Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Jin Ling stared at the sword in his hand. It belonged to his father, long ago.It still looked too big for his hand, no matter how much he grew. He was turning sixteen that day, and would finally be seen as an adult by the cultivation world. Well, officially he would be seen as an adult, but he knew the people around him would never see him as such. He could be grayed and hunched and anyone still alive would treat him like the same child they watched grow up in the halls of Carp Tower.

He was going to prove to them that he was not a child.

In a few hours, he would sit through the agonizing birthday party that his Uncle Guangyao so carefully planned for him. He did the same thing every year, but this year was going to be much bigger. Jin Ling wished he could just go to Lotus Pier and spend his birthday with his other Uncle, who disliked fanfare as much as he did. The few times he managed to go to Yunmeng to celebrate, it had been calm and small, with just a few small cakes from the market and a spicy meal shared between him and his Uncle.

His Uncle Wanyin had asked for him to come to Yunmeng after his Lanling celebration, and he agreed despite what he had planned. Tonight he would celebrate in Lanling, and the morning after he would celebrate in Yunmeng, and then he would go.

“Young Master? Are you almost ready?” A servant knocked on his door. He was going to become sect leader exactly a month after his birthday. Uncle Guangyao was already planning that event, and had been planning it since before even starting the planning for his birthday event.

“Just a few more minutes.” He called out. He heard shuffling as the servant left his door. He sighed, glancing over to his bed. There were four Qiankun pouches under the mattress, each packed with certain things. One with food, preserved for a long journey. One with clothing, bandages, blankets and a thick cloak. One with supplies, like money, a knife, rope, blank talismans and the like. One was still empty, but that was because Uncle Jiang always taught him the importance of being prepared. Just in case.

He was going to leave. His entire life, he had heard stories of young, brave cultivators who went out to Yiling, only to never be heard from again.

For years, young cultivators who thought they were strong enough to face the Yiling Laozu would leave their home and travel to the Burial Mounds, where the infamous demon had been secluded for the last sixteen years, only to disappear as if they never existed in the first place.

The Yiling Laozu - Wei Wuxian.

The name made Jin Ling’s skin crawl. The Yiling Laozu had killed his Father. He had killed his Mother. He was the reason Jin Ling was an orphan. The reason so many people died during the Battle at the SunScorched palace. It was only after that battle, where his own sister died at his hands, did the demon flee to Yiling and lock himself in the Burial Mounds, never to be directly heard from again.

Of course, there had been whispers. Those whispers were the only thing keeping the flame of hope alive. The only thing keeping the perverse sacrifices going, even though there had never been any sign of success.

Wei Wuxian was a killer. He was a cold blooded murderer who had forsaken his family and morals to develop Demonic Cultivation. He was the worst person to walk the earth, and he was Jin Ling’s uncle.

Which was why Jin Ling was going to be the one to succeed. So many people have attempted to kill the Demon, but Jin Ling was going to be the one to succeed. He would go to Yiling, kill Wei Wuxian and return to become Sect Leader.

No one would be able to look down on him again. No one would be able to treat him like a child. He would be Sect Leader Jin, Demon Slayer.

“Young Master Jin?” Another knock at his door.

“I’ll be right out.” Jin Ling called back. He gripped Suihua tightly as he looked at himself one last time in the mirror.

He was dressed in his finest robes, and he hated it. He used to love dressing up and flaunting his status. He thought having adults bow to him was the best thing in the world, because what other child had sect leaders and elders showing them such respect? It was only when he was given the responsibility to make a big decision for the sect, and was completely undermined the moment he left the room, that he realized it was not real respect.

Jin Ling would show them he was worthy of their respect. He would force them to acknowledge his power and prestige. Never again would they scoff at him for his age.

“Ah, A-Ling,” Uncle Guangyao smiled warmly as Jin Ling walked up to him. “I was just about to come for you! The celebration is about to begin.”

“Sorry for making you wait Uncle,” He gave the man a cordial smile. He wondered if his Uncle could tell his smile wasn’t genuine, or if he was pointedly ignoring his nephew’s disdain for celebrations. “Are we ready to go in?”

“Happy birthday, A-Ling.” Jin Guangyao pulled his nephew into a hug and Jin Ling allowed himself - just for a moment - to enjoy it. He was only hugged a few times a year, mostly by Uncle Wanyin. Less often by Uncle Guangyao. None of them happened often.

He tried to tell himself that he didn’t need hugs. Hugs were for children that needed to be coddled, and he was no longer a child.

He also was raised by Jin Guangyao and Jiang Wanyin. Physical affection was few and far between growing up, the only affection he received was strangled praise and expensive gifts to show their love for him.

The moment the doors to the feast hall opened, Jin Ling wanted to run. He had been trepidatious about leaving since he decided he was going to do it in the first place, but for the first time he was actually looking forward to it. Looking forward to slipping out of his home and running away from the life he had been groomed for.

“Happy birthday Young Master!” He was passed from person to person, who gave him well wishes and asked about this, that and also the next thing before he was whisked away again. He barely knew anyone there, and the people he did know he wasn’t fond of.

“Young Mistress!” A familiar voice called out. Jin Ling instantly sneered, but inside he had never been happier to see Lan Jingyi coming towards him.

“Lan Jingyi, I see you’re as loud as ever.” He scoffed, a small smile tugging at his lips.

“And I see you’re as cocky as ever,” Jingyi managed a straight face for only a single moment before he grinned wide and tugged the younger boy into a hug. Jin Ling froze for a moment, not used to contact with anyone outside of his family. “But really, you look good. I know how much you hate events like this.”

“Uncle enjoys throwing them for me, and he works so hard on stressful things, if suffering through a few feasts would give him something to look forward to, I’ll do it.”

“You’re a strong man,” Jingyi laughed, his eyes shining with amusement. “I don’t know if I could do the same.”

Jin Ling blinked. That was the first time anyone referred to him as a man, and he wasn’t sure how to feel about it. All he wanted was to be seen as an adult, but there was something about himself being related to a man that didn't sit right with him.

“How.. are you doing?” Jin Ling asked, his voice softening. Jingyi’s face instantly dropped, all mirth in his eyes being replaced with guilt and sorrow.

“I’m… doing as best as I can,” Jingyi sighed, and he suddenly looked so young. “I still find myself waiting up for him at night, as if he’ll just… sneak in and apologize for waking me and making me worry.”

Jin Ling remembered when he heard that Lan Sizhui had left for Yiling. They had discussed it, in their youth, about going off and defeating the demon Yiling Laozu, even though

Sizhui had always been silent during these conversations. Sizhui was Hanguang-Jun’s son, and everyone knew Wei Wuxian hurt Hanguang-Jun in such an abominable way that he went into seclusion for three full years after the Yiling Laozu hid himself in the Burial Mounds.

Lan Sizhui had been the strongest Lan cultivator of his generation. They whispered that if anyone would have a chance to succeed, it would be Lan Sizhui. The cultivation world was trembling when Hanguang-Jun actually approved his son’s quest. He had left almost five months ago.

He vanished five months ago.

“I’m… so sorry.” He didn’t know what else to say. How do you console a friend - a peer? An acquaintance? - when his best friend disappears and is presumed murdered by a soulless demon?

“Thanks, Jin Ling,” He smiled softly. Jin Ling almost winced when the other boy used his name. He was so used to being teased that hearing Jingyi being so serious didn’t sit well with him in the slightest. “But this is your night! What are you going to do now that you’re an adult?”

“Drink.” His response was immediate. Jingyi was so shocked by the quick answer that he couldn’t hold back the barking laugh that caused several of the cultivators around them to turn and look.

“Well then, let’s get the Little Mistress a drink,” Lan Jingyi grinned and took Jin Ling’s hand, dragging him to the feasting tables. Jin Guangyao spent weeks planning the seating arrangements for the party, and Jin Ling felt bad for his Uncle seeing how it was already a mess of people sitting wherever they wanted. “What would you like?”

“Something strong.” He said without thinking. Jingyi laughed again and handed him a small cup of clear liquid.

“Hanguang-Jun brought Emperor's smile,” Jingyi whispered as if he was telling a well kept secret. “He doesn’t drink himself, but he always brings a jar when he goes to a celebration to give to the host. Sometimes he leaves a jar out on his windowsill. I don’t think I’m supposed to know, but Sizhui and I can see his jingshi from the rabbit paddock and every few weeks he puts one out like an offering.”

He laughed before his eyes widened and the laugh stopped short. Jin Ling caught his slip at the same time. They fell silent, holding their cups awkwardly.

“I, uh, didn’t think Lans drank.” He said, sipping his wine. It burned the back of his throat but warmed his stomach in ways no hot meal could.

“Normally we don’t, but I’ve had a decent amount of practice recently.” Jingyi gave a pained smile, downing his cup in a single gulp and refilled it just as fluidly. Jin Ling winced again. He didn’t blame the other boy in the slightest.

“Uncle is probably hunting me down,” Jin Ling said softly, scanning the crowd. Sure enough, there was Jin Guangyao, smiling as he nodded to guests and looked around the celebration with slightly furrowed brows. “I’ll find you later.”

“Happy birthday again, Little Mistress.” Lan Jingyi smiled, and it had a little more feeling behind it.

“Thanks Jingyi.” He smiled back and downed his wine before moving to intercept his Uncle.

“Jin Ling! There you are,” He smiled, as he always did. “It’s time for the toast.”

It was going to be a long night.

Jin Ling watched the water flow below the boat. It was calming - just another reason why he preferred Yunmeng over Lanling. Uncle Wanyin watched the scenery pass with a soft expression, one he rarely wore unless he was alone with his nephew.

Since Jiang Wanyin had gone to Jin Ling’s celebration, it only made sense for them to return to Lotus Pier together. He had gruffly explained the tentative plans for the evening, making sure to add that anything could be changed if Jin Ling didn’t want to do it in that aggressively caring way of his that the boy had grown so used to.

Little did he know, Jin Ling carried his qiankun pouches in his sleeves. The moment his Uncle retired for the evening, he was going to slip away. It was better this way. Yunmeng was closer to Yiling after all.

“Did you speak with Hanguang-Jun last night?” Uncle asked, breaking the silence.

“Not past a greeting, but I spent some time with Lan Jingyi,” Jin Ling could have sworn the broken look on his friend’s face was burned behind his eyelids. “It was nice for them to come.”

“I was surprised to see them at all.”

“After what happened…” Jin Ling tried not to think of Sizhui. He had done a decent job, the last five months, to not think about the fate of his friend - now that the wine had worn off and the celebration was over however…

Lan Jingyi’s eyes would haunt him.

For the first time in months, Jin Ling thought maybe going to Yiling wasn’t a good idea, if only for the fact that if it went wrong, Jingyi would lose his only other friend.

“This stays between you and me.” Jiang Wanyin said, looking pointedly at his nephew.

“Of course.” They had an agreement. They could say anything to each other, but it would never leave the room they were in. They were each other’s top confidants.

“I’ve never seen eye to eye with Lan Wangji,” He admitted, though Jin Ling always knew that. “Especially after… Wei Wuxian.”

The name made Jin Ling freeze.

“He grew even colder towards me after, and it made me wonder why,” His Uncle pulled his lips into a thin line for a moment. “I didn’t understand it for years, then Lan Sizhui left and… I think I understand now.”

“What do you mean Uncle?”

“I have reason to believe that Hanguang-Jun… his relationship with Wei Wuxian wasn’t as… bad, as everyone said it was. And Sizhui…”

“What about Sizhui?” Jin Ling was confused. Everyone knew Hanguang-Jun hated the Yiling Laozu more than anything. He stood for everything that was pure and righteous, while Wei Wuxian was the personification of evil. His Uncle sighed and rubbed his temples before letting his hands drop to his lap.

“Just once, years ago, I visited the Burial Mounds,” the man admitted. Jin Ling blinked. He never knew this… “It was… an interesting experience, but the one thing that I really remember clearly was a child.”

“A child?” Jin Ling couldn’t imagine that. The Burial Mounds were a place of such dangerous resentful energy that even the strongest cultivator would drown in it within minutes of entering. The only reason Wei Wuxian could survive there was because he was a monster. A child would NEVER have been able to live there… right?

