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withthewindinherfootsteps · 1 year

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I posted 416 times in 2022

That's 416 more posts than 2021!

34 posts created (8%)

382 posts reblogged (92%)

Blogs I reblogged the most:

@ladypfenix

@piosplayhouse

@kimalysong

@mxtxfanatic

@grewlikefancyflowers

I tagged 393 of my posts in 2022

Only 6% of my posts had no tags

#mdzs meta - 129 posts

#mdzs - 118 posts

#mdzs fanart - 65 posts

#wei wuxian - 46 posts

#svsss - 38 posts

#wangxian - 22 posts

#my meta - 19 posts

#lan wangji - 19 posts

#svsss fanart - 17 posts

#fav tag - 16 posts

Longest Tag: 140 characters

#and that… loses the impact of the golden core quite a lot i feel? yes he didn’t know that while making a decision but that consequence isn’t

My Top Posts in 2022:

One thing I love about Lan Wangji is that how the way he’s viewed by others changes with the progression of his arc.

When we meet him in the Cloud Recesses, he’s already well known in the cultivation world. He’s known for being one of the Twin Jades of Lan – for being a model disciple, for being perfectly skilled in everything you’d expect a young master to be proficient in, for perfectly encapsulating all the Lan Sect’s principles, including their immovable adherence to the rules. And that’s immensely impressive. But the thing is, he’s not really defined by himself – it’s not his own identity he’s carving out, but the identity of a perfect disciple of a clan. That’s even echoed in his title as one of the Lan’s Twin Jades. He’s known, first and foremost, for being a son of the Lan Clan’s Sect Leader.

But as he starts to develop, as he starts to grow, what he’s known for changes, and people begin to know him for who, not what, he is. He’s not famous, first and foremost, for being Lan Wangji, one of the Twin Jades – but for being Hanguang-Jun, the ‘light bearer’, the person who goes where the chaos is, and for a title and reputation he’s carved out of his own merits. Instead of being known for perfectly embodying rules and principles, he becomes known for being righteous*, fair, and for caring about the common people; for prioritising their safety over his own reputation in a way that no other important member of a clan did. And I think it’s important to note that although doing this doesn’t break any rules, it does stand in contrast to the actions of most cultivators (and is even look down upon by some people, like Jiang Cheng, though I’m not sure how much of that is due to their personal history). Instead of being famous for embodying the values of the cultivation world, he becomes known for what he does that sets him apart from it.

People begin to define him by his actions and by everything he does that shows who he is as a person; not as somebody defined by embodying the status and clan he was born into. His reputation given to him as a Twin Jade has been carved into a reputation he’s made for himself, as himself.

And I think that’s beautiful.

296 notes - Posted September 25, 2022

Wei Wuxian and the nice, broad road: or, part two of why constantly self-sacrificial Wei Wuxian takes bother me so much (part one):

(Long post ahead)

Something that’s very prevalent in self-sacrificial Wei Wuxian takes, or self-sacrificial takes on any character, is that they’re not only self-sacrificial… they’re also an idiot. As in, they don’t think things through, the first impulse they have when they see anyone in danger is to throw themselves in front of them even if there’s a way that means neither have to get hurt, and even if that person’s not in any serious danger at all. And that combines with the common take of self-hatred and extremely low self-worth to form the image of someone who’ll throw themselves recklessly at any danger with no consideration for any consequences or alternate paths, and are almost seeking to throw their life away.

The thing with Wei Wuxian, though, is that he’s not seeking to throw his life away at any given moment. And, more importantly to this meta, he’s clever and he’s capable. If he can find another way out of it, and the majority of the time he probably can, he’ll choose that option. What I’m trying to say is that, if he sees someone being ambushed by a monster, he’ll distract it, fight it himself, and almost always win. He won’t throw himself in front of its claws.

