#Yes Jin Ling is dead

[doufudanshi]

ON GHOSTS AND DEMONS: Wei Wuxian's "demonic" cultivation?

There are a few big misconceptions I have repeatedly seen in English-speaking fandom about things that are fundamental to the story of MDZS. One of them is this—

Wei Wuxian is not a demonic cultivator.

To prove this, let's take a deep dive into the original Chinese text of MDZS.

(Adapted from my original gdoc posted on Twitter on May 27, 2022. All translations my own unless otherwise stated.)

Demon vs. ghost

Let's start from the very basics. In addition to orthodox cultivation using spiritual energy and a golden core, there are two other forms of cultivation that are mentioned in the novel:

魔道 (mó dào), or “demon cultivation/path.”

鬼道 (gu�� dào), or “ghost cultivation/path.”

To be clear, 魔 mo "demons" and 鬼 gui "ghosts" (and thus their respective cultivation/paths) are not interchangeable because of the in-universe worldbuilding within MDZS. Using the characters in the term 妖魔鬼怪 "monsters," MXTX created four distinct categories of beings, each of which has a strict definition in the novel. From chapter 4 (jjwxc ch 13):

妖者非人之活物所化; 魔者生人所化; 鬼者死者所化; 怪者非人之死物所化。 Yāo (妖) are transformed from non-human living beings; mó (魔) are transformed from living people; guǐ (鬼) are transformed from the deceased; guài (怪) are transformed from non-human dead beings.

And of course, WWX hoards all the ghost-type pokemon monsters at the Phoenix Mountain tournament, and he only exerts control over corpses, spirits, and the like (aka people who have already died). (As opposed to Xue Yang, who appears to have been actively trying to make 魔 "demons" out of living people with those "living corpses" of his, perhaps.) (And, ironically, in order to avoid showing necromancy / zombies on screen, CQL technically does show WWX practicing demon cultivation because everyone is "supposedly alive" even when they're corpses? Which is, funnily enough, far worse morally in the MDZS universe, lol.)

So, intuitively at least, we know that WWX must be practicing ghost cultivation—now let's look at some concrete examples from the book.

Running the numbers

1) 魔道 (mó dào) means “demon cultivation.” As such, it must use living humans.

魔道 appears one (1) time in the novel.

Yes, once. The only time it appears is in the term 魔道祖师 modao zushi, or the namesake of the novel, in chapter 2. This is a title the general public has given him through rumors:

魏无羡好歹也被人叫了这么多年无上邪尊啦、魔道祖师啦之类的称号，这种一看就知道不是什么好东西的阵法，他自然了如指掌。 Wei Wuxian wasn’t called titles like “The Evil Overlord,” “The Founder of Demon Cultivation,” and so on over the years by others for nothing—he knew these sorts of obviously shady formations like the back of his hand.

2) 鬼道 (guǐ dào) means “ghost cultivation.” As such, it must use dead humans. 

鬼道 appears 12 times in the novel.

Here is the first instance that 鬼道 appears, which I believe is the first time Wei Wuxian's method of cultivation is properly introduced. From chapter 3 (jjwxc ch 8):

蓝忘机 […] 对魏无羡修鬼道一事极不认可。 Lan Wangji […] had never approved of the fact that Wei Wuxian practiced ghost cultivation.

Here's another quote from chapter 15 (jjwxc ch 71) for funsies:

蓝忘机看着他，似乎一眼就看出他只是随口敷衍，吸了一口气，道：“魏婴。” Lan Wangji looked at him as if he saw through his half-hearted bluff. He took in a breath, then said, “Wei Ying.” 他执拗地道：“鬼道损身，损心性。” He stubbornly continued, “Ghost cultivation harms one’s body, and harms one’s nature.”

3) 邪魔歪道 (xiemowaidao) means heretical path/immoral methods/evil practices/underhanded means/etc—e.g., lying, cheating, stealing, bribery, and so on.

It appears ~24 times in the novel.

I mention this last term because it is often used to refer to Wei Wuxian's cultivation, but as a pejorative. Every instance of 邪魔歪道 is said by or to quote someone looking down upon Wei Wuxian’s cultivation (Jin Zixun, Jin Ling, etc.) and referring to it derogatorily, whereas every instance of 鬼道 guidao/ghost dao is said by someone discussing it neutrally and/or factually (Lan Jingyi, Lan Wangji, Wei Wuxian himself, random cultivators at discussion conferences, the narration, etc.). Here is a pertinent example with Jin Ling (derogatory) and Lan Jingyi (neutral) in chapter 9 (jjwxc ch 43):

金凌怒道：“是在谈论薛洋，我说的不对吗？薛洋干了什么？他是个禽兽不如的人渣，魏婴比他更让人恶心！什么叫‘不能一概而论��？这种邪魔歪道留在世上就是祸害，就是该��统都杀光，死光，灭绝！” “We are discussing Xue Yang,” Jin Ling said angrily. “Am I wrong? What did Xue Yang do? He’s scum that’s lower than a beast, and Wei Ying is even more disgusting than him! What do you mean ‘don’t make sweeping generalizations?’ As long as those practicing this kind of demoniac, heretical path are alive, they’ll continue to bring disaster. We should slaughter all of them, kill all of them, annihilate them once and for all!” 温宁动了动，魏无羡摆手示意他静止。只听蓝景仪也加入了，嚷道：“你发这么大火干什么？思追又没说魏无羡不该杀，他只是说修鬼道的也不一定全都是薛洋这种人，你有必要乱摔东西吗？那个我还没吃呢……” Wen Ning shuffled around. Wei Wuxian gestured at him to stay still, only to hear Lan Jingyi also cut in loudly, “Why are you getting so riled up? It’s not like Sizhui said Wei Wuxian shouldn’t have been killed. All he said was that people who practice ghost cultivation aren’t necessarily all like Xue Yang. Do you have to go around breaking things? I didn’t even get to eat any of that yet…”

Tl;dr—Wei Wuxian does not 修魔道 practice demon cultivation. When Wei Wuxian’s craft is discussed in a neutral and factual manner, it is referred to as 鬼道 ghost dao. 

In fact, Wei Wuxian’s imitators are also referred to explicitly as 鬼道修士 ghost cultivators.

魏无羡早就听说过，这些年来江澄到处抓疑似夺舍重生的鬼道修士，把这些人通通押回莲花坞严刑拷打。 Wei Wuxian had heard a while back that over the past few years, Jiang Cheng had gone around snatching any ghost cultivator suspected of being possessed or reborn, detaining them in Lotus Pier to interrogate them using torture.

So why the confusion?

Of course, there is the matter of the novel's title, which I will get into in a second. But the real issue is a matter of translation.

The idea that WWX uses "demonic cultivation" is a misconception in English-speaking fandom due to issues with the translation of terminology. Of note, EXR actually did translate 鬼道 guidao as "ghostly path" most of the time, though there were at least 3 instances of "demonic" and 1 instance of "dark," especially regarding the first few.

However, this misconception was perpetuated (and arguably worsened) by 7S's official translation, which not only mistranslated additional terms as "demonic cultivation/path" (at least in book 1), but also consistently mistranslated every instance of 鬼道 as "demonic cultivation/path."

So why is this book called 魔道祖师, commonly translated as "Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation?"

One possibility is one posed in Chinese-language meta online, which often cites that WWX himself is a sort of 魔 demon. While this may be true—after all, he can hear the voices of the dead—it doesn't quite explain the fact that the title sets him up to be the 祖师 or "founder."

