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lgbtlunaverse · 8 months ago

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Fandom is so nice to Jiang Cheng's inferiority complex because in reality every single thing he gets accused of is something Wei Wuxian is better at than him.

Jiang Cheng killed Wei Wuxian? Nope. Didn't even get close. Wei Wuxian's own spirits tore him apart before jc could even get there. wwx:1 jc:0

Jiang Cheng tortures people? We get two and a half rumours and a mention from jin ling that jc has 'captured' demonic cultivators before, but who is also apparently confident that just letting wwx run off will kill the issue even though those earlier rumours said ~no one who sandu shengshou captured was ever seen again~

The word jiang cheng uses when he tries to talk big game about 'beating the truth' out of Wei Wuxian's is a word that carries the context of pestering someone to do their homework. Doesn't exactly strike fear into my heart.

Wei Wuxian? Excellent at torture. A prodigy. Did you fucking see what he did to Wen Chao? Dude didn't have fingers anymore because wei wuxian made him eat them. He ripped out his hair, burned his skin off, and then stalked him for several days just to prolong the pain. He forced Wang Lingjiao to bite Wen Chao's dick off and then made her shove a stool leg down her own throat! 10/10, no notes. Absolutely horrifying.

Meanwhile Jiang Cheng's idea of torture is getting a dog to bark at Wei Wuxian for a few seconds. Weak, unoriginal, I bet fairy was literally wagging her tail the whole time. 2-0

Jiang Cheng made the entire cultivation world believe Wei Wuxian was up to no good on the burial mounds and ultimately orchestrated his downfall? lol. lmao, even

It's a big thing in certain corners of the fandom to really zoom in one one particular phrase at the end of chapter 73, where after wwx and jc have their staged duel to make the world believe they hate each other jiang cheng tells everyone wwx has defected and become "a public enemy'' or "an enemy to the cultivation world" or whatever the translation you're familiar with decided upon.

(As an aside, something I really like about this line is that the last half of it is almost exactly the same, like verbatim, as what wwx told him to say. like, the chapter is really hammering home just how much jc is speaking from a script here. wwx tells jc to say "今后魏无羡无论做出什么事，都与云梦江氏无关." and jc says "今后无论此人有何动作，一概与云梦江氏无关" the only meaningful difference is that he says 'this person' instead of wwx's name)

I've seen it said that this bit, the use of 'enemy' was said without wei wuxian's approval, that jc deviated from the script just to hurt his ex-shixiong for leaving him. And that this is what caused all the other clans to turn against wei wuxian. Regardless of if this is what jc and wwx discussed, or if jc had malicious motivations for it (considering my conclusions above, you can guess where i fall) it doesn't really matter, because the novel tells us when the clans completely freak out and become convinced wei wuxian is out to get them (though of course they've been wringing their hands about it since the literal day wwx ran off with the wen, months before jiang cheng visited) very neatly in chapter 75!

It's when they find out about Wen Ning.

And how do they find out about Wen Ning?

Because Wei Wuxian took him on nighthunts! And they kicked ass!

...Wei Wuxian, my man, why are you on nighthunts??? Why are you showing off your incredibly cool sentient fierce corpse buddy, who is way better and stronger than all the other fierce corpses, in front of the whole cultivation world??

Whatever his motivations (extra money, maybe?? they were strapped for crash) I can only draw the conclusion wwx had already given up on appearing calm or non-threatening and didn't care if the clans thought he was a threat, because they'd believe whatever they wanted anyway. Which he seems to clearly be aware of the whole time.

Regardless, we know that this is what created the myth of the Yiling patriarch. It's literally when the title first shows up!

Even if you really believe jc was secretly plotting against wwx in chapter 73, he's clearly doing a shit job of it because nothing he said made anywhere near as big an impact as this. Flopped!

The other point people use to argue Jiang Cheng caused wei wuxian's downfall is Jin Guangyao's speech in Guanyin temple about how jiang cheng could have saved wei wuxian if only he stood by him. Setting aside that jin guangyao is trying to get into jiang cheng's head here, and isn't necessarily saying what he really believes (though it very well might be! who knows with a character like jgy. assuming he's always lying is just as misleading as assuming he's always saying the truth) the fact is, if you read the speech closely, what he's talking about is not the 'public enemy' line, he's talking about the bond between them. The fact that people wanted wei wuxian out of yunmeng jiang, because the two were too powerful together.

He's talking about that one time Jiang Cheng very publically kicked wei wuxian out of the sect!

Which, unbeknownst to Jin Guangyao, was in fact Wei Wuxian's idea the whole time.

final score: 3 for you wei wuxian, you go wei wuxian! And nothing for Jiang Cheng bye.

#mdzs #wei wuxian #jiang cheng #yunmeng shuangjie #i have never been more tempted to tag something as 'canon jiang cheng'#i don't really believe in the whole 'reclaiming the tag' thing i kinda roll my eyes at it and stay out of there #but I AM explicitly talking about fanon misconceptions about jiang cheng... and is that not what that tag was for?? oh well #let's not antagonize people #i am giggling at the realization that jgs must have thought all his pointed comments about wwx's 'disrespect' hit their mark #when wwx defected #only for jc to sneak his future daughter in law to yiling and letting wwx name his grandson a few months later #LMAOOO GET REKT OLD MAN

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mxtxfanatic · 2 months ago

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"If He Catches Me..." a Meta on Lan Wangji's Unconditional Support Pt. 1

Despite the heavy rumors about the supposedly terrible relationship between Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji in the former's first life, Wei Wuxian's resurrection opens up a side to Lan Wanji that he'd never gotten to experience. From the moment Lan Wangji realizes that "Mo Xuanyu" is actually a newly-revived Wei Wuxian, he has lent the other man unconditional support.

This support covers things as small and easy to provide as money, protection from dogs, someone to lean on, and an offer to carry Wei Wuxian when multiple injuries on his legs makes it difficult for him to walk:

“Do you have money?” Lan Wangji said. “If I don’t have any, you’ll give me some.” As Wei Wuxian spoke, he stuck his hand into Lan Wangji’s robes. He hadn’t expected to find anything, but after groping around for a bit, he pulled out an exquisite, and heavy, money pouch. The pouch didn’t seem at all like something Lan Wangji would carry on his person, but these past several days, Lan Wangji had done more than one or two things that Wei Wuxian had thought unimaginable. Nonchalantly, Wei Wuxian took off carrying the item. Sure enough, Lan Wangji allowed him to grab it and leave without uttering a single discontented word.

—Chapt. 20: Sunshine II, fanyiyi

However, when the dog turned its head and saw that he was carrying Jin Ling on his back, it leapt off its feet and flew towards him. Wei Wuxian let out a miserable cry. Just as he was on the verge of hurling Jin Ling off and away from him, Lan Wangji stepped before him and blocked the dog’s approach.

—Chapt. 23: Malice I, fanyiyi

Wei Wuxian had only managed to retreat a single step when his ankle rolled beneath him and he seemed in danger of falling to his knees. Lan Wangji’s expression changed. He rushed toward Wei Wuxian and clutched his wrist in the same iron grip he had exhibited at Dafan Mountain.

...

“You should not walk,” Lan Wangji said. “If I don’t walk, are you going to carry me on your back?” “...” Lan Wangji regarded him silently. Wei Wuxian’s smile froze on his face, and an ominous shadow swept over him. If the person in front of Wei Wuxian had been the Lan Zhan of years past, these words would have definitely made him choke, and he would have either thrown Wei Wuxian a frosty glare and promptly departed, or completely ignored him. But exchange him for the Lan Wangji of today, and it was very difficult to say how he’d respond. Indeed, upon hearing Wei Wuxian’s question, Lan Wangji moved in front of him and genuinely appeared as though he were about to stoop, bend his knees and pick him up, like a noble submitting and serving a commoner. ... The pair was deadlocked for a few moments, when suddenly, Lan Wangji’s arm wrapped around Wei Wuxian’s waist, he lowered himself slightly, and his free hand came for Wei Wuxian’s knees. The latter was shorter than Lan Wangji, as well as lighter, and as soon as the taller man grabbed hold of him, he was easily lifted up. His entire person was now in mid-air, supported by a pair of sturdy arms.

—Chapt. 25: Malice III, fanyiyi

But the support also comes in the form of physically defending Wei Wuxian from foes, being so dependable that Wei Wuxian has no fear turning his back on a fight.

Moments later, the corner of Jiang Cheng’s mouth pulled upward into a twisted smile. His left hand began unconsciously caressing his ring again. “...Good, good. You’ve returned?” He released the ring. A long whip hung down from his hand. The whip was extremely thin, and true to its name, consisted of a bright, crackling violet current, which looked as though it had been stolen from some thundercloud covered horizon. He gripped one end firmly in his hand. When he brandished it, lightning struck, fast, nimble, and chaotic! Before Wei Wuxian could even move, Lan Wangji’s guqin was already in its owner’s steady and sure hand. He plucked a single string, and like a stone dropped in water stirs a thousand ripples, the sound of the guqin reverberated through the air in countless waves. The note and Zidian struck each other; the former waxed and the latter waned.

—Chapt. 10: Pride V, fanyiyi

Sure enough, his cultivation level is high, Wei Wuxian thought. A moment later, he shouted, “Hanguang Jun, the gravedigger is here!” Lan Wangji needed no reminder. He knew something had happened immediately upon hearing the noise. He didn’t reply, and let the swift, savage swing of his sword answer in his stead.

—Chapt. 34: Flora II, fanyiyi

Wei Wuxian had finally run into someone more shameless than him. Smiling in turn, he said, “It’s better to offend an honorable person than a hooligan—that means you. I won’t fight with you any longer. Someone else will take my place.” Xue Yang’s eyes crinkled as he smiled. “Who? That Hanguang Jun? I sent three hundred walking corpses to surround him. He—“ Before he could finish, a set of white robes descended from the sky, and Bichen’s icy, clear blue light flew directly at him.

—Chapt. 37: Flora V, fanyiyi

Before he even finished talking, dozens of sword glares shot toward Wei WuXian. Lan WangJi blocked off all of the attacks. Bichen threw some people to the side to make out an unobstructed path for them.

—Chapt. 50: Guile, exr

Suddenly, Wei WuXian felt someone approach. Turning around, he saw Jin Ling stand behind them, limbs frozen. Lan WangJi immediately stood in front of Wei WuXian, while Lan SiZhui stood in front of Lan WangJi, speaking carefully, “Young Master Jin.”

