#And if he didn't ask for help with political things then just 'watch my sect fall apart because of what you did' I still a twisted knife

[rejectedfables]

Given the way that Headshaker Huaisang goes to Jin Guangyao (and LXC) for solutions to so many of his problems, possibly/probably including struggles with running a sect, do you think maybe the Headshaker persona was as much a part of the revenge plot as it was a veil to hide behind? Like, oh you killed my brother, the head of the Nie sect? Fine. YOU run the sect then 🙃 It needs a leader and you killed him so now it's YOUR fucking problem, and I'm going to make it an incredibly annoying problem. Not a single cog will turn smoothly 🙃

[not-rude-ginger]

I was reading your untamed fic today and I have to ask about the whole Jiang Cheng blaming himself for a famine thing. In canon they still have an Emperor and local governors and magistrates, the cultivation world seems set up like Harry Potter where you have magical Cultivators living along side normal folks. How is The Jiang Sect responsible in any way for looking after literal millions of people when normal folks have their own system of gov to do that. Cultivation sects would only look after their own people and allies and be responsible for things like keeping their territory clear of supernatural threats. Like I can 100% believe Jiang Cheng knows exactly how many yao or evil spirits are likely to be in a certain area but it's not his job to keep track of anything else. Helping out to rebuild a neighboring town when you've brought a magical war down on their heads is one thing, but being in charge of things like grain stores for the larger population is the Empires job.

I considered trying to give an in-universe answer, but instead I'll be honest - I didn't really know the Emperor was a part of the canon when I started the fic and even when I did I kinda assumed the sects acted as the bases of their feudal systems in each region. So I treated the sects and their territory like principalities, because it was more interesting for me to have the sect leaders be more directly in charge of their regions beyond cultivation specific issues, and I'd already written so much about it I didn't want to undo the whole story to change it.

It was also what I was used to reading in fics so I guess it's fanon influence that I ran with.

I was much more interested in making sure that any Chinese terms I used were right and that I had a decent grasp of cultivation and customs than in the accurate political system they used in canon that never really makes a proper appearance. I suppose I was confused why the war happened and seemed to devastate so much and yet if the Emperor and a whole other governmental system was there, why they never seemed to make an appearance (not a criticism, just my thinking).

I haven't read the book, just seen the show, and I was really struggling to fully understand what was going on in the plot for the first 25 episodes - I kept watching because the performances were so compelling and pieces of what I did get made me want to know more. I had to talk with other fans and people who had read the book and knew more about Chinese customs to really comprehend some of the details. Like I got the general vibe of the situation between JC, WWX and JYL, that he was and wasn't a full family member and that tension messed up the family, but the terminology and practice was something I needed to research.

This is a long way of saying I didn't know about the Emperor until it was too late, and when I did, I didn't prioritise it over other elements I was more interested in.

[vodkassassin]

Lqg and sqh on a night hunt. Lqg didn't know that his shixog(spelling whatever) was so competent.

So uh, there WAS a night hunt... prior to this. Haha. And SQH didn’t actually end up being in this one, bc MQF took charge and I couldn’t say no to him when he looks so stern! Really! @dancibayo

This one ties in with the prompt from earlier that I wrote for @writing_frenzy

Liu Qingge barges into the office of Mu Qingfang with barely a knock on the doorframe. He stalks forward past the startled Qian Cao disciple attendant and plants himself across the desk from the seated peak lord, dropping into the opposite cushion with a quiet huff.

Mu Qingfang signs off on a discharge form, tucking it neatly into the appropriate stack. He tugs free the next form, going over its specifications before moving it to the rejection pile without making a mark on it.

Liu Qingge grunts.

Mu Qingfang ignores him and continues on to the next form.

Liu Qingge’s eyes narrow.

Behind them, the disciple nervously clears his throat and steps forward. “A-Ah, Liu-shishu, shizun is—is not seeking visitors right now? Um, as you can see, he is working —”

Liu Qingge whips around in his seat to face the quivering disciple, eyes wide and scowl fierce. The poor boy flinches back with a terrified squeak.

