#demon baxia

[benevolenterrancy]

@hereticcryptid i'm late responding to this prompt, but have a continuation on baxia and hensheng wanting more cuddles than one would normally expect from a spiritual sword!

[lilapplesheadcannons]

Nie MingJue was welcomed by the gust of cold air from the air conditioner as he walked in. The long anticipated rain did very little to dissipate the summer heat. Instead, the outside felt like a sauna. His shirt was sticking to his back, and the skin under his wristwatch was itchy. Baxia meowed in welcome.

Before he could finish taking off his shoes, though, his phone rang. It was Meng Yao.

"Heyyy." Meng Yao sounded perky. Like the way he sounded when Jin GuangShang got busted in a hotel room with two prostitutes. Or after the son of Meng Yao's old boss, the obnoxious greasy git that tried to grope Meng Yao in a lift, drove straight into the railings of a bridge. (A miniscule part of MingJue will resent Xichen until the next life for never telling him about the groping incident, for allowing Wen Chao to die painlessly in a hospital bed instead of begging for his life, choking on his own blood while MingJue tore him into pieces). Anyway...

"Is everything ok?"

"I am going with Mo-shi to A-Yu's school. He has been suspended."

"Damn!"

"Don't worry. I'll talk to the principal. I am sure he can be persuaded to see how that can easily be misconstrued into an attack against a non-binary student by the press. A-Su will meet us there." Meng Yao's voice sounded silky smooth.

Nie MingJue isn't worried. He doesn't know Mo XuanYu's principal well enough to care for the man. But he knows the mottled bunch his in-laws are. Especially after the shovel talk Qin Su and Mo XuanYu, two people not even reaching his sternum, gave him while the oldest ZiXuan stood calmly smiling at him with his back blocking the only door. All lives must go through some trials and tribulations. It was Mo XuanYu's principal's turn.

"Can I help?" He was quite free for the rest of the day.

"Well, not us. But Saozi needs someone to look after A-Ling for an hour."

"Ummm, me?" MingJue was pretty self-confident in his capability to deal with anything. That anything, however, wasn't a baby that couldn't even walk. He had taken care of HuaiSang since their dad passed away, but HuaiSang was a 5 years old child then. Albeit he came with his own set of challenges, but at least he wasn't a fragile 6-month-old.

"Yes, she's got to run to a venue, client is throwing tantrum. But don't worry. My mom and Mrs. Jin will come pick A-Ling as soon as they can. They went to an auction to Caiyi. If not, Xuan-ge will try to sneak out."

"OK."

The bell rang. It must be Jiang Yanli. MingJue opened the door while hanging up the phone.

Yanli smiled apologetically. She was carrying the baby in a carseat. Behind Wen Ning was packed like a mule with miscellaneous bagpacks and diaper bags. He was also carrying a teddy bear under one arm and a bassinet under the other. The baby was fast asleep.

"Sorry. One of my clients is having a major issue at her wedding. A-Yao said he was free, but I guess he got called away by A-Yu."

"It's ok, it's ok. Don't worry about it." Nie MingJue took the carseat. Wen Ning walked in to drop off his load while trying not to trip over a curious Baxia. In the next ten minutes, MingJue was familiarised with the baby food, formula, bottles, clothes, diapers, and enough syrups, drops, and creams to open a pharmacy of his own.

"He was just fed and changed. This is his naptime anyway. Don't worry, popo will come around to pick him up in an hour."

Nie MingJue smiled at her reassuringly. "Don't worry, Baxia and I will keep him safe."

Yanli relaxed. "Again, terribly sorry. I'd ask mom, but she and dad are out of the country. Give me a call if you need anything, ok? Let's go, A-Ning."

The duo rushed out. MingJue smiled at the seeming nonchalance that the Jins had for anything as he closed the door. Jiang Yanli acted as if her divorced parents going away together on a vacation abroad was the most natural phenomenon. A-Yao acted as if Mrs Jin taking her ex-husband's mistress to her latest fad was nothing out of ordinary. Even A-Yao going with another one of his dad's ex-mistresses to his half-sibling's school was just daily bread and butter. They functioned as a pack, a pride that had already devoured it's wayward patriarch, and one MingJue hoped he would never run afoul.

He could guess why it was him and not anybody else who was left holding Jin Ling. There was a silent, cold war of the uncles going on between Jiang Wanyin and Meng Yao to establish invisible territory, aided and abetted by HuaiSang, who very likely had a betting pool running somewhere. Wei Wuxian was a part of it, too, with strong backing from Lan Wangji, who would happily find a match if Wei Wuxian ever wanted to set the world on fire just for funsies, but they recently got their paperwork sorted and took a toddler with extreme separation anxiety home. It was obvious it would be a major loss for A-Yao if he couldn't provide impromptu babysitting on a day he was supposed to be free.

Jin Ling frowned , squirmed in his bassinet, and then opened his eyes. He was very clearly not impressed by what he saw because he broke into the howls of anguish.

Poor baby! MingJue picked him up and patted his back while pacing. Must be jarring going to sleep in your bedroom and waking up in an unfamiliar room with a semi-familiar giant staring at your face. Jin Ling simmered down into occasional whimpers. Baxia closely followed MingJue, obviously concerned for the deformed furless kitten. MingJue's phone rang again.

"Hello," Meng Yao sounded grimly determined, "how are things in your end?"

"Good, good. We are just getting along, " MingJue reassured. Over his shoulder, Jin Ling broke into a babble of babytalk with Baxia.

"That's better than us."

"How bad are things?"

"He fought with another kid, one of his cousins from the other side. That brat has to be hospitalised. School is thinking of getting police involved."

"Shit!" MingJue remembered his youngest half-brother-in-law. He was a twig of a child, surly and shy. He must have been pushed really hard for him to retaliate so badly.

"Yeah, Xuan-ge is on his way to here. If we can combine some legal threats, bad press, and monetary compensation, we can probably make things go away. Love you."

Meng Yao hung up. MingJue slowly whistled. He could understand why A-Yao was trying so hard to get XuanYu off without any blemishes. The Jin siblings were a hyperambitious, over-achieving bunch. Having one of their owns kicked out before completing high school with allegation of assault was not something A-Yao's delicate sensibilities could live with. His thoughts were interrupted by Jin Ling, who turned his head to make direct eye contact with him and said, "Shit!"

Nie MingJue almost dropped him in panic. Even not taking Jiang Yanli into account, a woman whom he had personally seen physically pull Wei Wuxian and Jiang Wanyin apart, what Meng Yao would do to him if he ever learned that Nie MingJue taught his precious nephew to swear boggled minds. It wasn't even the cursing that was the worst part. One of the major bones of contention between A-Yao and Wanyin was whether Jin Ling would say shushu or jiujiu first. Jin Ling, like a good deplomat, had avoided saying any meaningful word so far. But when did things go in MingJue's favour anyway?

"No, no, A-Ling. Bad word. We don't say it."

Jin Ling tilted his head inquisitively. "Shiiiit?"

"Oh no, oh no. I am sorry. I shouldn't have said that. You shouldn't say it either."

"Shit!" Jin Ling spoke in conviction. He had found the first catchphrase of his life, and it was obviously getting all the right traction.

Maybe he'll forget if he gets distracted?

"Look here, this is kitty. Kiii-ttyyy. Say kitty. Meow, meow."

Baxia stared at him at mild contempt. Jin Ling spoke enthusiastically, "Shit!"

MingJue could feel himself breaking into a sweat despite the AC. This was exactly the type of stressful event Dr. Wen advised him to avoid during his checkup this morning. She was overall impressed with his blood pressure and his cholesterol and even smiled at him when he confirmed he got 9 hours of sleep every day. Now, he had gone and undone a year's progress.

"No A-Ling, kitty. Come on, Baxia, help me out here, old girl."

Baxia continued to look as unimpressed as ever. Jin Ling stuffed his left fist in his mouth.

MingJue decided to use threat because it was obvious his rotten old cat had no better nature he could fucking appeal to.

"What do you think will happen to you when Meng Yao kills me? Do you think he won't try to make it look like a burglary gone wrong and murder you too?"

Baxia finally said something, "Mrrrrrrrrrowwww!"

"I am glad you trust him so much. Well, sorry to burst your bubble, but he knows you peed in his shoes that time. He's just biding time, you'll see."

Baxia simply turned her tail and walked off. Jin Ling continued to slobber on his fist like it was a lollipop. MingJue took a deep breath. Why was he, a man in his late 30s, arguing with a cat over a baby? His phone went off again.

