Chapter Text
Lan Qiren is not used to being so completely out of his depth. He's spent his life following the path set before him, guided by the rules that were sunk into him from birth and reinforced every time one of his age-mates rose or fell under their weight.
He'd seen firsthand what violating them could bring and been desperate to spare his nephews from the fate of their parents. Had his brother not associated with evil and married a murderess, his sons would have had a proper father. Had his sister-in-law not taken the life of an elder for reasons unexplained, or at least repented for doing so, her sons would have had a proper mother. Instead, they'd been given to the mercies of a man who tried his best and yet is sure he failed more often than not.
Xichen and Wangji are held in high esteem throughout the cultivation world, but Lan Qiren knows every one of their faults is his own doing. That his elder nephew often lets himself be pushed and spoken over is a remnant of Lan Qiren doing so to him as he grew. That his younger nephew stands so apart from his peers to the point of having none to call friend except a supposed ne'er-do-well is because Lan Qiren has never learned to truly build friendships, either. Children learn from the adults closest to them whether they're being consciously taught or not.
Perhaps if Lan Qiren had been older when Xichen was born, things would be different. So many forgot how late his birth had been to his own parents' marriage, that he stood a full generation apart from his older brother. By the time Lan Qiren was old enough to be a disciple, his brother had already earned his title as Qingheng-jun through years of nighthunting feats and was seen as a shining light to their world. He was less an older brother than a distant uncle.
Lan Qiren was only a few years past majority when Qingheng-jun decided to marry that woman, and a year later he was fighting to take custody of their first child after the elders suggested a ludicrous idea of raising the boy themselves. All that would have resulted in was a brainless patsy, a figurehead mouthpiece who could only nod to anything they said, and Lan Qiren knew it the moment they suggested it because they kept trying to do the same thing to him.
No, he decided he would raise Huan-er instead, and then Zhan-er as well a few years after. He would do his best to make sure the boys could stand on their own and would honor the rules of their sect loyally. There'd been some grumbling about finding him a wife to assist in such an endeavor, but Lan Qiren successfully argued against such foolishness. He'd never wanted to marry before. There was no reason to do it then, either.
But the boys surely did suffer for having him as their sole caretaker until they were old enough to begin their disciple studies. Someone more prepared might have gotten Huan-er to be more willing to stand up for himself or Zhan-er to stop biting people well before he'd hit nine years of age. Anyone else he might have brought in, however, was likely to be a pawn of the elders. His brother's seclusion had made them far too bold in Lan Qiren's opinion, but it was difficult to affect change as a one man frankly too young for his role. He needed time to build up his own power base if anything was to get better.
Juggling that ideal with child-rearing meant it took quite a bit longer to do anything. Both his nephews are men now, and Lan Qiren has only just begun actually being able to throw his weight around with the elders. The most he manages is backing up Xichen when there's dissent or subtly guiding their attention in directions that will suit Xichen's purposes. Sometimes, it works out in their favor.
But his current concern isn't one he can simply fall back upon the rules to navigate. There are so many rules that can possibly be applied. Too many, and with contradictions. Part of being in the running for the next elder position is having a good working understanding of the rules and how to apply them. The contradictions are by design, a built in system that requires contemplation and debate. He just hadn't considered that one of their core rules would be the sticking points in deciding just what to do about Wei Wuxian.
Do not associate with evil is clear and simple, but the assignment of evil had been left to those who would interpret the rules. Is it evil to dabble in demonic cultivation for the sake of it? Absolutely. Is it evil to use demonic cultivation to hurt and kill others? In most instances, yes. Doing so because righteous cultivation had been taken out of reach with danger on all sides? That becomes murkier. One has to take into account all reasons around the use of such odious means, what the practitioner was trying to use it for, and the final outcomes of said use for both good and ill.
Wei Wuxian's golden core had been melted away after his clan was massacred. He'd then been thrown into a cesspool of resentful energy and bullied his way into cultivating it to survive, then continued to do so for the sake of winning a war against an even greater evil. Even after the war, he used that same power to protect a group of denigrated innocents and even willingly gave it up to assure their lives. Does that negate the inherent vileness of harnessing spirits and dead bodies for the sake of war? Lan Qiren hasn't decided yet.
