Archive of Our Own

Chapter Text

Did we really need an audience to this particular meeting? Wonders Wei Wuxian at the sight of numbers that the other major Sect Leaders brought along while those few minor Sect Leaders who felt brave enough to attend, also brought twice the number that the other major Sect had brought. Although, as his eyes wander over the Gusu Lan Sect, his gaze lingers on Lan Wangji.

As Head Disciple of Yunmeng Jiang Sect, it means that he’s position is next to the current Acting Sect Leader, which is why the meeting is held out in the open as there’s no hall big enough to allow a middle weight Dragon to be comfortable within, never mind heavy weights like Lung Qin and Lung Tien. Not that lightweight Messengers were particularly welcome to such meetings either, Wei Wuxian admits as he looks to the Qishan Wen Sect group, it’s only human Cultivators making up that party.

Next to Lung Qianshui Zemin, there’s the former Wen Advisor, Lung Luwei Tao, although, instead of a human Cultivator next to him, next to Lung Luwei Tao is Lung Shao whose name he doesn’t know. He just knows it’s not Lung Shao Ming nor was it Lung Shao Yongliang, neither had made the journey to attend this meeting, which means that Wen Qing isn’t here, understandable given she’s Lung Shao Ming’s fifth Companion.

In fact, there’s few human Cultivators among the rebelling Wens in attendance today, which is rather understandable. Protection in a way while the next has to do with not undermining the Lungs, what with it forcing people to address the Lung representatives instead of purposefully ignoring them. He muses as the silence continues to hang among the gathered Cultivators, Dragon and human.

There had been greetings and a few snide digs at Yunmeng Jiang Sect by the spokesperson of the Qishan Wen Sect, which had stirred the Lanling Jin Sect’s Sect Leader into making taking a pot-shot at Yunmeng Jiang Sect, remarking how some people seem to have grown outside of their role. It’s unclear if he is aiming at Lung Qianshui Zemin or at Wei Wuxian himself, given that news is likely circulating about his Soul Swapping with Renren.

I wonder how many are looking to find out information on the Dragon Pearl, after all, the last historic account should be found in various books. He admits as the silence hanging among the gathered group is broken by Acting Sect Leader Jiang, “We have both of your sons as hostages. So, we are here to speak of terms of release for the pair.”

There’s a few Wen Disciples that seem to express their anger over the very idea that they had to negotiate over the release of their two Young Masters but they remain silent after glancing at their Sect Leader. There’s little change in Sect Leader Wen’s facial features but Wei Wuxian is sure that something tightens along the edge of the mouth or perhaps the eyes. “You plan to bargain their release?”

Tension seems to replace the silence from before now that Sect Leader Wen spoke that singular question. “That’s generous of us, considering your Sect’s attempted massacre of various Sect Disciples, among whom were members of the main families from said Sects.” Acting Sect Leader Jiang points out in that way Dragons tend to do. “We could have sent you their heads the moment your siege fell through, given you’ve been pressing for war for decades now.”

It’s clear that was a bit much as various cacophony of voices ring out, majority of them were coming from those observing Sects. Some of those minor Sects, namely those who look to Lanling Jin Sect, are decrying that statement, seemingly defending the idea of the Indoctrination Camp that the Wen Sect set up and allowed the Second Young Master to run. There are a few voices, mainly from the Nie Sect, agreeing with that assessment that Lung Qianshui Zemin had just stated.

Not that the crowd of voices seem to be able to cause any discomfort among the Dragons that are presence. Wei Wuxian admits that the noise is headache inducing and he can tell that there’s a hint of a sneer upon Sect Leader Wen’s face whenever his eyes flicker to the various minor Sects defending his actions. Clearly finding their boot licking to predictable, expected even.

Not that it’s all that unsurprising, given how Lanling Jin Sect has always tried to hold onto the position of neutral when it comes to conflict between the Sects and Qishan Wen Sect. Not that it wasn’t clear which side Sect Leader Jin would prefer to be a part of. He muses at how calculating said man has while focus on Sect Leader Wen’s face.

As the voices die down, Sect Leader Wen waits a bit before saying, “Who’s ultimately to blame for sending those disciples? I do recall requesting them for re-education, given recent events within your Sect, it seems I was right that the current education among the other Sect is lacking a great deal.”

“Requesting? I don’t think it was meant to be a request and I’m sure the Gusu Lan Sect will agree, seeing how your Eldest Son pretty much kidnapped Second Young Master Lan along with nineteen others after causing fire to be set to the Cloud Recesses.” Points out Lung Qianshui Zemin in a slight rebuking tone.

Recalling the whole episode that seems to have occurred years ago instead of nearly a year ago, he can attest that given what tended to happen to those Sect that disagreed with Qishan Wen Sect’s demands... Well, it was pretty much a threat towards the Sects at large and instead of banding together, they gave into the demand in hopes that nothing bad would happen. He’s sure that everyone here knows it, that none wanted to gather the attention of the Wens and yet, it hadn’t mattered in the end, given how things could have ended if not for fortunate turn of events within that cavern with that failed Divine Beast.

“It was unfortunate that my son hadn’t delivered the letter before leaving the Cloud Recesses.” It’s all that Sect Leader Wen states on the matter as he goes on to put forth a question that many had likely been asking behind closed doors, “People might wonder how long you were planning to take Lotus Pier and the Jiang Sect for yourself?”

“Which principles of Yunmeng Jiang Sect were broken by those that remain within the Sect? And who is it that went against the principles set down by the Founder?” There’s a bit of a bristling among the Wen Sect group at the poke at how their current Sect Leader has gone against their own Founder’s Quintessence of the Wens, which has been the source of the fission between the two factions within their Sect.

I seem to recall the punishment recommended by Wen Mao regarding tyrants and bullies. Wei Wuxian muses with a hint of a smile upon his face. After all, that’s the likely fate of Sect Leader Wen, his supporters, and likely those ‘friends’ of Wen Chao along with the man himself. He isn’t sure what kind of fate Wen Xu has earned nor has he had time to inquire, it wouldn’t surprise him that some branch member will be selected to take over when, not if, the Dragons of Qishan Wen Sect succussed in their overthrow of the rot within the Sect.

““Knowingly do what you know you cannot do.’ That’s the motto of the Yunmeng Jiang Sect.” Acting Sect Leader informs those gathered, which is true, although people generally just summarize it into ‘Attempt the Impossible’. “There’s been a lot of tiny missteps and casual disregard concerning the values of the Sect over the time since a certain woman married into the Sect. The attempted murder of a disciple, well, that was her crossing the line and ease of excusing that attempt is what cause us to lose faith with the former Sect Leader.”

Many eyes drift his way, after all, there’s only one attempted murder to have happened within the Sect in these past few months. “The lack of applying discipline to someone who would attempt such an action was unforgivable when he would allow her to punish others harshly for such minor offences or understandable errors is rather disappointing. So, yes, none of us had confidence in Jiang Fengmian and his judgement after he didn’t see fit to sentence a punishment upon his wife for her attempt of murdering the son of his benefactor.”

There are a few looks of disguise at the reminder of such event but there’s mulish stubborn looks on most people’s faces at the reminder. After all, it’s not like Wei Wuxian was anyone from an important linage although he now has the full backing of the Yunmeng Jiang Sect plus his partnership with Renren, who’s breed is generally known to be Companions to the Imperial Family and Royalty, foreign or not. It’s likely that they are being willful ignorant over what generally happens between a Dragon Cultivator and human Cultivator having swapped their Souls, thus not wanting to admit that the simplest way to solve the current situation between Renren and himself is to have him be adopted into the Imperial Family or by someone that holds blood connections to them, if only to maintain that particular custom/image than states that Lung Tien are destined partners for those of Imperial and Royal linages.

It was that very image that Qishan Wen Sect had gambled upon, planning to use it to show the other Sects that they were pretty much are like the Imperial Family of the Cultivator Society. The fact that they hadn’t expected that the Dragons of their Sect might oppose their aims, in particular their actions to get Renren’s cooperation. It’s hard for him to wrap his mind around the idea that they had even thought that a Lung Qin would even be willing to couple with an unwilling Lung Tien for their schemes, it boggles his mind at how they clearly underestimated their Dragon Cultivators’ convictions and moral compass.

