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Chapter Text

Wei wuxian had thought that finally, everything was over. He broke the amulet. He'd soon die. There was no need for anyone to fight anymore.

He did die. He was sure of it. 

He thought he was finally at peace. Maybe, even for just a minute, he would be free of responsibilities.

But he heard a voice. A voice that belonged to a fairly young man. 

"My name is no Xuanyu."

"My mother was born from a concubine of the Mo clan. Having received the fancy of a cultivational sect, she gave birth to me when she was 16. "

The young man was drawing a complicated seal with his blood. He observed it. Wei wuxian recognised the seal.

"I was accepted into cultivation at the age of 14. Yet.... Due to poor aptitude and other worldly matters, i was send back home."

Mo Xuanyu sounded desperate. A tremor in his bloody body. He spoke as though clinging on to his final hope.

"Since then, mother and I have been humiliated by the Mo clan. No withstanding the disgrace, my mother passed away."

"I, Xuanyu am left with nobody on my side."

"Here i beg forth the rebirth of your sinister spirit, to help grant my king cherished wish."

"I will use my flesh as lure in sacrifice for your spirit and my soul as compensation to return to earth."

"Here i summon sinister soul. Yiling patriarch! Wei wuxian!"

A strong force pulled him back into the land of the living. Wei wuxian was very alert during the summoning, hence why he awoke immediately. Although his body ached, he quickly altered the seal with some blood. 

A shadowy figure appeared in front on him.

It was Mo Xuanyu. Wei wuxian drew up a seal because he wanted to hear the entire story from the summoner himself. He would get more details that way.

The young boy was shocked at seeing his own face looking back at him with a stoic face. 

"Why did you summon me?"

An emotionaless voice spoke. Yiling patriarch, Wei wuxian, was currently in his body. That must mean the seal had worked.

But why was he here? Wasn't his soul supposed to be shattered already? 

He thought must have been visible on his face as the yiling patriarch spoke.

"I called you here. You did not complete the summoning entirely. I dispise no knowing exactly what situation I am in. Go on. Tell me your story."

"Ah! Yes! I- i will!"

Mo Xuanyu proceeded to tell him everything that had happened. About his sufferings at the mo clan. And what exactly had transpired at jinlin-tai.

"Jin guangyao? He ruined your reputation?"

"Yes. I.... am a cutsleeve. He accused be of making a move on him, and kicked me out of jinlin-tai."

"Hmmm. I do not recall him being such a person before....."

"I-I am speaking the truth! You much believe me!"

Mo Xuanyu had tears in his eyes. He needed the patriarch to believe him. He needed his revenge.

"Why did he target you? Assuming you, in fact, did not make a move on him."

"It was because I saw something i wasn't meant to see."

"Explain"

"Yes."

Mo Xuanyu told him about Wei wuxian's research kept at jinlin-tai. He also told him about the ghost genral, wen Ning, being kept under their control.

"Wen Ning?" A trembling voice spoke. Wei wuxian was shocked. A member of his family was still alive! Well- not really alive, half alive at least.

The- then jins lied to him. How...HOW DARE THEY!

"I'll kill them."

Mo Xuanyu looked up with a hopeful look. Was he going to believe him? Was he going to fulfill his wish?

He couldn't help but bow low. With a shaking frame he spoke.

"Thank you very much."

Wei wuxian looked at the trembling figure of a young man and felt pity.

He wordlessly redrew the summoning seal and connected both Mo Xuanyu and himself. There was a small burst of resentful energy in the air.

"What did you do?.."

Wei wuxian let a small smile grace his youthful face. 

"Although I did not wish to come back into the land of the living, you have given me a chance to take revenge for what was done to my family. It is a great opportunity for me. Hence why, i cannot left you sacrifice your soul."

"What do you-"

"I remade the summoning array. This will make it so that you would not have to sacrifice your soul any longer."

Mo Xuanyu felt his lower lip wobble. To think that the sinister spirit Wei wuxian would actually be kind. To be kind to someone like him. Even after hearing his story. 

He decided then. All the rumers and stories about the yiling patriarch was bullshit. This man was good.

"Thank you! Thank you for this kindness!"

Wei wuxian just smiled.

"I will now send to into the reincarnation cycle. I pray you have a good and happy next life."

Wei wuxian finish the array. He watched the figure of the young man slowly disappear. He could see his face. At his moment of death, mo Xuanyu was smiling.

Chapter Text

Wei wuxian could feel it. This was the first time in years that his mind is clear.

Although his soul is the same, the body he resides in currently is different that the one he was in before. 

Although Mo Xuanyu clearly had some mental issues, his mental state was in a much better condition that his original body's. 

It was refreshing. 

He also did not have nearly as much resentful energy within his body. 

Which meant that, even for just a moment, he wouldn't hear any unnecessary voices.

Wei wuxian huffed. He washed walked out of the hut and washed his face. 

'Mo xuanyu's living condition truly was bad.'

Wei wuxian found some cloth nearby and quickly made it into a small bag. Adding some seals on it, he made it into something like a quaqin pouch. Just ....with resentful energy instead.

He quickly places every valuable item into it and leave the place. He did not want Mo Xuanyu's final items to be stolen. Besides, he had seen a beautiful flute in there as well. It was a cheap but beautiful flute. It had belonged to Mo Xuanyu's mother.

'i could use it.'

He noticed a donkey nearby. The donkey was aware of his presence as well. They stared at each other for a while before Wei wuxian raised his arm a bit. Up till his shoulder.

"Do you mind helping me out? I need to go into the village. This hut is at quite a distance."

The donkey, as though it could understand him, huffed and turned it's head away.

Wei wuxian sigh.

'I guess he doesn't like me.'

Wei wuxian looked around. He noticed an apple left behind near the hut. He quickly took the apple and walked towards the donkey. He held out his hand.

"If you give me a ride to the village, I'll give you this apple."

The donkey neighed. It wanted the apple and moved towards it. Wei wuxian moved away. The donkey finally huffed and let him get on its back.

"Thank you lil'apple."

.

.

.

.

.

As he walked into town, Wei wuxian noticed how no one recognised him. All he had done was remove the makeup in his face. To think the neglect and mistreatment Mo Xuanyu faced was so much so that no one recognised him....

Well. It was a good thing for him anyway. The lesser people who recognised him the better.

He was pondering over something. How would he kill the Mo family? Although he had no personal grudges against them, he knew about some of the things they did to Mo Xuanyu. If his hut is anything to go by.

Mo Xuanyu's hut was is a terrible state. A lot of his utensils and items were broken. There had been a broken book shelf filled with cultivation items. According to Mo Xuanyu, it was probably stolen by that kid, Mo ziyuan.

The Mo family truly was terrible. They weren't even good village heads. Its a surprise how this village still stands.

As he was thinking about this, wei wuxian overheard some people talk about cutlivators arriving at the village. There had been some resentful creatures here.

'resentful creatures?'

Wei wuxian went into a small alley at the corner of a building. He sighed and closed his eyes. Letting a thin layer of resentful energy spread across the village.

'Ah!'

Resentful energy. It was truly there. And it wasn't a weak one. It was close to a fearce corpse. Although not as much as wen Ning had been.

'Wen Ning.....'

Wei wuxian shook his head. He needed to concentrate. Now was not the time to dwell in matters of the past. He would save wen Ning soon.

For now, Wei wuxian had found a method to kill the Mo family.

It was still early in the day. While sitting in a stall, eating some spicy bread bought with money he stole from some clueless guy while walking the street, Wei wuxian saw someone who he assumes is Mo Ziyuan, along with some Lackeys going towards the hut.

'Probably to steal some more stuff. Too bad they'd only see some broken furniture and lots of blood.'

He thought as he patted his crafty quakin pouch.

He hummed as he continued eating. He was currently sitting at the stall. Although his face looked like he was enjoying the food, him mind was working fast.

'Another one'

Wei wuxian noticed another person lurking nearby. Although they were doing a decent job at concealing their presence, it did not work with him.

Not only had he just spread resentful energy around to search to resentful creatures,he had also been in high alert.

'Just as i expected. There really was a third party.'

Wei wuxian found it strange. It could have been passed as Mo Xuanyu finding his work by coincidence while he was studying them at jinlin-tai. But it was far to convenient.

The strong resentful creature, the cultivators arriving. His resurrection. 

It was too much of a coincidence.

He suspected someone has fuelled Mo Xuanyu's negative thoughts and made him believe the only way for revenge was bringing me back to life.

By the constant monitoring, it was obvious the third party knew he was back.

'Do they plan to use that resentful creature in a trap?'

He wasn't sure why this was happening. There was no way for him to find out their intentions. 

'Could it be they hate me so much to make me fall into a trap so they can capture me? Or do they need my help with something?'

There were many possibilities, but no way of finding it out.

Not yet, at least.

Chapter Text

Hiding his presence, Wei wuxian snuck into the Mo compound. As he walked around, he saw a small crowd gathering near the main hall. 

It seemed like junior cultivators from gusu had arrived.

Wei wuxian did not bother to listen too much. He could clearly see the village heads trying to suck up to the junior cultivators thinking they have a chance to gain favor for their son, Mo Ziyuan.

Wei wuxian did not bother with it. His job would only be eliminating the targets. That could only be done at night, when the resentful creatures would likely strike. 

He also did not want to be found out. That would be the best way.

As he was free now, Wei wuxian, using the distraction at the main hall, looked around the Mo mannor. 

He went through many room's and found Mo Xuanyu's belonging in many places. Some of the servants had also taken some smaller things. Probably because these were the things they could hide with their clothes and not let the Mo's find out.

Everyone who wanted to be sucessful wanted to be cutlivators. That was what the world was like.

Everyone was greedy. 

He stepped into madam Mo's room.

'Ah. Just as i expected.'

It seemed as though everyone in this family stole things from Mo Xuanyu. Madam Mo surprisingly had more items then Mo Ziyuan did.

Within the cabinet at madam Mo's room, were scrolls. Cultivation scrolls to be exact.

'This would have been a bit dangerous. For them.'

Madam Mo and the family seem to be interested in cultivation. Seeing as how they tried to push their son to it.

Most of these cultivation scrolls were from Wei wuxian's research. 

Naturally, that would mean that these were scrolls with information on demonic cultivation.

Moreover, the Mo's were civilians. They would not know the difference between the two types of cultivation methods. For them, cultivation was cultivation.

It wouldn't be surprising to see them having some resentful energy within them.

'Ah! Was this also part of the plan?'

Although it was not widely known, with a good enough enough information network, it would surely be easy to know about Mo Xuanyu being part of the group researching my notes. Just as it would be easy finding out the jins were researching demonic cultivation and the recreation of the stygian tiger seal.

Since Mo Xuanyu was disgraced and sent here, he was still a cultivator. Obviously he would still have his own scrolls and notes.

It was also easy to know about his mistreatment by the Mo's. The entire village knew about it. Although no-one made a move to help. 

Knowing their interest in having a family member being a cultivator, it's not hard to assume that they would steal some material for their son. And that the son would try to practice it.

Which was exactly what they did.

Wei wuxian could not help but think. 

'In order to make sure they would be targeted'

Resentful energy is more attracted to negative emotions. Since Mo Ziyuan would have some resentful energy within him, the resentful creature would definitely target him.

This had been the ploy of the third party all along. 

Wei wuxian started to smile. It was not a bright smile. It was an intrested one.

The third party must have known him in the past. How else would they know such things would intrest him?

'Im getting excited now'

Wei wuxian looked calm on the outside but had a storm on the inside.

He took all of Mo Xuanyu's things and put them into the quaqin pouches.

He was done checking all the rooms. He was done taking all cultivation related items.

Growl

Wei wuxian looked out the window. It was already night time. It was no wonder his stomach growled. He had missed two meals.

There was some noise as well. The people at the Mo mannor were retiring back to their rooms.

Stepping out into the compound, Wei wuxian saw the junior cultivators setting up a formation with some sprit attracting flags. They were his invention.

'Mo xuanyu did tell me my reaserch being taken. I guess some of it was useful enough to be made public'

Sigh.

Well, there was nothing Wei wuxian could do. This was something that happened while he was dead. He could not believe the shamelessness of the oh so great cultivation World.

He could not take credit for it anymore. Even if he could, he would still choose not to.

He had not intentions of going back into the cultivation World.

Wei wuxian sent out a small thread of resentful energy. It was a small lure. A trap to bring out his targets.

Mo Ziyuan was not the only one who attempted to use cultivation. All the Mo's and some servants had also done it.

They were the targets. 

Wei wuxian had sent a lure to subconsciously bring them out. The resentful creature would attack them.

Normally, since it was confirmed that his targets would die, Wei wuxian would have left the scene.

But he did not. He stayed back.

There was only one reason. He did not know what the resentful creature was.

Although he sensed a strong resentful creature, he could not make out the extent of its strength. 

He wasn't sure the juniors would be able to handle it. Wei wuxian dislike involving innocents in his work. That is why he stayed. He needed to take care to things here.

Wei wuxian was in deep thought. His mind whirling through countless thoughts. 

Because of this, he did not realise that he had caught the juniors attention.

"Hey, what is that man doing here?"

Lan jingyi turned when he heard his fellow cultivator, lan sizhui mutter softly.

They saw a young man with a fairly attractive face standing not far from the compound with a stoicly serious face. He seemed to be in deep thought.

"Aye! Didn't we tell all of them to stay in their rooms tonight? Why is this man here?"

Lan jingyi moved towards the man, calling out to him in a loud voice.

"Hey you! Didn't we warn you to stay in your rooms? Go back! Shoo!"

"Jingyi! Don't be rude!"

Wei wuxian snapped out of his thoughts on hearing voices speaking to him.

He turns around and was about to make some excuses but it all died down when he saw one of the juniors.

Wei wuxian's face turned pale.

Chapter Text

In canon, did only the inner lan's have forehead ribbons? 

I read somewhere that only those of the inner main clan had ribbons but those of the outter lan did not have them.

Everyone had the same sect clothes with the cloud mortif though.

Idk if this is cannon but that's a thing in this au. Hope this makes sense.

______

There were two lan juniors in front of Wei wuxian right now. One of which had loudly -and quite rudely, asked him to go away.

But Wei wuxian did not care. 

This was because of the person in front of him.

Lan sizhui.

Wei wuxian did not know the juniors name. Nor had Mo Xuanyu mentioned talking to him before.

But Wei wuxian knew him. Of course he knows.

This boy was his A-yuan. Wen yuan. A small 4 year old boy he took care of and considered his own son.

Although his face was very different from the malnourished, face filled with baby fat and a bright smile.

"Sir? Are you okay?"

The boy was now a calm and quiet boy. He had lost all his baby fat on his face. His smiles were more small and sincere compared to the big smiles he used to have on his face all the time.

Almost as though they were very different people. It was not a strange thing. That's what normally happens when one grows up.

"Hey what's up with him now? And why is he staring at you sizhui?"

"I don't know. But it seems like he's lost in thought rather that staring at me"

"Hmmm. Who is he anyway"

"I think he's young master mo."

"That lunatic? The cousin of that arrogant kid?"

"Jingyi! Haaa. Well his features match them a little."

But the reason Wei wuxian recognised him was different. It was not his appearance or his demeanor.

It was resentful energy.

Wen yuan was someone who lived at the burial mounds for over a year. He was bound to have some resentful energy ingrained in him.

It was very faint.

This was mostly because he must have lived at gusu for all these years. Gusu was a place filled with immense spritual energy. 

But that could not remove his resentful energy.

During the seige, in order to protect A-yuan, Wei wuxian put a protective seal over him. 

Wei wuxian did not have his golden core. Therefore, the seal was his own creation. Something made with resentful energy. 

This seal was what preserved him for days after the seige. Although it did result in him getting a fever and loosing his memories.

Wei wuxian did not know about that. All he knew was that his son, his A-yuan had survived.

He felt a sense of guilty relief.

His face broke into a small smile. He snapped out of his thoughts and properly looked at the two cultivators before him before bowing.

"Ah, i apologise cultivators. I was a bit lost in thought and didn't realise how much time had passed. I will not disturbed you any longer"

The juniors were perplexed. This was not what they heard! This man was meant to a be a lunatic. Jumping around and causing troubles everywhere!

But who was this calm man! He was nothing like they heard!

The lan's hastely returned Wei wuxian's bow.

Just as he was about to turn, they heard a loud scream.

There was a lot of footsteps heard. Many servants stepped out with lanterns in their hands, frantically searching for something. 

Or someone. Someone who was Mo Xuanyu. 

As soon as they noticed him with the cultivators, they immediately held him a began to drap him forcefully. 

Some speaking to the lan's, without giving them a chance to reply, gently dragged them too.

They were dragged to another compound. It was fully crowded.

Madam Mo was histericaly crying and screaming.

Upon seeing mo Xuanyu, she immediately went towards him with a knife.

"You! How dare you! My son was innocent! And you killed him! How- how could you! Die!"

Lan sizhui quickly held her hand and removed the knife. Smiling stiffly, he spoke.

"Madam Mo, please calm down. Your son's death had nothing to do with young master Mo. It is clearly due to a resentful being."

"Not related?! Of course it's related! That lunatic was a cultivator! He must have learnt a lot of trick from his father! That's why he killed my son!"

Madam Mo fell to the ground with a thud.

"My poor A-yuan. He was so worried about his missing cousin earlier today."

She looked up and glare at Wei wuxian. Lifted up her arm and pointing at him

"And you paid him back like this?!? If you would have just stayed still, my A-yuan wouldn't have had to get caught up in this mess!"

Wei wuxian had initially stayed silent since this was normal behaviour for a grieving mother, but he would not handle misinformation about Mo Xuanyu. That boy was innocent and does not deserve another deed to be blamed on him.

Wei wuxian scoffed.

"Stay? Why, to wait for your son to steal my things and beat me up again?"

The lan's were alarmed. To think abuse had been going on right under their noses.

"Stop lying! Do not disgrace A-yuan's name any longer!"

"I'm pretty sure everyone in this village knows about the constant abuse i received, but whatever suits you I guess."

Wei wuxian shrugged.

Madam Mo turned towards the lan's.

"And you! I called you here to protect us! And you let my child die! How pathetic! You useless, worthless cultivators! My A-yuan was just a child! And you killed him."

The juniors grimaced. Although it was not their fault, they did not defend themselves.

'haaa, lan's will always be lan's'

"Hey, what do you mean useless. As far as I'm aware, there lan's clearly told you to stay inside. It was your son's fault for coming outside. Don't go blaming your son's idioticy on the cultivators"

Before anyone could respond, there was another scream pearicing through the night.

Chapter Text

"A-ahh!!"

Everyone rushed towards the courtyard from where the scream was heard.

Through the crowd, Wei wuxian observed a maid and a servant laying on the ground. The woman was the one who screamed.

The servant was dead with his left arm gone with no blood coming out of the wound.

Similar to that of Mo Ziyuan.

Madam Mo collapsed. She was Heald by her maid in waiting. Her husband was stuck in his own thoughts. 

Whether that was his way of grieving for his son or not, no one knows.

Lan sizhui moved towards the the maid and spoke as gently as he could.

"Did you see what it was?"

The maid was unable to respond. Sacred world death, she could only shake her head.

She was a civilian, just like a majority of those in the compound. It was natural for those who were not used to seeing things like this to get scared.

Seeing how they did not know what to do with this resentful creature, lan jingyi sent out a flare signal.

He was frowning.

"Did you send the signal?"

"I did, but i suppose there arnt any seniors in this area. It's usually a peaceful place so cultivators don't really pass by here"

Lan jingyi looked pale.

"What do we do? We don't even know what it is."

Sigh. They could not leave and risk disgracing their clan. It was their duty as cultivators to help protect civilians.

"Let's wait for reinforcements."

All while this was happening, Wei wuxian silently observed the situation. There were three people dead right now.

The servant, the son and his father.

Although he looks to be in a dream like state, he was dead.

Wei wuxian was sure of it. This was because he had felt a slight stinging sensation in his arm.

He had also sent a thread of resentful energy to guide it towards other beings with resentful energy in them.

Excluding himself, there were four people with resentful energy within them.

The Mo family and the servant.

This was because they had tried practicing demonic cultivation from the stolen scrolls Mo Xuanyu had. It was a miracle they hadn't succumbed into the resentment and become evil being themselves.

But it makes sense. All of this was timed very well. The Mo family and the servant had just enough resentful energy within them.

They were also the targets.

Three cuts had healed. Three people had died.

Wei wuxian wanted to step in already. He wanted to subdue the resentful creature. But he did not. Because the creature had yet to kill one of the targets. 

He could sense it. This creature was not a medium level being. 

It was too strong for that.

Wei wuxian felt anger. He knows that this being was released by the third party. To set some kind of trap.

Wei wuxian was angry that this person endangered all these civilians for their own purpose. That they were okay sacrificing innocents.

That is why he decided he would step in once the targets were dead. He watched the movements of the being carefully. Tracing it with his senses and a mix of resentful energy and spritual energy.

There was only one person left. Madam Mo. She was still unconscious as she layed on the rocks in the courtyard.

Wei wuxian could see her left arm twitching.

'its done'

The arm was now possesing Madam Mo. The target with her deepest cut on his arm.

Mo Xuanyu did not mention much about the abuse he faced but Wei wuxian could understand seeing the expression on his face.

The tremors of his body everytime Wei wuxian asked him to repeat something, or when he had a stoic face on, probably thinking he did something wrong, the constant asking for forgiveness......

It angered Wei wuxian. That was why he did not feel any remorse for these people's deaths.

The deserved it.

But that didn't mean he wanted innocents to be collateral damage. He would stand by his way of making sure the innocent are not involved.

Wei wuxian watched as the juniors noticing Madam Mo's unusual behaviour. Seeing her loose control and attacking them.

Wei wuxian watched to see whether the juniors could handle it. He remembered that when he was their age, he could have handled it. 

But then again, thier standards must be very different compared to the current standards.

Wei wuxian thought it would be better to involve himself in this only if it seemed as though they would be in danger.

That is why, he first did some damage control. He first made sure all the servants and maids left the courtyard. 

They were all panicking. Fearing they would be the next targets. Wei wuxian would not allow that. 

He looked towards the servants as the juniors started setting up a formation to suppress rhe resentful arm.

"Listen up all of you! The being will not harm you. So make your way out of the courtyard. Quickly!"

His voice was stern. Nothing like the cowardly young master mo they remembered.

They found themselves subconsciously nodding and doing as instructed. Wei wuxian huffed as he was relieved no one else will be in harms way.

He turned to see the juniors, lan sizhui and lan jingyi, struggling to suppress the arm. Slowly paling as the felt a sence of helplessness.

Wei wuxian held out his arm and resentful energy pooled around. Darting towards the arm and slamming in on the ground.

The juniors, shocked looked towards Wei Wuxian. A small flicked of hope in their eyes.

Wei wuxian saw that the arm was refusing to corporate as with irritation, sent more resentful energy.

He was also very careful as he tried to make sure he doesn't accidentally destroy the arm. 

Slowly, the specks of black smoke came to a calm and started to settle. The arm was still struggling but couldn't move. 

Wei wuxian looked towards the juniors and began to speak.

"Lend me some talisman paper. Quickly."

"Ye-yes! Here!"

Lan jingyi fumbled as he gave some talisman paper to him. Still in his shocked state.

Seeing this wei wuxian clicked his tongue.

'why is their reaction so slow. Being cultivators, they should learn to adapt to situations faster.'

Wei wuxian took the talisman paper and quickly made a seal. It was suppression seal. And quick a strong one.

He walked towards the still twitching arm and slammed the talisman on to it. The arm stopped moving and was docile.

Wei wuxian signed. He turned around to make sure the juniors were alright when his eyes caught the figure of someone.

He recognised him. The cultivator standing on top of the room with his guqin out, ready to help.

It was lan zhan, lan wangji. 

Chapter Text

Lan wangji. Also called by his title hanguang-jun. 

Wei wuxian had mixed feelings towards such a man.

He watched him jump down the roof and immediately go towards the juniors while keeping his guqin at ready.

Wei wuxian knew lan wangji was good and righteous. A stoic man of few words but a man with a good heart.

Wei wuxian was sure that lan wangji was the reason for A-yuan's survival.

Lan wangji was currently listening to the situation being explained by both the juniors.

Wei wuxian watched as they occasionally glanced in his direction.

A-yuan, now lan had the forehead ribbon. Something given only to those with the lan surname. The inner main clan.

Wen yuan was an outsider. And there are only three people who can let an outsider into the clan.

