#Qishan Indoctrination

[queenetitania]

#do you see lwj holding out his hand after the departing wwx? (via lanwangjihouse)

[bloopitynoot]

What I Read This Week: 04/13/2025

I am a librarian, and unrelated to stereotypes about my profession, I do read a metric shit-ton in a week. Most of it is fanfiction but hey, I thought maybe it's time I share my reads?

This is what I read this week:

1 Georgia Peach 🍑 by RedGardenGreenLeaves (10, 687)

Summary: Inspired by a post on my tumblr (@red-garden) What if Shen Yuan was from the american Southeast and conducted himself accordingly? Minds would melt. Brains explode. Pants creamed! --- There's a migration of rare demonic insects flying over Cang Qiong, renowned for their beauty. Shen Yuan is happier than a pig in shit getting ready to study them, turning it into an intersect event! But with that one beautiful night of his dreams approaching, several hopeful bachelors lay down their plans to win the heart of the belle of the Jianghu. --- Kind of zzl heavy since SY calling him Pudding Cup -> Puddin is was spawned the original idea. Win for snake perverts everywhere! (Shen Yuan's accent is phonetically transcribed, but I am a Southerner with a southern accent. I made the call to write how I say things. Don't like, don't read.)

Okay wait, this was such a fun fic to start my week!

I was stoked when this popped up in my Ao3 browse because I did see the original prompt on tumblr and I was VIBRATING at the premise.

This fic delivered! Cultivators and demons stood no chance against shen yuan with a well-timed "baby"

applause!!!!!

2 Camp Golden Hearts by Rozavie (44, 283)

Summary: Wei Wuxian loves working at Camp Golden Carp. The sleepaway camp was a cornerstone of his childhood, and being a counselor there with his three best friends is a dream. It's too bad that this is the last summer before everyone he knows will graduate from college and likely move on from this place. Still, Wei Wuxian refuses to be sad, and he intends to have the best summer of all time. However an unexpected new roommate, fellow camp counselor Lan Wangji, is added to their cabin by surprise, and his presence changes Wei Wuxian's grand summer plans. He is determined to befriend the cold, serious Lan Wangji and indoctrinate him into his summer fun. And despite his resistance, Wei Wuxian just can't seem to leave the guy alone.

Omg this was so damn cute! The most fluffiest of summer camp love stories.

We get autistic lan zhan representation :'3 I love when this crops up in fics

There is a slight miscommunication because WY is an idiot, but it is resolved like the next chapter. But it does bring a little emotional turmoil

3 Friendly Accusations Tend to Escalate by marikazz (25, 682)

Summary: Wei Wuxian resolved to prove Nie Huaisang's drunken accusations wrong. Being unable to stay friendly? Peculiar courting behaviors? Of course he had always teased Lan Wangji within minutes of seeing him, who could have resisted taking a crack at that icy facade!

Well, for the sake of proving a point, he was willing to play a perfectly polite young master or even that stickler's gracious friend.

---

Two and a half years after the Discussion Conference in Qishan and the tragic end of the Wen clan, another gathering of the Great Sects is finally taking place in the Unclean Realm.

Oh these sweet boys. One of them thinking the feelings are one-sided the other oblivious until he's not.

ft jiang Cheng fighting for WWX's honor, Lan Qiren suspicious af but also interested in academic debates, and Lan Xichen learning more than he wants but it's cool bc his bro is happy

A cute fic- happy ending :'3

4. Heaven Official's Blessing by MXTX Chapter 85- 89

Summary: Born the crown prince of a prosperous kingdom, Xie Lian was renowned for his beauty, strength, and purity. His years of dedication and noble deeds allowed him to ascend to godhood. But those who rise, can also fall…and fall he does, cast from the Heavens again and again and banished to the mortal realm.

Eight hundred years after his mortal life, Xie Lian has ascended to godhood for the third time. Now only a lowly scrap collector, he is dispatched to wander the earthly realm to take on tasks appointed by the heavens to pay back debts and maintain his divinity. Aided by old friends and foes alike, and graced with the company of a mysterious young man with whom he feels an instant connection, Xie Lian must confront the horrors of his past in order to dispel the curse of his present.

I'm nearing the end of book 5! I'm reading about a chapter a day and live blogging the experience. you can follow along on the Bloopitynoot reads TGCF tag

NO SPOILERS PLS.

I am so soft for Hualian

5 Hopelessly Devoted to You by Salemn (27, 562)

Summary: Wèi Yīng makes the very not clever decision to visit the Cold Springs on a chilly Gūsū afternoon, knowing he has a weak Core and that the body of which he resides in is not as durable as he likes to believe.

The consequences of his actions catch up with him fast.

Lán Wàngjī and Wèi Yīng both do not have a good time when Wèi Yīng wakes up in the throes of a rather brutal sickness; fevered, coughing, mildly delirious and struggling to breathe.

Cue a super sweet, so obviously in love Lán Wàngjī having to nurse his clingy, equally as in love, dumbass of a husband back to health. Along with visits from their sunshine child, who is quite literally perfect and is definitely worried for his Ā-diē's wellbeing, and Lán Xīchén, who is willing to do anything for his little brother and brother-in-law.

A sick fic, but not as angsty as typical fics; this one is so soft and caring

My heart for everyone! WY getting the love he deserves, LWJ working through his anxiety around losing wy

The Lan fam coming in to take care of their favourite demonic cultivator.

6 Loaded God Complex, Cock It And Pull It by Camorra (69, 961)

Summary: There were three things of which Shen Yuan was absolutely certain. The first, that Luo Binghe was an irredeemable jackass. The second, there was a part of Luo Binghe, and Shen Yuan didn't know how large, that wanted Shen Yuan dead for trussing him like a pig and dumping him on his own front porch. And the third, that Shen Yuan was unconditionally and irrevocably in love with Luo Binghe. P S Y C H !

OMG this fic was incredible. (very ancient) Demon Shen Yuan, Binghe with his harem post realm merge

So good, so petty!

The ending is very sad though :( and a bit of a cliff hanger! The author talks about a part two but I am not sure if that will happen. The fic was published in 2022 and the most recent fic on their profile is a different fandom from 2023.

It can be read well as is though! But don't expect the happy binqiu ending!

7 A love in any other skin by Marantis (16, 035)

Summary: Shen Yuan had only been Shen Yuan for a few months, when to his great distress the murders started happening in town. Murders that could only have been committed by someone like him. Now there's a cultivator coming to town with the assignment to find the murderer and bring them to justice. Suffice to say Shen Yuan was not having a great time and the fact that the cultivator in question was the most beautiful human being he's ever laid his eyes on wasn't helping either!

Part one of the Skin off my back series (2 parter)

This was so wholesome!!! Skinner demon Shen yuan is too cute. This guy doesn't want to be a skinner demon but that's how he was born

Binghe clocks him almost immediately (and also falls fast and hard)

8 Bluebells, B's, and other things. by lorelai_walker (5, 675)

Summary: It was a beautiful spring day when Thorin, Dis, Fili and Kili decided to take a birthday trip to the local Botanical Gardens.

This is not my typical fandom but it was written by a pal @futuretimelord-468 and was so sticky sweet!!!

The descriptions of the gardens are incredible, the blushing boys are too cute, and the littles even more adorable

Definitely worth a read- it really is a wholly cleansing fic.

9 Hanguang-Jun and His Beloved Pet Rabbit by 96qutie (In progress fic, read chapter 37 this week)

Summary: A gentle touch stroked his back, and Wei Ying stiffened in surprise. He looked up to find pale-gold eyes staring down at him intensely.

He gulped.

“Are you hurt?” The young cultivator asked in a soft voice, as if he expected an answer— even though he was already prodding Wei Ying’s ears and legs to see for himself. When he didn’t find evidence of injury he seemed to relax. “Are you frightened?”

If Wei Ying were human, he would have blushed and tried to crack a joke to hide it. As a rabbit, he could only kick his feet like a shy toddler.

“Wangji? I heard a commotion. Is everything alright?”

With the swiftness of a child being caught up past their bedtime, Wei Ying was shoved inside a billowing sleeve.

“Mn.”

—

This is a ‘The Disabled Tyrant’s Beloved Pet Fish’ AU for Wangxian. That series captured my heart, so then this happened. For those who don’t know that story; you don’t have to read it to read this. I don’t follow the plot at all, and I even changed the premise a bit. It’s only loosely inspired by it.

Also just to be clear: Wei Ying is not a rabbit 100% of the time.

This is a good read in general, it is an in progress fic!

This fic has a unique take on WY resurrection/life/abilities? and I really love that about it

This chapter was so sweet!!!!!

10 Liu Qingge and the Horrible, Terrible, No Good, Very Bad Transmigration by SenpaiBuckwheat (92, 134)

Summary: Dear Airplane,

I don’t know what kind of sick trick this is, but one of your devoted cosplayers has staged an attempted suicide to get my attention. From the goodness and kindness of my own heart, I took this poor soul into my home to nurse their wounds only for this fucking Liu Qingge cosplayer to pull out a perfect replica of Cheng Luan and hold it against my throat! This person is absolutely convinced they are your beloved Peak Lord of Bai Zhan. Even now, he sits in my apartment, “meditating”. The only reason I do nothing is because I fear for my own life!

Whatever you want me to do, I’ll do it! Do you want money? An apology? Say the word, but just get this fucking lunatic away from me or I’ll sic the cops on you! My blood is on your hands, Airplane. Call off your fanatic dog!

Worst regards, Peerless Cucumber

THIS WAS SO GOOD. Was it incredibly awkward at times, yes (liu qingge is not exactly sociable on a regular day), was the ending so damn sickly sweet- also yes.

However- the last bonus chapter did ruin my life. I almost made it through this fic without crying and I did fail LOL

uugh my heart! 10/10

11  Love deeper than skin by Marantis (102, 863)

Summary: After the nerve-wracking reveal of Shen Yuan's true nature as a skinner demon and the subsequent declaration of love from Luo Binghe, our heroes find themselves on the road to a brighter future. But the shadows of Luo Binghe's past keep looming over them and the cultivator is not ready to just abandon his plans for revenge. Will he lose sight of what he already has in favour of achieving his goals? Will his enemies take advantage of his weaknesses to gain the upper hand? Or will the love he has for Shen Yuan and his love for Luo Binghe in turn be enough to lead to a future brighter than what had been predetermined?

Or what happens if you insert Shen Yuan into the water prison arc of the original PIDW

Part two of the Skin off my back series

Literally so cute omg :'3333 the ending, mama shan, uuuuugh too good

Binghe keeps some really stupid secrets and it does cause some angst- it all works out though!

Everyone who lives in this fic gets a better ending

12 in the endless sky by tagteamme (20, 864)

Summary: As a young disciple, Luo Binghe meets a kind yet mysterious young master who takes a shining to him.

As an emperor, Luo Binghe is gifted a captive.

