Chapter Text
Jiang Cheng should never have had ignored the signs.
It had rained before his departure.
Thick droplets falling from the sky turning the ground into sinking mud and making the sky inappropriate for flying.
It was already a good excuse to delay his meeting with Lan Xichen but he has always been known to be stubborn.
Instead, he takes a carriage and quickly prompts the one driving it to not delay for even a second.
The old lady fainting in front of his moving carriage should've been considered an omen but the thought doesn't cross Jiang Cheng's mind. His thoughts turn to practical solutions at the problem in front of him and Jiang Cheng, cold-hearted as he may seem to appear, begins to send one of his accompanying disciples to fetch for a doctor and the other to stay with the old lady as they go on their way to Ezhou.
They had been delayed for almost half a day and Jiang Cheng can't make the excuse of being late because of minor inconveniences. Zewu-Jun is waiting for him and he knew better to waste the man's time. He trusts his disciples to intervene for him.
Thus, the carriage hurries on but the rain continues to pour.
Jiang Cheng should've had the foresight the foresight to understand what was happening.
They encounter mountain bandits soon after.
The battle at the mountain pass went as follows. Three mountain bandits decided to threaten innocent people to surrender their belongings. Two innocent people begged to be granted passage safely - a farmer and his pregnant wife. And one pissed off sect leader, who just wanted to travel without any more mishaps, decide to make three hapless people beg.
With the rain relentless rain pouring around them, thunder strikes down towards the location of the serendipitous meeting of the group. Jiang Cheng, with his very thin patience finally snapping, unfurls Zidian and allows the lightning to dance at the edges of the weapon.
The fight is over in a few seconds.
But then the woman starts to scream.
If it weren't for the blood that accompanied the water that flowed on her thighs, none of them would have noticed that she was about to give birth. But there is blood, and Jiang Cheng had rapidly come to terms that this particular day was cursed.
A baby was about to be born in a mountain pass, and only her husband, the carriage driver, Jiang Cheng and his remaining disciple, Wang Li, are there to witness it.
Holy shit did Jiang Cheng needed a drink after all this was over.
As the women screams in agony, Jiang Cheng screams in frustration with her.
That had been the third omen.
A day passes and Jiang Cheng and his disciple finally arrive in Ezhou. Incidentally, as proven by Jiang Cheng's own circumstances, a lot could happen in one day. For Lan Xichen this meant getting entangled in the house affair of the Sect Leader of Ezhou Clan and being trapped in a potentially never-ending nightmare.
Jiang Cheng grits his teeth, his veins bulging from anger once he heard what had transpired. With thinly concealed frustration, he sarcastically express that he is happy to know that he isn't the only one having fun.
Unfortunately, the young disciple accompanying Lan Xichen had mistaken it as his eagerness to help because the universe was intent on continuing Jiang Cheng's string of misadventures.
"Please save him, Sect Leader Jiang," the disciple from Gusu Lan, pleads. "You might be the only one with a strong enough to get him out of the curse."
As if on cue, Jiang Cheng traitorous clarity bell rings. Wang Li, his disciple turned traitor, then begins to shout, "Sect Leader, your clarity bell! I forgot about it. You really might just be able to get Zewu-Jun out of his thoughts."
When Jiang Cheng finally arrived to Ezhou, he had promised he'd get himself a drink, bath, and sleep. When Jiang Cheng arrived at Ezhou, he had done none of those things. His frustration is perfectly valid. He had really wanted that drink.
Spitefully, he glares at Wang Li. He throws a few coins at him in irritation, "Buy me alcohol."
"Are you going to perform a ritual?" Wang Li asks. The Gusu Lan disciple's ears perk up curiously.
"Yes!" Jiang Cheng spits, "Common folk called it drinking their sorrows away. Now have someone go and fetch them." Jiang Cheng orders.
Wang Li didn't ask any more questions and hurries out of the room.
As Jiang Cheng sits at the edge of Lan Xichen's bed, he orders the remaining Gusu Lan disciple to shake the clarity bell every 30 seconds.