They were the twin jades, lan wangji and lan xichen. And their uncle lan qiren.

The grandmaster lan qiren was someone he faced during the seige. Wei wuxian witnessed him killing the wen remanents with no remorse dispite seeing that they were civilians. 

So it was not him.

Lan xichen did not kill anyone during the seige. He was present but did nothing to stand in their way. Wei wuxian didn't know why.

But he was the type to think the best in people. Surely he would rather accept A-yuan as a bastard child rather that accept him as a prisoner from the jin camps. He trusted jin guangyao too much for that.

And that left lan wangji.

He was someone who met A-yuan. They had a good impression of eachother at yiling.  

But he was also very filial. To his family and his clan. Seeing how he was still with them dispite knowing and seeing them kill and condemn innocents.

Lan wangji saw the remnents. He saw their horrible condition at the burial mounds. 

Wei wuxian knew it would have been difficult for him to help provide for them as gusu lan was still in the process of rebuilding using the money jin guangyao had given lan xichen.

No matter how much the sects had been depending on the jin funds, they always claimed to stand by righteousness. Surely no one would doubt the ever righteous and truthful hanguang-jun, would they?

Just one word about how the remnants were civilians, there would have been an investigation team set up. If lan wangji had spoken up, things would have been different.

But he did not. Instead, lan wangji did the thing he knew best. He stayed silent.

All throughout the preparation of the sects betraying their deal to let them go after surendering the wen siblings, lan wangji still stayed silent. 

During the battle at nightless city, all he did was constantly tell him he was out of control. 

And then he disappeared. Wei wuxian did not know what happened after he lost control by witnessing his shijie's death. He has no memory of it. 

His final memory of the person he once considered a friend was not good.

That was why Wei wuxian no longer trusted him.

Wei wuxian wanted to hate him. Hate him for not doing what was right. For not staying true to the promise they made. But he did not.

Because Wei wuxian had also broken a promise he made. To lan wangji, one of many.

To Wei wuxian, lan wangji's only saving grace was him protecting A-yuan.

Wei wuxian could not help but think this way. Even since he met lan wangji, in all their conversation, he had only gotten negative responses. 

Lan wangji even told him he hated him.

Maybe Wei wuxian pushed too much. Wanting to be a friend to the cold and stoic second young master. The person he was so enamored with.

It was a mistake. Wei wuxian should have stayed away. 

Instead, he persisted. He always spoke to him thinking he might have just been lonely.

Wei wuxian had a bitter smile on his face as he was approached by some servants.

"M-Master Mo, what do we do now?"

Wei wuxian looked at the servants who still had a tremor to their bodies.

He pointed at himself and he began to speak.

"Me? Why are you calling me master mo?"

"Because you are the only living mo of the main clan, master mo. You are our new village chief."

Wei wuxian put a hand to his chin as he hummed in thought

'i completely forgot about this'

"Wait here untill I'm done taking to the cultivators"

Just as Wei wuxian finished speaking, he saw the three lan's coming towards him.

Lan sizhui spoke as he bowed.

"Young master mo, this one is called lan sizhui. My companion is lan jingyi and this senior is hanguang-jun, lan wangji.

We would like to thank you for your help-"

Some servants made some offended noises. Mostly because the lan had called him young master when he was now the master of the Mo family.

It was not wrong to interpret this as then looking down on him.

Before they could speak up, Wei wuxian spoke calmly

"It seems as though we did not need your services seeing as how i was able to handle it myself where as you cost us four dead members of this household."

They grimaced. Bowing, they apologized.

"We apologise young master Mo. We did not expect a high ranking resentful being to appear in such a small village. Usually only juniors are sent to places like this for our beginning night hunts."

Haa....

Wei wuxian signed. The lan's flinched at this thinking he was angry.

Lan jingyi hastely spoke.

"U-um, human lives are precious. My appologise for out incompetentness. If there is anything you desire, gusu lan is willing to compensate."

He spoke in a very respectful way compared to how he spoke to Wei wuxian at first.

"I do not blame you. A powerful resentful being such as this is not something that appears in small villages like the Mo village. You couldn't have known. But, it doesn't change that we still lost lives trusting you cultivators."

Flinch

"That is why, i will not pay you for your services. Seeing as how i was the one to capture the being. Please tidy up the place and be on your way back. You must understand why I am angry."

Lan sizhui let out a small relived smile. He was thankful for this matter ending peacefully.

The servants were awed by their kind and forgiving master. Some were even angry he did not demand more from the cultivators but kept their mouth shut.

It was then, lan wangji spoke.

"You use demonic cultivation."

Chapter Text

The mood immediately soured. Everyone froze, feeling as though the temperature dropped several degrees.

"Ah"

Wei wuxian said monotonously. It was so dry. Everyone unconditionally gulped.

Wei wuxian smiled a chilling smile. He looked lan wangji in the eye and began to speak.

"I forgot. Gusu lan are rightous cultivators who lock up people like me, don't they. Why do you ask the obvious? Do you want to lock me up?"

Wei wuxian looked very scary to everyone's eyes. Almost as though one wrong move and he wouldn't hesitate to finish off everyone here. No matter how strong the famed hanguang-jun was.

Before the situation would escalate, lan wangji spoke.

"Good deeds will not be condemned, Master Mo saved the juniors. It is appreciated. We will finish our clean up an leave."

'what?'

The lan juniors flinched a bit after hearing their senior address him as Master. 

Wei wuxian was stunned. That never bending rule abiding lan wangji, had let a person using demonic cultivation go? 

All he could do was nod in a dazed state. Lan wangji bowed and called the juniors to begin their tasks.

Wei wuxian sighed. 

"If you aren't able to finish it, you are welcome to stay the night. The servants will guide you to the guest rooms."

He turned towards the servants and spoke.

"I have not lived here for a very long time. I'm sure you all know. Take me to the main office. The rest of you, it's late at night, go sleep"

"Ye-yes! This way please!"

The servant quickly scrambled to do as their told. Wei wuxian went to the office room guided by a servant. Dismissing him, Wei wuxian looked at the pile of papers yet to be completed. 

'haaa, it seems i have my work cut out for me.'

He quickly sat and started finishing as many papers as he could. Making sure to do a good job.

His handwriting certainly was not the best but it seemed as though Mo Xuanyu's had was a bit more leaned in writing calligraphy.

This was why his writing was understandable.

He also made some preparations for the future of the Mo village. 

The Mo family did not consistent of only the three who died. There were some distant relatives as well. Relatives from the branch family.

In this society, leadership was family based, and so Wei wuxian started searching for the most competent member of the Mo family to appoint at the next head.

The next morning, Wei wuxian sent a message calling the distant Mo family.

Many of them heard what had happened and were not satisfied with a lunatic being the next head. Already making plans to push Wei wuxian out of the seat so the next closest to the main line would become head.

Hence, why they were surprised to be called. Many immediately started speaking loudly, making demands and asked mo Xuanyu to give up his position in a round about way.

Mo Xuanyu stood there with a respectable attire. He blankly watched everyone to the point if made everyone uncomfortable and slowly quite down.

Wei wuxian began to speak.

"I am not going to head as i have no desire for it. With extensive research, i have chosen the next head. I have called you all here for this reason."

An elder spoke up.

"What do you mean chosen?! Obviously the head should be me!"

Wei wuxian sighed. He seemed to be doing it alot the past few days.

"Do not forget that I am currently the head. And after the appointment, i would still have my rights as a former head. I make the decisions here. You will honer it."

No one could refute. Word had already spread about Mo Xuanyu's apparent strong cultivation. About how he had saved everyone the previous night.

"Mo lihua. She is to be the next head."

Mo lihua. She was a young, 20 year old maiden with immense potential. Wei wuxian decided to appoint her as the next head.

As for the girl herself, she was stunned. Although she was good person with immense potential, she was also greedy. She was overjoyed to get a position that would help her improve this good for nothing village.

Wei wuxian continued speaking.

"Since i was made head only last night, i did not complete much paperwork, so you'll have to forgive me for that. I plan to leave the village, but for a while, i will visit to make sure things are running smoothly. That is all. You are dismissed."

He left the corridor. Lihua's family and friends who all supported her rejoiced. Happy for this decision. 

"Good morning master Mo."

As Wei wuxian walked the corridors, lan sizhui greeted him.

He suddenly bowed stunning Wei wuxian.

"i appologise master mo. I refered to you as a young master last night."

'ah right'

"You can continue to do so. As I am no longer the master of this village."

"Yes? What do you mean?"

"I have given my position to another just prior to us meeting. As such, should you meet me in the future, refer to me as you wish."

Lan sizhui nodded.

"Ah i understand."

Wei wuxian smiled. A-yuan certainly was polite. He was a good kid. A decent cultivator too.

Seeing him, Wei wuxian decided to ask an important question. 

"Young master lan sizhui. Do perhaps remember anything about what happened when you were 4?"

"Ah, i do not understand why you are asking this but no, i had a high fever once and lost my memories."

"I see..... I understand. Please do not mind this strange question"

"It's no problem"

"Are you done with your work?"

"Yes. We had finished when it was too late into the night so we took up your offer to stay. We plan to leave soon."

"I see. I wish you a safe journey"

The both bowed to eachother and parted ways.

Wei wuxian was sure they would meet in the future.

Although he wasn't travelling with them, Wei wuxian was sure the third party would find some way to make sure he follows the resentful arm and eventually do whatever they have in plan.

But Wei wuxian had a different goal in mind. Something much more urgent.

The burial mounds.

As someone who was thrown in the burial mounds after the massacre of Lotus pier and had lived there for three months. 

And as someone who stayed there for more that a year, he knew just how much yiling was affected by the resentful energy.

It was much better after he had cleared it during his stay, which was one of the reasons he was on good terms with the people of yiling.

But there had been a siege. A siege where people died. 

Surely the resentful energy at burial mounds has increased.

It's not far-fetched to assume that the cultivation sects were too engrossed in rebuilding and rejoicing their 'victory' to care about the condition of the area surrounding burial mounds.

It didn't help that yiling did not fall under any sect as well.

Wei wuxian wanted to cleanse the place.

Chapter Text

There were a lot of preparation being made at the Mo's.

Thos was because of Wei wuxian. Although he hated the Mo's for their misdeeds, he still needed to prepare a proper funeral for them. 

Normally, even if it was to just have some face, family would cry and fake mourn the dead no matter how much they despised them.

They needed to show some care. That was only right.

But Wei wuxian did not do that. This was because his mistreatment was common knowledge within the village. That is why he did not need to show face. He did not even shead a single tear.

Why, he had just appeared at the beginning and left soon after without even witnessing the burial. That was very disrespectful but no one could blame him.

Everyone felt as though it was normal. It was all fine.

Everyone except the lan's. The lan clan was a very rich and respected clan. One that honours family the most. They wanted to feel as though no Xuanyu was truly a terrible man.

But they did not. 

This was because of lan wangji's curiosity. Earlier that morning, he had told the juniors to investigate about Mo Xuanyu around the village. It was not normal for such a strong demonic cultivator to be free. He would have naturally been caught by Jiang wangyin.

From the knowledge they gained, Mo Xuanyu was a cultivator who had been thrown out by his sect in disgrace.

Since being banished back to his mother's village, he had been faced with constant abuse by the Mo family which caused him to slowly loose his sanity.

Although all the information was confirmed to be true, the only unbelievable fact was his sudden calmness and high skill in the demonic path.

But they couldn't help but feel iffy seeing the disrespect being shown.

The lan's were standing outside the courtyard watching the funeral before preparing to leave. They were in quite a hurry to leave. This was because, surprisingly enough, Wei wuxian's seal on the demonic arm had gotten loose at one point during the night and had escaped.

Just as they were about to mound their swords, they saw someone walking out with a donkey who was enthusiastically eating apples and making happy and satisfied noises.

It was Mo Xuanyu.

It seemed as though he was also departing from the village at the same time.

Lan sizhui, upon seeing his mentors nod, quickly approached him.

"Young master Mo, good morning." 

Wei wuxian looked up to see A-yuan smiling at him. It was a simple smile that wasn't genuine but rather for formalities.

Wei wuxian frowned, he could see that his eyes held some sort of urgency.

Instead of returning to the greeting, Wei wuxian began to speak.

"What do you want? Spit it out."

He wasn't being very respectful, but is wasn't as though he had a reputation of being respectful of honourable. He was a known lunatic. 

It was fine for him to act in such a way.

In an awkward manner, lan sizhui spoke.

"Um. I apologise for always asking assistance young master Mo. But it seems as though we require your help once again.."

'assistance? Is this a new way of roping him into coming to gusu?'

Wei wuxian still had a frowning face. He began to speak.

"Assistance in what?"

Since lan sizhui was the one who called him, he needed to explain. But he couldn't help but be hesitant.

"I- i, you see .... That is um..."

Lan sizhui was very hesitantly speaking. As though he was still wondering whether it would be okay to ask help from a known lunatic.

Tch. Wei wuxian tsked in annoyance. He really was very unlucky.

"It seems as though you approached me without thinking about what you would say."

Sigh

"I'm leaving"

Wei wuxian pulled on the reigns of the donkey he named lil'apple, and was about to leave when sizhui hurriedly spoke up.

"Ah nono, please listen to me. It is related to the demonic arm"

The demonic cultivator turned around as he hummed.

"Hmm... What about it?"

"Um.. the seal you had placed on the arm had somehow come off last night, we assumed it would be easier to find it with your help."

'what? The seal came off?'

He subconsciously blurted out.

"How is that possible? Did one of you touch it!"

There was no way for the arm to be released unless someone meddle in it.

Lan sizhui waved his arms around and spoke.

"No! We would never! The arm was left untouched inside a quaqin pouch all night!"

"Then how did it come off? The seal I used was a strong one too....."

Wei wuxian mumbled out the last bit of his sentence. He was very confused. Why was the seal taken off?

There was no way for the seal to be faulty. It must have been someone's doing. 

But who would have done it? And for what?

Wei wuxian had no idea. There was no enough information to make choices.

Haaa

Wei wuxian was resigned. He could not let an arm like that roam out in the wild. There are bound to be more victims.

"Alright. I will help you."

After tieing lil'apple to a pole nearby, Wei wuxian immediately slammed his palm on the ground. Waves if resentful energy that was stored in him began to spread out in a thin layer. It was a very weak layer of resentful energy but Wei wuxian deemed it enough as not much would be needed to locate the arm.

The demonic arm was unlike any other demonic entities Wei wuxian had seen. This was why he vividly remembered it.

The lan's watched with curiosity as Wei wuxian closed his eyes in concentration. Suddenly, they saw his eyebrows knit together in deep thought. He almost liked like he was in pain.

Gusu lan cultivators, and most other cultivators were thought about how much destruction resentful energy causes to ones body.

Worried something had happened to young master mo, lan wangji quickly approached him and was about to slam some spritual energy in order to get him out of the resentment, when Wei wuxian opened his eyes.

Wei wuxian observed the light blue light shining on lan wangji's hand and knew what he was about to do.

He did not show any indication of being shocked by the close proximity of the lan cultivator as he got up and dusted his clothes.

Wei wuxian jerked his head 

"Coincidentally, the arm is in the same direction i was about to leave to. It is in dafan mountain."

Wei wuxian had planned to go towards dafan mountain anyway.  This was because he would need to cross dafan mountain to reach yunmeng and eventually yiling where his destination, the burial mounds was located.

Wei wuxian looked at the lan and said in a stern voice.

"Let's go."

Chapter Text

(remember that in this au, wwx and the lan's stayed at the mo village longer than in cannon. So wwx and the lan's arriving to dafan mountain would be later than in the novel.)

.

.

.

.

.

Placing some seals on his arms, Wei wuxian calmed himself.

Since they were in a hurry, Wei wuxian had to-unfortunately, leave lil'apple behind.

There were currently three cultivators with swords. The fastest mode of transport was obvious.

Wei wuxian had, on invitation, rode on lan wangji's sword, bichen.

They immediately made their way towards dafan mountain. 

Flying was a bit traumatic for Wei wuxian. Heights in general were. With his picture perfect memory, he clearly remembered falling into the burial mounds.

The constant flow of immense resentful energy making its way around his body and almost taking control. He hated it.

This was why he had a bit of a strong grip on lan wangji's robes.

The man seemed uncomfortable and shifted a bit but Wei wuxian girpped on tighter.

"You'll have to forgive me. I do not do well with heights."

Lan wangji nodded. Mo Xuanyu was not a cultivator of the rightous path, therefore it would make sense for him to be scared. Even though he was once a cultivator of the rightous path, his core was not strong enough to ride a sword. 

'It is not unbelievable for him to have this fear.'

For some reason, lan jingyi had made a weird face at them and turned slightly red in anger but calmed down after seeing his senior nod.

As they reached closer towards the mountain, they could hear a commotion. Wei wuxian could see a flurry of Jiang purple robes.

Wei wuxian had been a cultivator of the Jiang sect for many years. Although he still loves the Jiang, he was worried.

He wanted to leave, worried he might go through his Didi's Rath again. But he stopped after hearing a trembling but strong voice.

"If you do not find a way to cure my nephew, I'll break all your legs!"

It was Jiang wangyin. His didi.

Wei wuxian turned pale. Not just because he heard his voice, but also because of what he said.

'His nephew?.... jin ling ....... Shijie's son was hurt!'

The lan's went towards the commotion to provide help in need. Just as they were thought to.

Hopping off the sword, Wei wuxian and the lan's immediately rushed towards the group of people.

He could see a several cultivators lying on the ground. 

Most of them were rouge cultivators and some sect juniors Among them was jin ling.

The 13 year old was very pale. His lips were dry and chapped. Skin pale and cold. His breathing was also very shallow. Body barely moving.

Lan wangji stepped forward and began to speak.

"Sect leader Jiang. What happened?"

"Ah the Chaos-following hanguang-jun. It seems your reputation precedes you. You showed up."

Haaa.

"This idiot nephew of mine meddle in stuff he wasn't ready for."

Jiang wangyin did not seem to be in a good condition. He continued to hold jin ling in his arms tightly.

It was obvious to anyone seeing that he was worried for his nephew.

Although he could understand, lan wangji still needed to know what was happening. 

A Jiang deciple continued explaining.

"Young master jin got his soul snatched by a goddes statue. Same goes with all these other cultivators. They were also attacked by a demonic arm which had lodged onto the statue. We have captured it for now."

Ah. The demonic arm seemed to be the one they were tracing.

The lan juniors grimaced. Probably thinking this entire mess was due to their mistake of not watching over the arm.

Wei wuxian heard what the Jiang deciple said. He went around collected information about the statue from some civilians and cultivators around. 

Easily noticing the heavy resentful energy around.

He had a rough idea about what had happened.

'jin ling must have unknowingly made a wish towards the goddess.'

Wei wuxian bit his lower lip as his mind raced through many theories. His palms getting sweaty.

'i may have a way to get their souls back. It has barely been a while day after all. It is similar to what Mo Xuanyu did to sommon my soul back. But...... My identity may get revealed....... Ah whatever! Jin ling's life is more important'

Wei wuxian stepped forward towards Jiang Cheng. The sound of leaves crunching made Jiang wangyin look towards him. He saw a man looking at him with a serious expression.

If he remembered right, this person was Mo Xuanyu. One of jin ling's uncle's who had been disgraced and sent out of jinlin-tai for harrassing his own brother. Though he did look a bit different that in his memories.

But the man's next words shocked him.

"Sect leader Jiang..... I think i may have a way to bring their souls back."

There was silence everywhere. Everyone focusing on Wei wuxian's words.

".....What?"

Jiang wangyin was extremely shocked. He had heard that Mo Xuanyu was weak in cultivation. That he had no talent in it.

Such a man was claiming to have a way to bring his nephews soul back.

"What nonsense are you talking about! Your just a lunatic! Go sprout your bullshit somewhere else!"

Some cultivatiors recognised Mo Xuanyu and, thinking this was another one of his lunatic moments, tried to send him away.

It was a bit sad that these random cultivators had recognised him without any makeup while his own villagers could not.

Everyone agreed with the rouge cultivator's words. All except a few. 

Jiang wangyin would have believed them as well. Normally he would. 

But seeing the serious expression on Mo Xuanyu's face and confident demeanor , he felt tempted to gamble.

Jiang wangyin licked his bottom lip and slowly began to speak.

"Do what you have to. But i will be watching you at all times."

Although he wanted to sound reassuring, he ended up speaking harshly. Almost threatening.

Many flinched hearing his harsh tone. 

Well, except Mo Xuanyu. He behaves as though someone speaking to him in harsh tones was a regular thing. It was concerning.

But Jiang wangyin did not bother with that. He was more worried for his nephew.

As Wei wuxian stepped closer towards all the unconscious cultivator's, he grimaced. Hesitant, he began to speak.

"Sect leader Jiang..... The method i will be using is the crooked path. I will be using demonic cultivation."

Gasp.

Many sucked in gasps. Demonic cultivatiors are usually hunted down by the Jiang. No one knows what happened to them once their taken to Lotus pier, but they always come out different. 

This man certainly was brave for talking about being a Demonic cultivation infront of the man who hates them the most.

But surprisingly enough, Jiang did not react as expected. He looked resigned and spoke.

"Well, it's quite obvious bringing back souls is not something normal cultivation can accomplish. Demonic cultivation is the obvious choice. Go ahead."

Chapter Text

Wei wuxian was shocked. And it seemed as though he wasn't the only one.

Jiang wangyin had showed immense hated towards Wei wuxian after the war for continuing to use demonic cultivation. 

Even during his last moments, Wei wuxian remembered Jiang wangyin's face during the seige before being devoured by his own corpses.

Jiang wangyin, throughout the cultivation World, was a known hater of anyone who practices the demonic path. 

For many years, he had captured countless demonic cultivators and taken them back to his sect. No one really knew what happened to them.

Many theorised about it. A popular theory being that the Jiang sect leader always tourtured them before killing them off.

No one knows whether the claim was true.

But Wei wuxian did not have time to think about it in depth. He currently had a nephew to save.

Wei wuxian sighed and cracked his knuckles.

"Will you need blood?"

"Yes. As well as the sealed goddess statue"

Wei wuxian nodded to Jiang wangyin's questions. The sect leader then ordered his disciples to get the statue and to also each give him an amount of blood.

Although Jiang wangyin is familiar with Mo Xuanyu, the man was still a known lunatic. There was no wrong in being careful. 

That was why, the blood each person supplies would not be too much so that the disciples would still be able to fight in case Mo Xuanyu goes back in his word.

Some of the other bystander were hesitant to give their blood but offered some after witnessing even the Lan cultivators doing so.

Jiang wangyin raised a brow seeing this. Lan wangji began to speak.

"The demonic arm is something we Lan's have been chasing from the Mo village. It had somehow managed to escape the strong seal placed my young master Mo and escaped here."

Jiang wangyin just scoffed. Probably cursing in his mind about their incopentance.

Wei wuxian did not bother with noticing everyone's reactions. His mind was working in a fast pace. 

The array would be a modified version of his own soul sacrificing array Mo Xuanyu had used to summon him.

This array would be used to summon more than one person and would require much more resentful energy. 

But Wei wuxian had another theory. Another method.

An array using both resentful and spritual energy. 

It could possibly fail. 

Wei wuxian- in the past, did not have his golden core, his source of spritual energy before and had solely used resentful energy in his research.

Mo Xuanyu had spritual energy- although very little, in him. The collision of resentful and spritual energies in his body made Wei wuxian aware of the possibilities.

Using some of his spiritual energy, Wei wuxian leveled a piece of land near the unconscious cultivators and, using the blood, began drawing an array.

All the bystanders watched with high concentration. They watched as the young demonic cultivator drew the most complicated array they had every seen.

Although there were some familiar parts that involved time, it still had many unknown elements that most did not understand.

Jiang wangyin and lan wangji stood quite close to Wei wuxian as he drew the array.

Wei wuxian had sensed them and- thinking they probably wanted to know what this array would do, he began to explain.

"This array related to time and dimension. Dimension because of where their souls might be right now. Time because it relates to how long it's been since these people had gotten their souls taken. Honestly, it's a good thing that it's barely been a day. Otherwise, there would have been no chance."

'no chance without sacrifice that is'

As Wei wuxian finished up the array, he held his palms together and slammed it on the array. Pushing an immense amount of resentful energy. The entire surrounding shook with its density.

Many weaker one's fainted, while some of those who could still stand, had their eyes shut. The only ones resistant were Jiang wangyin and lan wangji. 

Mostly because they had been used to being exposed to such amounts of resentful energy during the war and after.