My take is that this novel is very much concerned with hearsay vs. truth. This is one of the many monikers WWX is given by the public, who collectively view him as evil. (Also of note is that the non-cultivator public is not aware of all the nuances that cultivators learn re: distinctions between the 妖魔鬼怪 monsters.) In the quote from earlier, note that the first title we're given is actually 无上邪尊 “The Evil Overlord,” then 魔道祖师 "The Founder of Demon Cultivation." Like, what can that be other than MXTX telling us, "please take both of these with a HUGE grain of salt, lol."

(And not only the title, but the very first line—"魏无羡死了。" / "Wei Wuxian is dead."—is a lie.)

I think the title is genius, honestly. It intentionally makes readers come into the novel with preconceived notions that Wei Wuxian practices 魔道 demon cultivation and evil techniques—just like the public in the novel. What better way to tell a story warning about the dangers of how easy it is to fall for misinformation and jump to incorrect conclusions?

(Though, in our case, perhaps it worked a little too well.)

[jin-zixun]

Things not to Say When Jin Guangyao Tells You He's Dating Su Minshan

(Things Never to Say to Someone Who Just Came Out, except it's Suyao)

"Why Though?"

Come on Er-Ge. Do you really need to ask why?

"He stabbed me!"

Shut up Huaisang, we all know he didn't.

"But I called dibs!"

You can't call dibs on people Zixun, we've been over this.

"Isn't he the guy who tried to kill Mianmian?"

Yes he is but there were extenuating circumstances and you know that.

"But will he be a good step-uncle to A-Ling?"

This one is fine actually. A-Ling is important.

"I'm not calling him Uncle"

Come on A-Ling, you have so many uncles, one more isn't going to hurt.

"So this is why our marriage didn't work out."

Yes. That's the reason.

"Can I go live with Mom?"

um. Ouch.

"Who is Su She?"

You're not fooling anyone with that Wei Wuxian, you're just kind of being a dick.

"Well that's great. The two of you are perfect for each other. I'm sure you'll be very happy together.

They are and they will be, but you don't need to say it in that tone.

"What kind of cake will you be serving at the wedding?"

While your friends may appreciate your optimism, they may need to question your priorities.

"Are you seriously inviting Xue Yang to the wedding?"

Yes, Da-Ge. Please don't cause a scene.

"So this means you'll be leaving right?"

You don't have to sound so eager about it.

"Which one was he again?"

It is hard to keep track when you've been dead for twenty years, so you can have a pass for this one.

"So when are you bringing him by to meet us?"

Sorry Wen-Zongzhu, but the answer is still never.

"So are you ever going to let me and my sister out of your secret basement dungeon?"

This is a fair question, but really not relevant to the topic at hand.

"Does this mean your wife is single?"

That's really something you should ask her.

"At least it isn't my nephew you're dating"

This is inappropriate, and won't make Lan Xichen any more heterosexual.

[esoteric-oracle]

//long rambles ahead!

I think what really lingers with me about MDZS is that it's not a novel with a cathartic ending at all. It's a bittersweet story that leaves you slightly hollow. Yes, it's a beautiful and epic romance. It's a piece of social commentary interwoven with a love story and murder mystery. It's a cautionary tale. But it is also very much a tragedy. It's a story about being too late, second chances, and moving on.

By the time the truth of everything JGY and JGS did comes to light, it's 13 years too late. Everything that mattered has already happened. Jiang Yanli and Jin Zixuan are long dead. Jin Ling is still an orphan. Wen Ning is dead, and sometime in the future, his death will be permanent. Wen Qing was burned to death at the stake for no fault of her own. Nie Mingjue has already spent ten years in a no-doubt agonizing state of un-death, and Lan Xichen will have to bear the guilt of loving both Nie Mingjue and Jin Guangyao, and by doing so, forsaking them both. Wei Wuxian and Jiang Cheng's once-close bond is irrevocably broken, and the woman who sowed the seeds of resentment when they were still children will never face the consequences of her vitriol.

People sometimes say MXTX was too hard on the side characters, and only gave the Wangxian a happy ending, but what stuck with me after finishing the story is how… sad things are. Yes, Wangxian finally get the happy ending they've deserved for nearly 20 years - but at the same time, it's not a happy ending where the people who've wronged them get the consequences they deserve.

Wei Wuxian will spend the rest of his life haunted by guilt and loss, over what happened to Jiang Yanli and Jin Zixuan, over the loss of the Wen remnants. The rest of his years won't even be lived in the body his parents gave him.

Lan Wangji will spend the rest of his years wondering if he'd chosen to stand with Wei Wuxian when it mattered - would his son have had to grow up without his birth family?

Nie Huaisang is left wondering if his brother had been a little less trusting and had never taken Meng Yao in as a Nie deputy, would his brother have died a less wretched death? Would he have been forced to stoop to ruthless machinations and manipulations to seek some semblance of justice?

Wen Ning will have to live with the knowledge that if he'd been a little less kind, if he'd let Wei Wuxian and Jiang Cheng die that fateful day - his family would still be alive. The Wens would've won the war; Wen Qing might've even succeeded Wen Ruohan.

No one really gets the ending they deserve. MDZS isn't a story where good people get happy endings, and bad people get their dues. Sure, Jin Guangyao's crimes are revealed and he faces the consequences of his actions. But what about the people who stood by and made him into a monster? If anything, the side characters and antagonists who survive get better than they deserve. The real villain of MDZS - society - will never face retribution. Those cultivators who always believed in their own bigotry and righteousness over and over again, will never face justice.

Do you think those cultivators and the public will ever feel any regret for the innocent people they condemned to death in their own prejudice and blind self-righteousness? Do you think the people who gathered at Nightless City to call for Wei Wuxian's death considered for one second that he was the biggest reason they won the war? When the cultivators who sacked the Wen settlement at the Burial Mounds threw the bodies of the Wens into the blood pool, do you think that was a sign of shame?

Do you think Jiang Cheng will ever regret leading a siege on a small settlement of innocent farmers? Do you think he's haunted by condemning to death the same people whom he owes his life to?

Do you think those people like Yao-zongzhu will ever feel an ounce of remorse for so easily believing rumours and hearsay, and spreading speculation and vitriol about innocent people?

Do you think that unnamed cultivator out there will ever lose a single minute of sleep over smashing in Wen Popo's head?

In the years that follow, Wen Ning will have apologized a hundred times for lives he did not take, crimes he did not commit, because of the name he bears. People, both in-universe, and even readers, will condemn him for actions he could not help, for doing the right thing. But did Jiang Cheng ever apologize for killing his family? Did the Jins ever apologize for their horrific treatment of people in the labour camps?

People will continue to demand that Wei Wuxian apologize for causing the deaths of their friends and family. But how is Wei Wuxian meant to do that? No one ever apologized to him for taking his family away. No one ever apologized for condemning the Wen Remnants to death for crimes they took no part in. The Wens were his family too.

There's so much potential for bitterness and corruption in MDZS. Instead of saving everyone, Wei Wuxian could've stood aside and let the people who tried to kill him die. MDZS could've been a story of succumbing to hatred and grief, but it wasn't. MXTX could've gone on and on about how society wronged the protagonist, but she didn't. The narrative is one of forgiveness and moving beyond past grievances. The story chose to close the story on a positive note. I truly love that aspect of MDZS, where MXTX leaves just enough room for hope and love at the end.

A-Yuan will finally get his closure about the family he lost as a toddler. Lan Wangji and Wei Wuxian get their happy ending together after being separated by nearly two decades by war, miscommunication, cruelty, and death.

Wei Wuxian will never regret protecting survivors of an attempted genocide, because it was the right thing to do.

And Wen Ning will still stand in the way and take a fatal blow meant for Jin Ling, despite everything the Jins and Jiang Cheng did to the people he loved.