He would be back soon and he better have his alcohol.
It happens quickly. He enters Lan Xichen's mind - peaceful, serene, surreal - and finds the demon easily. Their energy is the only ugly thing in Lan Xichen's mind and Jiang Cheng can't bear another reminder of how twisted he's become. The Clarity Bell rings loud and threatening as Jiang Cheng sentences the demon to oblivion but not without damaging Lan Xichen's soul.
It is a little known fact that Clarity Bell is also known as the Soul Bell. Yunmeng Jiang lovers who would exchange the bell would find themselves always centered within each other. A presence to return to and a place in each other's mind where they do not stumble. The exchange of bells represents the trust the two had built for each other and the piece of soul, their living energy, that they are willing to give up. This allowed them to transfer spiritual energy (whether for healing or for pleasure) freely without depleting the other's own energy.
However, untethered bells do not have the same effect. It doesn't stop Jiang Cheng from trying to tap into his bell's reserve power.
The bell has always served as an individual's connection to the higher spiritual realm and for now it is Jiang Cheng's only clear access to his physical and spiritual body. As Lan Xichen's soul continue to tear apart in front of him, he uses the concentrated power trapped in his Clarity Bell, to center him and Lan Xichen.
Jiang Cheng really needs a drink because he is doing the one thing he promised himself not to do - get attached to another person.
He almost wished that Zewu-Jun's soul would instinctively reject his advances to do so (no matter if this was an emergency) but the man subconsciously accepts him without hesitation. Lan Xichen's inner consciousness is a reflection of his being - too trusting, too accepting - it is a consciousness that easily draws in lost and hopeless beings. Jiang Cheng reminds himself not to get comfortable.
Connected, he gradually expands his energy and uses it as a tool for healing. While Jiang Cheng depletes his own spiritual power, Lan Xichen's soul slowly mends itself into discovery.
There's a period where Jiang Cheng loses consciousness only to blearily find himself back in the small room in Ezhou.
Just in time, Wang Li enters with the promised alcohol.
Jiang Cheng grabs it like a man thirsty for water in a desert.
As he grabs his own charm from the unsuspecting Gusu Lan disciple, he warns them not to speak to anyone of what has transpired.
"If any rumors spread, I'll know who to torture." Jiang Cheng bares his teeth. The two disciples shiver.
Satisfied at their reaction, he leaves the room in a flourish before Lan Xichen could wake up. He does not want to deal with the aftermath.
It had only been two days and a half before Lan Xichen found himself awake and utterly sore even though he had just been sleeping. He hears the story from Qing Shui and is ashamed he wasn't able to break free from the curse in time to meet with the Sandu Sengshou. As he came to pay his respects and give his gratitude, he is surprised to be turned away from the door.
Lan Xichen, however, is more stubborn than people give him credit for. More straightforward even.
"Sect Leader Jiang, is this normal?" Lan Xichen pauses as he hovers outside of Jiang Cheng's door. Wang Li had told him that Jiang Cheng would not be accepting visitors and Lan Xichen thinks he knows why.
He could hear the familiar rough voice of Jiang Cheng from across the room while others could not.
"Leave me alone." The man's thought flashes. It is a sharp but quick stab to Lan Xichen's mind "Ah fuck that thought probably hurt"
Lan Xichen somehow found his answer.
"Go away if you found your answer. Being close to one another might solidify the bond."
"But you're hurting."
"Side effect." Jiang Cheng answers, more out of necessity. "Go tend to your distraught disciple instead of hanging around my door. It would be better for the both of us."
"If that is what Sect Leader Jiang wants." Lan Xichen says hesitantly.
"Yes." Jiang Cheng says harshly.
Lan Xichen doesn't want to leave but if he is also careful of overstepping his boundaries, especially to someone who has helped him.
He hears a cough from behind the door and in Lan Xichen's mind a thought flashes, no longer harsh but concerned, "We both need rest to recover, idiot."
