up that shows us just how much he truly cares for LWJ. WWX literally escapes hell on earth and has to find out how LWJ is doing - which is just too cute! It's certainly very much in his character to worry about LWJ, as we've seen numerous times before. It's very interesting, because in the original version of MDZS, it seems WWX does not use his title during the chapter in question. MXTX seems to have added this small detail in when editing the novel - which means it is most likely there for a reason. Personally I think this is MXTX subtly hinting at WWXs feelings for LWJ, showing the reader he was not only thinking about him, but concerned for his welfare - just as he was with JC and JYL. Adding such a tiny detail to quite a sad and gory chapter is a beautifully delicate, creative way to show that underneath the trauma and thirst for revenge, WWX is still the same sweet natured person he has always been. LWJ is always on WWXs mind, even when his mind is in turmoil.

He walked one step forward, “What means do you use to control such dark creatures?” The curvature of Wei WuXian’s lips dropped slightly as he glanced at him. Jiang Cheng had also heard the dissonant tone, “Second Young Master Lan, what do you mean by this?” Lan WangJi’s eyes were glued to Wei WuXian, “Answer me.”

LWJ is worried about WWX and the technique he is using to control the ghosts that are currently present. But WWX is reluctant to explain how he is controlling them, because he has already guessed how LWJ is going to react.

“Lan Zhan, we’ve just met each other again after so long and you’re already trying to catch me. That’s not nice, is it?”

Although, WWX originally called LWJ by his new title, he has reverted back to using his birth name - even though there is some tension between them. Personally I think this shows WWX is showing he is hurt, rather than angry with LWJ at this moment in time. WWX is still clinging onto the familiarity he feels he has with LWJ, trying to reason with him and avoid conflict.

“I thought that we could be considered familiar with each other. You starting a fight with me without saying anything does sound a bit heartless, doesn’t it?”

Unfortunately although LWJ's questions come from a place of concern for him, WWX thinks LWJ is acting this way because he does not like the cultivation technique he is using. WWX is notably upset that LWJ seems to oppose his new method. Learning how to harness resentful energy and cultivating the ghostly path was the only way WWX could survive in such an awful place, doing so saved his life and allowed him to escape. So WWX is probably feeling very frustrated and rejected by LWJs attitude, because WWX had no choice but to cultivate this new path. Not that LWJ knows the reason behind any of this of course, but LWJ jumping to conclusions has clearly cut WWX rather deeply. It's quite sad to see WWX trying to reason with LWJ and appeal to any feelings of friendship he might harbor for him. To me, his reaction to LWJ's attitude shows us how much he truly values any relationship they might have. Rather than arguing or fighting him, he tries to diffuse the situation.

Wei WuXian crossed his flute in front of him, “That’s too much, isn’t it? Why so unfriendly? Lan Zhan, just what in the world do you want to do?” Lan WangJi spoke one word at a time, “Go back to Gusu with me.” Hearing this, both Wei WuXian and Jiang Cheng were surprised. Quickly afterward, Wei WuXian laughed, “Go back to Gusu with you? To the Cloud Recesses? Why go there?” He immediately seemed to realize, “Oh. I forgot. Your uncle Lan QiRen hates crooked people like me. You’re his proudest disciple, so of course you’re the same as him, haha. I refuse.”

WWX is still using LWJ's birth name, even though tension is starting to soar. He's still trying to be as friendly as possible towards LWJ, making light of the situation as best he can. WWX even brushes off what he assumes is LWJ's insistence he accompanies him back to his sect, presumably for punishment. Of course although WWX stated he "forgot" about the Lan sects views on certain cultivation methods, we know this is simply not true. His body language and reluctance to acknowledge LWJ is enough proof he is lying. Not to mention less than four months ago, while stuck in the cave of the Xuanwu of Slaughter, WWX was very cautious mentioning anything about the iron sword he found. So we can see that he must remember quite clearly how LWJ's sect would react to his cultivation method.

