#legend of taotie

[tytangfei]

youku out here teasing me with legend of taotie with my girl an yuexi?? 👀👀👀 I'm waiting.

[dangermousie]

The opening credits of The Legend of Taotie are peak 2018 in colors, clothes, hair, look of actors, CGI and the whole vibe and I am not being in the least ironic when I say I am so happy and excited and drinking it in! I loved dramas made then so much so this is like a drink from nostalgia fountain.

The cooking song and random intercuts of food in it make it all the better. It's like half costume fantasy half food channel special.

Now, my expectations are fairly low because it's 40 eps but I bet original way way longer and they had to cut it down, but I am still so excited!!!!

[devilsrecreation]

I would like to remind all the Kung Fu Panda fans that this mf was in “The Princess Bride”

It would have been funny if he said the word “inconceivable” in at least one episode as a running gag jffhfhd

“It didn’t work?! Inconceivable!”

“You keep saying that word a lot. I don’t think it means what you think it means”

[briefbestiary]

The horrible glutton, Taotie. A hungering beast that remains insatiable no matter how much it consumes.

[eldritch-sanctum]

Some post-canon Greed survives AU headcanons/speculations:

With the power of alkahestry, Greed and Ling do get separated. However, they can only do this by essentially cloning Ling and having Greed occupy the artificial body. So Greed is stuck as a doppelganger of Ling but does try to differentiate himself.

Sometimes Greed is intentionally a double of Ling to protect him and cause mischief, or to actually stand in when Ling wants to run off to Amestris without notifying anyone else.

Greed and Ling learn how to imitate each other for maximum shenanigans.

Greed and Ling are still connected metaphysically and can even sense each other’s presence and have a good sense of each other’s thoughts and feelings at the moment. As a result, if Greed touches Ling, he can extend his Ultimate Shield to him and even can heal Ling from fatal damage. He has saved Ling from many assassination attempts this way.

Some people call Greed a taotie—a creature that represents greed and gluttony.

Over time Greed builds up a reputation and legend around himself. People begin telling stories about him, some true, some false, some exaggerated. Greed gradually is seen as some kind of trickster spirit in Xing and even beyond. Over centuries people begin setting up shrines and giving him offerings. Of course, he is very happy to take them, and people get caught off guard when this trickster minor deity shows up from the roof, in the flesh, and eats the offerings right in front of them with the biggest shit-eating grin on his face and then gives some words of wisdom. Then vanishes without a trace in the blink of an eye.

Greed says he owns the entire Yao clan if you ask him.

[gensokyogarden]

Alright I'm going to ramble like a madman for a second. This deals with Touhou 19 but it's not any actual spoilers so I'm not going to put this beneath a readmore.

Okay so the character of Chiyari is a Tenkajin youkai ... well supposedly. Unlike every other Youkai in Touhou I can't find anything on what a Tenkajin is in any of my books nor in places like youkai.com. In fact the only results for Tenkajin I can find are literally her wiki entry. Also her profile mentions that legend has it her true form is a Mujina (badger) so maybe that's actually what she is and she just made up the Tenkajin thing. Alternatively, maybe Tenkajins are real but there's just presently no existing English resources on them. I dunno. But that's not really what this is about.

What this is about is that Chiyari repeatedly gets mistaken for a Chupacabra. Another blood sucking monster. Chiyari quite vehemently denies it through the different story modes but everyone identifies her as one. Including the quite worldly Mamizou, who is a quite recent arrival in Gensokyo from the outside world and generally seems to know a lot about youkai ongoings. Yet Mamizou looks at Chiyari and goes "oh hey a Chupacabra."

This seems to imply that a Chupacabra type youkai (youkai gets applied to things like Dullahan so I assume in Touhou all monsters are youkai regardless of culture) would be a monster girl. After all, they all see a monster girl and go "This is a Chupacabra" it only stands to reason then that a Chupacabra is a monster girl, right? So we can say from this that Chupacabra, like most Touhou monsters, are moster girls or have a monster girl form.

...

...

But wait. There's something weird about that isn't there?

BECAUSE THIS EXISTS.

TUPAI

In the Forbidden Scrollery Manga we learn that Remilia Scarlet owns the above Chupacabra as her pet. She's had it for a while now and thinks it's adorable. This is her beloved pet. Her beloved pet Chupacabra.

But if Chiyari could be mistaken for a Chupacabra then that means that Chupacabra are monster girls. Which means THIS IS A PERSON!

"But this looks nothing like a monster girl" I hear you say.

Ah but we outright see Toutetsu Yuuma transform from a cute monster girl to an actual monstrous Taotie in Touhou 17.5. So it stands to reason youkai, or at least some of them, can go from monster girl to monster. Which means Tupai appearing in a monstrous form in Forbidden Scrollery does not prevent them from being a monster girl (or guy, I believe these use male pronouns for Tupai in the manga).

Could Tupai be some weird infiltrator just playing the role of a pet? Join us next time at the Bunbunmaru newspaper as we work to uncover the truth.

