#sorry you don't get meng ling

[veliseraptor]

Hii! How are you? Hope the new year is treating you well

Love your Jiang Cheng/Meng Yao/Xue Yang everything, they are all excellent characters (especially JC my beloved)

Wanted to ask why you don't like Nie Mingjue? (Totally genuine btw, I'm mostly indifferent towards him but I like hiw tou do character analysis and am curious?)

Happy new year and take care :D

oh boy, okay. I waffled for a while about responding to this only because I tend to...avoid wading into things that might get me in trouble, and this feels like something that could get me in trouble, because I'm talking about my (negative) feelings on a relatively popular character and that can provoke some pretty intense responses.

but I don't really want to foster that impulse, at least not all the time, and I try to be fair when I talk about these things, so, hey, might as well. under a cut for anyone who doesn't want to read the following (counts) nine paragraphs of rambling about this subject

first off I feel like I should say that it probably seems like I dislike Nie Mingjue because he comes into conflict with Jin Guangyao, and while that isn't not true, characters being in conflict with each other does not preclude me liking both of them. I mean, I would hope that was obvious.

I think the biggest reason me and Nie Mingjue do not vibe is actually - and this occurred to me as I was writing this response - the same reason that I used to dislike Stannis Baratheon back when I was active in the A Song of Ice and Fire fandom. (Not so much anymore, mostly because now I just find him kind of funny. Sorry, Stannis.) Namely: he's inflexible and utterly convinced of his own rightness/righteousness.

One of my least favorite qualities in a person is self-righteousness, and while that can work for me in a character it very much doesn't here, I think because it comes with that inflexibility. Nie Mingjue's sense of morality and order is rigid with very little room for his judgment being affected by circumstance or external context. To him, those considerations are irrelevant at best and viewed as excuses at worst.

I'm someone who is, meanwhile, allergic to universal statements, particularly universal statements of good/bad, evil/righteous, etc. I don't like them, I'm incredibly wary of them, and while, again, me disliking these things irl doesn't necessarily preclude enjoying them in a character, it is going to be at least somewhat of a barrier. I feel like it would be less of one here, honestly, if I didn't feel like fandom often endorses Nie Mingjue's perspective on this, as opposed to acknowledging it for what I think it is actually in the text; I have more I could say on this but I'm already writing an essay so I'll just note that I think the fact that Nie Mingjue's corpse can't distinguish between Jin Ling and Jin Guangyao is thematically important.

I don't need a character's morality to align with mine to like them, obviously. The greater crime is finding a character frustrating or irritating, and that's what this particular quality of Nie Mingjue's does to me.

"But what about Xiao Xingchen," I can hear somebody saying. "Doesn't he have the same rigid perspective?" Yes, arguably; his also breaks horribly over the duration of the story, and that's the part of his arc that I find compelling! I find Xiao Xingchen most interesting when his initial understanding of the world has been irrevocably changed and he has to reckon with the fact that justice is not as simple as he thought it would be.

I also - and I know how this is going to sound, I feel like - do not vibe with characters who really strongly believe in state-supported violence. I don't care if characters kill people - the more the better! murder all you like, my darlings! - but I do care if they're advocating the death penalty from a position of political power/authority. Which is actually not a distinction I'd necessarily realized was important to me, but apparently it is. As far as my fictional taste goes: personal violence is fine. State violence is not. I'm sure there are exceptions here (there usually are) but it is generally true that the more violence comes from a position of authority/power in the sense of "this is structurally supported by some form of government/systematic structure", the more I'm going to feel badly about it and the less kindly I am going to feel toward the character in question.

Nie Mingjue is very, very invested in state-supported violence and very eager to dole it out on a personal basis. We see it with his almost killing Xue Yang while Xue Yang is on trial; we see it with Jin Guangyao, multiple times. "Well, they were guilty!" Yeah, I know, that's not the point. The line Nie Mingjue draws between legitimate/illegitimate violence doesn't work for me.

There's also some other stuff that's more fandom-related around the fanon characterization Nie Mingjue often gets that frustrates me because of the way I feel like it increasingly departs from the text, which has (as usual) more of an impact on my feelings about the original character than it perhaps should. Probably because I feel like it's such a misreading of the point of his character. Everyone in fandom is extrapolating from the character on the page/screen - lord knows I do it. But I do feel like I have a limit that I hit where that extrapolation feels like it's reading against the text and what the text is saying, and/or making them a "type" built on a generalized mold, and that's where my patience really runs out.

anyway this has all been very wordy and probably unnecessarily harsh but...I think some of it was useful for me in terms of thinking out just why, even beyond fandom-related frustrations, Nie Mingjue was never a character I could care about or like.

#conversating #dasy8316 #yeah not character tagging this i'm not doing that to the folks in the tag #the sad queer cultivators show #lise's aggressively bitchy opinions about irrelevant and unimportant matters

[llycaons]

ep41 (2/2): cleansing really is that beautiful

jgy is really good at turning his genuinely unfortunate circumstances into sympathy points to skirt around responsibility. I do feel bad for him, I do understand his position. but he's not the only person here without power, and he's certainly only looking out for his own skin

and like nmj says, he's doing all this - crying and lying and manipulating - because he wants to keep a high social position. no other reason. and he admits it!

I find this argument so funny. like in fairness it's similar to the one that wwx brings up later but wwx and wn actually died and in wwx's minds, paid for their crimes already. jgy never did, and hearing him whine 'oh my god, I just killed a few people, are you're STILL bringing it up now???' is pretty funny

good point, jgy! nmj isn't entirely a bastion of flawless justice himself, but 1. he actually tries because he cares about it and 2. this conversation is about your crimes and diverting will not save you from him

oh, so poetic! so dramatic! look at that face!

OH DAMN!!!!!! CRIMSON PEAK MASTER COMEBACK

oh this is a good scene. correct response to 'their lives aren't worth as much as mine!' and a perfect example for people who genuinely think jgy is some hero of the working class. sorry, guys. he's only in it for himself and he;ll step on as many poor and margnalized people as he needs to in the process

bad manners, nmj :(

this was so cunty of him

idk I feel like there could have been a better translation for this

POINTING AT JGY!!! wow so yeah jgy is murdering him for no reason other than 'he kicked me out of the clan for killing his commander and yelled at me a lot :(' you would crumble into dust if you encountered a quarter of the hardships of the wens

holding baxia like that....

oh my god he's so off the rails

ohhh it that suibian I see 👀

okay this looks stupid but but it's my firm belief that this is proof wwx has at least a shadow of a golde core in his new body otherwise HOW COULD BE DO THAT

hiii sexy

it's so cute how he pulls himself up each step like that. he's so tiny!

and then all tucked out and flopping onto lwj's hand <3

so full of personality was this paperman that I forgot wwx had a real body to return to and I jumped when he reappeared on the screen. muppet effect

shoutout to lxc for trusting and believing his brother for this. you know if the situations were reversed lwj would glare him down for daring to suggest wwx was untrustworthy. and he'd be right but it's nice that lxc is so supportive

jin ling isn't easily intimidated, which is funny bc he keeps asking these perfectly reasonable questions like 'why are you trying to get into my uncle's bedchambers at night' and 'what is going on' and ignoring him/glaring at him doesn't work at all

oh you douchebag

I think su she's villainy is a bit dumb and jealousy is a weak and judgemental trait for a villain to even have but this shot makes him look like such a tool idc

personal highlights: I'm tired and I don't care much for nmj and jgy's situationship so let's make this short and sweet

meng yao's water carriers

meng yao's very smooth glide into a standing bow

meng yao's beautiful silver and white robes

meng yao deflecting questions about his intentions with "I'm just glad I...met...you 🥺'

nmj's side-eye to jgy during their brotherhood swearing-in

jgy's blatant and purposeful flirting

"I only killed a few people, can you PLEASE stop bringing it up still 🙄'

nmj yelling ASSHOLE and kicking jgy down the steps for saying he's better and more deserving than other people

sexy sexy suibian ♥

paperman!wwx going WHEW and flopping down onto lwj's hand very cute

#cql re-rewatch

[hulijingemperor2]

Zixuan: *still on bedrest*

Yao: you did well, Zishie.

Zixuan: thanks Foxy.