Lan Xichen eyes widen. It is the first time that he had heard Jiang Cheng address him with what others consider to be an insult. The man had usually been polite. However, Lan Xichen can't help the small smile that forms on his lips as he considers Jiang Cheng's behavior. He can hear Jiang Cheng's thoughts from a distance but he could also determine the undercurrent shyness between their interaction.
Lan Xichen finds himself amused.
It seems Sect Leader Jiang, like a cornered mouse, preferred to insult people to stop badgering him, rather than show that he was concerned.
How cute. Lan Xichen thinks.
From the other side of the door, Jiang Cheng curses up a storm as he hears and denies Lan Xichen's thoughts.
One painful week of Jiang Cheng trying his best to sound polite.
One week of Lan Xichen knowing otherwise.
All the years of hardwork Jiang Cheng had placed in order to be in Lan Xichen's good graces and now his vulgar thoughts was open for the man to see.
It would have been a fair exchange but Lan Xichen's mind is comparable to the makings of a saint. There are little to no thoughts that would warrant disgust. The man was infinitely patient and always found good in others or the situation.
When one week passes, Jiang Cheng is glad it's over.
He never wants to be vulnerable again.
Surprisingly, Lan Xichen has no ill will towards him. He even asks to call Jiang Cheng by his name. Jiang Cheng agrees solely because he doesn't want to cause an incident (he will never admit that he feels honored) and they part on better terms than when they had first met each other.
A tacit agreement is made not to mention the events that occurred at Ezhou and everything is as should be.
Jiang Cheng should've known that that was only the beginning.
Once is an accident, twice a coincidence and thrice a pattern. Lan Xichen doesn't know what he would call the fourth time that he meets Jiang Cheng.
Destiny?
He gets scoffed at by Jiang Cheng whenever he mentions it.
Ever since that fateful encounter, Jiang Cheng and Lan Xichen find themselves crossing each other's path and the two found themselves getting bound together in the most outlandish ways.
One incident was where a Flower Fairy had given them a blessing for prosperity. She had, apparently, mistaken them to be newly weds. (Lan Xichen had assured Jiang Cheng he didn't tell anyone. He also had to stop Jiang Cheng from plucking the Flower Fairy's roots)
Then two ghost lovers had asked them to use their bodies to be married. Surprisingly, Jiang Cheng did not resist. (Jiang Cheng couldn't be bothered, he said. It would be easier to purify them he said. Lan Xichen just smiled at Jiang Cheng's reason indulgingly.)
And then came another instance where Jiang Cheng had once again needed to use his Clarity Bell to save Lan Xichen from ensnaring Fox Spirits. (Lan Xichen doesn't know how he keeps getting forced into these illusions. He would avoid them if he could, or at least that's what he tells Jiang Cheng to keep him from cursing up another storm).
By the time they found themselves together again for another misadventure - for the fifth, then sixth and the list goes on - Jiang Cheng and Lan Xichen had become inexplicably close. Or at the very least closer than they initially thought they would be.
They had gotten used to sharing their thoughts for weeks at a time and by the time it happened for the fifth time. Jiang Cheng had resigned himself in letting Lan Xichen know his feelings. In exchange, Lan Xichen makes him call him Huan gege, but Jiang Cheng thinks its more embarrassing for him than Lan Xichen.
(Lan Xichen thought he'd be embarrassed by Jiang Cheng calling him gege and so he had thought that it would make them both equally vulnerable. He doesn't expect the somersaults his heart would do whenever Jiang Cheng called him gege sarcastically. And maybe Jiang Cheng was right. Maybe calling him Xichen-ge, was counterproductive. There's nothing Lan Xichen can offer any more than his thoughts which he gives freely anyway. This just makes Jiang Cheng more upset.)
By the time they meet each other for the tenth time when they travel alone to Runan, both of them should have known better.
What was common with all the incidents where they met and got into a horrible situation was that they traveled alone or with only one or two disciples. This meant that the more isolated they were, the more chances where they would trigger an "encounter". They had initially thought it was a small price to pay, given that they went out of their Sects exactly because they wanted to be alone, but both of them were beginning to reevaluate what being alone meant.
