#White Dragon Sect

[momochr0me]

Pbss and dd interaction be like-

But I didn't even realize I didn't post this here lol

[mabaris]

going insane thinking about how the tevinter chantry is like roman catholicism and i wish we got to see more of the schism besides just “one side thinks andraste was a mage and the other side thinks she wasn’t” and what gender their priests are

for example, there’s the irl narrative that pilate didn’t want to kill jesus, he just didn’t want to upset his constituents and it’s actually the fault of the jewish people, didn’t really come about until the 4th century when rome adopted christianity and went “hey it’s kind of a bad look for us because we did kill the guy, we gotta fix that”

like, i wonder if hessarian is a more highly venerated figure in tevinter. i kind of wish he was their invention altogether. i wonder to what extent each faction emphasizes her military involvement (the east sees the rebellion as divinely ordained vs in the west, it’s incidental; after all, she wasn’t the real warlord, her husband was)

[thebiscuiteternal]

(many, many thanks to @nekoning for indulging my goofy idea)

---------------

"Stupid Qi-ge!"

For all its small squeakiness, Speaks With Lost Shadows' voice echoed around the massive chamber, even briefly drowning out the rippling of the pool that was one of its prominent features.

"If you had just said-!" he sobbed, tears making dark visible tracks as they matted his white fur to the dark skin underneath, "If you had just said-!" His attempts at getting the words out ended in a muffled howl as he buried his face into the collars of his former sect leader's robes.

Yue Qingyuan cradled the small cub that had once been Shen Jiu tight against his chest, his own heart swinging back and forth between sinking and hammering so fast that if he hadn't been a strong cultivator, it probably would have killed him already.

'Ah,' he thought. 'So this is what Lady Aurene meant.'

The goddess dragon had sent him a warning across their speaking bond just before sending her caretakers to escort him across the world between worlds to their home in Tyria.

-"You were honest with him once because you thought that was your last chance. If you are not honest with him now, then this will be."

"Is that-?"

"Not a threat," she clarified gently. "A fact. My hatch-mother and aunt are very adept at reading questions under questions, and they bring those concerns to me. He asks them frequently to check with me how you are doing; he speaks of you with regret. But I have seen many of the pathways that bringing you here could lead down, and all of the ones where you continue to hide the truth will end with him no longer asking those questions."-

A part of him had always been confused and hurt by the way that things had gone after Maiglu Ridge. Of course he had known that his past actions didn't deserve to be forgiven, but comparing the reactions of the spirit that had claimed his shidi's body to the reactions of his shidi's soul in this new one, he now understood-

What a mess.

Paws suddenly smacked against the sides of his face, squishing his cheeks between them and startling him out of the messy tangle of thoughts and emotions. Though they were decidedly bigger than those of a cat or dog, the pads and fur were thick enough that he was at no risk from the claws as he stared down into wide, determined black eyes.

"Qi-ge is very stupid," he agreed as he tilted his head to nuzzle soft fur, drawing a huff from the cub. "But he will do his best not to be anymore."

Shadows huffed again. "He better!" he snapped, then pulled back and blinked at him in realization. "Wait... Does that mean... does that mean you're staying here?"

"I spoke with my head disciple about the possibility. Even if it hadn't been this, I think he was aware that something would eventually keep me from ascending with the rest of the Qing generation, because he wasn't surprised at all. We've done all the advance work for him to take over my position if I don't return by the end of the month."

He gave a small chuckle. "Can't imagine my martial sisters and brothers will be happy about it, but considering..."

Considering they were happy to have you replaced.

Considering he still wears your face and your name like a festival costume.

"If your current family is amenable, then Qi-ge will never leave Xiao-Jiu behind again."

[la-muerta]

[莲花楼 Meta] Di Feisheng and the Three Kings

While looking through the cast list and end credits, I noticed that there had been actors cast as 炎帝白王 Yandi Bai Wang and 四象青尊 Sixiang Qingzun even though we don't get to see them in the final cut. Reading the original script, they appear in a deleted scene (unsure if it was actually filmed) in Episode 05, as a flashback during this scene with the robe in Jiao Liqiao's rooms.

It's explained in the script as Di Feisheng's old Alliance leader ceremonial robe, but in the final cut of the show, it seems to be implied as wedding robes Jiao Liqiao prepared for Di Feisheng.

Scene in original script:

FLASHBACK: Ten years ago, at the headquarters of the Jinyuan Alliance. DI FEISHENG is wearing that luxurious robe, sitting around drinking with the THREE KINGS. The TWELVE PHOENIXES are standing guard at one side. YANDI BAI WANG looks over at the TWELVE PHOENIXES and laughs.

YANDI BAI WANG: Each of our twelve beautiful protectors has her own charms, but we have never seen our Zunshang show any interest in any of them. Could it be… that Zunshang already has someone in his heart? 

SIXIANG QINGZUN (shaking his head): Romantic entanglements and ruling the world are not of interest to him. Our Zunshang is only obsessed with martial arts, and all he wants is to be number one in the martial world.

DI FEISHENG (raising his cup proudly): To have a worthy opponent to discuss martial practice and duel for life and death for a hundred battles without getting weary of it, that is the only life I wish for!

YANDI BAI WANG (realisation dawning): If so, the lady you marry must be the most trustworthy, so that she can handle the affairs of the Alliance wisely while Zunshang concentrates on his pursuit of martial arts.

DI FEISHENG (laughing in surprise): That would be ideal!

YANDI BAI WANG (laughingly): I wonder which lady will have the honour!

The TWELVE PHOENIXES continue to stand guard but cannot hide their reaction to the teasing. The THREE KINGS raise their cups and laugh, and from where she is hiding in a distance, JIAO LIQIAO shoots a venomous look at the other women.

END FLASHBACK.

--

This scene is a parallel to Li Xiangyi's 18th birthday celebration, where the Sigu Sect members were urging Li Xiangyi to formalise his engagement to Qiao Wanmian. (Di Feisheng would have been around the same age as well.)

--

Also an interesting point about the titles that Three Kings picked for themselves. Assuming that they were around the same age as Di Feisheng (perhaps with Sixiang Qingzun being the oldest since he was already married and might have been around the age of the other three Nanyin descendants), then their titles might seem rather overblown for a bunch of teenagers/young men in their early 20s lol.

There's however a connection between their titles and the Four Auspicious Beasts (四象) in Chinese mythology; in fact, it's even in one of their titles! (Yes, I know it's translated by iqiyi as Four-faced but I disagree with that translation and I'll get to that.)

1. 四象青尊 Sixiang Qingzun As mentioned, 四象 or Four Aspects/Images is another name for the Four Auspicious Beasts, and "青尊" (Azure Lord) is another name for the Azure Dragon 青龙 of the East. So his title actually translates more accurately to "Lord Azure Dragon of the Four Aspects". I'm pretty sure I'm right because his wife, 两仪仙子 Liangyi Xianzi, has a related name. In 《易经 I Ching》, there is a phrase "两仪生四象" (the two modes – yin and yang – results in the formation of the Four Aspects). And it just happens that she practices a skill that allows her to change her gender!

2. 炎帝白王 Yandi Bai Wang "炎帝 Yandi" is an honorific for the leader or king of a civilisation that dates back to the Neolithic age. Another civilisation from a similar era used "黄帝 huang di" (yellow emperor), and that's why Chinese also call ourselves 炎黄子孙, because we can trace our ancestry back to these two civilisations. So his title translates more accurately to "The Flame Emperor, the White King/Prince". One of the Four Auspicious Beasts is the White Tiger of the West, so it is possible that his title refers to that.

3. 阎王寻命 Yan Wang Xunming "阎王 Yan Wang" is a transcription of the Sanskrit name Yama Raja or King Yama, who is the Chinese god of death and ruler of the Ten Courts of the Underworld. 寻命 is a little more tricky to translate but I think in this context it means to find your fate/destiny and face the inevitable outcome. So his title translates to "King Yama Seeking Fate". Assuming he also represents one of the Four Auspicious Beasts, then he is likely to be the 玄武 Xuanwu of the North (literally "dark/mysterious warrior", usually depicted as a black tortoise intertwined with a snake).

But it's supposed to be four beasts, so who's the fourth? The obvious candidate seems to be Di Feisheng as 朱雀 Vermillion Bird of the South — his official Alliance leader robes are red. Perhaps the Three Kings asked him to pick a fancy title to match theirs, but Mr "Dao is a Dao" refused to participate XD Maybe it's Wuyan, who does have some red in his clothes, which would then make Di Feisheng 黄龙 Yellow Dragon or the symbol of the emperor, which doesn't really match imo.

(As an interesting aside, the original novel 吉祥纹莲花楼 Auspicious Pattern Lotus House is published as four volumes corresponding with the Four Auspicious Beasts.)

[city-of-ladies]

Women warriors in Chinese history - Part 2

(Part 1)

"However, court confessions, unofficial histories, and local gazetteers do reveal a host of women warriors during the Qing dynasty when patriarchal structures were supposedly most influential. Women in marginal groups were apparently not as observant of mainstream societal gender rules. Daughters and wives of “peasant rebels,” that is, autonomous or bandit stockades, were frequently skilled warriors. Miss Cai 蔡†(Ts’ai) of the Nian (Nien) “army,” for example, “fought better than a man, and she was especially fine on horseback. She was always at the front line, fighting fearlessly despite the large number of government troops.” According to a folktale, she managed to rout an invading government force of several thousand with a hundred men and one cannonball after her husband led most of the Nian off to forage for food.

Related to the female bandits were the women pirates among whom Zheng I Sao 鄭一嫂†(literally, Wife of Zheng I; 1775–1844) is the best researched. “A former prostitute … Cheng [Zheng] I Sao could truly be called the real ‘Dragon Lady’ of the South China Sea.” Consolidating her authority swiftly after the death of her husband, “she was able to win so much support that the pirates openly acclaimed her as the one person capable of holding the confederation together. As its leader she demonstrated her ability to take command by issuing orders, planning military campaigns, and proving that there were profits to be made in piracy. When the time came to dismantle the confederation, it was her negotiating skills above all that allowed her followers to cross the bridge from outlawry to officialdom.”