Yanli: *holding the twins* A-Yao, hold them nah.

Yao: sure.

Rusong: aww they're so cute!

Yao: really precious.

Ruxuan, Ruming! I'm your uncle Foxy.

Yanli: and Xuan is mama bird.

Zixuan: *pouts* A-li.

Zixuan: I hope our children gets close to their uncle Foxy. Because they'll be around him a lot.

Yanli: they certainly will. And A-Yao would pamper them with gifts!

He already had A-ling pretty spoilt.

Jinling: I'm not spoilt by Xiao shushu. He just buys me things.

Yao: yea.

I must buy things for A-ling. And A-Song too!!

Yanli: I see.

Ruhua grabs Jinling's hair stick and threw it on the floor.

Jinling: Huahua! My crystal hair stick!

Rusong: how did it snap in two?

Jinling: it was a fragile type of crystal. Xiao shushuuuuuuu.

Yao: A-ling, A-ling. Don't worry. I'll buy you a set.

For you and A-song.

Jinling: *smile* thank you Xiao shuhsu!!

Zixuan: he loves to spoil A-ling and A-song.

As he should.

Mo xuanyu: Xuan gege, do you know how to change diapers?

Zixuan: c..change what?

Yanli: diapers, Zixuan.

Zixuan: ohhhhh. No A-Yu. I haven't changed one in my life.

The maids used to do it.

Xue yang: what a diva.

Yanli: so who's going to change the diapers, Zish?

Zixuan: and Huaisang is there.

He'll change their diapers.

When they're older, he'll be their babysitter but he has to undergo severe training.

Mo xuanyu: lol I agree. Where is he anyways?

Zixuan: gave him a vacation.

Because I want my twins to see beautiful things when they're born.

My babies are allergic to negative vibes.

Jiang cheng: *enters* I'm here! Sorry I'm late!

Yao: it took you long enough!!

Zixuan: *crying* Jiang cheng! Where were you!

Meng Shi: Jiang gui fei. What kind of conduct is this.

I'm very disappointed in you! You weren't aren't when my innocent little step son was giving birth.

You're married to two emperors. Act the part.

Jiang cheng: Tai hou and my emperor husbands. This wei wuxian was in lotus pier, and he used my sword~~

Zixuan: not in front the children!!!

Yao: oh my goodness!! How putrid!

Xue yang: wasn't bichen enough?

Su she: you have some freaky family members.

Mo xuanyu: *blocks Jinling and Rusong's ears*

Jiang cheng: that's not what I meant, guys!

He used my sword to cut lotus pods. Then the idiot dropped it in the muddy pond, so we had to fish out Sandu.

Meng Shi: and your sword is a mode of transportation.

Jiang cheng: yes! Taihou.

Meng Shi: why didn't you run or hire a caravan?

Jiang cheng: *facepalms*

Mo xuanyu: Jiang cheng, how could you.

Zixuan: what if I died during childbirth and my children became orphans.

And then my empire lost a super handsome and almost divine emperor with flawless skin.

Yao: and A-li would have sadly become a widow.

Then she would ask me to adopt the children.

Zixuan: it would be hard for them to fit in because they're not hulijings. A-li might become A-Yao's concubine, but she'll become more rich, and depressed cuz she misses me.

Do you know how it's like to be rich, depressed and a hot mess! And on top of that stressed?

Jiang cheng, do you see the ripple effect!

Jiang cheng: stop being dramatic. And look. I'm here.

Zixuan: I haven't had a drop of water or a grain of food, while waiting for you.

Because if I ate I would have thrown up. But read between the lines.

I fasted for you, my husband.

Yao: our confidante!

Zixuan: *sobs* consort Cheng. *sniffles*

Jiang cheng: jiejie. How do you deal with him?

Yanli: *laughing* just fine*

Jiang cheng: uhh.....are you done?

Zixuan: you have broken my heart. I don't think I can forgive you.

Yao: I'm very disappointed in you.

Jiang cheng: Zixuan. I made soup. Do you still want some?

Or are you still feeling nauseous?

Zixuan: gimme that, Jiang. You're forgiven.

Yaoyao!

Yao: poor baby has been starving from his fast.

Zixuan: Jiang cheng, I'm weak. Can you feed me? *bats eyelashes*

Jiang cheng: sure.

How are you feeling now?

Zixuan: I'm still sore.

Jiang cheng: now what did you name them?

Zixuan: Ruxuan and Ruming.

Jiang cheng: sounds ok.

Zixuan: be a little enthusiastic, nah. They're royalty.

They came out from my~~ what's the word?

Xue yang: royal Zishussy.

Zixuan: yea.

Jiang cheng: noted.

Zixuan: A-Yao will let you hold them.

~~~

Next day..

Around midday, a group of beautiful young ladies, all holding fans in their hands,  came to meet their dowager empress Shi.

Greetings taihou.

Meng Shi: greetings darlings. Rise please.

Someone from in front of the crowd: I'm Xu.

And I'm Lu Wan.

We're all aristocratic fox spirits.

Meng Shi: ohh, pleasure to meet you. What brings you here?

We want to see Dianxia!

Also we would love to marry him.

Taihou, I'm good at calligraphy and painting.

And I'm good at poetry and playing the Qin.

Meng Shi: *giggles daintily* excellent.

I always dreamt of Songsong getting a girlfriend, and settling. But then my Songsong is the one who must make the decision right. Why don't you go meet him?

Ladies: *squealing*

*goes to rush outside*

Meng Shi: hey hey wait. You have to go through Huangdi first.

Yes Taihou.

Well we got to meet our inlaws right.

~~~

The group of beautifully dressed hulijing ladies confronted and bowed to A-Yao.

Greetings father-in-law Huangdi.

Yao: *astonished* father-in-law???

Oh gosh, you all saw Rusong, didn't you.

Miss Xu: yes Huangdi, and we're in love!

Dianxia is extremely handsome.

Huangdi are we perfect for future concubines?

Xu: I'll be Dianxia's empress.

Can we see Dianxia?

We miss seeing him.

Yao: hmm sure then. He's in the garden.

Awwwwww Dianxia loves nature?!

We love nature too!

Yao: mhm. He's taking a stroll. And maybe he's going to sit and play the guqin.

*squealing* omg!!! We love music too!

He's so talented!

Let's go look for him!

~

Meng Shi: Yao'er.

Yao: A-niang?

Meng Shi: did a group of ladies come to meet you?

Yao: more like they came to meet A-Song.

Meng Shi: *giggles*

Yao: did you send them?

Meng Shi: yea,. They wanted to meet our little Song'er so I let them. Wangzi needs a Wangfei.

Yao: you're right. But Song'er loves someone already.

She's A-Qing of Yi city.

Meng Shi: A-Qing? Beautiful. I would love to see her.

And why didn't this child tell me? Am I chopped liver?

Yao: *laughing* A-niang, maybe he's shy.

Meng Shi: oh my. This boy.

He's a handful, but a cute handful.

Yao: agreed.

Rusong: *walking through the garden while reading*

Xu and others: *confronting him* greetings Dianxia.

Rusong: *looking up from his book* oh hello. How may I help you?

Xu: Dianxia why are you so hot. 

Rusong: I...I was born like it.

Ladies: awwwwwwwwww!

Rusong: are you here to meet Nainai? May I escort you?

Xu: no no. We met her already. We came to meet you. *blush*

Heehee, how are you, Dianxia?

Rusong: I'm doing well.

Xu: you're really really cute.

And such a gentleman too!

Dianxia what are you going to do?

Rusong: well I was going to play the guqin.

Aww the guqin?!!!! We want to hear!! Play it for us na, Dianxia!!

Please! We would love to hear your music!

Rusong: sure.

Dianxia are you single?!

Rusong: well actually I have a girlfriend. But she's out if town.

Ladies: *disappointed*

Xu: is she even a beautiful hulijing?!

Rusong: no. But don't worry guys. You can still hang with me and listen to music.

*cheering* yayy!! Dianxia!!

We still love you!!

Xu: just saying, we can be better than your girlfriend.

We are hulijings after all.

Rusong: *laughing* I see.

Xu: at least she's taking good care of our Dianxia.

Rusong: *smile*

Ladies: *squealing* dimples!!!!!

