#lwj critical

[gardensofthemoon]

if i had a nickel every time jin ling feared lan wangji was going to kill someone jin ling loved, i’d have two nickels. which isn’t a lot but it’s weird that it happened twice.

[jin-zixun]

canon divergence fix it where after seeing everyone turn against JGY at Lotus Pier, and realizing the obvious set up, decide not to be willing pawns in an unknown scheme for vengeance. At the very least to not be so merciless, and relentless in pursuit. Give him the slightest compassion in hearing his story. Maybe even do some investigating that they weren't led to by a party with a vested interest in a certain outcome.

Maybe even break the hold NMJ's Empathy seems to have on WWX, maybe he can even remember that NMJ was against him too and honestly thought the Wen remnants should have been killed and would have done so (probably did) and wasn't actually the paragon of virtue WWX has apparently revised him into being.

Maybe they could even help him leave. Look the other way, help out with a less lethal distraction. That's *really* the least they could do after helping his enemy to cause all of this. He's already brought down. And WWX might not owe anything, personally, to JGY, but LWJ definitely does. And if WWX is supposed to be a compassionate character who doesn't care for vengeance and retribution other than just not wanting it enacted on him... Then he should. Not be seeking vengeance and retribution.

[jin-zixun]

hey i wonder if there's any character who actually sees this and speaks out about it and how blatantly unfair the treatment is and how blatantly privileged and uncaring lan wangji is, who is treated like a pariah both in and out of universe for daring to even consider himself "qualified to speak to" lan wangji as if he's actually wrong about any of it when he is demonstrably correct and it's actually kinda obvious

[poorly-drawn-mdzs]

We can’t keep doing this.

[First] Prev <–-> Next

[factsilike]

I don't know why so many people are coming to LXC's defence recently, like he never did anything wrong or never had a choice or that he was only manipulated, because 'JGY was just that good of a manipulator.'

Like no, the novel makes it clear that at several points that he was being willfully blind and ignorant of JGY's and the cultivation world's faults. The fact that LWJ and WWX found out about JGY killing NMJ after only a little bit of digging because they thought to suspect him, which Lan Xichen somehow didn't think to do despite spending close to twenty years working with him. That's a very long time, and that says more about his tendency to turn a blind eye, to not look deeper, to look away from the uncomfortable truth, than any good about JGY's manipulation abilities.

That is not to say Lan Xichen isn't a good person. He is. The problem is that he's not willing to put in the work to be good. He's unwilling to stand up to anyone. When WWX rightfully calls out JGS for trying to be the next Wen Rouhan, (about which JGY was like 'I mean, you're right, but you're not supposed to say it...."), he convenienly ignores that, opting to irrelevantly comment about how 'his heart had changed'. (Which made no sense?? LXC barely knew anything about WWX at that point!)

He's content to stay in his comfort zone, to go with the easy solution of letting others decide. If there's a problem, he'll go with the flow, and if there's a deeper ugly truth to it? He doesn't want to know about it. The situation of his parents is a perfect example. He says it himself: he doesn't want to know, and thus doesn't want to understand what happened with them.

Also for someone whose whole thing is being nice, he can be unbelievably tactless. Look at the ending events of the Guanyin Temple, where JGY is missing a limb and LXC, without thinking, asks Nie Huaisang of all people to give him medicine to heal. You know, the same Nie Huaisang who, at least to LXC's knowledge, has just learned that this same man is responsible for the death and dismemberment of his brother's body, as well as many others. And he now wants his help. To heal his brother's killer. Yikes. It's a wonder that NHS didn't immediately plan to kill LXC right then and there. And even if LXC was physically and mentally exhausted, it was still an incredibly thoughtless move.

Look at the way he laughs about NMJ (a member of the gentry) taking a third of the prey on Phoenix Mountain- "Oh typical Dage, that's just like him!"- while ignoring accusations against WWX (a son of a servant) doing the same, because he's subconsciously agreeing that it was a problem when WWX did it. He's being blatantly hypocritical and it's frustrating that he doesn't even realise it, or acknowledges it.

One of his redeeming factors can be his love for LWJ, but he's frustratingly careless about that too. For all his teasing (in which we never see LWJ indulging, he just unhappily and sulkily endures that. Teasing is not supposed to be fun or amusing if it's only one sided. Compare that to how he responds with snarky remarks to WWX's teasing, meaning he enjoys their banter) and pushing and advocating for LWJ's happiness, he never seems to deeply consider what actually makes him happy.

Everything he does for LWJ turns out to be the very opposite of what Lwj actually wants; inviting WWX and the others for the Caiyi hunt? Not what Lwj wanted, LXC merely convinced himself of that. His pushing LWJ to go talk to WWX at any chance? Doesn't ask or seem interested in why exactly LWJ would want to talk to WWX, nor help him in not letting their conversations constantly devolve into arguments. Shutting LWJ's protests at how WWX was right at the banquet with the 'his heart had changed'? Convenient for him to say, both hurting (even if it was unintended) his brother and changing the subject. And somehow everyone forgets that it was LXC who led the thirty three Lan elders to the cave after the Nightless City for Lan Wangji to fight against, for 'his own good.' And of course his whole angry, projection and deflection fuelled rant at the Guanyin Temple, where he tries to make WWX feel guilty about his brother's confession (which, you know WWX didn't remember because of the trauma clouding his memories), and make him think that he owed LWJ a relationship, which was exactly what LWJ was most afraid of.