At its core, the typical role of a cultivator is to settle beings of resentful energy and facilitate their paths into the reincarnation cycle whenever possible. They battle the beasts such energy creates and feeds, heal lands ravaged by it, and make their world safer for the living. What Wei Wuxian did turns all that on its head. Had he forced the dead to follow him through sheer willpower alone or charmed them in some way? Would the final verdict of his culpability change either way? Lan Qiren doesn't know. He doesn't understand Wei Wuxian's cultivation enough to put actual judgment upon it. Nor, it has become increasingly clear to him, does he understand Wei Wuxian enough to do so on him. And now, presumably Wei Wuxian won't even be able to practice it anymore and the point could be considered moot.
It isn't, of course, but Lan Qiren is sure someone will try to make that argument. Possibly Wei Wuxian himself.
But the fact remains that Wei Wuxian had allowed himself to be subjected to a ritual he may have known he might not survive. What else can be inferred about his apparent silence on the matter to someone who knew his body intimately enough to deduce the danger? Wei Wuxian had had the time to speak with Wen Qing about the procedure. He'd had the time to suggest a different way. He didn't do either. And then his demand that Lan Wangji not be included…
So much about Wei Wuxian's actions and words just make no sense at all, and Lan Qiren is tired of trying to come at it crossways but can do nothing else until the boy wakes. He instead tries to concentrate on his duties and checks in on the progress of the Wen village. They've settled in well, showing a remarkable adaptability to new circumstances. Or, perhaps, it's simply that much easier than trying to survive in the Burial Mounds.
"When can I see Xian-gege?" Wen Yuan asks after throwing himself at Lan Qiren's legs and holding on for dear life.
"You'll see him when he's well," the old woman supposedly minding the child says with an apologetic glance to Lan Qiren. "Please forgive his rudeness."
Well versed in the way of mannerless children, Lan Qiren just nods and gives Wen Yuan a stern look.
"Until Wei Wuxian is ready for visitors, you will need to practice politeness and patience," he says. The boy blinks up at him. "You are now part of a subordinate sect to Gusu Lan and expected to comport yourself with dignity."
With another blink, Wen Yuan asks, "What's dinity?"
"Dignity," Lan Qiren corrects. "It is acting well and properly. No doubt, this madam can teach you."
"Of course," she says with a pinched smile that tells him she's probably already begun trying to do just that. Well, perseverance will be the way. "Come on, A-Yuan. It's time for a snack."
Lan Yuan gives her a suspicious look and hugs Lan Qiren's leg tighter. "That's code for a nap."
The woman sighs, glancing skyward, and then wrestles the child away. Lan Qiren finishes his inspection, taking note of ways things can be improved and further resources that should be allocated to the settlement. Just as he's heading back to Cloud Recesses, he runs into Wen Ning, who greets him as politely as ever. The slight hitches in motor control are still evident, but he seems to be adjusting to their new circumstances well. The spiritual qi inundating the mountain certainly doesn't seem to be harming him or upsetting his inner reserve of resentment, as far as their scholars could tell.
"Have any problems come up since my last visit?" Lan Qiren asks.
"No, Lan-xiansheng. We have been well provided for."
"See to it that any issues are brought to my attention as soon as they occur." That should be the end of it, but Lan Qiren hesitates a moment before adding, "Inform me of anything that can be done to make your sect more comfortable, as well."
Wen Ning blinks slowly, more deliberate than instinctive. "Did Lan-xiansheng notice something wrong?"
"No," which is both the truth and not. "However, this resettlement is not meant to be a punishment on the Dafan Wen. As Gusu Lan has taken responsibility for your well being, we must strive to fulfill our duty of care to the highest degree."
