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sato-s-only-wife5107 · 2 months ago

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Reborn!Wukong: Kidnapped.

Word Count: 3042.

Content/Trigger Warnings: mention of poisoning.

Authors Notes: This came out a lot longer than I thought it would. There is another kidnapped thingy, but this one is based on the reader story and the upcoming one is a requested headcanon featuring all the Wukongs I'm doing.

<---Previous | Start | Next--->

You were no weakling, but you weren't much of a fighter compared to the other two you were left with. While Pigsy protected the monk from the pack of wild beasts, you were accompanied by Wujing.

In your defence… It wasn't your fault. You just happened to be at the wrong place at the wrong time and ended up in something messy that Wukong definitely won't like… Let's just say he definitely won't be a happy camper.

“I'm scared…” Sweat dripped from your forehead at the thought of how mad Wukong would be when he returned to see you gone.

“You're scared?! What about me?!” Pigsy snapped.

You looked at Pigsy with a blank look and a raised brow. You didn't really care about what Wukong would do to Pigsy, since getting into a spat was an everyday thing with them. You shook your head and thought of ways to get out of the pit you were thrown into. No, you hadn't put yourself in any danger, it was more of an unexpected attack that got you hurt.

In the end, you and Pigsy were somehow captured and brought to the deity of the area. Some water deity you didn't care to remember the name of who had the demons that kidnapped you under his control.

Sacrifices? You thought to yourself. With my luck, probably worse. Ugh, Wukong's gonna throw a tantrum.

“Hey, big sis,” Pigsy's voice broke you out of your state.

“Quiet, pork chop! Who gave you permission to speak to the goddess?!” one of the guards poked him in the behind with their spear, which made him cry out.

“Goddess?” you and Pigsy questioned then looked at each other and back to the male.

Guess that explains why he's tied up, but I'm not… This is already so exhausting. You sighed to yourself. Yep, this is worse than a sacrifice…

“Brother Monkey is gonna kill me,”

“You're at fault, you slob, you seriously couldn't have handled this? You've fought armies by yourself!” you whisper yelled.

“I didn't see you do anything but running away and hiding!” he whisper-yelled back.

“I'm not a fighter! My entire life in the Celestial Realm was lived cooped up with archives and medicinal herbs. I'm the brains in this team and the rest if you are the brawn!”

____________________________

Wukong sneezed three times in a row as he jumped off of his cloud. He shook his head and attempted to clear the ringing in his ears.

“Big brother,” Wujing’s voice got his attention.

“Where's (Y/n)?” he immediately questioned as he looked around for you.

He also noticed Pigsy's absence, but he was only focused on yours. He was relaxed and casual till he saw the look on Wujing's face. Seeing the demon squirm like that made Wukong uneasy, and he knew that his gut feeling telling him you were in danger was right.

“Um…” Wujing looked incredibly nervous as the Monkey King approached him with narrowed eyes.

“What.happened?” Wukong questioned in a growl.

“They were kidnapped, (Y/n) and Pigsy,”

“By who?” Wujing didn't like how calm Wukong was at the moment, it never ended well.

“Demons… We were ambushed and they were taken,”

“Which way did they go?”

____________________________

“My great goddess,” a foreign voice boomed like thunder, the male's arms spread wide to present himself with extravagance.

The game of ‘Spot the Boss’ just keeps getting easier and easier… you mused to yourself, but managed to keep a straight face.

“My name is Bolin Aiguo,” the male’s voice brought you back to reality. “I welcome you to my palace.”

“Um… thanks?” you asked more than said.

“Destiny has truly blessed us today,” he grinned as he bowed slightly. “We have waited centuries for your return,” he said and motioned to the wall where a cloth was dropped.

“Heh?” you both looked at the painting on the wall and your jaw dropped.

Is this real? You thought as you saw the picture of a woman who looked like you, but wore garments of a divine goddess. Could it just be a coincidence? Maybe the unlikely chance that’s my ancestor?

“Whoa, that looks just like you,” Pigsy's marvel made you roll your eyes and sighed heavily.

“Your sense of perception is exquisite as always,” you said sarcastically as you looked at him. He returned your gaze with a glare, which got him hit in the back with a whip. You winced at the sound of leather on skin, it gave you goosebumps and chills, the bad kind.

“Don't you dare gaze at our goddess like that, you disgusting pig,” the guard that whipped him spat, literally, at the pig demon.

“Do not speak to him like that,” you said without thinking. You and Wukong were the only ones allowed to bad talk Pigsy to his face like that.

“Forgive me, my goddess (Y/n), your servant needed to be punished,” the male bowed.

They know my name? What in the ten worlds is going on? This is getting a bit scary now… Wait, did they call him my servant?

“Um…” you glanced around. “I address my servants directly, no one is allowed to speak to my underlings that way.”

“You are such a caring Goddess,” the men marvelled, then bowed. “Very well, if that is what you wish, then that is what will be.”

“Good,” your voice broke, but you didn't think they noticed.

“Goddess, I am General Hàoyú,”

“Hm,”

“I'm Mùchén, it's a pleasure to meet you,” the guard who struck Pigsy bowed.