We know slightly more about some of the women warriors involved in sectarian revolts. Folk stories passed down orally are one of the sources. Tales that proliferated in northern Sichuan on the battle exploits of cult rebels of the White Lotus Religion uprising in Sichuan, Hunan, and Shaanxi beginning in the late eighteenth century glorify several women warriors. The tall and beautiful Big Feet Lan (Lan Dazhu 籃大足) and the smart and skillful Big Feet Xie (Xie Dazhu 謝大足) vanquished a stockade together; the young and attractive Woman He 何氏 could kill within a hundred feet by throwing daggers from horseback. The absence of bound feet in Big Feet Lan and Big Feet Xie suggests their backgrounds were either very poor, unconventional, or non-Han.

Sectarian groups accepted female membership readily, and many of these women trained in the martial arts. Qiu Ersao 邱二嫂†(ca. 1822–53), leader of a Heaven and Earth Society (Tiandihui 天地會) uprising in Guangxi, joined the sect because of poverty and perfected herself in the martial arts. Some women came to the sects with skills. Su Sanniang 蘇三娘, rebel leader of another sect of the Heaven and Earth Society, was the daughter of a martial arts instructor.  Such sectarian rebel bands are frequently regarded as bandit groups. A history of the Taiping Revolutionary Movement refers to these two cult leaders as female bandit chiefs before they joined the Taipings.

Male leaders of religious rebellions frequently married women from families skilled in acrobatic, martial, and magic arts. These women tended to be both beautiful and charismatic. Wang Lun 王倫, who rebelled in 1774 in Shandong, had an “adopted daughter in name, mistress in fact,” by the name of Wu Sanniang 烏三娘 who was one of Wang’s most powerful warriors. Originally an itinerant performer highly skilled in boxing, tightrope walking, and acrobatics, she terrified the enemy with spellbinding magic. She brought a dozen associates from her old life to the sect, and they all became fearsome warriors known as “female immortals” (xiannü 仙女); three of them, including Wu Sanniang, lived with Wang Lun as “adopted wives” (ifu 義婦). A tall, white-haired woman at least sixty years old, possibly the mother of one of these acrobat-turned women warriors, wielded one sword with ease and two almost as effortlessly. Dressed in yellow astride a horse, hair loose and flying, she was feared as much for her sorcery as for her military skills. Her presence indicates that some of the women came from female-dominated itinerant performing families. Woman Zhang 張氏and Woman Zhao 趙氏, wives of Lin Zhe 林哲, another leader of the cult, were also known for being able to brandish a pair of broadswords on horseback.

Hong Xuanjiao 洪宣嬌†(mid nineteenth century), also known as Queen Xiao (xiaohou 蕭后), wife of the West King of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom (taiping tianguo 太平天國), was so stunningly beautiful and impressive in swordsmanship that she mesmerized the entire army during battles. The link between early immortality beliefs and shamanism also suggests that these women warrior “immortals” of sectarian cults may represent surviving relics of the female shamans who occupied high positions during high antiquity.

During the White Lotus Religion rebellion in Sichuan, Hunan, and Shaanxi beginning in 1796, five of the generals were at once leaders and wives of other leaders of the cult. They were Woman Qi née Wang (Qiwangshi 齊王氏; Wang Cong’er 王聰兒), Woman Zhang née Wang (Zhangwangshi 張王氏), Woman Xu née Li (Xulishi 徐李氏), Woman Fan née Zhang (Fanzhangshi 范張氏), and Woman Wang 王†née Li 李 (Wanglishi 王李氏). In the Heavenly Principle Religion (tianlijiao 天理教) rebellion that began in Beijing during 1713, the wife of its leader, Li Wencheng 李文成, led three invasions into the city. There was even a “Female Army” (niangzijun 娘子軍) within the Eight Trigrams (baguajiao 八卦教) uprising in Shandong during the Daoguang 道光† reign (1821–51). The female generals, Cheng Sijie 程四姐†and Yang Wujie 楊五姐, were particularly impressive when they wove among enemy forces in the style of “butterflies flitting among flowers,” wielding broadswords on horseback, their hairpins glittering in the light.

A number of female rebel leaders used religion and magic to buttress their power. Many claimed to be celestials and were leaders of sectarian cults (...). Chen Shuozhen 陳碩貞†(?–653) mobilized a peasants’ uprising by declaring that she had ascended to heaven and become an immortal. Tang Sai’er (ca.1403–20), a head of the White Lotus Religion (bailianjiao 白蓮教), designated herself as a “Buddhist Mother” (fuomu 佛母). The spellbinding old woman warrior in Wang Lun’s Clear Water Religion (qingshuijiao 清水教) sect was known to the rebel community as a reincarnation of the highest White Lotus deity, the Eternal Venerable Mother (wusheng laomu 無生老母). Wang Lun relied on her for performing magic and the rituals for calling on their supreme deity. Woman Wang née Liu (wangliushi 王劉氏), one of the numerous female leaders of the White Lotus Religion revolt, also titled herself the Eternal Venerable Mother. Wang Cong’er (1777–98), originally an itinerant entertainer, became the commander in chief of the rebel army she launched with her husband, a master in the White Lotus Religion.

Indeed, itinerant performers such as Wu Sanniang mentioned above were frequently trained in the martial arts since childhood and must have been skilled at performing magic tricks as well. Lin Hei’er 林黑兒†(?–1900), leader of Red Lanterns (hongdengzhao 紅燈照), the young women’s branch of the Boxer’s Movement (yihetuan 義和團), was also originally an itinerant entertainer (her husband was a boatman). Designating herself the Holy Mother of the Yellow Lotus (huanglian shengmu 黃蓮聖母), she taught her followers the skills of wielding swords and waving fans as well as magic to defeat their enemies.  Wang Nangxian 王囊仙†(literally, Goddess Nang, 1778–97), an ethnic minority of the Miao tribe, was worshipped as a goddess by her tribesmen before she led them in revolt against the Chinese government."

Chinese shadow theatre: history, popular religion, and women warriors, Fan Pen Li Chen

[seraph-of-the-mikayuu]

Beginning of the fanfic I'm writing where Tang Bo has also reincarnated! I'm pretty much rewriting the novel, but with Tang Bo! Leave comments if u think it should go on ao3 with the rest of it!

It's quite long right now, but I hope you enjoy!

Being reborn into the Tang family to a body around 7 had to have been just his luck. If Tang bo knew that reincarnation was what would happen after death, he would have been more prepared. With the surprise of being alive again, he pushed that aside to train as much as possible in his hidden weapon techniques. The elders were useless and all the techniques they lost during the war, Tang Bo was steadily trying to bring back.

Long nights left unwanted thoughts to arise, of how he was truly alone in this world. Cheongmyeong was dead and so was everyone he once knew. The fact that when he asked about the war and someone said Mount Hua was in a decline was more than proof his old lover was dead. Tang Bo had decided to try and sneak glances at Mount Hua to maybe try and keep them from closing completely, that was the least he could do.

This all led to Tang Bo putting on a dark cloak and accompanying Tang Gunak and a few of his ‘brothers’ to see if the divine dragon was truly a problem. Something about a merchant’s son from Mount Hua had beaten two of his brothers and the divine dragon had mentioned the secret technique of twelve daggers. He vaguely remembers spilling all the secret techniques of the Tang family to Cheongmyung.

In reality he wanted to check the one with the name of his old love if he's honest. The news of Mount Hua starting to climb back up by the hands of one kid wasn't that big of a deal to Tang Bo. Even beating all second disciples of Zhongnan. Sure he was happy that Dosa Hyung-nim’s sect was growing back but the name of the kid changed everything. There was a slight flicker of hope that what happened to him happened the same to Cheongmyung.

He watched the Tang family’s lord talk, mostly spacing out. There was a tingling sensation on his skin. He was honestly excited to meet the Divine Dragon. Maybe it would be him. Tang Bo has nothing to lose in this, there's no point checking but the idea that he might have reincarnated made him giddy.

A voice quickly snapped him out of his daze, “Hey, old man. You've got a really weird personality.”

Tang bo knew that voice, he looked up immediately and as if the heaven was playing jokes on him, the bright blue sky made him look heavenly. The face was too similar, the nose, the grin, the expression, the voice. There was no mistaking it. It had to have been. How lucky was Tang Bo.

The rest of the conversation was muffled as he stared right at Cheongmyeong.He had landed near Tang Bo, his back was turned towards him as he spoke to the head. Tang Bo had ignored the pressing qi from Tang Gunak, moving closer to Cheongmyeong reaching out to grab his shoulder before he was startled by the sudden yell.

“ENOUGH!!!!”

Four people ran and placed themselves in front of Cheongmyeong as if defending him from Tang Gunak, Tang Bo gritted his teeth and took a step near the Tang Family head so he could see Cheongmyeong’s face. It was the same as he remembered all those years ago.

Bows from all four Mount Hua disciples, all at the same time, was honestly kind of impressive. The front one was wearing white compared to the rest so he must have been the eldest. The words of him being the Righteous Sword actually fit this kid well. He was quite handsome and he spoke like a melody.

The Righteous Sword mumbled about taking punishment for Cheongmyeong's actions. It honestly made Tang Bo snort in laughter but, that must have been strange to everyone else since they all turned to look at him as if just noticing him.

“What's so funny? Something you want to share?” Cheongmyeong stopped talking as soon as they met with their eyes. An indescribable expression clouded his face, eyes seemed to be glassy as if he was looking at a memory. Everything went silent, you could hear a pin drop before Cheongmyeong's face changed to anger.

“...bo-ya, wait..?”

“Dosa Hyung-nim?” Tang Bo said hesitantly as if testing the waters, that anger seemed to spike as Cheongmyeong clenched his fist. He started walking forward towards Tang-Bo, a smile on his face but it was obvious to everyone that he was mad.