The period of silence following that comes to an end with Lung Luwei Tao saying, “Which is why we reached out to Acting Sect Leader Jiang, given we fully support his decision to protect his Sect from those members who willfully go against their respectable ancestor's principles when they founded their Sect.” Even if they are legitimate heirs of said Founder. It’s unsaid but not unheard given the dark look that settles over various Cultivators’ faces, it wasn’t just among the Wen Sect to sport such a look either, although, Wei Wuxian begrudgingly respects how quickly the look vanishes from Sect Leader Wen’s own face, one might think it wasn’t there in the first place given how quickly it appeared and vanished. It was something that only those who were looking for it would have noticed before it was undone.

“You would have your own Sect Leader beheaded?!” Demands one of older looking Wens, clearly out raged but also someone who’s well versed in the Quintessence of the Wens. “It seems that you know he would be if Wen Mao was alive.” Lung Luwei Tao calmly remarks.

The man wilts at the looks he receives and would have taken a step back but for the pressing of bodies about him. There’s a bit of a murmur of unease from those other Sects. It’s not that surprising, given that the Quintessence of the Wens isn’t exactly sold in bookshops, so sayings and principles written within isn’t known much outside of the Wen Sect. Even if Wen Chao had forced the book upon the Inductees, it’s likely that none of them really cared to remember the context of the text. What a shame, given it could be used as a basic excuse to wage war with the Wens over how badly the current reign of Qishan Wen Sect has stepped out of line from the very principles of their Founder supported and believed in.

“What do you mean, behead him? Why would Sect Leader Wen lose his head?” Asks the Dragon Companion of Sect Leader Nie, Lung Jinshu Jiayi.

“‘Those that abuse the authority of one's clan to bully others and do evil should get their heads chopped off and displayed in public as a warning to later generations.’ That’s a quote of Founder Wen as written in the Quintessence of the Wens.” Wei Wuxian explains. “Second Young Master Wen handed out copies of it for us to study during the Indoctrination Camp.”

There’s a stunned silence, it’s clear that such a harsh stance seems to suit the Qinghe Nie Sect then Qishan Wen Sect, well, the current leadership at least. “So, by this text, the various attacks on various Sect that Wen Ruohan has authorized... It’s going against his own ancestor's principles?” Asks Lung Jinshu Jiayi.

“Yes, the last few generations have been slowly straying from the Founder’s teachings, but the current Sect Leader has fully led the Sect away from the principles and values that our Founder laid down.” Lung Luwei Tao replies to the younger Dragon’s question. “After all, isn’t honouring the principles of ancestors’ the same as honouring said ancestors?”

There’s a deafening silence that follows that question as those gathered attempt to absorb that simple and yet, likely, unexpected delivery. Those Dragons among the Sects didn’t take long to give a thoughtful nod, it likely wasn’t that great a leap and might just solidify some unformed opinion that’s been lingering within their own thoughts. In some ways, it’s a logical conclusion to come to, when it comes to Sect principles and the Founder of said Sect, that to honouring the principles is to honour the Founder.

For men who were born with silver spoons in their mouths? Can they really relate to what kind of lives their respected Ancestor had lived? Could they really understand their Founder’s life viva the principles they valued so much that they set them down as principles of the Sect they founded, in hopes their descendants to live by them?

Wei Wuxian already knows that’s a big fat no, that the gap of life experience only widens as generations go by. Those Sects that are typically called major might drift the furthest, that includes the Gusu Lan Sect. Politics seems to be the most corruptive influence among societies at large. He muses, for all that compromise is great and all, people can compromise too much, to the point of betraying their own principles, never mind the principles they only pay lip serve to.

“You mean, I actually, by his own Sect’s principles, behead him,” Sect Leader Nie points a finger at Sect Leader Wen, “For all he's ordered the subjection of those minor Sect and I’d be in the right, by his own Sect’s principles?”

“Yes.” States Lung Luwei Tao with the Lung Shao giving a sharp nod. It’s clear that the Wen Sect group are chagrin at the laughter that follows as Sect Leader Nie does so while a number of those Sect also seem to find themselves at a loss at how to react at this point.

The fact that many of those Sect Founders had likely been rogue Cultivators, once belonging to a different Sect or perhaps tutored by other rogue Cultivators, meaning that they didn’t have any real advantage of position or background on their side, or backing them. In a lot of ways, Wei Wuxian can see why Cultivation Schools were preferable in eras past, as they gave those with talent and achievement a method to raise up in society and within their own Sect.

It also likely had helped keep the Cultivator Society from getting stagnant or for standards to fall. But the nature of humans clearly found ways to corrupt such a method, how else could you explain how the Cultivation School based Society fell away to while Cultivation Clans raised up to replace them? And yet, one didn’t need to look all that hard to know what the results of powerful Families would lead to, right? After all, that’s pretty much the basis of non-Cultivator Society has and it’s it bemusing how often those Families fall within a few generations?

It’s clear that Wen Mao had hoped that what he’d founded would last until the Sect’s destruction or something. He clearly thought his bloodline would be different, only, it wasn’t. The fall into the typical corruptive nature that is rank, wealth, or power? Wei Wuxian muses as the silence breaks with people trying to salvage Sect Leader Wen’s actions, likely feeling attacked on an unconscious level due to the argument that a Sect Leader does in fact have to answer for his actions viva their Sect Founder’s principles.

He’s not sure how many of the rules on the stone wall were actual things that Lan An had supported but Wei Wuxian wonders when did those rules started out as guidelines until someone decided they were something more solid than they likely were meant to be? After all, monks are meant to find their own method towards Enlightenment, which they had to come to realizations of morality at their own pace, for better or worst. The current system of the Gusu Lan Sect does go against that sentiment, treating what should be guidelines as though they were written by the Heavens themselves.

Another way to consider the Jiang motto is to ‘To do what is right, regardless that it’s impossible’. Wei Wuxian recalls as he mentally moves on to his own Sect. The treatment that Yu Ziyuan had given out to any Jiang Disciple that she singled out in a bad mood, which was generally he himself but there’s been a few others that had received such treatment, even it was just once. It’s clear that it wasn’t right, but the former Sect Leader had chosen to not see or truly acknowledge the injustice that Yu Ziyuan inflicts on everyone under her just because she’s in a bad mood. And it wasn’t helping that Jiang Wanyin was growing up to be just like his mother, which would make it worse for the Sect given that gender was also a factor in restricting her, even if her rank limits the kind of punishments she would likely receive.

Taking a few seconds to listen to the nonsense that’s getting spewed by Sect Leader Jin, not really caring what that man said as he glances at Lung Li Bingwen, who’s the Advisor of the Lanling Jin Sect. He’s pretty sure that Lung Li Yingying is the Advisor’s daughter, which does explain why her egg hadn’t been sent to Lanling Jin Sect. For all that Dragons are generally not as family oriented as humans, that doesn’t mean that they don’t value their hatchling’s future or the wellbeing of blood relatives. It just wasn’t as high a priority as it is with humans, both Cultivators and non-Cultivators.

The Dragon seems looking towards Lung Huxu Yingtai, who’s Young Master Jin’s Companion. He can only guess what’s going on within those two’s minds. Although, given what rumours that Sect Leader Jin inspires, it makes him wonder if things weren’t worst then what they painted regarding Sect Leader Jin and his actions concerning his ‘love’ of women. It seems that something may happen due to this or perhaps nothing will, it’s ultimately up to the Dragons of the Sect, after all, if he recalls the Lanling Jin Sect’s motto is ‘Illuminate the world with vermillion light’ and how well the current generation is at following that motto.

“It’s rather foolish, isn’t it? Defending the actions of a man who by his own Sect’s principles marks him in the wrong and thus deserving of punishment.” Lung Jinshu Jiayi states in a manner that reminds him of someone answering a question, and, perhaps, a question had been voiced but he just hadn’t paid it any mind.

