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Chapter Text

Knock! Knock!

"Young Master Jiang", a voice started from the hall. "Are you awake?"

A young teen slowly rose out of bed, yawning. His black hair draped all over his shoulders, almond eyes trying to focus on the wall across him.

Knock! Knock!

"Young Master, I know you're up."

A groan escaped the teen. Turning to the door, he yelled. "If you know that, then get in already!"

The door promptly opened. Another teenager a few weeks older than the young teen entered, wearing purple disciple clothes and hair tied up in a high ponytail by a red ribbon.

"Good morning, Young Master Jiang", the newcomer smiled. "Excited for today?"

"Shut up, Wei Wuxian", the young master admonished, before another yawn escaped him. "Don't call me that yet, we're literally in my room."

"Jiang Cheng, then", the other teen, whose name is Wei Wuxian or Wei Ying, mused, walking over to the one still sitting in his own bed. There was a set of white robes in the disciple's arms. "May this one remind you that we're leaving for the lectures for today. This one recommends you to get ready now."

Jiang Cheng groggily rubbed his eyes. "You actually woke up before me. That's a first."

"Madam Yu said she'd give me extra money if I get up early today. So of course, I had to do it."

"Figures." Jiang Cheng really shouldn't be surprised, with that reasoning.

Wei Ying put the robes on top of the table nearby, before gently grabbing Jiang Cheng's arms to pull. "Now, up you go."

Another groan escaped the young master, named Jiang Cheng, as he fought the urge to go back and snuggle on his pillow. He let himself be pulled by Wei Ying to the chair near the mirror put up next to his bed.

The teen with the red ribbon then grabbed Jiang Cheng's hairbrush and started to comb the young master's hair with it, working on untangling the hair and making the other teen more presentable. All the while Jiang Cheng worked on waking himself up.

It felt nice, that he wasn't the one that has to fix his own hair for once. Jiang Cheng wished Wei Ying would wake up early more often, just so this turns into a regular thing.

He understood why his mother chose this day to make Wei Ying wake up early, though; the Gusu Lan Lectures are a great opportunity to learn and grow, especially for the young leaders of the Great Sects and those brilliant enough to be selected for attendance.

If Wei Ying still woke at the usual time today, they will surely be late when they arrive at the venue of the event; the Cloud Recesses. And it's unbecoming and shameful for the YunmengJiang Sect to be late just because of one of them.

So, yes. Truly a good strategy for something as important as this.

"You don't look excited", Wei Ying mused, fingers gently running through the young master's hair to bundle it up to its usual hairstyle. "Or did you fall back asleep? My, my, A-Cheng, this shouldn't be the attitude of the future Sect Leader!"

"Who's your A-Cheng", Jiang Cheng grumbled, patting his cheeks to keep his mind from wandering off again. "I just woke up, okay? So, shut it."

Wei Ying giggled because he's annoying and obnoxious.

He reached out to grab a purple ribbon from the box in the table and then handed it to Wei Ying.

Taking the ribbon, Wei Ying tied Jiang Cheng's hair up into a half-bun. The hairstyle was a bit different than how Jiang Cheng usually does his hair, but...he had to admit that it looks good on him.

The silver-eyed teen looked pretty proud of his work, too, judging on what Jiang Cheng saw in the reflection of the mirror.

He sighed. Well. The occasion today is special, so why not. Jiang Cheng does like this hairstyle.

Not like he'd ever admit it, though.

Soft rapping at the door. Knock! Knock! Knock! "A-Cheng! A-Xian! Are you two in here?"

"Oh! It's shijie!", Wei Ying whirled his head around so fast, Jiang Cheng was a bit worried that he broke his neck mid-turn. "Shijie, we're here!"

The door opened again. A young maiden wearing purple robes stepped in, with a snowy white complexion, gentle eyes twinkling with mirth, and a soft smile on her face.

"Good morning", the maiden, Jiang Yanli, greets. She walks over to the two boys and observes Jiang Cheng's form cheerily. "You look very handsome, A-Cheng!"

Jiang Cheng grinned. "Thanks, A-jie."

Meanwhile, Wei Ying didn't say anything. Instead, his whole face practically glowed with pride. Jiang Yanli giggles at the disciple's expression.

Jiang Cheng rolls his eyes at the other boy, before standing up to get changed. "I'm gonna go now!"

"Take your time, A-Cheng!", Jiang Yanli called out as the young master went behind the screen. "We'll be here!"

Wei Ying straightened up and dramatically did a bow. "I'm glad to be of your service, Young Master Jiang."

Jiang Cheng reemerged from the screen just to hit the obnoxious disciple with a shoe.

==

"WEI WUXIAN!!"

Wei Ying took one step to the one who screamed--

"Yo, Wei-shidi! Head Disciple!", one of the Jiang Disciples, this one a year older than Wei Ying, piped up from where he was standing. He has Jiang Cheng locked in a noogie. "Would you mind letting us say goodbye to our beloved Sect Heir first?"

The other disciples crowding around the disciple and Jiang Cheng gave Wei Ying pleading looks at that. Wei Ying hummed.

Jiang Cheng's eye twitched, struggling to get free. "Wei Wuxian! Oi!"

Jiang Cheng, Wei Ying conveyed with hand gestures and facial expressions. Shidi, my beloved didi...

"Go ahead!", the silver-eyed teen confirmed while drawing a line across his neck, a mischievous smile playing on his lips. You're so dead.

Jiang Cheng was practically radiating murder while he was dragged away. He conveyed with gestures too, in response. WEI WUXIAN, I'M GONNA KILL YOU WHEN I GET BACK!!!

Wei Ying just laughed in reply. Shortly after that, the younger disciples crowded around the Head Disciple, taking advantage of the chance to say goodbye to their beloved martial brother.

Some of them still saw what happened, which is why one of the shidis tugged on Wei Ying's robes to comment. "Shixiong, that was mean."

Wei Ying snorted. He pat his shidi on the head, explaining. "Yeah, well...you know how it is. Even if I said no, they're still going to drag him away anyway. Plus, we all know they won't hurt Young Master Jiang."

It was good that they were done with Wei Ying way before, too. The exhaustion of having to fight each of them was still weighing him down a little, but at least it was fun. That's how Wei Ying knew Jiang Cheng would be fine, actually.

The little ones nodded, agreeing with that. They've been training and spending time together for a while now, especially the older martial brothers with Jiang Cheng. 

Knowing them, chances are they're just going to rope the young master in a spar too as their own form of goodbye. That's not a bad thing.

"But there's something else, is there?", one of the shimeis deadpanned. "Wei-shixiong?"

"Yep!", Wei Ying grinned, putting a finger to his lips; a gesture to be quiet. "Now all of them owe me paper money!"

The little ones laughed at that, as some protested with "Shixiong that's not right!!!" and "You're so mean, Wei-shixiong!" 

Still, they huddled in and gave the Head Disciple hugs. Wei Ying grins brightly. It's like being squished by squishy dumplings!!

"A-Xian!"

Wei Ying turned. Jiang Yanli waved at him from the pier, with the boat they're going to take behind her. Beside her is a beautiful woman with features as cold as jade, with a silver ring on her finger and a sword at her waist.

Another shimei whistled. "Oh, it's Madam Yu!"

The woman, named Yu Ziyuan, raised an expectant eyebrow at the small disciples and Wei Ying.

"Yeah, time to go", Wei Ying sweatdropped. He hugged the little ones again, before letting them scurry off to say goodbye to Jiang Cheng too. With his head raised, he walked over to the two at the pier.

Yu Ziyuan sized him up for a bit with a critical eye. Wei Ying tried to keep his posture perfect all the while.

Eventually, the woman reached over and carefully brushed away a stray hair from her ward's face. "Behave. Keep yourself and A-Cheng out of trouble. Take care of A-Li, too. And take full advantage of this opportunity given to you."

"Understood, Madam Yu", Wei Ying nodded dutifully.

Yu Ziyuan had a glint of satisfaction in her eyes. "See that you do. If you succeed in doing all these things, I'll double your allowance."

Wei Ying's jaw dropped. "MADAM YU???"

"A-Niang!", Jiang Yanli burst into giggles.

"I'll be expecting, Wei Wuxian", and then with a huff, Yu Ziyuan left. She seems to have the intention to go to her son if the direction she walked to was of any indication.

Wei Ying's eyes were shining. He couldn't stop grinning. The teen's joy overflowed, and then he was jumping like a rabbit out of excitement. "SHIJIE, SHIJIE, SHIJIE!!! DOUBLE ALLOWANCE!!!"

Jiang Yanli continued to giggle, even as she reached out to pat Wei Ying on the head. "Our Xianxian would have to be on his best behavior, then?"

"Xianxian will be the best angel there is!", the silver-eyed teen swore, smiling so wide it's starting to hurt. "And Xianxian will get that double allowance! Shijie, I'm getting twice as much as I usually do! It's amazing!!"

The young maiden shared his joy and excitement, too.

Regardless of the deal, they were looking forward to the rest of the two years ahead of them.

Gusu Lan lectures, here they come!

==

Among the ranks of the Most Desirable Young Masters, one of them isn't even a young master. Placed in 4th, the YunmengJiang Head Disciple Wei Wuxian holds that place proudly.

It was easy to say why he ended up there. He has a beautiful face, a cheerful and outgoing personality, and is even a Master of the Six Arts and an expert in making and inventing useful talismans and arrays (though the last one is only known in Yunmeng). There are even speculations that his cultivation and golden core are way impressive for his age despite being just a simple disciple. Who would not find that breathtaking?

However, there are two things about Wei Ying that has people think of him as troublesome.

One is his chaos-bringing tendencies. Wherever he ends up, mischief will erupt. Even Yu Ziyuan has a hard time reigning in that part of him sometimes, and she's the Violet Spider.

That is to say...it wasn't like he couldn't be made to behave without hurting him.

This brings us to the second thing; Wei Ying's strange obsession with money.

"You already have so much in your allowance", Jiang Cheng pointed out to the idiot beside him. "Why would you want to double that amount?"

"I just want to?", Wei Ying shrugged, eating lotus seeds all the while. "I like earning more."

"You already have so much for your pay, though."

The silver-eyed teen stuck his tongue out at the sect heir.

"Now, now, you two", Jiang Yanli went between them with an amused smile; then she looked out ahead. "We're already here. "

Jiang Cheng and Wei Ying both turned to where she was looking as well, smiles on their faces and conversation forgotten.

Caiyi Town was bustling with activity, though they're not as lively as Lotus Pier. With the disciples that did come along with them, they all stepped off the boat and ventured into the town. 

There were stalls open, politely reaching out to those walking through the streets. Young cultivators in different colors went about in the town as well, telling the ones from the Jiang Sect that there are others from other Sects present here as well.

Wei Ying was dutifully trailing behind the Jiang siblings as Jiang Cheng took Jiang Yanli's hand in his to lead her on. The Head Disciple's attention was on the treats in the stalls, though, an almost childlike desire reflecting in his silver eyes.

"Wei Wuxian, you better not cause trouble", the young master called out, as if he knew the disciple was close to breaking off from the group to buy stuff. "We still have to get to our inn for the night."

Wei Ying looked at the back of Jiang Cheng's head, feeling a little miffed. "I'm not planning on doing anything of the sort, Ji--Young Master Jiang."

"Xianxian is behaving for his double allowance", Jiang Yanli offered. 

"This one is going to work really hard for his raise!", Wei Ying affirmed, head held high.

Jiang Cheng rolled his eyes; certainly not the first and last time for today. "I doubt that will last for long."

Wei Ying pouts. Spotting a line of animal treats, his face lit up in a smile again. "Sh--Young Lady Jiang, look! Candy bunnies!"

Jiang Cheng rolled his eyes. Jiang Yanli smiles into her sleeve. "If Xianxian wants to buy them, Xianxian can do so."

"Truth be told, this one wants to buy many things from here, Young Lady Jiang", he replied--yet a mischievous smile formed on his lips. "I heard that Gusu's Emperor's smile tastes soft, yet full-bodied. I'm quite curious if that's true."

"Don't you dare, Wei Wuxian", Jiang Cheng scowled, even as Jiang Yanli laughed again. "We're getting close to Cloud Recesses. Students from all the great clans will be there. With their rules, alcohol will surely be forbidden. Remember A-Niang's deal."

"This one wants the raise more than anything, so", Wei Ying smiles pleasantly. "This one will be on his best behavior, Young Master Jiang."

Jiang Cheng huffed, before turning to the rest of the disciples with them. He did his best to channel his inner Madam Yu. "Keep this in mind, too. You--"

The silver-eyed teen took this opportunity, grabbing Jiang Yanli's arm to lead her away while Jiang Cheng's back was turned. The girl was too amused to say anything.

Suffice to say, when Jiang Cheng found himself alone without his older sister and the annoying disciple that's like his own older brother, he made the appropriate response.

Which is to scowl even deeper and try to hurry after where they both ended up. "Wei Wuxian, did you even hear what I just said!?"

Poor Jiang Cheng. While it's true that Wei Ying seems to love money a lot--it's still difficult to prevent his antics. The boy was a free spirit; a true member of the YunmengJiang Clan who values freedom.

It would have been better if he'd stop causing headaches for his shidi, though.

==

Nevermind. This is the bigger headache.

"Sir, this was not our intention at all", the waiter of the inn shifted. "An influential young man suddenly came here today. He booked the whole inn and drove everyone except his own people out. I’m sorry, but I think you should find another place."

Those words were what was given to them before they were left alone without anywhere else to go. There's no vacant inn left for them to go to, as this was supposedly the last one that still has space left.

Jiang Cheng looked at Wei Ying, who decided to just look for a solution instead of wallowing in misery and dismay. He caught two of the Lanling Jin disciples--one of them being Luo Qingyang, if Jiang Cheng remembers right--and exchanged words for a bit.

After teasing her with his name ("My name is Yuandao." "Yuandao...ah! You--!"), some shameless yet harmless flirting, and asking for a favor, Luo Qingyang and her friend let Wei Ying's group have some of the empty rooms.

It's a good thing, really. Now they don't have to spend a night camping out there.

Unfortunately, just when they were in the process of settling down, the waiter from earlier came back and approached them. "I'm terribly sorry, but please leave this room as well."

With that, they had no choice but to pack their things.

And then!

Right outside their door! Vibrant features, golden robes with Sparks-Amidst-Snow Peony on them, and a handsome face--the very guy who was now kicking them out, Jin Sect Heir and Jiang Yanli's fiancee, Jin Zixuan, is the first face they saw when they all opened the door!

It took all of Jiang Cheng's willpower not to reach out and punch the guy's face.

Thankfully, Wei Ying is the one who is going to be doing the punching thing for his young master.

Without actually punching the guy, but it's practically the close equivalent when it comes to words, so that's something. "So, it's true that the Jin Sect is ostentatious. But I heard that the Lan Sect is strict and puritanical? Young Master Jin has so many retinues...this one wonders if Young Master Jin can stand that kind of suffering."

Jin Zixuan's face turned red; from embarrassment or anger, whichever goes. Jiang Yanli tries to scold Wei Ying by conveying her intent when calling out his name, but the disciple remained adamant. 

One of the Jin disciples unsheathed his sword for his words.