Most wondered how a person could have this much resentful energy within themselves.

What they didn't know was that rather than already having the huge amount of resentful energy within him, Wei wuxian had a huge amount of resentful energy already collected in a seal he had placed on his arm before leaving the Mo village.

Wei wuxian's appearance looked a bit different then. Fluctuating in a way.

The more Jiang wangyin and lan wangji looked, the more they realised Mo Xuanyu looked similar to Wei wuxian.

They clearly remembered- Mo Xuanyu did not look like this a while ago.

They were brought out of their thoughts when they heard a shout.

"Send in spritual energy in a small thread like stream. Make sure it's steady at all times. Quickly."

Dispite being skeptical just minutes prior, Jiang wangyin confidentiality stepped forward and did as told.

Lan wangji had frozen for a bit but knew that it was an urgent time and did what was told as well. 

Both kneeling on either side of him, they carefully sent spritual energy according to Wei wuxian's guiding hand.

Gasp.

Jiang wangyin let out a gasp as he looked at the scene in front of him.

His nephew and the cultivators were twitching, looking as though they would wake up.

Some even started groaning.

The important thing was, they were moving.

When the cultivators initially lost their souls, except for them slowly drying up and getting colder, they did not move a muscle.

The fact that they moved means that the array was working.

The weak cultivators and the juniors began to wake up.

The spiritual energy introduced into the array somewhat reduced the dense resentful energy present.

Some of the other cultivators were looking with slightly closed eyes. Disbelief and awe displayed on their faces.

"Don't increase your supply of spritual energy. Stay steady"

That's when they realised. Jiang wangyin and lan wangji were almost about to send in more spritual energy in their excitement. 

That change in flow of energies may have caused the array to stop in between, causing the victims to maybe get only half of their souls back.

They needed to focus.

After what took about thirty minutes, the resentful energy slowly reduced. The dense and suffocating sensation began to ease up more.

Many let out a breadth they didn't realise they were holding. Clutching onto their swords as a reassurance.

Eventually, the area was calm again. 

"Oi, go check them!"

Some disciples immediately moved forward to check the cultivators condition. Whether they had gone gotten their souls back or not.

A sigh of relief was heard. 

"Sect leader Jiang. The young master and the cultivators are stable. They would mostly wake up in a day at most. The array worked."

Jiang wangyin sagged down in relief. The fear of loosing his family was dying down. 

The disciples were busing themselves with either checking on the victims and regulating their own spritual energy that had been disturbed by the resentful energy.

Jiang wangyin turned towards the demonic cultivatiors next to him with a thankful expression which soon turned to horrer.

Both lan wangji and Jiang wangyin watched as Wei wuxian turned pale and slumped forward with his eyes closing.

Eyes widening, both cultivators reached out to catch him before he hit the ground. Calling out his name.

"Wei wuxian!"

"Wei Ying!"

Chapter Text

'... what?'

Jiang wangyin and Lan wangji reached towards Wei wuxian as he fell. 

Despite Lan Wangji's physical superiority, the Jiangs were known for their speed and agility.

And Jiang Wangyin was the fastest Jiang alive. Obviously, he was the one who caught him.

Lan Wangji jerked awake and immediately checked on Wei Wuxian's condition.

Sending in a small flow of spiritual energy through him, spreading it around his body, making sure his physical condition is alright. 

After deeming it mildly stable, Lan Wangji looked towards Jiang Wangyin, who was still holding on to Wei Wuxian-in mo Xuanyu's body, in shock.

'How did he know?'

That was the only question on both of their minds.

"Sect leader Jiang."

"..... Hanguang-jun."

The tension was thick. The two high-level cultivators were so focused on glaring at each other that they failed to realise they were being heard by three others.

Specifically, the two Lan juniors who had approached their senior after awakening. And the Jiang head deciple, who was coming to make a report to his leader.

The three of them clearly heard them call out the name of the yilling patriarch.

Among the three of them, Lan Jingyi was the only one terrified. This was because, all throughout his life, he had heard multiple stories about the yiling patriarch.

Grandmaster Lan Qiren certainly spent a lot of time talking shit about him.

It also didn't help that Lan Jingyi was a curious child by nature. He'd heard a lot of terrifying tales about the demonic cultivator.

On the other hand, Lan Sizhui was conflicted. 

He had learned both negative things about the patriarch from everyone around him, as well as positive words from Hanguang-jun, his father figure. 

Although he didn't know much, Hanguang-jun would always tell him that, although he was on the wrong path, Wei Wuxian was good. He was righteous. He always protected innocents.

Lan Wangji did not explain much, or even share what truly happened. But Lan Sizhui was someone who spent years with him. enough to recognise some of his expressions.

This was why Lan Sizhui knew that his father figure had always considered Wei Wuxian a worthy man. That he'd thought of him with tender affection and frustration.

The third person, the Jiang head disciple, Jiang Ren, was shocked but schooled his expression.

(It's a random name I came up with. I do not speak Chinese, so i do not know whether there is any actual meaning to this name.)

Jiang Ren was a survivor of the fall of Lotus pier and one of the few who still remembered Wei Wuxian from his younger years. 

He was only a junior on a mission during the time of the Wen invasion. Although young, he was old enough to remember Wei Wuxian with fondness.

He was also the person who had been with this sect leader, Jiang Wangyin, for all these years.

It was safe to say he knew him best. This is why he knew Jiang Wangyin would not mistake anyone else for Wei Wuxian. 

This person, in some odd way, was Wei Wuxian. He was back.

But these thoughts and realisations weren't important right now.

Lan wangji and Jiang wangyin were glaring at each other.

It was very tense. Jiang wangyin had not let go of his tight and secure grip on Wei wuxian, whereas Lan wangji held onto Wei wuxian's hand.

Neither of them let go and continued glaring at each other. Their eyes appeared to be telling the other to leave.

The surroundings were quite busy. The disciples were working on clearing out the area and accommodating the formerly soul-snatched cultivators.

This was why, excluding the two juniors and one head disciple, no one noticed the two high-ranking cultivators in a silent argument.

Finally, getting irritated enough, Jiang Wangyin began to speak.

"Lan wangji, don't you think you've done enough?"

Jiang Wangyin had questioned Lan Wangji. He needed the other to leave so he could take Wei Wuxian to Yunmeng Jiang.

Lan Wangji spoke with a firm voice.

"I will take him to Gusu."

Scoff.

"For what? To imprison him! Just like you tried to all those years back? "

Was Lan Wangji trying to cage him there? 

"Not impressionment. Healing"

Lan wangji was starting to get annoyed with Jiang wangyin. The sect leader was the one to abandon Wei Ying first. He had hated Wei Ying for years.

Lan Wangji did not understand his motives.

"Healing? And are you saying that the Jiang's cannot heal him sufficiently?"

".... Wei Ying was originally going to come with us."

'only until we find the arm, at least. I have not lied.'

Lan Wangji did not say the rest out loud. Technically, he wasn't lying. But it was a lie by ommision. He would still go back to Gusu and write down the rules.

Both of them were angry and frustrated with this situation. They knew they could not afford to fight since they had used up quite a lot of spiritual energy in the array. Their meridians were in use while being exposed to resentful energy. Fighting would get them into a critical condition.

But Jiang Wangyin was getting desperate. He wanted to just fight Lan Wangji and take his brother back to their home. He burst out, saying

"Yunmeng Jiang is his home! He will come there!"

Snap

"It isn't! Wasn't sect leader Jiang the one who named him the enemy of the cultivation world?"

"That-!...."

Lan Wangji wasn't wrong. Jiang wangyin had undoubtedly done so. Jiang wangyin could not refute this statement. This was how he came to a conclusion.

Sigh.

"... Fine. You can take him to Gusu, but I will soon come to him after I'm done settling things at Yunmeng. "

Lan Wangji was surprised but content with being able to take Wei Wuxian to Gusu. just like he wanted to all those years ago.

The Jiang captured the demonic arm they had been chasing. The Lan owed the Jiang a debt.

This was why, although he didn't want Jiang Wangyin to come, he did not have a choice but to accept.

The observers were just glad they didn't fight.

Lan jingyi was a bit disappointed though.

Soon, Jiang Wangyin took his nephew and some disciples with him back to Lotus pier. 

He ordered some disciples to stay at inns with the still unconscious cultivators until they woke up and got better.

The lan's made their way back to Gusu, and this time they had a secure grip on the demonic arm.

All this while, Wei wuxian remained unconscious.

 _____

I am still on a hiatus, but decided to post this chapter. I didn't want to leave it on a cliffhanger, you see.

I will come back soon. I will post new chapters. I don't know when but it's going to be soon.

Hope you liked the story so far.

Chapter Text

Hanguang-jun had accompanied young master Mo on the entire journey.

Lan Sizhui was in no way against any decisions his senior made, but he had never seen his father figure carry on-make physical contact with-technically a stranger, willingly.

He'd even offered to carry the young master, but was rejected, which had left him quite confused.

Reaching the cloud recesses, the three walked in.

Just as they passed through the gates, they encountered zewu-jun, lan xichen, the current clan leader of the Gusu lan clan.

Bowing, they greeted him. Lan Xichen smiled and greeted them back. Just as he was about to ask whether the mission had ended well, he glanced towards the unconscious face of the former Jin clan member.

If he remembered correctly, this was Mo Xuanyu. A younger half-sibling of A-yao, who had been sent back to his home village.

Lan Xichen was curious. His younger brother, Lan Wangji, who normally despised touch, was carrying Mo Xuanyu.

And it was in a gentle but firm way. It was as though the person was a fragile being who Wangji didn't want to part with.

Lan Xichen had a suspicion as to why Wangji looked both content and satisfied but also worried.

Perhaps he'd finally moved in from young master Wei? Was this person young master Wei?

Lan Xichen began to voice some of his thoughts.

"Ah, wangji this person..."

Lan wangji didn't actually say anything, but with his expression, Lan Xichen understood something as he made an 'ah'.

So Wangji truly cared about this person enough to bring him to the sect.

'Was he Wei Wuxian? Was Young Master Wei alive?'

Lan Xichen was someone who considered possession immoral.

Clearly, that was what transpired here if his suspicion runs true. Wei Wuxian took over Mo Xuanyu's body through possesion.

But what if it wasn't possible? What if it was Mo Xuanyu himself?

Lan Wangji was not someone who willingly made physical contact with anyone. And even if he did, it would be brief.

But the gentle and almost careful way he had held Mo Xuanyu told a different story.

"Mo Xuanyu?..... Oh is it?"

The silent question was asked. Lan Wangji understood what he'd meant and nodded. He had a slight red tint on his ear.

Smiling, Lan Xichen began to speak.

"That's good then. I'm happy for you, Wangji."

So it is Wei Wuxian then.

Although it was an immoral act, Lan Xichen cared more about his brother's happiness than whether anything was right or wrong.

He'd turned towards doing what was right all those years ago, at the cost of his brother's suffering.

He would not make that mistake again.

Lan Xichen turned towards the juniors and spoke.

"I will be leaving the sect to lanling for a bit. I will look at your mission report after I come back."

And then, with a graceful flutter, Lan Xichen left.

Lan Sizhui and Lan Jingyi were left to wonder what their leader had found out by looking at the blank-faced Hanguang-jun.

Well, currently there are other more important matters to worry about.

Young Master Mo's health condition as well as the demonic arm.

The arm was a very strong resentful being. Much above their level. And, as being only juniors, they were probably going to be given other tasks.

One such task was accommodating young master Mo Xuanyu.

After clearing his throat, Lan Sizhui began to speak.

"Hanguang-jun, should I go prepare a room for young master mo?"

Wait, isn't young master Mo still injured?

Lan Jingyi spoke up.

"Sizhui, shouldn't we take him to the medics first?"

"Ah-then, I'll go inform them."

"No need."

Hanguang-jun, who had been quiet for a while now, suddenly spoke up.

"Hanguang-jun?"

"He is fine. I will play 'cleansing' and heal."

'Cleansing' is one of the mind-calming musical techniques in the Gusu lan clan. It is one of the many purification tones. The hardest.

'Cleansing' was a tune that removed resentful energy and purified the mind.

Sizhui thought that since Mo Xuanyu was a demonic cultivator, the young master would probably not appreciate having his demonic energy taken away.

But who was he to go against his seniors' decisions.

Hanguang-jun probably would make sure not to get rid of all the resentful energy.

"Ah. Well, then I'll prepare a guest room then."

"No need. Jingyi."

"Ah, yes!"

"Take him to the jingshi."

"Yes, of course-wait what!? The Jingshi? "

The jingshi was Hanguang-jun's room. A place the man never allowed anyone into.

And yet he instructs them to bring young master Mo there?

"Mn. "

"But hanguang-jun, the jingshi is-"

Lan Wangji did not listen to them and immediately left. He had a demonic arm to research, after all.

Lan Sizhui looked towards his fellow disciple and friend, Lan Jingyi, and began to speak in a hesitant way.

"Um... Well, I guess.... We should take him to the jingshi?"

Lan Jingyi could only nod.

The juniors took him to the jingshi and placed him on the bed.

Looking down, Lan Jingyi asked.

"Hey Sizhui, his clothes are quite muddy and bloody. Should we change him?"

Wei Wuxian had spent a lot of energy on the array. Obviously, there was a lot of blood involved. He was also kneeling on the ground with sect leader Jiang and Hanguang-jun.

His robes were stained with blood and dust from the one-day journey from Dafen Mountain to the cloud recesses. 

As they travelled on their swords, the wind dried the blood, making it sticky and muddy.

Wei wuxian looked very dirty and tired.

But, changing someone's clothes while they are unconscious..... 

Although it wasn't a bad thing in their scenario, it felt very inappropriate. 

Lan Sizhui hesitantly replied.

"I... It would be inappropriate.."

"I know that. But we can't possibly let him stay with those clothes. What if his condition gets worse? "

That was true. Wei wuxian-no, young master Mo still had quite a pale face. His breathing had been quite shallow, but had returned to normal sometime during their journey back.

Lan Sizhui had no choice but to agree.

"Mn."

The two quickly and efficiently cleaned and changed young Master Mo.

Lan Jingyi spoke.

"To be honest, young master mo seems quite light weight."

"Well.... At the Mo mannor, we had discovered that young master was abused. Maybe it's because of that?"

'its quite sad...'

"Hmmm.... Oh? He had a lot of strange seals on his robes. "

"Strange seals? Let me see."

Lan Jingyi was quite good at seals. For someone like him to call a seal 'strange' was unusual.

Lan Sizhui leaned forward and looked at the seals. They certainly were weird.

It vaguely looked similar to the spirit attraction seal.

Just as they were about to look into the seal more, the door opened.

It was hanguang-jun. Lan wangji.

He looked into the room, noticing how Wei Wuxian looked clean and was in different clothes.

The juniors had placed all of his belongings on a nearby table and were looking at one of his seals.

Specifically, the seal Wei Wuxian placed on himself before they left the Mo village.

Looking at this, Lan Wangji frowned.

'Invading one's privacy is against the rules.'

"... What do you think you're doing?"

Chapter Text

Lan wangji was shocked. He watched as lan sizhui and lan jingyi looked through someone else's belongings without their permission.

"..... What do you think you're doing?"

Gasp, ah!

Turning around, sizhui and jingyi let out a gasp and shreak.

"Han-hanguang-jun!"

Lan wangji was standing beside the door to his room. He had come to check on Wei wuxian's condition when he stubbled upon this scene.

Their senior looked the same as usual, but the juniors knew he was very disappointed.

Finally after looking a bit shocked, the juniors noticed what they were doing.

Both of them blushed red in embarrassment. To think their senior had caught them breaking the rules!

In an unsure voice, lan sizhui began to speak.

"I- um. Hanguang-jun, we were just-"

Lan sizhui moved his arms around, in various motions. Almost as though he was trying to explain what he had done.

Lan wangji was disappointed. They seemed to care more about the fact that they had gotten caught, rather then feeling bad about invading Wei ying's privacy.

In a stern voice, lan wangji spoke, giving them their punishments.

"Enough. Go write the entire set of rules 5 times while doing handstands."

"The entire-!"

Lan jingyi couldn't help but let out some words in frustration.

The entire set of rules consisted of over 4000 rules. At least, that was what it seems like.

The 4000 rules, that are said to be all of the Gusu lan clan rules, were the rules carved onto the stone wall near the entrance.

But, there are many more inner clan rules as well. Things clan members will have to follow.

The 4000 rules, plus the additional inner clan rules were said to be the entire set of rules of the Lan clan.

Which were.... A lot.

Trying to complete all those rule even once would definitely take half a day without breaks. How were they meant to write it five times?!

Of course, sensing jingyi upcoming stream of words that their senior should definitely not hear, lan sizhui quickly intersected by speaking.

"Of course hanguang-jun. We apologise for breaking the rules."

Figuring lan wangji would want to rest as it was quite close to 9pm, lan sizhui grabbed the zoned out lan jingyi's arm, and dashed put of the jingshi.

"Jingyi, let's go!"

"Ah- wait-"

Not before bowing and wishing him goodnight of course.

Haaa

Lan wangji sighed.

Turning around, he looked at Wei Ying. He was still unconscious on the guest bed at the jingshi.

Wei wuxian wore clean clothes and had all his belongings next to him on a table.

Lan wangji went towards him and knelt down, observing his face.

There was a slight furrow on his eyebrows. He was panting just a bit. Almost as though he had a nightmare but not really.

The soft glow of the lantern made lan wangji aware of how pale he looked. But lan wangji was still a bit relieved.

'His condition looks a bit better.'

Wei wuxian was very pale when they had initially left dafan mountain. But now, some of his color had returned.

But- there was something there.

Something that, no matter how much he wishes to deny, lan wangji would always think about.

Wei wuxian looked like a stranger. Here, lying down in the peace of the night.

His face was different, his build was different, his height was different, his voice was different.

He wasn't overly optimistic or loud as before. And lan wangji dreaded that.

To everyone else, this person did not seem as kind and boisterous as Wei wuxian had been as a child, or as terrifying and evil he had been assumed to be as the yiling laozu.

'But it makes sense.'

Wei wuxian's behaviour made sense. This was because, Wei wuxian had gone through many things within his final years.

The horrors of his life, and the horrors of the cultivation World.

The miseries the 23 year old had, were miseries no one should go through.

His sufferings were almost - terrifying.

All throughout the time lan wangji knew Wei wuxian, he'd felt alot of things for the other.

Lan wangji had hated him for he was annoying. He had hated him for constantly breaking rules. He had hated him for being so unruly. He had hated him for he was captivating. He hated him for he made him feel things he had never felt before.

And he had hated him for he loved him.

He loved him for noticing him. He loved him for thinking him valid. He loved him for trying to understand him. He loved him for smiling his bright smile at him. He loved him for thinking about him. He had loved him. Loved him. Loved him.

Lan wangji loved Wei wuxian. And he still does.

Lan wangji had waited for Wei Ying for 13 years.

Waiting, for he believed the one he loved is not dead.

And if he is, then lan wangji was not alive.

But Wei wuxian is alive. He was here, right infront of lan wangji.

Sigh.

Lan wangji moved to his own bed, turning of the lanterns.

.
.
.
.
.
.

It was late morning, Wei wuxian woke up hearing the noise of a door opening. He quickly shot up and brought together some resentful energy to his palm, ready to attack. He gripped onto the blanket while his face became pale.

His body was quite rigid for not moving was the last few days. But there was another thing.

This was because he'd noticed how little resentful energy he had. Dispite the shock and panic he felt, he was distracted hearing the sharp inhale of the ones who had just entered the room.

Wei wuxian's head snapped towards the two lan disciples standing near the door with their hands on the sheaths of their swords.

It was lan sizhui and lan jingyi.

'they probably got shocked sensing resentful energy at cloud recesses'

Which reminds him, why was Wei wuxian here at the gusu lan clan? The scerene atmosphere, the calmness, the absurd amount of white decorations. This was definitely the gusu lan clan. Cloud recesses'.

Panic began to make its way once again, on Wei wuxian's face.

Looking around the room, Wei wuxian noticed it looked less like a medical ward and more like a home.

'is this the place they've decided to imprison me?'

Wei wuxian was injured and had lost consciousness. If he was brought to cloud recesses' for medical purposes, he would have been at the medical ward, but this place was definitely anything but a medical ward.

There were two options, one; they found out he was Wei wuxian and decided to imprison him. Two; they still think he's Mo Xuanyu and normally imprison all demonic cultivators.

This was why it was natural for Wei wuxian to assume he would be punished or imprisoned here.

Noticing him looking around the room with an anxious and hateful expression, lan sizhui began to speak.

"Senior Mo! Please calm down. You're safe."

Wei wuxian glared at them. He opened his mouth and spoke in a very cold voice.

"Why am I here?"

Chapter Text

"Why am i here?"

Lan sizhui and Lan Jingyi gulped looking at their Senior Mo's cold gaze.

It was quite scary. 

But, Lan Sizhui observed, that he looked a lot better than before. The medics had told them that Senior was better and would probably be awake today. This was why they decided to come wake him up for breakfast.

But to receive such a response, the juniors were very baffled.

Moving his arms in an up and down manner, Lan Sizhui began to speak.

"Ah- Senior Mo? Please calm down. We were the ones who bought you here"

Wei wuxian's gaze sharpened.

"I asked why"

"Because you had fallen unconscious, and needed help! So hanguang-jun ordered us to bring you here"

Jingyi spoke, hoping to calm him down by telling him how the caring hanguang-jun brought him here. He was getting kind of scared of their Senior's gaze. Of course, if anyone asks, he would deny it.

But, Wei wuxian looked furious. His face going slack, with only the slight furrow of his eyebrows showing off any kind of emotion.

It's was surprising how a single eyebrow told could make someone look so- so terrifying.

Wei wuxian began to speak.

"And I'm supposed to believe that this- home, is a medical ward?..."

"What? No this isn't a medical ward."

Puffing out his chest and crossing his arms, Lan Jingyi spoke.

"This is Hanguang-jun's home."

His very aura radiated 'be grateful'. Wei wuxian found that very annoying. 

With stiff shoulders and a tight expression, Wei wuxian ordered.

"Get out."

"Excuse me? Senior Mo?"

".... Get out. I would like some privacy."

"Ah, alright. Please excuse us."

The juniors bowed and left the room. 

Sigh

Letting out a deep sigh, Wei wuxian stood up. Since he had been stationary for a while, his feet were quite wobbly. Gripping onto the bed for support, Wei wuxian made his way towards the small table near the bed.

This was the place where all of his possessions were placed.

"My seals, the pouches.... Alright."

Counting down, Wei wuxian checked to make sure all of his items were still here.

This was because, most of his possessions were related to demonic cultivation.

Even the make shift quakin pouch he made to keep Mo Xuanyu's items were made with demonic cultivation.

'The lan's could very well take it as it wasn't something anyone had made before. And steal my things, claiming it's for research.'

While checking, Wei wuxian noticed his clothes to be missing. 

'it is because they thought it was dirty? Did they throw it? Or send it for wash?'

But, there was another possibility if one were to think far enough.

'what, don't tell me they actually think my robes would be related to demonic cultivation?'

Sigh

Wei wuxian couldn't do anything about it. Although he quite liked his clothes from the Mo village, it wasn't really part of his prefered color pallet.

But, Wei wuxian wasn't left here without robes to put on.

He noticed a small pile of clothes, that were nearly folded and placed on the small table.

They were probably robes for him.

'they are black and red...... Is it really a coincidence?'

The clothes were black and red. This was a colour pallet Wei wuxian had often preferred and worn in the past, since a very young age.

Suddenly, Wei wuxian felt chills.

'ugh. Are the Lan's following that ridiculous trend?'

During the time Wei wuxian lived at the burial mounds with the wen remnants, he had received a title, yiling patriarch.

There had always been rumor going around that Wei wuxian was created his own wen army, or a demonic cultivation based sect or whatnot.

As such, there were those student-hopefuls, who's often come to yiling in black and red robes, wanting to get accepted in his 'sect'.

Wei wuxian slightly wondered whether the Lan's assumed that every demonic cultivator would be a follower of him so they should definitely wear robes of this colour pallet.

Shrugging it off, Wei wuxian slowly put on his robes. He streched a bit, his bones creaking with it.

Growl~

'ah. I haven't eaten yet right?'

Putting his hand on his stomach, Wei wuxian thought. 

He said down, and meditated for a bit. Although he wanted to eat, he needed to collect resentful energy to defend himself if the need arises. There was a problem though, the cloud recesses was just too potent with spritual energy. 

But there was some resentful energy around.

'the arm.'