—Chapt. 68: Tenderness, exr

Nor will Lan Wanji ever put his reputation above standing by his beloved's side and lending support:

Lan WangJi, though, was different from him. He wouldn’t even have to explain, and people would explain for him, such as how HanGuang-Jun had been deceived by the YiLing Patriarch. Wei WuXian, “HanGuang-Jun, you don’t have to follow me!” Lan WangJi looked straight in front of him, saying nothing in reply. The two left behind them a crowd of cultivators shouting to kill. Amid the chaos, Wei WuXian spoke again, “You really want to go with me? Think carefully. After you walk out this door, your reputation will be destroyed!” The two had already dashed down the steps of Koi Tower. Lan WangJi grabbed his wrist, as though he was about to speak.

—Chapt. 50: Guile, exr

Lan QiRen stood before the crowd. He seemed much older. Strands of white even began to grow at his temples. He called, “WangJi.” Lan WangJi’s answered in a low voice, “Uncle.” But he still didn’t stand to his side. Lan QiRen understood more than anyone. This was Lan WangJi’s answer, firm, resolute. With a disappointed expression, he shook his head. He didn’t try to persuade him any further. A woman in white robes stood forward, her eyes filled with tears, “HanGuang-Jun, just what is wrong with you? You... You are not you anymore. In the past, you clearly could not even stand the YiLing Patriarch. Just what technique did Wei WuXian use to bewitch you for you to stand on the side opposite to us?” Lan WangJi didn’t pay attention to her. Having not received a reply, the woman could only add in pity, “If so, then how undeserving of your name!”

—Chapt. 68: Tenderness, exr

Suddenly, Wei WuXian said, “HanGuang-Jun!” Lan WangJi turned to him. Wei WuXian breathed heavily continued, “There’s something I want to do.” Others’ gazes drew towards him as well. Wei WuXian, “Are you with me?” Lan WangJi looked at him with steady eyes. His words held the weight of finality, crisp like mallets on iron, “I am.” A smile blossomed on Wei WuXian’s face. He striped off his black robes. Underneath his black robes were a layer of white ones already half drenched in red, but they interfered little with the patterns he now drew as he wiped on them with a blood-caked palm. As the patterns he drew on them become clearer and clearer, astonishment crept into everyone’s eyes while they watched, as if looking at a monster. ... When he finished, he was no longer wearing white robes, but a painted flag. A flag that would lure all the dark creatures and evil beings miles beyond onto one single person, a Spirit-Attracting Flag!

—Chapt. 81: Core Part 3, boat-full-of-lotus-pods

Jiang Cheng glared at the smaller, fishing boat with a silent, icy rage. He glanced Wen Ning once. Just as his eyes were about to settle on Wei WuXian, Lan WangJi unconsciously took a step and shielded Wei WuXian from Jiang Cheng’s gaze.

—Chapt. 84: Core Part 6, boat-full-of-lotus-pods

All of this culminates in a tender moment where Wei Wuxian is able to make new memories to replace the bittersweet ones from his childhood.

Suddenly, Wei WuXian was overcome by a strange yet powerful urge. He wanted to fall down, just like that time many years ago. A voice in his heart said, ‘If he catches me, then I will’...... At the thought of the words ‘I will’, Wei WuXian let go. At the sight of him falling without a hint of a warning, Lan WangJi’s eyes widened. Instinctively, his body moved and the next moment Wei WuXian was in his arms, or, more correctly, in his embrace. Though Lan WangJi had a long and slim built and the air of a scholar, his strength was not to be underestimated. Not only was his upper body strength exceptional, his lower body stability was also quite impressive. Still, a full grown man had just fallen out of a tree, so even Lan WangJi staggered a little from the force of catching Wei WuXian. It only took him a moment to adjust his footing before he’d straightened up again though. Just as he was about to let Wei WuXian down, he realized that Wei WuXian’s arms were tight around his neck. He couldn’t let him down even if he tried.

—Chapt. 87: Core Part 9, boat-full-of-lotus-pods

Because of this unconditional support, Wei Wuxian can travel through the rest of his life knowing that he will always have someone in his corner, someone willing and able to stand by his side as well as catch him if he falls. Such is wangxian's unwavering love.

Pt. 2

#xiantober #mdzs #human metas mxtx #happy bday wwx from your husband 🩵

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wangxianficfinder · 6 months ago

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In the mood for...

July 2nd

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1. Hi! I hope asking about crossovers is allowed. I recently reread the HP series and, because of MDZS brainrot, I am wondering if anyone has written a crossover fic with Wei Ying as Sirius and Lan Zhan as Lupin, transposed into the HP narrative? There are some striking similarities between the two stories- LZ+WY friends at school, WY gone for 13 years and technically at fault for the death of Jin Ling's parents (JL is Harry Potter now I guess), it just seems like it SHOULD exist. Thank you!! @restlessmoss-art

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2. merxian fic recs please?

luminous by azuresummer (E, 50k, WangXian, WIP, Graphic Depictions of Violence, Dom/sub Undertones, Dominant LWJ, Submissive WWX, Modern, Merpeople, A/B/O, Dark LXC, Dark LWJ, Possessive LWJ, Protective LWJ, Crime Boss LWJ, Omega WWX, Siren WWX, Merperson WWX, Hurt WWX, WWX Whump, Precious WWX, Spoiled WWX, WWX Has a Fear of Dogs, Whump, Hurt/Comfort, Panic Attacks, Nesting, Scenting, Power Imbalance, Obsession, Kidnapping, Organized Crime, Mild Gore, Minor Character Death, Excessive Amounts of Tenderness, Pining LWJ, Dark WangXian)

you're a bird in the water / i'm a fish on the ground by plonk (Not really, 8k, WangXian, Merpeople, Canon Era)

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3. Can you suggest some good fics of bottomji where wangji is pampered by wuxian or lan zhan centric fics 🥺🥺

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4. Hello,

Itmf

A) Can you please recommend works, where WY grew up to be quite (maybe even partial mutism) and with no outward mischief due to upbringing?

B) And another ask for works, where WY got fear of authoritive or adult women, whips, thunder or Amy other triggers.

Thank you! @best-before-end

4A)

Scars of Lightning by The_peregrine_falcon (T, 6k, YZY & WWX, WWX & WRH, WangXian, YZY’s A+ Parenting, Canon Divergence, Not Canon Compliant, Wen WWX, zidian, YZY is a bitch, Canon-Typical Violence, Blood and Injury, Major Character Injury, Heavy Angst, Lotus Pier, Nightless City, Young WWX, Muteness, Hurt kind of comfort) Where YZY throws WWX out into the streets, hurting him so badly that he becomes selectively mute

4B)

Thunderstorm in the Library Pavilion by ZamaShines (M, 22k, WangXian, Canon Divergence, Cloud Recesses Study Arc, Hurt/Comfort, Bad Parent YZY, Abusive YZY, Child Abuse, Implied/Referenced Child Abuse, Whipping, Astraphobia, phobia - thunder, Thunderstorms, Panic Attacks, WWX Has Self-Esteem Issues, WWXn Needs a Hug, and gets the hug, Good Sibling JC, Good Uncle LQR, Angst with a Happy Ending, Fix-It of Sorts) has WWX with a fear of thunder.

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5. Hi,

Can't recall if I have already sent a question , but I'm in the mood for Wei Ying with split personality. Looking for recommends. Thank you!

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6. heya! itmf request for estranged twin jades because of lxc's involvement in wwx's death/siege/lwj's punishment. bonus points for petty lwj and regretful lxc. thanks a lot y'all!

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7. Hi, can you recommend fics where Wei Wuxian is detached from cultivation world problems?

Burnt out/immortal/way too hurt/older

Having Enough (of your foolishness) by makexianxianhappytoday (T, 18k, WangXian, Hurt WWX, YLLZ WWX, BAMF WWX, WangXian Get a Happy Ending, Angst with a Happy Ending, Jiang Family Bashing, Canon Divergence, CSSR and WCZ Live, Yunmeng Jiang Sect Bashing, JYL Lives, JZX Lives, (but what are the consequences), JC Bashing)

foliage by antebunny (G, 7k, WangXian, Canon Divergence, Angst, Non-Linear Narrative, Canon-Typical Violence, jl and his many many uncles, jgy is morally ambiguous but okay, BAMF WWX, wwx is innocent of literally everything, for plot purposes, JYL Lives, Somebody Lives/Not Everyone Dies, Hopeful Ending)

💙🔒Away from Trouble by Ilona22 (M, 15k, WangXian, Not JC Friendly, LWJ/WWX Get a Happy Ending)

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8. Hello! I wonder if there is a fic where Wei Ying was thrown in the burial mounds by yzy and returns from there (sshc is not the main focus or not in in the plot at all)

I'm sorry, Good bye by NHaraki (M, 35k, WWX/WRH, WIP, Jiang Family Bashing, Time Travel Fix-It, YZY Bashing) It's not English but using the browser translation works. YZY throws a young WWX into burial mounts after thinking he died from her abuse and the Wens find him and take him in.

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9. Do you know any fics where Mingjue is bring back to life the same way than Wei Wuxian?

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10. hello! thanks for all the hard work :) are there any good fics with the elements of wwx character study, but from someone else’s perspective? like where others’ perspective of wwx is explored. thanks in advance!! @glowingair

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11. hihi! I'm here for IMTF,do you have any fics that's focused on JC? Maybe something sorta relating to character study? Thanks :)

Your slightest look easily will unclose me by RedWritingHood (Not Rated , 9k, JC & WWX, Angst, Brotherly Love, Emotional pain, with a smidgen of Physical Pain, JC Needs A Hug, But also, JC Gets A Hug, Platonic Hanahaki, kind of, it's not actually hanahaki but it's close enough)

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12. Looking for fic where LXC is the one who time travels, similar to "The Blame Game" and "Who You Condemn." Pref. canon-era and no Jiang Cheng bashing!