“-you!” The Disciples quickly placed themselves in front of Cheongmyeong again to stop him from beating up an unknown Tang member

“Hyung-?” The Righteous Sword looked at Tang Bo then at Cheongmyeong and then back. Even Tang Gunak hadn't said anything yet, “What's your name?

“Tang Bo, it's nice to meet other Mount Hua disciples,” He slightly bowed his head before looking back up,”and you?”

“Baek Cheon, it's an honor as well” Baek Cheon turned around to Cheongmyeong, “You know him?”

With gritted teeth, Cheongmyeong stared right at Tang Bo, “Yes, I do. You guys can talk later” he turned towards Tang Gunak

“I agree, it's time to truly test what I came here for. I intend to see whether you are truly devoid of substance or unfathomable in its depth”

Watching the two of them walk away from the group, the killing intent from Tang Gunak only seemed to increase with every step. Yet Tang Bo didn't feel nervous or scared because he was more excited to speak with him after Tang Gunak got defeated. It wasn't that he thought of the head like the elders. If anything Tang Gunak felt like Tang Bo's grandson and nothing negative, really. Just that he knew with Cheongmyeong, Tang Gunak would put up a good fight with his hidden weapons but the fight's end was already set in stone.

Tang Bo glanced at the four standing near him and smiled before speaking, “Baek Cheon, was it? I see you're more impressive than your rumors state”

It was obvious by the red tip of the other person’s ears that being nice was the right choice

“-Ah thank you, it's just strange that you were once friends with Cheongmyung. The way you referred to him caught me off guard” Baek Cheon spoke with a fluidity that would charm anyone. He truly was fit for his title.

“Enough with the pleasantries, I'm sure we’ll be seeing each other much more”

It was as if all rigid movement bleed from Baek as a strained smile stayed on his face, “Oh? Why's that?”

That sentence made him chuckle. There was no way he was just gonna let Cheongmyung run off around without him by his side. His attention was brought to the other three standing behind Baek Cheon watching the so-called spar. If Cheongmyung was helping them then it would be nice to get to know them all.

“And you three are?”

“Yunjong”

“.. Yoo Iseol”

“Jo Gul”

Tang bo perked up when he heard the last name, “Jo Gul..? Ah, you’re the one who had fought two of my siblings and won. I’m curious to see your strength as well if the spar doesn’t take too long.”

“Yes, that was me.. although I hope that there's no hard feelings but, what do you mean not take too long? Do you already know who will win?”

“None at all and… yes, it's clear who will win this battle” That wasn't a lie, the two that got beat had no relation to him or importance. Seeing the Tang Family this weak did make him a little annoyed but that wasn't the fault of the disciples in front of him. Jo Gul put his hands on his face sighing,”So it’ll be for nothing-”

Tang Bo snapped back towards Jo Gul, raising his eyebrow “What do you mean? Dosa Hyung-nim is going to win”

Everyone's attention was quickly brought back on the spar as Cheongmyeong was pushed into a sticky situation. The dagger going right at his face caused Jo Gul to yell out only to be held back by Baek Cheon. Screaming and yelling about murder. The sight of Cheongmyung catching the dagger with his teeth made him smile as he brought his attention to Jo Gul who had calmed down.

“Eighth strike, you have two left. Make it count.”

Watching the rest of the two attacks was strange, it was like watching a memory. The movement of Cheongmyeong was almost the same as back then. Watching him jump and swing his blade right at the shoulder of the head of the Tang family, Tang Bo had started walking closer. The duel was done and decided. It was only when something shone from the corner of his eye as it flew through the air landing and planting itself into the side of Cheongmyeong's stomach.

Tang bo was the first who made it to Tang Pae, immediately grabbing the arm that had thrown that forsaken dagger. With a quick move, the arm snapped, a scream pierced the air as Tang Pae crumbled in front of him.

“..how dare you-.. who do you-..” He felt anger bubbling up to the surface, his grip tightened no doubt causing the broken bone to rub against each other. He swiftly grabbed a dagger and with one quick movement went to end the life of that pathetic-

“TANG BO!” He turned towards Tang Gunak who was looking right at him, “Tang Pae will deal with the consequences” Tang Bo dropped Pae's hand before walking over to where Baek Cheon had lifted Cheongmyeong up to bring him back to the Tang estate.

---------

Waking up for Cheongmyeong felt like he was swimming through a deep ocean, there was someone talking to him. It was muffled but he recognized the voice just couldn't place who.

He blinked slowly as he sat up, a tingling of pain near the side of his hip. Immediately the four on the ground were the first thing he noticed. He scoffed but a small smile threatened to break through on his lips. He truly cared for the four and it was nice to know they were the same.

“Dosa Hyung-nim?” That very word repeated through his head as he searched the room for the one who was responsible. There by the closed door was someone he thought he would never see again. Memories pushed to resurface of that last meeting between the two.

[]

“Will you marry me?”

“Ask that again when I bring you to the medics! Just- wait”

“Dosa, will you marry me”

“...” Cheongmyung desperately grabbed onto Tang Bo’s clothes, dipping his head down to the others face before placing a gentle kiss on Tang Bo's lips, “of course I will”

Tears dripped down Tang Bo's face as his smile widened. It took every energy left in his body to smile. Cheongmyung shakily cradled his lover to his chest. Tears flowed from his eyes before he screamed and screamed and screamed until his throat was torn. There is nothing he could do except promise to end this war.

[]

He carefully got off the bed and walked towards Tang Bo, his fist tightened into a fist as he walked closer to him. A smile on his face but, he definitely wasn't happy.

“‘Dosa Hyung-nim’ that's it? Just ‘Dosa Hyung-nim’. Did you want to die again today? Did you think I would be so happy to see you, I would forget that you broke your promise”

“Ah! Nonono Come on don't-” Tang Bo waved his hands as he backed up from Cheongmyeong who was quickly approaching.

“I didn't think it was actually you! Being reincarnated is strange by itself and you too I just- Wait! Don't hit me!” Tang Bo continued to ramble before he felt a tight grip on one of his wrists before he was pulled into a hug.

“Shut up, brat” Cheongmyeong mumbled as he hugged his lover, Tang Bo took a second before hugging Cheongmyeong back. A smile slowly making its way on his face, he could feel the way the other trembled and shaken with fear. It only made Tang Bo hug him tighter, tears running down his face. He could feel how his lover gripped his clothes desperately as if trying to find out if he was truly here. Tang Bo never thought he would see Cheongmyung again.

It only lasted a few seconds but felt like eternity to Tang Bo. He looked Cheongmyeong up and down when they let go. The Pink eyes he loved were glassy and sad. Tang Bo cupped Cheongmyeong's face placing a kiss on his cheeks then to his forehead then to his nose and at last his lips. He truly looked similar to his past life even though Tang Bo had never met him when he was a kid, he could definitely see the resemblance between the two.

He had wanted to stay in that hug forever. It was the first time since he reincarnated that he felt not completely alone in this.

“If I knew you were so clingy. I would've jumped for the chance every time!” There was one swift movement as a fist hit his head, Tang Bo reached up rubbing the top of his head before throwing his arm over Cheongmyung’s shoulder bringing him closer, it wasn't hard to notice the pink decorating his cheeks from this close “Come on I was just kidding”

“You never knew when to shut up” Cheongmyung scoffed before glancing back at the four by the end of the bed, Tang Bo used his sleeve to rub his eyes from the tears earlier.

“Oh! By the way, the way they protected you was kinda sweet, ripping cloth out of people’s hands to do it themselves. Eventually the current head had to press pressure points to safely get them to sleep. It's nice to see other people can manage to put up with y-”

WHACK

“Owowowow, Dosa Hyung-nim- why are you so mean? You don’t understand how hard it is to stay here. The elders try to control everything and they’re relying on poison, againnn. Tang Gunak has my daggers also so it's not like I can get those back and they made rules that the disciples aren’t even allowed to leave the sect without permission”

“Yeah yeah” Cheongmyung waved him off before blinking for a few seconds and looking back at Tang Bo, “Your family has always had that rule, you just didn’t listen”

“Oh right..”

Cheongmyung looked around before walking towards the door and opening it, “Aren’t you gonna take me to see Tang Gunak, Bo-ya? I would rather get this robbe-” He coughed before finishing his sentence, “compensation dealt with”

Tang Bo dragged his feet as he walked alongside Cheongmyung, “Can’t it wait? They don’t exactly know I’m here, ‘checking up’ on you and wouldn’t you rather go get some alcohol and just relax”

Cheongmyung rolled his eyes and took a step forward with Tang Bo hanging off the side of him. He never minded the physical touch from Tang Bo since it wasn’t like non harmful physical touch from someone was common in his past life other than his Sasuk and Tang Bo.

It wasn’t long until his eyes immediately locked on the person they were just talking about. Tang Gunak was walking this way and was only a few steps away. Tang Bo from next to him, let go of Cheongmyung with a grumble but suddenly grabbed Cheongmyung's arm and dragged him back into the room.

“..huh?”

Tang Bo opened up the window inside of the room as he pulled Cheongmyung with him. Sliding easily out of the window.

“Come on! You can always talk to him later, let's go to our favorite drinking spot!”

With a smile, Cheongmyung followed along where Tang Bo led him. It was a forgotten path filled with weeds but he knew every step of it like muscle memory. At some point in the stroll, their hands intertwined. Whether it was Tang Bo who started it or Cheongmyung. Neither would answer, only knowing that they walked side by side together.

When they got to the pavilion, it was dusty and cracked by the weather. Nothing like how it had looked 100 years ago. But it was better than nothing. The two sat down across from each other just like they used to.

“You better have actually brought alcohol if you wanted to drag me all the way out here”

“Yes, yes” Tang Bo set down two bottles, out of his robe, placing both on the table in front of them with a smile. Almost right after he pulled out a small wooden box and slid it over to Cheongmyung who had already poured himself a drink.