The resentful demonic arm was probably with the Lan's. It was filled with resentful energy and was quite strong.

'did they really finish dealing with that? There's still some resentful energy left behind from the arms though.....'

Sigh

He then moved towards the door and went outside. Bracing himself.

Just as he had earlier stated, the Lan juniors were dutifully waiting outside. 

Noticing him come from the corner of his eye, Lan Sizhui stops his conversation with Lan Jingyi and greets him.

"Senior Mo! Your here!"

"Ah senior Mo, have you calmed down now?"

Wei wuxian nodded at sizhui and then hummed at Lan Jingyi's question.

"Well, I haven't decided that yet. I am yet to know the reason i was placed in your Hanguang-jun's room rather then in a medical ward."

"Oh! That um- actually.... We don't really know ourselves. Hanguang-jun had just ordered us to place you there and treat you."

'lan zhan did?'

Hmmmm

"I see. Well, I am actually quite hungry. Would you mind-"

Before he could finish his sentence,  the loud ringing of a bell was heard.

The lan juniors paled, and quickly ran towards what Wei wuxian assumed to be a summoning room, here at cloud recesses.

A disciple tumbled out the giant door, all blooded and bruised.

Lan jingyi quickly caught him and laid him gently on the ground.

Lan sizhui inquired.

"What happened?"

The disciple mumbled out some words that Wei wuxian listened to with half an ear.

This was because Wei wuxian was confused. A bell as loud as this one, which could possibly reach the ears of everyone within sect grounds to hear. 

Something like this would only ring when there is an actual problem that requires assistance.

The lan clan were certainly a huge clan, it was one of the major clans for a reason after all.

So then- why were there only juniors disciples present?

Looking around and moving his head, Wei wuxian searched for seniors of the clan.

'tch. Only juniors.'

Quite a lot of the seniors had perished during the war, but there has still been quite a number of them alive.

Surely the small amount of cultivators Wei wuxian could sense inside the summoning room, were not all of the seniors, were they?

'This is strange'

Wei wuxian could sense the demonic arm inside the room. Based on what the disciple had mentioned, the Lan's were not able to deal with it well.

'How.... How weak the Lan's have become.'

Marching towards the door, Wei wuxian spoke out loud.

"Open!"

The juniors looke at him strangely but their expression soon turned surprised and amazed.

But Wei wuxian did not bother with that, he had an arm to take care of.

Chapter Text

Wei wuxian opened the door to the summoning room and took a look at the situation inside. He ignored the gaze of gold eyes piercing at him.

There were a few cultivators inside, including lan zhan and lan qiren.

The latter was unconscious, along with everyone else.

They were all quite bloody and weary looking. Slight traces of blood on their jaws and around their lips show that they had coughed up blood.

'Mosi likely due to their inability to resist the dense resentful energy from the arm.'

Lan wangji was the only one still sitting with his guqin in hand, playing 'Rest'.

It was quite impressive that he was still up and playing the melody. Though Wei wuxian could see his fingers slightly twitching.

The great hanguang-jun was still standing strong.

But, it was to be expected. Lan wangji was someone who had worked quite closely beside him throughout the war. Always bugging him during every break, asking him to come to Gusu.

He was bound to be used to dense resentful energy.

The waves of resentful energy being emitted from the arm was immense.

'its no wonder they collapsed. But still.....'

The resentful energy was not only huge in quantity, but also very dense. It would make sense for cultivators to collapse from it.

But, Wei wuxian was still quite skeptical. The cultivators inside the summoning room were all those who had participated in the war.

Of course, excluding the junior disciples.

Even if they had not been close to Wei wuxian during the duration of the war, they must have come in contact with even more dense resentful energy at some point. They should have a small bit of resistance towards it.

'Is it because it had happened more than 13 years ago?'

Deciding to thing about it later, Wei wuxian had brought out the flute he had gotten from Mo Xuanyu's belongings, one that belonged to the young man's mother. He wordlessly began playing 'Rest'.

Together with the guqin and flute, 'Rest' sounded very beautiful.

The waves of resentful energy began to calm down, and the arm slowly stopped shaking.

While it still floated just a bit, it pointed itself towards a specific direction.

'North-west.'

Wei wuxian and Lan wangji made eye contact. Both had realised what exactly occurred.

Wei wuxian began to speak.

"Suppressing it is only temporary."

"Mn. Trace its source."

"That's right. Tracing it's source, it's possible to find the full corpse of the arm and find out what it truly is. Then there would naturally be a way to save them."

Wei wuxian very carefully made sure to word his sentences without including himself in the search.

'lan zhan is still strong. I can trust him in dealing with things like this.'

Lan wangji clenched his jaw. His was silently thinking of something that resulted in him gripping his guqin a bit too tight.

It was silent for a bit. While lan wangji gathered himself and stood up in his normal calm and regal- looking way, Wei wuxian's mind raced through many theories.

Just then, the door to the Mingshi opened.

Lan sizhui, lan jingyi and some other disciples who Wei wuxian had left behind entered with panicked expressions.

While the other disciples moved towards the unconscious cultivators, the two Lan's made their way towards lan wangji and Wei wuxian who had been standing close.

"Hanguang-jun! Are you alright?!"

Dusting of his sleeve, the senior nodded. He then proceeded to give out instructions.

"Mn. Take them to the medical ward."

"Understood."

The disciples quickly moved and did as instructed. All this while, Wei wuxian stood towards the side and looked at the disciples with a complicated expression.

Just then, lan wangji approached him.

"Your help was appreciated. Thank you."

"That's no problem. The arm was out of control and i helped tame it, that's all. Since the flute i have on me isn't a cultivation tool, your guqin did most of the work."

Lan wangji frowned.

'why does Wei Ying keep undermining himself.'

Sigh

Letting out a sigh, Wei wuxian looked at lan wangji and began to speak.

"Well, i have nothing else to do here. I will be leaving cloud recesses later today."

Lan wangji widened his eyes. His breath stuttered. But Wei wuxian did not notice this as he continued to speak.

"Ah, but i am quite hungry so i hope your willing to give me a meal to eat first."

It wasn't exactly meal time. Since it was the lan clan, meal times were at early mornings. It was close to noon right now.

Looking down, lan wangji only nodded his head. He then took Wei wuxian's hand and pulled him while he walked in a certain direction.

"Follow me."

'hm? He could have just told me to follow. There is no need to hold me.'

Wei wuxian was confused. He noticed lan wangji's hands that were holding him were in a tight grip. They were slightly shaking, but firm.

Almost as though he was afraid i would leave so he must hold on to me tightly.

Wei wuxian furrowed his eyebrows.

'i had suspected he knows who i am. Is it really true? Why is he is such a hurry? Is he taking me to some secluded place to lock me up?'

But Wei wuxian's suspicion was proven wrong when he had arrived to the dinning hall.

Due to his prior study at the Gusu lan clan, Wei wuxian recognised this place.

Though it looks slightly different, it must be because of the renovation done after the war.

'The last time I'd seen this place was before the war after all.'

While he was quietly thinking he failed to notice the surprised and suspicious looks he had received due to holding hands with hanguang-jun.

As he sat at his seat, lan wangji began to speak.

"I will bring your meal. Wait."

Wei wuxian nodded and watched lan wangji leave. It was a bit weird how the man looked so hesitant to let go of him, but was now leaving him alone in a massive hall.

'He's getting the meal himself? Why not call a servant?'

Well, anyway. Wei wuxian had a lot of things to think about. He could do this now since he was all alone. Well, not really all alone since there were still some clan members and servants around. But none close to him.

Lan wangji would probably take a while since it isn't meal time, his meal would have to be prepared.

Wei wuxian recalled all the information he knew.

Based on what he knows, Wei wuxian was summoned by Mo Xuanyu. The boy told him quite a lot of things already.

About his need for revenge against those he considered family.

Now, Wei wuxian had already fulfilled a major part of the revenge. The only one left is Jin guangyao.

'Its still hard to believe....'

Wei wuxian was someone who could sympathised with the jin clan head.

Being in lower backgrounds and mocked for it. It's safe to say Wei wuxian understood. 

But he also didn't understand alot of the things he theorized jin guangyao to be guilty of.

'There must be a reason for it.'

This was because of the lack of data. Wei wuxian need to investigate all of this to truly know what exactly happened.

'And then there's the third party.'

While Wei wuxian was on one side, Jin guangyao was on the other.

But there was definitely a third party.

Wei wuxian had noticed some people following him at the Mo village. Watching his movements and most likely reporting it constantly.

'Here too.'

Wei wuxian was currently at gusu lan. While it was normally hard to sneak spies in here, it's not impossible.

The war made it very easy since most clans were constantly hiring people for work.

Wei wuxian had already noticed some servants acting suspiciously.

They'd just go about cleaning and doing their regular jobs, but their looks were different from the looks of those who saw him as a new person.

These servants looked at him as though observing his behaviour and patterns.

'Its like their trying to make sure i act exactly as the person behind the third party wants me to act.'

This person's goal is still unclear to Wei wuxian. But one thing he knows for sure, is that it involves Jin guangyao.

'Why else would this third party choose the identity and revenge plan of Mo Xuanyu as a medium for me to be summoned?'

There are plenty of other people who would be more suitable for him to be summoned into. Had it been someone other then Mo Xuanyu, it would have been easier to move. Surely the same person who convinced Mo Xuanyu to sacrifice himself could also be able to manipulate someone else into doing the same thing.

But it was still Mo Xuanyu. The third party still convinced Mo Xuanyu that the only way for his revenge was summoned Wei wuxian.

'And then there's the demonic arm.'

How exactly was this arm related to all of this? No- where did this incredibly strong demonic arm come from?

It was quite obvious that the third party were trying to make him follow the arm. The demonic arm, and Lan's arriving at the Mo mannor and Wei wuxian's summoning was too much to be called a coincidence.

'It was all planned.'

Wei wuxian had already decided that all of this was planned. He theorized that he was forced to be roped into some sort of enormous plan.

Wei wuxian shivered.

'Ugh. I don't want to be part of this. But i have no choice!'

Wei wuxian did not have a choice but investigate. This was because of Wen Ning.

Finding out Wen Ning was alive shocked him. And he knew that this was because of the jins.

This had raised alarm bells in Wei wuxian's head.

'I'll investigate a bit.'

Chapter Text

The opening of the door shook Wei wuxian out of his daze.

Turning his head, he looked toward the door to see the man he had been waiting for.

Lan wangji was standing there with a tray of food. Balancing the tray with one hand, he shut the door and walked inside.

Lan wangji had the same look on his face. Wei wuxian just looked at him.

He noticed the food on the tray.

It was filled with greens and vegetables. Wei wuxian subconsciously grimaced but did not complain.

But, Wei wuxian also did not eat. Because what if they drugged his food? Although he doubted a lan- especially someone as rightous as lan wangji, would do such a thing.

But Wei wuxian had learnt not to trust easily the hard way. He's not going the change just because it's lan wangji.

As though sensing his doubt, the lan picked up the chopsticks that had been placed on the table and ate bits of food from every dish.

He then placed the chopsticks back where it was and drank some tea. 

He did so in a very elegant and graceful manner too. As though satisfied to prove that he would never try to to any misdeed towards Wei wuxian.

Seeing this, Wei wuxian's doubt had slightly decreased. Though he does wonder how the other man was able to read him so easily.

He picked up the same chopsticks and began to eat.

'oh? This is-'

The food- dispite it being greens and vegetables, surprisingly had a lot of flavours.

Lan wangji's ears turned slightly red. Though it was uncertain whether this was due to the food being much more flavourful and Spicer than his usual meals or due to something else entirely.

"Mh! This tastes good."

Wei wuxian thoroughly enjoyed his food. So much so that he missed lan wangji lifting the corners of his lips.

"good. I practiced."

The sudden input shocked him. Turning his head, he looked towards lan wangji and began to speak in a shocked tone.

"What?.... Hanguang-jun, did you make this yourself?"

"Mn."

Wei wuxian found this to be very strange. Why would lan wangji, the esteemed hanguang-jun and a direct descendant of the lan clan, make food for someone else?

He could have called a servant or cook to prepare a meal for him. But to make it himself?

'.....Did he feel bad to ask someone to prepare a meal at this untimely hour? So he decided to make it himself?'

Wei wuxian decided to not think about it anymore. He just nodded and began to speak in a skeptical tone. 

"..... I see. Thank you."

"It's no problem."

It was silent in the room. The only sound was the clinking of cutlery.

Finishing his meal, Wei wuxian cleared his throat, gaining the attention to his companion.

"Ahem. Thank you for preparing this meal for me, hanguang-jun."

"Mn."

Standing up, Wei wuxian dusted off some imaginary dust and began to speak.

"Well. I'll be in my way now."

Turning around, Wei wuxian walked towards the door. 

Lan wangji hastily stood up and- in a desperate need to keep him beside himself, he spoke up.

"The arm."

Looking at him strangely, Wei wuxian tilted his head and spoke.

"Hm? The arm? What about it?"

".... Will young master Mo not help find the remaining body parts?"

"Why should I? Surely the Gusu lan clan is capable enough to do this on your own?"

"..... Many disciples were injured. I will pay for services."

'oh. He lied.'

Lan wangji technically did not lie. Quite a number of disciples were injured. And it was true that lan wangji was willing to pay Wei wuxian should he help.

But still, he lied by ommision. There are still many disciples in good condition. They are most likely to be enough to investigate the arm by themselves. 

There was absolutely no need for Wei wuxian to be here.

Just as he was about to reject lan wangji's offer, he head a noise.

Thud

It was a soft noise. Probably made by someone bumping into the wall. Normally it wouldn't have been strange. 

But, lan wangji and Wei wuxian were the only ones present in the room. The other servants had left previously.

And yet now, there were clear signs that someone was trying to overhear their conversation.

'Is it them again?'

Wei wuxian suspected it to be the spies belonging to the third party. It could possibly be the servants.

'.... They must really want me to investigate the arm.'

Sigh

"Alright. But i have somewhere to be right now. I will join you in your journey a week later."

"Mn. I will leave gusu in 4 days. We will meet North-West. Qinghe."

"Sure."

Wei wuxian stepped out of the room. He briefly glanced towards the crouched form the a servant with cold eyes that made the other shiver and fall in his bottom, before continuing on his was.

The demonic cultivator went back to the jingshi, collected his items, and left the place. 

As he walked out of cloud recesses and into caiyl, he purchased a pot of emperors smile and a horse to travel on.

He couldn't exactly travel by sword with Mo Xuanyu's weak cultivation level. And even if he did, he did not have a sword.

Therefore, a horse. 

It took a while, almost three days. Wei wuxian reached Yiling.

Chapter Text

A very long chapter today!! 

I hope you enjoy!

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Yilling had been a special place for Wei wuxian. He'd stayed there for years after all. 

But one thing he'd noticed, was that this place was always tied with his most happiest and worst memories.

Living happily with his parents. Losing them and living a terrible life in the streets, fighting dogs for food.

Being thrown to his death, only to survive and suffering in that horrific place for 3 whole months.

And years later, to make that horrific place his home. A place where he'd finally found a family who'd accepted him for himself.

A place that turned into their grave. And eventually his own.

As stated before, yiling was a special place for Wei wuxian.

Standing with a horse near the entrance of the small town, Wei wuxian began to recall why he had come here.

He looked at the shop vendors and inhabitants of yiling with a small smile one his face.

'Their the same as always.'

The people of yiling, dispite not helping them, accepted him and the wen remnants, a demonic cultivator and the wen's, the scorn of the cultivation World.

Of course, not because they wanted to, but because they were receiving something in return for all the trouble the so called 'righteous' cultivators had caused due to them stayed here.

'They recived me'

They recieved Wei wuxian. More specifically, his demonic cultivation. 

For many years the burial mounds, as its name suggests, was a burial mound. A place everyone dumped bodies of the dead in.

Over time, heavy and dense  resentment intoxicated the place making in impossible to enter.

But, that only increased the deposition of the bodies. Since it would no longer be possible to investigate the place without harm. 

Obviously, since this mountain that's drenched with resentment was located next to yiling, no clan had claimed the land. Nor did they make any move to prevent demonic entities to harm the inhabitants of yiling.

This was because of the dense resentful energy present, and in inability of any cultivators to help.

Even the great wen clan was unable to do more than place some wards.

The last were the weak wards places by some wen ancestors, centuries ago.

'Actually, rather than being unable to help, it was more like no one was willing to help.'

Wei wuxian did exactly that. He had targeted the wants of the people of yiling in exchange for them letting him and the group of wen's stay in the territory.

Since Wei wuxian was making their lives easier by doing what the cultivators should have done, they were very grateful.

They had stayed there for a year. Of course, with Wei wuxian's charming personality and the actual truth of the wen remnants being revealed to yiling, they were accepted into their fold.

'..... And then the seige happened.'

The seige at burial mounds was still fresh in his mind. The look on grandma's face as she died. Uncle four pushing a-yuan in his hand and telling him to run away while they distract the cultivators. A-yuan's teary face asking about his family, not understanding that they had already died.

All of it was fresh in his memories. This was because for him, it had happened barely 2 weeks ago. 

He'd watched all this happen, died, and then immediately came back to life. He'd lived as Mo Xuanyu for 2 weeks now, and dispite it being 13 years since his family was murdered, it had also only been two weeks.

The grief and hatred he held for this place was easily overshadowed by the loving memories of his family.

This was why he needed to help.

'These cultivators are truly dispicable.'

It had been 13 years since the seige. Yiling had still not been purified. The situation only got worse since they had taken down the wards while barging in and killing his family. And afterwards, they were so engrossed in their own victory to think about the how much the people of yiling would suffer.

Walking through the bustling town, Wei wuxian observed the people going about the market, selling various commodities, living their lives.

But it all held a dark hue of sorts.

Even a non- cultivators would notice a gloominess in yiling. And Wei wuxian, someone who's extremely sensitive to resentful energy in his current body, could clearly see the resentment.

It was leaking out of the burial mounds.

As he walked through the crowds, he felt a small bump against his leg. Looking down, he saw the face of a young girl, about the age 7-9. She held a rattle drum on one hand, with her other hand being completely sticky with all the sugary goodness she must have eaten.

She looked up at him, an apology at her lips, when Wei wuxian smiled at her and calmed her down.

"Where's your guardian?"

The girl looked around. The lips turned wobbly and eyes turned teary. 

"A-niang...."

The child was lost.

Wei wuxian couldn't help but wonder whether this was what lan wangji felt that day with a-yuan.

Wei wuxian knelt down and whispered something in her ear, causing her to immediately brightened up. She streched out her hands, waiting for him to pick her up.

Wei wuxian carried the girl on his shoulders and began to speak.

"Look carefully. Do you see your a-niang?"

The child looked around and spotted a young woman searching frantically, looking at the ground.

"Ah! A-niang!"

The child pointed her fingers towards her mother. The young mother ran towards Wei wuxian in relief. Bowing low to thank him.

Wei wuxian's clothes were those of high quality. She guessed him to be a young master. She involuntary grimaced. Perhaps she had some bad memories.

"Thank you very much, young master. If there's anything you need...."

Raising his hand up, Wei wuxian began to speak.

"Ah, nono it's fine. Please make sure to hold your daughter's hand securely next time."

"Ah?..."

"Well, I'll be in my way."

The mother watched Wei wuxian walk away without demanding anything with a dumbfounded expression as she held her child protectively.

'huh. Perhaps not all young master are as terrible as my baby's father'

Wei wuxian dragged his horse towards the mountain. Because the animal refused to come further in, he tied it up to a tree near the foot of the burial mounds and entered alone.

Crunch

The sound of dead bones, crushing under his feet. The sudden darkness dispite it being noon. The cold air. 

It was all so nostalgic. It felt like home. 

But, the burial mounds was in a terrible condition. It seems as though the cultivators did not bother to repair the broken wards of burial mounds while being too occupied with feelings overjoyed in killing a bunch of non-cultivators, medics and farmers.

Walking into his cave, Wei wuxian looked around. Spreading his resentful energy to aid him. He noticed the place he's scattered his notes and inventions, were completely ransacked.

But there were still a few papers around. Bending down, Wei wuxian picked up some of his papers and scrunched his nose is distaste.

'Ugh. My handwriting really sucked. No wonder they left this behind, it's barely readable.'

Since it had barely been a few months since he'd created these inventions, Wei wuxian remembered all of them.

Just as he read through it, he smirked.

"This is...."

The paper he had, held detailed notes-although messy, about long range silent attacks. Something he could possibly use to get his revenge and not be revealed to the cultivation World.

Haa

Wei wuxian placed the papers back into his quakin pouch and them moved on further into the cave.

He eventually reached the blood pool. 

'Their here....'

Wei wuxian had previously spread his resentful energy around the cave and had sensed much more energy in the blood pool. 

But it wasn't resentment. It was just the normal lingering emotions tied to the dead.

And it's recent. According to the data Wei wuxian had gathered, no one had entered the burial mounds after the siege.

Of course, there is a huge chance of that not being true. Someone must have entered after then.

But one thing was confirmed, no one had died. 

Due to people or cultivators constantly coming into the burial mounds, it wasn't safe to just dumo bodies of the dead anymore.

That means, that these emotions Wei wuxian could feel, were his family. The wen remnants.

Wei wuxian felt his shoulders shake as he bend down infront of the blood pool. He tried to muffle his cries dispite knowing theirs no one to hear him.

Kneeling down, his knuckles were white dur to his tight grip on the pavement nearby.

He'd spent a long time mourning within the cave and only stepped out to do the job he'd come to do after a while.

The resentful energy was sleeping out and the resentment of the dead had began affecting the surrounding area. Both the land, and the people of yiling.

Sigh

"I guess it will take a while for me to finished up here."

He immediately began settings up newer and stronger wards all about the slightly bigger ground of resentful energy. Preventing any more resentful energy from leaking out.

There was only one place he'd avoided. His demon slaughtering cave. He'd theorised that the bodies of his family had been thrown into the blood pool.

He then moved to the centre of burial mounds and took out Mo Xuanyu's mother's flute. He bagan playing an eerie melody. It was quite long, Wei wuxian had beads of sweat on his forehead due to the ammount of concentration he'd given to his task.

When he'd opened his eyes, satisfied as sealing the resentful energy that had become darker then usual.

Since he'd stayed here for more then a year, Wei wuxian knew it was already late evening. Despite the skies surroundings burial mounds being the same gray color all throughout the day.

He came out of the mountain and rushed towards his horse. Streching his arms out and stroking the skin of the fussing animal pulling at the rope, tying it to the tree.

In a calming voice, Wei wuxian began to speak.

"Sorry, sorry lil'brown. Im sure your hungry. I didn't think it would take this long for it."

Rubbing his fur, Wei wuxian calmed the horse.

He then dug into his bag and pulled out some foods for the horse. As he watched the animal eat with vigor, he continued.

"This body isn't exactly all that experienced with resentment. Unfortunately, it has gained a slight resistance towards it. But it's no biggie. My body will change back to my original appearence eventually, I'll survive."

Growl~

"Hehe. Maybe i should eat too."

That night, he had as much as he could and slept extra early. This was because he needed to be awake during the darkest hours tonight.

He still had to remove the curses and possession in the town of yiling. He needed to do it then because he didn't want information of a proficient demonic cultivators existence to be spread.

Completely forgetting that he had literally brought the snatched souls back. 

Chapter Text

He'd decided to stay one more night. In order to make sure the resentful and demonic being or energy isn't affecting yiling anymore.

He stepped out of his hotel room and into an inn to have his meal. He'd normally be quite aware of his surroundings, but due to his slightly fatigue from using more resentful energy then this body could handle, he'd exhausted himself.

'But still. It's reliving to know that due to how much effort it takes, it safe to say Mo Xuanyu wasn't too deep into the demonic art to have seriously harmed himself.'

Wei wuxian was so out of it, that he hadn't noticed the townsfolk giving him subtle glances. 

The waiter came forward and began to speak in a hesitant voice.

"Um. Sir? What would you like to eat?"

The waiter was probably a civilian in his 50s. He looked like a typical waiter with fine lines all over his face from smiling towards customers.

Wei wuxian felt terrible and didn't really feel like speaking until he had food in his system.

This was why he said.

"Whatever on the menu."

"Ah. We have soup today sir."

"Then that please."

Glancing to his face, the waiter spoke in a casual maner.

The rest of the restaurant subtly watching.

"Alright. Your usual spicy right?"

"Yeah. A bit extra though."

Gasp

Someone let out a gasp, but wei wuxian ignored it since it was normal for a diner to be noisy.