His failings hit harder for me than any other character, because unlike JGY or XY or JGS who have no qualms about their immorality, he's supposed to be one of the good guys, a righteous clan leader who abides by honour and dignity. And yet he fails to do anything of sustenance all throughout the novel, and is a painful reminder of how easy it is to go with the wrong crowd, and that how so many 'nice' people like him exist irl, people whose willful ignorance comes at other's expense, people who want to be good but are too afraid of conflict, too set in their comfort zone to speak up against injustice, people who are all too willing to turn a blind eye and do nothing if the injustice or tragedy to others doesn't affect them.

[rayan12sworld]

💠🧡critical path analysis

By:chinxe

Summary:

Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji are the two top detectives of the Gusu PD's ninety-ninth precinct.

It really is a shame they can't stand each other.

(Or so Detective Wei thinks).

[detective wangxian🕵️‍♂️]

Chapter:1/1

Words:14,338

Status:completed

Oh, oh wow. Is this what heartbreak feels like? Lan Wangji thinks he is cruel - had it been that terrible, for him, to be forced to spend time with Wei Wuxian? For the first time in a long, long time, Wei Wuxian actually thinks he might cry

~~ NO baby it's because you are so stupid 🤧

If it’s so urgent, you can just tell him like this,” the taxi driver replies. Wei Wuxian shrugs as much as he’s able to. “Guess you’re right.” Then, inhaling, he calls, “Lan Zhan! Lan Wangji! HanGuang-Jun! Last night, on our date, I - I really wanted to make out with you!” Several things happen in the span of the next few seconds. Lan Wangji’s eyes go very, very wide; the taxi driver says, “What the fuck?”

~~ the classic [I want to sleep with you]👌

Too much information,” Jiang Cheng groans. “No,” Nie Huaisang says, tapping furiously away at his phone, “keep talking…”

~~

Wei Wuxian!” Captain Lan yells again. He looks on the verge of exploding from outrage - whoops. “I will suspend the both of you if you do not cease and desist, right this instant!” “Thank you, Captain,” Jiang Cheng says, looking immensely pained, “but I think it’s already too late for my eyeballs at this point.”

~~

[jin-zixun]

I still don't know why he does this tbh. He doesn't even draw bichen until after JGY lets Jin Ling go/Jin Ling is safe AND JGY is on the floor backing away, which LWJ would have to know or else he wouldn't be able to cut his arm off!

The reactions from the other characters suggest they don't know why tf he did it either, not even WWX. So I am left so lost by his decision making process here. Is it just because he's petty? Because that's pretty far to go for pettiness.

it's been /checks my watch, 2 years since the first time i watched cql, and i'm still annoyed that lan wangji cuts off jin guangyao's arm after he's just demonstrably proven that he was never actually a threat to jin ling's life.

[lady-of-the-spirit]

I was imagining an au where Yanli lives (as in doesn't go to the Nightless City/doesn't run into the fight) but everything else goes the same and came to a possible* conclusion that. Lan Wanji might not like her at all. For the same reason he dislikes Jiang Cheng - her lack of action to save Wei Wuxian. And also a general dislike for the Jins.

*(I say possible because he also could just as easily realize she doesn't exactly have much of a voice in her situation and she also is a genuinely pleasant person. But tbf it's not like he's known for being rational about Wei Wuxian so either outcome is entirely plausible to me.)

Ignoring how much of an impact Yanli's survival has on the rest of the plot I just wanted to bring it up because, unlike Wei Wuxian's general ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ attitude about Lan Wangji's dislike of Jiang Cheng, there is absolutely no way he would tolerate Lan Wangji disliking Yanli even when Wei Wuxian realizes it's in defense of himself so the mental image of Lan Wanji at war with his natural desire to please Wei Wuxian vs his just as natural desire to forever be an asshole to anyone he doesn't like is fun.

[trans-xianxian]

the thing about jiang cheng is that before nevernight, he's not even cruel, he's just a coward. which could also be said about numerous other characters, including more widely beloved ones like lan wangji. thats... kind of the point. one of my biggest pet peeves w jiang cheng haters is that they have created this version of the story where jiang cheng has always been this evil and hateful person who was wickedly cruel and selfish to everyone his whole life, when in reality his biggest flaw for Most of the story is that, like I said, he's a coward

he Knows that it's wrong for the wen remnants to be persecuted, this is shown several times. he holds no grudge against them for most of the plot and in the burial mounds he seemingly feels bad for them. he wants so desperately to help wei wuxian but doesn't know how. even after jin zixuan is killed, he isn't even that angry at wei wuxian until jiang yanli dies. the POINT of his arc is that in the 16 years wei wuxian was dead, after the horror and trauma of nevernight that left him alone, he has become a cruel and bitter man unable to move past his grief or deal with his lonliness, indulging his anger instead of trying to heal

post resurrection jiang cheng is supposed to be a stark contrast from the young adult/teenager who yes is an angry coward unsure of how to be gentle but who ultimately is just a scared teenager manipulated into being beneficial to the more experienced adults around him who have anterior motives, and his greatest crimes pre wei wuxians death are also committed by nearly every other character in the show

[touchlikethesun]

okay so. don’t crucify me. but su she and jin guangyao do actually make some pretty compelling points.