Now, Jiang Cheng felt pretty great about seeing the look on that arrogant guy's face, and yet...

Well. He knew Wei Ying really wants that double allowance. Aside from putting the Sect's reputation at risk, if the Head Disciple ignited a fight for this...

"Wei Wuxian. A-jie. We should go", Jiang Cheng made his decision. Carefully maintaining a neutral expression, the teen bowed at the Jin Sect Heir. "We'll be taking our leave, Jin Zixuan."

Of course, the silver-eyed teen wouldn't let this go that easily.

"Young Master Jiang, are you out of your mind? How could you let that pea--I mean Young Master Jin win like that?", there was an exasperated and annoyed tone in Wei Ying's voice now. "This isn't--!"

Jiang Cheng's almond eyes stared straight at silver ones, completely serious. "Quadruple raise in your allowance."

Wei Ying's eyes shot wide open.

He suddenly pumped his fists up, passionately continuing. "--awful at all! Truly, Young Master Jiang is kind and giving! I, Wei Wuxian, am in awe of your compassion!"

Luo Qingyang raised an eyebrow. Jin Zixuan blinked like an owl.

Almond met silver again. Wei Ying gave him a thumbs up. "I will put my utmost effort in supporting you, Young Master!"

Jiang Cheng resisted the urge to facepalm. 

Jiang Yanli just laughed, amused by it all. Good for her.

But at least that solves one problem. On to another...

If this inn is unavailable, then where can they stay for the night?

==

They can't even get in Cloud Recesses, since they left their tokens back at the inn.

"UGH!", Jiang Cheng put his head in his hands, done with it all. This day is the worst!

"Don't feel too bad, A-Cheng", Jiang Yanli, the true saint that she is, tried to comfort her little brother as she put a blanket around his shoulders. "The weather is nice today. It's nice to camp out once in a while, right, A-Xian?"

"Yes, Young Lady Jiang", Wei Ying dutifully replied as he stood at Jiang Cheng's other side.

"It's just so annoying!", the young master complained, because shouldn't he be able to complain once in a while? "If that stupid peacock would just let us in some of the rooms, this wouldn't be happening to us! Don't you agree, Wei Wuxian!?"

This was supposed to be the perfect time for Wei Ying to join in the hating-the-gold-peacock ranting, but instead, all the teen with the red ribbon said was. "Yes, Young Master Jiang."

Jiang Cheng squinted at him.

The almond-eyed teen took off one of his shoes and declared at his Head Disciple. "A-Xian, I'm going to eat this shoe."

"Yes, Young Master Jiang", the reply was monotone and instantaneous.

Ugh. Now Wei Ying lost all his brainpower, too.

Jiang Yanli sweatdropped, patting her brother's shoulder. She looked up at the sky, witnessing the orange and red hues blending into dark blue and black as the sun is setting.

They're already close to the top of Gusu's mountain. It's too bad they couldn't get in.

Earlier, one of the disciples proposed to come back to the inn and look for the tokens. The ones who went still haven't returned.

It's honestly getting dark; maybe they'll end up sleeping out here, after all. None of them brought any things they can use for sleeping outside, though...

Wei Ying saw their surroundings gradually getting colder and darker. Closing his eyes, he gave a short bow to Jiang Yanli and Jiang Cheng. "Excuse me. This one should get some firewood."

The rest of them watched after the teen with the red ribbon as he silently went through the trees. The remaining disciples stumbled onto themselves as they argued who will stay with the Jiang siblings and who will go after their Head Disciple.

Eyebrows furrowed, almond eyes stared out in the direction where Wei Ying went even when Jiang Cheng can't see the other teen anymore. "What's up with him?"

The young master's gaze turned to the disciples. The disciples just shrugged in turn, as if saying, why are you asking us? We don't know either.

"Perhaps A-Xian is just practicing his good behavior?", Jiang Yanli suggested.

Could be, Jiang Cheng figured, yet he shook his head. But there's no way he'd be so quiet.

"Maybe shixiong is tired?", one of the disciples pointed out.

No. Jiang Cheng doesn't think it's like that, too.

Just as the sun fully set on the horizon and the disciples started to make use of some talismans to be able to see each other, the group heard rustling through the bushes. Wei Ying reappeared, carrying a bunch of dried wood with him. A smile was back on his face.

"Took you long enough", another one of the disciples commented, before they all moved to help their Head Disciple to make a campfire.

Jiang Cheng's shoulder's loosened, if ever so slightly. Ah, so that was it.

Wei Ying was just bored with staying in one place. He did try to go with the disciples back to Caiyi Town earlier, even if he chose to stay behind in the end. Probably because of the double allowance promise.

At least now the disciple is not in mindless servant mode anymore--wait, is that a pheasant on his shoulder!?

==

With white robes billowing as a teenager wearing a forehead ribbon descended, cold molten gold eyes met curious silver.

"Ah, we meet again", the other teenager, with the red ribbon tied in his hair, smiled. A pheasant chirped from where it perched on his shoulder. "This one greets Second Young Master Lan."

The young master, Lan Zhan, just narrowed his eyes at the teen. Wei Ying continued to meet the other's gaze evenly.

Earlier, the YunmengJiang Clan weren't able to enter because they didn't have their tokens with them. Lan Zhan was firm with his stand not to let them in; at least, not until he can confirm with his uncle, who is the acting Sect Leader of the Lans. After all, rules are rules.

When the day turned to night and guards shifted, it was only then that he was able to get permission to let the Jiangs in. 

He was a bit baffled by the lack of a red ribbon among their group, though. Jiang Yanli had explained for Lan Zhan's benefit. "Oh, A-Xian just went after the disciples that went back for our tokens. They were taking a while...oh, I believe he's planning on getting food for us, too."

Sure enough, when Wei Ying returned, three disciples trailing after him, he visibly has a qiankun pouch on hand. If what Jiang Yanli said is to be believed, the contents of the pouch should be meals for his group.

The Second Jade was about to go down and let them in--

A brilliant burst of light was seen before the teen with the red ribbon traced a talisman in the air. A swarm of butterflies bursts forth, breaking through the wards of Cloud Recesses as it passed through.

"Shixiong!", one of the three with him gasped.

"What? We need to find the others, and there's no one here to let us in. Plus", Wei Ying easily passed through without any repercussions, spreading his arms. "Wards are made to be broken."

Lan Zhan narrowed his eyes at him. His cultivation...

Lan Zhan had his suspicions when Wei Ying could tell that the body carried through earlier was still alive yet cursed with sorcery without needing to touch the thing. Yet if he could easily bypass the centuries-old wards of Cloud Recesses, then his ability is no joke.

That was why he decided to confront the other just as the small group made their way in.

Infuriatingly enough, Wei Ying didn't even seem all that flustered from being caught trespassing. "Second Young Master Lan, we are looking for Young Lady Jiang and Young Master Jiang. Here are our invitations."

"Breaking through the wards", the Second Jade said. "It's a violation of the Lan Sect rules."

Wei Ying blinked rapidly, obviously taken aback.

"Those who come at night should not be allowed in until 7", Lan Zhan turned his glare at the disciples, who violently flinched at the force of his stare. "That's two violations."

Wei Ying stepped into his field of vision, eyes now as sharp as a sword and hand spread out as if to protect the three behind him. "Now, now, Second Young Master Lan. This whole thing was my idea. Aren't you smart enough to be able to tell that? Don't involve them in this."

The pheasant in his shoulder chirped as if to agree with whatever he's saying.

"No pets in Cloud Recesses", Lan Zhan's gaze landed on the bird, who seemed to glare back at him. "Three violations."

Wei Ying blinked once. Twice.

"Ah, this?", the silver-eyed teen held a hand out for the bird, to which the pheasant jumped into his palm. "It's quite a long story, actually, but it's not a pet. Does Second Young Master Lan want the bird, though? Please pay this one some coins and this one promises to give it to you, roasted and everything."

The pheasant suddenly stabbed its beak in his palm.

"OW!"

Lan Zhan's eye twitched, annoyed. The three disciples seemed to find the whole thing amusing though, which, good for them.

The pheasant gave the bird version of a huff, flapped its wings, and settled on top of Wei Ying's head.

Wei Ying frowned at the bird. "Aiyah, and you still refuse to leave--"

Having had enough, Lan Zhan unsheathed his sword, Bichen. He leveled the tip at Wei Ying's throat.

Silence. The three disciples held their breath.

There was a calculating gleam on Wei Ying's eyes as he looked at the sword, then at hostile gold eyes. "Second Young Master Lan."

"Head Disciple Wei Wuxian."

Wei Ying's lips curled up a little more. "So you do know this one's name. This one is simply trying to search for his Young Lady and Young Master, Second Young Master Lan. This one and his companions didn't know about the Lan Sect rules, though we can promise that this won't happen again."

Lan Zhan didn't even bother giving a response to that.

"Young Master, are you seriously so inflexible?", Wei Ying backed away. One step. Two steps. "Even when we're at the gate, you suddenly put the Silence spell on me for no reason at all. Seriously."

A pause.

Wei Ying jumped away, causing the three disciples to squawk in surprise. "Guys, find Young Lady Jiang and Young Master Jiang!"

Of course, Lan Zhan followed after him. He was the biggest danger here, after all. He goes for a strike, only to get blocked by Wei Ying's own sheathed sword.

So began the deadly dance between them, Lan Zhan's graceful and swift movements from refined sword forms against Wei Ying's calculated freestyle and equally matched speed. Every opening found was countered one after the other, and Lan Zhan's sword couldn't even graze the robes of the other teen. 

When he tried to slash the blade down, Wei Ying parried without even unsheathing his sword. The other teen defended himself just fine all the while running away, though one particular swing had Wei Ying lose his footing and fall down a roof.

Still, the silver-eyed boy kept running without missing a beat. There was a smile on his face; somehow, he was enjoying this.

This is..., Lan Zhan switched his grip on his sword, swinging it into a wide arc and bringing it down in full force--

Wei Ying sidestepped, dodging the attack, and goes for the offensive. He grabs Lan Zhan's shoulders, swept his leg around the other teen, and brought him down using Lan Zhan's own created momentum. 

Thinking quickly, Lan Zhan pushed the sword down to regain his balance and jumped away from the teen with the red ribbon before he could try more dirty tricks.

What happened after that was a stare-off, as one assessed the other's next moves.

Wei Ying's silver eyes were shining against the dark of the night, intense to look at. "Look. Second Young Master, can't you let this go? Or, at the very least, can you tell me if Jiang Cheng and shijie are here?"

Lan Zhan grit his teeth--

Chirping interrupted them. Both teens looked up, as the pheasant flew in and settled back on Wei Ying's shoulder. It kept talking, sounding more and more like a scolding mother.

Lan Zhan blinked at the animal. Wei Ying just sweatdropped. "Yeah...sorry you got flung off over there. You okay?"

The bird just huffed and pecked the other teen's shoulder angrily. It was...strange to witness.

Lan Zhan took a deep breath. No matter. He'd already led Wei Ying here. "Turn around."

"What?", and Wei Ying did so, seeing the wall of rules behind him. "Oh. Oh..."

"Those are the rules of Gusu Lan", and Lan Zhan was pretty proud of it, too. All the rules required to uphold righteousness, carved in those stones.

"This many..."

"Since you came here for the lectures, let's count how many principles you have violated tonight."

Wei Ying sighed. He put a hand on his face. "How am I gonna get that double allowance now..."

The golden-eyed teen blinked. What? Double allowance...?

The pheasant chirped again, flapping its wings in place. The silver-eyed teen gave it a look. "Somehow, this is all your fault."

The bird didn't look like it cared that much, unfortunately.

==

Jiang Cheng saw Wei Ying before Wei Ying saw them.

The almond-eyed teen saw the set jaw and tense shoulders on the other teen with the red ribbon, saw silver eyes frantically scanning his surroundings as he stepped in with the three disciples.

Jiang Cheng saw silver eyes settle on himself and saw Wei Ying's shoulders relax as a result.

"Young Master Jiang", the Head Disciple bowed with a smile that could only be called relieved. "This one is glad that you're alright."

"You didn't get in trouble, did you?", because Jiang Cheng had to ask. He's seen the wrinkles and the dirt on the purple robes, after all. Did he get hurt?

By the way Wei Ying sheepishly scratched his cheek, it told him all that he needed.

The pheasant was still there, too, lounging on top of the disciple's head. Seriously, why is it still there?

Jiang Cheng rolled his eyes for the umpteenth time. "Come on, Wei Wuxian. Change into your guest robes. The rest of you, find your own rooms."

With that, the other three made their way out after handing over the tokens to them, and Wei Ying grabbed his own white robes.

"Is shijie alright?", the silver-eyed teen asked as he took off his red ribbon.

"She's in her own room. So wash up now, you stink. And if you have some hidden injury or whatever, go straight to the infirmary."

Wei Ying hummed. He gave Jiang Cheng a qiankun pouch before going behind the screen nearby.

Almond eyes looked at the pouch skeptically. "What's...what's this?"

"Food", was the reply. "I really don't want to let it go bad when I spent my own money on them. My precious coins will be wasted!"

Jiang Cheng rolled his eyes again.

Now, they can't exactly call everyone, since it's already past the Lan's curfew. Guess they have to settle with eating these by themselves.

With that, the young master opened the pouch.

And proceeded to freak the heck out.

"There's so many--how much did you spend on all this!?"

"It shouldn't matter, 'cause you're giving me quadruple allowance! In addition to Madam Yu's double one!", Wei Ying had the audacity to poke his head out from behind the screen just to give Jiang Cheng a wide grin. "Looking forward to it, A-Cheng!"

Jiang Cheng should have let that annoying Head Disciple loose earlier. Ugh.

==

Now here's the thing.

A lot of people believe that Wei Ying only serves the YunmengJiang Sect because of the money and the freedom.

While YunmengJiang isn't as rich as the Lanling Jin Sect, the teen is still compensated well. The chaos-bringing personality of his is also surely a product of the ways of the Sect, to Attempt the Impossible.

He is the ward of both Jiang Fengmian and Yu Ziyuan, the son of Cangse Sanren and Wei Chanze. 

He is also the closest and personal servant of the Young Lady Jiang Yanli and Young Master Jiang Wanyin.

So, it's understandable to assume that Wei Ying's loyalty remains as long as the clan keeps giving him money. With his eager-to-do-anything-for-money attitude and all.

What they don't know is that Wei Ying makes these extra gestures to show that he cares, even without the promise of money in the mix.

He takes care of Jiang Cheng's appearance when he has the time and does his best to make Jiang Yanli smile.

Spends his own money, even if losing the shiny things bring him pain, just so he can give what they needed.

He protects his fellow disciples, even if it will bring trouble to himself.

Because, seriously.

Would Yu Ziyuan really allow someone who only cares about themselves and only their own possessions to get close to her children?

That is to say...he still loves to have money.

It makes him super happy when he receives his pay, and even more so if other people pay for him since he wouldn't have to decrease his own earnings.

Jiang Cheng doesn't know where this mentality came from. He doesn't really mind it, though. To him, it's part of who Wei Ying is.

He just wishes the promise of money works a little bit more in making Wei Ying increase his sense of self-preservation.

Judging by the look on his face, money wouldn't even have a chance on making Wei Ying back down right now. "Why did Second Young Master Wen come here?"