What he didn't realise, was that he was currently the main topic on every conversation. All those of yiling began to talk to eachother rapidly with smiles on their faces.

"!!! Of course, immediately sir!"

A short while later his food was bought over. But there was more than just soup. 

Looking up at the waiter, Wei wuxian open his mouth to speak when the waiter spoke up first.

"The rest is in service sir!  Something great has happened in yiling so we're giving out some free meals."

Smiling, Wei wuxian bit into some of his rice and began to speak.

"Oh? A great thing?"

'Did my methods work? Have the resentful beings reduced?'

The waiter enthusiastically spoke.

"Yes! The evil beings have left us once again! After 13 years of struggle, our patriarch has helped us again!"

Ppfttt

Wei wuxian almost spit out his food after hearing such a ridiculous statement. Our patriarch?? 

'What the hell are they talking about?'

"Wha-what!? What patriarch??"

The waiter, and quite a few of the other customers who were obvious listening in on their conversation looked at his with a 'what nonsense are you saying' expression on.

"What nonsense are you saying sir!? There only one patriarch of yiling after all!"

'So it is me. But.... Why are they-'

"The demonic cultivators one? You're grateful to someone like him?"

'Why would they be grateful to someone who bought them only misfortune? The tone he speaks with suggests that they held no hatred towards me. But why?'

Placing a hand on his chin, the old waiter recalled some memories of the yiling patriarch and spoke with a fond expression.

"Well..... I've met him before you know? Unlike his rumers, he's actually a great young man! Every citizen of yiling especially the ones who'd seen him all those years ago, still very much like him."

Wei wuxian was shocked to say the least.

This was vastly different from what he'd expected. 

From what he recalled seeing on dafan mountain and at the Mo manor, the cultivation World still used his invention. And they still hated him.

But... Aren't they supposed to hate him? He was the evil incarnation, the man- no, the monster who killed thousands. 

It was normal to hate him. Wei wuxian recalled some of the cultivators at Dafan talking about him in a negative manner. That was what everyone is supposed to say, right?

So, why was this man speaking in such a way? Like...... He's grateful? Like, he actually liked him?

Wei wuxian was too shock to say anything.

".... I see."

The waiter smiled in a gentle but knowing way, before returning back to his waiter persona. He smiled brightly and spoke enthusiastically.

"Well, I'll leave you to your meal now. Enjoy!"

It took a while, eating small bits of food, but Wei wuxian finally snapped out if it when he'd realised something.

Staring at his meal, Wei wuxian thought to himself.

'There's no meat'

It was strange. Why was there no meat in his plate? When something great happened and he was given food, isn't it normal to give him meat? 

Especially in a meat loving town like yiling, it's quite common to give meat as gifts. And yet, there was not a speck of meat in his meal.

'And also .... Did he also say you're usual spicy? Usual? I'm pretty sure this is the first time 'Mo Xuanyu' has come to yiling. The boy himself had said so.'

Why did the waiter know he liked spicy food? And the meal had the right amount of spicyness. And that isn't normal. 

Wei wuxian is well aware that his level of spice intake is much more then the average. He'd gotten into the habit of making everything insanely spicy so no one would take his food.

It was only a coincidence he'd been obsessed with the taste.

It felt strange. It was as though the waiter knew who he was. But that's not possible right? His body hadn't started changing back to his original appearence yet. It's totally early for that. 

Sigh 

Getting up, Wei wuxian paid for the soup and stepped out if the inn to make some round checkups, when he'd noticed a huge crown around the inn. Everyone had various goods in their hands, giving it to others.

Wei wuxian ended up with both his hands full of gifts, sweets, food, and various random items.

He placed all everything except the food in his quakin pouch. This was because he didn't have a need to store so much food.

He took the food and went to a certain direction.

It was a small alleyway within the slums. A very familiar place. Wei wuxian knew this location fairly well. He'd spent a few years in these streets after all.

As expected, there were a bunch of dirty children. They were all skin and bones. Completely malnourished.

It saddened him to know what these kids are going through.

Going to bed with hunger pains is not a nice thing.

Wei wuxian was unable to help the kids so he did his best and gave away all of his food to the children.

Some of the people who'd seen him give his food to the street children, spread word around and soon enough, that night, almost every child went to sleep with lots of food in their belly.

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Standing at the edge of yiling with his quakin pouches and his horse, Wei wuxian looked at yiling one last time that evening.

"I'll come back soon." He whispered into the air. 

And with that, he left for Qinghe.

Chapter Text

Wei wuxian travelled to Qinghe on lil'brown's back. It had certainly taken a while, but he finally reached a day later.

'If i remember correctly, North-west was definitely Qinghe, should I start investing or search for lan zhan?'

Lan wangji had said that he would leave for Qinghe four days later. Obviously the other man did not consider the fact that it would take three days for Wei wuxian, a cultivation without a sword, close to three days to reach yiling. 

Lan wangji would have to wait close to 4 days for Wei wuxian.

It was quite obvious it would take a while to comeback. But Wei wuxian didn't say anything so it's not really his problem whether the reputed cultivator waits for him or not.

'I guess I'll start investing.'

Wei wuxian went around and asked questions to civilians about stranger occurrences.

Glancing around, Wei wuxian acted as though he was searching for someone. Lan wangji.

But he was looking at those hiding in the shadows and watching him.

'The third party, again'

Wei wuxian had managed to loose them when he'd gone to yiling. He also didn't feel any suspicious people watching him there.

Though the civilian certainly looked at him with strange looks.

'But still, I was undercover while coming to Qinghe, how did they know I'd be here so fast?'

There were two possibilities here. One, these spies had been among some of the spies watching him, and had coincidentally found him here.

And two, the man behind the third party lives in Qinghe. That's why there was such a fast response.

Growl

His thoughts were interrupted by his own stomach.

It was lunch time, and Wei wuxian was getting hungry.

Giving the horse to the barn, Wei wuxian made his way towards and diner to dine in. 

As he stepped into the diner, he noticed a lot of customers eating with anxiety, constantly glancing towards a specific direction. Turning his head the same way he'd seen a combination of people he'd have never expected to see.

Lan wangji and Jiang wangyin.

'Why are they here together?'

Wei wuxian grimaced. It seems he was fated to encounter trouble everywhere he went.

His dear shidi, his younger brother was here. 

Normally he would have been incredibly happy to the the other, but this was his brother who hated him.

Wei wuxian believe that Jiang wangyin's anger towards him is justified. Of course he should hate him. Wei wuxian was the reason for so many of his misfortune and loss.

But it still hurt. His brother who he loved, and still loves so much, hates him. He can clearly handle the entire world hating him. But this was Jiang Cheng who hated him. It feels as though this hatred towards him is tearing apart his soul.

"Sir? Sir!? Are you okay?"

The waiter called out to the unresponsive young master quite a few times. 

Turning around after hearing the waiters voice, Lan wangji and Jiang wangyin looked towards his direction. Their expressions changed from shock, then surprise and immense relief.

'He's safe.'

Jiang wangyin was the first to jerk out of his seat and move towards Wei wuxian. He immediately placed his sword and zidian into his quakin pouch and, streched his hand out infront of him. 

He did this to show that he doesn't mean to bring any harm to Wei wuxian.  

Lan wangji had gotten up stiffly and went towards Wei wuxian as well, standings behind Jiang wanyin like a shadow. Constantly flexing his fingers as though he wanted to do something but something was stopping him

Jiang wangyin noticed how unresponsive Wei wuxian had been and placed an arm in his shoulder.

Sensing a hand on his shoulder, Wei wuxian involuntarily pushed the hand away and looked at the person infront of him with wide eyes.

Gasp

'Jiang cheng.'

His pupils shook as he looked at the hurt expression on his brothers face. Jiang wanyin immediately stepped back and began to speak.

"Don't worry, I will not harm you. It's just that I had been waiting for a while and you didn't show up."

Hearing Jiang wanyin's words, Wei wuxian momentarily stopped his internal panic and curiously questioned

"...Waiting?"

He glanced at lan wangji while say so.

'Why would Jiang Cheng wait for him? Wasn't lan zhan the one who was supposed to-'

Hearing the unspoken question, lan wangji began to speak.

"Sect leader Jiang can come to cloud recesses' three days after you left on your errand. He wished to meet with you immediately and was quite angered when finding out young master mo had already left."

Jiang wangyin turned towards lan wangji with a snarl as he recalled what had happened.

"Angered!? I was furious! I had clearly told you I'd come to cloud recesses' soon. Why did he

 leave?"

'are they really going to talk about me as though I'm not here?'

"Young master Mo had a errand to complete and had agreed to meet up in qinghe."

Lan wangji and Jiang wanyin had wait for about 4 days at Qinghe for Wei wuxian. The Jiang sect leader was very close to loosing his patience as each day went by.

Especially with someone who wants to take his brother away from him.

He recalled a conversation his meeting with lan wangji.

.

.

.

.

.

Jiang wanyin had threatened and broken quite a lot of items at cloud recesses' when he'd come to see Wei wuxian. It was only a day after the wanted man himself left the place.

The Jiang sect leader stormed his way towards the acting sect leader Lan wangji.

Lan wangji had been acting sect leader because Lan Xichen was out. 

'Probably to meet the yellow hat basterd.'

Some disciples where walking as fast as then could and spoke with fear.

"Sect leader Jiang! Please calm down! Shouting is prohibited!"

Jiang wanyin didn't even spare a look and shouted.

"Shut up!"

He stepped towards the main clan room, where lan wangji should be and shouted.

The noise brought the man himself outside. As he bowed to greet him, lan wangji was interrupted.

"Lan wangji! Where is he?!"

"Who?"

"You know who I'm talking about."

'Wei wuxian of course.'

Jiang wanyin knew that he couldn't afford to fight the insufferable man, and forced himself to calm down.

They both glared at eachother.

"Ah, he has left."

Gritting his teeth, Jiang wanyin let out a sharp breadth. He was asking for details damn it!

"I see that. I'm asking where too! You know who he is! How could you leave him alone!?"

"It's isn't that I wanted to leave him. But I cannot force him here!"

Lan wangji was beginning to loose his temper as well. It was already quite well know that the both of them hated eachother other.

The juniors were quote surprised to see their senior behave in this manner. They stayed still, unable to do anything but watch.

Though the words they were hearing confused them a lot. Who exactly were they talking about?

Lan sizhui recalled that the only person who had come in contact with both sect leader Jiang and Hanguang-jun, was young master Mo. Sect leader Jiang had also mentioned that he would come to gusu while they were leaving dafan mountain.

'the only person who left yesterday was also young master mo.'

Whilst he was pondering in such thoughts, the argument escalated.

"Obviously not since he's always hated the lan's."

Sparks began to appear around his hand. Zidian was sparkling with anger, ready to lash out.

In a low voice, he spoke.

"Tell me where he is."

Realising how far the situation escalated, lan wangji had no other choice but to tell the Jiang what he knew. 

"..... He had agreed to meet up at Qinghe in 4 days."

"Why 4?"

"He claimed to have an errand. I did not ask for details."

Now he'd done it. 

"And why not!?"

"The rules-"

'thise stupid rules! It's always those rules!'

Jiang wanyin snarled and lashed forward in anger.

"Became of yours damned rules?! Some rules about not prying!?  And what does that get us. for him to get injured or dead for whatever he might do and we'd never know where he is because you didn't ask him too?!"

"Jiang wanyin!"

"Lan wangji!"

.

.

.

.

.

That was a hectic and eventful day.

Sigh

Wei wuxian sighed. 

"Well, let's sit down first."

He was guided towards the table where the two had been seated at and knelt on the mat.

The waiter, who had been watching the entire ordeal, was quite confused. He decided not to think about every strange thing he sees like the two obviously high ranking cultivators glaring at eachother while subtly tring to get closer the the man who had just arrived.

He approached them and took their order, and then left to bring the food.

It was awkward and quite for a while. The waiter soon arrived with trays of food and placed it on the table. 

"Please enjoy!"

He smiled and left, ignoring the fact that only the black robed young master of the three important people acknowledged him with a nod. Well, this was what his job was normally like. There was no use in pondering about things like these. 

Meanwhile, Wei wuxian, Lan wangji and Jiang wangyin did not speak, and continued on with their meal.  

Finally, Wei wuxian began to speak.

"What information have you gathered?"

Chapter Text

It was silent for a while.

Before lan wangji and Jiang wanyin had come into this inn for a meal, they had investigated quite a bit. Although there were quite a few strange occurances, the most noticable one was the most spoken one.

Jiang wanyin opened him mouth to speak.

".... we've heard about a man-eating bridge."

Pausing his chopstick in the air, Wei wuxian- who had not expected Jiang wanyin to speak, began to speak as he continued to eat.

"Is that so?"

Nodding, lan wangji confirmed. Since they were currently eating the lan remained quiet. Hence why the Jiang sect leader continued to report their research.

Jiang wangyin picked up all the meat on his dish and ate it in one go after noticing Wei wuxian, Mo Xuanyu looking uncomfortable. He chewed for a bit, swallowing the meat.

Due to stuffing a huge about of meat into his mouth at once, he looked similar to a squirrel. It was a surprisingly cute sight for the normally grumpy cultivator.

Wei wuxian looked at him in shock, before shaking his head and ignoring the strange sight. Though a small smile did show on his face. Lan wangji just stared at him with a weird look dispite his facial expressions not changing.

Wiping away some of the meat juice that spilt down his lip with a napkin, Jiang wangyin began to speak.

"Yes. Less than two miles ahead, there's a mountain ridge named Xinglu ridge. Apparently, the man-eating castle is inhabited by man eating monsters. But of course, i suspect the story to be false."

'oh-hoh?'

"Why do you think so, sect leader Jiang?"

Dispite Jiang wangyin looking at Wei wuxian all throughout speaking, Wei wuxian did not look at him once. He'd always kept his eyes focused on his food. Even now, Wei wuxian was fiddling with his food rather than eating anything.

Lan wangji looked towards him with worry. And yet, he did not question anything and continued to eat at a slightly faster pace.

"Because of witnesses. Stories state that those who ventured inside were devoured. But since no corpses were found, it cannot be proven that they had been eaten. It could be false."

"But it's Qinghe Nie sect's land. Did the sect perhaps ignore it?"

Jiang wangyin had now finished his meal. He drank some of his tea. Placing his cup on the table, he spoke with a hesitant and unsure voice.

"Ah well.... Nie Huaisang is the current leader after all. All he knows is to shake his head and claim to not know anything."

Hearing the answer, Wei wuxian froze for a second.

Nie huaisang was someone who had been a close companion for Wei wuxian and Jiang wangyin while attending the guest lecturers at Gusu lan clan.

Mostly because nie huaisang loved entertainment, and Wei wuxian had been a trouble-maker who was always at the centre of anything interesting.

He was perceived as the dumb young master of the nie clan. The weak, useless and good for nothing young master.

It was all a lie. No matter how much experience he had, Nie huaisang was but a 15 year old boy. Wei wuxian was an excellent actor, hence why he was easily able to notice the young nie's hidden genius.

For a man like him to not do anything in such a situation... Either he's already investigating or the story's false.

But then comes another question, Would Nie huaisang, someone who thrives in entertainment, really not know about such a story? No. He must know it. But if that's so, then why is he letting it fester?

Is there a reason? A back story as to why Nie huaisang would require a reputation as an incompetent leader?

'but then again, Nie Huaisang could have just lost some braincells doing something stupid.'

There was also another reason why Wei wuxian had suspicion on the nie clan leader.

'They are not here anymore'

The spies that had followed Wei wuxian up until gusu lan clan, and had been desperately searching for him during his stay in yiling were suspiciously absent.

Do they not have a need to spy on him here? Why not?

While he was pondering, unconsciously setting his food aside and placing him hand on his chin.

He spoke in a thoughtful voice.

"...... Nie huaisang huh."

Noticing the change in demeanor, Jiang wangyin immediately questioned him.

"Is someone wrong?"

"No. It's nothing..."

Jiang wangyin just huffed. He did not want to presure Wei wuxian and stayed quite. Responding in a quite but shocked voice.

"....I see"

Haa

Lan wangji and Jiang wangyin had long since finished their meals. Wei wuxian had finished his last remaining bits in a hurry.

They then finished up their pot of tea and got up to leave the inn.

"Well, since we're all done with our meals, let's go towards the infamous ridge and check it out."

Lan wangji agreed.

"Mn."

The two cultivators picked up their belongings and walked after Wei wuxian, who had already approached the door.

They walked silently through the town. None of them speaking a word. Jiang wangyin and Lan wangji were the absolute definition of awkwardness. They so clearly wanted to speak to Wei wuxian but were hesitant to do so due to the others presence.

Dispite this obvious display, Wei wuxian ignored it and continued walking. So much so, that there was a lorge gap between them.

They eventually split up to search for a bit more information.

Wei wuxian wandered around. He had already asked around for information about the bridge.

Currently, he was channeling just the slightest bit of resentful energy throughout the air.

This was because Mo Xuanyu's body was very sensitive to resentful energy. He'd assumed that he might be able to find a connection from the arm and the rest of it's body by doing this.

Just then, he heard a loud vendors voice.

"Yiling patriarch! Free copies of the portrait of Yiling patriarch!"

A street vendor was loudly advertising portraits.

"Hm?"

'portraits of me?'

Wei wuxian was naturally curious. A vendor selling portraits of the vicious and wicked yiling patriarch.

The vendor noticed his curiosity and looked towards him. He began to speak enthusiastically.

"Young master! These are there yiling patriarch's evil-suppressing portraits of! One for the door, one for the hall, and one on your bedroom! This way, no dark creature will come near you!"

Wei wuxian looked at the portraits with curiosity, which immediately turned into disgust.

The portraits being sold, were portraits of an ugly old man.

'this definitely isn't me.'

Wei wuxian was stumped. He was certainly a very handsome man. Dispite ageing a bit faster than normal after giving away his golden core, he was only in his early twenties.

He was quite handsome. This portrait was very inaccurate.

Frowning, Wei wuxian opened his mouth to speak.

"Um.... This is..."

Just then, a young voice yelled, banging against the vendor in the process.

"How dare you say the words 'Wei wuxian' in front of me!"

A young boy wearing the lanling jin sect robes. It had a pattern that indicated that the boy was high in ranking.

The boy had a vermillion dot on his forehead too. Wei wuxian instantly recognised him.

'A-ling...... '

This boy was Jin Ling, Jin Rulan. Jiang Yanli and Jin Zixuan's only son.

Wei wuxian had only seen him once before at dafan mountain.  The boy had been deathly pale and had lost a part of his soul.

Wei wuxian was not able to see the boy after since he himself had lost consciousness and opened his eyes at the cloud recesses.

The same young jin he had wanted to see, now looked much better and healthier.

Chasing away the vendor by screaming profane words, jin ling huffed to catch his breadth. He then turned around and looked towards Wei wuxian -or rather, Mo Xuanyu.

'ugh, why is he here?'

With a curious and disgusted tone, jin Rulan tried to threaten his supposed uncle.

"Why haven't you run yet?"

But Wei wuxian couldn't speak. He was too shocked looking at his shijie's son, who he was never able to meet in the past. He subconsciously smiled at him.

"....."

Since Wei wuxian did not say anything, jin Rulan misunderstood him. The jin had heard from some Jiang disciples upon waking up at Lotus pier, that his soul had been safely brought back due to Mo Xuanyu. And that he was in his debt now.

Looking at the same Mo Xuanyu looking at him and smiling at him, seemed like the other was mocking him for his weakness.

Jin Rulan had taken his silence in a negative way, and immediately yelled out.

"Are you mocking me!?"

This snapped Wei wuxian out of sinking into his own thoughts. He looked up just in time to see his nephew whistle.

Whistle~

Woof woof!

Wei wuxian knew what sound that was. He knew what animal that was.

A dog.

Chapter Text

A bark rung through the air and fairy, jin rulan's spritual dog bound onto the empty street racing straight towards him, Wei wuxian paled like a ghost and sheer fright overtook his features. He couldn't breathe.

It was a dog. A fucking dog. Of all spritual animals, it just had to be a dog.

His body moved on reflex, running away from it. Because what if it catched him? What it it gnawed at him and bit his flesh off? He didn't even have any food on him right now. There was no reason for the dogs to come at him. It would probably scratch and bite him for taking its food, after all that's what the dogs always did. Wei wuxian was afraid that it'd pounce on him.

I suppose you should have seen that Wei wuxian had terrible luck. Because of course it did exactly what he feared.

It pounced.

A sharp squeal came from the 'tough' Yiling patriarch who fell backwards onto the ground. His fear was finally becoming a reality and he couldn't take it.

"G-Get off!" He tried to nudge it off lightly in an attempt to shove it off but merely found it fruitless, the dog was too strong and too excited.

Actually, the dog wasn't all that strong. It was just that Wei wuxian could not bring in any strength. He so vividly remembered how the dogs would chase him and become the cause of his cynophobia. 

Lan wangji had been returning towards Wei wuxian when he'd noticed the latter's distress and began to approach the scared man. But not in time for the sticky dog to playfully nip his hand causing Wei wuxian to scrunch his eyes shut with a yelp, his body jolting in shock.

Lan wangji hurried towards him, kneeling and reaching out his hands to steady him. He glared at both the dog and jin rulan. 

Wei wuxian opened his teary eyes just a bit and looked towards him.

"L-lan zhan help me-" he whimpered, eyes still tightly shut and hands shielding his face dispite the dog already gone away from him.

Wei wuxian was too stuck in his memories to realise.

Lan wangji held him protectively as he knelt on the ground next to him.

Jiang wanyin dashed forward noticing the commotion causing jin rulan to flinch in fear as he stared at his uncle's terrifying expression.

He saw Wei wuxian being comforted by lan wangji and turned towards his nephew with a snarl on his face.

"What were you thinking A-ling!? Are you out of your mind?!"

Jin ling backed away from his fuming uncle and spoke nervously. His dog wimpering behind him.

"A-ah jiujiu.... It's just-"

Jiang wanyin stalked forward and grabbed his arm tightly in anger. 

"I don't want to hear your excuses. Why did you summon your dog here!? And to command it to attack your saviour!? What were you thinking?"

This shocked jin rulan. Dispite his uncle constantly fussing and getting angry at him, he knew it was mostly out if consern for him. Always backing his shouting was a 'I'll break your legs!'.

But that didn't come this time. His uncle was truly angry, and jin ling was terrified. He recalled the only time in the past where he'd seen his uncle get truly angry.

_

It was around 7 years ago, when jin rulan was around 6 years old. The young boy had been staying over at Lotus pier due to the shared custody Jiang wanyin and jin guangyao over him. It was his turn to say over at the Jiang clan.

Jin ling especially loved coming here. It was much more free than in jinlingai. Here he was allowed to be a child, to run around and play and be the child he was.

But the mood around Lotus pier that day was very much unlike how joyous it usually is when he comes.

Lotus pier look..... sad.

Jin rulan was angry. He stood at the docks, and stomped his feet continuously. Puffing out his cheeks, waiting for his uncle to come greet him and give him his mandatory hug!

The other disciples looked worn out. The senior disciple came towards jin rulan and, lifting his hand in a somewhat calming and soothing maner, began to speak.

"We apologise young master jin, but it seems like the sect leader and found out some shocking news two days ago. He had been locked within his quarters since then, and only to go into the Jiang treasure room."

The senior disciple looked about ready to go in there and dragging their sect leader out himself and make his do his job, but he couldn't.

This was because the treasure room was special.

"The treasure room? The one only me and uncle can enter cuz were special?" Jin rulan questioned. The senior nodded.

"The one only young master jin and sect leader Jiang can enter since you have Jiang blood, yes."

Jin rulan then sported what he calls a 'thinking pose' and began to speak after a bit. He looked up and said.

"Then.... Is uncle there right now?"

"Yeah, he is."

He puffed out his cheeks pointed his hand to a vague direction pointing towards the entire of sect quarters.

"Then take me to him! I'm gonna bring him out myself."

"Young master jin.... I don't think that's a good idea.."

Though the disciple disagreed, wanted young master jin to go. Since he and anyone else wouldn't be able to let alone go near the room that to enter it. They had been self assigned to complete the sect leaders work but since they haven't been trained for it, they were tired. They needed their leader back.

Jin Rulan stumped his feet and puffed out his cheeks again. Looking like an angry chick with his yellow robes.

"Jiujiu will listen to me! He always listens to me! I'm sure he'll come out."

Sigh

"Alright, come along young master, let's go.

"Yeah!"