“Hm? What's this?” When he opened it, the first thing he saw was a green stone. It was surrounded by yellowish gold. Cheongmyung immediately looked up at Tang Bo. His hands shook as he tried to come up with a clear thought.

“I had them prepared a long time ago and I had already asked Cheong Mun first of course!,” a gentle smile replaced the look on Tang Bo's face, “if I'm being honest, this was the place I had wanted to ask you. When I was reincarnated, I checked and they were untouched in the spot I had left them. So I'll ask you again, this time at the right time”

Cheongmyung held the box tightly in his hands, yet gentle as if the ring would break with a touch from him. His brows furrowed in thought. Listening intently to Tang Bo.

“Will you marry me, Cheongmyung, the 13th generation disciple of Mount Hua?”

For a second, everything went quiet. Cheongmyung slowly stood up before moving around the table. Before Tang Bo could react, he grabbed Tang Bo to bring him closer before pressing a kiss to his lips. He licked his lips after they parted and he finally answered, “Of course I will”

Tang Bo pulled Cheongmyung back towards him, hands gripping the uniform he wore. As he was desperate just to have the touch of the other. Kiss after kiss after kiss, when it calmed back down. Tang Bo looked at Cheongmyung’s face with a slight chuckle, his cheeks were red and his lips were slightly swollen. It was a beautiful sight.

Flustered by all the attention that Tang Bo was giving him, he looked away mumbling, “What about your ring?”

“It's similar to yours, just a different stone!” He pulled out another small bow and opened it up, Tang Bo was right. The ring was the same but the stone was a deep pink.

“Look, it matches your eyes” He held it up to Cheongmyung’s eyes before reaching across the table and grabbing the ring he had made for Cheongmyung while using his other hand to grab Cheongmyung’s hand. He carefully slipped the ring on his middle finger and then on his own with a huge smile. The ring was a little big but not enough where it would fall off for both of them.

Tang Bo poured two cups of the sake he brought and pushed on the Cheongmyung, who had sat down next to him

“To celebrate?”

“To celebrate.”

They both brought it to their lips, taking a large gulp before Tang Bo flopped over onto Cheongmyung.

Resting his head on the other’s thighs as a pillow. Looking up at Cheongmyung who was looking down right at him, his hair falling to the side and tickling Tang Bo’s cheeks.

“You sure seem to get comfortable fast. There’s still alot to decide, you know.”

“All of that can wait! I’m busy with my husband”

Cheongmyung’s cheeks flushed pink at the word Tang Bo used,

“What? Are you flustered because I called you my husband?”

“...”

“My lover. My husband. My friend. My partner. My true love”

BANG

Cheongmyung pushed his hand to push Tang Bo off his lap, as he fell, his hand was brought up to cover his mouth. His cheeks burned redder at the very second.

“Ow-! You’re so mean”

----------

[mjrtaurus]

Modern AU Monkey D. Dragon gets a bad rep with the more extreme evangelical splinter sects in his home state (which there are a lot of, unfortunately). Between not being white, not being straight, not being christian, not being right wing, and literally being named “Dragon”, he gets a few protestors here and there outside the courthouse with some interesting sign boards.

His favorite to date was held by a sour-faced little old lady in her Sunday best, and it read “HE IS THE ANTICHRIST” with his tattoo patterning sloppily incorporated into it. A journalist got a photo of it and he bought a copy to frame and hang on the wall at his home office. The boys think it’s hilarious.

[macsimagines]

Yandere!Hakkai Shiba w/ an S/O he 'bought'

(I was sick of waiting for him to win the polls and wrote this myself. OOPS. Angsty too. Set in the timeline that Hakkai became the leader of the blackdragons.)

TW: NSFW Minors DNI, Yandere behavior, Coercion, Manipulation, mentions of possible Prostitution.

Your family is in debt. Huge debt. And you have no choice but to try and sell yourself to save them.

Searching for some kind of work you figure out the best way to make back the money they owe is a 'Host' club ran by a man named Nahoya Kawata.

The process is exhausting, they almost don't hire you. You're very shy despite your pretty face and they don't think you'll be a good fit until they hear you're a virgin.

You should have never said anything but you just blurted it out when they asked. Suddenly Nahoya himself contacts you and explains he knows your situation.

He says people will pay top dollar for a young virgin that is as pretty as you. You'll have to comply with some blood tests and a screening to make sure you're telling the truth but that if the results come back good, he can make sure your families debt is payed off within the year.

Its all a lie of course, as soon as your virginity is gone he'll make sure you're stuck with him for the next five years until you're all used up.

But then Hakkai Shiba sees you. He tells Smiley he likes your pretty face, and Nahoya tells him you're a new contracted girl working for him. He explains your situation to him and Hakkai asks to have you entertain him.

Surprisingly, he doesn't want sex. Just wants something pretty and innocent on his arm for one night to make him seem more menacing in comparison.

What he doesn't expect is to fall in love. Your gentle touches, your sweet voice, the genuine concern you have for him when he gets rough with some punk he tried to make a deal with.

You're too good for this. All of it. And he's sick to his stomach to think how Smiley is going to turn you out.

He then buys out your contract. Pays off your families debt. Smiley tells you what happened and now Hakkai owns you. Nahoya has a new contract drawn out for you, and you sign it without looking at it.

That night, Hakkai is quiet, as he slowly pulls you towards the bed. Loves the pure white lingerie you're wearing. Probably courtesy of Smiley.

Lays you down on the bed, and kisses your lips lightly then trails kisses all the way down to your panties. His rough hands run up and down your legs and finally takes the garment off, pulls your thighs apart and stares down at his meal.

You weren't expecting him to start licking you up and down. You thought it would be the other way around. But he expertly eats you out with long strokes of his tongue, gently inserts a few fingers when you start to get nice and slick, groans at all your whimpers and loves knowing you're never going to be touched like this by any one else.

Takes your virginity, and you don't know what's worse. The fact that a man you know to be a murderous gangster had your first time, or the fact that he was so kind and gentle with you that you actually enjoyed it.

He's big- No, he's huge. But you came on his tongue and fingers and for whatever reason having him fill you inch by inch, raw, felt so amazing. You can feel your pussy pulse around his girth, and you swear you can hear him gasp when you clench around him...

You feel him fill you up, and can't even force yourself to stay awake while he actually goes down on you again. Licking you clean with his own cum leaking out of you.

Hakkai never says one word to you...

Congratulations! The Leader of the Black Dragon Sect is now your sugar daddy. And even though he says he's going to help you, you feel like you're sinking more and more into debt.

Hakkai is also stark quiet with you. In his head he thinks you two are slowly falling in love and that you understand the depths of his affections. But you don't understand why a man who only speaks two words to you, Yes and No, when he sees you is paying for your nice apartment and nice clothes....

The paranoia is eating away at you. He's going to want something from you, not just your little hands on his arm and for you to have sex with him occasionally... even if its so amazing.

But Hakkai insists he just wants you with him. Here a new handbag. His sister told him this is a good brand. What about some diamonds for your neck? You're so pretty...

Eventually you tell him, you want to get a job. Pay him back in a real way. Your breaking his heart baby, he doesn't want you to go anywhere. Don't you know he loves you? Don't you know you're married?

You're once again shellshocked. That's not possible, you'll tell him, he just bought out your contract and had you sign a new one right!?

Through his tears and sniffles Hakkai pulls out the contract that Smiley had you sign and that's when you realize it was never a fucking agreement or contract of any kind. It was an incredibly detailed and thorough unbreakable marriage license.

"I-I had no idea!" you tell him, feeling yourself about to cry but for very different reasons, "S-smiley didn't tell me! Pl-please Mr.Shiba you have to-!"

He grabs you and wraps you in a crushing embrace, his huge form needing to bend just so he can fully hold you.

"D-Don't call me Mr.Shiba. I'm Hakkai. I'm your husband. You're my wife."

You can feels his tears fall onto where his head is buried in your shoulder, you see the way his own shoulders shake as he cries.

"Please, I'll be good. I swear I'll be good. We'll be a real married couple. Just please...don't leave me.

[pigeonflavouredcake]

My Grimoire Research Library

this is a list of my major resource I've referenced/am currently referencing in my big grimoire project. For books I'll be linking the Goodreads page, for pdfs, websites and videos i'll link them directly.

There are plenty of generalised practitioner resources that can work for everyone but as I have Irish ancestry and worship Hellenic deities quite a few of my resources are centred around Celtic Ireland, ancient Greece and the Olympic mythos. If you follow other sects of paganism you are more than welcome to reblog with your own list of resources.

Parts of my grimoire discuss topics of new age spiritualism, dangerous conspiracy theories, and bigotry in witchcraft so some resources in this list focus on that.

Books

Apollodorus - The Library of Greek Mythology

Astrea Taylor - Intuitive Witchcraft

Dee Dee Chainey & Willow Winsham - Treasury of Folklore: Woodlands and Forests

John Ferguson - Among The Gods: An Archaeological Exploration of Ancient Greek Religion

Katharine Briggs - The Fairies in Tradition and Literature

Kevin Danaher - The Year in Ireland: Irish Calendar Customs

Laura O'Brien - Fairy Faith in Ireland

Lindsey C. Watson - Magic in Ancient Greece and Rome

Nicholas Culpeper - Culpeper's Complete Herbal

Plutarch - The Rise and Fall of Athens: Nine Greek Lives

R.B. Parkinson - A Little Gay History: Desire and Diversity Around the World

Rachel Patterson - Seventy Eight Degrees of Wisdom: A Tarot Journey to Self-Awareness

Raleigh Briggs - Make Your Place: Affordable & Sustainable Nesting Skills

Robin Wall Kimmerer - Braiding Sweetgrass

Ronald Hutton - The Witch: A History of Fear in Ancient Times

Rosemary Ellen Guiley - The Encyclopaedia of Witches and Witchcraft

Thomas N. Mitchell - Athens: A History of the World's First Democracy

Walter Stephens - Demon Lovers: Witchcraft S3x and the Crisis of Belief

Yvonne P. Chireau - Black Magic: Religion and The African American Conjuring Tradition

PDFs

Anti Defamation League - Hate on Display: Hate Symbols Database

Brandy Williams - White Light, Black Magic: Racism in Esoteric Thought

Cambridge SU Women’s Campaign - How to Spot TERF Ideology 2.0.