[llycaons]

lwj CAN be petty and jealous but the actual main reason he hates jc is because he thinks jc fucking killed wwx and because jc continues to harass, threaten, mock, and humiliate wwx so nice fucking try but no, media comprehension failed on this day

[digitalstowaway]

Thought about grumpy two-year-old lwj being forcibly removed from a social event and put down for a nap by lqr (lwj glares at all guests as he's being toted away like a sack of potatoes)

And then grumpy 18-year-old lwj being forcibly removed from a meeting during the Sunshot Campaign for a nap by lqr (lwj glares at the other sect leaders while he's pulled away by his hand. Lxc apologizes. Lwj had traveled for days, and he's running on little rest).

[valdrift]

long time mdzs mutuals i have found old sketch ideas for a wx animatic to Agnes glass animals . postage to be determined .

[wei-meddling-wuxian]

tbh I'm used to the fandom since I like JC and I ship Chengxian lol

I'll elaborate with your tags:

#CQL’s adaptation changes make LWJ indispensable to that canon IMO#since they establish Wangxian as a relationship of mutual respect and fondness starting wayyy back in Cloud Recesses#and LWJ is the means through which they both find out about Lan Yi and the Yin Iron#but in the novel??? damn like. there really isn’t anything related to the main plot that you need LWJ for there#there’s no reason WWX can’t kill the turtle by himself#since LWJ doesn’t succeed in rescuing him from Burial Mounds 2.0 (and WWX doesn’t remember till later) that doesn’t impact the plot either#yes you need a Lan to help investigate the severed arm but you could just have LXC do it#LXC who had a personal stake in the mystery bc the corpse is one sworn brother and the murderer is the other!#yeesh the political plot being largely unrelated to the romance plot irked me bc it meant the political plot would be tossed aside#but it cuts both ways! if the political plot isn’t necessary for the romance then the romance isn’t necessary for the political plot!

I was so shocked that the yin iron wasn't a thing in the books bc there was so much that the cql did with it, including giving us more wgxn moments, and I liked the ship in the cql. But in the books, not only do they not have those bonding moments but they seem to be actively pushing away each other? Like wwx specifically says he wishes jc was there with him instead?

lxc and wwx is a guilty pleasure ship I have, with the scene where lxc reams wwx out for breaking his little bros heart before mentioning trauma (wwx can appreciate some protectiveness, especially when it's like jyl's and feels familiar)

what bothers me the most is the potential lwj had as a character and love interest! and it would have incorporated well into the political i.e.,(and I'm working on a meta about this) having lwj confront lxc about maybe doing something for the wens considering there's a child there and having the brothers contend with what needs to be done for the sect (lxc bc nmj called jc a wen sympathizer for just bringing up the idea) vs what's the right thing to do (lwj even if he has to admit how wwx is going about it is wrong) -that tension could carry over into other aspects of the politics, sect relationships and lwj's character development (it also showed that he tried to do something for wwx beyond just visiting him and asking him to come to gusulan with him and shows his righteousness was there from the beginning, that he was hanguang-jun before the rep <- character growth)

but alas,

mxtx could have made wgxn a lot better and way more compelling (i can admit it has good tropes and imagery but there was potential for so much more depth) and just...didn't

The lack of a meaningful relationship in the past for wangxian, has made me a chengxian shipper (imo that's why so much vitriol against jc)

oh my god anon. anon.

this genuinely never occurred to me before, because I am highly indifferent to shipping and forget that it is a life-or-death situation in other corners of fandom, and so I have been sitting here figuring that oh, they just hate JC because they have no reading or viewing comprehension and think he hates WWX

BUT I THINK YOU'RE RIGHT

BECAUSE JC IS A REMINDER OF WWX'S LIFE BEYOND LWJ

and the enmeshment and shared history the two of them have going on is something that LWJ does not and cannot share, because it happened already! it is written! it's done! whereas Wangxian's current shared story theoretically could include JC unless pains are taken to keep him out.

[jin-zixun]

you ever think about how the lan sect is disdainful of su she for "copying" them (already absurd he was a lan disciple ffs) but when faced with su she clearly playing differently they just assume he must be doing it wrong?

"he's copying us"

"he's playing a different song though?"

"no no he's just copying us wrong"

and lo and behold yeah it's a different fuckin song lmao.

...and it's a different fucking song the lan copied from someone else that's so peak I can't. like they are all like "these are our secret lan only archives" and they fucking copied it!!! I caaaaaaan't.

[thatswhatsushesaid]

eyeballing the uptick in my follower count after one of my wei wuxian/wangx!an memes starts doing numbers like 😬😬😬

don't get me wrong, guys, i'm super glad you're here, but i really... really hope you read my pinned post