"Oh, hello, darling," Meng-shi sounded like a bubbly teenager over the phone, "How are my two favourite boys doing?"

Light-weight, light-voiced, a hummingbird of a woman; Meng-shi was the exact opposite of the stoic, statuesque mother figure MingJue was used to having. He informed her that they were, in fact, doing perfectly well.

"Well, you see honey, there was an accident on the highway." Meng-shi's singsong voice was tinged with anxiety. "We are waiting for the road to clear. Won't take long. Will you two be ok?"

MingJue reassured her and then hung up. Great! How hard can looking after a baby be? He just needed to not swear anymore.

Jin Ling looked thoughtful as he took his fist out of his mouth, then with the sound of ripping papers came the stench of the deepest, darkest depth of hell. MingJue felt a hot liquid on his forearm leaking from the baby's diaper.

It took ages and an insane amount of babywipes to clean Jin Ling up. MingJue also made the effort to scrub his forearm raw and sniffed A-Yao's cologne to clear his sinuses. On the brigher side, Jin Ling was so delighted by his gagging that he seemed to forget the swearword.

As he was spraying the house with airfreshner, his phone went off again. Finally! Please let it be Meng-shi. Or better yet, Jiang Yanli herself. But no, all his hopes were dashed at the sight of the caller id.

"Hello, Xichen."

"Oh, hi, hi. How are things?"

Before MingJue could answer, Lan Xichen continued, "So Wanyin called to say that A-Ling needs babysitting. Wanyin isn't in town, but I'd be happy to take him off your hand. I am quite free today."

MingJue stared at the phone in disbelief. Et tu, brute! Xichen had shared ice creams with him in kindergarten when they were expressedly forbidden to buy those without grownups. Xichen cried with him at his dad's funeral. Fuck, the man slept off his first break-up in the sofa MingJue paid for. (Ok, A-Yao helped too because he's so much better at vouchers and sales). But here was the smiling serpent, stabbing MingJue for petty personal gains.

"No, I wouldn't want to presume." MingJue tried not to sound curt.

"Oh, come on," the treacherous snake purred, "Do you really need the aggravation? Why not take the time to plan a special meal for A-Yao? I bet he'd like that."

The backstabbing beast. As if A-Yao won't castrate MingJue for surrendering his precious nephew to the opponent team.

MingJue copied the purr, "Oh no, Jin Ling and I are already planning a special meal for A-Yao when he gets back. Thanks for your offer. Bye."

"But..."

"BYE!"

Things some people would lower themselves to do for gaining brownie points with a dimpled shortie! MingJue shook his head mournfully. Jin Ling restarted his whimpering.

"What is it, A-Ling? Do you miss mommy? She'll be back soon. Don't cry."

Just on the cue, Jin Ling's stomach rumbled. Nie Mingjue put him down on the carpet with a sigh and went to heat up the water. Midway making the bottle, he got suspicious of the sudden silence and came out of the kitchen to see Jin Ling tugging on a fistful of Baxia's fur. A terrified MingJue was about to jump in, but it was obvious the baby had carte blanche. MingJue, who still bore the marks on his forearm from the time he picked up kitten Baxia and brought her home, sighed at the unfairness in the world and went back to the bottle. He was sighing a lot today.

Jin Ling drank his bottle with much gusto but took a serious offence at MingJue's paltry attempt to burp him. He turned his head and babbled in complaints and seemed quite close to saying "Shit" again. So MingJue gave up and started giving him a tour of the flat.

It was when he was showing the baby Baxia's cat tree that Meng-shi rang back.

" Sorry, sweetheart, we need to take a detour. It'll be another hour. I'm really sorry," She sounded breathless.

MingJue wasn't too bothered. He had changed the baby. He had fed the baby. Surely the worst was over? Just to prove him wrong, the baby broke into tears again.

MingJue checked his diapers. It was dry. He checked his clothes too for good measures in case there were any rogue insects. But A-Ling was all clear and still yelling. MingJue carried him to the kitchen this time with him and made another bottle with one hand, but A-Ling spat it out. He was beginning to go red in his face. Desperate for a miracle, MingJue took him to the bedroom. He put the baby on his knees and tried to rock him side to side, just like how he had seen his own mother rock HuaiSang. Baxia meowed, then jumped up on the bed. He asked the cat, "What do I do now, Baxia?"

But the baby stopped whimpering. Baxia had crawled next to him and put a paw on his tummy. The baby yawned, then closed his eyes.

Within half an hour, MingJue felt his leg go numb. It was also lunchtime, and he skipped breakfast this morning for fasting blood glucose levels. But he didn't dare to move the baby.

Another half an hour crawled away. Finally, he heard keys rattling in the door.

"Da-ge?"

He could hear Meng Yao's whisper.

"Over here, in the bedroom." He whispered back.

It wasn't just A-Yao, though. Jiang Yanli and Jin ZiXuan peeked from behind him, three of them showing matching grins. Probably, the baby could sense his mom nearby because he blinked his eyes open.

It was an... impressive reunion, to say the least. If MingJue hadn't witnessed the whole thing, he'd easily believe that the mother and the child hadn't seen each other for aeons. Jin ZiXuan updated him as he put the baby items back into the bag.

"He's going to be fine. After school detention. The other kid is in trouble, though. He's been hitting A-Yu for a long time. Other students spoke up. He's the son of Mo-shi's sister, and well, it seems Mother dear has been talking nonsense to the boy. His dad works in a company affiliated with us, though. He came in to apologise. We'll also bring this up in the next school board meeting. I am sure people would be interested to know how the school was so quick to punish my brother without proper investigation. " His smile reminded MingJue of a documentary he had seen only the night before on great whites.

He felt Meng Yao touch his arm. He was almost blinded by the beatific, grateful smile. Well, he couldn't blame Xichen anymore. A man could go a great length for some dimples.

"Thanks! I owe you one." Meng Yao whispered.

MingJue felt a pleasant tingle in his spine. A-Yao was generous in his paybacks. He was in luck.

The Jins were ready to leave. Yanli waved Jin Ling's chubby fist for him.

"Say goodbye to shushu, A-Ling. Say goodbye to Gufu."

However, Jin Ling opened his mouth and said, "Bai-ya!"

Everyone paused.

"He said bye! His first words!" Jin ZiXuan was in tears. But Jin Ling protested, "Baiii-yaaa!"

As if in response, Baxia walked up to Yanli and meowed. It dawned onto people only then.

"My son's first word. It's a cat's name!"

MingJue struggled to maintain his smile as he waved them goodbye. If only ZiXuan knew the original first word his son had uttered. MingJue kept his fingers crossed that Jin Ling wouldn't say "Shit" until he was at least one.

[humanthatlikestuff]

MLBB doodles

Zhen Yu's the one crying in pic 3 (His design isn't final yet)

(5 stages of grief on pic 2 HAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAA)

a sketch under the cut :)

he looks like Cecilion.... he's the mlbb muzan

[acequinz]

I think a lot of tragedies could be avoided if Jiang Yanli was just allowed to have all the didis.

Give her all the little boys and she will just mold them into a better person and her choice of weapon would be soup.

Jin Guangyao needs to stop the sly and evil deeds his father is making him do? One soup lunch with Jiang Yanli and Jin Guangshan dies before Jin Ling's 100 day ceremony.

Xue Yang needs to stop murder? Jiang Yanli and soup and now he just bites people very often instead of murder.

Su She needs to feel appreciated and respected to get rid of that resentment? Jiang Yanli.

Nie Mingjue and his issues with Baxia? Feed both him and the sword some Jiang Yanli soup.

Wei Wuxian in the burial mounds with the wens? Jiang Yanli makes soup for everyone and then she uses her powers as Jin furen to make jgy fix that particular plot hole and gives him more soup.

Jiang Cheng is feeling sad and lonely about wwx marrying lwj? Some soup and sibling hug time.

Fuck she could have fixed Wen Rouhan with her soup. Demonic cultivation be damned. Jiang Yanli soup is the best.

[lgbtlunaverse]

Anyway in light of Baxia's blood perferences being mentioned in chapter 5 of A Safety Concern here's a clarification on what kind of blood Baxia likes and needs:

Blood of morally decent people (as decided by baxia's moral code): yucky, tastes like shit, and is about as nutricious as chugging sewage water

Bloof of evil people: tasty, but empty. Basically like eating garbage fast food. The sunshot campaign left nmj so fucked up because slaughtering Wen soldiers for Baxia was the equivalent of eating nothing but chips for 3 years and now she has tummy problems.

