#sangyaoweek2024

[sangyaoweek]

It's time to announce the prompts for SangYao Week 2024! This event will last nine days, from 12-20 May, and there are 4 prompts to choose from each day.

We look forward to the amazing SangYao works to come! 💛💚

We are also on twitter if you want to check this out there!

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

Previous one

Day 2 of @sangyaoweek

Birds

“Who's there?” hissed the person, suspiciously looking around. Nie Huaisang debated whether it would be a good idea to show himself, or not, but he decided to do it. Taking a deep breath, he made sure he looked as harmless as he could be (which was a lot. Nobody who looked at him could imagine he was quite adept at hand-to-hand combat. Not Nie good, of course, but… Not going there.), and holding out his hands to show himself unarmed, he stepped out from his hiding place.

“Who are you?” A suspicious question came from the other person. Nie Huaisang smiled, as if it was his da-ge, trying to make him pay attention to the boring meeting with the other clan heads. He was nothing, but a pretty little airhead. Just a silly thing lost in the forest.

“This one is Hua Sang. Could the young master tell this one how to get to the nearest city? It seems this one turned the wrong way somewhere.”

The person eyed Nie Huaisang suspiciously, but it seemed he did not deemed him dangerous.

“Meng Yao,” the person introduced himself. He hesitated, assessing Nie Huaisang, then softened. “This one is going to Lanling. You can come with me.”

Lanling.

Jin Guangshan, eww. But it is as good a place as any to hide. And Nie Mingjue - if he would try to find him - would never think of searching for him at the Jins’.

After a not-so-careful consideration, Nie Huaisang slightly bowed his head in thanks. Out of all the options, this was one. Why not take it?

The first few sichens of their journey was spent quietly. Sometimes Nie Huaisang identified the birds in their vicinity, sometimes Meng Yao advised to take a little break, but overall it was quiet. Calm. Nothing like the night hunts his da-ge forced him to go on.

Slowly, it started to get darker in the dense forest. They had no means to light something, so they had to stop before one of them fell and broke a bone. They settled down in an alcove among the trees, their makeshift camp hidden by the shadows of the forest.

They managed to collect water and berries during their journey, and while they needed to find something more fulfilling for the next day, it was enough for dinner.

They chatted amicable for a while, when Nie Huaisang couldn't hold his question back anymore. “Lanling, huh? Is there any reason for going there, or…?”

Meng Yao was silent for a while. “Just… opportunities. A chance to be something more than what I had been before.”

“I can understand that,” Nie Huaisang nodded in the darkness, allowing the other to keep his secrets. It wasn't like he wanted to talk about his past either. “I'm also looking for opportunities. Except for I don't want to be something more, just something else. No grand plans for me, just to be able to live my life.”

Meng Yao hummed, “Don't you have any dreams or aspirations?”

An involuntary chuckle left Nie Huaisang's mouth. Dreams? Aspirations? Of course he had those! But… whatever happened, he would be fine with it. Anything except for being the Disappointment of Qinghe Nie.

“This lowly one does not have those.” Or, more like, he had too many of those.

Meng Yao stayed silent. Even though it was dark, it felt as if he was studying Nie Huaisang, wanting to see into his soul to know all of his secrets, to unveil the layers of lies or deceptions. Finally, he sighed, accepting Nie Huaisang's words.

And that was that.

Nie Huaisang never met anybody who just left something they wanted to know alone. Not his big brother, not the clan members, not even Lan Xichen and his menace of a brother could leave something alone. It was… it was unique. Refreshing.

Nie Huaisang liked that.

The next few days as they continued walking through the forest, fighting against bandits and searching for water and food, they talked. Well, Nie Huaisang talked, chattering about anything and nothing at all, like his beloved birds tended to do. Sometimes Meng Yao answered, sometimes he did not. Sometimes they exchanged stories - splattered with lies on both sides -, and even though they knew the other was not telling the whole truth, they started to feel something towards each other. Friendship, maybe. Camaraderie, possibly. Sympathy, definitely.

It was absurd. It was madness. Nie Mingjue would have bullied Nie Huaisang for trusting in a lying stranger. But he was not there. Nie Huaisang was.

And he trusted his instincts. Just as he had his own reasons, Meng Yao must have had his own reasons for not telling everything about himself, and Nie Huaisang would honor that. He knew he could rely on his new friend, and that was enough.

Next

[catholicjigglypuff]

💛💚 Sangyao Fic! 💚💛

Title: What Can I Get You?

Rating: G

Relationships: Mèng Yáo | Jīn Guāngyáo/Niè Huáisāng

Characters: Niè Huáisāng, Mèng Yáo | Jīn Guāngyáo

Tags: Alternate Universe - Modern Setting, Reunions, Food Service Industry, Childhood Friends, Scheming

Summary: In the middle of his shift, Jin Guangyao meets a customer he never thought he’d see again.

Meanwhile, Nie Huaisang just wants his old friend back.

Written for @sangyaoweek Day 5: Customer Service AU! I’m a day late to my own event omg but I humbly bring this offering anyway!

[sangyaoweek]

Just wanted to reassure everyone wanting to participate in Sangyao Week that we’ve opted out now, so this should prevent our reblogs of Sangyao Week fanworks from being shared with third parties as described in the post above.

-mod Bish

Hi, Tumblr. It’s Tumblr. We’re working on some things that we want to share with you. 

AI companies are acquiring content across the internet for a variety of purposes in all sorts of ways. There are currently very few regulations giving individuals control over how their content is used by AI platforms. Proposed regulations around the world, like the European Union’s AI Act, would give individuals more control over whether and how their content is utilized by this emerging technology. We support this right regardless of geographic location, so we’re releasing a toggle to opt out of sharing content from your public blogs with third parties, including AI platforms that use this content for model training. We’re also working with partners to ensure you have as much control as possible regarding what content is used.

Here are the important details:

We already discourage AI crawlers from gathering content from Tumblr and will continue to do so, save for those with which we partner. 

We want to represent all of you on Tumblr and ensure that protections are in place for how your content is used. We are committed to making sure our partners respect those decisions.

To opt out of sharing your public blogs’ content with third parties, visit each of your public blogs’ blog settings via the web interface and toggle on the “Prevent third-party sharing” option. 

For instructions on how to opt out using the latest version of the app, please visit this Help Center doc. 

Please note: If you’ve already chosen to discourage search crawling of your blog in your settings, we’ve automatically enabled the “Prevent third-party sharing” option.

If you have concerns, please read through the Help Center doc linked above and contact us via Support if you still have questions.

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

Previous

Day 8 of @sangyaoweek

Gift giving

The first gift arrived on a sunny morning.