The poacher bows low and retreats into the shadows for a moment as Luo Binghe watches him with a bored look from his throne, one leg swung carelessly over the other. Feathers strew the cage, and the figure looks human. It’s screeching and cursing, voice broken, and Luo Binghe does not feel a single thing stir within him. Sweating under the unimpressed look, the demon reaches a scaly hand between the bars of the cage and tugs at the sack over the creature’s head, yanking harshly. Time ceases for a moment; Luo Binghe’s stomach drops through the ground. A battered man looks up at him, deep grey eyes widening as their gazes meet. Luo Binghe’s chest clenches, and his hands stiffen at the sight. His heart thumps loudly in his throat, and the air escapes from his lungs, leaving him in a stunned silence. “Binghe?” rasps a familiar voice.

This fic was so cute! But then it was tragic! But then it was cute again

I was really on a kick this week with Demon Shen Yuan fics

My heart hurt so much for Binghe. CW for some child abuse though :(

A beautiful ending

13 The possessor of Shen Qingqiu’s body by orphan_account, Thousand_Ways (41, 574)

Summary: Considering his sudden change in personality, everybody in Cang Qiong Mountain Sect realized that Shen Qingqiu had been possessed after his most recent qi deviation in the span of a few weeks. Well, either that, or he had lost his memories, the other Peak Lords couldn’t decide which explanation was more likely. That is, of course, until the System went on an extended vacation during the Abyss chapters and Shen Yuan stopped caring about the exact day in which he would inevitably face his second death.

Edit: This fic is now marked as having two authors because I started writing it anonymously before creating an account dedicated mainly for SVSSS, and since I wanted to switch accounts for this fic so that everyone could know who wrote it but still have my other username remain anonymous, I had to add my second account as a co autor and orphan this work from my first account. But don’t worry, the real author of this work hasn’t changed despite AO3 showing you otherwise.

Bingliushen! With ace Liu Qingge representation!

This was heart ruining at times, the system is for sure the BBEG

I did read both parts of the series- the second is just a little extra set in the abyss arc

So so good! Shen Yuan for being straight (he is not) is kind of a hoe.

There is no smut on screen- there is lots of kissing, and one fade to black. (since the fic is unrated)

That's what I read this week!

Mostly SVSSS and a LOT of Shen Yuan as a demon fics this week (0 complaints from me!)

I am dwindling down to one page of MFL so if you have any recs for MDZS or SVSSS I would absolutely adore them!

If you want a personalized fic list I am offering lists for Wangxian (some other MDZS pairings) and bingqiu (and some other SVSSS pairings) -just send me a dm with your theme and criteria!

till next week!

[obsidianstrawberrymilk]

Also I Will have to read this part in the novel however I do find the differences between the manhua/CQL and donghua in how Madam Yu treats Jiang Yanli and Jiang Cheng so fun because as of the former it's pretty clear JC is her favorite (he still gets abused and she's really really bad at showing it but yk) and she seems to look upon JYL (JFM also does this. tbh) with vague disappointment and mostly just doesn't gaf about her much. But in the donghua JYL's mommy's little girl lol. She actually listens to her and YZY calls her a 'good girl', and instead of it being an immediate given JC is going to Qishan for the indoctrination she starts out saying either JYL or JC have to go. Meanwhile the most she says about JC before she dies is 'at least he's not disappointing us' ie: WWX is. And not even to his face. Lol. Like?? So Donghua JYL is her mom's favorite?? Which is so wild because that means her saying 'ofc we can't send JYL' almost comes across as 'well no we're not sending the kid I actually like. Lol.'

[qiu-yan]

Imagine, for a moment, that CSSR and WCZ make for their baby WY a cloth doll.

[warnings: concerning, nonconsensual bodily modification]

This cloth doll rapidly becomes WY’s best friend, and he takes it with him everywhere. Thus, even when WCZ and CSSR die and WY is left alone, he still has the doll. Even when WY loses everything else on the streets, at least he has his cloth friend.

Events proceed as they do in canon: WY is brought by JFM to Lotus Pier, JFM gives away JC’s dogs, an angry JC chases WY out of JC’s room, etc etc. Then, when JC goes to look for WY, he takes the doll with him; when JC then promises to protect WY from dogs, JC gives him the doll as well.

Then, as time passes, WY gets used to life at Lotus Pier. JC becomes his best friend and he starts to forget about the doll. Increasingly, the doll is left behind in WY and JC’s room as WY and JC have their own adventures.

As it turns out, throughout the years, the doll had, due to magic bullshit, cultivated a consciousness of its own. Now, as it sits abandoned by its previous best friend, the doll makes a wish: it wants to be human too.

The next day, around 1 year after WY’s arrival at Lotus Pier, the doll finds that it has become the human known as WY, and the human known as WY has become a doll.

At first, the doll is horrified. But soon the doll begins to forget that it was ever a doll. Within minutes, all of the doll’s memories of being a doll disappear and are replaced with WY’s own memories. The doll will henceforth be referred to as WWX, and the original WY (human transformed into a doll) will henceforth be referred to as the transformed doll.

Canon proceeds as described as in MDZS. The transformed doll survives the fall of Lotus Pier because JC, in a fit of nostalgia, takes it with him to Qishan for the indoctrination camp, and then forgets it in his qiankun sleeves.

The transformed doll then survives the rest of MDZS canon as well. During the 13 year time skip, JC keeps it on his person as a memento of WWX. 

Throughout this entire process, the transformed doll was conscious. It knew that it had once been a human named WY and that it had been transformed into a doll. However, because it was a doll, it could not move at all. As you might expect, this is a horrifying situation to be in, but even the transformed doll managed to get used to it eventually.

And then, one day postcanon, the transformed doll finally manages to gather enough energy to cultivate a golden core, break the transformation, and return to human form. The now-human transformed doll, henceforth referred to as WY, explains to a confused JC who he is and what happened.

At first, JC rejects WY because he cannot believe that people can turn into dolls and the reverse. However, WY, who still remembers that the 1 year he spent as a human in Lotus Pier was enjoyable and who doesn’t have anywhere else to go, is determined to stay at Lotus Pier. So eventually JC gets used to him...and then starts to get attached to him.

Nonetheless, WY and WWX are not the same person. There are some major personality differences between them - which stand out to JC rather starkly, given that WY looks exactly like WWX’s old body.

As it turns out, the fates of WY and WWX are linked. When WY is human, WWX is a doll; when WWX is human, WY is a doll. Thus, because WY has reverted to being human, WWX has now reverted to being a doll.

LWJ, WN, the Lan juniors, and all of WWX’s other loved ones are horrified to find that WWX has suddenly turned into a cloth doll, and seek any possible means by which to break what they believe is a curse. Eventually, their investigation leads them to lotus pier and to WY, due to some energy linkage between the two. And eventually, their investigation reveals the following: only one of WWX and WY can be human. If one of them is human, the other one will be transformed into a doll. Thus, the only way to return WWX to human form is for WY to turn into a doll again.

This information is known by LWJ, WN, the Lan juniors who accompanied the former two on this investigation, JC, and WY. WWX himself is not in the know, because he is currently a doll and because said doll was left at the Cloud Recesses for safekeeping. 

LWJ is uncertain how to proceed. Obviously he wants WWX back, but doing so would consign another innocent individual to a terrible fate. LWJ is uncertain if he can morally justify turning WY back into a doll just so that WWX can become human - especially when it was WY who was originally the real human to begin with. 

One evening a few days later, JC wakes up WY. JC tells WY that, while LWJ has moral hangups and is thus prevaricating on the correct course of action, WN has no such concerns when it comes to WWX and is thus plotting to turn WY back into a doll at this very moment. JC tells WY that WN is currently designing an array that will turn WY back into a doll, which can be activated from anywhere; thus, even if WY runs far away, WY will not be safe. However, says JC, he and his people have been working on a countermeasure: an array that will cement WY’s existence as human, such that any attempt to transform him will fail. Now, says JC, the array is finished, and JC wants WY to step into it in order to save him from WN. 

JC leads WY to the array, which is big enough to take up an entire room. JC asks WY to step into the array. WY agrees. 

As it turns out, JC lied. 

WY is transformed once more into a doll. Miles and miles away, in the cloud recesses, WWX reverts to human. 

[wutheringskies]

List: Wei Ying's Attitude Towards Lan Zhan (Pt 1)

Cloud Recesses Arc (Chronological)

1. First Impression: Lan Zhan is very, very pretty with a stern expression on his face, as if he's in mourning. Learning of his reputation, learning that he's well-spoken, smart and academically an ace.

2. Their dynamic forms: Wei Wuxian is annoyed by how Lan Wangji treats him, how he appears to be an immovable polished piece of jade and wishes to break through his composure by annoying him - he wants to be treated specially.

3. Respecting Lan Zhan's talents and genuine desire for friendship: Learning that Lan Zhan's reputation isn't fake. Despite being so young, he can carry three people onto his sword, think logically, and help people. Secondly, Wei Wuxian respects his integrity as Lan Zhan punishes himself as well for breaking the rules, despite the gap in their status. He wishes to become closer to Lan Wangji as they share similar values.

4. The first tones of romance: Wei Wuxian has always been interested in seeing how Lan Wangji would be as a romantic partner, thus baiting him with porn and "girls in Yunmeng." As Wei Wuxian hangs out with his friends, he sees Lan Wangji alone and wants to give him friends as well - the kind that Lan Wangji will like - so, he gives him two rabbits, which were in a compromising position and turned out to be both male. Secondly, he is very interested in Lan An's story as this is a new context to be applied to Lan Wangji.

Pre-Sunshot Campaign

1. Lan Wangji as his maiden: Wei Wuxian unknowingly always puts Lan Wangji into the place of a "maiden" - what I mean by this is that, when the girls chase after him in Yunmeng, he sighs and thinks of Lan Wangji. When he sees Lan Wangji's forehead ribbons, he thinks of pulling a girl's ponytails and tugs it. Thus, he has moved on from baiting Lan Zhan with girls to see how he would be in a romantic context to placing Lan Zhan as the maiden in a heterosexual context.

2. Stage of Denial: As Wei Wuxian's feelings for Lan Wangji keep surging subconsciously, yet he keeps facing with one rejection after the other, a proud man as him enters the stage of denial. Here, he constantly lies to himself, gives excuses for his actions, hides his thoughts and reframes events - aka, he gaslights himself.

• We know he has been thinking of Lan Zhan well after studying in Gusu (he studied for 3 months, Jiang Cheng studied for a year. In the lotus pod extra he's still talking about Lan Zhan and it's a common occurrence, so at least until 9 months later, he's still talking about him) yet he says in Qishan Archery Competition that he has forgotten about him. Secondly, he says he doesn't recognize Lan Wangji, yet he mentions that his fingers look suited to playing the guqin, thus he already recognizes this handsome man and his emotions surge, yet he calms himself down by framing his thoughts to make himself seem less attached.

