Chapter Text
“Listen to me my Child, The World of Cultivation is a dangerous Place so tread carefully so tread carefully and never fully give your trust to anyone, even if it is the Saint... for the Saints too have blood in their hands, the Saviour is long gone, the Spirits are hiding, the Guardian is not here, the Hunters are still hunting for the one who had almost slain their Kin and only We the Slayers are the only ones who can stood against those who would do us harm... My Child Be Strong For When The Day That Father Will No Longer Be With You, You Have To Protect Yourself Against Those Who Would Harm You... Hold Fast To That Hope, Never Give Up And Keep On Smiling My Child... This World Needs The Warmth Of Light Than The Frigid Embrace Of Darkness.”
The Burial Mound an old battlefield, famed as a haven for walking corpses and vengeful ghosts. It is also a home to the Flowers called the Spider Lilies of Legends and within the Caverns of the jagged peaks is the Tomb of the Slayer also known as the Ghost Patriarch who had passed away 15 years ago after the sabotage of the Search of the White Spider Lily. And today marks the 16th Year of the Slayer’s Death, and here lies in his tomb is his well-preserved body. Never changing but continuing in death like slumber.
"It has been said, that in the end of all things, we would find a new beginning.” A Soft and quiet voice echoed at the halls of the tomb a Hooded figure enters the Solitary Cavern filled with Spider Lilies followed by a Two Tailed Black Cat. “But as the shadow once again crawls across our world, and the stench of terror drifts on a bitter wind, the people pray for strength and guidance...They should pray for the mercy of a swift death. For I have seen what the darkness hides.”
The Hooded Figure stood in front of the Ice Coffin that held the Man who raised him all those years ago.
“Father, it’s been awhile. I’m sorry that I haven’t visited you for quite a while, things had been Hectic.” The Hooded Figure said softly as he sat down and took out a Jar of Emperor Smile and two cups.
The Black Cat sits beside the hooded figure as if it too was grieving.
“Father, Dad is still looking for the Flowers that held your Soul, he barely stops, Sui’er has grown up and really missed you so much. You may think that Dad hates you but... he does love you so much... Father, it’s been so quiet and lonely without you. Madam Wen is Still Scheming and trying to find you, Master Jiang has retired from being the Sect Leader and handed the leadership over to Jiang Cheng, Sect Leader Nie too has retired from being the Sect Leader and handed over the Leadership to Huaisang, The Lan Clan had gone Quiet since you’ve been gone and Sect Leader Jin is doing his best to Help me find a way to find the Flowers and retrieve your Soul Back... Father... just wait a little longer.” The Hooded Figure said softly as he poured some Emperor Smile on his Cup and his Father’s.
He couldn’t stop the pain from taking over his heart, for 16 Years... 16 lonely years without his Father, it hurts-
“I’m doing the best I can to find the Flowers that hold your Soul... You told me not to put myself in harm’s way, but I didn’t listen to you...” He said quietly.
He was only answered with Silence...
“I guess, you’re mad at me...” The Hooded Figure said as he bit his lower lip to prevent himself from crying. “I couldn’t go and save you... I’m Sorry.”
And tears streams down at the man’s face...
“I wish... I wish I could’ve told you all the things that I wanted to tell you while you were still alive.” The hooded figure said as he held onto the Cup of Emperor Smile. “I won’t give up... I promise I’ll save you... Father.”
He drank the Emperor Smile on his cup as he made his vow to his Father. Once done he set the Cup down and stood up-
“I’ll come back again soon.” He said as he walks out of the Cave.
As he sets foot outside he was greeted by a man he had grown accustomed to...
“Uncle QingZe...”
“You done there kid?” The said man asked.
“En... I’m ready to go back to Lanling Jin, Uncle Jin must be worried because I’m not back yet.” The Hooded Figure said.
“What are your plans now?” QingZe asked as he leads the way back out of the Burial Mound.
“I’ll rest for a little while and I’ll set off again to find the Flowers.” The Hooded Figure answered as he followed the older man.