Blood of monsters and beasts: now we're talking! Baxia was made to hunt beasts, this is her natural diet. Yummy and nutricious! For proper saber husbandry, please make sure to behead at least one demonic creature every other month.

[canary3d-obsessed]

Restless Rewatch: The Untamed, Episode 35 part two

(Masterpost) (Pinboard) (whole thing on AO3) 

Warning! Spoilers for All 50 Episodes!

Perfect Date, Continued

Lan Wangji begins his day pondering an ancient philosophical question: If your crush happens to sleep over on your first date, whether in your bed or just crashing on the couch, and he doesn’t leave in the morning, are you still on your first date? Or is it your second date? He would ask Lan Xichen but the one time he asked Lan Xichen “is there a Lan rule book for dating,” Lan Xichen said “there are no set rules in this world” and wandered off to go fuck his ex’s ex. 

Either way, Lan Wangji is pretty sure it’s important to show an in interest in your date’s hobbies. Wei Wuxian’s favorite hobby is desecrating burial places, so Lan Wangji takes him back to the Nie tomb to see what sort of fun they can have there. 

This time their stroll through the woods isn’t spoiled by any irritating dogs or nephews. 

Dig

When they arrive, they find Nie Huaisang directing a team of dudes to close up the wall where they previously rescued Jin Ling. 

It’s good that these guys aren’t using any mortar, since Lan Wangji wants to fuck up this wall with his sword. 

He strikes the wall and it collapses towards him, not away, because he’s been watching Three-Body and has decided physics isn’t real. 

(More after the cut!)

Inside the wall are these three objects, put there by a props crew that has decided anatomy isn’t real. Nie Huaisang isn’t too happy about the digging, and Wei Wuxian puts an arm around him in a friendly manner to console him.  

Lan Wangji notices this and immediately summons Wei Wuxian to his side, handing him Bichen and telling him to dig, in a totally hot unnecessary display of possessive dominance. 

Velociraptor mode unlocked

Wei Wuxian’s not complaining, mind you.  

Wise Production Decisions

While Wei Wuxian examines these ostensibly human skeletons to determine how their bones are able to stay assembled without any connective tissue, let’s take a moment to contemplate one of the major changes between Mo Dao Zu Shi, the book, and Chen Qing Ling, the show. 

In the novel, donghua, and manga, Lan Wangji and Wei Wuxian road-trip together not in pursuit of a sword spirit, but to collect chunks of Nie Mingjue’s dismembered corpse. Eventually it’s all put together again for the big showdown in the temple. 

I read an interview a while back--sorry, can’t source it at the moment--where the producer of CQL said that the reason for the change wasn’t because of censorship or the difficulty of painting swirly stuff to hide NMJ’s junk, it was because they tried various ways to do the body-part thing and “we couldn’t find a way to make it beautiful.” Considering these skeletons, and the demon hand from episode one, and the animatronic dog, let’s all thank our lucky stars that the Department of Questionable Practical Effects was not tasked with creating a walking-dead Nie Mingjue. 

Sabermetrics

Having sufficiently fondled the skeletons, Wei Wuxian wants to move on to fondling the Nie sabers, and so he asks Nie Huaisang to let them open all the sarcophagi. Nie Huaisang wants to say no, but Lan Wangji, who is in charge of this date, bows at him until he has to say yes. 

Lan Wangji’s status and reputation are so strong that Nie Huaisang can’t make a saving throw against this request, even though he’s a clan leader and Lan Wangji isn’t.

This is why it’s extra-romantic that Lan Wangji later risks his reputation in front of everybody for Wei Wuxian’s sake. 

After opening all of the coffins up they determine that there is one saber missing. Gosh, which saber might that be? It doesn’t come to Nie Huaisang or Wei Wuxian’s mind, but Lan Wangji intones “Baxia,” and Wei Wuxian helpfully reminds us that Baxia was Nie Mingjue’s sword.  

Lan Wangji might not be a people person, but he remembers every sword he’s ever met, much in the way I imagine Wang Yibo remembers every dog he’s ever met.

Qi Deviation

Nie Huaisang tells them about Nie Mingjue’s literally explosive qi deviation, in which he bled from his face and from several squibs stuck to his chest, followed by more exploding squibs that just produced smoke without any extra bleeding.  

To explain a bit, in the most lay of layperson’s terms, your qi is the energy in your body, which circulates through your meridians and, through cultivation and/or traditional medicine practices, can be directed and improved. Qi that is out of balance is bad, and can cause illness and squib explosions.

Or possibly he’s just gassy

As Nie Huaisang tells it, this just up and happened, but he actually knows why and how it happened, and who did it.

Second Date

After that cheery little outing, Lan Wangji figures that by now they’re definitely on their second date, so he takes Wei Wuxian into town for dinner.

As they enter downtown Qinghe, Wei Wuxian briefly touches his arm, causing Lan Wangji to immediately clock that he’s hiding an injury/curse.  

So busted. 

Wei Wuxian attempts to distract Lan Wangji  from his questions by making provocative curse-measuring gestures, and then offering to strip so Lan Wangji can check him it out. 

This is where Wei Wuxian discovers that he can’t beat Lan Wangji at gay chicken any more. 

Next, Wei Wuxian does this adorable walking-backwards thing, which is impractical but lets him look at Lan Wangji while he’s talking. He is just as smitten as Lan Wangji is, although he’s clearly got no idea what to do about it. 

They talk over some of the details of their detective work, and then Wei Wuxian tries, once again, to get Lan Wangji to tell him how he recognized him. Once again, he’s unsuccessful, as Lan Wangji tells him it’s “getting late” and heads to an inn, despite the clear daylight all over the place.

Memory Care

He’s chosen a place for dinner that they went to together, way back when they were young, because he’s heard that going to familiar places is is a good way to help your loved one who is struggling with memory impairment. 

They ignore their food in favor of pounding liquor (WWX) and tea (LWJ), while they openly eavesdrop on the conversation at the next table. 

The conversation at the next table is all about the exact thing that happened the last time they were at this inn, which leads to Lan Wangji filling Wei Wuxian in on the (apparent) fates of Xue Yang, Song Lan, and Xiao Xingchen. 

By the time he remembers that trauma-dumping is best saved for a third or fourth date, he’s already telling Wei Wuxian about how the last survivor of the Chang Clan was found dead of lingchi, and that the cuts were made by Xiao Xingchen’s sword.

Realizing he’s made a tactical error in eviscerating Wei Wuxian’s happy memory of his sect uncle, Lan Wangji has to find a way to rescue this date from the cliff it’s heading over kind of like the cliff Wei Wuxian previously headed over. So he grabs Wei Wuxian’s drink and knocks it back all in one go. 

This delights Wei Wuxian, so the evening is back on track. 

[rejectedfables]

I cannot be the only one who thinks that, after how the untamed visually conveyed “object is brimming with resentful energy” (see the tiger tally and baxia) as the object rotating and/or shaking, that demonic cultivation could be used to make xianxia vibrators

[i-will-cry-you-a-river]

Previous

Day 5 of @sangyaoweek

Nie Mingjue

The creatures, ghosts, whatever entities Nie Huaisang couldn't identify attacked them relentlessly. They grew more aggressive with each passing moment, which was seriously bad news for the two in defense. Exhausted from the situation with the saber spirits, they were both struggling to fend off the claws and demonic energies.

“If I survive this, I will never forget to train ever again,” Nie Huaisang hissed through his teeth, swinging his battle fan to divert an attack. A quick look at his companion showed that Meng Yao was in a similar state; his usually put-together look was nowhere to be found. Despite their best efforts, the enemies’ overwhelming strength was beginning to take its toll. Their movements became sluggish, their breathing became labored, and their limbs were shaking from overextension.

All in all, they were fucked.

“We can't keep this up,” Meng Yao panted, his eyes darting around for any sign of escape. His lovely brain was trying to find a way out of the situation, but Nie Huaisang knew the only way they could survive was to go back to the castle, but it also had its own perils, so they were basically between the rock and the hard place.

Except-

“Oh, shit,” Nie Huaisang murmured, as his brother, followed by a group of Nie cultivators, charged into the battle. It wasn't like he was not thankful for the sudden help - but did it have to be Nie Mingjue?! To add insult to injury, it only took a few swift, decisive strikes to cut down the ghosts (demons? Monsters? Nie Mingjue would definitely know, but Nie Huaisang would not ask him. That would lead to even more punishment.), who were unable to withstand Baxia’s full force. There wasn't even any need for the other cultivators - Nie Mingjue has always been a force to reckon with.