💖 Alternative Choices by StarClearWaters (Readoutloud) (T, 20k, wangxian, time travel, butterfly effect, LXC pov, protective LXC, temporary character death, mpreg, panic attacks) where Lan Xichen is the one that time travels (I dont remember any JC bashing but I could be forgetting it)

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13. Hii, for the next itmf I wanted something with Yiling Patriarch!Jiang Cheng, except that Wei Wuxian HAS to get Jiang Yanli-ed (killed), thank youuuu :) ♡

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14. hi! for the next itmf, does anyone have a good rec for song zichen/xiao xingchen? no romantic involvement with xue yang with either or both tho, please

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15. For an ITMF: Are there any stories where Lan Xichen had to attend the Wen Indoctrination? Lan Wangji could be there as well (the call was for 'the heir and 20 (19?) more disciples', so LWJ could certainly have gone). I know it's very AU and unlikely, but I'd love to see if it's been done. Thanks a ton. @songscloset

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16. hey. good morning. good afternoon. goodnight. you can find works in which WY has a terminal illness. can be in cannon and modern UA @quwieiidkd

Obvious Progression by GammaRays (M, 21k, wangxian, Major Character Death, Childhood Friends, Friends to Lovers, Modern, Disease, Illnesses, Chronic Illness, Cancer, rare disease, Fabry disease, Artist WWX, Medical Procedures, Hospitals, Angst, Non-Explicit Sexual Content, Hurt/Comfort, Surgery, this is just very sad all around, there are some light-hearted moments too though, like proms and crocheted thigh-highs, Sick LWJ, Sick WWX)

Cure by Yukirin_Snow (M, 100k, WangXian, XiCheng, XuanLi, Modern AU, Hurt/Comfort, Sick Character, Cancer, Medical Procedures, Medical Jargon, Romance, Eventual Smut, Fluff and Angst, Love at First Sight, possible trigger warnings)

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17. heyy! wanted to find a wangxian fic that’s well written, probably has background ships and is hurt to comfort or just any of the two by themselves?

it revolves around lwj’s line “come back to gusu with me.” and the fact that wwx thought it was to lock him up. the idea (not fully sure if some details are canon) that he wants wwx to come back to gusu is to lock him up, but not as a prisoner. lwj wanted to lock him up to keep him safe, like his father did with his mother. so yeah, basically i’m on the hunt for a fic like this!

i’d appreciate the help so much, thank you! @roseeeya

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If you didn’t get an answer to your ask here, don’t forget to make use of @mdzs-kinkmeme and MDZS KINK MEME on Dreamwidth. Authors actually do use them for ideas. You may get what you order!***Your prompt doesn’t have to be kink! Fluff, crack, whatever - it’s all good!***

#wangxian #mdzs #wangxian fic recs #i'm in the mood for a fic #the untamed #wangxian fic search #wangxianficfinder #long post

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nevertheless-moving · 2 months ago

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Jiang Wanyin's Dog Part Two (MDZS AU #7)

Part One

Jiang Feinman the diplomat is horrified that his sons were apparently actively training for war behind his back. And by all accounts, his worst fears are confirmed — he who trains for war trains to start war. He only believes half of what he hears of his boys actions at the Wen Indoctrination Camp (the Xuanwu Cave Massacre, some are calling it) but half is enough. Incredibly disappointed in both of them — also why demonic cultivation? Why? Where did he go wrong? But for some reason the more he tries to talk, to teach, to explain, the more he warns about the unrighteousness of striking first, the worse their conversations go. He's used to that with Jiang Cheng, but now Wei Ying, too? The more he pushes, the less they tell him, so eventually he stops pushing.

(They actually did initially intend to explain the time travel, but he was so disappointed by all the murdering that neither of them want to get into all the much much more worse things they did in their previous life so they just…don't. They don't explain shit.)

He still supports the secret Jiang war preparations cover story, pretending to have approved it in advance to other sects, because what else can he do. Really not thrilled about being backed into a corner on that, even though he does eventually accept and even admire the invention of the ghost path, once Wei Wuxian explains it better. Wei Wuxian maybe cries a little at his Uncle's approval.

Too much faith that the whole perfect servant/ master schtick is a front for brotherhood even before the actual reconciliation, but eh, they get there eventually, so he’s not wrong. Manages the homefront during the campaign mostly, though he has his moments of battlefield glory. Major diplomatic success in getting the Jin Sect to side more definitively with the sunshot campaign.

…Definitely dies. Not right away, but he's not meant for war, ya know? Maybe gets the actual time travel explanation on his death bed. Maybe. Touching goodbye either way.

Then, you know that scene in Good Will Hunting where Robin Williams says it’s not your fault over and over again? That, except Wei Wuxian and Jiang Wanyin are both saying it to each other. Clinches the reconnection. It’s the worst sort of do over, but Jiang Cheng blaming Wei Ying for his parents first deaths was one of their lowest moments, arguably the point things really started to break between them, so having the perspective to very actively not do that is Big. I’m sorry — this au is about excruciating Yunmeng bros reconciliation, I’ve got to kill at least one family member.

Yu Ziyuan approving of the cool distance between the two, proud of her son’s obvious command over Wei Ying, but disgusted by the fact that her son seems to have completely given up on surpassing him. Flabbergasted that A-Cheng is now intercepting Zidian’s strikes on the shameful cretin — his to punish?? What the fuck does that mean? Who’s in charge here? How dare you speak to your mother like that.

Ultimately, Jiang Cheng doesn’t know how to handle being around his mother. He recognizes many of the things he likes least about himself in her. He recognizes many of the things that made him a successful sect leader in her. I mean, on a certain level he already knew he had become his mother, but holy shit.

She's...mixed on handling her son's ascent, to say the least. The fact that his unquestionable power is so inextricably linked to his command over Wei Ying's even more unquestionable power fucks with her so bad. At least Jiang Cheng had some time to get used to the concept.

He's in his late 30s and bristles at any indication of being subordinate to anyone — Mom's included. He also wants to break down in tears and hide behind her, because that's his MOM, but he can’t do that. He’s sect heir. He's started a war. He's leading a war.

Ok, one (1) night crying into her robes that they never speak of again.

She tends to run battlefields and missions away from the duo. Serious pushback from Jiang Cheng about talking down Wei Ying in front of others, purely for pragmatic reasons, of course — that’s their sects best weapon. If she survives the war ("So what if he's not coming back? Can't I do anything without him?") then she spends much of her son’s rule night hunting away from the sect. Does NOT get told about time travel any time soon because they know she would press for details and then kill Wei Wuxian.

Jiang Yanli incredibly concerned about her boys after they come back from evil summer camp covered in blood and VERY CLEARLY WAY TOO FUCKED UP FOR A FEW MONTHS AWAY?? Excuse you both you are very clever but are you seriously trying to convince me that you invented a whole ass entire dangerous cultivation path while I was around without me noticing? A-xian, a-cheng are you calling me stupid? No? Good.

On a meta-level, she's built her life around parenting the two of them, there's absolutely no way she buys any story about keeping a long time secret under her nose. The first and possibly only one they actually explain the time travel to, even if they can’t bring themselves to tell her everything.

It's deeply distressing to not actually be the oldest sibling anymore, considering how much she defined herself by that, but her brothers don't actually seem to have noticed, so it works out fine.

Her role in the war is slightly larger than canon; the fact that she's bringing an entire support staff of cooks and medics and cleaners that report to her definitely elevates her status and influence. (Headcanon that she basically managed Jiang Wanyin and Wei Wuxian's PR during the war — she's a lot better equipped to do so in this timeline).

She also would also get Instant Respect as one of a handful of people who holds Wuxian's leash, except Wei Wuxian tends to completely drops all necromantic activity when he's within 50 feet of her. It's actually kindof a problem. He's supposed to be passively maintaining some stuff but he's so freaked out about accidentally hurting her that a few perfectly good corpse armies collapse, meaning he has to raise them again from scratch.

They don't get too involved with it, but a few well timed words avoid the worst of the Soup Accusation Debacle and slightly accelerate the Zixuan/Yanli timeline.

Jin Zixuan is bewildered but mostly relieved by the fact that the lead Jiang disciples abrupt personality shift at the start of the war also came with an apparent rise in personal respect of him specifically? Is this because he obviously stepped to defend Mianmian, even though Wanyin and Wuxian did the real work? Jiang Wanyin is noticeably more courteous speaking to him than pretty much anyone else from his clan. Wei Wuxian is a bit harder to read, as he's stopped talked as much, which is bizarre and also fucking terrifying.

(There's a lot to think and feel in the Cave of the Xuanwu of Slaughter. But the fact that Wei Wuxian does not like him and absolutely could have killed him anytime he wanted is definitely up there.)

It's just — even further into the war, when Wuxian starts sometimes relaxing again during downtime, he still avoids Zixuan. Weird but also thank fuck.

Lan Zhan is living through a war, sure. But uniquely among his peers, he's also living through a Dark Romance novel! <3

The fun, mischievous boy who he fell in love with at first sight is:

1) the most terrifying powerful dark being who ever lived

2) mildly implied to have ALWAYS secretly been like this and the disobedient but good natured thing was just a cover for the dark truth. Or he might have been corrupted at some point. It's unclear.

3) already in an intense situation-ship with his shidi. (Jiang Wanyin snapping at Wei Ying to stop bothering Lan Zhan and he apologizes politely and then leaves. (Wei Ying definitely yells at Jiang Cheng in private for that but they did agree that he wouldn’t give any public evidence of division with the Jiang sect and publicly flirting with Second Master Lan could admittedly be read as split loyalties)) .

But IN PRIVATE —

(Once the yunmeng bros reconciliation starts getting underway Jiang Cheng feels a little bad about how obviously heartbroken Wei Ying is over losing his husband, and formally arranges with Lan sect for spiritual cleansing sessions after major battles as part of managing his first disciple’s cultivation. Wei Ying and Jiang Cheng are completely surprised when Lan Wanjii himself volunteers.)

— Well, when the two of them are alone together, Wei Ying is — not exactly the same person he fell in love with. But he’s still very much Wei Ying. Teasing, provocative, brilliant, righteous — and, and this can’t be stressed enough — OBSCENELY sexy.

(Yes, Lan Zhan has learned that his bad taste extends beyond what was, in hindsight, rather petty rule breaking. The whole 'One Man Army' thing is attractive alright? The flute is attractive. Gods help him, even the red eyes are attractive.)

But in private — I mean, the first few times Lan Zhan walks in to play Cleansing only to find Wei Ying tied up provocatively from a ‘binding talisman accident’ he takes it at face value. The man's been churning out one revolutionary invention after another, obviously that requires some testing. But it keeps happening, and Lan Zhan is increasingly panicked that Wei Ying can tell what its doing to his penis. He can’t tell, right? Lan Zhan is wearing extra layers to these sessions for that reason exactly and it’s not like his face is easy to read. He can’t know about what he's dreamed of doing with his ribbon. He can't know. He can’t know.

