#i get lwj so well and why he fell for wwx

[lavender-phoenix-flames]

Wei wuxian: the protagonist of all time

One of the many things I love about wei wuxian is that how great of a protagonist he is (quite a long post) :

Wei wuxian is introduced as a villian that gets resurrected but as the story progresses we see that he is actually a naturally heroic person, who did his best to do the right thing and survive the unfair, unjust and classist system.

He is very self aware, confident, charming, charismatic, handsome and competent. He has a very healthy self esteem, high emotional intelligence and he is a renowned genius, a prodigy. He is also amazingly observant, perceptive, a logic driven person, a quick thinker. He is so calculated in everything he does and reasonable too. He isn't impulsive or reckless rather he thinks all his actions through, considers the consequences and then takes action. He isn't oblivious either (anyone who thinks otherwise go read the book again).

Above mentioned traits are something you don't usually find in protagonists that often and it's refreshing to see a character so greatly skilled and intelligent in all ways yet so humble, sweet, kind, free spirited, full of life and selfless (selfless not self sacrificing). Usually any other character with his level of greatness would have been arrogant about it, but wwx is different. He has not only attempted the impossible but successfully achieved it, not once but multiple times, yet he knew his limits and shortcomings well, even when he was the strongest he never thought himself invincible/omnipotent, he never thought anyone above or below him.

He is so misunderstood both by the world he lives in and the fandom. Being orphaned at a young age, surviving living on the streets, being raised in a abusive household, scapegoated, backed into the farthest corner, having being into worst of situations, where his beliefs, his own life and life of his loved ones are threatened, having limited options where it is either forsake yourself or other innocent ones, he chooses the former. It isn't self sacrificial if he didn't have any other option, cuz other option is just betrayal of his self and morals.

And at the end he is just as human as any of us if not more. He has his flaws, his trauma, his sufferings, his dark days and moments where he wasn't himself but he never let it hold him back, dictate his life. He seeked revenge on those who wronged him, even in his darkest days he knew the limits of violence he can commit. Never regretted any of his actions, if he did he moved on quickly.

At the end there really isn't anyone like him, he isn't perfect but he is ideal, he is someone who we should learn from and strive to be. For me this is how an ideal protagonists should be, not only is he lovable, admirable, and deserving of immense respect, he is someone we can all be, it isn't impossible.

[acequinz]

Okay after a few more rounds of reading JC fics I am ready to choose my favourite JC ships.

1. SangCheng- JC is thriving and happy and retains his positive character while dealing with Huisang antics also he has enough space to be rough and tsundere without damage.

2. ChengYao- co parenting brought them closer or made them hate each other until they fell in love. I like when they fight for Jin Ling affection but then end up sharing affection with each other. Absolutely adorable!!! Not enough fics, I need more!!!!!

3. ChengNing- pain!!! Just pain!!! Also I have seen some interesting takes on their relationship before, again not enough fics for it. But I did like the few I read. This was also my first ship I came up with for JC because.

Notp for him.

1. XiCheng- not gonna lie I have always been a little iffy on it, since the first few fics I read where on twt for it and they didn't have tags so I got very upset by the end of it- HE WOULD NOT SAY OR DO THAT!

And sorry but after that barely any fic could make them work for me.

2. WangCheng- no serious reason I just don't think there's anyone but WWX for LWJ. I am fine with it if WWX is involved but even that doesn't exactly make me love it. I do get annoyed with it at times as well. Idk why...

Oh by the way this isn't a testament of skills of any shipper or fic writer. Just the way I vibe with ships. Not a personal attack either if anyone ships these ships.

I have just been having fun jumping around and shipping characters here and there and reading fics so I thought I would post about it.

[layzeal]

What are some of the things that are ace codesd abt wwx? I don’t hear much abt and and am curious!

HIII, okay so as always, "coded" isn't really the right word since it implies authorial intent, but i often use it anyway bc who cares it's my blog. just know i don't think wwx is actually canonically supposed to be demi, it's just a headcanon from silly ol' me!

i do have a #demi-wwx tag you can check if u'd like too hehe

now, what makes wwx come off as SO incredibly acespec/demisexual for me is his approach to... well, relationships in his first life. he's a flirt! he likes teasing people! he likes watching them blush! he likes getting a reaction! but as lwj questions him in the xuanwu cave about, it all seems like very much a game to him, something he does without actual intention, unaware of the torment he might be putting others (lwj) through

i often see people say that wwx didn't date or that wangxian didnt get together in his first life because "they had other things going on" and "there was no time", but that's not only innacurate to post-sunshot, it genuinely comes off to me as if wwx simply has no romantic or sexual interest in anyone at all. granted, he has an eye for pretty things and people, and is VERY vocal about whenever he finds others beautiful. lwj is a common target, but far from the only one!

basically, for as loud as flirty as he can be, we know that's never really genuine. there's no second-intentions or desire in his words (hell, he had even been saving first first kiss for twenty years!!), even when it comes to lwj. and the way we know it is by comparing it all to how he acts, thinks and feels after he's ACTUALLY experiencing attraction for the first time!

but what does have to do with him being demi? and what makes, in my mind, wwx so much more demi coded than lwj for example, whose entire romantic arc is only falling in love with one person?

well, that would be that despite the way it's been romanticized, demisexuality has nothing to do with "only falling in love once". devotion isn't acespec exclusive, choosing to love a single person in your life isn't acespec exclusive. demisexuality is simply a term to describe the specific conditions a relationship might need for an asexual person to experience attraction. those conditions? a strong emotional bond (which is why so many demi ppl are described as "only being able to fall in love with your best friend")

and to me, that's what sells wwx as demisexual the most. he's had so many friends, classmates, xiongdi, and all sorts of companions in his life, but none of them were particularly... emotionally fulfilling. other than perhaps shijie, who he saw more like a mother and sister, there was no one else who he could truly lean on and trust, open up, and be vulnerable with. for many people, that's not a barrier that gets in the way of developing romantic or sexual interest in someone at all, and that's great!! (we see it with lwj himself, who spent so many of his teenage years frustrated for liking wwx and had to slowly realize why that wasn't shameful or a bad thing. lwj's attraction not only came before there was any significant bond between them, it directly blocked it from forming earlier due to lwj's constant avoidance of wwx!)

but for demi people, and for wei wuxian, it is a barrier. it's almost comical just how fast and deeply wwx fell in love with lwj once he opened up to him. it is the most visible in wwx's second life, but i do find there are inklings here and there to it in his first, especially after wwx and lwj get to spend some pleasant time together (ie. post-phoenix mountain and post-yiling date with a-yuan)

but it really does become the most obvious after the yi city arc (drunkji 2 my belovedddd). by that point, their friendship and closeness was already solid, and wwx is already crushing HARD, but isn't quite aware of it yet. it isn't until post-jinlitai stab (and his flashback to his and lwj's youth, how they fell apart and how lwj was only ever worried for him) that he starts pondering if these feelings might be... more than just fondness. and boy do i eat it UUUUUP

it wasn't until wei wuxian got that reassurance of trust and closeness that his feelings truly started to develop. i genuinely cannot imagine a wei wuxian who falls in love with someone who he genuinely believes hates him, and it's actually something i believe stopped wwx from developing deep feelings for lwj in his first life. we know how much all his rejections and their disagreements hurt wwx, and in the back of his mind, he always thought lwj disapproved of him, maybe even disliked him. there was no trust, and it smothered any small, warm little inkling of romantic love from sparking into a flame

so when wwx finds himself with a lwj who is indulgent, who wants to be close, who protects him, comforts him, listens to him, and won't ever let him fall... well, you can't blame him for daydreaming about a calm farm life by his side, or being embarrassed for acting so shameless while still pretending to be mxy, or wishing from the bottom of his heart that even if lwj doesn't love him back, he'll still stay next to him

he only ever wanted lwj to be his friend, and now he's the closest and most intimate one he's ever had. and he treats him so well... all the barriers have fallen, how could wei wuxian not fall too?

(and i didnt rly get into it but this all applies to physical attraction as well! wwx behaves and sees lwj's beauty through two different lenses in his first and second life, and wwx himself noticed the difference from when he could see lwj's nakedness back then without batting an eye VS now. it's hilarious, endearing, and EXTREMELY relatable!!)