“Which does bring into question if you all are imagining being in Sect Leader Wen’s place.” Pipes in the Lung Shao that’s next to Lung Luwei Tao. “Or perhaps, you all are guilty of breaking your Respectable Ancestor’s principles and thus, don’t wish to be punished by your own Respectable Ancestor’s standards?”

There are clearly some teeth grinding among the crowd while a few, like Young Master Jin appears more conflicted while the rare example is like Young Master Nie, acting a touch confused with flicker of concern every now and then. Those Dragons from the other Sects seem to be content to witness the reactions of the crowd. As there’s a few murmurs of denial of any breaking of their Respectable Ancestor’s principles, it’s clear that Sect Leader Jin and a few more political minded Sect Leaders seem to realize that this subject of discussion isn’t going to just fall to the waist side, particularly given the dark look the man sends briefly towards his own Advisor before going back to not paying the Dragon any mind, for all that the Lung Li is to his right.

“Times are a great deal different from then and now, right? Do those punishments really hold sway?” Young Master Jin pipes up after getting some resolve and yet, given how tense members of the Gusu Lan Sect get, it shows that they, at least, felt that they’re sore point had been poked with that attempt at meditating inquiry.

“Punishments are something one earns from breaking rules.” Lan Qiren states in a very controlled tone as the older and former Acting Sect Leader looks at Young Master Jin. “If one doesn’t wish for punishment, then one should reconsider their course of action.”

So, they might not want to be on Lung Luwei Tao’s side but must if they wish to keep their authority over their Disciples. Wei Wuxian muses as Young Master Jin digs that hole a great deal deeper by stammering out the following statement, “I’m not saying that some punishments are well earned just that aren’t Sect Leaders above such things? They need to be?”

“A-Xuan, you’re not in a winning position, it’s best to stand down.” Advises Lung Huxu Yingtai before she dips her head towards the Lans. “You must understand that he’s just trying to a filial son and not wish to see his father receiving his rightful punishment from all his crimes he has done in the course of his time as Sect Leader.”

That causes a stir among the Jins but it's a rather unexpected move by Lung Huxu Yingtai and the lack of reaction from Lung Li Bingwen over this ‘apology’ not really one. After all, it’s an acknowledgement that her Sect Leader has done crimes and hasn’t done anything to right them, along with the fact that she was pretty much saying she doesn’t support her Sect Leader. And yet, this is likely the perfect platform to do so.

“You think you are in a position to question your Sect Leader?!” Growls one of the Jin while another remarks, “This is why Lungs aren’t meant to hold positions of power, they aren’t rational beings.” All pretty much attacking not just Lung Huxu Yingtai but Dragon Cultivators as a whole.

“And yet... I’m going to someone who witnesses your funerals due to your priorities being on wealth, rank, and who you have power over instead of on your Cultivation.” States Lung Huxu Yingtai in a flat tone when there’s a pause among the mob and you can see how they all stiffen along with getting red faced at that statement, which is very true, given she’s nearly two hundred years old and has seen plenty of Jin funerals in that time, which does include Sect Leaders.

“We are getting side tracked.” Lung Li Bingwen states before one of the Jins could rebuke Lung Huxu Yingtai’s statement. Which includes sending a long look at the Lung Huxu. “We have yet to hear any of Sect Leader Wen’s defense concerning his actions.”

Well, that’s not wrong, but at the same time, can we really expect his defense being anything other than ‘Because I can.’ As attention shifts to the Wens once more. What expression of amusement fades from said man’s face now that the focus is back on him and his actions.

“It’s this whole event reason enough?” Sect Leader Wen begins. “Look at how disorganized this meeting is, at how easily these so-called Sect Leaders’ bend their opinions and morals to blend in with those they think are important? No real steel in them, they are call soft as gold.”

Not false, which is rather depressing. He mentally admits, knowing that there’s a lack of accountability or authority to keep corruption from Cultivator Society. “None of you seem truly interested in ‘Righteousness’ or ‘Justice’ given how you all turn blind eyes to those minor Sects that my Sect have been targeting with such flimsy excuses, which none of you seem incline to challenge.” Continues Sect Leader Wen, showing he is very much aware of his flimsy excuses to attack those Sects.

“If one has the might, they are in the right. Isn't that right, Sect Leader Lan? Former Acting Sect Leader Lan?” Sect Leader Wen’s point does in fact put the Lan Sect in a particular bad light, given that they were consider the Sect that’s the most Righteous of the Sects. The statement does in fact cause said Sect to earn glances from the crowd while they do their best to look unaffected although something about Lan Wangji’s expression seems a touch different then his typical look, not that Wei Wuxian an put a finger on what.

“You all had your own interests and thus didn’t see any benefit in interfering with the Wen Sect’s subjugating of those Sects.” Sect Leader Wen states. “As long as I was just targeting minor Sect, you might have been irritated by my Sect’s actions, but you didn’t even try to address the problem in any way. Just gossip bitterly over my Sect’s actions and content to come up with excuses after excuses of why none of you wish to offend me.”

“You feared my Qishan Wen Sect, feared starting a war but, it never seemed to cross any of your minds that war was always my aims, my goals so that my Sect can ascend to rule over all of you cowards, you weaklings.” After a period of silence to allow the impact to settle over the various Sects, Sect Leader Wen states in a final verbal stab, “And, finally, I chose to conquer you all because I can, because I wanted too.”

And there it is. He finally said it in the end. Wei Wuxian thinks while there’s plenty of Cultivators who bristle at the final statement that Sect Leader Wen just finish explaining his reasons for attacking the other Sects. And I did put forth that idea, it’s just that none of them seem to want to consider that war was coming, regardless of any offense the Sect did or didn’t give. Wei Wuxian muses with a slightly bitter smile that graces his face before he centers himself once more to put on a polite look upon his face once more.

“It’s easy to hunt those that separated from the herd.” Sect Leader Nie’s Companion states with a snort, given the look in the Dragon’s eyes as he looks at Sect Leader Jin, it’s clear that there’s a distain for the man. “So, Jin Guangshan, does this answer of Sect Leader Wen finally get it through your head that being wall grass won’t save your Sect? That you do have as much to lose as the rest of us?”

Most of the minor Sects that do look to the Lanling Jin Sect are now looking rather ashamed now. After all, they were the first to try and voice excuses on behalf of Sect Leader Wen, it’s not clear, having heard Sect Leader Wen’s reasons and justification that there was never going to be a chance of appeasing the Sect Leader’s ambitions or aims. Provoked or not, it would be at Sect Leader Wem’s whim if your Sect is to be attacked or not.

You would think they’d have figured it out when the Cloud Recesses was set a blazed. Wei Wuxian thinks, not feeling all that charitable to those that had earlier voiced excuses concerning Sect Leader Wen. It’s clear that the nature of humans is something that Cultivators need to contend with if they wish to shred their mortality for that of divinity, to transcend into something more than human.

It’s an observation that does click into place and Wei Wuxian puts such a thought to the side. He’s got a lot to meditate upon later but for now, this meeting needs to finish up, even if it’s just to take a break. “Perhaps we should take a break? It seems to be a good time to break up and return to our respective camps before continuing to work on whether we can solve anything with diplomacy or if we will let war decide everything.” He suggests in a polite tone and a few people look up at the sky to take in the position of the sun.

“Excellent idea and timing.” Acting Sect Leader Jiang states, backing up his suggestion with Lung Luwei Tao’s agreement. “It’ll give us time to cool tempers and time to consider the merits that had been discussed already.”

The first meeting breaks up, feeling someone’s eyes on him, he turns to find Lan Wangji looking for a second before looking off to the side. He turns his gaze to Lung Qin Xiaosheng, who’s gaze seems to drift between himself and somewhere else, he’d wager at Renren. Feeling Lung Qianshui Zemin finally ready to walk away, he turns his back to join the combined group of Jiang and rebelling Wen.

“And I thought the Imperial Court was a bunch of children.” Grumbles Renren once he settles next to the Lung Tien. “How can those who are said to be better than mortals be worst then them?”