“I See... You better be careful kid, Madam Wen is still on the hunt for your Father and that Xue Yang kid... he’s still hasn’t given up.” QingZe said softly.
The Hooded figure could only sigh, he wished his Father could tell him what to do at this Dark Times. His Father always knows what to do in times like this, but his Father had made an Ultimate Sacrifice to Protect him and the rest of his Loved Ones.
[TIME SKIP]
[LANLING JIN STRONGHOLD]
The Hooded figure knelt before Saint GuangShan as the said man sits upon his throne. Jin GuangShan sighed and waved a hand-
“A-Xian, you don’t have to kneel every time you come back home.” Jin GuangShan sighed as he looked down at the Young Man before him.
The Said Man stood up and removed his hood revealing a beautiful face one that could rival a beauty within the Halls of Lanling Jin Palace. His Silvery Blue Eyes shines with life however there’s sheen of Sadness in them.
“Sorry Uncle Jin, I forgot.” Wei Wuxian said with a tired smile.
Jin GuangShan nodded in understanding and smiled softly.
“That’s alright, dear child. Your Youngest brother is currently away for the night hunt, why don’t you go rest for the time being, you look like you’re about to fall asleep on your feet.” Jin GuangShan said softly.
Wei Wuxian nodded in gratitude and said
“Thank you, uncle. I will retire to my room now.”
Jin GuangShan could only nod in agreement, and watched the son of his Old Friend leave. Once Wei Wuxian is gone, The Saint of Lanling Jin stood from his throne to the Balcony that faced the direction of the Burial Mound.
“Gui’er, Your Children have grown into fine young men. If only you were here, I’m sure you would be proud of them. Please, watch over them from where you are now.” He said softly as he gaze at the distance.
He made a promise to his old friend and he will fulfil them, Gui had done so much for him and the Lanling Jin Empire and watching over the Children that Gui had Orphaned is the least thing he could do for a friend.
[WEI WUXIAN’S ROOM]
Wei Wuxian entere his room letting out a sigh, he put his gear on their place and his Cloak to the closet, it’s been a while since he came back to this very room. He turned his head to the night stand where the framed sketch of his Father was place, he reached out and took the Drawing of his Father years ago when he was still young, the Sketch didn’t get old no matter how time passed. Wei Wuxian put the frame back in its original place on his nightstand and flopped back down on the bed, staring up at the ceiling with a longing look.
Then his hand bumped on something hard on the side of his bed, he took it out... it’s his Journal, where his Father had wrote on a few pages... it was like a story with a tragic ending, the Journal hasn’t ended yet, there are still more to write until it reaches to the end. So he opened the Journal and start reading-
[12 Yuè dì yī tiān xīngqí yī]
It was a wintery night when I was tasked to eliminate a target near Yiling, there I met someone unexpected. A child whose face I found very familiar and one that bound me in guilt no matter how hard I try to forget. Many say I was a Cold, Heartless Beast. But they don’t know me, even though that the blood of this Child’s mother is in my hands, I am not heartless enough to leave the child alone, so I took the little one with me back to my Home Sect, Yunmeng Jiang.
~~††~~
Wei Wuxian could only smile at that, he do remember that day when he first met his Father. It was the coldest time of the year and he was just a blind little boy back then.
[WEI WUXIAN FLASHBACK]
It was one cold evening and little Wuxian is cold and hungry. He did everything he could to survive, winter is coming and he needed a warm place to rest. But he’s very hungry and need something to eat before sleeping. He walked by the dark streets to scavenge for food, unaware of the danger that was following him from behind. He opened some crates and any container he could find just to get some food. Once he did it was a Spoiled Mantou, food is food he can’t be picky! He must eat because he doesn’t know when he’ll might able to eat again.
While eating the food he found, he could hear frantic footsteps coming towards him, but he had no idea who it is, and the next thing he knew is that a sound of a blade cutting to a flesh and a painful scream.
