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Chapter Text

It was worth tagging along with Lan Xichen and Lan Wangji on the hunt at Biling Lake. Wei Wuxian was always keen for action, itching to do something other than listen to Lan Qiren drone on in class and write essays.

He hadn't thought he could enjoy catching water ghouls while studying at Cloud Recesses. Additionally, he could impose himself on Lan Wangji to see his reactions. He did want to apologise for his antics in the library, but then it had been a delight to elicit an angry 'pathetic' when he splashed Lan Wangji with his paddle. His Suibian story, which he loved to tell, had gotten a 'ridiculous' out of the stoic Lan Wangji.

He knew that even though Jiang Cheng appeared annoyed at his chattering, he was also glad for the diversion this outing provided. Not to mention, Jiang Cheng was eager to regain any face Wei Wuxian had lost for Yunmeng Jiang during their studies.

They were in their element on the water, spotting and eliminating any unfortunate ghouls that approached them.

However, things took a turn for the worse when their boats were sucked into the lake by the waterborne abyss and Su She- who had lost his weapon in the lake after trying to mimic Lan Wangji- was pulled into the lake.

"Help!" Su She's arms splashed the lake surface frantically, his face full of fear and taking large gulps of air in desperation. Wei Wuxian reached, grabbing Su She's wrist to pull him up. Balanced on Suibian, he pulled with all his strength, lifting a few inches.

Although Suibian was a powerful spiritual weapon, it's strength was agility. It was a struggle to lift the squirming Su She, but Wei Wuxian tried with all his might. Su She was almost out of the water, but a sudden force pulled Wei Wuxian off of Suibian.

"Wei Ying!" "Wei Wuxian!"

He saw a flash of white and purple, but they were too slow. Hitting the cold waters of Biling Lake, he let go of Su She when he felt something grasp his ankle. Wei Wuxian tried kick his leg loose, using his arms to keep himself afloat.

"Wei Wuxian! Take my hand!"

"Wei Ying!"

He gasped as he was pulled under by the spinning whirlpool. Submerged, a hand reached out to him, muffled voices calling his name. He stretched out his right hand, fingers breaking the surface of the water.

Wei Wuxian's heart raced, giddy when his fingers grazed the hand of his saviour. But his excitement was short-lived as something cold wrapped around both his legs and pulled.

He was pulled further under water, into the black whirlpool.

Wei Wuxian! Wei Wuxian!

Into darkness.

***

It was warm and dry. Wei Wuxian was definitely no longer in Biling Lake. He briefly wondered who managed to pull him out. Did Jiang Cheng dive in and drag him out of the lake? Or did Lan Wangji pull him up on Bichen?

Was Su She also safe? Really, Su She's cultivation level was nowhere near Lan Wangji's. What was he thinking, throwing away his spiritual weapon like that? He hoped Su She got a talking to!

Wei Wuxian sincerely hoped he didn't get a talking to for playing hero. Jiang Cheng never liked it when he did that.

He opened heavy eyelids, slowly taking in his surroundings to see he was in presumably a guest room. His belongings were scattered on the single table in the room.

An old man stood beside the bed, looking at him with creased brows.

"Young Master? Are you awake?" The old man said. "A-Ding, alert Master and Madam."

A young girl left.

"Young Master, how are you feeling?"

He sluggishly sat up, clasping his hands in greeting to the old man. He had been changed into a clean set of under-robes.

He hoped it wasn't A-Ding who had changed his clothes.

"I am fine, Mister...?"

"You may call this one A-Bao."

"Mister Bao..."

A-Ding came back with an extravagantly dressed couple, and Wei Wuxian swung his legs around to stand up.

"Young Master, you do not need to get up," the man said. He placed a hand on Wei Wuxian's shoulder, pushing down firmly.

The woman smiled down at him. "I am Mo Fang, this is my husband Mo Rui. I am the leader of our humble Mo Village. We found you in our compound early this morning."

Mo Village? How did he even get from the lake to this place? Did the waterborne abyss send him here? Or was there some sort of portal in the lake?

She held out his bell pendant for him.

"I believe this is yours? A family member used to be a cultivator. He recognised this as a symbol of a cultivation sect."

Wei Wuxian took his pendant, and clasped his hands in front of him, bowing.

"It is a symbol of the Yunmeng Jiang Sect. I am the head disciple Wei Ying, courtesy name Wei Wuxian."

Someone gasped. A-Ding held a hand to her mouth, eyes wide. Even the Mo couple looked pale. Was he so well-known that even non-cultivators have heard of him?

"Was there someone else with me? A young man dressed in white?"

Master Mo fidgeted. "No, you were the only one."

Wei Wuxian hoped Su She was alright. The other boy wasn't a particularly strong cultivator.

"Where is Mo Village? How far am I away from Cloud Recesses?"

"Cloud Recesses? The location of the Gusu Lan Sect? Mo Village is located several hundred miles west of Cloud Recesses." Madam Mo said.

Several hundred miles?

"Young Master Wei," Madam Mo said. Did he hear a slight tremor in her voice? "I will send word to your sect to notify them of your presence here. Please stay here and recuperate."

"I feel fine..."

"Please," Madam Mo interrupted, not making eye contact. "It is our honour to have you here. Please rest."

Her disturbed countenance suggested that it was not an honour at all, and they scurried out, the servants following at Madam Mo's glance.

Wei Wuxian was too curious not to sneak out after them. Their reactions had been suspicious. What strange rumours about him have been floating about to make them react so? With slightly unsteady feet, he left the room. Keeping the Mo couple and the servants in sight, he followed them through the manor, quickly dashing around a corner whenever one of the servant turned around to check behind them.

Madam Mo turned to her servants, speaking softly to them. They bowed and rushed off.

Wei Wuxian snuck into a luckily empty room as A-Ding and A-Bao walked past, then went out just in time to see the Mo couple enter a room across the courtyard.

Wei Wuxian quickly went to sit beneath the window to listen in. He heard heavy footsteps of someone pacing.

"Do you think that boy is really Wei Wuxian?" Master Mo was saying, voice uncertain. "Isn't he too young?"

"He even said he was a disciple of Yunmeng Jiang," Madam Mo replied. "No-one else would dare claim that name and sect."

"But how did he even get here?"

"Who cares? He landed in our manor, so we should get something out of it." What pleasant people.

Silence. Then Master Mo said, "what should we do?"

"If we hand him over to the Jin Sect, we might be able to get a monetary reward. If we're lucky, they might accept Ziyuan into their sect."

Jin Sect? Why would the Jin Sect want him? What has the peacock been saying about him?

"A-Ding is going to purchase something to put him to sleep," Madam Mo said. "Then we'll send word for someone from the Jin sect to come and collect him."

Wei Wuxian was not going to let himself be taken by the Jin sect for whatever reason. He should try to get back to Cloud Recesses, or even Lotus Pier to inform Uncle Jiang that he was alright.

Before the other members of the household could be alerted about Wei Wuxian's status as a detainee, he hurried to find his outer robes. He accosted a young servant- an A-Gui- who eyed his state of undress with raised eyebrows. Flashing a grin, he convinced A-Gui that he was nobody dangerous and simply wished for his outer robes which should be hanging out to dry.

A-Gui had run off to collect his robes, perhaps scared of potentially angering Master and Madam Mo's guest, and soon returned with his dark robes.

With a thanks, he shrugged on the slightly damp robes, returned to the guest room to collect his belongings, and went to climb over the wall to escape Mo Manor.

Jumping onto the wall, a dark fluttering in his peripheral vision captured his attention.

Dark flags were arranged around one of the courtyards. Wei Wuxian frowned at them. The designs looked like spells. Wei Wuxian leapt to stand beside one of the flags, holding the soft material and inspecting the design with awe.

It was a strange design he had never seen before. Based on the strokes, he guessed that the flag would summon spirits. Wei Wuxian was awed. This was a thought experiment he had exercised before, but had never pulled off himself. It was an ingenious design. Truly innovative! He had to know who designed this!

Glancing around, there were no cultivators in sight. He spotted A-Gui walking across the courtyard with arms full of boxes.

"Ah!" A-Gui wobbled and nearly dropped the boxes when Wei Wuxian landed next to him.

"Sorry about that!" Wei Wuxian held A-Gui's shoulders in support. "Do you know which sect put those flags up?"

A-Gui shoulders heaved as he took deep breaths to calm himself down. "Some group of boys in white."

"Did they have forehead ribbons?"

"Yes."

So, it was Gusu Lan. Should he wait around to return to Cloud Recesses with the group? That would be easier than making his way back alone.

But he didn't know how many jobs the group were completing, or how long it would be until the group returned to Cloud Recesses.

Madam Mo's voice was approaching. He could just ask Lan Wangji about the flags when he got back to Cloud Recesses.

Wei Wuxian grinned. "Thank you!"

He leapt back onto the wall, and escaped Mo Manor.

***

Years of surviving in the streets ensured that Wei Wuxian was capable of getting by without much money. It was harder to hunt without any weapons, but he could at least find fruit.

He hoped that no-one would recognise him as the head disciple of Yunmeng Jiang if he could find nothing in the wild and had to resort to digging through scraps on the streets.

Without Suibian nor enough funds for transport, Wei Wuxian had to walk to Cloud Recesses. It would take time, but he would enjoy the freedom of travelling without having to answer to his guardians back at Lotus Pier.

He would miss having a nagging Jiang Cheng as a travelling companion.

A villager had kindly pointed him in the direction of the nearest large town in the area. After travelling for several days, he arrived in a bustling town where he immediately found a postal service.

He wrote letters to Jiang Fengmian and Lan Xichen:

I was somehow transported to Mo Village when I fell into Biling Lake. I am fine, and am heading back to Cloud Recesses.

Wei Wuxian

Then he purchased some talisman paper and cinnibar with most of his remaining funds. He hoped to make some money from hunts or selling talismans.

"Are you a cultivator?" The storekeeper asked cheerily.

"Yes, I am! Do you know of any jobs around here?"

"Not in this town specifically, but a lot of cultivators have passed by here in recent days. From what I've heard, they're all going to Dafan Mountain for some large hunt."

Wei Wuxian perked up. If it's a large hunt, then there might be someone from Yunmeng Jiang!

"Which way is Dafan Mountain?" Wei Wuxian asked.

The storekeeper pointed him in a northerly direction. Giving his thanks, he left in the indicated direction.

He hoped his fellow disciples made an appearance at Dafan Mountain so that he could ride with someone back to Cloud Recesses.

If Yunmeng Jiang did not participate in the hunt, then at least he could get in on the excitement of a large hunt!

***

The closer he got to Dafan Mountain, the more cultivators he encountered.

There were no familiar faces. Some of them wore sect uniforms while others he overheard talking about the hunt. Without Suibian, and not knowing what rumours the peacock may have spread about him, Wei Wuxian kept his distance from them.

Even the villages seemed bustling. There was a thrill in seeing so many cultivators, and the inns and restaurants were full of cheer. Wei Wuxian brandished his lotus pendant to impress the villagers and was able to make some money selling his talismans. With this money, he bought more talisman paper and treated himself to a meat bun.

It had been days since he had eaten meat. He inhaled the savoury aroma, and took a large bite of the bun. The soft warm dough and well flavoured mince was almost perfect.

The addition of a little bit of chilli would have been ideal.

However, Wei Wuxian's enjoyment of the hot snack was ruined when he heard a dreaded bark behind him.

He froze mid-step.

"Fairy!" A young voice called.

The dog barked again, and Wei Wuxian screamed as he sprinted away.

Chapter Text

The dog was relentless in its pursuit, barking crazily as it kept on his tail.

"Shijie! Shijie! Save me!" His legs quaked, but he still pushed forward as fast as he could.

What had he done? Why was the dog even chasing him? "Jiang Cheng! Where are you?"

The longer the chase, the deeper his panic. His mind blanked, acting on pure flight instinct.

Somehow registering a tree ahead of him, he leapt as high as he could into the tree, shivering as he hugged a thick limb.

"Please, go away..."

Woof! Woof! The black dog sat at the base of the tree, barking, salivating...

Was the dog hungry? He threw down his meat bun, which silenced the dog momentarily. Then it continued barking.

"Shijie... A-Cheng..." Wei Wuxian clenched his eyes shut, tears leaking in a warm stream. Why was the dog still there? What else did it want?

"Shijie, save me..." Wei Wuxian whimpered, heart racing.

He heard a whistling, and footsteps.

The barking stopped.

"Hey! Fairy... I mean, the dog is gone now. You can come down."

Wei Wuxian peeked down nervously. Indeed, there was no sign of the dog. Only a young boy dressed in gold frowning up at him.

Sparks amidst snow. Jin gold. A vermillion dot on his forehead.

Wei Wuxian inhaled deeply, getting his shakes under control, and jumped off the tree. Straightening up, he bowed.

"Um, thank you."

"Why would you even be so afraid of her?" The boy scoffed. "What is wrong with you?"

Wei Wuxian didn't know how to respond to that.

"You didn't need to be that scared. Fairy's a spiritual dog, she won't hurt you."

Fairy? More like Fiend. But Wei Wuxian was too grateful to the boy to be snarky about the ridiculous naming choice.

"She must really like you to be acting like that. But really, she got so excited because you ran away. So, it's your own fault."

Wei Wuxian was speechless. Stay still? So that he could get mauled by the beast? And he doubted the dog liked him, it was more likely the beast sensed his fear and hungrily fed off of it.

"Here, for you." The boy held out a fist, wanting to hand something over. Wei Wuxian reached his hand out warily, palm up, and a coin was dropped in his palm.

"For your food," the boy looked embarrassedly at the half-eaten bun on the ground. "I saw you throwing your bun down for Fairy, but she doesn't actually eat food that's half eaten like that."

Although Wei Wuxian was fine with picking up the bun and eating it after brushing off any dirt, his heart was warmed by the gesture and he forgave all of the boy's other unreasonable utterances.

"You don't have to..." Wei Wuxian tried to return the money, but the boy pushed his hands back, adamant that he keep the coin.

Was this boy actually related to the peacock?

The boy appeared to be younger than him. On his waist hung a familiar looking sword, and on his back was a bow and a quiver of arrows. His creased brows really reminded Wei Wuxian of someone.

Must be a Jin family feature of some sort.

Despite visiting Koi Tower before, Wei Wuxian had never met this boy. He fleetingly considered introducing himself with a fake name. It would be a shame if the image of the head disciple of Yunmeng Jiang was tarnished by his fear of dogs.

Gripping the coin in his hand, he could hardly lie about his identity to someone so kind. Not to mention, they were bound to cross paths in the future, especially if Jiang Yanli really married the peacock.

Wei Wuxian clasped his hands and bowed. "Thank you. I am Wei Ying of Yunmeng Jiang, courtesy name Wei Wuxian."

The boy's expression darkened.

Alright, just what sort of lies had Jin Zixuan been spreading about him?

"Are you trying to be funny?" The boy asked, tone flat.

"Um, no?"

The boy's face scrunched up as though he had eaten a lemon. Then he sighed."You're a lunatic. Only a lunatic would be so afraid of dogs."

Wei Wuxian was taken aback. "What? I'm not a lunatic!"

The boy spun on his heel and walked away.

"Hey! Why are you calling me a lunatic?" Wei Wuxian made to follow. Why did the boy think he was a lunatic? Did Jin Zixuan paint him as some ugly-looking cultivator? Or did Jin Zixuan say he was currently causing havoc at Cloud Recesses?

It should be clarified that he was not causing havoc at all, he was just bringing life to the boring routine at Cloud Recesses. They should be more appreciative of his efforts.

Of course, a peacock like Jin Zixuan could not comprehend the joy Wei Wuxian spread.

"I think you're mistaken about something," Wei Wuxian said.

"Fairy!"

"AAAHHH!" Wei Wuxian ran the other way as Fairy barked ferociously at him.

Even though the barking faded, he did not slow down.

***

A few mornings after his encounter with the kind but mean Jin boy, he reached a town teeming with cultivators. Their conversation naturally entered his ear as he went to purchase food.

"I heard that Gusu Lan were participating. I can't wait to see them in action!"

"I've already used up so many talismans, I hope this is enough..."

"I'm telling you, this compass is broken!"

Wrapping up some steamed buns, his eyes lit up when he spotted a golden figure with no dog in sight.

He ran to the Jin boy. "Hey! You never introduced yourself!"

The Jin boy looked at him in surprise. "Did you follow me here?" He asked with suspicion.

"What? No! I'm here for the hunt."

The boy eyed him sceptically.

"Anyway, why would you call me a lunatic? I'm Wei Wuxian. The polite thing to do would be to introduce yourself."

The boy's eyebrow twitched. "Wei Wuxian, of Yunmeng Jiang?"

"Yes!"

After a moment of silence, Wei Wuxian felt a sense of dread when the boy's mouth puckered and he blew a whistle.

"Why...?" Wei Wuxian choked out, staggering back.

"A lunatic like you will be a danger to yourself in the hunt," the Jin boy turned away.

Fairy emerged from seemingly nowhere, tail wagging, and Wei Wuxian ran for his life.

"Fairy, keep him busy." He vaguely heard the boy instruct his beast.

Wei Wuxian ran away from the barking animal, ignoring the shouts of any cultivators he bowled over in his mad rush to just get away from the dangerous beast on his tail.

"Shijie!" He reverted to his usual call for help. "Shijie! A-Cheng! Save me!"

He did not know where he was running, only that he needed to run in the opposite direction to the barks. The scenery passed him in a blur of green and brown. Wei Wuxian stumbled over branches and roots, catching his footing many times, ignoring the leaves and branches painfully flicking his face.

Wei Wuxian gasped, tears pouring down his face. "Shijie! Shijie!"

Finally, his eyes took in his surroundings and in a single motion reminiscent of his last encounter with the beast, he leapt into a large tree and hugged it, quivering.

He heard scrapes as the dog pawed at the tree trunk below. He dared to glance down, but a bark made him hide his face in the tree again.

Wei Wuxian's pants subsided as his heart calmed down from his mad dash. There was no sound. Had Fairy gone? He looked and saw that Fairy was still down below, sitting at the base of the tree and staring up at him, tongue lolling out the side of her mouth.

His heart raced again. Why won't she leave?

If he couldn't see her, then he could imagine that she wasn't there. He closed his eyes. So what if she was sitting down there? It's not as if dogs could climb trees.

With that assuring thought, Wei Wuxian deeply inhaled the fresh scent of nature surrounding him, calming down immensely.

Just where was he? Would the Jin boy be able to find his dog? At this rate, he was going to miss out on the hunt in Dafan Mountain. He had to get rid of the dog somehow.

Dare he throw a talisman at it? Even a spiritual dog should be afraid of fire, right?

What if he angered it? If Fairy started barking again, there was no way he could ignore its presence.

Shijie... A-Cheng...

In the distance, he heard the rustling of multiple footsteps.

"Sect Leader!" A male voice.

"Have you set all the nets?" This must be the sect leader. The haughty tone sounded familiar, but Wei Wuxian did not recognise the voice. He was certain it was not a sect leader of any of the major sects.

"Yes, we set all four hundred of them." Wow, wasn't that excessive?

"Good. You are to blend in with the other cultivators and keep your eyes on A-Ling. Do not be discovered."

"Yes, Sect Leader!"

Wei Wuxian decided not to call out for help as he heard the group leave. He did not want to be indebted to a sect that unfairly set up so many nets in a hunt.

He chanced a glimpse down, and quickly turned his head away.

The beast was still there.

***

Shadows through the foliage moved across the grass below. The air was warm, but Wei Wuxian trembled every time he checked and saw Fairy still at the base of the tree, looking up at him, drooling hungrily.

There was the soft sound of rustling, and Wei Wuxian strained his ears. Was there someone coming this way?

"Can you believe that Jin Ling!" A faint voice said in the distance. "Setting up so many nets. He's lucky Hanguang-jun only cut down the nets and sealed his lips."

Who was Hanguang-jun? Sealed lips... was Hanguang-jun from Gusu Lan?

"Don't you think that's punishment enough?" The voices were fading fast.

"Hey! Help me!" Wei Wuxian called out.

"Jingyi, did you hear that?"

"No."

Wei Wuxian opened his mouth to call out again, but the scratching of paws on the tree made him look down. He froze when he saw Fairy standing on her two hind legs, front paws placed on the tree trunk, as though daring him to call out again.

Of course he dared to. Those people should be carrying weapons, and it sounded like a group of them. Surely they could take care of a single dog?

Before Wei Wuxian could call out again, there was the sound of someone running.

"There's a temple this way!" The sound of running.

"Hey!" Wei Wuxian tried again, but the cultivators were long gone.

***

As darkness slowly descended, Wei Wuxian's mind wondered to the Cloud Recesses.

Was everyone alright? Did they manage to save Su She? Were they able to retrieve Suibian? What became of the waterborne abyss?

Jiang Cheng would be worried sick about him.

Was Lan Wangji also worried?

He hoped they got his letter soon.

***

Loud crashes and shouts reached his ears. Wei Wuxian nibbled on a cold bun, looking longingly in the direction of all the action he was missing. He had attempted to jump to another tree to see if he could escape Fairy amongst the treetops, but every time he got ready to jump, a bark froze him, a stark reminder that there was a monster awaiting him below.

The sun had long set. There was a faint glow of torchlight, small orange spots glowing on a dark canvas.

An eerie melody echoed through the air. Was someone playing a flute?

A tinkling in the distance was fast approaching. It sounded like chains...

He jolted when a shadow swept past him. What was that? It was moving so fast!

More crashing and yelling. That shadow must have been summoned by the flute and was attacking the cultivators.

A slow melody trilled. Silence.

Lights of white and purple flickered in the distance, the sounds of clashing resonated, then everything quietened down.

Was the hunt over?

The silence stretched, and finally, Wei Wuxian heard the sound of movement as people were descending the mountain.

A whistle rang through the forest. With a bark, Fairy finally left.

"Where was she this whole time?" Wei Wuxian heard faintly. Ah, that sounded like the excessive-nets sect leader.

"She was looking after someone." That was the Jin boy's voice.

"Why did you have her looking after someone else? You can barely look after yourself!" The excessive-nets sect leader growled. "She should have been looking after you."

"I don't think having Fairy there would've helped against the Ghost General."

The older man snarled something too faint for Wei Wuxian to hear.

Ghost General? He had never heard of him before. What a ridiculous title!

Certain that Fairy was long gone with that group of people, Wei Wuxian let go of the tree, stretching the numbness out of his arms and legs.

With blood circulating through his limbs again, he shimmied down the tree trunk, heaving a relieved sigh.

More people were coming this way. There was a faint glow, and excited chatter.

"I can't believe the Ghost General appeared!"

"I know, right? And we also got to see Sandu Shengshou and Hanguang-jun battle it out!"

Sandu Shengshou? More people he had never heard of. Did all of these figures emerge in the cultivation world while he was studying at Cloud Recesses?

Something niggled at the back of his mind.

"I was sure Sandu Sengshou would win. He's vicious!"

"But Hanguang-jun can really keep a cool head, which is an advantage in a battle-"

"AH!" The cultivators screamed when Wei Wuxian stepped into their line of sight.

"Sorry about that," Wei Wuxian said sheepishly. "Was Yunmeng Jiang present at the hunt?"

The cultivators eyed him distrustfully. A bearded man said, "yeah. They already left."

They must have taken a different path down the mountain. "Was Sect Leader Jiang present?"

"Yes."

That was great! "Thank you!" Wei Wuxian bowed, and made his way down the mountain.

Lotus Pier was far away from Dafan Mountain, so it would make sense for the Yunmeng Jiang party to rest overnight before returning. There was only one town located near Dafan Mountain, and Wei Wuxian went to every inn to enquire about his sect.

He found them at the third inn he visited.

"The group wearing purple? Yes, they are staying upstairs, in the rooms around the corner on the left." The innkeeper pointed to the stairs.

Wei Wuxian grinned, relieved. "Thank you!"

With a bounce in his step, he went to climb the stairs, thinking of ways he could surprise his Uncle Jiang and fellow martial siblings.

Chapter Text

It had only been a few months since Wei Wuxian began his studies at Cloud Recesses, but hewas still glad for this chance meet up with Jiang Fengmian. But it would be too boring if he just knocked on the door and announced himself. Maybe he could just barge into their room? That would be impolite towards Jiang Fengmian. Not to mention such an entrance lacked flair.

Perhaps he could pretend to be one of the workers at the inn, delivering food? Or claim to be some non-cultivator keen to join Yunmeng Jiang?

Still undecided, he placed a foot on the first step, but paled when he heard a bark from upstairs.

Surely there's no animals staying at the inn?

He ascended a few steps, and turned back around when the dog's barking became more enthused.

Wei Wuxian forced an awkward smile on his face and approached the innkeeper. "Is there a dog upstairs?"

The innkeeper was surprised that Wei Wuxian came back so soon. "Yes, there was a dog with the Yunmeng Jiang group."

Why would they have a dog with them? Did Jiang Fengmian keep dogs around every time Wei Wuxian was away?

His feet were stuck to the floor, unable to move. But he had to. Other than potentially getting a ride back to Cloud Recesses, he couldn't not greet his sect leader.

Inhaling deeply, he composed himself, and walked to the stairs. He ascended them, one heavy footstep after the other. Wei Wuxian was a strong cultivator. He was fearless. Walking up some stairs was nothing.

His skin felt clammy and his mouth was dry. He reminded himself that Jiang Fengmian wouldn't let him get hurt.

Reaching the second floor landing, he took deep breaths, his stomach churning, and he feared he might paint the landing with his vomit. Maybe the stink of vomit could protect him from the dog's keen senses?

As he pondered the possible advantages of being sick, a door opened and a head popped out, eyes widening when they saw him.

"You! Are you stalking me?" It was the Jin boy. When he saw Wei Wuxian's face, he sighed and said. "Fairy, stay here."

The Jin boy walked over to him cautiously.

"I'm not stalking you," Wei Wuxian said in a strained voice, although he could definitely see how it might seem that way. "I'm here to see Sect Leader Jiang."

"Because you are Wei Wuxian?" The Jin boy asked flatly.

"Yes."

The Jin boy barked a mirthless laugh. "He will beat you up, you lunatic."

"No, he won't. And why do you keep calling me a lunatic? What has that peacock been saying about me?" Really, Jin Zixuan was going too far!

"Peacock?" The Jin boy scrunched his brows.

"Jin Ling! What are you doing out there?" A voice yelled from one of the guest rooms. "Get back to your room!"

Jin Ling rolled his eyes, obviously accustomed to being scolded in that manner.

That voice sounded like the excessive-nets sect leader. Wei Wuxian smirked. "Who was that?"

"That's the Sect Leader Jiang you wanted to see. Now, go before he comes out and beats you to a pulp."

The excessive-nets sect leader? Sect Leader Jiang? How dare he impersonate Jiang Fengmian? Wei Wuxian clenched his fists. "That is not Sect Leader Jiang." He hissed, and made to walk past Jin Ling to confront 'Sect Leader Jiang'.

"Fairy!"

Not again!

***

To Wei Wuxian's relief, Fairy did not stay with him for too long before turning back, giving a final snort in his direction before leaving.

When Wei Wuxian got his racing heart under control, he leapt off the tree, landing in a crouch.

That Jin Ling was evil! How could he do that to Wei Wuxian again and again?

So Jin Ling thought Wei Wuxian would get beaten to a pulp? Wei Wuxian would show him!

He needed to expose the fake Sect Leader Jiang. There was the slim possibility that the fake Sect Leader Jiang was stronger than him, but Wei Wuxian was certain that no-one stronger than him would do something so shameless as impersonate a sect leader. The fake Sect Leader Jiang must be scamming people and Jin Ling, the naive, rich boy, was the latest victim.

But he remembered a conversation earlier that day. Wasn't the fake Sect Leader Jiang the one who set up the four hundred nets for Jin Ling? That would have cost a fortune.

Unless the fake Sect Leader Jiang paid for them with Jin money.

And the fake Sect Leader Jiang had also been concerned for Jin Ling. But that could just be concern for the latest source of gold.

Wei Wuxian needed to beat up the fake Sect Leader Jiang in front of Jin Ling to prove his claim. In order to do so, he needed to lure Fairy away from them.

His mind swirled with ideas.

***

"Aaah!" Wei Wuxian ran away from Fairy again for the third time since he began to tail the 'Yunmeng Jiang' entourage.

He really did try to get as close to them as possible, but Fairy's acute nose always caught him before he could even lay eyes on the fake Sect Leader Jiang.

Fortunately, the scammers travelled by foot rather than by spiritual sword. He suspected this was because the fake Yunmeng Jiang members didn't even have spiritual weapons.

It seemed like they were travelling in the direction of Yunmeng. Just what did the fake Sect Leader Jiang intend to do once they reached Yunmeng? Did he have a fake Lotus Pier ready for their schemes?

The closer they got to Yunmeng, the more familiar Wei Wuxian was with the terrain. Their travel direction meant that in three day's travel, Wei Wuxian would be able to confront the fake Sect Leader Jiang and show him a real member of Yunmeng Jiang.

***

Wei Wuxian travelled through the night to get to a small town, ahead of his target, and purchased supplies for his trap.

He waited on the dirt path, steeling himself to be chased by Fairy again. The moment he spotted purple in the distance, he heard mad barks as Fairy ran towards him. Screaming hysterically, he turned on his heel and ran.

The dog was getting closer! Wasn't there a plan? Yes, there was a plan. Why did Fairy suddenly sound louder? There was a plan. He had to follow it. What was the plan? Oh yes, follow the red ribbons.

In his mind-numbing fear, he managed to follow the path of red ribbons he had tied on multiple trees. This led him to an abandoned temple. Entering the temple, he ran to the far back and turned around.

Fairy stood panting at the entrance, sniffing the ground and reluctant to enter. Wei Wuxian focussed on his anger to overcome his fear. The impertinence of that fake Sect Leader Jiang, cheating Jin gold out of the unsuspecting Jin Ling...

The righteous anger dulled the numbing fear. He pulled out a package from his robe. With the package held out on his palm, he slowly unravelled it to reveal a fresh meat bun.

An uneaten one.

"Here... Fairy," Wei Wuxian's voice trembled. "Have a meat bun."

Wei Wuxian jerked when Fairy suddenly barked and bounded in. He jumped onto a ceiling beam, out of reach of the barking dog, and yanked a rope to close the door.

Fairy noticed the trap and turned back around, but she could not get through the door. She ran around the temple looking for a way out, but Wei Wuxian had already boarded up all possible exits.

Wei Wuxian threw down the meat bun to the whining dog, and climbed out of a hole in the roof. He slumped forward on the tiled roof, heart beating furiously.

That had been the bravest task he had ever accomplished, and he would do it all over again if it meant he could expose the fake Sect Leader Jiang and save Jin Ling.

Breathing slowly, he shakily left the barking dog behind.

***

There was only one road that his target could take to Lotus Pier, so Wei Wuxian easily found his target. The road was winding, lined with thick trees. The area was two days away from Lotus Pier, and Wei Wuxian knew there was a gazebo off the side of the road. Indeed, he peeked some purple through the thick trees.

Jin Ling, however, was not resting in the gazebo. He kicked a stone down the road and paced, looking expectantly down the road.

The beast will not be returning. Wei Wuxian thought viciously.

Armed with a long, sturdy branch, he strode forward with confidence, intending to declare a duel with the fake Sect Leader Jiang and give him a well-deserved beating. Jin Ling spotted his approach and pulled him by his elbow into thick shrubbery.

"You again! What did you do to Fairy? Where is she?" Jin Ling said lowly.

"Your dog is safe. She's in an abandoned temple just east of the next town." Wei Wuxian pointed. "I am here to show you that that Sect Leader is a fake!"

Jin Ling tightened his hold on Wei Wuxian's elbow. "You lunatic! You really want to get a beating, don't you?"

Wei Wuxian patted Jin Ling's shoulder. "I assure you, that fake Sect Leader is the one who will get a beating from a real Yunmeng Jiang disciple!"

"Really? Let's see how the real Yunmeng Jiang disciple fares against this fake Sect Leader." A voice said dangerously.

A tall figure in purple stepped through the bushes. The fake Sect Leader reeled when his eyes landed on Wei Wuxian, sweeping up and down.

"So, this is your stalker..." the fake Sect Leader's voice shook.

Jin Ling stepped in front of Wei Wuxian, arms spread and pleading. "Please, this person is crazy. Don't mind him."

Wei Wuxian stepped around Jin Ling and pointed his makeshift weapon at the fake Sect Leader, but his words were stuck in his throat. Sure, the man in front of him was not Jiang Fengmian, but he looked very familiar.

Tightening his hold on the stick, he readied a barrage of insults but before he could say anything, electricity coursed through him.

"Jiujiu!" He heard as he fell.

***

Cloud Recesses

I was somehow transported to Mo Village when I fell into Biling Lake. I am fine, and I am heading back to Cloud Recesses.

The letter was wrinkled in the corner where Lan Xichen gripped it. Upon receiving the letter, Lan Xichen dismissed it as a prank. For what purpose could someone be impersonating Wei Wuxian? Why bring up a hunt from two decades ago?

If the intention was to lure people to investigate Mo Village, then it was a wasted effort. Lan Wangji was already there with a group of juniors on a hunt.

Or was bringing up the event from twenty years ago meant to unsettle Lan Xichen?

He was tempted to burn the letter, but stayed his hand. Although it would not do for Lan Wangji to hear of this prank, there might be some clues as to the sender's motives in the letter.

Maybe he should consult Jin Guangyao about it.

"Zewu-jun, Hanguang-jun has returned."

Folding the letter and placing it in his robes, Lan Xichen went to greet Lan Wangji.

The most bizarre sight met him at the entrance. A weeping guest had a donkey in a stranglehold, making a ruckus and refusing to enter Cloud Recesses. That was already strange in itself, but even stranger was seeing Lan Wangji's calm at such histrionics.

If anything, Lan Wangji looked happy. His mind went back to the letter in his robe.

Lan Wangji proceeded to silence the visitor as Lan Xichen conversed. Lan Xichen eyed the visitor more closely, trying to place the familiar-looking man.

He watched the way Lan Wangji acted towards the other man, and released the silencing spell. "Wangji, I wish to have a word with you before I head out."

Lan Wangji followed Lan Xichen up the stairs, leaving the visitor with the exasperated junior disciples.

***

The brothers sat across from each other in the Hanshi. Lan Wangji asked, "what did you wish to speak to me about?"

Lan Xichen cut to the chase. "Young Master Wei is back, isn't he?"

However miniscule Lan Wangji's change in expression, Lan Xichen would still easily catch it, and his heart filled with equal parts joy and dread.

"How did you know?" Lan Wangji said, voice soft.

Lan Xichen reached into his robe and passed the letter over, watching Lan Wangji's confusion as he took in the letter's contents.

Lan Wangji handed the letter back. "His memories must have been disrupted initially, but I am certain that his memories extend beyond his teenage years."

So Wei Wuxian had memories of his time as a demonic cultivator? Was that supposed to be comforting? He thought of the wailing man at the entrance. That did seem more like the actions of Wei Wuxian's teenage self, rather than the feared Yiling Laozu. "Did he actually reveal himself to you? If not, how did you even recognise him?"

"His flute playing."

"I see." To a musical cultivator, it was easy to discern an individual from their playing style.

"Wei Ying was struck by Zidian."

So it was not a possession. Did that make Wei Wuxian any less dangerous?

"For whatever reason he was summoned, I believe he does not mean any harm." Lan Wangji shuffled back from the table, and bowed low, hands and forehead on the ground.

"Wangji!" Lan Xichen reached forward, placing his hands under his brother's shoulders to lift him up.

"Xiongzhang, please do not disclose this secret," Lan Wangji's voice trembled with emotion.

"Wangji..."

"Please!"

Lan Xichen's stomach clenched at Lan Wangji's proclamation. Wei Wuxian was the only mistake Lan Wangji had ever made, but he was also the only person outside of family whose existence brought Lan Wangji such happiness. To see that spark in those lost eyes for the first time in thirteen years, Lan Xichen could not deny his brother. "As long as Young Master Wei does not stray from the righteous path, then I will keep his return a secret."

Lan Wangji bowed lowly again in thanks.

If Wei Wuxian were to succumb to resentful energies, then Lan Xichen would be the first person to go after him.

Chapter Text

Wei Wuxian woke up to the familiar sounds of shouting and swords clashing. Did they already start training without him? He sighed, pleased that his good martial siblings let him sleep in.

Eyes closed, he reached into the air to stretch, body feeling lethargic as though he had just recovered from an illness.

"Wei Wuxian."

His eyes snapped open.

He was in his room at Lotus Pier. Sitting beside his bed was a man in purple, white-knuckled fist gripping a piece of paper. This was the fake sect leader, whose tone of voice Wei Wuxian knew so well and who looked a lot like...

"Jiang Cheng!" Wei Wuxian sat up. "Oof!"

Jiang Cheng slammed the piece of paper on his chest. "You are fifteen!"

Fumbling to take hold of the piece of paper, Wei Wuxian saw it was the letter he had sent to Jiang Fengmian. "Yes? What happened? Why do you look so old?" He asked, although he already had an inkling. Jiang Cheng was not only older, but Jin Ling had said he was a sect leader.

Jiang Cheng's shoulders shook. "You must have travelled twenty years into the future when you fell into Biling Lake."

The older Jiang Cheng watched him with a familiar pinched expression.

This was definitely not a joke.

"I see." Wei Wuxian said slowly, feeling strangely calm. He had already guessed the situation. Although it was unbelievable, it was the sort of thing he used to daydream about when he first learned he could cultivate. To the newly adopted Wei Wuxian, cultivators were capable of impossible feats, and the thought of time travelling and reuniting with his parents had crossed his young mind more than once when he first started his cultivation journey.

