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2021-06-05
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2021-06-06
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Jiang Cheng Starves to Death

Summary:

From what I understand Jiang Cheng stans say Wei Wuxian is actually a horrible, awful brother to Jiang Cheng because he didn't ask consent before selflessly sacrificing his life's work so that Jiang Cheng could live and seek revenge for his family's deaths. Truly what a horrible thing to do and not an act of absolute love and devotion, so I wrote a fix-it for y'all so you don't have to live with MXTX's horrible writing and can finally have the unproblematic best brother Wei Wuxian you've always wanted for the purple grape baby!

Notes:

I wrote this specifically to be mean to people with this cold ass fucking take so if you have a problem take it up with someone who cares.

For everyone else please enjoy this for what it is: A humorous way to let out my rage and my least favorite thing in any fandom I've ever been in, thanks for reading!

(See the end of the work for more notes.)

Chapter 1: Original Update in Ch 2

Chapter Text

Wei Wuxian pulled the needle out and woke Jiang Cheng up, “Come on let's eat and I'll tell you how to get your golden core back,” He said. Jiang Cheng hurried over to eat the food, it was too spicy since it was made by Wei Wuxian but he still shoveled it in after not eating for so many days.

“Tell me,” He said through a mouthful.

“There's a procedure that can transfer one person's golden core to another, I'll give you my core so that you can continue to lead the Yunmeng Jiang Sect and can get revenge for your parents,” Wei Wuxian explained.

Jiang Cheng was too proud to accept that though, because that would mean that from then on all of his accomplishments were owed to Wei Wuxian. He threw down the food in a fit of rage and stormed back to the bed. No matter how hard Wei Wuxian tried to coax him into it, Jiang Cheng refused to accept. Having no other means and unable to continue hiding with the Wen's Wei Wuxian and Jiang Cheng left.

Wei Wuxian continued to try and coax Jiang Cheng into at least living his life if he wouldn't accept the golden core transfer, but Jiang Cheng also couldn't accept that he would have to live as a normal person. After days and days of refusing water Jiang Cheng eventually passed out and Wei Wuxian tried desperately to keep him alive by forcing water into his mouth. Jiang Cheng still refused food though and after weeks it was beyond even Wei Wuxian's abilities to keep him alive.

He'd failed in his promise to Uncle and Madam Yu, Jiang Cheng died alongside his parents.

Unable to face his shijie, Wei Wuxian disappeared to work alongside the Sunshot Campaign as a rogue cultivator. He fought many battles for them, it was very difficult and the Sunshot Campaign seemed as if it would drag on forever.

Eventually, Lan Wangji found out that the spectacular rogue cultivator who'd saved so many lives, and won so many battles was Wei Wuxian. Seeing how desperately miserable Wei Wuxian was when they met he asked Wei Wuxian to return to Gusu with him. Wei Wuxian thought he didn't deserve such a thing and tried avoiding Lan Wangji for a long time, but eventually he revealed the truth of his guilt. Lan Wangji understood his feelings, but knew that Wei Wuxian had done everything in his power to help Jiang Cheng.

After talking Wei Wuxian realized no matter how he was asked or what promises he made he couldn't protect someone who refused to protect themselves, and neither the fall of the Yunmeng Jiang Sect nor the deaths of Madam Yu and Uncle nor even Jiang Cheng could be blamed on him. He returned to Gusu with Lan Wangji and joined the Gusu Lan Sect much to Lan Qiren's dismay. His talent flourished and standing alongside the Twin Jades they were able to finally put an end to the Sunshot Campaign.

Wei Wuxian, speaks out for Wen Qing and Wen Ning telling everyone how they helped save him and tried to save Jiang Cheng after Lotus Pier fell. The Gusu Lan Sect backs Wei Wuxian up because they know that it's all true and they've seen for themselves that Wen Qing and her family are only healers. Wen Qing never officially reestablishes the Wen Clan as cultivators, but she does continue to offer her services as a doctor in Qishan.

Lan Wangji asks Wei Wuxian to marry him and after having fought so many battles side by side and spent so much time getting to know the real Lan Wangji and how much Lan Wangji cares for him, Wei Wuxian doesn't hesitate to say yes. The two are married in a lovely ceremony in Gusu, Lan Qiren does not allow wine, but they both sneak out to go drinking in town. It's the first time Wei Wuxian sees Lan Wangji drunk and he laughs about it for the rest of their lives.