Rusong: shall we?

Ahhh right behind you.

Rusong: would you like some flowers? Feel free to pick some from the garden.

You're so kind Wangzi.

Rusong: maybe if you like a certain flower, you can make a bouquet out of them.

Awww!

Anything to remember you by.

You're hella handsome.

Rusong: *laughs slightly* thanks.

I have asked my attendants to arrange tea and snacks.

Aww Dianxia, we were just here to listen to you play. You're too kind.

Rusong: well you're my guests after all.

Xu: so ideal just like Huangdi.

Rusong: us Mengs are known for our hospitality, and we hope that the empire does the same.

Xu: *melting* gosh, that's well said. But i love when your lips move.

Meanwhile, in one of the spring Pavillions~~

Yao: *having tea with Meng Shi and team dimple*

Meng shi: Yao'er, Yao'er, how is A-qing like?

Yao: very vibrant and energetic. Quite mischievous too.

Xue yang: she's a big simp too.

Meng Shi: oh. Lovely. Lol, a simp as well Chengmei?

Xue yang: yea. She popped out of me.

I gave birth to her.

Meng shi: *laughing* awww.

Yao: xue yang and Xiao xingchen are her guardians.

And they're all from Yi city.

Meng shi: ohhh I see. How sweet.

Mo xuanyu: we ship them a lot.

Su she: they make a good pair.

Meng Shi: that's good.

Xue yang: A-Qing is broke by the way, Miss Meng, so I don't know if that might be a problem.

Meng Shi: it's fine, Chengmei.

It's one's character that counts.

Yao: mhm.

Meng Shi: did you give her the thing?

Yao: of course I gave her the thing.

Mo xuanyu: *sips tea* what thing?

Meng shi: the hairpin Yao'er had commissioned for Rusong's soon to be bride.

Xue yang: I hope she didn't sell it by now.

Meng Shi: what?

Su she: it's a joke, taihou. Don't listen to xue yang.

Yao: she's good at heart, and she knows the significance of the accessories.

Meng Shi: oh good.

Yao: she has the same antics as Chengmei.

Meng shi: lol.

Anyways I need to talk to Mr. Dianxia later.

Yao: go for it, A-niang. He didn't tell you about his gf.

Meng Shi: exactly.

A-Yao, I think we should send her some gifts.

Yao: my same thought. And we can give some money to Xiao Daozhang as a sign of courtesy and good relations.

Meng Shi: yea.

Xue yang: what about meeee.

Yao: I'll give you candy, and maybe a new plot of land to practice your fierce corpse.

Xue yang: that's why I love you Jiggy.

Yao: *pats head* love you too, my little gremlin.

Later on, Rusong was walking down the hall, after playing the guqin for the fox spirits.

Rusong: why did Nainai send girls for me? That's so strange.

Oh right.......I didn't tell her about my girlfriend yet.

Rusong: I wonder if she found out? Guess I'll be hiding from Nainai for the while.

Meng shi: Songsong.

Rusong: *turns around* oh...hey Nainai.

Meng Shi: Meng Jin Rusong, the Hulijing Wangzi.

Rusong: (you know you're screwed when she or A-Die calls your whole name and title)

Meng shi: Dianxia *pinches cheeks* you didn't tell me about your gf.

Rusong: yea Nainai. I was going to tell you soon.

Meng Shi: baby Songsong, you're super cute. And I'm so happy for you.

A-Yao told me a lot about her.

Rusong: oh I see. The emperor of Hulijings and Kitsunes, Meng Yao Jin guangyao had let out my secret. *laughing*

Meng Shi: heehee yes. *kisses his dimple* secrets safe with me, Songsong.

Rusong: ok, Nainai. Today I'll spare Mr. Huangdi.

Meng Shi: but it's good that he told me. Because you wouldn't have told me.

Rusong: I would have, lol.

Meng Shi: *pouts*

Rusong: *hugs* Nainai. You believe your Songsong, right. Nainaiiiii.

Meng Shi: *pats head* I can't pretend to be upset with you, can I. You always put on that cute face.

Rusong: nah it's just that I'm naturally cute.

Meng Shi: oh really, Dianxia.

Now what did you do with the ladies?

Rusong: just got them some tea and snacks, then I played the guqin.