Of course, Jiang Cheng had rolled his eyes at Wei Wuxian's thoughts, but Jiang Yanli had smiled and discussed the implications of time travel with him, encouraging his wild imagination.

If he was here in the future, then what of his past? Was time frozen for the people he had left? Or had he disappeared after falling into Biling Lake to reappear here? Was this his future? Or was this an alternate dimension?

His heart skipped at the possibility of learning what his future might hold. Did people react strangely to him because he was well known? Did he grow to be a strong cultivator? Did he make much progress with his various theories? Did he start his own family?

What of Jiang Yanli? Did she end up marrying the peacock? Or did she find a more worthy husband?

Was Jiang Cheng married?

Jiang Cheng just stared at him, giving him time to process. Considering Wei Wuxian was knocked out two days away from Lotus Pier, Jiang Cheng would have had time to mull over the situation.

Something shiny on Jiang Cheng's finger reflected light and snapped him out of his thoughts. "Hey! You hit me with Zidian!"

"You deserved it!"

"What? For calling you a fake sect leader? I obviously didn't know... wait, what happened to Uncle Jiang and Madam Yu?" Wei Wuxian froze at the implications.

Jiang Cheng struck him, a fast right hook.

"What was that for?" Wei Wuxian's temper rose at the attack.

"You deserve it!"

Rubbing his cheek, he glared at Jiang Cheng. Dark shadows under his moist eyes, crease lines on his face, ugly downturn of the lips. Not only did Jiang Cheng look older, he also looked wearier. Wei Wuxian's temper quickly cooled, dreading what he might find out about the future.

"Unless this is about how I drank the last of the Emperor's Smile a few days ago, then you'll have to enlighten me on how I've wronged you," he said softly.

Jiang Cheng slammed his fists on the bed with a snarl. "You're a fucking idiot! You always have to play the hero! Your own survival is more important than others, but you're always throwing yourself out there! How did you even fall into Biling Lake? With your skill, you could not have accidentally fallen in. I bet you were playing the hero again!"

Wei Wuxian was silent. He had a feeling that Jiang Cheng's wasn't mad just because of Su She. He gasped when strong arms pulled him into an embrace.

Jiang Cheng's shoulders were shaking.

When was the last time he had seen Jiang Cheng this upset? Sure, he had thrown a fit when he had to get rid of his dogs, and had always worn that pained expression every time his parents fought over and about him, but this was the first time Wei Wuxian had ever seen a breakdown like this.

"Tell me everything, and I will make things better when I get back to the past," Wei Wuxian whispered.

Sure, he had no idea how he got even here, but wasn't 'attempt the impossible' their sect motto? If he managed to travel to the future, then surely there was a way back to the past?

His eyes swept the room awkwardly while he rubbed Jiang Cheng's back. Eyes landing on the board above the bed, his heart stopped.

The drawings of kissing figures was gone.

***

"I vaguely remember hunting the waterborne abyss. I'm quite certain that you didn't fall into the lake back then." Jiang Cheng, now much calmer, fingered the letter Wei Wuxian had sent.

I was somehow transported to Mo Village when I fell into Biling Lake. I am fine, and I am heading back to Cloud Recesses.

Wei Wuxian held his chin, head cocked.

"But everything else up to that point happened? We followed Zewu-jun on a hunt, I splashed Lan Zhan, Su She fell into the lake?"

"As far as I can remember," Jiang Cheng said. "So even if you go back, you might not even be going back to the past of this present."

"Who knows? The fact that I'm here at all must mean that this is my future, right? So if I can go back, I should be able to fix whatever it is that upset you so much. We won't know until we try!"

Jiang Cheng thinned his lips, not disparaging Wei Wuxian for his theories. Looking at a spot over Wei Wuxian's shoulder, Jiang Cheng told his tale.

***

They sat beside each other on Wei Wuxian's bed, heads bowed.

"Uncle Jiang... Madam Yu..." Wei Wuxian sobbed, tears rolling steadily down his cheeks. Jiang Fengmian had taken him in, opening his home to Wei Wuxian when he had nowhere to call home. Yu Ziyuan had been disapproving of Wei Wuxian since she first laid eyes on him and had never shown him any kindness, often whipping him and making him kneel in the Ancestral Hall for punishment, but he acknowledged that she had grudgingly allowed him to stay and had never been cruel to him.

"Shijie!" He wiped his face with his already-wet sleeve. Jiang Yanli, who teasingly called him 'Xianxian', who gently pat his head when he wanted the attention...

Wei Wuxian's breath hitched, hand grasping his robes over his clenching heart.

His shijie, who listened to his tales with indulgent patience, who cooked pork rib and lotus root soup to cheer him up, who had sent him off to Cloud Recesses a mere few months ago with her kind smile...

Unable to handle the aching pain in his chest, he launched himself at Jiang Cheng, wailing into his ear. "Shijie! Shijie!" He poured out his pain, in tears that soaked the shoulder he leaned into, in sobs as he gasped desperately for breath.

He clung tightly to the solid warmth.

A hand rubbed his back in slow circles, and he cried even louder in anguish.

***

The massacre of Lotus Pier, the Sunshot Campaign, the emergence of Yiling Laozu, his end...

It was not enough to attempt the impossible, he must do the impossible.

He must return to his own time and fix everything.

***

Night had long fallen. Even though neither of them had an appetite, Jiang Cheng had some servants prepare snacks for them.

He also grabbed four large jars of wine.

"I can't understand why my future self would do that," Wei Wuxian said, voice hoarse, eyes red and tears long dried.

Jiang Cheng stared at his cup of wine. "Neither do I."

They sat in silence, drinking to distract themselves.

***

A hiccup.

"So Jin Ling is shijie's son?"

"Yes."

"He has a dog."

"Yes."

"Why?"

"Jin Guangyao gave it to him to cheer him up."

"Jin Ling is a brat."

"Yes."

"He is also kind."

"... Yes."

They downed their cups.

***

"I can't believe Nie-xiong is the Nie sect leader."

"Neither can I, and I've known this for over a decade."

They were well into their third jar of wine.

***

"You grew up to be a dashing sect leader." Wei Wuxian giggled at the blush creeping up Jiang Cheng's neck.

"Stop spouting gibberish. We will discuss what to do with you tomorrow after we've both rested."

Wei Wuxian slumped down on the bed, shuffling over so that there was enough space for Jiang Cheng.

They lay side by side, just like they always did after a night of drinking when neither of them could be bothered moving to sleep in separate beds.

Sleep took a long time to claim them.

***

Wei Wuxian woke up to the familiar sounds of shouting and swords clashing. Did they already start training without him? He was pleased that his good martial siblings let him sleep in.

He opened his eyes and looked around, and froze when he saw the drawing of kissing figures was not there.

That's right. He had thought that his martial siblings had been kind to him by allowing him to sleep more, but the people training outside weren't his martial siblings. They weren't the people who joked around with him, trained with him, grew up with him-

The door to his room slammed open, and Jiang Cheng strode in with a tray of food. He kicked the door closed behind him.

"You're finally awake?" He placed the food on the table.

"Good morning to you too," Wei Wuxian grumbled, sitting up slowly and stretching.

"Eat up," Jiang Cheng sat down at the table, unloading the tray.

Wei Wuxian smiled appreciatively when he saw the large pot of chilli oil next to his congee.

As Wei Wuxian ate, Jiang Cheng pulled out a sword that was attached at his waist.

"This is the best weapon I could get for you on short notice. There obviously isn't enough time for you to cultivate it properly and form a connection, but with your trouble-seeking ways I'd feel more assured knowing you can defend yourself."

"Wow, this must be a treasure you dug out of the Yunmeng Jiang treasury for me." Wei Wuxian unsheathed the sword, admiring the patterned blade.

Jiang Cheng did not respond to that, but instead said, "we will research. Then we'll go to Mo Village to see if we can find a reason why you ended up there. If there's nothing, we'll go to Biling Lake. the waterborne abyss has long been dealt with, but there might still be some clues in the lake."

This was the exact course of action that Wei Wuxian had thought about in the wee hours of the morning before he managed to fall asleep, however...

"What do you mean 'we'? Don't you have a sect to take care of?"

"I have time. The sword hasn't been cultivated enough for flying, so I'll need to take you."

Jiang Cheng pulled out a mask. It was made of metal. Intricate designs were etched onto the surface, which Wei Wuxian fingered when the mask was passed over to him, feeling the spiritual energy radiating from it. Inside the mask, the character Yin- to conceal- was engraved.

"That came from our treasury. It masks the wearer's identity, and can only be removed by the wearer. Now, your cover story..."

***

"Yu Xing is my cousin. His mind was muddled due to a qi deviation." Jiang Cheng spoke from the front of the hall.

Wei Wuxian stood beside him, shifting from one foot to the other as the unfamiliar Yunmeng Jiang disciples eyed him with interest. Jiang Cheng had assured him that none of the disciples who had seen his face would recognise him. He was slightly curious what they would do if they discovered that it was the most detested demonic cultivator who stood there beside their sect leader.

"The spiritual mask that he wears allows his mind to be clear. So if you see him without his mask on, I am to be informed immediately to deal with his lunacy."

Wei Wuxian stared at Jiang Cheng from behind the mask. He understood the potential dangers of revealing himself in this world.

He clenched his fists.

"Why was he travelling around without his mask?" Jin Ling asked.

"It was requested I send the spiritual mask to Meishan, but Yu Xing came looking before I could do so. This is just as well, as he will be staying here with us for a while."

Jin Ling nodded, evidently appeased.

Now, early next month we are meeting in Qinghe with the Nie Sect..."

Wei Wuxian zoned out as Jiang Cheng assigned the disciples going and staying. Staring at Jin Ling, he could now see features of both Jin Zixuan and Jiang Yanli in him. Jin Ling was nodding along with the instructions, then scowled at the notion of being babysat all the way to Qinghe.

That was definitely Jin Zixuan's scowl. Jiang Yanli never scowled like that.

***

"Jin Ling!" Wei Wuxian caught up with the other boy as everyone was leaving the hall.

Jin Ling sighed. "What?"

"I'm sorry for reminding you of that person and upsetting you," Wei Wuxian bowed his head. It was understandable that Jin Ling would be angered at the mere mention of Wei Wuxian's name. Even he was angry at the thought that his future self was the reason his shijie was gone.

He pulled himself out of his thoughts.

"It's fine. You weren't... all there," Jin Ling said.

"I'm also sorry for locking up your d- Fairy." The dog was apparently gifted by another uncle when Jin Ling was feeling down. Wei Wuxian could not fathom gifting a dog to cheer someone up, but he supposed a spiritual dog had its uses.

Another sigh. "No harm done. Fairy's intelligent enough to know if someone wanted to hurt her. Jiujiu told me that your fear of dogs was unrelated to your qi deviation. I've instructed her to stay out of your sight."

"Thank you." Wei Wuxian eyes stung at Jin Ling's compassion. It was truly a trait inherited from Jiang Yanli.

Wei Wuxian was glad the spiritual mask he wore only covered the top half of his face so that Jin Ling could see his expression of sincerity as he grinned. "Let's be friends! I am Sect Leader Jiang's cousin, so that means that I am hierarchically your senior. You can all me Uncle... nah, I'm not that much older than you, call me Yu Xing!" Wei Wuxian said when he saw Jin Ling's sour expression, reckoning that Jin Ling would be uncomfortable with the familiarity of 'Xing-gege'. "Can you show me where the scrolls are kept? Sect Leader Jiang already assigned me work."

So Wei Wuxian had Jin Ling's company a bit longer as he was led through familiar halls to the library. Lotus Pier had been restored to exactly how it was in Wei Wuxian's own time, but his keen eyes still noticed the differences. The grains were thicker over here, or the wood was slightly darker over there.

And the people walking these halls were all strangers.

Pushing these details to the back of his mind when his throat tightened, he showed off his new sword to Jin Ling, who needed no encouragement to unsheathe Suihua to discuss swordsmanship.

When they reached their destination, Jin Ling readily left Wei Wuxian to look for Fairy.

Which was fortunate, as he wanted to get straight to the research and it'd be troublesome to pretend that he didn't know his way around the library.

Growing up, Wei Wuxian had enjoyed imagining the possibilities with cultivating, particularly with talismans and arrays. Designs were very specific, and a simple changed stroke could drastically alter the results of an array. It was a wonderful craft.

With his passion for those particulars, he had studied all the scrolls he had access to in Lotus Pier, coming up with ideas and theories that would make Jiang Cheng pull him away from the library for some fresh air.

He had never found anything about time-travel.

His eyes scanned the shelves, pulling out scrolls that looked unfamiliar to him. With his arms full, he retreated to a table and settled to read.

Chapter Text

"Are you still working?"

Wei Wuxian looked up. It was too dark and he couldn't see Jin Ling, but by the tone of voice, he guessed Jin Ling was pouting.

Jin Ling's scowling expression became clear when he emerged from the darkness into the orange glow of the single candle on Wei Wuxian's table. "I thought you were looking at ways to treat your qi deviation?" Jin Ling picked up a manual. 'Foundational Arrays'. "I read this when I was six."

Wei Wuxian bit back a sharp response, then grinned. "I could catch fish by hand when I was six."

"Really?" Jin Ling asked interestedly.

"Yeah. I could teach you one day." He vaguely remembered his mother holding his wrists to stop him from scooping excitedly at fish in a freezing lake and gently guiding them catch the unsuspecting fish.

He became quite adept at catching fish. When he had been starving on the streets, he sometimes caught fish to feed himself. He had inevitably released them when he couldn't bring himself to harm them, and returned to the streets to fight over leftovers.

"I qi deviated while fiddling around with different ways of channelling energies through talismans, so it makes sense to return and revise the basics," Wei Wuxian easily lied. To be honest, he had grabbed anything that looked new or unfamiliar, even basic texts. Who knew what useful advancements in cultivation there might have been in the past twenty years? "Anyway, did Sect Leader Jiang make you study a lot here?"

Jin Ling dropped the manual back onto the mess he had picked it up from. "Jiujiu used to make me study every time I was staying here, but nowadays he just makes me train a lot."

Wei Wuxian could imagine Jiang Cheng telling a younger Jin Ling that he would grow to be an empty-headed Sect Leader if he kept stuffing around with Fairy. Wei Wuxian asked, "have you ever come across anything that dealt with time?"

"No." Jin Ling's answer was immediate. Wei Wuxian wondered whether, like himself, Jin Ling had ever entertained thoughts of time travel to reunite with his parents. He himself had scoured the library for any scrap of information about time spells after he had learned how to read. Jiang Fengmian had pulled him away from the library after another sleepless night, insisting that he would not find what he wanted.

He still remembered that lost look on Jiang Fengmian's face.

Jin Ling said, "what does that have to do with your qi deviation?"

"Well, if I could make my body de-age until before my deviation, would that not be a cure?" Wei Wuxian said.

Jin Ling was slack-jawed. "That's ridiculous! How can you de-age?"

Wei Wuxian scratched the metallic mask over his nose. The half-mask was an uncomfortable necessity and he cursed his future self's infamy. "The cultivation of today and riding on swords was considered impossible in the past." He smiled, remembering saying something similar to Jiang Cheng just before the fateful mission that had sent him here. "If cultivating until we no longer age is a possibility, then why not cultivating until age not only stops, but reverses? Is that not also in the realm of possibility?"

Wei Wuxian laughed inwardly at Jin Ling holding his chin in consideration, seriously contemplating Wei Wuxian's fake theory.

"But," Jin Ling frowned, "if your cultivation is strong enough to do this when you reach the age of, say, thirty, then you de-age a few years, but your cultivation wasn't strong enough in your twenties to de-age, then how could you continue de-aging?"

Wei Wuxian slammed the table, making Jin Ling jolt. "You are right! Well, it is still an idea worth considering, isn't it?"

Jin Ling said was silent for a moment. "Koi Tower has a larger library, you can come to Koi Tower with me if jiujiu lets you."

Wei Wuxian brightened. He had never been to the library at Koi Tower, but if the library was anything like the rest of the tower, then it must surely be grand and filled with rare texts.

"If I let you do what?"

Wei Wuxian and Jin Ling jumped when Jiang Cheng emerged from the shadows, usual scowl in place.

"Jiujiu!"

"Jiang... Sect Leader Jiang, don't scare us like that!" Wei Wuxian placed a hand over his heart.

Jiang Cheng sniffed. "If you were so easily caught off guard, then that means you need more training."

"Or maybe a sect leader of your status shouldn't be skulking around eavesdropping on others," Wei Wuxian shot back.

"I own this place, I can skulk around all I want!"

Jin Ling stared at Jiang Cheng, mouth agape in shock. Wei Wuxian refrained from laughing at Jin Ling's reaction. It was unlikely that Jin Ling had ever seen Jiang Cheng bantering like this.

He sobered at the reason why Jin Ling never had the chance to witness such a scene.

Jiang Cheng cleared his throat when he noticed Jin Ling's stare. "Progress?"

"None so far," Wei Wuxian sighed.

"Jiujiu, Yu Xing can research at Koi Tower if he can't find what he needs here."

Wei Wuxian grimaced at the fake name. It would take him a while to get used to being called 'Yu Xing'.

Jiang Cheng said, "he'll be coming with us to the Discussion Conference."

"Maybe I can skip Qinghe and bring him to Koi Tower sooner," Jin Ling said. Wei Wuxian wondered at Jin Ling's hopeful tone. Was Nie Huaisang really so awful a host? The Nie Huaisang that he knew was fun to hang around with and had an enviable collection of pornographic literature. How had Nie Mingjue's death and the passage of time changed him?

"No. There is other business he must attend to," Jiang Cheng said.

Jin Ling frowned. "What else does he have to do?"

"My illness won't treat itself," Wei Wuxian butted in to quell Jin Ling's questions. "We'll be collecting and testing rare herbs from the outskirts of Gusu. Boring stuff. Anyway, I'm hungry! What's for dinner?"

Wei Wuxian blew out the candle, plunging them into darkness, and dragged Jiang Cheng and Jin Ling out of the library by their arms.

As Jin Ling stumbled to keep up, he expressed the hope for steamed fish.

"I can make excellent steamed fish!" Wei Wuxian boasted.

Jiang Cheng pulled his arm out of Wei Wuxian's grip and grabbed Wei Wuxian's arm in return. "You are not going anywhere near the kitchen!"

"Jiujiu, have you tried his cooking before? What's wrong with it?"

Jiang Cheng did some quick thinking. "You saw the state of the library. I don't trust him not to make a mess of the kitchen."

Wei Wuxian shrugged. "It's your loss."

Jiang Cheng led them to the hall where Wei Wuxian always ate with the Jiang family. The round table was already laden with food, many dishes Wei Wuxian identified as some of his favourites. His mouth watered as he inhaled the fragrant spices.

Someone even kindly left a pot of chilli on the table for him.

"Jiujiu was right not to let you cook for us," Jin Ling concluded when he saw how Wei Wuxian liberally spooned the chilli oil on his food.

"Of course I was," Jiang Cheng said haughtily.

"But you haven't even tried! Come on, Jin Ling! Let this senior improve your meal for you." Wei Wuxian made to spoon some chilli oil into Jin Ling's bowl, laughing when Jin Ling quickly twisted around so that his bowl was out of reach.

Jiang Cheng clicked his tongue. "We- Yu Xing! Leave him alone!"

"Yes, Sect Leader Jiang!" Wei Wuxian grinned.

"Jin Ling, sit properly!"

"Why are you yelling at me? It's Yu Xing's fault..." Jin Ling mumbled, earning a glare from Jiang Cheng.

Jiang Cheng picked up his chopsticks. "Eat."

"Let's eat!" Wei Wuxian said eagerly. He picked up a chicken drumstick with his chopsticks, and balanced it precariously on Jiang Cheng's bowl of rice.

"Here, Sect Leader."

Jiang Cheng nodded with a gruff acknowledgement.

He saw Jin Ling eyeing the remaining drumstick, and quickly picked it up with his chopsticks.

"Here, Jin Ling," Wei Wuxian said, placing the food in Jin Ling's bowl.

"Um, thanks."

Wei Wuxian grinned when Jiang Cheng and Jin Ling bit into the chicken simultaneously. They were both so alike, emotionally awkward and abrasive, always frowning like the world was simply full of disappointments. Watching their interactions, Wei Wuxian could momentarily forget about the missing people from the dining table and enjoy the sumptuous meal.

***

Wei Wuxian spent the following days trawling the shelves of the Lotus Pier library for more material, bringing them back to his table and reading manual after manual, scroll after scroll.

Jin Ling accompanied him whenever he wasn't training or hanging out with the dreadful beast, reading or putting manuals back where they came from when Wei Wuxian was done with them.

"Have you read this one before?" Wei Wuxian pointed at a ridiculously thick manual he had retrieved for appearances sake.

"What's this? 'Compendium of Herbs'?" Jin Ling scrunched his nose, but grudgingly began to read it as Wei Wuxian made a show of total focus on his own scroll, smiling behind the scroll at Jin Ling's willingness to help.

Even Jiang Cheng had come in a few times, but with a sect to run, Wei Wuxian was mostly left alone to his research.

On the fourth morning since Wei Wuxian woke up in Lotus Pier, he was joined by Jiang Cheng in the library. Sitting across from each other, they steadily made their way through the last of the scrolls, discussing the limited points of interest that they encountered.

"Do you think a reverse summoning might work?" Wei Wuxian wondered as he skimmed a manual about summoning arrays. Summoning spirits was a common enough spell. Would it be possible to tweak the array to achieve the opposite effect?

Jiang Cheng shrugged. "If you were able to turn a spirit repelling talisman into a spirit attracting one, then I don't see why not."

Wei Wuxian gaped. His mind cast back to those interesting talismans he had seen at Mo Manor. "Are you saying that I invented those talismans that were at Mo Manor?"

"After the Sunshot Campaign, you invented some useful things. Some," Jiang Cheng said, then scowled. "Don't get a big head."

Wei Wuxian's grin split his face at Jiang Cheng's round-about praise. So that design had been his? He was capable of such genius? He had always been confident in his abilities, but the proof that his theories could be realised made his heart swell. What of his other ideas? The spirit detecting compass? The use of resentful spirits? All of those arrays and talismans he had imagined?

Tucking his giddy thoughts away, he continued skimming the scrolls and manuals. As they made their way through the material, it was clear that their chances of conveniently finding a time travel spell were slim to none.

"There is nothing about time here!" Wei Wuxian sighed. "Nothing about time travel, and I already knew all that stuff about summoning."

Jiang Cheng rolled up his scroll. "We'll go to Mo Village."

***

With Jiang Cheng finalising sect business before their departure, Wei Wuxian went to look for Jin Ling.

Although there was the urgent need for researching ways to return to his own time, he had deliberately avoided leaving the library. Why remind himself that the familiar-but-not rebuilt Lotus Pier was full of strangers wearing the Yunmeng Jiang uniform? Consumed with his research in the library, he could cast everything else to the back of his mind.

He froze when he saw a black tail poking out from behind a bush, and fast-walked past the bushes towards the training grounds. He appreciated that Jin Ling had commanded Fairy to stay out of his way. Another of Jiang Yanli's kind traits Jin Ling had inherited.

Savouring the feeling of the sun warming him for the first time in many days, he walked through the Jiang compound. He was grateful he hadn't landed here in summer. Wearing the metallic mask would have been hell in that weather.

He followed the sounds of yelling and swordfights, and found Jin Ling crossing blades with other Yunmeng Jiang disciples. Wei Wuxian recognised the Yunmeng Jiang footwork mixed in with other unfamiliar styles.

With the sunlight reflecting off Suihua and his flowing golden robes as Jin Ling gracefully parried and dodged his opponent, the boy's resemblance to Jin Zixuan was uncanny. Jin Ling moved with the agility and confidence of youth.

"Excellent!" Wei Wuxian couldn't help exclaiming when Jin Ling executed a perfect feint.

Jin Ling and his opponent stopped fighting, and the Yunmeng Jiang disciples bowed in greeting while Jin Ling scratched his head, abashed.

"Um, thanks..."

"You just need to watch your back leg. Your stance is too wide sometimes and that leads to lack of stability," Wei Wuxian said.

"I see," Jin Ling said, frowning as he moved his feet into position, adjusting his heels

Wei Wuxian turned to Jin Ling's opponent. "And you! Your speed is incredible, but it's obvious every time you're about to execute a thrust. Watch that right shoulder!"

The Yunmeng Jiang disciple bowed, accepting the advice with a confused "thanks" before heading off to join his fellow disciples, leaving Jin Ling behind with Wei Wuxian.

Even though Wei Wuxian was not that much older than Jin Ling, Jin Ling was his shijie's son, and he was extremely tempted to ruffle Jin Ling's hair like a child. He knew that Jin Ling would find it annoying.

Heck, why not?

"Hey!" Jin Ling swatted his hand away and staggered back with a scowl.

Wei Wuxian stepped forward and clapped Jin Ling on the back before the other boy could fend him off. "I am off!"

"Off?"

"To collect herbs, remember?"

"Oh." Jin Ling looked down glumly, and Wei Wuxian placed a firm hand on his shoulder.

"Hey! At least now you can let that... Fairy freely roam around," Wei Wuxian said. "By the way, thanks for telling her to stay out of my sight."

"How long will you take?" Jin Ling asked, ignoring Wei Wuxian's thanks.

The brat.

"It remains to be seen," Jiang Cheng stepped onto the training grounds, nodding at his disciples' greetings. "We're meeting up in Qinghe. Behave for your seniors, and don't go running off alone."

"Yes, jiujiu."

Jin Ling's obedient response did not fool anyone, even Wei Wuxian who had only known him for a short amount of time knew that it would not take much for Jin Ling to run off with Fairy.

"I mean it. If I find out you'd run off alone, I'll break your legs!"

Jiang Cheng's harsh tones did not fool anyone either.

Wei Wuxian managed to ruffle Jin Ling's hair one more time before running away from the fuming boy.

He was going to miss him.

Chapter Text

Balanced on Sandu behind Jiang Cheng, Wei Wuxian's arms circled his waist. He inhaled the familiar scent of sweat and something flowery that he knew from their tussles. It was a comfort to know that despite the differences he now saw in Jiang Cheng, time had not changed some things.

"Hold on properly. I'm not picking up whatever's left of you if you slip off because of your daydreaming." Even though Jiang Cheng's voice was lower, more mature, the uncaring tone was the no different to the teenage Jiang Cheng. Wei Wuxian smiled and tightened his hold.

Damn, he was shorter than Jiang Cheng now.

He sighed as he watched the view below them change from the waterways of Yunmeng to mountainous landscape. Further and further away from Jin Ling, the boy he barely knew yet already felt intense emotions for.

And one of the many reasons he had for returning to his time, for doing the impossible.

He wished he was the one flying. It's one of his many loves, and it frustrated him that he did not have control over their flight.

Wei Wuxian had been upset to hear that Jiang Cheng did not have Suibian, but he had not asked for an explanation. Apparently his future self had no need for Suibian leading up to his death. Jiang Cheng had mentioned that Lanling Jin was in possession of it. Despite their familial connection, Wei Wuxian knew that Jiang Cheng would find it difficult to ask to borrow the sword. Not to mention it would be suspicious if Jiang Cheng suddenly wanted it.

Suibian was one of his most treasured possessions. He could not imagine any reason why his future self stopped carrying it around. Was it because he was using demonic cultivation and had no need? Was there something wrong with Suibian? Or had something happened during the war that turned Wei Wuxian off his weapon?

The sword that Jiang Cheng dug out for him was no Suibian, but it would have to suffice during his sojourn in this future. Cultivating a sword took time and effort, it would be some time before he could fly long distances with his new sword, but he was determined to work on it so that he could regain that freedom of flight.

***

They landed on the quiet main road of Mo Village. A small village such as this would hardly have any cultivator visitors, and they garnered some strange looks as they made their way to Mo Manor.

"These people wanted to hand me over to the Jin Sect for some reward," Wei Wuxian said conversationally. "How much do you think I'd be worth?"

"You think you're worth a lot? Don't be ridiculous."

Something that Wei Wuxian had become certain of since waking up at Lotus Pier was that Jiang Cheng had missed him. In his mind, he extended that to mean that Jiang Cheng had missed his ridiculousness, so he continued, "I might be priceless. I mean, handsome faces and intelligent heads are hard to come by. Speaking of handsome faces, did Lan Zhan grow up to be handsome? I wonder what he looks like now. Lan Zhan... Hanguang-jun... the title suits him!"

Jiang Cheng's lips thinned. Of course, Wei Wuxian had questioned him on who 'Hanguang-jun', 'Sandu Shengshou' and 'Ghost General' were. His responses had been curt. 'Hanguang-jun' was Lan Wangji, 'Sandu Shengshou' was Jiang Cheng, and 'Ghost General' was this Wen Ning who Wei Wuxian had never even heard of, but Jiang Cheng had spoken of him with such a tight jaw that Wei Wuxian figured he was bad news.

"Anyway, that Mo couple were questionable characters, but I suppose if a mighty sect leader like you showed up, they'd be more than willing to answer any of your questions," Wei Wuxian said, eyes widening when he saw Mo Manor. He picked up his pace. "They were fine when I left them! Some Gusu Lan disciples were even here for a hunt. Surely they didn't fail their mission?"

Above the doorway hung a white lantern; an indication of death in the household.

Jiang Cheng looked grimly at the lantern. "What were they hunting?"

"I don't know, I didn't actually meet them. There were some of those spirit-attraction flags set up around one of the courtyards."

Jiang Cheng knocked on the heavy door. When no-one answered, Wei Wuxian gave the door a shove to find that it was not locked. Opening the doors wide with a creak, they exchanged a glance and crossed the threshold.

Still silence pervaded the manor. There was no sign of life.

Jiang Cheng looked around the empty manor. "Whatever was summoned must have killed the occupants of this manor."

They unsheathed their swords and entered cautiously The faint scent of blood permeated the air. The flags that once surrounded the blood splattered West courtyard were no longer there. Inside the East hall, dried blood painted the turned over furniture.

It was extremely rare for cultivators of major sects to fail their clients. A sect's reputation hinged on their successes, so for Gusu Lan sect to have failed in such a way meant that whatever monster they had been hunting had been extremely fierce.

Wei Wuxian wondered whether it was just a coincidence that he had been summoned to the location of such a hunt.

"I don't know where I actually turned up. We'll need to search the whole manor for any clues." As Wei Wuxian turned to leave the bloody hall, he heard footsteps outside.

Wei Wuxian and Jiang Cheng moved as one to stand in wait just inside the hall on either side of the door.

Whoever was outside walked quietly, taking slow steps, as though to hide their presence. But their attempts at stealth were useless against a cultivator's refined senses.

A broom appeared through the doorway first. Brush. Handle. Hands. Then the rest of the person.

"Mister Bao!" Wei Wuxian lowered his sword.

The old servant jumped at Wei Wuxian's sudden appearance, hurriedly raising the broom to attack. His wrinkled face frowned, and Wei Wuxian sheathed his sword. He took off his mask.

"It's me!"

Mister Bao staggered back.

"We- Wei Wuxian!" He stammered.

"Ahaha... that was a joke." Wei Wuxian said, scratching his head. "I'm not Wei Wuxian, I'm actually Yu Xing. This is Sect Leader Jiang Wanyin of Yunmeng Jiang."

Jiang Cheng stepped into Mister Bao's line of sight.

"It's not even an amusing joke," Jiang Cheng drawled. "This boy just really wanted my attention."

Mister Bao squinted at Jiang Cheng's authoritative demeanour, lowering his broom.

"Mister Bao, what are you doing here? What happened?"

Mister Bao seemed to trust Jiang Cheng at least, and leaned the broom against the wall. He bowed respectfully to Jiang Cheng. "I saw the front door open and came to see who dared enter the manor." Mister Bao looked distraught. "The day that you left, the whole Mo family were massacred. This place has been uninhabited since."

Massacred? Wei Wuxian frowned. "What creature caused such devastation?"

"I don't know," Mister Bao said. "It was so confusing. One moment the dead bodies appeared, the next moment Madam was attacking everyone. Those boys were unable to stop her and by the time Hanguang-jun came, it was already too late for Master and Madam."

So whatever had killed the Mo family could only be subdued by Lan Wangji? If only Wei Wuxian had hung around, he might have been able to help.

"We're trying to figure out how I came to be here. Do you know where I was discovered?"

Mister Bao shook his head. "It was Mo Xuanyu who found you."

Jiang Cheng stiffened, and Wei Wuxian glanced at him. Who was Mo Xuanyu?

"Mo Xuanyu barely left his room, so he most likely found you there. I can show you where it is." Mister Bao turned and led them through the manor.

"Was Mo Xuanyu a relative of the late Master and Madam?" Wei Wuxian asked.

"Mo Xuanyu is Madam Mo's nephew," Mister Bao said, voice strained.

There must be a story there. Wei Wuxian wanted to know. "Can you tell us more about him?"

Mister Bao cast his eyes downward. "I actually do not know much about him. We all avoided him."

They turned a corner, walking further away from the main hall. "Why?"

"He cultivated briefly with some large sect, but came back a disgrace."

"Lanling Jin," Jiang Cheng interjected.

Mister Bao seemed surprised. "You've heard of him? When he returned here, his mind was muddled." Mister Bao sighed. "He was not well-liked within this household."

As though to prove this point, the room they were led to was small and a complete mess, a room unsuitable for any human, not to mention the nephew of Madam Mo. Wei Wuxian stepped into the dark room with Jiang Cheng, nose scrunched at the putrid smell as he eyed the filth.

No piece of furniture had been left unturned, as though someone had deliberately gone through the room in search of something. Broken boxes and wooden parts lay scattered throughout the room. A dirty sheet was deposited in the dark corner. Even more disturbing was the streaks of blood all over the wall and the floors, as though someone had gone through the room and wiped blood all over the surfaces.

Or, someone had tried to wipe the blood off the surfaces.

"It looks like someone tried to get rid of evidence of something," Wei Wuxian looked more closely at the blood on the floor. There appeared to be some deliberate drawn lines, but he could not discern anything. He turned to Mister Bao. "Was this room always like this?"

"The room had always been a mess. Mo Xuanyu never took care of himself, and Young Master Mo often came and disturbed the room. But the blood... I wonder if that was why he was stranger than usual that night."

Wei Wuxian asked, "how was he stranger?"

"It is difficult to explain. He exuded a resoluteness? I cannot find the words, but there was something different about him."

"What was he doing during the attack?"

Mister Bao looked into the distance with a creased brow, trying to remember. "I think he was... getting in the way."

Wei Wuxian considered this. Mo Xuanyu had not run away in fear, showing courage. But he had also not able to do anything to help the Lan sect disciples. Or was he deliberately getting in the way? If so, for what purpose.

"Did Mo Xuanyu also perish that night?" Wei Wuxian sincerely hoped not. He needed to ask Mo Xuanyu what the hell he had been trying to achieve when Wei Wuxian was transported here.

"He did not. He disappeared during the attack, and had not been seen since," Mister Bao said, then added. "He took his donkey with him."

After a quick exploration of the rest of the manor, they thanked Mister Bao and left Mo Village, flying towards Gusu.

"Do you know Mo Xuanyu?" Wei Wuxian asked, holding on tightly when Jiang Cheng swerved around some branches.

Jiang Cheng was silent, and Wei Wuxian wasn't sure he was going to answer.

"He was at Dafan Mountain." Jiang Cheng finally said. "Lan Wangji took him to Cloud Recesses."

"That's perfect! We can look for him after we check out Biling Lake."

When Jiang Cheng did not respond, Wei Wuxian asked. "What's wrong with him?"

"What's not wrong with him?" Jiang Cheng snarled. "He's a demonic cultivator! He upset Jin Ling! He's a shameless cutsleeve! You should have seen him throwing himself all over Lan Wangji!"

Wei Wuxian was not sure how he felt about demonic cultivation and cutsleeves, but he could understand why Jiang Cheng would be angry about Mo Xuanyu upsetting Jin Ling, Jiang Yanli's son was to be protected!

However, he would have been delighted to see a madman throw himself all over the blank-faced Lan Wangji.

"What did Mo Xuanyu do to Jin Ling?"

"Questioned Jin Ling's behaviour, upbringing and parents." Jiang Cheng put on a burst of speed in his anger.

"Even you admit that he can be a brat," Wei Wuxian mumbled. As for Jin Ling's upbringing without his parents, he could not bring himself to be angry at Mo Xuanyu for something that his future self caused. "Anyway, what do you think of his room at Mo Manor? With all that blood, I wonder if he did some sort of spell?"

"What, to summon you? Didn't he readily hand you over to the Mo couple?"

"Yeah," Wei Wuxian's thoughts wondered. "If it was a spell that somehow summoned me and he handed me over to them, then it must've been an accident. We'll have to find him and ask."

Jiang Cheng grumbled something Wei Wuxian couldn't make out over the wind. Knowing him, it was probably something derogatory.

"Biling Lake first," Jiang Cheng said.

He hoped they would fine some clues in Biling Lake. Was there some hidden array in the depths of the lake that would explain Wei Wuxian's time travel? Or had Mo Xuanyu really done something to summon him?

"Have you ever tried summoning something with an array before?" Wei Wuxian asked.

"... Yes."

Why did he hesitate? "What were you trying to summon? What sort of array did you use? I wonder if we could modify it to send me somewhere..."

"The summoning was a failure."

"Oh?" He wasn't going to elaborate on what he had been trying to summon? "Well, if we can't find anything in Biling Lake or at Cloud Recesses, we can experiment with all those other arrays we looked up at Lotus Pier. Anyway, can't you go faster?"

Wei Wuxian felt them slowing down.