The first gift was not that unusual; while generally the cultivation world thought Nie Huaisang was an idiot, the smaller clans liked to think that he was a naive idiot, who could be bribed. So, when a servant delivered it with an awkward bow, he accepted it with an eye-roll. It was a pretty, delicate jade carving of a bird in flight, which, while beautiful, it was really puzzling.

Gifts were not uncommon. Pretty gifts that fit his taste were.

“Da-ge, who sent this?” he asked, deep in thought, showing the carving to Nie Mingjue. He should have probably known which clan wanted to marry into the Nie Clan, or wanted some kind of protection or financial gain.

Nie Mingjue glanced at the bird and shrugged nonchalantly. “No idea, Huaisang. Maybe someone who appreciates your love of birds.”

Nie Huaisang huffed. He saw that little smirk, but when his brother had a secret, he could keep it. It was exasperating.

The next gift came three days later: a set of exquisite paintbrushes made from the finest materials, perfect for the painting he was working on. Nie Huaisang found them on his desk, each brush laid out with precision, from the smallest, most delicate one to the biggest, sturdiest one. This time, a small note accompanied the gift, written in elegant script: For your art.

For his art.

FOR HIS ART?!

Was that da-ge playing pranks on him, or what?!

“Dage!” Nie Huaisang yelled, storming into his brother’s room, where the older man was calmly working on some reports. “Did you see these?”

Nie Mingjue looked up from his paperwork, raising an eyebrow. “I did. Nice brushes.”

Nice- “Nice brushes?” Nie Huaisang echoed incredulously, his voice getting louder and louder. “This is the second gift in a week! They are expensive gifts! These are-!”

He was working himself up for nothing, he knew, but… He always wanted to be the mysterious one - not the clueless one!

“Why don’t you just enjoy the gifts, Huaisang?” Nie Mingjue suggested calmly. He clearly knew something that Nie Huaisang didn't, and it was making the situation even more maddening. “It’s not every day someone shows such interest in you.”

Nie Huaisang huffed, but he couldn't deny that the brushes were excellent. Nor that it wasn't an everyday occurrence that his interests were seen.

He was seen.

As the days passed, the gifts kept arriving. They were from someone who knew him, as all of them were clearly made with him in mind. Which was even more baffling, as noone from the Nie Clan appreciated the softer him, and noone bothered to get to know him from outside of the clan. Yet, the gifts kept coming, always luxurious and decadent. A silk fan embroidered with intricate designs, a rare book on bird species, a set of fine teaset… Each gift thoughtful and perfectly suited to his tastes.

Was it surprising that every new arrival only deepened Nie Huaisang’s confusion and annoyance?! He just couldn't stand not knowing something so important.

“Dage, this is getting ridiculous,” he whined one afternoon, holding up a beautiful inkstone carved with phoenix motifs. “Someone is obviously trying to get on your good side by flattering me. Why else would they bother to send so many beautiful thing to me?”

Nie Mingjue looked at him with amusement and loving irritation. “Why indeed… It’s clear that whoever this is knows you well. Isn’t that a good thing? They know your interests, and not only acknowledge them, but they are indulging you. Maybe I should stop them just to avoid them spoiling you rotten,” he joked.

Nie Huaisang hissed, “Don't you dare!” and hugged the gorgeous inkstone. “But seriously… I just don't get it.”

Nie Mingjue looked at him with sadness in his eyes. “I messed up so much, didn't I? That when someone so clearly appreciates your talents, instead of feeling flatteresd, you become paranoid. I'm sorry, A-Sang.”

Not knowing what to say, Nie Huaisang Just hugged his brother tight. They were far from complete understanding, but they learned how to compromise and how to listen to each other, which was even better.

“Just enjoy it, okay?” Nie Mingjue asked. Choked off, the younger man nodded, hiding his face into his brother's neck.

-

After some time, the arrival of gifts became a regular occurrence. At first, they arrived twice a week, then once a day, their frequency steadily increasing. Nie Huaisang still didn't know who they were coming from. He tried to enjoy them, as Nie Mingjue advised him, bu not knowing drove him insane. It was frustrating!

Sure, despite his complaints, he couldn’t help but appreciate the gifts, spending hours reading the rare book, or savoring the exotic teas. But the mystery of the sender gnawed at him. The gifts were clearly from someone attempting to curry favor with the Nies through their "naive" younger son or court him under the assumption that Nie Mingjue would not refuse them. And that was clearly a good assumption, as Nie Mingjue accepted them with an amused expression, content that someone was courting his didi.

One morning, a particularly extravagant gift arrived - a stunning birdcage crafted from silver and adorned with tiny, colorful gemstones that sparkled in the light. It was gorgeous. It was more expensive than any of the previous gifts combined.

Inside, a note, stating: For the birds you love so much.

Nie Huaisang’s patience finally snapped. “That’s it!” he yelled, storming into Nie Mingjue’s quarters. “What the hell, da-ge?! How and why can some unknown creep know that I love light novels, and enjoy painting and adore birds and-”

He froze mid-rant.

Oh.

“Oh,” he said softly.

His brother’s smug expression grew even more smug. The sneaky menace!

Nie Huaisang huffed, then sharply inhaled. “Is it from…?” he asked hesitantly, biting into his lip.

Nie Mingjue’s smile grew wider, his eyes twinkling with giddy satisfaction. “Yes, Huaisang. The gifts are from him.”

“Oh,” Nie Huaisang repeated, his voice full of wonder and disbelief. “Jin Guangyao?”

Nie Mingjue nodded, stepping forward to place a reassuring hand on his brother’s shoulder. “Yes. The gifts are from him. He cares about you, Huaisang. He’s not just some unknown creep. He’s someone who knows you and wants to be part of your life.”

Nie Huaisang felt a rush of emotions. Relief, amazement… and something deeper, more tender. He looked up at his brother, his eyes shining with tears. “But why didn’t you tell me?” he demanded.

Nie Mingjue chuckled, stepping forward to put a reassuring hand on his brother’s shoulder. “I wanted you to realize it on your own. Besides, it’s more fun this way.”

The sneaky menace.

Nie Huaisang rolled his eyes, but a smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. “You’re insufferable, da-ge. Evil and cruel and I can't believe you did this to your sweet, lovely little didi!”

“I know and I'm not sorry, not even a little bit,” Nie Mingjue replied, his deadpan tone couldn't hide his affection. “But you love me anyway.”

Nie Huaisang laughed, the tension he had accumolated throughout the weeks leaving his body. He glanced down at the birdcage again, his heart full of unsaid emotions. “Do you think I should write to him? Thank him? Maybe I should visit him, or invite him here?”