[dramacinaita]

The legend of Taotie - 饕餮记 (2024)

 La storia narra di quando l’antica bestia mitica Taotie fece irruzione nel mondo mortale a causa della sua golosità Titolo cinese饕餮记Titolo ingleseThe legend of TaotieNumero episodi40Durata episodio45 minutiArea produzioneHengdianGenerein costumeAnno di uscitadicembre 2024Canale ufficialeYoukuSUB ITARakuten Viki Episodio 01Fiori di pesco🌸(aggiornata 27/01/2025)Info generali drama Nei tempi…

[seidayee]

In ancient China, a skilled artisan crafted a Taotie mask ring, inspired by the Shang and Zhou dynasties. This ring symbolized strength and protection, worn by a warrior who fought bravely like Leonidas at Thermopylae. Legends say the ring granted him courage, uniting cultures through the timeless bond of valor and artistry.

https://www.seidayee.com/wap/taotie-mask-design-ring-10k-yellow-gold-or-platinum-antique-chinese-style-signet-ring-for-men-inspired-by-shang-and-zhou-eras-10068.html

[limitlessbuddha]

Taotie Mythical Beast Necklace

Taotie Mythical Beast Necklace – Harness the Power of Ancient Chinese Mythology

Embrace the mystique and power of Chinese mythology with the Taotie Mythical Beast Necklace. The Taotie is one of the Four Legendary Creatures, known for its insatiable hunger and symbolic representation of greed and power. This necklace embodies the fierce and bold spirit of the Taotie, making it a perfect piece for those who seek strength, protection, and a connection to ancient traditions.

Key Features:

Striking Design: The pendant showcases the formidable Taotie, symbolizing strength, power, and ancient wisdom, making it a bold statement piece.

Superior Craftsmanship: Crafted from premium materials, this necklace is designed for durability while capturing the intricate details of the Taotie’s fierce visage.

Cultural Significance: Wearing the Taotie necklace connects you to the rich tapestry of Chinese mythology, channeling the beast’s energy for protection and empowerment.

Whether you’re drawn to its cultural symbolism or its bold design, the Taotie Mythical Beast Necklace is a must-have for anyone looking to wear a piece of ancient legend and strength.

[the-mothmaam]

On Kung-Fu, Pandas, and Geriatric Tortoises.

I am writing this here in lieu of the comments on YouTube because I am making an effort to leave more unsaid. However, after typing this response and sitting with it before deletion I realized this is a subject I am passionate about. It should be no surprise that a fusion of Taoism, Jack Black, and Animation would illicit such a response from me.

---

As a practitioner of the Tao and someone who respect the lore on which must of this mythos is based I had a few thoughts while watching this. Oogway is far from perfect. And that fact actually shows exactly the lesson he attempted to impart in all his students.1) The final test for Tai Lung was how he would handle finding out he was not the Dragon Warrior. Oogway was merely initiating the final test. Had Tai Lung accepted the judgement in peace and found balance in knowing he was special without the title, ironically would have made him a real candidate for the fake label. Accepting that we will not always be accepted was the final test. And you can't just tell someone that's the test, it would defeat the whole purpose. They must know their own self worth without being told to become whole. 2) Blaming the actions of others on the deeds of just one man fails to hold each and every one of them accountable for their own actions. We can not know what they would have done should Oogway have not propagated the legend of the Dragon Warrior. One must be willing to accept their own faults before they can overcome them.

3) I may be wrong and assuming too much but it seems as if Feng Huang's betrayal was written to reflect the legend of Bak Mei and the splintering of the original Shaolin Monastery when Pride rose above Prosperity the mind of a single student. The story is very akin to the fall of Anakin Skywalker as well. Oogway did the only thing in his power to control that darkness and prevent it from infecting others. Was it flawed? Yes, probably so. I do not know that he had a better alternative though. Feng Huang was already of the opinion that she was stronger. A plea to her humility would only have fallen on deaf ears.

4) Ding... okay you got me there. Perhaps Oogway did what he thought was best by allowing others who understood Ding's power to train him. Maybe not, we can't just ask the turtle dude. But the prodigal son that is sent away to learn and then return - but then does so with contempt and malice in his heart is an ancient trope that is based on just how easily some people can become slighted. Same with Taotie. Oogway chose to measure the success to a fish by it's ability to climb a tree. He was wrong.

5) As far as Legacy goes. You are right. His students are flawed. But Oogway did not foster that flawed nature in them. We all come flawed from the start. And it is not the responsibility of our teachers to iron these imperfections out of us. Instead it is their job to hold a mirror up to us and provoke within us the desire to better ourselves. Shifu did not learn this lesson until too late to help the ones he loved most. Generational trauma is not the fault of the people who pass it on to us, because they in turn suffered long before we came into the picture. All that we can do is to draw a line in the sand and say, "No more." We can break the cycle. But blame and pointing fingers does not break a cycle, it perpetuated it. We must rise above and learn forgiveness before we can put an end the trauma. Because it's trauma all the way down, and it always has been, and it always will be until we choose to end it.