"Can't you go slower?"

They slowed down to a crawl, then Jiang Cheng put on a sudden burst of speed, forcing Wei Wuxian to tighten his hold around Jiang Cheng's waist. He whooped in excitement at the speed with which they were flying.

The powerful acceleration showed how strong Jiang Cheng's cultivation had become in the last two decades. It was amazing, considering there was a time when he had lost his golden core.

That part of Jiang Cheng's narrative had been confusing. After Jiang Cheng's core had been melted, Wei Wuxian had apparently instructed him to find Baoshan Sanren. Did Wei Wuxian have knowledge about Baoshan Sanren's whereabouts? Was it a memory he had recovered as he aged?

Or was there something else? Something that Jiang Cheng did not know about?

He had so many questions, and the only person with the answers was the long gone Yiling Patriarch.

***

Without the threat of the waterborne abyss, the Biling Lake of the future was much more lively than the Biling Lake Wei Wuxian had fallen into. The lake was full of boats, reminding Wei Wuxian of Yunmeng. Some were selling food and souvenirs, while others looked like they were simply out there enjoying the sunshine and scenery.

Jiang Cheng paid for a boat, and they rowed out into the middle of the lake.

Reaching the centre of the lake, they stopped rowing and looked down into the depths of the lake. "This should be about it," Wei Wuxian said.

Jiang Cheng frowned into the deep lake.

"It looks ordinary-"

Wei Wuxian wasted no time jumping straight into the lake, garnering stares.

"Wei- Yu Xing!"

"I'll see if there's anything along the lakebed. Wait here for me Sect Leader." Wei Wuxian grinned, inhaled, and dove skilfully.

It was fortunate that it was a bright day, the streaming sunlight allowed Wei Wuxian to inspect the bottom of the lake. A school of fish swam by, their scales glittering. There was nothing special along the lakebed. Rocks. Plants. A discarded bowl. Some bones.

He hoped it wasn't the remains of any of the Gusu Lan disciples from their hunt twenty years ago.

Wei Wuxian swam back up, gasping for air as he broke the surface.

"I found treasure!" Wei Wuxian handed the porcelain bowl to a scowling Jiang Cheng, who immediately dropped it back into the lake.

"I'll check once more." Wei Wuxian dove again.

He spent a bit longer underwater this time, eyes scanning the lakebed for anything that might look like part of an array or spell. But there was nothing out of the ordinary.

"There's nothing." Wei Wuxian said when he resurfaced, taking Jiang Cheng's proffered hand. "Except for some treasure."

He showed Jiang Cheng a handful of coins.

"You threw away the bowl, so this is mine!" He happily pocketed the coins. "So, Cloud Recesses?"

"We can't just appear on their steps uninvited. I will have to write a request first," Jiang Cheng said.

Wei Wuxian wrung his sleeves, squeezing out as much water as possible, while Jiang Cheng rowed the boat.

"We'll get a room at an inn so you can change."

Wei Wuxian flopped back, closing his eyes and absorbing the warmth of the sun. "I'll warm right up with a bottle of Emperor's Smile!"

"Of course that's all you can think about," Jiang Cheng mumbled. "Stop lazing about and help me row!"

Wei Wuxian sat back up and caught the oar thrown at him. "Yes, Sect Leader."

Jiang Cheng nodded, then frowned. "What are they doing here?" He mumbled.

Wei Wuxian sat up to see what Jiang Cheng was complaining about. A group of Gusu Lan sect cultivators stood at the edge of the lake, looking back at them.

A loud bray cut through the air.

Chapter Text

The Gusu Lan cultivators appeared to be a similar age to Wei Wuxian. They stood to attention at the edge of the lake, obviously waiting for Wei Wuxian and Jiang Cheng. There were eight of them, one of them holding a lead to a restless donkey.

"Friends?" Wei Wuxian asked.

Jiang Cheng rolled his eyes. "Those little do-gooders must feel the need to greet me. So troublesome."

Indeed, when Wei Wuxian disembarked the boat with Jiang Cheng, the Gusu Lan sect disciples approached them with their donkey and bowed.

"Sect Leader Jiang," they greeted.

Jiang Cheng nodded in acknowledgement. "This is Yu Xing." He pointed at Wei Wuxian.

"Young Master Yu," they eyed his mask and damp appearance curiously.

"I'm Lan Sizhui." "Lan Jingyi."

They introduced themselves one by one, but Wei Wuxian was stuck on the first couple of names. Wasn't 'Jingyi' also at Dafan mountain? If those boys were at Dafan Mountain, then they must've witnessed the encounter between Jiang Cheng, Lan Wangji and Mo Xuanyu.

"Hi! I am from Meishsan. I'm a huge fan of Hanguang-jun's!" Wei Wuxian beamed. "He's really great!"

Jiang Cheng scowled beside him, but the Gusu Lan boys all stood up straighter at the praise. Lan Jingyi's face split into a huge grin. "He is, isn't he?"

"Is he at Cloud Recesses now? I want to meet him!" Wei Wuxian said. The excitement he exuded wasn't faked. He was genuinely curious about Lan Wangji current appearance. Had he grown up to be a handsome old fuddy-duddy? Surely he must have, if that Mo Xuanyu had been all over him.

"He has gone out on a mission," Lan Sizhui said.

Did that mean Mo Xuanyu, who Lan Wangji had dragged away from Dafan mountain, had followed him? Or was he was at Cloud Recesses?

Wei Wuxian gasped in awe. "He's strong enough to go on solo missions, right? He's so cool!"

Lan Jingyi snorted. "He usually goes by himself, but for some reason that luna... I mean, he's taken someone with him this time."

Wei Wuxian was amused by Lan Jingyi's slip. It was likely that the 'lunatic' Lan Jingyi mentioned was Mo Xuanyu. Which made looking for him more difficult.

The donkey suddenly brayed and tried to get away.

"Lil Apple!" Lan Sizhui pulled on the reins, but the donkey had spotted a fruit stall across the road and was determined to get to it.

"Go. Take care of your donkey," Jiang Cheng waved his hand, eyeing the Lil' Apple with disdain, while Wei Wuxian grinned.

The Gusu Lan disciples bowed, then let themselves be dragged away by the donkey.

"I don't get why Hanguang-jun wants to keep you around..." Lan Jingyi said as they left.

"I wonder if that's Mo Xuanyu's donkey? " Wei Wuxian said as he watched the donkey being a disobedient menace to the poor Gusu Lan disciples, who bowed apologetically to the fruit-store owner as the donkey helped itself to the fruit on display.

Jiang Cheng snorted. "It seems like a nuisance, just like its master."

Wei Wuxian laughed, and they headed towards the closest inn they could find. Booking a room, Wei Wuxian changed out of his wet robes while Jiang Cheng wrote a formal request to Lan Xichen.

"I actually sent Zewu-jun a letter when I first got here," Wei Wuxian said, tightening his belt. "It was the same thing I sent to you. What do you think he made of it?"

"Considering there's been no news of your return, he probably dismissed it as a prank," Jiang Cheng placed his brush down. "As long as you keep that mask on, you will be fine."

"Are you sure that Zewu-jun wouldn't recognise me?" Wei Wuxian held the mask up to his eyes, inspecting it from multiple angles.

"That masks changes your voice and your facial structure. Even I don't recognise you when you wear it," Jiang Cheng said.

Wei Wuxian was impressed. "Why would you even have a mask like this?"

"You know our sect history. My ancestors were all about attempting the impossible, even things that were considered taboo. At some point in time, one of them invented a mask to disguise their identity and allow them free reign without fear of discovery."

Wei Wuxian grinned. If only he had known about such a treasure!

"Only the wearer can take off the mask, so there is no risk of discovery," Jiang Cheng said. He put the letter in an envelope. "Put it back on."

They went to the Gusu Lan outpost in Caiyi Town. The Gusu Lan sect disciple at the outpost informed them that Lan Xichen was currently not at Cloud Recesses.

"When will he be back?" Jiang Cheng asked.

"I am uncertain," the disciple said, bowing to receive Jiang Cheng's letter.

"We are staying at the Four Seasons Inn."

"I will pass the response to you there."

***

Jiang Cheng handed an array to Wei Wuxian. "This was the soul summoning array that I've seen used, unsuccessfully."

Wei Wuxian looked at the array intently, stomach fluttering. Since knowing he had invented so many things during his time as the Yiling Patriarch- a title he loathed- his confidence in his theories was boosted, and he faced this challenge of finding a way back to his time with a heart full of hope.

"So, if I change this stroke like this, it might do it." Wei Wuxian held up his array.

Jiang Cheng said, "you'd made similar changes for those spirit-attracting talismans"

As they waited for Lan Xichen's return to Cloud Recesses, they spent the days discussing possible talismans and experimenting with different summoning and reverse summoning arrays. When they had a break from experimenting, Wei Wuxian cultivated his sword. The evenings were spent drinking.

Wei Wuxian had insisted the need for Emperor's Smile to help him think, and had grinned cheekily when Jiang Cheng had indulged his childish whim.

Jiang Cheng did not really have the mind of a researcher, but at least he was useful for purchasing Emperor's Smile.

Unfortunately, something about being an adult meant Jiang Cheng only provided one small jar a night.

Wei Wuxian knew that he should have been striving to return to his time, spending day and night pushing his mind and energies to the limit. But then he figured that it made no difference whether he found a way back in the next month or the next decade, as long as he returned to the moment that he fell into Biling Lake then everything would be fine.

Seeing something in Jiang Cheng's eyes also made him want to take it easy in the current time, and interact more with this older version of his martial brother.

***

Simply altering the summoning array did not garner any useful results, so they considered making alterations to the existing summoning array and combining it with the idea of the Transportation Talisman.

"Transportation Talismans expends too much energy. I wonder if we modified this symbol here?"

No success.

"Or try to combine it with that other array from that manual?"

Nothing.

"Whatever Mo Xuanyu did involved blood," Wei Wuxian contemplated. He saw Jiang Cheng's expression darkening, but continued, "I wonder if the use of some darker spells, or demonic cultivation, might help?"

Jiang Cheng breathed. In and out. "The older you did not begin using resentful energy until after he went missing for a few months. He never explained why he switched cultivation methods, nor how his technique worked."

"Well, maybe using blood might be a good start? Say, if a part of me were in another time or place, then wouldn't it be easier for me to go there because of the connection?"

Wei Wuxian inked a brush, tapped it on his chin in thought, then drew a talisman with sure strokes.

He picked up an apple and cut it in half with his sword, earning a glare from Jiang Cheng.

"All for research," he grinned, wiping the juice off the sword. He placed the two halves of the apple on opposite ends of the table. Putting the talisman on one of the halves, he channelled his spiritual energy into it.

And jumped out of way of flying pieces of apple, but some of the juices still splashed all over his robes.

"Haha..." Wei Wuxian forced a laugh when he saw Jiang Cheng's worried frown, then pointed. "Hey, some of the pieces reached the other half, so there was some success!"

"If you return to the past without your legs, then we won't have to worry about you running around getting into trouble," Jiang Cheng deadpanned. He picked up the half apple, and bit into it with a loud crunch.

***

A few days passed before the talisman could be activated without any explosions. Even the normally-grumpy Jiang Cheng appeared excited at the progress.

"This is fun, isn't it?" Wei Wuxian picked up the two halves of the apple that was used in the experiment.

"I suppose it is pleasing to see such early successes," Jiang Cheng said.

"Let's see how far we can teleport the apple," Wei Wuxian suggested, placing the apple halves on opposite ends of the room.

More spiritual energy was required to move the half apple across the room, and they began to tweak the design for more energy efficiency.

***

Wei Wuxian handed half an apple to Jiang Cheng, eating the other half.

"I think that's the best design for now." Wei Wuxian finished off his half of the apple. "I think the next thing to do is to try it with blood."

Before Jiang Cheng could protest, he slashed his thumb with his sword and smeared it on a blank piece of talisman paper.

"This could be dangerous," Jiang Cheng grasped Wei Wuxian's wrist, looking displeased. "Maybe I should be the one to do it."

"If I was able to invent so many things, then that means my methods and theories must've been sound, right? I am confident that this will work!"

Jiang Cheng allowed him to try it, body tense.

Wei Wuxian placed the bloodied paper on the floor an arm's width away. He held the experimental talisman between his index and middle finger, then grinned at Jiang Cheng. "In any case, none of these designs should kill me." He grinned at Jiang Cheng's tightened jaw, and circulated his spiritual energy.

In the blink of an eye, the view of the room shifted. He wobbled where he stood and Jiang Cheng steadied him by his elbow.

"It worked," Jiang Cheng said, awestruck. "You fucking did it!"

Wei Wuxian grabbed Jiang Cheng's arms in shock, jumping with glee. "Ha! It worked! Haha!" Wei Wuxian smiled even wider when he saw Jiang Cheng's lips curl up into a rare smile.

Jiang Cheng coughed at Wei Wuxian's look. "How do you feel?"

"Yeah, I'm good! I want to try again and see if I can go further!"

Jiang Cheng took the bloodied piece of paper and placed it on the further side of the room, nodding back at Wei Wuxian.

Wei Wuxian smiled, knowing that Jiang Cheng was ready to catch him if he stumbled.

***

When the attempt to teleport across the room proved successful, they decided to celebrate.

Jiang Cheng provided two large jugs of Emperor's Smile, and they played drinking games late into the night. Things got competitive and heated very quickly.

"Two!" "Seven!"

"You called your number slower!" Jiang Cheng accused.

"Fine, fine, we'll go again!" Wei Wuxian placated.

They played another round.

"Five!" "Eight!"

"How dare you accuse me of cheating when you obviously changed the number of fingers you're holding up?" Wei Wuxian yelled.

The later in the evening it got, the louder the game became. By the time the jugs were emptied, they were both sprawled over the table, unwilling to move.

"You're such a lightweight for an adult," Wei Wuxian pointed drunkenly at Jiang Cheng, digging his finger into his cheek.

Jiang Cheng batted the offensive hand away and mumbled, "you just have abnormal levels of tolerance."

"No, I just beat you more at the finger guessing game."

"No, you're just better at cheating. Not exactly an admirable trait."

"Cheating? It is all skill!" Wei Wuxian defended.

"Skill? It's sneaky!"

"If you're so easily caught off guard by my sneakiness, then you need more training!" Wei Wuxian giggled.

Jiang Cheng kicked him under the table. "Got you! You're the one that needs more training!"

"Ooh, so sneaky!" Wei Wuxian said delightedly.

When Jiang Cheng's breathing evened out, Wei Wuxian ran his thumb over his sword and stealthily placed a bloodied thumbprint inside Jiang Cheng's boot.

He'll show Jiang Cheng how sneaky he could be. He giddily anticipated surprising Jiang Cheng by randomly appearing beside him. Jiang Cheng would madly search for the mark Wei Wuxian must have left behind.

If he ever threw out his boots, Wei Wuxian would just mark something else.

***

it was fast approaching time for the meeting at Qinghe.

"Maybe I could stay around here to wait," Wei Wuxian said as they descended the stairs of the inn. "You did write that letter to Zewu-jun, so he might let me stay there..." he stuttered to a stop.

The restaurant downstairs was filled with chatter and the mouth-watering fragrance of food. What caught his eye was the person sitting In the restaurant downstairs who stood upon seeing them.

He was a beautiful man, dressed in Gusu Lan whites and looking directly at them, a soft smile gracing his lips.

This was undoubtedly Lan Xichen.

"Sect Leader Jiang," Lan Xichen greeted when they approached him.

"Zewu-jun." Jiang Cheng bowed respectfully in return. "This is my cousin, Yu Xing, from Meishan."

Wei Wuxian clasped his hands and bowed low.

"Why have you troubled yourself coming here? You could have just sent word for us," Jiang Cheng said.

"I had some personal errands to run, so this is killing two birds with one stone," Lan Xichen said. "We value intellectual pursuits, so of course Young Master Yu is most welcome to access our library."

Wei Wuxian and Jiang Cheng bowed in thanks.

"I have other business that I must tend to," Jiang Cheng said.

Lan Xichen nodded in understanding. "Yes, it is a busy time for all of us. Young Master Yu can stay at Cloud Recesses as long as he needs."

Jiang Cheng bowed again, then turned to Wei Wuxian. "Behave yourself. I will come and collect you for the Discussion Conference."

Lan Xichen smiled. "You do not need to rush your business. You mentioned in the letter his current state of cultivation," he eyed the sword at Wei Wuxian's waist. "I will also have a contingent attending the conference, so we can escort him there."

Jiang Cheng appeared hesitant, but conceded that Lan Xichen had a point.

"In that case, we gratefully accept your offer," Jiang Cheng clasped his hands again, Wei Wuxian following suit.

"It is our pleasure to facilitate a young cultivator's learning," Lan Xichen said, smile unwavering. Although Wei Wuxian's acquaintanceship with him had been brief, he felt that Lan Xichen had not changed much from the younger Lan Xichen who had allowed him to accompany them on their Biling Lake mission.

With that settled, Wei Wuxian could not help asking. "Zewu-jun, is Hanguang-jun back yet?"

"Wangji?"

"Yes, I am a huge fan! I've heard all about his achievements! I would love to meet him, but some of your disciples said he was away."

Lan Xichen seemed amused at Wei Wuxian's level of enthusiasm. "Unfortunately, he has not yet returned."

Wei Wuxian visibly deflated.

They agreed to meet in front of the inn after half a shichen to depart for Cloud Recesses. While Lan Xichen went to take care of his own business, Wei Wuxian and Jiang Cheng had a quick breakfast and returned to their room to pack.

"You can't afford to get into trouble this time," Jiang Cheng said as he put the last of his stationery in a qiankun pouch. "Even though you look and sound nothing like you, there's a risk they might recognise your penchant for troublemaking. Particularly Lan Qiren, I swear he holds a special place in his heart for you."

Wei Wuxian laughed. "I can't be the only student who ever acted up in Cloud Recesses? Even you guys all drank and partied with me."

"You were undoubtedly the worst," Jiang Cheng said.

"I know what's at stake. Trust me," Wei Wuxian said, tying off his own qiankun pouch.

Jiang Cheng snorted. "You always said that right before getting into trouble."

Before Wei Wuxian could retort, a pouch was shoved into his hands. He opened it to see some coins.

"Just in case," Jiang Cheng said.

Wei Wuxian grinned. "I wonder how many jars of Emperor's Smile I can buy with this?"

Jiang Cheng just rolled his eyes.

"Behave yourself!"

Chapter Text

They stood awkwardly in front of the inn, ignoring the stares from the people passing by. Some of them greeted Lan Xichen, who nodded back with a gentle smile. Some of them looked curiously at Jiang Cheng, whose dress suggested a high ranking cultivator.

The kids pointed at Wei Wuxian's mask, and Wei Wuxian just grinned at waved back at them.

"Behave yourself," Jiang Cheng reminded him for the final time.

"Yes, Sect Leader Jiang," Wei Wuxian said, making a show of obedience in front of the patiently waiting Lan Xichen.

Jiang Cheng wore such a lost look that Wei Wuxian was tempted to hug him, but he knew that he would be embarrassed by such a gesture.

Besides, Wei Wuxian was already determined to surprise Jiang Cheng with his reverse-summoning talisman. Jiang Cheng would be pleased to see him appear beside him before the Discussion Conference.

Well, he might be angry. And then pleased.

***

Lan Xichen glided along the currents of the wind as though he commanded them. He flew with such stability that Wei Wuxian could imagine he was riding behind a moving mountain.

He really had aged really well, worthy of coming first in the list of young cultivators of their generation. Lan Wangji and Lan Xichen were similar in appearance, so Lan Wangji must also look something like the exquisite man in front of him.

Did Lan Wangji learn how to use his facial muscles in the last twenty years? Could he express himself with a smile now?

Wei Wuxian was also curious about Lan Qiren. Did his cultivation allow him to maintain the same appearance as twenty years ago? Or was he greyer and grumpier? Had he acquired some greys due to Wei Wuxian and other students who may have decided to bring some spark to Cloud Recesses?

Lan Qiren must have been smug, in his own Gusu Lan way- because surely there was some rule against being smug- that Wei Wuxian had turned out the way he had with his heretic ideas. Wei Wuxian wondered whether Lan Qiren used Wei Wuxian as a prime example of the consequences of unorthodoxy in his classes.

Landing at the entrance, Wei Wuxian took in the familiar scene with a sense of surreality. Jiang Cheng had said that Cloud Recesses and the surrounding forests had been burned down before the Sunshot Campaign, but the lush greens of the forest was no different to when he had first arrived to study at Cloud Recesses. He deeply inhaled the fresh scent of the forest, ears picking up the light rustle of leaves and the birdsong in the distance

It was just like yesterday that Wei Wuxian was here, hanging out with the disciples from the other sects, aggravating the fuddy-duddies of Cloud Recesses...

Speaking of fuddy-duddies, here was the wall that Lan Wangji had pointed at when Wei Wuxian had snuck in that first evening... he gawked at the Wall of Discipline.

"That is our Wall of Discipline," Lan Xichen said when he noticed the stare. "It outlines the four thousand rules of our sect. Visitors are also expected to follow the rules." Lan Xichen smiled. "I can provide you with a physical copy of the rules for you to peruse. If there is anything you do not understand, please do not hesitate ask."

"Uh, thanks," Wei Wuxian said.

Four thousand rules? How could they add even more to the already ridiculous three thousand?

***

Lan De and Lan Zhengyi, a gangly pair of disciples, were instructed to guide Wei Wuxian. They were unexpectedly chatty Gusu Lan sect disciples who Wei Wuxian immediately liked.

If only Lan Wangji had been this cordial, then they could have easily become friends. Then again, maybe Lan Wangji wouldn't be as interesting if he spoke more. He did have an air of mysteriousness about him with his cold facade.

As they led him down the quiet halls, they garnered some curious looks from the Gusu Lan disciples, their eyes lingering on his masked appearance. He just nodded politely to them. There were a few vaguely familiar faces, but his memory had never been the greatest and he did not remember any of them.

"Everyone will be informed of your presence at the next meditation session," Lan De said, turning the corner to the guest dorms.

Unlike the surrounding forests, the old Cloud Recesses was still fresh in Wei Wuxian's mind, and he could tell that there was some differences. He couldn't pinpoint the differences like he could with Lotus Pier, but there was a sense of strangeness. Like walking around with boots on the wrong feet.

"You will be staying here," Lan De indicated the guest quarters. "You are expected to keep the quarters tidy. Bedtime is between nine in the evening and five in the morning," Lan De outlined the daily routine at Cloud Recesses. It seemed that those had remained unchanged.

Lan Zhengyi said, "you may obtain supplies from here. Please help yourself to as much as you want."

Lan De grinned. "The more supplies that we go through, the more opportunity for the juniors to go on trips to replenish the supplies."

"The juniors have an unhealthy habit of excessive studying, they need to get out more." Lan Zhengyi added.

Wei Wuxian laughed. "In that case, I won't hesitate." He took a stack of paper and a writing set. Lan De took another stack and handed it over with a serene smile.

"You can always return the supplies you do not use," Lan De said, then led him to the library. "Over here is the Library Pavilion. You are allowed access any time except for meal times and bed time. You must speak to either of us if you wish to remove any of the items from here."

There were a few Gusu Lan disciples in the Library Pavilion, who all looked up and nodded in greeting.

Wei Wuxian clasped his hands together to greet them.

Lan Zhengyi held out a jade token. "Here is a jade token that allows you in and out of Cloud Recesses. As you are not here as an official student for our lectures, you are not required to remain here at all times. However, as you are here for the purpose of researching, the token will be revoked if you spend too much time roaming around and not here completing your task."

It was not as if the walls of Cloud Recesses could confine him, but Wei Wuxian accepted the token anyway."Thanks."

"This is a copy of our rules," Lan De pulled out a thick scroll from a qiankun pouch, placing it on top of Wei Wuxian's stationery. "Please ask if you have any questions.

"Um, thanks," Wei Wuxian supposed he might glance at the new rules at some point just to see what sort of new rules had been added.

"This is where I will leave you. I will come and fetch you for dinner," Lan De said.

Wei Wuxian bowed once more. "Thank you."

Lan De and Lan Zhengyi left, and Wei Wuxian entered the Library Pavilion. He quickly retrieved a stack of relevant-looking manuals and settled in the exact spot where he had spent his punishment with Lan Wangji. He thought fondly of those days teasing the stoic Second Jade of Lan.

Lan Wangji would be shocked if he discovered Wei Wuxian studying quietly in the library like this. So would Lan Qiren.

He looked forward to seeing how the old man had changed in the last twenty years.

However, he was disappointed to see no sign of Lan Qiren in the following days. Surely he had not changed so much in the past twenty years that Wei Wuxian could no longer recognise him? Was he out on some sect business?

And just when was Lan Wangji coming back?

***

Wei Wuxian spent most of his time in the library pavilion. He mostly kept to himself, although sometimes he would converse with some Gusu Lan disciples about what he was researching. He gave them the same 'cultivating back to youth' story as he gave Jin Ling, and was met with polite confusion.

When he wasn't in the Library Pavilion, he was cultivating his sword or experimenting with reverse-summoning spells. After all, he was determined to show Jiang Cheng how sneaky he could be.

He did this by leaving drops of blood around the Cloud Recesses- in a hidden corner of Cloud Recesses between a tree and a wall, close to the desk he worked at in the Library Pavilion, in his room, anywhere that did not have too much traffic. When he felt like a break from reading in the library, he tested the reverse-summoning talisman to the various locations.

Activating a talisman, he felt a pressure surrounding him, and then his view changed. He had reverse-summoned himself to his room!

"Young Master Yu, I did not see you come by this way?"

A confused Lan De looked at Wei Wuxian, who emerged from the room.

"I was being very quiet, just abiding by your rules!" Wei Wuxian grinned. "I need to get back to the library to research!"

Of course, excited about his successful reverse-summoning, he couldn't resist trying again once he was out of sight of the head-scratching Lan De.

This time, he landed outside, behind some trees. When he snuck out from behind the trees, he simply grinned at a very perplexed looking Lan Zhengyi.

"I had a nap," he said.

Lan Zhengyi snorted in a manner that would surely result in punishment from Lan Qiren. "That is not the place to do so."

"Sure, I'll return to my research!"

By adjusting the amount of spiritual energy he used to activate the talismans, he discovered that the location he reverse-summoned himself to was proportional to the amount of energy expended.

The successes made him keen to do even more experiments. He wondered whether this bubbling excitement was what drove his future self to invent so many things.

An even greater discovery had been the rabbit hutch on the Cloud Recesses grounds. The balls of fluff bounced around in the grass, nibbling adoringly at their food. Weren't pets not allowed at Cloud Recesses?

He pet one of the fluffy heads. This was at least one nice change at Cloud Recesses.

Although he wasn't sure if it was nice enough to counter the bland meals- how could the menu not change in twenty years?- and the addition of one thousand rules to that darned wall.

It was just as well he never cared too much about the rules anyway.

***

One day, he determined to experiment with even further distances. Lan Zhengyi had seemed pleased when he announced he would be visiting Caiyi Town.

"It'll be good to get out and get some fresh air," Lan Zhengyi had nodded approvingly. "You've been working too much.

Leaving a blood drop amongst the trees close to the entrance, he flew to Caiyi Town. The flight took a lot out of him. His borrowed sword was no Suibian, and he had only cultivated it for a short time. Despite relishing the cool wind in his face as he sped through the air, the flight had been tumultuous and slower than he was accustomed to. Fortunately, he had time to relax and recover.

He showed off his fish-catching skills at the lake for the local children, receiving loquats from the ladies who were impressed with his skills. The sweet loquats were a nice refreshment, and he happily chatted with the ladies, who were not at all put off by his strange masked appearance.

"Are you a cultivator, Young Master?" The younger of the two women asked.

"I am!" He said proudly.

"You must get to see cultivators all of the time," the older woman said with a wistful look.

"Sometimes we see the Chief Cultivator here with our Zewu-jun. They're sworn brothers, you know?" The younger one said.

Wei Wuxian said amusedly. "Yes, I am aware."

"They look dashing together," the older woman giggled. The younger rolled her eyes and laughed.

Wei Wuxian didn't understand the joke, but before he could ask, they gave him another bag of loquats and waved him away when other customers approached.

He decided to save the loquats for Jiang Cheng, and went to enjoy the local delicacies- with extra chilli- paired with a jug of Emperor's Smile. He purchased a few more jugs to gift to Jiang Cheng.

And to alleviate Jiang Cheng's temper when he saw Wei Wuxian experimenting with such long distances.

Feeling recovered from the earlier flying, he found a secluded area outside of Caiyi Town to activate the reverse-summoning talisman, transporting back to the entrance of Cloud Recesses. Grinning widely, he entered Cloud Recesses, Emperor's Smile hidden safely in his qiankun pouch.

***

Wine? Check. Loquats? Check. Sword? He supposed he should bring it because you never know. A copy of the rules?

Wei Wuxian laughed and packed it anyway, just in case Jiang Cheng asked if he had even been at Cloud Recesses.

He'd already read all of the material on two whole shelves, but his search had not been fruitful. There was simply nothing about time spells.

So he needed a break.

His plan was to reverse-summon himself to that blood mark he'd left on Jiang Cheng's boot, have a fun night drinking with his martial sibling, then reverse-summon himself to the bloody mark he'd left in his room.

He'd even made sure to clean the other marks he'd left around Cloud Recesses to ensure he appeared exactly where he wanted on his return.

It was late enough in the evening that Jiang Cheng should be asleep, but Wei Wuxian made sure his mask was secure when he took out his reverse-summoning talisman. Just in case Jiang Cheng was entertaining guests late in the evening.

Talisman between his index and middle finger, he giddily activated it.

The familiar pressure surrounded him from all sides, a sensation akin to diving deep in the lakes of Yunmeng, but stronger. He held his breath and closed his eyes against the discomfort. Unlike when he was experimenting at Cloud Recesses, the trip seemed to last longer. Was Jiang Cheng still in Qinghe? Or had he moved on to those various other meetings he had scheduled?

When he was released from the pressure, he landed atop a body, presumably Jiang Cheng.

"What?" The person beneath him heaved him off.

"Oof," he landed on his backside on the floor. "Was that really necessary?"

He sat there, head buzzing, breathing heavily. That exhausted him way beyond any of his previous experiments.

Shing.

The room brightened, and he froze when something cold brushed against his neck.

"Are you here to steal the body parts?" A young voice said coolly from the side, out of his view.

He gulped. That was not Jiang Cheng's voice.

Just where had he landed? It was just his luck that he had landed in a room with a stranger who collected body parts. Or was this some murderer who kept his kills?

If he got out of this alive, Jiang Cheng was going to kill him.

Chapter Text

"Are you here to steal the body parts?"

It was too dark to discern his surroundings beyond a small room washed in the pale glow of the sword held at Wei Wuxian's neck. Wei Wuxian wanted to turn around to see who was holding the sword to his neck, but the blade dug in slightly at his movement.

"I don't know what you're talking about!" Wei Wuxian said hurriedly. "This is an accident!"

"An accident that you happened to appear in our room?" Our? This body-part collector had friends? The man stepped into Wei Wuxian's sight, and pulled Wei Wuxian's sword from his hip. "Armed?"

"If I was going to ambush you, I would have been holding onto my sword when I got here!" Wei Wuxian said.

"True," the man said. He reached down and plucked Wei Wuxian's talisman from his fingers. The young man was slim in stature and had a handsome face. Fine eyebrows furrowed as he inspected Wei Wuxian's talisman in the glow of the sword.

There was a shuffling sound, and Wei Wuxian saw something white moving in his periphery. Seeing the person who was now in his field of view, Wei Wuxian huffed a relieved laugh. The white sword glare must have been from Bichen, and the stoic, beautiful man revealed in the light was Lan Wangji.

Lan Wangji had really grown into such a stunning man. Wei Wuxian remembered the teenaged Lan Wangji clearly. His cold expression remained unchanged but his features were sharper now, losing the roundness of youth. He appeared to glow in the pale light of Bichen, like an ethereal jade statue come to life. His light eyes bore into Wei Wuxian's, promising death if Wei Wuxian turned out a threat.

"La... Hanguang-jun!" Wei Wuxian remembered himself. "I am not here to steal any body parts. I am Yu Xing of Meishan and just came from Cloud Recesses. You can ask Zewu-jun!"

If this was Lan Wangji, then the other man was probably Mo Xuanyu.

"Zewu-jun isn't here, so we can't even verify who you are. Take off your mask," maybe-Mo Xuanyu demanded.

"And who are you to demand that?" Wei Wuxian asked, as his mind ran through possible excuses to leave the mask on. He could take off his mask in front of Mo Xuanyu, but not Lan Wangji, who would surely strike down the demonic cultivator Yiling Patriarch on sight.

"Mo Xuanyu. Now take it off."

"I can't!" Wei Wuxian tried to appeal to Lan Wangji's morals. "I had a qi deviation and need it to regulate my qi. I'll be harmed if I take it off."

But wasn't Mo Xuanyu also a demonic cultivator? Or maybe Lan Wangji just liked Mo Xuanyu's type? Young, slim and handsome?

In any case, he could not risk Lan Wangji discovering his identity. "I have proof I was staying at Cloud Recesses!"

The glowing Bichen remained steady as Wei Wuxian slowly held his hands up and reached into his robes to take out the jade token.

Mo Xuanyu took it, carefully turning it over in his hand and testing its weight, before handing it to Lan Wangji.

"It's real," Lan Wangji said the moment his fingers made contact with the token.

"See! Can you move your sword now?" Wei Wuxian carefully held the tip of Bichen between his thumb and index to shift it away from him, but the sword did not budge.

"You could have just stolen the token from someone," Mo Xuanyu said.

Why was this person so suspicious?

"I have more proof!"

Slowly again, he pulled out his qiankun pouch and gave it to Mo Xuanyu. Wei Wuxian said, "I have a copy of the rules. Who would want to steal that?"

Mo Xuanyu made a strange sound as he opened the qiankun pouch.

"There's even more proof I was in Gusu! There's a packet of loquats in there, and some Emperor's Smile."

Mo Xuanyu's face lit up immediately as he eagerly rummaged through the qiankun pouch, first pulling out the heavy scroll of rules, then the loquats and the jars of wine. He pulled off the covering and sniffed it.

"Emperor's Smile!" Mo Xuanyu crowed, then schooled his features and pointed accusingly. "What were you doing with Emperor's Smile at Cloud Recesses?"

"It's a gift. I wasn't drinking it at Cloud Recesses," Wei Wuxian said. "That would be breaking the rules!"

He looked to Lan Wangji, who blankly returned his gaze.

"Maybe you really were just in Gusu." Mo Xuanyu said, still sounding suspicious. "If you were just in Gusu, how did you appear here? Was it this talisman?"

Mo Xuanyu held up the talisman, and Wei Wuxian nodded. "Yes! It's an experimental talisman," he said.

Mo Xuanyu perked up at that and inspected the talisman more closely.

Wei Wuxian said, "I was trying to... hey!"

Lan Wangji had reached over and tapped a pressure point, paralysing him.

"It is past bed time," Lan Wangji said, taking Wei Wuxian by the shoulders and manoeuvring him onto the bed.

Why did Lan Wangji feel the need to impose his ridiculous bedtime on others? They weren't even at Cloud Recesses. Lan Wangji had grown into such an old fuddy-duddy! He deserved to be teased!

"Hanguang-jun, I am a huge fan of yours, but even I think this is too much for our first meeting," Wei Wuxian joked. "Not to mention, we have an audi... mmmm. Mm? Mmmm!"

Lan Wangji was definitely still a fuddy-duddy! Wei Wuxian fumed, unable to cross his arms nor voice his dissatisfaction. Mo Xuanyu chuckled as he dug around in his robes.

"I'll be taking care of your these until we can verify your identity," Mo Xuanyu said, taking his talismans and returning his qiankun pouch.

Lan Wangji sheathed Bichen, and the room was enveloped in darkness.

His temper soon gave way to curiosity as he was rearranged on the edge of the bed. He felt a warmth settle beside him. The door had not opened and closed. Had Lan Wangji been sharing a room with the Mo Xuanyu? Was Lan Wangji a cutsleeve? Were they cuddling and doing cutsleeve things? He could not turn his head to look, but he really wanted to know!

Why had he even appeared here? Had Jiang Cheng thrown his boots out somewhere around here? Or had Wei Wuxian been to this place before and left something of his behind that he reverse-summoned himself to? Or could he not reach Jiang Cheng simply because he had run out of spiritual energy?

Or had some connection been forged between himself and Mo Xuanyu when Mo Xuanyu had summoned him to the future?

He was fortunate that he had appeared in safe company, particularly as he was drained of spiritual energy. Perhaps it was a good thing that he had not appeared in front of Jiang Cheng after all, as he surely would have copped an earful from him.

Jiang Cheng would be furious anyway if he were informed of Wei Wuxian's disappearance from Cloud Recesses.

The Gusu Lan disciples would be worried sick when they discovered his room empty tomorrow. He felt a little bad, but there was nothing he could do about it now.

In any case, this was a perfect opportunity to talk to Mo Xuanyu and find out just what the other man had been doing that resulted in his presence in the future.

He was also curious about the future Lan Wangji. Jiang Cheng had mentioned that Lan Wangji came to be known as Hanguang-jun, the bearer of light, a strong cultivator who appeared wherever the chaos was. Lan Wangji's strength had already been impressive twenty years ago. How much stronger was Lan Wangji now?

Was he really a cutsleeve? Since when had he been a cutsleeve?

And what was the deal with the body parts? Were they a part of Lan Wangji's mission?

Lan Wangji and Mo Xuanyu's breathing evened out beside him. With his mind full of questions, Wei Wuxian soon followed them into sleep.