They never get the chance to adopt Wen Yuan because he grows up with his brith parents, and Wen Qing teaches him cultivation. He does eventually meet Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji and goes on lots of night hunts with them and the other juniors and becomes best friends with Lan Jingyi.

Jiang Yanli never marries Jin Zixuan because she never leaves Meishan. She marries into a minor cultivation clan and falls into obscurity. Jin Zixuan is eventually killed in a supposed night hunting accident without ever marrying or even finding anyone. Jin Guangyao takes over as sect leader after Jin Guangshan dies, but he never gets the chance to kill Nie Mingjue because Wei Wuxian visits Huaisang on the regular.

When Wei Wuxian notices that Nie Mingjue isn't experiencing the effects of Clarity as he should he starts to question Jin Guangyao's loyalty. He expresses these doubts to Lan Xichen who trusts his brother-in-law and starts to look into it. They find Jin Guangyao's crimes of killing Jin Guangshan- barely a crime really- and Jin Zixuan and Lan Xichen is still forced to kill his sworn brother, but he is comforted by the fact that it meant he was able to save his other sworn brother.

Chapter 2: Jiang Cheng Actually Dehydrates to Death

Summary:

Sorry if you subbed to this bs oneshot and are now getting like 7 emails from me :P

Notes:

Chapter 2 will probably be the last chapter and will be up tomorrow or the day after.

Chapter Text

Wei Wuxian pulled the needle out and woke Jiang Cheng up, “Come on let's eat and I'll tell you how to get your golden core back,” He said. Jiang Cheng hurried over to eat the food, it was too spicy since it was made by Wei Wuxian but he still shoveled it in after not eating for so many days.

“Tell me,” He said through a mouthful.

“There's a procedure that can transfer one person's golden core to another, I'll give you my core so that you can continue to lead the Yunmeng Jiang Sect and can get revenge for your parents,” Wei Wuxian explained.

Jiang Cheng felt like he hadn't heard right at first. He waited and slowly began to understand what Wei Wuxian just said, and he felt furious. This? This was Wei Wuxian's supposed 'solution?' Just him being the hero again, valiantly giving up his golden core? And what was Jiang Cheng supposed to do? Accept such a thing? So that from now on all of his accomplishments might as well belong to Wei Wuxian. Jiang Cheng snarled, “What the fuck is wrong with you?”

“Jiang Cheng I know-” Wei Wuxian started, but Jiang Cheng cut him off.

“What do you know?” He snapped, “What do you know, I ran off to save you from those Wen's and this is what you're saying!” Wei Wuxian's expression turned shocked. Jiang Cheng knew that Wei Wuxian hadn't seen the Wen cultivators about to descend on him, but after hearing that nonsense how could he help but throw it in the other's face? “It's just like my mother said, you always have to be the hero!”

Wei Wuxian's face turned angry. He grabbed Jiang Cheng by the collar and shook him as if trying to shake sense into him, “Just how am I trying to be the hero? I only want to keep my promise to your parents, I'm only trying to protect you because you're like a brother to me, to protect the Yunmeng Jiang Sect that raised me, Jiang Cheng please!”

“Isn't that just it?” Jiang Cheng scoffed wrapping his hands around Wei Wuxian's, but too weak to throw him off, “Isn't that how it always is, I'm useless while you play the big role, as if I'll accept that it's basically saying that I owe you my life!”

Wei Wuxian's hands fell away, “Then isn't I that owes you my life?” He asked weakly uncertain how else to try and convince Jiang Cheng to just accept this, to let him do this.

Jiang Cheng only scoffed even if he was unable to respond properly how could he accept this? How could he let Wei Wuxian do something like this for him? It really would be a stain on his life forever. He'd never be able to face his mother in the afterlife if he were to continue their sect only through Wei Wuxian's good will. It was too pathetic for him to even think about.

With nothing else left to say, Jiang Cheng stalked over to the bed and threw himself back down. He was better off useless than forever in Wei Wuxian's debt, but that didn't make him any less miserable about it.