“His name was A-Yuan, and he was the clingiest brat I’ve ever seen in my life,” Jiang Wanyin shook his head. “After Wei Wuxian sealed himself and the Wen remnants in, Hanguang-Jun went on a night hunt around Yiling. He came back days later with a child, and adopted him as his own, giving the child his surname and claim to the Lan family.”

“What are you suggesting?” Jin Ling felt cold.

“I didn’t think anything of it until recently. What did I care if Lan Wangji found and brought back a stray?” he sighed again. “But seeing last night… the look on his face when someone asked him about Sizhui was…”

“Broken?”

“Exactly,” Jiang Wanyin looked at his nephew. Jiang Wanyin was the only one who looked at Jin Ling like an equal - like someone who could understand sect business and could handle heavy news, unlike everyone at Carp Tower who still believed he needed to be coddled within an inch of his life. “And in a drunken haze, I began to wonder… what if Sizhui was that child I saw, all those years ago.”

“But how?”

“Hanguang-Jun would have had to be given permission into the Burial Mounds, spoken with Wei Wuxian and have either taken the child, or be given the child to protect or raise for whatever reason.”

“I see…” Jin Ling felt his blood boiling. If Sizhui really was this A-Yuan, that meant Wei Wuxian - that MONSTER - killed the child he sent away. Sizhui went after Wei Wuxian, and he killed him just like he killed every other kid who went after him.

Because, Jin Ling realized, that’s all who ever went to Yiling. Children. Young cultivators, because their parents were there during the Sunshot campaign, or lost loved ones to the Yiling Laozu, and because they knew the power of the Demon first hand. Their children had no idea what they were walking into, and maybe their parents hoped their kids would have more luck than they did.

Maybe they thought Wei Wuxian would go easy on a child. His books always talked of a young Wei Wuxian and his charming personality and kind heart, which was corrupted by the resentful energy. Maybe they thought Wei Wuxian would take pity on the children sent to him and allow them to return home.

But he never did, did he?

His resolve only strengthened. He was going to put an end to Wei Wuxian once and for all. For all the cultivators that have died at his hands. For all the children that have disappeared from their families.

For Lan Sizhui.

“Ah, I can see the piers.” His Uncle said, squinting into the sun. Jin Ling squinted too, and was just able to make out the docks jutting out from the reeds. A sense of home washed over him that he never once felt in Lanling.

“Thank you Uncle,” Jin Ling smiled, belly full and head fuzzy from the lotus wine. “This was a much more enjoyable evening.”

“What? Don’t like Lianfeng-Zun’s extravagant festivities?” he asked with a hint of sarcasm, causing Jin Ling to snort.

“They’re just… a lot,” He admitted, looking away. His eyes landed on the small pile of gifts given to him by his Uncle and the others at Lotus Pier. They were simpler than the gifts he was given at the night before’s celebration, but he already cherished them more. It was clear these were picked with him specifically in mind, not just what a young master might think is nice, like the others. “I know he means well, but I get tired of being shown off like a prized calf.”

“He’s always been like that,” Jiang Wanyin shook his head. “The first thing he did after being acknowledged by his father was throw a night hunt for all the sects, all on Jin Guangshan’s coin. It was one of the most extravagant hunts I’ve ever been on.”

“I’m not surprised…” he chuckled, shaking his head much like his uncle had moments before.

“You should get to bed,” His uncle said abruptly, looking out the window. The moon was high in the sky, and it hit Jin Ling how exhausted he was. “Tomorrow, we can show my disciples how a real spar should look. They’re all too cautious about hurting each other.” he scoffed a little, but Jin Ling could see the look of pride in his eyes.

His throat stung.

“Of course,” He lied, knowing full well he wasn’t going to be in Lotus Pier in the morning. He wasn’t even going to be in Yunmeng come sunrise. “I’ve been training.”

“I can tell,” His uncle turned the proud look towards him. “You’re growing quickly. Easily a few inches taller since the last time I saw you. Broader too. Looks like you’re going to take after me, thankfully. Your father was a good man, but a little on the lithe side.”

Hearing about his father usually made Jin Ling perk up, seeing how he knew next to nothing about his parents, but this time it just made him sad.

Who knows, maybe he’ll be able to meet his parents soon.

“Thank you, for everything Uncle,” Jin Ling stood and bowed, causing Jiang Wanyin to blink in surprise. “I appreciate you more than you know.”

“It was just a birthday meal,” He looked confused, glancing back to their empty bowls and cups. “I knew you didn’t want anything big so…”

“It was perfect,” His eyes began to sting. Without thinking, he threw himself at his Uncle, wrapping his arms around the man’s neck and hiding his face against the warm fabric of his purple robes. “Thank you.”

“A-Ling…” Jiang Wanyin froze for only a heartbeat before pulling his nephew into a tight embrace. It was rare that Jin Ling initiated physical contact. In fact, he seemed to shy away from it, just as Jiang Wanyin did, but there was something desperate in the hug that made the man’s heart ache.

“G-goodnight Uncle,” He pulled back, smiling and wiping his eyes a little. “Sleep well.”

“Sleep well, A-Ling.” Jiang Wanyin gifted his nephew with one of his rare smiles as the boy bowed again and left the room.

“I’m sorry.” he whispered to himself as he slipped into his room. He would leave just before dawn, to arrive in Yiling at normal time, which meant he had a few hours to sleep before he had to leave.

Jin Ling laid his head down on the soft pillow that smelled like lotus blossoms and childhood for what would most likely be the last time and sighed.

It didn’t matter if he came back. Uncle Guangyao had a handle on the Jin sect, and would run it much better than he would. The Jin elders would be pleased to not have to take orders from a child...

As long as he killed Wei Wuxian, it didn’t matter what happened to him.

Jin Ling closed his eyes and let his breathing steady. Before he knew it, he was fast asleep.

Jin Ling was almost surprised at how easily he was able to sneak out of his rooms. There wasn’t a single servant, it seemed, in the entirety of the Pier. He slipped through the front gate and down the empty streets. The market would begin to open soon, but for the moment it was quiet as death.

He faced Yiling, drew Suihua, and mounted his father’s sword. The night air whipped around him as he flew, but that didn’t deter him.

In the dark, the landscape flew by faster and faster, the ground below him a blur of black and grey. He wondered how the trip would have been in the daytime. He wondered what Sizhui had been thinking as he flew towards Yiling, five months prior.

He wondered what went through the heads of all the cultivators that went before him. He wondered if they said goodbye to their families knowing they would never see them again.

The town of Yiling came into sight just as the sun was cresting the horizon. He knew his Uncle would not be awake for at least another two or three hours, and that was on a good day. He made sure the man drank twice as much as him in order to keep him in bed longer. To keep his absence hidden longer.

He touched down just outside of town. He was glad he packed ordinary robes in his pouch before leaving Lanling, because his golden sect robes would have stood out like a shining beacon against the earth toned clothing of the citizens of Yiling.

He felt naked without his vermilion mark and golden accents. The small golden bells in his hair were gone, his high ponytail replaced with his hair being left down, a small half bun on the top of his head. No rings on his fingers, no pigment on his face. He looked nothing like himself, and he was almost sure his Uncle wouldn’t immediately recognize him if they were to bump into each other. He wrapped Suihua in a waterproof cloth, hiding the white and gold sheath from sight. It would have given him away instantly.

He slipped into the already bustling marketplace, no one looking twice at him as he wove in between the citizens and stalls. He knew the way to the Burial Mounds, but he was hit with the overwhelming need to know something.

“Excuse me,” he approached a man selling roasted nuts. “This might be an odd question but did you see a young man in white robes come through here, about five months ago?”

The man’s eyes widened in recognition and instantly forced a small smile.

“You’re one of those, aren’t you?” He hummed, busying himself with filling a bag with roasted nuts.

“One of those?”

“One of the cultivators heading towards the Burial Mound.” He looked at him with a strange look that Jin Ling couldn’t read. He was silent for a moment as he handed the boy the bag of nuts. Jin Ling just nodded in confusion.

“Um…?”

“I wish you the best of luck then, young master,” There was an emotion in his voice that Jin Ling couldn’t name, and it unsettled him greatly. “These are for a friend. You’ll know how that is when you meet him, don’t worry.”

“You want me to… deliver nuts?” Jin Ling was stunned. He wanted to know about Sizhui, and now he was on a side quest?

“I saw your friend by the way,” The man said with a smile. “I sent him away with some as well. He’ll treat you well.”

“He?”

“Good luck Young Master.” The man said again, smiling more. Jin Ling couldn’t help but look at him oddly before bowing and leaving. The bag of roasted nuts was still warm in his hands and his heart was heavy in his chest.

Jin Ling took a deep breath and walked towards the edge of town. He noticed how the booths began to thin out the closer to the Burial Mounds he got, though he also noticed that no one seemed on edge. In fact, no one in Yiling seemed uneasy at all. They were all chatting and laughing and interacting as if there was a demon hovering over their lives, just a twenty minute walk outside of their border.

He saw people glancing at him as he walked through the marketplace, and he was almost sure he saw them smiling. Before he could confirm it though, they looked away and continued with what they were doing.

“Kill Wei Wuxian, bring Suzhui’s body to Gusu, return home.” he whispered to himself as he left the town behind and began to climb the mountain.

The hike was.... Nice, actually. He was expecting dead trees and feral animals, but the forest was teeming with life. Birds sang above him and once a rabbit darted across his path, causing him to pause and watch the small creature’s nose wriggle in his direction before hopping away again.

The closer he got, the more the forest began to look how he imagined it from the beginning. The trees began to become short, bare, dark, as if there had been a fire. The foliage grew thinner and the bird song turned into the cawing of large black crows perched on twisted branches.

He felt his hands begin to tremble as he came across a large stone arch. There seemed to be a red barrier shimmering across the opening and a small pile of fruits placed on the large rock just in front of the arch.

“Shit…” He whispered to himself. A barrier was not part of his plan. How was he going to get inside now?

“You were right Senior Wei,” A voice called from beyond the barrier. “There’s some shitty brat standing there.”

“Ah, don’t be rude A-Mei.” A man and a boy came around the corner and stopped a short distance from Jin Ling.

“I’m here for Wei Wuxian!” Jin Ling shouted, pulling the cloth off of Suihua. The man’s eyebrows furrowed for a moment at the sword. “I’m here to end his evils once and for all, and to get revenge for my friend!”

The man blinked before chuckling sadly.

“Did your parents send you?” He asked as he waved his hand. The barrier fell with a hiss and he gestured for Jin Ling to step forward.

“They tried to stop me, actually,” he spat, anger growing inside of him. Who was this man to patronize him? “But I’m going to be the one to end this game that the Yiling Laozu is playing with the cultivation world.”

“Game?” The man chuckled before turning. “Come on A-Mei, let’s show our guest some hospitality.”

“Why should we?” The boy spat. “He came to kill you! We should kill him first.”

“What have I said, Xue Changmei?” The man - Wei Wuxian, he realized belatedly - said to the boy. For the first time since he showed up, Wei Wuxian sounded cross. After a heartbeat, he turned back to Jin Ling with wide eyes. “Do I smell Uncle’s roasted nuts?”

Jin Ling nodded dumbly, handing over the still warm bag. He watched dumbly as Wei Wuxian did a little wiggle dance in place as he opened the bag and tossed a nut into his mouth, catching it and chewing it with a smile that reminded Jin Ling of a content cat.

Xue Changmei grumbled but didn’t say anything else. Wei Wuxian smiled and gestured for Jin Ling to follow him, munching on the nuts as he walked.

He must be in shock, because why else would he follow the one man he had set out to kill farther into his own domain? The Burial Mounds would be his grave, and he was walking directly into it.

“Senior Wei!” A chorus of voices called out as they approached… a town?

“Ah, you’re awake!” Wei Wuxian cried with a smile, running and scooping a small child into his arms. He pressed a sloppy raspberry against the child’s cheek, causing him to giggle loudly.

“Xian-ge, who is new brother?” The boy asked, looking at Jin Ling.