The take away is that the lessons of the Dragon Warrior are a life-long commitment. Not simply a lesson to be taught by a geriatric turtle.

[dangermousie]

You guys are sleeping on The Legend of Taotie.

Is it a good drama? No.

Does it make much sense? Also no.

But it gives us a noble beefcake royal who randomly transforms into a critter, rips off his shirt to show off his spectacular torso, and jumps off the boat. What more can you want in life?

[mortallyclearwonderland]

Kung Fu Panda Legends of Awesomeness - "Youth in Re-Volt"

Episode 74 overall 

Synopsis:

Bian Zao steals magical lightning powers and teams up with Tong Fo and the Croc Bandits; Po and Taotie must keep Bian Zao from destroying the village.

Characters:

I was wrong. Writers didn't dismiss that Bian Zao has electrical powers now. But I'm not sure if he still has them. They might have made him return them.

This episode is all about Bian Zao's relationship with his father and Po trying to help. A conflict that doesn't comes from Po being an idiot or a jerk in any way whatsoever? Hallelujah!!!

Po is just like a second parent and it leads to many funny interactions with both Taotai and Bian Zao.

Great episode, one of the funniest in the series!

Villains: Taotie and Bian Zao are not only the bad guys but the main characters of this episode. I share Po's sentiment. It's great to see them make amends but it's a shame they want to harm Po.

Fung has birthday and Gah-ri too! The Croc Bandits are here so there are people to steer Taotai’s machines.

Tong Fo is creepy and manipulative. The way he touches Bian Zao makes me want to call child protective services. 

[melodious-tear]

Zhan Huang/Taotie: Burn it all down - League of Legends (Besomorph Remix)

[ibijau]

time to dust off a bit that AU where nhs is half demon!

This is also on AO3

“This place looks awful,” Nie Huaisang remarked upon being led into the cave where Wei Wuxian apparently lived these days. “And I say that as someone who has been living among demons for five years. I thought nothing could shock me anymore, but… congratulations, you proved me wrong.”

“I call it the Demon Slaughtering Cave,” Wei Wuxian coldly retorted. “Do you know why?”

“The smell makes them pass out?” Nie Huaisang guessed, before turning to Lan Wangji. “I’m surprised you tolerate this. Surely you don’t actually live in here, do you?”

It was actually quite funny to witness the very subtle conflict on Lan Wangji’s face, who had apparently grown minutely more expressive during Nie Huaisang’s absence. Torn between standing by Wei Wuxian, and defending his honour which had to be insulted over the accusation of living in such filth, Lan Wangji chose to remain silent. But of course, that was usually what he’d always chosen in any situation, expressing his contempt without a word.

“Are you here to criticise my home?” Wei Wuxian asked. “Or are you here to warn me about some supposed threats against my shijie?”

“How rude, you’re not even offering me tea,” Nie Huaisang lamented. “And I’ve come all this way to see you, too! We used to be friends, Wei-xiong, you can’t be so rude to me.”

Wei Wuxian rolled his eyes, but sent Wen Ning to make them tea. That served to confirm Nie Huaisang’s suspicions that the cave was not an actual living place if tea had to be prepared somewhere else, meaning there had to be an entire side to the Burial Mounds that he wasn’t seeing, a part of it where people actually lived, while this cave was likely intended as a workshop, and maybe also to scare any unwanted visitors.

Most important of all, that meant Wen Ning was out of the way, and Nie Huaisang could now speak more freely. Just because Wen Ning was Wei Wuxian’s friend didn’t mean that he was Nie Huaisang’s, and certainly some of the things he had to discuss should not be heard by anyone who might be counted as an enemy of Qinghe Nie.

“So, someone in the mortal world is trying to bribe demons into killing your shijie’s husband and son, as well as my Da-ge for good measure,” Nie Huaisang announced as soon as Wen Ning was gone. “So far nobody has dared to do it because I’ve made it clear that I won’t allow it, and my mother is backing me, but…”

“Your mother… the demon?” Wei Wuxian gasped. “You found your mother?”

“Technically, she found me. But the point is…”

“What sort of demon is she?” Wei Wuxian asked, as if they had time to get distracted by such trivial details. “I’ve tried to figure it out, based on what people said about your outbursts, and on what you wrote to me back then, but…”

“She’s a taotie,” Nie Huaisang impatiently cut him. “A devourer, doomed to a hunger that nothing can ever appease, capable of eating anything presented to her, even poison or stone. Now, about that murder plot…”

“A Taotie? Your sect’s symbol?” Lan Wangji remarked, earning a very disappointed look from Nie Huaisang. It wasn’t like Lan Wangji to miss the big picture like this, and even less so to waste his breath saying something obvious.