Wei Wuxian stared at him for a long time before quietly taking the half-eaten food back to wash the dishes. He wracked his brain as he did so, desperately trying to come up with any other way to recover Jiang Cheng's cultivation, or make him see sense and accept Wei Wuxian's offer. If it weren't for the Jiang Clan Wei Wuxian would've never formed a golden core in the first place, so couldn't it be said that his golden core also belonged to Jiang Cheng.

He knew that was faulty logic, but if Jiang Cheng could see it then maybe, just maybe he would accept the situation. Wei Wuxian could live on as a normal person, it was a miracle he'd gotten the opportunity to cultivate anyways, and he could endure most things, but Jiang Cheng was the only hope for the Yunmeng Jiang Sect. It would never exist again if Jiang Cheng died here.

Determined, Wei Wuxian returned to the room to try again.

“Do you want to die!” Jiang Cheng shouted at him, “Just stand there and let me kill you right here and won't that be the same?” Wei Wuxian didn't move, he knew Jiang Cheng was just distressed and wouldn't actually do anything, and as he thought Jiang Cheng just scoffed again and went back to hiding in bed.

When Wei Wuxian stepped back outside the room Wen Qing was standing there, “You two have to leave,” Her voice seemed like it was trying to sound cold-hearted, but came across as apologetic. “If he won't agree to it there's no more help I can offer you,” She said when Wei Wuxian explained. “And even Wen Chao's not stupid enough to never check for you here after A-Ning ran off suddenly.”

She was right. Wei Wuxian couldn't swallowed the lump in his throat and gave her a deep salute, “Thank you, for all the help that you've given us, and for everything you've offered, I won't forget this debt.”

Wen Qing scoffed thinking that he'd never survive to repay it. “Just get out of here by tonight,” She said and strode off towards the main area of the Yiling Office.

Not long after she left Wen Ning showed up and timidly helped Wei Wuxian prepare to move. “I-I tried talking to A-Jie,” He stammered with teary eyes, “But she wouldn't budge.”

Wei Wuxian shook his head, “She's right, Wen Chao will eventually come looking for us, and no matter what happens it'd be wrong to cause you and your sister trouble after you've saved our lives,” He clapped Wen Ning on the shoulder and smiled brightly, “Don't worry, I've survived everything in my life up to this point, I'll manage somehow!” Wen Ning returned his smile and Wei Wuxian also gave him the same salute he'd offered Wen Qing. “Thank you Wen-gongzi, I won't ever forget this debt.”

Wen Ning scrambled around and made him rise and looked very embarrassed, “Wei-gongzi, I'm just happy that I could save my friend, please take care and if I can ever help again please don't hesitate to ask.”

Getting Jiang Cheng to quietly leave the Wen Office wasn't as much of a task as Wei Wuxian had feared it would be, ultimately he only stared in disdain at the sun flags hanging around and quietly followed Wei Wuxian outside.

They walked for a few hours towards Meishan where they would hopefully meet up with Jiang Yanli, before Wei Wuxian tried to call a stop in the dense forests surrounding the Yiling Office. Jiang Cheng ignored him and marched on even though he was panting through gritted teeth. Wei Wuxian could only follow and try to catch him when he stumbled.

He tried to offer Jiang Cheng food and water several times. Tried to coax him with everything he thought might work. Sweet words, light teasing, promises of revenge, guilt, even promises that Wei Wuxian would surely find a way to return his cultivation if he just hung on didn't sway him. Jiang Cheng only marched forward until he collapsed and Wei Wuxian built camp around him.

They walked for two days before Jiang Cheng collapsed and could no longer go on without water. They were still another three days walk from Meishan and Wei Wuxian couldn't even run off to get help with Jiang Cheng in this state. He pressed a wet cloth to Jiang Cheng's lips trying to get any water he could down his shidi's throat, but even in his delirium Jiang Cheng's head thrashed away from Wei Wuxian's attempts.

Still, patiently, stubbornly Wei Wuxian pressed on willing Jiang Cheng to survive.

He carried Jiang Cheng on his back, his injuries from Zidian still stung, but were healing well thanks to Wen Qing's help, but he was running out of time. Carrying Jiang Cheng he was moving more slowly, and he was frequently stopping to try and make Jiang Cheng drink even a few drops of water. He hadn't slept and only ate and drank to keep his own strength up with the hopes that they could make it to Meishan even a day sooner. Maybe there someone would be able to help Jiang Cheng.