“The pleasure’s mine,” you smiled as politely as you could.

“Please, allow the maids to show you to your room,” Bolin gestured to four maids who stood at the ready, “I've prepared proper clothing for you.”

Not good. Really wished this was a sacrifice situation right now…

“Unnecessary,”

“I insist,” he looked at you then bowed. “It would be my honour if you did.”

“I-” you cut yourself off when you saw Pigsy trying not to laugh, it irked you. “Please see that my servant be treated with respect and cleaned up as well,” you smiled, which made the pig demon stop laughing to himself and boy was he pale.

“Yes, of course, Goddess!”

“I'm gonna hurt you,” Pigsy seethed.

“Who's laughing now, porky?” you smirked as you walked past him.

The outfit they made you wear was one similar to what ‘you’ were wearing in the painting. It wasn't exactly your colour or style, yet it looked amazing on you, curves and all. The stylists that did your hair tried so hard to hide their disgust in doing your hair, obviously your hair that hadn't been washed in three or so weeks wasn't to their liking. Despite Wukong’s excessive grooming, nothing beats a good soak in scented oils and natural hair products. You coil get used to the godly treatment.

When you were reunited with Pigsy, he was amazed at your change, not really believing it was you at first. You, however, tried oh so hard not to laugh at the state of the pig demon. He looked prim, proper, and clean despite still looking like a servant. It was definitely an improvement to say the least… you cringed at the thought that he might actually look borderline adorable.

“Are your servant’s garments not to your liking, goddess?” Mùchén asked.

“They're fine, thank you,” you managed a smile. “If you don't mind, I'd like to speak to my servant alone.”

“Of course,” the guard bowed, and they all left.

“You clean up nice,” you snorted as you walked to look out your window.

“Shut up,”

“By gods, this place is locked up tight,” you pinched the bridge of your nose. “Escaping subtly is out of the question. You might be able to escape and get the others if you shape-shift, but seeing those wolf demons they have stationed along the border, I doubt you'd get far without being caught.”

“These clothes are so stuffy, how could people dress like this everyday?” Pigsy complained.

“Try wearing one of these, then you can complain,” you adjusted the cloth that was tied tightly and securely around your abdomen. “This dress thing is getting so annoying,”

“At least you get treated like a god, I'm just some servant!”

“It suits you,” you smirked and looked at Pigsy before you looked at your reflection in the mirror. “Ugh, I can't wait to get this stuff off my face, so itchy…”

“What do we do, big sis?”

“Bid our time,” you looked at Pigsy. “Wukong will find us soon, we just have to hold out till then.”

“But who knows when brother monkey will be back, you know he takes forever,”

“Believe me,” you stared off into space. “He already knows… he always does somehow.”

Before Pigsy could respond, someone walked into the room, you both mentally groaned when Bolin walked in.

What does this hard case want? You thought to yourself.

“You look even more extravagant than I thought you would…” he marvelled, you couldn't help but blush at such a compliment.

“Don't you know it’s impolite to barge into a lady’s room?” you raised a brow.

“Forgive me,” he chuckled and bowed, offering to take your hand. “I was simply hoping to invite you to have dinner with me.”

Making it seem like I have a choice, how polite. You thought to yourself with a soft sigh.

“I'd be honoured,” you forced a smile.

“The honour is mine,” he smiled at you, looking at you like he was hungry.

“Did I hear food? I'm starving!”

Are you ever not? You thought to yourself in annoyance.

“Not for you, you disgusting creature,” he glared at Pigsy like he was scum. You didn't notice this, but your hand twitched slightly. You simply cleared your throat to steal his attention, which wasn't hard to do. “Please follow me.”

“Happy too,” you forced a natural smile.

____________________________

“Just one bite,” Pigsy continued to drool over the large assortment of food and drink served to you.

“Leave me be,” you shot him a glance then focused on your fish.

“Dear Goddess, c'mon, don't hog all the food for yourself,” he begged.

Pig knows how to beg when his stomach is concerned, I'll give him that much. You thought to yourself.

“Ironic coming from a gluttonous pig,” you barely spared Pigsy another glance before you smiled a bit. “Why don't you be a good servant and perform for me since you're so hungry,” you tilted your head, “after all, a meal tastes so much better when you worked hard for it.”

“I couldn't have said it better myself,” Bolin smiled at you, a smile that gave you the bad kind of chills. He frowned and looked at Pigsy. “You heard the goddess, what are you waiting for?”

This is gonna be good… you tried to hide the smirk. Suddenly, a chill ran down your spine and the feeling of being watched returned. Wukong? You thought to yourself, but after a few seconds passed with no sign of chaos, you guessed you were wrong.

“Where is he already?” you sighed softly to yourself.

“What was that, your grace?” you looked at Bolin and sat straighter.

“Nothing!” you smiled nervously, hoping he didn't hear you.

Maybe it was a bit cruel on your part to make Pigsy dance for your entertainment… but you didn't care. The entire situation was his fault, well, partially. Perhaps it was due to the lack of challenging fights that the two got a bit sloppy, either way… watching Pigsy dance was utterly hilarious, and you wished Wukong was there to laugh with you.