“I’m not sure yet, A-Leng,” Wei Wuxian nuzzled the boy’s cheek before carefully putting him down and turning back to Jin Ling. “Would you like some tea?”

“Um…” His Uncle would have scolded him for stuttering, but his Uncle wasn’t there. Neither were his words, it seemed.

Jin Ling found himself following Wei Wuxian further into the strange town. Looking around, he found himself shocked over and over again. He was surprised at how many boys who looked to be around his age there were. They were all dressed like Wei Wuxian, in earthy tones and rough fabrics. There were small plots of crops between the houses, which were small but well kept. In the distance he could see larger fields with figures tending to them. He saw women sewing and weaving and cooking, and men working with tools to build and repair various buildings and furniture. He even saw two men working on making leather a fair distance from the houses.

It was a community. Jin Ling was told it was a wasteland of death and resentful energy, yet he saw children playing and women doing laundry and people living their lives normally. They were normal people, living a normal life.

Except each and every one of them stopped to smile and wave at Wei Wuxian as they walked past. A few called out greetings, which the man returned with a wide grin, promising to stop by later to chat. He even reminded a few people to pick up medication from someone named Wen Qing, or asking about a sick family member.

If Jin Ling didn’t know any better, he would say Wei Wuxian was like a sect leader. A well loved, respected leader that was personable and humble.

“Here, this is my place. Make yourself at home.” Wei Wuxian said, pulling a cloth door aside to show a deep cave filled to the brim with papers and wooden things and simple furniture.

“Why do you live in a cave if everyone else has a house?” Jin Ling found himself asking. It seemed that all of his blood lust had drained from his body from the sheer domesticity of everything.

“This was where I stayed when I first came here,” Wei Wuxian gestured to the small table, where two worn cushions for them to sit on. “As the town evolved, I guess I just found I was more comfortable in the Demon Slaughtering Cave.”

“Demon Slaughtering cave?” He couldn’t help but snort.

“Ironic, isn’t it?” Wei Wuxian chuckled. “Wen Qing used to try to bully me into changing the name but I refused. Wen Qing tried to bully me into moving into the actual town too, but I resisted.”

“Yiling Laozu, why did you kill all those cultivators that came here?” Jin Ling asked, his hands shaking against his lap. His situation was just really hitting him. Wei Wuxian lulled him into a sense of false security only to bring him back to his cave to kill him.

“Kill them?” Wei Wuxian blinked in confusion before his face scrunched in an unnameable emotion.

“That’s what we prepare ourselves for,” Jin Ling stared at his lap. “Training to have even the slightest chance to beat you.”

“Do you think you could kill me?” Wei Wuxian asked with a sad smile.

“I’m the strongest cultivator of my age in my sect,” Jin Ling defended himself. “I’ve been training for this since I was seven years old.”

“I meant, do you think you could bring yourself to kill at all?”

“What?” Jin Ling blinked.

“Most of the children who come to me, like you did, have never killed before,” Wei Wuxian looked close to tears, but his smile never wavered. “They were sent by their elders to fight a battle they knew they wouldn’t win. They always come so young and green. They’ve never seen real battle. Never watched their brothers be slaughtered. Never felt human blood that wasn’t theirs cooling on their skin… the most they know are night hunts, closely monitored for safety reasons, then are sent out here to- to find a demon and kill him…”

“What are you implying?”

“I’m so sorry they made you think you had to do this,” Wei Wuxian finally looked him in the eye, his own close to overflowing. “You…. you’re so young, and I can tell you’re so strong, both morally and in your cultivation. It was… cruel of them, to make you come to fight me. I can never forgive them for callously wasting the lives of their future for- for a long dead prejudice against a long dead man.”

“Baba, I’ve brought the tea and cakes,” Someone said from outside of the curtain door. “Uncle Ning is back on his baking kick so there’s going to be cakes after dinner and most likely for breakfast as well.”

The person pushed through the curtain, holding a large tray with a teapot, cups and snacks.

“Ah, A-Yuan you’re my favorite child.” Wei Wuxian’s face lightened almost instantly, grinning at the boy.

“I’m technically your only child.” He put the tray down. Now that he was close enough to the other boy, he noticed that he looked very familiar to him.

“S-Sizhui?” Jin Ling gasped, his chest feeling like it concave completely. Sizhui blinked at him, his head tilting a little as he scanned his face. Jin Ling saw the moment the recognition sparked through his eyes.

“Jin Ling?” Sizhui gasped, looking as though he wasn’t sure if he wanted to be happy or horrified.

“Jin… Ling?” Wei Wuxian stared at him as if he started sprouting wings.

“How… how could you leave?” he found himself asking his friend. “How could you leave Jingyi? How could you leave Hanguang-Jun?” He didn’t mean to shout, but he found his voice rising in volume the more he spoke.

“Jin Ling, I-”

“Jingyi started drinking,” He cut Sizhui off. The other boy paled, his eyes widening in shock. “He’s been drinking because his best friend is gone and Hanguang-Jun…”

“Lan Zhan?” Wei Wuxian looked almost as horrified as Lan Sizhui.

“He looked so sad at my birthday celebration…” He dropped to a whisper. “Someone asked about you and he almost started crying.”

“Father was crying?” Sizhui asked, sounding broken. “But he was the one…”

“Jin Ling, I think there was a bit of a misunderstanding,” Wei Wuxian smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “Lan Zhan sent A-Yuan here to live with me for a few years. He wanted A-Yuan to… to know his family. I felt so guilty that I sent him away as a child, but I couldn’t care for him properly. I knew Lan Zhan would have been able to give him a better life.”

“Why didn’t you tell anyone?”

“Father and Baba both told me to keep it a secret,” Sizhui looked down. “They said if the cultivation world found out that the cultivators that came to Yiling were not only alive, but living in the Burial Mounds, they would stage a siege to get them back.”

“I don’t force them to stay but I do offer them a safe place to live,” Wei Wuxian shook his head. “They’re always so scared to go home a failure. So many of them said they were told to bring back my head or don’t come home at all. They can leave at any time, but they decided to stay and make a life here.”

“If the cultivation world found out they were here, they would try to force them to go back and blame Baba for kidnapping their children.”

“So you’ve… been adopting them?” Jin Ling felt as though everything he knew had been turned on its head.

“Giving them a place where they feel like they can belong without any pressure to be better than the next person,” Wei Wuxian took a deep breath. “But you…”

“What about me?” Jin Ling snapped, sounding so much like his Uncle Wanyin that it almost hurt.

“You look so much like her,” Wei Wuxian whispered. He reached his hand out, as if to run a thumb across Jin Ling’s cheekbone, but stopped. He let his hand drop back on his lap with such a heartbreaking expression that Jin Ling felt his eyes sting. “Look like Shijie, and sound exactly like Jiang Cheng.”

He chuckled, but his face was so filled with pain. His eyes were unfocused, as if he was looking at something far away,

“I’ve been told I sound too much like Uncle Wanyin,” he said, feeling a little shell shocked. “Uncle Guangyao’s been telling me for years that I need to practice my diplomatic voice if I want to succeed as sect leader.”

“How… how is Jiang Cheng doing?” Wei Wuxian almost sounded scared to ask.

“Fine, though he’s probably in the middle of tearing Yunmeng apart as we speak,” He winced at the chaos that must be ensuing back in Lotus Pier. “Maybe I shouldn’t have gotten him drunk last night…”

“You got him drunk and snuck out to face a man no one has been able to touch in decades?” Wei Wuxian asked, his voice deadpan. Jin Ling flushed but nodded once, looking down at the tray before them.

A loud, ringing laugh startled him so badly that his knee hit the table, causing the slightly chipped tea set to rattle.

“Ah, I’m sorry A-Ling but that’s just…” He lost himself to laughter once more. “We may not be related by blood but you still somehow inherited my ability to piss Jiang Cheng off! Just picturing his face… he must be as purple as his robes!”

“Baba, maybe you should write to Sect Leader Jiang,” Sizhui said, his mouth turning up with a slight smile. In the five months since his disappearance, he had changed. He was tanner, and Jin Ling could see the remaining baby fat on his cheeks was completely gone, replaced with toned muscles from working in the fields with the others, he assumed.

“Shit, you’re right,” Wei Wuxian rubbed the side of his nose and pouted a little. “Out of everyone who’s come to me, you’re the one person I can’t allow to stay.”

“Why not?” He heard himself ask before he even thought about what to say. They all froze, shocked at the sudden question.

“Well you’re the heir to the Jin sect,” Wei Wuxian let out an awkward chuckle. “You have to go back. I can’t let you stay. If you disappeared, there would be an army at my doorstep within days, and as you can tell we aren’t exactly armed for a war.”

“But what would I tell them if I just… go back?” His knuckles turned white as he gripped his robes tightly.

“Maybe you can say you went on a secret night hunt?” Sizhui suggested. Jin Ling still wasn’t used to seeing the other boy without his forehead ribbon, but he could see a flash of while under his brown robe sleeve as he moved about.

“Maybe…” He muttered, but his mind was whirring faster and faster.

“Jin Ling, can I give you something?” Wei Wuxian asked softly, as if he were afraid of being rejected. The boy nodded once, confusion clear as day on his face. The man stood and went over to one of the many crates stacked around the cave. He rummaged through it for a moment before humming happily, pulling out a small bundle of cloth. He hurried back to the table and Jin Ling wondered how he was in his thirties, seeing how he acted fifteen.

He unwrapped whatever was in the cloth and Jin Ling’s curiosity got the best of him, prompting him to crane his neck a little to see.

In Wei Wuxian’s palm was what looked like a simple bracelet, with three lopsided beads threaded with dyed threads. The threads were woven to make a pattern, and the beads seemed cured with something to make them smooth and shiny.

“It’s an entrance talisman,” He said, handing the bracelet to the boy. “I may have borrowed the idea from Cloud Recesses, but it’s easier to give my kids these bracelets than to take down and replace the barrier any time they wanted to sneak out. It’s nothing compared to the I made for-” he cut himself off, and Jin Ling had the feeling it was something with a painful history behind it.

“Why are you giving me this?”

“Because even if you never use it, you have the option to come back,” Wei Wuxian’s smile faded as his eyes turned glassy. Thick tears began rolling down his thin cheeks, and both boys jumped at the sight “I… I’ve caused you so much pain… I never- I never thought I’d have the honor to meet you, and I-”

“Baba, it’s alright.” Sizhui placed a hand on Wei Wuxian’s arm.

“It’s not,” He covered his face with his hands and sobbed quietly. “It’s not okay. I… it’s all my fault, and no amount of seclusion or- or whatever the hell I’ve been doing for the last sixteen years can ever make up for it.”

He looked up and in that moment Jin Ling realized something life changing.

Those were not the eyes of a man who killed his sister and brother in law in cold blood, nor were they the eyes of someone who carelessly played with the lives of others. No, Jin

Ling saw the eyes of someone who still blamed themselves for everything. The eyes of someone who was reliving the deaths of his parents, even sixteen years later. The eyes of a man who was still punishing himself with guilt and remorse.

Wei Wuxian didn’t kill his parents on purpose. He wasn’t a demon who slaughtered his family for fun. He was just a man who couldn’t forgive himself for even a single bad thing that happened because of him.

In that moment, all sixteen years of resentment and blame drained from Jin Ling’s body. After all, what could he do to punish Wei Wuxian more than what Wei Wuxian had already been doing to himself for years?

“The bracelet will allow me to pass through the barrier?” He asked, his voice uncharacteristically quiet. Wei Wuxian sniffled, trying to get his emotions together, and nodded.

“As soon as you put it on, it’ll adhere to your spiritual energy so no one else can use it,” he wiped his face with his sleeve, and Jin Ling couldn’t help but wonder how scratchy the fabric felt against his tear-reddened cheeks. “Th-that’s why I have to keep them wrapped. I can’t let just anyone come and go. I have to protect my family and at least now I don’t have to worry about stolen bracelets.”