But shit like that keeps happening. Wei Ying casually mentions that he’s been working on a ritual that might make it possible for men to get pregnant, just as an idle experiment, but of course the only ethical person to test it on is himself. Lan Zhan’s dick gets so hard so fast that he almost passes out. Wei Ying, clearly mistaking the sudden lack of visible blood in his body for disgust (please let him think that, please, please) pouts and teases, “What, you don’t think I’d look good pregnant?” Gods be good, he’s holding his stomach and looking up at Lan Zhan through his eyelashes. Lan Zhan didn't even know he was into that! Does this make him more of a cutsleeve or less?? Very nearly goes insane and tries to breed him on the spot. Instead makes a looney toons style Lan Zhan shaped hole in the side of the tent to get away before he bends the man over

Even setting aside the...specifically affecting moments, Wei Ying is so exhausted and soft around Lan Zhan. It makes sense, he's been conquering battlefields, he's been reinventing cultivation, of course he's drained afterwards, that's why Lan Zhan is here — to help rebalance his spiritual energy. But he begs Lan Zhan to take care of him, to feed him, to help him into bed, and it hurts. He knows that it's at least in part a joke but he can't tell how much is him exaggerating his weakness to get Lan Zhan to react and how much is him actually needing help because Jiang fucking Wanyin is ordering him to destroy himself day in and day out, and the whole thing is doing terrible things to the inside of his stomach.

Worry and confusion and fear and anger choking his words even worse than usual, until all he can do is repeat rules about staying away from the crooked path. Lan Zhan scolds him for using resentful energy, sneers at him; he can hear himself and he sounds every inch the jade statue. But somehow, miraculously, Wei Ying understands what he means. He thanks him for being there, for caring what happens to him. Wei Ying tries to reassure him that he'll be alright, really, and how he got 'I am worried about your health' from "your way of living is an abomination" is a mystery, but Lan Zhan is so, so grateful.

Wait.

Fuck.

Wei Ying can either read his face, his words, or his thoughts. FUCK, HE TOTALLY KNOWS WHAT HE'S DOING TO MY PENIS.

In public, Wei Wuxian is obediently violent. He's heretical and hyper competent and the only thing that distresses Lan Zhan more than Jiang Wanyin's callous treatment of his undeserved loyalty and talent is the fact that he's starting to wake up in a cold sweat from dreams where Lan Zhan is his leader and Wei Ying follows his orders without hesitation. What does that even mean. He doesn't want to be a sect leader! That would mean that his brother was dead and he would have to talk to people all the time and he doesn't even want Wei Ying to kneel before him! Not like that — not at all — fucking hell, he should not be masturbating this much during a war.

(Not explaining the time travel/ marriage to Lan Zhan is definitely their worst argument after coming back. Difficult compromise says Wei Ying can explain whatever, marry whoever, leave the sect — but only after the war is won and Jiang Sect is secure. Jiang Wanyin does not need Lan Zhan trying to convince Wei Ying to give up demonic cultivation any harder than he already is. He doesn't need him weighing in on shit he doesn't understand with his more-righteous-than-you-attitude. Most importantly, he definitely doesn't need Wei Ying to be running of after his husband when he's supposed to be obeying Jiang Cheng's fucking orders. Wei Ying reluctantly agrees, but he can't give up on having something with Lan Zhan. The end result is maybe a little not great to Lan Zhan, but you know... what's Wei Ying gonna do? Betray his brother's trust? Not chase Lan Zhan's dick? It's an impossible situation and you should feel bad for him. Plus, Lan Zhan's having a hard enough time anyway, he's not good with change. He would probably not handle having the 'died and then married' bombshells dropped on him particularly well. Yeah...

Anyway Lan Zhan is very much going through 'he's such a tortured soul...only I see the vulnerable, loving truth... unless the soft self is the lie and the darkness is the real him... which would be kindof hot... bad, but also kindof hot... because if he actually is irredeemably evil than everything he does in private is him seducing me on purpose, which would be good except it would be a lie which would be bad but maybe he would do things to my body before he did whatever dark demonic things hes planning ... maybe I could convince him to join the light in truth... no i should have more faith in him he clearly still believes in justice and protecting the weak... unless that actually is at Jiang Wanyin's orders but I'm 80% sure that's a lie and Wei Ying is actually the one insisting we don't take food from farmers without repaying them and I'm even more certain he's the one making sure we accept Wen surrenders... I'm a terrible person for doubting the moments we've shared...

Lan Zhan eventually has a minor emotional breakdown and goes to his brother for advice.

The straw that breaks the camels back is working himself into a panic that Wei Ying might be trying to get him to kill his own brother. It's just... he keeps having sect leader/loyal guard sex dreams. They've been getting more elaborate. There's leather for some reason. And then one time his spiritual energy is too depleted after a battle and Xiongzhang covered his cleansing session, and Lan Zhan had to lay in bed healing. Laying there for hours imagining Wei Ying call Xichen 'gege' and get all soft limbed the way he does in his tent after battle... asking to put his head in Xichen's lap. Wearing just his inner robes around Xichen. The intensity of the rage leads him to suspect a dark spell. (It's just vinegar and lust and the cain instinct, but again, Lan Zhan is going through it.)

Lan Xichen hearing the stripped down version of all this like... honey. Sweet child. What the actual fuck.

Yes, I'm sure he's different when he's with you but... Wanjii. Wanjii, please. Think with your brain, not — I am not the one bringing vulgarity into this, don't look at me like that. A-Zhan. No, brother, you can't 'fix' him. Wanjii why even ask me for advice if you're just going to keep doing the same thing.

Xichen really already had enough on his plate before learning that Wei Wuxian is playing psychosexual mind games with his little brother for nefarious reason.

To be fair to Xichen, he absolutely is doing that, even though it's only half on purpose. But those nefarious end goals are in fact sex and marriage, something he's CONFIDENT Lan Zhan would enjoy! Look, Wei Ying knows he could have sat on Lan Zhan's dick day one, even before establishing a real emotional connection, even before providing some evidence that he's not a literal demon seducing him into darkness. He feels he's showing an awful lot of unappreciated restraint in allowing Lan Zhan to come to him when he's ready to move past the whole 'raising undead armies' and 'upending the natural order' and 'my family will never approve' things.

(alright, it hurts more than he cares to admit to himself to see Lan Zhan look at him with fear, with disgust. He's sticken with worry and grief that without their experience in the Xuanwu Cave something fundamental will be missing between them. But it doesn't take too long before Lan Zhan says something so Lan Zhan that it assures him the care and love is still there. Its not the same but Lan Zhan still insists on following him around during the campaign, which means the chance to create New memories side by side and it's...good.)

Plus, younger Lan Zhan is so much easier to fluster and its INCREDIBLY fun to have the upper hand. The man has not finished developing his thick face — he misses his husband like a limb, like an organ, but the younger model squirms so good.

WAY too much of this is relayed to Jiang Cheng during their daily war strategy/ bro gossip sessions.

I actually think Jiang Cheng, in exchange for being the sole person who has to listen to Wei Ying’s (often graphic) pining over Lan Zhan, should get to out his brother.

He should get to out him a few times! For fun and for profit. It’s like wingman-ing, but bitchy, which is I think very in character. Wei Ying is either amused by the various reactions, or in the case of Lan Zhan, genuinely thankful. Sure ‘letting lan zhan come to me when he’s ready and more cool with the ghostly path’ is maybe the right thing to do, but it kinda sucks ass. Also Lan Zhan might actually have a lust induced Qi deviation if he doesn't fuck Wei Ying soon, though you would think that leaving a conspicuously large jade phallus laying around would be enough of a hint. Whatever, let's throw some black powder on that slow burn!

Jiang Cheng implies he might be open to marry Wei Wuxian out of the sect after the war. Sect leaders ‘causally’ asking what sort of girl his ridiculously OP and perfectly servile first disciple might be interested in. Jiang Cheng nonchalantly describing Lan Wanjii to a T (tall, strong in cultivation, musically talented, more inclined to listen than to talk...) while Lan Wanjii pretends not to have accidentally bitten through a spoon.

Someone trying to offer their daughter to the Jiang Clan ("I noticed your young master Wuxian couldn’t help but compliment her beauty—“ “He compliments everyone's beauty. Don’t take it seriously.”). Lan Zhan happens to be there, waiting for an unrelated meeting, and Jiang Cheng can't help but take the opportunity to fuck with him.

Jiang Cheng: Ridiculous petition, don’t you think. Lan Zhan: Mn. Jiang Cheng: As if I’d approve a marriage with everyone my shixiong flirts with. Lan Zhan: Mn. Jiang Cheng: (Pausing while he waits for Lan Zhan to take a sip of tea): He’s obviously a cut sleeve anyway. Lan Zhan: [choking]

After the immediate joy of watching the younger Jade lose his composure, there is later regret because Wei Wuxian is thanking him for giving Lan Zhan a push and. Ugh.

Jin Zixuan on the other hand accidentally gets convinced that Wei Wuxian is in gay love with Jiang Wanyin, while Jiang Wanyin sees Wei Wuxian as a brother, a dynamic Zixuan works very hard to avoid thinking about.

The two sect heirs are having a post battle drink (things weren’t bad between him and the peacock, at the end at least, and it might help things in the future (visiting future nieces and nephews) if they could at least be amicable acquaintances).

The evening's going well enough that Jin Zixuan works up the courage to awkwardly ask about rumors of a betrothal between Wei Wuxian and Jiang Yanli. Wanyin surprises Zixuan by laughing, instead of getting incandescently angry. Sure, they’ve been drinking, but he didn’t even yell! At all! Jiang Wanyin, still laughing, leans it and confideds that Wei Wuxian has been in love with the same man for years.

Zixuan, shocked: "Wait a man? He’s —" Wanyin, taking another drink: "No sleeves." Zixuan, slightly confused why he’s even being told what's obviously a politically valuable secret: “Who—" Wanyin, forgetting that Wei Ying’s mooning over Lan Zhan is not actually that public, and Lan Zhan’s staring at Wei Ying just looks like glaring unless you’ve been unfortunately coached on reading his microexpressions. Also forgetting that people do not generally understand exactly what’s going on between the Jiang Sect’s heir and first disciple, except that it’s weird and intense: “Take a FUCKING guess” Zixuan: “Holy shit — you mean — oh man, that’s — Wanyin: “Yeah. You’re not the one who has to live with him.” Zixuan: “Couldn’t you — I mean does he have to be here — couldn’t you operate on different battlefields — Wanyin, suddenly enraged: the FUCK does that mean?? Zixuan: What? What did I — Wanyin: you got a PROBLEM with my cutsleeve brother?!? Zixuan: I thought — I thought you — did you say brother — Wanyin: FUCK YOU! Zixuan: I don’t — Wanyin: You think being a demonic rabbit stops him from being my brother?? Zixuan: I didn’t say — Wanyin: This is why your siblings are going to hate you! Zixuan: I — my — what do you mean siblings?? Wanyin: You don’t just — I’m not gonna — you don’t just abandon family! You don’t — you don’t send them away! You don't let them leave and face danger on their own! You don’t abandon them! It doesn’t matter if they’re a cutsleeve pervert or too into murdering people to solve problems! Got it? Zixuan: Alright, fine, sorry — Wanyin: GOT IT?!? Zixuan: Alright! Alright, I got it! Wanyin, sitting back down, muttering: Maybe if you were a better brother your half siblings won’t fuck everything up. Zixuan: what? Wanyin: Let’s get this straight — I get to make fun of Wei Wuxian. But until you marry our sister you don’t get to say shit. Zixuan: I — marry — no one said I — there’s no — Wanyin: GOT IT??T? Zixuan: Okay! Okay, I got it!

