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kamariya · 3 months

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i know the fandom loves to pretend that xie lian doesn't take care of himself but let's really think about it for a second. he doesn't have a penny to his name, he has no luck, no spiritual powers and no friends and family left in the mortal realm. how exactly should he take care of himself?

he eats food off the floor because it's better than going hungry. that's how many people in poverty live. he doesn't think twice before touching something that might poison him because when you don't receive medical attention for centuries, you're naturally going to adopt an "it is what it is" mentality about your health. he probably didn't get treated by a healer the first few times he got corpse poisoning because he didn't have enough (or any) money to pay them with. he's humble and ignores however which way he's slandered because what can he do? he's heard things like that and worse before.

800 years of poverty will teach anyone humility as well as strip them of it. 800 years of poverty and solitude can make anyone into a complete cynic, an abuser and/or worse.

but xie lian didnt break, not permanently. what jun wu put him through is nothing compared to what the world put him through. tell me this: is jun wu truly the real villain of the story? or is he a micro manifestation of all the other systematic issues in the TGCF universe, wrapped up into a shiny, evil package that's easier to hate, easier to digest and easier to fall for?

know that even though jun wu "set up" the fall of xianle, it was corruption and imperialism that truly brought the kingdom to its knees. know that teen xie lian truly fought for his people, be they patriots or rebels, and that the reason his efforts could never come to fruition was the corruption of the royals and the nobles.

in a world as systematically corrupt as that (much like our own), how easy do you think it would have been for a poor, homeless and friendless man to live a happy, fulfilling life (which he never lived)? and how much easier would it have been for him to gradually give away his morals and principles in favour of a better meal for once, for a better bed for the night? considering his martial skills and vast knowledge of cultivation, would it not have been easy for him to take a path like jun wu himself? like xue yang, even?

and do you think that xie lian did *not* do all these things just because he had "self-sacrificial" tendencies? after centuries of being only a little better than a beggar, do you think the reason he wants to help the common people is because he feels Rich Prince Guilt?

don't you think that the act of preserving oneself here, the act of not sacrificing onself for a cause, is actually whenever xie lian decides to keep following the path of justice, his Third Path? does self preservation only count when it's your body you're preserving, or your material wealth, or your name? surely your own principles matter more. surely you mean more than a fancy title on a tyrant's mouth.

place yourself in xie lian's shoes, and answer this: if you were to go through all that, even if you were to not become a horrible person, would have found and maintained the courage, time and time again, to keep being kind, to keep taking care of yourself, to not become heedlessly reckless, to not become a walking corpse with a noose (ruoye) wrapped around your neck?

in my opinion, xie lian is a hell of a lot positive for a man who's been through so much and never heard a "it's okay, you can rest now" once (until hua cheng came along, at least).

do you think xie lian doesn't feel bitterness towards lang qianqiu, who buried him with a stake through his heart for gods know how many years, because he just... hates himself? or do you think it's because he helped raise lang qianqiu since childhood and earned real respect and admiration from him, after so many years of being spat on, cursed and ultimately turned invisible? do you think he begged to be banished once again only because he felt guilty (although yes, he did feel very guilty) for the terrible fate that befell lqq's family, or because he also genuinely cares about what happens to his people --- he protected the xianle remnants by setting himself up as a cold-hearted murderer, and he protected lqq by refusing to fight him.

do you think that being so old and having seen so much, xie Lian can't tell danger when it's looking him in the eye? he's not stupid. he doesn't neglect his safety until and unless it's to protect someone he cares about. e.g., when he tried his level best to protect shi qingxuan during the Blackwater arc, knowing that he's fighting things and people beyond his control. my point: it didn't matter if he failed. he had to try, just like he tried with his kingdom, and the kingdom that came next. sqx was the first person after hua cheng to befriend and defend him in a long time, and he wanted to show him the same courtesy. can this be reduced to "self-sacrificing" tendencies or "playing the hero", too?

when xie lian stepped out of that bridal sedan, he knew he was playing with fire, but he's not stupid. if he hadn't stepped out, who is to say that crimson rain sought flower wouldn't have entered on his own, or dragged him out forcefully? xie lian isn't a "you only live once, let's make bad decisions" person. xie lian is a "no matter how many lives i live, i will not change" person.

#why do so many people think that xie lian is stupid or just trying to die when he does Literally Anything?#like i promise you people like him have existed and do exist IRL #real people do fight for humanity real people do fight for their loved ones #real people do fight for their fellow citizens ... people are capable of doing Good Things #without just being “people pleasers”#xie lian couldn't be further from a people pleaser ... that guy practises radical love and acceptance #that's the point !! that he cares for humanity in all its forms !!#and no I'm not saying that he doesn't struggle with guilt and self-acceptance at all #he def does!! we see him do that !!#but i dont think it's fair to reduce every good thing he does to him “compensating” for when he couldn't save his falling kingdom #tgcf #mxtx meta #tgcf meta #heaven official's blessing #天官赐福 #swan stuff #tian guan ci fu #xie lian #long post

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artisticallycrafty · 2 months

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Aaaahhhh!!!! It's finally done!!! Huge thanks to my artist for creating this absolutely beautiful TGCF tattoo. I'm in love with this amazing piece of art that lets me proclaim just how much I love Hualian. The colors on the flowers are so soft and lovely, and I love the touch of red in Hua Cheng's flowers, alluding to his title as Crimson Rain Sought Flower. And the wraith butterfly is so ethereal, coming to rest gently on Ruoye, who's so lovingly curled around E'ming??? Ugh, I'm going to be gushing over this tattoo and smiling every time I see it for a long while.

Definitely will be going back to this studio for my next tattoo!

#tian guan ci fu #tgcf tattoo #heaven official's blessing #hualian #tgcf #hob #hua cheng #xie lian #ruoye #e ming

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yunxinshan · 4 months

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I absolutely adore the active Xie Lian.

I just wanted to share my opinion. /Disclaimer: you may not agree with me/

Forgive me, everyone, but I can’t stand it when someone talk about him as a fragile uke with hysterics because of his difficult past.

Xie Lian worked through his acceptance so much that he overcame all his traumas, came out of depression and continued to do what he liked no matter what for 800 years. He's insanely strong. AND I LOVE HIM SO MUCH, I ADORE HIM!!! I want to be like him. This is a man with nerves of steel. The scars from his old wounds still hurt, but hey, it's okay for him to use the sword that killed him over 100 damn times, carry around the Ruoye that his parents and himself committed suicide on. Remained sane after 100 years in a nailed-up coffin underground; did not despair when he was trampled by his own allies on the battlefield. And after all this he managed to ascend for the third time. He is a monster of peace of mind. So crazy cool. I can't..😫🤲💘

I won’t remind you as usual that Xie Lian is the god of war. I will say that he is an ancient legend who can wipe Jianghu into powder, but he simply doesn’t want it. (After what happened to him, he still doesn’t want it! Oh.My.God.)

Have you seen Bai Wuxian-the-horror-of-all-worlds-and-times? Xie Lian is stronger than Bai Wuxian. Imagine this terrible hell, this apocalypse that would happen everywhere if he really retreated from the light side! But Xie Lian is still a cute bun. Dont you think this is an incredible feat to stay true to your ideals no matter what happens? Only a strongest people are capable of this.

(Even though I'm crazy about the fit Dianxia) Yes, Xie Lian is canonically short, graceful in places, so feminine in others that he can hide in a crowd of brides and no one will notice. But he's still a great top. He can take excellent care of Hua Cheng, easily carry him in his arms and love him tenderly on the marital bed. Yes, it may seem strange, but it's true. Xie Lian shows us that you can't judge a person by their appearance. Behind the face of the young man hides an 800-year-old sage who has truly known life.

It's great that he can relax and be weak or sad in front of Hua Cheng. But Hua Cheng can also afford it. Xie Lian always has the strength to listen to him, support him and protect him.

Has someone already said all this? I don't know. But I think this needs to be said as many times as possible. (Because I love the active Xie Lian)

Sorry🥲 I got a little emotional

#tgcf #hua cheng #tian guan ci fu #hualian #heaven official's blessing #xie lian #Top xie lian❤😤🤌

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csilla-nocturne · 5 months

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I love the insert character here gets turned into a kid fic thing so freaking much, and I just thought of the what might be the most chaotic scenario for it! Hualian, Feng Xin, and Mu Qing ALL get turned into kids, and Yin Yu has to take care of all of them! Quan Yizhen may try to help, which makes everything worse. Just imagine little prince LianLian, who is so, so very attached to his new friend Hong-er who is terrified, and aggressive to everyone but LianLian. Little A-Qing who clingy and seems fussy, because he is also terrified, he's NEVER been away from his mother before, and now the weird man won't tell him where she is, or when he can go home! Feng Xin needs a leash, and tries climbing all the things that are not meant to be climbed, so at least Ruoye gets to feel useful.