• This behavior continues throughout the Qishan Wen Indoctrination. He went to Mianmian's side to get the perfume pouch after he heard it had medicinal herbs, and Lan Zhan's leg was injured. Yet Lan Zhan gets jealous and refuses his help, Wei Wuxian later takes a jab at his broken leg when he's bejng supported by Jiang Cheng - upset that he was refused once more.

• At this point, 2 years after meeting Lan Zhan, Wei Wuxian is giving up on his thoughts of them becoming friends, even petulantly whining to Lan Zhan, that "why do you not like me???"

• He shoves all of his feelings down, and accepts that he needs to give Lan Zhan more space.

• Yet even after the Xuanwu Cave, we can see that though he wished to give Lan Zhan more space, he continued to ask questions after question about him to Jiang Cheng.

Sunshot Campaign

1. Takes a Hint: Now, Wei Wuxian is no longer a child. He has been through too many things, has too many responsibilities to worry about his "childhood ambition" of becoming friends with Lan Zhan. After his return, the first thing they do is have a fight - to Wei Wuxian's point of view, it is that, after each of his attempts to become closer have been squashed, now finally they're fighting - aka, they are on opposite sides. Thus, Lan Wangji suddenly turning 180 degrees back by wanting to take him back to Gusu registers as a "punishment." He simply can't even imagine a context where Lan Zhan likes him. Thus, this stage, I call - Wei Wuxian takes a hint (the wrong one.)

2. Confusion and Hurt: Wei Wuxian is already suffering through major identity crisis and plenty of trauma. In such a setting, he cannot evaluate Lan Wangjj's actions and arguments with him as "concern, care or worry." He cannot think of his opinions over digging graves etc as "righteous." Lan Wangji is "against him." Wei Wuxian suppresses his feelings well, and has moved on from wanting to be friends. Yet he does not agree with those who call them enemies - refusing to take Lan Zhan's behavior towards him as "hate."

Post-Sunshot Campaign

1. Hiding all his weaknesses: Now, Sunshot Campaign is over and Wei Wuxian is very aware that he's going to be hated by everyone sooner or later. He's scared and he doesn't know what to do, where he stands, and also regrets some of what he has done. He is without any backing, without any support - he covers up his vulnerability by standing up too tall, by talking arrogantly, by pretending that he's so strong - in his act, he doesn't notice Lan Zhan subtly moving towards him (metaphorically and literally), and walks past him, leaving him behind.

2. Shifting of Dynamic, Rekindling Hope and Extreme Fear and Vulnerability: Now that for the first time in years, that Wei Wuxian has time to breathe and momentarily, no immediate responsibilities or distractions his feeling surge again. He is still in denial about his feelings, but now the amount of gaslighting he does is truly remarkable. Firstly, he wished to place Lan Zhan in a romantic context (whether or not it included him), secondly he imagined Lan Zhan as a maiden for HIM, now thirdly, he is placing himself into the spot of "the maiden"

-> Throwing flowers at Lan Zhan along with other girls

-> Conveniently making the remark that of course, he doesn't imagine that Lan Zhan will ever take the initiative and kiss someone (aka, he wishes Lan Zhan will take initiative because he's put himself out there for so long, and he is tired.)

Now, Wei Wuxian's feelings towards Lan Zhan are very much real, the minor crush growing into something more - like a flower bud that wants to be watered to bloom. But since it isn't welcomed, he forces them back into his heart:

1. Admitting he finds Lan Zhan handsome - admitting some degree of physical attraction and admiration by throwing a flower at him.

2. Asking for his headband knowing it is somehow symbolic (something important to him, a privelege). Subconsciously playing Wangxian, and then finally getting kissed. For some reason, he FAILS to mention Lan Zhan's signature scent of sandalwood despite his senses being so keen. Why? In my opinion - it's him suppressing that thought. He knows the maiden is remarkably strong, he has an inkling that it is HIM so, he allows the kiss to go on, excusing it with the excuse that "how embarrassed the maiden will be once he sees her." After all, even when Lan Zhan asks him much later "you didn't know whom the person was so why didn't you resist, and then why did you tell me this?" Wei Wuxian doesn't answer him, but instead laughs at him for being jealous. In truth, I feel, this is another one of Wei Wuxian's deflections.

He knows admitting that he smelt the sandalwood would make it impossible for him to not relate to Lan Zhan. He knows only Lan Zhan was in the vicinity. He knows only Lan Zhan has showed any significant connection to him - someone like Wei Wuxian would definitely know if a girl liked him. But he can't read Lan Zhan. He also knows Lan Zhan is conveniently acting different than usual - yet, he doesn't probe too much, which is uncharacteristic of him. Not to mention, Lan Zhan is showing significant negative emotion towards him - asking him to go away. Wei Wuxian subtly sneaks in one of the doubts he's carried for three years now, "do you hate me?" But it's unanswered. Wei Wuxian is afraid and he's feeling self conscious again, eyes tearing up, so what does he do?

Act pretentious.

"Of course, I've a lot of experience. Even if it was you, it doesn't matter, haha. This isn't special to me. You aren't making me feel anything special. You aren't making me weak. You aren't hurting me."

After this, he is relieved. He has hid well. His feeling are hidden perfectly. To confirm, he even asks Lan Zhan og he's ever kissed, etc. Lan Zhan doesn't say yes or no, but Wei Wuxian has convinced himself that it wouldn't have been Lan Zhan. He makes up an imaginary maiden who kissed him. He says he never tried to find her to not embarass her. After he is sure it wasn't Lan Zhan, he is not interested in finding out who kissed him.

Successfully gaslighted □

The next incident is at Yunmeng, and it's by far the most obvious thing Wei Wuxian has done to show his feelings towards Lan Wangji. He casually admits that Lan Zhan is very handsome, and bestows plenty of flowers of all meanings upon him.

But the most important is the peony. Wei Wuxian reaches out towards Lan Wangji all the time. Each time, he's a bit more hurt, a bit more scared, a bit more vulnerable. So, this time, he's giving Lan Wangji and his surging feelings a chance - either Lan Wangji takes it and he allows his feelings to surge, or Lan Wangji doesn't take it and he swallows all his feelings back inside, rewrites the whole narrative and moves on with his life.

Thus, he throws out a flower that can either mean "a confession" or a separation.

He doesn't expect Lan Wangji to come up the inn. He expects it to be a separation. But he does come up - yet what follows is an argument, their last one. From Lan Wangji's point of view, it is also last time he asks Wei Wuxian to come to Gusu with him - to walk the same path moving forward, a last offer of protection. In a way both of them are confessing, yet they don't know.

When they part on dubious terms, Wei Wuxian doesn't know what to do - Lan Wangji DID come up, he did talk to him - that is not indifference or hate. It does not guarantee separation. Wei Wuxian just takes it as concern, without any confirmation from Lan Wangji himself.

Now, Wei Wuxian goes back to Lotus Pier in a dark mood. He says he met someone who wanted to lock him up - in a way, it must be addressed that Wei Wuxian's feelings are like chains for him. They don't liberate him. He needs to constantly suppress them. Jiang Cheng remarks it must have been Wei Wuxian who called out to Lan Wangji. Wei Wuxian comments that he himself is ridiculous. He is frustrated over his feelings, unable to understand why he is placing himself into a position like this, why he has hopes only for them to be crushed again and again, yet unable to actually realize anything as he hasn't admitted it all to himself yet. Later, they talk about Yanli and Zixuan, and Wei Wuxian finds himself the perfect cover to talk to his shijie. He asks why people like one another - why does he have to feel so scared and afraid and vulnerable - and tells himself he's asking on part of his shijie. He convinces himself that he won't ever like anyone that much, thus once again - suppressing his feelings.

Later, at Koi Tower, he drinks from Lan Wangji's cup, unable to see him be disrespected and presents his case to the banquet. He ends up having to threaten everyone. Wei Wuxian HAS to make himself into something he is not. He's unafraid. At least that is what he wants to think.

Wei Wuxian glanced over at him (Lan Wangji). In those eyes, light as cat’s eye chrysoberyl, he saw his own near-hideous reflection.

This is how he truly feels - not just about himself (my boy literally has to carry a fake persona and be so strong and so alone for YEARS) but also how he perceives Lan Wangji's attitude towards him, and it stings him, but luckily he has more things to do than worry about how Lan Zhan feels about him.

YiLing Laozu

1. A ray of hope, separation and acceptance: Few weeks in the Burial Mounds has matured Wei Wuxian. He is naturally someone who works better when there is a goal, when there are people depending onto him. He has made his decision to walk his chosen path to its bitter end. Far away from the public's eyes, with his fear of being hated and ostracized, realized, now it is like he has little to lose, so he tries to make the best of it. When Lan Zhan visits YiLing, Wei Wuxian doesn't throw any curveballs to him. He doesn't ask too much, doesn't hope for anything, doesn't play around. Just enjoys some company time with him. Even when Lan Zhan brings up their persistent issues and pushes back them into the sphere of reality, Wei Wuxian deflects and only then shows some of his frustration. Yet, when Lan Zhan leaves, he chases after him to bid him goodbye. He tells him of his chosen path, asks him to form his own opinions about things, shows some trust in his integrity. They eventually go their own ways, the mood sombre. This time Wei Wuxian accepts that they aren't meant to be friends, but does say that they aren't enemies. Just people meant to walk separate paths. Thus, his feelings are no longer useful to him. They can't lead towards anything. He accepts it.

2. Extreme, Extreme Hurt: Acceptance doesn't mean it does not hurt. Just how long has Wei Wuxian suppressed his feelings? Just how long has he swallowed every hurt, every rejection? Just how many times has he called out first? Just how many times had he waited? When Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji stand on different sides in Nightless City with their weapons pointed at each other, Wei Wuxian finally "terms" Lan Wangji's attitude towards him: I knew from the start that we would have a real fight like this one, sooner or later. You've always found me disagreeable, no matter what.

"Wei WuXian had already lost his judgement. He was already half-mad, half-unconscious. All evil was being augmented by him. He felt that everyone loathed him and he loathed everyone as well. He wouldn’t be scared no matter who came at him. It wouldn’t matter no matter who came at him. It was all the same anyway."

He'd been scared, vulnerable and weak for so long, masking it with a layer of arrogance and humor. Yet now he simply can't do it any longer and his fears spill out, the darker thoughts he'd suppressed. He's like a child crying, saying it won't matter whatever his feelings were, he'd hurt them all. He was done of being hurt and scared, of hiding, of being treated like the problem. Note, that he has always wanted to be Lan Wangji's friend, always stated that they weren't enemies even when everyone around him laughed at his audacity. Now, he is done harboring hopes. He is ready to spill out all those things he's been holding back, all the fears he held.

Yet later, Lan Wangji is the one who helps him, hides him away, talks to him softly. If any part of Wei Wuxian was conscious, he'd have felt utter and complete exhaustion. "Get lost." As in, he is done. He doesn't wish for Lan Wangji to owe anything to him. He doesn't wish to change his perspectives once again. He has lost all hope, all will. He doesn't want to deal with it anymore. He can't leave by himself, he can't pretend otherwise, he can't make excuses, he can't hide in the face of Lan Wangji's action - so he can only drive him away.

