Chapter Text
The next day comes way to early for Huaisang, getting up at the same time as his brother was horrible. What was worse though was the headache of looking at maps for hours.
It was fun at first, then he'd started to feel the sharp stabbing behind his eye. After that he'd detested it, continuing on though. The sooner he got this done the sooner Wei Ying would be ok.
Finally he had the respite of his noon meal, he eats with Mingjue in his office, while the elder looks over his work. He isn't quite finished with it but he's nearly there, just the route to and from cloud recesses left. Mingjue nods at the stop in Yiling that Huaisang had planned, making no other comment on it.
He looks over the rest then sets it beside Huaisang. "You've done well, i'll finish the rest. Good Job." He finishes smiling at his younger brother.
Huaisang beams at him, "Thank you da-ge, i can continue working on my fans! I'd need someone to teach me though." he frowns thinking of that, he could probably try on his own. That wouldn't get him far though.
"I'll think on that, you need to focus on you're golden core training for now." He says with a serious face.
Huaisang nods, he could feel the beginnings of his this morning, maybe coming back gave his a head start for once.
"I'll go do that now da-ge! thank you," he says jumping up, his food half eaten, and running out of the room. Mingjue shakes his head and laughs as he leaves.
Huaisang slows to a walk as he nears his room, there'd be a lot of meditating for him now. But Huaisang's favorite form of meditation was painting. This way he'd be doing two things at once; Meditating, and working on his fan designs.
That's what he did for the rest of his day, Stopping only for his evening meal. He slept well that night.
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Wen Ning got Huaisang's message first, late that night. The crow flying to him and his sister's shared room while he was gone. He hurries to take the letter, stopping to give the bird water and some of their leftover berries from breakfast.
Quietly sitting down beside the bird he opens the letter, reading it over a few times, smiling. He lets the crow fly back out of his window and home before moving to sit on his bed. Reading the note again.
'Stay safe for me.' Huaisang had written, he laughs quietly to himself. Huaisang had been his reason for staying safe for a long time now. It was part of the reason he had been wary of the array, for far longer than he let his friends know.
He hadn't wanted to lose Huaisang, If the array hadn't worked he wouldn't have died. He had been practically immortal in his fierce corpse form, but it had been very lonely. Living without his family, then his sister, and without Wei Ying for a period even if he wasn't conscious during most of it.
The only person he hadn't lived without since knowing was Huaisang, and he didn't think he could do it, hated the thought of having to. But now he wouldn't have too. He'd be able to live the rest of his life with him, even if it was just as his friend. Whatever made Huaisang happy would make him happy.
He fell asleep that night with his mind on Huaisang. The next morning he gets Wei Ying's note. Luckily his sister had already left he room when the bird arrived. He was glad she hadn't questioned him leaving the window open, as he had done that often as a child, but he didn't need her starting now.
He opens the letter, again after first feeding the bird and giving her water. Gently stroking the bird he reads. He's still worried for him by the end. Wei Ying had the tendency to downplay everything regarding his health or safety. Hopefully Huaisang would find him soon.
After sending the bird off he decided to meditate, He'd need his golden core sooner rather than later this time around. Hes interrupted an hour in when his sister reenters the room, smiling at him with two bowls in hand.
"A-ning im sorry to interrupt, i needed to gather a few things, I brought breakfast though." He smiles at her, moving to sit at the table where she'd sat the bowls down. She sits herself and they start eating.
"I'm glad you're meditating, you'll get your golden core soon." she says to him and he nods.
"I want to be able to help you more soon, I'd like to learn more medicine soon too." he figures he'll need to make use of some of it soon. Especially if he wanted to slow down Wen Ruohan.
She smiles brightly at him. "I'm glad to hear that a-ning, i can start teaching you more tomorrow. Wen Ruohan wants me today so i should go, be safe, I'll see you tonight." she says as she stands up. he smiles at her as she leaves.
Finishing his breakfast he gathers their dishes and takes them to be washed. they weren't important enough to have servants but he didn't want any. He was pretty sure his sister felt the same way.
He goes from there to the bit of forest where his crow friends lived, smuggling a pouch of seeds he'd stolen with him. It was easy getting there unseen, most of the wen in the palace ignored him as he was small and quiet, and obviously not a threat.