“Are you enjoying yourself, my dearest goddess?” you glanced at Bolin and closed your eyes briefly before you focused on your food.

“It has been entertaining to say the least,” you managed a smile, “overall, you have been an excellent host.”

“I'm so happy to hear you say that, goddess,” he mused and lifted his glass a bit. “Shall our days be like this one.”

“Pardon?” you looked at him, almost choking on your fish.

“You are to be my wife,” he smiled at you. “It is as prophecy has written, your return merits the marriage to the head of the palace, which is me.”

“I don't know about that, I am not interested in marriage,” you responded.

Especially not with you. You thought to yourself as the maid refilled your cup.

“I can wait, it is no trouble. You are worth it after all,” he said as you focused on your drink.

“Hmmm… this drink is sweet, I really like it,” you looked at the red liquid in the chalice as you swirled it around.

“I'm glad you like it,” Bolin smiled.

“What is it? I've never tasted anything like it,” you looked up at him curiously.

Wukong isn't much of a sweet taste guy, I wonder if he’d like it… you found yourself drifting off to the thought of Wukong.

“Nothing special,” he looked at his drink as he swirled it around as well, taking his time before he answered, “just a love potion.”

The words put Pigsy in a panic, not knowing what Wukong would do if he saw his beloved (Y/n) under the influence of a love potion with some random water deity who thinks you a goddess.

Did I seriously just get drugged? Is that way the taste is sweeter than before? That cocky bastard, what is he planning? You thought to yourself in a slight daze, but it only lasted a second longer before you got your senses back.

“A love potion?” you snorted, which took them both aback. “Are you truly that desperate to have me for yourself?”

“W-Why aren't you affected?” He stood up and backed away. “What are you?”

“Oh, you poor sweetheart… Love potions are meant to make you fall in love with the first person you see…” You stood and fixed your sleeves a bit before you looked up at the male in amusement. “But don't you know it doesn't work on someone who's already in love.”

“Impossible!” he barked.

“I grow tired of this… we'll be leaving now,” you spoke, only glancing at Pigsy, who nodded and followed you.

“Big sis, is that true?”

“Yeah, crazy right?” you spoke. “I read it in this book that I found, but I didn't believe it till now.”

“You cannot! You are our goddess!” he yelled.

“I regret to inform you that I am no God,” you called over your shoulder.

“You are to be mine! It is destiny!” he yelled. You would've felt bad for the guy if he hadn't kidnapped and fed you a love potion, even if it tasted amazing.

“My love belongs to only one person… And you're not even half as good-looking as he is,” you folded your arms… The thought of Wukong started to make your insides feel warm and made you feel… weird. Especially when you thought of that smile/smirk you loved oh so much.

Is this what being drunk feels like? You thought to yourself before your focus was taken by the man child throwing a tantrum.

“I will slay this peasant!” he snapped.

“You can try,” you looked up and smiled at the glaring monkey on his cloud, “but I don't think he's in the mood to humour you.”

“Sun Wukong?!”

“Who gave you permission to say my name?!”

Both you and Pigsy winced as Wukong beat the guy sound and proper. Pigsy knew that he was gonna get beat to a pulp too once Wukong was finished with the audacious bastard.

“See?” you looked at Pigsy warily. “I told you he'd find us soon…”

“Uh huh…” it was quite obvious that Pigsy was scared as Wukong was quick in finishing the deity and his men. Typical man, all show, no go… you thought to yourself before looking at Wukong as he wiped some blood off of his face. This shouldn't be hot… but it really is.

“So unfair…” you mumbled to yourself.

“Pft-” he eyed you, now it was your turn to glare.

“Shut up,” you folded your arms and looked away, but he forced you to look at him.

“This look suits you well,” he leaned in and kissed you softly. “My beautiful goddess.”

“So you're not mad?” you peeked up at him.

“Furious,” he seethed, but caressed your cheek as he exhaled through his nose and smiled a bit, “but seeing you dressed like this… No man or demon could dare.”

“You sweet talker,” you managed a smile.

“I'm glad I'm the love of your life,” he winked with a smirk, which made you blush profusely.

“Exactly how long have you been watching?” you asked nervously.

“Since you made Pigsy dance like an idiot, it was kinda funny,” he mused.

So I guess I was right, Wukong was the one watching me.

“You were probably seething seeing that man hold me like that,” you smirked up at him.

“You know me well,” he nuzzled your cheek, “but today made me realize something.”

“Oh? And what would that be?”

“You're mine and that's how it should be,” he kissed your forehead. “You are mine, (Y/n). As I am yours.”

“Such a way with words…” You stroked the right side of his face. He leaned into your touch and closed his eyes. “True love can never be replaced or forgotten,” he looked at you. “When we collect the scrolls, and our quest is done… I wanna be immortal,” you cupped his cheek. “I want to be with you, the love of my life, for the rest of my existence and beyond that.”

“Sounds like a proposal,” he smiled a bit.

“It's the same thing,” you smiled.

“So be it,” He smirked before he leaned in and kissed you softly.

“Handsome…”

“Hm?” He looked at you as you rubbed your cheek against his chest. “You okay?”

“The love potion is taking effect,” you looked up with heart-shaped pupils. “My body feels hot…” You said as you got goosebumps.