Conclusion

If Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji ever had a few years of peace after they hit the age of eighteen, they would've figured their feelings out. Yet, everytime something is about to come out of their relationship, Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji go through a major ordeal that pushes them back to base zero. In their first life, their relationship ends on a tragedy.

Lan Wangji's full-grown tree of his feelings doesn't get to provide Wei Ying with its shade, left forever alone until the tree eventually dies. Meanwhile, Wei Ying's sprouts never get the water it needs to grow spontaneously.

One can't fall in love as deeply as Wei Ying is with Lan Zhan after his revival in just three months. Thus, I hope this post made it easier to see just how deep his feelings ran. I will write a follow-up post about his attitude towards Lan Zhan in his second life!

Do let me know your thoughts as well.

[knifeshoebookworm]

Oh my god, anyone realise that for Jiang Cheng to have had the comb to give to Wen Qing after Lotus Pier fell, he must have had it on him on the day which means...he regularly carried it around. This teenage boy who knew full well after the Qishan Indoctrination that the Wen were The Enemy and he wouldn't ever be allowed to be with Wen Qing carried that comb around with him because he presumably couldn't bear to put aside that symbol of his feelings. Remember the day Lotus Pier was sacked started out the same as any other day - even if Jiang Cheng anticipated trouble from the Wen at some point following the fiasco in the Xuanwu Cave, there's no way he could have known that by nightfall he would have lost his home, his parents and his sect and be on the run with his siblings with nothing but the clothes on their backs and whatever they carried with them. And so he carried that comb around next to his heart everyday, just like afterwards he would carry his love for Wen Qing despite her clan massacring his, despite being so traumatised he flinched from her in the supervisory office. He carried that love through the months after the sacking until he offered it to her along with the comb when he found her in that cell. And much later, when she followed him down from the Burial Mounds and returned it to him because she couldn't accept his love and his protection, not when she would have to leave her family behind, the freaking devastation on his face as she gave it back and the way he took it so reluctantly as if it physically pained him because his feelings hadn't ebbed at all...man, that comb encompassed so much. And it was a crying shame that they couldn't be together, that the world wouldn't let them.

[stiltonbasket]

Hi, I love all your fics and adored the one with fem!Wei Wuxian who seems even more of a chaos goblin than her canon counterpart and tries to break apart her engagement to LWJ. Could we see some more of what of what happens after LWJ moves into the Burial Mounds, perhaps how Wen Qing realizes that this man is hopelessly in love with his oblivious fiancee and maybe tries to prod them together (bonus points for LWJ being so obvious Wen Ning, Granny and the rest of the Wens notice XD).

"They need a chaperone."

"They don't need a chaperone."

"They do," Popo insists, watching with enormous eyes as Lan Wangji glides up to Wei Wuxian and offers—for what must be the eleventh time that week—to take over her chores in the vegetable field, presumably so that Wei Wuxian can spend her time improving the wards around the Burial Mounds instead. "Oh, good heavens. I'm nearly eighty years old, and I've never seen a man looking at a maiden like that."

"Be that as it may," Wen Qing says doggedly, "they have no need of a chaperone. Wei Wuxian ended their engagement before she seceded from the Jiang clan, and neither she nor Hanguang-jun chose the betrothal to begin with."

"They don't need a chaperone because Wei-guniang doesn't know that Hanguang-jun is in love with her," Wen Ning mutters, from the grimy depths of the lotus pond at Wen Qing's right. "When Lan-zongzhu visited last week, he told me that Hanguang-jun cried like a baby after Wei-guniang refused to marry him. I think she likes him, too, but she doesn't seem affected at all."

Two tiny fingers pluck at Wen Qing's skirt, and she glances down to find Wen Yuan trying to stand on her shoes, grasping a fold of her gown in one hand and a grubby stuffed tiger in the other.

"What is it, A-Yuan?" she asks. "Are you hungry? Xian-jiejie will feed you in just a little while, so be patient until the congee finishes boiling."

"A-Yuan's not hungry," the little boy says, before putting Hu-shixiong's tail in his mouth. "But, jiejie—Lan-gege loves Xian-jie very much! Gege told A-Yuan!"

At this juncture, Wen Binbin materializes at Wen Qing's right with Uncles Three through Six trailing behind her.

"How long were they engaged, Qingqing?" she asks, in a conspiratorial whisper. "We never heard much news from the other sects in Dafan—but you and A-Ning went to school with them, so you must know something."

Wen Qing sighs.

"A-Xian's parents contracted the betrothal before they passed away," she replies, "but they didn't meet until the year Lan Wangji turned eleven."

Popo clasps her hands in delight. "Were they childhood friends, then?"

"Of a sort," Wen Qing acknowledges, frowning. "I once heard someone say that Hanguang-jun started sewing toy frogs for their future children when he was only a boy, but that can't possibly be true."

She feels another soft tug at her skirt. "Qing-jiejie, A-Yuan wants a frog."

"Hanguang-jun can make you one, Yuan'er. And the part about the frogs is true," A-Ning pipes up, tossing a seed-filled lotus pod to Wen Binbin. "She had one of them with her in the dungeon at Bu Ye Tian when I went to bring medicine to the prisoners during the indoctrination camp."

"Really?" Fourth Uncle gasps. "She carried Hanguang-jun's gifts all the way to Qishan, so that they could comfort her in her time of need?"

"Zewu-jun had better be thinking of a way to have the betrothal reinstated," Wen Qing says, crossing her arms in frustration. "Why did Wei Wuxian break it in the first place? Hanguang-jun would have honored the engagement no matter how the jianghu dared to slander her."

"I suppose that's why," Wen Ning says morosely. "She's afraid that Hanguang-jun will stand by her, no matter what she does—"

"A foolish thing to be frightened of, if you ask me," Wen Binbin mutters. "There are worse things in the world than a devoted husband."

"—and that he might suffer for it. It's difficult to tell, but she loves him just as much as he loves her."

At this, A-Yuan beams like a miniature sun and toddles over to the edge of the pond.

"Really, Ning-shushu?" he asks, enchanted. "Can Jiejie have a wedding?"

"I suppose she can, if Hanguang-jun asks for her hand in marriage again."

Fifth Uncle nods and strokes his chin. "But how can he muster up the courage to ask if Wei-guniang treats him so coldly?"

"I saw her sneaking a second helping of chicken into his porridge the other day," Liu-shu mutters. "If that is a cold woman, Langdan, then I've never met a tender-hearted one."

At this juncture, Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji bow to one another and go their separate ways, having reached some kind of agreement about the wards and Wei Wuxian's daily chores. Wei Wuxian gathers up the powdered cinnabar she was sunning and retreats into the cave that serves as her workshop and bedchamber; and Lan Wangji goes off to fetch the laundry from the patch of grass by the potato field, where it had been hung up to dry early that morning.

The Wens disperse as well, not wishing to be caught gossiping in broad daylight by the very subject of their discussion. Popo takes Wen Yuan back to her little house for a bath, dragging A-Ning along with her; and Wen Qing dives into her little infirmary, leaving the door open a crack so that she can eavesdrop on the would-be couple if Lan Wangji seeks A-Xian out again.

And since Wei Wuxian and Hanguang-jun could not avoid one another if their lives depended on it, Wen Qing overhears them discussing the subject of A-Yuan's education less than a quarter-shichen later.

"After all of this is over, I suspect the Wens will be sent to the Cloud Recesses," Lan Wangji says quietly. "I do not think they would be at ease living in close proximity to Jiang-zongzhu, and Xiongzhang has set aside three living compounds for them close to his Hanshi. What is more, A-Yuan would be allowed all the privileges of an inner disciple if he were educated there—and he would not have to surrender his family name, either."

"You'd take him in as an inner disciple?" Wei Wuxian's voice is both louder and more indistinct than Hanguang-jun's, somehow, floating back to Wen Qing in bits and pieces as if it had passed through a veil of thick fog on the way. "I suppose that's for Popo and the others to decide if Zewu-jun has already made the offer, but what if the other disciples mistreat him? I won't stand for it, Lan Zhan."

"He will be my ward, since his parents have passed on: so that should be sufficient to keep him safe. And if you join the Wens in Gusu, Yuan'er will have your protection as well."

A moment's silence, and then:

"Do you mean to return to Lotus Pier when the Dafan clan is granted amnesty?" Hanguang-jun inquires, sounding positively heartbroken. "I—how will they go on without you, Wei Ying? A-Yuan scarcely leaves your side now that he is beginning to forget the horror of the camps, and Wen Ning—"

"I don't intend to go back to Yunmeng," Wei Wuxian says at length, after a pause that lasted the span of about seven perilously sluggish heartbeats. "My place is with the Wens now, I think. There should be someone at the Cloud Recesses who can guard them night and day, out of love for them and not under orders from you or Lan-zongzhu; so wherever they go, I will follow."

Though Wen Qing cannot see him, the soft, stricken pitch of Hanguang-jun's voice is proof that his heart had come very near to melting.

"En, that is good," he murmurs. "It is settled, then."

And with that, the two of them depart together, their footsteps fading away down the old dirt track that leads to Sishu's favorite apple grove.

They belong together, Wen Qing thinks fondly, before turning towards the heap of dried herbs awaiting her attention on her desk. And I pray that some day soon—Heaven willing—A-Xian will realize it, as well.

[cerusee]

18 and 30?

18 - if you keep them, share a deleted sentence or paragraph from a published fic

Oooh I largely don’t—I JUST got finished taking the editorial axe to the latest chapter of the WIP du jour—but I remembered I still have an outtake from The River Runs Forever, a scene I wrote well in advance of the ending, and then used none of, because I wrote in a different direction:

“Lan Zhan and Wen Qing can keep each other company,” Wei Wuxian said, in a terrible approximation of lighthearted cheer, and indeed, if Lan Wangji wanted company, he knew where the infirmary was; that was where Wen Qing was mostly likely to go. “We’re having brother time.”

Brother time. They’d often slept together this way, when they were children, sharing a room, both of them tending towards bad dreams and restless, interrupted sleep. It had been a surprise, an unpleasant shock, even, when his parents had announced, at ages twelve and thirteen, that Wei Wuxian was big enough for his own room, now. They’d traded off sneaking into one another’s rooms after bad dreams for months, after that, before they finally adjusted to the change. Then they’d shared a room again for months, at the Cloud Recesses, just a couple of years later, which Jiang Cheng had appreciated, as it helped stave off any pangs of homesickness, at the longest stretch of time he’d ever spent outside Lotus Pier in one go. And then again at the indoctrination in Qishan, where it was even more welcome (oh, he’d been so selfishly grateful, that Wei Wuxian had insisted on coming with him there, even though he didn’t have to). If he were to add up all the nights in his life, Jiang Cheng thought he must have spent more of them sleeping in the same room as Wei Wuxian as not; the sound of his breathing was the most natural lullaby in the world. He wondered if Wei Wuxian felt the same way, even now.