The response was an ugly scowl, as greasy grey eyes continued to stare ahead.

The Second Young Master Wen, Wen Chao, arrogantly raised his head high. "Who is this hangdog?"

"This hangdog doesn't deserve to be called as such", was the smart reply. "If you must know, this one's name is Wei Wuxian of YunmengJiang."

It was then that Wen Chao turned to him, grey meeting dagger-sharp silver. Wen Chao sneered. "So even a nobody dares to interrupt me."

OH MY FUDGING GOD, Jiang Cheng was going to have a qi-deviation. WEI WUXIAN, SHUT UP! SHUT UP!!

Forget the double-quadruple rase, Wei Ying is going to get himself killed at this rate!

The other students in the room shifted restlessly. Their friend, Nie Huaisang, attempted to make himself smaller. Nie Huaisang's own personal servant and Nie Mingjue's right hand, Meng Yao, stepped forward, an arm out to protect the heir behind him.

Jiang Yanli's gaze frantically moved between Wen Chao and Wei Wuxian, looking not much better than what Jiang Cheng was feeling.

Wei Ying seemed to have moved in front of Jiang Cheng in posture, too, blocking Wen Chao's sight and keeping the young master's attention all to himself. "Young Master Jiang was saluting just now. How could you just march in here and yell like that? Is this what is taught in QishanWen?"

WEI WUXIAN SHUT UP OR I SWEAR I'LL TAKE THE QUADRUPLE RAISE BACK!

Wei Ying wasn't looking at him. He didn't see. Shist.

"Okay", Wen Chao gritted out, fists clenched. "Then I'll show you how our clan deals with those who don't listen."

The arrogant young master then stepped forward, as Wei Ying remained in place without even flinching. The pheasant on his shoulder--which still refused to leave and fought against those who tried to take it away that they had to let it in--spread its wings as a warning.

Like hell I'll let you do that, Jiang Cheng spoke up. "Second Young Master Wen. It's just a small disagreement. Why are you so aggressive?"

Jiang Cheng!, Wei Ying gives him a look. At least now the disciple decided to turn to him.

Jiang Cheng gave a lethal look back. Shut up, or no raise for you.

"The YunmengJiang are unaware of etiquette", Wen Chao declared. "If I don't give a lesson, people will say that we don't stick to our principles."

Swords were promptly drawn after that. The Wen disciples flocked around their master, weapons pointed at the offender. In return, the disciples of YunmengJiang drew their own.

Wei Ying kicked his own weapon up from the table, unsheathed his sword in midair, and pressed the blade against Wen Chao's neck in one swift move.

Silence descended to them, as everyone held their breath. 

Notes of a song were heard right before all the unsheathed swords were wrenched out of their hands. The weapons settled in midair, as Lan Xichen played his xiao.

When the song ended, the swords promptly fell to the ground in resounding clangs!

Wei Ying looked at the First Jade, wide eyes filled with stars. Nie Huaisang chirped jovially. "The Twin jades of Lan really do deserve their reputation."

"No doubt about that", Jiang Cheng agreed.

"Young Master, today is the Ceremony Day of Cloud Recesses", bronze eyes stared straight at grey as white robes descended down the small steps. Lan Xichen smiled, yet it was not a kind one. "I hope you can restrain yourself."

Wen Chao scoffed. Before he could say anything, someone else stepped forward.

Jiang Cheng's gaze was immediately drawn to the figure, who proudly stood before the First Jade.

Dark, ink-colored sharp eyes and sweet features. With a neutral expression and wearing red robes of the Wen Clan, the young maiden gave her greetings. "I am Wen Qing of the QishanWen. I am under orders of His Excellency to attend the lectures. I am here with Wen Ning, my little brother, and we are unfortunately new here in Cloud Recesses, and therefore are not familiar with the rules. We hope that Grandmaster Lan and Young Master Lan can forgive us."

A young man with delicate features and bearing a strong resemblance to her went forward at that, bringing a gift with them.

Lan Qiren hummed, rising from where he sat.

This turn of events was all so sudden. At least it ended with no one dying.

And at least this Wen Qing person seems a little bit better than that pompous young master.

Who does the QishanWen think they are, really? To just barge in like this...

==

"I take back the quadruple raise I promised yesterday."

"EEEEHHHH? But why!?"

Jiang Cheng simply scoffed, turning the other way. 

Wei Ying ran after him. "Jiang Cheng, wait--!"

Nie Huaisang frantically turned, trying to catch up. "Wei-xiong! Jiang-xiong! Slow down, weren't we going to catch fish!?"

None of them noticed the figure in white robes passing by, golden eyes staring after the money-loving guest disciple.

Thinking about it, it would have been easier for Wei Ying to shut up and not do anything. What he wanted seemed to be achievable only if he won't cause trouble, after all.

And yet...

His expression was unreadable as Lan Zhan turned away.

Chapter Text

Deep, labored breathing. "I...I can't run anymore! My lungs are mad at you now!"

Wei Ying turned back to Nie Huasaing, looking perfectly fine even as they ran all the way from Cloud Recesses to the back hills. "Of course, Young Master Nie. Then, let's rest here."

Nie Huaisang pouted, swatting Wei Ying's arm with his fan. The silver-eyed teen just chuckled behind his hand in response.

The sun was high up in the sky, with no chances of rain yet. Truly such perfect weather for catching fish, here in the back hills in this place.

Up ahead was a flowing stream, flowing downhill at full force. Surrounded by plantlife, with boulders and rocks strewn about, and the riverbanks empty save for a few wildflowers--this seems like a good spot. 

Wei Ying stretched his arms. Nie Huaisang stumbled past the other teen's back to collapse on the rock nearby, fanning himself.

Silver eyes wandered to his companion, a smile on his lips. "Young Master Nie, aren't you going in?"

Nie Huaisang blinked rapidly. "Going in? You mean--"

SPLASH! Wei Ying had already dived into the center of the stream, consequently making a big splash and ruining the Nie Sect's robes in the process.

"WEI-XIONG!!"

The Head Disciple broke through the surface after a few moments, laughing because he's a big jerk. "Come on, Young Master Nie! Didn't you want to catch fish?"

"Yes, but I don't want to drown in the process!", Nie Huaisang whined, though he did inch closer to the running waters. "Just catch the fish for me, please!"

Wei Ying tilted his head, humming. "Alright...but it's going to cost you! I demand 5000 cash for every fish I catch!"

Nie Huaisang paled. Th-that much!? For each fish!???

The funds of his sect might not be affected that much, but! His older brother will probably notice! He's going to scold Nie Huaisang for wasting precious money!!! Then Nie Huaisang wouldn't be able to buy his special books anymore!

Observing the other teen's face, Wei Ying snorted. He waded the waters and...rose to chest level after just a few short steps. Then rose even further to where the water is thigh length the more he closed the distance between himself and Nie Huaisang.

Nie Huaisang looked at Wei Ying, then at the spot where the head disciple had been. Wei Ying, then back at the spot in the river.

"That part was the only place where the water is deep. You won't drown if you won't step in there", Wei Ying put a hand on his hip, using his other hand to gesture to the waters. "Come on. You'll feel good about yourself if you catch the fish on your own."

Nie Huaisang pulled a face. He stood up, and let Wei Ying guide him into the water.

A few minutes later, they started hunting for fish. Nie Huaisang is terrible at it, as expected.

The whole thing is no less fun to do, though.

==

In another area of the back hills of Cloud Recesses, there was a teenage woman in red robes.

Looking around at the trees and scenery of mountains around her, the woman's dark, ink-colored eyes scanned the surroundings analytically. Then, she pulled a needle from the cuff of her sleeve.

Placing a bit of spiritual energy into it, the woman sent the needle flying ahead. It zoomed past the trees and plants, to the mountains, and--

There was an echo, similar to a droplet of water hitting the surface of a liquid. The needle collided with what seems to be an invisible barrier.

As expected, the woman, Wen Qing, narrowed her eyes in scrutiny. There really is something here...

==

"Hey! Wei-xiong, I'm open! Pass it to me, pass it to me!"

Wei Ying tossed the fish he managed to catch with his hands to his friend.

Nie Huaisang outstretched his arms to catch it--

The tossed fish slapped the Nie Sect heir across the face with its tail, right before escaping back into the river.

Nie Huaisang nursed his poor, abused cheek. A spike of irritation was felt by Wei Ying as he blankly stared at the spot the creature had disappeared to.

"Young Master Nie, Nie-xiong, it's okay if you can't do it", Wei Ying sighed, before rolling up his sleeves. "But I finally caught a fish for you. Please don't waste my hard work by letting it escape."

"You're just going to make me pay for the fish, though", Nie Huaisang pouted, still clutching his face. The fish seriously gave such a harsh slap, what the heck. "Also, there are only mountains back in Qinghe. It's different in your home, where there are lakes and rivers everywhere. Cut me some slack, okay? Besides, we have magic tricks. Why should we catch fish ourselves?"

Wei Ying wrinkled his nose, putting his hands in his hips. "Magic tricks? Pardon my words, but that's boring. We're here to have fun running around and catching fish. Aren't climbing mountains and wading through rivers part of that?"

"That...makes sense."

Silver eyes stared, as Nie Huaisang looked back into the water with a determined look. The Nie Sect heir's hands clenched into fists, letting the other teen see the condition of his cheek. "Then, let's continue."

Wei Ying paused. Nie Huaisang's cheek is really red. "Wait, hold on. Did the fish really slap you that hard?"

Nie Huaisang blinked back. He wasn't given the chance to reply, for Wei Ying grabbed his arm and pulled him back on the riverbank.

The head disciple grabbed the other teen's shoulders and made Nie Huaisang sit by pushing down. Nie Huaisang easily went with it.

"I guess that fish was scared of you, Nie-xiong", Wei Ying managed to tease, smile curling on his lips.

"You're the one who threw it at me", Nie Huaisang huffed, crossing his arms.

"But you asked me to."

...Nie Huaisang can't argue with that.

Wei Ying knelt beside his friend, parted some of his robes--and brought out three perfectly dry qiankun pouches from his shoe. Which he was wearing while he jumped into the water.

Nie Huaisang didn't even know there are qiankun pouches in Wei Ying's shoe. There wasn't even any indication that those were there.

Which makes absolutely no sense.

How did those even fit in there????

The silver-eyed teen then shifted to his other foot, going from kneeling to crouching. He went to his other shoe and--pulled out three more qiankun pouches.

Haha...what the hell, Nie Huaisang feels like he could faint. What even...is Wei-xiong just carrying those around everywhere...

Oblivious to his friend's thoughts, Wei Ying brought the six qiankun pouch and opened each one to look for something. Out of 6, four of the pouches are filled with money. One is full of paper money, another contains copper coins, the next one has bronze coins, and the last pouch is full of gold coins.

Wei Ying opens the fifth pouch, and a very familiar pheasant flew out of it. Said bird flew straight on Wei Ying's face at full force.

The silver-eyed teen fell on his back. Nie Huaisang lurched to help him up, as the bird flew overhead, circling them. It frankly feels like a predator sizing up prey.

Then, it settled on top of Wei Ying's head when the head disciple sat up.

"Oh, so that's where you've been", Wei Ying realizes, as if the pheasant didn't just hit him hard enough that a bruise was forming on his forehead. "I wondered why you suddenly disappeared."

The pheasant chirped back.

"How did you even get into my qiankun pouch?"

More chirping. Wei Ying nodded along as if he could understand what it was saying.

Nie Huaisang decided to stop trying to make sense of it all. It's just going to end up harming his mental health.

Wei Ying reached into the pouch where the bird broke free. The pouch contains bandages and a bag full of ice. Now Wei Ying looking through his pouches suddenly makes sense.

"Did you name the bird, Wei-xiong?", Nie Huaisang asks, letting Wei Ying get a better look at the Nie Sect heir's poor cheek. "Also, I think you should label your qiankun pouches?"

"Yes, I really should label my pouches", Wei Ying shrugged, pressing the ice bag on the cheek. "How do I do that, though?"

"I don't know. Use a brush and some paint, I guess", Nie Huaisang holds the bag. "What about...the bird? The pheasant? What's it's name?"

Wei Ying unfurled the bandages. "It's not a pet. Why would I give it a name?"

"It's pretty attached to you, though."

The head disciple hummed. He wrapped the bandage around Nie Huaisang's head, keeping the ice bag in place. The bandage ended up covering one eye.

Wei Ying squinted at Nie Huaisang. The pheasant seemed to follow the movement. 

The bird chirped again, with an indifferent commenting tone.

"You're right", Wei Ying says to the bird. "It looks terrible."

Nie Huaisang sighs.

==

"Oh. Lady Wen, good afternoon! May this one ask what you are doing here?"

Wen Qing looked at Wei Ying's darkening forehead and the sleeping pheasant on his shoulder. She shifted her gaze to Nie Huaisang, who had his face wrapped in bandages with an ice pack on his cheek.

Wei Ying spots something shiny in her grip, and his eyes lit up. His hand reflexively reached out. "Woah! Your silver needle looks pretty cool!"

"Did anybody ever tell you not to touch the silver needle of a doctor?", she snapped, hurriedly hiding the needle in her sleeve. "What about you two? What happened?"

"This one apologizes for my rude behavior, Lady Wen", Wei Ying inclined his head gracefully, lowering his arm. Then, he looked at her straight in the eyes. "As for your question, you see...a bird punched this one. On the face."

Wen Qing raised an eyebrow.

Nie Huaisang held up the hand that wasn't held by his friend. "And a fish slapped me."

She raised her eyebrow even higher.

==

Later, when they got back to his shared room with Jiang Cheng, Wei Ying gets ahold of the sleeping bird on his shoulder. He carefully puts the bird down on the pillow of his own bed.

"Jiang Cheng, we didn't catch anything yet since I'm horrible at using bandages. I don't get how to use them", the head disciple stretched. "Anyway, you should come with us later! There are lots of fish!"

"Get your face treated first!", Jiang Cheng yelled at him from where he was brushing his own hair. "And why are you even playing around? We're already in Cloud Recesses! Didn't you wanted to be on your best behavior to get that raise?"

"I see no harm, though? There are no rules saying we can't catch fish. I think."

The young master pushed all his energy to resist the urge of throwing his hairbrush at his annoying shixiong.

Wei Ying sat down on his own bed. He looked at the pheasant on his pillow.

The Head Disciple tilted his head, pondering. "Nie-xiong's right. Since the bird's not leaving, it probably needs a name."

Jiang Cheng's hand slipped. The hairbrush fell on the table.

"How about I call it Kuai?"

"Wei Wuxia--"

==

As expected, the Cloud Recesses lectures were packed with knowledge and very useful.

Also very boring.

What else was there to say? All the students did was listen to Lan Qiren, study, and answer tests. If rules are violated, then there are more things the punished has to write down.

Although, there are a few highlights.

One of those is Wei Ying's pet pheasant. The bird isn't exactly a pet, at least according to the teen, but it acts like one.

A particularly clingy and vicious pet bird. A bird that was so cutthroat that they had to make her the exception to the rules clearly spelled out in stone; No Pets In Cloud Recesses.

The newly named Kuai will attempt to maim anyone that will try to separate it from Wei Ying. It likes to sing a lot, is very stabby with it's beak, and once tried to bite Lan Qiren for throwing a scroll in Wei Ying's direction when the teen was just expressing what's on his mind.