[llycaons]

‘wwx fell first lwj fell harder’ YESSSS so true thats how i always interpreted it too. and it fits so well in cql and is so good compared to the novel’s

WWX FELL FIRST LWJ FELL HARDER SCHOLARS!!!! TO ME!!!!!

literally that was exactly how I read it first watching the show. like, wwx def fell hard and lwj def fell pretty early, but in my mind lwj avoided his feelings for a while whereas wwx was almost immediately like 'oh I like him!!! I need him to be close to me in any way possible can we at least be friends please please please' and then everything afterwards just grew from that initial affection and attraction even tho a lot of lwj's behavior annoyed him early on he clearly had a very strong fondness for and interest in lwj even when lwj refused to reciprocate. MEANWHILE lwj thought he was hot and that distracted him all the time at school and he inches his way into genuinely liking wwx but most of the time it's big reality-shifting moments for him like (when he's watching wwx effortlessly lie to nhs) 'oh he's smart and can take things seriously' and then the classic lantern scene like 'OH I'M IN LOVE FOREVER'

I CAN actually see why people like the trajectory of the romance of the novel. I don't like it so much, because I think it's boring and overwrought and cliched and rushed, but the drama and tension and massive shift in perspective for them is itself a compelling storyline for a lot of people. but I'm going to be loyal to cql all the way, and I really like cql wwx knowing himself so welland wx knowing each other so well, and all that kept them apart beside general immaturity was all the war and death and violence and political circumstances. it adds a nail-biting restraint and simmering tension to every single one of their interactions, because if they both know how the other feels but chooses not to act on it because of the situation - well, isn't that something! and it's gratifying for both of them in the same way postcanon as well, rather than lwj getting what he wanted after pining for over a decade and wwx on day 5 of realizing he was in love

[stiricidewrites]

The Damage You Do: ch 26, pt 5

Previously

~

nhs’s subs knew what they were getting into, often coming from families distantly related to the groups—those who hadn’t fit the normal, mob life, or who had grown up in mob controlled areas. nhs also recruited from more common s*x workers, helping them get clean and offering them more profitable and sustainable—not to mention safer—work.

And therapy—nhs was big on getting his employees into therapy, never batting an eye if they chose to leave his employment as part of their treatment.

“The Sangsang I know,” lwj suddenly said, wondering if wwx had also been referring to nhs—which would potentially explain why the little bastard had suddenly disappeared on him, when they would know full well lwj should be in the market for a new sub—“is an extremely kind person. Even if I do not know what we are to each other, they are always willing to help me, and those important to me. They are, however, frustrating.”

wwx laughed slightly, although there was something strained in his voice. “Ah~ it’s good to have a kind acquaintance, even if they are frustrating. Ah… they? Is your kinda-sorta friend a girl or a boy?”

Oh, so that was it. The Sangsang wwx knew was almost certainly nhs, and wwx was poking around, trying to see how his dom felt about their gender.

“Neither,” lwj said, amusement buzzing through him when the other man visibly relaxed. “They consider themself something in between.”

“Oh~ I see, I see. I know someone like that as well. They often have problems getting people to respect their pronouns.” wwx nodded against the ground, and lwj’s mouth twitched at how absurd he looked, ass up and free with fingers inside it as they discussed gender politics.

It was cute and silly, and lwj had missed this sort of dynamic in his arrangements. So many of his subs had leaned into seriousness. Even those who nhs had assured him had a reputation for being fun often fell away into strained seriousness quite quickly. He was just too confident and intimidating, many of them had told nhs. Eventually, he had just given up on requesting fun subs. Subs who were naturally more serious and remained so, even under the oppression that apparently was his personality, were infinitely better than those who broke under it.

“My… kinda-sorta friend,” lwj said, repeating wwx’s word choice back to the man, “has had similar problems. The world we live in is not often friendly to people like us.”

“The gays, the queers and everyone in between?” wwx asked, voice soft and knowing and holding more than a little frustration. “People are just… difficult. And old school without a valid reason. Although! One of the people I know who is, like, almost accepting of Ni— my friend’s gender is actually pretty damn old. He’s a weirdo, though.” wwx’s finger’s idly tapped over the yoga mat, his ass wiggling in adorable thought.

“Oh?” lwj asked, curious about whom the other man could possibly be referring to. Granted, his sub could know more than one person who was genderqueer, but the small slip—the moment he had nearly said the person’s name—all but confirmed he was still thinking of nhs. As far as lwj knew, virtually everyone over a certain age in their world had found nhs’s gender difficult to accept. Had wwx been vaguer, he might have assumed he was referring to the Smoking Flower. However, his sub had said “He’s a weirdo”…

[factsilike]

@milfzun oof your tags🥺 I wanted to respond to them. I am so so sorry you went through such things in your life, no one should have to choose between their own comfort and sanity of mind over their family. I know a thing or two about complicated familial relationships myself, it seems to be almost a guarantee in most Asian families.

But regarding WWX's and JC's relationship, I don't think reconciliation is possible. I mean if it weren't for the fact that JFM had brought him into his clan and raised him and so WWX by necessity had to get along with him, WWX in another scenario (such as if his parents lived and he could afford a easy life or he was born as someone rich with status) would not become friends with JC, because he would have other options.

Their personalities are just too incompatible, and their moralities do not align. One of the major differences between them was highlighted when we saw how in the Xuanwu Turtle Cave, JC actively held WWX back from coming to Mian Mian's defence, seeing no reason to help her if it was to his own detriment. WWX on the other hand, wanted to help her simply because it was just and the right thing to do. They were not the same. And this major difference, as well as others continues to widen the rift between them throughout the novel until their relationship is torn apart completely.

As for WWX not having any support, I think it's beautiful that WWX gets to now choose his family in his second life. He had to make do with what relationships he was given in his first life, and of all of them only Jiang Yanli showed him unconditional love and support, and declared him her brother. But now he has LWJ, who can unconditionally love and support and protect him. (This is one of the reasons why I love that scene in the tree in Lotus Pier so much, when WWX looks down that tree and thinks back to the last time when he fell, in Jiang Yanli's arms, how she had loved him and cared for him but could not protect him. And this time, when he lets himself fall, he lands in the arms of someone who loves him and cares for him and is strong enough to stand by him and protect him. It's an important distinction, and I love it so much. MXTX, how smart you are!)

I got sidetracked, but essentially yes WWX has a different family now, LWJ and the juniors, and that's all right. They are enough. Oh, and sweet, good natured WN!

About how difficult it is to truly cut off familial ties, I absolutely agree, not everyone is able to do such a thing. But JC and WWX were never truly family, were they? They are not related by blood, and as I said, if given the choice, WWX would not choose to be friends with someone like JC. JC himself says WWX broke his promise to forever stay by his side, as in forever be his subordinate and be in servitude to him. That's not someone who thinks of you as family would say.

Also, what you said about WWX having power over JC now, how he now has control over their relationship....I couldn't help but think; is that truly a good relationship at all? Where you no longer trust the other person, and you might pretend that everything is normal, and that you still love them and want them in your life, because they used to mean a lot to you and you care for them and yet you always live on tenterhooks over how they might suddenly reset in their abusive ways and try to seize back control? Essentially, you no longer feel safe around them, and are always walking on eggshells afraid that one day they might hurt you again, because they've done it before?

I think that eventually, at least for WWX, he can forgive the pain, he can forgive the atrocities committed against him, he can forgive the betrayal, but he can never forget.

People like to imagine WWX and JC reconciling so easily...

As if WWX would ever forgive him for leading a bloodthirsty siege against the innocent people he gave up everything, even his life, to protect.

Also, WWX and JC at the core of their personalities are just too different. Their morals don't align, so a healthy brotherly relationship between them is just not possible, it never was. All they ever do in the novel is mostly disagree and fight. There were barely any pleasant or wholesome interactions between them.

It's for the best that they go their separate ways at the end of the novel, because literally the best thing JC ever did for WWX was leave him alone to live his (second) life.

WWX himself even clearly says who he wants-

"At the end, only Lan Wangji was the one left remaining by his side. How fortunate, then that Lan Wangji was also the only one he wanted by his side."

He does not want JC in his life anymore, nor does he have any room for him.

[robininthelabyrinth]

WWX doesn’t get there fast enough and LWJ gives in to the pressure to drink with Jin Zixun. LWJ gets drunk and WREAKS HAVOC on Koi tower.

ao3

Untamed verse

“I feel like we haven’t really had a chance to catch up,” Nie Mingjue said to Lan Xichen, who nodded. “A few stolen moments during war aren’t exactly the same.”

“They definitely are not,” Lan Xichen agreed, and lifted his wine in a salute to Nie Mingjue, who returned it at once. “You can’t possibly compare the chaos of the battlefield with the calm and sedate atmosphere of a discussion conference.”

Something very large and undoubtedly extremely expensive fell over with a gigantic crash.

They both took another sip of their wine instead of wincing.

“How is your uncle doing?” Nie Mingjue asked. “Well, I hope? I trust he’s on the way to recovery?”

“He’s doing better. The doctors say he’ll bear the marks the rest of his life, but – which of us won’t? But still, he’s much better.”