Because they chose love. Characters like Wei Wuxian and Wen Ning and Lan Wangji have the chance to move on and live a happier life because when they could've succumbed to hurt and fury and resentment, they chose to be kind and do the right thing. Wangxian get their happy ending because they learn to recognize the toxicity of the cultivation society's self-cannibalizing prejudice, and chose to pursue righteousness above personal benefit.

MDZS isn't a story about good people getting good things. Just look at what happened to Xiao Xingchen. There's really nothing satisfying or cathartic about everyone's fates at all. There's no promise about society facing the consequences of their mob mentality or Wangxian actually changing the world together. Even in TGCF, for all its makings of a love story, we get the promise of societal change once Jun Wu is deposed.

It has all the makings to be a tragedy or tale of vengeance of epic proportions - but instead, it's a love story. It's a story about making the best of what you've got, and staying true to yourself and your morals, even if that's sometimes a bitter pill to swallow. It's a story where everything that could go wrong went wrong, but the characters still managed to fight their way to a better ending by choosing kindness. At its core, MDZS is a testament to choosing compassion over cruelty no matter how tragic and hopeless life gets, no matter how long the journey gets. Even though the happy ending is more personal and only applies to the specific characters, even though we don't actually get the promise of their society becoming a better place - we still have the hope that Wei Wuxian's second chance brings. The hope that sometimes, no matter how cruel the world is, some people who deserve it still get their happy endings. That's what makes MDZS such a memorable work of art. That's why it stays with you.

[bl-bracket]

Deserved Better Prelims: Jiang Cheng (The Untamed)

"I know, I know, ok but listen. The guy kinda suffers his whole life and ends up with nothing, really. He grew up with a strict abusive mother and was never good enough for anyone. He was always in the shadow of his adopted brother, but he still loved that brother through and through, never letting that get in the way of their relationship. His loses nearly his whole family and clan, and then he loses all of his powers, all seemingly because of his brother, but he still stands at his brother's side when his brother comes back. He rebuilds his clan from scraps all while a being teenager himself, tries his absolute hardest to protect said brother against the world who would see him dead, while also trying to keep his newly rebuilt clan safe, but again he's not enough, never enough. He loses his brother, his kind-of-love, then he loses sister too. He is left as a single parent to his sister's newborn, no friends, no family, no lover. Then his brother comes back from the dead and it's like he might have some family back, but his brother won't even acknowledge him. THEN he finds out his brother did pretty major shady surgery on him without his consent or awareness and HE'S the bad guy, and he again finds out that oh, he was not good enough, it was again his brother who sacrificed himself for him. Even at the very end, when his brother is left alive and the world back to peace, his brother still walks away from him, and he is ultimately left with nothing, nothing, no friends, no family, no love. (Jin ling doesn't count for the sake of this, he's a Jin and will end up staying there anyways)"

[qiu-yan]

2. a-yuan

3. wei wuxian himself

4. jiang yanli and lan zhan

5. wen ning

6. lan zhan and wen qing

7. jiang cheng and jin ling

8. wei wuxian himself during the sunshot campaign

9. wei wuxian himself, again

10. jiang cheng again

11. jiang cheng again

[drama--universe]

Five Chickens (Part 2)

Pairing: Untamed Juniors x fem!reader

Word Count: 1.5k words

Part 1

Taglist: @bryonyashleysworld, @yuki-snow-cry & @harrystylesfan2686.

A/N Not really a story, more like some compilation of moments with them. Hope it's to everyone's liking :)

"How about your uncle?" "You're crazy." Jin Ling scoffed at you and you whined as you let your head fall back against the wooden frame before leaning it sideways to lay on Jingyi's leg instead.

"Wuxian-ge would say yes..." Sizhui commented as he looked up from his book and slid back slightly, making Zizhen jump slightly as he was leaning against Sizhui's legs. You nodded in acknowledgement before turning around and whacking Jin Ling, who flinched before whacking you back.

"Him and my brother would totally love it!" You laughed softly before looking at Zizhen interrupted the conversation. "I honestly don't think this is a good idea..." He said and you sighed before nodding, leaning your head back and shrugging.

"Alright then... Chicken~" You teased and Zizhen turned red before crossing his arms with a pout while Sizhui tried to calm the atmosphere slightly.

"So you want to move my murder to my other uncle? Because that I can kind of agree to..." "That's my brother, kind of like him." You stated and Jin Ling groaned at you, cursing softly at the disagreement.

"Does your family not have problems?" He continued and you scoffed at him, looking up from Jingyi's leg.

"Oh, we have many problems... I mean, parents dead, Mingjue-ge dead and the Huaisang-ge is barely holding our clan together when he can do so much better. Honestly, not that different from you, huh?" You gave him a wink and Jin Ling rolled his eyes, pillow thrown your way that you skillfully dodged.

"Same here." Sizhui commented and Jingyi quickly thew in a word as well with a smile, which made all of you turn to Zizhen. His eyes widened and he quickly shook his head at you.

"Mine's fine." "Eh, you'll get there." You commented, which earned you a hit to your head from Jingyi. "Don't curse him." You giggled at him before picking at your skirt.

"So... I'll ask?"

"What on earth is that?" The shock was clear in Zizhen's voice and the rest was seemingly just as shocked. You looked at the animal beside you before looking back at the rest.

"I have no clue! But look how cute!" You crouched down and took ahold of the beast's head and smushing it together with a large grin on your face.

"That is a predator." Sizhui commented as he got closer, pulling you away from the animal. You whined, making grabbing hands towards the animal and it was quick to follow you with careful steps. Sizhui paused and let go of you, letting you sit on the ground while the large animal came closer to you and sat down in front of you.

"Where did you find that tiger?" Jin Ling asked, making you turn your head before turning back to the supposed tiger. "So you're just a big kitty, huh?" You smiled as the cat purred at you while Jin Ling rolled his eyes, sighing loudly at you.

"How do you not know what a tiger is?" "I didn't study animals, I studied sabers and murder cases." You answered as you scratched the top of the tigers head.

"What's a good name for-" Leaning down slightly to check before continuing. "-guy?" You asked, looking back to the rest.

"Pudding!" Jingyi jumped in as he got closer, kneeling down and petting the animal as well. He was delighted when the animal purred again, pushing his head closer before flinching when he heard someone else approach.

"Oh, kitty~" Wuxian's voice rang out as he ran over, leaving a shocked Lan Zhan and Jiang Cheng. You just greeted the man with a happy smile before introducing him to Pudding, choosing that the name was just perfect for the tiger.

"So dogs are a no for that guy, but a murderous tiger is okay?" Jiang Cheng commented and you could hear someone laugh, assuming it was Jin Ling.

The library was empty except for the five of you, supposedly studying and yet failing so miserably. Well, you were anyway, the rest was doing fine. Instead you were staring at Sizhui, who was reading his work again while chewing on his fingernails. As if he sensed your gaze, he looked up at you before pulling his hand down with wide eyes.

"Is something wrong?" He asked and you chuckled, placing your chin in your hands with a grin.

"You're so cute it's distracting me." You laughed as you watched Sizhui go red, something that you a so loved to see.

"That's a good one." Jingyi commented and you scoffed. "What, going to use it on a Lan? They'll have a stroke." You joked and Jingyi shrugged as he closed the scroll that he was reading.

"Would be funny to watch." "You'd get whipped for that." Jin Ling pointed out with a raise of his eyebrows and you shook your hand at that statement. "They stopped that, remember? It's writing now." "That's so much worse." Jin Ling commented and you shrugged at him before looking at Sizhui again, who had opted to hide his face in his hands.

"Now that nobody's studying! I have an idea!" You said and everyone looked at you before Zizhen spoke up.

"That's dangerous." He said and you scoffed at him, throwing your pencil at him.

"Oh, shush."