He gazed at Wei WuXian, “Wei Ying, for cultivating an evil path you would eventually have to pay. Throughout time, there has not been a single exception.” Wei WuXian, “I can pay.” Seeing how unconcerned he seemed to be, Lan WangJi lowered his voice, “The path would not only damage your body, but your heart as well.” Wei WuXian, “Damage or not, how much damage, I know it the most. As for my heart, it’s my heart after all. I know what I’m doing.” Lan WangJi, “Some things you cannot be able to control at all.” Displeasure flashed across Wei WuXian’s face, “Of course I can control it.”

WWX is obviously losing patience with LWJ's insistence that this new cultivation method will harm him. He tries to reason with LWJ further, telling him that he knows this new method better than anyone (he developed it himself after all!) and he can control it.

Lan WangJi walked a step closer. He seemed to be about to speak again when Wei WuXian closed his eyes, “After all, on the topic of how my heart is, what could other people know about it? Why should other people care about it?” Lan WangJi paused. He had suddenly been angered, “… Wei WuXian!”

This sentence is just so heartbreaking to read. It's a rather cutting remark, especially considering we know how LWJ truly feels about WWX. The fact WWX shuts his eyes and is unable to meet LWJ's gaze as he said it is very telling as well. Shutting your eyes while talking to someone is an act of shutting them out. It's an unconscious gesture often called eye blocking, a reflexive movement from someone who is lying and anxious- which is definitely the case here. WWX wants others to care about him and his heart, especially when it comes to LWJ, on a subconscious level.

WWXs comment certainly struck a nerve with LWJ, so much so he lost his composure and called WWX by his courtesy name. LWJ is visibly distressed by WWX's apparent disregard for his own worth, which of course is a lie, hence him shutting his eyes. But he is also hurt by WWX using the comment to draw a line between them, to place LWJ as an "other" in his life. WWX doesn't mean this of course, right up until this very point he was still clinging to hope they were friends or at the very least, familiar with one another. It is only when he is so hurt and angered by LWJs attitude that he reminds LWJ he has always said they weren't close - so how would he know anything about WWX. LWJ pauses because his own previous reluctance to acknowledge they are acquainted has finally come back to bite him on that sexy ass of his.

Wei WuXian had been angered as well, “Lan WangJi! Do you really have to make this difficult at such a point in time? You want me to go to the Cloud Recesses for the GusuLan Sect’s confinement punishment? Who do you think you are, what do you think the GusuLan Sect is?! You really think that I won’t resist?!”

LWJ using his courtesy name is the final push WWX needed to get angry. He shouts LWJ's courtesy name back at him and rebukes his attempt to bring him back to his sect. The atmosphere in the room has become extremely belligerent, resulting in WWX and JC working in tandem to argue with LWJ. Finally JC takes a swipe at LWJ and verbally kicks him while he's down, with one of the harshest remarks I think is in the novel.

“Apologies for saying something so blunt, but even if we get to the bottom of this, Wei WuXian isn’t from your sect either. It’s not in the GusuLan Sect’s place to punish him. No matter whom he goes back with, it wouldn‟t be you.” Hearing this, Lan WangJi’s expression froze. He looked up at Wei WuXian, the lump at his throat trembling, “I…” Before he could continue, a thin scream came from Wen Chao at the corner. Wei WuXian and Jiang Cheng immediately turned around.

There's no other way to say this... When I read this comment from JC I literally swore. Out loud. Like a crazy person. Some will argue otherwise I'm sure, but as I've mentioned in my previous meta, I fully believe that JC suspects WX have unspoken feelings for each other. Granted he's probably not aware of their exact feelings, but he has certainly picked up on something. MXTX has confirmed as such herself as well. JC is definitely threatened by LWJ and his usual influence over WWX. Personally, I think the comment above goes on to prove all of this further. It all seems very personal and the last sentence comes across as deliberately harsh and hurtful. Why say that to him if he doesn't suspect it would hurt LWJ to hear such a cutting remark. JC is definitely his mother's son, with such a viciously sharp tongue. JC even witnessed LWJ's concern for WWX a few days prior, when he noticed JC carrying Suibian and asked about him. But now, he's leveraging the current situation to drive an even bigger wedge between WWX and LWJ.