However, the problem that arises with the story of MDZS is that there is no other way out. The thing endangering those under his protection isn’t some monster he can fight, it’s the corrupt structure of the society itself. Those in power are only able to manipulate its threads by virtue of their birth and therefore status (almost everyone), or in rare cases by using that structure to your own advantage and engaging in very corrupt methods to clear your path to the top (Jin Guangyao). And neither of those are an option for Wei Wuxian, the ‘son of a servant’ who will never join in with that corruption.

(And he isn’t the only person we see in this situation. We see the same thing with Mianmian, and she can’t oppose this either — the best thing she can do is walk away.)

Wei Wuxian actually summarised his situation very clearly, when talking to Lan Wangji at the Burial Mounds:

A moment later, Wei WuXian spoke up, “Lan Zhan, you asked me if I intended on staying like this from now on. To be honest, I’d like to ask something as well. What can I do apart from this?” He continued, “Give up the demonic path? Then what about the people on this mountain? “Give them up? I won’t be able to do it. I believe that if you were I, you wouldn’t be able to do it either.” He continued, “Nobody can give me a nice, broad road to walk on. A road where I could protect those I want to protect without having to cultivate the ghostly path.” Lan WangJi gazed at him. He didn’t reply, but both of them knew the answer in their hearts. There was no such road. No solution existed.

- Chapter 75, EXR translation

This is in regard to Wei Wuxian’s demonic cultivation, but the same rings true for everything else he does at cost to himself in the story. Not sacrifice his Golden Core? Then Jiang Cheng, whose whole sense of self-worth was dependent on being a cultivator, would waste away with no spiritual power and no will to live*. Not save the Wen remnants? Then they’d stay in the labour camp and live and die in horrendous conditions. Not painting the spirit attraction mark on himself to save everyone else at the Second Siege? Then they’d die, because what else could be done? And it’s important to know that he didn’t do it alone here, he had Lan Wangji help defend him as well.

So he technically did have an option every time, yes. But that one option was letting others get hurt, and he’s not going to do that. There was no third path. There was no nice, broad road.

But we see that that broad road is very much one Wei Wuxian would like to walk on.

Wei WuXian smiled, “Why would I leave the nice, broad road, and walk on a single-plank bridge on a dark, narrow river instead? If it really is that easy, people would have already walked on it.”

- Chapter 14, EXR

Again, this refers to demonic cultivation. And again, this can be adapted to every other action he takes. Because there are plenty of situations when there is a third option. And in those cases, he finds the way around it! Wei Wuxian is incredibly smart, incredibly creative, and an incredibly quick thinker — none of us in the fandom should forget that.

And thankfully, there are examples of this in the text. Let’s take a closer look at one specifically: defending Mianmian in the Xuanwu’s cave**, and stopping her being used as bait.

(Long passage ahead)

Watching his subordinates fight with [Lan Wangji and Jin Zixuan], Wen Chao looked as if his mood was much better. He spat, “Talking back to me—what did you think you are? People like you really do deserve to be killed.”