“She’s the taotie from our founding legend. Apparently she returns every few generations to check if Qinghe Nie is still around, scolds us for not refining our cultivation method yet, and then disappears again for the next century. As I understand it, my father was hardly the first lover she took within our sect, though I’m the first hybrid to have been born. Lucky me.”

“Isn’t the Nie sect several centuries old?” Wei Wuxian asked. “If she was here when it was founded…”

“Oh, she’s older than that. She claims she’s older than any of the current cultivation sects. Which is why she has so much influence among demons, and she’s able to use that influence to protect your family and mine, but probably not for much longer and so they’re going to die and it’s going to be awful and you might get blamed for it. Can we please talk about that?”

To Wei Wuxian’s credit, he did grow more serious after being reminded of that threat, and Nie Huaisang was able to bring their conversation back to something a little less distressing than his mother.

“As I understand it, the plot is as follows,” Nie Huaisang explained. “Someone, a human, is trying to get a demon to murder Jin Zixuan, his wife, and their son, with the intention of placing the blame on Lanling Jin’s most obvious enemies: the Yiling Patriarch, and Qinghe Nie.”

“I’m not an enemy of the Jins,” Wei Wuxian protested, so mildly that he had to know it wasn’t quite exact.

“I’m sure they have their own opinion on that,” Nie Huaisang retorted, noting the way Lan Wangji couldn’t refrain from a slight frown. “And it certainly can’t be debated that Qinghe Nie is their enemy. Well, what’s left of it, anyway,” he added after a moment of hesitation. “I’m told we aren’t doing so well these days.”

The way both Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji suddenly avoided his eyes confirmed that those rumours too had been true. Gossip in the demon world tended to be accurate. Demons just didn’t have the imagination to invent things, as Nie Huaisang had quickly learned, though they were quite good at omitting details or telling only half of what had happened. He had hoped that in this case, the stories had been exaggerated.

It hurt to know he had become the downfall of his sect, as he’d constantly feared since his true nature had been revealed. It hurt to know that his brother had been abandoned by so many of those who had stood by him, those men and women who had believed in him when he’d been little more than a child ruling over them, when he’d lead them into an impossible war. Nie Mingjue should have been a celebrated hero, admired and revered, but he’d been unlucky enough to have an unstable demon bastard for a brother, and that was enough to ruin even the greatest of legends.

“To be honest, when I first heard those rumours, I wasn’t too concerned,” Nie Huaisang confessed. “Whoever is doing this didn’t understand demons, not at first. Offering them gold and silver… nothing that can tempt any demon powerful enough to try anything this bold, and even the weaker ones were easily dissuaded once it was made clear that certain people are under my mother’s protection. But lately… well, I suppose that person has been doing some research at last, and they know better what price to offer. Fear of my mother soon won’t offer enough protection.”

“What is that person offering then?” Wei Wuxian asked. “The blood of virgins? The flesh of children? Cultivation secrets?”

“Dominion over selected parts of the human world,” Nie Huaisang replied. “Qinghe, Yiling… most of the Wens’ former territories, too, would belong to whoever can murder Jin Zixuan and make it look like the enemies of the Jins were behind it. Then, as I understand, you and Da-ge would also be slaughtered by those same demons, who would thus prove that they can be honourable, and earn their right to those abandoned lands and the people living on them.”

“No, the cultivation world would never allow it.”

“It depends on who is suggesting it, Wei-xiong. A sect powerful enough, influential enough, could force others to accept anything. The Wens could have done it, why shouldn’t others?”

Wei Wuxian frowned, now so severe that Nie Huaisang suddenly better understood why his old friend was feared by so many. There was something unearthly about Wei Wuxian when he was so serious. He wasn’t Wei-xiong, the brash and funny boy Nie Huaisang had laughed with in the back hills of the Cloud Recesses. He was the Yiling Patriarch, a dangerous man controlling forces that no human should ever have had in their hands.

Nie Huaisang shivered, and wondered if that was what people had seen in him, too, those rare times he had lost his temper.

“I have very little respect for Jin Guangshan,” Wei Wuxian stated, “but even he wouldn’t murder his own son for power.”

“No, he wouldn’t,” Nie Huaisang agreed.

“Jin Guangyao,” Lan Wangji immediately guessed.

He had been a little too quick to suggest that name, Nie Huaisang thought, as if perhaps he’d had doubts already. In that case he hadn’t shared those doubts with Wei Wuxian, who only looked confused upon hearing that person mentioned.

It annoyed Nie Huaisang that Lan Wangji might have had suspicions. He had never thought Jin Guangyao might have anything but the best intention toward himself and Nie Mingjue, not until this new plot had started, and he’d been forced to see who would profit from it. He had loved Jin Guangyao as one of his closest friend, he’d wept from gratitude over Jin Guangyao’s efforts to help him deal with his new reputation, he’d felt so sorry that his attack on Jin Zixuan and Jiang Yanli must have caused such problems to his very dear friend…

Now, he only wondered if Jin Guangyao hadn’t always thought of using a demon to eliminate the only person standing between him and a chance to rule over Lanling Jin.