The disciple lead jin Rulan towards the treasure room and send him off, telling him to make sure to bring his uncle out.

Small feet ran inside the room to see his uncle, kneeling on the ground with open haid. He had year tracks all over his face and looked like he didn't know whether he should cry or laugh. His lips in a weird angle.

I'm his hands, was a small diary. 

Jiang wangyin did not notice him as hee entered the room due to griping the book tightly and was lost in thought. This was why jin Rulan found it easy to snatch the book away from his uncle and read the name on it.

He was still young hence why he took a while, but he managed to read out the words 'Wei wuxian'

Jin Rulan had heard that name countless times. After all, that was the name of the yiling patriarch! The man who killed his parents! Why would his uncle have something that belongs to him?!

Jin Rulan threw the book on the ground and started to step on it. Making it dirty with footprints.

This was when Jiang wangyin snapped out of his daze. He saw his precious nephew stepping on the book and, because of his unstable emotions, lashed out on him. He took the diary away from jin Rulan and held it like it was the most precious thing in the world.

This of course, scares the young boy so much, that he didn't want to see his uncle and ran back to jinlintai.

He did come back after his uncle scolded him like his normal everyday scoldings though.

But he always wondered, what exactly did the diary named 

'Wei wuxian' contain for his uncle to be so protective over it?

Chapter Text

Whimpers tumbled out of Wei wuxian's mouth. Even with the dog gone, he still felt an overwhelming amount of fear.

"Nng..."

Wei wuxian tried to sit up but found his body was too weak from the shock.

Lan wangji pulled him upwards, his arms wrapping around the other's shoulders. He placed his other arm in Wei wuxian's hand and rubbed it up and down in a calming motion.

Wei wuxian continued to grip lan wangji loosely and he slowly started to regain his awareness.

"t-t-that was h-horrible..."

Wei wuxian trembled. His tears were now dry but his eyes were still red rimmed.

Lan wangji patted his arms all around Wei wuxian, checking to see whether the other was injured. He then, quitely questioned.

"Did it hurt you?"

"N-no but..."

Wei wuxian shook his head and squeezed the front of Lan wangj's robes tighter as he seemed to remember something.

"When it nipped- I-I got scared it was going to bite. Just like...."

'just like? Like what?...'

Lan wangji was confused. Did Wei wuxian always have a fear of dogs or was it a recent thing? If so, why didn't he know?

Trying to reassure him, lan wangji opened his mouth and began to speak.

"I won't let that happen. I'll... protect you."

"Thank you..."

Wei wuxian whispered back, not caring that he was thanking lan wangji of all people. The other just shook his head. 

Just then, Jiang wangyin stomped his way towards the duo who were kneeling on the ground.

He knelt down before them and, just like how he'd done in the past, raised his arms and spoke in a gentle yet firm voice.

"It's gone. It won't come back. I'll make sure of it."

Wei wuxian looked towards Jiang wangyin, still looking slightly dazed, and nodded his head in thanks. He then grabbed the hand that reached out for him and stood up on his feet. Jin Rulan was nowhere in sight. Perhaps he had gone away?

Ignoring the gazes of the civilians, the three of them seemed to be in their own world. While two were part worried and part busy glaring at each other. The other had his mind racing with thoughts.

In a weirdly chaotic but calm mind, wei wuxian thought to himself.

'Does he know?'

The Jiang wangyin that Wei wuxian knew was never gentle with anyone. Mainly because he thought that being gentle never helped anyone. That he would rather be Stern and teach rather that be gentle and give them a hug.

But there was only a few time where Jiang wangyin would give in and be gentle. And that would be with Jiang Yanli and him.

Especially when dogs are involved. 

Of course, all this was before his defect from the sect. And definitely before Jiang Yanli's wedding.

There was no reason for him to be gentle anymore.

But now, Jiang wangyin was being gentle with someone that not Jiang Yanli or Jin Rulan.

To him.

It didn't make any sense. Jiang wangyin was supposed to hate him. Had hated him. 

'Did he perhaps know Mo Xuanyu? No. When i inquired about the Jiang sect, Mo Xuanyu was quite clueless and only told me things the general public would normally know. So it's definitely not that. Then what-'

He was shaken out of his thoughts by lan wangji's words.

"Should we continue our search?"

Hearing this, Jiang wangyin looked like he wanted to punch the other man before Wei wuxian interrupted.

"Yeah. But let's just follow the arm for now. It'll be much quicker. We're pretty sure another part is in Qinghe anyway."

Reluctantly, Jiang wangyin accepted. The three of them moved out of civilian area and into a forest nearby.

Wei wuxian took the quakin pouch that contained the demonic arm from lan wangji, and removed the now trembling arm. It moved harshly, so much so that Wei wuxian couldn't hold on to it anymore.

The demonic arm had wisps of resentful energy all around it and was breaking control. 

Jiang wangyin sent out a string of spritual energy and immediately suppressed it on the ground. Taking his flute out, Wei wuxian began to play a melody. 

With Jiang wangyin suppressing the arm and Wei wuxian playing a melody, lan wangji stood guard.

The arm took some time to calm a bit, but it eventually did and pointed towards another direction.

This direction was towards where another body part could be held.

Since all these of them were skilled, high level cultivators, they wordlessly moved in the direction pointed out. Being extremely cautious.

They reached the dome like structure that was covered in moss. It looked like the obviously carefully made structure wasn't maintained very well. 

But Wei wuxian could see that there had been some sort of work done to the dome quite recently. Perhaps a few years ago. 

He stepped forward and touched the wall of the dome, when suddenly, the ground shook. 

Lan wangji and Jiang wanyin immediately moved to support Wei wuxian. Just then, the wall broke and the three of them fell into the dome.

Immediately, thousands of voices screamt in Wei wuxian's ears. He immediately staggered and held his hands to his ears to try and block the noise dispite knowingly it wouldn't work.

Lan wangji began to speak worriedly.

"What happened?"

He shook his head. "Nothing, it's just a bit loud."

"Loud? It's so quite though?"

Ah. Just then, Jiang wanyin understood. It's because of the resentful energy. 

The only reason could be resentful energy. That would mean that there was something here. 

".... The Nie clan is getting more and more suspicious."

Jiang wanyin murmured. 

Chapter Text

Outside lay a small price of bricks and mud, looking as though it was freshly broken down. Wei wuxian noticed this and narrowed his eyes. The three of them ventured further into the suspicious cave. Wei wuxian gritted his teeth and continued on his way, trying to ignore the pounding in his head. Jiang Wanyin and Lan Wangji glanced at him from time to time while staying in guard. 

What baffled them the most was the heavy amount of resentment in the air.

Jiang Wanyin spoke and he approached the room covered in dust and webs, "The nie clan had been dwindling in power after Nie mingjue's death. I'd always thought that Nie Huaisang seemed a bit too cowardly for an heir before and now as a sect leader, but to think he was experimenting on resentful energy....." He moved towards the tombs and brushed off some of the dust. Lan Wangji moved closer towards him and the two of them opened the tomb.

"Mn. Could also be storage of resentful entities and items." Lan Wangji said as the second the tomb was opened, the resentment seemed stronger.

"Storage? Yeah, possibly." Jiang Wanyin looked inside the tomb with contained a saber. Confirming his suspicion on the Nie sect since they were the only sect to use sabers.

At that moment, Wei wuxian spoke up, "No, the Nie sect has always been like this."

The other two snapped toward him on hearing his voice. Wei wuxian was looking towards the walls of the cave while furrowing his eyebrows. There was something in there that rubbed him the wrong way.

"What do you mean always?" Jiang Wanyin questioned. 

"There was always a layer of resentment surrounding those of the Nie sect. Without any proper knowledge of how to use both spiritual and resentful energy, the sect stayed like useless brutes with no brains. Perhaps if Huaisang had used the saber enough to know how to cultivate with it, he could have done some research....."

Wei wuxian approached the sabers and looked at them blankly. He then craned his neck just slightly towards the other's and smiled, "There's a reason why Nie cultivators die young, mostly due to qi deviation."

Before anyone could say anything, barks echoed throughout the cave.

Fairy, Jin Rulan's spritual dog was near the entrance barking loudly. It couldn't step into a place filled with resentment and barked to gain their attention. Wei wuxian immediately stiffened up but did not move a muscle. 

Glancing at lan wangji and giving him a signal to stay with his brother, Jiang Wanyin went toward the hole they made. After a little bit, he soon came in after sending Fairy away.

He looked pale and angry. There was fear all over his face and his hands were gripped tightly, making his knuckles turn white. 

"What's wrong?" Wei wuxian asked. There was only one reason Fairy would be there without her owner. Something had happened to Jin Rulan. Seeing Jiang Wanyin's expression only confirmed it.

Sighing deeply, he said, "That idiot nephew of mine came here. Even though I told him to scram...."

Lan Wangji unwrapped his guqin and began to play inquiry. It was the right decision since Wei wuxian had said that it was loud only meant that there were many spirits in the cave. 

He found one willing to talk. He questioned it on the whereabouts of Jin Rulan and had received an answer.

"Well? What does it say?"

Lan Wangji looked towards Wei wuxian and nodded, "From your position, take a step at every note. It will guide you to young master Jin." 

"Alright. Tell them to go ahead."

"Mn." Playing a few more notes, lan Wangji began to observe as the spirit of the helpful ghost guided them, toward the wall?

Wei wuxian knocked on the surface if the wall. Feeling it to be quite hollow, he looked at Jiang Wanyin, "Break this. Be careful though." He walked towards the wall and using his sword, broke it down.

Gasp!

Jiang Wanyin immediately went towards the wall and moved the chunks away. Jin Rulan was laying unconscious and was somehow trapped inside. 

Placing his hand on his chin Wei wuxian mumbled, "I see....." 

"Mn?" Lan Wangji said, curious about the soft words spoken by the love of his life. He looked towards Wei wuxian as he wrapped up his quqin. 

"I suspect that Jin Rulan broke down the wall outside. The resentment within this place was what dragged him inside and used him as a substitute for the body that was lost." He turned his head and looked at the walls, pointing at his with his head. "There are plenty more corpses within as well. The spirit you spoke to was likely to be one of them."

Gripping onto the boy a little tighter, Jiang Wanyin whispered, "Then the tomb robbers........" Connecting all the information he had gathered prior to coming here. He lifted Jin Rulan up and out of the tomb. Wei wuxian and lan Wangji following him. The Jiang sect leader placed him on the ground and seated comfortably. Lifting his arm and placing the other on the boy and began sending a steady stream of spritual energy. Just then, they heard rustling of leaves from behind. Snapping their heads in that direction they saw a figure running away. Wei wuxian nodded at Lan Wangji and the white robed man went after their mysterious tail. 

Sighing, Wei wuxian seated himself on the other side of Jin Rulan and lifted his arm in a similar manner. Except that instead of releasing spritual energy, he spread a thin layer of resentment instead. Jiang Wanyin tensed and watched him like a hawk, but didn't saw a word.   A gentle dark mist surrounded the boy, enveloping his entire body which making it hard to distinguish any features. Slowly, the rentment began to gather towards his leg. Glancing at Jiang Wanyin, Wei wuxian moved towards Jin Rulan's leg and tore the cloth. 

Well. "I suppose it's best you take him to Yunmeng and give him lots of spritual energy concentrated in his leg. With multiple healers working it would only take barely two days to heal it."

"Alright. What are you going to do now?"

"Find the missing body parts I suppose." He shrugged. That wasn't completely true. He was only doing this because it seems as though it would lead him to finding out a bit about what had happened all those years ago. 

Jiang Wanyin scrowled. "Why are you even doing that? It's the Lan's problem, isn't it? Why are you cleaning up their mess." Because really, all of this wasn't any of Wei wuxian's business in the first place. At dafan mountain, he had already found out that Wei wuxian was the one who helped the Lan's. He had no duty to continue helping them.

"According to lan Wangji's own words, they didn't have any seniors in hand and needed my help in finding this man's missing body." Wei wuxian smirked, laughing a little about the ridiculous excuse he had gotten back then. He was almost sure that the both of them knew his identity, but he was in no way going to reveal it to them. 

The sect leader scoffed. "Heh, what nonsense. As if the Lan clan has any decrease in number. Being one of the four great sects, the Lan's have a good inflow of newcomers. They also did not have all that many casualties during the war and after when compared to the Jiangs." Shaking his head, Jiang Wanyin lifted his nephew once again and took out his sword and stood on it. He turned his head towards Wei wuxian with a small smile and opened his mouth to speak one last time.

"Well meet again, i have a lot of things to say to you after all." Perhaps it was the gentle but determined gaze the man held, perhaps it was the desperation he had felt all throughout their travel. Or perhaps it was his own selfishness of wanting to be close to the man he considered his brother and family no matter how the other hated him. Wei wuxian didn't say anything, but he nodded firmly. His action gave Jiang Wanyin hope that perhaps, he could fix things just a bit.

After all, Jiang Wanyin was prepared to go his whole life with Wei wuxian never forgiving him, a chance like this was a miracle.

Chapter Text

Wei wuxian sighed as he watched his brother leave with Jin Rulan safe in his arms. He had originally wanted to transfer the curse to himself but decided against it. This was because for one, Jiang Wanyin was watching him so he couldn't do it secretly. And two, with Jin Rulan bearing the curse, he could get Jiang Wanyin to leave him alone at least for a short while. It wasn't as though he was annoyed with his presence or anything else, but rather that he had some work to do.

Now if only i find a way to get rid of lan zhan......

Shaking his head, Wei wuxian thought about what happened just now. The person who was here was definitely the 3rd party that has been following him ever since he had come back to life. So far, they hid their presence very well. So much so that two strong cultivators like Jiang Wanyin and Lan Wangji did not notice them.

But now they were suddenly careless? No that's not possible. The 3rd party was someone who was very cautious in whatever they did. This is proved by Mo XuanYu's manipulation and the perfect timing of the demonic arm and lan juniors arriving at the Mo village. There was no way they could suddenly be this careless. That means that either they came here having no choice, or they came here in purpose.

Though I'm definitely leaning towards the latter.

It could be possible that the person who was just here to be the mastermind behind all this. 

Wei wuxian walked back towards the stone castle and bent his knees. He placed his palms on the ground and summoned resentment from his seals and spread it around the entire forest just like he had done to find the arm that had escaped to dafan mountain. He furrowed his eyebrows in concentration and stayed that way for a while. Wei wuxian recalled the feeling of the arm and looked for any similar presence nearby. He was currently hyper aware of everything that happened around him. He felt a tug and stood up with his eyes still closed and a string of resentment pulling his outstretched hand. 

He was lead back to the stone tomb but this time, towards the wall. 

So it's in one of the corpses?

Wei wuxian opened his eyes and took out Mo XuanYu's mother's flute and began to play a melody. His eyes turned red. A big mass of resentment appeared from the forest and rammed onto the cave, breaking it. He went towards the corpses and began removing bits of ther clothes to check for mismatched ones and soon found a body that did not match the legs. Sensing the familiar resentment from it, he realised that this was a part of the Demonic arm's body.

He separated the legs and took the rest of the bodies and buried them nearby. Pressing his palms together and paying respects to the dead who had spend so long without being given a proper burial. Then he walked back to the legs and took out the flute once again and played a tune. It was a simple but melodic tune that mixed up the resentment but calmed it as well. He did this to avoid the legs going wild on reuniting with the arm. After doing so, he plopped in the ground and observed the legs.

"Hmmmm........." the legs were clearly well built and packed with muscle. It was a bit more that what a regular cultivator would have so it much have belonged to either a muscle mania, or a Nie.

If it was a Nie though.... some things would made a bit more sense. Storing the legs into a quakin pouch, Wei wuxian stood up and dusted his clothes. He looked around to see the stone castles in a complete mess. 

Well, for the faults of the leader the innocent shouldn't suffer. Perhaps I'll help them out this one time.

Wei wuxian calmed the saber spirits and left the place. That would keep it calm and not harm any Nie cultivators for at least a week. It was enough time for the sect to rectify this problem and save themselves. Wei wuxian did not feel the least bit sorry for breaking the Nie's property. This was because he was currently quite angry. 

He went into town to spot lan Wangji walking towards his direction. The other noticed him and stopped walking and instead waited for him to catch up. 

"So? Did you find out who it was?"

"Mn." He said and showed a piece of cloth that belonged to the mysterious spy of theirs. It was a cloth that had nie colors. Wei wuxian grimaced.

That asshole....

Noticing his expression, lan Wangji frowned. He turned around immediately and walked away. Lan Wangji walked a bit but turned around upon noticing Wei wuxian not following him. He glanced at him and said, "Follow me." Ah. Well. At least his vocabulary increased a little. Wei wuxian chuckled lightly and followed. He walked beside him in a slightly less tense pace.

"They want their identity to be hidden." Lan Wangji said. 

"Who? Our little spy?"

"Mn"

"Hmmmm......" Wei wuxian hummed. Perhaps he was going to reveal the truth about the stone castles? It was definitely a guarded secret so he probably wanted to shut up the witnesses for this. It was unfortunate that the ones who discovered it all was strong cultivators like Lan Wangji and Jiang Wanyin. With these two around, it wasn't possible for them to harm me. 

Well, even if i didn't have their protection i could still be able to defend myself. The only reason I wasn't attacked even though there were people nearby in the forest was because he told them not too.

They reached the room and stepped inside. Wei wuxian could see that the screen within the room was pulled with the shadow of someone visible through it. Lan Wangji closed the room and locked it securely. The two of them sat down and faced the mysterious spy. The person across pulled away the door and flapped his fan nervously all around.

"Ahhh! I don't know. I don't know. I really really don't know!" Nie Huaisang said. He looked wildly between Wei wuxian and lan Wangji. His fingers trembling and his shoulders shaking. His entire being looked the very picture nervousness and 'i don't know'. 

Wei wuxian smirked. He knew exactly what this was. After all, he'd seen a less impressive version of this all throughout classes at cloud recesses years ago. His hands clenched tighter and shook slightly. His glare turning sharper towards the Nie sect leader. The other jumping and flinching in fear, even if it was fake. Nie Huaisang hunched his shoulders and cowered away from him and looked towards lan Wangji with a lost look.

"W-wasn't sect leader Jiang with you as well?" He said. Words jumbling up even more. Wei wuxian decided to stop staying silent.

"Ah.... Well let's just say a small incident occured just then." He titled his head and gave his own version of a 'bright! Pure! I don't know anything!' innocently with a tad bit too-wide of a smile on his face.

"But sect leader Nie already knows what it is, don't you?"

Chapter Text

"But sect leader Nie already knows what it is, don't you?" Wei wuxian said with an almost maniacal grin on his face. Though his face looked both psycho and innocent at the same time, his eyes said a whole different story. Wei wuxian's silver eyes began to have a little red bleed into it, painting a very scary picture. 

Nie Huaisang jumped and hid behind his fan. He shook his head and whimpered, "I only happened to pass by.... I really don't know anything..."

"Oh but you do~ i know it very well." Wei wuxian said. He wasn't going to be convinced with Nie Huaisang's pathetic acting. Once you realise someone is acting, it's very easy to notice every single act they pull off. That was what it was like for wei wuxian who had seen his classmates act for many years. 

Seeing how the conversation wasn't going the way he wanted, Lan Wangji glanced at the two and decided to speak.

"What exactly is the Qinghe Nie sect's goal in building the man-eating castle on the Xinglu ridge?" He asked, his golden eyes staring coldly at the nervous man. The other shook his head and darted his eyes about, as though searching for an answer to escape from this conversation.

"Where those people killed by the Nie clan? Why are they stored within the walls?" Lan Wangji asked. Well, more like demanded. Both Wei wuxian and Lan Wangji did not allow the sect leader any escape. The man eventually dipped his head and spoke, giving up on resisting.

"That place is..... my sect's ancestral burial ground."

"Burial ground? With sabers instead of corpses?" Wei wuxian questioned. He knew the Nie cultivators had something to do with resentful energy as he could sense them very well after becoming a demonic cultivator. It seems it was true that the sect was filled with nothing but brainless brutes if this was the only method they could think of to keep the rentment filled sabers on check.

"A-ah! I can explain! I can really explain!" Nie Huaisang said loudly after looking at the two's expressions darken. He looked down and refused the face them and blurted out the sect's truth and the origin of the saber hall. He told them about the tomb robbers and their unfortunate fate as well. He looked drained as he neared the end of his speech.

"Hanguang-jun and you..... You mustn't tell anyone else about this.... And please tell sect leader Jiang to keep this a secret as well. For the sake of a past friend..." He said pitifully... "I'll send a letter to sect leader Jiang as well, but you really mustn't tell anyone!" 

He mumbled the same sentence over and over again, and soon left the room, leaving Wei wuxian and Lan Wangji in deep thought.

I don't think he knows about the whereabouts of the remaining body parts...Wei wuxian thought.

He was quite confused after meeting his past classmate. Despite not having any proper proof, he could confirm that the leader of the 3rd party was Nie Huaisang and that he was the one who released the demonic arm at Mo village. But with the further discovery of the parts, it feels like the arm was the only one Nie Huaisang knew the whereabouts of. The man did not seem to know that the legs were at the very place he called ancestral burial grounds.

But something like following after the trail could easily be done by the Nie themselves.... Was it really necessary for them to involve me? And perhaps even lan zh- Wangji?

Wei wuxian furrowed his eyebrows in thought. Mo Xuanyu wanted revenge on Jin Guangyao, he summoned Wei wuxian and told him about Wen Ning which was definitely something that made him hold a grudge against the Jin. Seeing how Nie Huaisang was the the one who used Mo Xuanyu and manipulated him, it made sense to think that Nie Huaisang had something against the Jins as well and wanted his help in revealing whatever it was.

He was pretty sure that seeing himself and Lan Wangji investigating about the ridge wasn't a part of his plan and that he had somehow sent Jin Rulan there to distract them. Probably by making his men whisper about the rumours near him in a desperate move to avoid the two from finding out. Well, not like that worked anyway. 

Back when he was searching for the legs, there were definitely some spies around. While they couldn't possibly know what exactly Wei wuxian was doing with the safety measures he took, Nie Huaisang could guess that the destruction was his doing.

Lan Wangji had captured the Nie sect leader immediately and had placed him in this room for a while now so there was no way he could know about Wei wuxian destroying the ancestral grounds. He would have just received the news and is probably panicking right about now.

Well, at least this will make him use that brain of his now and be busy for a week at max.

Wei wuxian sighed and massaged his forehead that had begun to hurt. A hand touched his forearm, snapping him out of his of his daze. He looked to his side to see Lan Wangji staring at him. His brows furrowed slightly, yet he didn't say anything and just stared.

"What is it?" Wei wuxian asked. Lan Wangji pursed his lips and then let his arm grip onto Wei wuxian tighter. "Is something wrong?" He questioned. 

"..... Do you believe him?"

"No. Very suspicious."

"Hm. I suspect we would find out more from the person we're searching for itself. It's best we continue and finish this up faster." Wei wuxian stood up after saying that and turned towards the door. He opened it and said. "Head to the Yueyang Chang clan next, I'll go to Yu City."

Lan Wangji immediately stood up in a panic and held his hand, preventing him from moving. Wei wuxian pulled a bit to break free but failed. The lan arm strength truly deserves it's name. No matter how much he pulled, Lan Wangji held on tightly. But the man only pursed his lips-- it almost looked like he was pouting, but didn't say anything for a while.

Getting irritated, Wei wuxian sighed and turned around to face the other. He raised his eyebrows and asked. "Do you have something else to say? Ah, if your wondering about sect leader Jiang, he's gone back to Yunmeng with Jin Rulan to treat him." Lan Wangji's hold on him loosened so Wei wuxian pulled again, but as though the other just realised he had loosened his grip, tightened it again. He let out a breath and stared at Wei wuxian with his golden eyes that held a strange desperation.

"Not that." He shook his head.

"Then what it it?"

"Why are we separating?" Lan Wangji asked, confused. They had been together all this while, why was there a need to separate now? Why was Wei wuxian leaving him and going his separate way? Was he tired of him? Did he not want to stay beside his without jiang Wanyin acting as a buffer? 

Wei wuxian stared at him as he went through his inner turmoil for a bit. " Why not?" He said simply. 

"Wei Ying...." Lan Wangji muttered, confirming to Wei wuxian that he did indeed knew who he was. Wei wuxian showed no indication to have heard what he said and instead used some resentful energy to send a shock to Lan Wangji's arm that still held him, causing the other to let go with a pained look. Though Wei wuxian wondered whether that was from the jolt he had just sent or from something else.