Even if it's about using resentful energy, which might have justified the reaction from the teacher...but regardless, the pheasant didn't take nearly getting hit that well.

Still, everyone loves Kuai. It's like having a class pet. Even if the pet yells and stabs everyone

Wei Ying wasn't spared, whenever Kuai feels like she's not appreciated enough by him.

Truly a bothersome bird.

("Where did you even get it?", Jiang Cheng demanded.

"Long story short, Kuai fell on top of my head while I was collecting wood", Wei Ying said. "I waved around a stick the size of my arm to get her to leave. She bit it and ate the whole thing. She probably wants more food, and so she's staying."

"Wait, what--")

Unfortunately, even if Kuai clings to him, Wei Ying can't exactly control the bird. So while he's perfectly behaved for the double allowance after the first day, he still gets sent to the punishment hall for things Kuai did.

The first week of lectures was hell for Lan Qiren. And his nose. And his goatee.

Nie Huaisang eventually figured out how to keep Kuai behaved in class, which is just to continuously give the pheasant food. That was a relief for the Jiang Head Disciple.

Too bad Wei Ying already got sentenced to 6 months detention. Curse that bird.

--or, actually, maybe not. Lan Zhan will be the one watching over him while he carries out the punishment. It's gonna be fun messing with him.

There were some days were Kuai still gets crazy even with the food. That adds to the punishments. It also gives everyone bonding time while they try to figure out how to get the bird to shut up again.

Jiang Yanli is mostly the one who is successful in those days. Truly an angel, someone bless her soul.

Wei Ying just hoped he's still going to get the double allowance even with all this. Misbehavior doesn't count if the one misbehaving is the bird you're stuck with, right?

Right??

==

An arrow was released.

Tearing swiftly through the air, the ammo a boy in red robes released firmly shot past water--and hit a rock that fell from the top of a waterfall.

The rock shattered into pieces, continuing it's descent on the water below, making large splashes as those rocks hit the ground.

Breathing deeply, Pitch Black eyes looked at his arrow that struck true. A smile spread on his lips, showing his excitement.

"Good job, Young Master Wen!"

--there was a sudden voice that made him flinch, consequently knocking over his quiver and spilling all the arrows. Whirling around, the boy saw curious silver eyes and white guest robes running to him.

The newcomer immediately knelt down to start collecting the fallen arrows with a sheepish look on his face. There was a pheasant sitting on top of his head. "This one is sorry for startling you, Young Master Wen. I just couldn't help but notice your incredible skill."

The young teen bit his lip. He crouched to help in gathering the ammo, both standing up together when all the arrows are accounted for.

Then, he bowed his head when the newcomer put the arrows in his arms. "Y-you flatter me. I'm n-not so good at it..."

"Aiyah. This one thinks you're too humble", the silver-eyed teen commented, tilting his head. "Ordinary people can't compare to you, do you know that? So many people would pay a lot to just to get your skill!"

The boy couldn't help but smile at the other's words. 

The silver-eyed teen bowed, greeting. "This one is Wei Ying, courtesy Wuxian, of YunmengJiang."

The boy blinked rapidly. He scrambled to mimic the gesture, even with the bow in his hand. "Th-this one is Wen Ning, courtesy Qionglin, o-of the QishanWen..."

The silver-eyed teen, Wei Ying, stood back up. He smiled brightly. "It's nice to meet you."

Wen Ning bashfully inclined his head. "N-nice to meet you, too."

The Head Disciple hummed. Looking up at the clear skies and the waterfall ahead, he decided to ask. "May this one ask why you are here alone? Shouldn't you be with the others in the lectures?"

A sheepish smile. "I'm still too young to attend. What about you, Young Master Wei?"

The pheasant on his head started chirping furiously.

"Yes, yes, I know, Kuai", Wei Ying sighed, patting the bird gently. It sort of looks like he's patting himself because of the pheasant on his head. "We got kicked out again. Because this little miss here decided to go stabby."

Wen Ning blinked rapidly. "S-s-stabby?"

"Don't worry about it", and then. "Do you want to learn archery together? Let's learn from each other's strong points and close the gaps we have in our ability."

The meek teen gripped his bow higher, eyes bright and excited. Wen Ning nodded.

"Let's start right away!", Wei Ying clapped his hands joyfully. Then a pause. "If you're willing to pay this one money, we can perhaps meet up in the future for more lessons? I'd love to talk to you more, too."

"L-like a friend?"

"If I'm going to be a teacher, I definitely need payment", an amused smile. "If I'm going to be your friend? Free of charge."

Wen Ning beamed brightly. Wei Ying almost feels guilty asking for money. Even just for future lessons.

Regardless, they went into position. Wen Ning drew the bowstring again, with the arrow ready to be shot. Wei Ying inspected his posture and adjusted it.

"Try to breathe slowly", the silver-eyed teen suggested. "And let go as you exhale--"

"A-NING!"

Wen Ning abruptly let go, startled. The arrow cut through the air--to the direction of Wen Qing, down to the lower hills.

Startled, Wei Ying jumped to intercept. He threw a talisman at the arrow, diverting its course. The arrow struck the tree a few feet away from the doctor instead.

A few tense seconds passed between the three of them.

"Try not to jump when someone interrupts", Wei Ying tells Wen Ning without judgement.

Wen Ning smiles awkwardly. "I-I'll keep that in mind."

==

A few explanations later, Wen Ning went back to practicing. Wei Ying was going to help him, but he had something to confirm first. "By the way, Lady Wen. Why are you always somewhere around here? Are you following this one secretly?"

Wen Qing didn't reply, simply choosing to stare at her brother's back.

The pheasant jumped and moved on the Head Disciple's shoulder. Wei Ying tilted his head, placing a hand in front of the bird to make sure Kuai doesn't fall off. "Is there...something in the back hills?"

Wen Qing finally responded. "Stop talking nonsense, Wei Wuxian."

She trudged past him, moving to stand beside her brother. Wei Ying stares after them, at both of them.

There was something unreadable in his face, for once.

==

The second highlight in the Gusu Lan lectures is the case with the Waterborne Abyss. Just a swirling mass of darkness and overall creepiness in the water. Truly unpleasant.

At least the ones who were there are only the Twin Jades, a handful of Lan disciples, Wei Ying, Jiang Cheng, Wen Ning, and Wen Qing.

It started off okay at first. Wei Ying slammed his oar to Lan Zhan's boat when he noticed that the boat sank the way it would when three people were aboard, even when it was only Lan Zhan there. 

The Second Jade moved to his boat. The Head Disciple automatically tried to make amends. "Second Young Master Lan, pardon me. This one didn't mean to splash the water on you. The ghosts could be cunning, so if I said the truth--"

"Stay away from me", gold eyes resolutely looked ahead, as he said coldly.

Wei Ying blinked. Eyes narrowed, he retrieved his sword from the ground and backed away in annoyance.

Even with all the time they spent together in the punishment hall, Lan Zhan is still very much a jerk to him. Is Wei Ying really that ugly and annoying, even when he's literally not doing anything? Seriously...

From his shoulder, Kuai ranted in bird language.

"I agree. That guy is a fuddy-duddy."

Lan Zhan briefly turned to look at the other teen. He didn't say anything.

Silence passed by between them. Their boat is the next to be attacked, and both the Jade and Head Disciple moved in sync to cut the water ghouls down.

Wei Ying slashed one of them in half, but three more jumped on him in the process. He crouched down, spun downward, and moved his sword upward in a wide arc. The three water ghouls were all torn apart at once.

The intensity of these attacks isn't normal, Wei Ying notices, panting as he shifted to kneel with one knee. Not to mention that there are way too many...

"What's the name of your sword?"

Wei Ying turned. Lan Zhan looked at him, gold eyes burning in curiosity.

The silver-eyed teen smiled. "Suibian."

Lan Zhan narrowed his eyes.

Kuai huffed and stabbed Wei Ying on the shoulder.

"Ow! Kuai!", Wei Ying swatted the bird away.

The bird flew backward before settling on the other shoulder. She chirps unapologetically.

The silver-eyed teen sighs.

Lan Zhan wasn't even fazed with the display other than a small wrinkle of his nose out of distaste. "The sword has a spirit. Disrespectful to call it whatever."

Wei Ying sniffed. "This one is not saying to call it whatever. My sword's name is literally Suibian."

Lan Zhan blinked. He clearly didn't expect that.

"Here", Wei Ying showed the other the sword's inscription. Sure enough, the characters Suibian are actually written on its sheath. "Look."

The Second Jade peered at the sword. He squinted at the characters disbelievingly.

"You know, there's a story about that. It's really nothing special; when Sect Leader Jiang gave me this sword, he asked me for it's name. And I tried to come up with a million different names? But none of them were worth more than a few copper coins for me. So I said Suibian. And Sect Leader Jiang actually put that in as my sword's name!", Wei Ying laughed. "Pretty silly, right?"

"Ridiculous", Lan Zhan backed away, huffing. His gaze swept around them, to the fog rising up everywhere.

"I don't think so", the silver-eyed teen smiled down at his sword, before standing next to the other and looking ahead. "I like the name."

Silence again. They couldn't see the other boats anymore since the fog has gotten too thick. Wei Ying heard Lan Xichen warn from somewhere. "Be careful!"

And suddenly, there was a pained yell. Jiang Cheng.

"Jiang Cheng!", Wei Ying would have jumped into the water if it weren't for Kuai stabbing his arm with her beak and for Lan Zhan grabbing his other arm. They helped in making him maintain his sanity--that doesn't mean his heart would just settle down though. "Are you okay!?"

There was a faint groan.

The silver-eyed teen's voice might be wavering. "Where are you!?"

"I-I'm fine!", Jiang Cheng finally answered. "I'm okay, Wei Wuxian, don't worry! Stay there!"

Wei Ying bit his lip. He stood back and obeyed. 

After making sure that his companion wouldn't act impulsively, Lan Zhan let go. Kuai crooned.

Wei Ying traced her wing with a finger absentmindedly.

Lan Zhan observed him again. Then their boat shook once more; the pair were attacked again. The both of them were forced to leave to the nearest boat as the one they were in was torn apart.

Coincidentally, their new boat was Jiang Cheng's. Wen Qing was there already, treating the sect heir's wound on his leg. "You're lucky only the skin was grazed. It will heal in a few days."

Wei Ying broke off from Lan Zhan to check over Jiang Cheng. The silver-eyed teen looked over at his shidi and reached out to hold the other's hand when Wei Ying was sure that there's no other injury. "I would hate it if you get hurt. Who else would give me quadruple allowance?"

"Jerk", Jiang Cheng huffed, punching his shixiong's shoulder half-heartedly.

When Wen Qing and he met eyes again, the sect heir immediately looked away with a red face--only to meet Wei Ying's confused look.

The almond-eyed teen pinched Wei Ying's nose. Wei Ying squawked.

Kuai stabbed Jiang Cheng's hand at full force.

Jiang Cheng didn't get the chance to strangle the bird, for Wen Ning went over to them. The meek little brother told them that the color of the water is turning into something different.

Lan Zhan acted quickly, noticing. "It...it deliberately led us to the center of the lake! Go, now!"

Shaking. Thuds were heard, as suddenly, boats bumped into each other. A Lan disciple shouted. "What happened!?"

Jiang Cheng moved to stand. Wei Ying supported him up--and suddenly figured it out. It was a Waterborne Abyss, where many water ghouls come together and combine their resentment.

So, most of them got their swords out and flew overhead. However, one Lan disciple decided to attack the Abyss with his sword--ending up losing it in the process.

Crushing. Tearing. The boats were slowly destroyed, one by one. The Lan disciple was the only one still remaining, with his sword out of the picture.

Wen Ning noticed, and so he dived down to help. The waters were roaring, and Wen Ning managed to get ahold of the disciple. Yet he suddenly froze.

The roaring became louder. Wen Qing wavered, almost falling off her own sword out of worry. "A-Ning!"

Wei Ying grit his teeth and followed down to assist, only to do a double-take when he saw that Pitch Black eyes were now colorless and empty.

"What the--", he couldn't understand. "Young Master Wen? Y--"

A harsh tug at the back of his robes. Wei Ying lunged, grabbing Wen Ning's arm as Lan Zhan took him and the other Lan disciple back up with the others.

Wei Ying looked at the gold-eyed teen above him. Huh. Maybe not so much of a fuddy-duddy after all. Although... "This one thanks you for your help, but why did you grab me by the collar? It's uncomfortable. Why not hold my hand? Here, you can hold my hand."

Carefully shifting so Wen Ning won't fall, Wei Ying reached out his hand to the other teen.

Lan Zhan took one look at the outstretched palm before he looked ahead impassively. "I don't touch strangers."

"We are very close. I'm not a stranger!"

"We're not close at all."

"You are so ridiculous", Wei Ying complained. Kuai seemed to laugh at them both.

"You are ridiculous!", Jiang Cheng snapped nearby. "When being held by someone in midair, can't you shut your mouth?!"

Kuai's bird version of laughter intensified.

Wei Ying stuck his tongue out at his shidi. Jiang Cheng rolled his eyes.

Music played from Lan Xichen's xiao, spiritual energy rushing to the creature of resentment below. Soon enough, the resentment disappeared bit by bit.

Until the Waterborne Abyss faded from sight, sealed away deep in the waters.

==

They all retreated to their own rooms in the inn afterward.

Wen Ning still refused to wake up, which was concerning. His eyes suddenly disappeared back there, after all...

Even so, Wei Ying decided to do what he can do right now. So--

"This is for you."

Something was tossed in Wen Qing's direction. She caught it in her hand, revealing it to be a protective charm talisman. "What...is this?"

"A charm talisman. To protect Young Master Wen."

"Protect him?"

"I have my own experience with magic arts", Wei Ying shrugged, waving his sword around. Kuai flew in and perched on top of Suibian, making his movement stop to accommodate the bird. "Lady Wen..."

Wen Qing steadily met his eyes.

What he was about to say, he held it in. Wei Ying bowed, earnestly expressing instead. "No matter what your purpose is in Gusu, this one would like you to keep this. I wish for the talisman to protect him." 

Wen Qing studied his face for a minute. She shifted her gaze to the talisman in her hand.

==

There's a second and a half highlight. Only enjoyed for the Jiang heir, Nie heir, and Jiang head disciple.

It was gambling. Yes, gambling.

It should have been expected, that Wei Ying would do something to gain some extra coins.

With all the rules of the Gusu Lan, this seems like something that wasn't included in the rules; or something with a loophole. Therefore, why not?

"I'm betting everything on cup number two!", Nie Huaisang shrieked, slamming down his pouch of gold coins.

"You guys are idiots", Jiang Cheng rolled his eyes. Still, he pushed a couple of bronze coins. "Cup number 1."

Wei Ying grinned at them both, a mischievous sparkle in his eye. "Are you sure you won't regret it?"

"Just tell us, Wei-xiong!"

"Get on with it, Wei Wuxian."

Kuai chirped from where she was sitting on Wei Ying's bed. Nie Huaisang handed the bird a chestnut.

"Alright, then", the silver-eyed teen placed his hands on the three cups on the table. "Revealing in three! Two! O--"

The doors suddenly burst open, and Lan Zhan's cold gaze swept over the three of them.