Jin Zixun wasn’t supposed to be at that Night Hunt. Jin Guangyao had promised he wouldn't be. Jin Guangyao to whom Nie Huaisang had told so many of his secrets, including his weakness to realgar wine. He’d never thought it might be dangerous to share that. On the contrary, he’d though Jin Guangyao should know, to help him avoid that wine more easily.

Jin Guangyao had said they were friends.

Nie Huaisang's mother had laughed in his face when he'd come to her after he'd realised the truth, and she'd called him an idiot for trusting any mortal. There could be no friendship between humans and demons, she'd told him, no lasting affection. She had wanted him to forget about his old friends, about his old sect, about his brother "who would kill you on sight now, to regain the status he lost by protecting you", or so she assured him. She was very old, she'd reminded him, and he would only survive if he listened to her. 

She was very old, Nie Huaisang agreed. Too old to understand some things were worth dying for, too much of a demon to feel the strength of human affections, too selfish to understand that Nie Huaisang couldn't bear to live if his brother was dead. 

His mother would be so annoyed when she discovered where he had disappeared to this time. Nie Huaisang wasn't sure she loved him, but she enjoyed the novelty of his existence enough to be upset that he'd left her. 

"Yes, I suppose it would make sense for it to be Lianfang-zun," Wei Wuxian muttered, whose analysis of the situation Nie Huaisang had mostly tuned out, only listening enough to feel oddly proud that his old friend's thoughts had seen the same oddities as he had. "Everyone already suspects he will take over Lanling Jin when his father dies. Jin Zixuan isn't interested in ruling after all. But I can see how he'd want more security than that. Jin Zixuan could change his mind about ruling." 

"Honestly I can't even blame him," Nie Huaisang said. "In other circumstances, I might well root for him. But too many people I like need to die for San-ge to get what he wants, so I can't allow it."

"And what's your plan, Nie-xiong?" 

Nie Huaisang grimaced at the question he'd expected and dreaded. He was only saved from admitting he currently had no plan, beyond involving Wei Wuxian and hoping for the best, by Wen Ning returning with the tea. 

Confessing he wasn't in control before Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji was bad enough. To admit it before an enemy of Nie Mingjue was inconceivable. Sensing his reluctance, Wei Wuxian turned cold again. 

"If you trust Lan Zhan and me, you have to trust Wen Ning too," he warned.

"Wei-xiong, you're assuming I trust you. I'm here because I have no choice, but I know you'd gladly kill me now, if you didn't need me as well to protect your shijie." 

"Why would I kill you? You were tricked when shijie was hurt, so I have no quarrel with you." 

"Everyone has quarrels with monsters," Nie Huaisang snapped. 

"Except other monsters," Wei Wuxian retorted, glancing at Wen Ning who pretended not to notice he had caused an argument and was getting everything ready for them to have tea. He'd found a somewhat clean surface to work as a table, and was now pouring tea into a mismatched set of glasses, as carefully as if they were all young masters of great sects still, rather than unwanted exiles. 

Demons shared with humans the same disgust of corpses, be they walking or still. But it was hard to feel repulsed by Wen Ning, who looked so distraught when he realised one of the glasses was leaking a bit. 

"I don't care what he is," Nie Huaisang claimed, which was only partly untrue. "But I care who. He's a Wen. How can I trust him where Da-ge is concerned?" 

Before Wei Wuxian could protest, the clear sound of a bell rang through the cave, making all three of Nie Huaisang’s hosts exchange a look. 

"Seems we're a popular destination today," Wei Wuxian said. 

"I'll go see who it is," Wen Ning quickly offered, his eyes darting toward Nie Huaisang. "You three can continue talking now." 

After Wen Ning had left, Nie Huaisang felt a little embarrassed for acting like such a rude guest, but most of all he felt relieved to see that fierce corpse gone. 

"So, what's your plan?" Wei Wuxian asked again when they sat to drink their tea. "You do have one, right?" 

"My plan is the only one that has ever worked for me: let someone smarter than me come up with something. I'm sure you know better than me how to warn your shijie of incoming danger."

Wei Wuxian laughed at that answer, almost the same laugh as when they were young, when their only plans were about smuggling wine and meat inside the Cloud Recesses. Back then, Nie Huaisang had been in awe of his new friend, half convinced there was nothing in the world Wei Wuxian couldn’t do, once he set his mind to it. Perhaps Nie Huaisang still believed that, and his mother was right in calling him a sentimental fool.

“We need a messenger,” Lan Wangji remarked. “Direct contact with the young Madam Jin is dangerous.”

“Hm, the murder plan could already be in motion,” Wei Wuxian agreed. “If I made her come here, someone might take advantage and attack her. We need someone trustworthy, someone who can access Jinlin Tai without requiring an invitation. Ideally, we also need someone who could have access to the Unclean Realm, and that’s a little harder to find. Unless…”

“Unless?” Nie Huaisang asked, half guessing already who such a person might be. “Wei-xiong, no. It needs to be someone trustworthy, someone who will not betray us to Jin Guangyao. If you’re thinking of who I’m thinking… no. He loves San-ge too well. If it comes to a choice between trusting me or trusting San-ge, I know that Er-ge… I don’t want to know who he’ll choose, because I already know, if that makes sense.”