“Not to ruin your couple moment, but we gotta get going!” You both pulled back and glared at the pig demon.

Damn it, Pigsy. Shut up for once. You both thought at the same time.

____________________________

Masterlist | Next--->

#fyp #request #x reader #you #monkey king #sun wukong #wukong #monkey king reborn #sun wukong reborn #wukong reborn #wukong x reader #monkey king x reader #monkey king reborn x reader #wukong reborn x reader #great sage equal to heaven #great sage equal to heaven x reader

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minsarasarahair · 4 months ago

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Story about this dagger. It was mentioned in donghua as well.

You Yao (有药) Novel Extra: The Spring Breeze Brush 🍃

“The Spring Breeze Brush wasn’t called the Spring Breeze Brush from the very beginning.”

【1】

The Spring Breeze Brush wasn’t called the Spring Breeze Brush from the very beginning.

But it *had *been a dagger since the very beginning.

Back when the capital of the great Liang Dynasty was still just a marsh, before time turned vast oceans into fields, this dagger had already killed countless people.

【2】

“Antiquity” was a broad concept. It seemed like anything could happen during this time.

Somehow, the dagger that had drunk the blood of too many became sentient.

It still had no name then.

The first person that it killed after it started forming memories shouted before they died, “Fuck, this thing’s a demon!”

The dagger didn’t know what a demon was, but it sounded pretty flashy.

It named itself Little Demon.

【3】

At that time, the young universe was in a state of chaos. The tribes had been at war for who knew how many centuries.

The dagger’s master changed again and again. Countless hands grasped it, plunging it into countless other warm, pulsing hearts.

As a divine ancient weapon, it had personally been through many battles that would become legends to later generations, and knew many juicy tales that future generations could never even dream of.

For example, a certain person remembered as a brilliant warrior for beheading the enemy’s chief had actually just tripped and stabbed his dagger into the enemy’s back in a stroke of stupid luck.

Or for example, a certain emperor whose cause of death was shrouded in so much mystery that he became the subject of endless speculation had actually died from dehydration via diarrhea after eating something bad.

It truly was lonely knowing so much gossip but having no one to share it with.

【4】

After killing hundreds or thousands more people, the dagger unlocked a new ability.

It discovered that its consciousness led to a dark and vast emptiness. The souls of those who had been killed by it would automatically be swallowed up and imprisoned in that patch of emptiness.

Ordinary souls would dissipate not long after arriving, but the ones who especially didn’t want to depart yet would try to break out and return to the world of the living.

Its reputation as a “soul-devouring weapon” spread. But the dagger was quite happy. Now that it had these dead souls to keep it company, it wasn’t lonely anymore. Every day, in that empty space, it told them all the gossip it knew.

【5】

Exactly what would it have felt like to be sealed in the dagger that killed you, while it chattered away in your ear about gossip from the ancient times day after day?

In any case, the resentment of those souls grew thicker and thicker. They’d often throw themselves against the barrier so hard that the dagger would tremble incessantly.

The stars shifted above; the world was always changing. For the dagger, the new change was that it got picked up by an old monk.

The old monk gently weighed it in his hand and said, “What crime did innocent iron commit to deserve such a heavy burden of bloodshed? This object cannot be left to wreak havoc in the world anymore. This old monk shall help these poor souls find peace.”

【6】

From then on, the dagger was enshrined in a rundown little temple. Day after day, it listened as the old monk chanted sutras.

The old monk died, and his disciple diligently took over his important duty, and so on and so forth for generation after generation.

A century passed, then two centuries. The resentment of the dead was gradually appeased, and one by one, they disappeared without a trace.

Having lost its companions, the dagger felt like it was on the verge of turning back into a lifeless object too.

Suddenly one day, the earth trembled. The old temple, which had withstood several centuries of wind and rain, collapsed in that earthquake, crushing all the monks inside to death.

The dagger fell beneath the ruins.

Until the crumbling temple above it turned to dust. It lay in a vast and empty valley, grass growing freely over its body. Exposed to the elements, it slowly rusted.

Just when it thought that it might be nice if it just faded away here, a hand picked it up.

【7】

The owner of the hand was a radiant, bright-eyed youth.

Over the endless years, the dagger had seen generation after generation of great beauties turn to bleached white bones. It would no longer be amazed by anyone’s face.

What did amaze it was that someone had made the difficult journey over land and water to explore this wild, remote place that hadn’t seen humans in a very long time—and they seemed to be having a very good time.

The beautiful youth gave it a flick with his finger. Hearing the dagger’s low, resonant hum, he looked a little surprised, then smiled and said, “Incredible. If we take this thing and polish it up, it’d probably be a divine weapon.”

As he spoke, he grasped it and casually ran through a few forms, the blade’s edge piercing through the air, swift as a shooting star.

The youth said boyishly, “Dagger, oh, dagger, it seems you were fated to be picked up by me, so why don’t you come with me from now on? What would be a good name for it?”

The last part was directed at the companion beside him.

His companion knit his brow and said, “Um……the Evil God of Flaming Clouds?”