Nie Mingjue nodded, “Write to him. You can invite him - after all, he has to get used to the Unclean Realm if he wants to permanently move here...”

“I'm leaving!” Nie Huaisang grimaced towards his brother, embarrassed at his insinuation. (Embarrassed and hopeful. He wanted that so bad.)

As he turned to march back to his quarters, the birdcage still in hand, he felt lighter than he had in weeks.

Maybe Jin Guangyao could still become a Nie…

Next

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

Day 1 of @sangyaoweek

Running away

The atmosphere inside the grand hall was stifling, tense. Nie Mingjue stood with his arms crossed, glaring at Nie Huaisang, his flighty little brother, who seemed more interested in the fan twirling in his hand than the lecture he listened to for the thousandths time.

“Huaisang, you cannot continue to neglect your responsibilities! The sect relies on us, on YOU to act like a leader, yet you act like a child!” Nie Mingjue bellowed angrily.

“I never asked to be your heir! The sect needs you as our leader - not me! They don't want me as the heir, and I don't want to be the heir,” Nie Huaisang huffed, his resentment and frustration hidden behind his fan. He knew he was not a leader material. Everybody knew he was far from it. He was weak, he was whiney, he was too soft to be a real Nie. The clan members never failed to remind him. The only person delusional enough to believe he would be a good leader - somebody who could follow the footsteps of the Red Blade Master! - was Nie Mingjue. The only person who shouldn't even think that.

The clan leader roared, “Because you are not even trying! You are lazy, and you treat everything like a game!” Nie Mingjue squeezed his jaw, then spat, “Father would be disappointed in you.”

Nie Huaisang could hear what he really wanted to say. He, Nie Mingjue, was disappointed in him.

Good, he thought spitefully. Maybe finally he wouldn't have such unreasonable expectations of him. He would fail them anyways. It was time that his da-ge learned and accepted that Nie Huaisang was nothing but a failure.

“Go to the training ground. Nie Zonghui will train you.”

What should have been a final word, became another wood on the burning fire.

“I don't want to!” Nie Huaisang yelled, frustrated that his brother never learned. He was not a cultivator. He was nothing like a Nie, and no time training with his malicious saber was going to change that.

“You are an adult and the heir of the sect! Act like it!” His big brute of a brother hit the table with his fist; the force of it shook the tiny wooden thing. Not to be confused with the tiny human thing that was Nie Huaisang, who was also shaken by it.

“I'm not good at these things! Why can't you just name Nie Zonghui as your heir? He is capable and a true Nie! The perfect candidate!” The air froze as he voiced his thoughts without realizing it. While it was an old argument between the two, usually one of them stopped from turning the argument into a full on battle. Nie Huaisang never understood why Nie Mingjue needed to name him as his heir, when his brother was a great warrior and an amazing strategist, while he was… not. He was the best Sect Leader ever, so how could he ever think that Nie Huaisang could ever succeed at anything at all?! As if he would even live through Nie Mingjue; he didn't even have a golden core yet!

“Get out!” Nie Mingjue hissed, his face full of anger. “And a hundred rounds of your exercises! No excuses!” He shouted.

Contrary to popular belief, Nie Huaisang had a survivor instinct - he ran.

-

Pacing back and forth, a plan started to form. He felt trapped, both in his room, and in a role he never wished nor was equipped for. It was painful and frustrating. He wished to return to the days when Nie Mingjue was the heir, and he was his spoiled little brother. When his da-ge heard him, listened to him. When the fact that he was weak, but smart and mischievous was celebrated, and not scoffed upon.

When they trained and learned together and not one of the berating the other.

Nie Huaisang sighed, “I can't do this anymore…”

Lowering his head, he took a deep breath, and nodded.

It was time for Plan R.

-

The moonlight casted shadows on the fortress walls of the Nie Clan compound. Nie Huaisang, dressed in dark clothing, moved stealthily through the darkness, years and years of escaping from the Terror of Training coming handy.

It was time to escape. If he wasn't there, Nie Mingjue could finally name somebody worthier as his heir, and nobody would look down on him for not being Nie enough ever again.

As he reached the outer perimeter, the patrolling guards became more alert and serious, knowing that they couldn't afford to miss anything if the Wens chose to attack. But that was good. After all, they only focused on outside forces - not a runaway young master trying to escape from inside.

He took a deep breath, and whispered, “Patience, Huaisang. Patience.”

It was just like hunting for an elusive bird. He needed to wait for the perfect moment, timing his movements just right. And-

There!

With nimble steps, he slipped through the guards, avoiding their vigilant eyes. Heart pounding, he reached the outside world without anyone noticing him. He glanced back at the fortress with a mixture of pain and relief in his eyes.

“Goodbye, da-ge,” he whispered, his voice wavering. He couldn't handle the expectations, the disappointment, the continuous snide comments and anger. He would miss his da-ge.

But he had been missing him for some time already.

With a newfound determination, he stepped inside the forest, disappearing into the darkness.

-

The forest was quiet, dense. Nothing Nie Huaisang was used to, but it was a good different. After all, nobody would search for him there. (If they searched for him at all.) Still, he tried to put as much distance between himself and the clan before it was discovered that he was missing.

The time flew by him, yet moved so slowly that he couldn't pinpoint how far the sunrise was. He was just walking and walking, his legs quivering but he didn't stop.

If he was found, there was no second chance. His da-ge sure would lock him up somewhere. Probably at Cloud Recesses, for both physical and psychological torture.

The rustle of the bushes frightened him. The noises were too loud to be anything but a big predator - or a human. Instinctively, he hid behind a large tree, just as a figure emerged from the shadows.

Nie Huaisang squinted; he didn't recognize the figure. The person was slender, small and unassuming, not unlike Nie Huaisang. He was unfamiliar. But that didn't mean he was trustworthy.

He was close enough Nie Huaisang saw as his eyes darted around, showing he was both cautious and wary. Maybe he was hiding from something. Or he was searching for something - or someone. He looked nice and kinda cute. He was also very, very guarded.

Nie Huaisang was instantly intrigued.

Next one

[sangyaoweek]

💚💛The people have spoken!💛💚

With a whopping 65.5% of the votes, the sangyao nation of tumblr has crowned as their Unofficial Sangyao Theme Song….