“Cultivators are still members of their own kin. A Lung is still a Lung while a human is still a human.” Wei Wuxian admits to the other. “Think of it like this, the minor Sect Leaders are local lords with the major Sect being like Emperors that those local lords attempt to attach themselves too but also wish to overtake. The minor Sect know they can’t content with the might of a major Sect, they do their best to mirror their major Sect Leader’s lead to spare themselves from some kind of punishment, be it political, reputation, or invoking a blood feud; getting whipped out from such a thing.”

“Don’t the Sect answer to the Emperor?” Renren asks before answering it himself. “I’ve never read of an account of an Emperor trying to reign in the Cultivation Society. So, it more theoretical that the Sects are under the Emperor’s authority then fact. One that I don’t think anyone wants to see tested.”

Given he’d had just put something in his mouth when Renren had asked that, and he finishes by the time the other finishes answering his own question. It’s kind of a surprising question for Renren to ask, given how much time the other must have spent among the Gusu Lan Sect. “To be fair, isn’t there some old agreement of separation between Mortals and Cultivators? At least, that’s always seems to be how it comes across, even if there’s no actual record of it.” He admits to the other.

“Might have had one at one point but, such things are rather flammable. Unless there were copies, the original would have been easily destroyed.” Renren states with a sigh and he puts down his chop sticks to give the Lung Tien a comforting pat.

“Such a thing might have occurred during another era, likely when it was Cultivation Schools that make up the Cultivator Society.” Renren hums his agreement. “It’s kind of ironic, you know? Wen Mao started the era of Cultivation Clans and it seems due to his descendant’s ambitions, it might be coming to an end.” He muses as he looks up at the sky before leveling his face to eat some of his meal.

“How do you figure?” Renren asks after thinking upon his musing. “That this era is coming to an end?”

As he swallows once more, he explains his reasoning, “Well, Lung Cultivators seem to be more incline to become involved in the running of a Sect, including judging the main Clan of their Sects to see if they are upholding their Founder’s principles. Which might mean, going forward, there’s likely going to be a movement to form something to oversee Sects or, perhaps more accurately, their Sect Leaders.”

“Who’d watch the watchers?” Renren points out and he considers it. “What if... what if... it’s not a lifetime position?” Wei Wuxian’s mind racing to weave something together, no matter how unorthodox it might be. “Perhaps, it being held every couple of years instead of every few months or once a year?”

He knows that the idea of letting go of power it something that’s unnatural as it were. “I mean, we’ve had Sect Leaders and Disciples retire, so, it’s not that unnatural for someone to let go of their position of power or rank in Society...” He’s looking down at the ground as he thinks but does take moments to eat his meal as he tries to envision it along with how it would run.

“They’d need a special place, one that isn’t part of a Sect’s territory, nor can it become one... Perhaps... perhaps it should be a place meant strictly for Rogue Cultivators outside of the meeting? Or just serve as a neutral place for the Sects to meet at, with each Sect putting up money to collectively maintain the location or building?” Wei Wuxian snorts at the thought of a floating city in the sky, shaking his head to get rid of such a daydream.

“Of course, bribery or blackmail could happen to the members... Or maybe them using their position to launch themselves into a higher social position? Usurped the authority of Sect Leaders or the Sects?” He murmurs.

“Well, perhaps, there might be a way to have them agree to some kind of track item? Or approve for a ghost to shadow them throughout their term.” Suggest Renren and he glances at the Lung Tien in a sideways fashion, realizing he has been talking such nonsense out loud still.

“Ghost? How’d you get a ghost to do that?” Inquires a voice, which startles the two of them. Looking to Renren’s other side, he finds a very familiar Lung Yu, “Messenger Lung Yu Ping.”

“Head Disciple Wei! Honourable Lung Tien Renshu.” One of the various Messengers of the Nie Sect returns his greeting. “That’s kind of an interesting thought, you know? Being able to command ghosts! Can you imagine what it would be like to order around walking corpses?” The Lung Yu chuckles but Wei Wuxian gives the Nie Messenger a weak smile while Renren makes a throaty sound before asking politely, “Is there a message for A-Xian? Err... Wei Wuxian?”

“Renren, this is Lung Yu Ping, a messenger of the Qinghe Nie Sect.” He doesn’t bother to try to correct his address of the Lung Tien. “He’s close friends with Young Master Nie.” He decides to add, he knows Renren has had a few conversations with Nie Huaisang during his three years of studying at the Cloud Recesses.

“Oh yea, you’re not going to continue with your thoughts, are you?” Mutters Lung Yu Ping and he purposefully puts the bowl up to his mouth and shoves the last of it into his mouth. As he is chewing, Lung Yu Ping looks up at Renren but the heavy weight is unmoved.

“Ok, ok, so...” Lung Yu Ping takes a breath as he closes his eyes, clearly concentrating upon delivering this right. “‘Wei-xiong! How come you haven’t written? I thought we were friends!’” The voice that comes from the Lung Yu is very much pitched like how Nie Huaisang sounds, although the voice can’t quite get the Young Master’s voice totally correct.

The Messenger continues, “‘So, how about we meet up later tonight? You know, share a cup of wine and gossip about this and that. I mean, I’ve missed our time together at the Cloud Recesses! So please, let’s meet up, I’ll even let you pick where we’ll be drinking! I’ll supply the booze too!’ And that’s the message.”

“You have quiet the talent for voices, don’t you?” There’s a hint of awe in Renren’s tone and Wei Wuxian chuckles, recalling the few times he’s heard the Lung Yu mimic very realistic bird calls and song. “Thanks!” The Lung Yu seems to puff up at the compliment given to him, perhaps it’s because Renren is a Lung Tien so that is all the Lung Yu does, just accepts it without showing off by mimicking a tavern song he’d recently heard sung or a bird’s call.

As he is chewing, he considers the pros and cons of meeting with Nie Huaisang. He had rolled his eyes at the mention of sending a letter, after all, if the other wanted to have them casually exchange letters, he could have started it with sending a letter stating thus. We did have fun together back then, but it’s not like either of us really kept in touch. It’s not like they couldn’t have remained in touch, just that neither of them had put any effort into staying in touch once that year had ended.

If I had, it would have been something Yu Ziyuan would have used as an excuse to verbally attack me. Saying that I’m sounding out Nie Sect for some reason or that I’m spying on the Sect on behalf of that Sect. Wei Wuxian reflects and suspects that the woman would have tried to have him expelled over the matter just so she’d have an excuse to use the Discipline Whip upon him.

Shrugging the past that never happened and thoughts of Yu Ziyuan, he addresses Lung Yu Ping, “Anything wrong with Renren here coming? You can stick around too, unless they have a job for you to do after this afternoon’s meeting.”

Lung Yu Ping hums thoughtfully as he seems to think the matter over. “I don’t think he’d object to Honourable Lung Tien Renshu’s presence.” The Lung Yu states slowly. “Location?”

“If Renren is with me, then all Nie-xiong will need to be on the lookout for is him!” He states cheekily and Lung Yu Ping has a snort of laughter escape him. “Time, it’ll be before dinner, that is, if the meeting ends early enough for it. If it doesn’t, after dinner but before the Lans go to sleep.” He’ confident that there’s going to be number of spies set up around their encampment, one of whom will likely be willing to report to the Young Master Nie at the sight of Renren and himself leaving the combined campsite after dinner.

“Ok, I’ll inform Young Master Nie of such.” There’s a pause as Lung Yu Ping seems to get a serious, almost troubled expression. “Do you... do you think that this can be solved without a war?”

“I think that there’s going to be a lot of blood shed either way.” He admits. “Those who abide by Founder Wen’s principles and values are unlikely to be merciful concerning those who supported the current Sect Leader’s ambitions. I suspect they might have some idea that such a fate is waiting for them, even if not consciously, so it’s likely in their best interest for there to be no peaceful agreement.”

After all, a few of the more influential branch members and Disciples had died due to them not agreeing with the direction the Sect had been going in. It was to cause chaos among those that didn’t agree along with replacing them with those who would fall into line. He thinks and those who are rebelling are likely wanting to avenge those deaths.