There was a great deal of shouting. Much of it sounded panicked.

A set of guards in Jin sect gold rushed by, swords drawn.

“I’m glad to hear it,” Nie Mingjue said. “He did an excellent job during the war. Didn’t he always say that he was a poor swordfighter?”

Lan Xichen smiled. “He taught both myself and Wangji the foundation of all we know. Did you really believe him?”

“Not really. Still, he seemed so certain…”

“Ah, that’s shufu for you. He compares himself to our father, I think, though I wish he wouldn’t.”

Nie Mingjue nodded knowledgably. He’d heard the story, the real story, as very few others had; he knew why Lan Xichen was not more proud of his father, with his supposed genius for cultivation and the sword. There was a reason he and his brother had been raised by their uncle, after all, and why their uncle was justly proud of what he had accomplished. Who did not know the reputation of the Twin Jades of Lan…?

“None of us can escape our pasts,” he said, then paused to refill their bowls as another loud crash sounded, this time accompanied by a series of yelps. “But we can move beyond them, I think. You must come to visit the Unclean Realm sometime soon.”

“And you the Cloud Recesses. There is a lot to rebuild, but we’ve made some progress –”

“He’s on the ceiling!” someone shouted. “Watch out!”

Nie Mingjue firmly disciplined his eyes and lips, which threatened to curve into a smile. “I’d like to hear about the progress you’ve made. I assume your Wall of Discipline is still intact, at least?”

“Oh yes,” Lan Xichen said. He was also trying his best to maintain a calm demeanor, but Nie Mingjue thought he could see bits of humor stealing out around the edges. “Stone doesn’t burn, after all, and I think even Wen Xu thought it a bit of a waste to use spiritual energy to try to destroy it…not that we wouldn’t have rebuilt that as well, of course. Our family rules are our foundation and our guide.”

“Mm, indeed. There’s so many important rules there.”

Lan Xichen blinked a few times to dispel the smile that threatened. “There certainly are. Are you thinking of any in particular?”

Another crash.

Several yells.

“Where did he even find chickens?!”

“No,” Nie Mingjue said, his shoulders starting to shake. “None come to mind…”

Lan Xichen broke first, putting his hand over his eyes.

“Not even,” he said drolly, “the one against consuming alcohol?”

That made Nie Mingjue crack in turn, throwing his head back and laughing.

“I see your brother suffers from the family curse,” he said cheerfully. “With any luck, it’s just the one about wine and not doomed love.”

“If we’re lucky, yes. And it’s not really a family curse –”

“Xichen, if I hadn’t taught you that alcohol-numbing trick, you’d be playing a serenade to the moon right now. And it’s the middle of the day.”

“…you have a slight point.” Lan Xichen smiled at him. “Only very slight.”

Nie Mingjue smiled back, and handed him another bowl of wine. “It’s a pity you’re too busy focusing on that very tricky spell to be able to go help corral him.”

“Why would I?” Lan Xichen asked unconcernedly. “Jin Zixun wanted him to drink, he drank, the rest of it is on his own head.”

“I would have thought you’d make an effort,” Nie Mingjue said, his own humor fading, “for Meng Yao’s sake, if nothing else.”

Lan Xichen studied him, then sighed. “I do wish you’d get along again,” he said. “You were such good friends…”

“That was then.”

“And now you’re brothers. Isn’t that worth something?”

Nie Mingjue huffed. “When he shows any sign of actually wanting to do the right thing, rather than the politically beneficial one, maybe,” he said acidly. “I’m trying, Xichen. Don’t push.”

“Very well, I won’t…anyway, haven’t you considered that maybe I’m not helping for a different reason than mere spite?”

“Oh?” Nie Mingjue tried to think of what it might be. “Distracting attention from Wei Wuxian? Or…to him?”

Lan Wangji had a pretty obvious thing for Wei Wuxian, and judging by the way the latter man was currently allowing Lan Wangji to cart him around like a rescued damsel in distress (while laughing his head off the entire time), it might not be entirely unrequited. Lan Xichen always had a bit of a romantic streak.

“No, that’s just a side benefit,” Lan Xichen said. “It’s much simpler than that.”

Something flashed by them at high speed – a blur of white robes, with a big black lump tossed over his shoulder like a bag of potatoes, while the bag himself was cheerfully blowing kisses at their pursuers and yelling helpful things like “Alas! I’d answer your questions but I’m being kidnapped!” and “I promise to write after we finish eloping!”

Moments later, dozens of gold-clad guards gave chase.

“Oh?” Nie Mingjue asked. His face hurt from smiling too hard. “What is it, then?”

Lan Xichen leaned forward confidentially, and Nie Mingjue leaned forward to catch his words.

“Even if I were to help,” he whispered, “I have no confidence in actually being able to stop him. And wouldn’t that be embarrassing?”

Nie Mingjue burst out laughing.

“Only shufu can stop him when he gets like this, and only sometimes. What hope do I have?”

“A very good point,” Nie Mingjue said. “Are you at least going to go keep your brother from getting married while he can’t remember what he’s doing?”

Lan Xichen gave a deep sigh. “Oh, I suppose so. By chance, I don’t suppose you’ve got a matchmaker handy…?”

“By chance, Huaisang knows how to do the calculations, and I’m a respected senior,” Nie Mingjue said. “Trying to lock them down before they have a chance to get out of it?”

“No, no. Just…making it clear that it’s an option, that’s all.”

[ninjakk]

When WWX met WN - Where LWJs jealousy for him stems from?

We know WWX met WN the day of the archery competition, during the Qishan Discussion Conference. This is the same day WWX saw LWJ again, after a year of pining for him - which I covered in a previous post here.

So, we can safely assume, judging from the fact WWX entered the arena just after he had seen LWJ, the scene below is set just prior to him being absolutely stunned at LWJ looking positively ravishing in the red uniform they were all wearing.

So let's dive straight into the scene where WWX meets WN.

Chapter 59

On that day, before the archery competition began, he was strolling around the Nightless City alone. As he strolled, he passed through a small garden and suddenly heard the sound of a bowstring vibrating from in front of him. Wei WuXian brushed through the leaves and branches. He saw a boy stand there, dressed in white, soft fabric. He drew a bow in the direction of a target before him and let go. The side of the boy’s face seemed to be quite handsome. His drawing posture was both standard and beautiful. On the target, feathered arrows had already thickly dotted the red center. This arrow had hit the center as well. None had been off the center. Wei WuXian exclaimed, “Bravo!” After the boy shot the arrow, he took out a new arrow from the quiver behind him. Head lowered; he was about to set it onto his bow as he suddenly heard an unfamiliar voice from toward the side. Surprised, his hands quivered and his arrow fell to the ground. Wei WuXian walked out from behind the garden, grinning, “Which of Wen Sect’s young masters are you? Well, well, beautiful, your shots are amazing. I haven’t seen anyone from your sect with such good…” Before he could finish, the boy had already disappeared, leaving behind him his bow and arrows. Wei WuXian was speechless. He felt his chin, Am I really so charming? So charming that I scared him away? He didn’t take the matter seriously either. He just thought that he saw something cool as he returned to the square.

This scene always brings a little smile to my face. WWX is so sweet and kind, he'll pay anyone a compliment if it is warranted. He loves to encourage people and he's actually very nurturing - which we see time and time again in later scenes with A-Yuan and the juniors.

It's quite a funny scene, with WN running away all flustered. Poor WWX, if men keep running away from him, he's going to get a complex! My favourite part of this scene is at the end when WWX thinks he's so charming that people just cannot bear it - it's just hilarious. Funnily enough, this is not what he thinks when LWJ does something similar in the not too distant future. This is because he's actually quite insecure about how LWJ sees him - after all, he's the object of his subconscious affections.

The competition was almost starting. Over on the Wen Sect’s side, there was much clamour. Wei WuXian asked Jiang Cheng, “How could they make such a fuss over their Discussion Conference? They have something going on every single day. What’s happening today?” Jiang Cheng, “What do you think? The spots are limited.They’re fighting over the people to let into the arena.” After a pause, he continued with disdain, “These Wen Sect’s… archery skills are the same level of bad. Wouldn't it be the same no matter who goes? What difference would be fighting over it make?” Wen Chao shouted from the side, “Another one! Another one, we’re still short one! The last one!” Amid the crowd beside him, the white-clothed boy was also there. Looking left and right, he finally raised his hand. But his hand wasn’t raised tall enough. He didn’t dare shout his name like the others did either. After a while of pushing around, somebody finally noticed him, musing, “QiongLin? You want to participate as well?” The boy called 'QiongLin' nodded his head. Somebody else laughed, “I haven’t even seen you pick up a bow. Why do you want to participate?! Don’t waste the spot.” Wen QiongLin seemed as if he wanted to protest for himself. The person said, “Alright, alright. Don’t be so curious. The rank is recorded. If you go up there and lose your own face it wouldn't be my problem.” Wei WuXian, Lose face? If anyone in the QishanWen Sect could find some face for you all, he’d be the one.