“What are the beads made of?” Jin Ling asked as he slipped the bracelet on. There was a faint buzzing feeling as the bracelet honed in on his core before it fell silent. He wasn’t oblivious to the tension in the room, but he was doing his best to act natural. That’s what Uncle Wanyin taught him - people who are upset or embarrassed will feel less upset or embarrassed if you act like nothing was wrong. That’s how Jin Ling was raised, his Uncle searching for him when he ran away to cry on an empty dock, sitting next to him in silence until Jin Ling leaned into his side. Then his uncle would pull him into a hug and let him finish crying into his chest. He never pushed Jin Ling to talk, or tried to cheer him up. He just let him cry, or scream, or hit the training dummies until he was feeling better.

“Lotus seeds,” Wei Wuxian’s smile looked a little more genuine. “It took… a few years to properly grow them here. Unfortunately, they’re very different from the ones back home- back in Lotus Pier, but they’re pretty nonetheless.”

The slip wasn’t lost on Jin Ling. Wei Wuxian still considered Lotus Pier his home, but believed he had no right to call it that. He wondered what his Uncle would say to that...

And with that, Jin Ling began to form a plan.

“You’ll have to leave soon, but would you like to stay for an early lunch?” Sizhui asked, holding the plate of cakes out to Jin Ling.

“Lunch couldn’t hurt.” he said casually, taking one and biting into it immediately.

It was still faintly warm, and reminded him of something he couldn’t quite name.

“Where have you been?” Jiang Wanyin asked, his voice low and calm. Jin Ling instantly froze - his uncle was known for being rash and loud, acting on his emotions before thinking them through. A quiet, level Jiang Wanyin was dangerous because it meant he had time to stew in his rage.

“Uh, a night hunt?” he could have smacked himself. After all the time Sizhui and Senior Wei - he didn’t really feel comfortable calling his Uncle by his courtesy name so easily - took to help him think of a cover story, he instantly blew it by hesitating.

“A night hunt?” His uncle was sitting on the edge of a dock, his foot dangling over the edge, just barely above the water. “A night hunt where?”

“Y-Yiling.” He flinched. He was so used to being honest with Uncle Wanyin that it just slipped out. His other uncle, he was better at holding his tongue with, but Uncle Wanyin always drilled it into him that he could trust him, no matter what.

“Yiling, huh?” He still didn’t turn around. Jin Ling wondered how he knew which dock to wait at to ambush him as he snuck back into Lotus Pier, just as the last colors of twilight retired for the night.

“Y-yeah, and I’m really tired so um, I’m just gonna-” He tried to sidle away, but was stopped by a blur of purple.

Before he had time to blink, Jiang Wanyin was holding him tightly, pressing the back of his head with a trembling hand, his other arm wrapped around Jin Ling’s lower back.

“You fucking idiot,” His Uncle whispered, his voice weak. Jin Ling could feel heat seeping into his robes and realized with a jolt that his Uncle - ever strong, ever brave - was crying. Crying, because of him. “I thought… I thought you had gone to the Burial Mounds… I thought you were gone…”

“Uncle…” Jin Ling stared over his Uncle’s shoulder in shock, not really seeing anything.

“I can’t lose you too,” Somehow, his voice became even softer as his embrace tightened around him. “I can’t… not you too. I can’t survive losing you too.”

“Uncle, I’m so sorry,” How did he not think this would happen? He knew his Uncle was lonely. He knew he still got drunk, the names of his family - all long gone - on his lips. Jin Ling knew he was the last family his uncle had left, and he left. He gripped the back of his Uncle’s robes tightly, holding onto him just as hard as his uncle was holding on to him. “I just…”

“You’re so fucking dead,” His uncle growled, tears running faster down his cheeks, soaking into Jin Ling’s shoulder. “As soon as I can think properly, you’re dead meat.”

“There’s something important I need to talk to you about,” Jin Ling said, pulling back slightly. “Really important.”

“Rest first,” Jiang Wanyin swallowed thickly, pretending he wasn’t still silently crying. “We can talk in the morning.”

“Yes Uncle,” he bowed deep before turning towards his rooms, only to be stopped by a hand on his wrist. “What-?’

“Uh…” His Uncle blinked at him, as if surprised by his own actions. For the briefest of moments, Jin Ling saw vulnerability flash through the man’s stormy grey eyes.

“Uncle?” Jin Ling let himself take a step back towards the man.

“Yes?”

“Can I stay with you tonight?” Jin Ling didn’t necessarily like the idea of being alone to begin with, but he could tell his Uncle needed him close more than anything in that moment. The relief on the man’s face was so instantaneous that it pained Jin Ling.

“Of course, A-Ling.” His Uncle dropped his wrist. They fell silent for a moment before they both walked towards the sect leader chambers.

It had been years since Jin Ling stayed the night with his Uncle. The last time had been before his tenth birthday, when there had been a violent thunderstorm and he had been too afraid to sleep alone. Uncle Wanyin had let him burrow in next to him, taking up only a small portion of the large bed.

They didn’t speak as they prepared for bed. Jin Ling didn’t realize how exhausted he was until his body hit the bed, but the second his head touched the pillow his eyes fell shut and his chest almost hurt from how soft the mattress was under him.

“When did you get this bracelet?” His uncle asked before blowing out the final candle.

“I’ll explain tomorrow.” He muttered, already mostly asleep. His Uncle didn’t say anything more. He blew out the candle, leaving them in almost complete darkness. The only light came from the small circular window on the other side of the room that let in the moonbeams to dance along the worn flooring.

Jin Ling leaned towards the warmth of his Uncle, but he was fast asleep before he could feel Jiang Wanyin pull him closer, wrapping the blankets tighter around his shoulders.

Chapter Text

“I see…” His Uncle was very quiet. It had taken him the better part of the morning to recount what he had seen in the Burial Mounds, and Jin Ling genuinely did not know what kind of reaction to expect.

“So… What do you think?” Jin Ling fidgeted in his seat. It seemed as though his Uncle was pinning him in place.

“It’s going to be a challenge.”

“I understand that.”

“Do you have a plan?” Jiang Wanyin looked at his tea, looking almost disinterested, which made Jin Ling even more nervous.

“Wait, so you trust me?” He blinked, shock stinging his chest.

“Is it really that hard to believe that?” Jiang Wanyin scoffed before falling silent for a second, as if he was thinking deeply. “Jin Ling, you’re probably the one person in the entire cultivation world that I trust wholly. If you truly think this is the best course of action, I will support you completely.”

“I just can’t believe they lied to us, this whole time.”

“So all those cultivators, they’re alive?” His Uncle confirmed once again, as if he couldn’t understand what his nephew had said.

“Not only alive, but thriving.”

“We can write to the sect leaders and send messengers out immediately,” Jiang Wanyin shuffled through some papers, grabbing some blank pieces and his brush set. “We should send separate letters to Zewu-Jun and Hanguang-Jun.”

“Don’t send one to Uncle Guangyao.” Jin Ling said suddenly, causing his Uncle to pause.

“Oh?”

“I’ll be sect leader in a month, so that’s when we’ll make the final decision.” Jin Ling’s face was controlled and calm.

“You don’t think he’ll agree.” It wasn’t a question.

“I don’t think he’d listen easily,” Jin Ling knew he was right. He knew Jin Guangyao. He would try to push the discussions off and step around taking a position in order to keep the peace, just like his father had during the Sunshot campaign. He wouldn’t want to ruffle feathers, which in itself would do just that. “Between the two of us, we’re already halfway there. All we would need to do is convince Sect Leader Nie and Hanguang-Jun.”

“Because if Hanguang-Jun agrees, Zewu-Jun will too.” Jiang Wanyin gave his nephew an appraising smirk. The boy had really thought this through. He knew the boy would be a good leader - he had the brains for strategy. He was so proud of him.

“And I have the feeling Sect Leader Nie would be easy to convince as well.” Jin Ling nodded.

“That head shaker?” he couldn’t help but scoff. “He probably wouldn’t know what’s going on in the first place.”

“Uncle…” Jin Ling blinked. He may have been a child, but he didn’t miss the glare in Nie Huaisang’s eyes as he scanned a room. He noticed how quickly the supposed useless man could switch his expressions at the drop of a hat. He saw that there was more to the man, and it was almost shocking that his Uncle so easily disregarded him.

“Well, he’s a little soft but I’m sure he’ll agree.” Jiang Wanyin nodded to himself, pulling out another blank piece of parchment.

“Are you helping me because you want to help me, or because you want to help him?” Jin Ling asked, his voice soft. He had been so relieved that his Uncle was on his side that he didn’t question it at first, but then he remembered.

He remembered how Jiang Wanyin spoke of Wei Wuxian. He remembered how history claimed Jiang Wanyin had almost killed his brother, the only reason the Yiling Laozu survived was because Sandu struck the rocks. Hanguang-Jun had dragged Wei Wuxian up, and then he vanished into the Burial Mounds.

“Jin Ling, I’ll be honest with you,” His Uncle sighed, and for the first time he saw the man as old. He always saw his Uncle as ageless, eternally in the prime of his life, but he looked so tired all of sudden. “What happened between me and Wei Wuxian… I really don’t think anything will be able to mend that rift. I’ll do this for you, because no one will believe that I’m doing it for him.”

“Do you want to do it for him?”

“It’s been sixteen years since I’ve seen my brother,” He looked at his hands, which had stilled on his desk. “The last time I saw him, I almost killed him. The time before that, I accused him of forsaking our family. If I could go back and- and apologize, I absolutely would. Mother and Father are gone. A-Jie is gone. All I have left is you and him, and he probably wouldn’t want to see me ever again.”

“He asked about you,” Jin Ling blurted out. Jiang Wanyin’s eyes widened, weakness and hope swirling in his eyes as he stared at his nephew, silently begging him to explain. Silently praying it wasn’t a joke. “He asked how you were doing. He also called Lotus Pier his home, but he… corrected himself.”

“Corrected himself.” It wasn’t a question. His voice sounded hollow.

“He looked almost scared when he realized what he said.”

“That idiot…” Jiang Wanyin covered his face with his hand. A silence fell over them, and Jin Ling wondered what was going through his Uncle’s head.

“We should write those letters.” He said softly, breaking the silence.

“Mm.” He handed the boy some paper and a brush, and after that the only sound in the room was brush strokes against parchment.

“A-Ling!” Wei Wuxian’s grin widened somehow as he caught sight of golden robes hiking up the trail from the stone arch. Jin Ling had wondered what to wear for longer than he would like to admit, but in the end he went in his usual attire, complete with hair bells and vermilion mark. He did not have to sneak around anymore, so there was no point in a disguise.

“Senior Wei,” Jin Ling bowed, only to have the man awkwardly pull him back up again. “I hope you’ve been well?”

“A thousand times better now that you’re here!” He crowed happily, pulling Jin Ling into a crushing hug. It was nothing like the hugs from his other uncles. Jin Guangyao hugged him in brief bursts, the embrace almost cordial. Jiang Wanyin hugged him as if it were a secret, as if he were afraid to show weakness to anyone other than Jin Ling.

Wei Wuxian hugged him like nothing else mattered. He didn’t care that the town was bustling around them, or that A-Leng tugged at the hems of his robes, demanding his own hugs from his Xian-gege. Wei Wuxian hugged him as if there were no titles or responsibilities between them. As if he weren’t the Yiling Laozu, and Jin Ling wasn’t the heir to the Jin Sect. Wei Wuxian hugged him as if they were simply Uncle and Nephew.

“I’m glad to see the bracelet worked!” Wei Wuxian tugged Jin Ling through the town. “I’m always worried something might go wrong.”

“And for good reason,” A slight woman came stomping over to them, a scowl on her beautiful face. Jin Ling felt himself blushing a little. “What the ever loving HELL did you do to the tonics?”

“The ones for the children?” Wei Wuxian asked innocently, as if the impish curl of his mouth didn’t instantly give him away.

“No, the ones for Lil’ Apple,” She responded sarcastically. “Of COURSE the ones for the children! What did you do?”

“Nothing!” Wei Wuxian put his hands up as if to defend himself from a blow - as if this woman that barely came up to his chest could possibly do him any harm. Her glare sharpened and Jin Ling suppressed a chuckle as his uncle quickly backtracked. “Well… I just added some harmless pigments! I thought the kids would be more willing to take their medicine if it turned their tongues fun colors…”

“Wei Wuxian…” The woman pinched her brow. “Why didn’t you just TELL me that? Poor A-Han came to me sobbing, thinking she was dying because her mouth was green.”