'I will be soon.' he thinks as he pours some seeds onto the stone. Then he settles down to meditate some more.
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The next few days huaisang spends preparing for their journey, they'd be visiting all the sects, starting with Lotus Pier. Mingjue had said just visiting one this early after their fathers death wouldn't be good politically.
Huaisang agreed, making just enough of a fuss as was required of his age. It was becoming easier to pretend he really was only nine. Which was good because his brother didn't suspect anything, but horrible for his already bad attention span.
Finally, after over a week of waiting, the last of the messengers, came back. She had been sent to cloud recesses and reported that Lan Qiren was honored to receive them. As expected Qingheng-jun was still in seclusion, though hopefully that was another thing he could change.
For now he was focused on finding Wei Ying, unfortunately Yiling would be their third stop, as they were going to Nightless City first. He just hoped Wei Ying would be safe until then. Knowing Wei Ying though he'd probably already gotten into trouble.
This did mean he'd get to see Wen Ning, if only for a day. They left early the next morning. The party consisting of himself, Mingjue, two of the elders, And a variety of disciples. Mingjue had chosen the disciples himself, choosing with skill that he knew he could trust.
Mingjue rightfully didn't trust Wen Rouhan, which was good. However, they couldn't show up as if ready for a fight. They stopped later that evening as the sun was begining to set. Choosing to stay at an inn just inside Wen Rouhan's territory.
They sat down at the tables among the inn while Mingjue paid for the food and rooms. He came over and sat beside Huaisang. The other disciples talked loudly among themselves while they ate, the elders joining in from time to time.
"I'm quite proud of you Huaisang." Mingjue says suddenly, surprising Huaisang. Mingjue had only said that once to him in his past life. He stares at his brother for a moment not knowing how to respond. Then Mingjue continues.
"I've been thinking, father never said that to us, but we deserved to hear it. So I'm saying it now." he looks Huaisang in the eyes as he says this.
Huaisang smiles, "I'm proud of you too da-ge, you're going to be a great sect leader." he says nodding at the last part before hugging his brother. Mingjue hugs back before pointing at Huaisang's food.
"You need to eat, we have a long day tomorrow." he says pushing Huaisang toward the food. Huaisang smiles again but continues to eat.
The rest of the night goes smoothly, everyone going to their rooms, and sleeping through the night. They eat again in the morning before once again heading out. Arriving in Nightless city that evening.
Wen Rouhan for his part, plays the role of fake politeness much better than in his later years. The resentful energy hasn't damaged him as much Huaisang supposes.
They eat their evening meal with Wen Rouhan and his gremlin children who aren't evil yet but definitely spoiled and entitled. Huaisang notes that Wen Zhuliu isn't there yet. Unfortunately Wen Ning isn't there, he'll hust have to find the boy that night, or maybe Wen Ning would find him.
After the dinner they retire to their rooms, Mingjue immediately falling asleep. Huaisang wanders a bit looking for Wen Ning before entering his room. There sitting on his floor with a crow, was Wen Ning.
Huaisang's heart aches as he looks at him, Wein Ning looking up as he walks in. They make eye contact and Wen Ning stands, waiting while huaisang closes the door behind him. Then he rushes over, pulling Huaisang into a tight hug, which Huaisang returns.
"I can't stay long, but i wanted to see you." he says as he pulls back. Huaisang nods in understanding. Wen Ning had his sister to worry about.
"Where does your sister think you are?" Huaisang asks as they both go to sit down by the crow, who was watching them from the center of the room.
Wen Ning smiles innocently, "I'm with the crows of course, I go almost every night." he points to the crow, who is letting Huaisang gently stroke it's feathers. "I'm technically not lying, plus crows are your favorite and I though you'd like to see him again,"
Huaisang smiles at him, Wen Ning always did little things that made his heart flutter. This was one of them,
It was known that Huaisang loved birds, but he'd only ever told two people crows were his favorite bird. His brother and Wen Ning. The fact that he'd remembered even though it'd been years kind of made him want to cry.
"Thank you, he really is beautiful. " he says as he pets the bird. Wen ning smiles at him before moving to place silencing talismans around the room.