***

He discovered what the body parts were the next morning when he woke groggily to the mellow tones of a guqin.

Dull thuds sounded nearby. Wei Wuxian wanted to turn to see what the source of the sound was, but his body was still frozen in paralysis, so he just lay there, letting the soothing melody wash over him.

A shrill flute joined in, a rough sound that did not really suit the exquisite resonance of the guqin, but still had a calming effect.

The thuds eventually faded, and the duet ended. Someone unsealed his pressure points, and Wei Wuxian grinned goofily at the visage of the adult Lan Wangji looming over him.

"Your beauty is so blinding!" Wei Wuxian raised a hand as though to shade his eyes.

Wei Wuxian grinned at Lan Wangji's tightened lips. Even in adulthood, Lan Wangji still reacted like this.

Wei Wuxian sat up with a stretch, and searched the room for the source of the thudding. "What was that thudding noise?"

Mo Xuanyu held up a spirit-trapping pouch. "Our dear friend was agitated, so we needed to calm them down."

"Are those the body parts you thought I wanted to steal?" Wei Wuxian deduced.

"Yes." Mo Xuanyu looked at him suspiciously. "How did you guess?"

"You mentioned body parts last night," Wei Wuxian said. "And the spirit of a person who had been mutilated must surely be restless."

Mo Xuanyu nodded, giving him a considering look.

"Anyway, you're coming with us until your identity can be confirmed," Mo Xuanyu declared. "If you're here to steal these body parts," he held up the pouch, "then you owe us an explanation about our dear friend. If you are who you say you are, then Zewu-jun would prefer for you to be under our care until you can return to Cloud Recesses."

Wei Wuxian grinned. Mo Xuanyu had essentially made his excuses for him! All Wei Wuxian had to do now was find an opportunity to speak to him alone.

Lan Wangji sealed Wei Wuxian's spiritual energy, although he probably didn't really need to given Wei Wuxian's exhaustion from the reverse-summoning.

"I swear I'm not after those body parts!" Wei Wuxian said, then beamed. "I'm just glad that I get to see Hanguang-jun on a mission!"

Lan Wangji simply looked away.

They went downstairs for breakfast, ordering three bowls of congee.

Mo Xuanyu asked for some chilli oil.

"I see you have similar tastes to mine," Mo Xuanyu said with a nod of approval when he saw Wei Wuxian add a spoonful to his bowl of congee.

"Superior taste!" Wei Wuxian grinned. "Are you sure you don't want any, Hanguang-jun? It'll lift the taste of the congee to the next level!"

"No talking while eating," Lan Wangji said.

Wei Wuxian wanted to counter that they weren't even at Cloud Recesses, but when he inhaled the spicy fragrance from his bowl of congee, he didn't want to risk getting his mouth sealed, so quickly and quietly ate his breakfast.

***

Wei Wuxian found out that they were in Yueyang.

Without any Gusu Lan outposts, they used a postal service offered by a small regional cultivation sect. The cultivators all openly gawped at Lan Wangji, but Lan Wangji ignored the gazes as he wrote a letter to Lan Xichen explaining the situation.

"We will receive a response in a few days," Lan Wangji said when his letter was eagerly received.

"It seems you have many fans, Hanguang-jun," Wei Wuxian grinned. "Could word also be sent to Jiang... Sect Leader Jiang? Just in case he was informed of my disappearance and goes on a rampage?"

Mo Xuanyu studied him, as though wondering if this was part of Wei Wuxian's disguise as a Meishan Yu disciple.

"Yeah, you probably should," Mo Xuanyu said, obviously still suspicious. "You said you're from the Meishan Yu sect, and your surname is Yu. What is your relationship with Jiang... Sect Leader Jiang?"

"He's my cousin. I don't actually know where he is now, but we could write to Yunmeng."

"Hmm." Mo Xuanyu said nothing more on that, and Wei Wuxian quickly wrote a letter to Jiang Cheng.

'I'm fine. I'm with Lan Wangji and Mo Xuanyu.' Wei Wuxian quickly scribbled, ignoring Mo Xuanyu's frown when he glanced at the letter.

"So," Mo Xuanyu said. "What is Meishan like?"

"Mountainous," Wei Wuxian said, addressing the letter to Yunmeng Jiang and passing it to Lan Wangji.

"Yunmeng Jiang," Lan Wangji gave it to the awe-struck cultivator with a few coins.

"Where to next?" Wei Wuxian asked brightly when the letter was sent off. He sincerely hoped the letter reached Jiang Cheng before his martial sibling stormed Cloud Recesses and abused the kindly Lan Xichen.

Mo Xuanyu pointed. "That way."

Just a vague direction?

Wei Wuxian walked between Lan Wangji and Mo Xuanyu. Side-by-side with Lan Wangji, he distinctly felt the height difference. They had been similar in height in their teenage years. How tall would his thirty-five year old self have been if he had survived?

Mo Xuanyu continued his earlier line of questioning. "I am very curious what life is like at Meishan. It's quite isolated, right? What is your home like? What sort of things did you do to keep busy?"

Was this some test to see if Wei Wuxian was really who he said he was? Had Mo Xuanyu been to Meishan before? That was unlikely.

Although considered a prominent sect in the cultivation world, they did not interact much with the wider world and avoided conflicts. Located in hard-to-reach mountain tops deterred invasions and visitors alike. Wei Wuxian had only ever visited once when he had been eleven.

"Our compound is comparable to Cloud Recesses in size," Wei Wuxian dug back into his poor memory. Yu Ziyuan had not been pleased at the invitation they had received to her mother's birthday celebrations, but was obliged to attend. She had warned him to be on his best behaviour and to keep his hands to himself. "Unlike the Gusu Lan Sect, we have accumulated many valuable items over the years and are not shy about displaying them."

Wei Wuxian's hands had itched at the myriad shiny ornaments on display, wanting to discover what each item was.

"We have various spiritual whips, but nothing as powerful as Zidian." Yu Ziyuan's younger brother had been a cheeky young man. He shared no resemblance to his family, and had been willing to keep the Jiang siblings and himself company, sneaking out a set of spiritual whips for them to play with.

Wei Wuxian and Jiang Cheng had pretended to be Yinzhu and Jinzhu. When they bored of that, they competed with their limited skills in the back mountain. "I'm not very good with them, but I enjoy hunting pheasants in the back mountain with them."

Mo Xuanyu choked, but didn't say anything when Wei Wuxian looked at him questioningly.

"Sometimes when I have trouble falling asleep, I like to climb onto the rooftops to watch the sunrise. Meishan is high enough that we have a wide view of the surrounding mountains. When the sun rises and casts the mountains in its rays, it is like seeing a portrait by Li Tang."

He had watched the sunrise with Jiang Yanli and Jiang Cheng. Although Jiang Yanli had been reluctant to climb onto the roof with them, Wei Wuxian and Jiang Cheng had dragged her up to sit with them. They had watched the sunrise in silence, simply enjoying each other's company.

"That sounds amazing," Mo Xuanyu said after a contemplative silence. Wei Wuxian sensed a change in Mo Xuanyu. Had Wei Wuxian's response quelled his suspicions?

"Watching the beginning of the day like that is always refreshing," Wei Wuxian said. It had been pleasant, until Yu Ziyuan had discovered them on the rooftop. Luckily, she had to restrain her fury in front of her mother, and Wei Wuxian had escaped that incident without punishment.

He pulled out the packet of loquats, passing some to Mo Xuanyu and Lan Wangji. Too bad he couldn't share them with Jiang Cheng.

"These loquats are so good! Those ladies in Caiyi Town are so friendly. Hanguang-jun, I am jealous that you get to live near such lovely people and food!" Wei Wuxian peeled and popped a loquat in his mouth, relishing in the juicy treat. "And good wine!"

Lan Wangji gave him a strange look, but did not respond.

When they got through the loquats, Mo Xuanyu took out the Wei Wuxian's reverse-summoning talisman. "Was this supposed to take you to a particular place?"

"Yeah, but I guess I must've run out of spiritual energy, or made some mistake with the talisman."

"This design definitely draws a lot of energy," Mo Xuanyu pointed to the symbols that Wei Wuxian and Jiang Cheng had drawn for more energy efficient usage. "I think that transporting anything such long distances will use up large amounts of energy. Utilising different materials might help..."

Mo Xuanyu stopped talking when he noticed Wei Wuxian staring at him.

"Are you sure you should be sharing your ideas with a potential enemy?" Wei Wuxian asked.

Mo Xuanyu shrugged. "Anyone can come up with ideas, but they won't necessarily have the ability to bring their ideas to life."

Good point. "In that case, I hope you don't mind me making notes later on?"

Mo Xuanyu laughed. "Go ahead."

A whole host of ideas had cropped up in Wei Wuxian's mind the moment Mo Xuanyu had mentioned using different materials. Paper made from different spiritual sources, ink made from ground spiritual creatures, or even blood.

Wei Wuxian voiced his thoughts. "If blood is used, that is an extra level of connection, so I wonder if the symbol for connection could be changed to something else."

"That sounds reasonable," Mo Xuanyu nodded. "Ultimately, it is the energy usage that needs the most refinement."

The more they spoke, the more captivated Wei Wuxian became with Mo Xuanyu. Hadn't Mo Xuanyu been some disgraced cultivator from Lanling Jin? Contrary to his expectations, Mo Xuanyu was innovative. He spoke with intelligence and humour, and Wei Wuxian felt inexplicably comfortable conversing with him.

And what of the lunatic cutsleeve who threw himself all over Lan Wangji? He had been disappointed to see Mo Xuanyu acting normally. Had Lan Wangji tamed Mo Xuanyu's lunacy? Or had Jiang Cheng exaggerated his actions?

"Maybe someone with Lan Zhan's level of cultivation could try the talisman without expending too much energy," Mo Xuanyu said.

"Of course, only someone as good as Hanguang-jun could make this talisman work the way it's supposed to!" Wei Wuxian immediately agreed just to see what Lan Wangji did.

Lan Wangji remained silent.

Were they a cutsleeve couple? They didn't act like a couple at all. But Lan Wangji allowed Mo Xuanyu to call him 'Lan Zhan', which meant that Lan Wangji must have held him in some high regard.

Then again, Wei Wuxian also used Lan Wangji's birth name, and they were not particularly close friends, regardless of how Wei Wuxian tried to befriend him.

Wei Wuxian felt unreasonably jealous that someone else had the honour of using Lan Wangji's birth name.

When they reached a gazebo to rest, Wei Wuxian pulled out a blank scroll and an ink-stone- courtesy of the Cloud Recesses stationery supplies- and began to grind the stone.

"You were serious about making notes?" Mo Xuanyu laughed incredulously when he saw Wei Wuxian grinding the ink-stone.

"Yes! You've said so many useful things," Wei Wuxian said, dipping his brush. Angling the scroll in a way that the others couldn't see what he was writing, he made his notes. It had been twenty years since Lan Wangji had seen his calligraphy during his punishments, but he thought he should err on the side of caution.

What had Mo Xuanyu said? Oh yes, different materials, changing that stroke to a hook, getting rid of that extra symbol...

He felt a prickling down his spine, and looked up to see Lan Wangji staring at him.

Lan Wangji averted his gaze when he was spotted, and Wei Wuxian scratched his cheek under the mask. Even with the spiritual mask, had Lan Wangji recognised him?

Surely not. He would have run him through with Bichen if he had.

***

They reached a bustling town as night fell and booked two rooms at an inn.

Wei Wuxian probably shouldn't have been so surprised; Lan Wangji had shared a room with Mo Xuanyu the previous evening. Maybe they really were a couple after all.

Gathering in one of the rooms, they were served dinner. After eating his fill, Wei Wuxian pulled out the Emperor's Smile to share, grinning when he saw Mo Xuanyu's pleased expression.

Mo Xuanyu appeared to be a connoisseur of fine wines.

"Were you enjoying your classes at Cloud Recesses?" Mo Xuanyu asked, eager eyes on the cup as Wei Wuxian poured the wine.

Wei Wuxian passed a cup to Lan Wangji, who shook his head.

"More for us!" Wei Wuxian said happily, passing it to Mo Xuanyu.

"I wasn't there for classes," Wei Wuxian said. They both downed their cups in one gulp. "I was researching."

"Oh?"

" My theory is that if one were to become a powerful enough cultivator, they could regress in age," Wei Wuxian shared his bogus theory. "If I could deage enough to the time before I had my qi deviation, then I would be cured of its effects."

Mo Xuanyu held his chin thoughtfully. "That would require cultivation levels beyond even those of immortals. Unless there is some vessel that could store enormous amounts of spiritual energy?"

Despite the fake story, Wei Wuxian was excited at Mo Xuanyu's idea. "Are there any spiritual objects that can do that?"

"Not that I'm aware of. Lan Zhan, have you heard of anything that could do that?"

"No."

"It's probably easier to find a skilled physician to treat you than to find a way to deage anyway," Mo Xuanyu said.

"It's just an idea," Wei Wuxian said, reaching for the jar of wine, only to have it moved out of reach. "Hey!"

"Young Master Yu, with your health affected by your qi deviation, you should drink in moderation." Mo Xuanyu lifted the jar to his lips, dodging Wei Wuxian's swipe.

"I bought it. It's mine!" Wei Wuxian's hand shot out for the jar, but Mo Xuanyu gracefully evaded him. "I'm wearing this mask for the deviation. I can drink!"

"How about we finger guess for it?" Mo Xuanyu held out his fist, and Wei Wuxian readily agreed.

"My skill in this game is unmatched," Wei Wuxian bragged.

Several rounds in, Wei Wuxian tried his usual tricks.

"You cheated!" Mo Xuanyu accused.

"What? This is skill!" Wei Wuxian said innocently.

Mo Xuanyu turned to Lan Wangji. "Lan Zhan, you saw him cheat, right?"

"Mn."

Unfortunately, with Lan Wangji watching over their game, Wei Wuxian could not be sneaky like he had been with Jiang Cheng.

Wei Wuxian watched their hands with full focus.

"Hey! You were slow just now!" Wei Wuxian yelled when Mo Xuanyu won the round, and turned to Lan Wangji. "You saw that, didn't you, Hanguang-jun?"

However, Lan Wangji had his head turned away and was staring at the wall.

"No," Lan Wangji said.

This was further evidence that Lan Wangji and Mo Xuanyu were a couple. It was only natural that Lan Wangji took his partner's side. The situation was so unfair!

Mo Xuanyu laughed. "Fine, fine. We'll go again."

Round after round they played. They got through the Emperor's Smile and had to order more alcohol. They were increasingly becoming more rowdy when Lan Wangji reached across the table to tap Wei Wuxian's pressure point.

"Hey!" He had just won that round!

"It is nine in the evening," Lan Wangji said.

He heard Mo Xuanyu chortling as Lan Wangji proceeded to move him to the neighbouring room.

Hadn't he earned their trust with his Meishan story? They even played drinking games together! He seethed silently, keeping his mouth shut to avoid a silencing from Lan Wangji.

Arranged on the bed, Lan Wangji gave him a final long look before leaving the room, closing the door quietly behind him.

Was Lan Wangji returning to the other room to do couple things with Mo Xuanyu? Wei Wuxian felt his face heat up at the thought, then reminded himself that it was past nine. Lan Wangji would not stay up past his bedtime to do those sorts of things.

Right?

His face heated up again as he tried to sleep.

Chapter Text

It had taken Wei Wuxian a long time to fall asleep as his mind kept drifting to the occupants of the room next door. Not that it was any of his business, but Lan Wangji and Mo Xuanyu were sharing a bed! They were a couple, right? What sort of things did couples even do when they're both men? None of Nie Huaisang's books had featured male couplings, and Wei Wuxian had never given it much thought, but the peerless Lan Wangji sleeping with the known cutsleeve Mo Xuanyu stirred Wei Wuxian's curiosity.

Nie Huaisang's resources definitely required more variety. Wei Wuxian was determined to fix that when he returned to his own time.

When he finally fell asleep, his dreams were a mesh of the past and the future. His active mind conjured a teenaged Lan Wangji shoving the thick scroll of the Gusu Lan sect rules into Wei Wuxian's arms.

Wei Wuxian throwing the scroll back at the scowling teenager and running away to drink with Mo Xuanyu.

Adult Lan Wangji slapping his wrists every time he was about to win a round of finger guessing.

Twin Jiang Chengs, one older and one younger, wearing identical sneers at Wei Wuxian's struggles in the drinking game.

Lan Qiren dragging him away to the Library Pavilion.

Lan Qiren's eyes bulging dramatically when Lan Wangji instantly gravitated towards and Mo Xuanyu, holding the other man's face and leaning in...

A soft duet dragged him back to the waking world. He immersed himself in the calm harmony as he waited patiently to be released from his paralysis. The guqin's low tones invoked images of the peaceful Cloud Recesses, a gentle breeze rustling emerald leaves, while the piercing flute intertwined with the bass strums, like playful birdsong.

Did they have to calm the agitated corpse every morning? Maybe that was the reason why Lan Wangji and Mo Xuanyu stayed in the same room. He could easily see Lan Wangji sharing a bed- in the literal sense- with Mo Xuanyu if it was for the purpose of a mission.

That made sense. Considering Lan Wangji's extreme reaction to Nie Huaisang's pornography in his youth, Wei Wuxian doubted that the pure Lan Wangji, the model Gusu Lan sect disciple, even knew about anything of a sexual nature.

Wei Wuxian breathed deeply as the duet reached its ending phrases, feeling relaxed. Despite his initial trouble falling asleep, his slumber had been restful. He felt the embers of his spiritual energy burning in his golden core. At this rate, he anticipated having a full of return of his spiritual energies soon.

He heard the door open. Footsteps, then a tap. Wei Wuxian grinned up at Lan Wangji.

"Are you going to tell Lan Zhan how blinding his beauty is again?" Mo Xuanyu said from the door.

"Of course not!" Wei Wuxian lied. Okay, he had used that joke already, but the pristine Lan Wangji positively glowed in the morning sunlight and Wei Wuxian just couldn't resist it. "But having Hanguang-jun himself waking me up every morning is a dream come true. I can die happy!"

Mo Xuanyu laughed, while Lan Wangji simply sealed his spiritual energy and turned away.

They acted no different to the previous day, consolidating Wei Wuxian's certainty that they had not been intimate in bed.

During their silent breakfast, Wei Wuxian thought about his reverse-summoning talisman. Reverse-summoning himself hundreds of miles had already drained him of his spiritual energy. How much more energy would he need to somehow reverse-summon himself back to the past? The only solution was to borrow energy from someone, or something.

Was this not what his future self, the Yiling Patriarch, had done? Manipulate resentful energy to do his bidding? Jiang Cheng insisted that Wei Wuxian had changed for the worse after he started using resentful energy, but had not elaborated in what manner. In any case, Wei Wuxian trusted himself enough to know that he would not have done anything that opposed his morals. If his future self had used resentful energy, then it can't have been all bad.

Jiang Cheng had also said that Mo Xuanyu was a demonic cultivator, and Wei Wuxian had nothing but a positive impression of him.

Would it be dangerous to mention demonic cultivation in front of Lan Wangji? Surely after the Yiling Patriarch's infamy other cultivators, including Mo Xuanyu, would have dabbled in it. So Lan Wangji shouldn't connect him with Wei Wuxian for simply mentioning it.

"I was thinking," Wei Wuxian said when they set out after breakfast, "that if altering the talisman does not resolve the draining energy issue, then what if I were to somehow draw energy from other sources?"

"What other sources?" Mo Xuanyu asked.

"The energies of resentful spirits, for example."

Mo Xuanyu's steps faltered, and Lan Wangji turned to look down at him.

"Your idea has merit," Mo Xuanyu said, voice somewhat strangled. "But there are dangers in harnessing such dark energies. It should only be used as the last resort."

"Oh." Wei Wuxian said. It sounded like Mo Xuanyu was speaking from experience. Was this the reason for Mo Xuanyu's expulsion from Lanling Jin? He sighed. "Not everyone can be as powerful as Hanguang-jun."

Mo Xuanyu grinned at Lan Wangji. "This is why one needs powerful friends."

Lan Wangji predictably remained silent.

Wei Wuxian said, "instead of just having powerful friends, what if it were possible to borrow spiritual energies?"

Mo Xuanyu perked up. "Yes, that could work. But there is the physical limitation of one's golden core."

"If the borrowed energy is immediately used to power a talisman, then there would be no need for storing it."

Mo Xuanyu held his chin in his hand as he listened to Wei Wuxian's ideas. Like the previous day, Wei Wuxian found that their discussions sparked his creativity. Every time they stopped for a rest, he drew diagrams and made notes in his scroll. This was only his second day with the travelling duo, and there was already hardly any space left in the scroll.

Reaching a small town, he bought some blank manuals and a small jar to store ink. This way, he could easily make notes without needing to sit down and organise his writing implements.

When their ideas ran dry, Wei Wuxian stuffed the manual in his robes, and they immediately switched to talking about other topics. Wei Wuxian was surprised at how many interests they shared. From hunting to literature, from archery to art, from swimming to drinking...

Speaking of drinking, Wei Wuxian decided not to engage in any drinking games with Mo Xuanyu anymore. Not with the biased Lan Wangji as a referee.

***

That evening, Lan Wangji paid for two rooms again. They took their meal in one of the rooms, and after their empty dishes were cleared away, Wei Wuxian declared. "I bet I can hold my liquor better than you!"

"I've probably been drinking longer than you have been alive!" Mo Xuanyu puffed his chest, then frowned. "How old are you, anyway?"

"Fifteen. But age does not matter when it comes to talent!" He excitedly filled two cups to the brim, not bothering with one for Lan Wangji.

"Lan Zhan, watch me show this boy the drinking prowess of his elders!" Mo Xuanyu said.

Wei Wuxian scoffed. "Hanguang-jun, as your greatest admirer, I won't let you down!"

Lan Wangji simply looked disinterested at the proceedings.

Wei Wuxian and Mo Xuanyu raised their cups. With matching grins, they downed their drinks. Throat burning, Wei Wuxian immediately refilled their cups.

"I wish I had bought more Emperor's Smile," Wei Wuxian said after he refilled for the tenth time.

"I agree," Mo Xuanyu said. "Emperor's Smile is the best! But at least with this weaker stuff, you won't lose so quickly."

"Speak for yourself, old man!" Wei Wuxian laughed merrily as they continued drinking. His own face felt warm, and Mo Xuanyu's cheeks were flushed. However, neither of them were drunk by the time they finished all of their wine. The small village inn had sold out of alcohol, and they were left dissatisfied at the outcome of their competition.

"We'll have to try again tomorrow," Mo Xuanyu said sadly.

"I was sure I was going to win!" Wei Wuxian pouted. "I don't look drunk at all, right, Hanguang-jun?"

Instead of answering, Lan Wangji reached over and tapped his pressure point.

"Is it bedtime already?" Wei Wuxian whined.

"Mn."

"Let's see if we can find any stronger stuff tomorrow!" Mo Xuanyu said.

Wei Wuxian's head spun as he was moved to the neighbouring room and arranged on the bed.

Comfortably warm from the alcohol circulating in his system, Wei Wuxian smiled up at Lan Wangji. "Goodnight."

Lan Wangji stared down, expression unreadable. "Mn."

After Lan Wangji left, he drifted off into a peaceful sleep.

***

Several days passed in this manner. The village inns they stayed at were too small and never had enough wine for Wei Wuxian and Mo Xuanyu to get drunk, so they gave up on their competition and just indulged in drinking together in the evenings.

As much as he enjoyed his conversations with Mo Xuanyu, he could not broach the topic he truly wished to discuss. How had Wei Wuxian been summoned? What had Mo Xuanyu been trying to achieve at the Mo compound? These questions remained at the forefront of his mind as he waited for an opportunity to ask them, but Lan Wangji never left Wei Wuxian and Mo Xuanyu alone for any length of time. Even when Lan Wangji had to relieve himself, Wei Wuxian could spot the flash of white through the trees as Lan Wangji did not stray too far from them. Was Lan Wangji afraid that Wei Wuxian would escape their company? Or was it just a coincidence?

If Lan Wangji would not leave them alone, maybe Wei Wuxian could drive him away somehow?

The next day, Wei Wuxian decided to pester Lan Wangji.

"Can you show me what Bichen looks like? I didn't get a chance to see it properly the other day."

He was promptly ignored.

"I heard all about your achievements in the past," Wei Wuxian lied. Jiang Cheng had mentioned a thing or two, but it was not as if he had showered Lan Wangji in praise. "You fought many fronts during the Sunshot Campaign, didn't you? Did you just fly in and attack? Or were you sneaky about it? No, you're too righteous to do something like that."

Wei Wuxian knew that Lan Wangji wouldn't respond to any of his remarks, so he kept going. "What is the most exciting mission you have ever been on? The most difficult? The worst..."

Mo Xuanyu slapped his back with a laugh. "You weren't like this before. What brought this on? Is that some form of revenge?"

Wei Wuxian spluttered. "No! Sure, Hanguang-jun has been ignoring me. You cheated in the drinking game that first night and Hanguang-jun helped you, and Hanguang-jun keeps paralysing me and putting me to bed too early in the evening. But I wouldn't take revenge over things like that!" He spun on Lan Wangji. "Anyway, who is stronger between you and Sect Leader Jiang?"

"They fought to a standstill," Mo Xuanyu answered for him.

"Oh?" Wei Wuxian knew first-hand how talented a cultivator Lan Wangji was. Their first exchange had been a dance of blades which demonstrated his strength and grace. Had Jiang Cheng caught up to Lan Wangji's level of cultivation in the last twenty years?

"That's good! I really should barrack for my cousin. But Hanguang-jun, you're so cool that I support you as well!" Wei Wuxian looked up at Lan Wangji, who kept his eyes ahead. "Other than Sect Leader Jiang, I wonder if you are the strongest cultivator in the world?"

"We can't know who is the strongest," Mo Xuanyu said. "Nor should we care. A cultivator should use his strengths to help others, not to compete with each other."

Wei Wuxian knew this. At the same time, he always enjoyed the competitions in the Discussion Conferences where he could show off his skills. "We can't know who is the strongest, but it is doubtless that Hanguang-jun is a top-tier cultivator! Hanguang-jun, why are you ignoring me?"

Lan Wangji briefly glanced at him, but did not respond. Was his praise not annoying him enough?

"Lan Zhan is a great cultivator, I agree!" Mo Xuanyu said, pulling out his spirit-trapping pouch. Observing the pointing arm, they proceeded in the direction of Shudong, a mountainous region with numerous rivers weaving throughout.

"So the arm is leading the way to the rest of its body?" Wei Wuxian guessed as they followed the arm's direction.

"Yes," Mo Xuanyu said. "Its resentment is powerful and if left alone, the body parts would pose a danger to those around them."

"Did it dig itself out from the ground somehow?"

"We don't know," Mo Xuanyu said, then told him about how the arm suddenly appeared in Mo Village.

Mo Village, where Wei Wuxian had been summoned. Was there a link? Or was it just chance?

In any case, the fact that the dangerous body parts were spread out and someone was trying to steal them was disturbing. No wonder Mo Xuanyu and Lan Wangji remained wary of Wei Wuxian's sudden appearance.

Tendrils of white mist floated above the ground as they approached a small village. In front of the village was a forked road, signed with a cracked piece of stone: Yi City. There were three paths, and the arm pointed down the only path that was overgrown with weeds, obviously rarely used.

Mo Xuanyu offered to ask about the path, and skipped away to chat with some of the villagers.

Wei Wuxian stood alone with Lan Wangji, watching him stare after the chatting Mo Xuanyu.

Lan Wangji toed a rock on the ground.

Unable to stand the silence, Wei Wuxian continued his mission to irritate Lan Wangji.

"Hanguang-jun! You're the light-bearing lord who goes wherever the chaos is. You must have some excellent moves. Can I see a few?" Wei Wuxian asked.

Lan Wangji continued toeing the rock, ignoring him. That was so rude!

"Why are you ignoring me?" Wei Wuxian move around so that he was in Lan Wangji's line of sight, but Lan Wangji merely looked away. "Hanguang-jun, look at me!"

Wei Wuxian stumbled back when Lan Wangji suddenly swivelled around with such ferocity that his robes flared around him.

"Haha," Wei Wuxian laughed awkwardly at Lan Wangji's piercing gaze. "I'll really go blind if you stare at me with such intensity."

Lan Wangji's eyes flitted between Wei Wuxian and Mo Xuanyu, brows creased. Wei Wuxian cheered his ability to finally get a reaction, but he was uncertain what to make of it.

Before he could ask what the deal was, Mo Xuanyu returned and told them the chilling story of Yi City as they walked down the untrodden path.

"People rarely go there anymore In recent years, nor has anyone left the place," Mo Xuanyu finished his tale.

Wei Wuxian remained silent, dreading what misfortune might have befallen Yi City. The further they walked along the rough path, the denser the fog became, only adding to Wei Wuxian's sense of foreboding.

"What did you give them?" Lan Wangji finally asked.

"That?" Mo Xuanyu sounded surprised. "That was the rouge I bought from that charlatan."

Wei Wuxian looked at the blank-faced Lan Wangji. "It's only polite, you know. You really should show your thanks when asking people things. I usually give flowers or jewellery myself."

Mo Xuanyu and Lan Wangji turned their gazes on him, and Mo Xuanyu grinned. "You must be a lady killer back at Meishan!"

"I like to think I was an everyone killer!" Wei Wuxian laughed. "I'm very good at getting free food from the townsfolk!"

His spine tingled at the strange look Lan Wangji was giving him. It was unnerving. Up until now, Lan Wangji had largely ignored him. But now, in this foggy, ominous place, he had somehow attracted Lan Wangji's attention? He did not want Lan Wangji's attention, he wanted Lan Wangji to be irritated to the point of leaving him alone with Mo Xuanyu!

They arrived at a city gate, the tower in front of the city covered in vines and long vacant. A chill shot through him as Mo Xuanyu commented on the poor feng shui of the place.

The gates opened with a loud creak, revealing a thick white fog beyond. Silently, the three of them entered together.

Crunch.

Wei Wuxian turned towards the sound, and could see the form of Mo Xuanyu bending over to pick up something.

"It's a paper head," Mo Xuanyu said.

They continued forward. Wei Wuxian jumped when a shadow swept by them. He saw the sword glare of Bichen chasing after it before flying back.

"Be careful," Lan Wangji said.

With their vision impaired, Wei Wuxian strained his ears.

"That sounds like a bamboo pole," he said, tilting his ear towards the sound.

"And footsteps," Lan Wangji added.

The bamboo pole tapped rapidly on the ground. Beyond the pole tapping, light footsteps approached them. It sounded like multiple people were heading towards them. Wei Wuxian heard a rustle of movement beside him. Had Mo Xuanyu just thrown something at the footsteps?

Sword glares of varying colours swung in their direction, all efficiently blocked by the bright white Bichen. The owner of the swords spoke up in confusion. That sounded like...

"Jin Ling?" Wei Wuxian asked, while Mo Xuanyu said "Sizhui!" at the same time.

"Yu Xing? I thought you were at Cloud Recesses? Why are you with him?"

Wei Wuxian walked towards the voice, seeing Jin Ling standing among a group of people, all from different sects. He recognised some of the Lan sect disciples from Biling Lake. They no longer had their donkey with them.

"It's a long story, I'll tell you later," he pat Jin Ling's arm, and Jin Ling did not shake him off. "Um, is Fairy...?"

"She's not here," Jin Ling assured him.

"Young Master Mo?" Lan Sizhui said. "Is Hanguang-jun here as well?"

Before Mo Xuanyu could answer, someone else spoke up. "He is! That sword glare before was from Bichen, right?"

Wei Wuxian recognised Lan Jingyi's loud voice.

"Yes! I finally got to meet my idol!" Wei Wuxian couldn't help saying.

"Your idol?" Jin Ling whispered.

Wei Wuxian just patted Jin Ling's arm without responding.

"He's right here," Mo Xuanyu said. "You should come closer so that we can see you better."

"Hanguang-jun," one of the Lan sect disciples said. "I was to meet you at our Southern outpost to deliver a letter to you from Zewu-jun confirming Young Master Yu's identity."

That must have been Lan Xichen's confirmation of 'Yu Xing's identity.

As Lan Wangji took the letter, Mo Xuanyu wagged a finger at the newcomers. "It was dangerous of you all to attack so viciously. Luckily Hanguang-jun was with us, otherwise ordinary people could have been hurt."

Jin Ling huffed. "There's no-one here except for us."

Lan Sizhui nodded. "There are no shops open, even though it is day time."

"Why are you all here together?" Wei Wuxian asked. Why wasn't Jin Ling with Jiang Cheng? Had he run away alone with Fairy again? What use was Jiang Cheng's threats of breaking his legs?

"That's also a long story..." Lan Sizhui began.

From within the dense fog came the tapping sound of the bamboo pole, and Jin Ling and the others held up their swords, eyes wide.

"It's here again!"

"Come closer." Mo Xuanyu commanded. "Don't move around too much. Put your swords away."

Huddled together, Lan Sizhui explained how they saw a shadow moving past them, and that the sound of the tapping stick had been following them. Flying up had revealed dark mysterious shadows flying around in the air. Not knowing what the shadows were, they had felt it safer to remain on the ground.

Then Jin Ling and Lan Jingyi got into a fight about Fairy and Lil' Apple. If they had the mind to argue about the better animal out of a dog and a donkey, then they must've really felt safe now that they were in Lan Wangji's company. He chuckled to himself when Lan Wangji tired of the noise and silenced them all.

Suddenly, they were surrounded by the sounds of someone, or something, approaching. It sounded like a crowd, dragging their feet, closing in on them. Wei Wuxian scrunched his nose at the stench of rotting flesh.

Walking corpses?

"Senior Mo," Wei Wuxian held out his hand for his sword. "My sword."

Mo Xuanyu pulled it out of his own qiankun pouch and handed it over. "Don't swing it around carelessly."

"I know." Wei Wuxian withdrew the sword and Mo Xuanyu unsealed his spiritual energy. "Thanks."

He had not cultivated with the sword much, but it was still better than being empty-handed. How he wished he had Suibian with him, then he would've made quick work of the corpses.

Mo Xuanyu whistled, a short light sound, and the walking corpses stopped. Wei Wuxian stared at Mo Xuanyu. What had he done? Was this demonic cultivation?

The corpses unexpectedly rushed towards them. Was this the level of Mo Xuanyu's cultivation?

Bichen flew into the group of corpses with a swish, cutting all the corpses in half.

"Wow! Hanguang-jun! You're so good!" Although Wei Wuxian could have done it as well if he had Suibian, he couldn't help gushing.

The other disciples all spoke at once.

"Is this place dangerous?"

"Should we leave?"

"I think there are more coming!"

Another figure rushed over, and Wei Wuxian moved so that he was in front of Jin Ling, sword held aloft. Before he could strike, Bichen swung through the air in a glowing arc.

Wei Wuxian opened his mouth to praise Lan Wangji's speed, but coughed as a strange powder filled his mouth.

Chapter Text

The stench surrounding him reminded Wei Wuxian of the rotting foods he had encountered in his youth. Living on the streets meant that he had eaten all manner of things, and the foul mixture of sweet, bitter and rotten was only slightly better than some of the worst things he had eaten to survive.

"What the hell?" He tried to spit out as much of it as he could. Around him, others were also coughing and spitting.

"Yu Xing! Are you okay?" Jin Ling slapped his back. "What is it?"

"Some weird powder came from the corpse's body." Wei Wuxian spat a few more times, but the foul taste lingered. "It tastes gross, but I'm alright."

He heard movement beside him, and a hand emerged from the fog to hold his wrist, taking his pulse.

"Lan... Hanguang-jun?" Wei Wuxian looked up in surprise to see the stoic Lan Wangji staring at him. He tried to pull his hand out of the firm grasp.

From the dense fog, Mo Xuanyu was shouting orders. "Everyone, come here quickly! Get out of that area!"

Wei Wuxian jumped when Lan Wangji placed his hands on Wei Wuxian's shoulders and gently steered him towards Mo Xuanyu's voice.

"Hey! I can walk over there myself!" Wei Wuxian shook his shoulders, but Lan Wangji's grip was firm. He made sure to take Jin Ling's arm so that he was pulled along.

"Where are you? I can't see you!" Lan Jingyi loud voice called out in the fog.

"I'll keep talking, come here..." Mo Xuanyu suddenly stopped, and suddenly laughed. "Oops, did you want my qiankun pouch? It seems you took the wrong one!"

Lan Wangji released Wei Wuxian the instant they reached Mo Xuanyu and drew Bichen, disappearing into the whiteness. Had the body-part stealer come?

"Yu Xing, don't move. " Mo Xuanyu was in front of him, leaning in so that their faces were inches apart. Mo Xuanyu's cold fingers pulled his eyelids, keen grey eyes searching. "Open up, aaah..."

Swords clanged as Lan Wangji kept the enemy away from them. Wei Wuxian had his eyes on the glow of Bichen as it flew through the air, itching to join the fight. But amongst the fog and the crowd, it would be dangerous to do so. Not to mention...

"My fingers are going numb," Wei Wuxian said.

Mo Xuanyu nodded with certainty. "Corpse poisoning."

Wei Wuxian should probably be more concerned that he had been poisoned. But Mo Xuanyu was calm, and for some reason, he trusted Mo Xuanyu.

Mo Xuanyu left him with a "don't move" and went to inspect the others.

Jin Ling slapped his arm. "Why did you move in front of me?" He said, displeased. "I thought your mind was supposed to be less addled with that mask on."

"My body moved on its own," Wei Wuxian shrugged. "At least this way, Sect Leader Jiang's attention would be all on me and your legs won't be broken."