Meng Shi: lovely little Dianxia.

~~~

Later in the day......

Yao: Songsong.

Rusong: A-Die. Nainai was in her fox spirit matchmaker mood today.

Yao: *laughing*

Well you didn't tell her about your gf.

Rusong: right.

Xue yang: and you're a supermodel, so.

Mo xuanyu: who wouldn't fall in love with you, little Dianxia.

Su she: you have your A-Die's face after all.

Rusong: yea team d. And I can't help being cute.

Mo xuanyu: exactly.

#the huli jing emperor #foxyao #meng yao #dimpledlianfang #hulijing emperor 2 #jin guangyao #jin zixuan #part 2 #su she #the untamed

[rosethornewrites]

Thursday-Sunday NR, E, & M reading

The usual

Finished

Not Rated:

Jiangs are connected to the Lotus Pier, by nirejseki

Prompt: The Yunmeng Jiang clan is as much a part of Lotus Pier as Lotus Pier is to them. The connection can be strengthened using cultivation, but it is more a matter of blood than golden cores. When the Wens come to burn it down, Jiang Cheng tries to take as much of the damage onto his own body as he can in order to minimize the damage to the Pier and the people. Even during the war and rebuilding, JC never really lets go of the increased burden he took on. It (inevitably, eventually) takes its toll on him.

Bonus?: Jiang Yanli also feels the burning as though she is there with it, although to a lesser extent due to her core. She and JC might be the last ones left to share the connection to the Pier (until Jin Ling).

Explicit:

Stretched open, by lan_mattress_zhan

“But I'm saying,” He huffed, clearing his throat, “I want you to fuck me while you’re a dragon of course if you’re okay with that,” He took a shy glance at Lan Zhan, who reached out for Wei Ying’s cheek, caressing gently and leaned in for a chaste kiss. This was far too tender for what they were discussing currently. Far far too tender.

“I- am not opposed to it,” Lan Zhan said as he drew back, Wei Ying nodded and smirked, then-

“Great!"

Wei Ying wants Lan Zhan to fuck him in his dragon form, Lan Zhan is all too eager to obligate.

Mature:

unhappy stories with happy endings, by Last_for_Hell (4 chapters)

When a small village is cursed to see the memories of their loved ones, their call for help is answered by Lan Wangji and Wei Wuxian. The junior quartet joins them in the hopes that they may help put an end to the village’s woes.

The curse looms heavily on, and soon, it will take hold of these six newcomers.

Unfinished

Not Rated:

Rise of the Peacock, by JustAWanderingBabbit

Killed at Qiongqi Pass, Jin Zixuan wakes to find himself in an old and familiar scenario; the day he and Wei Wuxian fought in Gusu Lan. The day his betrothal to Jiang Yanli came to an end.

Unsure whether or not he's dreaming, Jin Zixuan decides to seize the chance and change the future. But for that he'll need help from his bastard brother, Meng Yao.

The Untamed: To Walk in One's Shoes, by YenGirl

It turns out that that old adage of 'To walk a mile in someone's shoes' proves to be the most effective way for three siblings to understand one another. Too bad there's a wedding involved.

Learn to cage your inner beast, by EuphoricSuds

If restraint means keeping you safe—then I will gladly tie down my wings.

Or, Wei Wuxian grows up in the Lan clan and things go slightly different from the canon.

Explicit:

Prequel: Fragments of a memory, by Cycliph

After the siege of Burial Mounds, Lan Wangji's life is being wasted away. His days are always same. Stuck in an insidious cycle of passivity, detached from the world. One day, on a gusty night, hail strong enough to crush skull was beating down. A helpless young man takes shelter in Jingshi.

you'll find my heart on the mountainside, by lulu_kitty

After parting ways with Lan Wangji on the mountain path, Wei Wuxian takes some time to consider what it is that he wants with this new second chance at life.

The answer finds him coming back to Lan Wangji, his zhiji, but after they reunite and set forth to embark on their new life together, an unexpected surprise awaits them on their journey home.

Or, a post-canon CQL/Untamed getting together story: accidental baby acquisition addition.

Mature:

When I'm Gone, by qiankun_pouch

"Protect them," he whispers hoarsely.

Wei Wuxian looks at Wen Qing next, his voice wavering as he remorses, "Qing-jie… You weren't supposed to see this."

She sobs. Please, no, Wei Wuxian. Please don't do this.

"Thank you. For everything," he continues.

There's a smile on his face, small and sad, and he speaks his final words.

"And I'm sorry."

Or, the one where Lan Wangji never goes to the Burial Mounds, and after some disturbing events, Wei Wuxian dies (TW: suicide). Everyone learns the truth and has to deal with the consequences.

(Story diverges after Wei Wuxian learns that there is trouble at the Burial Mounds.)

I whatever you, I will stand by your side, by Lizziewriter07

Wei WuXian almost died during Jin ZiXun's trap. He would have retaliated with all his might if it weren't for A-Yuan being terrified and right behind him and Wen Ning. Instead of killing Jin ZiXuan, he was hit by a fatal arrow in the heart while trying to protect the little boy. After disappearing from the cultivation world for five years he was... "invited" in a rather peculiar way to help two great clan leaders in a problem with their sworn brother.

Or,

Lan XiChen knew his younger brother like no one else. He knew him well enough to know that seeing Wei WuXian again after all those years of not knowing anything about the young master would make WangJi do something extreme. In order to be aware of what would happen and to help, ZeWu-jun proposes a sort of alliance with Wen Qing. Together, they come up with a well-crafted excuse to leave them alone for a while.

desolate, by celialoves_lwj

This is his plea to the heavens and those resentful dead creatures who clamber against him in greeting. To the wild wind, and howling resentment, to the caliginous maw of Luanzang Gang, he screams: “I will remain and make you regret this--you will not be rid of me!”

Wei Wuxian dies after being thrown into Luanzang Gang. It is not the end of his story.

Say my name and his in the same breath, by ataratah

Wei Wuxian is used to making a space for himself in places where he is not wanted. It should not surprise him that Cloud Recesses is the same, even if his soulmate is one of the twin jades.

#the untamed #mo dao zu shi #mdzs #cql #chen qing ling #untamed fanfiction

[ao3feed-xicheng]

I Don't Want to Cry...But I am...

by YS_101 Wan Lai, a woman who was raised alongside Jiang Cheng, Wei Ying, and Jiang Yanli as their adopted sister is now a personal attendant to the Sect Leader of of Yunmeng Jiang Clan, Jiang Cheng. She walks to his office to pour him tea at the scheduled time but she stumbles on him...crying. (I got this idea from a website I use for free therapy by talking to generated characters. Jiang Cheng...just kind of breaks down. Spoilers for all the chronological events after Wei Wuxian's death. Some details will be different from canon and there will be a crossover with a single character from Word of Honor. Hope you enjoy it!) Words: 528, Chapters: 1/?, Language: English Fandoms: 陈情令 | The Untamed (TV), 魔道祖师 - 墨香铜臭 | Módào Zǔshī - Mòxiāng Tóngxiù, 魔道祖师 | Módào Zǔshī (Cartoon) Rating: Mature Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings Categories: Gen, M/M, Other Characters: Jiang Cheng | Jiang Wanyin, Original Female Character(s), Jin Ling | Jin Rulan, Lan Jingyi, Gu Xiang (Faraway Wanderers), Lan Huan | Lan Xichen, Meng Yao | Jin Guangyao, Lan Zhan | Lan Wangji, Lan Yuan | Lan Sizhui, Wei Ying | Wei Wuxian Relationships: Jiang Cheng | Jiang Wanyin & Lan Jingyi, Jiang Cheng | Jiang Wanyin & Jin Ling | Jin Rulan, Jiang Cheng | Jiang Wanyin & Original Character(s), Lan Huan | Lan Xichen/Meng Yao | Jin Guangyao, Jiang Cheng | Jiang Wanyin/Lan Huan | Lan Xichen Additional Tags: Mentioned Wèi Yīng | Wèi Wúxiàn, Bad Parents Jiang Fengmian and Yu Ziyuan, Jiang Yanli Bashing, I'm sorry-, One-Sided Jiang Cheng | Jiang Wanyin/Lan Huan | Lan Xichen, Jiang Cheng | Jiang Wanyin Gets a Hug, Dual Cultivation creates kids, I don't like bashing Yanli-, But it's true-, And I don't like bashing Xichen-, Implied/Referenced Sex, Angst and Hurt/Comfort, Fluff, Not Beta Read, Not Actually Unrequited Love, Rated mature due to language, Eventual Happy Ending via https://ift.tt/X8riZdA

#IFTTT #ao3feed #fanfic #xicheng #jiang cheng #lan xichen #mdzs #cql

[robininthelabyrinth]

Jgy and jyl couple, where meng yao asked for nmj help for courting her in the middle of sunshot campain, could we see the political shenanigans involving jgs being his scummy self and newborn meng ling

World 2 - continuation of Four Worlds (JGY/JYL) - ao3 link

-

“So, uh,” Nie Mingjue said, uncertain and tripping over his tongue a way he never typically did. “What’s your plan?”

Meng Yao blinked at him.

“For courting Mistress Jiang,” Nie Mingjue clarified. “Unless you’ve already reached an agreement..?”

A bowl of soup every night and some pleasant conversation did not, in fact, make for an agreement to marriage, so Meng Yao shook his head.

“Right. So you have a plan, then.”

Meng Yao did not have a plan. Meng Yao did not have anything, nothing but his father’s blood, the weight of his promise to his mother, and his own clever mind; all he had was the sudden and overwhelming conviction that if he let Jiang Yanli go her own way without him that he would never again find a woman who would truly see him as her equal.

There was that girl, Qin Su, that he’d rescued – but that had been artifice, deliberate. He who had access to all of the reports of all the spies in the Sunshot Campaign, who sent out correspondence advising people on what roads were dangerous and which were safe, how could he not know that she would find danger in the route she had chosen? He had deliberately manufactured to rescue her as a means of winning her affection, his eyes all the while fixed on the prize of her surname, her family, which was one of the strongest subsidiary sects of Lanling Jin. They had influence he would need in winning back his name.