"I can believe you just walked off!" Sizhui and Zizhen were shocked, Jin Ling disappointed and Jingyi was cackling. You were just confused.

"Yes? I walked away mid-conversation, so what? They were boring me to death and my survival instincts kicked in." You gave a shrug as you bit off the last piece from the fruit skewer before chewing on the stick itself out of habit.

"She's the mother of the sect leader! She's more important than you think?!" "I have Pudding." You smiled as you entered your room, the four boys pilling in after you. You sat yourself down and giggled again.

"I think she had smoke coming out of her ears, heh." You giggled to yourself as Jingyi sat next to you and Jin Ling on your other side. Jingyi leaned in slightly to whisper in your ear.

"You're the first who dared to do that." He said and you turned your head with a surprised look before smiling proudly. "Yeah, survival instinct my ass. It was nice knowing you." Jin Ling said and you laid your head down on his shoulder.

"Make sure everyone cries on my funeral?" You ask and Jin Ling nods, patting your hand that rested on his lap. You smiled and closed your eyes before sighing softly.

"Do you think she'll actually kill me?" You opened your eyes again to look at Sizhui, who shrugged.

"I think you're doomed."

Walking around, you tried to ignore the whispers as you held on to Jingyi's and Sizhui's arms, the other two not present at the moment. You didn't feel like talking, not after everything that went down at the temple. Someone you trusted and regarded as a brother killed your biological brother and your second brother had know this for years. Who would feel okay after all that, because you definitely didn't.

"Is she dating them or something?" A voice rang through as you walked to your room, but everyone ignored the comment as you continued. You barely registered entering your room or sitting down, not even when you were being wrapped in your sheets did it register. You felt numb, but that comment kept ringing in your head.

"Now, I know I should be in shock and all... but does everyone think that I'm dating you?" You asked, which made both boys freeze in their spots before bursting into laughter.

"Now that's a problem we can't avoid." Jingyi commented and you shrugged at him, not really minding it.

"You call it a problem. I call it a solution. Guess who won't get marriage proposals?" You gave a tired smile and Jingyi scoffed before sitting down beside you on the bed, pulling you down to lay down. Sizhui soon joined you and it was then that your walls broke down. Tears started streaming down your face as you clung to both of them, not being able to stop the waterfalls. They didn't seem to care for the wet spot on their clothes as they comforted you and when the two others arrived, Jin Ling just as teary as you, they just joined into the pile. You felt slightly better when you were not the only one crying, but even if you were it would be okay with your friends around you.

The adults later found you all huddled up together, clinging to each other while you slept. Their little chicks.

[lyrisnightblood]

Dear "lovely" "canon Jiang Cheng Stans",

I see what you're doing here. I can see y'all talk about "book meta" and "writing Jiang Cheng as canonically accurate" and you know what?

Y'all are doing a fantastic job, keep it up 😍🎉

Yeah really! I mean it!

Y'all are doing a fantastic job showcasing just how utterly pathetic y'all are, how chronically online y'all are, and most importantly, y'all are doing a marvellous job showcasing your hate boner for a fictional character you claim to hate and is an "antagonist".

Keep up the lovely work y'all, show the world how you lack an ounce of reading comprehension, you booktok obsessed peeps!

And while you're at it, let me go spittin' facts, straight from the book.

Jiang Yanli is dead. End of the story. You can fantasize to your heart's content about how "she'll react to JC raising her son" and get your pants in a twist about all the bad things she'll supposedly say, but that's just it. You can only imagine it.

You know why?

Hmm idk cos she's fucking dead and no one knows what the dead wants?

This is exactly like "Don't do this your mother wouldn't have wanted this of you" "don't talk like you know my mother she's dead and i don't know what she wanted cos she's dead"

Well

I should've expected such callous behaviour from antis 🤷

Admit it, y'all wanted Wei Wuxian to raise Jin Ling huh? C'mon, don't be shy🥰 you can say that

Except your fave never could've raised Jin Ling cos 1) as if the Jin Sect would let their Sect heir be raised by the jianghu's most wanted person (Gasp, "wEi wUxIaN sLaNdEr" love check your books even wwx acknowledges that fact lolll) and 2) how tf could a dead man, no less a man who's soul got ripped into shards, take care of a baby?

"but Jin Guangyao was a better parental figure, and an actual parent"

Yeah, a parent who killed his own child cos he was worried about his reputation (I can already smell y'all coming at me to defend him like chill, I only said the truth, and yes, man was more worried about people knowing he married his sister and losing position than the life of his own son, just because he loved Rusong didn't change the fact that he was ready to go to the extreme). Not to mention how Jin Guangyao held a string to his own nephew's neck and threatened to kill him to save his skin while it was Jiang Cheng who begged him to let Jin Ling go

Betcha Jiang Yanli's ghost is watching the scene while sipping tea and praising Jin Guangyao huh

"but one of Jin Zixuan's cousin-"

Jin Zixun is dead. And is a truly despicable person. Or did you forget how he insulted Wei Wuxian left and right?

Oh wait. Of course you forgot, "criticizing" Jiang Cheng takes precedence! My bad, i should've known!

Let me stop y'all before you say "Jin Guangshan". You must be the utterly worst person in the planet to want a known womanizer and child abuser and rapist to raise a child. IDC Jin Guangshan is related to Jin Ling. Y'all just want a known abuser and sexual predator to raise Jin Ling just say you don't give two cents about the poor boy except when you want to hate on Jiang Cheng 🙄

"what about Jin Furen"

Yeah what about her? Or did you forget how she canonically had a role to play in Jin Ling's upbringing?

Who do you think is responsible for Jin Ling spending half a year in Lotus Pier? Certainly not Jin Guangyao!

If there was one person in the Jin Sect who could have enough sway to ensure that her own grandson is spending a significant amount of time in another sect, it's Jin Furen.

Three guesses why she did that?

Lol you actually thought I'd wait for your guess? LMFAOOOOO you're so cute 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

She did that because Jin Furen cared for A-Li and - wait for it - A-Cheng!!!

Reread the books if you missed it, mmkay?

She was fond of Yu Ziyuan, and by extension her children, and post-SSC, she offered to support both of them on multiple occasions (which they declined because any political support from Jin Sect would've come with strings attached cos JGS😑)

Establishing the fact that Jin Furen cared for Jiang Cheng, she had agreed to Jin Ling spending half his time in Lotus Pier because she sensed that he was all Jiang Cheng had left, and vice versa.

Y'all also have utterly forgotten about the cruel way Jin Ling's paternal cousins have bullied him for being an orphan. Like, Koi Tower is supposed to be his home, and he was bullied to the point where Lotus Pier became his sanctuary.

"AHA! GOTCHA! QIN SU SHOULD'VE RAISED HIM!"

Laughing My Fricking Ass Off TM

My man Qin Su was RIGHT THERE! No one was stopping her from raising Jin Ling! She could've been the maternal figure Jin Ling needed! And no one would have questioned it, it was actually expected for that timeline.

Except.... Did she? Did she do anything to make Jin Ling feel loved? Has Jin Ling ever talked about his aunt the same way he talks about his uncles? Apart from the respect that he gives to her as his paternal uncle's wife, does Jin Ling refer to her fondly? Even once?

"Alright, your point?"

Why thank you for asking 💗😌

My point is that Jiang Cheng is canonically the best guardian for Jin Ling, and this conclusion comes AFTER analysing every other candidate.

And you know what?

I am absolutely right🎉💗🌸😻

Evidence?