Just one more thing to add to the long list of qualities Nie Huaisang did not have.

Even Meng Yao seemed to be enamored with the Clan Leader, which, fair, but-

It didn't mean Nie Huaisang liked that. Meng Yao was his friend. His companion. His-

Anyways

What made him stumble and struggle, exhausting him beyond belief, took Nie Mingjue not even a blink of an eye to take care of. Story of Nie Huaisang’s life.

“Huaisang!” Nie Mingjue’s eyes widened as he took in who he had saved, then rushed to his side. Warmth filled the younger man's chest. Even after what he had done, his brother's first reaction was relief and worry. “Are you alright?”

Struggling to even stand, now that the ghost(ly things) were defeated, his legs gave up, and fell to the ground, sending a weak smile towards his da-ge. “Of course! We are completely fine - we were just about to kill those things!”

The look on Nie Mingjue's face told him everything. Nie Huaisang sighed, letting a helpless look appear on his face. “Thank you, da-ge. It is great to see you,” he admitted.

Fondness and maybe even love were in the Clan Leader’s eyes, but as soon as those emotions appeared, they were quickly followed by the always-present anger.

Mingjue strode towards his younger brother, his face a mixture of worry and anger. "Nie Huaisang!" He shouted, his voice echoing through the dark forest, making Meng Yao jump in fright, as he was the only one amongst the present people who never had the luck to hear the mighty roar of the Nie Clan Leader. "What were you thinking, running off like that?"

Nie Huaisang, sighed, trying to catch his breath, and met his brother's gaze with defiance. Sure, he wanted to go home, but this situation right there showed how right he was! He was NOT Nie Mingjue. He was not a good heir, and he was never going to be as much of a warrior as his brother was. It was impossible!

"I was tired of being suffocated, Da-ge! You and the clan demanded so much from me, and I needed to breathe! I'm not like you!” He yelled in helpless frustration. His brother was never going to understand him, because he was Nie Mingjue. He was perfect, he had always been perfect! And that's amazing, his brother has always been his favorite person, but when others wanted him to become this perfect god-like person, who was a formidable opponent in the battleground, had a mind for strategy, and was a righteous cultivator who always knew what was right and what was wrong…

Nie Mingjue's eyes blazed with familiar frustration, echoing his own. "You think running away solves anything? You have responsibilities! Do you know how worried I was?"

Responsibilities! Always the responsibilities!

"Responsibilities?!" Nie Huaisang snapped back, his voice rising. "All you care about is to form me into a mini you! You never consider what I want!"

Their voices clashed, each accusation and yell adding fuel to the fire. Nie Huaisang knew his brother loved him, and he adored his brother back, but the two of them were completely different people, and Nie Mingjue couldn't understand that. Nie Huaisang had his own strengths and weaknesses, but Nie Mingjue didn’t see that. He never saw that!

The tension between them was palpable, and the other cultivators stood back, giving the brothers space to vent their emotions. Just like usual.

"Do you think I enjoy being the one in charge?" Nie Mingjue's voice softened, a hint of vulnerability breaking through his anger. "It's not easy. But it is my, your - our heritage. I just want to protect you, Huaisang, to give and teach you everything you need in the future. I need you to take things seriously because one day, it will all be on your shoulders."

Nie Huaisang's defiance began to crumble. He didn't get why he had to be the heir, but… if there was one thing this adventure taught him was that he might have been just as stubbornly defiant as Nie Mingjue was pushy. He sighed, and said, "I know, Dage. But I can't live in your shadow forever. I need to find my own way. I can't be Nie Mingjue when I'm Nie Huaisang.”

They both paused, the raw honesty of their words hanging in the air. It felt as if Nie Huaisang had been in his third battle that day, that it was his most perilous one yet. But slowly, very slowly, the anger seemed to ebb away, replaced by understanding. Nie Huaisang hoped that maybe they finally found a common ground, that maybe from then on they could not just yell at each other, but communicate with each other.

Nie Mingjue sighed, placing a heavy, yet surprisingly gentle hand on his brother's shoulder. "I understand, Huaisang. I’ll give you more freedom, but you must promise me you'll take your responsibilities seriously."

Nie Huaisang nodded, tears glistening in his eyes. He never would have thought that they could compromise, but… It felt freeing. More freeing than lazing around all day, more freeing than running away. "I promise, Da-ge. I'll come back home and do my best. I just needed you to see me for who I am and not demand to become you."

Nie Mingjue’s usually stern expression softened, and surprising Nie Huaisang, he pulled the younger brother up into a fierce embrace. "I love you, didi. I’m so glad you’re safe."

Nie Huaisang melted. There was no better way to express how he felt at that moment. His bones, his insides, his brain - everything melted.

“I love you too,” he whispered, gripping Nie Mingjue’s robes as if he was afraid of waking up and realizing it was only a dream.

But as they pulled away from each other, Nie Mingjue was still there, his eyes were still soft when he looked at him, and Nie Huaisang felt he could finally breathe.

Suddenly, Nie Huaisang realized that not only their clan members were the witnesses of their show, but Meng Yao as well, which- awkward. He turned towards the other young man, but before he could say sorry, Nie Mingjue preluded him.

“Thank you for looking after my silly brother,” he said, bowing his head towards the wide-eyed young man.

“No, no, this one did not-!” He stammered, trying to bow in front of the Nie Clan Leader.

“But you did!” Nie Huaisang interjected. “Da-ge, this is Meng Yao. He helped me so much! He is the best companion I could have ever wished for. He was the reason we could get out of-” the young man narrowed his eyes, “Don't think we won't talk about what's in there,” he nodded towards the Ancestral Halls. “Not now. But you can't keep me in the dark anymore.”

Nie Mingjue looked like he was in pain, but nodded his head. Turning back to Meng Yao, his expression softened. "Meng Yao, I cannot thank you enough for looking after my brother."

Meng Yao shook his head, trying to downplay his role. As if he wasn't one of the reasons Nie Huaisang got up in the mornings. As if his presence didn't fill him with happiness. "There's no need for thanks. I did what anyone would have done."

"No," Nie Mingjue insisted, his voice firm but kind. "You’ve done more. You helped my didi. The Nie Clan owes you a debt of gratitude. How can I repay you?"

Meng Yao hesitated, glancing at Nie Huaisang. He didn't want to. In fact, he hated it, because now that Nie Huaisang decided to go back home, Lanling was so far away, and he wanted to keep Meng Yao for himself, but… He had been selfish enough. If there was anything he could do to help Meng Yao with his dreams - he would do it, even if it caused him pain.

He nodded encouragingly. "Meng Yao has somewhere he needs to go," he interjected helpfully. "He wants to go to Lanling."

Meng Yao swallowed, his hands trembling slightly. Outside of the anger about Nie Huaisang being a runaway heir, and the frantic fear and exhaustion during their fight with the saber spirits, that was the most emotional Nie Huaisang had seen him. It must have been something difficult he hid.

"I... I am Meng Yao, the bastard son of Jin Guangshan. All I want is to belong to my family, to be acknowledged."

Oh.

Oooh.

Yeah. That's a difficult secret for sure.

Nie Huaisang squinted. He couldn't see it. Meng Yao was obviously prettier and much, much better than that walking bag of STDs.

Meng Yao didn't belong to Lanling. He should go to the Unclean Realm with them.

But before he could say anything that would most likely lead to an argument, Nie Mingjue nodded. "It won’t be easy. But as you have proven yourself, helped Nie Huaisang and the Nie Clan, I will help you.”

Meng Yao's eyes widened with hope. "Thank you, Clan Leader Nie. I will do anything to prove my worth.”

Nie Mingjue sighed, "We will help you. You’ve earned that much."

It hurt Nie Huaisang - but there was nothing he could do. Meng Yao wanted his family, to be recognized. He could do nothing against his wishes. His companion would never forgive him. So, following his brother, he sent a shaky smile towards Meng Yao.

“But if you need anything else, just let me know, okay? I know the Jins are rich, and everything, but don't forget me, okay? If there's anything I can do to help you, just reach out to me,” Nie Huaisang added.

Meng Yao nodded hesitantly, then followed Nie Mingjue. As Nie Zonghui always had Nie Huaisang's saber with him, he could travel alone, but Meng Yao had to ride with Nie Mingjue. Nie Huaisang didn't feel resentful about it. Nope. He did not want to take care of Meng Yao, he did not wish his cultivation was better than what it was so he could be trusted with carrying someone else with him. No. Of course not.