#tian guan ci fu #xianle quartet #xie lian #hua cheng #mu qing #feng xin #yin yu #quan yizhen #sorry yin yu.#but not really.#plotbunny

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fallloverfic · 6 months

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TGCF donghua Season 2, Episode 3 thoughts

Screaming through my tears of happiness. Spoilers under the cut (also book/story spoilers, for folks just coming in from the donghua).

We may only get him for a minute or two BUT I LOVE ALL THE PRECIOUS SECONDS OF YIN YU, MY BELOVED T-T The second he started talking I had to pause to scream adlkjaldaj

I also love how obvious this is. It's a nice way to set up for the audience "yeah, something's fishy here and it's not just He Xuan". I'm just imagining Hua Cheng like taking Yin Yu's bandages off and unrolling his sleeve to properly set the scene for Xie Lian to see the shackle alkdjalj Cause it'd be funny. Yin Yu, tiredly, "Yes, Hua Chengzu, whatever you want, Hua Chengzu..."

They are so cute. I love them so much.

I imagine a bajillion people have said this but this is very funny as a comparison to Beast giving Beauty the library in Disney's Beauty and the Beast. Hua Cheng knows what makes his gege happy: a fully stocked armory. Xie Lian's pose is so adorable T-T "I really do" indeeeed. Their back and forth kills me T-T

E-ming, babyyyy T-T gets some sparklies cause it's so happpp cause Xie Lian is noticing it :3333

ALSO E-MING'S CHIRPING???? IT'S SO CUTE????? THE CUTEST THING IN THE WORLD????

Xie Lian leaning over to pet Hua Cheng's weapon while Hua Cheng is wearing it ends me. Just ends me. Bless them all.

Spider-man Xie Lian was hilarious aldkjalj You think "oh he's not being good at this whole sneaky thing isn't he, Yin Yu is probably like "how long do I pretend I can't tell he's like 10 steps behind me"" and then WOOP SPIDER-XIE LIAN alkdjaldkja

Spider-Lian, Spider-Lian, does whatever a scrap collector god can...

I also love the parallel stuff with Lang Ying and Hua Cheng, setting up for Hua Cheng to later impersonate him. I know part of it is just twigging Xie Lian's memory of Hong-Hong-er, but the first time it happens (with Lang Ying's silhouette after dropping the bandages fading into Hua Cheng's face in the present), I think it's a clear set-up for the later plot of Hua Cheng pretending to be him.

Also Ruoye and Xie Lian being badass: I am always here for it.

Qi Rong getting a second of reference. I'm so excited to see how he's handled, terrible man that he is, love him.

Wind Master was also really funny, "I never want to go on patrols with you ever again!" aldkjaldja He's so mad aldkjaldaj

Wonderful episode. I cried. I screamed (no literally I had to pause and make myself be quiet alkdjaldja). E-Ming's chirping T-T Yin Yu T-T Hualian. So adorable.

Other episode thoughts for season 2 (didn't start till episode 3):

S02E03 (you are here)

S02E04

S02E05

S02E06

S02E07

S02E08

S02E09

S02E10

S02E11

S02E12

#Heaven Official's Blessing #HOB #TGCF #Hua Cheng #Xie Lian #Yin Yu #Lang Ying #E-Ming #Hualian #Hua Cheng/Xie Lian #Hua Cheng x Xie Lian #they're so cute #I wish the subs were better but I can get most of it from what's there #a lot of reused animation but eh it's fine #Shi Qingxuan #Qi Rong #Lang Qianqiu #spoilers #fallfthoughts

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lenglengflames · 1 year

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i'd like to think that hua cheng has many skills that involve the creation of something, i.e., sewing/ weaving, wood carving, pottery, sculpting, etc. i see him as someone who would enjoy tactile creations. artisans/ craftsmen were largely made up of the commonfolk in ancient china, so hua cheng being able to sew (perhaps first out or necessity, in order to patch up his tattered robes), carve wood, etc, wouldn't be too far of a stretch.

he could've also taken the time in those 800 years to pursue any of such interests, and i'd like to think one of those skills would be blacksmithing.

xie lian has the whole of hua cheng's armoury to pick a new spiritual weapon after losing fangxin, but apart from ruoye, hua cheng realises he never really settles on the using same sword. instead, xie lian rotates through the swords in his armoury.

so, hua cheng decides to forge a sword for xie lian. since the sword is made for xie lian, hua cheng requests that xie lian name it.

xie lian takes a little time to think, but would eventually settles on the name: 诚心 (chéng xīn).

time to unpack the name a little:

诚 translates to sincere, and 心 translates to heart. so together, 诚心 would translate to 'a sincere heart'.

hua cheng's name in hanzi is 花城 (huā chéng). not only does the 城 in his name look similar to 诚 (sincere), they have the same pronunciation. verbally, it could be said as 城心, which would translate literally to 'city sword'. but in the context of his name, where 花 is his surname and 城 is his given name, it'd translate to 'hua cheng's heart'.

(hua cheng had also said once that there was no one in the world more sincere than him.)

i cannot express how much i love wordplay in chinese.

xie lian takes to carrying chengxin around with him on his duties, or sometimes just because. so even if hua cheng cannot physically be beside xie lian to protect him, there'll always be chengxin.

#hualian #xie lian #hua chang #tcgf #tian guan ci fu #tcgf headcannon #mxtx #mxtx tgcf #heaven official's blessing #hong xin (红心) was another contender but i thought cheng xin had more layers in its meaning to work with #the hanzi of cheng also looks a little nicer bc its a tad more complicated than hong too lol #chinese wordplay my beloved. so much potential #i do have a fic for this but the sword wasn't so much of the focus

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thenanamisimp · 4 months

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Danmei and MXTX novels

Would you look at that, another post that's not about anime? WILD. It is about MXTX novels though so the hyperfixations continue. I'm actually in the process of planning a very lengthy analysis of all three of her series but this is a warning, don't expect too much. I was never good at those in school plus it's been almost 7 years since I've last written something like that but I feel so passionate about her works that I really wanna try to share what I thought about the novels. Nevertheless, this isn't actually those analysis posts since those are gonna be separate and will probably be written after I re-read each series. However, since I'm actually finally fully done reading all her series - including the extra side chapters - I wanted to quickly share some of my opinions and how I feel after finishing all 18 of the books.

This goes without saying but just in case - SPOILER WARNING for Heaven Official's Blessing, The grandmaster of demonic cultivation and The scum villain's self saving system novels.

First off, if you haven't read any of MXTX's work before, prepare for trauma and tragedy. Most of her characters are either deeply traumatised already or in the process of. I will always encourage people to read content warnings before reading her books.

Starting off with my favourite - TGCF or Tian Guan Ci Fu (aka Heaven Official's Blessing). This story means a lot to me. I got introduced to TGCF through the donghua before I even knew it was queer fiction and even with censorship, the closet is made of fucking GLASS so I had to look for the source material. Honestly it took me a while to commit to reading the whole series as I've been struggling to pick up books for years now but TGCF actually got me back into reading (I think in total it took me about 8 days to read all 8 volumes). More than just the story telling being good, I got so incredibly attached to every single character (except Jun Wu, he can eat shit - tho the fact I'm even saying this speaks volumes about how well MXTX can write characters. It takes a lot for me to hate a character this much).

Taking place in a beautiful fantasy world, we follow Xie Lian and Hua Cheng through tragic traumatic past and present and we learn of the horrible truths about the lives of immortal beings. We also see two idiots in love take their sweet ass time to confess. I love me a good slow burn full of longing and pining. I eat that shit UP every time and MXTX gave it to me with every single one of her series.

TGCF for me was a journey full of kicking my feet at fluff, second hand embarrassment (because xl I stg, what do you MEAN you were taught how to resist the advances of women but not how to resist hot men you gay lil shit the closet is made of glass) and honestly, lots of crying. The hundred stabs incident, ruoye's creation and hcg's last death made me sob and scream (no exaggeration, I was stomping around my room, crying and yelling GIVE HIM BACK RIGHT NOW).

Also, in a not so unpopular opinion (I think?), Pei Ming is my fave because 1) he's the no.1 Hualian shipper - check the whole Mt Tunglu adventure for proof and also 2) he's just a lil slut with a big heart. I could seriously talk about him forever because I went from hating him after he tried to throw the blame for the Banyue Pass incident on Xie Lian, to loving him after I realised that everything he does, he does because he is truly just a kind man who loves a good fight. He's so silly! Just a lil guy! Go Pei Ming go!