Exhibit A: Jiang Cheng accompanying Jin Ling's nighthunt to look out for him but also keeps himself at a distance so that Jin Ling actually participates in the nighthunt

Exhibit B: Letting Fairy enter Lotus Pier despite the strict dog ban (which he had adhered to even after wwx died)

Exhibit C: Jin Ling never once flinches or looks scared when Jiang Cheng shows his temper and says "I'll break your legs", he knows his jiujiu is all bark but would never hurt him

Exhibit D: "how dare you hit me? Even my jiujiu had never hit me!" - Jin Ling to Wei Wuxian (who btw oh so casually hits Jin Ling as if it's a normal thing to hit a child💀)

Exhibit E: "A-Ling! Who made you cry?" - Jiang Cheng when he saw a crying Jin Ling. No admonishment. No Judgement. And certainly no anger directed at Jin Ling.

Exhibit F: Jin Ling being unafraid to cry in front of his jiujiu, he knows he won't be judged.

Exhibit G: Jiang Cheng saving Jin Ling on multiple occasions.

Exhibit H: Jiang Cheng begging Jin Guangyao to take him hostage and release Jin Ling, without hesitation, despite his spiritual energy being locked and being stabbed in the chest.

I could go on and on and on but unlike you lovely people who have no hobby other than slandering Jiang Cheng, I have TONS.

And also a life.

So, go fantasize about your Jiang Cheng hate boner elsewhere. I see your pathetic attempt at taking over the Canon Jiang Cheng tag and it ain't working.

Ciao 🤟

[least-carpet]

Jiang Cheng

My favourite guy! Time to rant about him once again.

How I feel about this character :

It's his fault I'm on Tumblr, so. I love him. I love him! He's a super competent disaster with a serious attitude problem. He'll drag you to filth and he'll look good doing it. He has a cool lightning whip, a scary reputation and a beloved twerp of a 13-year-old nephew, who sasses him constantly to his face. He's perfect to me.

All the people I ship romantically with this character:

There are some characters I ship more with him and some I ship less with him, but I will try most Jiang Cheng pairings at least once. Beggars (people looking for interesting Jiang Cheng characterization rather than a stock villain labelled "Jiang Cheng" ) can't be choosers. My current faves are ningcheng, chengxian, zhancheng, and chengqing.

My non-romantic OTP for this character:

If a relationship that's essentially a parent-child relationship counts, it's Jin Ling. I think Jin Ling's teenage years will be, uh, rocky, on account of his whole deal (teenage sect leader, variety of issues wrt his variety of evil/dead uncles, etc.) but they're very similar people. Also, I think their relationship remains the One Safe Secure Relationship for both of them. (It's good that Jin Ling is making friends and growing his social skills! You gotta have people to hang out with who aren't your jiujiu! But getting to know people is a whole process, especially as a teenager.)

Also, I think Jin Ling is the only person with whom Jiang Cheng got to be a version of himself and not Jiang-zongzhu or Sandu Sengshou. A parenting version! But a version of himself nonetheless.

My unpopular opinion about this character:

In this fandom, just being his fan counts as an unpopular opinion. Apart from that, maybe that I think it's that his big feelings are generally pretty reasonable? Like, yes, he is very mad at Wei Wuxian. But also, he's a person that Wei Wuxian harmed and what he wants is an explanation and for Wei Wuxian to be accountable to him. Given their previous relationship, I don't think that's unreasonable to want.

(And he lets Wei Wuxian go once he has the explanation!)

One thing I wish would happen / had happened with this character in canon:

I would have liked to see some characters from the new Yunmeng Jiang sect. Jiang Cheng is so isolated when we see him, but he leads a whole sect! I want to know more about his relationship with the people he recruited. Where's his squad? Who's is second-in-command? I want to know!

[themaymoth]

Jiang Cheng, the magnus archives au

oh hello mysterious vengeful man with trust issues and a missing family

[SUPPLEMENTAL]

•He got that Michael Crew rizz

•Was this my excuse to drawing Jiang Cheng with lichtenberg scars? Perhaps.

•Why is his mother's ring in the intitute's artefact storage? OH THE MYSTERY THE SUSPENSE

•He was left to live the single parent life in this one as well and damn he really tries to keep Jin Ling out of trouble, but the kid just goes looking for it.

•He is once again hunting down wwx so he can explain to him wtf is going on.

•YES JIANG YANLI AND HER MAN ARE MISSING OK NOT DEAD

[bambooswordwielder]

I come here to beg for any MDZS fics set Post-Burial Mounds Siege where Jiang Cheng is/or at least believes he's being haunted by Wei Wuxian.

Just the imaginary of Jiang Cheng staring out in the distance of the Lotus ponds and rivers only to see in the distance a lone boat with a suspiciously familiar red ribbon tied on it, the nearby lotuses peeled and left on the sides like someone had been planning to share them with friends. Someone must have terrible humour because majority of people know damn well who used to where a red ribbon and eat Lotus seeds like there wasn't training waiting for him. No, someone was just messing with him.

Imagining Jiang Cheng walking outside Wei Wuxian's old room and swearing he hears laughter from it before the sounds of footsteps running down the hallway only for when he goes inside to see no one. Must just be the wind, or maybe he's just hearing things due to the stress.

Imagining Jiang Cheng snapping at anyone who plays a dizi/flute near the Yunmeng Jiang before banning them entirely, only to hear in the middle of the night a singular piercing melody that seems to haunt with how familiar it sounds. He gets out of his room to yell at whoever broke the rules, only to be met with an empty courtyard. He refuses to think of the fact that the majority of cultivators who weren't Lans didn't use instruments in their cultivation or day to day lives. Must've just been some reckless disciple who decided to prank everyone.

Imagine Jiang Cheng trying to teach Jin Ling some basic Jiang sword stances, but having to stop midway as Jin Ling keeps staring off in the distance towards the docks. Jiang Cheng is about to scold him, but he feels his blood grow cold as he hears the words leave Jin Ling's mouth.

"JiuJiu, why is there a man crying there?"

Jiang Cheng turns immediately, Zidian pulsing with electricity as he prepares to confront this stranger who got so close to his last family member, when all he is met with is wind and silence. No one is on the docks.

He bans Jin Ling from that day on from ever going near the docks and requests for a group of Lan Elders to come and 'cleanse' the docks. Just in case. Perhaps some restless ghost of a young Yunmeng Jiang disciples during the Lotus Pier Massacre didn't get to rest. Yes. He should focus on getting their soul to rest.

I really want to read about Jiang Cheng going back at forth between resentment, rage, and anger before shifting to sadness, fear, and guilt. I saw a beautiful drawing here on tumblr about an idea of Jiang Cheng patrolling the Lotus ponds and seeing the ghostly remains of Wei Wuxian's dead body appear every night, and I'm just so fascinated in the idea of Jiang Cheng being forced to confront the fact that he very much did 'kill' (not directly but still contributed in causing his death) Wei Wuxian in the very direct way of being haunted by him.

Feeling the lack of presence of someone who's dead is vastly different from being haunted by them, the idea that they were so filled with rage in death that they refuse to rest and instead haunt you. You refuse to even think of the idea that they can't rest.

In short, Jiang Cheng would've suffered greatly if Wei Wuxian in some way or form haunted him — even if it's most likely caused by his guilt.

I might write a few short oneshots on AO3, but if anyone has recs, please comment!

[symphonyofsilence]

I love it when the writing is so good that the characters do exactly what they're supposed to do!

Like Jiang Cheng and Jiang Yanli are the big sister and the little brother the MC would do anything for? Well, that's exactly who they are to me, the reader, personally.

We should do anything to keep Jin Ling safe? Yes! Of course! He's my actual nephew! Protect him at all costs!

Jin Zixuan? Definitely my brother-in-law who stole my sweet sister away and my sister definitely deserves better but if she likes him.... whatever.

And when Xie Lian made up with Feng Xin and Mu Qing and they went back to joking with each other again I felt like I had personally made up with my dear friends with whom I haven't properly talked for years.