A grinning voice came from the side, “That’s right. All those who oppress others and do evil relying on the power of their clan should be killed. Not only that, they should be beheaded for tens of thousands to revile so that those to come would beware.” Hearing this, Wen Chao spun around, “What did you say?” Wei WuXian pretended to be surprised, “Do you need me to repeat it? Sure. All those who oppress others and do evil relying on the power of their clan should be killed. Not only that, they should be beheaded for tens of thousands to revile so that those to come would beware. You heard it this time?” Hearing this, Wen ZhuLiu seemed to ponder as he glanced at Wei WuXian. Wen Chao erupted, “How dare you say such absurd, outrageous, and pretentious words!” Wei WuXian first lifted the corners of his mouth with a ‘pfft’, then immediately burst into unbridled laughter. Under everyone’s shocked eyes, he laughed so hard that he was out of breath, clutching Jiang Cheng’s shoulder as he spoke, “Absurd? Outrageous? I’d say you’re the one who’s all of those! Wen Chao, do you know who was the one that said those words? I’m sure you don’t, do you? Let me tell you. This was said by the most, most, most famous cultivator of your sect, the one who founded the entire thing, Wen Mao. You dared say that one of your ancestor’s remarks are absurd and outrageous? Well said, very well said! Ahahahahaha…” Within the Quintessence of the Wen Sect that had been given out, even the most ordinary of smalltalk comments could be analyzed over and over, their deep meanings boasted with exceptional extravagance. Let alone memorizing it well, Wei WuXian felt disgusted after just flipping through its pages. However, he found this quote of Wen Mao’s quite ironic, which was why he could recall it with ease. Wen Chao’s complexion switched between red and white. Wei WuXian added, “Right, what was the accusation given to those who insult famous cultivators of the Wen Sect again? How should they be punished? I remember that it was execution, right? Yes, very well, you can go die now.” Wen Chao couldn’t hold himself back any longer, unsheathing his sword and lunging at Wei WuXian. With that, he lunged out of Wen ZhuLiu’s range of protection. Wen ZhuLiu had always been used to defending against the attacks of others. He had never expected Wen Chao to leave by his own will. Facing the sudden difficulty, he somehow couldn’t react in time. On the other hand, as Wei WuXian provoked Wen Chao, he was precisely waiting for the moment of uncontrollable rage. The smile by his lips didn’t falter at all as he attacked with the speed of lightning. In a split second, he had snatched the sword and reversed the situation, subduing Wen Chao with just one move! One hand gripping Wen Chao, he leaped a few times and landed on one of the islets above the pool, keeping his distance from Wen ZhuLiu. With his other hand he pressed the sword onto Wen Chao’s neck, warning, “Nobody move. If you’re not careful, I might just decide to let some blood out of your Young Master Wen!” Wen Chao screeched, “Stop moving! Stop moving!” The disciples surrounding Lan WangJi and Jin ZiXuan finally ceased their attacks. Wei WuXian shouted, “Core-melting Hand, you’re not moving either! You know how the temper of the Wen Sect’s leader is. Your master is in my hand. If he loses just one drop of blood, then not one of the people here should hope to live on, including you!” Wen ZhuLiu put his arms down as Wei WuXian had expected. Seeing that the situation was under control, Wei WuXian was about to speak when he suddenly felt that the entire ground below him had trembled.

- Chapter 52, EXR

Important things to take away? Firstly, it’s Lan Wangji and Jin Zixuan who are the ones standing in front of the metaphorical (and literal) blades here, risking their own well-being and health for someone else to protect them directly. That’s their first instinct. Wei Wuxian’s is not***. His thought process is this: taunt and enrage Wen Chao, the powerless person in charge, into leaving the protection of the actually powerful person everyone’s scared of, and then use the opportunity of him being undefended to use him as leverage to get Mianmian free****. And he succeeds in that! It wasn’t his fault he didn’t know about the Xuanwu’s presence, the Wen clan were very deliberately keeping that information a secret.

That is very well thought through, especially for such a short timespan, and especially considering the actions of the only other two people who tried to protect Mianmian — a protective stand-off that they very probably could not win, with the likes of Wen Zhuliu around. I repeat: they are the ones standing in the way of the blade here. Wei Wuxian is not. This is what Wei Wuxian does in situations like these, this is how he solves problems! He’s not unthinkingly reckless, he is not a self-sacrificial idiot.

…not that I’m saying Lan Wangji is one either, but he’s never portrayed as one anyway.

