Chapter Text
Because they were at Huaisang's private room in Qinghe when they activated the array, it was of no surprise to find a younger chilling Nie Huaisang sitting on a painting material when the flash of their transport waned.
However they cannot say the same applies for the younger Nie who all but leaped with a remarkably loud shout at their hugging sight.
**
"What the fuck is this?" Muttered a very scared and shaking huaisang. Because he knows their barriers are strong. Especially after the war with the Wens! So how could these two be here? How could they enter this room no less?!
Not to mention one of them is a direct bloodline Lan despite his black and light blue robes, you can know that just by looking at his forehead ribbon.
Meanwhile the strangest one amongst the two, the NIE!
The man's clothes are of a high ranking cultivator. The head piece is his main problem, it is the one his father used and now his brother is currently using. The hairpin that indicates the sect leaders, but what got the youth Nie Huaisang more is that man's face is an awfully copy cut of himself, albeit little older.
If Nie Huaisang was to believe these men words then his future is soon turning into horror.
What is the meaning of his strong, mighty brother got killed? Why? For what? -And to think the culprit is someone he trusted so much is just so unnerving and Infuriating.- Sure, Nie Mingjue is harsh with his words and a hothead, to put it simple his Da-Ge is a muscle head however his heart is good, soft and he is justice follower except when it comes to Wen, he sees no reason, turns blind unfortunately.
Also, his friend is going to die too? Why is his closest people are getting killed in this disastrous future? That can't do, he has to see his brother now!
***
The older Nie Huaisang who no longer could stay put in his place knowing his very alive brother is in the same place like him, just somewhere around here, most probably his office considering the time they arrived. The former Nie Zongzhu got out of the room towards Nie Mingjue's office. And judging by Lan SiZhui's expression, the boy would like to go straight to the point with his brother.
Knowing that the young man holds 'rightful' grudge towards/against his 'Da-ge' he cannot afford losing him again soon.
Thus his other reason to hurry.
****
Nie Mingjue wasn't having a very good day to begin with, so when Nie Huaisang busted into his office without notice, crying heavily and with concerning older face that his age, he thought that either someone bullied his little brother or his own foolish brother got himself cursed.
Therefore he shouted not noticing his Didi's clothing "HUAISANG! Calm down and come here" using the most affectionate voice he could master, wincing then ignoring how still harsh it sounds.
Nie Mingjue knows that Nie Huaisang isn't really weak physically and tends to hug him tightly but this doesn't erase his confusion and concern over this bone crushing hug and heartbreaking wailing he is letting out his mouth while calling him 'Da-ge' over and over again. What the hell happened to make his brother cry like crazy like that? Moreover, the very pale face he wore as if huaisang was seeing a ghost wasn't helping at all either.
In fact, it sent chills down his spine.
As the current sect leader of Nie was going to say something, Nie Mingjue shut his mouth and stared at his very young face younger brother gazing at him' hugging 'him' so tightly with red eyes almost identical of this older looking Huaisang's blood shed eyes. Once again, What the hell is going on?
Nie Mingjue will fucking appreciate a damned explanation of this!
"What is the meaning of this?" Was his calm question.
"Da-ge!" From the younger huaisang is his reply.
"Huaisang" Nie Mingjue shouted calmly but exasperatedly before continuing "Are you cursed, Didi?"
No mother how much of the Nie sect leader acts harshly with his brother, he still loves and cares for him and his safety. If this was someone's doing that is NOT his brother, he will make sure that they meet excellent ending. However the older Huaisang lifted his head, met his eyes still not yet parting with him and answered with something that shouldn't make sense but he somehow found himself believing him.. maybe due to his frantic begging for trust eyes
"Da-Ge. Sorry for the confusion and sudden burst of emotions. However answering your earlier question, no. I am not cursed, instead I activated a certain array that allows me to travel through time and so I am 46 years Nie Huaisang . I along with a companion came back 25 years ago from our time." As if to confirm his statement, Lan SiZhui entered the office occupied by the three Nie and greeted him "It is an honor for me meeting Chifeng-Zun. Lan SiZhui greets you." Which he returned with a gruff awkward greeting.
Something about the Lan's smiling was off. At first glance it reminded him so much of Lan XiChen but then he locked his eyes with him and it finally clicked. That lopsided smile, with the corners twisted in a subtle smirk, eyes so full of mirth that somehow could show his disinterest and cold sincerity. It was a perfect copy of the Yiling Patriarch whenever he attended their war meetings. The smile that both Wei WuXian and this Lan shared very much said that they really are not amused by being there.