【8】

The youth said, “……Sounds pretty impressive, but this dagger looks ancient. It should have a name that has seen the changes of the world, the kind of name that makes you feel like it has a lot of history as soon as you hear it.”

After racking his brains, his companion said, “Now that you mention it, I’m reminded of a line of poetry that someone wrote back in my original world.”

【9】

Now, He Xun has grown old. His brush, once like the spring breeze, has been entirely forgotten.[1]

From then on, Little Demon had a new name.

It wasn’t particularly fond of this name—it thought “Evil God of Flaming Clouds” was much better. But it had no way to object.

Moreover, the name “Spring Breeze Brush” very quickly spread across the land, alongside its master’s.

It was only later that it learned that the youth who had picked it up was the number one martial arts prodigy in the world.

His name was Gu Jiu.

【10】

The man asked, “What happened after that?”

“Well, after that, I became Gu Jiu’s favoured dagger.”

“Was he good?”

“He was undefeated when it came to fighting, and he was very good-looking. Everyone wanted to be his friend. But those days didn’t last long. People discovered that some of his friends were strange beings that had come from another world. They were immediately attacked.”

“There were transmigrators even then?”

“There were, but they were scattered and had no real power. Gu Jiu was too sharp, too brilliant, so the others had long since grown wary of him. Falling for a trick to drive a wedge between him and his friends, he ended up fighting with them. He had no other choice—he killed his friends with his own hands, then destroyed all the meridians in his body and left. Everyone thought he was dead…… In my opinion, he was as good as dead.”

The man asked, “And then?”

“And then he found his way to a small village and lived out the rest of his life as a nameless bamboo weaver. He even picked up a stupid little boy and raised him to adulthood. The foolish boy loved him, and he loved the boy back. But he was even more of a fool than the boy. He never revealed his true feelings to him, just tossed me in a bundle and gave it to him. Heaven knows what he meant by that.”

“Later, the foolish boy died after serving as the sect leader of Pangmen for several decades. Because he had to be buried in the mountains behind Pangmen, he couldn’t be buried with Gu Jiu. So he brought me into his tomb.”

“Later, a guy named Zuo Dao replaced him as the head of Pangmen. That fellow was quite the cunning character—he knew I was a great weapon, so he forced the tomb open and dug me out to present me as a gift. That’s how I came into your hands.”

“And later, you were killed by me.”

【11】

The Spring Breeze Brush let out a contented sigh in the dark and vast emptiness. “It’s been so long since I’ve told someone this much gossip. What a satisfying feeling! You’re a pretty good listener—I like that a lot.”

It gave the man who was its only audience an attentive smile. He had long, slender eyes, and a beautiful face that was cold and ruthless.

The Spring Breeze Brush told him earnestly, “Your lifespan has already come to an end, but please don’t let your regrets dissipate too soon. Once they’re gone, you’ll leave, and if you leave, I won’t have anyone to gossip with anymore.”

“I won’t leave,” the man said quietly.

【12】

“I’ll always be here, by your new master’s side.”

---

[1] From the poem 《暗香》 by Jiang Kui. The poet likens himself to He Xun (a poet from an earlier dynasty who liked writing poems about plum blossoms), who is now too old to appreciate the flowers and write his once-beautiful verses

#wait did gu jiu killed the transmigrators who are his friends or other friends who attack his friends??? im confused #oh i know! maybe they are bad transmigrators from tuo huang #not transmigrators like lou zhu or fan aiguo #weird why this didnt show up in the you yao tag #well some of my post dont show up too so #you yao #are you ok #gu zhi #gu jiu #li ke #zhou rongqi #danmei #cnovel

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mentaltimetraveller · 2 months ago

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Ziquan Wang at Harkawik

Aiguo, 2024, Epoxy resin, UV stabilized urethane resin, paint, 12”h x 77”w x 22”d (30 1⁄2 x 195 1⁄2 x 56cm)

September 28, 2024

#Ziquan Wang

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nicky-if · 5 days ago

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0.22

three more OC fights. Last ones for a long, long time

new Ai event (5k)

a lot of small changes (Ai is now romanceable without Aiguo, Sect Points/Gold merged, new/rebalanced perks).

Overall update on the smaller side (~25k), so if you don’t have a save near the end, I suggest you wait for the next one until replaying. Next premium update will be the start of the tournament arc =) P.S. sorry about the asks, there are a lot, I'll find a day to go through them and answer everything I can

#choicescript #if wip #interactive fiction #interactive novel #wuxia #xianxia #choice of games #hosted games #cyoa

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cosmicanger · 1 month ago

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Ziquan Wang, Aiguo, 2024, Epoxy resin, UV stabilized urethane resin, paint, 12”h x 77”w x 22”d (30 1⁄2 x 195 1⁄2 x 56cm)

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shu-of-the-wind · 1 year ago

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Character Guide and plot summary of SOTB to this point:

DRAMATIS PERSONAE:

The Investigators Lan Fan Huo, also known as Enkhtuya. Formerly a member of the Huo, one of the Yao’s sworn subordinate clans, Lan Fan’s true identity has been banished by the Dowager Empress. She is currently posing as a nomadic woman, Feiyan Ma, from the steppes, and acting as an imperial spy.