What's even more upsetting is that LWJ starts to visibly shows his emotions at this point, obviously finally unable to hide the distress and worry for WWX. Under normal circumstances WWX would have noticed this instantly - because he's exceptionally good at reading people. He has even been able to read LWJ (at times) since their time together at the Cloud Recesses, he just refuses to accept it! If WWX was in the right frame of mind, he'd have been hit by LWJs sudden display of emotions and perhaps understood his true intentions weren't what he had first assumed. Sadly WWX is too traumatised and wrapped up in his current overwhelming thirst for revenge to notice anything other than the screams of his dying enemy. As WWX and JCs attention becomes focused elsewhere, preparing to kill WC and WZL, they "suggest" LWJ leave the room, his assistance no longer required.

A few moments later, Lan WangJi turned around and walked down the stairs. After he went out of the courier station, he stood before the door for a long time, but he never left. He didn’t know how long had passed when the silent nightwas ripped apart by a shrill wail. Lan WangJi looked up behind him, his white robes and forehead ribbon fluttering in the cold wind.

The night had passed. The sun in the sky was about to rise. And the sun on the ground was falling.

I think the fact LWJ leaves the building, but still stays nearby is symbolic of his resolve to stay near WWX and protect him no matter what. LWJ will not give up on WWX and he later proves he never does - even if he might lose his own life in doing so.

The final paragraph of this chapter is just so poetic. Personally I think this has a double meaning. Obviously it is symbolic of the fall of the Wen sect, the self-proclaimed sun of the cultivation world who lorded over the other sects from their lofty position. But I think this could also show the unspeakable emotions LWJ is feeling at this moment in time. WWX is a cheerful and vibrant person, he's very enigmatic and LWJ must absolutely adore this. He is the brightest person in LWJs life, so it wouldn't be much of a stretch to claim WWX is the light of his life - or in other words, the sun. As such, this could also symbolise LWJ's fear that WWX is also falling. That WWX is losing himself, darkening his heart and becoming something else, because of his thirst for revenge and the cultivation method he has created. Obviously we know that WWXs heart is not darkening and his method isn't harmful, which LWJ eventually realises as well.

Unfortunately the whole cultivation world begins to turn against WWX and this marks the start of his demis and LWJs sun finally setting. He tries everything in his power to protect it, to keep it shining and prevent it from descending. But sadly LWJ is unable to stop his beloved sun from burning out. Then, just as there is always sunshine after darkness, LWJ gets a second chance to protect his bright shining sun and this time he will not let it fall, because he will always be there to catch it.

#mdzs #mo dao zu shi #mdzs novel #wei wuxian #lan wangji #wangxian #mdzs meta #mdzs analysis #long post #hanguang jun #sunshot campaign

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extraordinarilyextreme · 5 years

Text

but imagine if MoDaoZuShi/The Untamed literally follows how the story is told:

when weiying dies, he literally wakes up 16 (or 13) years earlier. he has all the knowledge of the older him, but everything is yet to come.

he keeps trying to fix things. but history keeps course-correcting. he meets lanzhan, they find the yin iron, the find the sword in xuanwu, he gives his core to his brother, he’s forced down a different cultivation path.

he dies as the hated yiling patriarch.

but he keeps going back in time. chance, after chance, after chance, and he doesn’t understand why the universe keeps favoring him.

(and throughout all of this, lanzhan is the only one who believes him.

i die, weiying tells him, and lanzhan listens.

weiying can’t make sense of that. it’s as if lanzhan remembers too and has vowed to never again choose any side other than beside weiying.)

weiying doesn’t know what to do until he thinks: if lanzhan really is my soulmate, then maybe meeting him is the catalyst to their destined fates.

so he tries this route:

he doesn’t mess around when the jiang sect is invited to gusulan for lectures. he never bonds with lanzhan, even though it destroys him that the other boy never even looks his way. weiying distances himself from the very beginning; he never lets them see the damage.

(maybe now he won’t hurt anyone.)

but down this path, lanzhan discovers the stygian iron on his own. he’s targeted by the wen sect by himself. he's cast into the burial mounds.

weiying immediately goes after him because of all things, he never intended for this to happen.