When he heard the twig snap, Wei Wuxian's heart almost stopped. He started running through the forest as quickly and quietly as he could. He'd purposely avoided towns to make sure no Wen cultivators found them, but he couldn't trust that would perfectly keep them off their trail. There were so many ways of finding someone.

He dodged around a tree and pressed Jiang Cheng into the roots to hide him before settling into a low crouch. A shock of white robes appeared through the trees and Wei Wuxian felt his entire body sink in relief as the robes were lined not with red, but gentle blue.

Lan Wangji stepped through the trees and Wei Wuxian also stepped forward, “Wei Ying?” His usually flat voice sounded almost relieved and moved towards Wei Wuxian who couldn't help the relieved laughter that spilled forth.

“Ah, Lan Zhan, you really have no idea how good it is to see you,” Somehow seeing Lan Wangji just made Wei Wuxian feel better.

For a moment Lan Wangji's expression seemed to say something, but Wei Wuxian couldn't decipher it, “Searching for you,” Was all he said. The questions were clear enough, 'Where have you been?' and 'How did you escape?' Wei Wuxian explained everything to him knowing that Lan Wangji wouldn't do anything to put the Wen sibling's in danger.

More Lan Cultivators appeared as Lan Wangji checked Jiang Cheng with a frown, Wei Wuxian knew his shidi was in a sorry state. “Hurry,” Was all Lan Wangji replied with and Wei Wuxian allowed one of the Lan Cultivators to take Jiang Cheng on his sword to Cloud Recesses.

Together he and Lan Wangji made their own way on foot.

Wei Wuxian kept up a one-sided conversation. He explained more about what happened since they'd last seen each other. He left out the part about the golden core transfer, but he did bounce possible ideas on restoring Jiang Cheng's cultivation off Lan Wangji who was able to keep up well. Wei Wuxian was even starting to get a feel for some of his expressions, at least he got a feel for when Lan Wangji thought an idea was definitely too crazy.

They arrived at Cloud Recesses safely, and even though he'd only been there for three months before, even though he'd felt like he was trapped before, and thought all his memories of this place were bad, Wei Wuxian felt a deep sense of relief once he stepped through the barrier. He finally felt safe after all this time.

His relief was short lived.

Lan Qiren and Lan Xichen stood just inside the gates to greet them. Their expressions were carefully neutral. “Wangji, Wei Ying,” Lan Qiren greeted them after they'd offered their own greetings. He took a deep breath before turning to Wei Wuxian and saying the words that somehow, Wei Wuxian had known he would hear upon his arrival, “Jiang Wanyin has died, I am sorry.”

Hearing the words, “Jiang Wanyin has died,” Felt like a knife digging into his heart. The world seemed to be crumbling and falling through his fingers with nothing he could do to save it. Wei Wuxian looked back up at Lan Qiren desperately hoping that this somehow wasn't happening.

He had no such luck and Lan Qiren's face was as firm as a mountain, while beside him even Lan Xichen wore an expression of deep sympathy. A firm hand on his shoulder brought Wei Wuxian out of his shock and he was met with Lan Wangji's impassive he regained a sense of balance and swallowed his grief. He saluted Lan Qiren and Lan Xichen, “I'm certain you did everything you could, thank you for trying,” The words felt like they were coming from someone else's mouth.

Wei Wuxian was escorted to a guest room, given a bath, food, and fresh clothes. Night fell and it still felt like it wasn't real, but it was.

Jiang Cheng was gone.

Wei Wuxian left his room and wandered the paths of Cloud Recesses that were still familiar even if he'd only known them a short while. He wandered until a bland voice called out to him. “Curfew is at nine,” But somehow Lan Wangji's voice didn't seem to hold the bite it usually did when he enforced the rules of his sect. He approached Wei Wuxian and the two stood quietly side by side for a time.

Eventually Wei Wuxian couldn't hold back, “I failed,” He said plainly, “Madam Yu and Uncle Jiang, their last requests were both that I protect Jiang Cheng, and I failed.”