Nie Huaisang froze like a statue. Jiang Cheng choked on a peanut.

Wei Ying just waved cheerfully at the other teen. "Hi, Lan Zhan! Want to join? Bet at a minimum of 3 copper coins!"

Golden eyes stared straight at silver ones, unimpressed. Lan Zhan leveled a glare at all of them. "Come with me to the punishment hall."

Kuai squawked in outrage on behalf of the three humans with her.

"What? Why?", Wei Ying crossed his arms. "There's no rule saying that gambling isn't allowed."

"Do not spend money carelessly. Breaking a rule."

"They're not spending it carelessly, though", the silver-eyed teen raised an eyebrow. "The maximum amount of money to bet is 10 gold coins. That barely even scratches their allowance."

Nie Huaisang opened his pouches, revealing a total of 10 gold coins inside. "And we're using this to decide."

Lan Zhan really shouldn't ask. It's none of his business. But-- "Decide for what?"

A beat passed. The three of them looked at each other.

Jiang Cheng opened his mouth to answer.

==

"HAHA! I'M USING THE SPECIAL LANTERN WIRE WEI-XIONG BOUGHT!"

"Yes, yes, you won. We know that already", Jiang Cheng grumbled. "So shut up, please, and thank you."

Giggling, Jiang Yanli reached over to pat her little brother on the back. "That's alright, A-Cheng. Your lantern is still going to be beautiful."

"Yes, Young Master Jiang!", Wei Ying chirped from across the place, doing his own lantern and a few coins richer from the tie rounds. "Anything Young Master Jiang makes is beautiful!"

"And you shut up, Wei Wuxian!"

Wei Ying laughed. He felt the burning intense gaze on the side of his face, courtesy of his partner in the lantern making. His laughter died down, replaced with the heat on his cheeks.

He decided to keep making the lantern.

Which is the third highlight.

The lantern ceremony, where each guest disciple makes lanterns to their own liking. Then, they make their wish as they make it fly.

"Lan Zhan, Lan Zhan. Look", Wei Ying whispered, holding up the lantern he made. There was a painting of a bunny. "Cute, right?"

The golden-eyed teen gazed at it, visibly in wonder. His lips slightly curved into a smile.

Wei Ying was absolutely gobsmacked. A smile appeared on his face. "You..."

Lan Zhan's gaze shifted to him. Wei Ying just grinned pleasantly, turning back to his own work. "Nothing. Nothing."

Lan Zhan tilted his head. He let the matter drop since he has to work on his own lantern anyway.

Soon enough, most of them were already finished.

Wei Ying inspected his extra lantern proudly, Kuai fluttering around his head. Then, he perked up, eyes bright. "Oh!"

Jiang Cheng tensed, pausing on painting the finishing touches of the lotus in his lantern. That was Wei Ying's troublemaking voice. "Oh, no."

"I know about this technique; the power of positive thinking!", the Head Disciple chirped, Lan Zhan looking at him curiously as he spoke. "If you say what you want multiple times, you'll surely get it!"

Luo Qingyang perked up at that, with Jin Zixuan and her turning to him. "Really?"

"Yeah! What do you guys want? Just repeat it, and it will come to you!", then a pause. "Eventually."

Many of the disciples exchanged intrigued looks.

"I'll go first. What I want is...", Wei Ying grinned. "MONEY, MONEY, MONEY!"

Many rolled their eyes at that. Typical of the head disciple, to love his money so much.

Jiang Yanli smiled. Jiang Cheng rolled his eyes.

Luo Qingyang shrugged. No harm with trying, right? "I want a lover, lover, lover!"

Many whistled. Jin Zixuan raised an eyebrow at her, earning him a jab to the elbow.

Nie Huaisang stood, pleading to all the stars above. "This year, I want a passing grade, a passing grade, a PASSI--AH--"

He tripped in midair, falling over his own materials and accidentally pushing his newly-finished lantern.

Said lantern fell on a lit candle nearby. The lantern caught alight.

Total silence for a few precious moments.

Kuai chirped with a small voice.

There was a heartbreaking wail. "MY LANTEEERRRNNNN!!!!!"

==

Wei Ying hurriedly helped recreate the lantern. Jiang Cheng and Lan Zhan pitched in to help.

It ended up being more beautiful than before. Nie Huaisang was overjoyed.

As the lanterns flew, Wei Ying closed his eyes and put his hands together. With a voice barely even above a whisper, "I, Wei Wuxian, wish that I can stand with justice and live with no regrets."

Lan Zhan, who was standing close enough to hear, looked at Wei Ying. Then he looked down, bringing out the pouch he retrieved, the day he disappeared alone in the Cold Springs--until he got out, with Wei Ying right there for him.

The Second Jade didn't say his wish out loud, unlike the others.

I wish to do what is right, protect those I treasure...and live with no regrets.

==

"Shi--Young Lady Jiang, what did you wish for?"

Jiang Yanli looked at Wei Ying as they went back, and smiled indulgingly. "I wished you will be happy and get that allowance."

Wei Ying didn't look convinced. "Suure you did."

Jiang Cheng went over to the two as he continued. "I'm guessing you wished for a happy marriage. Shijie deserves all the good things in the world!"

"And so you can get more money", Jiang Cheng deadpanned.

"And so I can steal money from whoever's the groom. It's customary!", Wei Ying cackled. Then, voice lowered to between the three of them. "But shijie's happiness is above all else."

Jiang Cheng huffed, but he nodded to show that he agrees. Jiang Yanli couldn't help but be touched. "A-Xian...A-Cheng..."

Luo Qingyang joined in the conversation, giggling  "Lady Jiang's marriage is already set! She doesn't have to ask for it, I think."

Soon, more girls went over, gossiping about Jiang Yanli and Jin Zixuan as well as how they made the lantern together.

Jiang Cheng shot Wei Ying an exasperated look. Can you believe this? I mean, this peacock? A-jie deserves better.

Wei Ying shrugged in response. I don't really care who the man is, just as long as shijie is happy.

"MianMian, it's time to go", Jin Zixuan stood. He went past the three Jiang teens, with the Jin disciples hurrying after him.

There was a flicker of hurt in Jiang Yanli's eyes, to which Wei Ying caught. Clenching his fists, Wei Ying turned--and went after the Jin Sect heir.

"Where are you going?", Jiang Cheng called out. "Wei Wuxian!"

He was ignored.

Jiang Cheng and Jiang Yanli exchanged worried looks. The former went after the head disciple.

==

Wei Ying caught the end of the conversation Jin Zixuan had with Luo Qingyang.

"Listen, MianMian. I don't want this marriage. Don't mention it again."

S...seriously? SERIOUSLY.

"What do you mean. Don't mention it again?"

They all stopped at the dangerous tone of the usually happy-go-lucky head disciple. Jin Zixuan just glared back. "Does it have something to do with you?"

Wei Ying took a step. And another. And another. "What do you mean by don't mention it again?"

Luo Qingyan raised her hands. "Zixuan. Young Master Wei. This--"

"Is it that difficult to understand?", the Jin Sect heir went forward, to face the other teen. "Don't. Mention it. Again."

A sneer. "You...what is it about Young Lady Jiang that you're unsatisfied with? Huh?"

Others rushed into the scene. Jiang Cheng and Nie Huaisang stumbled to the front, seeing the hostile tension between the two.

Jin Zixuan chose to respond with the worst answer. "Is there anything about her that I could be satisfied with?"

Wei Ying's face darkened instantly. He raised his fist.

"Shist--Wei Wuxian!", Jiang Cheng called out, running up to the Head Disciple in a hurry. "Whatever you're about to do, it's not worth it! Think about the raise!"

Not enough. Wei Ying drew his hand back, rage increasing the more he stared at Jin Zixuan' smug face, and--

"Xianxian!"

His fist stopped inches from the other's face. Breathing rapidly, Wei Ying turned his head.

Jiang Yanli's worried gaze stared back.

A beat. Two beats. Three.

Wei Ying put his hand down.

Jiang Cheng finally reached his shixiong and grabbed his arm. Wei Ying wasn't done, though. "You're lucky I still want that raise. You're lucky that shijie is here."

The Jiang Sect heir pulled his shixiong to Jiang Yanli, who had Kuai in her hands. She gave the bird back to Wei Ying and hugged both of her brothers as tight as she could.

The rest of them all started to go back to the lantern-flying site, leaving Jin Zixuan and his Jin disciples alone.

==

That was the fourth highlight. Wei Ying almost punching Jin Zoxuan to kingdom come.

Even if he didn't actually punch the guy, Wei Ying was still in trouble.

Just like the many times Kuai wreaked havoc, all falling on Wei Ying's shoulders.

Well, the Head Disciple supposes as he sat in between Yu Ziyuan and Jiang Fengmian, across the peacock and Jin Guangshan. It could have been worse.

All his money could have been stolen, for one. That's something he never wants to happen to him.

"So, you've caused so much trouble", Yu Ziyuan clicked her tongue in disappointment. "Wei Wuxian..."

Wei Ying winced at her disappointed tone. "Madam Yu, I...it wasn't like that."

She sighed. Looking at Lan Qiren, whose attention is occupied with Jin Guangshan at the moment, the lady of Lotus Pier leaned in. "Tell me what actually happened."

"Well", Wei Ying parted his hair, revealing his pheasant hiding under it. Kuai tilted her head. "This is Kuai. She's a bird that refused to leave."

Yu Ziyuan raised an eyebrow. "The Lan disciples can't get rid of her?"

"No. She's the one causing trouble with Master Lan. I was perfectly behaved...mostly. You can ask Jiang Cheng."

Yu Ziyuan hummed. She held out a hand to the pheasant--

Jiang Fengmian turned, just in time for his wife to narrowly avoid getting stabbed by Kuai's beak. Wei Ying sweatdropped.

As the conversation turned to them, with Jiang Fengmian negotiating, the Sect Leader announced that Jin Zixuan and Jiang Yanli's betrothal will be broken off.

Wei Ying would have shot out of his seat if Yu Ziyuan didn't grab his arm. What? WHAT? But I didn't even beat up the peacock, what the hell!?

The teen looked over. Jin Zixuan looked very terrified.

Wei Ying wanted to snap. He settled with keeping his face perfectly neutral.

It would do no good to fly in a rage in the middle of a hopeless situation. He knew that.

He'll just have to do what he can to minimize damage. Starting with making sure shijie is alright...

Jiang Cheng, who was seated on the other side of Jiang Fengmian, looked at his shixiong in concern.

==

"Don't worry. I'm definitely going to get you that quadruple raise. Okay?"

The reply was monotonous and stoic. "Yes, Young Master Jiang."

As Wei Ying walked off, Jiang Cheng resisted the urge to deck Jin Zixuan's face himself.

And to sic Kuai on Lan Qiren, for being so bias on the rumors that he wouldn't even consider looking at Wei Ying properly.

Because what the hell? It was Kuai that did those things, the bird that they were too incompetent to separate from the Head Disciple.

The teacher knew Wei Ying can't control Kuai that well. The teacher knew that Wei Ying tried his utmost to keep the bird behaved, to keep himself behaved.

But the adult refused to see that. Because of it, Wei Ying probably wouldn't get the double allowance he wanted so badly.

What did Lan Qiren see in his shixiong, to treat Wei Ying so unfairly?

Chapter Text

It was a pleasant surprise to find bunnies in the back hill.

He wanted to break away from the group for a little bit before he had to go back to Lotus Pier all alone. Just to...think. Sort his thoughts.

Wei Ying didn't punch Jin Zixuan. But perhaps a threat can be just as bad--he knows that words can cut deeper than physical blows.

Whatever the case, it's done now. The engagement was broken. His martial sister...

An assuring smile. "A-Xian, it's okay. Don't think too much. My destiny is not up to me."

He exhaled. Whatever. At least now Jiang Yanli can be free to find and marry someone truly deserving of her.

Chittering interrupted his thoughts. Wei Ying turned his head, finding Kuai yelling at him. She was fluttering around him, getting his attention, before flying up ahead--to a spot where white fluffy furballs gathered.

It took a second to register what he was seeing. His eyes shone in delight. "Rabbits!"

This was truly a surprise. The Lans are adamant about not keeping pets here, and now they have rabbits? Pet rabbits??

One of them came over, deciding that his robes are food. It chewed the hem of his clothes.

Wei Ying couldn't help but smile even more. He got down in the grass and pulled the bunny to him, cradling it in front of his face.

The bunny blinked. It kicked it's legs, nose scrunched up in distaste.

"Am I really that ugly, little rabbit?", he laughed, feeling much better now. "Though I wasn't expecting you guys. Are you happy living here?"

The bunny rubbed it's face with it's front paws. Wei Ying made his voice a little higher, impersonating the rabbit while bouncing it in midair. "Happy!"

Insistent chirping again. Kuai looked so unimpressed with him, just five seconds away from stabbing his shoulder.

He giggled. "Okay, okay! I know it's silly, you don't have to tell me."

The Head Disciple put the bunny down on his lap, where the cute creature switched to chewing on his sleeve. Silly thing.

Kuai settled on the top of his head, probably intent on taking a short nap.

A sigh. The rest of the rabbits, curious by this stranger, started to go near him. A couple tried to climb in his lap.

Wei Ying tilted her head at them. "Should I take you back to Lotus Pier, little rabbits?"

After a second of thinking about it, he shook his head. The bunnies were looked clean and well-cared for. If there's a chance that this is Lan Zhan's rabbits--unlikely, but who knows, right?--then he's going to be sad. And feel lonely.

He pouts. That's another thing that's horrible about this whole situation. He won't be able to talk to Lan Zhan anymore!

He wants to tease the Second Jade more, darn it!!!

Even if Lan Zhan still hates him!

Probably. Most likely?

Aaaah. What a mess. He wouldn't even get his double allowance anymore...this!!!! sucks!!!!!!!!!

Wei Ying let himself fall to his back, Kuai screeching when she unexpectedly felt herself go down. Furious, she grabbed some of his hair and pulled.

"GAH! Okay, I'm sorry!", Wei Ying tried to wave her away, the rabbits looking at them both blankly. "Will never happen again!"

Kuai took one look at him, and promptly pulled his hair even harder. Wei Ying sighs, closing his eyes.

"A-Xian?"

Wei Ying snapped them back open. He rose back to sitting position, turning in the direction of the voice.

Jiang Yanli smiled at him when she approached, before noticing the cute creatures gathering around him. She cooed, sinking to her knees beside her martial brother. "Oh! How cute!"

Jiang Cheng followed close, crossing his arms while watching her sister pick one up.

The sect heir then turned to his shixiong. "What are you doing here?"

"Hmmm", Wei Ying tapped his cheek. Kuai still kept pulling at his hair, but he decided to ignore that as much as possible. "I don't know!"

The almond-eyed teen raised an eyebrow. Wei Ying raised his hands.

Kuai finally stopped pulling his hair--only to stab his right hand. "Ow! Kuai, I already said I'm sorry!"

Kuai snapped back in bird language.

"You can fly, though!"

The pheasant stabbed his hand again. Dramatically, Wei Ying turned to the two teens with him. "Jiang Cheng, shijie, Kuai is bullying me!"