The Wen sect are making quite a big scene, we can imagine that a lot of the disciples waiting to enter the hunting grounds are watching from afar and wondering what is going on. LWJ is probably nearby as well.. so let's bear that in mind.

"Wei WuXian wasn’t too pleased. He raised his voice, “Who said that he’s never picked up a bow? He has, and his archery is quite good!” Everyone looked at him, somewhat surprised. They then turned to look at the boy. Wen QiongLin’s face was rather pale to begin with. Because of how everyone’s eyes centered on him, it immediately became bright red. Those pitch-black eyes stared at Wei WuXian. Wei WuXian walked over, hands behind his back, “Back then, weren’t you doing quite well in the garden?” Wen Chao turned around as well, doubting, “Really? You? Good at archery? Why haven’t I ever heard of this?” Wen QiongLin’s voice was low, “… I… I only startedpracticing recently…” His voice was not only low but also staggering. It sounded as if it could be stopped at any moment, and it was indeed often stopped. Wen Chao interrupted impatiently, “Alright, there’s a target over there. Quickly shoot an arrow for us to see. If it’s good then go, if it’s not good then don’t.”

WWX can't stand to watch WC being rude to WN after he had summoned up the guts to put himself forward. As he's witnessed, WNs archery skills are actually very good, so he interjects, vouching for WN.

Now.. as I said before, LWJ is most likely amongst the crowd waiting to enter the arena. LWJ is always very well aware of WWX if he is nearby - so it's safe to assume he had seen WWX prior. If not, he certainly would have heard WWX speaking up for WN. You can almost imagine LWJs cold glare homing in on the boy who is getting praise and attention off WWX!

The area around Wen QiongLin was immediately emptied. The hand that he clutched the arrow with tightened as he looked around, seemingly looking for help. Watching how unconfident he looked, Wei WuXian patted his shoulder, “Relax. Just do as you did before.” Wen QiongLin looked at him gratefully. With a deep breath, he drew his bow. Unfortunately, with the draw of the bow, Wei WuXian shook his head secretly, Uh-oh. It was likely that Wen QiongLin had never shot an arrow in front of other people. He was shaking all the way from his arm to his fingertips. The arrow flew out. It didn’t even land on the target. The Wen Sect’s people that watched from aside all laughed mockingly, “How is this good?!” “I can shoot better than this with my eyes closed.” “Okay, okay, stop wasting time. Let’s quickly pick somebody to enter the arena!

If LWJ was watching the scene from the crowd - he'd have seen WWX get closer to WN and put his hand on his shoulder, encouraging the mystery boy. LWJ probably also noticed that, according to an earlier description, WN is 'quite handsome'. He's been pining for WWX for a year and the first time he sees him again, he's acting friendly with a handsome boy. We know it doesn't mean anything, but if LWJ did indeed see this, jealousy would have surely sprouted within him - just as it does later in the novel when WWX is paying others attention. You can't really blame him either, yes it's all innocent, but he's a teenager with a huge crush and conflicting hormones waging war in his body!

Red seeped through Wen QiongLin’s face to even the bottom of his ears. There was no need for others to beckon him away; he fled self-consciously. Wei WuXian chased after him, “Hey, don’t run! Uh… QiongLin-xiong right? Why are you running?” Hearing his name called from behind him, Wen QiongLin finally stopped. Head hanging low, he turned around. It seemed as though shame rippled from his head to his toes as he stammered, “… I’m sorry.” Wei WuXian mused, “Why are you telling me you’re sorry?” Wen QiongLin replied with guilt, “You… You recommended me… but I made you lose face…” Wei WuXian, “How did it make me lose face? You haven’t really shot in front other people, have you? You were nervous?” Wen QiongLin nodded. Wei WuXian continued, “Have some confidence. Let me tell you the truth—you shoot better than everyone in your sect. Out of all of the disciples whom I’ve seen, no more than three people are better in archery than you.”

I find WWXs last comment about there only being three people better at archery than WN very interesting. Since the reader is already aware who placed 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th in the forthcoming competition - he's most likely referencing them. For reference, in case anyone has forgotten:

Chapter 51

In the end, after the calculations, the four with the best results were Wei WuXian, Lan XiChen, Jin ZiXuan, and Lan WangJi. If it weren’t for having to leave early, Lan WangJi could’ve done even better.

LWJ placed 4th, but according to WWX, he could have done even better if he'd not left the competition early - placing him higher than JZX. So it's highly likely he's stating WN is only marginally less skilled than himself, LXC and LWJ. Interesting, considering WWX claims a few short moments later (in chapter 45)... He hasn't thought about LWJ in some time! Which we knew was a lie anyway, but wow.. WWX you little liar! And I guess, if you wanted to really read into the above - you could also say that he has even contradicted himself further. He states, 'of all the disciples I've seen..' so, is this also him admitting he'd already seen LWJ prior to the start of Chapter 45, where he is gawping at LWJ's good looks? He's he been watching him practice as well? Just an interesting thought!

Anyway, I digress! Back to jealous LWJ.

So if LWJ has witnessed all of the above, which he most likely did - he would have saw WWX running after the WN. If he wasn't a little bit jealous of the attention he was giving WN before, be probably was now. I don't want to make LWJ sound pretty, because he's far from that. He is just a boy with a huge crush! And who didn't act a bit irrational regarding anything involving their crush at that age. Let's not forget, he was most likely well aware WWX would be attending the conference. LWJ was probably a potent cocktail of nerves, excitement and longing, in anticipation of catching a glimpse of WWX at the week-long event.

With that in mind... Try re-reading chapter 45 and notice how LWJ is acting. He's not seen WWX in a year. Yes, he finds it hard to talk to his crush - but he's not normally that rude to him really. He won't even look at him. Possibly because, he's jealous..?

You can find the chapter I'm referring to in my blog post on the archery competition, if you want to re-read it in full along with analysis. Or if you want to check it out for yourself, it's chapter 45.

Finally...

Silly headcanon... LWJ is even witness to WWX praising WNs archery skills while hiding in the bushes stalking him from afar! 🤣 No wonder he has a thing about WN and pushes him when drunk 🤣😱 Jealous LWJ is adorable ❤️

[whumpbby]

I got my thoughts in order and now the story is that during the night hunt WWX followed LWJ as he does and, naturally, JC followed WWX to make sure that he won't cause problems, and together they stumbled upon a shallow grave in a forest.

The night hunt was organised, because local girls kept disappearing. They found the girls too - well, what was left of them anyway.

Lan Wangji went on to preform Inquiry and got the ghost online - she was evasive and rude and didn't want to listen, it was a struggle to keep her in place and it would be probably best if Wangji asked brother to help - but then WWX came in with his distracting presence and the ghost in question got even more rowdy. Wangji struggled to keep her in place and then Wei Wuxian went to check on the bodies and the ghost struggled free to attack him, and it was only Jiang Wanyin's stepping in between them that saved the troublesome boy from being hurt. The three of them stood back to back, ready to defend themselves, but the ghost seemed to have disappeared. It was safe to move.

Except then Jiang Wanyin went down like a sack of bricks and wouldn't wake up. Uh-oh. His pulse was alright and his meridians okay, he just wouldn't wake up. Uh-oh.

Wei Ying put him on his back and together the three of them returned to CR on foot. (Could probably fly, but WWX wasn't strong enough yet to carry another person by himself and he wouldn't trust his shidi to Wangji, nothing personal, Lan Zhan, really, he would be very grumpy if he woke up on someone else's back).

WWX gets LWJ to promise not to tell anyone about their adventure (the Yunmeng boys weren't supposed to be out) and Wangji agreed only because it was kinda his fault for getting distracted by Wei Ying and Jiang Wanyin looked to be in good enough shape. He promised himself to visit in the morning to check on him and went to bed.

WWX tucked his shidi in and settled in for a long night of waiting for JC to regain his consciousness. (He wasn't worried, nope, not at all, Jiang Cheng was a strong cultivator for his age and no shitty ghost was going to lay him out for long!) If course, he fell asleep before the morning and woke up to someone walking around the room.

Cracking one eye, he noticed it was JC, up and moving, great. Even better, JC didn't notice him waking up and every opportunity was good to scare the shit out of his shidi, so WWX waited for the perfect moment and...wait. What was A-Cheng actually doing? His hair was down (he hated his hair being down) Why was he taking his pants off? And pulling his tunic open? And why in front of a mirror?? And —touching himself?! And giggling?!?

Uh-Oh!