Mu Qingfang closes the roster booklet that he’s holding with a sharp snap. He finally looks up.

“How rude of you, shixiong,” he chides, “coming into my home like this and frightening my disciples. You should be ashamed.”

Liu Qingge glares at him.

Mu Qingfang arches a brow. “Come now. I know your shizun taught you the same etiquette that our teachers taught the rest of us.”

There’s a long stretch of silence. The disciple remains in the corner of the room, between the desk and the door, looking ready to bolt. Finally, with a sharp breath, Liu Qingge turns back to face the disciple and dips his head in a facsimile of a bow.

“This shishu apologizes to his shizhi.” He states, sounding annoyed.

“Sh-Shishu is forgiven,” the disciple stammers, gaze shifting from him to his own shizun and back.

Mu Qingfang sighs, setting his roster flat on the table before him. “A-Yan, please work on your confidence. A day will come when you must assert yourself over an unruly patient, and if you can’t manage that then you won’t make it further than a background assistant.”

The disciple stares down at the ground, shame-faced. “Understood, Shizun.”

“I know your Liu-shishu is scary—”

Liu Qingge looks affronted, and A-Yan’s face turns red.

“— but he gets injured all the time.”

“Hey.”

Mu Qingfang casts the objecting peak lord a severe look, somehow without changing a single muscle in his usual neutral expression, and Liu Qingge hunches down in his seat rather mulishly, scowl directed into his lap.

Mu Qingfang turns back to his disciple. “One of these days, you will be helping me treat him when the time comes, so I expect you to be able to handle yourself.”

A-Yan looks horrified. He glances at the sulking Bai Zhan peak lord, who stares balefully back at him, and turns his apprehensive face back toward his shizun. “Him?” He shakily asks, as if to clarify.

Mu Qingfang watches him, and then releases a breath. “A-Yan.”

“Sh-Shizun?”

“From now on, you are assigned as an assisting nurse for all of our Bai Zhan patients.”

“Sh-Shizun, no please—”

“A-Yan.” Mu Qingfang scolds. “Understood?”

A-Yan whimpers. The boy curls in on himself. “... Y-Yes, Shizun.”

Mu Qingfang nods sharply, folding his hands before him on the desk. “Very good. Now leave your shishu to me.”

The disciple dips a bow toward each of them, and then practically flees the room as quickly as he can while still being polite.

Liu Qingge scoffs after him, and turns an asserting eye upon his fellow peak lord.

“Harsh,” he comments, low.

“Our disciples need to learn the necessary skills for their respective futures, beyond simply training their blade arms,” Mu Qingfang answers primly, shuffling through the stack of paper on his desk. It’s something he has said many times before. “It doesn’t help that you have most of my disciples terrified of you. They aren’t the same as your own students, Liu-shixiong. You can't just pull your sword on them when they get in your way.”

Liu Qingge rolls his eyes and crosses his arms over his chest.

Mu Qingfang sighs, leaving the topic be. He knows how to choose his battles. The doctor glances up at the man sitting across from him, and raises an eyebrow. “What brings you to me today, shixiong? Were you injured on your last trip, and finally caved in to your pains enough to admit you need a professional’s help? Are all your bones in the right places? Is your shoulder still bothering you?”

The sword master grits his teeth, the muscles of his arms tensing and relaxing as he fights to sit still. “I’m fine.”

“Oh?” Mu Qingfang doesn’t look convinced, but he decides to let it be for now. “Then what?”

Impatient, Liu Qingge uncrosses his arms and slams both hands down on the table. “Shang Qinghua!”

The line of Mu Qingfang’s mouth goes flat. “What about him?”

“Why are you listed as his priority missions partner?” The other demands.

“I don’t see how that’s any of your business.”

“When did that happen?”

“Neither, I would say, is that.”