Fuck you Jun Wu. Again. (I hate him just as much as I hate Mahito. Maybe a little less. I really hate Mahito).

Moving on to my second favourite (but honestly it's such a close one), MDZS or Mo Dao Zu Shi (The grandmaster of demonic cultivation). Take a wild guess about how I got introduced to it... Fandom of course, because very few people talk about TGCF online without mentioning MDZS so I just had to give it a chance.

The great grandmaster of demonic cultivation has been dead for a while but when he gets gifted a new body through a not so well known demonic ritual, he runs into an old acquaintance. We learn about Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji's past and current world of cultivation and hear stories about messy betrayals and conspiracies. Aaaand we find out about some more trauma and tragedy because is it really an MXTX novel without it?

And talk about a rollercoaster because (and please don't hate me for this) I found Wei Wuxian annoying initially.... But it's okay now because I kin him so go figure. Tho I actually kin only his adult self, I was a very introverted and rule abiding teenager, a lil more like Lan Wangji. In any case, wwx is the same stupid chaotic bisexual that I am and he is babygurl. Yeah and what if he murdered 3000 people? It was self defense. THEY ATTACKED FIRST. Your honour, he did nothing wrong and he does not deserve to be punished!

On a serious note, MDZS explores so many themes that are personally important to me, my favourite being the power dynamics of the world. It’s truly moving that even with all the pain Wei Wuxian went through, how far in his cultivation and how powerful he got, he still couldn't protect those he loved (until Lan Wangji of course because Wangxian is perfect together and they always protect and defend each other. Wangxian my beloved). While it might be a stretch for some, it really reminded me of how powerless we are in the world. People aim to educate themselves and go on to do whatever they can to better the world in their own way and yet, it really feels like nothing’s improving sometimes. I could talk about this for hours but maybe I’ll leave that for another time and another analysis post since this is supposed to be a shorter one (lmao)

Last but not least, RZFZX or Ren Zha Fanpai Zijiu Xitong (honestly this one I use the english name for because I can’t pronounce the chinese as much as I try - The scum villain's self saving system or Svsss). This one I actually kinda struggled with - first of all because WHY BUGS MXTX. Not much bothers me in fiction but BUGS? Too far. Heads with spider legs? Raw flesh with maggots? Blood mites? I was out (for about half an hour and then I kept reading). Please note that it's not the raw flesh that bothered me, it was the fucking maggots. I can read about graphic murder, creepy hauntings, torture and many more but as soon as there are bugs? Nope! I’m done. People have phobias and that’s mine I guess. Enough ranting about bugs!

The story follows Shen Qingqiu, the scum villain of the hit web novel Proud Immortal Demon's Way (or PIDW for short, as it's referred to in Svsss) who is actually one of the original readers - and haters - of PIDW, who transmigrates into the book in order to fix the plot holes left by the original author. With his guide “the system” he does his best to lead the male lead of PIDW, Luo Binghe, down a better path than in the original story.

Svsss employs a comedic way of storytelling, with our protagonist being omniscient, it allows for the narration to be sarcastic and poke fun at a lot of moments that are cliche or badly written, as interpreted by sqq. Honestly, this is just a personal preference but I favour the more serious storytelling way of MDZS and TGCF (give me hurt until the very end when the main characters get together and then give me comfort).

To me, Svsss is a lot harder to analyse as a lot of its themes are unfamiliar to me, especially considering I’m the furthest from having any sort of humanitarian education (I have 2 engineering degrees). Using a story within a story, MXTX is able to deliver two main overarching themes; one about abuse and its results through Luo Binghe as well as one about the relationship of author and their readers, the feeling of being trapped by the readers' opinions and wanting your story to be liked through Shang Qinghua (to be honest, I hadn’t really picked up on this one until I saw discussion about this in the fandom).

If I'm being completely honest, I don't think I grasped this series as well as the other ones and I'm finding it hard to digest lbg and sqq's relationship. I'm unsure as to what it is that's holding me back from loving them as much as Hualian and Wangxian. I do tend to prefer tropes like theirs more than the whole "had to convince him to date me" thing which is what Bingqiu's relationship seemed like to me up until the end of volume 3. It’s also why I'm glad I actually followed through and finished the extras in volume 4 (I was really tempted to stop reading once I finished volume 3 not gonna lie). I believe those to be integral to understanding sqq's feelings towards lbh and while I understand that sqq did actually love lbh from the beginning (denial is a river in egypt and the gloset is made of glass - what the fuck is with MXTX's bottoms and the damn glass closet), I struggled to see the tipping point of where he actually understood his own feelings and what was going on in his head and that he was actually in love with lbh. Which is why I think to really understand Svsss, I would seriously need to reread it.

I also would love to eventually talk about queerness in MXTX's work because in each book, sexuality and queerness is explored and examined in so many different ways. As a queer person myself, it fascinates me as I can relate to so much of it. To be honest, I think I could write a short thesis on just this.

Honestly, while I'm very passionate about my favourite pieces of media (if you've heard me talk about any of my top 5 anime you'll understand what I mean), there hasn't been a lot of things outside JJK and MXTX's novels that have made me wanna dive deep into analysing every single detail. It genuinely makes me feel like I'm gonna implode sometimes. These 3 series have seriously reignited my love for reading. I was shown that a good book - in my opinion of course - doesn't need to avoid difficult topics. It simply needs to use them well as a means of delivering a message and a story, rather than them being included just to be included. They also reminded me that I love queer fiction and I need to read more.

I actually would really like to read Erha (or 2ha or The husky and his white cat shizun) but I've read the content warnings and I'm ~~apprehensive~~. While not a lot of things bother me, I'm not sure I want to read about that stuff (please look at the content warnings of this book, or any piece of media in that matter, especially if you have topics that easily bother or trigger you). Remember, it's our responsibility as readers/consumers to look out for ourselves first!

Please recommend any good danmei (other than MXTX) and possibly include links where they can be read! I would also highly appreciate recommendations for some good wlw fantasy fiction as I really would love to read some wlw novels - or even anime/movies/webtoons/manga. Just in desperate need of quality wlw content.

Also while I said I'd keep it short, it seems I ended up writing over 2000 words…

PS. I proofread this about 5 times and during one of them my file crashed, so if there's any mistakes or if I’m not making sense somewhere, blame my deep-fried brain, thanks

Thanks for reading my novel ramble! Enjoy reading :)

theNanamiSimp

#i'm adding a lot of tags because i put a lot of effort into this post actually and i want people to see it #danmei #mo dao zu shi #grandmaster of demonic cultivation #tian guan ci fu #heaven official's blessing #scum villain's self saving system #scum villain #mxtx #mo xiang tong xiu #hualian #hua cheng #xie lian #wangxian #wei wuxian #lan wangji #bingqiu #luo binghe #shen qingqiu

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myheartismadeofstars · 2 months

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TGCF pokemon teams: made x

Xianle Quartet version

Xie Lian

Absol:

Pretty self explanatory. Absol is the Bad Luck pokemon and appears before disasters. No doubt XL encounters a lot of them. Absol would also keep an eye out for BWX.

Calyrex: a pokemon who used to be a king but has lost everything, even his friends...sound familiar? Also it can make plants grow and I love the unused Flower God!XL concept. Also I think XL deserves a legendary.

Hisuian Liligant: an elegant fighter and a beautiful flower. Revered in ancient times but almost forgotten in the modern era. Also I see H!Liligant as very nice and polite.

Mienshao: an unarmed fighter that fights with "ribbons" that remind me of Ruoye. Mienfoo are also mentioned to seclude themselves in the mountains to train.

Garbodor: our favourite trash collector needed a trash pokemon, okay? But also a joking reference to his terrible cooking lmao. (I think Garbodor could eat XL's cooking like HC can, but that's the same as calling it garbage lmao)

Dusclops: THIS is Ruoye. It wraps and binds people in the cloth bandages hanging off of it. It does hold a Reaper Cloth but XL hasn't been able to find someone to help it evolve.

Liligant, Calyrex and Mienshao have been on the team the longest. I think the newest member is Garbodor, but he has had several other pokemon over his lifetime that he lost due to his luck.

Hua Cheng

Ceruledge: allow me to quote the pokemon Scarlet Dex Entry "The fiery blades on its arms burn fiercely with the lingering resentment of a sword wielder who fell before accomplishing their goal." That's honestly enough for me, but also, wartime!HongHong-Er having a Charcadet and also it's a ghost/fire type lmao.