Blogs and Websites

Anti Defamation League

B. Ricardo Brown - Until Darwin: Science and the Origins of Race

Dr. S. Deacon Ritterbush - Dr Beachcomb

Folklore Thursday

Freedom of Mind Resource Centre - Steven Hassan’s BITE Model of Authoritarian Control

Institute for Strategic Dialogue

Royal Horticultural Society

The Duchas Project -National Folklore Collection

Vivienne Mackie - Vivscelticconnections

YouTube Videos

ContraPoints - Gender Critical

Emma Thorne Videos - Christian Fundie Says Halloween is SATANIC!

Owen Morgan (Telltale) - The Source Of All Conspiracies: A 1902 Document Called "The Protocols"

The Belief it or Not Podcast - Ep. 40 Satanic Panic, Ep 92. Wicca

Wendigoon - The Conspiracy Theory Iceberg

Other videos I haven't referenced but you may still want to check out

Atun-Shei Films - Ancient Aryans: The History of Crackpot N@zi Archaeology

Belief It Or Not - Ep. 90 - Logical Fallacies

Dragon Talisman - Tarot Documentary (A re-upload of the 1997 documentary Strictly Supernatural: Tarot and Astrology)

Lindsay Ellis - Tracing the Roots of Pop Culture Transphobia

Overly Sarcastic Productions - Miscellaneous Myths Playlist

Owen Morgan (Telltale) - SATANIC PANIC! 90s Video Slanders Satanists | Pagan Invasion Saga | Part 1

ReignBot - How Ouija Boards Became "Evil" | Obscura Archive Ep. 2

Ryan Beard - Demi Lovato Promoted a R4cist Lizard Cult

Super Eyepatch Wolf - The Bizarre World of Fake Psychics, Faith Healers and Mediums

Weird Reads with Emily Louise -The Infamous Hoaxes Iceberg Playlist

Wendigoon - The True Stories of the Warren Hauntings: The Conjuring, Annabelle, Amityville, and Other Encounters

[wangxianficrecs]

💙 Crossing Paths by Ilona22

💙 Crossing Paths

by Ilona22

M, 21k, Wangxian

Summary: In a world where the gentry families are both shapeshifters, and rulers of their territory in truth, a different war is started by greed. During its course the paths of a human and a dragon shifter cross, and from that, something grows. Kay's comments: This story has really enjoyable world-building and I loved to see the sects re-imagined as shifters. Like in canon, a war plays out between the sects in this story. However, the allegiances are different and in the end, the Jiangs are on the losing side and the story follows how Wei Wuxian ended up being turned over to the Lans and then promptly courted by Hanguang-Jun himself. Even during the war on opposing sides, Wangxian had already hit it off and their developing relationship in this story was right up my alley! Lan Wangji truly knows how to treat Wei Wuxian as he deserves and shower him in love and appreciation! Excerpt: Wei Ying’s part of the border had held, in contrast to the one near the coast. And so, it had been deemed more important that he guard their back against Gusu. It meant that Wei Ying had spent the last month skirmishing with Lan Wangji, Hanguang-Jun. Heir of Gusu and, as all of the main Lan clan, dragon shifter. Truly an awesome sight in his dragon form, Wei Ying had never seen anything as beautiful as that. All sleek, white scales, with ice blue accents, swift and elegant in the air. But fighting him directly like that? Not his idea of fun. Bears at least stayed on the ground. It had involved a lot of tactically chosen cover, talisman work and quick, intense duels. He was managing to hold the border, despite still having mainly common troops, and a few of the other outer disciples. But this would not work forever. For the moment, his requests for reinforcement had been denied, due to the Nie and Wen effectively pressing the Jin and Yu – the Nie had been joined by Zewu-Jun and his men, which was making things very difficult for the Jin. As Wei Ying had expected, their side was crippled by power plays and politics. There were factions in the Jin sect, each jockeying for the most prestigious postings. The Yu were too proud to accept someone outside their sect commanding their troops. And Jiang Cheng was terrible at cooperation. It was a mess held together by Jiang Fengmian’s efforts at diplomacy, and the hope for gains.

pov wei wuxian, canon divergence, shapeshifters, war, cultivation sect politics, dragon lan wangji, human wei wuxian, war prize wei wuxian, diplomacy, developing relationship, getting to know each other, getting together, falling in love, not jiang cheng friendly, jiang family dynamics

~*~

(Please REBLOG as a signal boost for this hard-working author if you like – or think others might like – this story.)

[best-nun-tournament]

Round 1, Match 17

Zhou Zhiruo (Heaven Sword and Dragon Sabre) vs Mercedes von Martritz (Fire Emblem: Three Houses)

Zhou Zhiruo is a Buddhist nun of the Emei sect.

Mercedes von Martritz is a nun of the Church of Saint Seiros at Garreg Mach Monastery.

Zhou Zhiruo

Arguably the central antagonist of HSDS, an epic novel adapted into multiple 40+ episode TV series. Most powerful female character in HSDS. Using Nine Yin White Bone Claw at a tournament for the position of leader of the Wulin she defeated every other martial artist who came and was crowned leader of the martial arts world.

Mercedes von Martritz

Mercedes was born to the fallen House Martritz and bore a minor Crest of Lamine, a special type of blood that gave it's bearer enhanced abilities. Her father died shortly afterwards and Mercedes' mother remarried into House Bartels, giving birth to Emile von Bartels, who also had a minor Crest of Lamine. Mercie's stepfather was uncaring and only married for his new wife's crest which led to said wife's departure from House Bartels. She ran away with only her eldest child to the Kingdom, where Mercedes would really start her own life as a student of Fhirdiad's Royal School of Sorcery. There, she befriended Annette Fantine Dominic and both girls would later attend Garreg Mach Monastery together. Mercedes is a kind soul with a soft voice and the ability to speak her mind. She's the eldest student attending the Officer's Accademy and takes it upon herself to be a shoulder of support for her classmates, no matter their origin. When the timeskip hits, Mercie returns in a nun's garb and expresses reinforced belief in the Church, even in the route where you fight against the Archbishop. I find her extremely fascinating due to her sub-plot with her brother, Emile. Mercedes held deep regret for leaving her brother behind in House Bartels despite not knowing that he had chosen to stay behind to protect her and her mother. Emile later returns as The Death Knight, a general under the Flame Emperor's command and his story with his sister changes depending on the player's route. Should the player oppose the Flame Emperor, Emile and Mercie can reunite briefly, with The Death Knight granting Mercedes a relic that can only be operated by their Crest before dying in her arms in a later battle, happy to be with his family once again. In the event that the player does side with the Flame Emperor, The Death Knight becomes playable alongside his sister, revealing thatthe years spent in House Bartels changed him, giving rise to two distinct personalities: Jeritza von Hyrm and The Death Knight. Jeritza had been a teacher at Garreg Mach, serving as a spy to the Flame Emperor while The Death Knight quelled his bloodlust under the Flame Emperor's orders. In this route, Mercedes reaches out to both Jeritza and The Death Knight as their elder sister and the exchanges they have are some of my favorites in Fire Emblem history. Also Mercie is bisexual and both M!player and F!player can marry her in the end, regardless of route. Love her for that

[mirageofadesert]

Roar Of The Water Dragon (Shui Long Yin)

Today, Luo Yunxi's next big drama was officially announced with him in the lead role. And just because I had so much fun staring at the poster the last time, I'm going to do it again.

We have some of the same elements as in the last poster: The water, as well as a fox dragon with antlers in the foreground. The man riding the dragon already resembles Luo Yunxi. This is Tang Lici, the main character of this story. This time, the hair isn't completely white yet, rather an ombre of white tips and black roots. I really hope this means he will use his natural hairline instead of a wig for parts of the show.

Let's look at the details. His eyes are closed and he is reaching out. Just like in the first poster, he looks calm, while everything around him is in movement. There are red, gold and green ribbons surrounding him and some golden glow around his left hand. Next to his shoulder there are loose red feathers and further on top small white-golden birds following the fox dragon. They remind me of swallow, but with fantasy elements. Some of the green-blue ribbons turn into waves further up the painting.

Next to the dragon are what looks like a couple of significant locations. On the bottom is a ship in a stormy sea. The figurehead resembles the dragon. Next to the ship are fish flying above the wave, which resemble the birds. This might mean a close connection between sea and sky in the symbolism of the show. Just like the flying water dragon.

There are five other locations between the mountains under the moonlight. The one on the left looks like a bridge, the one on the right like a high tower. The one in the middle, I do recognize.

It's the Hengyang sect complex, Otter Studio build for TTEOTM and which has since then been used in many other productions, such as My Journey to You and Mysterious Lotusbook Case.

On top of the poster is a golden glowing lotus blossom. Inside of it sits a man in what looks like meditation position. It's hard to see clear, but it looks Tang Lici, only this time dressed very differently. I'm not sure if I have seen anything similar in cdramas before, especially his hair and crown. It looks almost South Asian to me. It would be funny if it's actually Thai, after Leo became cultural friendship ambassador for China-Thailand. Then again, most of his recent activities ended up somehow connected to this drama, and its production and broadcasters.

The warm, golden light and the position makes me think of enlightenment and even godhood. I will quote a post I found on Twitter. But be aware, that his could be considered a spoiler:

Going from this, Tang Lici might have a long journey ahead of him, that will turn him from a troublemaker into a saint, by overcoming his own worldly obsessions. Sounds familiar?

Anyway, I'm super excited about the show! Booting ceremony is rumored to be in early December. By then, we might get more info on the rest of the cast. Maybe my wish comes true, and there really won't be a romantic focused story!