There’s a snort before the Lung Yu states, “So, either way... heads are truly going to roll.” Then Lung Yu Ping flexes his wings. “You know... Sect Leader Nie would be happy to pay to be the one to behead the current Sect Leader Wen. Although, it might take a bit to talk him out of trying to duel him before doing so.”

“I don’t think anyone wishes to give him a fighting chance to escape his fate by allowing that to happen.” He states and the Lung Yu nods in acknowledgement as he walks away without another word. Not long after, he watches the Lung Yu flying off.

“You think he suspect something?” Renren asks once the Dragon is gone. “I think there’s more to the Nie Sect’s Cultivation then what they allow the other Sects to know.” He states recalling the various comments that Lung Mu Chenguang had concerning the Nie Sect along with noticing the Resentment that’s hanging about members of that Sect.

“Ah, so I wasn’t imagining that there’s something familiar hanging about them.” Renren sighs and he nods. “Yea, and now I’m worried about her comments concerning those locations within Qinghe might have some truth to them.”

“Likely them buying turning corpses?” Renren asks and he sighs in turn. “Let’s... deal with that later... And with her.”

Getting thirsty, Wei Wuxian gets up, gives a short farewell to Renren before heading off to find something to drink along with handing over the dirty dishes. He does find such things along with someone who checks him over and helps him clean up his look a bit before he heads off to join with Acting Sect Leader Jiang once more for the coming afternoon meeting.

The source of the reason for the meetings resolving into the lack of stepping down of Sect Leader Wen nor did a trade concerning the man’s sons come to pass. Thus, it’s clear war is going to happen between the combined Jiang and those rebelling against Sect Leader Wen’s aims of conquering the Cultivation Society. Most of the Sects declined to get involved and while Qinghe Nie Sect did seem interested in fighting along the Yunmeng Jiang Sect, they weren’t thrilled to join hands with anyone born with the Wen clan name plus Gusu Lan Sect seems to have a divided stance, members just want to focus on rebuilding and thus stay out of the matter with the other group does wish to aid in the war, it just seems that they themselves were divided in what way they would lend their aid.

With the main issue pretty much over with, it had then allowed Sect Leader Jin to bring the matter of the former main Jiang Clan, not that it got far, as Acting Sect Leader’s suggestion of a duel between them over the matter, implying it would between just the pair of them, had the man backtrack hard on the subject. Given the age difference along with who’s progressed further in their respective Cultivation, Wei Wuxian kind of wishes that Sect Leader Jin had given Lung Qianshui Zemin cause to press for a duel. It might have saved Advisor Lung Li Bingwen from having to figure out a way to deal with him.

As he finishes packing up the mess hall with a mixed group of Disciples from their respective factions, a messenger comes trotting over with a scroll. Thanking Wu Yu, he returns the bow and once the other is a bit away, unrolls the scroll to learn of the attack that Lung Mu Chenguang fended off with wandering corpses near the beginning of the meeting. It didn’t say that in so many words, but he knows that’s what she had done. As he rolls the message up after reading through the rest of the scroll, nothing besides assurances that things are going well with those settling in Yiling.

Putting the scroll into his sleeve’s pouch, Wei Wuxian feels a touch sad at how many people are likely to die due to the coming war. For all that they technically have an old, perhaps, ancient Dragon Pearl to make use of, it’s also in a location that’s troublesome, although for how long that will last depend on the talismans they plan to use. It might take various tries but between them, Lung Mu Chenguang and himself, he’s sure that they’d be able to purify sections of the Burial Mounds through trial and error.

The group mingles among themselves, taking a break given how hard they’d worked with packing up the mess hall. As he does a few stretches before clapping his hands to get their attention. “Ok, time to move the crates to the landing area.” He states and he’s the first to move, picking up one of the boxes when he notices white approaching, it takes him a few seconds to realize it’s Lan Wangji.

“Lan Zhan! What are you doing over here?” He approaches the other with the crate in his arms. He isn’t sure why it is, but the sight of the Lan Cultivator seems reinvigorate him.

“You here to say goodbye, perhaps?” He muses out loud when Lan Wangji didn’t response quickly. “After all, we’ll be pretty busy concerning our respective Sects.”

“Will help.” States Lan Wangji to his confusion before the Cultivator in white take the crate from his arms as he had been trying to puzzle out what Lan Wangji had meant. As the other side steps him, Wei Wuxian finds himself letting out a short chuckle as he moves to fall into step with Lan Wangji as he attempts to reclaim the crate from him as he says, “Lan Zhan! You’re a guest here! You shouldn’t feel the need to do any work!”

Lan Wangji speeds up to keep him from placing his hands upon the crate. The white robed Cultivator is following the rest of the Cultivators who had help take down the mess hall to the landing area where they’ll be pack onto Dragons to carry back to Lotus Pier. Wei Wuxian moves about the white robed Lan Wangji to try once more but he misjudges what the other would react as he comes to a stop while he seems to stumble in the path where he thought Lan Wangji with very little grace.

“Lan Zhan! You shouldn’t steal a person’s well-earned work! You don’t know how long it took us to pack up the mess hall, so why don’t you just hand over the crate?” He attempts to talk the other into returning it once more as he gives the Lan a pout of a sort.

“Rest.” Lan Wangji states before adding, “Will help.” With that said, the other walks around Wei Wuxian as the feels a rush of fondness but also irritation over the lack of crate being returned to his arms. Then, he turns to watch the Cultivator in white continue walking away and lets out a defeated sigh.

Recovering from this short defeat, he turns back to where the pile of crates is and heads there to grab one once more. With it in hand, he carries it to the landing area and where it was his turn to evade the Lan Cultivator who tries to take the crate from him, twice. Chuckling in victory he does a few skipping steps before glancing back to find Lan Wangji heading to grab his own crate from the pile.

On his way back to grab from the crate pile, he returns the favour by trying to steal Lan Wangji’s crate only he doesn’t manage after twice, so he just continues towards the pile. Already preparing for Lan Wangji’s likely attempt to snack what he’s carrying from him. Sure, they did garner attention from those about them as they take turns attempting to steal whatever they were carrying from the one carrying it, stopping at two attempts, but none of the on lookers seem incline to interfere with whatever game is going on between them.

Soon there’s nothing left to carry to the landing area, and it gives the pair time to converse before something new comes up that Wei Wuxian would need to aid in or address. “You really are too much sometimes, Lan Zhan! If you wanted to help move things around, then you should have helped around your own campsite.” He tells the other.

“Not allowed.” Lan Wangji answer is short and Wei Wuxian frowns, he gets it, as the now Young Master Lan instead of Second Young Master Lan, the other’s ranking in the Sect went up. “Wanted to speak with Wei Ying.” Adds the other and he nods in understanding.

“I was kind of hoping to see you too, you know? I mean, my Sect is going to war and I’m not sure when I’d get to see you again.” Wei Wuxian tells the other, particularly before the Cultivation method Lung Mu Chenguang and him had founded together becomes more widely known. So far, those who are in the know are allies or dead enemies but once everything is settled? That’s where the trouble will likely start for himself and for Lung Mu Chenguang, given it wouldn’t just because of the Ghost Path but also due to the Dragon Pearl.

Even if they hadn’t firmed anything up, the Burial Mounds of Yiling is being considered Lung Mu Chenguang’s protectorate. Given the location of the Dragon Pearl, it’s a matter of time before the Sects begin making up such a fuss over a Rogue Cultivator being the owner of not just the most recently discovered Dragon Pearl but the largest one that’s likely ever been found. The most likely person to spear head such a political attack, stirring up the other Sects to the point of launching physical attacks.

Lan Wangji’s face seems to get more severe expression due to the edge of the lips are turned down while the eyebrows are furled. He’s not sure what about the war is displeasing the other, for all he knows, it might just be due to how his Sect has decided to not get involved. It’s not an unexcepted outcome, that none of the other Sects are willing to join hands to defeat the current Sect Leader Wen and his supports grip upon Qishan Wen Sect.