💛💚Shrike by Hozier!💚💛

Link and lyrics below so you can all bask in its amazingness:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=DOBHyBPPSow

Lyrics:

I couldn't utter my love when it counted

Ah, but I'm singing like a bird 'bout it now

I couldn't whisper when you needed it shouted

Ah, but I'm singing like a bird 'bout it now

The words hung above

But never would form

Like a cry at the final

Breath that is drawn

Remember me, love

When I'm reborn

As the shrike to your sharp

And glorious thorn

And I'd no idea on what ground I was founded

All of that goodness is goin' with you now

Then when I met you, my virtues uncounted

All of my goodness is goin' with you now

Dragging along

Following your form

Hung like the pelt

Of some prey you had worn

Remember me, love

When I'm reborn

As a shrike to your sharp

And glorious thorn

I fled to the city with so much discounted

Ah, but I'm flying like a bird to you now

Back to the hedgerows where bodies are mounted

Ah, but I'm flying like a bird to you now

I was housed by your warmth

Thus transformed

By your grounded and giving

And darkening scorn

Remember me, love

When I'm reborn

As a shrike to your sharp

And glorious thorn

Not going to lie, I (mod Bish) had nominated this song myself before Round 1. To me, this is one of the classic sangyao tunes, and an absolute banger of a song on its own merit. I’m delighted that this one won on Tumblr!

Interestingly, it didn’t get past Round 1 on Twitter, which surprised me a lot! That means that we’re definitely going to have a different winner over on the Twitter version of this mini-tourney (voting still ongoing as of posting this!).

I’ve been thinking about whether we should narrow it down to one winner across both platforms, but that involves maths I don’t know how best to do. If we hold it on both platforms again, it still wouldn’t help! Instead, mod Lux and I are probably going to do an informal poll over on the sangyao discord server to battle it out.

If you’re not already in the sangyao discord, hop on over and introduce yourself! We’d always love to have more people!

Though our mini-tourney’s ended, there’s still more sangyao to look forward to with Sangyao Week coming up. We hope you’re as excited as we are!

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

Previous

Days 3&4 of @sangyaoweek

Identity & sabers

The journey through the mountains, small villages and forests was… well. Let's just say that it was no wonder Nie Huaisang preferred his comfortable cushions over exhausting night hunts. It was tiring, it was irritating, it was making him question his sanity. Only two things kept him going: his wish to avoid being so bad at things that he couldn't even run away correctly, and Meng Yao. They found solace in each other's company, which was amazing; Nie Huaisang never knew somebody could tolerate him. Maybe even like him! Despite the ever-present dangers of bandits, hunger and the looking threat of getting dragged back to the Unclean Realm, they managed to form a bond, and find moments of laughter and fun.

Nie Huaisang would often point out birds, recounting their names and habits with enthusiasm, while Meng Yao would share small anecdotes and observations that let the runaway Young Master know how intelligent the other was, and how unfortunate his situation was. Nie Huaisang was quite sure his companion was low-born, but had aspirations to become someone big - and he wanted to do it in Lanling, the only place where there was no options for a non clansman to get somewhere. Nie Huaisang wanted to offer him the Unclean Realm so bad, where Nie Mingjue desperately needed someone who could do something other than fight, but then he would have needed to let go of his new friend, so he kept his mouth shut. For now.

Meng Yao seemed like a determined young man. Maybe he would succeed in Lanling - and if he wouldn't, he could still offer Qinghe Nie for him as an option. Or the overly boring Lans. They had the reputation of being respectable, yet fair, so maybe they would take Meng Yao in. But for now, he was Nie Huaisang’s.

For only a little while, he had someone who maybe, probably, possibly liked him. Did that make him selfish?

It didn't matter. He knew he was selfish. His only selfless act was running away to let the Nies have a better heir - and even that was quite selfish, because he had to run away to be able to breathe. Da-ge was right. He really was a spoiled, selfish, lazy idiot.

-

One evening, as they rested by a stream, Nie Huaisang dutifully practiced some forms, while teaching the easier ones to Meng Yao. It would be quite irresponsible not to practice, as Lanling was still far away, and the road was full of unforeseeable dangers. Nie Huaisang (begrudgingly) had to admit: Nie Mingjue was right when he demanded him to train every day. Ever since the start of his journey, he trained, even after hours of walking, and he definitely felt the results. He could even see the improvement in Meng Yai’s form, who, even without a background in cultivation, was a quick learner, a graceful fighter, and an intelligent and tricky little shit who meshed with Nie Huaisang’s style surprisingly well. Neither of them was on par with the Nies, not in strength, nor in power, but the two of them could now give anybody trouble.

It felt amazing.

To have a partner, who understood and complemented.

He had always been capable of rescuing himself, but always preferred to be saved by others. Not anymore.

As they ventured into yet another forest, Nie Huaisang couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched. Hunted. Prayed on.

Paranoia filled him at every little whisper of the wind and twitch of a branch. He could feel the threats lurking in the shadows, different from anything they had faced before. He hated night hunts - but it seemed like they had been dropped in one. It was a relief that he wasn't the only one jittery; Meng Yao was also glancing around nervously, his senses on high alert.

“Don't worry, Hua Sang, we’ll get through this,” said Meng Yao, placing a reassuring palm on his shoulder, tightly gripping his dagger in his other hand.

“Yeah, we will,” Nie Huaisang whispered. He hated night hunts.

They pressed onwards, the forest growing darker, the air heavy with foreboding and anticipation. Suddenly, a piercing shriek echoed through the trees, sending shivers down on the young men's spines. Looking at each other, Nie Huaisang could see the fear in the other's eyes, as well as the glint of determination.

They would get through it.

“We should keep moving,” Meng Yao whispered, his eyes scanning the surroundings. “It's not safe to stay here.”

Nie Huaisang nodded, and quickened his pace. For a moment, it seemed, nothing's going to happen, and then-

The dread filled silence was shattered by the sudden appearance of one, two, then a dozen shadowy figures, moving unnaturally and malevolently, forcing the two men to flee deeper into the forest. They ran, and ran and ran, until they could barely see through the heavy fog that seemingly appeared from nothing. It was dark, darker than it should have been, thick with a sense of foreboding.

A quick glance at each other; none of them knew where they were. The air was filled with danger, and as they looked back, instead of shadowy figures, they could only see darkness. It was like the forest closed them off.

“Forward?” Nie Huaisang squeaked. Meng Yao nodded, and they walked into the misty nothing.

Emerging from the fog, a massive stone castle stood in their way, it's ruined, ancient walls looming ominously over them. Nie Huaisang felt weird, as if he should know what it was, yet he knew for sure that he'd never been there before. The structure was covered in creeping vines and fallen leaves, and it was full of intricate carvings.

As they approached, Nie Huaisang felt a strange pull towards the entrance. No sane person would want to get into a strange building in a creepy forest, but-

His heart pounded in his chest, as he stepped closer.