(i keep dreaming about you, lanzhan admits, though it’s hard to hear over the screaming resentful spirits. he pauses, trying to catch his breath. i remember you.

and now weiying really doesn’t understand. if you know what happens, why did you interfere? why would take my place?

lanzhan just looks at him, at this stupid idiot he’s still in love with time after time after time, unwaveringly. he doesn’t mention crossing the single-log bridge alone in the dark. he doesn’t mention pointing his sword at the yiling patriarch’s throat. he doesn’t mention a-yuan, doesn’t mention his headband, doesn’t mention the song he wrote for them. he doesn’t mention watching weiying fall.

instead, he remembers the image of weiying praying to the gods, paper lanterns burning up in the hazy sky like stars close enough to embrace. he remembers their promise.

we wish we can always stand with justice and live with no regrets.

lanzhan’s mouth curls upward. what do you think? he inquires finally.)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

weiying wakes up in lanzhan’s room. they are 16, 17, maybe barely 18. they are children, and weiying fell asleep copying all of gusulan’s rules.

he snaps to attention, catching lanzhan’s gaze. it’s still harsh, criticizing, but knowing. knowing. my soulmate in this life.

weiying understands.

(he does get lanzhan drunk again. and they both are punished for it again. but he doesn’t tease lanzhan this time, just tucks him into bed, hand soft against a familiar jawline.

thank you, weiying whispers.)

when they fall into the cave, lanzhan still wraps his headband around their wrists. lanzhan also takes his hand. lanzhan chooses him.

this time, weiying trusts the people who love him. it doesn’t matter if wen ruohan finds out. weiying now has all four sects backing him.

wenchao doesn’t stand a chance against the twin jades of gusulan or the twin heroes of yunmengjiang. jiangyanli, wenqing, wenning are safe. the heavenly lady statue remains sealed away. the head disciples of all five sects save the yueyangchang sect.

you can change, weiying tells xueyang. the assassin almost laughs, his cheek bleeding, but there’s something dark and terrible in the other man’s eyes. the yiling patriarch speaks, live without regrets. live meaningfully.

xueyang quiets. he lets songlan and xiaoxingchen lead him away.

(there is no battle at the unclean realm. mengyao is stopped by niemingjue before he can murder the chief general. weiying, with all the blood of thousands of cultivators on his hands of a different timeline, stops the execution.

mengyao is brought to gusulan, to be watched over by lanxichen.)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

the disciples make their way to nightless city. the wen siblings promise to stay safe as they plan to save as many of their sect as they can from the inevitable battle.

weiying leads the other four boys to muxi mountain.

(but this is a fixed point.)

in the end, weiying and lanzhan remain trapped by the xuanwu of slaughter. as the pair ready their weapons, weiying suddenly thinks of mianmian. he undoes his robes, much to lanzhan’s immediate panic, and finds that the scar is still branded on his chest, just over his heart.

but it never happened, he whispers, frowning, looking at lanzhan through the glowing flames of their camp.

lanzhan stares steadily back at him, a hand coming up to his own chest. it does not matter. his matching mark is there too, even though such events have yet to transpire.

when they are ready, lanzhan takes weiying’s hand again. you must be safe.

weiying smiles.

(when he finds the sword, the resentful energy nearly overwhelms him again. he lets it, just for a few minutes, just so they can kill the wretched beast. he remembers lanzhan’s bleeding hands from the strings. please, don’t let him come to harm.

lanzhan saves him, brings him back to their fire, and heals him with his spiritual energy.

is this a dream?

no.

weiying laughs weakly again.

i never thought in my lifetime that i would see lan’er gongzi act so concerned. it’s cruel of him to say, after everything they know might happen—has happened, has never happened. lanzhan. just now, i thought i wouldn’t survive.

lanzhan presses the back of his palm to weiying’s forehead. weiying, he whispers, as if the man before him is the most precious creature across universes.

lanzhan hums. once again, weiying never stays awake long enough to hear the name of their song.)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

the other three disciples save them. as jiangcheng and niehuaisang fret over weiying, the latter storms up to jinzixuan.

just tell her, you stupid peacock!

jinzixuan bows his head, ears very red, and jiangcheng decides it’s high time he brought his older brother back home.