The group of Nie cultivators moved swiftly through the air, their destination: Lanling. But first, they had to find a safer place to camp, so the two dead-tired young men could rest.

Next

[wangxianficfinder]

Daemons / Sentient Sword

~*~

🧡 Song of Suibian and Bichen: Or, the Greatest (And Only) Furby Master of Demonic Cultivation by moonwaif (T, 64k, WangXian, Fix-It of Sorts, canon adjacent, The spiritual weapons are furbies, Angst with a Happy Ending, The parent trap but make it WangXian with furbies, Mutual Pining, Taking my favorite parts of every adaptation and smashing them together)

🧡 like speaking to my heart by SnowshadowAO3 (T, 613k, WangXian, Canon Divergence, Daemons, Slow Burn, Hurt/Comfort, Angst with a Happy Ending, Canonical Character Death, Some people live!, additional warnings in specific chapters, if you don't know what daemons are that's ok because I explain it in the author's note, also by slow burn I VERY much mean slow burn)

The Grandmaster of Daemonic Cultivation by CaptainJojo (E, 104k, WangXian, ChengQing, XuanLi, Daemons, Everyone Lives/Nobody Dies, a lil bit of sexy in later chapters, Wangxian figures it out quicker, gratuitous bending of the rules of cultivation, Angst and Fluff and Smut, Angst with a Happy Ending, Metaphysical Sex, Daemon Touching, Canon Divergence, Eventual Happy Ending)

a shattering of souls by coffee_and_cardamom (M, 42k, WangXian, Canon Divergence, Canon Compliant, Pre-Canon, Post-Canon, Canon Rewrite, Canon Temporary Character Death, Major Character Undeath, Angst with a Happy Ending, Heavy Angst, Comfort/Angst, Blood and Gore, Hurt/Comfort, Mildly Dubious Consent, Dubious Consent Due To Identity Issues, WWX in WWX's Body, YLLZ WWX, Oblivious WWX, BAMF WWX, POV LWJ, Protective LWJ, LWJ Character Study, Daemon Touching, Daemon Separation, Daemon Feels, Everyone Needs A Hug)

The Grand Master of Daemonic Cultivation by FayJay (G, 3k, wangxian, daemons au)

Kind of Evil by nirejseki (G, 1k, canon divergence, sentient swords, sentient sabers, BAMFs)

Crowded by nirejseki (G, 1k, NHS & WWX, wangxian, LWJ/NHS/WWX, canon divergence, different body offering ritual, atypical relationship dynamics, sentient sabers)

Close by nirejseki (Not rated, 11k, NMJ & Baxia, NMJ & NHS, body swap, sentient sabers)

Ch 25 & 33 of The Tales of Despereaux by stiltonbasket (T, 39k, wangxian, canon divergence, WWX summoned by QS, additional warnings in author's note when applicable)

the world passes by but for me there is only you by beeswaxing (E, 82k, wangxian, canon divergence, fix-it of sorts, accidental marriage, love confessions, first kiss, first time, horny teenagers, pining, fluff, everyone lives au, wedding night, emotional sex, golden core reveal) this one has sentient swords

Chenqing and Wangji Takes Matters Into Their Own Hands by HelloKitten (Not rated, 11k, wangxian, Bichen/Chenqin, fix-it of sorts, glimpse of future, time travel?)

If You Give a Cultivator a Daemon Series by ushauz (T, 23k, WangXian, XianNing, JC & WWX, Daemons, Yunmeng Bros Reconciliation, Polyamory Negotiations)

@zeldacw seems to be this fandom’s originator of the Anthromorphic Weapons trope; those comics can be found under the tag 忘情隨塵 (WangQingSuiChen) and post on her Tumblr and on her Twitter @/zeldacw; inspired Kindred Spirits by EstelweNadia (Not Rated, 2k, WIP, Bìchén/Suíbiàn, Chénqíng/Wangji, Humor, Angst, Eventual Romance, Drama, Slow Build, Slow Burn)

Spiritual Weapons Have Feelings Too Series by meicairoubingfan (kiradyn) (T, 10k, Suíbiàn/Chénqíng, Anthropomorphic Spiritual Weapons, Pining, Weapons As People, Angst, Separation, Grief/Mourning, Loss, Romantic Relationships Between Weapons, But Also Platonic Relationships, Brotherhood, commiserating, Reminiscing, Good Guy JC, Good Brother JC, Established Relationship, Between A Sword And A Flute, Canon Compliant, Foreshadowing of Bichen x Suibian, Foreshadowing Of Wangji x Chenqing)

A somewhat unconventional family by DamieMontclair (T, 1k, Bìchén/Suíbiàn, sentient sword spirits, sentient first class spiritual tools, Little bit of angst, Recovery, Getting Together, Fluff, and dare I say...., Domestic Fluff) crackfic where the weapon and instrument spirits are a family in their own right

~*~

[leatherbookmark]

Thinking, and like. all previous nie sect leaders qi deviated to death, because that's how the saber cultivation worked: it gradually fucked up their qi and tempers on top of that. and jgy playing the song of turmoil didn't cause nmj's death, it just sped it up. so... what if that's what happened with wrh and nmj's father?

the facts we have (from chapter 49):

wrh called nmj's father, said his saber was quite cool indeed, patted it a couple of times and that was it.

after nmj's father went back, he Was Not Pleased, rather annoyed that wrh called him just for a second then sent him back.

however, nothing was "out of the ordinary".

during a night hunt, his saber suddenly shattered, and in result, he couldn't defend himself against the beast who then injured him heavily.

after nmj took him back to the unclean realm, he couldn't accept this/couldn't get over it/怎么也咽不下这口气/腹に据えかね、悔しさに満ちていた (he was full of anger and frustration)

and his wounds didn't heal.

half a year later, he passed away. "it wasn't clear whether the cause was rage or illness".

later, when wrh and nmj fight, there's this neat little sentence:

愤怒使他陡然之间力大无穷, or, 湧き上げる憤怒が一瞬にして彼に限りなき力を与えた (rage welled up in his chest and immediately gave him a surge of unlimited boundless power)

i don't know much about how powers work in xianxia novels, let alone xianxia-based webnovels, but this sounds to me a bit like the qinghe nie cultivation method kind of uh, fucking sucked.

saber cultivation requires resentful energy of beasts and monsters.

the blade requires more strength and an aggressive fighting style than a regular "honest" sword.

unfortunately, in the process, the sabers start demanding more sacrifice, more anger and more blood -- this is why after their owners' deaths, they still need to be contained.

the more one uses such a saber, the more their qi and temper gets out of control.

it's like an ouroboros. the saber needs 😡 to work. but using saber makes one 😡 as well. both the saber and the user get more powerful thanks to 😡, but by getting more 😡, they get more 😡 (<-- this is not good).

idk, again, i don't know shit, but this looks like demonic cultivation... with one's own self... while alive? 😬

another two things, from chapters 49 and 50: one, nmj doesn't seem to notice that anything is out of order with his behaviour; when lxc points out his mind is in turmoil, he says "no it's not, i know what i'm doing". two: nmj still "hasn't told nhs about the saber spirit". it could mean "about the fact that sabers fuck you up, yknow, that it's a thing", or "that baxia's saber spirit in particular is being rowdy", but if nhs knew about the saber spirits being a thing, he would've done the math, i think. so, i think it's safe to assume that nhs did not know about the saber illness.

i'm talking about this because... they just don't know, huh. nmj's father must have been at least thirtysomething when he died, which means that a, even without a war going on, he's practiced rageloop turbo 3000 for more than half of his life and that probably shows, and b, his sons haven't seen his calmer, non-saberbrained self, because he must have been like 20 when he had them. the nie are just fiery-tempered! the sabers like a fiery-tempered warrior. which, okay, but could nmj tell that his father was, over the years, steadily getting quicker to anger? he has more duties, and besides, having wrh for a neighbour is stressing... no, he couldn't.

and wrh is power-thirsty and unstable, but also clever. he did work it out that the nie cultivators are strictly bonded with their sabers, so like a cat pushing something off the table, he couldn't help himself. he literally patted the blade a couple of times -- i'm assuming it wasn't just that, and that he infused his touch with something -- but it was enough to send this bond spiralling, enough for the saber to shatter. was the beast nmj's father was fighting so strong that its horn stopped his body's regeneration abilities? or was it the damage done to the saber that fucked up his qi and his body's regeneration abilities? LOTS TO THINK ABOUT.