“I’m sorry Wen Qing,” Wei Wuxian shuffled his feet a little and looked at her like a child that had been thoroughly scolded. “I didn’t mean to cause problems…”

Wen Qing stared hard at him for a long moment before sighing heavily and turning her attention onto Jin Ling, who was standing close by, watching the entire interaction.

“Golden robes, red mark,” She appraised him with a raised brow. “Jin clan, high ranking. How did you manage to adopt this one?”

“Ah, Wen Qing!” His face instantly lit up. He took Jin Ling by the shoulders and pushed him forward. “This is Jin Ling! He’s my nephew.”

Jin Ling’s chest hurt when he realized what Wei Wuxian said. He called Jin Ling his nephew with such pride. He didn’t mention he was heir. He didn’t mention anything about his title. He was simply proud to be his Uncle.

“Jin… Ling?” Wen Qing’s gaze flicked to Wei Wuxian, a faint hint of panic reflecting back at them.

“Yeah… never thought I’d be able to introduce you two,” Wei Wuxian’s voice was heavy as his hand on Jin Ling’s shoulder tightened the slightest bit. “After everything that happened…”

“Wei Wuxian, are you still having those nightmares?” She asked, concern painted on her every word. Jin Ling quickly looked behind him and saw the same far away look on his Uncle's face that he had seen the first time he had visited.

“They’re not as bad anymore,” He said, his voice soft and vulnerable. “You don’t have to worry about it.

“Of course I’m going to worry,” She scowled, but Jin Ling could hear how worried she was. “If you collapse again-”

“Let’s not talk about that now,” Wei Wuxian forced a smile as he cut Wen Qing off, and Jin Ling thought the expression looked pained. “I wanted to show Jin Ling around a little more. He wasn’t able to get the full tour last time.”

“Well, if you see A-Ning tell him to come see me,” Wen Qing said, brushing nonexistent dirt off her robes, pretending as if the exchange between the two of them just then didn’t happen at all. “I have some things I need help with, and he’s the only one who can do it properly.”

“Will do!” Wei Wuxian took Jin Ling’s hand and bowed quickly before turning back towards the town. He spoke quickly, pointing in every direction. “This is the bakery. Wen Ning spends a lot of time here. He can’t really taste anything anymore, but the kids are more than willing to test out whatever he makes,” He said, pointing to one of the larger buildings. “Here is the bath house, Wen Qing’s suggestion. The tubs for laundry are on the other side. We dug canals from the rivers that run through the Burial Mounds to bring water directly into the building! This is where we normally gather to eat. It could be considered an Inn if we ever had foot traffic, but since we don’t we just gather for meals and entertainment.”

Jin Ling was amazed. For as little resources as they had, the residents of the Burial Mounds managed to construct an entire town from nothing. Wei Wuxian prattled on, pointing out the small school, the training fields, the crop fields, the archery range, Wen Qing’s infirmary, the small library that mostly contained books that he himself had written, along with things that the children of the town had picked up on their travels. There was a paddock for livestock, though at the moment there was only a handful of chickens, two dairy cows and a bad tempered donkey that tried to nip at Jin Ling as they walked past.

“Senior Wei!” A voice called just as they finished their tour. Coming from the direction of the training grounds was Sizhui, who was lending a shoulder to another boy around their age who seemed to have injured his leg. His robes were stained red, but Jin Ling could already tell the wound had stopped bleeding.

“A-Yuan! A-Zhen!” Wei Wuxian cried, rushing to their sides. He immediately helped the injured boy from Sizhui’s shoulder to his own. “What happened?”

“Senior Wei!” Another boy came running at them, tears streaming down his face. He was clearly older than Jin Ling was, but his slight frame and large doe eyes made him seem much younger. “A-Yu is sorry! He did not mean to injure Zizhen!”

“A-Yu, you did this?” Wei Wuxian looked at the boy with a blank expression. A-Yu was shaking and looking anywhere but Wei Wuxian.

“It was an accident, Baba.” Sizhui chimed in, a kind smile on his face as he placed a comforting hand on the crying boy’s back.

“Xuanyu-ge tripped,” Zizhen said. He sounded fairly cheery for someone who was just bleeding from a sword wound. Jin Ling instantly liked him. “It was really my fault for not paying attention. I was focused on trying to balance my sword by the hilt.”

“A-Zhen, how many times do I have to tell you to be careful?” Wei Wuxian raised an eyebrow at the grinning boy. “If you're going to mess around, do it with things that aren’t literally made to kill.”

“Yes Senior Wei.” Zizhen said, his tone telling Jin Ling the two had had this conversation several times before, with the same results each time.

“A-Yu, can you help him to Wen Qing?” Wei Wuxian asked. Xuanyu stood up straight, his eyes watery but filled with admiration. Jin Ling wondered if he would ever do anything to warrant someone looking at him that way.

“Yes Senior Wei!” Xuanyu bowed hastily before taking Zizhen from the man and helping him hobble towards the infirmary.

“Are things always this chaotic?” Jin Ling asked, eyebrows raised.

“Pretty much,” Sizhui chuckled,a fond smile on his face. “Baba, did you eat yet?”

“Ah! I knew I was forgetting something!” Wei Wuxian slammed a fist against his palm as if he had a legitimate breakthrough, causing both boys to snicker at him.

“Let’s get some lunch,” Sizhui grinned as he took Jin Ling’s hand. “I smelled Auntie making fresh bread this morning.”

Jin Ling let himself be dragged away, the bustle of the town around him only making him smile more.

“Jin-gongzi, I have to say, I was very surprised to receive your letter.” Nie Huaisang smiled warmly, the fluttering of his fan kept his long hair in constant movement.

“Thank you for making time to see me,” Jin Ling said, tone serious. “I understand it must have been troublesome.”

“Anything for the Young Master,” Nie Huaisang’s smile widened. He placed his fan to the side and poured two cups of tea for them. “Now, I have a feeling there’s something important you wish to discuss with me.”

“Sect Leader Nie, I have a proposition for you, but I humbly request that we keep this between us until we can move further with the situation.”

“Oh, you sound so mature,” Nie Huaisang chuckled a little. Jin Ling always thought Sect Leader Nie had a kind smile, the greens and golds of his robes always complimenting his eyes and hair nicely. Jin Ling flushed a little, not used to praise. “I must admit, a promise of secrecy only intrigues me further.”

“Do I have your word, Sect Leader Nie?” He asked. Nie Huaisang chuckled again, opening his fan and covering his mouth. Jin Ling saw interest as well as something less obvious dancing in his green eyes, which seemed to almost glow due to the red accents in his fan’s painting.

“Call me Sang-ge and I’ll promise.” His eyes turned up as he grinned. It took a moment for his request to sink in, but the second it did Jin Ling exploded in a hot blush. He spluttered for a moment, trying to ignore how Nie Huaisang’s laughter rose.

“F-fine,” He ground out, not sure why he felt so embarrassed. “Sang-ge.”

The fluttering of the man’s fan froze. Jin Ling looked up and felt as though the air had been pushed from his lungs. Nie Huaisang was staring at him with wide eyes, and for the first time in his memory, Jin Ling could have sworn the man’s emotions were completely genuine. A single tear worked its way down Nie Huaisang’s face, breaking him from his thoughts. He chuckled and quickly blotted the tear away before grinning at the boy.

“You know, A-Ling,” He said with another watery chuckle. “I was always the baby of the family. Even with Jiang-xiong and Wei-xiong, I was the youngest… when Da-ge died… well, he was the last of my family. I never saw myself taking a spouse, or having children… I apologize for breaking composure, but hearing you call me that made me think of my own Da-ge…”

“Sang-ge, I understand,” Jin Ling said, a small smile on his face. Nie Huaisang’s mouth parted in a small ‘o’ in shock before grinning wide. “Do you promise to keep this between us?”

“Of course A-Ling,” His grin softened. “I’m surprisingly tight lipped. No one will know a word of what is said in this room.”

“Good,” he took a deep breath. Nie Huaisang was the first to respond to his letters, so this was the first time he was making this proposition to someone that wasn’t his Uncle. “I went to Yiling, the day after my birthday, to find Wei Wuxian.”

“You didn’t…” Concern washed over the man’s features, his fan fluttering anxiously.

“I was expecting a fight. Honestly, I was expecting to be killed. As you can see, however, I didn’t encounter either.”

“Yes, you do seem to be in one piece.”

“Senior Wei and I spoke,” Jin Ling continued, mindlessly fidgeting with his bracelet. “He has not killed a single cultivator that went to Yiling. In fact, he’s practically adopted them all. He’s the impromptu leader of a sect made of women and children and young cultivators who farm and weave their own clothing.”

Nie Huaisang listened with keen eyes, and Jin Ling had the distinct feeling that the man wasn’t necessarily hearing this for the first time.

“Not that this isn’t all very intriguing,” He said, after Jin Ling talked for a little while longer, explaining his trip and detailing the village in the Burial Mounds. “But I am unsure of how I would play any part of that. I haven’t left the Unclean Realm in months and I haven’t nearly the funds that LanlingJin does.”

“I know you have much to offer, Sang-ge,” Jin Ling saw the man’s ears warm. Praise coming from a child was apparently something that ruffled Nie Huaisang’s ever calm feathers it seemed. “Children who aren’t taken seriously tend to notice more of what’s going on around them.”

“I would hardly call you a child, A-Ling.”

“And I would hardly call you useless, Sang-ge,” Jin Ling threw his words right back at him. Nie Huaisang’s eyebrows raised behind his bangs as the boy continued. “I have a plan, but I need your support. I’m going to speak with Zewu-Jun and Hanguang-Jun as soon as they respond to my letter. We have a good feeling that they will agree.”

“We?”

“Sect Leader Jiang and I have discussed this in great detail already,” Jin Ling kept his tone firm. This was not a child speaking to an adult, but rather one sect leader speaking to another. “We would simply need you and Zewu-Jun to back us and we can proceed with the plan.”

“How soon will this mysterious plan play out?” Nie Huaisang tilted his head, smiling at the boy like a proud older brother.

“The moment I become sect leader.”

“You don’t trust Jin Guangyao,” It wasn’t a question. Jin Ling felt the back of his neck burn at the accusation but couldn’t bring himself to say anything. He wouldn’t lie, but also agreeing felt wrong. Uncle Guangyao, for all his faults, had done his best to raise Jin Ling despite all his duties running the sect. Nie Huaisang watched the boy for a moment before snapping his fan closed and placing it aside once more. He looked at Jin Ling without a drop of mirth in his expression. “I’ll take your silence as a no. Good.”

“What?” Jin Ling felt like he had been doused in cold water.

“I don’t know what you’re plotting, A-Ling, and I apologize if I’m stepping on toes, but I do not trust your Uncle all that much,” Nie Huaisang folded his hands on his lap. “I don’t know… I don’t know why but I just don’t.”

“You’d be surprised how many people say that when they think no one is listening,” Jin Ling didn’t hold that opinion against the man. In fact, it made him trust Sect Leader Nie a little more. He loved his Uncle, but it took someone with certain skills to look past the saccharine smiles of Jin Guangyao. “Now, here’s the plan…”

“Jin Ling! Are you looking for Baba?” Sizhui looked surprised to see the younger boy so suddenly appear in front of him. It had taken Jin Ling a short while after his second visit to go back, but he ached to return every day apart. There was something addicting about the organized chaos - the loud love and the boisterous atmosphere that made him feel at home the moment he stepped foot in Yiling.

“I actually came to find you.”

“Oh? Did you need something?”

“Can we go into town? I wanted to look around the market,” Jin Ling asked, causing Sizhui to blink in surprise. Jin Ling had been surprised himself to find out that not only did Wei Wuxian and the residents of Yiling have a good relationship, but that the citizens treated the members of the Burial Mounds as friends and protectors.

“Of course,” he gave the younger boy a soft smile before turning to Ouyang Zizhen, who was helping him mend some reed baskets. “Tell Baba we’ll be back for dinner.”