Oh, this is a silly midnight-hour idea, but...

During the Gusu Arc, say, the students go on a night hunt and Jiang Cheng gets possessed by a strong spirit.

The problem is that the spirit belongs to a former prostitute that had a gripe with cultivators when alive and she will leave the body only after she gets to fuck all five Most Wanted Bachelors.

Jiang Cheng, being one of them, can just masturbate and that's enough.

But what about other four??

[neverdoingmuch]

i would die for the post-canon lqr and wwx dynamic of them becoming close family through extreme acts of pettiness that aren’t even petty. lwj wakes up one morning to find wwx not in bed beside him and usually he would think ‘oh he pulled another all-nighter /: i’ll have to make him take a nap later’ or whatever but last night they definitely fell asleep together. fortunately, he only has a moment to be like i have been abandoned most cruelly, most unjustly before wwx bursts into the jingshi, covered in flour and his hair all disarray. and lwj is like ??? where have you been?? and wwx turns to him and he’s like lan zhan look i’ve made steamed buns for your uncle! his favourite sort! lwj is like that’s nice but why? also how do you know that? (even lwj doesn’t know what his uncle’s favourite type of buns are)

wwx looks him dead in the eye and is like well the other day when your uncle and i had our weekly tea i was telling him about a theory i was working on and then the next day he gave me a book from his personal library that was honestly really helpful and i’m so annoyed at him for doing that so i’m making him his favourite snack as revenge. and lwj has many questions,,, but mainly he’s wondering when his uncle and wwx started having tea together with a dash of how did he find out what his uncle’s favourite sort of buns are,,, but wwx’s already running off and lwj is just left alone in the jingshi to get ready for his day, abandoned most cruelly,,, like three hours later he sees his uncle reading some reports while eating wwx’s buns and every time lqr takes a bite he sends the bun a betrayed look like he can’t forgive the fact that they taste good. 

and honestly,, that’s all i want,, wwx and lqr being like yes (: we have brunch together every tuesday and we know each other’s favourite foods and things the other person would like and i look forward to talking to him but obviously we don’t like each other and lxc is like uh okay (: that sounds about right (: while lwj is just glad that his family is warming up to wwx. 

[righteousinadversity]

Gui Dao - A Brilliant Subversion

Gui Dao is set up as evil, corrupting cultivation from the beginning, and it is a very deliberate misdirection.

I have spoken before about how Gui Dao is not harmful, about how the popular fanon of recasting it as the main issue that led to Wei Wuxian's downfall completely dismisses the extreme trauma and stress Wei Wuxian went through and so on.

And while CQL is a major factor for why this fanon is popular, everywhere, I think another reason is that Resentment, or Gui Dao, is set up as what caused Wei Wuxian's downfall.

For much of the novel, in fact, right up to the Second Siege where we get the Burial Mounds arc flashback, the novel gives a heavy impression of the story being about a hero who fell, committed crimes, and the present timeline is his redemption arc, or him realizing his own faults and becoming better, his second chance, what have you.

But it is not.

Because he cultivates the Demon Path, Wei WuXian’s powers had backfired and he was ripped to pieces.

This proves that one can only cultivate by following the right path. Using these dishonest practices would only seem beneficial at first glance. Look, what happened in the end? Not even a whole corpse was left of him.

I think we all know that a lot of the opinions about WWX in the prologue is, well, utter nonsense. However, the prologue does give us the general belief of the public, and certain facts as well, regarding the Siege, it is simply that it does not give the whole story.

The storyline of the present is very much in a mystery setting. What did WWX do? Why did he do them? What the hell is that arm? Who's the guy he's running from?

Something MXTX does a lot in MDZS is 'showing without telling' and she kicks it up a notch by telling us, almost the exact opposite.

So we are meant to realise from the moment the prologue describes WWX as a vengeful monster and WWX wakes up with no desire whatsoever for the same, that this book is not going to be a straightforward one. MXTX uses this in multiple other instances, like WWX's optimistic and devil-may-care attitude in the face of being hurt, LWJ's care for WWX, JC's claim that he can't protect WWX (What bullshit) when he absolutely could have and was morally obligated to, and so on.

A lot of fanon spawn from the telling, which is disproved by the showing, but people simply... disregard it? Don't see it?

Anyway. Moving on.

JC's first scene and the consequent Dafan mountain scenes also tell us that Resentful Cultivation was what led Wei Wuxian to his downfall and to becoming the monster he was described to be, especially when we pair it with his comment in the CR arc. But, like in the Mo Manor, it also shows us that the same cultivation is being used to save the junior ducklings, who apparently are always in close proximity to imminent death.

And in a similar vein, also shows us, that while JC does hold resentment for demonic cultivators, it is not because WWX became a demonic cultivator that he killed him, in fact, JC wants to kill and torture demonic cultivators because they could be WWX, and he'd rather torture a thousand suspects than letting the tiny possibility of WWX live happen. His hatred is centred around WWX, not the cultivation.

Jiang Cheng spoke grimly, “Break his legs? Haven’t I told you? If you see this sort of evil and crooked practice, kill the cultivator and feed him to your dogs!”

He thought that, after so many years, no matter how much hatred Jiang Cheng had held for him, it would have disappeared long ago. He didn’t expect that not only did it not disappear, it became richer as if it was a jar of aged alcohol. At the present time, his hatred had grown to affect even people who cultivated like him!

Jiang Cheng warned, “That’s enough. It’s fine if you talk about it, but don’t actually walk such a crooked path.” (CR arc)

When you reread, these are especially scenes I hardcore side-eyed, because JC had no issue, none whatsoever, with WWX's cultivation path when it benefited him, and the YMJ. And even then, it was his jealousy and general selfishness which leads him to abandon WWX, as opposed to hatred for the Cultivation path.

Now, regarding Gui Dao itself, we get this, said by WWX, as a response to JL thinking that MXY has fallen to demonic cultivation.

Although the cultivation method that he used in the past was often criticized and, in the long term, it harmed the cultivator’s health, it could be mastered quickly. It was also especially attractive because there were no limitations as to the cultivator’s spiritual powers or talent, making it so that there were always people who secretly practised it to find a shortcut.

Basically, this goes in with the general belief held by the cultivation world about Gui Dao. That it's easy, its a shortcut, its harmful blah blah blah, which when you look at their fear about WWX, and WWX specifically wielding that power really sounds like a bad case of sour grapes, and for multiple reasons. (I'd be more willing to care if the cultivation world wasn't openly using WWX's inventions based on the same, so-called, crooked path to aid their night hunts, but here we are.)

1) Gui Dao does not affect someone's health. WWX's health is not good at all when he came back from the BMs, or even during the Burial Mound arc, but that's not because of Resentful cultivation. It's called Malnutrition! And PTSD! 2) This is specifically framed as what JL believes, and JL whose uncle JC goes around dragging back anyone who he suspects for a demonic cultivator, and also because to JL's knowledge, WWX, the grandmaster of the Gui dao, killed his parents. He doesn't have reason to believe it as any good, which he outright says after Yi City.

Finally, Gui Dao is never once shown as being easy, and even Xue Yang the only one we actually see use the same cultivation, is not up to the same level as WWX, even with WWX's personal notes. It seems easy when WWX does it, certainly, but well, again, grandmaster. Also, about the Yiling Laozu imitators, while they are mentioned around 3 times, we never hear about any of these so-called imitators doing anything significant. So WWX's level of control of Gui Dao is not an easy thing.

Now, coming to the CR Arc.

“The essence of exorcising demons and annihilating ghosts is to liberate! You do not study the methods of liberation, and even think about increasing their energy of resentment! You reverse the natural order, and ignore ethics and morality!”

“Then, let me ask you again! How do you make sure that the resentful energy only listens to you and does not harm others?”

Lan QiRen raged, “If you thought of it, the cultivation world would not allow your existence! Get out!”

Hello, foreshadowing. Again, here, Gui Dao is implied to be the very reason why WWX eventually becomes the enemy of the world. Here, WWX is not theorizing or actually thinking of inventing Gui Dao, he saw that LQR was being prejudiced and biased towards him, and he says the things he knows will outrage LQR and his stubborn belief in orthodoxy or whatever the hell he is going on about.

(Also side note, that Resentful Cultivation does not, in fact, reverse the natural order. WWX states it as an alternative to suppression, which doesn't really fix the problem, or elimination, which calls for, well, literally eliminating the soul)

That, being said, a very, very important piece to note, is this response WWX gives to JC, in the prior mentioned comment about resentful cultivation.

Wei WuXian smiled, “Why would I leave the nice, broad road, and walk on a single-plank bridge on a dark, narrow river instead? If it really is that easy, people would have already walked on it."

Again, this points to the fact that Gui Dao isn't something to be invented on a whim, or something easily learned.