“Xiongzhang stands for justice,” Lan Wangji replied, some anger displayed on his impassive face upon hearing his brother’s integrity doubted. “Xiongzhang would help us.”

Nie Huaisang shrugged. He wanted to believe that, because he liked Lan Xichen, who had also helped so much when he’d been virtually imprisoned inside his own home. But Lan Xichen had too readily agreed with Jin Guangyao’s idea of letting Nie Huaisang go to that fateful Night Hunt, and it was Lan Xichen who had eventually convinced Nie Mingjue to give this a chance. Either Lan Xichen had been Jin Guangyao’s accomplice or he had been his unwilling weapon, and while the second option was more likely, it didn’t make him more trustworthy.

Nie Huaisang was trying to explain this, much to Lan Wangji’s growing displeasure, when Wen Ning returned with news from the gate.

“It’s Lan zongzhu,” he announced. “He’s bringing money and food again. Do I let him in?”

[robininthelabyrinth]

NMJ is the only one that knows bc he’s the only one that NHS truly trusts, he’s the only one who knows why NHS focuses so much in painting and art, NHS doesn’t know why or how but with a little bit of spiritual energy he’s able to bring what he paints in paper to the real world and with that the Nie sect has the beasts of legends under their command

on ao3

“How about you draw a flower?” Nie Mingjue said without much conviction. It was hard to have conviction when you knew it was pointless.

“No!” Nie Huaisang shouted, unsurprisingly, because toddlers always shouted. They seemed to have a great deal of feelings and sound for such small frames. “Taotie!”

Nie Mingjue grimaced. “No, no, not Taotie,” he said quickly. Never Taotie, not again. “How about the Baihu? Nice fuzzy tiger?”

“No!”

“Fenghuang? You like birds.”

Nie Huaisang considered it. “I like birds,” he agreed.

Nie Mingjue heaved a sigh of relief. “Me, too,” he said enthusiastically. “I love birds.”

He had never had especially strong feelings about birds, but he was willing to develop some.

“Okay,” Nie Huaisang said, and patted his thigh comfortingly. “I’ll draw you a bird, da-ge.”

“…thanks,” Nie Mingjue said.

When Nie Huaisang was done, he proudly presented Nie Mingjue with the results of his work.

Nie Mingjue put the baby phoenix in the new aviary he’d secretly had constructed behind his father’s back, thinking to himself that the high-grade construction materials he’d insisted on were totally worth losing his allowance for the next year.

The phoenix chick - it looked like a plucked chicken with maybe three feathers total - weakly coughed smoke.

Because of course it did.

Sometimes Nie Mingjue wished that he could just tell someone about Nie Huaisang’s unusual gift – it was a pretty big burden to bear, and he really wasn’t sure he was old enough for this type of responsibility – but no one else deserved to know. If they didn’t have the good taste to like Nie Huaisang when he was no one and nobody, pointless and useless, they didn’t deserve the benefits of knowing him now that he could do stuff.

Even if it was weird stuff. 

Stuff like his ability to summoning the things he drew into existence. 

Even things that might not really exist.

Besides, the thought of Nie Huaisang getting wrapped up into war and politics when he was still so young –

No, better to just store away what he made and hope he grew out of it.

And no more Taoties.

-

“Lan Zhan said his uncle shows people his artwork,” Nie Huaisang said, sitting on Nie Mingjue’s table in the family study. “Why don’t you ever show my artwork?”

“You do art?” their father asked absently, most of his attention on the report he was reading.

“Huaisang does great calligraphy,” Nie Mingjue interjected very quickly. “You’ve seen it – it’s beautiful. And his poems are very well crafted, too.”

“But Lan Zhan said –”

Nie Mingjue mentally resigned himself to not being friends with Lan Xichen any longer, no matter how well they’d gotten along, on the basis that the other boy would probably take it personally when Nie Mingjue murdered his brother.

“He also said stuff about rules,” he said. “Hundreds and hundreds of rules. Do you want to listen to all of those, too?”

“No,” Nie Huaisang said sulkily, five years old and bitter with it. “But…”

“How about we show Lan Wangji your aviary?” Nie Mingjue coaxed. “Go ask him if he’d like to see it. I bet he’s never seen anything like that – and you can ask him what type of animal he likes best, too!”

Nie Huaisang’s eyes went wide at the thought and he dashed off.

“You spoil him far too much,” their father commented. “An aviary – you talk about it more than he does, and you’re always getting birds to fill it up for him, too. Why are you so devoted to him learning to like birds?”

“Better than him liking fierce beasts,” Nie Mingjue said, omitting to mention exactly where he obtained the birds that filled the aviary. “Or corpses.”