And just for the fun on it, let’s take a look at the branding scene too, to see if we can pick anything else up:

Just as he was about to let go, a cry suddenly came from behind him. The cry was full of fear. Turning around, Wei WuXian saw Wang LingJiao give orders to three servants. Two of them brutishly held MianMian in place, clenching her face, while the other raised the branding iron in his hand and thrusted it toward her face! The tip of the iron was so heated that it sizzled and shone with red light. Wei WuXian was some distance away from them. Seeing what was happening, he immediately shifted the direction of the arrows and let go of the string. The three arrows shot out at once and hit each of the three people. Without making a noise, they fell backward onto the ground. Yet, before the bowstring even ceased to vibrate, Wang LingJiao suddenly grabbed the iron that had fallen as well. Gripping MianMian’s hair, she again shoved it toward her face! Even though Wang LingJiao’s level of cultivation was extremely low, her move was both swift and cruel. If she really did it, even if MianMian could keep her eye, her face would be completely ruined. A woman like her, even under such dangerous circumstances where people were prepared to flee at a moment’s notice, still kept her persistent thoughts of harming others! All of the other disciples were setting up their arrows, handling the beast with all of their attention. Nobody was near these two. There were no more arrows on Wei WuXian and there wasn’t enough time to grab someone else’s. Under the urgency of these circumstances, he rushed over, one hand striking away the arm that Wang LingJiao grabbed MianMian’s hair with and the other landing forcefully at her chest. Having undertaken the strike, Wang LingJiao heaved up a mouthful of blood and flew backward. However, the tip of the iron had already pressed onto Wei WuXian’s chest.

- Chapter 53, EXR

…as you can see, there’s a lot more to this than blindly rushing in front of the branding iron. Again, what can we take from this?

One, Wei Wuxian’s first instinct, again, is not to take the strike directly. He shoots the three servants holding down and actively trying to brand Mianmian, eliminating the threat to her. Wang Lingjiao at the time was just giving orders, she wasn’t an active threat — everyone else was fighting the Xuanwu, there was nobody else to give orders to.

But, surprising him, Wang Lingjiao immediately picks up the branding iron. And, like the servant, she aims it at Mianmian’s face. As Wei Wuxian remarks later, that’s a mark she couldn’t hide — her face would be ruined forever, and considering the setting of this world where marriage is extremely important to women society-wise, it would have lasting consequences for Mianmian’s whole life. Marks to the chest, at least you can hide.

And nobody else is focusing on Mianmian, and there’s no time for Wei Wuxian to call for help from anyone else. Ranged attacks aren’t an option, since he’s out of arrows. And only then does he rush straight to Mianmian, to save her directly.

See the full post

343 notes - Posted August 2, 2022

I think the thing that bothers me about ‘extremely self-sacrificial Wei Wuxian’ takes is that they all make his reason for helping others focus somehow on himself, when it’s the opposite that’s true. His kindness is taken as low self-esteem, his righteousness as low self-worth, and his confidence (when it is acknowledged) as a hero complex. It’s always “I deserve this” or “these people are worth more than me” or “I should be the one taking everything onto me, even if other people offer help, even if accepting the help would make things easier for everyone”. It’s always because of some sort of issue with him that he ends up helping people. And maybe that’s true for some characters, and maybe that’s the case in other fandoms, but that is not the case with Wei Wuxian.

Something so many parts of the fandom seem to forget is that Wei Wuxian is someone who enjoys his life — and he enjoys it so, so much. He loves playing around and night-hunting with the Juniors and spending time with Lan Wangji just having fun. He does not want to see it end early (again). But he’s not someone who stands back when injustices happen either, and he’s not someone who will stay put and watch others suffer. And when that happens, yes, he’ll step in. But that isn’t about self-worth or self-esteem or anything, it’s because We Wuxian is a kind, empathetic person with a moral core.

The main thing isn’t the cost of the action. The main thing is the action itself.

He put it best himself:

“Let the self judge the rights and wrongs, let others decide to praise or to blame, let gains and losses remain uncommented on.”

- Exiled Rebels translation, Chapter 75

And it’s sad that that seems to have been forgotten by so many people, because that philosophy is at the core of Wei Wuxian’s character. It’s the thing that lets him move on so easily from the (many) traumatic events of his first life, it’s what makes him able to let go of resentment rather than let it fester or drive him on (contrary to people like Jiang Cheng and Jin Guangyao), it’s the idea shared to him by his parents in one of the only memories he has of them, and the idea he lives by.