And while he had succeeded in his goal – once he had some status, she would fight her father to marry him, he was certain – he still thought he could detect the slightest hint of pity in her eyes. She was a girl in love, claiming that she didn’t care who he was or anything about his past, but how long would that last in the face of sober reality? In the face of struggle, of bitter adversity, of the opposition and scorn of all?

“…would you like help?” Nie Mingjue said, possibly correctly interpreting the blankness on Meng Yao’s face as absolute panic for the first time in the time they had known each other.

“Can you help?” Meng Yao inquired. It seemed unlikely.

“Well, I can write to my brother,” Nie Mingjue said, which sounded far more likely than the infamously frigid Chifeng-zun abruptly developing an expertise in wooing women. “And I’m on good terms with Mistress Jiang personally, so I might be able to provide some insight –”

“Wait,” Meng Yao said, fixing him with a stare. “What do you mean you’re on good terms with her personally?”

Nie Mingjue blinked at him. “Exactly what I said..? We first became acquainted as children, and while we were never close, we were always friendly.”

“But – you only allowed her to stay at our warcamp if she agreed to work! You said you’d kick her out if she wasn’t useful!”

“Naturally,” Nie Mingjue said. “Otherwise she might suspect I pitied her.”

Presumably, Meng Yao reflected, that statement made some amount of sense in Nie Mingjue’s head.

“What does she like, then?” he asked, deciding to focus on the practical. “Cooking, her brothers –”

Befriending people who are so far below her that they aren’t worthy of touching her shoe.

“She’s never had much talent at swordsmanship,” Nie Mingjue said at once, because of course that would be the first thing he would pay attention to. “Not her fault – she’s like Huaisang, born with a weak body, only worse, since it affected her breathing. Too much exertion and she’d turn blue…she used to chew licorice for it, when she was very young; if I recall correctly, she developed a taste for it.”

“Licorice? She likes licorice candy?”

Nie Mingjue nodded.

“She also always enjoyed reading. Poetry, classic texts or light, she wasn’t particular,” he said, brow furrowed in recollection. “She liked puzzles. Was always doing something with her hands – not embroidery, though, not unless she had to. But other things.”

Meng Yao nodded, his quick mind already flooded with ideas, thoughts…he was going to need to be clever about this.

Worse – he was going to need to be honest.

Jiang Yanli deserved it.

-

Meng Yao went to Langya with Nie Mingjue’s recommendation letter in his pocket and the memory of two hands in his, pressing together tightly, and a “yes” that rang in his ears so loudly that he almost didn’t hear the sneers and disdain of the people around him.

His father refused to see him, his peers mocked him, his supervisor stole his achievements and called his mother a whore –

“Yes,” Jiang Yanli whispered in his ear. “Yes, I’ll marry you.”

Meng Yao ignored them all.

He figured out soon enough that Lanling Jin was getting him nowhere, and that without some tremendous achievement, he wouldn’t get the name he had promised his mother he’d have, the one he was starting to doubt he even really wanted.

His supervisor told him he’d be better off dead in the battlefield, implied that he’d see it happen sooner rather than later. Meng Yao considered killing him.

“I would be proud to be your wife.”

Meng Yao did not kill him.

Nie Mingjue might’ve, chasing him out of the battlefield the way he did, eyes red with rage at Jin Guangshan’s insulting pretense – if nothing else, he should have given Nie Mingjue face by accepting the letter, especially given how many battles Nie Mingjue had won for him – but Meng Yao did not.

“I have an idea,” he told Nie Mingjue once he’d had a chance to calm the man down. “You’re going to hate it, so I’m not going to tell you what it is.”

“Be safe,” Nie Mingjue said at once. “Don’t do anything stupid and widow Mistress Jiang before you even marry her.”

Meng Yao smiled, and closed his ears to the sound of Jiang Yanli’s voice. He would need it more than ever, where he was going, but more importantly, if he wanted to succeed, he needed he needed to be the sort of person he was without her.

“I won’t.”

-

It was, Jin Guangyao thought with satisfaction, a perfect strategy.

He had brought down Wen Ruohan with his own hands, saved Nie Mingjue’s life – “What part of ‘I won’t do anything stupid’ means ‘I’m going to go spy in the Nightless City’, you imbecile?” “Sect Leader Nie is happy to see me, then?” “Of course I’m happy to see you! Now get over here and let me break your legs!” – and even swore brotherhood with him and with Lan Xichen.

With such a string of achievements to his name, strong connections to the other Great Sects, and even a personal title, there was no way Jin Guangshan would be able to resist the idea of bringing him into the Jin family to steal some of his reflected glory, even if it meant he’d finally have to give his bastard son the recognition and the name he’d so long refused to grant him.

Oh, his father had gotten his dig in there, calling him Jin Guangyao and situating him firmly outside the line of inheritance for the next generation where he properly belonged, but a name was a name. He was Lanling Jin, now and forever; his promise to his mother fulfilled at long last.

“We will have to find something for you to do, I suppose,” Jin Guangshan said when Jin Guangyao rose to his feet bearing a new name, as though he was trying to place a distant relative into some position as a servant, the minor irritations attendant to the life of a sect leader. “You were a deputy once, weren’t you? Doing all sorts of administrative things. You can arrange the hunt that we will hold to celebrate the end of the war, at Phoenix Mountain.”

“It would be my honor to serve you in this matter, father,” Jin Guangyao said demurely, and even managed to avoid rolling his eyes at the way Jin Guangshan pretended he didn’t know exactly whose deputy he had been, even after Nie Mingjue’s rather impassioned and too-public lecture on the subject back in Langya. “I am pleased to be able to contribute something before I leave the family.”

“Before – what?” Jin Guangshan turned a little purple in his rage, embarrassed in front of all the people who had come to view the naming ceremony and who had all started whispering all at once. His wife, who had been glaring death, suddenly looked far more interested in the proceedings. “Leave? What are you talking about?”

“I’m engaged to be married,” Jin Guangyao said apologetically. “I agreed to marry in – you understand, I didn’t have the Jin surname at the time.”

“You have it now. The girl can marry into our family, instead!”

Jin Guangyao’s smile widened. “I’m so pleased to have your blessing upon my marriage, Father,” he said, bowing his head. A father’s blessing was critical to a proper wedding, so he wanted it to be clear to the entire room that Jin Guangshan had agreed. It would make it more difficult for him to recant later. “But her family is small, her parents and much of her sect killed in the war, and she has only one brother – I promised her that I would marry in to ensure that her parents’ legacy lives on, even if only as the collateral branch.”

“It does you credit to respect your future bride in such a manner,” Madame Jin said before Jin Guangshan could speak. Jin Guangyao had counted on her leaping to his aid: she must think that it was in her best interest that the one bastard that Jin Guangshan had finally legitimatized be immediately rendered utterly ineligible for inheriting the Jin sect, and that nothing else mattered. Her open support now would make it more difficult for her to recant later, too, when she discovered that he was foiling her plans for her own son’s marriage. “Quite romantic, even. It warms my heart to see such faithful love.”

Jin Guangshan’s face went even more purple. To be criticized in public like that – only Madame Jin could accomplish such a feat.

Jin Guangyao saluted and bowed deeply to them both once again. “Father and Mother honor me too much. With your approval, I will arrange the Phoenix Mountain hunt as a proud member of the Jin clan and leave the family to marry into my beloved’s family on the first auspicious date thereafter.”

“Fine,” Jin Guangshan said, his lip twisting into a sneer. He couldn’t understand why anyone would want to be part of Lanling Jin and then leave it behind – he probably expected Jin Guangyao to stay and beg for scraps of attention, to run around doing anything he wished, to scheme for an inheritance he would always be denied. He might not have been wrong, in another life where that was Jin Guangyao’s only route to power – he’d always been ambitious, and often a little too optimistic with it. “Fine. You are, after all, my son, and to marry you will be a great honor for whichever family you choose. We’ll pay for your wedding, and even endower you as if you were a bride worthy of the family you marry into – it is the least that we can do, for the great honor that you have brought to Lanling Jin.”

At least his father remembered that he’d made a contribution, Jin Guangyao thought, and bowed again. It was an insult to call it a dowry, as if Jin Guangyao was a woman, instead of simply bestowing it on him outright as a gift, and even that pathetic gesture was only being made because his father knew they were in public, surrounded by the sect leaders of the cultivation world that he wanted to impress. And even then, even then, he had still tried to be clever, to say he would only make Jin Guangyao equal to the family he married into.