Inteleon: Inteleon can learn Rain Dance. But also the transition from a bullied kid to an emo teen and finally a cool and suave (seeming) adult who still has signs of being that scared kid at heart?

Houndoom: HC needed a dog. Also the fact that just HEARING Houndoom's howl can send people fleeing in terror and the burns hurting FOREVER. (Reminds me a bit of E-Ming's curse, though not perfect)

Absol: Pokemon believed to cause disasters and hated for it, even though it was innocent and was actually trying to warn them... Also Absol has red eyes! Unlike XL's Absol, HC's has Super Luck!

Honchkrow: Murkrow are supposed to bring bad luck but Honchkrow are the bosses of Murkrow and said to be merciless towards them, much how HC is with Ghost City.

Honedge (Shiny): E-Ming! The shiny form has red eyes on its hilt and the blade seems forged in blood. It's literally a cursed sword with red eyes.

I would say that Inteleon and Ceruledge and MAYBE Honchkrow are the only pokemon he has from when he was alive, though none of them were fully evolved (Inteleon was a Drizzile). Ceruledge evolved first.

Feng Xin

Hisuian Decidueye: hisuian Decidueye is based on a ronin. He's an archer wandering the earth without a master.

Mabostiff: Mabostiff are LITERALLY the Guard dog pokemon!! Of course our favourite bodyguard has to have one! Also supposedly has a "scary face" like our grumpy boy

Lucario: Protective and loyal and I've now seen several people say that FX is good at tracking and I would say Lucario is perfect for trying to track someone (aka: XL) by their aura.

Espeon: Loyal but also the Sun Pokemon! FX is the "Southern Sun" after all! I also have a headcanon about FX having a spoiled cat and I think Espeon is the most similar to the cat I have for him

Zangoose: Obviously a reference to his fighting with Mu Qing. (I also think Zangoose has Toxic Boost rather than Immunity. Because FX isn't immune to MQ's words and actions, just angered by them, ergo: Toxic Boost)

Male Pyroar: It's a noble and intimidating pokemon and I would consider them a very masculine pokemon that would suit his title quite well and also...since it's revealed that Pyroar do have similar social structures to real lions... Males have nothing to do with child rearing I'm so sorry FX I'm sure you'd be a good dad if given the chance idk if I'll give Jian Lan a team but a female Pyroar would definitely be on it.

Most of his teammates have been around for a long time. Decidueye didn't fully evolve until he ascended on his own, and I would say Lucario and Espeon are the newest members. But his "starter" was probably Litleo, and he got Maschiff when he became XL's bodyguard when he was 14.

Mu Qing

Umbreon (Shiny): counterpart to FX'S Espeon, and I think it fits "Enigmatic Truth" almost as well as Espeon suits "Southern Sun". MQ's is shiny mostly because I feel the blue rings suit him better lmao. Also MQ deserves something special dammit!

Seviper: Rivals FX's Zangoose. The poison typing brings to mind his own toxicity (🤟) and the bladed tail reminds me of his Zhanmadao and Seviper is just a bit longer than most Zhanmadao are.

Persian: Considered beautiful and elegant but fickle, just like our boy!

Leavanny: Leavanny reminds me of the fact that his mother was a seamstress. But also: they are kind to children (but can also learn Sword's Dance and have wicked bladed arms) Mama's boy cannot forget her.

Midday Lycanroc: Cautious and extremely loyal to those who treated them well. Considered Dusk Form considering how hot headed MQ is, but slightly prefer the Midday form for him because it emphasizes the loyalty while Dusk is notably difficult to raise I also headcanon him with a yellow coloured dog so midday suits that better

Empoleon: Proud in all evolutions, but still live in groups as Piplup and Empoleon, though solitary as Prinplup. Sounds like pushing people away and then realizing that you wanted them in your life after all.

While he doesn't keep it with him, he also has a Male Indeedee who has been with him since his servant days. He mostly stays in his Palace and manages things. MQ doesn't like to be reminded of those days, but it did introduce him to his friends.

The oldest teammate is Leavanny by quite a bit. Leavanny was with him before he went to Mount Taicang (though maybe not fully evolved) Lycanroc is the newest member, but I don't think Empoleon is fully evolved until he reconciles with XL and FX.

#tgcf #xie lian #hua cheng #feng xin #mu qing #tgcf au #pokemon au #pokemon fan teams #I'm currently working on sqx and actually having a hard time

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princessofxianle · 3 months

Note

Can I ask your top 5 (or top 3) favorite characters from TGCF? And why you loved them? And your top 5 favorite moments from the series? Thanks if you want to answer....

Sure!

for the sake of bc i want to these are my faves APART from hualian bc otherwise theyd take 2 of the top spots lol

TOP 3 BOYS!!!

Feng Xin - if you follow me, you know why, he's my fav in all of tgcf. Loyal, selfless, a bit of a dick, but has the best of intentions even if its entirely without tact.

Shi Wudu - one of the most misunderstood characters for a first-time blackwater arc reader, SWD is one of the best and most tragic older brother character arcs i have EVER seen, and WOW i love sqx and brothers *cries*

Jun Wu - DUN DUN DUN yeah ik BUT i actually LOVE Jun Wu as a character and he is TERRIFYING. But he's also a CANON metaphor for what XL could have become if he never had HC. He's terrifying because he is justified. By those standards XL would've been justified to follow the path JW wanted to hand to him. But he didn't. Because XL had HC... and JW had NO ONE. Its TRAGIC.

Top 5 Moments!

...but mostly like more "the first 5 that came to my mind bc i have so many..."

Xie Lian's attempted/failed suicide & creation of ruoye

the moment in book 5 where Feng Xin notices Xie Lian's preference to Hua Cheng instead for protection

butterfly disperse death scene™️ (its a classic)

when Hua Cheng suggests Pei Ming kills himself in book 3

running mountians??? book 5 mecha fight?? (same vibes) ...amazing

...and MANY more

note: this is based on how much the scene impacted me, not how "good" the scenes are lol I judge based on my enjoyment alone :)

#ty for the ask #tgcf #asks #tgcf spoilers #tgcf book 5

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sidecharactersdomatter · 5 months

Text

Thoughts I had during TGCF S1 Ep 7

-Previously on TGCF…

-Xie Lian: I didn’t mean San Lang. Ruoye: Really? Ok! *lets go of him* (Sorry I just love coming up with dialogue for Ruoye, and you’ll see more of this later in Season 2!)

-Oooh the sudden chirping during the Sandstorm music, sounded similar to the noise Gale makes in Frozen 2

-He got him!

-It’s official! Xie Lian is shorter than San Lang people!

-It’s like they’re fondly embracing each other…

-Don’t be sorry Xie Lian, you’re doing amazing sweetie

-Hi Fu Yao and Nan Feng! XD

-Xie Lian: Listen better! You’re a bad band! Ruoye: Sorry…

-Time to wrap up this rescue! Pun count: 7

-There’s that wind chirping noise again

-I’ve heard of a close knit unit but this is just insane! Eyyy (I’ve been waiting to use this one in another of my fave S1 episodes). Pun count: 8

-He doesn’t have any other options Nan Feng

-A cliff!

-Well it’s good to keep everyone together

-Is that Rock Plateau also similar to the Si Won Rock the Gaang found in the same desert episode? (Another good reference, and I hope there aren’t any buzzard wasps/circle birds and weird gross cave honey)

-I wonder who’s watching out for them anyway?

-Oooh a light spell from The Owl House (It’s official, TGCF has been helping me cope with the end of The Owl House people)

-I love NF and FY’s banter so much

-Aw he was concerned for Xie Lian

-Yeah how does he know so much about the perceptors?

-Oh really…

-It is really dark

-Well that ain’t great

-There’s so many people

-There’s pissed off Nan Feng

-I almost the uncle’s name was Jeong (like Jeong Jeong from the avatar) but it’s actually Jiang

-Diplomacy wins again

-Oooh now San Lang’s skeptic

-Why does the Guide Zhao also have red eyeliner?

-Man the only kid in the caravan

-The Sandstorm hasn’t let up

-He sat on a tombstone!

-The writings in Hanzi and not Arabic

-So savage Fu Yao

-I’m learning Mandarin and even I don’t know what it says

-They’re reading together folks

-And now Tian Sheng’s curious too

-The soldiers look similar to the army in Disney’s Mulan

-Yes that is so complicated right now

-Ooooohhh That poor poor general

-Fu Yao has experience of being on the battlefield

-Aww Tian Sheng

-Tripping on your shoe laces is not how anyone would want to go out oooohhh

-Yep it’s just comical picturing that final moment

-And then they all bow to it to respect the general it’s both funny and endearing!