“It’s not like I’m going to hold your Sect’s stance against you, you know? I mean, your Elders likely won’t budge from their stance and your brother might be Sect Leader but it’s not like everyone in your Sect will fall into line right away, never mind that your brother is new to the position, so he’s getting use to his ranks, power, and responsibilities.” He tells Lan Wangji.

Lan Wangji gazes at him. So, he continues, “Is it depressing that even now knowing that the current Sect Leader Wen plans to subjugate them regardless of cause or offence? Sure, but it’s not like we expected anything from the other Sects, in a way, all this meeting was about was ensuring that they can’t cry outrage over not being given a chance to join in the war.”

“Personally, I think that what’s going to happen after we win is going to be more troublesome than the war itself.” He runs a hand through his bangs as he realizes just how outrageously confident, he must sound, pretty much declaring that they are going to win. Studying Lan Wangji’s expression, he wonders if the other thinks he’s being shameless or far too confident.

“Dragon Pearl.” Lan Wangji states and it takes him a few seconds to realize what Lan Wangji had said, then it dawns on him that the other likely thinks they had plans to use the Dragon Pearl in the war. He fights the urge to chuckles at the thought!

“Ah, well, that’s not an unusual conclusion!” He couldn’t resist saying. “But, yea, it’s unlikely we’ll be using it.” As we are unable to move it around never mind easily create a pearl mount for it to be used in those ancient methods of weaponizing such a thing.

“Let’s say that there’s something new that’ll carry us to victory.” Wei Wuxian states, while he wasn’t sure they should use the Ghost Path, but if they want this war over quickly, he most likely will be using it. Thankfully, given the involvement of Lung Mu Chenguang, she’s likely being regarded as the creator, which isn’t wrong, she did have some experience with Resentment manipulation, mostly using Talismens and Arrays. All I did was figure out how to persuade the dead to follow my requests without the use of such.

“Eh, don’t worry so much, if things going well, this war will be over in under a year! If it doesn’t, might be little over a year.” Wei Wuxian assures the other. Given that he has access to the Burial Mounds and all those ancient wandering dead plus ghosts, all of whom are likely powerful. With an army of those Resentment beings at his side, he’s sure that any battle he is a part of will end quickly, although not cleanly. Perhaps this war will allow many of them to resolve their ties to the world and enter the Cycle of Reincarnate.

“So, don’t worry about the fall out of all of this and just focus on your Cultivation and Sect duties!” Wei Wuxian states with a wide smile aimed at Lan Wangji. There’s a slight widening of the eyes before the other looks off to the side with a simple, “Shameless.”

He snorts at the comment, recalling the number of times he’s gotten such a statement out of Lan Wangji back when they were at the Cloud Recesses when he’d been fifteen. Looks around, he notices a few people looking away while others are doing their work. “Ah, well, I’d invite you to some tea, but we already pack up the mess hall and I think most of the tents have been taken down.”

There’s a simple hum from the white robed Cultivator. Looking back at Lan Wangji, he wonders what it would be like to fight on a battlefield with the other, back-to-back with their respectful swords. Then is reminded that Lan Wangji’s beloved Bichen hasn’t been returned, in fact, most of the swords hadn’t been returned since the rebelling Wens only brought out the swords belonging to the Jiang Sect Disciples, all have been claimed save for Jiang Wanyin’s Sandu.

There’s a sound of flapping wings before weight upon the ground near where they are standing. Looking in that direction, he notices that it’s Lung Yu Yuan who has arrived. “Elder, I hear you’ve been doing well!” He says after bowing respectfully at the Lung Yu.

“It’s good to see you have recovered.” Lung Yu Yuan says warmly before the Dragon looks towards Lan Wangji. “I’m glad you are here; your brother and uncle were wondering where you were.”

There’s a hum of acknowledgement and he wonders if he hadn’t seen Lung Yu Yuan before has to do with him having not been attendance of the meetings due to his duties as the only Messenger of the Gusu Lan Sect. Wei Wuxian feels a touch sad that this is where they’ll be parting, he isn’t sure what their next meeting will be like but it’s good odds that it’ll be after the war.

“Well, see you later, Lan Zhan.” He says to Lan Wangji before giving a more polite farewell to Lung Yu Yuan, “I wish you and yours well, Elder.”

“I wish you and yours a swift victory, Head Disciple Wei.” Lung Yu Yuan states with a dip of his head before turning to look at Lan Wangji. “Come along, Young Master Lan, we have a meeting to attend to.”

“Be well, Wei Ying.” Lan Wangji states, they bow politely to one another and soon, the pair of Lan Disciples are in the air, with Lan Wangji using a practice sword to fly off on. A bit later, he looks around and figures out what needs to be done next.

The war between the supporters of Wen Ruohan and the Jiang allied with the more orthodox members of the Wen Sect under the leadership of the Dragon Cultivators end a mere five months after that fateful meeting. Between the very useful Talismans that Lung Mu Chenguang created during her years as a Rogue Cultivator and Wei Wuxian’s use of the Ghost Path at the front lines, there weren’t many causalities on their side compared to Wen Ruohan’s faction. It would see not just the various higher-ranking members of Wen Ruohan’s faction being beheaded alongside him, but also both of his sons.

The only ones spared were those that married into those families along with any child under the age of ten, which includes the two daughters of Wen Xu. Bemusing, it seems that Wen Chao, for all that he’s a womanizer, didn’t have any children that survived him. There’s a very recent consort of the disposed Wen Ruohan who’s pregnant and would give birth six months later to a baby boy, who would be given the name Mao, in honour of the Founder and the babe’s Ancestor whose teachings lead to such a split within the Qishan Wen Sect.

It’s decided that not to announce who’s replacing Wen Ruohan right away, so Lung Luwei Tao is given the role of Acting Sect Leader while they figure out who among the branches of Wen Clan will inherit the position. Oddly enough, it seems that Wen Qing has quiet the backing for the post, much to her own horror as she would rather be in a clinic or healing hall then dealing with politics, something both Wei Wuxian and Lung Tien Renshu sympathise given that a month before the ending of the war, the pair had been invited to the Imperial Capital which would see Wei Wuxian getting adopted as a long lost cousin of the current Emperor and thus, making their Companionship to one another official which had the side benefit of making Wei Wuxian a Prince.

When news spreads of the adoption, Jiang Wanyin and a recovering Yu Ziyuan threw fits. Yu Ziyuan wasn’t able to cause as much damage as she would wish given her health and being bed bound still. As for one Jiang Wanyin, his course of acting out would get him exiled from Carp Tower for a few months as he had destroyed several valuable but non-historical items before getting into a brawl with Young Master Jin when the other tried to stop his rampage, this resulted in the former Young Master Jiang targeting his host’s son’s face repeatedly during that brawl before they were broken up.

Thus, Madam Jin and Yu Ziyuan got into a verbal fight, defending each of their son’s action. Which lays the foundation of their friendship. All the while, the father and daughter attempt to smooth things over concerning Jiang Wanyin’s temper tantum and apologizing heavily concerning the state of Young Master Jin after the brawl.

Jin Guangshan is a bit too busy dealing with the sudden number of potentially devastating situation, namely, various people that old Sect Leaders had made deals with but had been stiffed upon payment stated to crop up. While he’d been dealing with that, many servants would step forward to talk about how Sect Leader Jin would bed them, regardless of their marital status, plus painting Madam Jin in a bad light for not believing their claims when they brought the whole thing up with her. Which the Madam would then threaten them to keep silent about what happened along with firing them.

As the war comes to an end, the reputation of the Lanling Jin Sect is slowly decaying by the time those holding old documents concerning old loans that previous Sect Leader Jins had taken out with their grandfather or great grandfather. About a month of dealing with those people, people started coming forward to claim forfeit of payment on items, again, they had old but well-preserved documents that had agreement over when payments would begin or there would be double payment after such a time. All the while women are coming forward claiming this member of the Jin Sect fathered their child with a scary accurate account of when they meet, and the most surprising thing about such accounts? It wasn’t just focus on Jin Guangshan but those that have joined him in his brothel tours in previous years.