The demonic cultivator fixed his robes and turned his head away and cleared his throat.

"Pleas do not forget that I'm only here to help you find the remaining part of the body. Hadn't you said so yourself that Gusu Lan clan did not have enough people on hand to help so you required my assistance? We are both individually strong enough to manage on our own so there is no need to waste our time around." He said sternly. Mo Xuanyu was known to be weak, but since he has met Lan Wangji, Wei wuxian had not shown many weak sides so it was clear the man understood he was capable enough to do this. 

"You can take the arm since i can sense where the remaining parts are though my cultivation. I'll send you a message on where we'll meet again." And then he left the room, leaving the increasingly panicking Lan cultivator alone.

Chapter Text

Lan Xichen walked on the familiar path through town that leads towards the gates of the  Lanling Jin sect. He watched the street vendors smile in greetings having recognised him due to his constant visiting's and go about their business. The children ran around the place freely while their mother's watched with smiles on their faces. Lan Xichen smiled. Had it been a few years ago, no woman could have come outside like this and live peacefully. He let out a satisfied hum as he felt pride about his sword brother's great actions on making the Jin sect a better place.

He walked leisurely and calmly reached the gates. He smiled as he witnessed the guards bowing infront of him with unsurprised looks. They were very used to his appearance since he was the only sect leader who visited this often. Even sect leader Jiang didn't visit often despite his own nephew living here.

"Welcome, sect leader Lan." The guard bowed. Lan Xichen smiled and nodded his head.

"It's nice to see you as well."

"We weren't aware about your visit, so i apologizes for our leaders absence. Sect leader Jin is most likely in his office. Would you like for me to guide you there?" The man asked, making sure to be extra polite. It was normal for the sect members of Jin to behave this way. This was because of the good relationship between the two remaining members of the vernerated trio. It also didn't help that the Lan was polite to a fault and always treated them well with respect.

Lan Xichen shook his hand a bit and said, "It's alright, i know the way myself." He then took off towards Jin Guangyao's office. On reaching there, he knocked. Hearing a soft 'come in', he entered.

"Have I come at a bad time?" He said pleasantly. The younger jerked on hearing his voice and immediately stood up with a smile, reaching out and hugging the other man.

"Ah, Er-ge! What a nice surprise!" He laughed, radiating joy at seeing the other man.

"It's great to see you too, A-Yao"

They let go of each other. Jin Guangyao moved his hand and guided Lan Xichen towards the table and peaked out the door, telling a maid to get some tea for the both of them. He went back and took his seat across Lan Xichen and smiled.

"So? What brings you here this time? I recall we only met recently for the conference." Jin Guangyao said as he continued looking through some papers and signing them. He had a teasing tone to his voice with his dimples on full show. Lan Xichen frowned and then smirked and pouted a bit.

"Ah, well I believed it was alright for a friend to visit once in a while, right?" He said in a whiny tone, teasing the good natured man. Hearing his words, Jin Guangyao immediately looks up in hopes of clearing any misunderstanding.

"Of course! Er-ge is welcome here always. But you know that's not what i meant- " he said, but cut himself off on noticing the others expression. He then frowned. Lan Xichen laughed brightly. He still very much enjoyed the cute expressions his sworn brother makes that remind him of the time when they were both still young.

Though they had met during war, Jin Guangyao still had some youthful innocence in him so it was refreshing to see that the man he once knew was still the same.

Lan Xichen shook his lead and moved his arms in calming motios. "Ahaha. No need to get so panicked. The reason I came here is simple. It's because -"

Knock knock

He was interrupted by the knocking the door. "Come in." Jin Guangyao said soon after. The door slid open to reveal Qin Su, Jin Guangyao's wife and the madam of the Lanling Jin sect. She looked at her husband and nodded and then bowed in respect.

"It good to see you sect leader Lan." She said, greeting him with a smile. The lan immediately stood up and bowed in greetings towards her as well, smiling pleasantly.

"You as well madam Jin. I hope you have been in good health?" He enquired.

"Of course. I hope you have been as well."

"Yes, thank you for your kind words."

Qin Su glanced at her husband and looked around the room. She noticed the sect documents on the table and assumed that this meeting was for sect matters. These conversations should involve her so she was quite confused on why she wasn't called. Just then, Jin Guangyao shook his head, telling her that there wasn't any sect business and it was only a bout of friendly conversations. Qin Su nodded and bowed once again.

"Well, I will not disturb you any longer." She said and took her leave. Jin Guangyao sighed. These past few days, his wife had been acting a bit weird but he was yet to figure anything out. He was admittedly nervous to have her around Lan Xichen.

Knock knock

This time, a maid stepped in and poured the two of them some tea and left immediately. The two sat and conversed for a while casually. Catching up with eachother's lives and the lot.

"A demonic arm?" Jin Guangyao questioned, raising his eyebrows and his voice brimming with concern.

"Yes. Wangji brought it back from his night hunt just as I was leaving. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to examine it properly but I certainly felt a large amount of resentment. It's can be confirmed to be quite strong." He said deep in thought.

"Do you know where it was from exactly? Was it on Lan grounds?"

Lan Xichen had only briefly spoken to Lan Wangji so he wasn't all too sure about that. He remembered seeing Lan Sizhui and Lan Jingyi present so it was most likely a case of Wangji helping them in their night hunt.

"Well, I suspect Wangji had only been in the area since I saw some juniors present. So it was most likely from the Mo village." The Lan said as he recalled assigning the juniors the missions. He looked up to see the slightly pale face of his brother. Thinking about how he was probably worried about the resentful being, Lan Xichen attempted to comfort him. "Ah! You don't have to worry. Wangji said he would take care of it himself."

"I am aware that Hanguang-jun is plenty capable of it without any help. He is certainly very strong. But that isn't my concern...." He brought up his hand towards his chin and looked down in thought. He scrunched in his shoulders just a little to give of a slightly vulnerable  look, immediately raising concern from lan Xichen.

"Then what is it?" The other asked worriedly. Was there something he was forgetting?

Jin Guangyao opened and closed his mouth a few times, as though contemplating whether he should speak or not. Lan Xichen placed a hand on top of the others and gave a reassuring nod. On looking at that, Jin Guangyao mumbled. "At the Mo village.... That child also lives there..." He trailed off.

That child? Someone who lived at Mo village? Ah!

"You're talking about Mo Xuanyu, right?"

"Yes. I remember that child had dabbled slightly in demonic cultivation..... Perhaps this resentful being you saw was his doing?" He said softly as though he was talking about the forbidden. It was somewhat understood why he behaved this way. He was basically accusing his own blood brother of a great crime. Something that would be an even greater crime if it involved juniors and caused their demise.

Lan Xichen looked confused. He had been sure by looking at Wangji's expression that it was either Wei wuxian himself or someone new that Wangji expressed interest in. But if what Jin Guangyao said was true, the was that the reason Wangji brought him back?

'Did he carry him because he didn't want to make the juniors do it?'

It was certainly possible with Lan Wangji's good personality. But the way Wangji reacted though....

".... I'm not too sure. Last I saw, Wangji had brought Young master Mo to the cloud recesses." He said, deep in thought and confusion. Perhaps he had read his brothers expression wrong?

"Hanguang-jun did?"

"Yes. Though the young master was unconscious. Perhaps he had been brought in because of his connection to the case?"

Jin Guangyao looked troubled and his smile tightened.

I sent him back on the belief that he didn't remember anything, but the fact that he is involved with hanguang-jun of all people...... Maybe i shouldn't have been lenient and killed him off instead. What if he told him? Hanguang-jun already had been investigated me all those years ago, what if he begins again?

Jin Guangyao put on a thoughtful look now, "Hmmm, perhaps. Er-ge will send me a letter afterwords?" He pleaded, looking at the other with a concerned look. Outwardly showing care towards someone who was said to have behaved inappropriately before. Seeing this, Lan Xichen smiled softly and spoke in a reassuring way.

"Yes of course. You are too kind A-yao, to worry in this situation. Even if young master Mo was..... sent away, he is still your brother. It is only natural that you should know."

"Thank you." Jin Guangyao smiled. He then placed his now empty cup on the table and subtlety glanced at his pile of paperwork. The Lan noticed this and sighed, placing his cup on the table as well before standing up.

"Well, I've already intruded you enough. You have a lot of work, right?" He moved towards the door, seeing no need for the other to see him off since this was a regular occurrence enough to exclude such strict formalities.

"Ah." Jin Guangyao stood up and placed his hand on his brothers shoulder.

"You should stay the night Er-ge."

"Oh no, it's fine A-yao. I'm curious about the resentful being too..... I can only hope Wangji has it settled."

Lan Xichen was worried. It was only natural since no matter how much stronger he is, Lan Wangji was still the same child he practically raised. In his eyes, he could only see the small, hurting child who had lost his dearest people and had his heart broken. The Wangji of now was only a shell of the man he used to be.

If the resentful being brings any harm to him....

"Hanguang-jun is a strong and capable person. I'm sure there is nothing to worry about." Jin Guangyao said and smiled, snapping him out of his spiralling thoughts. He patted him reasuringly .

"I hope your right."

The Lan clan leader left the room and went back to his journey towards the cloud recesses. Almost immediately after being left alone in the room, the dimpled smile slipped off his face. The Jin immediately gathered some spiritual energy on his right palm and leaned closer.

He sternly, in a low voice said, "Minshan, look into my lunatic brother for me, will you? I suspect something's up. I don't mind only seeing a head on my table."

His spiritual energy formed the famous Jin butterfly that was commonly used to communicate through long distances. Jin Guangyao placed a hand over the butterfly and sent in some more energy, turning its wings from gold to transperant. It then flew out the window, towards the now deserted path that leads towards the Yueyang Chang clan.

Chapter Text

Wei wuxian was currently in a small town while on his journey towards Lanling. He decided that there was something else he wanted to do before moving towards finding the next body part. He walked through the streets towards an inn with a slow pace.

"A room for the night" he said as he placed a piece of silver in the table. The receptionist smiled on looking at his clothes that had better quality that commoners as he took the sliver and bowed.

"Of course young master. Would you like a meal to be sent up to you?"

"Yes. I-" suddenly he paused, his face turning serious for a short second that the receptionist thought he had imaged it. Wei wuxian's shoulders tensed a bit before he forcefully relaxed it. He then smiled and said, "Actually, send up a meal for two in about 30 minutes."

"A meal for two, is it?" The receptionist repeated. Then he laughed and said, " Haha, young master must have quite the appetite!"

Wei wuxian smiled tightly at his words and nodded to him before making his way up to his room.

He stepped inside and immediately began rummaging his robes and bringing out some talismans, holding it infront of himself as he faced the door. 

Their here...

Wei wuxian could hear footsteps slowly coming up the staircase. 

Step

Step

The door pushed open. The intruder didn't even bother to knock, knowing that Wei wuxian was aware of his presence. The demonic cultivator smirked at his audacity.

It's probably one of Nie Huaisang's spies. Did he realise that i know he was behind all this? If so, what is his purpose of revealing it...... If he tries to make me act according to his wishes..... Well, he better not.

Past the door revealed the smiling face of man in his late forties. Someone who Wei wuxian was very familiar with. The man who dressed in dark clothes that camouflages well with most backgrounds, stepped inside the room and placed silencing talismans over the door. Then he stood infront of Wei wuxian, ignoring the threatening talismans right infront of his face and smiled.

"It's good to see you again, Master Wei."

"...... Li Pingyu!" Wei wuxian said surprised. This man was someone he once knew during his stay at the burial mounds. Li Pingyu was a native of Yilling and had often spoke to him without any prejudice. Wei wuxian sighed, placing the talismans back into his robes and walked towards the lower table and sat on the mat. He brought his hand out and pointed at the mat across from him.

"Take a seat, you must be tired." He said and began to pour some tea into two cups. The older sat down and picked up the tea, bringing it to his lips and taking a sip. They both calmly sat in eachother's presence without any talk, though they continued to carefully observe eachother.

"So you work for Nie Huaisang now?" Wei wuxian said lightly.

The older smiled, "Well he is one of our only two clients."

Hm?

Raising an eyebrow, he said, "Only two? Even though it's been so long since the war?"

Wei wuxian was surprised. He had expected that after so many years since the war, the other sects had recovered. Some in even better condition now with the youngsters finally being able to implement their ideas without the interference of the old. He has expected the hidden clan to approach the other clans for work. But to think they chose to stay in hiding with only two clients.....

Nie Huaisang's one. Is the other also a part of a major clan? Would only two be able to provide enough money for them to run?

Before he could continue his thoughts, Li Pingyu spoke with a shake of his head as though he knew what kind of thoughts were running through the other's mind. "Ah well, before it was indeed a matter of money. They couldn't hire us for work with the war going on since they were tight on it themselves. But now we choose our clients."

"And you chose Nie Huaisang, huh." Well, Wei wuxian could see why they would do so. Nie Huaisang's was the leader of a clan that was most known for their brawn. With his flighty nature and crafty mind, he could have easily found ways to earn money and make the sect even richer that it already was. His paintings surely would sell for a lot. For a hidden clan who work for money, the Nie clan was a good choice. 

But it still made Wei wuxian feel iffy. Li Pingyu and the members of his clan were good friends of his and often spoke during his stay in Yilling. He knew that they were all good people. What Nie Huaisang was doing wasn't good in any way. He had harmed multiple innocents. Possibly much more that he is aware of. Who knows what Nie Huaisang had done during the years he was dead. The fact that Li Pingyu and the others were a part of these misdeeds...

"To be more accurate, we chose you." Li Pingyu said with a sad smile, breaking him up from his train of thought.

"What do you mean?" Wei wuxian said, pursing his lips and biting on it in worry. His mind travelled to various places, with all sorts of assumptions.

"As I said before, we choose our clients. The war only made us more firm in not working for most clans. Even if it was work for money, we have a preference to at least not go against our morals. Those power hunger clans do not deserve our help in anything. The former leaders all passed while their heirs were still young to be informed about us, so no one major knows of our existence." Li Pingyu told him with a grim look, reminiscing unspoken thoughts.

"When sect leader Nie approach us after finding out about our existence, we investigated him. Being a low level cultivator, obviously the Nie sect leader did not notice us doing so. But that man is a meticulous person. He is very thorough in hiding what he wants. Even we weren't able to uncover what his goal really was, though we have certain suspicions. We found that his plan involves reviving you."

Wei wuxian inhaled sharply. His eyes widened in shock and disbelief. "....You knew he was manipulating Mo Xuanyu?" he whispered. He observed Li Pingyu well. The other grimaced and had a very regretful look on his face. 

Li Pingyu nodded. "Yes..... It was truly unfortunate. We were quite happy that you would eventually come back to this world, but to find out it would be at the cost of that child's soul.... " He trailed off. Then he shook his head and sighed.

Sigh

"We warned him. We told him that he was being manipulated by Nie Huaisang and that he was only a pawn in the man's play. But the boy only shook his head and told us that it was fine. That even though he was only a pawn, his revenge would be fulfilled and his mother would be avenged."

Ah. Of course

Wei wuxian knew what he was talking about. Through his short conversation with Mo XuanYu, Wei wuxian could tell that he loved his mother dearly. She was his only pillar to lean on his entire early years until her untimely death. Then after being mistreated and humiliated at Jinlin-tai, and abused at the Mo manor, it showed that his mother was the only one who cared for him.

To not hesitate to sacrifice his soul if it meant avenging his mother, Wei wuxian could relate to it. 

Wei wuxian nodded and smiled sadly "..... His mother was truly the only person he loved after all. She was very dear to him."

"Hmm ..." Li Pingyu looked at Wei wuxian for a bit. Glancing at his appearance and smiled.

[I will give you a warning since some of what's discussed here is a bit disturbing but it's important to the story so i would recommend you read it.]

"You look different from when you were in Yiling a few days ago." He said. Li Pingyu was actually present at Yiling when the other had gone over and given the place a good cleanse. He certainly looked like everything Mo Xuanyu looked like. But now....

Wei wuxian lifted his hand towards his face. " Ah, you mean my face? Well yeah. I look like a mix of Mo Xuanyu and myself now, don't I?" 

"Yes. Its very......"

"Unusual? I know. If someone looked at me and knew Mo Xuanyu or Wei wuxian, they can't recognise." He shrugged.

Li Pingyu hesitated, fumbling his hands. He gently spoke. "Master Wei.... Why is this happening?"

Wei wuxian looked at him for a bit, staring into his eyes to see an honest look. His gut was telling him that it was fine to trust the other but his mind was protesting greatly. He slowly let out a breath and said, "It's because of the summoning array. Despite being in a different body, a person's brain will come up with a totally different image when they think about their own appearance. My brain can remember what I looked at in the mirror when I was younger in the past. It know that it was different from Mo Xuanyu's face. An inner conflict if you will. You could say this is a way to adjust itself."

The summoning array was, contrary to what others assumed, not made during his stay at the burial mounds. He had actually made it during the war when researching for ways to overthrow the Wen's. But of course, he had made the stygian tiger amulet as well and abandoned the rest of his research. Wei wuxian had been thinking about making people sacrifice their souls to revive some of the dead. But a dead man is only so useful in war when they had strength. And so, he had added in components that could bring back the body as well by using the hosts body as a base. 

Thinking about making people sacrifice their souls just showed how deranged he truly was at the time.

The array was something Wei wuxian made when he was halfway through madness. He wasn't thinking right back then, sure. But that didn't mean he forgot to check through loopholes. While his methods may be crude, they would definitely work. And at that point, anything that works was all he could ask for.

Li Pingyu grew pale. His eyes widened and jaw fell slack. He spoke, shaking his head from side to side in what Wei wuxian assumed to be disgust. "Your bones are rearranging itself to fit your previous appearance? That's -"

"Disgusting?" He cut the other off scoffing and looking towards the side.

Well it wouldn't be the first time.

"I was going to say painful." Li Pingyu said softly with his eyes softening in admiration. Wei wuxian refused to believe it.

"Hm. I won't lie, it is very painful but nothing i haven't experienced already. Besides, this is a bit more complicated that my bones rearranging. The summon array is made with blood and Mo Xuanyu summoned Wei wuxian, the Yiling patriarch. The array is still in the process of bringing me back whole."

Li Pingyu jerked. "That means-"

"Yes." Wei wuxian grimaced.

It means that even now, all matter that once belonged to me would be returning and placing itself in this body. Even the long decayed flesh, bones and blood.

"I see....." The older said. "Is it dangerous? To you?"

"No. This body is already preparing to adapt to my dead cells and will make them come alive again. I will still be completely human. In a physical sense." He said, and then mumbled, "Though it certainly won't feel that way."

Li Pingyu could not say anything. Even though he had seen the notes of the summoning array Nie Huaisang had given Mo Xuanyu, he did not know such a thing would be happening. He wasn't a demonic cultivator after all.

"What will you be doing now?" He asked instead. Wei wuxian glanced at him and said, "Well, it seems like my dear half alive brother wasn't cremated like what was promised."

"The ghost general then." He confirmed. Then Li Pingyu nodded and said with determination. "He is held captive in Jinlin-tai." 

It was Wei wuxian's turn to get shocked. He narrowed his eyes and looked at Li Pingyu in suspicion.

"And how would you know that?"

Li Pingyu just smiled. "Well master Wei, our second client just so happens to be Jin Guangyao."

Chapter Text

"What?" Wei wuxian said. He had an inking that the second client was someone from the major clans. He thought it was the Lan's since Lan Qiren and many elders were very much alive to remember but he didn't expect the Jin's. 

Did Jin Guangshan tell Jin Guangyao before he died?

Li Pingyu scoffed "Well, it just so happens that Nie Huaisang isn't the only smart lad who could find out about our existence with small hints. Of course, neither are aware of the other being a client."

So no then."Hmm.."

Was Jin Guangyao always that smart? Sure he was able to trick Wen Ruohan during the war so his acting skills must be great. He must have been smart and incredibly brave to be able to send information to Lan Xichen during the war too. Wen Qing had told him about how terrible and horrific it really was in there. The restrictions must have been even greater for someone with that proximity to the leader himself. Especially so because he was an outsider. He even befriended Chifeng-zun and Zewu-jun, becoming sword brother's. 

Then again, I was pretty great at acting too and no one noticed my entirely life. Perhaps if I met him I'd know?

Knock

Knock

The maid came up with the two person meal set. Li Pingyu stood up and smiled at the young girl as he took the meal and pressed a few coins in her hand in thanks. He then place the meal infront of Wei wuxian and himself and set everything up. All while the other was still lost in thought.

Wei wuxian was curious about the man named Jin Guangyao. He had only ever thought of that person as a yellow blob or the peacocks brother before, but his curiosity was spiked.

Besides, why the need to keep Wen Ning? And how was he connected with the demonic arm of the mysterious cultivator?

Wei wuxian smirked as he was in thought. Growing excited at the prospect of how someone with similar circumstances turned out the way they did. Meanwhile, Li Pingyu refilled their tea and began eating the meal that was brought up.

"I couldn't help but notice, master Wei. You don't seem surprised to find out about young master Wen's location. Am I right in assuming that you already knew?" He said, and then Wei wuxian flinched, though he'd never reveal it. He cleared his throat and coughed on seeing the food all placed on the table and smiled wryly. "Yes. I knew that."

Wei wuxian picked up his chopsticks and began to eat his food. He noticed that all the meat that was placed in his bowl was removed and placed separately in case he wanted to eat it. Some extra stir fried veggies were placed in his plate too.

Smiling softly, Wei wuxian bit into his food and said, "Li Pingyu. Why have you apporeached me? Alone at that?"

"I wish to offer our services, Master Wei."

"Explain."

Li Pingyu nodded "Yes. Initially our clan has only operated in the shadows. For many generations, our ancestors have utilised spiritual energy to enhance the body and to learn basic fighting techniques, though we do still have a few with no spiritual energy with similar skills. As such, none of us own swords or any spiritual tools. Naturally, we also do not have any knowledge on fighting beings with resentful energy." He explained. Wei wuxian had actually known about the existence of this clan since he was very young when he overhead a conversation he wasn't supposed to, but did not bother to research more on it. This was why he wasn't aware that the actual location of the hidden nameless clan was at Yiling. He sure got a surprise when he stayed there.

Wei wuxian waved his chopsticks and said "I know. That's the reason why despite Yilling having a clan-- albeit hidden, the resentment persisted."

"Yes. When Master Wei had come to Yilling all those years ago, we took it as a blessing. That after so many years of neglect by the other clans and only flimsy wards that were practically useless were placed, we would finally have some peace of mind. No one thought much about the threat you supposedly brought to us because of the hidden clans presence. Your good nature and kind personality only increased your popularity with the people. And now after so many years since your death, you have come to clear the resentment once again." Li Pingyu said. His voice was filled with warmth as though looking at his own son. He was expressing his heartfelt gratitude towards Wei wuxian for helping the people of Yiling with a problem he and many of their ancestors had suffered through for generations. 

"Anyone would do so."

"Ah, don't discredit yourself Master Wei. No clan tried to help and left it all to the few rouge cultivators who came by rarely. The siege had intensified the resentment but not one person bothered to help out for all these years."

Wei wuxian grimaced. He knew very well why the resentment must have increased. It was most probably due to the stygian tiger Amulet. When Wei wuxian commanded his corpse army to attack him as he destroyed the Amulet, he used up a lot of resentful energy, leaving a sudden decrease in the area. But there must have been an imbalance so the resentment from all over must have gathered to even it out, leading to the increase.

I hadn't even thought about the consequences of my death in Yiling.... Even so, he had hoped someone must have tried to help.

".... Even the Lan and Jiang?" He questioned, trying and failing to keep the small hope from his voice.

"Even them." Li Pingyu said. Wei wuxian felt a pang of dissatisfaction. Jiang Wangyin had to take care of A-Ling and rebuild his sect, but even Lan Wangji did not helped out at all? Where was he during the siege?

The two placed their finished meal dishes aside. Li Pingyu placed a hand in Wei wuxian's shoulder and said, "Master Wei. We are somewhat aware of your troubles. If you ask, we will gladly be by your side and help you. You can think of it as repaying a debt."

"A debt huh.... We'll see about that. For now, what information can you give me about Wen Ning's whereabouts."

Li Pingyu smiled. At least he was opening up to him a little bit. "Of course. The most we could find was that he was in Jin Guangyao's bedroom."

Wait what? He keeps Wen Ning where now?

"His bedroom? Really?" He said, skeptism leaking from his voice as he gave Li Pingyu a side eye.

Letting out a laugh, the older nodded. "Yes. We had attempted to enter once when he was away, but there were no actual signs inside. Just that there was a weird sense of spiritual energy radiating from the gold plated mirror."