Yep still can’t read it

-San Lang totally said that to trick them

-Oh and the way Xie Lian called San Lang a ‘Prankster’ *Fangirls like crazy!*

-COBRA!

-He caught the tail fwoo!

-That’s an animal that would totally fit in the Last Airbender world (I wasn’t kidding when I said this is for the Adult Last Airbender fans)

-San Lang using the cobra as a jump rope has added at least 10 years or more to my lifespan! XD

-SO MANY COBRAS!

-Thank you Fu Yao and Nan Feng

-The Sandstorm is over

-No the kind merchant uncle!!!

-He got stung!

-Oooh that’s how you stop the venom from spreading

-Oh no and 4’s an unlucky number in China

-That’s good reason alright

-No telepathic communication out in the desert

-Oh no another cobra!

-He saved San Lang!

-Oh no now Xie Lian got stung!

-Oooh San Lang ordered Ruoye to become a bandage

-(Another spell that inspires my TOH AU, including the venom sucking for healing magic!)

-He is sucking the venom out like a G! Get yourself a man like San Lang people!

-This moment between XL and SL is so freaking sincere

-I could do an essay on why Hualian is the superior ship than Stolitz is right now, but I might end up pissing off fans that watch and defend HB’s problems, so it’ll never happen

-Xie Lian’s so brave during the venom sucking

-You know we’re all thinking what Xie Lian’s thinking about how he’s going to clean San Lang’s bloodied lips (I’ll let you share your answers in the comment section)

-And San Lang makes the snake explode like a boss

-Aw Tian Sheng’s concerned

-He’s so selfless

-And Fu Yao’s stuck with merchant sitting

-Oooh a travel montage

-Really lovely desert travel music!

-And then Fu Yao gets pissed off while the merchants sneak away! XD

-They made it to the ruins

-Yeah he does know an awful lot

-It’s those women again

-Oooh foreshadowing with that banter

-Uh oh the woman in the black cloak spotted them

-Another cliffhanger people

I know episode 6 in Season 2 came out today, but I’m finishing my reaction compilation of Season 1 before I get to the next season ok?

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web-novel-polls · 6 months

Text

Web Novel Weapon Tournament Submissions

FORMERLY THE "CULTIVATION WEAPON TOURNAMENT"

Submissions Closed

Rules:

One weapon per submission. If you'd like to submit multiple weapons, please do so in separate responses

If the weapon doesn't have a specific name, please use however it's usually identified (ex: Character A's sword)

Any type of weapons are allowed! If it was created to be a weapon, essentially a weapon, or memorably used as a weapon, it counts! Have fun with it

Tournament Tag: #web novel weapon tournament

Current Submissions & Dealer's Choice under the cut

(CWs: spoilers, suggestive language, object insertion, suicide, self harm, character death)

[Last Updated: March 1st, 2024]

Submissions

Xuan Su - Yue Qingyuan’s sword (SVSSS)

Mod Propaganda: Xuan Su is Yue Qingyuan’s iconic sword that is only drawn twice after he suffers from a qi deviation bonding his life force to Xuan Su.

Zheng Yang - Luo Binghe’s sword (SVSSS)

Submission: Something about a childhood sword that was broken, then preserved, then restored, and in the end was the one that remained, instead of the more powerful one that brought only misery.

Bichen - Lan Wangji’s sword (MDZS)

Submission:

this sword has been through a lot...

Cursed Knowledge Link

Mod Propaganda

Yes, this is the sword Wei Wuxian stuck up his ass in the Incense Burner Extra. It’s also Lan Wangji’s main weapon that was included in the iconic “Lan Wangji calling Wei Wuxian his scene” where Wei Wuxian believes he’s pointing toward Bichen (Chapter 31). It’s a legend, and I would be doing a disservice to Jin Guangyao (who Bichen defeated in the first round of the Danmei Character Tournament) if I did not include it.

Jiangzai - Xue Yang’s sword (MDZS)

Submission:

i don't know shit about swords but jiangzai can split into two swords and that's Very Cool methinks

E-ming - Hua Cheng’s cursed scimitar (TGCF)

Wiki Link

Submission:

E-ming is the best boy. Hua Cheng forged his saber when he was defending humans who got caught in the middle of a big ghost battle for dominance, essentially. He dug out his cursed red eye and created E-ming from it. So his eye is on the pommel of the sword, right in the center above the handle, and it emotes!! When its happy, the eye curves into a crescent and it vibrates!!! It cries when Hua Cheng is mean to it in a fucked up sense of self loathing since his sword is born from him!! E-ming grows bigger when Xie Lian(Hua Cheng's god and eventual husband) kisses the blade, because silly erection joke! But also it begs Xie Lian for praise and attention because its BEST. BOY. Oh and I guess also the entirety of the heavens fears the cursed blade E-ming, which has the power to reopen any wounds its made an on an individual before. Just the thought of E-ming makes gods shake in their boots. But more importantly, he's best boy.

Ruoye - Xie Lian’s spiritual device (TGCF)

Wiki Link

Submission:

Ruoye is technically a demonic weapon or whatever as it doesn't need spiritual power to control, but that also might just be because it's sentient and has a will of it's own but is deeply loyal to Xie Lian obviously. Ruoye can extend REALLY far!!! And he can form protection barriers, and decapitate zombies, and chop vegetables. There's nothing this good bandage baby can't do!! Peak performance! AND it'll pretend to do a snake dance while Xie Lian plays an instrument while busking!! Isn't that adorable! Xie Lian wears it on his wrists usually, and sometimes Ruoye will like tighten or rub his wrists to express fear or comfort Xie Lian and its so cute. Ruoye is so good. Personally I think despite Ruoyes background being like. Horribly tragic, thats what makes it so Good. All that pain and suffering made this thing that ended up protecting Xie Lian all these 800 years. But I left it last in case it's too much. (tw suicide mention) Ruoye was created after being soaked in Xie Lian's blood when it was used to tie him up while various people stabbed him with a sword a hundred times. Then when he was able to return home, it was used by his parents to kill themselves for a variety of reasons we won't get into. Then, upon finding them, he tried to kill himself too. But his cursed shackles prevented his mortal body from dying, so when he died he just came back; he came back to a silk bandage that after taking the life of 2 royals, and being soaked in the blood of a royal and former god and stuff, it came to life!! With resentment technically. But he's a good boy.

Xin Mo - Luo Binghe’s sword (Ver. 2: Electric Boogaloo - SVSSS)

Submission:

it is literally The web novel weapon??? like it’s the demon emperor’s golden finger that he found in the eternal abyss? it has fanon continuity points as well if you believe that the metal rod wei wuxian (MDZS) touches in the mouth of the turtle is either a previous or later form of xin mo. Xin Mo is soooooooo good that it had to fight itself at one point! XIN MO SUPREMACY !!!!!!!

Cheng Luan - Liu Qingge’s sword (SVSSS)

Submission:

It is very large and is obviously enough to carry Liu Qingge and company. The sword is the size of his ego…

Little Palace Mistress’s Whip (SVSSS)

Submission:

Shen Qingqiu is whipped, and not just for Luo Binghe?

Wind Master Fan (TGCF)

Owner: Shi Qingxuan

[No Propaganda Submitted]

Wiki Link

Shuoyue - Lan Xichen's sword (MDZS)

Submission: The sword that stabbed through Lan Xichen's best friend, Jin Guangyao. Tragic sword.

Wiki Link

Chenqing - Wei Wuxian's dizi (MDZS)

Wiki Link

A Rock from LCF

Owner: Cale Henituse

Submission:

[spoilers for chapters 700+]

Listen there's nothing quite like having a scene where the protagonist straight up beats the main villain with a rock. A regular, averagely sized rock. And then also chucks the same rock into the face of a literal deity. It was glorious. It was therapeutic. #rocksweep

Dealer's Choice

(Submit these to make sure they get in & to add propaganda)

Jiangui / Ah! What the Hell from 2ha

“There is only one person in this world who can open Ever-Yearning. This person is extremely important in your life; you must love this person dearly, and this person must also love you in return, and be wholly devoted to you.” - Ji Baihua regarding the Ever-Yearning box containing Jiangui

Mo Ran’s Holy weapon in his second life, Jiangui - which translates to “Ah! What the hell” due to Mo Ran accidentally exclaiming this when opening the Ever-Yearning box.

Bu’gui [“No Return”] / Guilai [“To Return”] from 2ha

“No Return… Affairs of the past upon vermillion bridge in emerald green; Another year goes but still you do not return.” - Chapter 81

Bu’gui was Mo Ran’s sword in the original timeline that he received by bringing a plum blossom branch to an old dragon named Wangyue. He had Chu Wanning seal it until he could think of a name for it, and it was only named “No Return” after Chu Wanning’s death.