"I also sent a message to Wei Ying, he's ok, but I think the sooner you find him the better. I'm glad to actually see you unharmed and safe though." He sits down beside Huaisang with the last statement. It feels like a lightning bolt goes through Huaisang when their hands touch briefly.
He looks at Wen Ning, not sure if he'd felt it too. Huaisang had never felt anything like this, and it scared him if he was being honest. So he did what he did best, pushed it away to deal with later. Instead he speaks, "I'm glad he's safe, lets just hope he stays that way for a couple more days."
Wen Ning laughs at this, its a beautiful laugh Huaisang thinks. "We both know that's not, Wei Ying is always in some kind of trouble."
He nods, and they stay sitting beside each other in silence for a few more minutes. Then Wen Ning stands, "I have to go, i'll see you tomorrow though, and I can show you the rest of the crows too!"
Huaisang stands and pulls Wen Ning into a hug, "I can't wait, thank you for staying safe." He whispers as Wen Ning hug's back. He pulls away and Wen Ning exits through the window, giving him one last smile as he goes.
He can't sleep that night, his thoughts on Wen Ning, and what he'd felt. He doesn't succeed in meditating either. So instead he pulls out the his brush and paints he'd brought with him and begins painting.
The movements help calm him, as they always did. After a while his mind has settled and he find himself moving to lay in his bed, immediately falling asleep.
The next day Huaisang sneaks off after breakfast, while Mingjue, Wen Ruohan, and the two elders go off to their meeting. He finds himself outside when Wen Ning shows up at his side suddenly. Huaisang jumps slightly when he does. Win Ning just smiles and grabs Huaisang's hand, pulling him to the right.
The touch sends another jolt of electricity through Huaisang, It's not as strong as last night, but Huaisang can feel it all the same. It makes his hearbeat pick up a little.
"I want to show you the crows." wen ning says excitedly as he pulls on Huaisang, who was taller than the other now, and harder to move. Huaisang follows, leading Wen Ning lead him to a bit of forest. The trees are still green and just inside the forest Huaisang can see a flat round stone on the ground.
Wen Ning leads him to this stone, pulling a pouch from his belt and opening it. Inside are a mix of seeds and dried berries, and wen ning pours some out on the stone before stepping back.
Huaisang steps back with him, and wen ning gives a small whistle. Apparently to let his friends know it was safe. As soon as he did so five or so of them flew out, landing on the rock and eating.
He turns to smile at Wen Ning, who's already looking at him. "How did you get them so well trained! I know they're smart but they love you!" he says excitedly, trying his best to not scare them away.
"Lots of treats, and I've always been very quiet, so animals trust me easily." he says as he walks back up to the stone slowly. The birds are unfazed, one even fliest out from the trees to land on Wen Ning's shoulder.
"This is so cool!" huaisang whispers as he steps closer as slowly as he can. Wen Ning smiles and beckons him to come over.
"They'll let you come near if you stay by me." Huaisang moves so that he's standing nearer to wen ning. He lifts his hand up to pet the crow perched on Wen Ning's shoulder. The crow eagerly accepts the pets, and jumps over to Huaisang who stands as still as he can.
"Can i have some of that, i want to feed this one." He says pointing to the pouch still in Wen ning's hands.
He hods, smiling fodly as he pours some of the seeds and berries into Huaisang's hand. "I'm glad they like you," he says as he does so. "They don't like my sister as much." he finishes, storing the pouch in his belt again.
"She is very scary sometimes i understand that." Huaisang says as he lifts his handful up to the bird on his shoulder. He immediately starts eating, and Huaisang is ecstatic. Eventually, when the bird had eaten his fill, he flies off back into the forest.
Wen Ning sits down beside the rock and Huaisang does the same. Emptying the remainder of his handful onto the rock as he sits. They're close, almost as close as last night.
"Do you really think we can fix things this time?" Wen Ning asks after a few minutes silence.
Huaisang thinks for a moment. They would definitely have a hard time, and there wouldd be no guarantee they'd emerge completely unscathed. They could do it though.
"I think so, we've got knowledge on our side this time, and if we make enough changes things will end up better. I promise." he looks Wen Ning in the eyes as he says this.
"Thank you." Is all the other boy says, as if Huaisang had lifted a burden from him. Huaisang feels calmer himself, though he always felt calmer around Wen ning. He wonders why that is as they both stand.