“Someone who does not wish to be saved cannot,” Lan Wangji replied. Wei Wuxian knew that, but hearing it said- Hearing someone else acknowledge that his efforts had been futile... It was both a balm and a lance. Will played a great role in living, and Jiang Cheng's will to live had long since been broken, Wei Wuxian had known that, but he still felt guilt that he hadn't been able to keep his promise. Hadn't been able to save his shidi. He could never make up for that. What was gone, was gone. Wei Wuxian had one choice as he always did, he had to move forward.

“At the very least,” He said softly angry, “I'll present Wen Chao and Wen Zhuliu's heads to them.”

Chapter 3: Lan Wangji is Wei Wuxian's One True Love

Summary:

The sunshot campaign happens, but more importantly play Wangxian.mp3

Just marking this as the final chapter because I’m no longer motivated and the wangxian wedding is as good a place as any to end it.

Notes:

I really want to make it clear that this fic isn't about "hating Jiang Cheng" it's about how much I hate the way some people turn Wei Wuxian into a villain for making a sacrifice for someone he loved and how sick to damn death I am of people treating it as if Wei Wuxian had any other options there or that Jiang Cheng is some poor baby because what? His shixiong was so loving and loyal that not only did he give up his golden core, but he wanted to make sure that Jiang Cheng never felt guilty or like he owed him for doing so?

Also a reminder, I'm not editing this for tone/spelling/consistency/continuity/whatever.

(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)

Chapter Text

Facing Jiang Yanli was the most difficult. Wei Wuxian didn't know how to stand before her now that they were the only two left. Her entire family was gone because of him. “Was there nothing more you could have done?” Her voice was weak and she was valiantly holding back tears. Wei Wuxian felt his heart break even more. He almost told her about the golden core transfer, but it wouldn't change anything even if she knew. He couldn't go back in time and what was he supposed to have done anyways? Preform such an operation without asking Jiang Cheng's consent? Wouldn't that be a hateful thing to do even if it would've saved his life?

“I promise, I'll kill the ones who did this to them,” Was the only answer Wei Wuxian could give her, even if he knew that Jiang Yanli cared little about revenge. She nodded once in agreement.

Shijie left for Meishan with the remains of her family, as she did she looked sadly at Wei Wuxian and tried her best to smile, “Be well A-Xian.” She said sadly. Now, there was no Yunmeng Jiang Sect and there never would be again.

In some ways it was a relief to no longer have to think about the politics behind his movements, to no longer have to think about how what he did might reflect on the people supporting him, instead Wei Wuxian was nothing more than a rogue cultivator like his mother before him. He could go after the Wens however he liked and no one would suffer for it because he was acting alone.

So he did.

While Wei Wuxian wasn't recognized as a member of The Sunshot Campaign he was still the one who contributed the most victories. Supervisory offices fell one after another to his attacks, Wei Wuxian first turned their spirit warding talismans into spirit attracting talismans. The chaos and terror caused by the sudden appearance of malicious beings sent the people inside running and they quickly fell to other traps he set along their escape routes.

Everything from complex maze arrays to simple snares caught them up and they were killed by a group of rogue cultivators who'd also suffered at the hands of the Wens and fell in with Wei Wuxian. He also found himself fighting alongside Lan Wangji more often than not. Together the two of them recovered the swords that were taken by the Wens when they were held hostage. Wei Wuxian held Sandu tightly in his grip and felt his rage that had begun to quiet stir back up.

With their swords in hand Wei Wuxian, accompanied by Lan Wangji, went to hunt Wen Chao and Wen Zhuliu. They started at Lotus Pier. Retaking it was, something that Wei Wuxian wanted to do even if it was ultimately pointless. Killing Wang Lingjiao, who cried pitifully about how she'd been abandoned, as if that would buy her sympathy after all her wicked and selfish acts, didn't bring back Madam Yu and Uncle Jiang. Burning all of the Sun flags didn't return the Lotus flags to their place. Clearing the halls of Wen cultivators didn't fill them with the laughter of his shidi and shimei.

Empty of Wens, Lotus Pier was still empty.

Standing in the ancestral hall, Wei Wuxian wasn't sure if he should pay his respects to Uncle Jiang, Madam Yu, and Jiang Cheng who's remains were in Meishan, or if he should apologize to the generations of Jiangs before for not being able to save the sect they worked so hard to build. “Carry their will,” Lan Wangji advised and Wei Wuxian smiled.