In the second lifetime, he received Jiangui instead, but Bu’gui appeared once more at Xuanyuan Pavilion and was auctioned off to the Rufeng Sect for 5 million; this time it was referred to as Guilai or “To Return.”

Longcheng / Dragon City - Xue Meng’s sword from 2ha

Since Xue Meng could not receive a holy weapon from Jincheng Lake, he used Longcheng, a high-quality scimitar from Taxue Palace. From what I remember, Mo Ran gifted him the Wangshu Crystal from the Carp Essence that was requested by Song Qiutong to help him cultivate/add to his sword, making it something similar to a “heavenly weapon.”

Xue Zhengyong’s fan

While this fan is never named, Xue Zhengyong’s fan is well-known due to the writing on it - “Xue is beautiful” (which faces others) and “others are ugly” (which faces him). It really is iconic

“Xue is beautiful, others are ugly.” - Chapter 31

Suibian - Wei Wuxian's sword (MDZS)

Suibian is Wei Wuxian’s sword that sealed itself after his death. Its name translates to “Whatever” due to Wei Wuxian’s inability to think of a suitable name and telling Jiang Fengmian to name it “whatever.” This is, in my opinion, the funniest thing Jiang Fengmian has ever done in his life

Zidian - Jiang Cheng/Madam Yu's whip (MDZS)

Wiki Link

The Jiang Clan’s family heirloom that transforms from a ring into a whip. It was originally used by Madam Yu until her death when she (and separately her husband) used it to bind and protect Jiang Cheng and Wei Wuxian from the invading Wens.

A symbol of family and honor given from Madam Yu to Jiang Cheng, Zidian’s owner can allow others to use it, as shown by Jiang Fengmian realizing Zidian recognized him before his and Madam Yu’s death and Jiang Cheng leaving Zidian with Jin Ling.

Taerang - Alberu Crossman's divine item (LCF)

Wiki Link

Fantasy gun rights

Undecided / Other

CWN's weapons - Tianwen, Jiu’ge, Huaisha (2ha)

TGCF Final battle sword

The sword of several gods put together to fight the final Boss of TGCF

Hong Jing (TGCF)

Mod Propaganda: Snitch

Wiki Link

Yan Zhen (TGCF)

Wiki Link

Jun Wu’s Virgin Detector sword

#web novel weapon tournament #submissions #not a poll #tumblr tournaments #my submissions

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mollymauk-teafleak · 1 year

Text

wondering when I'm coming back

My first Hualian fic! For a twist on a modern AU that I'm calling the Lady and the Tramp AU because I think I'm funny and @minky-for-short lets me get away with far too much. Happy Christmas my lovely friend, thank you for introducing me to mxtx and so many other things I love and brightening up my days!

Please reblog and comment over on Ao3 if you enjoyed this!

---------

Xie Lian lives a privileged life. He's the top student at one of the most prestigious universities in the country, his family runs one of the most profitable businesses in the city and he lives in a house that's better called a mansion.

And all Xie Lian lives for is the nights where he's stolen away.

---------

Of all the many, many rooms in his parents’ sprawling manor, Xie Lian’s favorite was his own bedroom. Not exactly strange for a college aged young man, he supposed, but his reasons were.

After all, where the family house was lavishly decorated, very little without an edge in gold or jade, or a swathe of silk or fine, supple leather, Xie Lian’s room was sparse. There were just a few posters of cheesy bands he’d liked as a kid but could bear to take down, some pennants of teams he’s played for in high school and was currently playing for at university, a trans pride flag he’d put up in a rush of rebelliousness though that was tucked in where it couldn’t be seen from the window. Apart from that, it was sparse and cramped compared to other rooms he could have chosen, most of the space given over to Ruoye’s vivarium.

But that was precisely what Xie Lian loved about his room. Though it wasn’t what made it his favorite place in the Xianle house.

That was the thick, solid door he could firmly close and put the rest of his life on the other side.

He did just that, feeling like he could breathe a little easier the moment the lock clicked into place. Xie Lian took a moment, back pressed against the door, feeling muscles he’d been holding tense all day finally ease, feeling the buzz of stress in his brain wind down to blessed silence. Another day done. The perfect, flawless son of the Xianle Corporation could go to bed.

Now he was just Xie Lian, he dropped his bag, heavy with classwork, on his desk, and started shrugging out of his jacket. He left the equally expensive, equally uncomfortable jeans and shirt on the floor, eagerly wriggling into just an oversized jumper and leggings. The sweater came down to the scuffed knees and his old slippers were dog eared but no one could see him right now so he didn’t have to care what he looked like. He let his hair loose from it’s tie, shaking it around his shoulders and collapsing onto his bed with a sigh of relief.

Hearing his noisy, clattering arrival, a tiny white head poked out of the log house, buried in the leaves of the vivarium. Ruoye slithered eagerly up to the glass, tongue flickering in welcome.

Xie Lian grinned, shuffling to the very edge of the bed so he could reach across and put a gentle finger on the glass of the tank, “Hey buddy. Sorry I’m so late getting back, orchestra practice ran over.”

Fortunately, his little albino snake was very forgiving, just happy to see his master home.

Xie Lian smiled warmly, “Look what I snuck you from the kitchen…” he reached down to rescue a tiny quail egg from the pocket of his jacket, holding it out in front of Ruoye, “Only ‘cos you’re such a good boy, of course.”

Ruoye’s tongue flickered happily as he curled around his treat, Xie Lian relaxing too. For a moment, all he wanted was to close his eyes and take a nap after another long day of classes where he had to get every answer right, of spending getting his homework and extra credit assignments done going from one lecture hall to the next because he’d have no other time, another exhausting lunch with his father meeting an endless stream of business associates who’d still look at him like he shouldn’t be here, like he should still be home sewing with his mother and wearing the wrong name. Orchestra was at least fun, he enjoyed playing even if he didn’t enjoy having to turn it into yet another competition, where he had to be the best, where he had to be the flawless Xian family heir.

Thinking of it all like that, in a long list that seemed to have no end, one he’d have to get up and keep unraveling the next day, Xie Lian wanted to either cry or fall asleep to avoid it. But there was something he wanted even more.

And just that moment, almost as if the universe heard him and decided he needed a break, Xie Lian got it, in the form of a soft knocking at his bedroom window.

There was another reason why Xie Lian’s room was his favorite in the whole house and that was the enormous tree that grew just outside his window. He’d always loved listening to the birds that nested in it, watching each year’s new clutch of eggs grow and take wing. He found the light tap of its branches against the glass comforting in the middle of the night, he loved the shapes its shadow made on the wall.

But more than all that, he loved how it was the perfect height for his boyfriend to climb up and steal him out of the house without anyone seeing, like a princess being rescued from a tower.

Not that Xie Lian had known he’d need that. But now he did, he couldn’t be more grateful.

“San Lang!” he sat bolt upright, diving for the window and throwing it open eagerly.

The younger man perched casually on the branch only grinned easily, like they were bumping into each other on a park bench rather than three storeys up in the air.

“You kept me waiting tonight, gege,” he hummed, though there was no reproach in his voice, just fondness as he leaned across the gap to kiss him softly.

“I didn’t know you were coming,” Xie Lain murmured against his lips, not willing to pull away just yet though he laid a steadying hand on his chest, “Careful, don’t fall…”

“Have I ever fallen, gege?” his dark haired lover smiled, though he did sit further back on the branch, not wanting to worry him, “Sorry to show up unannounced, I didn’t know if I’d get the time. But things were slow at work, I figured the place could handle itself for a while and I just really wanted to see you…”

Xie Lian softened, his steadying hand sliding up to play with the beads in his San Lang’s crooked ponytail, “I’m glad you did. I really wanted to see you too.”

Perceptive as ever, San Lang’s one eye narrowed slightly at his tone, his own voice softening, “Bad day, Lian?”

It always mystified Xie Lian, how so many people, basically everyone apart from his closest friends, believed in the front he put up without question. Even his own parents couldn’t see the smile and the perfect grades and the eagerness to please for what it really was. A mask. And one that was getting heavier by the day.

But from the first moment he’d met San Lang, stumbling across him being cornered in an alleyway by three other guys, holding his own as best he could but only saved from a savage beating by Xie Lian’s intervention, it had been like he’d understood. Like something had tied them together in that moment, two young men from such different backgrounds but with the same threads running through them. Being with him was like finally having his head break above water so he could pull in air.

“Aren’t they all bad days?” he felt the smile on his lips wobbling.