Side note, I finally have a facecast for Lan Fan! Dilraba Dilmurat.

His Imperial Majesty, Ling Yao, the Dawn Emperor. Extremely Stressed about declaring it open season on himself (romantically? Violently? Both? Who knows) by opening the Lotus Hall. Also extremely stressed about his job overall. He is half-brother to Mei Chang as well as Lien Hua, Xinzhe, and Dong Mao Feng, but defeated them in the race for the throne by bringing a Philosopher’s Stone to Xing.

Her Highness, Imperial Cousin, Princess Mei Chang. Alphonse’s alkahestry teacher, First Governor of Chang-guo, and the half-sibling of Ling Yao and Dong Mao, Xinzhe, and Lien Hua Feng. Usually accompanied by her bearcat, Xiao Mei. Has feelings for Alphonse Elric.

Alphonse Elric, a Western traveler and old friend of the Dawn Emperor. Despite Ling’s best attempts to keep him out of the ongoing situation, he’s as deep in it as anyone. Has feelings for Mei Chang, but is not voicing them. It’s possible he is unaware of them.

Suyin Ma. Also named Sarangerel. The wife of Shan Yao, and Feiyan Ma’s cousin. Suyin claims Fuu told her about Lan Fan’s past prior to her joining the Huo family, but has not elaborated on how, when, or why.

Shan Yao. Suyin’s husband, Commander of the Imperial Guard, Lan Fan’s supervisor for her current mission, and Ling Yao’s older cousin. He has known both Ling and Lan Fan for over a decade and has many embarrassing stories in his arsenal because of it. Lan Fan is currently staying in Shan and Suyin’s rooms at Pubuchuan.

Niu Lu. An alkahestrist trained by Mei and a former torturer for the Imperial Army, Niu Lu is currently serving as Lan Fan’s maid during her investigation of the Fengs.

The Suspects The Triplets, Dong Mao, Xinzhe, and Lien Hua Feng. The triplet children of the Feng family, and Imperial Cousins in their own right, and as such half-siblings of Ling Yao and Mei Chang. They have come to the capital to tear the Dowager Empress from her position of power by whatever means necessary.

The Dowager Empress, Huian Yao. Ling Yao’s mother. Ambitious, venomous, and ruthless. Appears to have played a role in the massacre of the Nohin people alongside the Retired Emperor, Ling’s father. Currently working with Minister of the Left Shen Liu to get one of her chosen subordinates into the role of Ascending Empress. Fond of poisons.

Residents of the Imperial City Shen Liu. Minister of the Left and primary ally of the Dowager Empress, though they historically have not gotten along very well. Has been pressuring Ling to get married for at least the last eighteen months. He absolutely loathes Feiyan Ma.

Bao Zhang. Minister of the Right and founding member of the Reconciliation committee. He is reclusive and odd, rarely coming out into court even though he is one of the most powerful ministers in the Imperial City. He has a pet crow that delivers messages for him, and an assistant, Yue, who is a mathematical genius.

Xiao Niao Song, First Governor of Song-guo. Head of the Song family, mother to Xiao Huan, Xiao Liu, and Xiao Xie Song. Another founding member of the Reconciliation committee. She respects Feiyan Ma and is seeking her advice on dealing with the nomadic peoples on Song-guo borders.

Xiao Huan Song, Second Daughter of the Song family. The Song Family’s entrant into the competition for the role of Ascending Empress. She is an alkahestrist.

Jian Zhang. Imperial Master of the Horse and Bao Zhang’s cousin. Reclusive and resents politics. A former soldier, he served in the border wars with Thamasq. He is helping Feiyan Ma with Changchang.

The Cao Brothers, Aiguo and Heng. Aiguo Cao is Lien Hua’s fiance. He has appalling manners and a worse personality. Heng, his younger brother, is equally as unpleasant.

Biyi Chang. The Thirteenth Lady of Chang-guo, a distant cousin of Mei’s. She is shy, awkward, and quiet. She was also Suyin’s first friend at court.

Caterina della Barbarigo. An Aerugan noblewoman and the fiancee of Dong Mao Feng, she struggles with Xingese cultures, languages, and customs. Lan Fan has offered to teach her more Xingese.

Gen Chang. Lan Fan’s bodyguard, a former imperial guardsman, and a distant cousin of Mei’s. He may or may not have a slight crush on Lan Fan. He was assigned to guard Feiyan Ma after the Firebrand assassination attempt that nearly killed her.

Citizens of Xinjing Xiaoqing. A former firebrand, Xiaoqing is half-Qarashi and half-Xingese. Al is teaching her the basics of alkahestry in return for her assistance in infiltrating the Fires of God in the capital. She is an older-sister figure to Peizhi.

Peizhi. An assistant groom. Formerly a jockey in the Xuanwu ward. He owes Feiyan Ma his life, and is determined to repay the debt any way he can, up to and including getting into massive trouble with Xiaoqing. He and Changchang have a very special bond that seems to be related to his latent alkahestrical abilities.

Changchang. A trained warhorse who has gone half-feral due to abusive treatment. Lan Fan rescued her along with Peizhi, and is trying to convince her that humans are not universally shitheads. It’s not going particularly well.