30 - share a fic you’re especially proud of

Man, I always waffle over these because I have so few to pick from, and I always pick the same favorites. (Because they’re better!) But uhhhh, the word that would best describe this feeling / would be haunted is the first fic I ever wrote for The Untamed, and while I’ve undergone whole shifts in perspective and reevaluated stuff since then, I still love it because it was a pretty raw reaction to the way CQL made me feel, and it got me properly writing again after a bit of a hiatus, after I petered out on the batfandom. Also? it’s good.

[jaimebluesq]

I heard there were some people speaking unkindly and rudely about my favourite MDZS/CQL ship, so in completely unrelated news, here's a fic I popped out last night! No spite involved whatsoever ;)

Jiang Cheng arrives at the Nie base camp during his search for Wei Wuxian, and sees Nie Huaisang for the first time since the Qishan Indoctrination Camp. War has not been kind to them, but no matter what the Wen have taken from them, there are some things that can never be taken away.

[twilightarc-gm]

To Endeavor is to Endure

by twilightarc

Rating: Teen Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply

Categories: F/F

Relationships: Jiang Cheng | Jiang Wanyin/Wei Ying | Wei Wuxian

Characters: Jiang Cheng | Jiang Wanyin, Wei Ying | Wei Wuxian, Jiang Yanli

Additional Tags:

Alternate Universe - Always a Different Gender or Sex, Jiang Cheng | Jiang Wanyin-centric, Female Jiang Cheng | Jiang Wanyin, Sick Jiang Cheng | Jiang Wanyin, Female Wei Ying | Wei Wuxian, Protective Wei Ying | Wei Wuxian, Cultivation Mechanics, Non-Sexual Intimacy, Qishan Wen Indoctrination (Modao Zushi), Hurt/Comfort, Implied/Referenced Sexual Harassment, Present Tense, POV Third Person Limited ​

Summary:

The Qíshān Wēn have sent an envoy to secure twenty disciples of the Yúnmèng Jiāng and Jiāng Chéng is certain of these things. One: her big brother Jiāng Yànlí definitely shouldn't go. Two: Wèi Wúxiàn won't go if her dearest Dā-shīxiōng doesn't go. Three: despite how miserable it sounds, this will be a great opportunity to prove that Jiāng Chéng isn't lacking merit for having monthly issues. It has to work out.

She can't lose every time. ​

Words: 4,330 | Chapters: 1/1 | Language: English | Published: 2024-09-06

@femslashaction

[dani474]

Jiang Cheng, the Golden Core, and why it's love. [PART 1]

First off, this has been a topic on my mind for a few weeks now and I've finally gotten around to putting my thoughts into a document. I was sharing my thoughts through tags and little notes in my drafts, but after some lovely encouragement from @travalerray I decided I'd go ahead and do it.

This didn't have as much focus on the fandom, but nevertheless gets my thoughts on this character and his relationship to Wei Wuxian across.

On my methods here, I went back through the manhua (mostly because it's much easier to skim through and get clips from) and I was making the draft as I went. That document turned out to be around 26 pages/11,200 words. I finalized by reordering what I wrote to make it more coherent (I hope) and added the novel clips needed so this is going to be super long.

Here we go.

The very first thing we learn about Wei Wuxian is gossip. Nothing in the first chapter is from his or Jiang Cheng's point of view. While not discussed overmuch in this, gossip is a HUGE factor in why their family relationship is so strained, including why the children are treated in much a way. This, of course, affects how Jiang Cheng navigates the world and his relationship with Wei Wuxian.

When we take a look at their youth, we can see quite a lot about their dynamic. The cloud Recesses Arc shows us:

“...You’ve already buried my corpse so many times. There’s nothing wrong with once more.” - Wei Wuxian

“Shoo, shoo! Don’t let me know the next time you’re doing such a thing! Don’t ask me to watch either!” - Jiang Cheng, in reply.

Even when he says this, Jiang Cheng follows Wei Wuxian around pretty often when he gets into trouble. Wei Wuixian often throws his arm around Jiang Cheng and teases him. They do the whole elbowing and tussling thing.

It’s very casual, reflecting certain loose boundaries due to being raised in the same household and being very close in age, while also being a contrast to what’s expected of them as people know Wei Wuixian is the son of a servant. This is a conflicting status that permeates their relationship.

Loud talking, playing, and loud arguments are common among the Yunmeng folks due to the nature of the sect’s rules and culture.

This gives us some context as to why Wei Wuixian is often speaking frequently and loudly and doing things with a looser regard for rules/politics other than just personality. It also tells us why Jiang Cheng responding to teasing and annoyance the way he does wouldn't be very noteworthy in Yunmeng.

Loudness and freeness are part of the philosophy and -- despite what his parents think - Jiang Cheng does reflect that, outside of having learned his attitude from his mother. Just differently than Wei Wuxian does. I'll come back to that.

Anyway. We get another hint at the complicated relationship and status dynamic when Lan Xichen, on the topic of the Water Ghoul hunt, says: "the head disciple and son of sect leader Jiang are quite well-known in Yunmeng.” Usually, the heir would be referred to first.

On top of this, the current social culture during this period is gradually getting tenser. Lan Xichen silently pointing to the sky to imply the waterborne abyss was a result of the Qishan Wen Sect and the others immediately getting it shows how people have gotten used to being unable to speak openly about the things happening. Jiang Cheng and Wei Wuxian talk quickly about how there will be no repercussions or acknowledgement, but otherwise do not speak of it out loud, much less by name in public.

Still, they are children, and no one truly comprehends the scope of the Wen sect’s actions yet. Up until the Indoctrination, the biggest issue between them was Madam Yu and Jiang Fengmian’s treatment of them. They try their best to deal with it.

For example, I noticed that while Wei Wuxian is arguing, stepping forward while they talk about Yanli and the arranged marriage, he doesn’t actually punch Jin Zixuan until this:

He clearly doesn’t like that people think this and this defense is about both of the Jiang siblings.

I don’t really have to point out the camaraderie in Jiang Cheng checking on Wei Wuxian while he’s kneeling during his punishment. Despite the brashness, their whole conversation here is casual and holds no jealousy about the last comment Jin Zixuan made. 

From here though, we can see how their relationship beings to become more fractured and malformed.

To start, I want to talk about Jiang Cheng’s view of Wei Wuxian and the internal philosophy that stems from his position as a sect heir. We all know Jiang Cheng complains that Wei Wuxian gets involved in other people’s business (ex. water ghoul/waterborne abyss) and this plays into the idea that Wei Wuxian is attempting to be a hero. In response to Wei Wuxian worrying about Lan Wangji’s leg injury during the indoctrination, says: “Stay out of it if you know what’s good for you.” Considering how tenuous their position is right now, this is understandable. Standing out is not a good idea, however they have no idea that their situation is much worse than they’re assuming. This is because they don’t know the Cloud Recesses were attacked, so having the Indoctrination right after is incredibly worrisome. 

I’m pointing this out because it’s a fundamental difference in perspective that causes the most prominent issue between them. Jiang Cheng, like his parents, believes that if they stay out of Wen business and keep their heads down, nothing will happen, but they’re severely underestimating the Wen’s ambitions. We learn proof of this later, when Madam Yu is surprised to hear about the Supervisory Offices. Wei Wuxian, in contrast, responds to the immediate threat of the Indoctrination and is ultimately unable to strategize about the long-term political consequences.

On one hand, they’d work well as strategists, because Wei Wuxian can adapt on the fly very easily and Jiang Cheng can observe and move according to the politics overall, they do not have the luxury here. (And, as the result of canon, are unable to do so in the future.)

This is why YunmengJiang sect was so unprepared. The response to the Wen’s, from pretty much everyone, was to stay low and wait it out. The larger sects relied on their status but, unlike the LanlingJin sect, couldn’t buy patience or leniency from the Wen. Because the disciples don’t fully comprehend the scope of what’s going on, they can’t respond to anything outside of immediate circumstances and can't predict the consequences. This is an issue for every single one of them.

During the Indoctrination, the two of them argue over whether or not Wei Wuxian should carry Lan Wangji (after learning about the CR burning), and once again, Jiang Cheng approaches with a specific philosophy: “If we can’t take care of ourselves, how can we take care of other people’s difficulties?”

This, here, is why Wei Wuxian protecting the Wen’s leads to Jiang Cheng agreeing to a staged defection. He cannot protect his sect and Wei Wuxian if he continues to involve himself with the Wen remnants and their difficulties. That was not a lack of care, but quite literally a lack of strength. I'll come back to this with more detail later.

When Wei Wuxian wakes up in Lotus Pier, Jiang Cheng is able to bicker with him a little about the Xuanwu, but becomes increasingly upset, even as he gives a congradulations.

His comment about how Wei Wuxian shouldn’t have helped Lan Wangji results in Madam Yu and Jiang Fengmian arguing over Wei Wuxian being favored while their son and heir is treated like he cannot understand their sect’s motto. By both Jiang Fengmian and Madam Yu's own words belittle their son, even as they argue about it.

Of course, Madam Yu is blaming Wei Wuxian for the issue, even though the thing that started the “rebellion” was MianMian being threatened with her life. She ran to hide behind Lan Wangji and Lan Zixuan. They guard her by their own choice and only block her. Jin Zixuan arguing with Wen Chao causes Wang Lingjiao to order the soldiers to attack. Only after that does Wei Wuxian unsettle Wen Chao by reciting one of their ancestors. It’s unsurprising that Madam Yu never bothers to learn the circumstances. Nor that she dismisses the threat that the Wen’s truly pose.

I'm not blaming her for the attack on Lotus Pier, only her willful misunderstanding of the situation.

“One day he’ll definitely land our clan in some serious trouble.”

“Sect leader Jiang, take a good look at your biological son. I’m sure you know about the rumors, that people think Wei Ying is your..”

I want to note something here.

Madam Yu is angry because of the rumors. She is angry at Wei Wuxian because people believe he is Jiang Fengmian’s bastard. That she's been disrespected and dishonored. Jiang Cheng is upset because his father hates his mother – and by extension, him – and favors Wei Wuxian as a result. That's not even getting into his father's feelings for Canse Sanren.

Jiang Cheng is hurt and jealous because Wei Wuxian is noted as being able to follow the sect motto while he is scolded for not being able to. Here, his actions after the indoctrination went unsupported and unacknowledged. This is a very reasonable thing to be upset about. Pitting people so close in age, especially those raised together, is super unhealthy -- not to mention unfair-- especially for the one overshadowed.

Like how Yu Ziyuan can't seem to break out of Canse Sanren's shadow in her husband's eyes, or even the eyes of the public due to the favoritism, Jiang Cheng cannot either. Are their reactions always proportional? No, but there is a reason behind them.