There's a few moments as Wen Ning visibly works through his words, bringing that tiny shift in his brows that he's capable of now. Perhaps Lan Qiren should direct a few of the medical staff into researching if that can be improved. They've given Wen Ning a stay of execution and he's done nothing but protect and serve his family. They might as well see what can be done to make his unlife easier for however long it lasts.
"Lan-xiansheng needn't concern himself," Wen Ning says finally, bowing his head. "We are thankful to have this much and dare not demand more. Our people are industrious; we know how to make our own way, and this land has already made things so much better."
It's a humility that more could benefit from, but it hits Lan Qiren in an uncomfortable way he can't quite place.
"Still," he insists. "Keep me informed."
Wen Ning bows to him again and they head their separate ways, but the discomfort doesn't leave Lan Qiren. He checks on Wei Wuxian (still sleeping and healing as well as can be expected, per Wen Qing), does his rounds on various instructor lead classes, and then goes to his office to complete work he'd left waiting.
On the third day after the ritual, Lan Xichen sends the finalized missive to the other clans about the confirmed destruction of the Stygian Tiger Seal. They say nothing about Wei Wuxian's current state except that he is fully cleansed of resentful energy, nor mention the Wen. All they've admitted to is accepting Wei Wuxian's surrender and the terms on Wei Wuxian's side. Lan Qiren and Lan Xichen both end up feeling compelled to kneel in the family shrine for several hours for the omissions, but still find it necessary.
The next morning, there are delegations from the Nie, Jiang, and Jin sects on their doorstep demanding an audience. Each contingent includes their sect leader and clan heir, along with several members in escort.
"Please follow me," Lan Xichen says pleasantly despite the obvious antagonism on most faces. "We have much to discuss-"
"I want to see Wei Wuxian immediately," Jiang Wanyin spits out with obvious vitriol, Zidian sparking on his finger. Beside him, a visibly pregnant Jiang Yanli touches his arm, but Lan Qiren doubts things will settle without giving the young sect leader something first.
"I'll handle this," Lan Qiren says with a nod to Lan Xichen, who seems relieved. The others are happy enough to follow him away, even if the Jin heir ends up lingering instead of following his father. That's fine. Lan Qiren can handle three dignitaries easily.
"Where is he?" Jiang Wanyin demands when the others are far enough not to overhear.
"With the healers." That answer sows immediate worry with both Jiang Wanyin and Jiang Yanli, who share a glance before Jiang Wanyin looks to begin gearing himself up for some kind of fit. "There were… complications to the cleansing ritual, but he is expected to live-"
"Expected to live?" Jiang Wanyin repeats with heightened distress. "That was ever in question?!"
"May we please see him and speak with his doctors?" Jiang Yanli, the far more sensible of the two, asks. "It would comfort us greatly."
That is probably the easiest way to keep from having a public incident, though Lan Qiren doubts it will actually calm them. Still, he nods and leads them to the healing wing. Before entering, Lan Qiren knocks on the door and waits until Wen Qing opens it to avoid putting her on her guard from the very beginning. He might as well not have bothered with the courtesy, however. She freezes immediately, eyes locked on the two Jiangs (and Jin Zixuan trailing behind).
"Get out of my way," Jiang Wanyin growls, but Wen Qing's resolve hardens immediately.
"This is not the agreed upon punishment," she says to Lan Qiren, making the Jiangs tense up. Behind her, Lan Wangji stands from his seat by the bed with a defensive protective slant to his posture.
"They are here to speak with our sect leader about the cleansing ritual and wish to verify Wei Wuxian's health themselves," Lan Qiren explains. She still seems suspicious, but then steps aside to let them all in.
Wei Wuxian is still more bandage than person, but at least the room doesn't smell of blood anymore. His chest rises and falls in a steady rhythm under the blanket, though the bumpiness of the blanket might be disheartening if one knew anything about just how many broken bones he'd sustained that needed stabilization. The bruising still prevalent in his face would be alarming if not so expected given the extent of his injuries. Perhaps his complexion is still far too pale under that, his body far too thin, but Lan Qiren knows it's an improvement.