The Fires of God Father Shiloh Trener. The shadowy leader of the Fires of God. An Amestrian who learned (or convinced himself) that he is the son of the sun god, Leto after a forty day fever which culminated on the day the Elric brothers exposed Father Cornello as a fraud. In the wake of the outbreak of Liore’s civil war, he led his religious community to the desert, and then to Feng-guo, where they are currently settled.

Huli. “Fox.” A Firebrand and an assassin. Possibly Cretan or Amestrian. Has tried to kill the Fengs at least once (that we know of) and seems intent on fighting Lan Fan. Original name unknown.

Lang. “Wolf.” A Firebrand. A Xingese man working as a spy for the Feng in the Imperial City while simultaneously reporting all their doings to the Fires of God. He is mute, and speaks primarily through sign language. Original name unknown.

Sheng. “Weasel.” A Firebrand, an Aeurgan, and a former slave. Seems to be the leader of the quartet of Firebrands who are after the Fengs, or, at least, the only one that Huli will listen to. Original name unknown.

Mao. “Cat.” A young Firebrand, approximately sixteen. She has pursued alkahestrical treatments which have turned her into something similar to a chimera, but unable to shift back and forth between her human and animal forms, which means she has long, permanently extended claws, fangs, and hair that is more like long fur. Original name unknown.

Shu (formerly Shubiao, but I fucked up, that means computer mouse, please feel free to laugh your ass off at me). “Mouse.” A Nohin man and Firebrand that Lan Fan captured snooping through her quarters. His original name is Kazuki Sakari. He is currently in hiding after escaping imperial custody, and cannot reunite with his firebrand cohort for fear they will simply execute him for his failures.

PLOT SUMMARY: It is September 1918, three years after the ascension of the Dawn Emperor, Ling Yao, and troubles are brewing on the northwestern border of the Empire. The Feng, one of the Fifty Families of the Xing nobility, have been eliminating Yao spies sent into their territory, Feng-guo, for the past several months. Knowing that the Gathering, the bi-annual celebration and political meeting of all the Fifty Families at the capital, is approaching, Ling orders Lan Fan to take on the role of a steppes noblewoman and enter the imperial court to spy against the Feng triplets. The triplets—Sixth Prince Dong Mao, Seventh Prince Xinzhe, and Ninth Princess Lien Hua—are attending court formally for the first time since the Dawn Emperor’s ascension, and there are concerns that they are planning to assassinate Ling in an attempt to gain power and push the Yao out of ascendancy in the Court.

Despite her discomfort—Lan Fan is the Emperor’s Shadow first and foremost, and is extremely discontented with having to leave her position and her charge as Ling’s guard—Lan Fan takes the position. She is posing as Feiyan Ma, the “cousin” of the wife of Shan Yao, the commander of the Imperial guard and one of Ling Yao’s cousins. Shan’s wife, Suyin Ma (also known as Sarangerel) is pregnant, and wants a member of her family to be with her in the capital throughout her pregnancy and the birth of her first child. Mei Chang, in illicit support of Lan Fan’s position, provides Lan Fan with a maid and guard of her own, Niu Lu, a half-Drachman noblewoman who is a talented alkahestrist as well as a professional spy and torturer. Despite a rough start in the capital, Lan Fan manages to befriend at least two of the Feng triplets, along with Mingli Chen, a particular friend of Xinzhe Feng. She accompanies them to horse races in the lower districts of the capital, during which she saves a young jockey and his irascible, traumatized mount, a former war horse named Changchang. Thanks to her actions, Lan Fan meets a young woman, Xiaoqing, who is ana-Qarashi and Xingese. She is attempting to teach herself healing alkahestry to assist people in the Xuanwu districts of the capital, the poorest and most destitute people in the area.

While attending a party at the Chang estate, Lan Fan saves the Feng triplets from an assassination attempt by a masked intruder, who is later identified as Huli, a warrior and spy from a Letoist religious cult known as the Fires of God. The Fires of God believe that Shiloh Trener, an Amestrian who formerly lived in Liore, is actually the son of the Sun God, Leto, come to earth. The group is gathering recruits and converts in preparation for the end of the world. Their base of operations is in Feng-guo, and the Feng triplets, along with their uncle, Mengyao, have been trying to keep the ongoing political damage a secret from the other Fifty Families as well as the Emperor. Xiaoqing, who used to be a firebrand, lost her mother to the cult, and she and her father left Feng-guo and fled to the capital to get away from the chaos.

During this time, Lan Fan has been struggling with her work as a spy. She does not feel that she is capable of pretending to be another person, let alone that she has the right to act as a noblewoman, particularly when she was raised from a very young age to be an imperial bodyguard and shadow. Putting herself in the spotlight in any way makes her deeply uncomfortable. She struggles with interacting with Ling on a more equivalent footing (noblewoman to emperor, as opposed to servant to emperor) and with the emperor’s attention. Ling asks her to go riding with him in the mornings, which is of particular note to the gossip grapevine, as the Dawn Emperor has been extremely reluctant to even discuss the potential of marriage, let alone lavish any special attention on any noblewoman at court.