Wei Wuxian responds by reassuring Jiang Cheng that even if he doesn’t understand or follow the sect motto by tradition, he can still be a great sect leader. This calms Jiang Cheng down enough that Wei Wuxian can put an arm around his shoulders again.

Here, Wei Wuxian promises: “In the future, you’ll be the sect leader and I’ll be your subordinate, just like your father and mine.”

I want to talk about what Wei Wuxian is actually saying here.

Yes, they can be the Twin Prides of Yunmeng, but the position he offers is one of servitude. Literally. 

In an attempt to reduce the tension between them, he leans into the perception that he is the son of a servant and offers to fulfill that role for Jiang Cheng* as his father had (“Wei Changze–Jiang Fengmian’s most loyal servant.”). Wei Wuxian is not doing this from a place of self-depreciation (as we know from how he talks about his parentage) but is probably an unconscious comparison to make Jiang Cheng feel less threatened. As head disciple, he shouldn’t really compare it to their father's relationship or positions, but he does. I don’t think Jiang Cheng caught it. 

*This is an issue that will crop up again later.

Half a month after the disciples returned from the indoctrination, Wang Lingjiao comes to Lotus Pier. They use an archery target as “proof” that a younger disciple is plotting against the Wen sect. This already tells us they just want an excuse to start trouble.

Then, Wang Lingjiao says she came to punish someone (WWX). She actually uses the rumors about Wei Wuxian’s parentage to goad Madam Yu into listening to her, by implying that protecting Wei Wuxian would be lending credit to them. This is a great example of how gossip has a huge influence on how people are perceived and the power it can wield over certain politics. 

Madam Yu does whip Wei Wuxian, saying: “...hadn’t I told you, long ago, you…unruly thing! Sooner or later, you’ll bring trouble to the Jiang clan!” Note the dehumanizing language.

Jiang Cheng is trying to stop his mother but is physically restrained by her two servants.

“While Madam Yu always pelted him with hostile words, she’d never really hit him hard before—two or three lashes at most, or being made to kneel or confined indoors, and it never took Jiang Fengmian long to release him from that. But this time, he took dozens of hits from that whip, each lash so hard his back burned with pain until it went numb.”

Remember, he ends up walking around and carrying Jiang Cheng with these injuries. He didn't truly complain about his injuries during the Indoctrination, and he doesn't -- even once -- complain here.

After finishing, she tells Wang Lingjiao that it would take at least a month to heal. When WLJ says she can chop off one of his arms and be left alone, Madam Yu genuinely looks to be considering it.  Jiang Cheng breaks away from the servant’s and covers Wei Wuxian’s body, telling his mother: “...It’s not like what she said at all…” [Regardless of what Jiang Cheng says in the immediate aftermath of seeing Lotus Pier, this is what he thought.]

Besides that, the only reason she didn’t was because Wang Lingjiao mentioned the Supervisory Office. Jiang Cheng trying to hold her in place doesn’t seem to deter her at all.

We could talk all day about the parenting of Madam Yu (and Jiang Fengmian), but it's not the point here, so I'll go on.

It takes two hours for Lotus Pier to be annihilated. That’s it. 

 Right after, he starts to cry because he wants his parents.

While his actions here were hurtful, it is not entirely intentional or malicious. Logically, he understands there was little to stop them from coming, but emotions won’t be soothed by that, so all he has is his pain and rage.

And once Jiang Cheng is rescued from Lotus Pier. Well.

Wei Wuxian mentions his self-esteem for a reason.

“I want revenge but…I don’t have a golden core anymore. How can I get revenge now? Core-melting hand. Hahahahahaha. Core-melting hand. Wei Wuxian, why did you save me? To let me live in this and understand that I can’t change anything?!”

He’s literally having a breakdown due to trauma and stress.

He attacks Wen Ning and is worried that Wei Wuxian brought them into a trap (fair concern). He chokes Wei Wuxian again for a moment before Wen Qing steps in. Jiang Cheng was mostly laughing and shouting here, and I have no idea (am given no indication even later) if he remembers any of this.

They stay in Yiling for 3 days and Jiang Cheng looks…Well dead inside. He’s mostly distant now that his initial rage is dampened. Wei Wuxian brings his spirit up by mentioning the golden core. Note here that Wei Wuxian wants to get revenge as well. He wants Jiang Cheng to be able to get his revenge. He went out of his way to do research in the novels to help achieve this. I don’t think I have to elaborate on why this is a contributing factor in the Golden Core Transfer.

Wei Wuixian leads Jiang Cheng to the mountain and says he can receive a golden core with the help of Baoshan Sanren, and remains there for 7 days. We don’t see Wei Wuxian’s thought process in the manhua, and I'll go into more detail later.

Unfortunately, when he tries to go to the town and into a winehouse, he gets cornered by Wen Chao and his goonies. Then you know, the burial mounds happened.

There's so much happening after Wei Wuxian's return, but for the most part, their personal relationship remains quite good.

 Look at how happy Jiang Cheng is to see Wei Wuxian again. His words are fond.

Wei Wuxian looks tired and less happy, but not upset either. Unsurprisingly, Jiang Cheng's response to worry and relief is to yell a bit and lightly punch him. It's not at all malicious and is typical of close male friends.

When Lan Wangji and Wei Wuxian have *their* typical brand of misunderstanding here, Jiang Cheng is quick to step between them and support Wei Wuxian as his sect leader.

This is the first time he's given the opportunity to do so, and yet, during the Phoenix Mountain Hunt, we see Jiang Cheng overhearing gossip, having the strength of the Yunmeng Jiang sect attributed to Wei Wuxian, once again with no acknowledgement of his work to rebuild the sect. His insecurities over this are deeply rooted, but the more external pressure he faces over it, the deeper the wedge between them becomes.

[We hear Jin Guangyao point out the weakness of this wedge outright, years later, but it's still surprising to see how much manipulation was going into that, and how much is due to sect weakness.]

In the aftermath of Wei Wuxian liberating Qionqi path, Jiang Cheng attempts to soothe the distrust and anger shown by the other sects, but Jin Guangshan specifically plays at his insecurities and lack of support to guide him to abandoning Wei Wuxian.

Stating: “Wei Ying is your right-hand man. You value him a lot. However, whether or not he respects a sect leader like you is hard to tell. During the flower banquet, he dared to throw a fit right in front of you. Yesterday, he was even more presumptuous with his back on you.” 

JGS continues: “He even dared to say something like ‘I never look up to Jiang Wanyin, this sect leader! --” and this is an outright lie. Lan Wangji tries to push against this; however, the Jin’s follow up with their own additions and ultimately speak louder. 

MianMian struggles with this as well, when she tries to defend WWX’s actions at Qionqi path. Her words, of course, are dismissed due to misogyny, more so than sect power dynamics. Even so, her words here are extremely relevant: “Fine! Your voices are louder! Fine! You’re the rational ones!”

Her statement here is exactly why this happens:

He does not have the political backing nor experience to outweigh everyone else, and their voices are so loud that his words end up carrying no meaning and no weight. Look at the expression there. He's not even frustrated, he just seems sideswept by it.

Jiang Cheng did not want to. He supported Wei Wuxian and was trying to protect the Wen’s due to Wen Ning and Wen Qing’s support. He is ultimately outweighed and outnumbered, regardless of how true Wei Wuxian’s claims about the prisoners or Jiang Cheng’s promises of alliance actually are. 

Initially, Jiang Cheng's visit to the burial mound is pretty non-judgmental. it's not until they being to discuss Wen Ning that the fractures forming show.

“Don’t you know how many eyes are watching you right now? We burn this corpse right now and return all of these remnants of the Wen sect, that way people will stop talking!”

We can talk all we want about Wei Wuxian’s goal here, but Jiang Cheng is in a completely different position. He’s a young, inexperienced sect leader and his sect is still diminished. Wei Wuxian is not trusted and the only people who spoke in support of either of them were shouted into silence. Right now, he does not have the room to think about how to protect the Wens, only how to reduce the backlash Wei Wuxian and his sect will face for it. 

Not to mention, those in power fear Wei Wuxian’s strength while also seeking his Stygian Tiger Seal. 

Everyone is familiar with this panel. But I think people often ignore its context (or its actual meaning entirely) when discussing Jiang Cheng as a character. He is taking Wei Wuxian’s side. He’s also saying that Wei Wuxian’s attempts at justice will not be regarded positively.

“Do you want me to say it clearer? If you insist on protecting them, then I won’t be able to protect you.” 

Wei Wuxian is the one who decides that Jiang Cheng – and the Jiang sect – should not protect him. Jiang Cheng never even implied such. In fact, he says the opposite. This is relevant because it speaks to how their goals, restrictions, and philosophies are different.

Jiang Cheng wants to protect his sect and stay out of other people’s business as they do not have the political clout or manpower to support anyone else. Wei Wuxian has no limitations because he no longer plays an active role as head disciple, and his own moral compass tells him that it’s more important to protect the Wens – the people currently facing an injustice – over safety. Both of them are unwilling to give up on their goal of protecting someone, and the current situation doesn’t allow for much compromise between these two things. Protecting the Wens automatically makes Wei Wuxian’s goal a threat to the current powers and Jiang Cheng knows it.

That doesn't mean he wanted to denounce Wei Wuxian, though.

And yes, he snarks here about Wei Wuxian understanding the Jiang sect motto more than him but has no space to linger on it. Instead, he proposes for a duel.

I want to point out that Jiang Cheng has no idea what the state of the prison camps were like as he had no chance to actually investigate. All he has is Wei Wuxian’s claims and everyone else’s scorn and manipulations.

Also, him stabbing Wei Wuxian can look pretty bad, but remember, Jiang Cheng does not know about the Golden Core Transfer, so he has no way to gauge the risks properly. And considering Wen Ning was involved in the duel for at least some of it, not using his sword would immediately give them away. Zidian is likely avoided because it’s a bit too. hm. Real.

The emotions driving their actions are genuine, even if the duel itself was staged.

In the end, it came down to protection for justice and debt (to Wen Qing and Wen Ning) vs. protection for security and stability.

This is a conversation between LWJ and WWX, but at its core is the whole issue:

“To be honest, I’d like to ask as well. If not like this, what else can I do? Give up the demonic path? Then what about the people on this mountain? Give them up? I can’t do that. Neither can you.* Is there anyone who could give me a nice broad road to walk on? A road where, even without the ghost path, I could still protect the ones I wish to protect.”

*And neither could Jiang Cheng. He can't give up on his sect.

Wei Wuxian holds no grudge over this because there was not really any other option. Because of the communication issues between them in general, they could not have had such a frank question of their options. Lan Wangji does not have the external pressure of a sect on his shoulders restricting him and he’s clearly weighing the risks. Jiang Cheng can care as much as he wants and can want to protect Wei Wuxian with all his strength, but unless they could talk like this and could open another path, they wouldn’t have been able to fulfill both goals.