“No problem,” Zizhen waved them off with a crooked grin. “Make sure to tell Chanling-jie I said hi.”

“Of course,” Sizhui laughed as he and Jin Ling headed towards town. “Changling-jie helps her father run the inn. Zizhen has had the biggest crush on her for about a year now. She’s obviously not interested, but it doesn’t stop him from pining.”

“I thought he liked the boy from the bookstore.” Jin Ling distinctly remembered their friend fluttering his eyes at the pretty boy who was sorting through the books of his father’s store.

“Zizhen has a large heart,” Sizhui chuckled. “And he thinks a lot of people are pretty.”

“Is that normal?” Jin Ling asked as they passed by the first handful of vendors.

“Is what normal?”

“Liking that many people?”

“It’s a personal preference,” Sizhui smiled at a merchant who waved in their direction. “It depends on the person. Do you have someone you like?”

“No, I don’t think I’ve ever had feelings like that before.” Jin Ling admitted, almost feeling ashamed. He was sixteen and had never really felt romantically attracted to anyone.

“That’s okay too,” Sizhui took his hand, his calloused fingers - rough from the guqin and from farming - were warm around his own. “You’re allowed to feel however you want.”

Jin Ling didn’t have a response to that. He let Sizhui pull him around the town, talking to more people than Jin Ling thought possible. Despite their declining, they ended up with an armful of goodies and not a cent missing from their pouches. Suzhui stored most of the gifts in his pouch before sitting on a stone step, tapping beside him for Jin Ling to sit.

He handed the younger boy a meat bun before biting into his own.

The food Jin Ling had in Yiling was so different from anything else he had ever eaten before. In Lanling, even the street food was high quality and expensive. In Yunmeng, the food was delicious, but it had a history to it. In Yiling, food was just food to be eaten with friends and nothing more. No riches or prestige. No long history or legends behind the cakes.

“So what did you want to talk about?” Sizhui asked after a few minutes of people watching. Jin Ling finished his bun before answering, not feeling overly rushed for once in his life.

“You need to write to Jingyi,” he said bluntly. “I understand why Senior Wei and Hanguang-Jun had you stay silent but he needs to know.”

“I can’t…” Sizhui sounded pained.

“You have to. It’s cruel to let him keep going like this, and you’re not a cruel person Sizhui. He wouldn’t tell anyone if you explained why, but you can’t let him continue thinking you’re dead. It’s killing him.”

“How can I, after all this time?” The older boy whispered. “It’s been five months. How can I suddenly write to him that I’m alive and everything is fine?”

“What were you planning on doing later then? Just live in the Burial Mounds for the rest of your life so no one from your old life knew you were still alive?”

“No! I would… I was going to…” He sighed heavily. “I guess I was hoping Baba’s name would be cleared at some point, so that I wouldn’t have to lie anymore but that’s such an impossible dream. Realistically, I’ll stay here until people begin to forget what I look like and go out under a fake name.”

“That’s stupid.” Jin Ling couldn’t help himself. Sizhui let out a soft chuckle.

“Yeah, well, it’s the best I have. Father gave me the option to stay in Cloud Recesses, but I wanted to know what my other family was like. He told me stories of Baba growing up, but I wanted to meet my other parent… I wanted to know about the Wens, and my past. I never could have done that if I stayed in Cloud Recesses.”

“Think about it at least,” Jin Ling pushed a little more. “If you decide you want to write to him, have Senior Wei send for me. I’ll deliver it on your behalf. I’m planning on going to Gusu in the next few days anyway.”

“What if he hates me?”

“I don’t think he could ever hate you,” Jin Ling said honestly. “Come on, I want to see if the bookstore boy is around so we can tease Zizhen when we get back.”

He held a hand out to help Sizhui to his feet. The older boy gave him a watery smile and took his hand, Jin Ling stabilizing him as he stood.

“Jin Ling, it’s a pleasure to have you visit,” Zewu-Jun welcomed the young heir with a soft smile and a bow. “I was a little surprised by your sudden request for an audience, but I could never deny such a polite letter.”

“Thank you, Zewu-Jun,” Jin Ling bowed in return. “I hope I’m not disturbing anything.”

“Oh no, things have been rather peaceful,” Zewu-Jun led them back towards the pavilion where tea was already prepared for them. Jin Ling faintly wondered how long it would take for him to be sick of tea. “Sit, please. Would you like something to eat?”

“No thank you.” Jin Ling sat and poured them both their tea. They allowed the silence to continue for a few more moments before Lan Xichen spoke again.

“I don’t wish to be rude, but was there a reason for your visit?”

“Yes, I’m just waiting.” Jin Ling sipped his tea. It was light and floral - very Gusu Lan.

“Waiting? For-” Zewu-Jun cut himself off when he saw a figure walking down the path towards them. “Brother, I was not expecting you to join us. I didn’t prepare enough cups.”

“Do not worry,” Hanguang-Jun sat at the table, his hair and robes pristine. “I received a letter from Jin-gongzi. He requested I be present for this.”

“I see…” Zewu-Jun’s eyes dragged from his brother back to Jin Ling, who was politely drinking his tea. He could see why Cloud Recesses was considered such a revered place. He could also see why Senior Wei would have been driven crazy here. The differences between GusuLan and the Burial Mounds were too many to list.

“I have a proposition, and it only seemed right that I asked both of you for permission, seeing how you are Sect Leader and Chief Cultivator,” Jin Ling placed his empty cup down silently. “You also have a more personal connection to the matter, Hanguang-Jun.”

“Mm?” Lan Wangji didn’t outright say anything, but the confusion was clear in his eyes.

“I’ve visited Wei Wuxian at the Burial Mounds a few times in the last three weeks,” He said, watching the men’s expressions. Zewu-Jun frowned in concern while Hanguang-Jun’s eyes widened minutely in panic. “I’ve spoken with Wei Wuxian and have seen what the living conditions there are.”

“Jin-gongzi, that’s very dangerous,” Zewu-Jun said softly. Hanguang-Jun schooled his face to be blank. “We’ve lost many lives to the Burial Mounds, and you have responsibility that cannot be given to just anyone.”

“That’s the thing. It’s not dangerous,” Jin Ling frowned. “In fact, it’s probably safer there than anywhere else. They have a town with a school and an infirmary. There are crop fields and good relations with the people of Yiling. The cultivators that disappear are living there quite happily. They train and help the elders of the town and do night hunts nearby. There’s trade opened between the Burial Mound and Yiling’s marketplace. There’s a dining hall and a performance troupe.”

“Why has no one gone to bring the disciples home?” Zewu-Jun asked, looking a little shell shocked.

“Because they don’t want to go back. They’re happy with Senior Wei, and having the outside world know they’re alive would result in an army marching to take them away against their will,” Jin Ling instantly jumped to his Uncle’s defense. “He’s basically adopted them all. It’s… actually very sweet. He’s amazing with them - especially the children.”

“There are children?”

“A-Leng is turning four in a few months,” Jin Ling couldn’t help but smile a little at the thought of the boy who had quickly taken a liking to him. “He’s glued to Senior Wei’s side.”

“Why have you brought this to us?” Hanguang-Jun asked.

“Brother, does this mean Sizhui…?”

“I have a proposition for the two of you,” Jin Ling brought the attention back to himself. The men blinked at him with twin looks of confusion and curiosity. “I’ve already spoken with Sect Leader Jiang, and Sang-ge- Sect Leader Nie about it. I was just waiting for your response so I didn’t drop by unexpectedly.”

“What sort of proposition?”

“If I can receive your support, I believe we can bring a new age of peace to the Cultivation world.”

“You have not brought this to Lianfang-Zun.” Zewu-Jun commented, causing Jin Ling to freeze. He had somehow forgotten how close his Uncle was with Lan Xichen. They were sworn brothers, only brought closer with the death of Chifeng-Zun.

“This would not be implemented until after I become Sect Leader, so only my agreement would be needed.” Jin Ling kept his voice even.

“If it’s something large, the approval of sect leaders alone will not suffice,” Zewu-Jun said stiffly. Jin Ling felt warm, as if he was being scolded. “You would need the support of your sect, as well as the majority vote of the other sects to pass something extreme.”

“Sect Leader Jiang and I believe that the support of the sect leaders will be enough to push this plan into action,” Jin Ling stared Zewu-Jun in the eye. “Though in the end, it wouldn’t be our decision at all.”

“What are you suggesting?” Hanguang-Jun asked softly.

“We want to acknowledge…”

“Jin Ling!” A voice called as he was preparing to leave GusuLan. The talk with Zewu-Jun and Hanguang-Jun had been nerve wracking, but ultimately ended the way he and Uncle Wanyin had thought it would. He turned and saw Jingyi running towards him, his eyes wide and wild. It struck him odd that Jingyi called him by his name.

“Jingyi?” He stopped, letting the older boy catch up. Jingyi was panting, his face red from exertion. He must have been running for a while to get to him.

“I got… a letter…” He gasped, eyes watering. Jin Ling felt his stomach drop

“A letter.” He replied hollowly. Did Sizhui finally…?’

“He’s alive,” He looked at Jin Ling, a wide smile on his face as he cried. “Sizhui! He wrote to me. He… he said you convinced him to, and that he had been afraid.”

“Finally,” Jin Ling sighed. “He was so upset when I told him how you were managing.”

“I know I should be mad, but I just…” he laughed weakly. “I’m just so relieved.”

“Jingyi, how much trouble would you get in for sneaking out of Cloud Recesses?” Jin Ling asked abruptly.

“None, if I don’t get caught.” Jingyi looked at him, a spark in his eye.

“Good. Stay close.” Jin Ling grabbed his wrist and ran.

“Are you sure it’ll let me through?” Jingyi asked, eyeing the barrier hesitantly. It hissed red, but at this point it was almost comforting to Jin Ling. It meant he was almost to the Burial Mounds.

“I have the bracelet to let me in, and Senior Wei based it after the talismans at Cloud Recesses, so hopefully I can help you get in.” He reasoned, taking the older boy's hand.

They stepped towards the barrier hesitantly, Jin Ling passing through without a problem. The moment Jingyi’s hand was about to touch the barrier, however, sparks lit up and shot the disciple back. Jingyi fell heavily on the ground, dirt staining his white robes.

“Shit!” He gasped, sitting up and rubbing the ache from his hand.

“Are you alright?” Jin Ling dashed back towards him, helping him stand.

“Yeah, it was just a shock,” He winced as he flexed his fingers. “Guess your bracelet only works for you.”

“Wait here, I’ll go get Senior Wei and he can let you in.” Jin Ling turned, but there was already someone running down the hill towards them.

Wei Wuxian skidded to a stop, his eyes wide and his chest heaving. His black flute was clenched in a white knuckled fist as he took in the scene before him.

“A-Ling?” He blinked, his shoulders relaxing a little. “What?”

“I… brought Jingyi to see Sizhui but the barrier wouldn’t let him through,” He frowned. “I thought if I held his hand the bracelet would transfer onto him.”

“They don’t work like that,” Wei Wuxian said, dropping the barrier and letting the boys past. It took only a blink of an eye and the red light was covering the arch again. “Though that would be an interesting loophole… but I would have to figure out a way to make it so if you were kidnapped they couldn’t use your prone form to cross the barrier-”

“Senior Wei,” Jin Ling cut the man’s ramblings off. He had gotten used to having to do that during his visits, and according to the other disciples it was a daily occurrence. “Is Sizhui free?”

“He should be at the training fields right now,” Wei Wuxian crossed his arms behind his head as the three walked towards the town. “He’s teaching some of the younger kids how to defend themselves.”

“Defend themselves? Not fight?” Jingyi asked, trailing a little behind them.

“The only ones here who know how to kill want to keep that knowledge to themselves,” he said, his voice soft. “We teach them how to defend themselves, and pair them with someone who was taught to fight elsewhere when they go out on hunts.”

“Wow…” Jingyi’s eyes widened as they entered the town. Jin Ling was used to it by now, but he remembered how shocked he had been. One of the children running through the street bumped into the back of his legs, falling on his backside. He blinked up at Jingyi with glassy eyes, moments away from bursting into tears. Jingyi quickly helped the boy stand and brushed his robes off.