"Oh, A-Xian," Jiang Yanli whispers with a hand to her mouth, clearly not knowing that. She goes to Wei Wuxian's side immediately, reaching out to him. Lan Wangji blocks her hand with a look that conveys apology for not letting her, likely to prevent her from accidentally bumping one of the acupuncture needles stuck all over Wei Wuxian. At least, Lan Qiren knows what Lan Wangji's face is conveying. Jiang Yanli just clutches both hands to her chest and makes no protest either way.
"What the hell happened?" Jiang Wanyin asks in a somewhat more hushed tone. "How did- Why- What did you do to him?!"
The accusation comes more from fear than actual anger, so Lan Qiren decides to take no offense. After all, he would likely have trouble controlling himself if something like this happened to his nephews.
"They just proceeded into a ritual without medical oversight," Wen Qing says sourly as she steps back to Wei Wuxian's bedside opposite Jiang Yanli and Lan Wangji to check his pulse. The uncovered arm with its splinted upper section and bandages along the bottom, three fingers stabilized with further splinting, makes the remaining color in Jiang Yanli's face drain.
"Who gave you the right to have him beaten nearly to death?!" Jiang Wanyin demands, his anger renewed.
Lan Qiren does not sigh only because it's beneath his dignity. He just gives Jiang Wanyin a steady look as the man's breathing quickens with further distress.
"We did not," he says. "These injuries were pre-existing to the ritual and we had no knowledge of them."
"How the hell do you miss that?!" Jiang Wanyin throws his hand out towards Wei Wuxian, as if Lan Qiren isn't aware of what he's referring to.
"The resentment masked it all," Wen Qing says. She re-covers Wei Wuxian's arm and straightens. "He was badly injured before the war started. The resentment just kept his body functionally in stasis the entire time."
"So when the ritual cleansed him…" The quiet horror in Jiang Yanli's voice sparks something in Jiang Wanyin that has his shoulders hunching up.
"But he wasn't this hurt when we left-" He stops himself, glancing between Wen Qing and Jiang Yanli. Both Lan Qiren and Lan Wangji sharpen their attention on the sect leader, but Jiang Wanyin just swallows and says, "He was fine."
"Until Wen Chao decided to drop him from a massive height into the Burial Mounds, I'd presume," Lan Qiren says dryly.
The Jiang siblings stare at him with even more horror.
"He said that was only a malicious rumor," Jiang Yanli whispers with both hands over her mouth.
"No, he didn't," Jiang Wanyin counters with equal dread. "He implied it was without confirming either way."
That sounds about right, given what Lan Qiren knows about Wei Wuxian's character. At least, what he's been able to infer since he showed up with that sick child. The amount of things he'd simply not disclosed just in that short period speaks to a lifetime of smoothly doing the same. As if Wei Wuxian is incapable of being honest about himself to others, or perhaps honest about what others have done to him.
It's an uncomfortable feeling, being someone in that category. Lan Qiren has not spent nearly enough time meditating on just what all he is culpable for. Surely nothing on the level of Wen Chao, but he does carry guilt in smaller, more insidious ways. Ones he would never have considered a free spirit like Wei Wuxian would take to heart. Lan Qiren has the terrible feeling that he is just one more adult in that boy's life that taught him not to trust his weaknesses to elders.
Then again, Wei Wuxian hadn't trusted them to his peers, either. That much is obvious from his nephew's accounts.
"How long will it take to heal all of this?" Jiang Cheng asks. There's less of a demand to his voice now, a more tired quality taking its place. "The lotus harvest is coming at the end of the season. There's no reason he can't come home to help finally since he isn't protecting anyone anymore."
Wen Qing snorts but doesn't look at all amused. "He won't be allowed out of bed by then. The spinal fractures alone will keep him prone until winter."
Both Jiang siblings stare at her in a mix of confusion and worry, but it's Jin Zixuan who actually gives their questions a voice.
"It doesn't take that long for a bone break to heal," he says with a frown. "Not with the kind of core Wei Wuxian had when I met him last. Unless the resentment damaged it?"