“Qingfang,” Liu Qingge growls out, and Mu Qingfang narrows his eyes. “Why?”

The doctor releases a long breath. He leans back in his seat and taps a finger against the table thoughtfully. “Why are you asking?”

Liu Qingge stares at him. The man huffs, and shifts in his own seat, crossing his legs underneath him into the more comfortable lotus position, and clenching his hands into fits against his own robes. He’s always had a sort of fidgety energy to him. Liu Qingge isn’t good at sitting still, especially if he’s impatient for something that he wants.

The Bai Zhan peak lord tilts his chin down, digging it against his collarbone as he glares at the table.

Mu Qingfang sighs. “What was that?”

“Mission,” Liu Qingge grits out. “With Shang Qinghua. Went… well.”

Mu Qingfang straightens up. He eyes the peak lord sitting across from him sharply. “Ah,” he said. “Earlier this week? I was preoccupied with that rather intensive surgery….”

Liu Qingge glares at him. “You’ve been keeping him all to yourself.” He accuses.

“Nonsense,” Mu Qingfang snaps. “I’m the only peak lord in the sect that offers Shang Qinghua any due respect, whereas the others all nag on him. Talk down to him. Shen Qingqiu, before his fever, never passed the opportunity to make his life more difficult. Until recently, you yourself routinely attempted to beat him —”

“Spar.” Liu Qingge tries to correct, but Mu Qingfang shakes his head sternly.

“You and I both know sparring is the last thing on your mind when concerning Shang Qinghua. You’ve always seen him as weak, less skilled. That he is not anything close to someone who you would seek a challenge from, Liu Qingge. Speak truthfully.”

Liu Qingge sinks down in his seat, scowling.

“Given all of this,” Mu Qingfang continues, eyebrows coming together in a rare frown, “why on earth would you think that Shang Qinghua would ever want to go on a mission, with any of you? I was not ‘keeping him to myself’. Far from it; if I am Shang Qinghua’s priority missions partner, then that is because Shang Qinghua himself signed off on it.”

Mu Qingfang drops the stack of papers he was transferring to the opposite side of his desk. It settles with a dull but loud thud, and the mulish and silent Li Qingge winces.

After a long moment has passed in which the doctor continues to organize the tidy storm of paperwork that clutters his desk, and Liu Qingge stares at the wood grain of the table top and contemplates his life choices, Mu Qingfang once again speaks.

“I am curious, however. If I’m not available, our sect leader typically passes over Shang-shixiong for missions, given that we are, in fact, listed as each other’s preferred missions partners. How did you even convince him to assign Shang Qinghua with you in the first place?”

Liu Qingge continues to glare down at the wood grain, as if it’s personally offended him. His jaw is clenched tightly, and Mu Qingfang has always been the one person, beyond his mother and his sister, who can read him without fail.

The doctor gapes at him. “You didn’t? Shixiong! Did you kidnap Shang Qinghua from the sect?”

“No!” Liu Qingge denies loudly, jerking his head up to frown at his martial brother. “I didn’t kidnap him! I just… didn’t tell him that it… wasn’t. An officially mandated mission.”

Mu Qingfang stares at him.

Liu Qingge crosses his arms again, this time defensively.

“I didn’t kidnap him,” he insists.

“You’re staying for lunch,” the doctor announces abruptly. “And shixiong, you and I are going to have a long, in-depth talk about lying by omission.”

Liu Qingge huffs. Then, he perks up. “During which, we can negotiate terms of who gets to take Shang Qinghua on missions?”

“First of all, that is a discussion that requires Shang Qinghua’s presence. Second of all — that depends. Is he still in one piece?”

Liu Qingge pauses, blinks after a moment of recall, and then makes a face.

Mu Qingfang stands up from his desk. “This is something you should have told me immediately! How bad is it? Shixiong, you idiot! A-Yan! A-Yan, get me my medical bag! We’re going to— Shixiong, where is he?”

Liu Qingge blinks up at him from where he still sits at the table, startled.