Jiang Cheng's eye twitched, witnessing the silver-eyed teen act like a lunatic. Jiang Yanli laughed, before gently beckoning the bird with a hand. "Can you come here, Kuai?"

Instantly, Kuai went to her. She snuggled up in Jiang Yanli's shoulder, like she's a bird who has done nothing wrong in life ever.

Wei Ying pouts, looking at the bird. The bunny in his lap blinked, letting itself be picked up by the Head Disciple again. "Really...my pheasant hates me so!"

The bunny sneezed.

Jiang Cheng's face scrunched up, scowling. "Hey. Drop that thing. As an upright gentleman, it's embarrassing for you to hold rabbits!"

Silver eyes blinked. Wei Ying turned to look at the rabbit, who stared back before kicking it's legs.

"Yeah...Young Master Jiang is right", the head disciple laughed in amusement. "As an upright gentleman, how embarrassing of this one to cuddle a rabbit!"

--and he promptly threw said rabbit in midair.

Jiang Cheng scrambled to react, heart leaping in his throat. Thankfully, he caught the poor creature before it fell to the ground. Truly a terrifying 5 seconds.

Unaffected, the rabbit sneezed again. Then it started to try to nibble Jiang Cheng's robes.

The sect heir scowled. "How dare you!"

Wei Ying just shrugged unrepentantly. Jiang Cheng kicked him in the arm.

"Now, now", Jiang Yanli chided, patting the empty spot next to her. "Sit here, A-Cheng."

A pause. Jiang Cheng sunk down to where his sister wanted him to, petting the rabbit in his hands.

Wei Ying laughed again. "The bunny likes you!"

Jiang Cheng glared at the guy.

Wei Ying snorted, then he did a short bow. "No need to thank me, Young Master Jiang!"

"I'm breaking your legs. Don't think I won't."

Jiang Yanli sighed fondly at them both. Wei Ying picked up another bunny, who kicked up a fuss and almost slapped him with an ear. The silver-eyed teen didn't mind, though.

"Where did you find them, anyway?", Jiang Cheng wondered.

Without missing a beat, Wei Ying answered. "Here. Just now."

"Huh...", and then. "Well, what do you plan on doing to them?"

The rabbit in the heir's lap sneezed once more. Is it sick?

Jiang Cheng pondered for a moment. "Do you...do you want to eat them later?!"

A scandalized gasp. Wei Ying covered the ears of his bunny in mock horror. "What are you talking about, Jiang Cheng! They shouldn't hear such words!"

Jiang Yanli chuckled. Kuai squawked a scolding, to which Wei Ying just stuck his tongue out in response. Jiang Cheng stroked his bunny as a form of apology to the creature.

Wei Ying put his bunny down, playing with the ears and nose. Soon, Yu Ziyuan and Jiang Fengmian would get him so the three of them can go back home.

...he's going to miss this place, somehow.

He didn't even get the chance to drink Emperor's Smile. Bummer.

Maybe next time?

He looked at the bunnies hanging around this back hill. Hmmm.

"Shijie, we can take one of the rabbits to Lotus Pier. If you want to."

Jiang Yanli hummed, rubbing her nose with her bunny. She set it back down while shaking her head,

"If we take one of them, they will be parted from their family and loved ones", she said. "How can it be happy, then?"

Wei Ying pursed his lips together. He watched the rabbit in his lap jump out of his lap, snuggling up to two other bunnies that met the guy halfway.

The silver-eyed teen managed a lopsided smile. As always, his sister is so wonderful. "Right."

==

Things are...quiet, without Wei Ying.

It isn't a bad thing, per se. It's just that Lan Zhan has become rather used to the teen's presence in Cloud Recesses. With that pet pheasant of his, too.

While it's true that the silver-eyed Jiang Head Disciple was as well-behaved as he could be when there's an absolute menace of a bird stuck on his shoulder, he still managed to stand out in his own way. With his bright smile, his teasing during the punishments in those 6 months, Lan Zhan, Lan Zhan, do you like tanghulu? Pay me some coins and I'll buy some for you, haha!

His cheer, his ingenious mind--Lan Zhan even found himself missing the other teen's strange obsession with money and shiny gold things.

The Second Jade never really had a friend before, you see. For the longest time, it has only been him, his older brother, and his uncle. He's kept the rest of the disciples his age at arms' length, Gusu native or not.

Though, the rest of them are content about it. No one would ever want to get close to someone as unfeeling and cold as he appeared to be.

But Wei Ying didn't seem to mind. After the fight at the rooftop, Wei Ying made every effort to get close to Lan Zhan. He didn't mind if Lan Zhan didn't say much, just content with him simply listening to the other teen.

This was new. Wei Ying is new.

And so he responded with the only way he knew how. Lan Zhan tried to keep his distance.

Yet, even so, the Jiang Head Disciple somehow managed to make the Second Jade be--content, in his company.

The money-loving disciple didn't know much about the corpse puppets aside from the first time they met, where Wei Ying observed that the corpse was still alive in a way. Still, he had somehow given so much help.

He aided Lan Zhan by getting rid of the water ghouls attached to his boat, back in the Waterborne Abyss night hunt.

When Lan Zhan was pulled in to meet Lan Yi and get the quest to find the Yin Iron, Wei Ying was somehow on the other end of the exit with his shidi. The teen helped him recover from that, and took him to his uncle and older brother when he asked.

Wei Ying's inquiries about the case with corpse puppets and resentful energy helped Lan Zhan come to his own conclusion, as well. He's been hurt to know that Lan Xichen knew about the Yin Iron this whole time, but it was nice to at least be aware of that at the start.

He's gotten used to Wei Ying's company. Even with Kuai; feisty, protective, stabby Kuai always being with the other teen.

Now that weeks had passed with both the teen and the pheasant sent back to Lotus Pier, his home somehow feels...lacking, for some reason. Quiet.

Truly strange, this feeling...

The sound of rustling bushes snapped him out of his thoughts. Lan Zhan turned, seeing the little rabbits from Lan Yi's cave hopping around.

With Lan Yi passing on, no one will be able to take care of them in there. So, Lan Zhan went back to get them, putting them here in the back hills. 

It should be fine, right? The rules say that no pets are allowed, but these are Lan Yi's companions.

Technically, they aren't pets. Just like how Kuai isn't really a pet more than an annoying creature latching on to his--friend.

An exhale. The Second Jade looked down, eyeing the pouch containing the Yin Iron given to him in his hand.

The Wen Sect was getting bolder. If the corpse puppet was truly their doing, that meant that they have a piece Yin Iron. Maybe more than one.

There are four pieces. He has to find the rest of these pieces before they do.

He can't afford any more time to be lost.

The golden-eyed teen turned to the fluffy creatures minding their business among the grass and flowers.

Softly, he murmured. "Farewell."

And he went on his way, to start this crucial quest all on his own.

==

Their next meeting was completely by chance.

The city of Tanzhou is lively at this time of year. Many folk, cultivators and civilians alike, stroll through the streets and visit the shops of this place. Lan Zhan enters through the gates of the place, guided by the pouch in his possession.

The quiankun pouch that held the Yin Iron Lan Yi left to his care.

Determined, the Second Jade only looked ahead. He intended not to wander off, as he tries to find where the next piece of Yin Iron could be.

So focused was he on his task, Lan Zhan failed to notice a familiar silver-haired teen coming out of a dye shop Yunmeng is operating in the city. YunmengJiang may be a powerful Sect, but there has to be a source of income to fund them.

Yunmeng is famous for its dye supplies and system of trade. Currently, Wei Ying had just delivered some of the raw supplies for the dye to this shop and was planning to help in the production of colorful clothes.

He normally doesn't do this, since he has duties as Head Disciple, but Wei Ying wanted to earn some extra cash. Especially since he messed up and couldn't have that double allowance he really wanted.

He managed to convince Yu Ziyuan to let him do this, and so here he is! Working for more shiny coins!!

Now in this way, he won't totally have nothing! Haha!

When he wandered outside, his focus was solely on the folded newly-dyed and dried clothes. He was figuring out how to display them in the shop.

As a consequence, Wei Ying didn't notice Lan Zhan either.

But Kuai did.

The bird was already bored, and annoying the other people in this shop with Wei Ying was boring. Apparently, they're used to loud noises? So now they barely even react when a bird yells in their ear?

Preposterous! Awful!

Even Wei Ying had learned how to ignore her, which--no?? This human is not supposed to do that??? That's not allowed???????

She was incredibly bored, and she's angry she's being ignored, so when she saw the golden-eyed teen with the Lan ribbon walking away, she thought. YES! Chance!

And promptly pulled off the red ribbon Wei Ying used to his hair up in a ponytail.

It felt like the world suddenly slowed down. The teen felt the tight grip of his ribbon loosen bit by bit, until his locks of hair draped over his shoulders and drifted down.

Silver eyes widened in horror and shock. His complexion paled significantly

Whirling around, he tried to see who stole his ribbon. What the hell?! No, no nonono--

Then, he sees his pheasant fly over to a familiar boy in mourning robes. His ribbon was in her beak.

...

..

.

Wei Ying doesn't get angry, usually. But now, he's feeling the indescribable urge to strangle this stupid bird.

Kuai...

Said bird shivered. Lan Zhan frowned at the movement, before looking around to see where the pheasant came from.

Gold landed on silver.

Now it's like the world around fell away, the two boys only having eyes on each other.

Lan Zhan's eyes were bright, composed, and great as always.

Wei Ying looks great with his hair down. Beautiful.

A squawk snapped them back to reality. Wei Ying sharply turned to Kuai, who suddenly remembered that she was supposed to be in danger.

Kuai dropped the ribbon and flew on top of a shop. There's no way Wei Ying can reach her here, right!

Exasperated, the silver-eyed Jiang disciple marched over. Lan Zhan picked up the ribbon and gave it to the other teen when he approached.

Wei Ying stared. He gave a lopsided smile, gratefully taking the ribbon back. "Hi, Lan Zhan."

The Second Jade simply inclined his head.

The Head Disciple's smile widened. It wasn't like Yu Ziyuan gave him a time limit, so...

"Pardon me, but why are you here, Second Young Master Lan?", Wei Ying gave a salute, even with clothes in his arms. "May this one accompany you?"

==

Wen Qing did her best to appear uninterested and relaxed, though she couldn't stop digging her nails into her palms.

She was beside Wen Chao, who sneered at the lands below the hill they're standing on. There was an owl made of black smoke and resentment in the young master's arm.

"That Zewu-jun thinks they're so much better than the Qishan Wen, huh?", Wen Chao laughed harshly. "That arrogance will be their downfall."

He flexed his arm. The Dire Owl spread it's wings, taking to the skies and following after the Second Young Master Lan.

There was another teen with purple robes joining him.

Her hands may have started to draw blood. Unfortunately, it's not nearly enough to make the dread pooling in her gut disappear, even in the slightest.

This was. Not good.

==

"So, you're in a solo nighthunt?", the teen with silver eyes tilted his head. Wei Ying let a grin grace his lips. "How diligent, Second Young Master Lan!"

Lan Zhan did his best to ignore the fact that his ears feel like they're burning. "Mn."

Strolling through the streets of Tanzhou, the two boys walked side-by-side. Kuai had returned on Wei Ying's shoulder unscathed, the ribbon returned to it's rightfully place in the Jiang Head Disciple's hair.

Lan Zhan couldn't help wondering why Wei Ying preferred to wear a red ribbon on his hair, as opposed to the purple one his shidi uses. Then again, he wonders a lot of things about his--friend.

Wei Ying made a curious hum. Up ahead, a rather large crowd was formed. Among the crowd, there was a small teen in green robes, waving a fan in an attempt to see better.

His face lit up. He raised his arms to wave. "Young Master Nie!"

What are the chances, that Nie Huaisang is here, too? This is awesome!

It really is a good choice to ask to be here!

Forest Green eyes whirled, spotting Wei Ying. Nie Huaisang brightened. "Wei-xiong!"

The teen grabbed Lan Zhan's wrist and started to pull him to the crowd. Lan Zhan stood firmly in place, though.

The Second Jade was given a questioning look from his companion.

Lan Zhan shook his head. "Too crowded."

Wei Ying blinked owlishly. He examined the crowd again, and then he laughed. "It's okay. It's not that crowded. Come on, let's have a look."

The silver-eyed teen pulled his friend's wrist again.

Lan Zhan's face scrunched up, but eventually let himself get pulled along.

The crowd was gathered in a semicircle, looking at the sign in the middle of the courtyard. Nie Huaisang met the two teens halfway, whining to the Jiang Head Disciple. "I can't see what they're looking at, Wei-xiong--"

Aaand then noticed the stoic-faced jade teen next to the cheerful disciple. It shouldn't be blamed on him that he jumped like a spooked rat.

Lan Zhan narrowed his eyes at the cowardly teen. Nie Huaisang hid his face behind his fan.

Wei Ying laughed, waving his hand casually. "Don't be nervous, Nie-xiong. It's okay. Now, what's all the commotion?"

The NIe Sect heir exhaled. He snapped his fan shut and started to talk.

Apparently, the seclusive Lady Florist had invited all cultivators to her mansion for a poetry recital. If a cultivator comes that is elegant and brilliant enough to impress her, she will personally greet them in person. 

"I read about her in The Florist Lady and The Flower Phantom", Nie Huaisang went on. "In a garden in this city, there lives a lady florist who recites poems by the moonlight. If ever someone's own poems can touch her heart, she will grant them a special flower. This flower is said to last for three years, and its aroma lasts forever."

"Hm. That is pretty cool", Wei Ying pulled Nie Huaisang in a side-hug, oblivious to the way Lan Zhan's glare sharpened. "You're so talented in things like this...but you couldn't even recall a single word of the homework Grandmaster Lan gave you!"

The purple-robed teen poked the green-robed teen by the cheek. Nie Huaisang tapped his fan on Wei Ying's nose. "Give me a break, aren't you the same?"

Wei Ying grinned. He took his friend's fan, fanning himself with it.

Kuai tried to bite the fan.

Nie Huaisang took the fan back before the bird can destroy the thing.

A burst of color. The three teens looked up, finding petals drifting down to the ground. Pink, blue, yellow, white--all in pleasant-looking colors.

The silver-eyed teen held out a hand, catching a few of these petals. He gave two to Kuai, who sneezed at them.

After laughing at the bird and almost getting stabbed again, Wei Ying gave the rest to Nie Huaisang. The green-eyed teen's eyes shone at them, then his gaze drifted to Lan Zhan.

Lan Zhan, who looked even more charming with the petals drifting down on him. There was a soft look in his normally cold golden eyes, and the way the petals fell on his silky smooth hair flowing in the wind made the look more...alluring.

Nie Huaisang shook his head. "Second Young Master Lan is truly an unparalleled, gorgeous beauty. For a gentleman."

A hum. Wei Ying couldn't leave his eyes on the other teen. "I agree...but he's always in white. It's like someone died."

The Nie Sect Heir gave his friend a blank look. He took his fan back, and continued looking at the petals.

Wei Ying continued to look at Lan Zhan, unconsciously letting out a soft, fond smile.

Nie Huaisang noticed, and nudged him, snapping Wei Ying out of it. The Jiang Head Disciple started to catch more petals, Nie Huaisang pointing to what color he wanted to have.