With so much going on, none of the human Cultivators seem to notice how much power or authority is being handed over to Advisor Lung Li Bingwen or him delegating some duties to various Cultivators, be they human or Dragon. It wouldn’t be until Madam Qin confiding to her husband concerning what happened between her and his ‘friend’ did someone finally demanded a duel with Jin Guangshan, which led to the reason for said duel. Which would lead to many other victims among the various minor Sects stepping forward to speak out about their own assaults, which causes more outrage then when it was servants and random mortal women doing so.

After all, it was one thing when it was mortals being affected by the man’s lustful urges, it’s another when it’s their female relatives, aka, mothers, aunts, sisters, nieces, and daughters or even their own wife or one of their own concubines. Needless to say, Jin Guangshan might be able to survive a dual with a few of these people but dueling them back-to-back? Those that are left to deal with the aftermath when he died didn’t have any tears to shed due to trying to smooth relations with those minor Sects while also dealing with the results of those old contracts. The coffers of the Lanling Jin Sect were hard hit but the hardest hit is the trust various Sects have in anyone with the surname Jin.

Jin Zixuan doesn’t automatically take over as Sect Leader, listening to Lung Huxu Yingtai’s advise to allow Advisor Lung Li Bingwen to take over for the mourning period concerning his father’s death. Acting Sect Leader Jin manages to solve the various matters to the satisfaction of those parties crying out for compensation along with selling pointless golden items to refill the coffins. It was during the first year of Acting Sect Leader Jin that would see the end of friendship between Madam Jin and Yu Ziyuan, which saw the Jiang family being asked to leave Carp Tower.

It would be the last time the Jiang family would be allowed within Carp Tower, particularly given how Yu Ziyuan would attempt to deface the generational mural wall with a guard’s sword. As the guards attempt to stop her, her son fends them off, bellowing at the top of his lungs that they don’t have the authority to order them about, that they’re members of the Gentry! More guards appeared from the entrance, tackling the mother and son from behind. Jiang Fengmian and Jiang Yanli seem to realize that trying to excuse their behaviour wouldn’t help so the pair could just apologize. They were still doing so as they followed the guards holding Yu Ziyuan and Jiang Wanyin as they are push out of that hall.

It take a few days but word gets around to the actions the pair had done, for all that Lanling Jin Sect sports a bad reputation at that point, but they were still a Sect, it’s questionable if they still deserved to be regarded as a major Sect due to the massive issue of nonpayment of various things on top of the actions of Jin Guangshan, they were still regarded to be somebodies. As for the Jiang family of four? Besides the previous Sect Leader Jin and his wife, Madam Jin, they didn’t have any backing now, not even from Meishan Yu Sect, from which Yu Ziyuan descended from.

So, none of the Sects were willing to host the family of four, not trusting Yu Ziyuan nor Jiang Wanyin to behave in the manner of being guests. For all intense and purposes, the family were now Rogue Cultivators and thus, not exactly welcome in the territories of the various Sects. The previous Yiling is also rather off limits as it’s unofficially considered under Lung Mu Chenguang, who’s being backed by both Acting Sect Leaders Jiang and Wen. So, the family could only wander at the edges of Sects’ Territory, earning what they can in regions that didn’t typically have the money to warrant the attention of the Sects, so they didn’t earn much and given how Yu Ziyuan is still attempting to recover from her whipping, it means she’s far from professional healers, thus, her condition would slowly get worst as time goes by, after all, that defacement of the mural hadn’t helped her back any.

With everything that involved the Lanling Jin Sect, few people paid much attention concerning the news concerning the consolidation of the Qishan Wen Sect under new leadership. Few people pay much mind to the stories of walking corpses and ghost that were fighting on behalf of the Yunmeng Jiang Sect. It wasn’t that surprising the two other major Sect paid notice to the stories concerning the various battle fields that came about, even though they didn’t draw much public attention to the stories.

The Qinghe Nie Sect thought they knew what would be Wei Wuxian’s fate and just waiting for Wei Wuxian’s to begin suffering from his use of Resentment to command the dead. Given the lack of investment in scholarly pursuit, they only thought there was a singular way to use Resentment along with never funding better methods to deal with their deterioration effects of their Cultivation practices. Or finding a better way to deal with their Resentment their sabers collect over the course of usage.

The Gusu Lan Sect take their stance over the path being corruptive and had sent a series of letters, given the involvement of Lan Qiren in composing them, they weren’t well received due to how high handed they came across as. The replies started declining in a polite but firm manner concerning that no, they will not be sending Head Disciple Wei to the Cloud Recesses for ‘treatment’. As the exchange devolves, the replies became shorter while trying to keep it polite enough. The few visits Lan Wangji makes to persuade Wei Wuxian into accepting his Sect’s help did cause a cooling of their relationship, the fourth and final visit, Wei Wuxian decided to have Lan Wangji speak with Lung Mu Chenguang, trusting that the other’s respect for his elders will have the other at least back away when having his questions answered by the surviving Disciple of Baoshan Sanren.

That meeting saw Lan Wangji go into Cultivation Seclusion to meditate upon the answers and explanations he received from Lung Mu Chenguang. The letters begin to come to an end two months after Lan Wangji entered Cultivation Seclusion. So, the Elders of the Lan Sect isn’t happy but acknowledge that they couldn’t push the matter into going the way they want, it’s unknown just how they had planned to deal with Wei Wuxian’s use of Resentment, as they all seem to think their method was what was going to happen. Be it locking Wei Wuxian up in a hut or by playing various purification songs, they discussed it, preferring to focus on getting him there in the first place.

It would be during the middle of Acting Sect Leader Jin’s second year that news of the Dragon Pearl finally came up in gossip among the Sects. And it was months before it’s brought up in a Discussion Conference, of which the newly announced Wen Hao, Courtesy name Wen Xiaochen, as Sect Leader Wen. The man is on the older side, about ten years the previous Sect Leader’s age and the man is a scholar, he’d even written a few novels in his youth. That he’s also a bachelor hadn’t hurt, as the Wen Sect isn’t sure they want to keep with the position being handed from father and son.

When the matter does some up, the various Sect also wanting to see the Dragon Pearl once it was confirmed. The two allies from the war exchanged looks when the Sects demand to see the item with their own eyes. The reply comes from Acting Sect Leader Jiang, “That’s rather impossible request to fulfill.”

“Why not?” Some Sect Leader questions with many nodding in agreement. “Because the two who discovered it is Lung Mu Chenguang and Lung Tien Renshu.” Is the reply from Head Disciple Wei. “And neither of the two could move it from where it formed.”

It would take two months to prepare a viewing of the Dragon Pearl, with each Sect only allowed to bring three besides their Sect Leader to see it. Wei Wuxian and Lung Tien Renshu help Lung Mu Chenguang in setting up a safer path towards the cavern, if only a temporary one, it would be better for it to be a temporary one just on the off chance someone gets it into their heads to try to claim the site by force. They marked the path by staves placed in the ground generally around twelve feet from each other.

Few people believed that such an item could manifest within such a place, but they do follow Head Disciple Wei and his Companion as they lead the group down the cliff and close to the staves. When they arrived, Lung Mu Chenguang is there, waiting for them. It’s then that it’s Lung Mu Chenguang leads them through the cavern that’s lit using a special Spiritual Tool that the Lung Mu thought up and designed.

The sight of the Dragon Pearl, the size and just how it’s stuck within what could be a stone pillar, it seems that most didn’t seem to fully believe their eyes. When they are each allowed to touch it, one at a time, it becomes clear that the Dragon Pearl is genuine and given its size, it’s rather powerful. A few voices tried to decry it as some kind of ruse or trick, even though they had touched it to check it themselves. They were stared at until they quiet down and in the end, it’s agreed that none of them have any idea if it was safe to remove the pearl from the stone pillar.

Thus, they, begrudgingly, agree to leave it in the care of Lung Mu Chenguang. They are more than happy to retreat from the Burial Mounds and thus, they exit out of the cavern and once more follow the pair of Jiang Cultivators back down the path to get out of the place. How many Sects left thinking of ways to secure such a powerful item, well, more than a dozen but none had the backbone to go through with such half-baked plans. The pair of Sect Leader of Lan and Nie, they think they understand why Resentment isn’t affecting Wei Wuxian, that the other has been given time to make use of it to fend off the corruption that using Resentment causes.