[amaryllis-sagitta]

DATV post-credit ("secret ending") is a Choice not only because of what it does to the world state, but because of other implications

I got my wildest crack crossover with Neon Genesis Evangelion confirmed in a way I did not expect or ask for. Pack it up, Solas, and pilot the Eva one last time, the Executors from across the seas are the SEELE. They want to complete the Thedas Instrumentallity Project and return everything to the peace and comfort of the Void. Turns out Your Mom and her Ayanami backups across the world tried as they might to push back against that incoming Devouring Storm, the renowned history nudger she was. To dance as long as music plays, one might say.

Here's the thing: Dragon Age has always had that New Age'y whiff.

In some capacity, the whole game series seems to be about the manichaean concept of the perennial war between the Light and the Darkness, though until Veilguard it has been more subdued and mostly passed on through lore. We've had the Blight as the main force of darkness that tainted the perfect realm of Light, the Old Gods as those who dwelled the Darkness, etc. In Inquisition we sang that "The Dawn Will Come". And Veilguard almost attacks us with the allegory of Light being under constant siege from the forces of Shadow, with the Black City bursting at the seams, the Blight slowly taking over the world, the Lighthouse being the last bastion against the Elvhen Gods, Shadow Dragons & Lucerni working underground and what not.

Then, there's the Fade, the quasi-platonic "repository" of thought forms, emotions, experiences and memories. The library analogy in respect with the Fade became more apparent with the introduction of The Vir Dirthara and the archive spirits. In this shape, the Fade most resembles Akashic Records, a concept brought in through Helena Blavatsky's theosophy. Then, we have Lyrium and the Titans, entities of the Sentient Magical Crystal, and its chosen Valta and Harding are enlightened to experience Oneness with their cosmic Source. There's the possibility of reincarnation made explicit in the Avvar culture and now semi-confirmed in elvhen lore. There's the undeniably Archon-y vibe of the Old Gods & Evanuris (gnostic sects), and Arlathan is basically the elven Atlantis (a myth from Plato's dialogues Timaeus and Critias, romanticized throughout the ages). There is literally a primordial Abyss in gnostic and Hermetic writings. I haven't delved into this yet but there's also something to say about Solas/ Mythal and the gnostic Yalbadaoth/ the Demiurge, two characters directly responsible for the descent of the world from pure form into matter through an intrigue of error and moral corruption.

At first, the esoteric inspirations seemed closer to some older themes woven into the lore. It was fun to make comparisons as long as these were comparisons with texts and ideas from antiquity, or something that didn't immediately remind you of shit your neighbor might say.

In this context, consider what it looks like to learn that the inspirations for this series now reach down into the conspiracy theory bog that informs many New Age beliefs. Especially since now, in the XXIth century, New Age seems to double down on the Manichaean concept of the ongoing "spiritual war" between the Light and the Darkness. It also incorporates a lot of the XIXth century esoterical ideas with little thought of its origins or implications. And the implications are, among others, that Western esotericism has INSPIRED WHITE SUPREMACY AND CONTINUALLY HAS A THING GOING ON WITH THE FAR RIGHT.

This is not a joke. It is Not. A. Joke.

So, I'm squinting, instantly hit by the whiplash -- not because of what the Executors twist does narratively to the worldstate of the first three DA games, but because Dragon Age IP has just unabashedly announced that it wants to go there.

An important question to ask here is: in the context of all the esoterical references in the series, do we really need ideas such as

a secret cabal of elusive, risk averse, shifty entities that can get into anyone's mind and control them manipulate anyone by creating advantageous circumstances for themselves in some way*

the said cabal prevails throughout history and steers its outcomes from the shadows, and

a tease that it is now imperative for the world's heroes to disclose the said cabal and to fight it. That this might be our new duty, new cause to unite people, new adventure, new grand world-saving experience ---

[*edit: turns out I was wrong about the mind control part, and the writers explained on BSky that they purposefully chose the wording to make that faction merely "inspire" past events -- which doesn't really do much harm to my main point...]

DO WE REALLY NEED TO TEASE SOMETHING LIKE THIS AS A COOL LOOK IN THIS TIME AND AGE??? Especially considering how the only people who oppose Rook's "Ghilan'nain and Elgar'nan" tinfoil speak are framed by the narrative to be unconditional assholes?

Is this their idea of an "impactful story"? Did no-one in that writing room and no-one among the executives consider this twist to be tone deaf and in extremely poor taste? Don't they see that it's now completely indefensible to claim that this is "just inspired fantasy worldbuilding" and not a social pastiche that (inadvertently???) romanticizes prevalent polarizing mythologies?

(I wrote about this in the feedback forums, so fingers crossed someone in there sees it and has fire lit under their ass.)

This is so sad, Manfred, play Komm, süsser Tod from The End of Evangelion, I need a moment in the Memorial Gardens.

[wangxianficfinder]

Fic Finder

~*~

1. hello im looking for a fic where wwx and lwj are married but wwx died. wwx is interred in lotus pier and wangxian's kids go to see him and ask him to wake up, iirc. also it seemed unfinished or part of a series bc at the time i read it, the fic ends with wwx still dead. thank you so much for all that you do i hope your dinners are always good ♥️

FOUND? A Baby Dragon's Guide To Seducing Your Huli Jing by sweetlolixo (M, 87k, wangxian, fantasy au, dragon LWJ, fox WWX, younger LWJ, older WWX, fluff, humor, happy ending, WIP)

~*~

2. Hi! I want to ask about a fic I read some time ago. 

It was about a Canon Divergence where WWX and the Wens disappeared and years later they come back. They have formed a new sect and were hidden in the Wen territory. And I remember they had as a kind of dome with a fog or something in the Wen territory. And something happens that WWX and the Wens has to return and at the beginning doesn't want to talk to LWJ and always the one that speaks for him is WQ.I hope you can help me find this fic, I'd love to read it again. Thank you for everything 🤗💜 @wangxiansgirl​

FOUND! 💖 Echo, Murmur, Dream, Here by bluerainmist (M, 51k, wangxian, canon divergence, WWX survives, sect leader WWX, yiling wei sect au, slow burn, angst w/ happy ending, getting together, pining, love confessions, reunions, mind all the tags)

Not FOUND! Identity Porn AU by ShanaStoryteller

~*~

3. Hi! I've just watched the trailer for the movie "red, white and royal blue" and I remembered reading a wangxian fic based on that novel too!! I cannot find it anymore tho? Does anyone remember that fic? Thank you all guys for your amazing support!! @jaecomments

FOUND! History, Huh? by BaconnEggs (M, 53k, WIP, WangXian, Modern AU, Enemies to Friends to Lovers, Fake/Pretend Relationship, RWARB AU basically, Modern Royalty, First Son, International Relations, Diplomacy, Multimedia, Miscommunication, Mischief, Royalty, First Kiss, Implied Sexual Content, Friends With Benefits, Oblivious, Sexuality Crisis, Non-Graphic Smut, Secret Relationship, Fade to Black, YZY is a Good Parent, WangXian Being WangXian, Chatting & Messaging, First Time, Twitter) could it be this one? i haven't read it but it's the only one i could find that fits.

~*~

4. Hii! I'm looking for this fanfic where Wei ying got cursed or something like that. Because of that he can't see (and feel? hear?) Lan Zhan, Lan Sizhui, Lan Jingyi, Jiang Cheng (and Jin Ling?). To break the curse they have to admit their true feelings towards him and wei ying  has to acknowledge and accept them. He thinks they all hate him, but that is obviously not the case ^^

I hope you can find it.

FOUND? See Me, Feel Me (Listening to You) by Ghost_Honey (T, 29k, wangxian, JC & WWX, LSZ  & WWX, JL & WWX, LJY & WWX, WWX pov, WWX needs a hug, and gets several, WWX’s abysmal self-esteem, emotional healing, angst, curses, JC & WWX reconciliation, hurt/comfort, cuddling)

~*~

5. Hi!!!! I'm looking for a texting fic, it's set in the regular mdzs verse (not modern, but like they just invented a version of texting) LXC is like a massive hoe in it. Please help, I'm getting desperate here, Thanks @sad-stucky-shipper-107​

FOUND? Grandmaster of Meme-onic Cultivation by Hades_the_Blingking (T, 75k, LWJ/WWX/MXY, chat fic, canon compliant, memes, polyamory, not everyone dies au)

~*~

6. Hey, I have been looking for this fic for a very very loooong time, and still unable to find it. I hope you can find it for me

Here is all the things that I remember of that fic:

- modern setting

-lwj is an actor or singer (not sure which one 🤔)

- established wwx/lwj-i think wwx is a reporter/paparazzi 

-there is a part where other reports think that lwj is dating mianmian

That's all I can remember so far. Hope you can find it 🤞@mayavsworld

~*~

7. Hi! Please help me find this fic. It was post canon. LJY night hunting with LSZ, but only LJY come back to Gusu with LSZ's head ribbon. WWX took the news hard that i think its mentioned that he fall sick after that. I think LWJ went to where the night hunt happened and kill the snake yao to at least find LSZ body to have a burial but come out empty. I think it was chaptered fic but im not sure. At near the end of the story, in LP, LSZ turn up and make JWY shocked. He than tells JWY that the snake yao didnt killed him and he get lost when he is trying to go home. Thats all i remember. Thank you! @idontknowwhattowriteforusername

~*~

8. a fanfic where wei ying's parents aren't married and he gets turned into a slave @lydiablackrose​

FOUND? To Be Known by kat8cha (M, 4k, LXC/JGY, pre-3zun, wangxian, mildly dubious consent, Captive Prince fusion, sex work, master/pet, something made them do it, non-con situation, emperor NMJ, WIP/discontinued)

FOUND? Leash the Wind by ladyshadowdrake (E, 71k, wangxian, LXC/JGY, NHS/JC, Captive Prince fusion, emperor LXC, fluff & angst, slow burn, dub con, extensive world building, WIP)

~*~

9. Hey, I was hoping you could help me find a wanxian fic where wei wuxian gives himself to the Lans to be cleansed from resentful energy in exchange for the Wen's safety. The wens move to cloud recesses, I think. Lan wangji uses his qin to purge the resentment and unknowingly nearly kills wei wuxian. His body starts to deteriorate back to when he had injured himself in the fall to the burial mounds.