It is meant to make us question, of course, why WWX invented Gui Dao in the end?

There is, of course, the whole issue with the Nie Cultivation and its similarity to Gui Dao, and how it causes qi deviation, and while I would love to explore that, this is not the post for that.

Basically, Nie Cultivation causes unreasonable tempers and qi deviation and has since they were established. Gui Dao is never shown to cause these things, especially in the present timeline when WWX is not carrying the weight of the world and the horrific traumas constantly.

Anyway, its similarity does give the impression that it was what happened to WWX; that his cultivation drove him to a murder spree. That he fundamentally changed after his return from the Burial Mounds.

For example, WWX's scene in Empathy, where he is furious at JZX. This seems uncalled for, but when we get the background of the whole soup incident, much later, it makes far, far more sense.

Then the Burial Mounds arc. I have written about how this arc subverts every assumption we make up to that point, but it also subverts what the novel has insinuated from the beginning, that WWX was corrupted by Resentful Energy.

WWX uses resentful energy to save the Wens, to protect them from the world that would see them dead. He uses Gui Dao to protect himself from an ambush of 300 archers who specifically weakened him with the intention to kill him. He uses Gui Dao in a battle declared by the sects on the innocents he protected.

WWX was never corrupted. His heart did not change with resentful cultivation. Wei Wuxian's story is not a redemption arc. He has always been morally good, and the events people held up as his crimes were the victor's side of a brutal killing of innocents.

What resentful cultivation is, is a powerful, powerful tool that the sects salivated over or used and then denounced as heresy. It is not even like the Nie Sabres, that drives someone to irrational tempers and certain death. The wielder decides its nature, like normal cultivation. It certainly is not the reason for WWX's downfall. That would be the entirety of the sects, the classism, JGS, JGY and JC's absolute bs and so on.

I firmly, firmly believe that MDZS is a novel you have to reread. There are so many nuances we miss in the first read, because a lot of the information comes in fragments, and quite literally with regards to WWX's past.

When you talk about Gui Dao, please note that WWX uses Gui Dao consistently in the present timeline, and he does not ever, ever, ever become 'corrupted by it'. He never once is even driven to take revenge on the people who killed him! Instead, he is there, saving them from certain death, because his heart has never changed. The Burial Mounds and the War made him harsher during the Sunshot, and the World turned on him afterwards, and he continued to do what he believed was right in his heart.

Gui Dao is insinuated as WWX's downfall, the corrupted form of cultivation that turned a brilliant young man into an irredeemable villain. But then, it goes on to say, he was never a villain, and the reason for his downfall was his adherence to his morals in a corrupted society, not the corruption of the morals themselves.

[jin-zixun]

I don't want to fight but who am I kidding I definitely want to fight. (Not in actual fighting ways its a tumblr poll about fictional characters its fine)

In what "intangible ways" does LXC support JGY that SMS does not? Other than LXC being a real Lan and having more credibility than upstart Su She?

(I'm adding a read more this got loooong sorry i promise i don't hate lxc or anything really!)

Upstart Su She who tanks his own credibility in order to protect JGY.

"Smear my name if you must, but how dare you slander Lianfang-zun!"

In fact LXC's suspicion of JGY is shown throughout the narrative, he defends the idea of his innocence, but he makes it clear he wants to find the truth and won't let JGY get away with murder and the like. LXC's suspicions and promises of impartiality are followed up multiple times with SMS defending him.

Lan Xichen asks Jin Guangyao to open the secret chamber during the secret afterparty scene and is rebuked only by Su She.

The jade token scene after LXC is shown the collection of turmoil reinforces that his distrust of JGY isn't just a lie told to LWJ and WWX

"If he is truly false I will not tolerate it."

It immediately leads into the second siege of the burial mounds. The scene where SMS goes from the 'bury and unbury your bodies' friend to the 'is actively gonna raze the world for you' friend.

JGY goes to LXC to protect him from his own fallout and finds whatever else he wants, LXC has made his decision. He can't look to LXC to protect him, but he has already gone to SMS. If that's who he looks to to protect him in such a way, why should he not feel supported by him? Because a lot of the relationship is 'offscreen' doesn't mean it isn't clearly there. As soon as JGY finds out even a little bit about what's happened with NMJ's body and somebody trying to take him down, he *has no doubts in going to SMS to defend him*. And SMS does without even a hint of suspicion or regret. All of JGY's secrets? Yeah he knows.

And sure, yeah part of that is that JGY cares about LXC and doesn't want to implicate him in bad things. Another part is that JGY cares about LXC and doesn't want him to know the less good parts of himself. Another part is that he just doesn't think LXC would be okay with things JGY has done. And he's right!

You can say JGY shows all of himself to SMS because he doesn't care about him as much as LXC. He's fairly willing to let him die after all, let alone doing all these terrible things. But you can't say SMS himself doesn't see all of JGY and love him and protect him and support him in all he is and all he does. That's just not true. He does. LXC doesn't. JGY's own feelings don't change that. I'm sure he'd love LXC to support him just as well regardless but that's just not what we see.

Then there is Guanyin Temple.

"[Jin Guangyao] fell to the ground...In his stead it was Su She who started to scream. There was a split second when Lan Xichen looked like he wanted to go over and support Jin Guangyao, but in the end, he didn't dare move."

Where LXC does, temporarily, listen to the woes JGY presents him with. Yet, he tells us he does not trust JGY, JGY lies, he tells other characters not to listen to JGY. He says not to call him Er-Ge. He attacks SMS when SMS is trying to flee with JGY. He leaves JGY alive but silenced and is tricked into stabbing JGY through the heart. Tricked, yes, but I don't know how to say better that SMS would never.

During JGY's explanation to LXC, WWX has to kick SMS down to stop him from trying to get to JGY. He saves JGY from the poisoning attempt, opens the medicine bottle for him, treats his wounds

"Su She is so condescending toward everyone, and especially resentful of Lan Zhan. But he treats Jin Guangyao with such respect"

tearing off his own robe to bandage JGY's wounds while JGY is bleeding out and while LXC is not. SMS *pleads with LXC to help*

"Sect Leader Lan! Sect Leader Lan, do you have any remedies? Please help. Sect Leader Jin has always treated you with courtesy."

SMS carries JGY on his back to help him escape the temple. He fights FC!NMJ. The last thing he does is to entrust JGY to LXC, the only person who could possibly protect him and the only saving grace is he doesn't live long enough to see LXC stab JGY!

"Su She's brilliance had only lasted a moment. He didn't even have time to cough up blood or say any respectable or ruthless last words before the life in his eyes was instantly snuffed out."

One of them dies to protect JGY and the other one, as I have reiterated, stabs him! In the heart! Fatally! I-- No. I do not want to fight.

Let JGY say it. "Su Minshan went this far to repay my kindness simply because I remembered his name. But you, Zewu-jun, Sect Leader Lan... Just like Nie Mingjue you cannot tolerate me... You won't even give me a way to live!"

(I'm using the Seven Seas translation but like "you refuse to spare me even a single breath of life" goes way harder unfortunately.)

[stiricidewrites]

The Damage You Do: ch 22, pt 5

Previously

~

wwx shook off his weird ass mood and popped up. He smiled brightly down at the other man and extended a hand, making an exaggerated move to pull him up when their hands wrapped around each other. He fell, laughing, back into lwj’s chest when the man simply stood. “Ah~ Mr. Lan is too heavy!” he half-complained, half-complimented. All that weight was height, muscle and fat in all the right places, after all.

lwj hummed, pulling wwx along towards the door. He didn’t open it, instead turning towards a closet and finding a way too large coat for wwx. It practically swallowed him up when he slipped it on. “I messaged my cousin,” his dom said, straightening the collar of the coat for wwx and doing up each of the buttons in what was a way too intimate gesture—which was objectively ridiculous! Why the fuck did some things still manage to seem too intimate, even when you’d already had a thousand little moments of sex and softness together? Stupid. Nonsensical. Also, true.

“Lan Haoran coming to get me?” wwx asked, pushing the closet door open further when he noticed a floor length mirror attached to the back. He looked cute, tiny in the too big clothes. This much be what girls were talking about, when they talked about how clothes stolen from their boyfriends were the best.

lwj wasn’t his boyfriend, though.

lwj was… his employer.

wwx drooped a little as he closed the closet door, just in time to catch lwj glaring at the door when whoever was out there knocked again, a little harder—a little more aggressively—than before. “Is that your cousin?”

“It is not,” lwj said, sounding somewhere between tired and annoyed.