Of course, the Sects do want access to the Dragon Pearl, even if they can’t claim ownership of it. And so, another kind of conflict begins, one based upon politics and perceived entitlement that their position gives them. News concerning the gigantic Dragon Pearl would be replaced when another Disciple of Boashan Sanren begins to make a name for himself.

Thus, Xiao Xingchen becomes center of gossip with many hoping to recruit the Cultivator into their Sect. As the year passes, Young Master Nie manages to arrange meetings with Head Disciple Wei, they would end up discussing many things, and which would, in time, would be put before the various Sects along with finding a way to make use of the Dragon Pearl along the way. That also includes ironing out the ideas thought up by Wei Wuxian had been musing back during the meetings with Wen Ruohan.

On a more personal note, Lan Wangji would come out of his Seclusion Cultivation after four months upon meditating the subject of the Ghost Path that was invented by Lung Mu Chenguang and Wei Wuxian. A while later, he resolves to court Wei Wuxian, only, he doesn’t know where to begin along with whether Wei Wuxian would want him to do so. It would be Lung Yu Yuan who would manage to get Lan Wangji to speak about his feelings for Wei Wuxian and would prove insightful in how to go about it.

Wei Wuxian didn’t reject any of the little gifts that Lan Wangji would come by with. Just happy to spend time with the other. He would also invite Lan Wangji to tour around Yunmeng and asking him out on Night Hunts. It would be Lung Yu Manchu who’d help Wei Wuxian realize that his feelings for Lan Wangji were a touch deeper than the young man thought they were. Then it was Lung Tien Renshu that would help Wei Wuxian deal with his slight emotional break down at the realization that he had such feelings, not including that he’s a cut sleeve.

They would dance around each other for nearly five years before Wei Wuxian gathers up the courage to confess, knowing that Lan Wangji isn’t that great with speaking. Although he does surprise Wei Wuxian by trying to thread the words together to express his own feelings. It would be a near thing for them to express their love for one another physically, given that Lung Tien Renshu would arrive after a long make out session.

Lan Wangji would marry out of his Sect, for all that Lan Wangji is Young Master Lan, Wei Wuxian is an adopted member of the Imperial family, he is a Prince. It’s around this time that the suggestion that Nie Huaisang has been encouraging Wei Wuxian to bring up happens. It’s merits and demerits get discussed but given the recent situations, it’s clear that trusting Sect Leaders to police themselves can’t work. The idea of a term for members of this policing force seems to be one that does reassure the Sects that they are unlikely to have their power fully subverted, it’s the idea of a location that they couldn’t fully agree upon.

That three major Sect were in favour of this policing council, for Sect Leader Jin can’t forget the things his predecessors had gotten away with simply because of their position. While Sect Leader Nie isn’t convinced, the fact that his younger brother fully supports this has the man giving it a chance. The Gusu Lan Sect is the only one who doesn’t find it to be something worth pursuing, believing that the lessons will carry forward just fine but with four supporting it, it slowly becomes something that will happen.

Looking for a neutral party, for even Wei Wuxian knows that Lung Mu Chenguang can’t hold a neutral post given she’s been slowly taking in students from volunteers, who wish to study the Dragon Pearl. Thus, Xiao Xingchen is approached and after considering the matter for a few weeks, accepts the task of organizing it, his first action was to recruit Song Lan, Courtesy name Song Zichen, to him. It would be among the Rogue Cultivators that are screened by the pair for membership before going through those that are applying from the Sects, which bring Jiang Wanyin into the spotlight, once more, and again, not in a good way.

It seems that the man became something like a bandit, sticking to the edges of various territories, the man found an isolated enough location and set himself up as a tyrant of the mountain village. Killing those that cross him and tormenting those don’t match his changing standards of manners or services. The men who follow him are thugs and have received some training but not enough for Jiang Wanyin to feel threaten by their ability in Cultivation.

The news would make rounds, some wonder what happened to his parents and his sister but in the end, most are just curious to see how this will pan out. The Sects decide to leave the matter of dealing with Jiang Wanyin to Xiao Xingchen and what group he’s managed to recruit. While Wei Wuxian does offer to help, he’s declined but does accept the photo type Spirit Tool that allows for communication plus sound and image recording that Lung Mu Chenguang and Wei Wuxian had developed to aid in organization squads of Disciples, it had been for the war, but they hadn’t worked out the flaws in time to make an appearance.

Such a Spirit Tool would prove useful, not just in helping with teamwork but also gathering evidence of the crimes that Jiang Wanyin and his gang of thugs had done during their reign of this village. As they were just the force to investigate and capture the person of interest, it was up to the Sects to pick their Sects’ candidates to put forth before the Sects to vote upon whom should serve as judges. It takes two months for the selection to be thinned to one member from each major Sect and two from each minor Sect, it was to give the minor Sects a feeling that their voices had weight.

It’s unknown if going forward they’d continue to allow the minor Sects to have two positions but for this court, it happens. And thus, it was just a matter of bringing the evidence up for the court to review. The photo type recording Spirit Tools do stir interest along with the various projection clay photo type reviewing Spirit Tools allow the viewing of the whole event. Guilty is the verdict but then comes up with how to punish those captured or if they should just be executed.

Sect Leader Lan does try to suggest that they need to at least learn why Jiang Wanyin did the things he did, wanting to allow the former Young Master the chance to defend himself before the panel of judges. It takes a few days for the judges to decide that it would aid in figuring out whether he should just be punished or executed. Of course, the former Young Master is a bitter, rage filled man and all that really comes out of his mouth is rants and accusations at how he’d been betrayed by Cultivation Society.

What little can be made out, it seems that Yu Ziyuan died from infection and Jiang Fengmian found work to raise money for her burial along with approving for his daughter, Jiang Yanli, to marry beneath her, as her husband to be was a mere tailor. This tailor was killed, most likely by Jiang Wanyin given how easy the former Young Master backtracks on the matter along with expressing desire that he should have waited until his sister had married the man so that he would have funds when he was chased out of the village. From what little they gather; it seems that Jiang Yanli killed herself and that Jiang Fengmian would end up hunting his son only for Jiang Wanyin to unhasting kill his father when the other had paused during their fight.

There’s no mention of Jiang Wanyin taking time to bury his father, much to the disgust of those gathered to listen to this former peer. By this point, someone is merciful to put a Silence Spell upon the murderous man. The panel orders Jiang Wanyin to be taken away, the discussion is one of disbelief along with hints of sadness concerning the death of the former Sect Leader Jiang.

It’s not long before execution is decided for such a person that Jiang Wanyin has become. It was just a matter of discussing when to perform it along with who’ll be given the task. Oddly enough, Sect Leader Nie offers to do the task and with no volunteers, the panel accepts, and the date is decided four days from then. There’s just a single visitor of Jiang Wanyin and that is Lung Qianshui Zemin, who’d given over leadership to Jiang Deshi in the past year.

The visit was on the short side, it seems that Lung Qianshui Zemin seems at peace. And so, nothing really happened to prevent the execution of the criminals. With them dead, their bodies will be buried at the Burial Mounds, it had been something that the judged figured to be a fitting place for them to be laid to rest. Thus, the first case for both the policing force and the panel of voted in judges comes to an end, it proved to be satisfactory enough that there’s no word of dismissing the voting process or of having Disciples who aren’t Sect Leaders take center stage when it comes to judgment.

In coming years, the Cultivation Society would witness the cavern and the land around the Dragon Pearl taking to the skies from a fully purified Burial Mounds. Of flying ships and other innovations that wouldn’t just come from collaboration between Lung Mu Chenguang and Wei Wuxian, but those that the two would teach and encourage to try and bring their ideas to life. A new era would finally come to light, while the policing force and voting panel of judges perhaps isn’t perfect, it was better than what came before, that Sect Leader were untouchable while within their own territories. Wiser heads also knew that it would be a matter of time before corruption tries to gain a foot hold within this new organization and that it needed to be flexible to deal with it when it crops up.

The End