Even after their duel though, Jiang Cheng arranged for Wei Wuxian to locate him and see Yanli in her wedding robes. He’s the one who got the idea of Wei Wuxian giving Jin Ling his courtesy name. Despite all circumstances, he’s still trying to keep Wei Wuxian as part of their lives. They even talk about the duel they had in a casual way. You can take Jiang Cheng's brutish words at face value, but his actions are telling us how much he cares, and his circumstances are telling us how much of a struggle it actually is. He even warns Wei Wuxian of it.

He adds: “You never listen to any of my opinions. One day, you’ll come to understand that what I said was right.” Fandom often mentions Jiang Cheng’s arrogance but let’s be real, Wei Wuxian is severely underestimating the dangers around him, and Jiang Cheng is right. Because he’s involved with the current politics, he can see that people will not be willing to leave them alone. 

They get one year of peace. No more.

The saddest thing is Jin Zixuan had genuinely invited Wei Wuxian to Jin Ling’s one month banquet. None of them could have even imagined that Jin Zixun would set up an ambush, nor did anyone know about Jin Guangyao playing behind the curtains for his father. Due to lack of information, they had no way to prepare. Wei Wuxian struggling to manage his emotional response to the situation is only one factor. Jin Zixuan wouldn't have been there without someone influencing him to.

By the way, Wei Wuxian being blamed for something he didn’t do, with no opportunity to defend himself proves Jiang Cheng’s point. He didn’t do anything for a year. And he was still the villain somehow. They did not care to figure out the truth. They already decided Wei Wuxian was guilty and that his death would be justified.

As a result, Wen Ning and Wen Qing sacrifice themselves in hope that the Lanling Jin sect will leave Wei Wuxian alone. The themes of love and sacrifice are repeated to us again.

I have no idea why Yanli would be at a siege conference, but she was. She went outside searching for Wei Wuxian specifically because she wanted to see him, and because she wanted to help him. When it comes to each other, the three of them are very impulsive and irrational. This is very much a mutual issue.

She saw a threat to her A-Xian, even as he began to stop the corpses, and jumped to defend him. She would’ve been safe had she stayed in JC’s arms (or WWX’s in the novels, I think), but it was instinctive.

[And again.]

I’m not surprised this, of all things, would severely damage Jiang Cheng and Wei Wuxian's relationship. And using the Stygian Tiger Seal makes sense in context, but now, there’s nothing that can convince the others to leave the Burial mounds alone. Jiang Cheng wouldn't be able to argue for rehabilitation even if he tried.

The fact that this siege ends in Wei Wuxian's death and still isn't the end of their relationship is just. yeah. I'll be going over that in part 2.

LINK TO PART 2

[wangxianficfinder]

hi!! im the one who sent an ask about a wangxian abo bingo series i found it!!

it seems i mixed somethings together, intead of being only sceneries variations from the xuanwu cave, it seems to be a lot of different sceneries, be it canon divergency, canon compliant, or post-canon.

anyways, it was the "wangxian a/b/o bingo" series by deastar

Hi! Glad you found what you were looking for ^^

Wangxian A/B/O Bingo by Deastar (E, 99k, WangXian, Major Character Death, Underage, Rape/Non-Con, A/B/O, Qishan Wen Indoctrination, Dubious Consent, Alpha LWJ, Omega WWX, Mpreg, Abortion, Pining while fucking, This universe's version of rape culture, Non-Traditional A/B/O Dynamics, Xuanwu of Slaughter Cave, Hurt/Comfort, Dirty Talk, Omega LWJ, WWX Has Self-Worth Issues, Post-Canon, Alpha WWX, Alpha/Beta, Beta LWJ, Rule 63, Female LWJ/Female WWX, unlearning your bigoted programming, Canon Divergence, Beta/Omega, two self-sacrificing idiots go on a journey of self-discovery through the medium of marathon sex, unapologetically a fix-it, Post-Sunshot Campaign, Attempted Rape/Non-Con, I wouldn't say we're quite in dead dove territory but this is a heavy one so proceed with caution, Guilt, Shame, Psychological Trauma, Non-Consensual Humiliation, Non-Consensual Voyeurism, Beta/Beta, Demisexual LWJ, Trans WWX, Fluff and Smut, Partial Cisswap, Cloud Recesses Study Arc, poor LQr is just trying to be a supportive ace elder and doing a great job actually, too bad it goes right over his niece's head, Beta WWX, Implied/Referenced Dubious Consent, not between WWX and LWJ, JFM & YZY's A+ parenting, Oblivious WWX, Angst)

~Mod L

[aitchnkay]

Jiang Gunian Made A Change Part 11

Waiting was challenging. There was no news from Qishan. No news as to how the Wen were handling the Indoctrination lessons when the heirs were missing. No news from anywhere. Jiang YanLi paced in the comfort and privacy of her room and exuded as much regal serenity as she was capable when walking around in public.

“Lan Zongzhu, How many cultivators with our talismans do you have remaining at Cloud Recesses?”

“One,” he answered. “He is under instructions to activate it only under the most extreme circumstances.”

She worried at her bottom lip. “A’Cheng?”

“I think over ten remain. One was supposed to go to the Indoctrination Center.”

“Ten. And none have anything to report.”

“They can’t all be dead, Shijie,” Wei WuXian soothed. “I handpicked the fastest flyers with the strongest self-preservation instincts. When the Wen attack, at least some of them will make it here.”

“When the Wen attack....” she echoed. “Why aren’t they attacking?” It bothered her, this stillness. The insult of none of the major sects’ heirs attending should have done something. “Nie HuaiSang. Any news from Qinghe?”

“None, Jiang Gunian. We have several strong flyers with eyes on several sects in Qinghe. None of them have reported in.”

She worried at her lip again. “We need eyes and ears in Qishan. At the Nightless City. We can prepare for war, but unless we have information on what they are planning....”

“Shijie... worrying helps no one,” Wei WuXian tried to calm their leader again. “We have sufficient people who will come to us when the Wen make their move.”

Speaking with the fortune teller didn’t help a lot, either. “What is supposed to happen?”

The fortune teller, Xia KeXin, sighed. “I told you what I knew was supposed to happen. You’ve changed things. It’s anyone’s guess now.”

“What happened. During the Indoctrination. Tell me again.”

Xia KeXian settled on her mat. “The cultivators arrive. Wen Chao is in charge. He says they are to study the Quintessence of Wen Mao. Their swords are taken away. There are night hunts where the students act as bait for Wen Chao to take down his prey. The last night hunt is to some mountain and a cave hidden in its depths. Wei WuXian is the one who reveals the cave location. The students are forced into the cave. There’s a fight, and they wake the monster. The Wen escape. Jiang Cheng leads most of the students to safety by swimming. Wei WuXian and Lan WangJi are left behind. They kill the monster. Jin ZiXuan leads the rescue party.

“Wen Chao sends his... partner... to Lotus Pier to have Wei WuXian flogged and his sword hand cut off for fighting him in the cave and for killing the monster. Your mother accedes to the first request, but refuses the second upon realizing that the Wang woman intends to take charge of Lotus Pier. There’s a fight. Jiang Cheng and Wei WuXian escape; your parents and most of your clan are killed.”

Jiang YanLi stopped the older woman. “You really should address my brother properly. Can we... can we assume that Wen Chao will not be able to find the monster since Wei WuXian is not there to find the cave?“

Xia KeXin thought for a moment. “I would not assume that. It is possible that the cave is found through intense work. But intense work is not Wen Chao’s strong point. It is likely he abandoned that quest.”

“So if... when they attack Lotus Pier, there will be some other pretense.”

“Pretense? I would think the justification for attacking would be obvious. YunmengJiang were required to send its heir and strongest disciples. You’re all here. My assumption is that the Lotus Pier disciples sent to Qishan are dead or imprisoned for the affront, and one of the Wen brothers has already assembled a faction to attack your home.”

Jiang YanLi agreed with the old woman. it was only a matter of time before her home was attacked and her parents and friends.... She hoped they would all survive. “We need spies. We need to be able to communicate. We need current information,” she seethed. “Jin ZiXuan? Will you give us the knowledge of how to send butterflies?”

“No?” he sputtered. “That’s proprietary!”

“A’Xian.” she turned to face her head disciple. “Can you emulate the butterflies?”

He nodded. “It will take some time to design it and perfect it.”

“I need the same capabilities. Ear to ear, person to person. Short messages so we can be informed as to what’s happening out there.”

Waiting was challenging. No news was frustrating.

Then the waiting was broken, but not by a YunmengJiang disciple. The cultivator who stumbled, bleeding, into their settlement was wearing Jin gold. “Koi Tower has fallen.”

[magnaflourious-nerdity]

The Flash/The Untamed 3 sentence AU fic??

Leonard can hear the adoptive 2nd son of the Fěicuì Clan of Qishan droning on in his ridiculous, whining, tone from far above, atop the ridiculous, excessively long staircase in front of them all, and has to fight the urge to roll his eyes. He still loses. The man is practically a parody of the useless second son of a power-hungry warlord. Which was exactly what he was. He may have been granted his title and power by pure chance and the unknowable whims of the increasingly unstable Emerald Emperor, but he wouldn't hesitate to abuse every ounce of it- as underscored by the sheer audacity of his next declaration,

"Weapons are not allowed inside the walls of this compound. Chóngshēng Dàshī ," the words are said in the insufferable whinging tone of the incurably privileged, and its sets Leonard's teeth on edge "-thinks that all of you have become too dependant upon them. Too soft. Too weak." He sneers down at them all as a faction of guards moves to collect their weapons,.

So Leonard braces himself for a fight because, fuck, this guy is stupider than he'd thought if he believed for a second that Leonard- or any number of the other hardcore disciples for that matter- those trained religiously to place the honor of their clan's reputation above all else -would give up their main sources of pride and protection so quickly. Not when they're all deep inside hostile enemy territory. When they could all recognize the truth of this so-called "indoctrination camp". They weren't here to be students. They were here to be hostages. And both sides knew it.

He begins to identify several of the other young masters around him that must have similar notions because a small number have still not yet volunteered to hand over their assorted swords, talismans, instruments, or blades, as others have. Instead, those few are tightening their grips and squaring their shoulders in preparation.

Some of the young masters are complaining loudly at their treatment, others- seeming stoic but determined not to cause trouble for their less well off houses -hand over their weapons bitterly. The voices around him grow louder with the swirling miasma of discontent and Leonard can feel his qi stirring in his meridians as he prepares himself to go on the attack as soon as an opening presents itself.

The little shit at the top must be getting exactly what he wants though, in the fog of discontent being sewn at his feet by his own hands, because his smugness is practically a visible aura radiating around him, it's so thick.

"Oh come now, gongzi. Surely you've heard by now what happens to those who refuse to bow to the righteous will of the Emerald Master of Rebirth in his infinitely greater wisdom, hmmm?"