“Where else? I dropped him off at his peak,” he shrugs. “For his disciples to deal with.”

Mu Qingfang takes in a sharp breath. “You and I,” he says, pointing a finger at the nonplussed Bai Zhan lord. “We will be having words.”

Then, he grabs Liu Qingge by the collar and whirls around, dragging the struggling, affronted man with him out the door. “A-Yan! My bag, now! We’re going to An Ding!”

“Mu-shidi! Qingfang, let me go!”

“Not when you’re this stupid, I won’t. You’re coming to face the consequences of your actions, for once!”

Their shouting was heard all along the journey from Qian Cao to An Ding.

[kimmyyang]

My views on ‘The Untamed 陈情令’

I never thought I would write a review on a drama although I have watched a lot of dramas of different genres for about 15/16 years. There is something about ‘The Untamed’ that made me want to write a review or at least write out my feelings. I’m not going to write too deep and get into all the details. But I guess this could be a way for me to get out of this trap or try to get it off my chest. 

I’m not a fan of the original novel (well, not yet) as I don’t like reading so I haven’t read it yet. However, I have decided to read it as I have finished the drama and couldn’t get over it no matter how much I want to escape from it. 

Trust me, I don’t usually get THIS attached to a drama or any characters, I mean yeah, the casts are handsome and all, but I stayed for the plot and the characters, not just the good looks of those actors. Especially if it’s 50 episodes long, I wouldn’t stay for someone’s visuals like I ain’t got time for that – I can just watch the cuts of that actor lol. I’m quite picky because I have seen A LOT of dramas, if I watch 2 episodes and it bores me then bye and I don't like long dramas. But after the 50 episodes, I felt so empty like I wanted more??? I know that's normal since I have experienced that before but this time was slightly different.

I personally think everyone portrayed their characters very well, despite most of them are young actors/ actresses. I usually skip or play supporting characters’ parts in 1.5 speed if they’re not as interesting as the main characters. But they kept me riveted throughout the entire drama, I didn’t skip one bit. Most characters hit me at some point during the drama, and I loved it (while shedding buckets of tears haha). 

Apart from WWX and LWJ, my FAVORITE character is Jiang Yan Li - notice how I capitalized the word and it's in bold, that’s how much I loved her. She’s the best shijie/ sister that anyone could ask for. I feel like she’s WWX’s half mother, she takes care of him. She is a gentle and polite woman. She isn’t powerful in the Cultivation World (she mainly just focused on cooking tbh lol it's cute tho) but she doesn’t hesitate to protect WWX. She stood up for him even in front of her future mother-in-law, she trusted him until the end even when everyone went against him, and when her parents got killed, she didn’t blame him (it wasn’t his fault anyway) and eventually sacrificed her life for him. Her death was just so tragic like I was bawling my eyes out, she didn’t deserve it, she really didn’t. She was just a simple girl that wanted the best for her family. But she is the last straw that broke the camel’s back aka WWX, if she didn’t die for him, he probably wouldn’t get out of control. It was so cruel to WWX but I kind of understand why the author did it. 

I also enjoyed the cinematography, scenery and OST, all of it was so astounding. Even the name of the locations were beautiful like 云深不知处 – it sounds so poetic. I loved how each sect had their own colors which reflected their characteristics in the Cultivation World. The characters also had their own OST, my favorite ones are Wen Ning’s & Jiang Yan Li’s songs – it still hurts when I listen to them, and I nearly cried few times (yes, I have a soft spot for Wen Ning, too.) I want to add that Jiang Yan Li & Jin Zi Xuan's song hurts a lot as well, the lyrics are like a fucking knife stabbing me in the chest. I thought I was strong enough to watch the MV, but I couldn't control my tears gdi. You know when you're cutting onions and tears just streaming down your face, that's what happened to me - except there were no onions.  *I was a fan of the singer when I was younger so watching him singing the song on the stage also took me back to the old days ah~ This song gave me double feels lol ;~; 