“If he liked fierce beasts, perhaps he’d be more martially inclined.”

No, we would be, Nie Mingjue thought. He’d gotten a lot of spare practice with Baxia trying to fight corpses that had no business being there during the period in which Nie Huaisang had gotten temporarily interested in the things in his father’s stories – and that was before Nie Huaisang had learned about yao.

“I don’t want him growing up morbid, that’s all,” he said.

“You’re his brother, not his nursemaid,” their father said, a little exasperated. “Nor are you his mother. Why are you fussing over him so?”

Nie Mingjue huffed and shook his head. “How goes recruitment for the border?” he asked instead, and listened to his father tell him about how people barely a year or two older than him were being sent to risk death in the name of sect honor.

Not Nie Huaisang, he promised himself. Not yet.

He’d tell his father when Nie Huaisang was old enough to handle the consequences.

-

“Huaisang, didi,” Nie Mingjue said, and tried to smile, even though it pained him. “Can you do me a favor? A really, really big favor?”

Nie Huaisang sniffed, clutching at his arms and shaking. “What, da-ge?”

“You remember Jiwei? A-die’s saber? Can you draw that for me, please?”

It only made it worse.

-

“Da-ge?”

“Yes, Huaisang?” Nie Mingjue asked, scowling at the map. It didn’t get any better the longer he looked at it, but maybe if he kept glaring he could cow it into submission.

“Don’t you want me to help?”

Nie Mingjue looked up at where Nie Huaisang was wringing his hands by the door. “Help? With what?”

Nie Huaisang rolled his eyes at him, like it was Nie Mingjue being dense instead of him having started a conversation in the middle. “Uh, with border defense?”

“Why would I ask you to help with that?” Nie Mingjue asked blankly, then realized how his words could be misconstrued. “Not that I wouldn’t ask you to help, of course, but you’ve never really liked battlefield strategy, and anyway you are only twelve –”

“Da-ge!” Nie Huaisang whined. “I meant drawing!”

“…as in maps?”

Nie Huaisang’s glare could light fires.

Nie Mingjue coughed and put aside his work to focus on his brother. “Huaisang, why do you think I would use your drawings in planning out a possible battle?”

“Because they’re useful?” Nie Huaisang said, crossing his arms. “I can make things appear, da-ge, just by drawing them. Not sure if you’ve noticed, but that’s not something that normal people can do.”

“I know,” Nie Mingjue said. “It’s not. But just because it’s not normal doesn’t mean it’s not a wonderful ability, Huaisang.”

Nie Huaisang looked a little bit appeased.

“But just because it’s wonderful doesn’t mean I’m going to abuse your ability,” Nie Mingjue continued. “You should be playing, not working, and if anyone tells you otherwise, you tell me and I’ll straighten them out.”

Nie Huaisang came up and hugged him. “So it’s not that you’re not ashamed of me being weird and useless?”

“I think we’ve already established that an ability like yours is far from useless. And I don’t care how weird you are, principles are principles: you’re too young to be used for battle. Sorry, Huaisang; my hands are tied.”

Nie Huaisang laughed at him and left, looking much happier.

-

“So what would you like?” Nie Huaisang asked, eyes sparkling. “Me and my brush are at the ready, here to help!”

Nie Mingjue rubbed his forehead. “If you’re sure…”

“Da-ge! I’m seventeen – you were already sect leader for two years by my age. And it’s not like I’m going out there on the front lines or anything; I’m just going to draw some stuff for you.”

“You say ‘just’,” he grumbled. “It does drain your qi, you know. That’s why you took such a long time to form a golden core…”

“Yes, but I did get there eventually, didn’t I? And anyway, it’s fine, I’ll do it instead of my usual landscapes. What would you like? A dragon to devour our enemies? The white tiger, nipping at their heels? A taotie –”

“No Taotie.”

“You’re so weird about that,” Nie Huaisang complained, rolling his eyes again. “Fine. Then what?”

“Sabers,” Nie Mingjue said, giving in. “Standard steel, not spiritual. Horses, feed, saddles. Say, how are you at drawing arrows?”

“Da-ge,” Nie Huaisang said. “I can draw you the beasts of legend, and you want me to draw you arrows?”

“Yes. As many as you can bring yourself to create, really; everyone’s always short on arrows. More rice would be good, too –”

“This wasn’t exactly what I was expecting when I volunteered to help,” Nie Huaisang grumbled.

“Are you going to do it for me or not?” Nie Mingjue asked, unimpressed. “You asked me to use you, not to give you an art project.”

His brother heaved a sigh. “Yes, yes, I will. Can you explain to me why this is your choice, at least?”

Nie Mingjue ruffled his brother’s hair. “Huaisang, when you draw something, it comes to life. Fully to life, as a separate and independent creature of its own – if you draw a dragon, who’s to say that the dragon will choose to fight the Wen sect, instead of turning on us? It wouldn’t be much help if we had to run out, sabers drawn, to deal with whatever it was, only to be exhausted before the Wen sect even arrived.”