"You're hopeless!" Jin Ling sighed.

A grunt came from the fog, and Mo Xuanyu yelled. "Lan Zhan! Did you get hurt?"

"Of course he's not hurt!" Wei Wuxian piped up. Although Wei Wuxian had tried to annoy Lan Wangji with his praise, he truly believed that Lan Wangji could be considered one of the strongest cultivators in the world.

"No." Lan Wangji's cool voice rang out from the fog.

"Of course not," Mo Xuanyu said, then turned to the others gathered around him. "Those who are poisoned should remain as still as possible. Those who aren't poisoned will need to carry them. Make sure the head and heart stays above the rest of the body."

Wei Wuxian's legs were beginning to shake, and he was grateful that Jin Ling and an Ouyang sect disciple lifted him up before his knees collapsed embarrassingly beneath him.

Mo Xuanyu led them away from the sword fight, holding each other's sword sheaths so that they would not lose each other. He knocked on shop door after shop door. When they finally came upon an inhabited shop, the shop owner was unwilling to let them in, even when Mo Xuanyu offered to pay the old woman money. Wei Wuxian watched in amazement as Mo Xuanyu stuck his foot in the door to stop her from closing it and barged in.

As Wei Wuxian's eyes adjusted to the darkness inside the shop, he could see the outlines of people around them, despite not feeling any presence of life.

"Manager, why don't you light the lamps?" Mo Xuanyu asked.

"They're on the table. Light them yourself," the woman said, tone even.

Lan Sizhui lit the lamp with a talisman, eerily illuminating the paper mannequins around them. It appeared that this place sold burial items.

Mo Xuanyu lit the other candles on the table, then admired the wares in the store. "Were all of these made by you? Such skill." When the old woman didn't respond, he continued. "Can we borrow your kitchen?"

The old woman turned her head, looking at the lit candles with seeming distaste. "It's in the back. Use it." She said, then she went to hide away in the inner rooms of the store, slamming the door behind her.

"There's something strange about that old hag, I'm sure!" Jin Ling said.

"Don't be so rude," Wei Wuxian said. Although Jin Ling was right, there was something fishy about that woman. Something about the way she moved.

Mo Xuanyu interrupted when it seemed like Jin Ling was about to continue. "Alright, be quiet. I need some help in the kitchen. Who's coming with me?"

Lan Sizhui stepped forward, "I'll go with you."

With instructions for the poisoned people to remain standing and unmoving, Mo Xuanyu left with Lan Sizhui.

"I'm Yu Xing, from Meishan Yu sect," Wei Wuxian introduced himself to the disciple who helped drag him here.

"Ouyang Zizhen," his companion said. "From the Ouyang sect."

"How are you feeling?" Jin Ling asked, looking carefully at what he could see of Wei Wuxian's face.

"I've been better," Wei Wuxian said. Since he had cultivated his golden core, he rarely felt cold. However, he now felt a chill seeping into his bones. But he wasn't about to tell Jin Ling that.

He saw Jin Ling eyeing the door after Mo Xuanyu and Lan Sizhui, and said. "You can go and help them out, I'll be alright here." He leaned heavily onto Ouyang Zizhen.

Jin Ling nodded. "Someone should probably keep an eye on Mo Xuanyu. I don't want him poisoning you."

That's right. The last time Mo Xuanyu and Jin Ling had met was on Dafan Mountain, where Mo Xuanyu had offended Jin Ling. Jin Ling obviously held some sort of grudge.

"Go, go!" Wei Wuxian smiled to reassure him.

Watching Jin Ling leave, Lan Jingyi sighed loudly. "How can you be so calm?" He asked. "Aren't you feeling all tingly and cold?"

"I am," Wei Wuxian admitted. "But worrying won't help. We'll just have to trust that Senior Mo knows what he's doing."

"I suppose he did help out before on Dafan Mountain," Lan Jingyi conceded.

"What did he do on Dafan Mountain?" Wei Wuxian wanted to know. Jiang Cheng had been brief about the encounter.

"He summoned the Ghost General with his flute to defeat the goddess statue!" Lan Jingyi said. "His flute playing was horrible, so everyone was shocked when he manage to summon anything, much less such a powerful fierce corpse!"

"The Ghost General? The fierce corpse that Wei Wuxian made?" Wei Wuxian asked. Mo Xuanyu's whistling had not been able to stop the walking corpses, but he was able to summon a fierce corpse? Just what was Mo Xuanyu's level of demonic cultivation? For Mo Xuanyu to have summoned the Ghost General, had Mo Xuanyu known the future Wei Wuxian?

"Yes! He was so strong! All of the cultivators combined were unable to defeat the statue, but the Ghost General was able to demolish her," Lan Jingyi said. "Then he escaped, and we took Senior Mo back to Cloud Recesses. Anyway, what were you doing with Hanguang-jun and Senior Mo? When we met you at Caiyi Town, they had already left Cloud Recesses."

"Oh, accident with a talisman," Wei Wuxian said lightly.

"An accident that transported you to them?" Lan Jingyi gaped. "What sort of accident is that?"

"A fortunate one." Wei Wuxian said. "After all, I got to meet Hanguang-jun!"

Lan Jingyi brightened. "He's really great, isn't he?"

Wei Wuxian laughed. "He is!"

The other Gusu Lan disciples all looked pleased as well, and even the disciples from the other sects all nodded along. It appeared that Lan Wangji had the adoration of cultivators all over.

"I wish it wasn't so foggy here so we could see him in action. It would have been a sight to behold," Wei Wuxian said sadly. "How did you all get here? Were you night hunting together?"

Lan Jingyi eagerly narrated the tale of their travels and how they were lured to Yi City for unknown reasons.

For someone who had been concerned about the corpse poison, he spoke with much vigour.

"It was gross!" Lan Jingyi's face scrunched at the memory. "All those dead cats... and that one in the soup!" The Lan sect disciples shivered at the memory.

Wei Wuxian pondered the situation. It seemed that these people were all lured here. But for what purpose?

"I think we had it worse," Ouyang Zizhen said. "Imagine waking up to a discover yourself hugging a dead cat. Ugh!"

There were gagging noises from the others.

"Hey, it could have been worse," Wei Wuxian said brightly. "You could have been hugging a walking corpse cat that was munching on your arm."

Everyone shuddered at that.

"Is that even a thing?" Ouyang Zizhen asked shakily. "I've only ever heard of humans being turned into walking corpses."

Wei Wuxian shrugged. "If dead humans can be reanimated, why not dead animals? In fact, wouldn't they useful for an enemy? They could sneak in and out more easily."

All eyes were on him, mouths agape. With such a captive audience, Wei Wuxian had to continue. "Imagine retiring for the evening, ready to settle in the comfort of your room. A freezing gust extinguishes a single candle, cloaking the room in darkness."

Wei Wuxian blew lightly at the candles on the table, eliciting a gasp from his audience as the room was submerged briefly into darkness.

"You see that the window is ajar. You thought you had shut it. Or had you left it open? You go to close it, only to feel a presence outside. You see glowing eyes staring straight you from the shadows. You think it's a just a stray cat looking for shelter and go to swipe it away, but the corpse cat lunges..."

"AAAHHH!" Lan Jingyi screamed, hands shooting up to cover his ears. Ouyang Zizhen reached over to hold his arms.

"Young Master Lan, you shouldn't be moving!" He reprimanded.

"Sorry," Wei Wuxian said, half apologetic but half amused. He hadn't thought his story was that scary. "I didn't think you would move around like that."

Whether it was from the poison or from the scare, Lan Jingyi's face was as pale as his robes and his voice quivered as he spoke. "Young Master Yu, talking about things like that is just inviting disaster. "

There were some others who nodded in agreement, but Wei Wuxian shook his head. "I don't believe that," he said. "If talking about certain things makes them come true, then that fair maiden would have come to kiss me long ago."

Lan Jingyi's face changed colour so quickly that Wei Wuxian could not hold in his laughter. Weren't Gusu Lan disciples supposed to be all calm and composed?

"I'm just joking! There is no fair maiden. But I'm sure you have all had similar thoughts before?"

The others were saved from answering his question when Jin Ling and Lan Sizhui returned, carrying trays laden with bowls. Wei Wuxian salivated at the aroma of spice.

"The cure is ready!" Lan Sizhui said as they placed the trays on the table, giving them all an odd look. Jin Ling took a bowl and immediately gave it to Wei Wuxian.

"Quick, eat up!" Jin Ling said, pushing the bowl into his hands.

"Gladly!" Wei Wuxian exclaimed, excited at the colour and the aroma of the glutinous rice congee. He held the bowl up to his face, blowing a few times, before eating the thick congee.

The taste was absolutely heavenly. With just the right amount of spice that made his tongue tingle, it was a comforting taste reminiscent of his own cooking.

"Is it that good?" Lan Jingyi asked, watching Wei Wuxian's reaction in awe.

"Yes!" He beamed at Mo Xuanyu who entered the room with his arms crossed. "This is delicious! Thank you!"

Mo Xuanyu looked smug. "It is my pleasure."

Wei Wuxian tipped his bowl back, slurping the rest of the delicious congee with gusto. He was impatient to be cured and active again!

He looked up in shock when Lan Jingyi spat out the congee with a yelp.

"What's this?" Lan Jingyi spluttered. "Is this poison?" The other disciples were not so vocal, but they held their bowls warily, displeasure clear on their faces.

"Of course not!" Wei Wuxian said before Mo Xuanyu could reply. "Glutinous rice congee is an effective cure for corpse poisoning."

Another disciple piped up. "Does it have to be this spicy?"

"It's not spicy!" Wei Wuxian reached over to take Lan Jingyi's bowl, tasting it. "It's fine."

"There's something really wrong with you," Lan Jingyi said bluntly as he took back his bowl, looking at him with eyes full of distrust. Was this boy really a Lan? Where were his Gusu Lan manners?

"Yeah," Jin Ling agreed. "There's something really wrong with his taste buds."

"Hey!" Wei Wuxian objected. "You should all work on your spice tolerance. There are many great dishes you're missing out on!"

"The spice will help you sweat out the poison," Mo Xuanyu said.

Wei Wuxian snorted at the obvious lie, but the others just nodded and struggled to finish their congee, faces glistening in the candlelight.

Mo Xuanyu left the room, Lan Sizhhui and Jin Ling standing in the doorway to watch as he spoke to the old woman.

Wei Wuxian, already feeling the curative effects of the congee, moved to place a comforting hand on Lan Jingyi's shoulder.

"The faster you swallow it, the less you will have to taste it," Wei Wuxian said sincerely.

Lan Jingyi nodded. Closing his eyes, he threw his head back and poured the rest of the congee into his mouth in one go. A fellow Lan sect disciple passed him a flask of water which Lan Jingyi choked down.

"There, there. Good job," Wei Wuxian said, patting Lan Jingyi's back.

Mo Xuanyu emerged again, closing the door.

"Did you see if that old hag was dead or alive?" Jin Ling asked.

"Don't call her that. So rude!" Mo Xuanyu admonished, then went on to explain how the old woman was a living corpse.

Living corpses? Wei Wuxian quietly listened, fascinated, as Mo Xuanyu spoke of the various types of corpses. He had thought the woman's movements were strange, but could not have imagined the reason for it was because she was no longer living.

"And because of the weaknesses with ordinary corpse puppets," Mo Xuanyu said, "someone thought they could improve upon these weaknesses to create perfect corpse puppets, hence the creation of living corpses."

Wei Wuxian jumped when Mo Xuanyu mentioned his name.

"Wei Wuxian was the one who started using corpses in this way. He made Wen Ning. Who even named him the Ghost General? Silly name. Anyway, others tried to imitate his technique, using crooked, unorthodox methods to make corpses from living people. These are but failed imitations."

"Wei Ying himself was crooked!" Jin Ling said coldly. Wei Wuxian looked down, feeling cold despite already been cured of the corpse poisoning.

"Yes," Mo Xuanyu agreed. "And those who made living corpses were the most crooked of the crooked."

Everyone remained quiet, contemplating what they had just learned. How had the future Wei Wuxian made the fierce corpse Wen Ning? Had he used crooked means to do so? Wei Wuxian found that hard to believe.

Lan Sizhui asked, "what should we do now then?"

"There are some corpses who are unaware that they have already died, like the old manager. It's best if we do not disturb her," Mo Xuanyu said.

The conversation turned to whatever was tapping the bamboo stick outside, and Mo Xuanyu peeked outside through a slit between the wooden boards.

Mo Xuanyu breathed. "Oh."

"What is it?" Wei Wuxian asked. Had Lan Wangji returned? Or was it more walking corpses?

"Don't talk. I'm looking."

Definitely not walking corpses then.

Jin Ling said quietly. "What do you see? What's outside?"

Mo Xuanyu did not avert his gaze from whatever had caught his attention. "Impressive. Very impressive."

Mo Xuanyu seemed excited at whatever was outside, piquing Wei Wuxian's curiosity. The others around him also perked up in interest.

"Senior Mo, what is impressive?" Lan Sizhui asked.

"Wow, so pretty! Everyone keep your voices down! Don't scare them away, I haven't seen enough yet."

Jin Ling impatiently went to the window. "Get out of the way, I want to see!"

"Me too!" Wei Wuxian said, but Jin Ling pushed him back.

"Don't move around so carelessly!"

"But I'm cured! Senior Mo, check me!" Wei Wuxian stuck out his tongue for Mo Xuanyu, who checked him with an amused smile.

"Yep, you are cured!" Mo Xuanyu declared, while Wei Wuxian turned to Jin Ling with a grin.

Mo Xuanyu turned to the room. "Do you really want to see?"

"Yes!"

Mo Xuanyu left the boards hesitantly, obviously unwilling to relinquish his spying position, and Jin Ling approached first to see.

Jin Ling leaned forward so that his right eye was placed at the boards, then froze. He spun around, glaring fiercely at the grinning Mo Xuanyu.

"Was it good or not?" Mo Xuanyu asked.

"Yeah... it's quite ordinary," Jin Ling said coolly. Wei Wuxian felt that Jin Ling was putting on a brave face, and was even more keen to see what was outside.

"Really? Let me see!" Wei Wuxian rushed forward to peek outside between the boards . Staring back was a pair of white, pupil-less eyes. His heart jolted in shock, but he held his ground. Taking a calming breath, he turned around and smirked.

"I see," Wei Wuxian nodded. No wonder Jin Ling had reacted so. He turned to give Mo Xuanyu an exaggerated look of wonder. "It's not bad!" He played along, eager to see how the other's reacted.

Jin Ling rolled his eyes and huffed, just like Jiang Cheng would when he was annoyed at Wei Wuxian's pranks.

Lan Sizhui stepped up next, but immediately stumbled back with a startled "ah". "Senior Mo! Outside... there's..."

"There's that thing, right? Don't spoil it for the others, let everyone see for themselves!"

The others saw Lan Sizhui's frightened reaction and shook their heads in refusal. "We don't want to look!"

Jin Ling sneered. "How can you joke around at a time like this!" He turned on Wei Wuxian. "You too! There's seriously something wrong with you! Did you qi deviate again?"

"But you played along as well," Wei Wuxian pointed out.

"You're speaking like your uncle," Mo Xuanyu added, as though disappointed.

Jin Ling looked between the two of them, lips thinned.

Mo Xuanyu turned to Lan Sizhui. "Was the thing outside scary?"

"Yes!" Lan Sizhui nodded frantically.

"That's good! It's a good chance for you to learn..." Mo Xuanyu said.

Again, Wei Wuxian was amazed at Mo Xuanyu making a lesson out of the occasion. He himself thought it was all good fun, but Mo Xuanyu made a point about fear and cultivators needing some level of bravery.

"Everyone line up!" Mo Xuanyu said, "let's all have a look outside!"

"But you said the people who were poisoned shouldn't move," Lan Jingyi said weakly.

"Yu Xing was fine!" Mo Xuanyu said.

"He's the only one who could stomach your 'cure'," Lan Jingyi complained, but Mo Xuanyu just grinned widely as he pulled Lan Jingyi along.

"Step forward bravely, come on!" Mo Xuanyu insisted.

Wei Wuxian watched on, thoroughly entertained, as Mo Xuanyu herded them all into a line. One after another, the disciples' breaths stuttered when they saw what was outside, scrambling away for the next person to look.

Watching Mo Xuanyu turning this into a teaching opportunity about observation and speculation, he was again confused about how Mo Xuanyu could have been a disgraced cultivator. Was it really just his demonic cultivation which resulted in his expulsion?

Additionally, he found it hard to imagine this Mo Xuanyu being pushed around by his family back at Mo compound.

Mo Xuanyu suddenly opened the door, surprising everyone inside and even the spirit outside.

The young slender girl held a bamboo stick, raised in shock at the opened door. Long hair was pulled up with a wooden hairpin. Tears of blood lined her pale cheeks.

"Miss, you've been following these boys for a while. Is there something the matter?" Mo Xuanyu asked.

When she did not respond, Jin Ling said, "this is so strange. Can't she speak?"

The girl opened her mouth. Blood spurted from it, and even Wei Wuxian was shocked at seeing the inside of her mouth, bloodied and tongueless.

Who had been so cruel?

She tried communicating with body language, but no-one understood what she wanted to say. Then she disappeared at the arrival of someone, or something, down the street.

A figure in black stumbled, as though injured. He held a sword, wrapped in black cloth.

A hoard of walking corpses descended upon him.

Chapter Text

The figure in black stumbled down the street as the walking corpses surrounded him. Spinning around, he withdrew his weapon, slashing at the corpses.

"Is that the mist-faced man?" Lan Jingyi whispered.

"I don't think so. Their movements are totally different," Lan Sizhui responded in kind.

The man was evidently a skilled swordsman, swinging his sword in a fluid move and separating arms from corpses. Everyone watched in horror as powder erupted from the stumps.

Wei Wuxian gripped his sword, wanting to rush out. But how to do it without breathing in all of the powder?

"Senior Mo. We have to..." Lan Sizhui said.

A fresh group of walking corpses approached the weakening man. The man chopped off more corpse limbs, releasing more powder. Under the effects of the poison, he struggled to remain standing.

"We must save him," Mo Xuanyu said.

Wei Wuxian nodded. "Was there any congee left? "

"But there's so much corpse powder and so many corpses," Jin Ling said, fingers twisting his sleeves. "If only one person goes out, they'd be overwhelmed. If a group of us goes out, there won't be enough congee."

Wei Wuxian considered wrapping his head up in his outer robe and rushing out. It should be fine if he avoided breathing or swallowing the powder.

As though reading his mind, Mo Xuanyu took his arm when Wei Wuxian made to take off his robe.

"Don't," Mo Xuanyu said.

Mo Xuanyu surprised everyone by turning around and walking further into the shop, stopping in front of the paper mannequins. Wei Wuxian followed to see what he was planning.

"Lend me your blade?" Mo Xuanyu said.

Wei Wuxian held the hilt out to Mo Xuanyu, who drew the sword out an inch and cut his finger on the blade. He watched curiously as Mo Xuanyu drew eyes on the mannequins. With a mumbled spell, the mannequins were brought to life and sent out into the cloud of poisonous powder.

Wei Wuxian had never seen anything like it before. What had Mo Xuanyu just done? He watched in awe as the mannequins annihilated the walking corpses with ease and brought back the poisoned man. Mo Xuanyu took the man from the mannequins, helping him to sit down and lean against the wall.

Was that the true power of demonic cultivation? What sort of spell was that? How had he controlled the mannequins? He had so many questions for Mo Xuanyu, but they had to attend to the injured swordsman first.

"Don't come over," Mo Xuanyu said. "He's covered in the corpse powder."

A thick white bandage was wrapped around the swordsman's head. His face was pale and gaunt, head lolled forward in exhaustion. Even with the bandage and in the dimness of the store, Wei Wuxian could tell the man had fine features.

"Who are you?" The swordsman rasped weakly.

"We don't even know who this person is, whether he's an enemy or not. Why did you save him? What if he's a bad guy and we just brought a snake into our midst?" Jin Ling said bluntly.

"We can't not save people just because we don't know their backgrounds," Wei Wuxian said. "Otherwise we might be letting innocent people get hurt. Besides, if he's a bad guy, there's more of us and only one of him."

With that, Wei Wuxian went to look for the kitchen. Saving the man out there was the right thing to do, but he could see why Jin Ling was wary.

After all, wasn't it the adopted Wei Wuxian who had caused Jiang Yanli's death?

"Young Master Yu, the kitchen is this way."

Wei Wuxian jerked when Lan Sizhui appeared beside him. Deep in his own thoughts, he hadn't realised he had been followed.

"Thanks," Wei Wuxian, walking with Lan Sizhui.

"Not helping an injured person is against our sect rules," Lan Sizhui said as he pushed open the door to the kitchen. Lan Sizhui spoke gently, radiating a calm manner. He acted like a proper Gusu Lan sect disciple.

Unlike that loud Lan Jingyi.

"Jin Ling does have a point though," Wei Wuxian said.

Lan Sizhui said. "We can only do what we think is right. Sect rules or no, saving people is the right thing to do." Wei Wuxian nodded approvingly.

"I'll clean this." Lan Sizhui took a bowl. "Perhaps you could check if the congee needs reheating?"

"Alright."

Lan Sizhui went outside while Wei Wuxian lifted the lid on the pot. There was less than half left in the large pot. The congee was still warm, and Wei Wuxian's mouth watered at the smell reaching his nostrils.

That man had breathed in a lot of the corpse powder. Would he need to eat even more congee to cure himself? Wei Wuxian dearly hoped there would be leftovers that he could enjoy. And Mo Xuanyu deserved to eat some of his own scrumptious cooking.

Lan Wangji also deserved a something after fighting with that mist-faced man. How was Lan Wangji doing? If he was taking this long, then either the mist-faced man was a formidable cultivator, or even more walking corpses must have joined in the attack.

"Here," Lan Sizhui passed the cleaned bowl to him, and Wei Wuxian ladled the bowl full to the brim.

They hurriedly returned to the others. The faster the man ate the congee, the better.

"... If I cannot be saved, then I should kill as many of the walking corpses as I can while I am still able to." The man was saying.

Admiration spread in Wei Wuxian's chest at the man's brave declaration. He ignored Jin Ling's scowl as he approached the injured man. "Here, have some of this cure!" Wei Wuxian kneeled beside him, and gently took the man's hand, placing the bowl in it.

The man brought the bowl up to his face. His lips turned downwards upon smelling the contents of the bowl.

"What's this?" He asked, tone even.

"Glutinous rice congee," Wei Wuxian said. Seeing the man's reluctance, he lifted the man's hands with the bowl so that his mouth touched the rim. "Eat up! It'll help!"

Lan Jingyi tried to be helpful when he saw the man simply frozen with the bowl at his lips. "It tastes awful, but the faster you swallow it, the less you will have to taste it."

"Uh..." the man pushed the bowl back

"Don't listen to him," Wei Wuxian coaxed. "I also ate a whole bowl. It's great! And now I am all better!"

He ignored Jin Ling's scoff, and made to tip the bowl.

The man was saved from the force-feeding when someone shrieked outside and all eyes turned to the high-pitched laughter.

Lan Jingyi went to check, and spun around with a gasp. "There's so many of them!" He exclaimed.

Mo Xuanyu moved to the paper mannequins, and everyone scrambled to offer their blood. Refusing them, he used his own blood and adjusted some talismans to cast another spell, bring paper Nether Brawlers to life.

This was a different spell to before. Wei Wuxian had to see!

"Eat up!" Wei Wuxian said with a finality, pushing the bowl into the man's hands, then left to crowd around the others at the window to watch the action outside, pushing down Jin Ling's shoulders so that he could see over his head.

The mannequins were truly vicious! Their long claws shredded the corpses as though slicing tofu with a knife. They lifted the corpses like they weighed nothing, smashing them down on the ground until they broke into pieces.

He vaguely heard Mo Xuanyu and the other man talking in the background, but was totally engrossed by the fighting paper figures.

"Yes!" Wei Wuxian cheered with the others when the last of the walking corpses fell in a mass of rotted limbs, totally annihilated. That had been amazing! He had to find out what these spells were that Mo Xuanyu had cast!

But their relief was short lived when a fierce corpse came crashing in from above.

Wei Wuxian leapt instinctively to Jin Ling's defence, bringing his sword up to block the blow. His arms trembled under the strength of the attack, and he pushed Jin Ling away as he engaged with the fierce corpse.

"Stay back!" He commanded, parrying frantically. He could not be distracted when every strike from the corpse was so fast and strong. It took all of his skill to keep the fierce corpse at bay. If only he had Suibian! The sword he now wielded was inferior and not fully cultivated, so he could only remain on the defence against the heavy blows raining upon him.

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw the injured swordsman trying to stand up but collapsing in exhaustion.

Jin Ling suddenly entered the fray with a thrust to the corpse's arm, forcing the corpse to pull back from his strike on Wei Wuxian and turn on Jin Ling. The corpse aimed for Jin Ling's head, and Jin Ling blocked it with a stagger. He angled his sword so that the corpse's blade slid off to the side, and immediately leapt back.

The corpse lunged for Jin Ling again. Wei Wuxian moved to intercept, but a shrill tone of the flute resonated through the room, and the corpse changed its direction of attack.

Mo Xuanyu sidestepped the corpse, blowing another tune. The mannequins came soaring in from the roof. The fierce corpse slashed these with his sword and whisk.

"Stay out of the way!" Mo Xuanyu ordered. He gave Wei Wuxian a strange look, then blew a melody. Nether Brawlers flew in from outside, piling atop the fierce corpse in a mountain of paper. The fierce corpse struggled, but was trapped under the Nether Brawlers.

There was a resounding sigh of relief when it seemed the fierce corpse was finally subdued. Immobilised under the weight of the Nether Brawlers, Mo Xuanyu was able to inspect the suppressed fierce corpse.

Wei Wuxian and the others inched closer to see what was happening. The corpse snarled, eyes white and pupil-less. Dried blood stained the corners of its mouth, and there was an obvious sword wound through its heart.

Mo Xuanyu forced the corpses mouth open, and Wei Wuxian shivered when he saw the bloody, empty cavern.

Who had done this? Was it the same person who had cut the girl's tongue out? Who had made this fierce corpse?

Mo Xuanyu asked. "Have any of you learned Inquiry before?"

Lan Sizhui came forward, offering his skills with Inquiry. Pulling out his guqin, he sat down before the fierce corpse and began the session.

"Ask him who he is," Mo Xuanyu said.

Wei Wuxian watched with interest. He had heard of the technique, but had never seen it performed.

Lan Sizhui thought for a moment, then played a phrase. A slight pause, then an invisible force strummed the guqin in response to Lan Sizhui's playing. His eyes widened in recognition.

"What did he say?" Lan Jingyi asked impatiently.

"Song Lan!" Lan Sizhui said.

Song Lan?

Everyone glanced at the injured swordsman. Wei Wuxian had never heard of that name, but by everyone's reaction, he must have been well-known, and an acquaintance of the swordsman.

"Does he know..." Lan Sizhui lowered his voice.

"He probably doesn't know," Jin Ling responded in kind. "He's blind, and Song Lan can't talk. Now that he has become a fierce corpse... it's best that he doesn't know."

Mo Xuanyu looked grim. "Second question. Ask him: who killed him?"

Strum.

The silence stretched, as though the fierce corpse was hesitant to answer. After a long moment, the guqin sounded a response.

Lan Sizhui gasped. "That's impossible!"

Mo Xuanyu said, "what did he say?"

"Xiao Xingchen!"

Wei Wuxian realised the injured man's name was Xiao Xingchen when all eyes zoned in on the swordsman again.

Jin Ling was doubtful. "You must have played it wrong!"

"But, the questions 'who are you?' and 'who killed you?' are the most basic questions asked in Inquiry, and the first questions we learn how to strum. I'm certain that I did not play it incorrectly."

"If you didn't play it incorrectly, then you must have misinterpreted the response." Jin Ling insisted.

"If I'm certain that I did not play incorrectly, then I am even more certain that I did not misinterpret the response. The words 'xiao', 'xing' and 'chen', used separately and together as a name are not commonly heard in Inquiry. If he responded with a different name and I understood incorrectly, then it would not coincidently be the mistaken for the words "Xiao Xingchen.""

Lan Jingyi stuttered as he spoke. "Song Lan went to look for the missing Xiao Xingchen, but Xiao Xingchen killed him... why would he kill his friend? Surely he wasn't that type of person?"

Mo Xuanyu said, "let's not worry about that for now. Sizhui. Ask him this: who is controlling you?"

Lan Sizhui's expression was pained as he looked between the fierce corpse and the injured swordsman. He thought about the phrase. With a soft inhale, he played.

All eyes remained on the guqin strings, waiting for a response. Lan Sizhui interpreted the phrase as it played.

The response sent chills down Wei Wuxian's spine.

"The. Person. Behind. You."

The one who was controlling the fierce corpse was 'the person behind them'.

Which meant that 'the person behind them' was not Xiao Xingchen.

Spinning around, his eyes widened at the once collapsed who was now sitting up. With a victorious smirk, the swordsman snapped his fingers. The reaction was immediate. Song Lan rose, throwing off the Nether Brawlers and slashing them into confetti. In a quick swirl, the fierce corpse had Mo Xuanyu at sword point and everyone else held at bay with his whisk.

Wei Wuxian had his sword out, and he saw Jin Ling and the others with their hands on their sword hilts, but Mo Xuanyu raised his voice. "Don't move! This... Song Lan is too strong for you."

Wei Wuxian was confident that he could fight Song Lan to a standstill, but with Mo Xuanyu's life at stake, he could not make a move.

The blindfolded man said calmly, "you children should go outside and wait while us adults talk."

Wei Wuxian tightened his jaw, and he felt Jin Ling stiffen beside him.

"Leave first, you can't do anything here." Mo Xuanyu commanded. "A lot of the corpse powder would have settled by now. Move carefully and breathe slowly."

A finger snap. Song Lan moved to usher them out, leaving Mo Xuanyu behind with the not-Xiao Xingchen.

Wei Wuxian saw Jin Ling hesitate, expression dark, and dragged him out by the arm. As he left, he heard Mo Xuanyu talking to Lan Sizhui.

The moment they were outside and the door shut behind them, everyone burst into conversation.

"Was that really Xiao Xingchen?"

"Surely not? Xiao Xingchen was supposed to be a noble cultivator! He wouldn't act like that!"

"But Song Lan was killed by Xiao Xingchen?"

"How did Song Lan become a fierce corpse?"

"I told you letting him in could've been dangerous," Jin Ling mumbled beside Wei Wuxian.

Wei Wuxian sighed. "Still, you can't not save someone just because they might be dangerous."

Lan Sizhui raised his voice. "Even though the corpse powder has settled, we should find somewhere to wait indoors. Let's go back to one of the empty shops."

Everyone agreed, following Lan Sizhui's lead. Wei Wuxian took the rear of the group with Jin Ling, pace becoming slower and slower.

Jin Ling grasped his elbow in concern. "Yu Xing, why are you slowing down? Are you feeling unwell?"

Wei Wuxian raised a finger to his lips. "Shh!"

He stopped walking completely, letting the others disappear into the thick fog, and turned to Jin Ling.

"We can't leave Mo Xuanyu alone. He's unarmed!"

Jin Ling frowned.

"But Song Lan..."

"We were holding him off alright before," Wei Wuxian said. "As long as Mo Xuanyu's not held at sword point, I think we have a chance of beating him."

Jin Ling nodded. "Don't push me out of the way this time. I can help!"

Wei Wuxian nodded. He'd rather Jin Ling stay out of the way, but he knew that Jin Ling couldn't be convinced to stay out of harm's way. It was fortunate that Jin Ling seemed to favour Yunmeng Jiang sword skills rather than Lanling Jin's, and Jin Ling wasn't actually too bad with his sword, so Wei Wuxian was confident he could complement his moves and execute an efficient attack on the fierce corpse.

They made their way back to the mannequin shop and stood silently on either side of the thick wooden doors. With the doors closed, they could hardly make out the conversation happening inside.

"... soul." "... Xue..."

Straining their ears to eavesdrop on the conversation, they picked up the sound of running footsteps accompanied by a tinkling, which was getting louder and louder. Wei Wuxian and Jin Ling turned as one to see who or what was coming.

A tall figure with long hair in disarray stood there. With inky streaks lining pale skin, white eyes looked past them at the door. Chains dangled from shackles on his wrists and ankles. Had this fierce corpse escaped from somewhere?

"Wen Ning!" Jin Ling hissed.

Wei Wuxian narrowed his eyes, studying the corpse more intently. This was the Ghost General? The person his future self had turned into a fierce corpse? What was he doing here?

Wei Wuxian and Jin Ling leapt out of the way when Wen Ning charged. However, the fierce corpse's target was not them.

He crashed through the door.

Wei Wuxian and Jin Ling moved to see what Wen Ning was doing, but had to jump out of the way again when Wen Ning and Song Lan flashed past them, snarling as they fought ferociously in the misty street.

Inside, Mo Xuanyu and the other man- no longer blind-folded- were standing a distance apart, so Wei Wuxian took the opportunity to rush into the shop and force them apart with a wide swing of his blade.

"Yu Xing?" Mo Xuanyu stepped out of the way.

The other man's eyes widened, and he rapidly withdrew his own sword from his sleeve to parry Wei Wuxian's attack.

Wei Wuxian thrust again, forcing the other man to hurriedly take a few steps back.

Jin Ling also had his sword unsheathed.

"I've got this!" Wei Wuxian shouted. And he really did. Even without the strength of Suibian, his skill level far surpassed the other man. "Watch over Senior Mo!"

His opponent was a handsome youth. While pretending to be Xiao Xingchen, he had been mild in temper and soft-spoken.

Now, his unobscured eyes glinted wildly as he fought in anger.

"I let you kiddies off before." Swipe. Slash. "How dare you attack me?"

Although unskilled, the man was vicious. With every swipe Wei Wuxian calmly parried, the other man became even more furious and swung his blade with even more force.

The man suddenly smirked, revealing his sharp canines as he shouted with joy. "Jin Ling!"

Wei Wuxian froze momentarily at the tone. Did this man know Jin Ling? He barely avoided a slash, which cut through the front Wei Wuxian's robes and scattered his belongings everywhere.

Jin Ling and Mo Xuanyu called out in concern. "Yu Xing!"

Wei Wuxian spun out of the way of the sword, and kicked the other man's legs out from beneath him. "I'm alright." He reassured his friends.

The other man fell with a grunt. Before he could bring his sword back up, Wei Wuxian had his sword at his throat.

The man glared at Wei Wuxian, breathing harshly. His eyes flew wildly around the room, looking for an escape. Face twisted, he cast his eyes downwards in defeat.

Something in the man's expression changed, and he was staring at the ground with intense focus. Not at the ground, but at Wei Wuxian's belongings.

The change made Wei Wuxian feel on edge.

Mo Xuanyu also noticed, and knelt to see what had caught the man's attention.

Jin Ling moved, but Wei Wuxian held out a hand to stop his approach.

"How do you know me?" Jin Ling asked.

The man suddenly broke into manic laughter. "Don't you remember me? I used to hang around Koi Tower all the time."

Wei Wuxian glanced briefly at Jin Ling, who frowned in confusion and shook his head.

"We were such good friends." The man continued. "You even shared your candy with me."

Jin Ling's confusion abruptly turned into an indignant scowl. "You! We're not friends! I never shared my candy!" Jin Ling pointed an accusatory finger at him. "You stole from me!"

The other man laughed gleefully. "You do remember! I remember you hated me, but I also remember that there was one man you hated above all others."

Wei Wuxian's palms became sweaty, and he pressed his sword into the other man's neck. "What are you trying to pull?"

The man ignored him. "Do you want to know where the Yiling Laozu is? As long as your friend doesn't stab me, I'll tell you."

Wei Wuxian's heart thumped wildly in his chest. How could the man know? He must be bluffing.

Beside him Jin Ling straightened in interest. Even Mo Xuanyu, kneeling on the floor, froze at the statement.

Bluff or not, Wei Wuxian could not risk Jin Ling finding out. He raised his free hand to knock the man out, but Jin Ling stepped forward to take hold his arm.

"Yu Xing, don't! I want to know!" Jin Ling said.

Wei Wuxian looked at Jin Ling's determined expression. Jin Ling, the brat who rolled his eyes in annoyance while offering his helping hand. The brat who was as emotionally constipated as Jiang Cheng and Jin Zixuan, and as kind as Jiang Yanli.

The brat who hated Wei Wuxian. He dreaded Jin Ling's condemnation if he discovered the truth.

Wei Wuxian's voice shook. "This man lied about being Xiao Xingchen..."

Jin Ling's grip tightened to painful levels.

Wei Wuxian registered movement in his peripheral vision. All of a sudden, his face felt like it was on fire.

He screamed.

Chapter Text

With the mask only covering his upper face, Wei Wuxian's lower face and eyes burned from whatever the man had flung into his face.

It was like a hot iron piercing his eyes. Liquid fire on his face.

It was unbearable. Squeezing his eyes shut, he wailed in agony. It was worse than any of the whippings he had ever received. Worse than when feral dogs had ripped into him.

He dropped his sword and brought his hands up to scrub at his face, but strong hands took his wrist, bending his arm behind his back.

"Yu Xing!" Jin Ling and Mo Xuanyu yelled.

He felt a cool blade pressed against his throat, but that was a minor concern compared to the pain of his face. Quieting down, he focussed on taking deep breaths. His heart pounded in his ears as he tried to open his eyes.

He squeezed them shut again at the burning in his eyes.

"Xue Yang!" Mo Xuanyu's said, voice panicked. "I'll go with you! Let him go!"