again, my problem is that i don't really know how it all works -- but iirc, while jc doesn't have his sword, he's able to use zidian just fine, meaning that a proper, righteous cultivator's qi isn't tied to their sword. the nie cultivation seems to me like one big clan of people with targets carefully painted on their backs, of time bombs about to explode. there's no way out of this one!

and also like. something something, jgy trying to rise from his place as a sex worker's son -- he can't do it like a normal, high-born cultivator, so he has to use means other deem undignified, cheating, unfair. something something the nie sect founder trying to rise from his place as a butcher... i'm not saying they're the same, jgy honorary nie etc, but -- if you have no resources, then even if you somehow get them... jgy is paranoid, he feels he can't fully trust even the man he considers his closest friend, he's trapped in the way he's perceived by the society. meanwhile, the nie clan is trapped in their own way of cultivation that they can't abandon because you don't just abandon the way of your ancestors, even if you're literally cultivating yourself to death.

cool!!!

anyway

nmj 🤝 nhs : losing yourself in rage and revenge on the person that murdered your family member, except that family member would have died either way, except you realized way way wayyyyy too late, and by the time the murderer is dead you don;t really have anything to be happy about

[livingmeatloaf]

Fic Files Ask Game

Tagging myself via @durinsheir, because this sounds super fun!

RULES: post the names of the files in your WIP folder, regardless of how non-descriptive or ridiculous. let people send you an ask with the title that most intrigue them, and then post a little snippet or tell them something about it! tag as many people as you have WIPs.

Feel free to ask about any of these! ✨ (sparkle emoji) means it's one of my active WIPs, of which I must finish one before I can seriously work on a new story. Some of these have more info in them than others.

-----

First, my MXTX wips. These get no explanations lol, if you're curious then ask away!

✨PT 1 and you will make it with your own hands (MDZS PR AU)

✨A Serpent Among the Lotus

✨Idea pit for BPSYAU

✨Jin Zixuan-Jiang Cheng childhood friends to lovers

✨Moshangliubingshen Hypothermia

✨rare pair week 2023

✨Royal Consort Liu Qingge

✨WWX dog Therapy- Taking the Bite Out of the Bark

3some bodyswap bingqiuhua

A mouth full of glass - Meng Yao - Your Own Hands aside

Baxia Symbiote Modern AU

Bingqiu size difference

BPSYAU 18- compilation

CCS SVSSS AU

Cultivation Beach: Surf and Turf War, the Musical Extravaganza

Deaged SQH and LBH

Disaster Detective - MDZS AU

Emotional spelunking

Emperor AU - MY and NMJ meet on the battlefield

Fairy's Tiktok Account - JL/LJY

fic idea - demon poisons

Heavenly Demons Symbiote AU

Hollowed, But Unbroken - coreless JC AU

LBH vs The System

Liu Qingge fucking all the peak lords

Modern SVSSS but wifeplots real

Moshang wax play

Moshangliu Lesbians

RCLQ smut drafts

Recovery - post Your Own Hands tragedy trio fic

Sad Bingge

Self-Defense - Emperor AU (Pudding)

Shang Qinghua Gets His Harem

Shen Jiu transmigrates into MDZS

swordfucking for Kai

Take Love By the Reins

The Cultivator And The Snake

UILF: modern AU uncle romance - TLJ/LQR

WWX Dog Therapy - prequel

And the three non-MXTX wips that have even a chance of being worked on again lol

Cattlevania - Castlevania, American Western AU

Inuyasha: A Suburban Fairytale - Inuyasha, modern HOA AU

Purposeful Disobedience - Yin-Yang Master - Yin-Yang Master: Dream of Eternity, missing scene/post-canon

Feel free to tag yourself if this sounds fun for you! I won't tag anyone specifically.

[3cosmicfrogs]

Tagged by @erisenyo for the nine people I'd like to get to know better game! TY for the tag!

Last Song: Neon by Electric Callboy

Favourite Colour: i love a magenta. maybe even a cheeky baby pink.

Last Movie/TV show: Scavengers Reign

Sweet/Spicy/Savoury: spicy!

Relationship Status: Making up my mind whether I'm actually attracted to women or not (its taking up a lot of processing power on my Relationship server). Single. Transgender bears in my area please contact me.

Last thing i googled (not work related): "tsam demon mask mongolian" - design inspirations for a certain Lady With Teeth. check it out, they look really cool!

last work related thing i googled was "pairwise LD sliding window heatmap plot code R" because the first chapter (if not all of) my PhD thesis is about population genetic structure of a parasite species

Current obsession: human baxia character design. she is On. The. Mind! beautiful unhinged lady full of Teeth. also Esen (screaming wailing).

Last Book: August Kitko And The Mechas From Space (currently reading)

Looking forward to: the weekend oh my god i love my job but i am exhausted. also Fasnacht is soon in Basel and im very excited bc ive never been before! its super intense here!

not tagging anyone in particular because this sat in my drafts for 479304 days and i FORGOT to post it. This was written on friday btw and i have since verily enjoyed my weekend.

Tagged by @twin-azure-dragon-wave for the nine people I'd like to get to know better game!

Last Song: Bad Idea by GUNNAR

Favorite Color: Been seeing a lot of posts lately making a compelling case for dark green

Last Movie/TV Show: Shark Tank!

Sweet/Spicey/Savory: Currently on the savory train! Give me that umami

Relationship Status: Eyeing how many good recent pics I have for that dating app

Last thing I googled: Calories in dry cat food - the little dude is apparently a bit of a chonk but "224 kcal per day" is uh, less than helpful when the catfood bag provides "cups" as the only unit

Current obsession: Time travel/loops

Last book: Crushed Ice by Ashlyn Kane and Morgan James

Looking forward to: The Fandom Trumps Hate (@fandomtrumpshate - go check it out!) charity auction and getting prompts from my (to be determined) high bidder and bidding on some of the amazing offerings!!

Tagging @missmists @3cosmicfrogs @outpastthemoat @thetruthof @demondarakna @mafaldinablabla @callmesinpai @tofu-pofu @bearsandbeansart - and anyone else who wants to play!

[acequinz]

Listen I hate the JFM and YZY but also I genuinely don't think Wei Wuxian would have in some way done better than he did in any other sect than he did in the Jiang sect.

This is not a count of emotions but I think even if he joined any other sect, he would have chosen to still defend the wen refugees and faced similar if not the same push from the other sects.

The fact that even Lan Wangji could not openly support WWX during it means, it's very likely that WWX would have still not received any support from the Lan sect as a whole, at worst he would have to defect or go into seclusion as punishment. And if he still is using demonic cultivation they will definitely reject him because the rules forbid it or whatever

By the end of sunshot NMJ was not good and he even got violent with NHS, so if WWX tries to still defend the Wens there's absolutely no way NMJ is forgiving that. Maybe might even try to kill WWX himself out of the Baxia enhanced rage because no one hated the wens like him.

Then come the Jins, Jin Guangshan wouldn't even be kind to his own son, so if he can't control Wei Wuxian, he would push the same maybe even more severe crimes onto him and have him executed unless of course JGY is able to come up with some scheme or convince WWX to buckle, which is both unlikely and almost impossible.

So yeah, Wei Wuxian is fucked because he would never conform to the unspoken unkind rules of the cultivation world.

(All these are of course still considering that WWX becomes a war hero, if he doesn't it's even more easier to immediately execute him with minor offences or as a secret wrh supporter or whatever )

[aki-draws-things]

NaNoWriMo #03

That was supposed to be angstier, and yet... Oh, well... there’s a whole month for me to write some real good angst. (Any comment or idea for future parts is so very welcome, that goes without saying. I may be really slow, and stray from prompts, But you’re gonna have my endless love. Even Though most this month prompts are on Mingjue and Zonghui.... and I’m not sure many people ship them...)  aaaaahhh anyway! Day: 03/11/2020

Prompt: Ritual Sacrifice

Ship: None

Word Count:  2234

Qinghe was a cursed realm, every other sect always said that and despite loving it even the Nie sect living there had to agree. 

Every region had their own legends made to scare misbehaving children. “If you don't go to bed, the wood spirit will take you.” “Eat everything or the howling demon will come for you at night.”, for some reason it always worked up until a certain, varying age. Then one day those children would learn that the spirits and the demons didn't go after misbehaving children, but after everyone they crossed their path with. “be careful when walking at night.”, their parents' words turned into, instead of the little stories to scare them. The Qinghe children never fell for any of those stories, not even the scariest, most gruesome, other children would tell. But they had some stories of their own. 