“Wait,” Meng Yao said, grabbing Nie Huaisang’s arm. It throbbed, and the runaway heir became painfully aware of an injury. “We shouldn't-”

Before Meng Yao could finish his sentence, the ancient doors groaned, and invisible strings pulled them both inside of its open mouth filled with darkness, their surprised-scared scream swallowed by the doors snapping closed.

They were trapped.

Inside, the air was damp and chilling, filled with rot and decay. The complete darkness was broken by Nie Huaisang's talisman he activated as soon as his body was free, allowing them to see more.

They tried the door, they tried the wall, but there was no escape; all they could do was to venture further. Maybe there was another exit.

As they walked deeper inside the castle, the atmosphere grew oppressive, making them feel lightheaded and nauseous. Nie Huaisang tried to ignore the growing sense of dread. Meng Yao stayed close, his dagger drawn and his pretty doe eyes wide with alertness.

It was chilling that the deeper they went, the more the castle seemed to come alive, its malevolent energy seeping into their minds. Nie Huaisang didn't notice at first the effect being there had on him, on them, only when they arrived at a chamber, full of open tombs. The air seemed to hum with an unsettling energy, and he could feel the weight of expectations bearing heavily on his shoulders.

He was such a disappointment. To his brother, to his clan, to his ancestors. He didn't even have his saber with him; what kind of Nie he was?!

Suddenly, Meng Yao gasped, his eyes widening in horror. He clutched his head, muttering incoherently. Nie Huaisang tried to reach him, but, soon, he too was overwhelmed by his own problems. Visions, maybe? Hallucinations - or was it real? He didn't know it anymore.

All he knew was how much Nie Mingjue hated him. His brother was glaring at him with a mixture of anger and disappointment, yelling and screaming at him, with crazed, blood-shot eyes. The voices of scornful clan members echoed in his mind, their accusations and disdain piercing his heart.

Something moved in the shadows, an eerie glow lighting up in the depth of the chamber. The room seemed to come alive, swirling around them. It felt like the castle itself pulsed with a dark, sentient presence, feeding on their fears and doubts. Maybe it was - maybe it wasn't. All Nie Huaisang could do was to try and regain control of his mind, forcing himself to focus on the reality around him.

He reached out to Meng Yao, shaking him gently, then more firmly, until the other wasn't covering his face anymore. “Meng Yao! Snap out of it! We have to go and we need to stay together!”

Meng Yao's eyes cleared momentarily, and he nodded, his face pale and strained.

And then, the sabers came, and with them, the answer.

They were fucked.

Nie Huaisang didn't know how or why or when, but those were Nie sabers. They were in the Nie Ancestral Hall, somewhere not even Nie Mingjue wanted him to ever go. And he was there, with an outsider, without anybody who would know what to do to calm the saber spirits down.

As if they could sense he knew what was happening, the saber spirits grew more aggressive, his attempts to keep them at bay with his battle fan started to fail. The two of them had to dodge and parry with beings that were not only bigger and stronger, but more experienced than they were.

As they ran through the maze-like corridors of the stone castle, Nie Huaisang and Meng Yao had to realize and admit that brute force would not be enough to fight off the spirits and find their way out. They needed a plan, a strategy.

The more observant Meng Yao noticed that the saber spirits seemed to react to their emotions and fears and that they targeted Nie Huaisang more than him. Nie Huaisang agreed, knowing why that was.

He was a failure of a Nie.

“We need to find a way to close them off. They were hidden for so long, there has to be something that binds them here,” Nie Huaisang added. Meng Yao nodded, his eyes searching for something, anything that could help them.

“There!” He pointed, “those symbols!”

“Binding fulu!” Nie Huaisang said, recognizing the script, even if it wasn't used anymore in talismans. Those seemed…

“...exorcism and binding at the same time? And is that-?”

“Can't you do it quicker?!” Meng Yao hurried him, as the saber spirits threatened to break into the room they were hiding in.

Nie Huaisang growled in frustration, but using the blade in his fan, he started to scratch the stone. “If I alter this, and I add this… no, that's not enough… maybe- yes, that could-” he mumbled to himself. “Wait! If I put this here instead of there, if I alter the sequence-”

Nie Huaisang opened his mouth, wide, as he realized something.

“Blood. It has to be-”

-his blood. He didn't finish the sentence. Instead, he turned to a wide-eyed Meng Yao.

“I don't know what's going to happen, but if I do it, the saber spirits might lash out uncontrollably.”

The other man’s jaw tightened, his hands were white as he was grabbing his dagger. Then, he nodded.

“Do it.”

“Nie Huaisang’s hand shook slightly as he pressed his finger into the wound on his arm, then carefully altered the patterns of the long-forgotten script with his own blood.

It wasn't enough to scratch the symbols into the walls - it had to be strengthened with the blood of a Nie. And even though he was a disappointment, he was still a Nie. The brother of the current Sect Leader.

It had to work.

The saber spirits, sensing the shift, grew more aggressive. Despite the assault, Memg Yao stood firm, ready to defend Nie Huaisang, who remained focused, his determination unshaken. At least now he could do something; he was crucial for something.

Finally, with a last, deliberate stroke, Nie Huaisang completed the transformation. The symbols on the wall flared brightly, then dimmed, sending a shockwave through the room. The sabers clattered to the ground, their malevolent energy dissipating, forcedly calmed down until they become nothing but pretty - and heavy - weapons.

Nie Huaisang breathed.

Turning towards Meng Yao, before they could rejoice, the castle shuddered, as if in a final act of defiance.

“We need to get out of here, now!” Meng Yao shouted, grabbing Nie Huaisang’s arm.

They sprinted through the corridors as the walls were closing around them. The traps and illusions that had once preyed on their emotions were now falling apart, the enchantments entangling from their minds. Using their memories, they navigated the maze with newfound clarity. As they approached the exit, the ground beneath them began to rumble, as if it was desperate to keep them in, but now that they realized the patterns of the scribbles on the walls, it was easy for them to figure out how to get out, how to leave all of that behind.

As they emerged from the suffocating confines of the stone castle, Nie Huaisang and Meng Yao leaned against each other, trying to catch their breath. The castle’s oppressive atmosphere still clung to them, making every breath feel heavy and labored, but they were finally free.

“Nie Huaisang,” Meng Yao muttered, his voice trembling with a mix of anger and betrayal. “Not Hua Sang. You are Nie Huaisang - the heir of the Qinghe Nie Sect.”