Jin Zixuan is extremely relieved to spend the rest of the night drinking in silence.

Close to the end of the war someone messes with their privacy talismans while snooping. So their daily checkin gets overheard and a bunch of people hear them bicker like children (threatening to pee in each other’s socks comes up) and laugh about someone's stupid hat, and trade jokes over a meal, which ruins their Untouchably Intense And Threatening Aura somewhat but honestly the aura was a bit much. Like, we’re allies, aren’t we?

Honestly a relief for a lot of people to find out they’re just teen brothers who are good at killing and putting on a very convincing facade (Wei Wuxian literally calls it his ‘scary face’). ALSO Jiang Cheng makes fun of Wei Ying for his super embarrassing crush, “So he actually greeted you in public! When should I expect a marriage offer?!’” which Wei Ying responds to by describing how lonely his butthole is and the various objects he’s been using to makes himself feel less forlorn, which Jiang Cheng responds to with wretching and throwing things.

So that’s some fun gossip.

(Xichen in particular is relieved that his brother hasn't wildly misjudged Wei Ying's true character, and that the Lan Sect probably isn't going to get subsumed by the Jiang)

The wider cultivation world eventually (post war) gets the explanation that Wei Wuxian can remember his past lives and that’s why he’s Like That.

Life One heavily implied to be evil warlord inventor with some connection to the burial mounds, possibly creating them, who was so reviled as to be wiped from the history texts, fracturing his soul to where Meng Po’s soup leaks out. So that explains a lot. Makes way more sense than someone inventing a whole new cultivation path at seventeen, haha.

Life Two heavily implied to be happy wife of a respected cultivator, which...huh.

(past life husband eventually revealed to be Lan Wanjii’s past reincarnation, who did not remember this but is unfortunately still in love. The public finds the story unbelievably romantic. His family is not thrilled. The cultivation world has mixed feelings).

Timeline on all this unconfirmed. Amount of time in-between reincarnations indeterminate, he doesn’t remember. Will tell anyone who asks too many details about being an excellent wife — apparently he gave his husband a beautiful son but seriously don’t ask because he WILL cry and it’s very disturbing. Vaguely implies that he could be any number of people's grandmother.

Smaller number of people know that Jiang Wanyin also remembers his past lives to some extent, but he won’t talk about it. Wei Wuxian very solemnly whispering to fascinated cultivators that when he went insane in his first life Jiang Wanyin lead an army to stop him and that’s why he trusts him so much to keep under control as his leader now. I repeat: Jiang Wanyin will NOT be taking questions.

My MDZS AU Masterlist

#Mdzs #mo dao zu shi #yunmeng siblings #Wangxian #My au #Mdzs au no 7 #oh this is long #long post #Jiang Wanyin's dog #One of my favorite things about wei wuxian is that he deeply values truth but also can and will lie about absolutely anything to anyone #For reasons ranging from 'emotional sanctity' to 'thought it would be funny'#i can't express how much i cackle imagining Lan Zhan's experience during this

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coolshadowtwins · 6 months ago

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The next step on my MDZS Pokémon au, with part 1 being here, we’re going back in time from the Juniors!

Rules that I mentioned- 1) Everyone has a team of three. 2) their started is the equivalent to their sword, and has their swords name. If they have a second, named weapon, then a second Pokémon has a name. Let’s go!

So the Pokémon protagonists that we will be following are, *Drum roll 🥁🥁🥁*

Yep! It’s Jiang Cheng and Wei Wuxian!

So the story starts out with them only having an Eevee each. All three siblings got an Eevee, as the family got the eggs from JFM’s own Vaporeon.

The Jiangs own the water gym in the region, except JFM is also an elite four. So when the tournament season starts, and JFM can’t take gym challengers and instead has to take elite four challengers, who would man the gym?

The answer is Madam Yu. But her main team is not primarily water based, so she has to use gym Pokémon to match her husbands theme, which she hates. (I don’t have her drawn yet, so when I do, I’ll post her) She wants JC to take over, but he can’t with just an Eevee. So, it’s time for his Pokémon journey!

JC just wants to do his family proud, and get water types to take over the gym. He’s fully expecting to evolve his Eevee into a vaporeon. I had a little trouble, debating what other Pokémon to give him that felt JC, and if you can think of something better, please tell me! But I ended up going with Feebas, because I can only imagining him trying to fish up a Magikarp to get a gyarados (after probably episodes and episodes of trying and failing to get a water type) only to get a Feebas. And through ~shenanigans~ he has to keep the ugly, weak fish.

Of course, he doesn’t really know what it evolves into. Imagine his surprise later…. (I have a separate, older JC drawn up to show later)

I gave him a lotad, because you’re fighting a angry looking trainer that sends out a Ludicolo is hilarious to me. I don’t have an image of how he got that Pokémon, or when, but I do think it’s his last.

Now to WWX.

He got his Eevee, Suiban, at the same time as JC, when they are 10~ just a little after coming to live with the Jiangs. Side note here- I have no idea how his dog phobia works here. Is it a specific dog? Is it just dog Pokémon? I said before that Yiling is the graveyard town of the region, so maybe he’s just scared of Greavard. He was still on the streets after losing his parents, just like canon.

I think Zorua is his last Pokémon. I gave him that one purely because I felt it fit his vibes. I think he gets Drifloon when they pass through Yiling, to challenge the gym there. He actually had this Pokémon as a kid, and it got left in Yiling because it wasn’t in a ball. So when it saw WWX again, it just started following him again. I gave him Drifloon because of the Pokédex entries saying how it steals children! I felt that it was horrifying enough to work! JFM comes to find his dead friends child, only to find him living on the streets, with a Drifloon following him? Horrifying.

I think he gets his Drifloon before JC gets anymore Pokémon. Maybe he even gets his Zoroa before JC gets anymore Pokémon. This makes JC that much more desperate to catch something, leading to his fumble with the fishing.

I also don’t know which Pokémon gets to be Chenqing. I feel like, being the one got in Yiling, it should be Drifloon. But I think Zorua would be the ‘feared’ equivalent to the demonic cultivation. I would love to hear your thoughts.

Another thing that I imagine for WWX is that he had expected to take over the gym when JC, in the future, started completely taking over for his dad- gym and elite four. Like Madam Yu is doing. He fully expects to evolve his Eevee into a vaporeon as well, and had expected to get a team of water types to match. JC is not that happy when he ends the journey with the team that he has!

But it’s fine, right? He’ll just used borrowed Pokémon like Madam Yu does, and it’ll be no problem!

I was going to add a third to this post, but it got long! So I’ll add it in the next one!

Next time! The boys first gym battle, with (reminder) only an Eevee each!

#mdzs #mdzs fanart #wei wuxuan #jiang cheng #pokemon #Pokémon MDZS au

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lrosenerds · 2 years ago

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Fic idea I'll probably never write:

I, like Wei Wuxian, am afraid of dogs. I have learned to manage my fear much better than he has, and have in fact succeeded in befriending individual dogs that belong to my friends, out of respect for our friendship and their love for their dogs.

So, I am well qualified to write a fic in which Wei Wuxian decides that, for Jin Ling's happiness and to better their relationship, he is going to learn to tolerate Fairy if it kills him (again).

Whenever I have a neutral-to-positive interaction with a dog, I proudly report it to my roommates: "Today some dogs barked and I hid behind my friend but I didn't cry!" or, "My coworker brought her dog to work, and after observing from behind the desk that he wasn't jumpy, I approached and told him 'Hello, you are a dog,' and patted his nose!"

Like wouldn't it be great if Wei Wuxian was like, "Lan Zhan! There was a dog in Caiyi today and I hid behind Sizhui and didn't run away and only cried a little bit!"

(Lan Zhan rewards him with Emperor's Smile and many many kisses.)

The juniors also love to help: "Senior Wei, you did such a good job! Next time we'll work on only screaming on the inside when a dog barks!"

Jin Ling is SO HAPPY. He and the juniors build a whole curriculum for Wei Wuxian to practice interacting with Fairy. He even consults Jiang Cheng about it.

(Note that this does not magically cure Wei Wuxian of his fear of dogs. I just want to share my coping strategies with him so bad XD)

#mdzs #wei wuxian #lan wangji #the juniors #lan sizhui #jin ling #fic idea #mdzs fic idea

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wutheringskies · 1 year ago

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that utterly disgusting post comparing Wei Wuxian not giving up Wen (dogs) and Jiang Cheng giving up his 3 dogs, and how, he's always been in the position of "giving."

NO.

All the people saying in the tags they are "true brothers," absolutely not. To fulfil your status quo siblings, tsundere character and ship, you completely dismiss the entire story.

1. Jiang Cheng has no dog loving tendencies.

2. The scene of giving his dogs up presents an important theme.

Jiang Fengmian tries to get Wei Ying adjusted to the dogs, but he absolutely cannot, so they are made to leave; Jiang Cheng as a child is understandably upset about losing his dogs. To add on, his dad lifts Wei Ying up and Jiang Cheng kicks Wei Wuxian out, scares him with dogs, but feels like he would get into trouble, so he tells his sister, tries to find him, gets injured, and Wei Wuxian promises he won't tell anyone that JC kicked him out; and then, the dogs are gone, but now Jiang Cheng has his favourite subordinate.

What strikes me is that Jiang Cheng, even as a child, holds no true empathy.

- Wei Wuxian has no control over what he absolutely cannot stand; whether it be dogs or injustice. It's integral to his character.

- Wei Wuxian has no control over who lifts him up, loves him, or praises him. None of these actions are meant to be targeted at Jiang Cheng. Yet throughout the plot we see JC losing his mind when someone approaches WWX with positive intentions or says good things about him.

- JC kicked WWX out and scared him with his worst fear; this is the parallel you are meant to be drawing; just like Jiang Cheng threw him out then, Jiang Cheng threw him out now (leaving the Wens to die is not an option.)

- Jiang Cheng worries that he would be admonished by his father which is why he goes to find WWX, but gets injured in the way.

such a pathetic character honestly. the reason he is still alive is because of the former - he fears authority. Killing demonic cultivators? But let Xue Yang go! Why? He's protected by the Jins. Don't fight LWJ because he's powerful.

and the finding WWX, trying to help WWX once but getting injured... lack of capability.