“there are demons living in the mountain.” Nie HuaiSang said one night in Gusu, his two friends listening close to his story. “Sometimes they get hungry, other times they get angry at the heaven's for having been banished there and they walk down into the woods and into villages.”

“And they take the first born!” Wei WuXian ended, like he knew the story already, well, that was how most legends went after all, but Nie HuaiSang scoffed. 

“No. They roam and roam. They destroy and, yes, they kill. So the Elders choose someone pure and just, and this person gets sacrificed to the demons. It is said, - He lowered his voice just a bit. - that this will grant that person's soul immortality because of their selfless sacrifice. I don't really believe that, but the demons leave after the sacrifice, their thirst for blood satisfied.”

Jiang Cheng frowned. 

“It doesn't sound like a story…”

“Because it's not.” Nie HuaiSang said. “Qinghe is guarded by demons.”

In truth Qinghe wasn't cursed, not in the proper meaning of the term. The unclean realm was a fortress built as a last defense, circled by mountains and distant from the rivers, the first place most demons would encounter when they descended, and the Nie sect had, for many years, perhaps even centuries, protected the region, all the little villages and the civilians. It was an honor, the elders said, to be born in that family.

“Honor?” HuaiSang asked. “If there's something cursed in Qinghe that's our blood.” And in truth his older brother couldn't help but agree. It was almost like they were personally connected to those demons. Nie members never lived long. But they've never been sacrificed either, bad luck, Elders said, to rob them all of their best protection. At least they were safe from that fate. 

Or so they thought. 

The demons were led by a woman. Everyone knew that but not many had ever seen her, she left the mountains less times than the rest, older and more used to surviving the blood lust the others experienced. 

She was scary, hideous even. Like any demon. She walked among men many more times than people thought, able to change and look like them, she even let some of them try to court her for a day before disappearing. She didn't like to deceive them and, much to the other demons' surprise, she even grew fond of the people of Qinghe. 

That didn't stop the call for blood, she still was a demon, a beast. Human souls was what kept them alive, and she liked that life. 

“Xiao Nie.” A voice greeted Nie MingJue, coming from the air around him, he was sitting cross-legged in the middle of his chamber, busy in  meditation. 

“Mysterious voice.” He greeted back, the tiniest smile appearing on his face. “Coming to haunt my meditation hour again?”

The voice laughed and didn't answer him. 

“Well, since you're here, - MingJue said again. - you could be helpful. That song you sang last time. It was really calming for my mind, would you mind if I asked you to sing it again?”

And she sang. 

It wasn't a language Nie MingJue was familiar with, foreign and yet calming, he couldn't make out the words, nor try to learn them, but the voice was now a constant in his evening meditation, and for some reason he couldn't explain, Nie MingJue trusted that stranger's voice, he had for years by then. Every night she talked to him, she sang and she taught him, she guided him through meditation. 

“We'll meet soon, Xiao Nie.” She whispered that night when he finally fell asleep. 

Nie MingJue never talked to anyone about that voice, part of him was convinced it was a trick of his mind, the sickness getting hold of his family's mind, maybe that was the beginning. He was still too young to die of qi deviation, despite having had some before, but maybe he was starting to grow sick too. 

One night the demons came down. From the mountains, converged silently as ever in the streets of the unclean realm, people shut the doors and windows, they hid in the safety of their homes and prayed. 

A demon walked forward in the courtyard and everyone bowed more or less gracefully. 

“In one week from now I will return. - Her voice was like melted metal. - bring your sacrifice to the altar and you all will be safe.” Then she turned and the crowd of demons opened to let her pass before following. 

No one noticed how Nie MingJue's eyes went wide as she spoke. The familiarity of the sound merging with the voice singing to him. She was a demon, he reminded himself, she can use any voice she wishes, maybe everyone hears a different voice, someone they like or find comforting… Maybe--

“You will have to meditate without me for this week, Xiao Nie.”

He gasped and attracted the attention of the elders and his younger brother. 

“Da-ge?”

“Sect Leader is everything…”

“Yes.” He cut them short. “Do what you need to do.” He turned and retreated to his chamber. 

Despite the warning he waited for the now familiar company but she didn’t come. Nor she did the following day, or the one after, just like the demon said.

It was strange. Him, Nie MingJue, born and raised in the Unclean Realm, in a Sect that gave sweat and blood to keep the world safe from demons, he who now was leading said sect, he was wishing to hear that voice in his head. A demon’s voice!

“She had been kind to me.” He would try to justify himself. “She never harmed me in any way. She even guided me through meditation.” He said aloud once more, just to himself. “Even Baxia is quiet with her.” So she can’t be too evil, or his Saber would make sure he knows.

Meditation was leading nowhere during that silent week Nie MingJue realized, he got so used to her presence and her voice that the silence was even more distracting, there was no point in trying.

“After this week everything will be back to normal.”

He wondered for a moment if it would actually be, or if knowing would make meditation different. “She’s not evil. I feel it.”

He would ask for her name, next time, so that he could properly greet her. One leader to another.

“It’s the obvious decision.”

“But… He’s a Nie.”

“He’s useless. The Sect will be much better without him.”

“The Sect Leader will oppose.”

“Ah! Let him talk, that child. He acts all big and strong and what he is in truth? An overgrown boy.”

“He still has the final word.”

“Oh, but don’t worry about that, he will understand our reasons. More and quicker than you.”

“But…”

“Sect Leader Nie. It’s time.”

The Elders gathered in the council room, before them Nie MingJue sat behind a desk, Nie HuaiSang stood by his side, anxiously shifting from one foot to the other. Everything would end in a couple of hours and for at least six months Qinghe would be able to forget the demons and their blood sacrifices, families will sigh in relief and him and His brother would pay a visit to the family of the chose sacrifice. Then everything back to normal. Why did he feel so anxious then? What was that fear crawling in his chest and wrapping cold fingers around his heart? He swallowed.

“So? - Nie MingJue asked. - Who is the one?”

The Elders spokesman lifted a hand without speaking, his finger pointed straight at Nie HuaiSang.

“Wh— What?” He managed to whisper, mouth suddenly dry. Nie MingJue looked back and forth between his paling little brother and the Elders wondering when they all went insane.

“I thought the rules forbid a Member of the family to be given in sacrifice.”

“There are certain… reasons that would make the rules bend. - The man explained and he almost sounded valid, except he was too mechanic not to have studied beforehand those very words. - The Queen herself came here, we can’t simply offerer a farm girl or a young boy. We need something more.”

“Then find something more.” Nie MingJue growled, two soldiers moved to grab HuaiSang but immediately stilled as Baxia flew from her sheath in front of them, trembling in rage.

“Sect leader, you must understand.”

“Find your more. And I’ll find a way to stop this blood madness.” “I will talk to her, she will listen, I can find a way that will suit both, I… I’m turning my back to the rules of my family…”

“There is no more time. He’s the best candidate, whether you like it or not, Young Master. He’s no use to the Sect anyway.”

“Da-ge!” Hands grabbed Nie Huaisang’s arms and dragged him out of the room to get ready. Soon Nie MingJue was left alone. His brother, his only little brother sentenced to death and he could do nothing to avoid it.

Or… No, maybe he could.

He didn’t have much time before the sacrifice ceremony start, but he had enough.

Dismissing the usual robes to the ceremony ones was fast, finding the golden jewels he had laying around a little slower, he never wore them much. Making the braids, that took him way longer than expected, but in the end the result wasn't as bad as he feared, white and gold beads shone under the lights of the candle, barely a shadow of golden make up over his eyes. HuaiSang would complain that his style was too plain, that he needed more colors and details, something red perhaps. But HuaiSang wasn’t there. He threw a cape and covered his head with a hood before leaving the room without turning back. Baxia rattled for a moment in her sheath then went still, he trained her well, Nie MingJue thought, she understood. He asked for her forgiveness, but her voice was silent.

The demon’s Queen was clothed in  gold and red, standing above the silvery white altar and waiting, far more patient and calm than all the other demons and spirits.

“Bring him forth.” Nie HuaiSang almost tripped as strong arms dragged him toward the altar, tears streaming down his face; that shouldn’t happen, he was a Nie, He should have been safe, he—

“Stop!” Nie MingJue’s voice ringed through the crowd, he walked ahead, he tried to look fearless, glad that they couldn’t hear his heart hammer fast against his ribcage. “I will go. I will do it.” He turned to look at the Elders, daring them to stop him, they wouldn’t, he knew it, they couldn’t risk of being accused to go against their Sect leader, no matter how young he was.