And every single Hargreeves feels so sibling. We might fight and bicker but they're always family. (We're ignoring the last season)

Dazai Osamu met Nakahara Chuuya for like ...20 seconds and decided that he's the love of his life and he should confess his love for him immediately? Yeah, me too! Every BSD fan saw Chuuya for 20 seconds each season, and decided the same thing, since he's always at the top of all of the popularity polls.

Gojo Satoru knew Geto Suguru for 3 years and he still hasn't moved on from him after 12 years? Mood! We saw Geto for 5 episodes and one movie and we can't move on either. Nobody has dead wifed like Geto Suguru. Geto is Gojo's ex? No! *communist Bugs bunny meme* he's OUR EX! He's "the one that got away" for all of us. We're all "right there where you left me" at kfc. Having flashbacks of Geto in our free time.

Griffith is an absolute bitch but also everytime you see him in all his beauty you're like ...Griffith... he's Griffith... but then he talks and you're like: BITCH! And the same routine happens the next time. Exactly what Guts goes through every time he sees him!

Like... the characters are charactering, baby!

[whumpbby]

You know what would make The Untamed/MDZS even better?

If Mo Xuanyu wasn't gone - he's there, stuck in the back of Wei Wuxian's head, commenting on everything that happens and providing the protagonist with information we need.

Like, wwx comes back with his knowledge of the world ending when he died and has Mo Xuanyu running a sulky and sarcastic commentary to let him (and us) know what's what.

"Yes, I want you to kill these people!"

"Harsh, they're your family."

"They deserve it!!"

Or.

"Lan Wangji still resides on the second place of of the Bachelor list."

"...good?"

"You were taken off it."

"Gasp! Rude!"

Or,

"Oh shit, Jin Ling! Run!!"

"What? That is...?!"

"Run!! His uncle will decimate us! You just had to mess with Yunmeng Jiang, did you??? One sect no one wants to mess with!!!"

"Uncle? Jiang Cheng? Calm down, he's a reasonable..."

"Oh gods, were dead! *Mo Xuanyu pacing in their shared mindscape* We're dead twice! Jiang Sect Leader will skin us! I will die for the second time, skinned by the hottest man in Jianghu!"

"No one will skin any...hottest???? Mo Xuanyu!!"

And of course, bitterly jealous commentary on the ridiculously stupid way Lan Zhan tries to woo Wei Wuxian. He cannot stand the drama between these two. Are they both blind??

"Oh, I bet his dick is big."

"I don't need commentary, Mo-shidi, thank you."

"I mean, look at his hands and feet, there has to be some..."

"Thank you!"

"Not as pretty as Jin Guangyao or Sect Leader Jiang, but..."

"Thank.You!!!"

[robininthelabyrinth]

Prompt: Fuck-or-die, post Canon married Wangxian. WWX gets hit with sex pollen/curse when LWJ isn't present. He decide that 'yes he would rather die' than having sex with anyone else. His companions are trying to get LWJ there or convince WWX to fuck and meanwheile WWX are handing out instructions for how to resurect him/planning out possession/creating a new body/in general how to return from the dead again. You decide if LWJ gets there in time or they have to use one of WWX:s plans.

WANT: Wangxian

DNW: Wangxian with anyone else, unhappy ending

ao3

“So I guess I die then?” Wei Wuxian asked.

He looked disturbingly cheerful about the idea, but possibly that was just the aftereffects of his fit of laughter when he found out exactly what the curse he’d been hit with did.

Or possibly he was just laughing because he’d managed, through a considerable exertion of effort and purposeful obstinance, to get Lan Qiren to actually say the words “fuck or die” out loud. The latter was now looking thoroughly peeved and much less concerned about the imminent demise of the newest member of the Cloud Recesses than he had a little while earlier, which was also a benefit.

“What are you talking about?” Jin Ling demanded, having not calmed down in the slightest. He looked irritated and worried at the same time – he  reallyrather resembled his uncle at the moment, since both of them scowling at Wei Wuxian as if he had personally insulted their mothers. “Of course you’re not going to die!”

“You heard Teacher Lan,” Wei Wuxian said with a shrug. “It’s fuck-or-die, right? And Lan Zhan, who is the only person I’d consider for the first part, isn’t here. So I guess I’m just going to have to die.”

“Don’t be absurd,” Jiang Cheng hissed, even as the junior disciples started urgently murmuring amongst themselves, sounding similar to a flock of pheasants that had just been disturbed. “You lived – and died, and lived again – through too much to die to a half-rate curse like this. You’re not going to die. Can’t you just break it?”

“It’s tied to his cultivation,” Lan Qiren said, voice deep and grave. He had been amongst the most worried at first, rushing over to check Wei Wuxian’s pulse and run diagnostics over the array circle that had inflicted the curse, exerting himself to the utmost to try to figure out what had happened; it had rather thoroughly undercut his reputation for hating Wei Wuxian bitterly as the unworthy pig that had dug up his family’s prized cabbage. Perhaps as consequence, he was now almost pointedly ignoring the current goings-on, seated some distance away with a cup of tea and every appearance that he planned not to care about the results. Just as clearly, however, he wasn’t actually not listening. “If he was as strong as he was in his first life, it might be possible. But with his current level of cultivation…it is impossible to break it from within, and it cannot be broken from without absent a fulfilling of the curse’s conditions.”

The disturbed murmurs among the juniors grew notably louder, and more severe.

“Then he can take care of it, surely?” Jiang Cheng asked. His eye had started twitching. “If the solution involves – ah – if it’s a matter of – of pleasure –”

“Jiang Cheng, really! Are you suggesting I go jerk off to feel better?” Wei Wuxian asked, as bright-eyed and bushy-tailed as he’d ever been. He offered an accompanying illustrative gesture, as if concerned that all around him might not know what he meant.

Lan Qiren closed his eyes and turned his head away, visibly grinding his teeth.

“Shut up,” Jiang Cheng growled at Wei Wuxian, his cheeks having gone red with embarrassment. “Just – shut up! What’s wrong with the idea?!”

“Teacher Lan? Would you like to explain?”

Lan Qiren was still refusing to look at any of them, and even shifted slightly so that he was turned even further away from Wei Wuxian in particular.

“Well, for one thing, it wouldn’t work as a practical matter,” Wei Wuxian said, deciding to explain himself. “See, the amount of jerking off it would take for me to equal a single session with Lan Zhan would be just, you know, unbelievably enormous – even more enormous than Lan Zhan’s – mmmm!”

Lan Qiren had used the silencing spell on Wei Wuxian.

Wei Wuxian waived his hands at the older man, wiggling his eyebrows in a way that was simultaneously obnoxious, obscene, and trying to convey as clearly as he could if you keep me quiet you’re going to have to be the one to answer the question, you know.

Lan Qiren, very bitterly and begrudgingly, removed the silencing spell.

“I was going to say his stamina, you know,” Wei Wuxian sniffed, although the shit-eating grin on his faces suggested he had been intending no such thing. “It’s well known throughout the cultivation world that Lan Zhan has remarkably stamina.”

“Wei Wuxian,” Jiang Cheng said through gritted teeth. “Would you like to get to the point?”

“Fine, fine. Always in such a rush, Jiang Cheng – no wonder you never married! Some things are best taken slow…okay, okay, put Zidian away already! It’s like you think it’s your life on the line here, not mine!” Wei Wuxian laughed. No one else did. “Anyway, it’s quite simple. Using sexual pleasure in order to fulfil the fuck part of the curse has to involved at least two people in order to qualify as a curse breaking mechanism. It’s the same reason as before: the curse is attached to my cultivation, and it can only be broken from the inside, not the outside, only I’m not strong enough to do it myself. Dual cultivation is one of the few ways in which two cultivators can bring their spiritual energy close enough together that they would both be ‘inside’ the range of the curse’s prohibition, causing a disruption in the victim’s spiritual energy sufficient to disperse the prohibition and defeat the curse – thus, the ‘fuck-or-die’ nature of the fuck-or-die curse.” He beamed at everyone. “Educational, isn’t it?”