Wei Wuxian grit his teeth when his arm was pulled up further behind his back.

"Nah, I think I'll take this one. He'll definitely be easier to handle than you." Xue Yang tugged Wei Wuxian against him.

Fuck it. Wei Wuxian wasn't someone who would let himself be taken so easily. Xue Yang must have anticipated his thoughts because his thumb dug into his pressure point, sending waves of pain shooting up his arm and rendering him powerless.

"If there's any sign we're being followed, he's dead," Xue Yang threatened.

Xue Yang yanked hard, and Wei Wuxian could only stumble along on shaky legs, tripping over the threshold as he was pulled outside.

Cool winds blasted Wei Wuxian's face, soothing some of the burning as he was dragged down the street, blade still pressed against his throat. The sounds of the fighting fierce corpses faded away as they got further away.

Further from anyone who could save him.

Wei Wuxian concentrated on putting one foot in front of the other to avoid thinking about the pain. Whatever Xue Yang had thrown at him definitely tested his considerable pain tolerance.

More accustomed to the burning now, he inhaled deeply, and slowly opened his eyes to see where he was being taken.

Blackness.

His breathing quickened. What had Xue Yang thrown into his face? What if this was permanent?

"Ah!" He tripped over something, and Xue Yang quickly retracted his blade before Wei Wuxian slit his throat.

Whistling. Something flew through the air.

A clang.

Xue Yang moved away from him.

A strong arm encircled his waist, holding him firmly, and Wei Wuxian felt the sensation of lightness as he was lifted up and carried away.

This smell. Sandalwood. He had become familiar with it in the past few days.

"Lan Zhan?" He breathed weakly.

The arm around him tensed. "Mn."

They landed, but Lan Wangji did not let go.

"Your eyes?" Lan Wangji asked, a tremor in his voice.

"I'm alright," Wei Wuxian lied reflexively. Lan Wangji tightened his hold to painful levels.

"He's not alright!" Xue Yang yelled, some distance away. "If you don't wanna be blind for the rest of your life, then come back here!"

"Um...," Wei Wuxian pretended to give the proposal some consideration. "No."

Xue Yang spat. "Hanguang-jun, do you even know who it is you are defending?"

"Mn."

Wei Wuxian froze. Did Xue Yang really know? And how could Lan Wangji have found out? Had Wei Wuxian done something to give himself away?

Or was everyone just bluffing?

Xue Yang burst into laughter. "The righteous Hanguang-jun would defend-"

A clang as Xue Yang struck partway through his sentence. Lan Wangji's hold around his waist was firm as he defended the attacks. It was only when Wei Wuxian heard footsteps in the distance that Lan Wangji let him go.

"Stay behind me." Lan Wangji said, pushing him back.

Wei Wuxian stood behind Lan Wangji, not ashamed to lean on Lan Wangji's broad back to support himself on his shaking legs.

The guqin resonated, much more powerful than anything Wei Wuxian had heard so far. Soft explosions could be heard in the distance. What was that? Walking corpses?

Lan Wangji played the guqin while simultaneously defending Xue Yang's attacks, a feat that surely only a cultivator of Lan Wangji's calibre was capable of. However, he heard more footsteps coming.

"Behind us!"

Wei Wuxian staggered as Lan Wangji's upper body moved, strumming the guqin so that the sound wave flew behind him. He heard a series of pops, and thumps as bodies fell to the ground.

In a rush of movement, Lan Wangji pushed Wei Wuxian's shoulder. Air moved by his cheek.

"Hanguang-jun. It would be so much easier to defend yourself if you didn't have to worry about a dead-weight." Xue Yang laughed, obviously having tried attacking Wei Wuxian when there had been an opening. "What will you do when these streets are filled with my corpses?"

Xue Yang continued his attacks, then stopped. He must have retreated.

"Jiangzai?" Lan Wangji asked.

"I am honoured that you have heard of my sword," Xue Yang said, voice approaching as he moved in for another attack.

The sound of swordfight suddenly stopped.

A solid thud.

Xue Yang roared. "Give that back to me!"

Lan Wangji must've taken Xue Yang's sword.

"You do not deserve it," Lan Wangji said.

With a growl, the fighting resumed. The clanging of swords sounded faster than before. Wei Wuxian felt bursts of air at the force of their fighting.

Lan Wangji stepped back as he played the guqin, taking down corpses from ahead and behind them. Wei Wuxian heard footsteps from the sides.

"Lan Zhan, on the right!"

Lan Wangji strummed. More footsteps could be heard, and Lan Wangji kept retreating until Wei Wuxian's back hit a wooden wall. In this position, Lan Wangji's mobility was limited.

Xue Yang laughed, pressing down on Lan Wangji with faster attacks.

Wei Wuxian felt bitter at the knowledge that they were fighting in such a disadvantageous position because Lan Wangji had to defend him from Xue Yang and the corpses. Pressed between the wall and Lan Wangji's broad back, he desperately racked his mind for anything he could do.

At least in this position, the corpses could not attack from behind. Although corpses were capable of inhuman strength, they would hear a corpse charging through the walls of the shops-

Wei Wuxian jerked when something smashed through the wood by his ear. A cold, hard hand squeezed his throat as the wood behind him cracked. Putrid air filled his nostrils, and something pressed against his neck.

The strumming and clashing blades stopped, and Wei Wuxian felt eyes on him.

"That's Old Man Liu. The bastard used to look at me as though he wanted to spit at me. He can't now even if he wanted to!" Xue Yang sounded utterly delighted at this. "Luckily I was reserving him for a special occasion. One wrong move, and he'll rip out your throat with his teeth."

The corpse of Old Man Liu dragged him around, closer and closer to the cackling Xue Yang.

Lan Wangji's usually calm voice was strained. "Don't-"

The air shifted. Old Man Liu's presence disappeared with a smack. A wet hand gripped his wrist, and he yelped in surprise when pressure surrounded him on all sides. It was a disconcerting sensation akin to his own reverse-summoning spells. Air rushed in his ears. Was Xue Yang teleporting them away? If so, why hadn't he done so from the beginning? Even if the teleport drained Xue Yang of spiritual energy, there was no way the blind, poisoned Wei Wuxian could overpower him.

The hand on his wrist was shaking. Something warm slid down his hand. Blood? Had Lan Wangji landed some strikes? Served the man right!

The grip weakened by the second, and Wei Wuxian was considering wrenching himself away when the pressure suddenly lessened and Wei Wuxian landed flat on his face. He winced at the painful reminder of his injured face.

Wings flapped as birds flew away, disturbed by their appearance. Grass tickled his cheek, and he inhaled deeply, relaxing slightly at the fresh smell of nature. Sunlight warmed his back.

He was definitely no longer in Yi City.

He rolled onto his back to sit up, but stopped at the feeling of a blade at his throat.

"Where the fuck have you taken us!" Xue Yang yelled, even more furious than when he had been disarmed by Lan Wangji.

"Does that matter?" An unfamiliar voice responded, breath heavy. "Give me the seal and I'll let your friend go."

"Take me back to Yi City!" Xue Yang's voice rose.

"The seal!"

Wei Wuxian flinched when the blade dug into his throat.

Xue Yang hissed. "Fine!"

A slap of something being caught. Wei Wuxian sighed in relief when the blade lifted from his throat.

"Sect Leader has been generous-"

Swish.

Hot liquid sprayed Wei Wuxian's face as the man above him coughed wetly. Wei Wuxian tried to scuttle back, feeling a dreadful foreboding. He made to stand up, but stilled at Xue Yang's words.

"Senior Wei, stay right where you are." Xue Yang said calmly.

"You bastard!" The unfamiliar man gasped, voice pained.

"You can barely stay on your own feet. At least this way, you can go and get daozhang for me."

"I won't do-" the man spluttered, coughing and spitting. Had Xue Yang thrown poison in the other man's face?

Something sliced through the air, and the unfamiliar man's choking was silenced.

Wei Wuxian jolted when a heavy thud landed beside him.

The coppery smell of blood.

Wei Wuxian was glad that he could not see.

Rustling of paper. Some pats.

He sensed Xue Yang moving above him, blocking the warmth of the sunlight.

Wei Wuxian hissed when his mask was tugged, reminding him of his own pitiful state as the movement agitated his burning face. The spiritual mask remained stuck on his face, and he cried out when Xue Yang shook it violently.

"Senior Wei, you'll have to take your mask off so that I can wash the poison off your face."

With his identity somehow revealed, he reached up a trembling hand to pull off his mask.

Hair brushed out of the way. A splash of something cool on his face, dousing the fiery flames.

A cloth was used to wipe his face, strangely gentle. Wei Wuxian breathed harshly, numbed by the painful experience.

Xue Yang started giggling.

"You really are Wei Wuxian!" Xue Yang sounded triumphant. The laughter became boisterously loud.

Fingers forced his an eye open. Wei Wuxian still saw nothing. He bit his lip at the sting when liquid was poured onto his eye. This treatment was repeated for his other eye, and the gently wiping cloth returned.

"You look like a child!" Xue Yang said cheerily. "How are you here? And like this?"

"I don't know." Wei Wuxian rasped out.

Xue Yang hummed in understanding. "He's probably experimenting with you. It's only natural he'd want his original body back."

Who? What?

"What the hell are you talking about?" Wei Wuxian said.

Xue Yang laughed manically.

It seemed like he would not get an answer, so he tried another question. "How did you recognise me?"

"I spent years studying your notes. I recognised your handwriting," Xue Yang said. "If only my hands weren't full with you, I would've taken your new notes as well. But having you in person beats having notes."

His notes? Dread filled him. Would Lan Wangji come after him if he saw the notes and recognised the handwriting?

"So you're not gonna kill me?" Considering the future Wei Wuxian's status as the enemy of the cultivation world, he had thought everyone would be out for his blood. Then again, Xue Yang appeared to be a fellow demonic cultivator, so maybe he did not consider Wei Wuxian an enemy.

"Of course not!" The man huffed. "Senior Wei, you are my hero!"

Wei Wuxian scoffed. "Do you maim all of your heroes?"

"You were about to stab me." Xue Yang said defensively.

Good point.

His eyelids were forced open again as Xue Yang poured liquid in his eyes. A dry cloth was used to dry his face.

Wei Wuxian sighed in relief. Although his eyes still throbbed, his face no longer burned. "What do you want with me?"

"I let you live, so you have to help me," Xue Yang said, as though Wei Wuxian naturally owed him for his consideration.

If Xue Yang wanted something from him, then maybe he was not in such a weak position after all.

Xue Yang took his wrist, turning Wei Wuxian's hand around so that his palm opened upwards. Something light and warm was placed in his palm. It felt like a soft pouch, buzzing with spiritual energy. A Spirit-Trapping Pouch? But it felt weird, like whatever was within it breathed weak, rattling breaths. For some reason, it made him feel uneasy.

"I want you to help me put this soul back together," Xue Yang said.

He had captured and transported spirits before in Spirit-Trapping Pouches. The pouches always felt full, brimming with spiritual energy eager to leave the pouch. But whatever was in this pouch felt nothing like it.

Wei Wuxian huffed. "There's barely anything here, and it's all in a disarray. I don't think I can do anything for it."

"But you must! This is your shishu!" Xue Yang sounded frantic.

I don't have a shishu?

Wei Wuxian was about to voice this, but Xue Yang continued.

"You're the Yiling Patriarch! Surely restoring a soul is not beyond your capabilities!"

Wei Wuxian sighed. "Even if it were within my capabilities, I can hardly experiment without my eyesight."

"I'll fix your eyes, so you must fix this soul!"

Wei Wuxian cheered inwardly at the knowledge that his blindness could be cured.

Movement. The chink of ceramic. Something hard was placed at his lip. Wei Wuxian obediently opened his mouth and took the antidote in his mouth. He swallowed the pill, face scrunching at the bitter after-taste.

"Who's my shishu?" Wei Wuxian could not recall his parents mentioning anyone. How could Xue Yang know something about him that even he did not know?

"You don't know?" Xue Yang said surprised. "That's right, you were already dead when Xiao Xingchen appeared."

Xiao Xingchen? While Xue Yang had been pretending to be Xiao Xingchen, he had acted noble and sincere. Was that what the real Xiao Xingchen had been like?

His heart ached for the broken soul in the pouch.

"The antidote will take awhile. In the meantime, you can think of ways to fix this soul." Xue Yang pat his head condescendingly, then moved away from him. He briefly contemplated escape, but his limbs still felt weak from the whole ordeal.

With Xue Yang needing him alive, he would have ample opportunity to escape.

"Yes, you're ready," Xue Yang murmured to himself.

Tap. Tap. Tap.

Metal meeting metal as the man chipped away at something, mumbling below his breath. A string of words. It sounded like a spell.

Tap. Tap. Tap.

There was a profound shift in the air. As though clouds suddenly blocked the sun and its warmth. Wei Wuxian felt a dark energy, and imagined ripples of the energy shimmering through the air beside him.

Xue Yang whistled and clicked his fingers. "Make sure you're not followed," he instructed.

The sound of movement as something rushed away.

"What did you do to him?" Wei Wuxian asked, though he already hazarded a guess. After all, Song Lan had been a fearsome opponent.

"I wish you could see my creation," Xue Yang said, voice full of pride. "I tried my best to imitate your methods. It's no Ghost General, but it's not half bad. That Song bastard was pretty strong, wasn't he?"

Wei Wuxian's stomach turned at the confirmation of his suspicions.

"Have you thought of anything yet?" Xue Yang asked eagerly.

He opened his eyes.

Darkness.

"When will I be able to see again?" He asked instead.

"I don't know." Xue Yang said, unconcerned. "I've never had to use the antidote before. Anyway, you don't need to see to start thinking about ways to mend a soul."

Wei Wuxian's eyes ached and he clenched his fists weakly.

He also didn't need to see to start thinking about ways to escape.

Chapter Text

The sunlight on his face was warm, and a cool breeze caressed his cheeks. The ground beneath him grassy and soft. The rustling of leaves lulled him into sleepiness. After all that had happened, Wei Wuxian was reluctant to move from his comfortable position on the ground.

"Enough lying around," Xue Yang said when it became obvious that Wei Wuxian was determined to remain on the ground. "You can think while we travel."

Wei Wuxian felt Xue Yang above him. The cool mask was pressed to his face, and his shoulder was tapped.

His spiritual energies were sealed.

Wei Wuxian was roughly pulled to his feet, but after a moment of struggling on shaky legs, he fell to his knees with a gasp.

"I don't think I'm up for travelling," Wei Wuxian said honestly. "If only I hadn't been poisoned."

Xue Yang tsked in annoyance and moved behind him. "Fine."

Before Wei Wuxian could protest the physical contact, hands circled under his armpits, and he was hauled backwards, heels dragging along the ground. After a short distance, Xue Yang stopped momentarily.

Slam.

It sounded like Xue Yang had kicked in a door. Wei Wuxian thought they had been teleported to the middle of nowhere, but it made sense that the other cultivator would have teleported them to a place he could rest after using such an energy-consuming talisman.

"Step," Xue Yang said.

Wei Wuxian lifted his feet over the threshold of the building. He was pulled into a musky-smelling space, and dropped onto a low surface, feeling soft material beneath his hands.

A bed?

Xue Yang began to work his belt.

"What the fuck are you doing?" Wei Wuxian panicked, bringing his hands up to push Xue Yang away. Xue Yang effortlessly took Wei Wuxian's wrists and tied them together in front of him.

Wei Wuxian felt the movement of the sheet beneath him. A ripping sound, and a strip of material was used to bind his feet together.

"Is this really necessary?" Wei Wuxian sighed when Xue Yang tightened the bindings around his ankles. He was blind, exhausted, and had his spiritual energies sealed. What did Xue Yang imagine he would do?

"Yes," Xue Yang said. He moved away, lingering nearby. A rustle. "I even tied your hands together in front rather than behind you so you could rest comfortably. Aren't I considerate?" Xue Yang chuckled at his own little joke.

Wei Wuxian wanted to open his throbbing eyes just to roll them, but then felt the effect was lost with him in such a state anyway. "I'd be more comfortable if I wasn't bound at all." He grumbled.

Xue Yang laughed. "It is necessary, Senior Wei," Xue Yang said, tone mocking. "Think of my soul problem. Tomorrow, we travel."

The door slammed shut. Wood scraped against wood. Silence.

Had Xue Yang stuck a silencing talisman on the door?

Wei Wuxian opened his eyes to darkness, and sighed again. If he had his sight, he might have considered breaking out even in his weak condition. He supposed he should take the time to rest and recuperate.

The Yiling Patriarch, with many years of acquired knowledge and experience, might have been able to come up with a way to heal the broken soul, but the Wei Wuxian of now?

Was it even possible? Sure, souls could be summoned, so some manipulation of them was possible. But to bind together something intangible? How would you even experiment for that?

The clever Mo Xuanyu might have been able to offer some insights. Was Mo Xuanyu able to hold Jin Ling back from doing something rash after Wei Wuxian had been dragged away?

Had Mo Xuanyu handed Wei Wuxian's notes over to Lan Wangji? Did Lan Wangji now know that the Yu Xing he had expended so much energy to protect was the Yiling Patriarch? Did Mo Xuanyu, Jin Ling, and all of the other cultivators now know his true identity?

Would they even try to save him from Xue Yang? Given that they had teleported away, there was no physical trace for them to track. Jin Ling would probably fetch Fairy to track him. What sort of tracking were spiritual dogs even capable of?

He shuddered at the thought of Fairy being the one to find him. What would they even do with him if they were able to find him? If they didn't know his identity, then he imagined he would have to endure an extended lecture.

If they knew his true identity... well, Jin Ling was a kind boy, but even he would want to inflict some punishment on Wei Wuxian.

Lan Wangji would probably eradicate him, the future Yiling Patriarch.

Head full of these troubled thoughts, Wei Wuxian drifted off into sleep.

***

Birdsong. Was it morning?

Whistling.

A joyous melody.

Fragrance of food. Something savoury. His stomach rumbled. He hadn't eaten since early the previous day.

Something was wrong with his eyes. They ached dully. He opened them, and momentarily panicked at the pitch blackness that greeted him.

"Good morning, Senior Wei!" Xue Yang said, annoyingly cheerful.

Wei Wuxian's stomach turned to ice as he remembered the situation.

A tap to his pressure point, sealing his spiritual energy.

"It's not a good morning," Wei Wuxian groused. "I still can't see."

Unease roiled in his gut. Was this going to be permanent? Or did his eyes need time to heal from the poison?

"That's okay." Xue Yang said lightly as he undid the binds on Wei Wuxian's wrists and ankles. "I've thought about it. You don't need to see to do your experiments, you can just tell me what I need to do. So, have you got any ideas yet?"

"No," Wei Wuxian sighed. "I've only had one day to think about it."

The air seemed to cool a notch, so Wei Wuxian asked. "How long has my shishu been like this?"

"Eight years."

His poor shishu had been in this broken state for eight years? "You've had years to think about this. Give me a bit more time."

"Fine!" He could picture Xue Yang seething beside him.

Something awful must have happened to Xiao Xingchen for his soul to be in such a state. Wei Wuxian almost didn't want to know, but still asked. "How did he become like this?"

Xue Yang remained silent, and Wei Wuxian said, "the more I know about the situation, the easier it is to come up with a solution."

Xue Yang gripped Wei Wuxian's arm, painfully tight, and pulled.

"He couldn't handle the truth and killed himself." Xue Yang said with a tone of finality.

What kind of awful truth could have driven someone to suicide? There was definitely much more to the story that Xue Yang was unwilling to divulge.

Wei Wuxian was led to a table. Cutlery was thrust into one hand and a bowl into the other. Warm steam hit his face, and h inhaled the scent deeply. Congee? Herbs?

Determining that he was holding onto a spoon, he slowly lowered it into the bowl. Hitting the bottom, he scooped up.

Hot liquid dribbled down his chin as the spoon almost missed his mouth.

Congee. It was surprisingly tasty, with pieces of chicken meat and herbs. As it was thin enough, he threw down his spoon and held the bowl to his lips to eagerly drink the soupy rice.

A soft bun was placed in his hand, and he stuffed his face full.

Xue Yang sat beside him, obviously also eating. The silence was grating.

Wei Wuxian finished his bun. "Can you tell me more about my shishu?"

Silence. A clatter of wood as cutlery was placed on the table. "Why do you want to know?"

Wei Wuxian shrugged and lied. "Knowing more about him might help me formulate a spell to heal his soul."

"Daozhang was foolish," Xue Yang spat. "A do-gooder cultivator who stuck his nose in others business."

Pride welled in chest. That sounded like the type of cultivator that Wei Wuxian could look up to.

"And did he 'stick his nose' in your business?" Wei Wuxian asked.

"He did. Thought he was all high and mighty by helping others, even though he didn't know a fucking thing."

Wei Wuxian opened his mouth to ask further, but a bun was stuffed into his mouth.

"Eat up. We'll be travelling all day."

Sensing that Xiao Xingchen was a sore topic, Wei Wuxian backed off for the moment. He quickly swallowed. "Where to?"

"Qinghe."

"What's in Qinghe?" Wei Wuxian cocked his head, curious.

"The cultivators there are useless," Xue Yang said with a snigger.

Wei Wuxian felt a little sorry his friend's sect was referred to in such a demeaning manner. He still found it difficult to believe that Nie Huaisang was a sect leader.

What were the chances that Jiang Cheng was still in Qinghe?

A veiled hat was placed on Wei Wuxian's head. Wei Wuxian definitely could not show his face in public, and the spiritual mask was too conspicuous.

"Let's go!" Xue Yang said. It seemed his mood had improved after getting some food in him.

Wei Wuxian was pulled to his feet and pushed outside.

***

"And their movements were still stiff when I revived them," Xue Yang was saying.

Wei Wuxian walked carefully, one slow step in front of the other, listening with a mixture of disgust and morbid fascination to Xue Yang's tales of experimentations.

"It was so obvious in hindsight. If a person gradually dies, then their muscles are less stiff and they can move faster than ordinary walking corpses."

They had been travelling for what felt like half a day. It was hard to tell without being able to see the sun in the sky, but the air felt warmer now. Xue Yang had spent most of the time talking. It felt like Xue Yang was trying to impress him with such tales, but the more he spoke, the more Wei Wuxian realised how depraved he was.

Although Wei Wuxian believed his future self would not have conducted such experiments, concern still stirred within him. Why had he made a fierce corpse in the first place? Was Wen Ning someone important to him?

Distracted by these thoughts, Wei Wuxian's foot caught on a rock and he stumbled for the fifth time that day. A firm hand caught his arm.

"Daozhang was able to walk without tripping," Xue Yang scoffed.

"He probably had access to spiritual energy and enhanced senses," Wei Wuxian said. Stumbling around without sight was already disconcerting enough. Without a cultivator's enhanced hearing, Wei Wuxian felt even more lost. "If you unsealed my spiritual energy, we can go faster."

"Nice try." Xue Yang laughed, then hummed in thought. "We could move along faster if I made a fierce corpse to carry you."

"I don't think you should," Wei Wuxian said immediately.

"Why not?"

"Is that something shishu would have approved of?"

"Why does that even matter?" Xue Yang asked, voice irritated.

"We are trying to mend a broken soul. The fragments would be able to sense the emotions and energies that is acquired when one spills another's blood. If these are things shishu would not have approved of, then he would be repelled by these energies and it would be more difficult to draw together the soul fragments."

Xue Yang was silent, digesting Wei Wuxian's invented excuse. Essentially powerless, Wei Wuxian wouldn't be able to do anything if Xue Yang decided to go on a murder spree. He hoped Xue Yang bought his excuse.

Shing. Wei Wuxian stepped back at the sound of a blade unsheathing and swishing. Xue Yang sliced something, and then placed something in Wei Wuxian's hand.

A stick? Wei Wuxian swung it back and forth. It was light, flimsy, and useless as a weapon unless Wei Wuxian managed a direct stab to a pressure point.

Wei Wuxian lowered the stick, tapping the ground in front of him. "You should've given me something from the start," Wei Wuxian said as he took a more confident step.

Xue Yang ignored him. "Anyway, where was I? That's right, using corpse powder. Cultivators make great fierce corpses..."

***

"So have you got any ideas yet?"

"No. I need time to think!"

The sun heated Wei Wuxian's left shoulder more than the right. The sun was probably setting. It had been a long day of walking, and Wei Wuxian had gotten used to walking with the aid of the stick.

All day, he had endured Xue Yang bragging about his various nefarious accomplishments. Not for the first time, he wondered about the relationship between Xiao Xingchen and Xue Yang. Xiao Xingchen had apparently nosed himself into Xue Yang's business. Had h endeared himself to the dangerous delinquent?

As the air turned cool, signalling nightfall, Wei Wuxian was wondering whether they would brave the outdoors for the night when Xue Yang took hold of Wei Wuxian's arm.

"This place looks good. I think we'll stay here tonight."

Were there dwellings nearby? Except for the sounds of nature, all was quiet.

Wei Wuxian was pulled along. The soft grass underfoot gave way to an even surface. Wei Wuxian tapped the hard ground before him. A road?

He could now make out the soft sounds of life nearby. Chickens clucking, voices muffled by walls. The homely fragrance of cooked rice reached his nostrils.

A creak of a gate. A short walk.

Knock knock.

The voices inside quieted. A squeak as doors were pulled open.

"Yes?" An old woman's voice.

"We are staying here tonight," Xue Yang proclaimed.

"What..." The woman said.

"A-Ming, who is it?" A man called from further inside.

Xue Yang moved before A-Ming could respond. Whack. A dull thud of a body hitting the ground. Wei Wuxian hurriedly fell to his knees, crawling forward to check on the woman.

"A-Ming? What...?" The man sounded panicked.

Feeling around, Wei Wuxian's hands felt rough material. Moving up an arm, he found a the woman's neck and pulse.

Xue Yang moved, and with another whack, the old man was silenced.

"I didn't kill them, Senior Wei," Xue Yang stepped into the room. It sounded like he was dragging the man's body around. "Daozhang would be pleased with me."

Somehow, Wei Wuxian doubted that. He sighed. "We could have just asked to stay." Like any normal person would. "They might've even fed us."

Wei Wuxian pictured Xue Yang shrugging nonchalantly. "She looked like she was about to deny us," Xue Yang said, unapologetic.

Given the stories Xue Yang had been telling Wei Wuxian all day, he supposed he should be relieved that Xue Yang had held himself back from harming the couple permanently.

Wei Wuxian was dragged further inside and pushed into a seat. He again pondered Xiao Xingchen and Xue Yang's relationship as Xue Yang helped himself to his victims' food.

***

"Have you thought of how to fix this soul?" Xue Yang said.

"You just asked me half a shichen ago. Give me time!" Wei Wuxian prodded the ground ahead of him with the flimsy branch.

When Wei Wuxian had woken up to depressing darkness, Xue Yang had immediately interrogated him on possible solutions to the soul problem. So what if Wei Wuxian still couldn't see? Xue Yang just wanted to mend the broken soul.

Certain that the old couple were unharmed, Wei Wuxian had let himself be fed and dragged back onto the road.

Xue Yang was back to telling his morbid tales and had begun pestering Wei Wuxian about a solution for Xiao Xingchen's soul problem.

He had actually come up with a solution. Or at least, something that sounded like a solution. It was simple, really, and would provide him a means of escape. But would it be suspicious if he was able to "develop" some new talismans so quickly?

"Actually," Wei Wuxian began. He may as well. Xue Yang seemed to think of him as some genius inventor capable of achieving something never before done. "Have you ever done a summoning before? Not just summoning a soul to animate a fierce corpse, but an actual summoning that calls something to you?"

"No, but I read your notes on them," Xue Yang said.

"Oh?" He had forgotten that his future self had left behind research notes and that Xue Yang had studied them to the point of recognising his handwriting. Had future Wei Wuxian also experimented with summonings? "The idea is that if we could summon things to one place, then we could summon things to bring them together. If we could summon fragments into one place, into a whole, it might open pathways to gathering fragments of a soul into a whole. We can first test it with physical objects before modifying it to suit our needs."

Wei Wuxian went on to outline the summoning experiments he conducted with Jiang Cheng, and Xue Yang insisted they stop to try the experiments straight away.

"Right here?" Wei Wuxian was surprised.

"Yep." Xue Yang pulled on Wei Wuxian's arm so that he kneeled down on the ground.

Xue Yang rustled about, then said, "what do I draw?"

Were they really going to do it like this?

"Draw a symbol for 'soul' in the top right. The last stroke needs to extend to the top left and join with the character for 'combine'. The strokes can't be too thick. You overlap the curves..."

Something was placed in Wei Wuxian's right hand, and paper shoved into his other hand.

"You draw it," Xue Yang demanded.

Wei Wuxian placed the paper in front of him, flattening it to the ground and feeling around the edges. It felt like regular talisman paper.

He took off his veiled hat so that the veil would be out of his face. With a sense of the orientation of the paper, he carefully drew the talisman.

"You drew over the edge," Xue Yang admonished as he replaced the talisman paper with a fresh one.

'Whose fault is that?' Wei Wuxian rolled his unseeing eyes. Lowering the brush, he began to draw.

"Again!" Xue Yang said, whisking the talisman paper out from under his fingers and replacing it with a new one.

Wei Wuxian leaned over, tracing the paper with his fingers and slowly drawing the symbols. The size of the symbols felt about right.

"Let's try this!" He said with genuine excitement when he finished the final stroke. Had he drawn the talisman correctly? He was confident he had, but it was always fun testing his talismans. "Something... maybe a leaf? Cut one in half, and place the halves some distance apart from each other."

Xue Yang complied without question. Wei Wuxian heard a swish of a sword swinging through the air, then Xue Yang moving to put the leaves on the ground.

"Now what?" Xue Yang asked, also sounding eager.

"Hold this talisman to one of the halves and activate it," Wei Wuxian instructed.

There was a pause. Wei Wuxian guessed that Xue Yang was inspecting the talisman for anything suspicious.

A moment of silence. "It didn't work." Xue Yang sounded annoyed.

"I'll try again." Wei Wuxian thought he had drawn carefully enough.

Taking a deep, calming breath, he bent over and felt for the edge of the talisman paper. Much more carefully this time, he drew the symbols. The scratching of the brush over the paper was a familiar, soothing sound. In his mind's eye, he saw how he filled the talisman paper with the symbols he had drawn countless times since arriving in the future.

Sitting back, he let Xue Yang take the talisman to try.

Pop.

"It worked!" Xue Yang said. "The leaf went to its other half, but it's a bit tattered."

Wei Wuxian was thrilled at the success of drawing a talisman blind. "I need to adjust some of the symbols. I think some of the strokes were too thick."

"I can draw it now, Senior Wei!" Xue Yang pulled Wei Wuxian up and put the hat back on Wei Wuxian's head. "We've almost reached a city. We'll buy more talismans and do more experiments!"

Voice full of excitement, Xue Yang sounded younger. His enthusiasm reminded Wei Wuxian of his younger martial siblings.

"But the leaves have no soul. Should I carve up a rabbit to test the talisman?"

Except, his martial siblings would never say anything like that.

"No. Remember, we shouldn't do anything shishu might condemn."

Xue Yang shoved Wei Wuxian's back to rush him along, chatting excitedly about the successful experiment and questioning Wei Wuxian on how they could apply the results to fixing souls.

"I'll need to think about it more," Wei Wuxian said, and outlined the experiments he had carried out with Jiang Cheng. In the back of his mind, he thought about working towards his reverse-summoning talismans.

Without his spiritual energy, Wei Wuxian would have to channel Xue Yang's spiritual energy. Mo Xuanyu had given him ideas on ways to achieve this.

If he was lucky, he'd reverse-summon himself back to Cloud Recesses where he had left his blood marks.

If he was less lucky, he'd reverse-summon himself to Jiang Cheng, where he would have to suffer a scolding.

***

The roads became busier. Wheels of carriages rolled loudly on the ground, the chatter of people sharing the roads. After Yi City and his day with Xue Yang, it was a relief to hear the bustle of normal civilian life.

Feet pattered as children laughed and play, and vendors spruiked their goods.

"Fresh buns! Freshly steamed!"

"Master, how about a ribbon for your madam?"

"The Yiling Patriarch! Five coins for one, ten coins for three! It's a bargain!"

Wei Wuxian would have landed flat on his face if Xue Yang hadn't caught his arm.

"What?" Wei Wuxian pulled his arm out of Xue Yang's grasp and tapped his way towards the person selling the Yiling Patriarch.

"We don't have time for-" Xue Yang took his arm again, but stopped speaking.

"Sir, are you interested? A Yiling Patriarch on your door can protect you from all kinds of evil..." the vendor spoke with much zeal.

The vendor trailed off when Xue Yang burst into laughter.

"I'll take one!" Xue Yang sounded delighted.

"But what is it?" Wei Wuxian asked.

"Thank you, sir!" The vendor ignored him as coins exchanged hands. "You will be well protected!"

Wei Wuxian was pulled away.

"It's a door god." Xue Yang said, and put a piece of paper in Wei Wuxian's hand with a chuckle. "Here. Something to look forward to when you can see again."

Wei Wuxian was curious about the public's depiction of the legendary Yiling Patriarch. But given Xue Yang's reaction, he felt also felt some dread.

"Oof!"

Someone ran into Wei Wuxian, making him fall on his backside.

His stick snapped.

"Watch where you're going, brat!" Xue Yang hissed.

Wei Wuxian heard whisperings, and imagined a crowd gathering to see what drama was about to unfold.

Small hands grasped Wei Wuxian's arms.

"Sorry, mister!" A young girl cried.

"You should be!" Xue Yang said cruelly. "This senior is blind, and now you've broken his stick. How can he walk around?"

The girl sobbed so pitifully that Wei Wuxian forewent reproaching Xue Yang and reached out to the sound. His fingers touched strands of hair, and his hand followed the strand, rising to pat her head.

"I can walk around fine without a stick. I'll show you!"

He leapt to his feet, and took a few quick steps back and forth in his immediate vicinity, cheering inwardly when he didn't walk into anyone. He turned back to the girl with his arms spread. "See!" He declared.

"You can't see," Xue Yang mumbled. Wei Wuxian hoped the girl hadn't heard.

Wei Wuxian glared in Xue Yang's direction, even though his expression was hidden behind his spiritual mask and veiled hat.

The girl sniffed. "Mister, I can't pay you for your stick. This is all I have."

Clammy hands took his and placed something in his palm. Wei Wuxian fingered the object. It felt like something hard wrapped in paper.

"Thanks..." Wei Wuxian said.

The object was snatched from his fingers.

"Hey!" The girl sounded upset.

"I'll take this as payment for his stick. Let's go, senior!" Xue Yang said joyfully and grasped Wei Wuxian's elbow.

"It's alright," Wei Wuxian reassured the girl.

Wei Wuxian heard a rush of footsteps as someone approached them. "Mianmian!" A man said.

"Father!" The girl exclaimed. "I broke this man's stick."

"My apologies, masters," the man rushed out, voice full of apology.

"It's alright," Wei Wuxian repeated. "I can walk fine without it."

"It is not alright," the father said. "Here, this is not much, but we have inconvenienced you..."

Wei Wuxian said, "it really is fine. Your daughter has already paid us."

"We'll take it!" Xue Yang said gleefully. A chink as Xue Yang accepted some coins.

"What's wrong with your hand?" Mianmian asked, sounding relieved now that they were properly compensated.

"Mianmian!" The father scolded. "It is rude to ask personal questions of strangers."

Xue Yang laughed, not offended now that he had received some payments. "I'll buy senior a nice sturdy cane with this. Watch where you're going next time, brat!"

With those parting words, Xue Yang lead Wei Wuxian away. Wei Wuxian waved back.

"Thank you!" Wei Wuxian said, because Xue Yang had not.

There was the tinkling of coins as Xue Yang played with them, laughing at his spoils.

"What had she given me?" Wei Wuxian asked, feeling people brushing by as Xue Yang pulled him through the city streets.

"What else could a brat give you... fuck!"

Suddenly, Xue Yang pulled Wei Wuxian roughly off their course, holding Wei Wuxian flat against a wall.

"What...?"

"Shh! If that mad sect leader sees us, we're as good as dead," Xue Yang whispered.

Mad sect leader? If he was someone Xue Yang was afraid of, then it might be someone who could help Wei Wuxian.

Wei Wuxian prepared to push Xue Yang off of him and run out to reveal himself to the mad sect leader.

Chapter Text

Xue Yang's weight pinned Wei Wuxian against the wall. The veil fluttered in Wei Wuxian's face at Xue Yang's breaths. Xue Yang was frozen on the spot, obviously not wanting to attract any attention.

When the weight on Wei Wuxian eased, he lifted his hands to push, but stilled at Xue Yang's next words.

"He already killed you once. If he catches you, he'll kill you again," Xue Yang said, voice low.

Was this a bluff? Who had killed the future Wei Wuxian? Jiang Cheng had only said that he had died on the Burial Mounds but had been vague on the details.

In the distance, Wei Wuxian heard a familiar voice.

"You want... I really don't know. I'll need to speak to my advisors, because I don't know."

"You've been a sect leader for a decade now. Must you speak to your advisors on every little decision?"

The voice was flat, and Wei Wuxian could tell that the speaker was holding back the derision.

"Jia..." Wei Wuxian started, but Xue Yang slapped a hand over his mouth.

"Jiang Wanyin will torture you to death if he catches you."

Wei Wuxian scoffed under Xue Yang's sweaty palm. Who was Xue Yang kidding? It's Xue Yang who would be tortured to death if Jiang Cheng caught them.

But why did Xue Yang speak with such conviction? Did he truly believe that Jiang Cheng was the one who killed the Yiling Patriarch? He needed to wrest himself from Xue Yang's grasp to ask Jiang Cheng and clarify the past events.