“You can’t! Da-ge, you ca—” HuaiSang ran to him grabbed his robes and pulled at them weakly. “You can’t. I… I don’t know what to do…”

“Oh, but you know, HuaiSang. - He said smiling. - You’re far better than what they all think, you’re strong and capable. And you’re going to be a great leader for Qinghe. Listened to them, and then ignore their words because you know better.” He pushed him back lightly. “You have it in your blood as a Nie, you will know what to do. When it’s time, it will be clear.”

He kneel on the altar and let the outer robe fall on the ground, looking up and meeting the demon’s eyes, she looked almost surprised, definitely intrigued by that change. Maybe a little saddened too, or perhaps it was the candle light giving MingJue that idea. Why should she look sad?

“Would you mind if I ask you something?” She unsheathed the silver dagger and teared open the robe in a swift movement, the blade briefly tangling with a golden necklace. “Your name. - Nie MingJue continued, unfazed by the weapon and by his fate. - I was going to ask the next time but there won’t be a next, so…”

She leaned closer, pure white hair falling to cover her face, she hummed a song Nie MingJue heard many times over the years during meditation, but for the first time he understood a couple of words. “Oh, Sweet soul of mine.” The dagger went through his heart and he gasped , blood trickling down from his lips on the altar, he felt himself fading, his brother’s voice broken as he called him, and then… then he heard her, and it was like he had always known.

“Baxia.”

[therinde-dreams]

How big IS Bichen, really? Bonus: Baxia

tl;dr Bichen is LUDICROUSLY huge, probably something to the tune of 5.5kg/12lb and towards the upper end of 1.6m/5′3 to 1.83m/6′0 - taller than MXY!WWX. Baxia would be something to the tune of 79cm/31″, but could plausibly be larger.

So Bichen is explicitly stated to:

1) Be carried on LWJ’s back (Novel, Chapter 14)

2) Be too heavy for non-cultivators to wield (Novel, Chapter 7)

On sword weight, generally:

Importantly: it is too heavy for a non-cultivator to wield, not pick up.

Because wield vs pick up are two very different definitions. I can pick up a 1.4kg/3.1lb German messer sword with no problem. Can I wield that thing? Not one-handed like it was meant to be, with my scrawny arms.

The upper end of usable weight for a regular human sword or polearm is around the 4.5kg/10lb mark, and I am pretty sure that's really only wield-able by someone who's already in decent shape, trained, and using it with both hands. 

It doesn't sound like much, but imagine swinging that much weight from one end of a 6ft/1.83m long barbell - since most of these weapons were 6ft /1.83m or longer - repeatedly, with enough agility and speed to not die in combat. Or better still - holding it above your head for a couple of minutes in a ready/guarding position.

Heavier swords and polearms did exist - for ceremonial purposes. They're deliberately designed to be ungodly huge and impressive, not for practical, combat use.

A sword that's too heavy for a non-cultivator to wield could just be something that's like, 5.5kg/12lb. Too heavy for them to pick up would be... look I'm scrawny as hell, I’m not athletic and I have joint problems, but using both hands, I can pick up at least 16kg/35lb no problem, probably north of that if I tried.

For a sword to be heavier than what an active non-cultivator can even pick up, so we’re talking north of 20kg/44lb, it would have to be made of depleted uranium along with whatever xianxia magic is going on with the sword. But too heavy for a non-cultivator to wield is entirely reasonable.

On cultivator swords:

I figure most cultivators would wield swords that are at the larger end of sensible to begin with, a little longer and heavier than they should be for the double-edged jian they’re shown using (extra cutting/penetration power in their favour! And they have the strength to negate the extra weight making it less agile and more tiring!). Say, 80cm/31″ and 0.9kg/2lb, for the average cultivator. 

This would be well within “strap it to your hip and call it a day” length - and frankly strapping it to your back is not a great idea unless you absolutely cannot find a better way to carry that kind of size and you’re sure you don’t need it quickly, because there’s - not really a good way to unsheathe it as quickly if you do. Frankly I don’t think this was really done historically unless you were like, transporting gear, and didn’t expect to be attacked at that moment - even the famous giant-ass Zwëihanders weren’t back-strapped into battle situations.

On  Bichen specifically:

Now consider how big a sword it has to be that LWJ, 1.88m/6′2 tree, goes “... nope, I can’t possibly hip-strap this” and straps it to his back.

Supposedly, irl jian got up to 1.6m/5'3, though this wasn’t very common. The average height of a Chinese man born in 1810 - the earliest date with data - is 1.66m/5'5, and this stayed pretty consistent for a long time, which means the 1.6m/5'3 jian was most likely constructed with a roughly 1.66m/5'5 wielder in mind.

So according to the historical record, LWJ could wield a 1.6m/5′3 sword and be within the bounds of what was done historically.

Or, if he got it when he was at or nearing adult height, our boi could decide to leverage his probable future height and strength into wielding an obnoxiously huge sword for maximum possible reach and stopping power. 

Bluntly - Bichen could easily be 1.83m/6′0 and still make complete sense from a historical perspective - an exceptionally large sword made for an exceptionally tall and physically powerful individual.

And from a weight perspective? Let’s compare a hypothetical 1.83m/6′0, 5.5kg/12lb double-edged jian to a cousin, size-wise:

The Zwëihander, which ranged from between 1.4m-1.8m/4′7-5′11, and something to the tune of 2.5kg-4kg/5.5lb-8.8lb. Bichen would actually be heavier than its hypothetical German counterpart, which is saying something, because at those lengths the Zwëihanders have MASSIVE crossguards and are often intended to be half-sworded - you grabbed the blade about halfway up to better control the point and say, drive it into a joint in the armour.

I would compare it to the odachi, but 1) that’s a single-edged blade, and I don’t know enough to say if the weight will differ 2) I cannot find any solid info for how much a 1.8m long odachi would weigh. Claymores - yep, ditto. I can’t dig up info quickly enough.

tl;dr Bichen is probably 1.83m/6′0 and north of 5.5kg/12lb - it’s taller than MXY!WWX and weighs more than a small dog. No wonder he has to back-strap it.

Now, remember that incense burner scene? Yeah, now remember that Bichen is quite likely as tall as WWX is.

---

Bonus: Baxia!

On a side note, the art of Baxia in the MDZS official artbook looks like it's based off the 大刀 da dao, lit. Big Saber. Yes, very creative naming. The da dao is also surprisingly short, going off the specimen in the British Imperial War Museum which is a grand total of 79cm/31″, but given that these are 1) cultivators 2) NMJ 'actual ox' rather than relatively short interwar-period Chinese (when this originated), just like... add 15cm/6″ or something to the length I guess if you want.

[scrivenger-grimgar]

In other news, since nie mingjue fucking died, I think I should have free range over him.

Nie Lou, courtesy Mingjue. Dies. His spiritual cognition is separated from his body, he becomes a ghost (tgcf-like).

Now I will say Gui Lì has absolutely been watching him for a while. This is the baby cultivator he saved from a demon when on a trip with his father. The father who chose to investigate the reports of brothel workers going missing in Lanling territory rather than just ignoring them. The brothel that just so happens to be apart of Gui Lì’s spy network. Just because Gui Lì was going to solve the problem doesn’t mean he can’t appreciate cultivators actually doing their job.

When Mingjue is killed, it’s Baxia that possesses his body, cause she’s ridiculously possessive and angry that someone killed her master.

Gui Lì intervenes before Mingjue can even think of going anywhere near another cultivator to be cleansed, implying that he could stick around and become a guardian spirit to the Nie, cultivating as an Earth Spirit. He isn’t lying either, Mingjue already has a strong inclination towards earth qi, that only gets more powerful as he focuses on it.

And then he finds himself in the heavenly capital, and this poor-looking senior with the weimao who’s apparently the heavenly emperor is calling him Earth Master and some black haired guy with the gold earrings is thanking him for taking half his job, and hey wait when did Mingjue ascend, actually??

Yeah, Nie Mingjue becomes the earth master, taking the position from He Xuan who now only has to worry about being the Water Master as the punishment for hurting Shi Qingxuan when she had literally no idea what her brother even did. Not to mention that he’s still working off that debt.

All I’m saying is that if an author don’t want me to make ocs for their works and ship their characters with mine then maybe they shouldn’t publish their stories