A part of me regrets that I didn’t watch it last year but a part of me is thankful that I finally got to watch it this year. It was already a hot topic before it even aired in China, so of course I have heard about it and I know briefly what it is based on. But I didn’t want to jump on the bandwagon and be like I’m a huge fan of the drama just because it’s popular (it’s hard to explain but I’m quite stubborn sometimes lol). Many said that you wouldn’t understand the story or the little details in the drama if you haven’t read the novel (I watched the animation before the drama, so I know a bit of the story). I don’t like reading anyway so I didn’t bother with it. Also, the genre of the novel isn’t something that I would read so that’s another reason why I left it. I’m not against any type of love, I just feel a bit iffy about reading it, which is kind of stupid now that I think about it lol. Another reason is that I don’t like depressing dramas, I used to watch a lot of those in my younger days, most of the plots are quite cliche. Although 'The Untamed' is sad, there were sweet, happy moments and it has a happy ending, so I loved it.

A lot of people didn’t like the ending, but I think it was a good ending. I mean they can’t really do much as they have to pass the censorship. My interpretation of the ending is that LWJ went to sort out everything in the Cultivation World so that he could be with (or protect) WWX later. He found WWX (maybe a few years) later and called WWX’s name. In that scene, WWX’s black outfit is different to when they parted, so it can’t be LWJ came back to WWX right after they went separate ways – that would very irresponsible to do since he is the Chief Cultivator. It’s an open-ended ending, so it’s up to the audience’s imagination, you can interpret it however you like. The camera didn’t show LWJ at the end so it could also be WWX imagined that LWJ called his name. But I believe that they got together, you can just tell just by looking at WWX’s facial expressions. It isn’t that difficult to figure it out, the novel has a happy ending so yeah. I also read it somewhere that when LWJ went to meet up with WWX, he also changed his outfit but apparently that part didn't pass the censorship (wtf?) so maybe that's why they didn't show LWJ at the end. 

I guess the good thing is that I can’t get all the related merch, if I watched it last year, I would definitely ask one of my relatives to buy and send everything over for me lmao goodbye my money. But I would buy the physical novel when I get the chance. If a drama left a big impact on me, I would buy the novel (if it has one of course).

I think I need a long cool-off period after this drama, I don’t want to watch anything else except their bts, interviews (even supporting actors’ interviews, I usually don’t watch those), crack videos lol, variety shows, fan meeting – basically everything that I can find, I don't think I have watched everything though. When I watched a cut of the cast saying goodbye to their characters on the fan meeting, I cried again (ffs just get over it). It’s definitely one of the best dramas I’ve ever watched and would definitely recommend to those who likes Chinese dramas. Not that anyone cares, but I would rate it 9/10 (if shijie was alive, I would give another 0.5 lol). I don’t know how good the subtitles are, but I did see some odd bits here and there (I watched it without the English subtitles). Sometimes it’s really hard to translate Chinese especially when it’s a xianxia drama – making it even more difficult. Anyway, if I get to finish reading the novel, I might write my views on the novel if I can be bothered lol – I’m a very lazy person XD

I kind of want to write another post just about WWX and LWJ, and how good Xiao Zhan & Yibo’s acting skills were. Basically, complimenting them for 2 pages haha. Ngl, I did fell for Xiao Zhan. I might watch it again just to focus on them a bit more. From the interviews I have seen, Xiao Zhan seems like a very humble, kind, genuine person – you can just tell from his eyes. He’s definitely a treasure boy (硬翻'宝藏男孩'). I don’t think I need to say much about Yibo, he’s super talented, I was already a fan of UNIQ when they were active. The character really suited Yibo and he did a great job portraying LWJ.

Anyway, it’s time for me to say goodbye to 'The Untamed', I don’t know how long I will feel attached to this drama but hopefully there’s another masterpiece that could help me to get over it.