Pursing her lips, Wen Qing glances to Lan Qiren, and he girds himself to take on the sorry duty of informing them.
"Wei Wuxian is coreless," he says, forcing his face to remain passive at the crash of devastation that revelation causes. "We suspect Wen Chao ordered Wen Zhuliu to perform the melting before Wei Wuxian was thrown into the Burial Mounds but will be unable to confirm until he has awakened."
Tears roll down Jiang Yanli's cheeks, her hands tighter over her mouth as she fights sobs he can almost sense building up in her chest. Her brother is similarly struck, blood leeching from his face.
"It appears that he began cultivating resentment in response to this event and used it to scaffold his body to stay alive," Lan Qiren continues. "When he escaped the Burial Mounds and joined the war, it would have been the only way he could fight."
"That stupid asshole," Jiang Cheng whispers as he, too, begins to cry. "Stupid asshole, keeping that to himself instead of fucking telling me."
Instead of telling anyone, as far as Lan Qiren can tell. Except Wen Qing, who obviously has known for a while. Since their flight to the Burial Mounds? Or, perhaps even earlier than that. Lan Qiren doesn't have nearly enough information to piece together a proper timeline of events yet.
"He didn't inform us of this before the ritual," Lan Qiren says. Only a twinge of bitterness escapes into his voice.
"So when the resentment was gone…" Jiang Yanli's choked words trail off as she stares at Wei Wuxian's prone form.
"The injuries it had been keeping closed reopened," Wen Qing confirms grimly. "Broken bones, internal ruptures, everything. We were able to stabilize him, but his body has effectively been in stasis since the fall and must now actually attempt to heal the damage, along with every other injury he's sustained since then."
"Why didn't he go to Baoshan Sanren?" Jiang Wanyin demands. "He knows where her mountain is. Why didn't he- He-"
There's no answer for him from Wen Qing, and Lan Qiren has no idea how the immortal plays into any of this, but he doesn't have much chance to figure that out before Jiang Wanyin's legs fail him and he crashes to his knees.
"Her disciples aren't supposed to return," the young sect leader utters. "Oh fuck, I took his only chance."
There is a horrible story behind those words, Lan Qiren is certain of it. He has the terrible notion that it's probably even worse than he can imagine, and likely to be twice as aggravating.
"A-Cheng?" Jiang Yanli calls, reaching a hand towards her brother.
"I took his chance," Jiang Wanyin says again. His voice breaks, his cheeks are awash with tears. Every semblance of grace has been stripped away to leave only a man barely into adulthood who has had far too much weight put on his shoulders far too quickly. It's a feeling Lan Qiren can understand and empathize with.
Whatever this "chance" Jiang Wanyin speaks of, Lan Qiren doubts even that is the whole story of what has happened to Wei Wuxian. There's still so much Lan Qiren doesn't know yet, won't know until Wei Wuxian wakes.
But the world does not wait for one crisis to be handled before throwing the next forward. A hesitant knock at the door turns out to be a runner with a message for Lan Qiren from Lan Xichen.
The Jin stormed the Burial Mounds last night. They know the Wen no longer reside there.
A headache starts pounding in Lan Qiren's temples. Of course someone decided to take the opportunity with Wei Wuxian's threat neutralized. Of course it was the Jin. And, of course it is now another problem Lan Qiren will have to handle himself.
"For now," he says in a tone that demands all of their attention, "it would be best not to discuss the details of Wei Wuxian's state outside this room. I must go to assist my nephew. Once you have collected yourself, Jiang-zongzhu, please join us in the current discussions. They will no doubt be pertinent to your interests."
Jiang Wanyin lifts his head, staring towards him from the cloud of his despair, and then slowly nods. He is a sect leader. He has already lived through the near total destruction of his sect and family. He will rise up to challenge now as he did then, Lan Qiren is certain of it. They may never see eye to eye when it comes to comportment and temperament, but Lan Qiren has already seen the makings of an effective leader in Jiang Wanyin.
A last glance to Wei Wuxian's still form, and then Lan Qiren leaves to offer a united front with his own sect leader.