Wen Ning explains that he can't be gone all day as his sister is training him in medicine. 'A good idea' Huaisang thinks as he explains. Huaisang himself can't be gone long or Mingjue would absolutely notice.
So they head back together, splitting up almost where they'd found each other. Huaisang pulls wen ning into a hug before they part, with promises from wen Ning to visit again that night.
The rest of the day Huaisang spends with Mingjue, doodling as he sits through boring meetings. His brother's reasoning was if he had to then Huaisang, as sect heir, needed to as well. Personally Huaisang knew it was because Mingjue hated them and he helped keep his older brother calm.
They eat their evening meal again with Wen Ruohan and his children before retiring to their rooms, to leave early the next morning.
Huaisang has finished his meditation and readied for bed by the time Wen Ning arrives. He comes through the window again, though not as silently as when he was a fierce corpse. Which means it doesn't scare Huaisang as much when he appears.
"I'm sorry it's late, I wanted to make sure my sister was asleep." He says as he enters. Huaisang smiles. "It's fine, I'm just glad you're here. How long can you stay?" he asks as he sits on his bed.
"As long as you like." Wen ning replies. 'Forever please.' Huaisang thinks to himself. But surely it wouldn't be weird if Wen Ning stayed for a while, and Huaisang was very tired. So as he lays down he moves back and motions for wen ning to lay beside him.
"Please stay for a while? I'm tired though and I need to sleep." Wen Ning nods at this, moving to lay beside Huaisang on the bed.
"Sleep then." he says quietly. Huaisang finds he does, Wen Ning's even breathing lulling him to a deep and comfortable sleep.
He's woken abruptly the next morning by Mingjue, its time for them to leave. Which means he'll see Wei Ying soon, but he'll have to leave Wen Ning behind.
He trudges through their final departure with Wen Ruohan, relieved to be away from the man finally. He catches one more glimpse of Wen Ning, waving to him, as they leave on their horses.
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Wei Ying had been really good. He'd only had a small scare with the dogs. He'd even completely avoided being caught stealing from street vendors.
Most of the time it had been easy, knowing when he could steal and when he couldn't helped. But honestly he couldn't do much more than wait for Huaisang.
It was different from the first time around in that regard. That time he'd been waiting on parents who would never return. It was different in many other regards as well.
This time he'd be found by Huaisang, instead of Jiang Fengmian. His Shijie wouldn't ever put her life before his. Jiang Fengmian would never treat look at his Shidi with disappointment. He wouldn't ever be resented by jiang cheng for either of these things.
He'd never be able to call them Shijie or Shidi again, but hopefully they would still be close in this life. He was sure Huaisang and Wen Ning would help.
He could even stop the deaths of Jiang Fengmian and Madam Yu, Jiang cheng would never have to go through that again, he'd make sure of that.
But he couldn't do anything right now, and he was antsy. Patience was not a virtue he had possessed the first time around. He certainly didn't have it now.
He'd spent the last few days stealing at riskier times, but he always got through unscathed. It was dark when his stomach began grumbling again, despite him stealing some bread a few hours before. so he decided to obey his body's commands and find food.
He sneaks up behind one of the inns, intending to steal something from the trash. Unfortunately this was a risky time to steal. And the dogs that roamed the street had less distractions.
He didn't even think about this, to distracted by hunger, until he heard the growls behind him.
The hair on the back of his neck stands as he turns around and sees them. Three of the more vicious dogs are there, they have him cornered.
Not that he could move anyway. He stood paralyzed with fear as he drops the steamed bun he'd found.
Thats when the first dog lunges, biting into his leg. The other two follow suit, One going for the discarded roll, the other getting wei ying's arm.
The bites and scratches are deep, he knows that. All he can do it kickand scream, trying to get the dogs off him. He manages to get the one on his leg off, kicking it in the head.
Unforunately this is when the second one decides to go after his other leg. He's lost a lot of blood, and his vision is blurry. Then someone else is yelling, and the dogs are leaving. He rolls his head over to see Nie Mingjue, with Huaisang at his side.
'He found me.' Is the last thought in Wei Ying's head before his vision goes dark and he falls into unconsciousness.