“Oh~” wwx sighed, eyeing up the door. “Ah—” Another knock, more impatient than the first two, cut wwx’s attempt to ask when they’d see each other again off. “Should you…?”

lwj sighed, looking back towards him like he would much rather not. It was an amusing look, one he didn’t imagine his dom wore often. Put out and annoyed, and like he was about to face something he couldn’t get out, even though he very, very much wanted to.

The other man reached forward, holding the handle of the door like he was mentally preparing himself, and wwx had to fight down a laugh. Big, bad mob boss afraid of—

wwx’s smile dropped as the door opened, revealing a very attractive man. He wasn’t as attractive as lwj—not even close—but he couldn’t stop an image of the two of them together from sliding through his head.

No, that was crazy. There was no way some random hookup was showing up at his dom’s house now, of all times. Even if he was… well, there was no way lwj was getting it up for anyone else today—not for a while anyways. So he was about to be highly disappointed, if this was a booty call.

[angstymdzsthoughts]

Failed bethrodal JC w F!LWJ

LWJ liked WWX bcs he wasn't trying to court her. Wwx genuinely saw her as a very accomplished cultivator whom he liked to spend time with. When JWY tells him to stay away from LWJ, wwx gets offended that JWY would think that wwx would make a move on his fiance, but he gets even more mad bcs JC acts like there's an engagement when LWJ told wwx fairly clearly she had no interest in JWY ( and JWY hadn't put in much effort either, hebjust assumed the engagement would go through)

Wwx calls him out on it and LWJ hears. JC makes a comment on how they'll get married anyway, it's not like their wishes matter, to which LWJ storms out of the bushes, punches him and kidnaps wwx

Chaos ensues. The Jiangs are offended bvs of the punch, the Lans are insulted period and NHS is the only one asking the important question of where are they?

Lan Wangji really hadn't been looking for Wei Wuxian. She just so happened to be walking past the place she knew Wei Wuxian liked to relax after classes. She certainly hadn't been hoping to steal a moment alone with him.

Unfortunately all of her not-wishes withered away and died when she heard Jiang Wanyin's voice.

"Wei Wuxian!" he scolded. "Do you want to anger my mother?"

She absolutely did not like the groaning sound Wei Wuxian made in reply. Honest.

"Of course not, Jiang Cheng! No man is foolish enough to wish for that!"

"Then why do you keep flirting with Maiden Lan? You know my mother has plans involving that girl- your pointless flirting is just going to paint a target on your back!"

Ah, yes. Uncle and the elders had never hidden the fact that Madam Yu of YunmengJiang had been pushing for an arranged marriage between she and Jiang Wanyin for many years. Uncle said that she had passed the point of rude ages ago and Great Uncle said that Jiang Fengmian needed to gain control of his household before it fell apart. Brother had warned her about being alone with Jiang Wanyin, just to be safe, and she was happy that the boy seemed entirely disinterested in her.

"But Madam Yu has been trying to arrange something since we were kids. Do you really think the Lans will suddenly give in after all this time?"

Jiang Wanyin scoffed. "Do you not remember what sect we come from, Wei Wuxian? Maiden Lan will one day be my fiance, so stop all your useless flirting before it gets you in trouble."

Lan Wangji didn't stop herself from rolling her eyes. There was no one around to see anyway. Her uncle would have to be in his grave before such an engagement happened, and then the Jiang would have to fight her brother into submission too.

"Don't try to sound too happy about it," Wei Wuxian snarked. "You don't even sound like you want the engagement to happen."

"What? You think I want an ice statue like Maiden Lan to be my wife? Ha!"

Lan Wangji had heard worse. Such a little insult didn't hurt at all compared to some of the other things boys and girls had said about her. It really, truly didn't effect her at all. Not even a little bit.

The anger in Wei Wuxian's voice surprised her though. "Jiang Cheng! Don't talk about Lan Zhan like that!"

Jiang Cheng snapped back, thrown off at his brothers sudden anger. "What's wrong with you?! It's not like I'm wrong! Lan Wangji is pretty but she may as well be made out of jade! I doubt she even has emotions! Who would want that for a wife?"

"I would...!"

Lan Wangji was moving before the happiness in her chest had even reached its peak. I would... He said I would! Wei Wuxian wanted her to be his wife! She didn't hesitate to grab his wrist and make him follow her. Her clan would see her tying her ribbon around his wrist as a declaration of intent to marry. She will take him to the main hall and ensure they have witnesses before tying her ribbon to his wrist. There would be no doubt of her intentions that way.

"M-Maiden Lan?!" Jiang Wanyin squawked. "Wait- Wait hold on, what do you think you-"

She isn't certain if Jiang Wanyin was trying to grab her wrist or Wei Wuxian's, but she would not tolerate any form of delay with her plans right now. The crunch of the boys nose under her fist was shockingly satisfying. So was the rush of blood that followed.

[vrishchikawrites]

I'm currently finishing the ubtamed but I was wondering why JC or LWJ didn't take a stand. From what I see, both of them didn't take a stand but JC usually gets more hate for that. However, wouldn't it make sense that JC couldn't hell considering his lack of political influence?

Ignoring LWJ for now because those two aren't even in the same plane of existance. JC has, canonically,

1. Attempted to strangle WWX. Twice.

2. Thrown a fit when WWX saved people.

3. Discouraged WWX from saving people. Or attempted to and failed miserably.

4. Been both classist and homophobic.

5. Hid the fact that he owes Wen Qing and Wen Ning a life-debt and a debt of honor.

6. Let irritation and jealousy compromise his judgement.

7. Stabbed WWX until his guts fell out in a staged fight.

8. Declared WWX the enemy of cultivation world instead of just saying he defected, as they agreed before.

9. Seen a child and a few old people in the BM settlement and led a deadly siege against the settlement anyway.

As for JC and YMJ's circumstances:

1. LP was well on its way to recovery with new cultivators and a good reputation even before WWX defected

2. That reputation and popularity is absolutely because WWX is so terrifyingly powerful, everyone wants in on it.

3. LP didn't burn down like Cloud Recesses did. In fact, Wens left it nearly intact. CR was still under repairs well after WWX died.

4. He had enough political influence. He would have even more influence if he didn't, like an absolute dumbass, throw away the nuclear deterrent.

5. JGS was absolutely driving a wedge between him and WWX, it was so apparent that even a blind person would've been able to see.

6. Him throwing away his little nuclear deterrent actually helped JGS become more powerful. Affection and respect aside, it is an absolute dumbass move to let your most powerful asset walk away.

7. Political influence doesn't pop out of thin air. That would've been the absolute perfect time to establish his political power by, ya know, not letting JGS mess with his ego and brain. What would they do? Attack? With what army? JGS didn't have the balls to go against WWX until he engineered a situation where Lans and Nies were weakened and provoked to the skies.

8. WWX and his little settlement were peacefully exisiting for at least two years and the cultivation world didn't bother to do anything about it. Just what were Jins gonna do if WWX remained in YMJ or JC pulled his big boy pants on and acknowledged a debt?

Finally, to LWJ.

JC is a sect leader of a recovered sect. LWJ is a sect heir with elders, sect leader, and an uncle above him. JC doesn't have to deal with any of these things. Yeah, LXC coddles LWJ and LQR considers him a prized little cabbage, but they have no attachment to WWX or debt owed to the Wens.

They are absolutely not equals in terms of political power, especially not then. It is very likely that LWJ did say something to his brother and uncle and it was discarded but that is speculation. My comments about LWJ's lack of action during the BM days isn't about him not standing up against the cultivation world. It has more to do with what he could've done to help WWX and the Wens on a personal level. That's it.

When it comes to culpability and responsibility, JC comes of worse.

You're comparing a murderer attacking with a knife to a bystander witness.

Finally, The Untamed butchered the story. This is me being bored enough to correct erroneous takes from CQL and a fandom strangely obssessed with a canon antagonist. Take it how you will.

You can find all of this in the novel, btw.

[silverflame2724]

Accidental Martial God WWX

That was exacty what I meant actually but I do have a few more povs if you want.

LQRs reaction to a demonic cultivator ascending, JGS and JGY reaction to the Yin Tiger Tally moving completely out of reach, WQ pondering the true requirements for ascension given WWX doesn't have a golden core yet ascended, WWX musing on Godhood and on his new followers both the good and the more disturbing worshipers.

Maybe LWJ protects the Wen Remnants because WWX asked him to in a dream and after he succeeds (13 years later) he ascends and is finally reunited with WWX.

Lan Qiren did not know what to think. Wei Wuxian, his most troublesome student, a demonic cultivator, had ascended. He’d ascended. How was that even possible? Were the Heavens blind? Why would they allow someone like Wei Wuxian to ascend?

From what Lan Qiren had thought, only those who are righteous and followed the correct path in life like the Lan clan’s founder, Lan An, would be worthy of ascending.