- WWX promising not to tell anyone; and that's it. that's the basis of their relationship. it's one sided as hell. they're not brothers. it's basically abuse. if you've read the book, you would know.

"from Jiang Cheng's perspective" Jiang Cheng doesn't matter! He will always be beneath Wei Wuxian; his whole purpose is to be a red warning sign; Wei Wuxian can kill 50 of Jiang Chengs for all I know; there is no need to dive deeper with your biased, limited knowledge of Jiang Cheng.

- They are not brothers. They are martial brothers. Raised in the same sect and practicing the same cultivation style.

- There's a clear distinction of subordinate vs superior; master vs slave; owner and his killing dog. The point of conflict arises when the dog acts without his master's commands to save common people. It doesn't stem from misunderstanding or any such thing like that - it's out there. Wei Wuxian knows their moral ideologies don't align. He had hoped Jiang Cheng, if not take the Wens into Yunmeng, would at least, let him be. But when the matter is of "Kill them, or I will not stand by you."

Wei Wuxian leaves the sect; it is NOT Jiang Cheng's sacrifice. It is not hurting Jiang Cheng. The most hurt it causes is to Wei Wuxian; who ultimately had to make the choice.

Jiang Cheng is hurt? Oh, is it because Wei Wuxian chose the moral high-ground over playing his lapdog? Jiang Cheng must be furious.

Also, "Jiang Cheng has given and given" - NO.

- Wei Wuxian comes to Lotus Pier and hangs out with friendless, bitter, unloved child Jiang Cheng, matches his competitiveness head on head, coaxes him to talk to people, etc. Accepts all the endlessly bitter taunts and throws out a few in return. Surpasses him in abilities, practices together. They're boys.

- Does all his bidding and requests in Cloud Recessses to do this or that. Jiang Cheng does carry him, when they are 15.

- In Xuanwu Cave, Jiang Cheng also attacked the Wens after Wei Wuxian got burnt; Wei Wuxian was the reason he was able to live. He did travel and ask for aid. But Wei Wuxian also did allow himself to become a bait and usher people out stuck in a cave with a 400 year old monster... what's not clicking?

- and after the fall of lotus pier he strangles Wei Wuxian and hits him, gets done with life, thinks "I'll die heroically" and also sort of out of guilt and remnant care for Wei Wuxian, but instead loses his core.

And then?

Then what? That is it. That's really it for their relationship being giving on Jiang Cheng's side. It died when Lotus Pier did. Yet:

- Wei Wuxian knowingly, consciously gave up his core for the guy who strangled him twice in the past 50 hours or so.

- Without even a core, fought in the war alongside the Jiangs, earned a lot of report; the sunshot campaign is a small arc text wise in the book, yet there are at least three mentions of Wei Wuxian being the reason behind why the Jiangs are extremely powerful.

- Even afterwards acts on JC's orders in the Phoenix Mountain Hunt.

- Keeps protecting Jiang Cheng's name by ensuring it's not about Jiang Cheng or "don't bring him into this."

- Doesn't even attack the Jiangs in nightless city

- JC can enter the barriers still

- even back to life he just wants to get away and not harm him, unlike JC

so basically, fuck Jiang Cheng and more specifically please touch grass. it's one thing to like a character. it's another to dehumanize a bunch of people rescued from labour camp prison where they were dealing with xianxia level of abuse as dogs and justify a powerful clan leader not helping them, especially when he owes them, to show how he once lost his dogs.

Like that is vile.

#canon jiang cheng #jiang cheng #mo dao zu shi #mdzs #wei wuxian #jiang cheng is shit #my thoughts #my essays #my meta

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wangxianficrecs · 8 months ago

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A Thousand Things by tickertape

A Thousand Things

by tickertape

M, 108k, Wangxian

Summary: Wei Ying can’t find his words. “What would I do in Gusu?” The man’s mouth quirks in what Wei Ying cannot interpret as anything but a tiny, smug smirk. “Learn.” Wei Ying has made a fine life for himself. He’s got his jiejies and his talismans; he doesn’t need anyone’s charity. But spending a whole year in Gusu? That’s hard to turn down. Kay's comments: A Wangxian My Fair Lady AU is something I never knew I needed until I started reading this story. It's such a great idea and wonderfully done, it works to well! A story, where Wei Wuxian doesn't get adopted by the Jiangs but still ends up with some cultivation talent, enough to sell talismans and make a living. Eventually, Lan Qiren stumbles upon him and gets humbled so good by him that he decides to take him to Gusu so that he gets properly trained. Cue: the slowest of burns between Wangxian that's so worth it though. Really loved how the characters are portrayed! Excerpt: The man huffs, a derisive sound. “You may be clever, but you are not a professional by any standard.” “I’m paid for my work. That makes it my profession.” “You are untrained and thus cannot profess to be qualified by any official standard,” the Lan teacher retorts. In the same scathing tone, he mutters, “Not to mention your attitude and illegible script.” Asshole. Wei Ying scowls at him. “So, I’m unqualified and you’re discourteous. Seems we’re both flawed men, yet here you are using my work to educate your students.” The man balks minutely at that, and one of the white-clad students makes an indignant noise. Wei Ying continues: “My pieces are valuable enough to the people who buy from me. If I’m not good enough to meet your qualified, highly-trained standards, then please feel free to pass me by.” He can’t quite hold himself back from one last jibe. “I’d like to see your students recreate even one of my talismans half so well.” The daozhang opens his mouth as if to speak, but then pauses. Wei Ying watches his eyes move over the table once more. He forces himself to recompose, straightening his shoulders and loosening his hands from where they had been unconsciously gripping at his robes. Composure, dignity, control: the three most important qualities to display when facing the world. No sleeves on fire today. But Wei Ying has never been the best with keeping his composure; he’s too spurred by his own wild thoughts, prone to ‘fits of inspiration’ as Qing-jiejie likes to call them.

pov wei wuxian, canon divergence, wei wuxian isn't adopted by the jiangs, wei wuxian goes to gusu, rogue cultivator wei wuxian, genius wei wuxian, inventor wei wuxian, developing friendships, developing relationship, strangers to lovers, misunderstandings, miscommunication, nightmares, class differences, panic attacks, night hunts, cloud recesses shenanigans, cloud recesses rabbits, slow burn, wei wuxian has a fear of dogs

~*~

(Please REBLOG as a signal boost for this hard-working author if you like – or think others might like – this story.)

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rosethornewrites · 4 months ago

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Fic: this body yet survives, ch. 17

Relationship: Lán Zhàn | Lán Wàngjī/Wèi Yīng | Wèi Wúxiàn

Tags: No War AU, Recovery, Trauma, Dissociation, Courtship, Courting Rituals, Near Death Experiences, Attempted Murder, Eventual Happy Ending, Panic Attacks, Vomiting, Siblings, Protective Siblings, Soup, Triggers, Protective Lan WangJi, Protective Lán Qǐrén, Yúnmèng Siblings Dynamics, Bad Parent Yú Zǐyuān, POV Third Person, POV Lan WangJi, reference to poisoning, reference to assassination, Reference to chronic illness, reference to infanticide, Depression, Minor Injuries, Painting, Gift Giving, Wèi Yīng | Wèi Wúxiàn Has a Fear of Dogs, Good Sibling Jiāng Chéng | Jiāng Wǎnyín, Good Sibling Jiāng Yànlí, BAMF Wèi Yīng | Wèi Wúxiàn, Jealous Su She | Su Minshan, Wei Ying | Wei Wuxian Protection Squad

Summary: Birthdays and brotherhoods.

Notes: See end.

Parts 1 & 2

Chapter 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16

AO3 link

——————

Wei Ying’s birthday celebration was low-key, celebrated with Wen Ning, Wen Qing, and Nie Huaisang, who had bullied his brother until he was allowed to visit the Cloud Recesses for it under the care of a steward of the sect. The Nie heir showed up as they ate a late lunch and insisted on eating with them, even pulling out packages of food he’d purchased in town to supplement the lunch Jiang Yanli made.

Nie Huaisang pouted when he learned that Wei Ying was swearing brotherhood again with someone not him, and was only appeased by the offer to swear brotherhood with him as well.

It was appropriate, as the numerology of a two person brotherhood was “easy,” and Lan Wangji imagined such a brotherhood would be easy for Wei Ying. Similarly, a three-person brotherhood with the Wens was apt, with one aspect of the numerology being “health,” given Wen Qing was Wei Ying’s doctor.

A four-person brotherhood was unlucky, sounding like and associated with death, and out of the question.

Off and on all afternoon while they all visited, Jiang Yanli cooked up a feast to serve for dinner. Wei Ying successfully ate his longevity noodles without breaking them. The time passed quickly, with Wei Ying contributing to the conversations and even initiating them, so much more comfortable around people than he had been, and this was blessedly a good day.

By hai shi he was falling asleep, used to the Lan schedule now, and the Wens excused themselves, leaving a gift of copies of rare books on talismans from the Wen library.

“Unc—Uncle thought you might… might enjoy them,” Wen Ning said, clearly happy with Wei Ying’s enthused response.

“No other library in the jianghu has these books,” Wen Qing added. “He fully expects that you’ll build on these to create worthwhile talismans. Write a book yourself—you have the talent.”

Wei Ying could only blush at her kind words, if delivered brusquely.

“Ah, Qing-jie, I knew you liked me!”

“You grow on people like mold,” she sniffed, rolling her eyes, and Wei Ying laughed.

Nie Huaisang gave more art supplies, including some gold leaf paint he picked up in Lanling.

“I want to commission you more, once you finish Wen-zongzhu’s. I still use the fan you painted for me,” he added, brandishing the fan proudly. “Oh, I wonder if the Nie library has books on talismans? I should ask Dage!”

“Most sects do,” Wei Ying said, his voice a bit distant.

The Jiang had only had his contributions, Lan Wangji had learned, which had been sent with him to Gusu. And now Yunmeng had none.

Lan Wangji worried he might close off, but he shook off the dark emotions quickly as Jiang Yanli pushed a segment of orange into his hand, knowing the smell and taste would help.

“I have some fruit we can enjoy,” she said, distracting everyone effectively as Jiang Wanyin brought in a tray.

Nie Huaisang demurred and excused himself. Jiang Yanli and Lan Wangji kept fruit on Wei Ying’s plate until he protested that he was full.

He had handled having guests well, and Lan Wangji was proud of his fortitude, knowing only weeks ago, with all the stress, he may not have been able to endure. He would still sometimes struggle, but Lan Wangji would be there to help him when he needed it.