That’s why he steps in to save people, even at cost to himself. Because he judges it to be the right thing, and he does the right thing, even if it’s hard. And he never regrets it.

And I think that’s a much more inspiring story to tell than that of someone who’s constantly throwing themselves in front of the axe to save others because they feel they deserve it.

(Part two of this discussion)

364 notes - Posted July 27, 2022

I'm rereading some of the flashback scenes in MDZS, and a little moment stood out to me:

This is right before Wen Chao finds him and throws him into the Burial Mounds, and just as he suspects here, it's indeed an act – a cover for an ambush. And I wanted to highlight this moment that shows us just how smart and resourceful Wei Wuxian is.

Because we all know he’s smart in more abstract ways – he invented a whole new form of cultivation, he made and invented lots of tools that revolutionised night-hunting, and so on and so on. But he isn’t just abstractly smart, and that’s something lost in a lot of takes I read. Like this moment shows, he’s very smart practically as well – he picks up on subtle hints, he can deduce things from extremely limited information, in the moment it’s happening and when it’s important now. He is extremely resourceful and perceptive, not someone who’s only smart theoretically and then somewhat stupid in the real world. He’s even very good at picking up on people’s emotions (and when needed, at using them to his advantage)! He’s not oblivious, whether it’s about emotions or the practical world, at all.

...And I do think a lot of this was born out of necessity. He grew up on the streets, where there was danger all around him – being observant and resourceful is a necessity in that sort of environment, and even if the younger Wei Wuxian didn’t need a lot of convincing before he would trust someone (look at Jiang Fengmian), he still almost definitely picked up those there. And it’s not like Lotus Pier was a safe environment, either! His default isn't to be suspicious of people, which is important to note, but he can pick up on red flags very, very quickly.

Of course, none of that makes this any less impressive!

547 notes - Posted September 12, 2022

My #1 post of 2022

...I need to see more content of Wei Wuxian solving problems by manipulating people’s emotions.

He isn’t a long term manipulator like Jin Guangyao and Nie Huaisang, but it’s actually one of his main strategies when it comes to solving problems! Stopping Mianmian being sacrificed in the Xuanwu cave? He angers Wen Chao into stepping out of Wen Zhuliu’s protection, allowing him to hold him at swordpoint and to take advantage of Wen Zhuliu’s loyalty, meaning that he (the greatest threat at the moment) won’t attack them. Helping Lan Wangji fight Xue Yang in the mists of Yi City where he can’t be seen? Taunt Xue Yang into talking by bringing up Xiao Xingchen, a subject he’s very sore on, so Lan Wangji can find him by ear. Suspect that Su She is behind the loss of everybody’s spiritual powers at the Second Siege? Mock him so he grows impatient and careless, as well as trick him into thinking he (Wei Wuxian) had two pages from the Collection of Turmoil to heighten that effect and stir up paranoia, so he carelessly uses spiritual power to deflect Lan Wangji’s attack – something he probably wouldn’t have done otherwise.

That applies when he’s on the defensive too. When Wen Chao and co capture him in Yiling and he doesn’t even have a Golden Core, what does he do? Use his words to scare him into not killing him – very much manipulating him emotionally (though I do believe he meant/wanted to mean what he said then, too)!

I’ve talked a bit about how he’s very resourceful, but something else that’s overlooked is that he’s also extremely emotionally perceptive, and won’t hesitate to use that to his advantage in dangerous situations. He may not be someone who manipulates for some ambitious, long-term goal. But as a tactic or a strategy? He’s very good at it, and it’s a method his mind very much defaults to when solving problems.

1,160 notes - Posted September 15, 2022

Get your Tumblr 2022 Year in Review →

#tumblr2022 #year in review #my 2022 tumblr year in review #your tumblr year in review #i… only created 34 posts?#i know i’ve been a bit inactive lately but #seems like i did a lot more than that wow #not mxtx

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