A girl suddenly cried out. "Hey! Don't bully the blind mister!"

Wei Wuxian's hopes were dashed. He could hardly try for Jiang Cheng's attention now with Mianmian in the vicinity.

Footsteps approached as little Miammian ran to them. Wei Wuxian felt her small body squeezing between them, and Xue Yang finally released him.

"I was just helping Senior stay on his feet." Xue Yang sniffed.

"By covering his mouth?" Mianmian said doubtfully.

Xue Yang said, "he's very loud when he's unbalanced."

Wei Wuxian sighed in exasperation and reached out, his hand finding Mianmian's head. He lowered it to pat her shoulder, and changed the topic. "Mianmian, what brings you here?"

Mianmian took his hand and placed a large piece of paper in it. "Mister, you dropped this ugly picture. I picked it up for you."

Ugly picture? Did she mean the Yiling Patriarch door god?

How could the ugly picture be depicting him? The general public was obviously greatly mistaken about his appearance. That explained Xue Yang's earlier mirth.

"Thanks," Wei Wuxian said, uncertain about how he felt about the ugly picture.

"Mister, you have to stand up to bullies," the little girl said seriously. "And you!"

In Wei Wuxian's mind's eye, he pictured Mianmian pointing accusatorily at Xue Yang. "You shouldn't pick on others. Mother said."

Xue Yang said, "your mother sounds like a nosy b..."

"Brave woman," Wei Wuxian interrupted. "A nosy, but brave woman." Must Xue Yang pick fights with little girls? "Thanks for the picture, and for your concern. You've given me the courage to stand up for myself in the future."

Mianmian stepped back. "Good. Bye-bye, Mister!" And she disappeared as abruptly as she had appeared.

Xue Yang spat on the ground. "What a bitch."

"A nosy, righteous one," Wei Wuxian said. "Wasn't shishu also like that?"

Xue Yang growled and dragged Wei Wuxian along by his elbow, while Wei Wuxian celebrated annoying Xue Yang. It wasn't much, but it was better than wallowing in the disappointment of losing Jiang Cheng during Mianmian's distraction.

The bustle of a crowd indicated that they must have reached a main road.

"Where are we going now?" Wei Wuxian asked, just to be saying something.

"To get some talisman paper," Xue Yang said, setting a fast pace.

He supposed that Xue Yang must have been wary of Jiang Cheng's presence somewhere out there.

Wei Wuxian was beginning to sweat in the afternoon sun as he was jostled around to avoid bumping into people. The mouth-watering smell of street food faded the further they went. Xue Yang seemed to know exactly where he was going, and they soon escaped the sun into a cool, quiet building.

The distinct smell of ink and paper. Its familiarity reminded Wei Wuxian of the stationery stores in Yunmeng.

Xue Yang hurriedly purchased a stack of talisman paper and some cinnabar, then dragged Wei Wuxian outside again.

"Are we going to continue the experiments now?" Wei Wuxian asked, wishing that Xue Yang would stop yanking his arm so forcefully.

"Let's get out of here first," Xue Yang said.

They barely took a few steps when a familiar voice yelled from the distance.

"Not so fast!"

A sharp crack split the air, and Xue Yang released him.

"Die, demonic cultivator!" Jiang Cheng shouted dramatically. With another crack, he began an onslaught of attacks on Xue Yang.

Xue Yang deflected the whip with his sword.

Wei Wuxian felt disoriented in the chaos of screams. He stumbled when people bumped into him in their rush to get away.

Someone briefly grasped his arm, but had to release again when Zidian snapped the air between them.

"Jiang Wanyin, if you kill me, then you will never know where the Yiling Laozu is," Xue Yang puffed between strikes.

Of course, such words further angered Jiang Cheng, and the fight intensified. Jiang Cheng should have been able to defeat Xue Yang, but his emotions always got away with him.

Wei Wuxian was unsure of what to do. If he attracted Jiang Cheng's attention, then Xue Yang might try to take him hostage again. He readjusted his veiled hat to make sure it remained on.

Should he at least leave the area and Xue Yang's sights?

The fight was conveniently driven away from Wei Wuxian, Waving his hands in front of him, Wei Wuxian searched for a wall he could follow along to get away from the combatants.

Someone took his arm.

"This way," a trembling voice said. "Let's get away from all this."

The voice sounded familiar, so Wei Wuxian let himself be led away from the fight. Did he know this person?

"Sect Leader Jiang is really too impulsive," the person babbled as they took Wei Wuxian down winding streets. "When Miss Luo came to notify me of the possible presence of a demonic cultivator, he left in the middle of our negotiations."

Negotiations? This voice... was it Nie Huaisang?

"Thank you for helping me," Wei Wuxian said. "My name is Yu Xing. I'm from Meishan. Thank you Mister...?"

"Nie. Anyway, what were you doing with Xue Yang? He is a very dangerous man."

"How do you know that I'm not his friend?" Wei Wuxian asked instead.

"Well, he is hardly the type to look after a blind man."

That was true. Wei Wuxian said, "um, is there a way for me to thank Miss Luo?"

Nie Huaisang turned a corner and slowed his steps. The street was quieter here, and Wei Wuxian stumbled less.

"She left as soon as she saw Sect Leader Jiang engage with Xue Yang. It'll be hard to find her. She's a rogue cultivator."

"Oh."

"She wanted me to pass this on to you."

Something small was placed into his hand. Something hard wrapped in paper.

The payment from Mianmian? Was Mianmian "Miss Luo"? Had it been Mianmian who had alerted Nie Huaisang and Jiang Cheng of Xue Yang's presence? How had the girl known Xue Yang's identity?

"Are you related to Sect Leader Jiang?" Nie Huaisang slowed down, almost to a stop.

"I'm his cousin," Wei Wuxian said.

"You can come with me and meet up with him," Nie Huaisang pulled him into a building.

The fragrance of tea reached his nostrils. Quiet chatter could be heard among requests for more tea and snacks.

Was this a tea house?

"Can you unseal my spiritual energy first?" He wanted to appear less pitiful when they reunited.

"Of course," Nie Huaisang tapped his shoulder.

Wei Wuxian did not feel any different. "... It didn't work."

Nie Huaisang laughed nervously. "Well, it might take some time for the effects to be noticeable."

Wei Wuxian sighed. Nie Huaisang really was a hopeless cultivator. He felt sorry for the Nie Sect's legacy.

***

It turned out the teahouse had been Nie Huaisang and Jiang Cheng's original destination before Jiang Cheng had run off to pursue the potential demonic cultivator.

"Qi deviation? Yeah, that's bad," Nie Huaisang said soberly.

Wei Wuxian calmly sipped his strong, bitter tea. The hot liquid flowing down his throat warmed him from within, and Wei Wuxian finally relaxed for the first time since his abduction.

With his veiled hat placed on the table, Nie Huaisang had queried about his masked appearance. It was only when Wei Wuxian finished his tale that he remembered Nie Mingjue had passed away due to a qi deviation.

Was this something else Wei Wuxian could fix when he returned to his own time? Were there early interventions for qi deviation?

"Oh, here, Young Master Yu, have more tea," Nie Huaisang picked up the pot, the quick movement making the lid of the pot clink, voice nervous. "I do hope Sect Leader Jiang managed to capture Xue Yang, otherwise he'd be in a bad mood."

Jiang Cheng would be in a bad mood anyway when he saw Wei Wuxian's current state. Actually, Wei Wuxian would consider himself lucky if Jiang Cheng simply got in a 'bad mood'.

The Nie Huaisang of the past only showed nervousness before an exam or when he hid his literature from Lan Qiren and Lan Wangji's sharp eyes. Had Nie Mingjue's death affected him so much, or was the future Jiang Cheng that intimidating?

"Does Sect Leader Jiang hate demonic cultivators that much?" Wei Wuxian asked, the question niggling at the back of his mind.

"He loathes them. He's notorious for hunting down and torturing them."

Wei Wuxian felt sick to his stomach. What was the extent of Jiang Cheng's hatred for the Yiling Patriarch?

"Did he hate them so much that he would kill his own shixiong?" Wei Wuxian asked weakly, unsure if he wanted to know the answer.

Whoosh. Wei Wuxian felt a slight breeze as Nie Huaisang opened a fan and fanned himself.

"Uh, I don't know," Nie Huaisang sounded anxious. "I wasn't at the Siege, so I really don't know."

That was not reassuring at all. However, Jiang Cheng had helped Wei Wuxian since he had landed in the future. Would Jiang Cheng have been able to do that if he despised the future Wei Wuxian?

"You never know anything!"

Wei Wuxian froze at Jiang Cheng's growl behind him.

"Jiang Xiong, you know I try my best. Haha," Nie Huaisang laughed, a fake-sounding laugh. "Um, you didn't get Xue Yang?"

Something slammed the table in front of Wei Wuxian, rattling the teapot and cups.

"You! What are you doing here?" Jiang Cheng was definitely in a bad mood.

"Xue Yang brought him," Nie Huaisang said unhelpfully.

Even without his spiritual energy-enhanced senses, Wei Wuxian felt the killing intent radiating from beside him.

"Nice to see you too," He slowly turned towards Jiang Cheng, wondering how long he could hide the fact that he was now blind.

"Ah!" Wei Wuxian gasped in pain when Jiang Cheng tightly grasped his wrist and pulled him to his feet.

"Nice to see me?" Jiang Cheng hissed, warm breath in Wei Wuxian's face. "Come with me."

"Jiang Xiong! Sect Leader Jiang! Our negotiations..." Nie Huaisang stuttered after them.

"Discuss with your advisors all you want. We can finalise our agreements at the Discussion Conference," Jiang Cheng said with a tone of finality, pulling Wei Wuxian along.

"Thanks for the tea!" Wei Wuxian waved back at Nie Huaisang as he was hauled away.

"Take care, Sect Leader Jiang, Young Master Yu!" Nie Huaisang called out.

Jiang Cheng grunted in response, probably nodding in acknowledgement, but did not slow down in the slightest.

Bursting into the streets, the sun's rays hit his face. Wei Wuxian heard the shuffle of feet as people moved to get out of their way.

Wei Wuxian tripped over his feet a few times as Jiang Cheng pulled him this way and that, much less gently than Nie Huaisang had done.

Jiang Cheng was silently angry because he was worried. He wouldn't be so angry as to harm him, right?

Jiang Cheng hadn't been the one to kill his future self, surely?

Entering what was presumably an inn, they went to ascend a set of stairs. Wei Wuxian slowly lifted his foot, finding his footing on the steps.

With a growl, Jiang Cheng picked him up and threw him over his shoulder.

"Hey! Put me down!" Wei Wuxian exclaimed. "This is embarrassing!"

Jiang Cheng ignored his pleas. They reached the top of the stairs, but Jiang Cheng still carried him as he walked a short distance. Throwing Wei Wuxian onto a bed and slamming the door, Jiang Cheng returned to grasp Wei Wuxian's shoulders and shook violently.

"You were supposed to be safe at Cloud Recesses!" Jiang Cheng yelled, spittle flying into Wei Wuxian's face. "First Jin Ling, then you! I really ought to break your legs so that you can't go gallivanting around and getting yourself into trouble!"

"It was an accident!" Wei Wuxian's voice jolted at the vigorous shaking. "I didn't mean to!"

"What's wrong with your eyes?"

"Xue Yang poisoned them. Ah! Jiang Cheng! You're hurting me!"

The shaking stopped, and Jiang Cheng let go and sat down the bed beside Wei Wuxian. "I should have killed him outright." He said dangerously

"Jiang Cheng," Wei Wuxian gulped. How could Jiang Cheng speak of taking a life so easily? Should Wei Wuxian ask about his future self's death? "He gave me an antidote for the poison, but my spiritual energies have been sealed. Maybe if they are unsealed then they could heal my eyes?"

He'll ask Jiang Cheng when his mood had improved.

His pressure points were tapped, and it was like someone lifted thick covers off of him. Jiang Cheng's harsh breathing immediately sounded louder, and he could now sense Jiang Cheng's gloomy presence.

Wei Wuxian sighed and basked in the warmth that spread from his core to the tips of his fingers.

"I thought you were with Lan Wangji and Mo Xuanyu?" Jiang Cheng said derisively. "Even the great Hanguang-jun couldn't protect you?"

"You got our letters?" Wei Wuxian was glad that Jiang Cheng had received the correspondence.

"Luckily I did, otherwise I would have wasted my time going to Cloud Recesses."

Lan Xichen had been lucky indeed to have avoided Jiang Cheng's cursing.

"You were supposed to be researching. How did you accidentally disappear from Cloud Recesses?" Jiang Cheng's exasperated tone revealed his suspicions.

"I was experimenting with the reverse-summoning talismans." Wei Wuxian said. "I wanted to, um, surprise you?"

"You would surprise me more if you just stayed put and behaved!" Jiang Cheng said, then coughed. "Did Mo Xuanyu tell you what he did at Mo Manor?"

Before, Jiang Cheng had sounded disdainful of Mo Xuanyu, but now his voice contained a strange inflection. Was he afraid of the results of Wei Wuxian fraternising with the demonic cultivator?

Wei Wuxian said, "Lan Zhan never left us alone, so I didn't get a chance to ask him."

Jiang Cheng exhaled a tremulous breath. "I see."

Silence reigned, and Wei Wuxian got the feeling that Jiang Cheng had a lot churning in his mind. "Jin Ling was with us. He's fine," Wei Wuxian said. "Please don't be angry at him."

Jiang Cheng slapped Wei Wuxian's arm. "You're both brats and deserve to be reprimanded!"

"I'm still your senior martial brother," Wei Wuxian mumbled, rubbing his arm.

"Yes, but still a brat." Jiang Cheng suddenly took Wei Wuxian's shoulders again and turned him around so that they faced one another. "If your eyes don't heal within the day, I'm taking you to Baoshan Sanren."

Jiang Cheng began transferring spiritual energy to stimulate Wei Wuxian's own circulation of spiritual energy.

"But then she'll know you lied to her about being Wei Wuxian all those years ago to fix your core," Wei Wuxian said.

Jiang Cheng's grip tightened. "We'll tell her it was the other Wei Wuxian's idea. If she's as wise as people say, then she'll understand."

So just blame the future Wei Wuxian?

Despite the situation, excitement bubbled within him. Wei Wuxian longed to have his sight back, but he also wanted to know the location of the Celestial Mountains that were buried somewhere in his memories.

Chapter Text

"You should take off your mask," Jiang Cheng said, stopping his energy flow.

The mask was a spiritual device. It was probably best to have it off before doing anything with their energies.

Wei Wuxian pulled the mask off and placed it beside him on the bed. After a slight pause, Jiang Cheng continued transferring spiritual energy.

The warmth of Jiang Cheng's spiritual energy travelled through Wei Wuxian's body to his own core. He had received spiritual energies before; he was an active person, he was bound to get into scrapes that benefited from a quick energy transfer fix. But this energy transfer was intense. It was as though their energies synchronised, thrumming together, as the energy filled his core to overflowing and flooded his meridians.

"I never knew spiritual energy could feel like this," Wei Wuxian mumbled, closing his unseeing eyes as he basked in the comfortable warmth.

"Shut up and concentrate on channelling the energy to your eyes," Jiang Cheng snapped.

Without further comment, Wei Wuxian inhaled deeply and did as instructed. Accessing his core, he directed strands of energy up towards his eyes.

Maybe this was just a result of Jiang Cheng's decades cultivated golden core. But Jiang Cheng had sounded surprised as well. Maybe he just hadn't had any occasion to channel spiritual energy to others?

Breathing together with Jiang Cheng, he settled into the peaceful silence and focussed on his spiritual energy.

***

It was only when Wei Wuxian's rumbling stomach echoed through the room that they stopped the energy transfer.

"How are your eyes?" Jiang Cheng asked.

Given the intensity of the process and how much energy he had channelled into his eyes, Wei Wuxian's hopes were raised.

Slowly, he opened his eyes.

To disappointment.

He sighed. "We used so much spiritual energy, I was so sure it would've worked."

Jiang Cheng swallowed audibly. "Let's go to Baoshan Sanren."

"Wait!" Wei Wuxian reached out, finding Jiang Cheng's arm and holding firm. "You've been giving me spiritual energy for most of the day, you need to rest. Besides, I'm hungry."

Conceding his point, Jiang Cheng ordered a meal to be taken in their room.

"Why were you even with Xue Yang?" Jiang Cheng asked as he led Wei Wuxian to a table and poured him some tea. "What did he want?"

"He wanted my help with a spell," Wei Wuxian accepted the cup. The tea was cold and refreshing.

"Your help? Were you going around without your mask on?" Jiang Cheng snarled, slamming his own tea cup on the table, liquid sloshing everywhere.

"Of course not!" Wei Wuxian said. "He recognised my handwriting."

"Your handwriting?"

"I made a lot of notes while travelling with Mo Xuanyu and Lan Zhan, and Xue Yang saw them," Wei Wuxian said. "Mo Xuanyu's really smart…"

Jiang Cheng made an odd noise, and Wei Wuxian frowned. "What?"

"Nothing," Jiang Cheng said in a tone that clearly meant there was something, but Wei Wuxian assumed it had to do with Jiang Cheng's hatred of demonic cultivators.

"He had a lot of ideas for how to improve the reverse-summoning talisman," Wei Wuxian continued. "And it didn't seem like he was muddled in the head, as Mister Bao claimed. I wonder why he was kicked out of the Jin sect? Was it just because of his demonic cultivation?"

"He was a cutsleeve and harassed others in his sect," Jiang Cheng said haughtily, pouring more tea.

"Well, he wasn't all over Lan Zhan or anything like that," Wei Wuxian said. It was more likely that there were Jin cultivators who were jealous of Mo Xuanyu's talents and wanted him expelled. It was their loss. "Anyway, how could Xue Yang have recognised my handwriting? He also said he knew Jin Ling and used to hang around Koi Tower. Was he a Jin sect cultivator?"

"Xue Yang was a guest disciple of Lanling Jin," Jiang Cheng said. "And they obtained many of your possessions after your death."

After his death?

Were you the one who killed me? Wei Wuxian wanted to ask. He gulped down his tea. Did you get any of my things as well?

"What did Xue Yang want help with?" Jiang Cheng asked.

"He wanted help mending a shattered soul," Wei Wuxian said. And because he couldn't bring himself to ask about the circumstances of his older self's death, he asked, "did you know my shishu, Xiao Xingchen?"

"I know of him. Was it Xiao Xingchen's soul?"

"Yes," Wei Wuxian said. "What was he like?"

"He was known as a powerful and upright cultivator," Jiang Cheng began. "He descended from the Celestial Mountains twelve years ago. Proving his strength in night hunts, he became quite well known and many sects wanted to take him in.

"Around that time, the Yueyang Chang clan was almost entirely slaughtered. Upon investigation, Xiao Xingcheng determined that it was Xue Yang's doing. He eventually captured and brought him to a Discussion Conference in Lanling for punishment. However, Jin Guangshan released him, and he went after Xiao Xingchen's friend Song Lan by massacring his clan and blinding him."

Song Lan, the fierce corpse?

"Xiao Xingchen took Song Lan to Baoshan Sanren to heal his eyes. That is the last that I heard of him," Jiang Cheng said.

Wei Wuxian's throat felt tight. "Shishu killed himself, and Xue Yang turned Song Lan into a fierce corpse."

The air noticeably chilled, and Wei Wuxian jumped when Jiang Cheng slapped the table.

"Fucking demonic cultivator! He probably wants to fix Xiao Xingchen's soul so he could continue torturing him."

"I'm not too sure about that," Wei Wuxian said, tapping his chin in consideration. Xue Yang had not spoken kindly about Xiao Xingchen, but there had been something in his obsession with healing Xiao Xingchen's soul.

"Xue Yang is a demonic cultivator, a well-known delinquent, who holds grudges. It's definitely within his nature to commit such an evil act."

What about my past self? What about Mo Xuanyu? Are they also capable of such evil for simply being demonic cultivators?

A knock, and Wei Wuxian turned away from the door as Jiang Cheng accepted the food. Wei Wuxian's mouth watered at the spicy smell, and he counted the clatter of five dishes as they were placed on the table. A bowl and a spoon was shoved into his hands.

"No alcohol?" Wei Wuxian sighed.

"Not while you're in this condition."

Wei Wuxian pouted. "You know, I was going to give you some Emperor's Smile when I had my accident that took me to Lan Zhan and Mo Xuanyu."

"And?"

Wei Wuxian grinned. "We drank it all."

Something was dropped into Wei Wuxian's bowl, and he scooped it into his spoon.

Pork. With lots of chilli and garlic. Wei Wuxian eagerly scooped the rice from the bowl into his mouth.

Jiang Cheng cleared his throat. "Uh, did you find Mo Xuanyu strange at all?"

"Strange?" Wei Wuxian said around a mouthful of rice. He swallowed. "He seemed pretty normal. What do you mean?"

"Nevermind," Jiang Cheng mumbled. "How did you go from being with Lan Wangji and Mo Xuanyu, to being with Xue Yang?"

Guessing that it was just Jiang Cheng's prejudice against demonic cultivators and cutsleeves, Wei Wuxian shrugged and took a sip of tea. "So, they were collecting these body parts…"

Over the course of their meal, Wei Wuxian recounted his travels with Lan Wangji and Mo Xuanyu. He talked about Mo Xuanyu's ideas for the talismans and all the notes he had made.

His dramatic play-by-play of their drinking games resulted in a snort from Jiang Cheng.

"Serves you right for trying to cheat," Jiang Cheng said.

When it came to the events of Yi City, Wei Wuxian carefully omitted any parts that would result in being accused of playing a hero. He knew how much Jiang Cheng hated that, and he wasn't in the mood for any lectures. The details weren't important to the story anyway.

So he emphasised that Jin Ling was unharmed throughout and reached the point of Song Lan fighting the Ghost General and his own duel with Xue Yang.

"I had beaten Xue Yang already, but I was shocked when he figured out who I was and he threw poison at me. Lan Zhan almost saved me from him, but there were a lot of fierce corpses, and one of them caught us by surprise. I think Lan Zhan would've managed to save me if that other cultivator hadn't appeared and teleported us away."

"Other cultivator?"

"I don't know who it was, but I think it was the person who'd been trying to steal the body parts. They wanted Xue Yang's seal," Wei Wuxian said. "Xue Yang killed him and turned him into a fierce corpse."

Jiang Cheng slapped the tabletop again in anger.

Wei Wuxian nodded along, agreeing with the sentiment. "Then I pretended to help Xue Yang think of ways to mend shishu's soul, and you discovered us. How did the little girl Mianmian know who Xue Yang was?"

"What little girl? Mianmian is not a little girl."

Mianmian was not a little girl? It was so confusing.

"As I said before, Xue Yang is quite well-known. Any cultivator worth their salt would recognise him."

Deciding to figure out the little girl Mianmian another time, Wei Wuxian asked, "by the way, are we in Qinghe?"

"Yes."

"What were you doing? Do negotiations always take this long?"

"Even with Nie Huaisang's usual fumbling and indecisiveness, it usually doesn't take this long," Jiang Cheng said. "He took ill for a few days, so I completed other matters before returning to Qinghe. By the time he recovered, we had to begin discussions all over again."

Ill? Because of a cultivator's golden core and spiritual energies, they didn't get ill very often.

"Nie Huaisang's cultivation did not improve much, did it?" Wei Wuxian said, thinking of his classmate who liked art and fans and lazing around.

"Especially without Nie Mingjue there to push him."

Even with Nie Mingjue there to push him, Nie Huaisang hadn't been inclined to work on his cultivation.

"That is something else I might be able to fix, right?" Wei Wuxian asked. "When I return to my own time?"

"Yeah, maybe," Jiang Cheng said. "Are you done eating?"

Accustomed to eating while chatting, Wei Wuxian had finished three bowls already, and nodded.

He heard the scrape of furniture on the floor as Jiang Cheng stood up. "Let's go."

"Wait!" Wei Wuxian took Jiang Cheng's arm, feeling for his spiritual energy. "You're low on energy now, maybe we should go tomorrow," Wei Wuxian said. Anticipating Jiang Cheng's impatience, he added, "what if Xue Yang tries to abduct me again while you're like this?"

He heard Jiang Cheng sit down again and pour more tea. "We're going tomorrow morning."

"You know how I am in the mornings," Wei Wuxian felt around for his cup.

"Early," Jiang Cheng insisted. Probably as punishment for Wei Wuxian getting into this bind in the first place.

"Yes, Sect Leader," Wei Wuxian said dejectedly.

They spent the rest of the evening talking about inconsequential things. It was a familiar past-time, and not needing to see Jiang Cheng's face to guess his expressions, he could momentarily forget about his blindness.

***

Being blind tens of miles in the air was much more disconcerting than being blind on the ground. On the ground, one could find their footing or feel around with their hands.

In the air, Wei Wuxian had to rely solely on Jiang Cheng. Not that he didn't trust Jiang Cheng or anything like that. He loved flying for the feeling of freedom, the adrenalin. But without his sight and not being the one steering the course of their flight, the type of adrenalin rush he got now was somewhat different.

"Where exactly are we going?" Wei Wuxian said loudly into Jiang Cheng's ear.

"Are you telling me you don't remember?" Jiang Cheng said.

"You know what my memory's like."

"I know your memory is crap," Jiang Cheng said, but there was a hint of suspicion in his voice. "Yiling, the second highest peak to the south. Sound familiar?"

"No."

Wei Wuxian had wandered the streets of Yiling after his parents' death. If he had remembered the location of the Celestial Mountains, then he was certain he would have gone in search of Baoshan Sanren himself.

Was this a memory that had surfaced later in his life? Or something else? If it was something else, what had the other Wei Wuxian taken Jiang Cheng to Yiling for?

***

Freezing winds whistled through the trees and rustled the grass. Wei Wuxian felt a thick carpet of it under his feet.

"Let's go," Jiang Cheng led Wei Wuxian by the arm.

"What? Are you coming?"

"Yes. I've blindfolded myself. After half a shichen, we should be confronted by a woman. You will need to say that you are Wei Ying, son of Cangse Sanren."

"But why are you coming as well?"

"To explain the situation back then," Jiang Cheng said, and pulled.

They walked quietly together, the only sounds were the winds and Jiang Cheng using Sandu as a walking stick. Up and up, on and on. Their golden cores protected them from the bitingly cold winds.

The further they walked, the tighter Jiang Cheng's grip became and the faster his steps. Wei Wuxian was certain they had walked for more than half a shichen.

"Are you sure this is the right place?" Wei Wuxian asked.

"I am certain!" Jiang Cheng said, although he sounded anxious. "I am certain. She has to be here!"

"Well… ah!"

Something popped in the air above him, and a heavy weight toppled him flat on his face. Luckily, the grass beneath him was thick and soft, but his breath was still knocked out of him.

A warm, groaning body pinned him to the ground.

Who had appeared?

Was it Baoshan Sanren?

Chapter Text

The freezing winds rustled the dewy grass around Wei Wuxian. Uncertain, he remained unmoving under the entity that pinned him to the ground. Dare he push them off? What if it was Baoshan Sanren? He probably shouldn't physically tackle someone of such repute.

As he pondered his next action, the body above him abruptly disappeared. A familiar voice called out "Wei Ying!" but before he could respond, strong hands lifted him back onto his feet.

"Are you okay?" Jiang Cheng asked, patting him down. Shoulders to hands, back up to shoulders.

"Yeah, I'm alright," Wei Wuxian said, hearing an echo of his words from another familiar voice. That wasn't Baoshan Sanren?

Jiang Cheng squeezed his shoulders a final time, then stepped away from him with a shing of an unsheathing sword. "Lan Wangji!" He growled. "Move!"

"Lan Zhan, it's fine." Was that Mo Xuanyu?

A metallic snap as the sword was pushed back in its scabbard.

Wei Wuxian perked up and waved. "Senior Mo! Hanguang-jun! You came for me! My heroes!" Then froze, body tense. Hadn't Lan Wangji called out his name just now? Did Lan Wangji know his identity? Had Lan Wangji come to neutralise him?

How had they even known their location? Why had they fallen from the skies?

Before Wei Wuxian could voice his questions, Jiang Cheng started to rant. "Wei Wuxian! Where's Baoshan Sanren?"

Wei Wuxian was confused. "Uh…"

"She was never here, was she?" Jiang Cheng spat. "You lied to me!"

"What…?" Wei Wuxian said, but Mo Xuanyu spoke at the same time.

"What makes you think I lied to you?" Why was Mo Xuanyu responding? Did that mean…?

Wei Wuxian was grabbed by the shoulder, and he stumbled as he was shoved forward.

Jiang Cheng snarled. "You don't know where she is!"

Puzzled, Wei Wuxian said, "I already told you, I don't remember…"

"Yes, I lied to you," Mo Xuanyu- was that really Mo Xuanyu?- interrupted.

Wei Wuxian felt Jiang Cheng shaking in fury behind him, the iron grip on his shoulder tightening. Don't make Jiang Cheng angry while he's holding me like this…

"It was Wen Qing who healed you." Mo Xuanyu continued, tone resigned.

Wen Ruohan's niece? Why would she help them? And to be able to heal a core, that would be considered impossible if not for Jiang Cheng standing there, strong golden core spinning within him.

"Then why did you lie?" Jiang Cheng's voice shook. "How could you lie to me?"

"If Wen Ruohan knew that Wen Qing's skills negated Wen Zhuliu's Core-Melting Hand, then she would have been in danger. That's why we had to keep it a secret."

That made sense, much more sense than Wei Wuxian knowing and forgetting about the location of the Celestial Mountains.

"You couldn't trust me to keep a secret?" Jiang Cheng sounded so desperate that Wei Wuxian's eyes stung. "Since when did we keep secrets from each other?"

"It's not my secret to tell," Mo Xuanyu- or not- said.

Speechless, Jiang Cheng finally let go of Wei Wuxian's shoulders and moved away. Wei Wuxian knew that Jiang Cheng's temper was awful, but he was not totally unreasonable. While Jiang Cheng stewed in this new knowledge, Wei Wuxian had other matters to address.

"Young Master Mo? Are you…?" Wei Wuxian asked, hesitant. It would explain how 'Mo Xuanyu' had appeared miraculously in these isolated mountains; the reverse-summoning talisman!

The tone with which Jiang Cheng had spoken of Mo Xuanyu had also changed from before. Jiang Cheng had discovered something about Mo Xuanyu, something beyond just demonic cultivation that made him uncomfortable. Confirming Wei Wuxian's suspicions, Jiang Cheng took his shoulders and pushed him forward again.

"Take off his mask," Jiang Cheng said, almost too soft to hear over the whistling winds.

Wei Wuxian gulped, heart thudding in his ears. Only the mask-wearer could take off the mask, and Jiang Cheng was telling Mo Xuanyu to take it off. All of Wei Wuxian's thoughts about Mo Xuanyu rose to the forefront of his mind. How he had appreciated Mo Xuanyu's humour and intelligence, how they were similar in many ways, their easy camaraderie...

And hadn't Wei Wuxian's reverse-summoning talisman taken him to Mo Xuanyu? Perhaps it wasn't that Wei Wuxian had landed there because he had run out of spiritual energy, or that some connection had been forged when Mo Xuanyu had summoned him initially. Perhaps their connection ran much deeper.

He held his breath. The warm metal shifted, lifting slowly away to allow the chilling breeze to cut into his bare face.

Mouth agape, Wei Wuxian's mind whirled too much to be able to conjure joviality.

There was a sharp intake of breath. How he wished he had his sight so he could see everyone's reactions!

"I haven't seen such a handsome face in a long time," Mo Xuanyu- another Wei Wuxian- laughed weakly.

The joke snapped Wei Wuxian back to the present. "What are you talking about?" He returned with a grin. And because Lan Wangji being there, asking concernedly after him, meant that he was fine with Wei Wuxian's existence, he continued. "Lan Zhan's is the handsomest face out there!"

Behind him, Jiang Cheng made a strangled noise, while Wei Wuxian wondered whether he finally managed to get a reaction out of the adult Lan Wangji. If only he had known that Lan Wangji was friendly with his other self, then he could have revealed his identity earlier and asked all the questions he was burning to.

With two Wei Wuxians here, the conclusion was now obvious. "So Mo Xuanyu summoned us?" He asked. "But why are you in his body? What did he do?"

"A soul sacrifice."

Sacrifice? That didn't sound good.

"I think your summoning was an accident," Mo Xuanyu- the other Wei Wuxian said. It was going to get strange thinking of the other man as another him.

Strange. But exciting.

Wei Wuxian nodded. That's what he had suspected.

"You know what he did though, right? " Wei Wuxian asked, and because he already had some theories about exactly who the other Wei Wuxian was, he continued. "What time did you come from? Do you think my talisman would work to take me back? You used it to come here, right…?"

"Song Lan!" Jiang Cheng interrupted. He took Wei Wuxian's arm. "Song Lan will know where Baoshan Sanren is. We'll heal your eyes first, and worry about the rest later."

Jiang Cheng had a point. "But he was under Xue Yang's control," Wei Wuxian said.

"Not anymore," the other Wei Wuxian said. "But he's gone in search of Xue Yang."

"Damn!" Jiang Cheng snarled. "Where's Jin Ling? Is he still in Yi City?"

His other self answered. "No. The boys are heading to a town west of Yi City."

"Lead the way," Jiang Cheng said, unsheathing his sword. "We need to get Jin Ling."

Without any further words, Jiang Cheng put the mask back on Wei Wuxian's face, pulled his arms around his waist, and shot up into the skies the moment Wei Wuxian's feet were planted on Sangdu.

"Wait up!" The other Wei Wuxian called from below.

Wei Wuxian tugged on Jiang Cheng's waist. "Can you slow down? I want to talk to him about the summoning."

"He's probably thought of a solution already," Jiang Cheng said, floating high in the sky in wait. "Your eyesight is more important."

"But I've been like this for days! I'm fine, I don't mind being blind a little longer. I really want to talk to him."

There was a rustle beside them. The other Wei Wuxian said, "I have… hey!"

Wei Wuxian cried out in surprise when they suddenly plummeted. Eyes clenched shut, he hugged Jiang Cheng tight as his stomach dropped.

They rose in the air again. "Lead the way," Jiang Cheng repeated his demand.

"Why are you being so rude?" Wei Wuxian said when it was clear that Jiang Cheng was not going to fly beside Lan Wangji and the other Wei Wuxian. "I just wanted to talk."

The wind whipping around him eased as Jiang Cheng slowed down, presumably getting further behind the others. Wei Wuxian tightened his hold around Jiang Cheng's waist anyway, tilting his head so that his voice could reach Jiang Cheng more clearly.

"You already knew who he was all this time, didn't you?" Wei Wuxian finally asked. "That's why you weren't surprised that my reverse-summoning talisman took me to him. And you acted all weird about it."

Jiang Cheng did not answer, fidgeting. His discomfort was tangible.

"You really hate him, don't you?" Wei Wuxian sighed.

"He's a demonic cultivator," Jiang Cheng spat. "He's the one who left Yunmeng Jiang to protect those Wen dogs. It's his fault that A-jie and Jin Zixuan are dead, and Jin Ling is an orphan!"

Wei Wuxian's throat tightened. "But, I am him," he said. Wen Qing healed your core, of course I'd protect them…, but he could hardly say that when Jiang Cheng was in such a mood.

Other than blame the other Wei Wuxian's demonic cultivation, Jiang Cheng had been vague about the exact circumstances of Jiang Yanli and Jin Zixuan's deaths. Wei Wuxian could hardly have asked Jiang Cheng for the details he was obviously uncomfortable sharing.

"You are not!" Jiang Cheng insisted. "You are not him. You will never be him. You will save everyone."

Wei Wuxian thought that the other Wei Wuxian and him were not that dissimilar, but kept that to himself.

He understood the other Wei Wuxian keeping Wen Qing's secret and protecting the Wens, and knew that deep down, Jiang Cheng also understood.

Had there really been no other way for his older self than to leave their sect? Why had he even turned his back on the orthodox method of cultivation? Why the sole use of demonic cultivation?

His other self might not tell Jiang Cheng, but if Wei Wuxian himself asked, would he find out the answers?

Would his other self tell him how he had died? Was it Jiang Cheng who had killed him?

Wei Wuxian sighed. Would Jiang Cheng even let Wei Wuxian have a moment alone with his other self?

Why had the other Wei Wuxian come with Lan Wangji? Had it been very draining to use the talisman? He supposed they thought he'd be with Xue Yang, so it was best to have more people when they reverse-summoned to him.

When had he even become such good friends with Lan Wangji? Jiang Cheng had not mentioned anything about that.

Things were so tense after the sudden appearance of the other two that Wei Wuxian felt that he should change the subject. "What will we do after getting Jin Ling?"

"Go back to Yi City so that Fairy can get a scent of the poison, then see if we can identify it on the way to Koi Tower."

Wei Wuxian nodded. Xue Yang had been a guest disciple at Lanling Jin, there was a chance that he had acquired the poison there. Knowing the poison, and how it harms a person, would give healers a better chance of healing his eyes.

And by "we", he assumed that Jiang Cheng meant just them and Jin Ling. Jiang Cheng would not want to travel with Lan Wangji and his other self. Not to mention, the others were still investigating the demonic arm.

"Also, their healers are among the better ones these days," Jiang Cheng added.

Were there currently no expert healers? Wei Wuxian wondered whether Wen Qing would have been capable of healing his eyes. Someone capable of healing a golden core must surely be able to heal poisoned eyes.

With Lotus Pier being annihilated by the Wen sect, how had Wen Qing even come to heal Jiang Cheng's core?