“…oh.”

“When we’ve made some progress in the field, I promise to let you help build fortifications,” Nie Mingjue said. “You can start thinking of really nasty traps –”

“Da-ge?”

“Yes?”

“…is that why you hate the idea of me drawing Taotie so much?”

Nie Mingjue coughed.

“Da-ge!”

“Don’t worry about it. It was always really good saber practice…”

-

“And if anyone tries anything against you at the camp, you draw something really mean, okay?” Nie Mingjue said, pressing paper and a brush into his brother’s hand in addition to the ones he’d hidden away in his luggage - there was a chance that might be confiscated upon his arrival. “I don’t care what it is.”

“I know, I know –”

“Promise me!”

“I will!” Nie Huaisang exclaimed. “I promise already!”

“Not just if they’re aggressive. Even if things just look suspicious –”

“Suspicious? Like what?”

“If they take you somewhere secluded,” Nie Mingjue said, face drawn with worry. “Somewhere where it’d take us a long time to find your bodies. I don’t care if you put other people in danger from your creation, okay? Don’t make me have to find your corpse.”

Nie Huaisang was silent for a moment. “I understand,” he finally said. “I promise.”

-

“I’m never drawing anything legendary ever again,” Nie Huaisang sniffed into Nie Mingjue’s collar. “That Xuanwu was awful. It tried to eat all of us!”

-

“Do you want me to help with the logistics, Sect Leader Nie?” Meng Yao asked.

“You already help with the logistics,” Nie Mingjue said, not really paying attention. If it was serious, Meng Yao would bring it to his attention – he was a truly remarkable aide-de-camp. “You already help with everything.”

“I appreciate Sect Leader Nie’s confidence in me,” Meng Yao said, smiling a little. “But no, I meant – with the imports.”

“Imports?”

“Every week we receive new shipments of goods – food, weapons, defenses – from Qinghe, and we don’t send any money back. Surely such expenditures are putting a strain on the Nie treasury..?”

“Oh, don’t worry about that,” Nie Mingjue said. “Huaisang is handling it. It’s good for him to have responsibility.”

Meng Yao looked a little skeptical, but in his defense, he’d met Nie Huaisang.

“Really,” Nie Mingjue assured him. “He’s not going to hurt our budget – it’ll be fine. They’ve come steadily every week so far, haven’t they?”

“If Sect Leader Nie is content, then so am I,” Meng Yao said, but he was pouting a little, perhaps at the perceived lack of trust. He did so love to be helpful.

“You know I trust you with my life,” Nie Mingjue told him. “But this is something that Huaisang is, for once, best placed to handle. Don’t worry about it.”

It wasn’t really his secret to share, after all. Maybe when the war was done.

-

Nie Mingjue was on his back in the throne room of the Fire Palace, staring up at the man who murdered his father and who was about to murder him, too, when he heard the sound.

A high-pitched squeal, unlike anything else he’d ever heard – a little like a pig, a little like a wolf, a little like the long slow grate of metal against metal. It burned on the ear, a vile sound on the verge of being physically painful.

“What is that?” Wen Ruohan asked, frowning. He was standing above Nie Mingjue, his foot crushing down on his chest; Baxia was out of reach, knocked away, but at least no longer in the traitor Meng Yao’s hands. “Meng Yao…?”

“I - I’m not sure, Sect Leader Wen,” Meng Yao said, looking equally confused.

Nie Mingjue laughed.

They both looked at him.

He grinned up at them, blood in his teeth.

“What?” he said. “Never heard a Taotie before?”

[americangodstalk]

Here is the second part of the “Far-East deck”.

Mythical Beings: The Ryu, Japanese dragon, Creature of the air and the water. Lives in the most remote areas of Japan. From Japanese myths. / The Lung, Chinese dragon, Creature of the air and the waters. Lives in the most remote areas of China. From Japanese myths.

Legendary Beings: Musashi Miyamoto, the greatest of all samurais. Lived in the Japan of the 16th and 17th centuries. Comes from the real world and Japanese legends. / The Kitsune, shapeshifting fox, Mistress of illusions. Lives near temples, in the depths of the woods. Comes from Japanese legends. / The Oni, Yokai (demon) preying upon innocent young girls. Lives in remote areas, often near the sea. Comes from Japanese legends. / The Kilin, Oriental chimera, fiery unicorn with deer antlers. Lives in peaceful areas, often near wise elders. Comes from Chinese legends. / The Rokurokubi. Female life-sucking Yokai (demon) with an elastic neck. Lives in a respectable household, not different from any others. Comes from Japanese legends. 

Literary Being: Sun Wukong, The King of Monkeys, Master of the Magic Staff. Lives in Ancient China. Comes from “The Journey to the West”, novel written by Wu Cheng’en in the 16th century.

Ridiculous Being: The Taotie. Flying evil spirit with great ears. Lives in old abandonned temples with welcoming roofs. Comes from Chinese legends.