A smile not befitting a Lan
Another thing made him so unsettled with this Lan is both his inner family forehead ribbon and the guan on his head. It was the headpiece MingJue is used to see on Lan WangJi's head, tangled with his dark black hair. The one Lan XiChen wore before his brother. They said they are from the future, does that mean.. ? No, that is not the thing he must focus on.
What needs questioning is their reason to go back in time. Especially his brother.
From huaisang's clothes that he just took notice of, he could predict that he had died sometime in those 25 years making his brother the Sect Leader instead.
..So, what is so grave to make his brother abandon their sect's duties?
NMJ: "I see, so? I think I have right to ask for your reason to come here." He settled on this question.
NHS: "So you do believe them", because apparently Nie Huaisang thought they would need to show him some kind of proof before he can believe them.
Looking at his younger brother he inclined his head, "I have no reason to doubt them because no one is stupid enough to lie about that. And especially not you A-Sang. Moreover, I doubt the Lans can lie" he continued meeting Lan SiZhui's amused smile, not very happy eyes.
LSZ: "Chifeng-Zun is fluttering the Lan sect. Lans are only human, not saints" it was said in such a mockery tone, Nie Mingjue started to get doubtful of his ears.
Sensing the tense atmosphere and feeling that the situation might turn awkward and uncomfortable, the headshaker hurried to explain "Ah brother, you see.. the future we came from is totally screwed up for us. We were lied to by a certain snake, who caused many deaths to win his position and his father's approval. He, he killed you, my friend's family, my friend causing my other friend's death then.. then your death! He kilLED YOU DA-GE! How can I just sit there and let him do it all over again!? He betrayed our trust! He!HE!"
"A-Sang, calm down" Nie Zongzhu has an inclination to whomever his brother is talking about, however this still doesn't explain why would the Lan come back too. "I kind of understand your reason for coming back, however, what about you.. Lan gongzi?"
Lan SiZhui who was watching their interaction with unreadable eyes, turned his attention towards the current sect leader "Rest assured Chifeng-Zun, I didn't come back for love of you. Oh I hope you don't take offence of me using your title instead of your position, because for me the Nie sect leader has always been Nie Huaisang and I'll continue calling him as such. In truth I don't care for what happend to you, actually I honestly enjoyed how Jin Guangyao killed you, however.. let's say I need something from you in order to save my family" his smile was still intact throughout his whole speech.
If Nie Mingjue noticed the hostility and anger mixed with hatred in Lan SiZhui's voice, he didn't show it. However his words were quite challenging him. So Nie Mingjue just tilted his head in a mockery of understanding and a sneer before he said "You're talking as if I killed your family in this future. Although I don't know why I'd harm a Lan family, I believe they deserved it then."
****
And again, that smile returned to Lan SiZhui's face, the one of utter venom yet so sweet as honey , then he tilted his head in the nervous headshaker direction "If you don't want to lose your beloved brother as soon as you found him again, I suggest you restrain him from saying such words. Just like I offered you the chance to see him again, I can erase him as well"
The headshaker narrowed his eyes and warned "Yuèliàng jūn!" But the said Moon Lord equally warned "Both of us know I can cut his head off before you even start turning those little brain wheels of yours to make a plan to stop me or take revenge from me. You know I can be as cruel as my father was capable of whenever I want. And your brother is no exception; HeadShaker."
*****
Nie Mingjue feels so left out that he didn't even have the energy to be angry or furious or whatever, it is just confusion after confusion
"YuèLiàng Jūn.. was it? Looking at that guan on your head it only means that your father was either Lan WangJi or Lan XiChen, and I don't understand why I would kill my sworn brother or his brother"
"Oh sorry, I seem to have confused you, you didn't kill my father, you participated in killing the person who gave birth to me, along with the people he took under his protection, which led to my father's, Lan WangJi's suicide. If you asked me, the whole situation is ridiculous"
"I don't kill women if they weren't criminals, your mother must have been one"
Lan SiZhui sighed and looked at him as if he was some fool , he [nmj] is starting to get annoyed now "I don't have a mother, I just said.." oh, "oh apologies Chifeng-Zun, where are my manners, my name is Lan SiZhui, my parents are Lan WangJi and Wei WuXian.. Biologically" and his smirk was back.