No doubt he expected that the only family that would take him when he was Meng Yao was some bunch of nobodies, and that the wedding would therefore be small, cheap, and uninteresting, just as he no doubt thought Jin Guangyao deserved.

He was doomed to disappointment.

“Congratulations, brother,” Jin Zixuan said, and maybe even meant it. “Who is your intended bride?”

Jin Guangyao savored the moment.

“Mistress Jiang, of Yunmeng Jiang,” he said, and watched Jin Guangshan’s face go pale, Madame Jin’s twist in abrupt rage, Jin Zixuan’s eyes go wide in sudden envy.

There were those that said the best revenge was living well, and they had something of a point, only they had left out a bit.

The best revenge was living well – and rubbing your enemies’ faces in it.

#mdzs #jin guangyao #nie mingjue #jiang yanli #jin guangshan #my fic #my fics #sorry you don't get meng ling #but you get politics? #Anonymous

[drama--universe]

Lan Xichen x reader (x Meng Yao)

Requested by @monstrumpologin: hey if you are willing, would you write something were reader, Lan Xichen and Meng Yao were in a relationship. reader went missing after the battle against Wei Ying supporting him. after the end of the untamed Xichen believes to have lost both of his loves. then at one point he (Lan Zhan doesn't have time or something) and some juniors go out on a mission, while scouting the juniors meet a rouge cultivator who agrees to help. they bring the cultivator to the hotel were they are staying. Xichen and the cultivator see each other and reader regains all their memories which she had lost al thousand years ago due to a head injury. only knowing they were a cultivator nothing else they spend the last years traveling as a rouge cultivator. a happy ending please. (would be fun if the juniors heard stories about reader from the time of the Sunshot campaign and were super exited to get to know that its them) thx xoxo

Word Count: 1264 words

Warnings: don't think so

A/N It's mostly Xichen x reader with some mentions of Meng Yao x reader. Also sorry for the long wait, life's being an ass

Lan Xichen was devastated. Years ago, he lost you in the battle against Wei Wuxian.

You were on Wei Wuxian's side and although Lan Xichen was against Wuxian at that time, he didn't really care that you stood by Wuxian. But then some clans declared war against Wei Wuxian and you fought along Wuxian once more before you were lost in battle. He searched for hours until Meng Yao had to pull him from the battlefield, but your body wasn't found. Even when scouts were send to identify and get the death buried, your body still wasn't found. Hours turned into days, which soon turned into moths. All hope he had disappeared with the days and soon a few years had gone by. Both him and Meng Yao had taken it pretty bad, but both found comfort in each other because the relation you three had.

But now Xichen's hope was completely gone as he watched Meng Yao disappear into the collapsing building in front of him, being held back by his younger brother as he let tears roll down his face. Now Meng Yao was gone and he was left alone completely.

He was gone for weeks after it, not being able to actually do anything instead of staring in front of him. He barely ate and only talked to Lan Zhan, but even then. It took him months before he was more like before, but a mention of yours or Meng Yao's name and he could spiral back. That's why Lan Qiren decided to send Lan Xichen on a mission with the junior quartet to get his mind off of things.

Their destination was a very small town that had talked about a haunting. So they left and the quartet went to investigate while Xichen went to rent a room.

That's where the 4 juniors found you, laying on the ground with a sword clutched in your hand. You were obviously sleeping, but your eyes snapped open when the juniors came too close. You looked up, raising an eyebrow at the four.

"What?" "Ah, sorry. We were searching for the haunting." Sizhui answered and you nodded, getting up before opening the door.

"You know how to get rid of it, cause I don't." You said as you revealed the ghost, which was trapped inside of a magic circle and millions of talismans.

"You did this crap?" Jin Ling asked and you gave him a glare. It was then that the quartet noticed that you wore no clan symbols at all.

"Are you a rouge cultivator?" Zizhen asked, making the other three look at him shock and Jingyi elbows him softly in the ribs. Zizhen shrugged, mumbling something as they waited for your answer.

"I am, yes." You answered as you watched Sizhui inspect the talismans carefully.

"So, where do you stay?" Jingyi asked and you pointed behind you to the woods.

"Your wounds will get infected." Sizhui spoke up and you shrugged.

"Not like I'm used to it." You spoke, which Sizhui nodded to.

"You could come back with us and I can treat the wounds." He suggested and you turned your head.

"You don't even know me. You Lans always surprise me..." You mumbled the last part to yourself. That being said, you did join them back to the hotel. That's when you met Xichen and evident of the look on his face, he remembered you well enough. Memories of shared experience suddenly flooded your memories, followed by memories of your relationship with him and Meng Yao. And then you passed out (overdramatic, I know).

When you reawakened, all of them were still around. The juniors were on the other side of the room, talking loudly about something. Lan Xichen sat next to you, reading a book. You didn't think as you lunged at him, hugging him tightly. Xichen took a second before he realized that you were hugging him, but he eventually hugged you back awkwardly. You pulled apart a minute later and just stared at each other for a second. That's when Xichen finally took in that you were actually alive and not dead like he had assumed for the last 14 years. His hands slowly reached to cup your face.

"You're alive..." He mumbled and you smiled, putting your hand on top of his as you leaned against into his hand. The room was suddenly very quiet and you opened your eyes again to see 4 pairs of eyes on you. You laughed, covering your face as Xichen turned to see the four staring as well.

"Who is she?" You could hear Sizhui ask and Xichen smiled, standing up.

"This is (y/n), I've told you about her before." He explained and Sizhui seemed to light up at the statement.

"You told them about me..?" You asked and Xichen turned around to look at you again, a small smile on his face. You threw the blanket off of you and got up, walking to the other ones. You then focused on the juniors.

"So, who are you guys?" You asked and Sizhui was the first to happily introduce himself. Next was Jingyi, Jin Ling and finally Zizhen. You then focused on Jin Ling.

"Jin Ling..? Jin Zixuan and Jiang Yanli's son?" You asked and Jin Ling looked shocked before nodding. "You knew them?" He asked back and you nodded.

"Briefly, yes. I was closer to your mother. Lovely woman." You said with a smile before turning to the 2 younger Lans.

"Who's kids are you?" You asked and both looked down.

"We were adopted by the Lans." Sizhui explained and you nodded. That's when you heard a knock on the door. Everyone turned to the door, staring at it before Xichen made his way to the door. He opened it and was the owner of the hotel, handing Xichen a plate of food. Xichen thanked him before closing the door and putting the food down. You and Jingyi were the first to go to the table, claiming a bowl each. You looked at Jingyi and smiled.

"I like you already." You said before sitting down and eating.

Months later and you stayed with Xichen at Cloud Recesses. You had recently also learned that Wuxian was in fact alive (something with reincarnation that you didn't really understood) and that unfortunately Meng Yao had died, and you mourned for 2 weeks after that news. On top of that, you had basically adopted most of the juniors like they were your own children (something that Xichen loved about you). Most of the time, you were teaching younger ones how to fight or survive in the wild, which you thought could be helpful. So when you came back in your room, you were always tired already and just laid on Xichen's lap as he continued working.

"Hello." You said as you toyed with the ends of his hair. He looked down, grabbing your hand and locked your fingers.

"I just have to finish this and then I'm done." He said, kissing your knuckles before focusing back on his work. You turned a bit, laying sideways and closed your eyes.

30 minutes past before you suddenly felt your body being lifted. You then felt Xichen lay you down on the bed. You sat up again and pulled him onto the bed next to you.

"Cuddle." You said as you wrapped your arms around his waist and laid down again. Xichen chuckled before laying next to you, hugging you closer to his body like he was afraid to lose you again. Not like you weren't doing the same, your hands clenching the back of his robes as you pressed your face into his chest.

"I love you, (y/n)." "I love you too, Xichen."

#the untamed #untamed #the untamed x reader #untamed x reader #the untamed Lan xichen #lan xichen #mdzs #mdzs x reader #mdzs xichen #mdzs lan xichen x reader #lan xichen x reader #Xichen x reader #x reader #reader insert

[cnovelssirmeower]

Hi.....if you don't mind me asking, can I ask your top 5 favorite characters from MDZS? And your top 5 (or top 3) favorite moments from the novel? Sorry if you've answered this question before....Thanks....

Thank you for asking! Actually, this is my first time anyone asking me anything (I’m a bit reclusive), so it made me very happy.

It was difficult for me to choose only 5 characters, because all significant characters have been obviously made with care and feel like real people. Anyway, here I go!

_

1)      Jin Guangyao