Nie Huaisang’s eyes widened in shock, his heart pounding. “Meng Yao, it’s not what you think-”

“Not what I think?” Meng Yao interrupted, his tone laced with bitterness. “You’re the heir of a powerful sect, and yet you ran away? Do you know what I would give to have even a fraction of what you have? Instead, I’m just the unwanted child-” Meng Yao bit off the end of the sentence. “You have everything I've ever dreamt of. You don’t even know what you have.”

The accusation stung, and Nie Huaisang felt a wave of guilt wash over him. But he couldn’t let it go unanswered, as if Meng Yao had any idea of what it was to be like. “You don't know what it’s like, Meng Yao,” he retorted bitterly, his voice shaking with pent-up emotion. “You think being the heir is easy? You think I ran away because I’m ungrateful? I left because I wasn't good enough. I left because everybody expected more of me, to be like my brother, to be my brother! I can't be him! I left, because I was the only one standing between the clan's wish to have an heir that was like him. I did it for myself, yes, but I did it for my clan as well! If you want to experience what it feels like to be the clan’s disappointment, to be constantly compared to a perfect older brother, then be my guest and switch places with me. I'm sure they wouldn't notice it is not me, but you are the one who's returning…,” he added with a grimace, knowing that the two looked similar enough.

Meng Yao’s eyes narrowed, hurt and anger warring on his face. “You had a position, a purpose. I had nothing but rejection and scorn. You threw away what I’ve always dreamed of, and now you are behaving like a spoiled little prince who didn't get their way and who is now throwing a temper tantrum.”

Nie Huaisang opened his mouth to reply, but the shadows around them shifted and loomed over them threateningly.

With their wish to get out of the castle, they forgot about one tiny little inconsequential issue: they were running away from the shadowy monsters and their malevolent presence began to close in around them once more.

“We don’t have time for this,” Nie Huaisang said urgently, his eyes darting around the forest. Meng Yao nodded, though the tension between them was palpable.

They pressed forward, the weight of their shared “adventure” hung between them, as well as the promise of a future conversation and unresolved feelings. But despite the tension, they continued to work together just as well as before.

Maybe they had the chance to get out of this alive, to be able to talk about their issues. But first, they had a fight to win.

Next

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

Previous

Day 6 of @sangyaoweek

Lanling

Upon arriving, it took less time than expected to be escorted to the grand halls covered in gold. It was most likely thanks to Nie Mingjue, who had never been famous for his patience. The opulence of the Jin residence was overwhelming, with golden decorations and luxurious tapestries adorning every corner. And frankly , it was kind of nauseating, if Nie Huaisang wanted to admit it. He loved luxury, but there was such a thing as “too much”. And the Jins exceeded it by far.

As they entered, all eyes turned towards them, curiosity and suspicion on their faces. Meng Yao looked like he was going to be sick, but Nie Huaisang gently nudged him.

It was going to be okay.

Nie Mingjue stepped forward, his imposing presence commanding attention. "I am here to introduce Meng Yao, the son of Jin Guangshan," he announced, his voice resonating through the hall.

Did Nie Huaisang say that everything's going to be okay? He obviously meant that everything's going to be NOT okay. What the hell, Da-ge?! You can't just say something like that, like this!

“Da-ge!” He hissed from behind his fan he needed to use to hide his face behind. But the damage was already done.

This was why subtle things were always his tasks and not his brother's. His direct and honest ways of dealing things was a proof for his righteousness, but was not the proof of being politically gifted.

Maybe there were some things Nie Huaisang could help with without needing to become his brother.

Whispers spread like wildfire among the people, a mixture of feigned disbelief and disdain. Nie Huaisang suspected, it wasn't directed at the real dirtbag, their Clan Leader, but at Meng Yao for appearing, and Nie Mingjue for bringing him here like this. Nie Huaisang wanted nothing more than kidnap his friend and keep him away from this place.

But he didn't. He could be a good friend, even if he was clearly making a mistake. Meng Yao had to experience things to learn from, the same way Nie Huaisang had to.

Jin Guangshan himself, seated at the head of the room like the Emperor himself, regarded Meng Yao with a carefully controlled expression that hid way too many emotions that Nie Huaisang couldn't decipher. After a tense silence, he rose and approached them.

“There are many who claim such thing, but I'm sure the honorable Red Blade Master verified this claim. It is quite a surprise to learn of another son," Jin Guangshan said, his tone measured, coated by honey. Like a sweet poison. "But as a member of the Jin family, he will be welcomed with open arms."

Open arms. Sure. He didn't look at Meng Yao, not even once. Nie Huaisang felt that the only reason Jin Guangshan didn't throw his new son out was Nie Mingjue. It would surely be a political nightmare.

"From now on, he will be known as Jin Guangyao,” added the Jin leader pompously.

Jin-

Jin GUANGyao?!

He should be Jin Ziyao!

But before he could say that out loud, Meng Yao bowed deeply, gratitude and apprehension mixing in his eyes. "This one is thankful for Clan Leader Jin," he said softly.

Despite the formal “welcome”, the atmosphere was thick with unspoken animosity. The clan members' gazes were cold, and Nie Huaisang could feel their hostility towards Meng- the newly named Jin Guangyao.

Unfortunately, the following days were filled with not less, but more veiled insults and blatant exclusion. But when Nie Huaisang tried to talk about it with his friend, to coax him to Qinghe, Jin Guangyao bore it all with a quiet determination.

“A-Sang, I need to do this,” he said every time. Said A-Sang hated it, but what else could he do about it than letting it go.

A few days later, quicker than he wanted, the time came for Nie Huaisang and Meng Yao - Jin Guangyao - to say their goodbyes.

The golden courtyard full of blooming flowers was a stark contrast to the somber mood hanging in the air. The pinkish yellow hues of the setting sun painted the surroundings with a warm glow, but that was the only warmth in the palace and its surroundings. It still felt like a mistake to leave his friend this place, but…

It was Jin Guangyao’s wish.

Nie Huaisang stood awkwardly by his brother’s side, shifting his weight from one foot to the other, his fan clutched tightly in his hand. M- Jin Guangyao stood a few paces away, his expression calm and composed, yet his eyes showed deep sadness. The Jin disciples and Nie clan members were busy around them, preparing for the Nie brothers' departure, but the world seemed to narrow to just the two of them.

“Huaisang,” Guangyao began, his voice soft yet steady, as if he was talking to a spooked little animal. “I suppose this is it.”

Would that be a political suicide if Nie Huaisang kidnapped his friend?!

Nie Huaisang swallowed hard, his throat tight with barely kept back emotions. “It doesn’t have to be,” he replied, a hint of desperation in his voice. One last try. He had to take this one last chance. “You could come back with us. You don’t have to stay here.”

Jin Guangyao shook his head, a sad, yet determined smile playing on his lips. “You know I can’t do that. This is my chance to start my dream, even if it’s not the easiest path. I have to see it through.”