After they left, Lan Wangji gifted Wei Ying the blanket he had commissioned, the topside embroidered with panels of the seasons, topped by mountains and clouds, with romantic symbols like a pair of mandarin ducks, butterflies, and two dragons, as well as auspicious ones meant to show how he saw Wei Ying, including a tiger for his bravery and the Four Plants of Virtue. The blanket contained replaceable sachets scented orange and cinnamon so he might feel safe as well as warm. It was also large enough for their marital bed, a reminder that made Lan Wangji’s ears hot with a mixture of anticipation and excitement at his own audacity.

“I’ll use it tonight, Lan Zhan,” Wei Ying said softly after examining the scene. “It smells so good.”

“It’s beautiful, Wangji,” Jiang Yanli added, wrapping it around Wei Ying’s shoulders.

He was permitted to hug Wei Ying under the keen eyes of their chaperones before Jiang Wanyin shooed him out, citing his brother’s exhaustion.

Lan Wangji dreamt of holding him that night, just holding him close so he would feel safe and warm.

The next day they learned the disciples sent out found the hole-riddled body of Su She, which they took to Caiyi for a pauper’s burial, though the Cloud Recesses was closer—the man had backtracked for an attempt at revenge. The disciples had decided collectively (and correctly) that he should not be interred in the Lan compound after his transgressions. They had performed “Inquiry” to be sure his spirit didn’t linger; it didn’t, Su She being mediocre even at resentment.

Lan Wangji was relieved—the curse had no additional culprit, only a known actor. Wei Ying just sighed and shook his head, but he was clearly relieved not to have to worry about the vicious little man any longer. None of his co-conspirators were found with him, so he likely acted alone. Scouts found that the others had split up and largely already left Gusu, one already joining a remote temple to serve Guanyin, a good outcome out of a bad situation.

The news was balanced out by the swearing of brotherhood, first with the Wen siblings, and then with Nie Huaisang. They all skipped the banquet, but the kitchen insisted on sending a small one to the Jiang guest house to give Jiang Yanli a break from cooking. She was embarrassed, and insisted she didn’t need one, but it was good for her to be able to rest.

They provided more than simply Lan fare, having brought dishes from Qishan and Qinghe into the banquet, and Lan Wangji noticed Wei Ying stuck to those dishes, particularly enthused by a spicy soup dish Wen Qing identified as hulatang and a Qinghe specialty with braised chestnuts and pork. Also included were hot dry noodles popular in Yunmeng, among other dishes from that area.

He wondered if Jiang Yanli would teach him to prepare his favorites, as he had no desire to make Wei Ying eat what he did not enjoy, and resolved to ask her.

The beginning of the meal was silent, and involved tasting the various dishes, from mutton-stuffed baozi to yangrou paomo to pearl meatballs. Sweeter dishes included rose mirror cakes, tofu jelly, and red date soft candy. The spread was incredible in its array of flavors, and Lan Wangji found himself deviating from the traditional Lan fare in favor of some of them. It didn’t take too long for conversation to pick up as they ate.

Nie Huaisang made sure to point out that Wei Ying was his didi based on age.

“After all, it was my third time at the lectures and only your first when we met,” he said jovially.

“You just want me to call you Gege, Nie-xiong.”

“Of course!” he said, without shame. “And you get an extra gege with Dage! He really respects you.”

They were wonderfully distracted, speaking of happier days past, of the summer of their adolescence that had brought them together. Had brought Wei Ying into Lan Wangji’s life, tearing through his boundaries with his beautiful smile.

Again, Wei Ying handled having guests well, though he looked apologetically relieved when the Wen siblings excused themselves early, citing their plan to begin their travels back to Nightless City the next morning.

“I’m happy you came to celebrate with me, Didi,” Wei Ying said. “I didn’t expect you at all!”

“Shu… Shushu asked that it b-be kept secret in case I could… couldn’t.”

Nie Huaisang stayed only a bit longer, and Lan Wangji didn’t miss the surreptitious passing of a qiankun pouch, which undoubtedly contained more spring books.

“I’m so glad you look well; much better than my last visit,” the Nie heir said, patting Wei Ying’s arm. “I can’t stay longer—Meng Yao is my escort and he’s Dage’s right-hand man, so we need to get back to Qinghe.”

Wei Ying smiled at him, the pouch disappearing into his robes.

“I’m glad you came, Sang-ge, and I’m glad I can call you ge now.”

“Me too, Didi. You deserve more family, and now you almost have us in all the major sects,” he replied with a smile. “Except the Lan, but your future husband is here.”

He excused himself to return to his guest quarters.

“You do deserve more family, A-Xian,” Jiang Yanli echoed after his departure. “More people to support you.”

Lan Wangji stayed until shortly before hai shi, when Wei Ying was visibly drooping from the busy and emotional day.

They saw their visitors off at the front gate the next day, and the next several weeks were spent in peace. The family held a small private celebration for Jiang Wanyin’s birthday, and Lan Wangji gifted him stationery to write with, including new, decent-quality brushes. Xiongzhang and Shufu gifted him a weiqi set and a book about historical sect leaders, respectively. Wei Ying found a book involving lotus farming at the Caiyi bookseller during one of their trips, and gifted that without reading it, unsure whether it was a guide, novel, or book of poetry—Jiang Wanyin hid it away in a qiankun bag immediately for Wei Ying’s comfort, and would only find out when he returned to Lotus Pier.

“It doesn’t matter—if it’s about lotuses you need to read it,” Wei Ying said. “You’ll be sect leader, after all.”

The auger provided Shufu with a list of auspicious dates, and one was chosen for after the new year, the soonest available. Lan Wangji was more excited than he could properly express—not only would Wei Ying be his husband, joining him in the Jingshi permanently, but he would be safer with the title of Lan-er-furen. It was title Lan Qiren had mentioned could be altered as it had not been used in more than a generation, but Wei Ying had insisted upon it happily and proclaimed he would fulfill the appropriate role with its associated responsibilities.

Lan Wangji’s ears were hot for quite some time at the implied sexual connotation, which Wei Ying didn’t seem to know he had made.

Wedding invitations were written, with the hiccup that it was not possible to avoid inviting Jiang Fengmian for political reasons, though Yu Ziyuan’s ban from the Cloud Recesses would stand. Lan Wangji knew it was because he was a high-ranking member of the Lan clan and thus his marriage was considered a major event, and he hated it.

“You don’t have to serve him tea,” Wei Ying said softly, trying to soothe him, he was so good. “He will just be a guest and we don’t have to talk to him. Lan-xiansheng can examine whatever gift he gives before it reaches us.”

He would serve tea to the Jiang siblings, and to the tablets of Wei Ying’s parents, and Wei Ying would serve Xiongzhang and Shufu, as well as his parents’ tablets. That was acceptable.

Wei Ying otherwise spent much of his time painting or working on talismans, going back to the quiet productivity he’d displayed consistently since he’d started to truly heal, and the four of them spent many quiet afternoons in his workshop. At times he tutored disciples in sword forms, always happy to teach any who asked. Jiang Wanyin, Shufu told him, had suggested over tea that Wei Ying would be an effective archery instructor, something he was considering asking of him after the wedding.

The relative quietude was only interrupted by his siblings taking him to the most renowned clothier in Caiyi to commission wedding robes—far less harrowing an event, considering. His siblings were being very secretive about them, even to Wei Ying.

“They won’t tell me anything about them,” Wei Ying groused over tea with Lan Tayi, who clearly found the whole thing amusing. “I’m to wear a blindfold when we get to fittings, even!”

In truth, Lan Wangji had heard only of the custom of the couple being unable to see each other’s robes prior to the wedding, not that oneself couldn’t see their own robes. He wondered if the Jiang siblings wanted Wei Ying to be as surprised by his appearance as he would be, perhaps to heighten the joy of the wedding.

When he said as much, Wei Ying smiled at the idea, and Lan Wangji honestly didn’t think they could possibly make him more beautiful than he already was.

Nearing the winter festival, Wei Ying had a breakthrough with the talismans Madam Jin had commissioned, completing one that lit up red when two people who were related held it when it was activated, and black when they were unrelated.

“Red for good fortune, black for neutrality,” he clarified when he demonstrated the talisman using the Jiang siblings and then Lan Zhan and Xiongzhang. “It would light up a dimmer red if Xiansheng held it with one of you, too.”

He was still working on one that would find relatives in the first place, hoping to modify the talisman he and Lan Tayi had created to reveal Su She.

“They would have to be very close by, and I guess that would be up to Jin-furen to arrange. It’d be easier if I could make something like a compass, but that wouldn’t work for blood… energy would be easier to detect that way…”

He presented the talisman to Jin Zixuan upon his next visit to Jiang Yanli and explained its use.

“Muqin has a list of people to verify already, so she’ll be very happy to have this talisman,” Jin Zixuan said with a smile.

Wei Ying looked a little surprised by the Jin heir’s happiness, and he clarified:

“I’ve always wished for siblings; I was jealous that everyone else seemed to have them but me. I don’t know that it will go well, but I want to try to do right by them.”

Jiang Yanli looked at him with love in her expression, clearly pleased with his desire to be a devoted brother. From what Lan Wangji had seen, she valued such devotion, and it certainly implied the sort of husband and father he would ultimately become.

Jin Zixuan blushed a bit under her gaze, but continued.

“I would have been happy to swear brotherhood with both of you, but you’ll be my jiuzimen soon enough. It’s good that you have ties to all the major clans, Wei Wuxian. You have more stability in terms of reputation and prestige.”

Lan Wangji understood he was referring to the rumors his father was a servant rather than a disciple, completely ignoring that Baoshan Sanren was his grandmaster through his mother. The jianghu gentry liked to tear down those with what they deemed inferior blood, despite the fact that Wei Wuxian was one of the most promising cultivators of their generation.

“You… really? Even though I punched you?” Wei Ying asked, baffled.

“I’ve said before that I deserved it,” Jin Zixuan said, flushing. “You’re the brother of my beloved’s heart, and you were defending her honor.”

Wei Ying rubbed his finger against his nose, a nervous habit, then nodded.

“I guess you’ll be my jiefu too, then, not just Jiang Cheng’s,” Wei Ying said with a smile, before changing the subject by explaining how he had come up with the talisman.

Most of the explanation clearly went over Jin Zixuan’s head, but he nodded along and asked pertinent, if rudimentary, questions.

They enjoyed a quiet meal thanks to Jiang Yanli before Jin Zixuan left for Lanling, promising that payment would be forthcoming, something that left Wei Ying looking perplexed.

“It’s weird to have people paying for my talismans,” he murmured as they walked back to the Jiang guest quarters. “I always just gave mine to Jiang… to Jiang-zongzhu.”

“I don’t think A-Die ever sold your talismans like the Lan have—he just put them in the library,” Jiang Yanli said after a minute. “Unless you trained disciples to use them, they simply sat on a shelf.”