No one seemed especially impressed.

“Senior Wei,” Lan Sizhui said politely, after a short interval. “Please educate us. How would you break a – break this type of curse?”

“Silly question! It’s in the name: fuck or you die.”

Disturbed murmurs.

“And, again, I’m not fucking anyone who’s not Lan Zhan,” Wei Wuxian added cheerfully. “So don’t even ask. There is literally no one here that I would be willing to fuck.”

“So…you’re just planning on dying?” Jin Ling asked. He looked upset. He wasn’t the only one, either – any number of the juniors looked upset, and that was besides Jiang Cheng, whose eyes were starting to look glassy with tears of rage or possibly just unexpressed emotion. “That’s it? You’re just going to give up and die?”

“Hey, it’s not like I haven’t died before –”

“Wei Wuxian!” Jiang Cheng roared.

Wei Wuxian promptly held up his hands in surrender. “Sorry, sorry. Sore spot, I know, I know…listen, it’s not that bad, okay?”

“What, because you’ve read up on all the cool new resurrection techniques?!”

“He’d better not have,” Lan Qiren muttered. “Not in the Cloud Recesses.”

“I swear I’ve only been in the Forbidden Section of the library for purely extracurricular purposes, and only when I’ve been very closely supervised by Lan Zhan,” Wei Wuxian told Lan Qiren virtuously, and just as virtuously ignored the scowl that immediately appeared on Lan Qiren’s face at what ‘supervision’ of ‘extracurricular’ activities his nephew might have been doing with Wei Wuxian in the library. “Jiang Cheng, you worry too much. Do I look worried?”

“That’s no guarantee that you know what you’re doing, Senior Wei,” Ouyang Zizhen pointed out. “Sometimes you’re just like that.”

“Ouch. You’re right, but, you know, ouch. Anyway, in this case, you should trust me. You’re all just thinking too hard.”

A lot of silence, and staring.

“Teacher Lan, work with me here. They’re thinking too much, right?”

Lan Qiren huffed, which was just about confirmation.

“…wait,” Lan Jingyi said. He looked suspicious. “Is that what this is? Have you been trying to get around the curse by fucking with us?”

“Jingyi!” Lan Qiren snapped, and Lan Jingyi jumped.

“Would a mind-fuck work?” Jin Ling asked his uncle, who scowled and shrugged, clearly unsure himself.

“It would not,” Lan Qiren said icily.

“Actually, the way I like to think of it,” Wei Wuxian said, grinning harder than ever, “is that it’s really just a matter of fuck around and find out –”

At this point, Lan Qiren huffed once more, got up, and walked over to Wei Wuxian in three long, purposeful strides. Lifting one finger, he jabbed it right at Wei Wuxian’s chest, over his heart.

“Fuck off.”

Wei Wuxian collapsed onto the ground.

A moment later, he blinked and sat up, grinning once more, and there was no longer the aura of curse hanging around him – even the remaining resentful energy was already dissipating.

“Such curses are exceedingly pedestrian,” Lan Qiren informed their audience, voice toneless as ever but a scowl firmly on his face. “‘Death’ is interpreted as the cessation of heartbeat, which temporarily disrupts the flow of spiritual energy in a manner similar to dual cultivation. A momentary freezing spell, aimed precisely, can simulate the effects, causing the victim of the curse to ‘die’ for the purposes of the curse – the disruption of spiritual energy is similar in nature to what happens during dual cultivation, just as Wei Wuxian described earlier, and there is therefore the same effect.”

“Thus, the ‘fuck or die’ aspects of the fuck-or-die curse,” Wei Wuxian said. He was beaming so hard it looked almost painful. “Teacher Lan, did you really tell me to fuck off?”

“It was richly deserved,” Lan Qiren informed him, and, with a flick of his sleeves, headed back towards the Cloud Recesses, his head held high. Presumably he was going to go punish himself for breaching the rule on vulgar language, and maybe the one about rage...again.

Wei Wuxian was so good.

“Thank you, Teacher Lan!” Wei Wuxian called after him. “You’re my favorite uncle-in-law..!”

He sniggered, then turned back to the juniors.

“See,” he said. “I told you that you were overthinking…”

He trailed off, presumably seeing something in Jiang Cheng’s expression.

“Uh,” Wei Wuxian said. “I would like to emphasize that at no point was I ever actually in danger of dying. That wasn’t going to happen. I was just playing around –”

“Pity,” Jiang Cheng said, and purple lightening started sparking around his hand. “Because I’m going to kill you –”

[angstymdzsthoughts]

Still with the Nielan Baby AU. In the final act, Jin Guangyao, learning the truth about the kid got angry and asks bitterly to Xichen what "this barbarian who only knew violence as answer" had more than him. "were you ashamed of it if you didn't tell me"

Maybe he pretends the child was a mistake. Or that Mingjue takes advantages of Xichen because of his QI instability. Horrible things. Like if he didn't get himself married, didn't love his wife (before learning who she was for him). Maybe he's just bitter now because he had always wanted Xichen too.

Xichen is a wreck for obvious reason. He has been betrayed, captured, his spiritual powers sealed, his brother, nephew (Let's say Yuan is here) and son (+ all the others) are in danger and Jin Guangyao insults Mingjue's memory after have killed him and cut his body in pieces. He ruined his dream of a happy family, and Xichen lived the same thing than his mother (having his child taken away of him) but worse since it was barely a monthly visit that he had with his own child.

Little Bao is clutched to Huaisang, terrified. He doesn't understand why his uncle Yao is so angry suddenly. Why he says terrible things about his father and why uncle Xichen seems to sad.

Jin Ling forget his own pain and hug the child, telling him to not listen his uncle. He's in tears himself. Lan Sizhui gives comfort to his cousin too (he just learns who the kid was).

"Er-Ge, i wouldn't have taken your child away of you if it was me"

"No, because if you didn't kill Mingjue, it wouldn't have happened!"

Huaisang can't shut up "and considering that you have killed your own son, i doubt he would have been safe with you"

"If he had been mine, i wouldn't have reason to kill him because he wouldn't have been a disgusting incestous child!"

A-Ling cries even more because it was his cousin and it is so painful, he thinks to his aunt and how she was sad to have lost her baby and how she couldn't have another.

And A-Ling can't stop to wonder: Would his uncle Yao have killed him is his child wasn't the result of a incest? if he thought that he was a threat for his son?

Wei Wuxian is furious.

Lan Wangji has murder impulses.

Jiang Cheng is judging the hell of Jin Guangyao because "worse uncle and father EVER"

Jin Guangyao turns to the kid "A-Bao, do you knows how young your father was when he's dead? You'll live the same fate if you continue in the Nie way"

"You're the one who killed Dage!" yells Huaisang, furious. "you have no right to speak to A-Bao"

But the kid looks at JGY and says, with as much serious voice he can use: "i know the fate of my father and my ancestors but Bobo and Uncle Xichen makes sure that it will never happen to me! I'm the futur sect leader Nie and i'll make my father proud.

"Uncle" JGY laughs "are you aware that it's your other parent"

Bao looks at him, tears in his eyes "Yes. Bobo tells me. Yesterday. "

.