Nie Huaisang sighed, whispering with a barely audible voice, “I know. But it feels like I’m losing you,” he added, not sure if he wished his A-Yao could hear it or not.

Jin Guangyao stepped closer, his gaze locked onto Nie Huaisang’s. “You’re not losing me,” he stated firmly. “No matter where I am, you’re my friend, my- my partner. That won’t change.”

The Nie heir had to bit into his lips to stop them from trembling. His heart ached, but he could do this. He could say goodbye without losing face for both of them.

“You’ll be alright, won’t you?” he asked with a slight smile. Nie Huaisang trusted his friend to take care of himself, but he had to be sure.

Jin Guangyao’s smile widened, though it didn’t reach his eyes. “I’ll be fine. I’m stronger than I look, remember?” A slight mischief replaced the careful blankness, “And besides, I have you rooting for me.”

Nie Huaisang laughed softly, despite the lump in his throat. “Of course. Always.”

There was a brief pause, filled with the unspoken words, but at last, Jin Guangyao spoke again. “Take care of yourself, Huaisang.”

“I will,” Nie Huaisang promised. “And you... you take care too.” His words felt too little, too meaningless, but they were out in the open courtyard. This farewell was already too compromising, he didn't want to make it harder for Jin Guangyao.

“Well, we should go,” Nie Huaisang admitted reluctantly, turning towards his brother.

“If there is anything we can do to help you, don't be hesitant to reach out,” Nie Mingjue said in a gruff, yet genuine tone.

“This one is thankful,” Jin Guangyao bowed. “We’ll see each other again, Nie Huaisang. I’m sure of it.”

With one last, lingering look, Nie Huaisang turned, forcing himself to keep moving, even though every step felt like it was the hardest thing he'd ever done, to leave his friend in the den of a hundred famished lions. Harder than any saber practice, harder than running away from his home. But he could do it.

He had to do it.

As he stepped on his saber, preparing to depart, he glanced back one last time.

His friend stood there, watching them leave, his posture proud and rigid. He raised a hand in farewell, and Nie Huaisang mirrored the gesture.

It was not a final goodbye - but it sure felt like one.

Next

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

Previous

Day 5 of @sangyaoweek

Nie Mingjue

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

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

All in all, they were fucked.

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

Except-

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

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

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

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

Anyways

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Responsibilities! Always the responsibilities!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Oh.

Oooh.

Yeah. That's a difficult secret for sure.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Next

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

Previous

Day 9 of @sangyaoweek

Free day

He almost forgot about the whole gift-thing (a lie), as both the little notes and the gifts stopped after he sent his letter. It didn't really bother him (another lie); he had so many other things to do (a somewhat truth). While he was a bit disappointed (a gross understatement) that Jin Guangyao seemingly forgot about him, but the saber practices became one of his favorite things overnight (to the desperation of his bruised and wounded training partners).

His mood was just as bright as a lovely spring day (when one moment the sun is shining, and the next there's a devastating hail storm), and he was enthusiastically working on some slight issues (viciously tearing a proposal apart), when Nie Mingjue approached him. “Huaisang, we have a visitor,” he said.

The younger Nie rolled his eyes. “Another?” He groaned.

“Mm,” hummed Nie Mingjue noncommitally, gesturing towards the courtyard. With a mix of resignation and frustration, Nie Huaisang made his way to the entrance, his strides long and determined, as if he was going to a battle. He hated these “visitors”, because each and every one of them were the sons and daughters of smaller clan heads, trying to dump them onto him. Somehow they all thought that if he denied them through letter, he wouldn't be able to do that after seeing their “beautiful, smart and perfect” offsprings in real life.

He threw the doors open, but before he could march right in front of another spouse-wannabe, he stopped dead on his tracks.

There, standing amidst the peach blossoms, was Jin Guangyao, dressed in the rich, golden robes of the Jin sect, looking like the prettiest painting ever.

Nie Huaisang noted distantly that his eyes lit up as he saw Nie Huaisang, but it was as if he was seeing what was happen as an outsider. As if it was happening to somebody else.

“A-Sang,” Jin Guangyao whispered, and stepped forward, a tentative smile on his lips.

With that, Nie Huaisang stepped back, making Jin Falter with his movement.

They stood there for a moment, simply looking at each other, the world around them fading into the background. Nie Huaisang wasn't sure if he was dreaming or not; he wasn't even sure what he was feeling at that moment. Joy? Anger? Love? Rejection? Hope? Sadness? He really wasn't sure.

Finally, Jin Guangyao broke the silence, his voice filled with sincerity.

“I’ve missed you, Huaisang,” he confessed. “Every day, I thought of you. Before I sent you the gifts, I needed to establish myself in Lanling. Then, I found things that I thought you'd like, and I just had to send them to you, but I couldn't afford to bring them myself. After your letter, I was working hard to be able to come here. I'm sorry for not coming sooner, not replying you, but I had to convince the Sect Leader that it would benefit him if I moved here. I… I missed you, Huaisang. Can you forgive me?”

Nie Huaisang felt tears prick at the corners of his eyes. “I missed you too,” he admitted.

Jin Guangyao stepped closer, gently taking Nie Huaisang’s hand. “I need to tell you something, and I want to know if you felt the same way. I would wish to stay with you either way, as a friend, or… but I have to know.”

Nie Huaisang’s heart pounded in his chest, hope filling his chest, like a bad heart-burn. Or a stomach ace. “How I feel?”

Jin Guangyao nodded. “Huaisang, I love you. I want to be with you, to build a future together. Do you… Do you think you could ever feel the same?”

Nie Huaisang’s breath caught in his throat. “A-Yao, I…” He faltered, but the look in his partner's eyes gave him strength. “While I kind of hate you for the time without any contact, I… I do love you. I've fallen for you the first time you stepped in front of me to shield me from a bandit. I just couldn't hope that you'd feel the same, especially after knowing who I was.”

Relief and joy washed over Jin Guangyao’s face. It was unfairly pretty. He was always graceful, like a doe, pretty, like a flower petal, and beautiful without comparison, but love and happiness made him look ethereal. Like a god descending from the heavens.

He pulled Nie Huaisang into a tight embrace, propriety damned, and Nie Huaisang gladly let him. “Thank you, Huaisang. Thank you for giving me this chance.”

They stood there, wrapped in each other’s arms, savoring the moment of their reunion. Nie Huaisang could feel his brother's long-suffering stare from a distance, but he cared not even the tiniest bit. He was finally happy.

He had the approval of his clan, the trust of his beloved Da-ge, and the love of Jin Guangyao. Finally, he felt content.