(Jiang Cheng had once turned his back and ran when he saw Lan Xichen from a distance. They ended up in the same road after a few hours. Sensing his discomfort Lan Xichen also made it a point to avoid him but they soon get stuck in a binding array that made it physically impossible for them to leave each other's side lest they want to feel a thousand needles pricking them whenever they moved further than one meter. With all their running, they had somehow offended several tree spirits. Jiang Cheng is not making this shit up. They will eventually meet after a few weeks of avoiding each other and one way or another it turns into a disaster. There is no fighting it.)
So when Jiang Cheng sees Lan Xichen from a distance (for the 24th or was it 30th? they stopped counting) he no longer attempts to run away. He's too tired and exhausted after finishing the renovations at Lotus Pier. Likewise, Lan Xichen nods in his general direction and like clockwork, both of them enter the quaint teashop where they know they'd have a private room to speak or relax.
Jiang Cheng routinely orders a calming blend for himself while he orders a refreshing blend for Lan Xichen. He tells the servants to bring them their best pastries and Jiang Cheng doesn't hold back as he downs the tea like water. It is Lan Xichen's turn to pay, so he doesn't have to be cautious of overspending. Lan Xichen always allows it. Indulges him even.
"Do you think what has been happening to us has any special meaning?"
Jiang Cheng scoffs, "It doesn't mean anything other than that we should be more careful." He bites into one of the sticky pastry, swallows then continues, "How the fuck do we keep finding ourselves into this situations?"
Lan Xichen shrugs as he continues to drink his tea. Although he has never shared Jiang Cheng's frustration with their situation, he was also confused as to why they keep occurring. Even after reading ancient texts at Gusu Lan he still hasn't found out any leads. As the days progress, he's becoming more resigned like the man before him but he finds he doesn't mind.
Jiang Wanyin is refreshing. Like the deep pools back at the Cloud Recesses, he is a shock to Lan Xichen's system initially but Lan Xichen always never notices how he's already relaxed in Jiang Cheng's company. Jiang Cheng is an unexpected healing presence.
It helps that Jiang Cheng has stopped calling him Zewu-Jun and looking as if he's about to cause a diplomatic incident. Nowadays Jiang Cheng, proud and stubborn in the discerning eyes of others, would turn to him with a plea for help, an invitation for a drink and relaxing company.
Lan Xichen pretends he isn't giddy at how he's discovering new sides to this man, who has rumors upon rumors of being a demon reincarnated. Rather than a demon, Jiang Cheng is about as harmless as a cat. Doesn't like to be touched, enjoys his downtime but still longs for human company (although Lan Xichen is sure that the man doesn't know about the last trait).
All things considered, Lan Xichen is getting used to Jiang Cheng's company. He inexplicably misses it.
As he hears Jiang Cheng grumble another "Fuck" as he drinks the fresh batch of hot tea quickly, a faint smile crosses Lan Xichen's lips and he can't help but say with extreme fondness the thoughts that swirled in his head.
"I've strangely gotten used to your swearing."
Jiang Cheng drops his tea cup. He quickly moves his hand to cover Lan Xichen's mouth and he looks up and down his surroundings. "Don't get used to it! Don't say such ominous things either! We still have another three months before we even begin with building the watch towers in Yunmeng Jiang and Gusu Lan's overlapping territory and I've had enough."
Lan Xichen would almost be offended if he wasn't hyperaware of the way Jiang Cheng's hand smelled like lotus and rain. Lan Xichen is struck by the urge to sniff Jiang Cheng's hands but he has been raised to be polite. He can ask later but now doesn't seem to be the time. Very gently, he pulls Jiang Cheng's hands away from his mouth.
Lan Xichen's ears become the color of hawthorn berries as he realizes what he's done and there's no alcohol to blame[1]. They both cough into their sleeves and spend a few minutes in silence before they talk to each other again.
Lan Xichen opens with "We could make a schedule of when we're going out," as a suggestion to their problem.
Jiang Cheng frowns. "There's too many variables with an inter-sect project like this."
Lan Xichen agrees but they do need a solution. "Then we stop inspecting individual towns on our own and let our disciples handle it."