"Weird how?" He frowned.

"I'm not too sure. The one who sneaked inside was a only a boy so he wasn't sure what it was. He described it as a pull sensation that made him feel like jelly when nearing it."

Jelly? Oh is it perhaps-

"Oh."

"I see that master Wei knows what that is?" The older said looking at the smile on Wei wuxian's face. They both stood up now. Wei wuxian nodded in thanks. "Yes. The information was indeed helpful. Thankyou."

Li Pingyu walked towards the door and just as he was about to open the door, he paused and turned around, then he came infront of Wei wuxian and took the others hand and pressed a small flute in it. It was a plain black flute that looked like mini chenqing.

"Please keep this. If you change your mind and decide to accept our help, use this as a signal. We'll come to you." He said and turned back towards the door. Just as he was about to go out of ear reach, Wei wuxian softly said, ".... Thank you. Li Pingyu."

He smiled and said, "Anytime, Master Wei. And thank you, for the delicious meal."

Chapter Text

Wei wuxian left the village the next morning towards Lanling on a horse he had rented. The money was from the random night hunts he did during his journey. 

A poor man cannot survive after all. 

On his way, he came across multiple villages that were a part of the Jin territory.

Even if Jin Guangyao is a supposedly bad person or did some shitty things, he sure is a good sect leader.

Wei wuxian had come to Lanling and crossed these area's a few times when he was younger. Often accompanying Jiang Yanli to visit Jin Zixuan. Well, more like the peacocks mom. 

At first the place actually looked good. There were no homeless children or beggars, no vengeful spirits and no dangers. Wei wuxian even thought that with so many cultivators around, the people probably felt at peace.

Wei wuxian only understood what was really happening after he reached his teens. Back then, there were Jin cultivators on the streets all the time, as though on a look out. Some men who lived here would come out into the streets but there were no sight of women. Even little girls weren't present. 

The Lanling back then had an unofficial nickname. 'The loveless land'. The only way marriage even happened here was if it was arranged. It was because of Jin Guangyao's effort that the pervert sect turned into a somewhat decent sect. That definitely couldn't have been easy.

Wei wuxian watched as the children freely run about, playing. Business in the stalls going about as usual. There were quite a few music troop and theater groups performing, some which he stood to listen to, frowning.

Well, the performances would have been great had been about anything other than how terrible and powerful the Yiling patriarch was.

All the music sounded very creepy -- but it was good. The players were very skilled. The plays were about Wei wuxian and his 'many horrific deeds.'

Honestly, if plays like this about my horrible deeds go around, its no wonder the youth will forever remember the evil Yiling patriarch. Why don't they make stuff like this about Wen Ruohan? He was even worse that I was....

Wei wuxian had an inking feeling that there was a reason this was happening. Almost as though someone doesn't want the public to keep him in the past. He frowned and left immediately, pulling his horse along with him.

He walked for a while in a normal pace as he thought. 

I'll put some trust in Li Pingyu this time. Assuming Wen Ning is inside the mirror, i need to find a way to sneak inside without anyone noticing...

It was actually quite a difficult thing to do. The Jins were many in number so he needed to do something that would distract them long enough to sneak in and take Wen Ning back. And if Li Pingyu's information is false, he still knew that Wen Ning was in Jinlin-tai anyway. He would still need time to search around.

He glanced around and looked at the market place once again, hoping to find some inspiration. He saw a man bend down beside a dumpling stall and looked under the table. He had fire on a stick in his hands that he was using to light the flame. Wei wuxian's eyes widened and he smirked. He immediately turned and walked away.

The barns near Jinlin-tai blew up with high intensity flames. The people nearby rushed towards the barn and began using water to put it off, only to find that it wasn't diminishing. They even used mud but it still kept burning.

"Oi! Someone get the cultivators! Get them quick!"

"Sir! The mud isn't working!! What do we do?!?"

"Shit! We have to wait! The leader will surely know what to do. Thankfully there was no one inside, even the horses are safe."

"But isn't it strange sir?"

"What is?"

"The fire.... It isn't spreading at all."

At the same time the empty woodshed lit up with the same flames that could not be put off with water or mud. Many small parts in and around Jinlin-tai blew up in flames that caused a huge panic. Disciples ran to multiple locations and tried various methods to put a stop to the fire but nothing seemed to work. They eventually went to their sect leader, Jin Guangyao and asked for help.

"What? Inextinguishable flames? In so many places at the same time?" He said in shock as he looked at his right hand man. He had been signing some papers on his desk that contained deals with merchants when he was informed of this.

"Yes, sect leader. Almost all disciples were dispatched to bring it under control. Since water and mud wasn't working they began using fire extinguishing talismans but we received information that they weren't working." His right hand said. The man who looked alot older than Jin Guangyao frowned in worry. He had soot all over his hands, showing that he had gone himself to try and extinguish the fire but had failed.

"That's certainly strange. Such strong fire being lit up at the same time.... Were there any witness?" Jin Guangyao asked.

"No, sect leader. Only civilians were around the areas that are now in flames. Even then, the places lit up did not have people or animals in them."

Jin Guangyao frowned. "This is quite strange." All of this pointed out that someone was causing these fires to cause a distraction of some kind. But for what reason? What could sending the disciples of the Jin clan going into panic possibly achieve? Were they trying to steal something? Or were they trying to kill someone?

"That isn't the only strange thing, sect leader. The flames.... They weren't spreading at all."

"Oh?" Jin Guangyao was surprised. Flames that didn't spread wasn't normal at all. Especially so in those areas that were filled with materials that burn easily. His curiosity was piked. He stood up and walked outside with his right hand walking behind him. 

"Jin Liumin, place some guards near the treasury and my office. Infront on A-su's room too." He said as he waved him off.

"Yes sir".

Jin Guangyao left to deal with the flames. A small paper puppet watched what had happened inside his office and slipped out the window once again. It drifted with the wind in open sight and went towards the bushes, where Wei wuxian hid, leaning against a tree. The puppet fell on his head and Wei wuxian blinked awake.

"There is so much panic that even the puppet that flew in plain sight wasn't observed." He chuckled. He was actually quite happy on hearing Jin Guangyao's words and sneaked inside. He had no business near the treasury or Lady Jin's room and instead made a beeline towards Jin Guangyao's room. There was no one there. 

Wei wuxian stepped inside and on spotting the mirror, he stood infront of it. With appearance alone, it looked like a regular fancy gold mirror, but Wei wuxian could feel a small thrum. He placed his hands infront of the mirror and felt the small amount of spiritual energy leaking out from it.

So Li Pingyu's information was right.... But is A-ning really in here? Jin Guangyao would have placed guards here if he was, right?

Wei wuxian walked into the mirror, stepping into a dimly lit room that had multiple shelves filled with scrolls and various objects. He covered his nose with his hand and his face scrunched up with disgust. The smell was terrible in there. 

He walked further in and saw a small, rounded object placed on one of the shelves that had multiple talismans in it. 

That was the source of the terrible smell. The smell of a rotten corpse. 

His heart thumped loudly. His hands shook as he reached out to remove the cloth that most likely held a head within it

Please don't be A-ning, please don't be A-ning 

He removed the cloth and let out a sigh of relief on realising that it wasn't Wen Ning. He then gasped in shock.

"Chifeng-zun?!" He exclaimed. The head was the former Nie sect leader's head. Wei wuxian grimaced.

So that's why Nie Huaisang called me back.

It all just clicked in his mind. He understood that Nie mingjue's death had something wrong with it that somehow involved Jin Guangyao. Adding to the fact that the Jin literally had his head inside his bedroom, which weird. Wei wuxian realised that Nie Huaisang probably called him back into the living to reveal this fact. 

After all, Wei wuxian knew that the only person his classmate would do something this grand scale for, was his brother.

He covered the head and went back to moving around the place. He needed to find Wen Ning after all and that was all he was going to do. 

He had a time limit after all.

Upon a desk, some papers with the name Xue Yang written multiple times on it was placed. Wei wuxian did not touch it, but read a few. His disgust grew immensely but this time, not for the smell but rather because of what he just read.

This disgusting piece of shit! How dare he!

Wei wuxian shook his head, swearing to kill that asshole if he sees him. He now knew that the man had a hand in experimenting on Wen Ning, confirming Mo Xuanyu's words. He had also attempted to recreate his stygian tiger seal! 

Wei wuxian then frowned on seeing another piece of paper that contained information about Jin Zixuan and Lan wangji. The papers were quite old too, mostly from around the time when he was still alive. It contained information about when the two met and who else they met. Some lower class people who did not have any backing were apparently captured and tortured for information but they refused to bail out the two. 

Just what were they investigating to have this much research done on them? Besides, these were ordered by Jin Guangshan too and later carried out by Jin Guangyao..... 

Wei wuxian subconsciously lifted up those papers to read more since some words were hidden before placing them back where they were. 

Well, that's a thought for later. I don't have time for this now.

He glanced through some other papers as well containing various information, like a certain paper about Guangyin temple in Yunping, but didn't think much of it. Wei wuxian had gone through the entire room after but there was no signs of Wen Ning anywhere.

Was Li Pingyu wrong after all?

10 minutes had already passed. Wei wuxian had set a few places on fire that was set to extinguish itself after about 20 minutes. He only had 10 left. He turned around to leave the room, when his eyes caught a small brown piece of wood hidden behind a shelf. He walked towards it and with a closer look, he noticed that it wasn't any ordinary piece of wood, it was a door.

He pushed the shelf aside to reveal an old door that looked like it hadn't been opened in many years. He opened the door and gasped.

Inside lay Wen Ning who was bound on the wrists with thick metal chains. Wei wuxian immediately ran up to him and patted his body.

"A-ning? A-ning?" He yelled as he shook his brother in all but blood. He placed his hand on Wen Ning's chest and send in resentment that caused the youngers body to jolt, but unlike what he expected, he did not wake up. Wen Ning groaned and moved in a way that showed that he was doing so with no control.

He looked in pain.

Frowning, Wei wuxian spread resentment all around Wen Ning and found a weird disturbance in the flow. He followed it and looked at the back of his head to find needles sunk deep inside. Wei wuxian's face stiffened as he took the needles off. Wen Ning's blood splattered out with it and fell to the floor. The youngers eyes opened slowly and looked around in a daze.

"A-ning, can you see me? A-ning!" Wei wuxian called out in worry and patted his cheeks, holding his close him close.

"Ma-Master Wei?"

Chapter Text

Wei wuxian smiled in relief as Wen Ning recognised him. "Wait just a bit, I'll get these chains off you."

Wei wuxian looked around, moving his head from side to side searching for a way to remove them. He didn't have his sword so he had to look for another method.

"I can rip them off." Wen Ning said, noticing his actions but Wei wuxian shook his head. "No. He mustn't find out that your gone." 

Ah Wei wuxian went towards a corner of the room to find old rusted keys. He took it and unlocked the chains from Wen Ning. He removed his quakin pouch from within his robes and took out a deceased Jin disciple. He had found the corpse during one of his night hunts and decided to take it as he assumed he would have to do something like this. Besides, he was just another piece of trash so Wei wuxian felt no remorse using his body as a substitute. He placed the chains on the body and moved it to a position how Wen Ning had been in. Ruffing up his appearance to look similar as well. 

"Come on, let's go before they notice." Wei wuxian said as he put everything back in its place and guided Wen Ning out the mirror. Wen Ning was still out of it due to struggling and fighting against the needles that were trying to control him for so many years. 

Just as he was about to sneak behind corridors, Wei wuxian felt a sharp pain all over his body, causing him to stumble. 

Damnit, its already begun?

Wen Ning noticed this and grabbed him --causing Wei wuxian to yelp in shock, and leaped out the window, successfully leaving the place with no one noticing.

It had just been 20 minutes since he entered Jinlin-tai. The fire extinguished itself, leaving the jins with more questions. Jin Guangyao walked into the burned barn and saw slight traces of talisman paper. He was even more confused since he now confirmed that this was indeed a distraction, but he could not sense any spiritual energy in the area. He turned around and immediately ordered his subordinates to search for anything that went missing.

All while Wei wuxian and Wen Ning left the place as they spoke to eachother. Wei wuxian learnt all about what the Jins had done to Wen Ning, causing his anger towards them to increase. 

Everywhere within Jinlin-tai was checked thoroughly. There were no deaths so something must have been stolen but there were no signs of theft. The only place remaining was Jin Guangyao's room. Dismissing his men, the sect leader went into his room and looked around with a tense expression. 

There were no signs once again. 

"A-yao, was anything taken?" Qin su asked as she stood outside his room along with her handmaids with a worried expression on her face. Her husband came out the door and smiled at her gently.

"It seems like I was mistaken. Everything is safe." He said. Qin su relaxed and let out a smile of her own and nodded. "That's good." She placed her hand on Jin Guangyao's forearm. "It's best to not be over paranoid. Why don't you relax for the day? I can take care of some the your work for you."

"Would you?" He asked with a tired but smiling face. Qin su chuckled. "Of course I will. Who else if not me?" She smiled one last time and left with her maid. 

As soon and she left, Jin Guangyao closed the door and dropped his smile. He immediately went inside the passage past the gold mirror and looked around cautiously. There was a chance the intruder was still inside. 

He walked slowly and looked around.

Everything's in the same place. 

Jin Guangyao looked towards Nie mingjue's head and lifted the cloth. He dropped it back down on seeing the head in the same position. He then walked towards the pile of papers and came to a shop. His eyes sharpened and he glared it.

The reports position is slightly off....

The reports that contained information about Lan wangji and Jin Zixuan was slightly moved towards the left. The unmoved dust under the paper was proof of that.  

Jin Guangyao moved towards a shelf and looked at the ground to see the dust shifted once again. He pushed the shelf aside and opened the old wooden door to see the body of the Ghost General still inside. He didn't pay much mind to the changes Wen Ning had since he knew that the undead corpse moved from time to time, still protesting against Xue Yang's needles.

Tch. If that brat was still alive then i could have made him continue this project.

He closed the door and left the room. But now he knew a few things. 

Someone had caused the strange flames to distract and reduce security there. They did not have any intention of stealing anything seeing how everything was still there, but rather came to find dirt on him.

It could be anyone since Jin Guangyao --despite his calm and gentle demeanor, had many enemies. The main problem was that this intruder now knows about his tightly kept secrets. A few of them at least. The investigation on Jin Zixuan and Lan Wangji, Nie mingjue's head, and most scandalous of all, Ghost General who was said to be burnt around 13 years ago.

He stood in his room and clenched his fist. He let out a breath and lifted his arm, gathering some spritual energy.

"Minshan, Mo Xuanyu is not longer a priority, follow Lan Wangji and report everyone he meets. Especially if he has come in contact with anyone from the Jin clan." He spoke. Just as he was about to send it off, there was a knock in the door that caused him to jolt in surprise.

"Sect leader Jin? I have brought you some calming tea on order of Madam Jin." The servant boy said. Jin Guangyao stared at the door for a few seconds and then moved to open the door. Out stood a younger boy who was a head shorter that himself. The boy who held a tray with cups and a pot of tea bowed in respect. 

"A-su sent you?" He questioned and stared at the boy intently. The boy rose from his bow and nodded, confirming his words. Jin Guangyao felt suspicious since he did not sense the boys presence until he knocked. 

"Sect leader Jin?" The boy called out as he frowned. Jin Guangyao shook his head and took the tea from him as he smiled and dismissed the boy. He was probably tired. The boy did not have any spiritual energy. There was no way an ordinary boy like him would silence his footsteps and spy on him.

The boy walked away like normal before smirking. He immediately went towards the kitchen.

"Master! I have arrived! Shall I bring some refreshments to the workers?" He loudly asked the kitchen head. The old woman looked worried and nodded, giving him permission.

"Yeah you go do that A-san. Those disciples were tasked with restoring the burnt areas so their probably tired."

"Of course!" The boy bounced and left in his way, causing the old woman to smile fondly as she was reminded of her own son when he was that age. 

If only that brat came to visit me more often. She thought and shook her head, going back to her work.

The boy, A-san, walked out Jinlin-tai and towards the areas that were burnt. But just as he reached an area without any surveillance, he ducked down and immediately blew a small soundless whistle. Another figure appeared infront of him. It was hard to know whether the person was a man or a woman. The boy spoke in hushed tones to the other and stood up, going back to his chores. The figure vanished without trace.

At the same time, Wei Wuxian who was at the outskirts of Lanling with the help of Wen Ning's speed, placed his arm on the ground and closed his eyes. He spread out resentment all around him and once again tried to find the direction towards the next body part. Then he opened his eyes and stood up to face Wen Ning.

"Well, it seems like we have a destination now!"

Chapter Text

Wei wuxian and Wen Ning walked, following the trail of resentful energy. The two had reached the borders of Lanling quite fast with Wen Ning carrying Wei wuxian on his back and were now on a plain road that merchants and sometimes rouge cultivators used.

It was night time so the risk of merchants and civilians seeing them was extremely low. There was a risk of cultivators around the area but Wei wuxian wasn't all that bothered. The people who had problems with Wen Ning were those who belonged to sects. The only information the rouge cultivators had about Wen Ning was basic information about his appearance and strength. Whatever the civilians knew of. 

The Jin sect had spread posters of the burning of the Wen siblings far and wide so almost everyone knew that they were no more. No one would expect Wen Ning to still exist let alone casually walk through the roads like they were doing.

Wei wuxian had already sent a pigeon to Lan Wangji that held a letter. He had explained that he had some work to do and wasn't able to get the next part so if lan Wangji was done he could meet Wei wuxian there.

Wen Ning glanced towards the side and observed the man next to him. He knew that the person was indeed Wei wuxian since he could sense it easily. There was no way he'd mistake the identity of the person who turned him into a fierce corpse. Especially one that was sentient.

But he certainly didn't look anything like the man in his memories. The man beside Wen Ning did look like Wei wuxian but also not. In the short while of travel from Lanling, Wen Ning had noticed a strange flow of resentment within the others body. His appearance was also changing at a medium pace but seemed to have gotten faster. 

He looked more and more like his old self.

"......Master Wei? Your appearance?" Wen Ning asked hesitantly. Hearing him, Wei wuxian shook his head tiredly and muttered with a pout.

"How many times do I have to tell you Wen Ning, you don't need to call me Master." He wined, slouching his shoulders to give off a childish look but as soon as he did that, he winced in pain. Wen Ning reached out to steady him as he said, "Ah. Sorry, it's a habit."

Wen Ning was a fierce corpse who shouldn't be able to move any of his face muscles. Even his mouth only moved a little that allowed him to speak, but somehow Wei wuxian felt doe eyes being directed at him. 

He looked away and frowned. For a long time much before the war, the Wen's were hated. The first reasons were due to jealousy since most civilians who wanted their children to walk the path of cultivation always put them in the Wen sect rather than any others. Naturally, all Wen's were scorned and excluded in many things. 

The arrogance of the Wen originated from constantly being excluded. 

While many Wen's decided to become arrogant and always had their heads held high to show that despite not having allies, they weren't weak. There are those like Wen Ning who became polite to a fault. The scorn of the other sects were taken by the weak willed and it gradually turned them to be very knowledgeable about hierarchy.

"Haaa. Well, it's not like I don't understand why you got that habit in the first place but just try okay? I feel like you calling me Master draws a line between us. I consider you a brother so..."

"I do too... Jie and you are.... my important people. My family is....."

"What do you know?"

"I only heard whispers. The boy called Xue Yang liked to speak often spoke about things when he tried to..... control me. I'm aware of the siege." Wen Ning said. Wei wuxian knew just how deeply the other felt and how frustrated he was for not being able to express it well since turning into a fierce corpse. While Wen Ning was held in captivity, Xue yang often spoke about the siege, sharing his disappointment in the Yiling patriarch's defeat. He was confused since he knew Wei wuxian was strong enough to easily defeat his enemies but still died.

Guilt filled Wei wuxian like a tornado. He knew very well that it was possible for him to protect the Wen's. That he could have stalled the cultivators long enough without killing them to get the his family away to another place in hiding. He knew he should have done something instead of just watching as the 'rightious cultivators' killed his family, not even bothered that they weren't faced with an army he was rumoured to have. He should have at the very least gotten A-yuan out of there. 

But instead he wallowed himself in his grief and killed himself. The only survivor, little A-yuan had managed to live due to the mercy Lan Wangji showed. But what if he hadn't found his son? What if the 4 year old had perished because of him? 

If only he shut up his emotions and did his job he promised to do then things would have been a bit better for everyone. 

Wei wuxian looked down and said ".... Sorry. If i hadn't-"

"I know Master Wei. I understand. It was mine and Jie's choice to give ourselves up, and I'm sure it was my families choice to be your shield." Wen Ning cut him off as he placed his arm on Wei wuxian's shoulders. 

"But I should have protected them. I had the power to do so and yet.... I chose to run away. I even left A-yuan all alone."

".... I know the type of person you are, Master Wei. I have seen the depth of your grief. I do not blame you so you shouldn't either." Wen Ning said. He looked away and continued to walk their path, leaving Wei wuxian to follow after him.

"A-yuan is alive." He suddenly said, startling the fierce corpse. Wen Ning paused and turned around to see Wei wuxian smiling gently.

"What?" He wispered.

"I saw him myself. Obviously he doesn't recall anything but..... He's alive."

"I...... How?"

Wei wuxian caught up to Wen Ning and the two began to walk once again. "I think it was Lan Zha- .... Lan Wangji who saved him. A-yuan had the courtesy name, Sizhui."

"Sizhui..... Chasing memories. A good name." He murmured.

"Yes." Wei wuxian nodded. He had to admit that while it was a good name, it was a bit strange. Did Lan Wangji give him this name in memory of his family that was murdered by his own people? 

"Was it master Lan who chose it for A-yuan?" Wen Ning asked. He had a small suspicion about Lan Wangji's true intentions since his sister often complained about the two after the Lan's visit to the burial mounds.

"I think so. Through my observations they definitely had a closer relationship that of other disciples."

Wei wuxian had seen the way the two interacted before his departure from the cloud recesses. While there was always some distance and boundaries, it wasn't as wide as it was between Lan Wangji and the other members of his sect. Wei wuxian had seen the way lan Wangji's eyes would soften when he looked at A-yuan. His voice gets gentler too.

"Oh."

The two walked their way making small idle talks. They soon reached a small village nearby. Wei wuxian told Wen Ning to hide as he made his way towards a stall to buy some food. Of course, he still chose veg.

Even after so many years, he just couldn't bring himself to eat meat. Though he feels he was getting better. Besides, with his body undergoing such immense change of returning back to his old appearance, he needed some meat in him to gain strength.

Oh, that reminds me. I should hide my face now that I'm almost completely back.

Wei wuxian looked around the village. At the end of the village, there was a long, narrow split road, leading different directions. Two of them had many footprints so Wei wuxian knew that people often walked by. A merchant was also currently traveling by cart through that road. 

However, the last one had numerous weeds. Among them was a sign that had been split down the middle. Through it he could see a small village. It was also night so not many were out at the moment. He frowned as he walked through the village in search of clothing store. Wei wuxian frowned and looked away.

"Ah." He found a small store that was located in a small alley. The store looked worn out but Wei wuxian could see that it had some decent quality clothing. 

He went towards the store and purchased few sets of clothing which were either clothes that could blend well with nature, or his usual black and red. 

Wei wuxian had always worn either commoner quality clothes of brown and white or the Jiang sects purple. He wasn't sure what his sudden interest in that colour combination meant. It was something he just was drawn to after getting thrown into the burial mounds.

He also purchased a veil to hide his face. While he could hide it with resentment, he was too tired and spent with adjusting to the rapid changes his body is undergoing that he couldn't find any energy to spare for anything else. It strained him every time he used resentful energy but still did so because it was necessary.

Besides, he could deal with the pain as long as he gets the results he wanted.

His spiritual energy was all Mo XuanYu's --which wasn't alot. The maximum he could do was gather large amounts of spiritual energy to enhance his body. As such, he couldn't use that either. 

Maybe I should make a talismans for that?

Wei wuxian walked away from the store and walked back into the main Street. He walked the path that leads straight towards the end of the village. That was the direction the next body part was at. 

Just as he almost reached the edge of the village, loud screams and wails reached his ears. He waved his hand subtlety towards Wen Ning who was about to come out, and told him to stay back and Wei wuxian turned to look back.

He let out startled laugh at how ridiculous the scene infront of him was.

A dozen of junior disciples form various sect came rushing towards him as they ran away from...

Dead cats?