“Thank you brother!” The boy grinned and ran off, catching up with his friends.

“Are they always like this?” he asked, watching the children run amok and the women playing along. The men of the town watched with a smile, some smoking pipes while others helped their wives carry baskets of food and laundry.

“Yeah,” Jin Ling smiled. “They never know how to shut up.”

“A-Ling, I was helping Granny with something when I felt the barrier be disturbed,” Wei Wuxian looked apologetic. “I hope it’s alright if I leave Jingyi in your care.”

“It’s alright Senior Wei, I know my way around now.” Jin Ling nodded to his Uncle, who grinned wide before jogging off.

“That was the Yiling Laozu?” Jingyi whispered, staring in the direction that Wei Wuxian had just run off in.

“Yeah, he’s a little scatter brained,” Jin Ling chuckled as they went in the opposite direction, towards the training fields. “A good man though.”

“Wow…” Jingyi was starry eyed and Jin Ling did his best not to laugh at the expression on his friends face.

The closer they got to the practice fields, the louder the shouts became. It was clear they were sparring based on the clashing of metal, but there was also cheering, as if they had placed bets on the winner. If Sizhui was one of the fighters, Jin Ling would put his money on him.

“A-Ling! You came just in time!” Mo Xuanyu came rushing up to him, a large smile on his thin face. “A-Mei and A-Yuan are sparring.”

“Oh not that knife happy idiot,” Jin Ling scoffed, rushing towards the training field. They let him and Jingyi push to the front of the crowd. “Who’s winning?”

“It’s tied so far,” Zizhen didn’t take his eyes from the battle. Sizhui and Xue Yang were darting at each other, their swords clashing loudly causing sparks to shower down on them as they jumped away again. “They’ve been at it for almost twenty minutes and neither have landed a single hit.”

“Xue Changmei is the only one stupid enough to fight Sizhui straight on.” Jin Ling scoffed, watching the fight intently.

“That’s Sizhui?” Jingyi breathed in awe. Jin Ling realized he had probably never seen the other boy out of his thick GusuLan robes. Now, his light robes flew around him as he moved, clinging to his body in a way the white robes would never have allowed. His normal ponytail had been replaced with a messy top knot, leaving the rest of his hair to whip around.

Jin Ling, feeling only platonic feelings towards the older boy, had to admit that Sizhui looked ethereal as he fought.

Jingyi took a step forward, not enough to be in the way of the fight or even to be completely free of the crowd, but enough to catch the eye of the fighters. After all, white stood out against the earth tones.

Sizhui skidded back from a particularly strong blow from Xue Yang, his eyes locking with Jingyi’s. Jin Ling saw his entire body tense and the flush from the fight instantly pale.

“J-Jingyi?” He gasped, not moving a muscle. Jingyi took another step forward only to shout.

“Pay attention!”

In the moment of distraction, Xue Yang managed to see an opening. Sizhui dodged at the last moment, but not before Xue Yang’s blade nicked his upper arm.

“FOUL!” Zizhen shouted, running out onto the field, between the two. “The match goes to Sizhui due to a foul.”

“Not fair!” Xue Yang shouted, stomping his foot on the ground. “He got distracted! I would have won!”

“I doubt that,” Jin Ling went over to Sizhui, who was cupping his wounded arm. “Come on, let’s get you to Qing-Jie.”

But Sizhui wasn’t focusing on Jin Ling. His eyes were glued to Jingyi, who seemed frozen in place. After a moment of silence, Jingyi ran at Sizhui, throwing his arms around his neck and almost knocking him to the ground. If it weren’t for Zizhen, who managed to catch them, they would have landed heavily on the packed dirt of the field. Sizhui instinctively wrapped his arms around Jingyi’s waist, holding the other boy slightly off the ground.

It took a moment for Jin Ling to realize what position his friends were in, but when he did all he could do was gape at how bold Jingyi had been to kiss Sizhui as he tackled him.

“You… IDIOT!” Jingyi sobbed as he pulled away from the kiss. Sizhui blinked at him, their faces only inches apart. “As soon as I’m done crying I’m going to kill you.”

“I’m sorry Jingyi,” Sizhui’s shocked look melted into something warm. “I should have said something, I just-”
Jingyi cut him off with another kiss, letting himself lean into Sizhui’s warmth. Sizhui cupped the back of the other boy’s head as he gently let his feet touch the ground again.

“I hate to break up the moment,” Jin Ling said loudly, causing everyone to jump - they were all as invested in the confession as he was. “But Sizhui is still bleeding and it's starting to stain Jingyi’s robe.”

“Oh!” Sizhui stepped back, keeping his hands on Jingyi’s waist. “I’m sorry Jingyi-”

“Shut up and come on.” Jin Ling cut him off again. The two Lan disciples stepped away awkwardly and Jin Ling couldn’t help but roll his eyes. He started walking towards the infirmary, smirking a little as he heard two sets of footsteps follow behind him.

Glancing behind him, he hid his smile. Jingyi was holding Sizhui’s good hand, and they were both blushing, neither looking at the other. Jin Ling was happy for them.

Jin Ling watched the crowd salute him, raising their cups in his honor. He felt small under the ceremonial robes, and his father’s sword was heavy in his hand. Uncle Guangyao stood by his side, smiling at him. Uncle Wanyin was front and center of the crowd, not smiling but Jin Ling could see the pride in his eyes shine bright that any smile could have.

He wasn’t sure if it was the lighting, but it almost looked like the man was crying.

He saw Sang-Ge, smiling with pride. When Jin Ling made eye contact with him, he winked at him, causing his ears to burn a little. There were a few Nie disciples behind him, but it was the smallest party in attendance. Hanguang-Jun and Zewu-Jun were saluting politely, Jingyi next to them grinning wide. Jin Ling could see a faint flush on his cheeks, and wondered how he managed to drink while sitting next to the Twin Jades. The boy had been keeping in constant contact with Jin Ling - it helped that he spent more time in the Burial Mounds than Jin Ling did, which usually meant he was already there when the younger boy stopped by.

He tried to ignore the pang of disappointment. He knew Senior Wei wouldn’t be able to attend, even with a personal invitation from Jin Ling himself. It was too dangerous for him to leave Yiling - especially when all the top cultivators would be gathered in one room.

Uncle Guangyao was saying something, but he wasn’t quite paying attention. He knew it really didn’t have much to do with him. It was some long winded speech about the history of the Jin Sect and the long list of accomplishments under their belt to distract from the scandals of their past.

Out of the corner of his eye, Jin Ling saw movement behind one of the columns. He glanced over, trying to be subtle as he felt a grin growing across his face.

Wei Wuxian peeked out from behind the column, grinning so brightly it was a wonder that it wasn’t emitting a light of its own. He was too far away to be heard, but Jin Ling could see the tears rolling down his cheeks. He was proud of Jin Ling, and the realization made his chest warm.

He turned his attention back to the crowd. He knew it would be his turn to speak soon, and as much as he dreaded it he knew the sooner he got it over with the sooner they could move to the feast portion of the evening. He heard his Uncle’s words taper off and took a deep breath.

“Sect Leader Jin! Where are you going?” Someone called out to him. It had been only an hour since the feast began and Jin Ling was already overwhelmed. He hadn’t seen Wei Wuxian since that moment during the ceremony, and he hoped the man had stuck around.

“Just getting some air.” he smiled and bowed to the person who had called after him. He had no idea who it was, but they grinned as if they were old friends - which wouldn’t be possible seeing how he was easily twice Jin Ling’s age.

He stepped outside and the world instantly quieted down, as if all the noise from the feast was physically contained within the hall. The moon shone brightly in the sky, casting a blue tinge across the courtyard. His feet brought him to the small bridge where the lotus still grew from when his father planted them for his mother.

“That was a touching speech, A-Ling.” A familiar, warm voice said from behind him. He spun around and saw Wei Wuxian grinned at him at the foot of the bridge.

“Uncle!” Jin Ling couldn’t help but shout as he rushed towards the man. He jumped into his arms, letting the familiar comfort of Wei Wuxian’s hug let all the anxiety of the celebration drain from his body. Wei Wuxian’s arms froze around him and he realized that this was the first time he had called the man Uncle to his face. “Thank you for coming. I didn’t think you would be able to.”

“And miss my nephew becoming sect leader?” His chuckle was thick with tears. “I wouldn’t have missed this for the world. I’m so fucking proud of you.”

“Thank you.” He buried his face in his Uncle’s neck, letting himself be held.

“A-Yuan went to find Jingyi,” Wei Wuxian chuckled as he finally pulled away from the embrace. “He was quite eager. You know, I never saw that coming.”

“Me neither,” Jin Ling grinned. “I’m happy for them though.”

“I wonder if Lan Zhan would be willing to send Jingyi to stay with us,” His uncle mused as he put his hands on his hips. “We could make some excuse of him going on a… journey of self discovery for a few months, that way no one would wonder if the big old scary demon ate him.”

“Maybe…”

“Jin Ling? Where are you?” Uncle Wanyin’s voice echoed across the courtyard and Jin Ling froze. He wasn’t sure if he should let his Uncles meet just yet, considering their shared history.

“Uncle-” He turned, but Wei Wuxian was already gone. The only thing that showed the man had ever been there was the faint scent of smoke in the air.

“There you are,” Jiang Wanyin rounded the corner and stopped when he saw his nephew. “I wanted to congratulate you properly, without everyone breathing down our necks. I’m so proud of you A-Ling, I really am. I can tell you’re going to do amazing things.”

“Thank you,” He received the second genuine hug of the evening. It was so different from the type of hug that Wei Wuxian gave him. This one was strong and tight, as if he were afraid to let go of Jin Ling, while Wei Wuxian’s were gentle and filled with wild emotions. “I’ll make you proud, I swear.”

Uncle Wanyin pulled back just enough to cup his nephew's cheek softly.

“You’ve already made me so proud,” He smiled the kind of smile that he only allowed Jin Ling to see. His smile faded a little as he sniffed the air. “Why does it smell like campfire out here?”

“Uncle Wuxian was here,” Jin Ling admitted. “He disappeared when you came out though.”

“He… was?”

“He doesn’t know Uncle, it’s alright.” Jin Ling didn’t like how hurt the man looked.

“I wondered where Jingyi had gotten off to,” He muttered, crossing his arms. “We should be getting back to the feast. The others will be searching for you.”

“You’re right,” Jin Ling nodded. “Let’s go.”

“A-Ling! It’s good to see you again,” Wei Wuxian pulled his nephew into a tight hug, as he did every time the boy came to visit. “What’s the occasion? You look so official!”

It was true. Jin Ling was wearing his full Sect Leader attire. In the two weeks since the celebration, he seemed to have grown more mature.

“We have a proposition for you.” he said as he stepped back.

“A proposition huh?” He chuckled before freezing. “Wait, we?”

“Could you let the others through the barrier, Uncle?”

Wei Wuxian didn’t answer. He just let his nephew lead him towards the stone arch in silence. He could feel his uncle resisting slightly, but he never stopped walking.

“Oh…” he breathed when he saw who was waiting.

Jiang Cheng, Lan Xichen, Nie Huaisang, Lan Jingyi…

Lan Zhan.

“We would like to seek an audience with the Yiling Laozu, if he would have us.” Jin Ling said formally, his voice not wavering for even a moment.

“O-of course,” Wei Wuxian whispered, shock painted across his entire being. “Lan Zhan…”

The second the barrier was down, Lan Zhan rushed forward and wrapped the smaller man in a tight embrace. The hug only lasted a breath before Lan Zhan was crashing his lips against Wei Wuxian’s.

“It was never enough,” He said, cradling the back of Wei Wuxian’s head. “You only stay for a few minutes each month and it was never enough.”

“I know,” He buried his face in Lan Zhan’s shoulder. “I wish I had another excuse other than the wine to come by.”

“Wei Ying never needs an excuse.”

“Um, come in,” He said, only barely pulling away from Lan Zhan. “I suppose the proper thing to do is give a tour?”