Then, they both noticed the pouch in Lan Zhan's hand. It was glowing.

The Second Jade noticed it a second later. Instantly, his whole body seemed to tense; anticipation, caution, determination.

Wei Ying and Nie Huaisang stared for a moment longer, before exchanging looks.

Do qiankun pouches normally do that?

There's no way they're just going to leave Lan Zhan alone after this. They're going to need some answers.

==

Intent on checking up on his shixiong, Jiang Cheng went to the Tanzhou dye shop.

He was fully expecting Wei Ying to be here. After all, there's no way he's going to pass up the opportunity to make more money.

So imagine his surprise when not only has Wei Ying left to be in someone's company, he didn't come back.

Jiang Cheng swore never to leave the disciple alone after this. Isn't this like a child wandering off in the street and getting separated from their parents!?

The idiot didn't even leave a note!! Seriously!

Wei Wuxian, almond eyes twitched, searching for a sign of a red ribbon and purple robes. When I get my hands on you, I'm BREAKING YOUR LEGS.

==

Wen Qing couldn't get Wen Chao's words out of her head.

"Dafan Mountain is where you were born, right? Lan Wangji and his companions will definitely pass this place."

Wen Ruohan had promised her. That as long as she served him, none of her people in Dafan Mountain will be harmed.

But Wen Chao doesn't care about any of that. Whatever he can use, he will take it. Regardless of how everyone around him will be affected.

Tools. Treasures. People.

And he has one of the Yin Iron his father possesses.

Wen Qing might trust Wen Ruohan to at least keep his word, but she can't do the same to the Sect Leader's second son. Wen Chao will hurt her family.

But what can she do? It wasn't like she can act out; even if the intent was only to help her family, Wen Ruohan will see it as treason.

And also...

Wei Ying had treated her and her brother kindly. He gave Wen Ning archery lessons, willingly became his friend, and offered that protection charm for his safety.

Wen Qing has a debt to him, because of it. To pay kindness with kindness.

This would be easier if Wei Wuxian didn't join the Second Young Master Lan, the young doctor sighed. Because at least then, the only thing she'd have to worry about is getting her people out of there.

New footsteps entered the tavern she is currently in, along with a familiar voice. "Waiter, are there any rooms left?"

Wen Qing perked up. Jiang Wanyin.

She has no idea what he's doing here, so far out of Lotus Pier. Then again, she has no idea what Wei Ying is doing in Tanzhou either.

Regardless, he may be her hope. A way to help her people, help the boy that became her brother's friend.

A way to act, underneath His Majesty's nose.

The almond-eyed teen didn't notice her at first, but when he did, Jiang Cheng smiled in pleasant surprise. The way his eyes lit up, and his lips curled in joy was somehow--cute. "Lady Wen, it's nice to see you!"

Wen Qing wanted to greet him back, ask about his sister and how she was doing. She didn't get the chance to check on Jiang Yanli again before she had to leave Cloud Recesses, since Wen Ruohan called Wen Ning and her to return to Nightless City.

As it is, the soldiers with her are all loyal to Wen Chao, and so she has no choice. She can't afford to be kept away.

She kept her gaze on the wine bowl in her hands.

Moments passed. Jiang Cheng seemed to become upset when she ignored him, sitting at the table a little ways away from hers.

He then spoke up. "Waiter, two buns, please!"

Wen Qing put her wine bowl down. To get to talk to the Jiang Heir without earning suspicion... "Waiter, two buns too, please."

A raised eyebrow. Jiang Cheng went on. "And a pot of White Pearl Flower."

"A pot of White Pearl Flower as well."

The almond-eyed teen put his coins down. "Waiter, hurry up."

Wen Qing copied him. "Serve ours, first."

Jiang Cheng looked at her. He sighed. "Waiter, let them have that then."

"We don't want it now. Throw it away."

All the soldiers with her shared confused looks. Jiang Cheng's eye twitched, probably hating the thought of wasting good food just for seemingly nothing.

He got up, scowling. "What the hell? Are you making fun of me!?"

Wen Qing thought a smile looked better on him--and then quickly dismissed the thought, for it was nonsense. She rose and stepped towards him, expression cold.

"The QishanWen are making fun of you", dark, ink-colored eyes narrowed. "So what?"

Furious, Jiang Cheng grabbed her arm and pulled her close to him. The soldiers shot up, drawing their swords.

This was the chance she was looking for. Making her voice a whisper, he told him. "Dafan Mountain. Wei Wuxian is in danger."

Almond eyes lit alight with emotion. Shock, anger, fear--gratitude.

"Much obliged", he spoke, inclining his head a little.

The Jiang Sect Heir pushed her away. He promptly stormed out with the fury of a stormcloud.

The Wen soldiers went to pursue the disrespectful teen. Wen Qing raised her arm to stop them. "Nevermind him."

A pause. The soldiers moved back to their seats, still very much confused but knowing better than to ask questions. That's one good thing about them.

Wen Qing returned to her place, hiding a soft smile behind her sleeve.

At least now, that's one problem taken care of.

==

So.

Yin Iron.

Never in a million years did Wei Ying expect something like this. Well, he suspected, but to think that Lan Yi herself was still alive. That is, until recently.

But wow. Uh.

This was a mess.

"I'm going to steal money from the Wen Sect for this", his nose scrunched up, as Wei Ying let himself fall to his back in this temple. "It's my rights! To demand compensation! For the trouble they're causing!!"

Nie Huaisang sniffed, perched on a stone slab next to him. "Don't get corrupted by their gold. I like you like this."

"Aww, Nie-xiong!"

Lan Zhan walked over to them after making sure the doors are locked. Gracefully, the Second Jade sat opposite where Wei Ying is.

The wood the old woman gave them was gathered at the center. Wei Ying had already caught it alight with qi, and now the fire warms them up in this cold night.

Nie Huaisang was still tense, though. He kept looking between the fire and the fairy statue rock in the room. "Wei-xiong, the lady still looks so scary..."

Wei Ying pulled out a qiankun pouch from his left shoe. And another and another.

Lan Zhan blinked rapidly. Is. Is that even possible.

It was like the pouches disappeared inside...what...

Nie Huaisang, having witnessed Wei Ying do this before, barely bat an eye when he was given a mantou from one of the pouches. Wei Ying handed another mantou to Lan Zhan.

After a moment's hesitation, the golden-eyed teen took it.

"Don't worry, Young Master Nie", Wei Ying grinned, biting on his own mantou. "I'll protect you!"

Nie Huaisang's eyes shone. "Wei-xiong..."

"For a few paper money, of course!" A wicked cackle.

Nie Huaisang let out a betrayed overly-dramatic wail. "WEI-XIONG, HOW CRUEL! I don't have any money on me!!"

The two of them kept talking and laughing, while Lan Zhan silently ate his mantou. There should be no talking during meals, after all.

Even so, he mulled over the words Wei Ying said. He thought about Wei Ying in general.

The biggest question in his mind is this; why is Wei Ying so obsessed with money? 

So much so that the teen has gained a reputation where he'd willingly sell out someone just for a few coins.

Every rumor has a glimmer of truth, and Lan Zhan can see that.

What he can't see is, though, is Wei Ying willingly doing something...unrighteous, just for money. He has other priorities than those coins, as hinted by that whole incident with Jin Zixuan, though it's hard to tell when you're someone who doesn't know much about him.

Wei Ying, Wei Wuxian is an enigma to Lan Zhan. That much is certain.

==

As the night went on and Nie Huaisang fell asleep, Kuai came back to Wei Ying's side.

She'd been spooked at the menacing aura of the temple, so she flew away. Though she must have felt lonely, because she flew in from the open spaces of the walls of the temple to sit on top of Wei Ying's head.

She still made it clear that she wants to be anywhere but here, so she grabbed locks of Wei Ying's hair and pulled them sharply upward.

Wei Ying winced, poking the bird to get her to stop. Kuai bit his finger instead. "Ow. Good to see you, too."

Kuai snapped back a reply.

She quickly settled down, drifting off on Wei Ying's head. Wei Ying let out a sigh of relief.

La Zhan watched him all the while.

Opening the coins back up and counting his bronze coins all over again, the silver-eyed teen attempted conversation. "Lan Zhan. You're not going to sleep?"

Silence passed them for the moment. The wind outside blew a haunting, empty tune.

"Why do you love money so much?", the Second Jade asked.

Wei Ying stopped.

Another round of silence passed. Nie Huaisang's soft snores were accompanied by Kuai's whistling in sleep.

The silver-eyed teen put the coins back in his pouch, pulling the strings shut. 

Then he said this.

"When you felt how it was when you didn't have anything, wouldn't you want to make sure you can always get everything while you can?"

Lan Zhan looked down. That reason...

Wei Ying put the pouches back in his shoes, and then smiled at the only person still awake with him. "You'll take first watch?"

An exhale. "Good night, Wei Ying."

"Good night, Lan Zhan", he gently cupped Kuai's form to place her to the ground, before lying down himself. "Wake me up when you feel sleepy, I'll go next."

Wei Ying closed his eyes. Soon enough, his breathing matched the rest of the sleeping creatures in the room.

Lan Zhan pulled Bichen close to his chest. He faced the statue goddess with the determination to be vigilant.

He fell asleep shortly after.

==

Jiang Cheng didn't even get the chance to ask around before a fierce corpse went after his butt.

Navigating through the streets of this village, Jiang Cheng cursed mentally. With Sandu in his grip, he dodged a corpse that sling-shotted itself onto his face and hit the one that suddenly appeared in front of him with his sword sheath.

Behind him, a whole crowd of them were running after him like he was a particularly delicious piece of meat. Maybe he really is with these creatures, who knows.

It's plenty obvious that they're not normal fierce corpses. There are cracks in their neck and their eyes are white and unseeing--but their complexions are full, not ashen grey. Like they're still alive.

Shist. No wonder Wen Qing said his shixiong is in danger.

Whatever is going on here, it can't be good.

There was a lone temple, up ahead. Jiang Cheng didn't want to keep on searching through houses and bringing more of these things out, so he took a gamble.

He unsheathed Sandu, hopped on it, and flew in that direction for as fast as he could. The wind felt like blades cutting through his skin, but he bore through with it as he landed on top of the building.

The Jiang Sect Heir looked on. The fierce corpses are now far behind him, but they'll be here soon. They have unnatural speed when it comes to running.

He sighed. Just--why did he come here? Why the hell did Wei Wuxian decide to suddenly be an idiot?

Searching for a hole to go in, he found one big enough at the edge of the wall connecting to the roof. He could see--is that a statue? Why is it in the middle of the room instead of in the altar? WhY IS IT MOVING--green robes, white robes, and purple robes.

He spots a red ribbon on the one with purple robes. Found you.

Unfortunately, Kuai spotted him. The pheasant let out chirps, stabbing Wei Ying's shoulder, and turned to point to where Jiang Cheng is.

Silver met almond. Wei Ying moved away to avoid getting crushed by a hand. "Do you have any talisman paper?"

The Jiang Sect Heir scowled, jumping through the hole. He landed with a soft thud. "Seriously? That's what you say to me?"

"Hi!", the silver-eyed teen amended, tackling Nie Huaisang and rolling out of the way to save them both from becoming mincemeat. "We're about to die! Do you have any talisman paper?"

Jiang Cheng pulled his own qiankun pouch to look for it. A millisecond later, the statue stopped. Spiritual energy engulfed her form, sinking down to her chest and disabling her for now.

"Be alert", Lan Zhan commanded.

"Go, Lan Zhan!", Wei Ying cheered, pushing himself to sit up. Nie Huaisang shivered, clinging to him.

Kuai gave a bird version of a mother's scolding, to which Wei Ying did his best to tune out.

Jiang Cheng marched over to the silver-eyed teen to offer a hand. "What were you thinking? I thought you were going to stay in the dye shop!"

Wei Ying stared at him. He paled significantly. "Oh f**k, my money! The shiny coins I'm about to earn, how could I forget them!!"

The Jiang Sect Heir pulled him up to stand with an eye roll. Nie Huaisang stood with Wei Ying, letting go because Kuai almost stabbed his wrist.

They weren't given a long rest. Shortly after, there was noise at the blocked front doors.

When they all checked the doors, they could see the fierce corpses from before, trying to break it down. Wei Ying cast a talisman in the air--weaker now due to the fact that he's been using up all his energy for the fairy statue earlier--and activated it, forming a chain-link barrier.

The group of four backed away. The door was slowly being broken, bit by bit.

"Wh-what happened out there?", Nie Huaisang gasped.

Jiang Cheng was the one who came from whatever that was. He didn't know, either.

==

It transformed into an even bigger mess, after that.

Turns out, the fierce corpses are Wen Qing's people. They were controlled by the Yin Iron possessed by the Dire Owl, and were freed when Lan Zhan and Wei Ying killed it.

Even when the easiest thing to do was to let them be, Wen Qing still helped their group by luring the controlled puppets away. 

Now that the people had been freed...

"I almost hurt Lady Wen...", the elderly woman cried before a tomb, despite Wen Qing trying to make her stand back up. "I'm not good at anything..."

"Popo, it's okay. Please, get up, popo, come on..."

"Lady Wen, I'm so sorry...I'm of no use...!"

The rest of the people with the elderly woman agreed with tearful and regretful faces. 

Wen Qing felt her heart break. "Popo. Everyone, don't say that. Please. I'm the one who should say sorry to all of you."

Jiang Cheng looked at the scene, standing at the sight with Nie Huaisang. The almond-eyed teen took a deep breath, and looked down with a scowl.

Those QishanWen...

To even do this to their own people?

==

"Lady Wen. The Dire Owl was always following Lan Zhan, ever since I encountered him at Tanzhou. Do you know why?"

Wen Qing closed her eyes at the question. She didn't say anything.

Wei Ying huffed, crossing his arms. "Lady Wen, if you didn't know anything, why did you suddenly help us? Why did you warn Jiang Cheng?"

A pause.

"Wei Wuxian", she turned to look at him, gaze firm. "You helped A-Ning, and I saved you, so now we're even. I don't know anything else, so don't bother asking me."

Wei Ying bit the insides of his cheek. He nodded.

She started to walk away--

"The reason why the fairy goddess snatches souls is the Yin Iron, right?"

Wen Qing stopped in her tracks, at Wei Ying's sudden statement. Lan Zhan looked at his companion.

There was a calculating gleam in the eyes of the Jiang Head Disciple. "Her target was Lan Zhan, back there. Lan Zhan had a piece of Yin Iron. If it's not that..."

The red ribbon twirled in the air as Wei Ying whirled to Lan Zhan. Wei Ying snickered. "She must like you, Second Young Master Lan!"

Lan Zhan grit his teeth, annoyed. "Shut up."

Wen Qing sighed.

==

Jiang Cheng wanted to drag Wei Ying back home after that, to get him to report all this to his parents.

Sadly, Lan Zhan's Yin Ironpiece acted up again. Unwilling to let the other teen go off alone, Wei Ying insisted on accompanying him.

"If Grandmaster Lan finds out that I'm helping him", the silver-eyed teen says. "Then he'll definitely give me money! See, it's a win!"

Jiang Cheng looked so done with everything. "I can't believe you."