“They should have been used and sold, and you should’ve gotten a percentage,” Jiang Wanyin said, his voice strained. “But Muqin…”

He didn’t finish the sentence, but such a thing would have incensed Yu-furen and made Wei Ying even more of a target. For some reason, his success in anything was reason for her to punish him, he’d told Lan Wangji once.

“He sent them with Shufu when Wei Ying came to the Cloud Recesses,” Lan Wangji said. “They should be among the qiankun bags from Lotus Cove.”

“A-Xian should find them and let Lan-xiansheng help decide what to do with them, then,” Jiang Yanli said, taking Wei Ying’s arm in her own. “Xianxian will be a wealthy man.”

“Xianxian is only three,” he said, leaning against her like a child. “Xianxian doesn't know what to do with that much money.”

Shufu had shown him the summary of his earnings over tea the day before, and it had shocked him.

“Use it on what you want,” Jiang Wanyin said. “Spoil yourself. Buy all the books and trinkets you want, eat all the food you want, wear nice clothes.”

“Even with that, it’s a lot,” Wei Ying protested. “Just what Jin-furen is paying… And she insisted on the price, not me!”

He seemed overwhelmed, and Lan Wangji knew it was because he never had much money—the Jiang had paid for anything he picked up at market, but he wasn’t a spendthrift. Likely if he had been there would have been consequences.

“It’s a lot,” he said again. “How does one go from the streets to riches? If you told me back then…”

He let the thought trail off as they reached the guest house. Jiang Wanyin made tea while Jiang Yanli put together plates of snacks.

“You will eventually decide what to spend your money on,” Lan Wangji said as they sat together at the table, discreetly holding hands underneath.

“Knowing him, it’ll be food for street kids,” Jiang Wanyin commented as he set a tray with the teapot and cups on the table.

Wei Ying startled a little, then tapped his nose as he thought. It was clear Jiang Wanyin had suggested something that appealed to him.

“An orphanage,” he said finally, his voice a whisper. “Something to help street kids. Shelter and food. Safety.”

He paused, silent for a moment as though seeking the right words.

“A future.”

“Oh, A-Xian,” Jiang Yanli breathed as she surged forward to embrace him. “That’s a wonderful idea.”

Lan Wangji’s heart ached for him, for his selflessness and beautiful desire to make the world a better place. This was the boy he’d fallen in love with.

“I will help. We will speak to Shufu. He will help, too. It is a righteous project.”

He squeezed Wei Ying’s hand under the table and received a return squeeze. He would support his husband in anything he wished to accomplish, for the rest of their lives.

—————

So this is 17 chapters just like “the thing with feathers,” which is funny. I intend to write a follow-up fic with the wedding at some point, but this is nearly the end of the series. Please feel free to check out my other fics while you wait.

I’m doing somewhat better health-wise. Healed from the gallbladder removal and infection, anyway. Still fatigued, but at least I’m writing.

a-die = dad

didi = younger brother

furen = madam

ge = older brother

hai shi = 9-11pm

hulatang = spicy/hot pepper soup

jiefu = elder sister’s husband

jiuzimen = plural of jiuzi, meaning wife’s younger brother

muqin = mother (formal)

shushu = uncle

xiansheng = teacher

xiong = brother

xiongzhang = older brother

yangrou paomo = flatbread soaked in mutton broth

zongzhu = sect leader

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mdzs-owns-my-ass-i-guess · 7 months ago

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Flesh and bone (the sky above the earth below)

This doubles as both a gift for @yuzanrath (happy early birthday!) and the fic title chosen in this poll.

Trigger warnings for: body horror, horror in general to be honest, sentient Burial Mounds, and overall creepy and unsettling vibes

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Darkness, Wei Wuxian has come to realize, is not all the same – nor does it look, sound or feel the same. He has never been afraid of the dark – neither when he slept alone in the street as a child, with moonlight and hunger to keep him awake enough to fend off savage dogs, nor when he shared a quiet, (far too quiet) room with Jiang Cheng in Lotus Pier, unable to shake off the feeling of being unwanted.

The dark never scared him as he slipped in and out of consciousness in the Xuanwu Cave, a distant song lulling him awake whenever his mind strayed too far, and his heart never faltered even as the enemy hid in the night during the first days of war. Wei Wuxian had never feared the dark, not even as his vision faded into nothingness with the pain of having his core ripped out of him.

But this darkness is different. The darkness at the bottom of the Burial Mounds is different – it is not a result of the natural succession of day and night, nor is it caused by light being unable to penetrate into a space dug too far into the ground, into rock, into mountains.

The darkness in the Burial Mounds is alive in a way that is almost organic, moving, feeling, craving. It slithers like formless snakes, coiling like the appendages of a mythical beast around any living prey that steps into its territory – everywhere and nowhere at all, suffocating yet elusive.

It is hard to say whether it is one being or many beings fused together – perhaps it is both, or something else entirely, something beyond human understanding, perhaps even something defiant of the laws of nature itself.

Whatever it is, it is the one kind of darkness Wei Wuxian is terrified of. Be it midday or midnight, it roams the Burial Mounds freely, unbothered by daylight or fire, floating like heavy, putrid smoke when it rests, and attacking like sharp, obsidian blades when it hunts.

And Wei Wuxian has come to realize neither when it is dormant, nor when it is hungry is the beast merciful.

The first time he fell into the abyss, the Darkness caught him – but it did not make his landing any softer. Instead, the impact with the dry, rotten earth had been punctuated by large, formless limbs tearing at his flesh as he stared upwards and screamed, unable to move. His body, fractured in more ways than it could have been possible for him to be alive to witness, could only serve as the Darkness’ meal, perhaps its toy, even.

And though Wei Wuxian had screamed and screamed for help, for mercy, for death, the heavens remained unimpressed, as did the Darkness, prodding at him only to heal him again and hurt someplace else. There had been a point when the pain had been so great, lashing at his subconscious like an unforgiving whip, that Wei Wuxian’s brain lit up with adrenaline at the thought of ending his own suffering.

But the Darkness had not let him, breaking his arms until he had none left – and so he had once again laid onto the ground, flesh and bone, pain with a voice screaming out its soul.

However, Wei Wuxian came to realize, death was a merciful end the Burial Mounds rarely granted. The Darkness hated loneliness, and company had always been scarce – so, it could not have destroyed its own source of entertainment.

It is hard to say whether the Darkness has consciousness or thought. It talks, it screams in thousands of senseless voices, clarity a rare treat – but one thing is for certain, even as it screams in Wei Wuxian’s brain like it is trying to split it open: it is capable of attachment. Love. Obsession.

And Wei Wuxian knows this from his own experience.

Surely, to be tortured, torn into until nothing but blood and echoes of broken cries are left, only to be magically put back together at the brink of death – is not proof of any semblance of feelings, at least not in the healthy, human understanding of the concept.

But Wei Wuxian had often awoken alive when he should have been dead, his body rebuilt though he’d watched it be destroyed, with dead, featherless birds and tainted water left by his side like an offering. He had been enveloped into a thick blanket of Darkness when the nights became too cold and the creatures haunting the Burial Mounds too bloodthirsty – protecting him from harm.

And the many times he lived and died – he did not remember them in detail, the Darkness erasing and blurring the trauma until it felt like a dissociative dream.

But now, as he walks the Burial Mounds freely, the Darkness writhing by his feet like a wanting lover pulling at the ends of their beloved robes, Wei Wuxian realizes he has not been the only one the Darkness has loved obsessed over.

It has built a shrine.

In a tall, large cave, much like a temple, moonlight manifests brightly, bathing the place in haunting, silvery white.

There is no opening for the moon to shine through, and it is the middle of the day. But the light still casts a ghostly glow over the place, the rock glittering like crystal.

Along the walls, lined like the statues of forgotten, ancient gods in a lost temple, the Darkness works at persevering an endless row of bodies, ashen, shriveled complexions and sunken, half-lidded eyes staring emptily ahead, eyeballs broken like glass marbles. The colors of their robes have long washed away, vague stains of yellow, purple, red, blue and green barely still visible, more like impressions rather than pigment.

Men and women, some young, others old, held to a glittering wall by an unseen force, like butterflies pinned on a wooden board, a collection of beautiful corpses.

“Is this where you’ll keep me?” Wei Wuxian asks, his voice level, as the Darkness gathers around him, enveloping him like it is embracing him.

You are not like them, Wei Wuxian. The Darkness replies in a sweet, purring voice, You are our beloved. They are not.

“What are they, then? Trophies?”

Memories.

Wei Wuxian stares at the wall, at the corpses that almost seem to stare back at him. Their blank expressions, their thinning robes, the shriveled skin of their hands. He sees himself held above them like a master, in mockery of his status as a servant’s son, above them in nothing more than placement in a morbid collection of a monstruous creature.

A memory. A memento.

Dread raises on his skin, slithering up his spine to bloom into goosebumps all over his body – and his eyes glint red, summoning enough resentment not to feel defenseless. He thinks he almost hears them, the people displayed on the cave wall – scream.

Just like he has.

He lifts a hand, green fire manifesting at his fingertips as he stares at the row of bodies before him. People that have lived in the Burial Mounds, just like he has. People that have tried to survive, just like he has.

People that have died.

But he will not.

Not yet, not like this. He will not be the Darkness’ prize, its morbid souvenir. When he dies, he will leave nothing of himself to pin.

The Darkness writhes around him, anxious, as if sensing his intentions, but it does not fight him. Instead, it covers him gently, the smoke taking the shape of human limbs, a human body made of wisps of smoke.

The cave is soon enveloped in ghostly fire, burning without heat. Wei Wuxian bows in respect to the corpses, their bodies dissipating into the phantom moonlight like lanterns ascending to the sky.

How cruel of you, to deny even our memories… A saccharine voice says against Wei Wuxian’s ear. It sounds almost familiar, like afternoons in the library and running over rooftops, like a song he cannot name and feelings he cannot understand.

“Those were people. Not your memories. And not your trophies.” He replies, voice harsh, reprimanding. The Darkness does not fear him, he knows as much – but he also knows it will not be insolent or daring. Not with Chenqing at his fingertips, the leash he has used to tame the formless beast.

Will you be, Wei Ying?

“A trophy?”

Of course not. The voice replies, its lilt low and seductive, the human form taking now a distinct appearance, Not a trophy. Will you be Ours?

It whispers against his ear, convincing enough for his heart to spasm painfully against his ribcage. The almost-human hands trace over his neck, enticing but dangerous, tempting, l’appel du vide over a tall abyss.

Will you be mine, Wei Ying?

#mdzs #mo dao zu shi #writing attempts #wangxian #wwx

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