[memory-lane-and-back-again]

A Thought About Wei Wuxian's Death

Spoilers for... I don't remember which book it is (Book 3 I think)

When WWX is captured by the Wens and tossed into the burial mounds he is so full of rage and anger that it is a terrifying possibility that he will come back as a fierce corpse full of resentful energy. (Arguable he does, but that's a point to make for after exams when I can actually have fun and analyse the heck out of these)

I find it an interesting parallel that when he actually does die he is an incredibly 'well behaved ghost.' as in, he's well... if not moved on, at least not inclined to try and act and in some state of peace: not happy but at least tolerating how things have ended. WWX's character is permeated by a deep, inextricable sadness and I think, though it is not ever blatantly acknowledge, this is foregrounded right at the beginning with the story: he doesn't know why he's been brought back, does not understand and is incredibly fixed on the fact that it was not his choice. To infer... he didn't really want to come back.

I found his present mellowness, that contrasts so brutally with his fury and anger and ability to feel such intensity before he died, to be a bit strange---not unbelievable but strange. That kind of anger burns incredibly brightly and is incredibly hard to tamper down and yes, he grows and matures but it feels a bit strange to me that this comes on from spending ten years without a body. I think it is more an extension of his grief and guilt: after Wen Qing and Wen Ning go to die on his behalf is when he gets truly angry... his anger gets out of control and Jiang Yanli is hurt and then dies for him. Jiang Cheng takes his anger out on him. As far as WWX can remember even LWJ is disgusted by him... is it so hard to believe that he too is disgusted with himself. Present day, he cringes at his past arrogance---the illusion of omnipotence and control he thought he had.

I am of the opinion he's the sort of person with the mindset that if he can make the world a better place, fix one problem, even if it is at the expense of his own, he'd do it. He is raised to protect JC, doesn't even bat an eye at losing his core because if it can help JC it is good; he doesn't fear dying if he can come back as a fierce corpse to still help destroy the Wens; he doesn't care to humiliate himself to try and give Wen Ning a chance at archery; his public image does not matter if he is helping people. This carries forward where he is willing to sacrifice discovery to protect Jin Ling; he turns himself into a spirit attraction flag for people who hate him; the moment LWJ freaks out about sleeping with him, WWX first priority is to take all the blame for everything and then leave and go do the stupid mission all by himself because he doesn't want to force LWJ to put up with him, even though it leaves WWX himself incredibly wrought. And then of course, he doesn't even bat an eye at luring Nie Minguie away by himself.

My point is he's a willing martyr, happy to get himself into trouble and deep water for pretty much anyone (mianmian, LWJ, JC, the Wens) so it must feel like hell when his efforts only succeed in getting everyone killed, when he's kind of forced to confront that he is loved and had people willing to stand by him that he did not consider when he made his plans and that they are dead because of to an extent his actions. I truly believe him trying to destroy the Yin Tiger Tally is his last attempt to try and rectify things and he is a bit like Xiao Xingchen in that regard, trying so hard to follow his principles and failing abysmally. At that point his jiejie is dead, who is like the very symbol of innocence and unconditional love in his life at that point and he knows they are coming to kill him. His big character difference I think has a lot to do with the three months after the nightless city and before his death because he feels the world is better off with him dead.

A lot of people compare Xue Yang and WWX and whilst I think that is valid, I think a lot of people forget his inherent connection to XXC through his mother. I think it is important to acknowledge that they share a very similar mindset: naively wanting to change the world with their beliefs alone as if people will see altruism and kindness as the best path whilst most people are out searching very selfishly for their own greatness and success---something neither WWX adn XXC need to think about because A) the are already powerful and successful and B) they were never raised to think themselves as needing to be supremely powerful to be successful and Good.

Anyways, it does make me wonder how much of WWX's characterisation present day is put on. He slaps himself in the face when no one is around to see it after he finds out who Jin Ling is, he lets Jin Ling stab him and feels he deserves it---that by proxy is when he's most open with LWJ: 'you don't need to come with me, your reputation will be ruined.' It so, so clearly speaks of self-loathing that he is so so good at hiding.

I think actually when LWJ and WWX first sleep together the physical undressing is also a metaphor for an emotional undressing on WWX's part because he strips himself of his insincerity and arrogance and allows himself to be vulnerable. The only other times we see his vulnerability is when he's passed out unconscious and when he realises to stop hurting LWJ he needs to kind of bare his soul to him in book 5 after LXC reveals the truth about nightless city.

Gosh, I love these characters so much.

[sombredancer]

Enemies/Rivals to Lovers recipe

(with the mild version aka Pride and Prejudice and the tragic version aka Romeo and Juliet) Step 1: The main heroes are on the opposite sides of any scale (the grumpy one vs a cheerful one, a kind and stupid one vs a cunning and vile one, a demon vs a god, a master vs a servant, people of enemy states or absolutely different cultures etc.).

A cheerful and funny little bird demon-yao Qing Qing and a grumpy and stone-faced deity of Netherworld Xue Qianxun Step 2: They are forced to communicate with each other without a chance to avoid it (e.g. an arranged marriage, being trapped somewhere together, working as a mole in the enemy camp etc.).

Asura King Xuan Ye plays out damsel in distress to get undercover into Heavenly Realm and his future lover Ran Qing is the one who "rescues" him.

Step 3: One party get impressed by unique character features of other (e.g. the person is the only one who isn't terrified by other's scary reputation, the only one who treats other party well etc.).

Even kings and princes are in absolute terror seeing Gwi - an immortal all-powerful vampire, and only Hye Ryung hates him so much that dares to bicker, scold and deny him. Step 4: One of the parties takes the first step towards another and that melts another`s heart.

Even if Hou Ling Changjin hurt Princess Bao Zhu for her miraculous blood, she still cares for him and doesn`t hold a grudge.

"You are injured!"

Step 5: Here come mutual pining, UST and moral sufferings "what is more important: to fulfil the mission / to be accepted by the society / whatsoever or to love?"

Gong Shangjue doubts if he can indulge himself being gentle with the girl he likes if she is an assassin from the enemy clan.

Shangguan Qian adds Shangjue`s favorite flowers into her tea and thinks about her mission of taking him down.

Step 6: It`s time to confess the feelings.

Leader of a diabolic sect Li Chenlan comes to save his beloved who hated him and tried to kill him and promises her to be her sword and shield. So romantic!

Step 7: The parties try to solve the problem that keeps them apart. If the problem is internal (it has something to do with beliefs and prejudice of a person), here it will be solved and «happily ever after» begins.

Despite of his low social status Hao Du ventures to participate in the competition, wins the right to marry the princess (who he is in love with) and dares to be honest explaining that he did it not only in order to save her from a Barbarian prince but because he truly wants to be with her. Step 8: If the problem is external (there is a large-scale conflict and the parties are just some insignificant participants of it), one of the parties sacrifices themselves to solve the problem.

Before saving the world by the cost of his life Demon God Tantai Jin engraves his name on his own tombstone placed next to his beloved wife's one, so in the future she could mourn him in a suitable place.

Step 9: In a satisfying story there is a magical reward of party's brave deed, which is a happy end.

Demon Lord Dongfang Qingcang sacrificed himself in order to save the girl he loved and died but his girlfriend (who happens to be a Goddess with abilities to resurrect the dead) nurtured a piece of his primordial spirit for 500 years and brought him back to life. Side note: If you want to add some chili pepper into your story, you can break this scheme any step from Step 4 on: pining could be one-sided, UST could never ever be resolved, characters could prefer their goals to love or maybe death or other circumstances would do them apart against their will.

The Wolf and Ma Zhaixing finally got together but the cruel world couldn`t allow it to last anytime long.

Bon Appétit! Your Enemies to Lovers story is well-baked!

Also you can see: Asian dramas and Love tropes Asian dramas and my favorite types of characters Asian dramas and relationship dynamics (Pt. 1) Asian dramas and relationship dynamics (Pt. 2)