Lan Wangji was a steady presence at his side during the past six months since Lotus Pier fell. A firm comfort watching his back when they fought, and a stern reminder not to take things too far when the battle was won. His quiet reassurance kept Wei Wuxian from dwelling on the revenge he was seeking and instead encouraged him to remember that there would be a future after this. He hoped that Lan Wangji would stay in that future.

Wei Wuxian lit the incense sticks to pay his respect to the Jiang ancestors and to Uncle Jiang, Madam Yu, and Jiang Cheng even if their memorial tablets weren't there and would probably never be, he hoped that his message would still be received. Beside him a shadow passed and he found Lan Wangji kneeling as well. “Let's do it together,” He said when Lan Wangji also lit his insence sticks.

Both paid their respects in unison, bowing once, then twice, “That's it,” Wei Wuxian finally placed his incense sticks into the holder and glanced at Lan Wangji who knelt, properly as ever, beside him.

He prayed, 'Uncle Jiang, Madam Yu, Jiang Cheng, I apologize for disturbing you with my own matters, but I really did want to bring him here and show him to you. Let the two bows before count to The Heaven and Earth, and to The Father and Mother- sorry to exclude you ChengCheng, but I know you never really cared for Lan Zhan. Please help me keep this person beside me for now, and I'll make the last bow up to you sometime in the future.'

Both were quiet as they left the ancestral hall and regrouped with the cultivators who'd followed them this far. There was still much to do before the future arrived, and Wei Wuxian couldn't in good conscience let go of his grudge until he'd gotten revenge for those who's lives were stolen by Wen Chao.

In a fortress on the outskirts of Qinghe, they found the Wen Chao and Wen Zhuliu. It was only Wei Wuxian's group of rogue cultivators and Lan Wangji with a small group of Lan disciples, but they tore through the fortress of Wen disciples like they were made of wet paper. Lan Wangji kept them stunned and weakened as he played and with Suibian in hand Wei Wuxian easily cut down those who bravely tried to stand their ground and protect their worthless Young Master.

They reached the innermost sanctum of the fortress, even with most of his cultivators cut down Wen Chao still sat arrogantly atop a dais staring down at them as if he wasn't about to die. Wei Wuxian almost envied the ignorant.

Wen Zhuliu stood stalwart beside his master unwilling to make the first strike, but Wei Wuxian didn't need him to do anything. Lan Wangji began to play on Wangji and Wen Zhuliu made his move to stop the music that spilled forth. Wei Wuxian stood in his way, dancing around The Core-Melting Hand in flowing strikes while standing between the two and Lan Wangji who played.

He didn't have to hold out long. The song he and Lan Wangji created, and held back specifically until they fought Wen Zhuliu worked it's magic. The Core-Melting Hand fell to his knees and coughed up a torrent of blood. Wen Chao, who was too foolish to even realize what the song had done, stood and shouted in anger.

“How does it feel to have your own core destroyed?” Wei Wuxian asked with a cold smile. He'd offered to be the one to play this song since it could be played on both the dizi and qin. He knew it would be a burden for Lan Wangji to destroy someone so cruelly, and this revenge was Wei Wuxian's goal, it didn't really have anything to do with Lan Wangji, but he'd only looked a bit hurt when Wei Wuxian said as much and insisted on playing.

Wen Zhuliu stared at the two of them with fire in his eyes, but with his core gone he was useless. “Kill me,” He ground out bitterly.

Wei Wuxian smiled again, “Not before you see your own failure,” He replied and turned on Wen Chao. Wen Zhuliu made a noise of impotent rage as Wei Wuxian drew, not Suiban, but Sandu and attacked Wen Chao. He was at a slight disadvantage using Jiang Cheng's sword, but it only felt right to give Sandu the chance to get revenge for it's master, even if the sword was just as uncooperative. Wen Chao wasn't a difficult opponent no matter how disadvantaged Wei Wuxian was, he didn't even have time to draw his sword before his arm was gone.

He screamed and fell to the floor as Wei Wuxian advanced on him. Wen Chao begged, and shouted, tried to placate, or threaten, but Wei Wuxian steadily moved forward and when he was in range he cut off Wen Chao's other arm. “I hope this is a punishment you'll remember,” He said coldly before taking Wen Chao's head.