Immediately, San Lang shifted closer, the dappled moonlight and shadow playing on his face, making him look otherworldly for a moment, “Do you want to talk about it? I’m here, darling…”

Xie Lian hesitated before shaking his head softly, “No. I want to get out of here.”

His lover’s grin was lopsided but sure, an anchor Xie Lian could cling to and did so gratefully.

“Then let me give you a hand with that, gege.”

The escape was simple and not something they hadn’t done before bit still, Xie Lian’s heart was in his throat for the whole swift climb down the tree and the race through the shadows that grew like moss along the walls of his mother’s garden, keeping them well out of sight of the house’s light. His fingers shook as he typed in the code for the back gate, his other hand firmly gripped in San Lang’s. Only when they were down the lane, safely shut inside his car, did he take a full breath.

San Lang threw him a smile as he kicked the car into gear. It was an old thing, built up from scrap by San Lang himself, so it took a few turns of the key and the engine growled like something threatening. But once it got going, it was fast, easily slipping between the expensive estate houses and away into the night, putting the Xianle House far in the distance which was all Xie Lian cared about.

“Where to?” San Lang asked, once they were out of the estates and heading towards the city, “Loud or quiet?”

Xie Lian pressed his forehead to the window, finding the cold glass and the rumble running through it comforting. He knew they could go to where San Lang worked, to the Ghost City casino, lose themselves in noise and crowds and flashing lights. Xie Lian liked it there, it was a completely different world to the one he knew, raucous and dizzying, even if he didn’t take part in any of it. Neither did San Lang, for that matter, not when he had his boyfriend with him.

Though Xie Lian had heard rumors of what his San Lang got up to when he wasn’t there. When he was Hua Cheng.

“Quiet,” Xie Lian murmured, with a grateful smile. He’d had enough of the noise.

San Lang smiled at him, “Sounds good, gege.”

Xie Lian snorted, “Pretty rich of you to call me that. You’re only three years younger than me.”

That made him laugh, making the streetlights wink off the piercing in his lip, “That’s not why I call you gege. I call you that because you like it.”

Xie Lian blushed delicately, not feeling silly about the distinctly goofy smile on his face, “I do…”

San Lang winked and reached over, resting a hand lightly on his knee. The touch wasn’t wanting or expectant, just comforting, a grounding presence between the two of them. Just closeness for its own sake. The thought kept that smile pinned to Xie Lian’s face as they turned into the outskirts.

They always went to the same place when they wanted quiet. The city sat in the bowl of a valley, twinkling in its grasp like a strange geode of many colours had grown up out of the rock. That left many secluded bluffs and cliffs where you could park and see the whole of the city spread out under you, all shadow pierced by blinking squares of light as night fell.

It was beautiful, Xie Lian always thought so, when you looked at it like this. The distance helped.

He perched on the bonnet of San Lang’s car, breathing deeply and just enjoying the presence of his boyfriend next to him, eventually just resting against him fully, head tucked into the curve of his shoulder. He felt San Lang chuckle, winding an arm around him to draw him closer in.

Out here under the moonlight, Xie Lian could see him clearly. Long, black hair in a ponytail he never bothered to fix, tied with beads that chattered when he moved, the drawn back hair showing ears that looked more metal than flesh with all the piercings they held. The ink of tattoos peeked up from under the shoulders and sleeves of jacket, snaking down his long, clever hands adorned with rings and nail polish. Xie Lian knew them all, he could trace their paths under his clothing on memory alone. For all he held him gently and made him laugh, Xie Lian knew how his boyfriend looked to others, red and dangerous like a colourfully poisonous snake.

In short, San Lang looked like the kind of young man who’d need to climb a tree to avoid his lover’s parents. Especially parents like Xie Lian’s.

Xie Lian used to think that was why he liked him so much, what had drawn him to San Lang when usually the fear of his parents’ reaction would keep him far away. It was certainly the opinion of his friends, that this secret prince in the tower act was Xie Lian’s first big act of rebellion. Like never having tasted sugar and then waking up in a candy store, as Mu Quing put it, a little bluntly.

But Xie Lian wasn’t so sure how. He thought there was something deeper between him and San Lang.

“What are you thinking about, gege?”

Xie Lian smiled, tilting his head and pressing a kiss to the hollow of his neck, “Honestly…I’m thinking about how there’s probably no one around for miles and you’ve got a pretty spacious back seat?”

The grin his boyfriend gave him made a shiver run fine his spine, even in the warm night.

It felt like the most natural thing in the world when their lips met, as Xie Lian leaned back against the hood and let San Lang bracket him securely with his strong arms, his present warmth. He felt the cool of his boyfriend’s tongue piercing as their mouths fell open, the amber scent of his perfume mixing with the fresh scent of pine and night air. Anything still left tense now unwound as they kissed, a small whimper escaping Xie Lian whenever their lips parted, like he just couldn’t bear it.

So he stole as many kisses as he could as San Lang drew him off the hood, pulling him into the back seat. Fortunately here Xie Lian could press even closer, straddling his lap, holding his face in his hands so his thumbs could trace the hard lines of his jaw. A shiver ran down Xie Lian’s spine as he felt San Lang harden against him, straining at the fabric of his trousers. Feeling a dizzying thrill, he pressed their hips together closer, grinding down, drawing a hungry growl from his love.

“Teasing me, gege?” His fingers grasped Xie Lian’s waist tightly.

“It’s not teasing if I’m actually going to make good on it,” Xie Lian grinned, nipping at his lip gently.

To prove it, he wriggled his leggings down just enough, moving tightly in the cramped space. San Lang purred appreciatively, hands slipping down his curves, one thumb lightly circling his dick where it was already aching needily in that soft patch of down between his thighs.

“You’re so beautiful…” he groaned and never once did Xie Lian doubt him.

He trembled at the touch with a high, sweet moan. All he wanted to do was lean into that pressure, chase down his release, but he wasn’t about to leave his rescuer wanting. Bracing himself on one hand, he reached down and forced his shaking fingers to undo San Lang’s buttons, the chains he wore around his waist clinking softly as he drew the fabric down and let his erection free.

Xie Lian doubted people would be surprised to find that Hua Cheng had the cock to match his smug attitude and brash appearance. But he knew that he had nothing to fear from his San Lang, he was always gentle and careful, mindful of the inexperience and uncertainty his gege had come to him with. Even now, with the two of them panting and aching with want, he held Xie Lian’s hips, making sure he sank down on his length gradually and breathing deeply for his love to match him.

“Oh gods…” Xie Lian felt every nerve ending in him spark, face pressed to his lover’s neck, clinging on like he’d be swept away in it all if he wasn’t careful.

Knowing they didn’t have as much time as they’d like, that they never did, San Lang started to roll his hips up into Xie Lian’s heat. It was complete bliss, each deep, powerful thrust pulling him further into himself, into a body he could love so easily and a headspace he could call home. Xie Lian felt himself growing, soaring, rather than shrinking. He cried out loud, he let his hair tumble into disarray, he felt sweat run down his spine and his cheeks flush and his voice break and he just didn’t care. It didn’t matter. It was just the two of them and he could trust San Lang with himself.

He had to switch his bracing hand to the ceiling of the car, with how heavily San Lang was fucking into him he was in danger of hitting his head. He could feel his peak coming, far too soon for his liking but he just couldn’t hang on, his body chasing it down even as his heart wanted to stay in this moment forever.

“I…I can’t…San Lang…” he tried to make his muscles obey so he could speak but there was a new electricity seizing him.

But San Lang seemed to understand, moaning and wrapping him in his arms, “Come for me…my prince…”

Xie Lian wasn’t going to deny his love anything. His release hit him hard, everything disappearing in a wash of bliss, only San Lang’s arms around him and his heat in him meaning anything. They fell too soon, crashing back to the cramped interior of the car, now stifling and misted with their heavy breaths. The high was so dizzying that the tumblr down was enough to bring tears to Xie Lian’s eyelashes.

Before he could stop himself, before he could throw his guards up, he was shaking against San Lang, the tears bleeding into the fabric of his boyfriend's shirt.

San Lang didn’t seem surprised, only moving to hold him tighter, “It’s okay…gege, it’s okay, I’m here.”

“But you’ll have to go,” the words were heavy, miserable, Xie Lian cringing at how he sounded like a small child having their comfort blanket taken away. He should be better, he should be stronger…

But San Lang kissed the side of his head, smoothed his damp hair, “I know, gege, I wish I didn’t have to. It’s okay to be upset, it’s okay to cry. It’s only me here.”