And, gods, Leonard cant stand a shizun's pet but all around him there suddenly rises the unsure, paranoid, mutterings of the powerless, those tangibly stuck waiting for the other shoe to drop. Leonard thinks he hears murmers of words like Gusu and ambush and most stomach-churningly of all: slaughtered. but he closes his ears to them all. It's ridiculous. Nothing like that would be allowed to happen, not if the Allens still stood to protect the mountain... not if Barry was still in any condition to fight for his home...

At that thought, Leonard feels his insides constricting like a vice with doubt (and maybe if he is willing to examine it, a tiny bit of real, true, fear) as he remembers the sight of the Marden Complex, eviscerated and strung-up like animals, all in one night, all by the work of one man with a grudge, and directed like a puppet by the whims of chóngshēng dàshī himself.

At the same time, He sees the horrid grin of the second son widening. Watches as he fixes his eyes, frenzied in their anticipation of this exact moment, on something seemingly just past the gathered disciples.

His voice is viscous and sugary and mocking when he next opens his mouth to speak, making a grand gesture with both hands to indicate the rest of the stone staircase that lies behind them all.

"In fact, here comes an excellent demonstration of that very concept now."

And Leonard can't help himself. Curiosity and recklessness are woven into the fabric of his being across at least 4000 of his life times. He turns to see what has caught the attention of their captor. What warning he wants them all to behold that will supposedly sap them of any remaining attempts at resistance.

As his eyes fall upon the scene behind them, Leonard feels his blood freeze in his veins and his stomach becomes a pit of ice.

They have Barry.

They have Barry, and something is even more terribly, horribly, wrong than he thought because he's not even putting up a fight. And his eyes.... the ones that Leonard had come to know so well, the only ones that had always looked at him with sincerity instead of suspicion...

They look dead.

Something twists horribly inside of Leonard's chest and he forces it down with great effort.

The analytical portion of his brain, always present, always ready to aid in his life-long fight for survival, kicks into gear in triple time as his hand slides away from his weapon, and his spiritual energy returns to a low background buzz.

He eyes Barry up and down. Cataloging the way he limps, and the grimace on his face as he tries to favor his right leg, despite being frog marched and chained in qi dampening cuffs between 8 different guards. The singed edges and burt holes of his robes. The ring of bruises around his neck shaped like hands and the way his chest seems to heave with his every breath and every step.

If the rumors of the fall Gusu are true, then that means Barry has been taken alive for a reason. He is meant to be an example of what happens when a clan stands in the way of The Emperor’s plans.

His eyes flit to the man next to Barry. He recognizes him immediately as the Emperor’s most feared soldier and ruthless assassin. Eobard Thawne.

His normally apathetic face is filled with a subtle but manic sort of hunger as he maneuvers Barry onward, more gently than Leonard would have thought a man capable of so much destruction could be. he murmurs in low tones to his charge, but while the treatment is surprisingly subdued given the clear power he has in the current situation, there's still an uneasy edge to it. He's enjoying it, for reasons Leonard cant quite put a finger on until he notices the way his hands linger over Barry's injuries. The way those same hands are all scratched up like someone had been clawing to break free of them....

Well, fuck, He sighs to himself. Mind whirring as they march Scarlet right up next to him, on display for all the others to see as his chains are removed, but the power dampening cuffs are left on. As he's released by Thawne's deceptively dangerous hands, which linger again, just a fraction too long, the lack of support causes Barry to stumble under his own weight, teetering precariously on the verge of collapse, even as his face remains alarmingly vacant.

Leonard swears and goes to catch him, not even thinking as his sword falls from his hands to clatter to the ground as he does so, a guard swooping in to collect it almost immediately.

He sighs to himself again as he adjusts his hold to be as painless as possible for the man now in his arms. This obviously calls for a new plan. One much less bloody in initiation, but hopefully just as much so in eventual execution.

He whispers softly to the younger disciple- nonsense words of comfort and nostalgic tales from their earlier travels that now seem an age plus a lifetime past -even as Barry remains unresponsive and near catatonic.

Even as the younger man smears blood across Leonard's robes, from where he has him braced against him for support.

Even as he feels the eyes of the second son of Fěicuì chóngshēng dàshī fall upon him, gleeful in the needlessly cruel monstrousness of his triumph over them all in this moment.

Even as he feels another set of eyes. More cold and calculating than the 2nd son's. More so than even his own, watching them and picking apart his every movement, his every word spared to the comfort of his friend.

An involuntary shiver runs down his spine. But he remains neutral in expression at least, if not in action. If the two of them are going to make it out of here alive, he's going to have to keep it together for the both of them, play it cool, so to speak. Something he's at least used to well enough by now.

He pushes down the anger and the fear and the grief he feels not just for his friend, but for himself-- at how much his life has been ripped apart in a just a scant few hours by these absolute assholes. He pushes it all away, to a corner of his mind kept tightly under lock and key and takes a deep breath, focusing his qi-- erratically cycling through his meridians --into a steady warm pulse of healing energy directed through the arm he's using to hold Barry upright currently. It won't be a lot but it's what he can do for now.

And, still cycling his qi, still grounding himself and Barry together in this moment, he finally looks up and locks eyes with Eobard Thawne.

There is challenge in both of their gazes. Leonard's promising vengeance and a bloody retribution for all that he and his have lost and had stolen from them and been made to suffer. Eobard's gaze was indecipherable. Intense and calculating and somehow just a little bit bored, even now. But he allows his eyes to stray slowly down to where Leonard's hand is redting on Barry's shoulder. Where Thawne's had perched mere minutes before. And his answering smile when he met eyes with him once more chills Leonard through to his bones at the promises he saw being made in them.

He is no stranger to men like Eobard, in another life perhaps he would have been a man like Eobard. But in this one, he is only himself, and he prays that it will be enough to save he and Barry both.

[wutheringskies]

If you don't mind, can I ask something from MDZS? What do you think are Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji’s greatest personality strengths and weaknesses? Why? What do you love about their dynamic? Sorry if you've answered these questions before.....

Hi, anon! Sure, you can ask. I love asks. It's fun to think about MDZS .

Wei Wuxian:

Strength: I think his most important strength is his ingenuity, like this guy will use all that is near and available to him, to serve his purpose. He's really flexible, and can adapt easily, even his manner of speaking varies greatly; when he's angry, it becomes so cold and formal, yet, he can speak so cutely as well. There's this line in the book - "if he were poor, he could sleep under a tree. If he were rich, he could sleep in a mansion." He's so dauntless and I love that. Another major strength of his is his true empathy; even in the pits of hell, he made friends with the ghosts. The scene where he kisses the skeletal arm? Amazing. There are so many more strengths honestly; the way he is confident about his abilities, the way he will do the right thing even knowing that he would not be rewarded or thanked; he doesn't force debts onto others for his offered kindness; doesn't hold resentment; forgives the wrongs against him and is really, really smart.

Weakness: too good for this world. Joking. But I do think all of his weaknesses come from being a gem among the hay - too righteous, too kind, too good, unable to abandon those he cares about, willing to shoulder all sorts of burdens and some assholes just keep on adding more. not the type to complain or talk about his true feelings; too dismissive of his own emotions; moves on with the next thing a little too quickly; if he doesn't want to face something, HE WILL FORGET IT. He plays off so much shit; there are layers to his narration. You need to look really closely to find out what really hurts him or how he feels. He's like a damn butterfly fluttering around the main essence of things when it is about his feelings, his thoughts etc.

Lan Wangji:

Strength: His own righteousness and moral code that makes him take punishment even when it's not his fault; that makes him injure 33 clan elders and return later for punishment, that makes him traverse the world for 10 years, helping every minor cause. Even Wei Wuxian is bored on their 'going where the chaos is' (but of course, he will go). He is also the same, wishing to just stand by Wei Wuxian. He doesn't need a relationship, doesn't need thanks or apologies. Secondly, his dependability - he has honed his skills to a level of near-perfection, whether it be the art of the sword, cultivation, calligraphy, sex, etc - a very methodical approach. Also, his true empathy; how he is so soft at heart, like a young boy. Pure-hearted, wielding his sword with mercy. So, he's able to empathize with people and understand each of their circumstances while still making the righteous and most reasonable calls. One of his major strengths is also in his attitude towards things. He doesn't get worked up when people insult him (Wen Chao scolding him during Qishan Wen Indoctrination after the Wen burnt his clan and yet, he still didn't respond to the provocations.) He keeps his mind especially calm, and open, and doesn't draw conclusions until there is valid evidence (the only person who makes him lose his cool is WWX.)

Weaknesses: Suppresses his desires, wants and humane needs a lot; struggles to communicate what he truly wishes to say; stubborn to no end, unrelenting; unable to handle much teasing, mutilated trees and kicks rocks, struggles sharing his thoughts or doesn't wish to share them lmao.

I've written a post about what I like about their dynamic before; here it is !

[cuckoo-among-beasts]

HC: The Wen Indoctrination

It's true that I'm mostly novel based, but I do like the fainting Huaisang from the webseries, so I'm going to keep that aspect and what I hc happened afterwards.

Like all those send to the Web Indoctrination, Huaisang didn't have it easy. Long hours of standing or working, poor food and few hours of sleep. Unlike the others though, he has two weaknesses: 1.) his golden core is rather weak and 2.) he's sensitive to heat, something Qishan has plenty of. All of this results in him fainting after yet another session of hours standing up.

As the others are taken to Mount Muxi, Huaisang is dragged back to the room he shares with the Nie disciples. Just like his fellow sect heirs, the Wens seem to believe he is indeed faking it. Unfortunately for Huaisang, this time, he is not.

When the others later escape, Wen Chao is far from pleased, which Huaisang is unfortunate enough to experience. This included a general beating to begin with, but later also included whipping and, unfortunately, being branded (thankfully on the chest, so it can be covered up). Wen Chao tried to get information about the Nie Sect from Huaisang, thinking the soft Nie-gongzi wouldn't be a hard target. Oh, so wrong he was. Huaisang is soft and he hates pain, but he rather die than betray his sect (and his brother). Not even when he got his fingers broken one by one did he give in, which honestly hurt more than anything else, or when he was being threatened to have his core melted (which just made him laugh, everyone knew how little he cared about cultivation, despite the laughter, he was indeed terrified).

Though, no matter how much will he possess, there is a limit to how much anyone can handle. Tortured and starved, he's certain he'll give in soon and then... then he wakes up to the cell door unlocked and the hallway void of guards. Huaisang is injured and weak, but he can walk and he remembers the way out. It all seems like a miracle, but he knows someone is helping him, but who would help a Nie in Wen territory? It doesn't matter who, he just want to go home.

Managing to escape unseen, he walks for as long as he can before collapsing. Once he wakes up, he has no clue how long time has passed, not that he knew for how long he was imprisoned either, but he knows he won't get far, so he walks a little, before resting in hiding spots. Not even a day passes before a Nie scout finds him and he is soon reunited with his brother. A fuming brother, but for once, he's not upset with Huaisang.

(Not long after that, Mingjue drags him off to Cloud Recesses, where he will be safe while they fight.)