忘羡一曲远，曲终人不散。

[angstymdzsthoughts]

follow-up to my three part ask about WWX marrying JC in the Divorce AU, tried to keep the first ask short but I wanted to add to it and got carried away, plus y'all wanted LWJ to suffer so enjoy this mess: it wasn't long after WWX left the Cloud Recesses that the elders arranged a marriage for LWJ to a young woman who was a perfect Lan bride, "It's good you came to your senses, now it's time you found a wife." they said, LWJ agreed, still telling himself he didn't regret his decision. (1/9)

he had heard of WWX moving on and marrying JC and thought he'd be fine with it, fine with seeing WWX again, LWJ fell out of love with him and WWX had moved on, LWJ did too. or at least he thought he did until he had to visit Lotus Pier for a discussion conference. seeing WWX in the purple robes of Yunmeng Jiang lit a flame in him he thought burnt out months ago, he looked so happy, so unbelievably happy by JC's side welcoming their visitors. LWJ couldn't help but feel jealous. (2/9)

WWX's smile faltered briefly when he caught sight of LWJ but as soon as he noticed LSZ and LJY trailing behind him it returned brighter then it was before, the thought of how much WWX must miss being with them passed through LWJ's mind, LSZ and LJY perked up as soon as they saw WWX, moving off to the side of the room to give LWJ space to speak to Sect Leader Jiang. WWX quickly followed them and said his goodbyes to JC and LWJ, leaving JC with a kiss. (3/9)

LWJ's heart hurt watching WWX kiss JC as tenderly as he once kissed him before excusing himself, purple robes fluttering behind him and a sultry smirk on his face as he left to talk with the juniors, his hand never leaving JC's shoulder until he got too far away, no doubt pleased with himself for riling him up. JC greeted LWJ courteously, giving him a polite salute, drawing LWJ's gaze back to him, drawing him into Sect matters almost as if to take his mind off of WWX. (4/9)

he hated himself for not being able to get over WWX, he divorced him for a reason didn't he? but seeing WWX again made the doubts resurface and he began to deeply regret his decision. as the day wore on he kept getting more and more anxious, thinking of how badly he messed up, until finally he invited WWX to talk privately so he could admit his wrongs. WWX, to his surprise, agreed and led him to a quiet room, letting LWJ sit down before he took his own seat. (5/9)

"Hanguang-jun, what did you want to speak with me about?", before WWX could react LWJ had already grabbed his arm, telling him how much he missed him and regretted his decision before pulling him into a deep kiss. quickly recovering from the shock WWX struggled until LWJ pulled back to give him air "Lan Zha.. Hanguang-jun, we may have been married once, but it isn't appropriate to for you to do those things anymore, I love Jiang Cheng, I've moved on so please, be happy with your wife". (6/9)

LWJ kept holding onto WWX's arm, his strength making the bones beneath crack under the tight grip, WWX tried to pry his hand off but met little success and turned to pleading for LWJ to let him go instead, but LWJ refused and begged WWX for a second chance. all LWJ saw was a flash of purple lighting before Zidian finally retaliated against him and sent him flying through the wall, intent on getting rid of the one attacking it's master before they could do more damage to him. (7/9)

LWJ laid there stunned from Zidian as JC and a group of disciples ran over to see what happened. JC rushed to WWX's side upon seeing his rattled state and checked him for injuries, finding the injury to his arm and evidently putting two and two together. LWJ visibly flinched when JC turned towards him with murderous rage in his eyes, leaving WWX to some Jiang disciples before stomping over to him, JC grabbed LWJ by the hair and pulled him up before punching him square in the face. (8/9)

"How dare you.. do you think that just because you were once married to him that you own him? That you can do whatever you want to him even now?!" JC shook LWJ by his grip on his hair, making the other man wince in pain "DO YOU?!" JC reared his arm back to punch LWJ again, only for WWX to grab ahold of it to restrain him. WWX hushed JC's angry protests with soothing words until he finally let go of LWJ, only then did WWX finally turn to LWJ "Please Hanguang-jun, just leave". (9/9)