FOUND? decay by antebunny (G, 15k, WangXian, Canon Divergence, Angst, Misunderstandings, Miscommunication, Fix-It, Angst with a Happy Ending, the fluffiest ending, Hurt/Comfort)

~*~

10. There’s a fic I can’t track down. It was a bottom Lan Wangji one. I think wwx had been fantasizing about oral sex for a while and I have a rather distinct memory of Lan Wangji sitting down next to him at his desk and sucking on his fingers. The situation may or may not have had something to do with some p0rn Huaisang sent them, my memory is very hazy :’D

~*~

11. Hello! Jealous lwj au. Wen ning and wwx are friends. wwx loves making lwj jealous because he gets railed so hard when lwj is jealous and angy. then one time it got too much, wwx suggested hugging or doing something sketchy with wen ning during a party. wwx promised wn that it'll be the last time. then lwj saw it, but sadness was seen in his face not the usual anger that wwx wants from lwj. lwj runs away from the party and lwj throws their ring. then wwx ran after him crying begging. THANK YOU! @jamebyeol-blog​

FOUND? Things don't go as planned by Harjot (E, 4k, WangXian, Hurt/Comfort, PWP, Jealous LWJ, Top LWJ/Bottom WWX, One-Sided Attraction, Hurt WWX, Hurt LWJ, Makeup, Makeup Sex, WangXian Get a Happy Ending, possesive lwj)

~*~

12. hello!

there was a particular fic where wei wuxian learns how to weild his sword all over again and sword fights with lan wangji under the moonlight and lam wangji is extremely turned on by it.

wei wuxian tries to pick up sword fighting and challenges lan wangji

this and any other wangxian sword fighting fic works too!! @lalalalan​

REC:  与其身后名 | immaculate by auberjing (E, 15k, wangxian, wuxia au, courtesan LWJ, angst w happy ending, revenge, pining, virgin LWJ, getting together, major illness, blood & injury, martial arts, cottagecore, ritual sex, alcohol, mutilation, near death experiences, recovery, implied/referenced torture, bottom LWJ)

~*~

13. Hi, sorry to bother, I have two requests for finding a fic. I wanted to know if anyone remembers A) a fic where A Yuan goes with Wei Wuxian to Jin Ling's A one month celebration. This someone changes the way things go. B) Also another one where A Yuan shows up with Wei Wuxian when he's discussing the Wens being prisoners so people see that there are children in the prisoners camps!! Any story where A Yuan changes things for the better before Wei Wuxian's death. Thank you, be well @monicaop21

Hi, thanks for your help but is not the fic I'm looking for, I think it was complete and I do remember A-Yuan is in Koi Tower, he arrives with Wei Wuxian there. Be well!!

13A)

Not FOUND I whatever you, I will stand by your side by Lizziewriter07 (M, 63k, WIP, WangXian, Canon Divergence, YLLZ WWX, BAMF WWX, BAMF LWJ, Burial Mounds Settlement Days, Slow Burn, Happy Ending, Canon JC, Bitter WWX, Cultivation world Bashing, dadxian, Sexual Tension, Pining, Protective LWJ, SongXiao Get a Happy Ending, Protective WQ)

Not FOUND! The Core Issue by Hauntcats (T, 21k, WangXian, Angst with a Happy Ending, Not JC Friendly, Canon Divergence)

FOUND? Grave dirt by esama (T, 92k, WangXian, canon divergence, yiling wei sect au, demonic cultivation, farming, found family, pre-slash, politics, fix-it of sorts) (works for both a and b iirc)

~*~

14. Looking for a fic that was on ao3. I remember there was two versions, one where WWX was a man and another where he was a woman and he decided to fake his death I think? And leave the cultivation world behind. He/she had twin sons that were A-Yuan and Jingyi I believe and then in the end LWJ who is the father of the twins but he doesn’t know it, fakes his death and finds them by an anonymous tip *cough cough* NHS who had tried to get WWX to rejoin the cultivation world earlier when NMJ died. @bigmeatycl0ws

~*~

15. y’all are doing the gods work with this blog and this is coming from an atheist XD

anywho i’m looking for a specific fic (or was it series?) where the premise is the swords are spirits that can manifest in a human body. wwx is one such sword called suibian, as is lwj. the story starts (i think) with wwx being jc’s sword and they don’t really get along/harmonise (big surprise)

there’s some world building of a story of xxc being a self wielding sword and getting tricked by xy and either doing bad stuff and then dying or just dying.

uh it ends with wwx and lwj proving to the golden tower (the peeps that hold the swords because they’re too innocent or whatevs to be alone out in the wild) that they can handle their own. there’s a line in there about how they’re not self-wielding swords, but swords that wield each other.

wwx was previously lwj’s human under the name wwx something one or both of them forgot.

there’s some scene after about wwx meeting jc’s new sword and there being some antagonism between them (new sword throwing tantrum and wwx being chaotic but solving the problem as usual)???

think author said it was inspired slightly by touken ranbu? or some other sword person anime/game thing?

this is so detailed it’s bothering me so much but i can’t find it and i’m at the point where i’m doubting if it existed ;-; @tabbycallie​

FOUND! swords, i guess by victortor (T, 26k, wangxian, swords au, asexual character, asexual LWJ)

~*~

16. Please help me find a fic! I think it was a WWX's Parents Live fic, but I can't be sure. I remember that LQR had a good opinion of him at the start of the guest lectures. There's a scene where LQR is talking about talismans, and has WWX take out all of the talismans he has on him. WWX has a whole system set up for combat talismans in one sleeve and general use talismans in the other, and he lectures about their unique uses and value and a bunch of sect heirs get angry at him for showing them up, and I think there's a fight later? But I really don't remember much beyond that. @lewiscarrolatemybrain​

FOUND! From the Warm Sun by sunshine_sparrow (T, 58k, WangXian, CSSR & WWX, CSSR & LQR, Discussion of Rape, Period-Typical Sexism, Mostly CQL but probably some MDZS too, CSSR Lives, Madam Lán Lives, Qingheng-jun lives, But WCZ Still Dies, Fix-It, Happy Ending, All Soft and Very Little Angst, the wens live, Yīn Iron, Good Person MY, Good Person LQR) The scene with the talismans is in chapter 4.

~*~

17. Hello, thank you guys for all of your hard work! Don’t remember if this was book or cql canon but im looking for a fic where post WWX death lwj travels to another world where wwx is still alive during the cr lectures and older lwj, young WWX and young lwj end up sleeping together and then nhs comes and brings lwj back to their og world fulfill his grand plan

~*~

18. Hi! I have already asked this before but i can't remember the title again. So i am asking for your help once again.

So like, the cultivation world needs yiling laozu's help and they tried to summon him using mo xuanyu but they failed since yl Iz appeared in his own original body and not in mxy. Anyway so history repeats itself, wwx knows everybody especially lan zhan cuz he his "friend" that time. They became curious about wwx, they found his journal and he kept talking about this certain friend eventually they found out the friend's name is lan zhan lan wangji. Time skip they found out that Iwj reincarnated, he looks exactly the same as wwx's friend. Lxc said it was impossible cuz all their ancestors died because of an explosion that was caused by wwx back in the day.

There is this spefic scene, wwx kept blaming himself because he was the reasom why Iz died, ok so Iz married a woman (arranged marriage) and had child with her, wy was heartbroken and told Iz that he has feelings for him, Iz also has feelings for him, so when Iz heard that the sects will have a siege in burial mounds he went there and protected wy then something happened and the surroundings explode.

Anyway, they have come to a conclusion that wy is an immortal, he took care of Iz's child, Iz reincarnated he fought really hard to keep his body and appearance the same @hellothere9597​

I know I’ve read this one but I can’t remember the name and all the tags I think should be in there aren’t :’) ~Mod L

FOUND? Old Foreshadows by protos_metazu_ison (M, 15k, WangXian, YLLZ WWX, BAMF WWX, War, Universe Alteration, Sunshot Campaign, [Podfic] Old Foreshadows by Saint_tuesday)

~*~

19. Ok I'm looking for a fic I read years ago where we have amateur porn channel, lwj is submissive full time and wwx calls him bunny, he's the Dom in the relationship but lwj is the top. It's all lwj pov and he's alone at home and horny but holding back bc he's not allowed to cum without permission even when he's alone. Idk I'm just needing some sub lwj in my life. Thanks so much!

FOUND? The impatient rabbit by BCat13 (E, 3k, WangXian, Somnophilia, BDSM, Dom WWX, Sub LWJ, top LWJ, Bottom WWX, Soft Dom WWX, Service Sub LWJ, Bunny LWJ, Emotionally overwhelmed LWJ, Breeding Kink, Exhibitionism, Art)

~*~

20. ​hey! can anyone help me find this wangxian fic set in the burial mounds days where jgs (?) found this one artifact that would enable him to see inside of the burial mounds, called a meeting with all the sects and everyone saw that they were harmless or something among those lines, thanks!

FOUND? A Step in the Wrong Direction by pupeez4eva (Not rated, 4k, wangxian, canon divergence, humor, everyone realizes WWX and the wens are innocent, the Jins have a lot of answering to do, JGS pov)

FOUND? Through A Looking Glass by Purplepulu (Not rated, 21k, wangxian, canon divergence, Families of Choice, Wēn Remnants Live, Fix-It of Sorts, Creepy JGS, JZX Tries, Cultivators with One brain cell, Crack Treated Seriously, Humor, Angst w Happy Ending, Oblivious WWX, Pining LWJ, Matchmaker LXC, Mastermind NHS, Traumatized A-Yuan, Fluff, NMJ Lives, Soft NMJ, BAMF WWX, POV LXC, POV JGS, Protective JYL, JZN Being an Asshole, Everyone Lives au, Except for JZN, Good Sibling JC)

FOUND? Revealing Truth by DreamNightmare (G, 2k, WangXian, Canon Divergence, Fix-It)

FOUND? Twitter fic

~*~

[bnnywngs]

when wei wuxian asked lan wangji to marry and received a positive answer, most of the lan sect knew there wouldn't be grand courting gifts, nor it would be expensive, as he and his parents were rogue cultivators.

what they didn't expect was wei changze himself arriving in cloud recesses with four big wooden chests, intricately carved with wedding symbolisms saying it was his son's gifts.

they sat inside the formal room, curiously waiting to see what was inside the chest. lan wangji looked impassive as usual, but his fingers were twitching with barely stifled desire to open the chests himself.

the first one was opened.