“We can have a tour after we speak.” Jin Ling interjects. As they approached the town, Jingyi shot Jin Ling a loaded look before darting off towards where he knew Sizhui and the other disciples would be. The sect leaders followed Wei Wuxian to the dining hall. The Demon-Slaughtering cave wouldn’t have been nearly big enough for all of them, and since it was the middle of the day no one was in the hall.

Zewu-Jun, Nie Huaisang and Jiang Wanyin looked around, trying to take everything in at once as they walked, but Jin Ling noticed that Hanguang-Jun seemed at home within the town. He wondered how often the Chief Cultivator made time to come to Yiling.

“Wen Ning, could you bring us some tea?” Wei Wuxian asked when he spotted the fierce corpse. Jin Ling had been scared of him at first, having grown up with stories of the murderous Ghost General, but he quickly learned that Wen Ning was one of the most gentle people Jin Ling could ever possibly hope to meet.

“Of course, Wei-gongzi.” Wen Ning bowed slightly, his grey-tinged face showing no emotion. Jin Ling knew he could emote, so the blank expression was… curious.

They pulled two square tables together and settled around them. Jin Ling could feel the anxiety radiating off Wei Wuxian, and bit back a smirk as Hanguang-Jun took his hand to calm him, which worked instantly. The moment his fingers were laced through Wei Wuxian’s, his Uncle’s shoulders dropped.

“Wei Wuxian, we have discussed this in detail, and have reached a decision of our own, but your word ultimately determines our course of action.” Jin Ling said, looking directly at his Uncle, who seemed to shrink a little under the sudden attention.

“You’re scaring me a little, A-Ling,” He let out an awkward chuckle, but everyone could see how he tensed like a cornered animal, trying to find an opening to escape. “You can just say whatever it is.”

“We’ve agreed that, if you consent…” Jiang Wanyin started, looking to his nephew to finish. It was his idea after all. He should be the one to present it.

“If you consent, we would like to recognize the Burial Mounds as an official sect,” Jin Ling said firmly. “You have the support of the four major sects, as well as the Chief Cultivator, which means any disagreements would have to go through us as well. You have everything you need to be qualified as a sect, so all you would need is public acknowledgment.”

“But-” He looked pale. Hanguang-Jun’s eyes tightened in concern as he squeezed Wei Wuxian’s hand.

“An official sect needs to have several things,” Nie Huaisang chimed in with a gentle smile towards one of his oldest friends. “First and foremost disciples willing to train under your name. Trade with nearby towns, an inn for foot traffic. Basic abilities to teach and provide for the children living here.”

“You’ve gone above and beyond those qualifications,” Zewu-Jun continued. “I can tell just from our brief walk through that the people here look to you for guidance. They view you with respect and loyalty, as do the people of Yiling.”

“Becoming an official sect would give you perks too,” Jiang Wanyin cut in. “Trade with larger cities, a say in cultivation matters, funding for reconstruction if something were to go wrong, aid from other sects for the same reason.”

“We are in no way trying to force you to agree,” Jin Ling concluded. “If you wish to remain as you are, there will be no penalty. We just believe that you deserve the chance to show that not only are you not the monster that everyone thinks you are, but also to prove to everyone that you are able to contribute great feats of genius that could potentially change the history of our world.”

“You… you agreed to this?” Wei Wuxian’s voice shook. “All of you?”

“I always knew Wei-xiong would prove himself again,” Nie Huaisang fluttered his fan, accepting a cup of tea from Wen Ning. “You could never be kept silent for long. It’s one of the many things I adore about you.”

“We can’t change the past, but we can forge a new future,” Jiang Wanyin crossed his arms over his chest, not looking at his brother. “Continuing to hide would only push off any kind of growth.”

“I know Wei-gongzi is kind and benevolent,” Zewu-Jun smiled at him. “And I do truly believe that you would be able to do a lot of good for people who need it if you had the proper backing to do so.”

“Lan Zhan… what do you think?” Wei Wuxian turned to the other man, who hadn’t taken his golden eyes from him since sitting down.

“I think Wei Ying would be an excellent leader,” he said, voice soft and filled with affection. It hurt Jin Ling’s heart a little - that’s how Sizhui sounded talking about Jingyi, and how Uncle Wei sounded speaking about him. “I’ll support anything you decide.”

“If I decide to decline your offer, I’ll have to stay away from Cloud Recesses again.” He said with a forced chuckle.

“No,” Lan Wangji lifted Wei Wuxian’s hand and kissed the back of it gently. “If Wei Ying declines, I will remain here.”

“Wh-what?” Wei Wuxian spluttered, his eyes widening as his face lit up red. The others around the table had varying reactions of the same strain except for Zewu-Jun, who seemed to have expected this kind of confession.

For the first time since crossing the stone arch, Hanguang-Jun took his hand from Wei Wuxian’s. He reached behind his head and began to unknot his ribbon. Jin Ling’s breath caught in his throat as he watched Hanguang-Jun carefully tie the white ribbon around his Uncle’s thin wrist. He knew what the headbands meant - which meant he was watching the Chief Cultivator, Hanguang-Jun himself, promise his heart, soul and body to Wei Wuxian until the end of time.

“Can… can I have some time to think about this?” Wei Wuxian asked, letting his head drop so his bangs covered his eyes.

“Of course, Zewu-Jun said with a gentle voice. “Take all the time you need. There is no rush in this decision. You can write to us with your answer, or just wait for either Jin Ling or Jingyi to come by. I have a feeling they’ll be around quite often.”

“Yes… I’ll reach out to you as soon as I’ve made a decision,” He sounded faint, and Jin Ling was worried he would pass out. “Lan Zhan… can we-?”

“Of course.” Hanguang-Jun stood, helping Wei Wuxian to his feet. Without another word, the two left the hall.

“I can show you around once you’re ready, if you’d like,” Jin Ling offered after a moment of silence. “I’m sure the others would want to meet you.”

Jin Ling bit his thumb nail in frustration. It had been a full month since they went to his uncle with their proposition, and there hadn’t been even a hint of an answer. He himself had gone to Yiling at least twice a week to visit, sometimes with Uncle Wanyin and sometimes alone, but never once had Wei Wuxian even mentioned their offer.

He didn’t want to push it, but the next conference was going to be held in Yunmeng in only three weeks, and he wanted to be able to announce the new sect - if that was what he chose to do, that is.

“You’re wearing a hole in the damn floor.” Uncle Wanyin snapped, looking up from his paperwork. Jin Ling had stopped by Lotus Pier after spending the day in the Burial Mounds to see if his Uncle needed any help preparing for the upcoming conference.

That, and Uncle Wanyin threw a fit the first time Jin Ling went straight back to Lanling without stopping by to say hello, so it was routine for the young sect leader to drop by Lotus Pier on his trip home to share some tea with his Uncle.

“I just-” he groaned in frustration. “I just want to help him and he’s- he’s-”

“Pushing us away and trying to sabotage himself, as he always does.” The man grumbled, scowling at a letter that seemed to have personally offended him.

“What do you mean?”

“He’s afraid,” He sighed, putting the paper down and looking directly at his nephew. “He thinks that accepting might backfire and hurt the people already living in the town. He’s afraid to be selfish and potentially bring others down with him.”

“How do you know that?” Jin Ling raised an eyebrow at his Uncle, and Jiang Wanyin was once more irritated at how much his nephew was exactly like him.

“Because he’s always been like this,” He admitted. “He’s always put himself last so everyone else can succeed. He pushed down his own problems until they boiled over and exploded in his face, then blamed himself for the debris left behind. He never forgives himself, for anything. That idiot probably thinks he doesn’t deserve to run his own sect after… after what happened to Father and Mother.”

“But that’s in the past!” Jin Ling said quickly. “He deserves this more than anyone!”

“I know that!” Uncle Wanyin snapped before sighing and rubbing the back of his neck before cracking it. Jin Ling grimaced a little at how loud it was. “But… well, you know. You told me how he looked when he first mentioned Shijie and Jin Zixuan. He never seems to remember when people do bad things towards him, but he’s tattooed each and every digression he’s committed against others into his heart.”

“What can we do then? To make him see?”

“We wait,” Jiang Wanyin said, as if that was something simple. “We let him know we support him, and we let him make his decision in his own time.”

Jin Ling scowled, but he knew his Uncle was right. There was no rushing this, no matter how much he tried to will his Uncle to reach a decision. Even if he declined, it would put an end to this eternal waiting game they were playing.

“You should get back to Lanling,” His Uncle said after a few moments of silence. “It’s getting late and I doubt Jin Guangyao would be too happy if I kept you.”

“He’s been preoccupied with something since the celebration,” Jin Ling sighed. “He rarely has time for me anymore.”

“Well-” Jiang Wanyin was cut off by a frantic knocking on the door.

“Sect leader! A message has arrived for you!” The disciple said. Just as he was about to send them away, they spoke again. “A message from Yiling!”

Jin Ling and Jiang Wanyin exchanged a wide eyed look before rushing towards the door to receive the message.

“The Discussion Conference will now commence,” Sect Leader Jiang said, bringing the light chattering that had been filling the room to a halt. He looked out at the gathered leaders, from the main leaders sitting closest to him to the lesser leaders closer to the door. It seemed these meetings grew each time they met, smaller sects popping up left and right. “I’d first like to thank everyone for taking the time to attend.”

Jin Ling groaned internally. The frivolous greetings and thanks always gave him a headache. What was the point of thanking them for coming? It was their duty as sect leader to attend. Politeness, he guessed, but it was still so time consuming.

“I have overheard some of you questioning why there are empty tables with us this evening,” Jiang Wanyin continued. A brief burst of murmurs broke out before they were silenced by a single look from Sect Leader Jiang. “As I was saying, while I know this is unprecedented, but Sect Leaders Jin, Lan, Nie and Jiang have decided this is something that needs to be preferenced before being announced. We four, along with Chief Cultivator Hanguang-Jun have reached out to a potential ally, who deserves this opportunity more than anyone I know.”

“This one thanks Sect Leaders Jiang, Lan, Nie and Jin for this chance to prove himself,” A voice called from the side of the room, where the shadows bathed the walls. There was instant pandemonium as Wei Wuxian walked into the light, followed by Mo Xuanyu, Xue Chegmei, Ouyang Zizhen and Lan Sizhui close behind. They were all dressed similarly, in robes of black and rich red - sect disciple robes Jin Ling had helped design - while Wei Wuxian himself wore a slightly more elaborate version. “I understand the honor of this opportunity, and I swear to uphold the trust you’ve placed in me.”

“Wei Wuxian, leader of the YilingWei sect, please step forward,” Jiang Wanyin said loudly, his voice cancelling out the outraged shouts echoing across the meeting. Wei Wuxian knelt in front of his brother, his disciples staying behind the empty tables. “YunmengJiang recognizes YilingWei.”

“GusuLan recognizes YilingWei.” Lan Xiche stood, saluting Wei Wuxian with his cup.

“QingheNie recognizes YilingWei.” Nie Huaisang did the same.

LanglingJin recognizes YilingWei.” Jin Ling stood, his voice echoing clear and strong across the completely silent room.

“With the support of the four major sects, YilingWei is now recognized as an official sect. Any discrepancies from here on out must go through us all. No one may try to undermine YilingWei as they stabilize their position without going against us all. Any war waged against YilingWei is a war waged against all of us.”

“To YilingWei!” Nie Huaisang cheered, raising his cup high.

“To YilingWei!” More cheers filled the room. Wei Wuxian stood, bowing deeply to his brother before turning back to his disciples. His face was split in the largest grin Jin Ling had ever seen before, despite the tears rolling down his cheeks. As he went to join his disciples at the official YilingWei tables, Hanguang-Jun came over and sat next to him at the frontmost two person table. He pressed a chaste kiss to Wei Wuxian’s cheek, causing the smaller man to erupt in a bright blush. Jin Ling bit back a smile as he watched Jingyi sneak over as well, hiding behind Hanguang-Jun’s broad back to sit with Sizhui and Zizhen.

Jiang Wanyin cleared his voice, trying to gather the attention back to himself.

“Now, onto our next order of business…”