Frightened because he couldn’t see what was going on and he could feel something wet splashed on his face, he touched his wet cheek and brought it close to his nose, he could smell the metallic scent of this liquid, and he knew it’s blood because he had smelled them countless of time.
“Boy, what are you doing out here at this time of night?” a Sombre tone called out.
Wei Wuxian could only look up but cannot actually see who this person in front of him is, though he could follow where the voice is from.
“Umm... I was looking for food...” Little Wei Wuxian answered meekly.
He could feel a powerful presence right in front of him. Too close but not too oppressive just a tiny bit of intimidating.
“It’s dangerous to be here alone...” Said the person.
“I know but A-Xian lived so far.” Little Wei Wuxian chirped and gave the person in front of him a bright smile.
He heard the person sigh and shuffling, then the next thing he knew is that a larger hand was holding his tiny one.
“Child can you tell me your name?” asked the person.
“My name is Wei Ying, Courtesy Name Wei Wuxian! How about you Mister?” Asked Wei Ying in an innocent way.
“My Name is Jiang GuiHuo, Most people calls me Gui.” The man answered who is finally known as Gui.
Little Wei Ying smiled again and said
“Nice to meet you, Mister Gui...”
“A-Xian... I am a friend of your Father so don’t be formal around me.” Gui said softly.
“Oh! Does this mean Mister Gui is my Uncle?” Little Wei Ying asked.
The man chuckled and the next thing Little Wei Ying knew he’s being carried by his Father’s friend.
“If you want to, come... this is not a safe place for you.”
“Where are we going, Uncle Gui?” Little Wei Ying asked.
“Hmmm.... We’ll be going to Lanling Jin first, I have to meet a friend there and then we’ll go to Yunmeng Jiang.” Gui answered.
Little Wei Wuxian was about to ask more question when he felt like he is going up in the air like that one time his Mama took him to flying around, he could feel the cold wintery wind hits his face, but there’s also the warmth emitted by his Uncle Gui. So it’s fine, he’s safe his Uncle Gui won’t let him fall so he relaxes, one day he will learn to fly too even if he couldn’t see. While flying Little Wei Ying couldn’t help but ask...
“Uncle Gui? Can you tell me more about Stars?”
There was only silence for a moment until his Uncle Gui spoke
“Well there are all sorts of stars, all different shapes and sizes. But they all have little points at their edges. When they sparkle, their shapes shift. They leave little glowing spaces, only for a moment. And the few that streak across the sky and fall down to the earth, the shooting stars, those are the ones you make your strongest wishes on because they can carry them through.”
“Waaahh! I wish I could see them!” Little Wei Ying chimed holding on to his Uncle.
The man just chuckle and said
“I’m sure, one day you’ll be able to see them.”
“Really?” Little Wei Ying asked hopefully.
“Yes, but you have to be very patient A-Ying.” Gui said in between his soft laughter.
“En! A-Ying will be patient!” Little Wei Ying chirped happily.
“Good Child...” Gui chuckled in mirth.
[END FLASHBACK]
Wei Wuxian caressed the page of the Journal he is reading, his Father wrote everything even their first meeting... but his heart hurts when his Father gave his all for him and his loved ones, when he first gained his sight all he could see were blurry figures, but he couldn’t feel his Father’s presence at all, it’s just like his Father vanished.
And when there comes the time when he is able to finally go outside, he went out at night where the Stars shining bright in the Cold Wintery Night... the same night where he first met the Man who was his Uncle who became his Father throughout his years.
But now... the very man he wanted to see, to talk to and to hold is no longer here. That man is out there in the heart of the Burial Mound trapped in the Cold embrace of the Crystal Clear Pillar of Ice, continuing his Slumber until his Soul becomes whole for him to live again.
The Gods have been merciful to keep his Father from falling in the hands of death, so for now... he had to work hard to find the Flowers that Hold his Father’s Fragmented Soul.
“I’ll save you this time... Father...” Wei Wuxian said as he held the journal close to his chest.
TO BE CONTINUED