"I might get a chance to show Jin Ling how to catch fish by hand while we travel," Wei Wuxian said lightly.

"Can't you be serious?" Jiang Cheng said with his usual exasperation. "This isn't an excursion! We're going to heal your eyes!"

"Hey, it's an important survival skill! You're just bitter because I caught that really big catfish last spring."

"I saw it first! I would've caught it if the visitors weren't about to arrive!" Jiang Cheng argued.

"So you were afraid to get your robes wet? You could've showed off that big catfish to the guests, and I could've dried your robes."

Jiang Cheng scoffed. "I wasn't about to let you light me on fire with your fire talisman!"

"That only happened once!" Wei Wuxian said defensively. He's good with talismans, he could've handled it!

"I was a fool to let you try it in the first place!" Jiang Cheng said with a sniff.

"It would have worked if that gust of wind hadn't come out of nowhere!"

And with their familiar banter, they were able to momentarily ignore the Wei Wuxian that Jiang Cheng loathed, flying somewhere ahead of them.

***

They flew for what felt like a whole day. The air definitely had a coolness to it that indicated that the sun was no longer high in the sky.

Finally descending, they landed in a quiet, grassy area. Wei Wuxian gladly hopped off of Sandu, moving around and stretching his limbs.

"Hey!" His other self called out.

A sword hilt was placed into his hand. It was the borrowed sword he had been cultivating.

"Thanks," Wei Wuxian said, letting Jiang Cheng pull him away by his elbow.

They followed Lan Wangji's lead in awkward silence. Fortunately, they soon approached the city. The lively noises of the city excited him. If only he could see the bustling streets himself, the food and toys and trinkets that people were trying to sell...

Ouyang Zizhen's voice reached his ears first.

"Sect Leader Jiang!"

"Hanguang-jun!"

"Someone get the others!"

A chorus of voices greeted them, and Wei Wuxian hurried towards their delighted voices.

"Young Master Mo, you really did it!"

"Yu Xing!"

"Young Master Yu!"

"You're alive! Thank goodness!"

Hands patted his shoulder and grasped his arms, as though they needed to touch him to be assured of his presence and continued survival. His heart warmed. It was nice to know that everyone had missed him.

"Yu Xing!"

Jin Ling slapped him extra hard.

"Ow!" Wei Wuxian jumped at the unexpected attack.

"You deserve it for making us worry!" Jin Ling said.

"I thought Xue Yang would have cut out your tongue and dug out your eyes… ow!"

"Lan Jingyi, how can you say something like that?" Jin Ling scolded.

It was a confusion of noise as everyone greeted each other and crowded around Wei Wuxian in excitement. Grinning, Wei Wuxian turned his face to all the greeting voices. How long until they noticed he couldn't see?

"Yu Xing, are you blind?" Jin Ling asked, voice small.

Not that long, apparently.

With this, the boys voiced their concerns. "Blind? Jin Ling, how can you say that?"

"Young Master Yu, how are your eyes?" "Are you in pain?"

Wei Wuxian cocked his head to the side. "What makes you say that?"

"Fairy is standing right next to me."

Wei Wuxian backed away with a yelp, straight into someone's chest.

Hands took him and hauled him behind them.

"Jin Ling," Jiang Cheng growled. "What do you have to say for yourself?"

"Jiujiu…" Jin Ling's voice petered out. He evidently had nothing to say for himself.

"You're fortunate that we need to travel, otherwise I'd break your legs," Jiang Cheng tugged Wei Wuxian along.

"Now?" Jin Ling said, disappointed.

"Yes, now," Jiang Cheng said impatiently. "We're going to Yi City."

"Why?" Jin Ling said. "Shouldn't we go to find some healers?"

"For Fairy to get a profile of the poison."

"Oh," Jin Ling sounded relieved. "Fairy already did that."

"Mn," Jiang Cheng hummed, then tugged Wei Wuxian's arm again. "Let's go."

"Can't we have a break?" Wei Wuxian muttered.

"We just arrived," Jin Ling said. "Can we stay a bit longer?"

It seemed Jiang Cheng was determined to get on the road immediately. Perhaps to find the cure for Wei Wuxian as soon as possible.

Or perhaps to avoid the other Wei Wuxian.

In any case, Wei Wuxian wished they didn't have to leave so soon, but he didn't have much sway over Jiang Cheng's determination.

"Sect Leader Jiang," Lan Xichen arrived with impeccable timing.

Jiang Cheng let go of him to be able to greet Lan Xichen with a proper bow.

"Zewu-jun."

"Xiongzhang."

"Wangji."

As another round of greetings were exchanged, some hands snaked around Wei Wuxian's arms, pulling him away from Jiang Cheng. He guessed it was Jin Ling.

"Young Master Yu, I am glad that you are fine," Lan Xichen said gently. "We were all very worried about you."

"I'm sorry for causing you concern," Wei Wuxian bowed his head in apology, feeling genuinely ashamed for worrying the kind sect leader.

"There is no need for apologies. Although if you study with us again in the future, I would appreciate being informed if you were to work on anything experimental," Lan Xichen said. "Sect Leader Jiang, I apologise for being unable to properly watch over Young Master Yu."

"You do not need to apologise for Yu Xing's inability to follow simple instructions," Jiang Cheng said coolly. "It is a shortcoming that a lifetime of discipline has not managed to rectify."

Wei Wuxian felt that was an unfair assessment. He had just wanted to give Jiang Cheng a nice surprise. And he was able to follow instructions.

Mostly.

"I would still like to treat you tonight for my oversight in this matter," Lan Xichen said.

Wei Wuxian straightened up. This was a chance for them to stay for a bit!

However, Jiang Cheng said, "we are heading out to search for a cure for his eyes."

"But it is late, and it appears that Young Master Jin has just arrived after a full day on the road. It would be beneficial to rest overnight before departing," Lan Xichen said reasonably. "Besides, the children all look like they would like to celebrate their reunion before parting ways again. I would also like to take this chance to finalise the arrangements for our upcoming lectures."

Wei Wuxian was glad for Lan Xichen's reasoning, although he felt that this request was strangely pushy for the amiable sect leader.

"You've been flying all day today, Sect Leader Jiang," Wei Wuxian said. "Both you and Jin Ling are exhausted. What if Xue Yang ambushed us in this state?"

"Please, Jiujiu?" Jin Ling pleaded.

Wei Wuxian turned his face towards Jiang Cheng with a pout.

Jiang Cheng must've nodded, because more hands were instantly upon him.

"Zewu-jun, Sect Leader Jiang, Hanguang-jun, Senior Mo," the junior cultivators all bowed in departure. Wei Wuxian bowed along and farewelled their seniors, then was dragged away.

"Xiongzhang," Wei Wuxian heard Lan Wangji saying as he left. "I will go to rest."

"Yes, they said the spell would have consumed a lot of spiritual energy. Take care of yourself. We will speak later," Lan Xichen said. "Sect Leader Jiang, this way please."

Spell? Wasn't it his older self who had activated the talisman? Or had he managed to borrow Lan Wangji's spiritual energy?

He wanted to turn around and ask, but was surrounded by eager chatter.

"Fairy, leave us for now," Jin Ling tugged on his arm, and Wei Wuxian breathed a sigh of relief as Jin Ling continued, "come, you have to tell us everything!"

"Young Master Yu! What happened to you since you were taken away?"

"How are you still alive?"

"What happened to Xue Yang?"

"Were you tortured?"

"Do your eyes hurt?"

Wei Wuxian chuckled. "It's a long story. Perhaps we can talk about it over a meal?" He'll just have to escape their reunion at some point in the night to find the other Wei Wuxian.

"I'm starving!" Jin Ling said, the others agreeing eagerly. "Let's go to the inn!"

"We travelled nonstop all the way from Yi City," Ouyang Zizhen said. "I'm shocked Sect Leader Jiang tried to get you to travel again so soon!"

"He just worries," Wei Wuxian shrugged. Entering the warm building, his mouth watered at the aroma of food. He sat down when someone pressed his shoulders. "I'm fine with being blind for a bit longer, really."

Someone rattled off a list of dishes. Stewed pork, steamed chicken with herbs, meat dumplings...

"I want the spiciest dishes you have!" Wei Wuxian interjected, "and a jug of your best wine."

"Spiciest…?" Someone said, while others tittered at his request, probably recalling the spicy congee cure.

"You're not the only one drinking. Make that five ju… Hanguang-jun!" Lan Jingyi stuttered.

"Hanguang-jun! Senior Mo!" Everyone chorused, then quieted.

It was like the presence of the adults sucked out all of the heat and noise from the room.

"Will you be joining us?" Wei Wuxian asked, keen to chat with them, but aware that the others could not enjoy themselves as much with the seniors there.

"It's best if the grownups and children are separated," the other Wei Wuxian said, tone teasing. "That way you do not witness what we get up to."

Wei Wuxian startled at that, realising that his other self acted like a cutsleeve as a deflection.

"We don't care what you get up to!" Jin Ling said agitatedly beside him.

"As you shouldn't," his other self said. "Young Master Yu, I'm glad that you're alright. We can talk later."

With the way he had emphasised "later", Wei Wuxian instinctively knew that he would get a visit after everyone else had retired for the evening. He nodded his understanding, and heard the two adults climbing a staircase.

"Senior Mo worked hard to save you with his demonic cultivation," Lan Sizhui said.

Wei Wuxian raised his eyebrows. "Demonic cultivation?"

"Yeah. It was nothing we'd ever seen before," said Jin Ling. "And because he's a weak cultivator, he needed to borrow other's spiritual energy. Using someone else's energy like that is just not normal!"

Although Wei Wuxian would not think of borrowing another's spiritual energy as particularly demonic in nature, it seemed like his older self had just used demonic cultivation as an excuse for the reverse-summoning.

"Anyway, why were you all with Sect Leader Jiang?" Ouyang Zizhen asked.

"Was jiujiu the one who saved you? Or was it Hanguang-jun and Mo Xuanyu?" Jin Ling added.

"Hey, what makes you think I needed saving? I am capable of saving myself!" Wei Wuxian said indignantly.

"How did you escape then, Young Master Yu?" Lan Sizhui asked.

The smell of food assaulted him as multiple dishes were clunked onto the table, and a bowl and spoon was placed in his hands.

Wei Wuxian waved his spoon in the air. "In this case, I was saved before I managed to escape." He felt food being put in his bowl. "Thanks. Anyway, the story of who aided my escape is not so simple."

He could smell chilli from his bowl. He scooped whatever was given to him into his mouth. Spicy fish! Not quite tongue-burning, but delicious nevertheless!

"Come on, tell us!" Lan Jingyi said impatiently around a mouthful of food.

"I thought you weren't allowed to talk while you ate?" Wei Wuxian asked innocently.

"Well, we're not in Cloud Recesses!" Lan Jingyi stammered.

Wei Wuxian laughed. "You're right. I like the way you think! So, after I was teleported away, Xue Yang made a fierce corpse…"

He told them everything that happened except for the details of his identity and their experiments, and replacing the explanation of his continued existence with Xue Yang's fear of Lan Wangji's wrath.

"Then little Mianmian somehow alerted Sect Leader Jiang and Sect Leader Nie. Sect Leader Jiang fought Xue Yang, and the person who technically saved me would be Sect Leader Nie, who lead me to safety."

"Sect Leader Nie isn't so useless after all," someone voiced. There were snickers all around.

"Nah, it was Sect Leader Jiang who did the hard work!" Someone else argued.

"He was saved due to Mianmian's efforts!" Finally, someone recognised little Mianmian's contributions!

His bowl was filled again, and with a thanks, Wei Wuxian happily dug in. Chilli pork. Much spicier than the fish.

"Jin Ling, try this…"

"No."

Wei Wuxian shrugged. "Your loss. Anyway, we met up with Sect Leader Jiang. While Sect Leader Jiang and I travelled, Senior Mo and Hanguang-jun suddenly appeared out of thin air." He gulped down some wine and sighed in satisfaction. "Now, it's your turn to tell me everything that happened after my disappearance."

"Quite a lot happened," Lan Jingyi said, then proceeded to tell the tale, the others chiming in with extra details. Hanguang-jun defeating the corpses. Jin Ling going to fetch Fairy. The ghost girl A-Qing telling her horrific story. Senior Mo releasing Song Daozhang. Burying the corpses that littered Yi City. Senior Mo's experiments. Song Daozhang chasing after Xue Yang.

"After Senior Mo succeeded in borrowing the spiritual energy he needed, Hanguang-jun and Senior Mo went to save you," Lan Sizhui said. "Some of us flew to find Zewu-jun in Tanzhou, while the rest of us made our way here to wait for you."

Wei Wuxian chewed a tough piece of pork, pondering the new information. So his older self had figured out a way to borrow someone's spiritual energy? He wondered which combination of materials and symbols resulted in the successful spell.

A Qing's story made his blind eyes burn. The story of Xiao Xingchen and Xue Yang supported some of the thoughts Wei Wuxian had been entertaining regarding the relationship between the two.

After all, Wei Wuxian had also once been a kid who was had not been treated with too much kindness on the streets.

He reached for his cup, almost knocking it over. Had someone moved it during the talking?

A trembling hand took the cup and pressed it into Wei Wuxian's palm, filling it to the brim.

"This is my fault," Jin Ling said, uncharacteristically soft. "If I hadn't held you back, Xue Yang wouldn't have gotten you."

Wei Wuxian reached for Jin Ling's head, fingers poking his cheek, before feeling his way to the top of his head to pat him. "Don't be silly. Were you the one who threw the poison? Besides, Xue Yang's a sneaky bastard. If you weren't there, he would've found another way to distract me."

Jin Ling swatted off Wei Wuxian's hand, then grasped it tightly. "You're right. Xue Yang's a sneaky bastard. Demonic cultivators should be killed. Scum like him and Wei Wuxian."

Wei Wuxian fidgeted.

It was Lan Sizhui who came to his defence. "Not all who cultivate the demonic path are the same," he said.

Wei Wuxian felt warmed by his words. He was certain in his own morals and convinced that his future self must have had a reason for cultivating the demonic path, but he still felt guilty.

"So are you saying that demonic cultivators aren't evil? That they deserve to live?" Jin Ling smacked the table and stood up. "Wei Wuxian massacred thousands of cultivators, have you forgotten that? Or did he not massacre any of your relatives back then? Also, if Wei Wuxian hadn't invented demonic cultivation, then there wouldn't be demonic cultivators like Xue Yang."

"Why are you getting upset?" Lan Jingyi said, slamming down his cup and also standing up with a rustle of his robes. "Sizhui just said that not all who cultivates the demonic path are the same."

Given the topic of discussion, Wei Wuxian lowered his head as they debated back and forth, Jin Ling's voice rising with each exchange while Lan Sizhui attempted to maintain his calm.

"Alright alright! Why are you fighting? Let's stop talking about this." Ouyang Zizhen butted in. "We're still eating and the food is getting cold!"

Wei Wuxian was relieved that they dropped the subject. He piped up. "I want chicken."

Those closest to him clamoured to place the meat in his bowl.

Jin Ling sat back down with a huff, gulping down his drink.

"It's good wine, isn't it?" Wei Wuxian said, holding out his cup. "I want more!"

"Young Master Yu, you probably shouldn't drink too much while you are still recovering from a poison," Lan Sizhui said.

Wei Wuxian snorted. "Nonsense! The alcohol will stimulate the blood flow to my eyes and speed up the healing process."

Lan Sizhui remained silent, as though considering the verity of his statement.

"I agree with Lan Sizhui," Jin Ling mumbled.

"Won't you take pity on a blind man? I can't even enjoy sight anymore, at least let me enjoy taste!" Wei Wuxian pouted. "Fine, I'll drink less if we make this a game!"

"A game?"

"Yeah," Wei Wuxian hurriedly finished his food, and pushed his bowl and chopsticks out of the way. "Who's in?"

"Me!"

"I want to play!"

"Not me," said Lan Sizhui, like a good little Lan.

"Of course!" said Lan Jingyi, like a not-so-good little Lan. "I'm not done eating yet though!"

"That's alright, you can join us when you're done. Everyone gather in a circle. Sizhui- can I call you that?- you need to face away so that you can't see us," Wei Wuxian ordered.

Chairs scraped the floor and the boys shuffled around.

"Cup?" Wei Wuxian felt around for a cup. Someone readily placed one in his hand and filled it. He placed the cup on the table, then held out his hand. "Spoon?" A spoon was put in his hand. "Thanks. How this works is that Sizhui claps his hands continuously, stopping on occasion. As long as he's clapping, we pass around this spoon. When he stops, the spoon stops, and the person with the spoon gets to drink. Got it?"

At everyone's agreement, Lan Sizhui began clapping out a straight rhythm.

Wei Wuxian passed the spoon to his left, trying to follow where the spoon was by the sound of movement.

Clap clap clap clap…

The spoon was placed in his waiting right hand. He slowly passed it to his left again.

"Sizhui, when are you going to stop clapping?" Lan Jingyi asked impatiently.

Lan Sizhui stopped immediately, and someone cheered as they chugged down the wine.

Cup refilled, Lan Sizhui began to clap again.

The spoon was on its fourth round around when Jin Ling finally asked, "Yu Xing, why are you so slow to pass the spoon around?"

"I can't see where I'm passing it," Wei Wuxian said as he slowly moved the spoon across his body.

There was laughter, while Jin Ling scoffed. "What a stupid excuse…"

The laughter abruptly stopped.

"Quick! Hide the wine!" Someone hissed.

Wei Wuxian stayed still, confused, while the others scrambled around him. There were clinks as the jars and cups were moved, then silence descended upon them.

"What happened?" He asked into the silence.

"It's Hanguang-jun and Mo Xuanyu," Jin Ling whispered.

What's the big deal? So there was some alcohol? Nothing wrong with that! They weren't even at Cloud Recesses!

"Hanguang-jun has captured and bound Senior Mo!" Lan Jingyi said nervously.

What…?

"Hanguang-jun! Senior Mo!" Lan Sizhui sounded panicked. "Why did you come in from the front door?"

There was a shuffling of movement.

Something thunked into a bowl nearby.

"Hanguang-jun is untying Senior Mo…" Lan Jingyi swallowed, then commentated for him. "Oh no, he just took off a few knots… oh no, they're coming here! Oh no, he's going to tie us all up…"

A strong hand grasped Wei Wuxian's wrist and pulled him up to his feet.

"What...?" He exclaimed.

Smooth material looped around his wrists. Tightened, Wei Wuxian was tugged by the binding.

What was going on?

Chapter Text

Wei Wuxian yanked on the binding around his wrists, feeling what must have been his other self's wrists bumping into his. He swung his arms around. He pulled back with his whole weight.

There was no give from Lan Wangji's end.

The most Wei Wuxian would have expected from Lan Wangji was a verbal scolding for their drinking. This silent, singling out of Wei Wuxian to tie up was so bizarre that he was left speechless.

If the silence was any indication, the others were just as shocked.

A chair clattered beside him as Jin Ling broke the silence. "Hanguang-jun! What is the meaning of this? Let him go this instant!" Hands grabbed Wei Wuxian's elbow.

"Hey!" Lan Jingyi raised his voice. "Don't speak to Hanguang-jun like that!"

"Young Master Jin, I'm sure there's a reasonable explanation," Lan Sizhui said, but even his voice lacked its usual calm.

"Everything will be fine, haha..." the other Wei Wuxian said, although he sounded just as confused. "Hanguang-jun just wants to stop Young Master Yu from drinking too much wine."

"That's not for him to decide!" Jin Ling held on, taking Wei Wuxian's bound wrists.

"It's alright," Wei Wuxian assured, shaking his elbow lightly so that Jin Ling would let go. "I'm starting to feel the effects of the alcohol, so maybe it's a good time for me to stop now anyway." He grinned. "You guys continue, but you better not get too rowdy, otherwise Hanguang-jun will tie you up as well! And you!" He turned to Jin Ling. "The pride of Yunmeng Jiang and Lanling Jin relies solely on you."

"What are you on about?" Jin Ling said, puzzled.

With a final grin, Wei Wuxian said, "don't get drunk before everyone else!"

"I'm not going to get drunk!" Jin Ling said as Wei Wuxian was dragged away with a wave.

"Have fun!" Wei Wuxian shot them all a grin.

Silence followed them as he stumbled along, shoulders bumping into his other self. He was excited at the early opportunity to speak with his other self.

Because this must be a plan for exactly that. What other reason could there be for Lan Wangji to tie him up like this?

"Steps," his other self said, and the pulling relaxed a bit, allowing Wei Wuxian to place one careful foot after the other, finding the steps and ascending slowly.

Sandalwood. Why was Lan Wangji standing so close? An arm snaked around his waist, lifting him up.

"Hey!" Wei Wuxian protested, hearing his other self protest similarly. They were swiftly carried up the stairs. As with Jiang Cheng the previous day, Wei Wuxian was not released when they reached the landing, and was carried all the way to presumably a private room.

With much more gentleness than Jiang Cheng was probably capable of, Lan Wangji placed him on his feet, then moved away. A soft snap of a shutting door. Something wooden scraped along the ground. A thud.

"What's going on?" Wei Wuxian asked, turning his head to better hear what was happening.

"Lan Zhan barricaded the door with the table."

"He doesn't need to do that for us to talk?" Wei Wuxian was perplexed. "That's why I was dragged here, right?"

"We can talk," his other self said. "But I'm not sure that's why Lan Zhan brought us here."

The wooden scraping continued. By Wei Wuxian's count, six items had been moved to block the door.

"I suppose he just wants to keep people out?" His other self said uncertainly.

That was hardly going to keep people from barging in. Wei Wuxian sighed. "Is there a reason why I have to be bound like this?"

"No," the other Wei Wuxian said. "Lan Zhan is drunk." He added, as though that explained everything.

Wei Wuxian gaped. Drunk? The same Lan Wangji who had fought him after he had snuck into Cloud Recesses with Emperor's Smile? The Second Jade of Lan who was entrusted with the punishments in the Lan Sect? How could the perfect Gusu Lan disciple dare touch a drop of alcohol?

Lan Qiren would vomit blood if he ever found out!

"He likes tying people up when he's drunk?" Wei Wuxian wondered. A heavier piece of furniture was placed with a loud bang. How much until the drunk Lan Wangji deemed the barricade sufficiently secure?

"No. He just acts strange."

Strange indeed.

Evidently satisfied with his barricading efforts, Lan Wangji returned to them. A heavy hand on Wei Wuxian's shoulder guided him onto a surface. A bed?

Something thumped into the ground, and Wei Wuxian felt Lan Wangji's warm presence before him.

They waited to see what the drunk Lan Wangji would do. After a moment of silence, someone sniffed.

"Hey! What's wrong!?" his other self panicked.

"What? What's happening?" Wei Wuxian also panicking in response.

"Uh, Lan Zhan is kneeling in front of us. Crying," his other self clarified, clearly uncomfortable.

"He's a sad drunk?" Wei Wuxian said.

"He didn't cry last time."

"Last time? Does he drink a lot now?" If that was the type of example Lan Wangji was setting for the future generation of Lans, that would explain Lan Jingyi's un-Lan-like eagerness to imbibe.

"Not particularly, but he has a hidden stash of Emperor's Smile in the Jingshi."

Wei Wuxian gaped again. Wow… just, wow! How many rules had Lan Wangji now broken? Was he trying to compete with Wei Wuxian's rule-breaking record?

A trembling intake of breath

He turned to Lan Wangji, smiling stiffly. "Please stop cryi…"

An urgent knocking at the door.

"What are you doing to Yu Xing?" Jin Ling yelled through the door, anxiously knocking again. "Let him g-."

The noise was silenced.

"Lan Zhan threw a silencing talisman at the door." His other self explained helpfully. There was the sound of fluttering. "And a locking talisman."

Sniffle.

"Hey, Lan Zhan, don't cry!" Wei Wuxian said. He raised his bound wrists, taking off the mask, hoping the familiar face would be comforting. "It's me! Wei Ying!"

The sniffling seemed to increase in volume, and Wei Wuxian panicked. "What should we do?" He dropped the mask in his lap and raised his bound hands to pat Lan Wangji comfortingly, hoping he wouldn't accidentally whack Lan Wangji in the face. Luckily, his fists bumped into Lan Wangji's body.

"There there," Wei Wuxian said, fingers awkwardly brushing Lan Wangji's shoulders.

The sniffling quietened.

"He was really worried about you. Everyone was," the other Wei Wuxian said, then chuckled. "I now understand how others feel when I go playing the hero."

Wei Wuxian laughed. "You know better than anyone that I can't help it."

"Indeed," Wei Wuxian could hear the smile in the other man's voice. "To answer your earlier questions, I know what Mo Xuanyu did. I am the Wei Wuxian of this timeline. You had the right idea with a reverse-summons to try to get back to your own time, but it should be based on Mo Xuanyu's spell. Yes, I did use your reverse-summoning talisman to get to you."

Although Wei Wuxian had forgotten what he had asked, he nodded along. Given the other Wei Wuxian's knowledge and interactions with Jiang Cheng, he had suspected that it was the Yiling Patriarch who possessed Mo Xuanyu's body.

"So you're the Yiling Patriarch?" Wei Wuxian asked, lips curling up into a grin.

"Yes I am. No, I didn't come up with the name."

"I didn't think you did. We have better naming sense than that."

They laughed together, the overlapping rhythm and cadence of their laughter reminding Wei Wuxian of their unique circumstance.

"Where did you get this mask?" The other Wei Wuxian took the mask from his hands to inspect it. "It's amazing!"

"Jiang Cheng," Wei Wuxian said.

"If only I had known about this in the past! Would've been useful!"

The mask was handed back to Wei Wuxian, then the other man said. "So Jiang Cheng has helped you since you came here? How did you come to be with him?"

"Yeah, he's been helping," Wei Wuxian said. "I heard about the night hunt on Dafan Mountain and thought Uncle Jiang might be there. At first, Jin Ling thought I was some weird stalker because I introduced myself as Wei Wuxian, and he got Fairy to chase me off." Wei Wuxian shivered at the memory. "I eventually caught up with them, and Jiang Cheng's been helping me since." He paused, hands resting on Lan Wangji's shoulder. "He, uh, really hates you."

"I know," the other Wei Wuxian said lightly.

Wei Wuxian's throat tightened. How could his other self be so nonchalant about this? He clenched his fists, and burst out his burning question. "Did Jiang Cheng kill you?"

Silence.

"Is that what he told you?"

Wei Wuxian shook his head. "Xue Yang told me. Jiang Cheng just said that demonic cultivation caused Shijie's and Jin Zixuan's death, which turned the cultivation world against you, and that you died when everyone went to lay siege to the Burial Mounds."

"Mmm," his older self hummed. "No, Jiang Cheng didn't kill me. I was killed by a backlash of resentful energy."

Wei Wuxian's heart stopped. That sounded absolutely horrific. It must've been a painful way to die.

A loud sniffle as Lan Wangji made his presence known again. Wei Wuxian bumped Lan Wangji's body with his bound fists.

"It's alright. Wei Ying doesn't die that easily. See?" Wei Wuxian waved his fists towards his older self. "You won't be able to get rid of us now." He tried to joke. When the sniffling subsided, he continued with his questions. "Why demonic cultivation? Why turn your back on the orthodox methods of cultivation?"

"After the massacre, I… I can't tell you with Lan Zhan looking at me like that! I know you're still listening to us even if you close your eyes… you can still hear us with your ears covered!"

Laughter bubbled from his lips at the image of the serious Lan Wangji shutting his eyes and covering his ears. Just what was going through the drunk man's mind?

"I'd rather not discuss this with an audience," his other self said firmly. "Just in case he sobers up while we talk, or happens to remember this conversation."

"Oh," Wei Wuxian said. It sounded serious. What kind of secret could it be?

"When we get a chance, I'll tell you everything, then you can prevent the tragedies from occurring in your future."

"So you know how to send me back?" Wei Wuxian asked hopefully.

"I have an idea. Mo Xuanyu's sacrificial spell was fuelled by his strong resentment. You fell into the waterborne abyss."

"So we need to use resentful energy to send me back?" Wei Wuxian guessed.

"That's what I think. However, you being here is such an unlikely chance that sending you back would require more than just throwing you into a pool of resentful energy. I'd rather do more research before trying."

"That's what I was doing at Cloud Recesses," Wei Wuxian said.

"What were you trying to achieve when you appeared before us?" The older Wei Wuxian asked, tone inquisitive, though he probably already had an idea.

Wei Wuxian grinned. "I put some blood on Jiang Cheng's boot. I wanted to reverse-summon myself to him as a surprise."

As expected, his older self laughed. "Well, you certainly surprised us!"

"I'm glad it took me to you and Lan Zhan," Wei Wuxian said honestly, eliciting a sniff from the drunk man. "Is he always this emotional when he's drunk?"

"Lan Zhan, emotional? Nah, he's just strange. And obedient."

"You told him to tie us up?" Wei Wuxian frowned.

"He is selectively obedient. It's really weird."

"When did you become so close to him?" Wei Wuxian wondered. "Jiang Cheng said that you fought a lot during the Sunshot Campaign."

"We did," his older self said. "We were not on good terms before."

"Then how-"

Something exploded. Wooden crashes filled the room. Wei Wuxian instinctively raised his hands to shove the mask back on his face and shield himself. A whiff of sandalwood and the sound of a blade unsheathing. He guessed that Lan Wangji had stood up in defence at the interruption.

Smoke from charred wood filled his nostrils, making him cough.

No-one moved.

Electricity crackled.

After a beat of silence, Jiang Cheng growled. "Let. Him. Go!" Zidian buzzed at the ready.

"Yu Xing!" Jin Ling yelled.

"I'm fine," Wei Wuxian turned to Lan Wangji. "Perhaps you could untie us now?"

Wei Wuxian fidgeted at the thick tension in the air. Why wasn't anyone moving? Given Jiang Cheng's tone of voice, he was likely on the cusp of exploding.

When it seemed like Lan Wangji wasn't going to make a move, his other self said, "Lan Zhan, this is not the time to get into a fight. This place will get wrecked if you guys do that here."

"Let Yu Xing go!" Jin Ling said. For some reason, he sounded distressed.

"Please?" Wei Wuxian pleaded, raising his wrists.

Lan Wangji finally sheathed his sword. With reluctance, the bonds were undone.

"Thanks," Wei Wuxian said when his hands were free. Lan Wangji stepped away, and someone immediately grabbed him and pulled him away.

"Are you alright? Did they do anything to you?" Jin Ling asked concernedly, patting him down.

"Yeah, I'm fine," Wei Wuxian reassured him.

"I'm taking my cousin. You can continue your own mission now," Jiang Cheng announced haughtily, then ushered Wei Wuxian out.

"Wait!" His other self said.

"What?" Jiang Cheng hissed, moving to stand between them.

"Young Master Yu's belongings."

Wei Wuxian reached out, receiving something soft and warm. His qiankun pouch!

"Thanks!" Wei Wuxian beamed.

"Goodnight," his other self said.

"Goodnight," Wei Wuxian said as he was dragged away, disappointed that their talk had been cut short. They still had a lot to discuss. Oh well. He could sneak out in the middle of the night.

"Are you really alright?" Jin Ling asked again. "Did they try to do anything to you?"

"I'm fine. I was tied up, but that was it." Wei Wuxian said, frowning. Jin Ling had been overly concerned, to the point of bringing Jiang Cheng to break into their room. "Why? What did think they'd do to me?"

"Nothing," Jin Ling murmured, grip on Wei Wuxian's elbow tight. "Why was Hanguang-jun crying?"

"He was?" Wei Wuxian feigned surprise. "Maybe it was from all the smoke?" He turned to Jiang Cheng. "Was that destructive entrance really necessary?"

"Yes," Jiang Cheng said unapologetically. "Jin Ling, get Fairy to guard our room."

"Wha…?" Wei Wuxian startled.

"Yes, jiujiu!" Jin Ling responded with enthusiasm.

Why was Jin Ling the strangely obedient one now?

As Jin Ling ran off to fetch Fairy, Jiang Cheng took over Jin Ling's place at his side, entering their room and closing the door behind him.

"You don't need Fairy. I'm not gonna run off in the middle of the night," Wei Wuxian grumbled.

"I don't want him trying to sneak you out," Jiang Cheng said, leading him to a table and pouring him a drink. "One of you causes enough trouble. Two of you together… well, we already have the result of that, don't we?"

"We didn't go out of our way looking for Xue Yang." Wei Wuxian took the cup and sipped. Cold jasmine tea. "Anyway, why was Jin Ling so worried?"

"Mo Xuanyu is a demonic cultivator," Jiang Cheng sounded strained. "He hates them."

"Oh." Wei Wuxian thought back. Jin Ling had let Wei Wuxian be dragged away initially, so he must've realised how harmless "Mo Xuanyu" was. What had changed his mind? He remembered the almost-argument that Jin Ling had had with Lan Sizhui. Had they talked about demonic cultivators again after he had left?

"Did he say he could send you back?" Jiang Cheng asked bluntly.

"He said he needed to do some research first," Wei Wuxian said, sipping his drink.

"I see," Jiang Cheng said slowly. Clearing his throat, Jiang Cheng asked, "What else did you talk about?"

"Nothing, really," Wei Wuxian shrugged. "We could hardly talk properly with Lan Zhan there."

"Hmph," Jiang Cheng huffed.

Although Wei Wuxian was genuinely curious what it was that made Jiang Cheng uncomfortable, he put on a teasing tone. "What were you afraid he'd tell me?"

"I don’t have anything to be afraid of," Jiang Cheng stammered.

"Sure," Wei Wuxian drawled.

Jiang Cheng smacked him lightly on the head.

"Ow," Wei Wuxian howled exaggeratedly. "You should be more gentle with your blind, little cousin."

"Not when it's your own fault you're this way."

Wei Wuxian pouted. "You're mean."

"Yes, I am," Jiang Cheng agreed, then took Wei Wuxian's arm. Leading him around the room, Wei Wuxian familiarised himself with the layout.

"Did Zewu-jun get to finish discussing whatever it was he wanted to discuss with you?" Wei Wuxian's fingers grazed the wall.

"Lan Xichen's matters were readily addressed. I got the impression the man just wanted to socialise," Jiang Cheng stressed, as though interacting with the cordial sect leader was a major inconvenience.

Bed. Chest. Wall. Corner. Another bed.

"Well, sect leaders are supposed to build good relationships and all that, right?" Wei Wuxian said, then wondered aloud. "Did Zewu-jun drink?"

"Of course not. It's against their rules."

"They have so many of them, how could I remember them all?" Wei Wuxian shrugged, taking out his qiankun pouch and searching inside it for the scroll of the Gusu Lan sect rules. "As if I'd have time to read all of this!" He waved it in front of Jiang Cheng's face. "Did they actually expect me to read all of this?"

"You already knew that rule. That's why you fought Lan Wangji that first night in Cloud Recesses. Why were you even carrying that around?" Jiang Cheng said dryly, pushing Wei Wuxian down. "This bed will be yours tonight."

"To show you," Wei Wuxian said. "So you can appreciate what a diligent student I am!"

"Stop being ridiculous and sleep. We're leaving early tomorrow."

"You're not just mean," Wei Wuxian revised. "You're cruel."

"Yes, I am," Jiang Cheng repeated proudly as Jin Ling returned.

"Have Fairy stationed outside our room," Jiang Cheng instructed.

"Yes, jiujiu!"

Wei Wuxian scrunched his nose in Jiang Cheng's direction, but Jiang Cheng either didn't see or ignored it as he informed Jin Ling of their sleeping arrangement and early departure.

"It's alright," Jin Ling said. He must have seen Wei Wuxian's expression. "Fairy won't come in. The door is closed, so she can't come in even if she wanted to."

"Yeah," Wei Wuxian said weakly. "'Cos she can't open doors, right?"

Wei Wuxian pretended that Fairy wasn't outside their room as he took off his outer robes with shaking hands. Someone helpfully took his robes to set them aside for the night.

A puff of breath. The distinct smell of candle smoke reached Wei Wuxian's nose.

"Goodnight," Jin Ling said from across the room.

"Goodnight," Wei Wuxian returned.

Jiang Cheng grunted in acknowledgement, and they all settled in for the night.

Was it past nine in the evening already? Had everyone already retired for the evening? Did the boys all stop playing after he left them? After Jin Ling left them? Even the streets were quiet.

In the stillness of the night, every little noise was amplified.

Wei Wuxian's breath stuttered when he heard Fairy panting outside. He tried to ignore it, thinking of all the information he had acquired that evening.

He was brought here due to resentful energy. If anyone could figure out how to utilise resentful energy to send him back, it would be the Yiling Patriarch…

Nails clicked on wooden floorboards outside their room. Wei Wuxian stilled, inhaling deeply, trying to match his breaths to the other sleeping occupants in the room.

He jolted when Fairy sneezed.

Think of other things. Lan Wangji had been interesting. Lan Wangji was a regular rule-breaker now. What other rules had he broken? Was Lan Xichen aware of his rebellious younger brother's rule-breaking?

A rustle. Wei Wuxian was immediately on his feet. He shuffled towards Jiang Cheng's bed, standing over his shidi as he agonised over what to do.

His problem solved itself when a hand took his wrist and pulled him onto the bed. Jiang Cheng crawled over him so that Wei Wuxian was between the wall and his shidi.

"Stop thinking too much and sleep," Jiang Cheng mumbled, draping an arm over Wei Wuxian's torso.

Whatever the reason for their fallout in Wei Wuxian's future, whatever it was Jiang Cheng was hiding from him, Jiang Cheng had only helped Wei Wuxian since he had come here. How could he have thought that Jiang Cheng might've been the one to kill him?

With a sigh, Wei Wuxian finally relaxed and drifted off.