Ling is struggling as well, in ways that Al (who is in Xing to study Xingese alkahestry) doesn’t particularly understand. When Al attempts to push and states that Ling, as emperor, can do what he wants, Ling lashes out and states that he can’t do what he wants where Lan Fan is concerned, because the last thing he wants to do is make her uncomfortable and force attentions where they may not be wanted. He knows that he has feelings for Lan Fan, and that they’re more than likely returned, but he also knows that Lan Fan’s identity is wrapped in her honor and her service as bodyguard, and that so long as that state of affairs continues, nothing can possibly happen between them. However, due to Lan Fan’s role as spy, and their attempts to get the Feng to remain interested in and trust Feiyan Ma, Ling is caught between his wish to keep Lan Fan alive, safe, and happy, and courting Feiyan Ma to ensure that she remains politically and materially relevant to the people they are investigating.

Meanwhile, the investigation is escalating. The day before the Gathering opens, Lan Fan catches a firebrand spy—a Nohin man—snooping around her rooms. The man, Kazuki Sakari (referred to as Shu by himself and firebrand cohort) was attempting to find information about Feiyan Ma after her interference in the assassination attempt on the Feng triplets. The discovery of a Nohin man rattles Lan Fan, who is also Nohin, and has been hiding her identity for over a decade with the help of her grandfather. During the Gathering ceremony, Lan Fan discovers that Xinzhe and Mingli are lovers, which could get them executed due to anti-sodomy laws in the imperial court. She promises Mingli she will keep their secret. However, during her attempts to research queer love, she is drawn into a meeting with the Minister of the Left, the Dowager Empress Huian Yao, and the Song Family regarding the complex issues surrounding the northwestern borders and raiding by nomadic steppes peoples, such as the Ma. During the debate, Lan Fan brings up the massacre of the Nohin people, backed by the former Emperor, Ling’s father; the Dowager Empress threatens to have her exiled. Ling settles tempers, with difficulty. The following day, the Firebrands attempt to assassinate Lan Fan, which results in her being poisoned.

As Lan Fan recovers in the Emperor's chambers, Al, Mei, and Peizhi, the jockey that Lan Fan rescued, learn that the Firebrands have been smuggling in massive amounts of weapons from Thamasq into Feng-guo, in an attempt to raise an insurrection against the Feng family and take over the province. Shu escapes custody and flees to a Nohin safehouse. As a result of the attempt on Feiyan Ma’s life, the Emperor’s Shadow—Lan Fan—is exiled permanently from Xing after complaints registered by the Dowager Empress. While Lan Fan herself is not going anywhere (the position of Emperor’s Shadow has been filled by a soldier with a similar height, build, and qi signature as Lan Fan), she now has no identity to return to after the job is over. Her life and her existence as Lan Fan Huo, particularly as the Emperor’s Shadow, has been terminated by Huian Yao, and Ling was unable to do anything to stop it. She is angry about this but feels horrible for being angry with Ling, specifically; she has not explicitly forgiven him but understands this was not his fault, and is hiding from her own complicated emotions about the entire situation.

Lan Fan throws herself into the investigation of the Fengs and the Firebrands, as well as her role of Feiyan Ma, meeting regularly with Xiao Niao Song, the head of the Song family, as well as other important members of the imperial court, including the Minister of the Right, Bao Zhang, a reclusive administrator who puts her name forward as a member of a new political group, the Committee for the Resolution of Human Rights Abuses, Conflicts, and Injustices, or colloquially the "Reconciliation Committee." Additionally, Lan Fan meets Dong Mao Feng’s betrothed, an Aerugan woman named Caterina della Barbarigo, and one of the Feng retainers, a mysterious woman named Lotus who seems to have a strong bond with Dong Mao.

Finally, Lien Hua Feng makes the decision to trust Feiyan Ma, and reveals that the goal of the Feng is not to assassinate the Dawn Emperor, but rather his mother, the Dowager Empress, as revenge for Huian Yao poisoning their mother and killing their baby sister in utero twelve years before. The problems with Yao spies being killed in Feng territory was the result of a misunderstanding; the Feng believed the spies were sent by Huian Yao, not the Emperor, and summarily executed them, while the Emperor believed that Feng spies on the border were part of a plot to overthrow him, not investigating the internal goings-on of Feng-guo. Lien Hua also introduces Lan Fan to one of her own spies in the palace, a mute man named Lang, who Lan Fan knows is a double agent for the Firebrands. Lan Fan does not reveal Lang's betrayal to Lien Hua in the moment. Instead, she asks Xiaoqing to infiltrate the Firebrands’ base of operations in the capital, and Xiaoqing, wishing to avenge her mother, agrees.

The Gathering closes, and many families return to their home provinces. However, due to the Emperor’s announcement that he is going to begin his search for a wife, many families summon daughters and cousins to the court in an attempt to take the role of Empress. The Emperor is retreating to Pubuchuan for the winter, a mountain palace with many hot springs to last them through the long snows. Only ten families have been invited. It is here that the battle for the role of Empress will occur—and Ling has already asked that Lan Fan participate, in her role as Feiyan Ma, to keep up the ruse of their courtship. Lan Fan agrees.

#my writing #sotb #for review

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