Behind him, Wen Zhuliu was unable to move well with his core just destroyed, but he'd still tried to crawl across the ground to save that dog Wen Chao. When he looked up at Wei Wuxian his eyes weren't filled with hate or the desire for revenge, but a deep sense of failure. Wei Wuxian in turn felt relief. This person who had destroyed so much in the name of so-called 'loyalty,' felt the same sense of defeat he had in trying to protect those he was loyal to. It was the best revenge he could take. “Try and live better in the next life,” Wei Wuxian scolded before sending Wen Zhuliu off as well.

He handed Sandu over to the Meishan Yu sect. Jiang Yanli accepted it quietly, her maternal Uncle glared over her shoulder. Wei Wuxian said, “It's done, they can rest in peace now.” She nodded sadly and held the sword in her small hands. Wei Wuxian didn't stay, nor did he ask to pay his respects properly. The Meishan Yu clan wasn't taking part in The Sunshot Campaign. They were sitting quietly and not getting involved with either side. Wei Wuxian didn't offer a comment on that either.

A sense of peace settle over him. He hadn't been able to keep his promise, the guilt of that would stay with him forever, the grief of loss would never leave him, but getting revenge for those he lost was a balm to the wound. “Now?” Lan Wangji asked, to Wei Wuxian who knew him fairly well now he sounded hesitant.

Wei Wuxian hummed thoughtfully, he knew what he wanted to do, but he still asked, “What should I do now?”

Perhaps Lan Wangji had gotten to know him just as well during nearly a year spending so much time together, “Come back to Gusu with me,” He asked without hesitation. Wei Wuxian turned to him with a bright smile.

“Do you really think Old Man Lan will have me?” He asked just for fun. Lan Qiren had been asking after Wei Wuxian in each of his messages to Lan Wangji since the two traveled together so much. At first Wei Wuxian was surprised, but it seemed that the old man was setting aside his prejudice and seeing Wei Wuxian as someone worth caring about.

“En,” Was Lan Wangji's only response.

“But I wonder if I can really obey all those rules, and do you really think your brother will have me in his sect?” Wei Wuxian pondered needlessly. The rules he'd broken in his youth were mostly for show, and he had a good relationship with Lan Xichen as well.

“Can, will,” Lan Wangji replied certainly.

“And what about you Lan Zhan?” Wei Wuxian added stopping in his tracks and looking up at Lan Wangji through his lashes, “Will you have me?” His tone was much more suggestive than before, but his expression was cautious. Even if he suspected, if he were wrong-

Lan Wangji's hand shot out and he pulled Wei Wuxian forward into a heated kiss. He was shocked still by the sudden development. It wasn't good, neither of them had any experience and Lan Wangji was so forceful it left Wei Wuxian at a loss for how to respond until he was pulling away with a stern gaze, “Do not tease,” He scolded. “Come back to Gusu with me.”

“En,” Wei Wuxian responded with a grin thinking that if teasing got Lan Wangji to act like this Wei Wuxian might tease himself to death.

The Sunshot Campaign dragged on for a few years after Wen Chao's death, but with each battle Wen Ruohan's forces were steadily weakened. Wei Wuxian officially joined the Gusu Lan Sect and Lan Wangji didn't even wait until the war was over to announce their engagement. No one was shocked since the two were seen together so often, and because their reputations were so strong they received a great deal of support and congratulations.

When all was said and done, and The Venerated Triad took Wen Ruohan's head Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji's wedding was held alongside the celebration of their victory. The only one who lamented anything was Nie Huaisang who felt it was a crime that their wedding might be overshadowed. Neither Wei Wuxian nor Lan Wangji cared about that, both were more eager to bow out of the festivities and get to their wedding night.

Notes:

Actually I’m ending it here everyone lived happily ever after thank you for reading and commenting, I genuinely enjoyed reading those and appreciate everyone coming out to complain with me.

Notes:

I'm not replying to comments on this but the whole "didn't write a real fic" thing pissed me off, whatever now I guess it's the Fuck You the Fic the AU

I absolutely refuse to edit this though, these chapters will be posted raw as they're written in whatever style i'm writing in at the moment expect no consistency.