"Not a chance." Jiang Cheng growls. Lan Xichen understands his hesitation. He had been there when Jiang Cheng had confronted the senior disciples who along with the town guardian had been smuggling funds for the watchtower. A burning resolution had been etched in Jiang Cheng's mind that day and he's run himself ragged ever since. Lan Xichen, in fear of it happening in areas under the protection of Gusu Lan had also become more vigilant.
They initially thought it would be easy for them not to meet with how large the cultivation world is but not for the first time did Lan Xichen think it was Yue Lao [2] pushing them together. Jiang Cheng once again rolls his eyes on the Yue Lao matchmaking theory.
"Then do you want to be married instead and see what happens." Lan Xichen says it as a joke. Then he regrets his decision because this was one of the few things that may set Jiang Cheng off, and there is no alcohol to subdue him.
He expects Jiang Cheng to curse or to go silent again but Jiang Cheng does the exact opposite.
Jiang Cheng's just sighs, utterly resigned. He grabs Lan Xichen's hands from across the table and with a serious expression on his face, Jiang Wanyin, the unshakeable Sandu Sengshou, says "Fuck it. Let's try and see what happens."
Lan Xichen is confounded, but he nods his consent.
There is no wedding door games. They do not wear red. Wine is exchanged for tea but in the end, Lan Xichen and Jiang Cheng bow three times to the heavens and to the earth.
Lan Xichen ties the Gusu Lan ribbon to Jiang Cheng's hand and Jiang Cheng ties Lan Xichen's energy to his clarity bell. They exchange vows with surprising gravity and it almost feels like they're two lovers eloping.
(Before that, Lan Xichen checks three times if their drinks had been laced with alcohol or at the very least if Jiang Cheng's drink had been. Lan Xichen had come to know that although Jiang Cheng is not an alcoholic, give him 3 days without sleep and he craves it like a junior disciple still practicing inedia. However, there is no trace of alcohol in his tea. A feeling of dread pervades Lan Xichen as he realizes this was a sober decision that may have unforeseen consequence in the future but he argues that their marriage is a desperate attempt).
Surprisingly, nothing untoward happens in the morning after their "marriage". They had slept together as well just in case Yue Lao was watching and it doesn't surprise Lan Xichen that Jiang Cheng likes to cuddle. Again, Sandu Sengshou = cat.
When day four passes and no monster comes after them in Runan, Jiang Cheng declares their solution a success.
The moment they part and they go on individual missions, they finally stop having accidental encounters and the expected dangerous occurrences stop happening.
(They do however get complacent at one time and once jokingly proclaimed to the heavens that they were getting divorced. Lan Xichen had somehow produced scissors from his sleeves and started cutting at the invisible space near his hands and feet, where the red strings of fate were most likely to be tied. Jiang Cheng had laughed at how silly the esteemed Zewu-Jun had looked but he had done the exact same movements. Jiang Cheng also secretly removed Lan Xichen's own spiritual energy from his bells. Suffice to say, everything went to hell and it was one experiment that Lan Xichen and Jiang Cheng would not be doing again.)
In time, by necessity and subconsciously, they find themselves by each other's side regardless. Although Jiang Cheng would deny it to his dying breath and Lan Xichen would avoid the conversation by any means possible; they meet frequently (but discreetly) by choice. Their marriage becoming an afterthought to their blossoming friendship.[3]
Lan Xichen and Jiang Cheng's marital relationship, eventually becomes a well-kept secret and they hoped it remained that way.
Time passes, and Lan Xichen and Jiang Cheng stay married for 10 years. In that span of time, nobody notices. They're insulted but at the same time in awe of having kept the secret. They are, apparently, more discreet than they give themselves credit for.
(They were not. Everyone else just found it difficult to believe that the two could be more than friends.)
Still they were married and there were changes to both their behaviors that made people question what exactly had caused this change. The people could only try to guess but not one was able to hit the arrow right on the mark.
Yue Lao laughs from the heavens. Everything was to be revealed in due time.