This one was obvious from the beginning. I find JGY extremely fascinating and I can understand his situation and empathize. He can be interpreted by various ways, so take it with a grain of salt, but I loved his tragic desire to be acknowledged and loved by his father. It was destined to fail simply because JGS is unfit to be a father and terrible person. Anyone would see that it was futile, but JGY still struggled to prove his mother right and Meng Shi couldn’t wish for more filial son.

At the same time, you can see that he committed the crimes of his own free will because his wishes and aspirations to better the world and find his place in it would be impossible by legal means. He is one of the few antagonists I acknowledge that had to die in the present timeline because any less would be insult to his intelligence and determination to be acknowledged by the world, if not JGS.  

2)      Lan Wangji

I struggled to decide between LWJ and WWX, but in the end LWJ won. Intelligent, stubborn, kind, passionate behind his cold exterior, amazing father and husband… And extremely cute when flustered. I can also relate with his trouble with communication with people and his apathy to making a lot of friends. Meeting too many people at once is simply exhausting! And, of course, bunnies…

3)      Wei Wuxian

Wei Wuxian is an amazing protagonist. His optimism and innovative streak helped to motivate me a lot and I envy his shamelessness, sense of humour and detective skills. His story with LWJ warmed my heart.

4)      Wen Ning

Eeee, in this case, I just find him, really, really cute. And who wouldn’t want loyal, kind and undead best friend? He also stirs in me my big sister instinct.

5)      Jin Ling

This one was the hardest. At first, I wanted to write here Wen Qing, then I remembered Sizhui and in the end it was a hard battle between father and son. Jin Ling won simply because he had more screen time and consequently bigger character development. His relationship with his uncles also played a part. He humanizes Jiang Cheng as well as Jing Guangyao. He starts as an entitled, selfish brat hiding his loneliness, but thorough the story he opens up to his peers and even manages to forgive WWX and JGY. He, like Sizhui, manages to break from the circle of revenge and accepts that he can grieve for or forgive whoever he wants and it’s his own decision, independent of the society’s expectations. He also realizes all of them had their own reasons and circumstances, even though they unintentionally hurt him. He’s very kind, unexpectedly so.

I also like a lot Lan Xichen and Jiang Cheng, so they get honourable mention with Wen Qing, Jin Zixuan and Sizhui.

_

Next are the favourite moments!

1)      LWJ and WWX’s moment at Dusk Creek Mountain hiding away from Tortoise of Slaughter.

LWJ finally letting out his suppressed sadness, fear and grieve about what happened at his sect was powerful. It really shows how much he loves his sect and family.

2)      “Thank you and I’m sorry…”

… Just, the guilt, the despair, you could really feel it seeping into you. From that moment, you just knew it was over, all of it.

3)      Guangyin Temple, I confess in place of my brother

I just love how LXC and JGY took the time and energy to help LWJ with his love life. Also, I appreciate how LXC and JGY still held deep affection towards each other, despite everything.

4)      Jin Ling breaking down crying after JGY’s death and remembering how JGY gifted him Fairy.

5)      Xue Yang’s hand clutching the candy

_

Those are the most memorable, but I think one of the novel’s strongest points is how even the most ordinary moments seem so meaningful and important (because they are, shh). I enjoyed WWX and LWJ’s journey and how obviously loving they were towards each other and their ducklings.

#mdzs #mo dao zu shi #grandmaster of demonic cultivation #jgy #wwx #jl #lwj #wn #thanks again for asking #it made my day #asks

[imaginaryelle]

Hello! Sorry if this is doubling up but I don't trust tumblr so I'm sending this again (just ignore if you have the other one and no pressure to answer either! You just have a great approach to meta/analysis so here goes!) Do you know why Meng Yao becomes Jin GuangYao when Jin GuangShan acknowledges him, instead of Jin ZiYao? As I understand it "Zi" was his generational indicator (ZiXuan, ZiXun) like "Ru" was Jin Ling's. It's been bugging me lol. Many thanks!

Hi anon! I did get your first ask and answered it in this post here (link includes some clarifying reblogs and theories), but since I got this follow-up after posting that maybe tumblr is also failing to alert people when asks are answered. So if you didn’t see it, there it is!

@thewickling also brought this post by @dutchcementmixer to my attention, which provides an alternative explanation.

Thanks for the ask! I’m glad you’re enjoying the meta!

#alex rambles #Anonymous

[misscamthenorwegian]

Hi, I'm new to Untamed/Mo Dao Zu Shi and I have tons of questions i would like to ask you. Do you mind? Drama is so addicting, So Emotional and I will continue no matter how many times i watched it. I can't find anyone to answered them. People on social media are so rude. it seem like they don't want to answered them and they ignore me. Sorry, my english is bad.

I’ll just paste in all of your questions and try to answer them in one go, okay? Takes up less space. Not sure I am an expert and can answer all this though - I’ve read the novel, but I only got into fandom with the drama, so I haven’t read it enough times to consider myself an expert in any way. (~1~)  At the end of the Novel/Drama. Wei Wuxian no longer lived in Yunmeng Jiang Sect. He lives in Gusu Lan Sect with Lan Zhan. What outfit is Wei wearing right now? The Gusu Lan Sect outfit or the same black outfit that he always wear?  (~2~)  In his previously life, Wei Wuxian height 186cm. In is current one, Mo Xuanyu height 180cm. How can his big soul fit into another person body like Mo’s?            I believe in the novel he mostly wears black outfits in the extra post-marriage stuff still, but occasionally might wear one of Lan Zhan’s robes - but I might remember wrong. The extra chapters of the movels are available online, so you can always read those and see if it’s explicitly addressed there.As for souls, I’m assuming the author considers souls not physical, so a soul could fit into a smaller body without problems.(~1~)  No offence to Lan Qiren, He Suck! Whats wrong with Lan Qiren not allowing Sect members to speak with Wei Wuxian? He is crazy in the head, keep adding a new rule to the sect’s 4000 rules. Sect member will break it anyway. Would Wei Wuxian be sad knowing Lan Qiren put him on the list? Would it be the same with Visitors and Guest disciples? What about Lan Zhan?  (~2~)  At the end of the novel/aftermath, Does Wei still visit Yunmeng Jiang Sec? Does Jiang Cheng let him in?       I am not a huge fan of Lan Qiren - he’s far too black and white in his views - but I do believe he considers Wei Wuxian a harmful influence and caused Lan Wangji a lot of grief, so that’s probably the reason for the new rules. I don’t think Wei Wuxian is sad about it per say - he’s got a strong tendency to look forward and not linger on things, and he seems pretty happy in the extra chapters of the novel. Lan Wangji is probably a bit more bothered - even if he would stand up to the whole world for his Wei Ying, it has to hurt a bit that his Uncle disapproves this much. Lan Qiren did more or less raise Wangji and Xichen, after all. Even so, I think Wangji is too happy to be married to his love to linger on his Uncle’s actions.Jiang Cheng and Wei Wuxian seem more distant in the novel than the drama, so I think it would take a lot of time and effort and get their relationship to a place where Wei Wuxian would visit Lotus Pier. I guess it’s up to your imagination. In the drama, it’s also left open to the viewer, but I do find it a bit more hopeful there. Wei Ying and Lan Zhan do have a Yunmeng date together in an extra chapter of the novel, though. (~1~) Wei gave his Golden Core to Jiang Cheng. He become a Demonic Cultivator and uses a Flute. In his current life he was summoned and placed into Mo Xuanyu body. I read from an online sources that Wei is getting his own Golden Core and his Sword from the aftermath. Will his cultivation become a high level like it use to be or low level cultivation in his current body?  (~2~) Does Lan Zhan gets jealous of other people whenever Wei Wuxian hangs around with them?            The author has mentioned Wei Ying developing a new golden core in at least one interview, I believe, so yes. I think I remember it being stated that it would take time as his new body has less training, so not sure just what level Wei Ying would be able to achieve eventually. Certainly not a high level right away, but with Lan Zhan’s assistance, he might get there eventually.In the novel, Lan Zhan does get jealous on several occasions, yes. A few of those are before they are together, and Wei Ying is being somewhat flirty with others.  In the drama, there are a few scenes where Lan Zhan’s reactions can certainly be interpreted as jealousy.   (~1~)  Lan Zhan has high cultivation, they respected him and People are scared of him. Anyone who hurt Wei Wuxian will get there limbs cut off. lol. Whats next for them from the aftermath? Will Wei Wuxian be able to protect himself? Are they gonna respect him again? Are the residents scared or they still come after Wei? Is he going to protect Lan Zhan like how Lan Zhan protected him?            In the novel, the older cultivators seem to be happy to leave Wei Wuxian alone after everything. (The juniors seem far more friendly.) Partly probably because they don’t want to challenge Lan Wangji, but after the second siege of the Burial Grounds, the cultivators do seem to see things a bit less in black and white - and a lot of their ire and villanization target Meng Yao instead. Might be some with personal grudges, but I think night hunting and monsters would probably be more of a threat to either of them at this point. In any case, I think they’d both try to protect each other if need be. While Wei Wuxian doesn’t have his previous strength, he does still have his talismans and his flute, so I think he would be able to protect himself from most threats. (~1~)  Lan Zhan and Wei Wuxian both becomes a cultivation partner. Does Wei still use Demonic Cultivation at the end of the novel? Is he gonna use it when necessary?  (~2~)  Characters like Jin Ling. A spiritual dog gifted by Jin Guangyao. Lan Zhan, A rabbit, bringing them to the mountain so his uncle won’t see it. As for Wei Wuxian, A donkey. Why does he need a donkey to bring along with him? Does he needed it to accompany him or it bring back his memory because of his parents?  Hard to say for certain since the novel only covers a bit of time after the marriage. Wei Wuxian does seem to focus more on using talismans  and teaching the juniors in the extra chapters. I think he’s very aware of not ending up where he did in his first life, so using it at that scale won’t happen. He does keep his flute though, so he’s clearly willing to use it if need be.I believe the donkey is very much about his parents, yes. It is the one memory he has of them - him on a doney with them leading it. But to be fair, once Wei Wuxian loses his golden core, he can’t actually fly on his sword anymore, so finding an alternate mode of transportation once he’s brought back does make logical sense as well. Again, I am not an expert on the novel or the drama, so don’t take my answers as definitive. There is an English translation of the extra chapters of the novel  here , but they are extras and don’t really answer all the questions. The drama has a more open ending, really. Basically, you’re free to imagine for yourself exactly what their life was like after. (Plenty of fanfics do just that!) 

#cam answers questions #Anonymous

[veliseraptor]

3 thoughts: 1) what do you think would have or might have happened had Song Lan never reached Yi City? 2) omegaverse Xuexiao? 3) i have recently been converted to a couple rare pairs, Nielan (without Meng Yao) and Jin Zixuan/Jiang Cheng. Thoughts on these or other rare pairs?

ooh, okay, taking these one at a time.

1. The entirely non-flippant answer I have to give is "it depends on what you want to have happened." I recognize that's unsatisfying! But the great thing about Yi City as a story is that it is somehow simultaneously agonizingly inevitable and infinitely malleable.

So I can see a version where Xiao Xingchen finds out who Xue Yang is some other way, they argue, Xue Yang whips out his fun fierce corpse trick trivia, Xiao Xingchen kills himself. Or a version where that all happens but Xiao Xingchen refuses to believe that Xue Yang was telling the truth, kills Xue Yang, and spends a long, long time grieving and miserable and full of doubt. Or a version where Xiao Xingchen finds out who Xue Yang is some other way, takes a-Qing, and leaves, because he can't stand to kill his friend but he also can't stand to stay. Xue Yang follows, because of course he does. Does he catch up? What happens when he does? Or a version where Xiao Xingchen finds out who Xue Yang is and everything about the fierce corpse stuff and tries to kill himself but Xue Yang is able to stop him and they're left frozen in horrible, dysfunctional limbo where Xiao Xingchen can't die but can't live but can't kill his friend but can't let his friend live.

Or there's a version where Xiao Xingchen never knows. Where they live the rest of their lives - or at least, the rest of Xue Yang's life, which is likely to be significantly shorter than Xiao Xingchen or a-Qing's - in blissful domesticity, Xiao Xingchen entirely ignorant and Xue Yang settling comfortably into his new life. The rest of the world never intrudes.

Or Xiao Xingchen never knows, another cultivator comes to town and recognizes Xue Yang and kills him. Xiao Xingchen learns who he was after the fact and has to deal with both the grief of his friend's death, a lot of unanswered questions, and a lot of guilt. Xiao Xingchen doesn't learn who he was and only knows that his friend was murdered.

Anyway, you get the picture. I think the main thing is that I've seen it said that it was inevitable that it was going to fall apart eventually, and I don't necessarily think that's true. In one sense it is. In another it isn't. It's inevitable and it's infinitely escapable. That's what makes it so good.

2. I am not much of an omegaverse person with, like, two exceptions in my fandom life, and I'm afraid to say that xuexiao has not been one of them. I'm sorry! It's just not my bag in general for a lot of reasons and I don't think it adds anything for me here.

3. I'm afraid I am going to immediately bounce off pretty much any pairing that has Nie Mingjue in it because of my general indifference/dislike of the man, and that one I find particularly troublesome because it doesn't have Jin Guangyao in it and often, ime, comes along with certain opinions about Jin Guangyao that I vehemently do not share. Also though I am very much a multishipper in this case my Xiyao heart just can't take it.

As far as Jiang Cheng/Jin Zixuan, I feel like I spend so much of my energy around Jiang Cheng obsessing about his sibling relationships and his relationship with Jin Ling that I don't have space to ship him with other people (and also pretty squarely headcanon him as ace besides), but purely conceptually I find the idea of Jin Zixuan having at least a little bit of a thing for every one of the Yunmeng siblings (yes, including Wei Wuxian) patently hilarious.

#conversating #plavoptice #xuexiao #aggressively headcanons #xue yang #xiao xingchen #the sad queer cultivators show

[wangxianficrecs]

Hi! I’m looking for a canon-divergence fic where at the bloodbath of nightless city, instead of killing like 3000 cultivators, he lets All The Ghosts from the Stygian Tiger Seal go and then (as everyone is distracted with their dead loved ones berating them) runs away with a-yuan to the countryside and gets him a house and raises his son as a non-cultivator and eventually nhs finds him and and tries guilt trip him with jl getting hurt but he says No Fuck You and in the end lwj comes and Stays

Aaaah, that sounds intriguing, and I’d love to read it, but I’ve never come across it.  

FOUND! by @whereisyourcahier who suggests Retribution by snowberryrose

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Anonymous 2 said:

So I’m looking for this specific fic that happens around the Sunshot Campaign a/ LWJ helping WWX stay calm w/ his demonic cultivation when WWX gets angry by making out to distract him. I though I bookmarked it on AO3 so I gotta pretty sad when I couldn’t find it in my bookmarks. Any help would be appreciated, thanks!

FOUND!  by @lanwuxianz who thinks it’s Overcome by thunderwear

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Anonymous 3 said:

I read this story a long time ago abt wwx dead (?) But his body is trapped in a glass that nothing can break in koi tower, and the sound of his laughter haunts the place and only baby jin ling can see him. I think the latest chapter was abt an explosion and how wwx's ghost appeared and saved jzx from the explosion? There's a similar fic called glass coffin but it's not that one:( do you perhaps know this fic?

FOUND!  Three cheers for @bafflingshade who says, “Okay that took me an hour.... I'm pretty sure that anon number 3 is laughing shadow a WIP by ich_bin_ein_stern

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Anonymous 4 said:

Hi! I’ve been trying to find an a/b/o fic that starts out with madam yu finding out wwx is an omega and wwx goes into heat in the cave at the burial mounds. Can’t remember much else. Sorry. Could you help me find it?

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Anonymous 5 said:

Hi! I am trying to find a fic, it was set in Gusu with LWJ still in seclusion or just out of it, walking through Cloud Recess with A-Yuan and coming across LXC, JGY, JC and NMJ, I think. And then he proceeded to cuss them out. He said to JGY that he is Meng Yao, to JC that he rebuilt his sect only thanks to WWX's help, and then he finished off with, I am always LWJ. Please, help me find it.

FOUND!  by @mondengel who should know, since it’s their work:  Ready for Blood on the Ground by mondengel  (I just read this, since it’s about 1k, and it’s so funny and satisfying to hear lwj just... tell these assholes what he REALLY thinks.)

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Anonymous 6 said:

Hi, could you please help me find a fic? I think it was with the juniors on a night hunt and they got cursed and became women? But I'm not sure if this was the real plot because I remember I wanted to read it but then I lost the fic. Your help is much appreciated! Thank you!!

FOUND?  I had a thought about #6 last night, which is that Nonny could be thinking of this one, wherein half the story is focused on the three juniors and how they all respond to Lan Sizhui being (beautifully) dressed as a bride and used as a lure.  (No genderswap, tho.)  Heavy as the setting sun by snoozingkitten.   [my post here]

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@alovelyocean (7) said:

Hi! I've been looking for this one fic and I'm wondering if you're familiar with it. It's not the forcibly divorced fic and it's a post canon fic in which Wangxian both stop playing the song, and someone, is like "You don't play that song anymore. I guess you no longer have feelings for me?" WWX also sleeps in Gusu's guest quarters instead of in the Jingshi now too?

FOUND!  Thanks to @cqlfic we now know it’s Music by syriala.

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The only one left is Anon 4.  Y’all are doing so well, Sweet Followers, I’m so impressed!!!

#Anonymous #wangxian fic finder #wangxian #mdzs fic finder #alovelyocean #crowd-sourcing #fic finder #find more fics