Either the qualifications for ascension were lower than he thought or Lan Qiren had been horribly mistaken about Wei Wuxian’s personality and motivations for using demonic cultivation. That last thought made Lan Qiren feel very uncomfortable.

He’d always been harsh on the boy and disregarded him, even - he ashamedly admitted - punishing him harsher and more frequently than others.

He’d thought he was in the right because of how Wei Wuxian was but…..

But if he was wrong then Lan Qiren owed him an apology.

………………….

Jin Guangshan wanted to scream out in frustration seeing Wei Wuxian ascend. That brat had the Stygian Tiger Seal on him - according to his spies - and now that he ascended, the Seal went with him.

He had had so many plans on bribing Wei Wuxian to his side or killing him when he refused - as well as stealing the Seal - and then taking over the cultivation world, lording over it as he was always meant to be.

Now those plans are ruined. He sighed. Hopefully that bastard son of his can finally prove his usefulness and give him countermeasures or he might retract his favor from him.

……………………

Jin Guangyao’s first thought upon seeing Wei Wuxian ascend was: Oh shit. I have to go make up new plans to help Father.

He knew his father wanted Wei Wuxian and the Seal and didn’t really care how he obtained both or either, just as long as no one traced it back to him. He sighed. This was going to be a big headache. But at least the plans on putting his father as Chief Cultivator were going smoothly. He could only imagine what his father would do to him if even this failed.

..............................

Wen Qing had still been in Yiling, making plans to relocate her family, when the news that Wei Wuxian had ascended had reached her.

Her first reaction was, That’s impossible.

Because it was, right? Wen Qing should know. She cut out his core, after all. But to think he was still able to ascend while he was a demonic cultivator made her wonder what the requirements were for ascending. Perhaps it’s an honest heart? Self-sacrificing tendencies? Or is it a sacrifice of some sorts? She paused. What if.....it was a trial? To test a person’s will? What Wei Wuxian had suffered was.....horrible. Could it have all been just a test from the Heavens?

If that was so, the Heavens really are cru--- 

“A’ Jie, we have to go! Some Jin were spotted nearby!”

Wen Qing gritted her teeth. Members of the branch families of Qishan, regardless of whether they were innocent or not, were captured and subsequently tortured to death by the Jin and sometimes the Nie. Because her family was all in Yiling, they were safe.......but only for now. They had to hurry and escape.

Wen Qing sent a quick prayer to Wei Wuxian, hoping for her family’s safety, and tucked the rest of her belongings in her qiankun pouch, remembering to wrap her arms in bandages to hide the needles she might need to paralyze any Jin that came close.

....................................

Wei Wuxian’s first thought when he landed in the Heavens was, What the fuck.

Then he looked around and looked taken aback and wary at the unfamiliar faces around him. Where the fuck am I?

“Hello.” A rather stoic-faced man greeted.

“Hello.” Wei Wuxian parroted back. The person in front of him didn’t seem to be a threat so he felt a little tension loosen from his shoulders. “Um, Xiansheng? I’m afraid I don’t know where I am?”

“You have just ascended.” The man replied, throwing Wei Wuxian aback.

“Are you pulling my leg?” Wei Wuxian asked. “How is that even possible! I don’t even have---” He swallowed. I don’t even have a core.

“I do not lie. Come, we are wasting time. We must get you washed up and dressed for the induction ceremony.” Seeing Wei Wuxian still frozen, the man sighed, signalled for some people to pick Wei Wuxian up and dragged the struggling man to some quarters.

After absentmindedly washing, drying and changing himself, Wei Wuxian noticed some differences in his body. He wasn’t....cold or hurting anymore. And - he touched his back - he could feel his back! After having his muscles and nerves shredded by Zidian, he didn’t think he’d ever be able to sense touch on his back or even move without pain! But now he can!

He heard the urging of some people and grumbled.

“You will become a god of demonic cultivation.” Was the first thing he heard when he stepped out of the room.

Wei Wuxian choked. “Excuse me?!”

“I said what I said. Now then, if you would please concentrate, you should be able to hear the prayers of the people below.”

Wei Wuxian felt like everything was moving a little too fast for him, but nevertheless complied. Immediately after, a flood of prayers hit him at full force.

“Wei Wuxian!” That was Jiang Cheng! “….Have some fun up there.”

“A’ Xian, do be well. Shijie isn’t there to take care of you so do be well.” Wei Wuxian refused to cry.

“Wei-Xiong! I hope there’s someone up there to supply you with you know what *winks*”

How does someone even wink in their prayers? Wei Wuxian thought amusedly.

“Wei Ying.” That was Lan Zhan. “Wei Ying, I will—be well.”

Ah, Lan Zhan. Always concise even in your thoughts.

Wei Wuxian was a little teary. As much as he was glad to not be a part of the cultivation world considering all the rumors, he did regret leaving behind those that cared for him.

That thought was much more cemented upon hearing…….

“Ah, Lord Wei, the pinnacle of evil, the role model of all demonic cultivators!” Wei Wuxian’s eye twitched. “Please hear my plea for more power! I need it, I need it to destroy everyone who harmed me!”

“Wei Wuxian, I wish to gain power over resentful energy so that I may tear my enemies limb by limb!

“Give me money! You’re a god, aren’t you? Be useful for once and give me some gold!”

“Tch. If I’m going to pray for anything, then it’ll have to be the Seal. You’re a god, now, right? So you have no need for the Seal. Just give it up.”

No matter the good or bad, Wei Wuxian heard the wishes and prayers of the people down below and while some were innocent enough, there were those that wished for death, destruction, tools for torture, power, money, women…….you name it.

It made Wei Wuxian feel a little disgusted with humanity. He cut off his focus from the bad and focused on the prayer he received from his friends and family.

“Wei Wuxian, I heard you became a god.” It was Wen Qing. He hadn’t heard her voice in a long time. “I know this might seem shameless of me after all I did to you, but please. Please guarantee the safety of my family. We’re being hunted down and—”

Her prayer was abruptly cut off, before coming back in full force with notes of desperation. Her family had been captured and taken to Qiongqi Path! Wei Wuxian panicked. He didn’t know how to escape from this place and try to go help her.

The…..person who was watching over him evidently knew what he was thinking about and merely stated that gods cannot interfere with the mortal realm. So he was stuck.

But that didn’t mean he was out of options.

It took a few days, but he managed to wheedle out how to help: via dreams. He merely needed to get into the mind of one of his followers and tell them to help. Much like those prophetic dreams Wei Wuxian had read about as a kid.

So he buckled down, thinking of the best candidate to help him.

……………………………

Lan Wangji looked at the landscape around him and concluded that he was dreaming. Though, it was a little odd that he was aware that he was dreaming. Not that he hasn’t realized he was dreaming before - especially in those many fantasies he had of Wei Ying - but to be aware that this is a dream and to see nothing but a flat landscape was pretty out of the ordinary. 

Anyway, he digressed. What was going on?

“Uhh, Lan Zhan? Can you hear me?”

“W-Wei Ying?!” Lan Wangji couldn’t be blamed for stuttering. He wasn’t expecting this!

“Phew. Oh good, you can hear me. Anyway, Lan Zhan, I gotta be quick about this because I’m kinda sorta bending the rules here, but do you think you can go to Qiongqi Path and rescue Wen Qing and her family?”

“Okay.”

“Huh? Just like that? Not even going to ask me for a reason, er-gege?”

Lan Wangji’s ears flushed red at the address. “If Wei Ying wants to save them, you must have a good reason. That’s enough for me.”

“Ah, Hanguang-Jun.” The title was spoken fondly. “Always so good. I’ll tell you anyway. Wen Qing and her family sheltered Jiang Cheng and I after Lotus Pier fell and even brought back Jiang-shushu and Yu-furen’s bodies! That’s a debt I cannot repay.”

“I understand. I will help.”

He couldn’t see Wei Ying, but could practically feel the amusement from him.

“Wei Ying.”

“Yes?”

“Are......Are you well?”

“Of course I am. I’m actually feeling so much better than before.” Wei Ying grumbled, “I’m not even in pain anymore.”

“You were in pain?” Lan Wangji asked worriedly. “Wei Ying, why didn’t you say anything.”

“Lan Zhan, there was nothing you or anyone else could do to alleviate my pain. It doesn’t matter now. I’m okay.”

Lan Wangji was still worried and wanted to speak to him more, but---

“Ah! Looks like my time’s up!” Wei Ying exclaimed cheerfully as the dreamscape wavered. “See you, Lan Zhan!”

Lan Wangji nodded. “See you, Wei Ying.” I’ll catch up to you soon.

.

.

.

And 13 years later, Lan Wangji kept his promise.

___________________

I didn’t edit this so I’m hoping there’s not too many grammatical errors lol.