(where’s lanzhan?

he left, jiangcheng retorts, frustrated but all-too-aware. he will be fine.)

jiangyanli welcomes her brothers home, close to tears, and weiying secretly wonders if he will ever life a life in which he doesn’t cause his sister grief.

when yuziyuan lashes out at him, weiying smiles through the beating. i am sorry, he manages, though his back is bleeding from the zidian. this proud woman, this terrified mother, this loving wife glares down at the child her husband adopted.

(the important part is when the wen sect still comes for his family. the important part is that they are ready this time. the important part is that they fight on the same side.)

wenzhuliu recognizes something as he stands opposed to weiying. he does not touch the boy. jiangcheng never loses his golden core. the wen sect retreats.

the important part is that they all live. jiangyanli tends to his wounds, and weiying knows the medicine came from her mother.

the wen siblings arrive soon after, and wenqing’s healing prowess works its wonders.

(jiangcheng works up the courage to give wenqing the comb he bought. weiying laughs when wenning dutifully reports back to him, laughs and laughs until his aching body aches no more.

deep down, he thinks of lanzhan and fixed points in time.)

jinzixuan shows up to help yunmengjiang recover. emboldened by weiying’s jab, he does in fact properly court jiangyanli.

(weiying borrows a messenger butterfly from him.

lanzhan, lan’er gongzi, lan’er gege. the burial mounds.

he pauses, thinking carefully.

oh, light-bearing lord. i’m sorry. thank you.)

when he arrives at the Burial Mounds, lanzhan is already there amidst the skeletal forest, blue robes so light that they’re almost white. dressed for a funeral.

weiying.

don’t ask me to go back with you. you don’t have to follow.

lanzhan looks pained. once, he begged weiying not to go. once, he wanted to hide weiying away, safe from the world, imprisoned at his side. he doesn’t say don’t go where i can’t follow. he means, i will follow you to the ends of the earth without regrets.

a-xian, lanzhan murmurs, and weiying’s heart almost gives out right there and then. be safe. for the time that never came where he did not stand by weiwuxian, lanwangji apologizes. i’m sorry. thank you.

make sure we are ready when i return. protect shi’jie, jiangcheng. make sure wenning and wenqing are safe.

lanzhan smiles, a small thing, a rare thing, but always and only for weiying. you can trust me. i will wait.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

(two months. three months. the yiling patriarch emerges, chenqing glistening from where it’s strapped strapped to his belt.)

the sects celebrate his return at the unclean realm. his siblings move to embrace him, but weiying holds up a hand, his eyes red. he’s trembling.

not yet. where is lanzhan?

(lanzhan finds him helpless in his room, dark smoke curling off his body. you promised you would be safe. his guqin materializes as he settles to play, fingers precise over familiar strings. focus. weiying, focus!

he plays ‘cleansing’.

when the resentful energy calms, lanzhan plays their piece.

weiying sighs, his breaths calming. tell me. what’s the name of that song?

the guqin disappears with a swipe of lanzhan’s white robes. he crosses over to where weiying is sitting on the bed.

lanzhan. weiying pouts.

subian appears in lanzhan’s hands. weiying pulls his old sword into his lap, clutching it tightly.

thank you.

when he sees that lanzhan won’t answer his question, weiying explains the new kind of cultivation he experimented with in the burial mounds.

let me help you, lanzhan interrupts.

weiying tilts his head, smiling. of course. i need the light-bearing lord to protect me.)

under wenqing’s care, it is but a few days before weiwuxian of the yunmengjiang sect stands before the assembled sects and explains. he tells them of the stygian iron seal he is trying to develop. he swears he will destroy it when wenruohan is stopped, three fingers raised to his head.

you all as my witness. no one should bear this kind of burden alone.

lanxichen negotiates their final battle formation, smiling knowingly when he sees weiying and his little brother standing side-by-side.