"lan-er-gongzi, here's the first gift from your betrothed." wei changze smiled softly and brought his hands out of the chest, a beautifully made sky blue robe with a silver dragon embroidered on the back "a robe for you made by your betrothed's hands. a-ying not only embroidered but also sewed the cloth he himself chose especially for you."

all the lans were surprised and impressed, it was clearly well made, it could easily pass by professionally made.

"the second gift" wei changze continues, opening the second chest "is a pair of bunnies carved in white jade by your betrothed." he put the, frankly big, pair of jade animals on the floor in front of lan wangji, who immediately snatched one to look up close.

again, the lans were impressed. who would know that wei-gongzi was so accomplished.

"the third and last gift for now" wei changze opened the last chest "is a pair of guans carved in wood, a pair of hairpins of blue and white jade, and a pair of tassels in the same colors." he put one by one beside the lonely bunny "all made and carved by a-ying himself."

the lans were truly astonished. the gifts were all beautiful and well made, almost as if wei-gongzi was a professional in these sections. and were all of immeasurable price. blue jade! the boy had blue jade to carve! and many white jades to choose what to do with it!

lan xichen could barely blink! lan qiren felt his own mouth open.

"thank you.... a-die." lan wangji bowed, showing, for once, his shy side.

wei changze just chuckled "there's nothing to thank me, a-zhan, just make our a-ying happy."

"mn." lan wangji nodded firmly "will make beautiful gifts for wei ying."

the rogue cultivator chuckled again, and bowed "for the next round of gifts, a-ying wishes to focus on cultivation, if it's ok with you?"

"definitely." lan xichen said, before coughing softly into his hand and smiling "we will be happy with anything wei-gongzi thinks is valuable."

"of course." wei changze nodded with a smile.

later that night, past curfew, most lans that were inside that room would find hard to sleep, thinking about the gifts received and the ones yet to come.

all but one.

lan wangji slept soundly, a tiny smile in his lips as he dreamed of his future.

[flock-from-the-void]

♾ (for the story based on song game)

Hi! Thank you for participating! Sorry that it took this long, haha...

Anyway, the song is 🥁🥁🥁

Brutal

wc: 1395 universe: Mirage of Spring tw: self harm, suicidal ideation, cursing

“Rú Zhèng!” sect leader Wǔ screamed, her eyes filled with a fury of a snowstorm. “How dare you? For the minister of ceremony to disrespect a sacred sect this bluntly!”

Rú Zhèng starred in the abyss before her. Her robes, wide at the hemline and collar tightly hugging the woman’s neck, were giving her an impression of a lonely mountain. Tiny figurines of high-mountain birds were sitting on her silver hairpins and her face was so pale as the snow.

Sect leader Wǔ couldn’t look at this expressionless white sheet. “Does this mean nothing to you?! So insolent!”

Loud slap pierced the room, all the elders of Dòng​chuān sect froze in place. A splash of blood stained the snow – Rú Zhèng’s cheek turned bright red. Regardless, Rú Zhèng bowed deeply. “This lowly minister will pass on the sect leader’s response to her majesty. Thank you for discussing this matter with me.” She turned in place and, followed by dozens of eyes, she left the main hall.

Outside the snow quickly covered her blush. She was slowly passing the buildings of Dòng​chuān. Like a noble crane she was taking slow steps, her wide sleeves turned into wings by the wind. Only up close to her face, examining her eyes, one could see a hint of tears.

She was breaking.

She went through the sect’s gate and turned left, towards the mountain’s base. It wasn’t the time to leave the mountain yet – a small group of servants was waiting for her in the guest room. Her steps were turning into springs. She didn’t want to see them. They still didn’t dare to insult her directly but whispers and glances pained even more – like a precise needle could cause worse injuries than a punch.

This crane flew through the mountain until the snow made the air so dense, she couldn’t see a thing – only endless whiteness. She was truly just a part of nature, her soul just as blank and full of mourning.

She tripped. The coldness covered her, and the only thing she wished for was becoming one with it, like a snowflake that falls and fades, and not even a memory of it remains. Who would look for her? Who would cry for her?

“Hey, someone lies there?” a voice rapidly stopped her thoughts. A slender face full of beauty marks broke through the nothingness. A rough hand swiped down the frost from her chest. “Zhèng-jiě, what on earth are you doing?”

Rú Zhèng rubbed her eyes. Was it…?

“Come on, Zhèng-jiě,” the person helped her to stand. They hold her close. A warm sincere hug was something she hadn’t experienced for a long time, a faint blush bloomed on her cheeks.

“What are you doing here, cultivator Rú?” she asked, as they were strolling in an unknown to her direction.

“What am I doing here? Sweet idiot, you’re maybe an hour away from my sect. It would be surprising if I wasn’t here.”

“You have a point,” she murmured.

“And don’t address me so officially. Please, we’re family. And friends, hopefully.”

Rú Báiyàn was her cousin from the father’s side. Usually they were meeting under official circumstances. Truth be told, she wasn’t sure if they had ever talked like this, without formalities and prying eyes of others. Rú Zhèng was a bit uncomfortable with familiarity glazing her words, yet being called “Zhèng-jiě”... it had a certain… appeal. Warm and sweet appeal.

They entered a cave. It was lightened with candles and lanterns, and full of things of all kinds. Rú Zhèng sat on a blanket and covered herself with another one. While Rú Báiyàn was boiling the water, she inspected the space. The walls were painted in random patterns. Dragons, butterflies and clouds were flying above the mountains of real bamboo strips and empty wine jars. Some poems were dangling under the lanterns, and she noticed a bunch of colorful instruments. Among all that, some lonely pots, fans and shoes were wandering.

Rú Báiyàn noticed the movement of her eyes and started to explain: “the sect leader doesn’t like excessive drinking, so we created this place. I’m pretty sure she knows about it but isn’t evil enough to end it. I mean, it’s not without a benefit for her, the bonds among the disciples and masters of Dòng​chuān were never this tight. Nothing brings people together like a good wine, right?”

“I suppose.” But what she could know about it?

Rú Báiyàn stretched her hands and gave her a cut cup filled with the water. She sat next to her. Without any shame, she rested on Rú Zhèng’s arm. The latter halted for a second, moved by the sudden touch. A drop of ink could change the color of a cup of water, a warm gesture could change the mood of a person. And so Rú Zhèng felt faint happiness.

This wasn’t good. After all, Rú Báiyàn was from the Rú family – from the people who abandoned her. Without their support, she lost everything to Dū Cuán, her right-hand man who she was supposed to trust. Even if they didn’t care for her, they should at least protect the honor of the family, but they ignored every humiliation. No one saw her as a part of the Rú clan anymore. She had no family.

Thoughts were painfully pulsating in her mind. Her skin was itching. If only she could shed it like a snake… but she couldn’t. Snakes were leaving their past life behind and just starting anew with a fresh form – she wasn’t seeking that. Maybe she was more like a squirrel who had changed her fur for the winter and now desperately tried to get the previous one back; yet she could only wait for the change in the world.

Her fingers wandered towards the fireplace. They were like… Ah, they weren’t like anything, she shouldn’t be… She should be… She should be here… Just a little bit further and… She dipped her fingertips in a flame and let go a sigh of relief. She became physical again.

Her hand was forcefully removed from the fire but she felt refreshed already. She took the hand back and glanced at Rú Báiyàn. “Sorry,” she said icily. There were no tables, so she put her empty cup on the floor. The blanket became a neat rectangle in her hands. She stood up with grace. “Thank you for trusting me with this place and your hospitality, táng​mèi.”

Rú Báiyàn’s face was frozen in shock. The second she came back to her senses, she shouted: “Zhèng-jiě!”

Rú Zhèng felt silent. She was so confused.

“How could you…” Rú Báiyàn’s brows met in the middle, the flickering light of the fire made her look more aggravated than she really was. She caught Rú Zhèng’s arm again and then she said slowly, carefully articulating every syllable: “I want to help you.” Even though Rú Zhèng gave her a confused and angry look, she didn’t fight back, so the woman continued: “tell me, why should you bear the weight of Rú Sàizhuàn’s decisions? That old ungrateful bitch pushed you to a puddle of mud and expected you to stay servile. But you can pull her in, can’t you?”

“But they are…” Rú Zhèng bit her tongue. She was not a part of the Rú family, so she was not bonded by any duty. It was as if a wall in front of her was turned into rubble and she could see a rising sun again. A mass of flaming red rage which filled not only her view but also her soul. 

She crouched, dragging Rú Báiyàn with her, and picked another charred stick. It moved so rapidly, as if gods were supporting her case and hand – a mere martial artist couldn’t avoid it. A scream filled the air. Never in her life Rú Zhèng was so free. Her wings grew again on her back – from a crippled crane she was reborn into a hawk.

“Please, forgive me” she said with no remorse in voice. “Your only sin is being of the Rú family, Yànyan, but it’s a sin nonetheless.”

Laughter exploded from Rú Báiyàn’s mouth and she couldn’t help joining in. Shivers were flaring up and dying out in her body. She felt so purified.

“Now,” Rú Báiyàn cut the laughter abruptly. “Let’s fry the rest of the pests, right?”

Mirage of Spring taglist: @cruorons, the taglist is always open!