[sangyaoweek]

💛💚 The Sangyao Theme Song Mini-Tourney is coming! 💚💛

With Sangyao Week creeping ever closer, Mod Lux and I thought it’d be fun to host a mini-tourney while we’re all preparing our delicious sangyao fanworks. Put down your pens, put on your headphones, and vote for your favourite songs, nominated by the sangyao discord server!

Voting will start Monday, 22 April!

Eight songs. Three rounds. One glorious champion.

👑 Which will you crown the unofficial Sangyao Theme Song? 👑

[sangyaoweek]

💛💚 Sangyao Theme Song Mini-Tourney: FINALS! 💚💛

One of the Round 2 polls unexpectedly ended in a tie, so we have a three-way poll for our finals!

Which will tumblr crown the unofficial sangyao anthem?

Links, lyrics, and propaganda:

Fishtail by Lana Del Rey

Link: https://open.spotify.com/track/4Cg9XRHLP3s5ZiQaIdL4zW?si=CiHKX_MCSpS8CqLIH8BiNw&context=spotify%3Aplaylist%3A0caw930ouGamxWpkJsc7vh

Lyrics: here

Submitter:

“Don't you dare say

That you'll braid my hair

You're so funny, I wish I could skinny-dip inside your mind

Lately I've been thinkin' about how things used to be

Swingin' in a nightgown underneath the old oak tree”

You Left Something Out by The Old Ceremony

Link: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=RJE1Yds70e8&pp=ygUjWW91IGxlZnQgc29tZXRoaW5nIG91dCBvbGQgY2VyZW1vbnk%3D

Lyrics: here

Submitter:

“It’s about betrayal, childhood friends, holding things back - it’s just Sangyao”

Shrike by Hozier

Link: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=DOBHyBPPSow

Lyrics: here

Submitter:

“In my mind this is sangyao from Jin Guangyao’s POV after Nie Huaisang has accomplished his goals. There’s a hope that they’ll see each other again, a kind of admiration for what Nie Huaisang has become, and an acknowledgment of the beauty and danger that Nie Huaisang possesses. It’s like him realising “oh, I wasted so much time not loving you for real, I’m not going to waste this chance again.” Plus, the bird imagery and viciousness in the song are so them!”

[sangyaoweek]

💛💚 Sangyao Theme Song Mini-Tourney: ROUND 1 - PART 2! 💚💛

Links and propaganda:

Ivy by Taylor Swift

Link: https://open.spotify.com/track/19CSr8rwW05VJL2F91KFNK?si=IYhz8eMTRaSadfz4bzPEGg

Submitter:

“Qinghe Era days”

You Left Something Out by The Old Ceremony

Link: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=RJE1Yds70e8&pp=ygUjWW91IGxlZnQgc29tZXRoaW5nIG91dCBvbGQgY2VyZW1vbnk%3D

Submitter:

“It’s about betrayal, childhood friends, holding things back - it’s just Sangyao”

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

Previous

Day 7 of @sangyaoweek

Qinghe

Back home, it took no time to get used to everything. Hah, no. Nie Huaisang's mood was dark, he missed his friend, he hated the renewed expectations and not even his birds could cheer him up. His usual carefree demeanor was replaced by bitterness. He promised that he was going to behave more responsibly, and he would take things seriously, so he performed the tasks with spiteful determination. But he wasn't happy. Not by far.

His thoughts were constantly drifting back to Meng Yao and Jin Guangyao. He was always thinking about him, which irritated him almost as much as saber practice did, which was pretty telling. Jin Guangyao decided; Nie Huaisang had life outside of him. Then why did it feel like that the then Meng Yao made home in Nie Huaisang's thoughts?!

"I just don't understand," Nie Huaisang grunted to himself, frustration coloring his tone. “I don't know. I don't know anything at all…”

His thoughts churned as he completed his tasks, his mind filled with images of Jin Guangyao’s past, present and future struggles and the cold reception he had received in Lanling. The more he thought about it, the more it hurt. If Meng Yao had stayed with them, he would have been respected and valued. Even his Da-ge had to admit that he did a great job against the saber spirits!

Everything felt… off. Wrong. Empty. He didn't even have energy to complain anymore. He just wanted his friend back. (Which, admittedly, didn't sound healthy, but he didn't care. He just wished Meng Yao stayed with him.)

He could have even become his husband, if he wanted to join a family! After all, it was much better to become the husband of the heir to a clan, than to be accepted as the bastard son who wasn't even the spare.

It was frustrating. But Nie Huaisang worked on accepting it. (It was harder than saber practice with his demanding and ruthless Da-ge.)

Days turned into weeks, and Nie Huaisang's mood showed no sign of improving. He was determined to prove himself, not as the mini Nie Mingjue, but as a more competent Nie Huaisang. But no matter how hard he tried, thoughts of Jin Guangyao continued to haunt him. As he went about his duties, he couldn't shake the feeling of loss. And yet, despite his bitterness, Nie Huaisang couldn't help but hope that his friend would find a way to prove his worth, even in the hostile environment of Lanling. Nie Huaisang was sure that if there was such person, it was definitely his friend who would be able to do that. He was smart and resourceful, determined and objectively amazing.

While his emotions towards Jin Guangyao were quite distracting, the responsibilities he had been running from for his whole life seemed to be determined to drown him. Every task, every training and lesson felt like a mountain to climb. His father’s and brother's legacies, the clan’s expectations, and his own feeling of inadequacy all mixed into a crushing burden. He spent hours in the library, poring over ancient manuscripts, most of the time not out of genuine interest, but out of a desperate need to distract himself from his spiraling thoughts.

He attended every training session, engaged more actively in clan meetings, and tried to put his feelings behind him. He threw himself into his studies, focusing on strategy and planning, areas where he could be use. He started developing new techniques for the clan, to reduce the issues with saber cultivation, to mitigate the negative effects of their violent style.

Nie Huaisang’s transformation didn’t go unnoticed. The clan members began to see him in a new light, recognizing his contributions. And while nothing was easy, and each day felt like it was a challenge to even get up from his bed, it was good to be accepted.

It was good to be recognized as Nie Huaisang.

Next

[sangyaoweek]

NO ONE SAW ME REBLOG NON-SANGYAO HERE INSTEAD OF MY MAIN AHAHAHA

Anyway, we’re about 1/3 of the way through Sangyao Week and I’m absolutely loving everything! Your creativity is blowing me away! 💛💚

If you didn’t already know, we’re also hosting Sangyao Week over on our Twitter, in case you want to check out some posts there that aren’t already on Tumblr!

-mod Bish