(later that night, the yunmeng siblings huddle together.

the three of us must never be separated, jiangyanli tells them, kissing the foreheads of her little brothers.

you’re getting married, jiangcheng points out, crossing his arms. aren’t you the one leaving us?

yanli laughs, as delicate as the droplets on the lotuses back home. never. we are family. we will always stand by each other. xianxian, do you understand?

weiying nods, his throat tight, before burying his face into his sister’s shoulder.)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

the united sects invade the nightless city. the puppets grow stronger; fallen cultivators all succumb to the stygian iron under wenruohan’s hand.

the yiling patriarch catches the light-bearing lord’s eyes from across the battlefield. he raises chenqing to lips and plays, haunting, discordant, tragic. his stygian iron seal overpowers the puppets.

once again, he’s pulled to wenruohan, suspended from the top of the cliff as he’s choked.

weiying! he hears lanzhan scream, flying up to him.

the wen leader stumbles. the grip on weiying’s throat relaxes and he falls into lanzhan’s steady grip. wenruohan looks down, disbelievingly, at the sword through his chest.

wenqing pulls her blade back, her eyes swirling with unbridled fury. how dare you threaten my brother. how dare you call yourself a wen? go to hell.

wenruohan dies. the sun in this dark era finally sets.

as weiying’s vision goes blurry, he sees lanzhan saying something. he thinks the other man may be crying.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

when weiwuxian finally wakes up, he is in gusulan. he is wearing the white undergarments of their sect. when he wakes, it is to the sound of guqin. when he looks over, lanzhan is playing their piece.

he’s beautiful, weiying thinks, knowing his eyes are brimming with tears. no guan in the other man’s hair, no heavy crown to wear. this is lanzhan, young, soft, intimate.

it feels like a dream.

lanzhan’s fingers still over the strings. you’re awake. there’s a warm smile in the realization.

he goes to sit at weiying’s side. he lets weiying take his hand.

thank you, though what weiying really means is, of course i love you too, thank you for loving me, after all this time, thank you for taking care of me.

lanzhan inhales sharply. he has never been a man of many words, but the light-bearing lord is renowned for his honesty for a reason. this is nothing to thank me for. this does not warrant your thanks when i do this without effort. thank you for letting me stand by you.

thank you for being my anchor, weiying continues, for letting me return to you. let me take care of you now. thank you.

lanzhan’s mouth twitches upward, amused but with a muted kind of sorrow. let me take care of you too. you have always put others before yourself. you are allowed to rest. i will always catch you.

lanzhan—

the other man squeezes weiying’s hand. weiwuxian of the yunmengjian sect, son of cangsesanren and weichangze, brother to jiangyanli and jiangwanyin, the yiling patriarch, my soulmate of this life, weiying—

lanwangji, what are you—

—may i court you properly?

weiying’s eyes widen. his mouth probably drops open in no flattering matter. his mind is going a million, billion thoughts a moment, and he thinks belatedly his heartbeat is probably doing the same. again, not healthy.

why is lanzhan looking at him like that? as if— as if—

i thought you were going to propose to me.

lanzhan promptly blushes.

weiying laughs, surging upward to hug the other man. i accept, if you’ll propose too. the disciplined model cultivator, lanwangji, one of the twin jades of gusulan—surely you must know your own sect’s rules. you’ve let me touch your headband.

yes. he hugs weiying back.

how fortunate i am! cultivation partners with the light-bearing lord, the to-be chief cultivator himself.

how fortunate.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

weiying earns his sister’s approval to choose the courtesy name for her son. he and jiangcheng plan the most splendid of weddings for red, crimson red and gold and prosperous. indeed, a wedding to be envied and talked about for centuries to come.

he becomes sworn brothers with niehuaisang and wenning.

the wen sect rebuilds itself with support from the yunmengjiang and gusulan sects. wenqing assumes the role of the leader of the clan with hopes of bringing pride to the wen name.

(weiying and lanzhan help out the most. they meet the wen siblings’ nephew, a-yuan, who latches onto lanzhan’s leg and refuses to let go.

it’s weiying who coaxes the little boy into his arms, scooping him up as a-yuan squeals delightedly.

lanzhan, weiying says, pressing a little closer to him. now we have a child.

lanzhan smiles. yes. a family.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

they say the newest chief cultivator is never far from chaos.

(where weiying goes, his husband follows.)

but for now, there are lotuses blooming in the gusulan sect where the loving duet between a flute and a guqin can always be heard.

#wangxian #the untamed #mao dao zu shi #chen qing ling #self-indulgent happy-ending fix-it fic because the show made me sad #me? writing?#fanfic #of all things

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