The simple fact of that, that for once he didn’t have to be strong, he could let himself feel hurt and scared and upset, that shattered the last of his resolve. He cried into San Lang’s shoulder, barely noticing as his love gently shifted them so they slid apart, so he could hold him close in his lap and rock him. He just gave into the ache for a while, knowing San Lang was there to keep him together.

Eventually Xie Lian felt lighter, the sobs breaking down into shuddering gasps and raspy breathing that San Lang guided him to slow and deepen.

“Sorry,” Xie Lian mumbled, rubbing at his eyes with the sleeves of his sweater.

“You’ve nothing to be sorry for,” San Lang said firmly, kissing his cheek.

His unfailing kindness helped Xie Lian find a smile, “Not even for ruining your shirt?”

San Lang grinned, “Not even for that. As long as I can help you, gege, that’s all I want to do when we’re together.”

He gave a damp laugh, “What did I do to deserve you, San Lang?”

“You didn’t have to do anything, Lian,” he answered so plainly, as if it was the most obvious thing in the world, “You were just yourself.”

Xie Lian let himself go through the motions of cleaning up, rearranging himself, making himself presentable again so they could drive back. The goodbye was coming and, even though it would only be for a short while, a couple of days before San Lang could come steal him away again, he knew it would hurt.

They pulled up in the shadowy alley where San Lang always parked, out of sight of any neighbours.

“Well…” Xie Lian sounded as if he was trying to convince himself, “I should get going.”

San Lang’s dark eyes glittered in the low light, a thoughtful expression coming over what little of his face Xie Lian could make out, his brain filling in what he couldn’t.

“Give me your hand, gege.”

Xie Lian did, feeling rather than seeing as San Lang tied something around his wrist. He brought his hand into the light and gave a soft gasp as he saw the red thread San Lang always wore on one finger tied there.

“It might be a little obvious to wear it on your hand but like this, you can push it under your sleeve and no one will be any the wiser.”

“San Lang…” he breathed, unable to take his eyes off that simple red string, so humble but meaning so much.

There was more he wanted to say. More he wanted to tell San Lang, Hua Cheng, whichever of them wanted to listen. Words that had been pressing against his ribs for a long time, like three birds beating their wings against the bars of a cage. But he couldn’t let them go, he just couldn’t.

How could he ask San Lang to bear the weight of those words when he couldn’t promise they had a future?

Blissfully unaware, San Lang smiled and kissed his cheek, “You’re stronger than you know, gege. I’ll see you soon.”

“I’ll see you soon,” Xie Lian smiled for him, holding on to those words tightly.

He clung to them the way he’d clung to San Lang’s hand on his swift return through the gate, across the lawn, up the tree and through his window. The heavy lock clicked into place behind him, putting the world where he could be with San Lang and be himself firmly on the other side. He felt his heart sink at that sound.

Ruoye came slithering out of his house again, blinking his ink drop eyes up at Xie Lian. He opened up the vivarium and reached in, letting his snake climb up and curl protectively around his wrist, getting comfort from the pressure.

“Thanks, buddy,” he murmured, running his finger gently down the length of him as he went and laid back down on his bed with a sigh.

As Xie Lian stroked Ruoye that single thread of bright crimson caught his eye and, despite it all, he smiled. He thought about him being stronger than he knew. He thought about the relief that came after tears. He thought about dark eyes and their strange warmth, strong arms around him, a rough, infectious laugh.

Xie Lian thought about how his bedroom was his favorite place in his parent’s manor.

But there was a whole world out there he was growing to love too.

#mxtx #heaven official's blessing #hualian #xie lian #hua cheng #san lang #smut #trans xie lian #tgcf #modern au #please reblog and comment!

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fullmetalpotterhead · 1 year

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Hey, I've read quite a few of your tcgf posts, and they're all so thought-provoking. So now I have to ask, what are your thoughts on HC's relationship with divinity? Like, we all know he descends basically immediately after he ascends, but I've seen that some people headcanon that he can still hear prayers because he does have worshipers, and the nature of descension is not particularly explicit in the novel. Ascension doesn't seem to be a voluntary process at all, and while it does imply that gods can choose to become fully mortal again, it seems odd to me that if they really could just "turn it off" - for lack of better phrasing - XL didn't do so at certain points, like when Ruoye was "born."

Sorry for the long-winded question! My brain's been stuck on this for a while.

Okay so spoilers for full novel and Fmph rambling below (glad you’ve been enjoying my rambles by the way!)

1- I do think HC can hear prayers, I also believe that’s separate from his ascension and descension? This is one of those points where I can really feel my lack of knowledge of Chinese folklore (for lack of a better term right now, I’m sleepy).

I have a very vague knowledge of Taoism having an idea about if you pray to something long enough you can kind of… create it? Like a thing will fill that energy space and start taking your prayers so be careful to actually dedicate your space so something nasty doesn’t take it kinda thing which carries over into various belief systems so I might be getting it confused but that sort of idea plus the ongoing “the people call me blank, so I am blank” that the book has going in the beginning had my understanding of how it worked being HC can hear prayers simply because enough people pray to him and he’s powerful enough. Also you can pray to your ancestors, why couldn’t you pray to some Ghost King if you wanted? Again, I feel like this is almost certainly leaning on some things that just come more obviously to the Chinese audience this novel was written for that I’m just lacking cultural understanding of there.

2- Yeah there does seem to be good indication gods can give up godhood! I’ve seen some argument about whether HC actually gave up godhood or just gave up HEAVEN but I tend to lean towards him giving up his godhood completely? More on that in second.

XL couldn’t have given up his godhood when Ruoye was born though, he didn’t have it. He was banished and forcibly stripped of his godhood, the reason he didn’t die is because JW gave him an immortal body completely separate from mortal-godhood dynamics.

Quote from chapter 181:

“Once banished to become a mortal, other than aging slower than normal humans, there weren’t many other privileges. However, when Jun Wu first fabricated Xie Lian’s cursed shackle, he still showed some mercy, and left him room for accommodations.

While this cursed shackle locked away his spiritual powers, it also sealed his age and flesh body at the same time, allowing him to neither age nor die. Furthermore, Jun Wu told him: if you manage to ascend again, then everything in your previous life shall be forgiven, and this thing will be removed.”

Which JW was almost definitely doing because he needed to torment XL in ways no mortal would be able to withstand in an effort to break him. So of course XL wouldn’t have any control over the shackle or the “gift” attached to it.

ANYWAYS you asked about HC’s feelings about divinity so back to the reason I tend to lean towards HC giving up not just Heaven but godhood when he jumped back down immediately after ascending.

Actually I guess for my thoughts I don’t necessarily require him to give up the intrinsic quality of godhood so much as I think he would not consider himself a god and I’m kind of equating those?

So because here’s the thing: XL is the only god to him. HC has met and fought many gods but to him, XL is The God. The man is inventing monotheism, love that for him, it’s very funny.

As a result of that though, I think HC wouldn’t see himself as a god even while doing godlike things? Which is a little bit I think he’s spent so many centuries playing into the dichotomy between Ghosts and Gods that others are pushing and he holds so little respect for the other “so called” gods that I just really don’t see him caring about his own potential divinity? I don’t think he’d be ashamed about it or anything, I just don’t think he finds it particularly noteworthy? He’s seen the other people who ascend, he’s not impressed. Being a Ghost has been more helpful to serving his god than the red tape in heaven could let him be.

Also while HC is worshipped and becomes someone you must worship with XL eventually post canon his root is decidedly ghost which might be sleepy nonsense but he’s just like. On purpose he’s the pinnacle of the Obsessed Female Ghost. On purpose he’s just so very full of longing and his fanatic devotion just means so much that godhood to him just would be XL so divinity is wonderful, god is what he lives for, but it’s not what he is. And I feel like part of the point of tgcf is there isn’t really the clear boundary between gods and ghosts that heaven wants to pretend there is?

That being said I really believe he has a very straightforward emotional energy towards his own godhood in the same way he has this straightforward emotional energy towards anyone besides XL’s godhood: he’s completely uninterested.

Divinity = Xie Lian

God = Xie Lian

Heaven = those annoying fuckers who didn’t deserve XL

Anyways post-canon I also think their auras rub off on each other so XL is a little ghostly (which… actually we know in canon that this part is true) and I think HC would eventually get a faint divine aura to him by proxy/prolonged contact. And possibly sex too I guess.

So yeah was that the answer to the question?

#oof it’s a Fmph rant #once again I will not reread that for any sort of coherency so hope it worked #HC loves divinity he’s very into godhood #kisses godhood every morning and falls asleep in a divine embrace #now I’m thinking about divinity the candy though and god those are good but a bitch to make #is this enough that it won’t appear in the main tag?#let’s hope so because I like this for my own purposes #tgcf

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