They all ended up in Yueyang. Wei Ying went forward and got valuable information due to the insight that civilians know more about matters in the village than Cultivation Clans. Their next location for the Yin Iron is the Chang Sect, where a haunting is supposedly occurring there.

Nie Huaisang broke off from the group to meet up with his brother's assistant, Meng Yao, and so it was only the Jiang Sect members accompanying Lan Zhan.

Wei Ying was useful, using this new talisman he invented to keep Xue Yang from running away. Binding, he called it. Xue Yang wasn't able to run away.

They met Song Lan and Xiao Xingchen, who ultimately took the criminal with them to punish. Unfortunately, the Yin Iron was nowhere to be found.

When the Nie Sect arrived, Nie Huaisang shared that Lan Xichen sent a letter to his brother, Nie Mingjue.

"A letter?", Lan Zhan felt dread gather in his chest. "Is there something wrong?"

Nie Huaisang didn't answer, which was much worse.

As they traveled to the Unclean Realm, Nie Huaisang's home, they were all able to talk.

Turns out, Xiao Xingchen was a disciple of Baoshan Sanren. Wei Ying is his martial nephew, through Cangse Sanren.

It was the best news Wei Ying could have had. A connection to his mother.

Still, they eventually had to part ways from the rogue cultivators. The group of four teens went into the Unclean Realm, in Qinghe, witnessing Xue Yang sentenced to imprisonment. Nie Mingjue welcomed the teens, letting them stay in the meantime.

They discussed the matter with the Wen Sect and the Yin Iron. Wei Ying revealed that the Dire Owl had been following them, which led to this.

"Wangji, Xichen wrote in his letter that he may have found records of the Yin Iron in forbidden books", Nie Mingjue said. "Take it back to Gusu, and see to it that this problem is taken care of."

Lan Zhan nodded. "Understood."

That was that.

Going to the courtyard, Wei Ying stretched. Kuai chirped, fluttering around the teen.

"Yeah, yeah", the teen grumbled. "Guess I'd have to report what happened so far, lest Madam Yu will be all hell hath no fury on me. You'll pray for me, right, Kuai?"

Kuai replied to that by laughing. Hysterical rolling on the ground laughing in bird language.

Wei Ying huffed. "Jerk."

Lan Zhan went out the door just then, and Wei Ying caught sight of the pouch in the teen's possession.

His expression was indecipherable, for a little bit.

He approached the golden-eyed teen with a grin. "Lan Zhan, Lan Zhan. I know we don't know what to do for the Iron right now, but I have an idea."

And the Head Disciple held out a hand. "Do you trust me, though?"

Lan Zhan considered it. So far, Wei Ying had been nothing but helpful. He got the Second Jade out of tight situations he wasn't sure he would have made it out when alone.

With all that, it's only natural to place his trust in this money-loving earnest guy.

He took the pouch and placed it in the silver-eyed teen's hand. Wei Ying's smile turned just a tad softer. A little sad? "Thanks, Lan Zhan."

Drawing qi into his finger, the Jiang Head Disciple drew a talisman on the pouch. It glowed, activating, before sinking down on the fabric of the container.

Lan Zhan blinked. "What was it?"

"Hmmm", Wei Ying gave the pouch back. "It's insurance, let's just say."

Lan Zhan blinked. 

He didn't get another answer after that.

==

When he arrived back at his home, the Cloud Recesses was burning.

The place was invaded by cultivators in red, cutting down both the inner and outer disciples. As Lan Zhan was desperately running to find his uncle, he saw countless bodies of the people he'd known all his life--people he never took the chance to get to know--littered all over the floor.

The wood and walls were painted a grotesque red.

Lan Xichen was nowhere to be seen. The library was the most affected, set ablaze in an inferno. Countless centuries of knowledge--gone, just like that.

The survivors, the ones who are left, have retreated to the back hills' ancient hideouts, where only those with the Lan forehead ribbon can enter. Lan Zhan stood back, just so the rest of them can retreat. 

So they can survive.

What led this heinous deed was Wen Ruohan's first son, Wen Xu. Cruelty dancing in his eyes, the teen with tight cheekbones in red and white robes smiled sadistically. "Second Young Master Lan."

To save his clan, he surrendered. He had to give up the Yin Iron, had his leg broken, and--

Spluttering. Wen Xu opened the pouch, revealing something none of them expected.

Instead of the pouch containing the piece of Yin Iron, what was inside instead was a ball made up of empty paper talismans crumpled together.

Lan Zhan's mind flashed back to Wei Ying, who was the only other person who had gotten ahold of this.

The one who placed a talisman on the qiankun pouch.

The only one who could have done something as sudden as this, even when they're currently apart.

The Second Jade sucked in a sharp breath. Wei Ying...what did you do?

Chapter Text

Jiang Cheng was absolutely pissed off.

"It's all your fault", he says, to the idiot kneeling alongside him. "What possessed you to run around like that without telling anyone? I wouldn't have gone out to search for you otherwise."

"My mistake", Wei Ying huffed fondly, gently nudging his shidi's arm with his elbow. "This one will bear the punishment for you, promise."

The almond-eyed teen rolled his eyes. "Come on. I've been with you since we were children. Since when do I not get punished for having a shixiong like you? I don't know what sin I committed in my past life to deserve this."

The scent of lotus flowers drifted through the air, the floor cold and warm at the same time even with their purple robes covering them. In front of them was a throne carved with the mark of a lotus; the symbol of the YunmengJiang Clan. The throne room of their home.

Wei Ying knows he's probably be punished, not just by Yu Ziyuan but by Jiang Fengmian, too.

He has no intention of letting Jiang Cheng be roped into this, though, but he could understand why his shidi is so angry. After all, the silver-eyed teen did leave all of a sudden...

Oh, well. Let bygones be bygones, right?

"Don't be mad", Wei Ying put a hand on Jiang Cheng's shoulder, smiling brightly. "In our next life, let's still be brothers, okay?"

Almond met silver. Jiang Cheng scoffed, though he looked more appeased now. Wei Ying's smile widened.

Incessant chirping came back, along with footsteps as a newcomer entered the throne room. Wei Ying quickly let go of Jiang Cheng, both teens straightening up as Jiang Fengmian entered their view. Kuai flew in, settling herself on top of the throne.

Before Jiang Cheng could say anything, Wei Ying shifted, letting his forehead touch the ground in a humble kowtow. "Sect Leader Jiang, this one wandered without permission. Young Master Jiang simply went to find me. So please, punish only me, Sect Leader."

A squawk. Wei Ying felt tugging on his hair, which he's ignored with the expertise of someone used to it.

Jiang Cheng choked. He hurriedly bowed his head. "A-Die, I am not filial for making you worry. I did not send any messages to update you on our condition. I'm sorry."

Wei Ying shifted a little, to shoot his shidi a look. I'm TRYING not to get you in trouble!

Jiang Cheng glared back. So you're planning to shoulder everything?

Hands placing themselves on their heads interrupted their wordless bickering.

"You're not hurt, right? A-Cheng? A-Xian?", gentle eyes searched them both, as the mild-mannered Sect Leader pat the two boys with care. He was now kneeling with one knee in front of the two. "Did you encounter any danger on the journey back?"

The two teens exchanged looks. Wei Ying sits back upright, still bowing his head. "Sect Leader Jiang, it's our fault for making you concerned."

"We weren't going out for fun this time, A-Die", Jiang Cheng cut in. "We were with Lan Wangji--"

Wei Ying's hand shot out, firmly grabbing his shidi's wrist in a tight hold. A gesture to be quiet.

Kuai chirped a scolding, too, coming to sit on top of Wei Ying's head.

Jiang Cheng shut his mouth.

Just then, familiar blue and pink robes entered the boys' line of sight, along with sparkling soft amber eyes.

"A-Cheng! A-Xian!", Jiang Yanli called out, rushing over to the three. Kuai gave her a greeting, which she gracefully greeted back.

Wei Ying raised his head, beaming. "Young Lady Jiang!"

"A-Jie", the almond-eyed heir smiled as well. "How are you?"

"Young Lady Jiang, you must have missed this one. You look so thin!", Wei Ying cheekily says, earning an eye-roll from his martial brother. The silver-eyed teen pouts at that.

Jiang Yanli leaned in, tapping the head disciple's nose. Wei Ying's expression quickly melted back into a smile at this.

"Ugh. Shame on you", Jiang Cheng bit out, exasperated.

The teen with the red ribbon on his hair laughed.

Jiang Fengmian watched the children fondly, before standing. "Enough. We should eat first."

Wei Ying schools his expression, inclining his head. He and Jiang Cheng stand up, before the former bows at the rest of the people here. "Then, I should inform the cooks for lunch."

The silver-eyed teen starts to walk away, when Jiang Yanli stops him. "A-Xian, you know you can eat with us. Right?"

Kuai voiced out her confusion, too.

He stopped in his tracks. There was a pause before the teen turned to her with a lopsided smile.

Wei Ying bows. "This one doesn't think that is appropriate, but thank you for the offer."

Then he turned to walk out of the throne room, pretending he doesn't feel the stares on his back.

==

An inquisitive chirping.

"It wouldn't be great, Kuai", Wei Ying shoots back at the pheasant sitting on top of his head. "I'm not Sect Leader Jiang's ward or adopted child. I'm only a servant."

Sure, he is a favored servant. But a servant all the same.

While he was offered to be Jiang Fengmian's ward back then, when he was still 9 years old and fresh from the streets, Wei Ying had declined that offer. He had heard Yu Ziyuan and Jiang Fengmian fight about his presence in Lotus Pier; he'd much rather not add fuel to that particular inferno.

And if his time on the streets taught him anything, it's that money is precious and important. It lets you buy things like food, clothing, water, and even shelter if you have enough. The number of coins he'd managed to steal and keep on him back then could be counted by one hand, yet they still feel great to have.

The coins were shiny and pretty.

The coins were his.

Wei Ying wanted to have more. He wanted to earn more.

So, he asked to be a servant instead. Someone who can earn as much money as he wants, as long as he works for it.

Wei Ying is pretty happy with this, especially with being Head Disciple as well. Even if the responsibilities are a lot, he feels great doing them. Now he has lots and lots of shiny coins!!

He doesn't want to push his luck too much, though. Plenty of people look down on those who associate with servants, since the majority thinks they're the lowest of the low.

Wei Ying won't pretend he's part of the main family. The Jiang family is simply fond of him, that's all.

At least he managed to earn Yu Ziyuan's favor, to be able to build a relatively close relationship with her. At least he's allowed to be close to Jiang Cheng and Jiang Yanli, able to call them his own siblings even if only in his heart.

That's already enough for the silver-eyed teen.

==

"Wei Wuxian."

Wei Ying froze, hand inches to the door leading to the kitchens.

Turning ever so slowly, dread started crawling up his spine when his eyes met with dark brown ones burning with anger and irritation.

Yu Ziyuan was standing in front of him, arms crossed in all her furious glory. On her finger, Zidian is crackling with harsh, purple lightning.

Wei Ying bowed to her, his head screaming a bit of aaaaaaaaaaaa. "Madam Yu. This one greets you."

Yu Ziyuan raised an eyebrow, scowling.

Okay, a lot of aaaaaaaaaaaaaaa.

"You", she says. "Are going to tell me what you were up to when you wandered off."

That's not a request. It's undeniably an order.

The silver-eyed teen bit his lip. The whole thing with the Yin Iron...it wasn't his secret to tell. He shouldn't reveal anything.

"Wei Wuxian."

But he's definitely going to die, that much is sure.

==

Kuai tugged his bangs, chirping another question.

Wei Ying rubbed a hand on his face, sitting on the floor of the kitchen after that whole encounter. He's already told the cooks of the request to have the dishes for lunch.

His problems are still very much problems, though. "I'll come up with something. Shut up, you."

Kuai whistled. She settled to cuddle on his shoulder.

Absentmindedly, Wei Ying ran a hand through her feathers gently. They feel smooth and soft...

Right. Wei Ying still doesn't want to tell anyone about the Yin Iron unless Lan Zhan expressed his permission, but he can talk about everything else. After all, it's easy to say that he simply hung out with the friends he made in Cloud Recesses, and then ended up in Qinghe...

Eh. He's still going to get murdered for that.

Whatever, right?

Deciding to move forward from that for now, he silently watched the cooks work on the food.

One of the pouches hidden in his shoes feels heavier than usual. More sinister.

Wei Ying chose not to say anything, even as he put a warding talisman to where that pouch is.

He can deal with the implications of this sudden transference later.

==

When Wei Ying brought the food to the table, having other servants help with the those he couldn't carry alone, Jiang Fengmian was in the middle of explaining.

Jiang Cheng couldn't help but notice that Kuai wasn't with his shixiong. Where was that stupid bird?

"Perhaps you've heard about it when you and A-Xian were in Qinghe, but the QishanWen has sent a special envoy here", the Jiang Sect Leader said, expression grave and serious. "They are urging all the Sects to send their young family members to Qishan for several days. They will offer indoctrination in person."

Jiang Cheng immediately dug into his plate once Wei Ying placed his plate before him--but was stopped when Yu Ziyuan leveled a glare at him. His face shifted to something not unlike a childish pout.

Wei Ying and Jiang Yanli saw that, and barely managed to stop letting out snickers. Jiang Cheng still stared at them both pointedly, though.

"A-Cheng, A-Xian", the boys called looked up when Jiang Fengmian called them. "The two of you should prepare for it and set off soon."

Standing to the side at a respectable distance from the table, on the spot behind Jiang Cheng, Wei Ying dutifully inclines his head. "As you wish, Sect Leader Jiang."

Meanwhile, Jiang Cheng made a face as he stabbed his chopsticks to the meat on his plate. "Offer indoctrination in person, is that what the Wen Sect said? Tch. Such shame on them."

And with a scolding tone, "A-Cheng. Mind your language and enjoy your meal."

A hush fell over the table.

Jiang Cheng hung his head down at his father's words. Wei Ying shifted in his place uncomfortably.

Yu Ziyuan put down her chopsticks with a subtle thud. Then, she whirled around to her husband, demanding. "How can you be so calm?"

Jiang Fengmian's eyebrows furrowed. "Why are you so anxious?"

Now she slammed both hands on the table. Zidian sparked. "Anxious? Anxious!? How can you be so calm and unconcerned! The letter said that if we disobey their order and refuse to give them our Sect Heirs, we will be accused of treason and wiped out! And you dare ask me why I'm anxious!?"

Jiang Cheng winced. To even threaten the Jiang Sect of utter annihilation for this...

The Wen Sect is going too far.

"San-niang..."

"HA!", a bitter laugh. "How arrogant! Sect Heirs? So we have to give either A-Cheng or A-Li at their mercy? Why should we send them away? Indoctrination? Since when does the Wen Sect do that when we indoctrinate our own children just fine? They're obviously trying to get our children as hostages!"

"A-Niang, it's okay", the almond-eyed teen interjected, lest the whole table will get flipped overhead. "I'll go."

"Of course you're going! How could it be your sister!?"

Jiang Yanli flinched. Yu Ziyuan realized she's going too far with that, too, for she suddenly fell silent.

Still, it was the truth. Jiang Yanli has weak health and cultivation; she'd surely have a harder time being there than Jiang Cheng.

Grh. Jiang Cheng really hates this whole thing with a passion.

"Madam Yu."

It was then that Wei Ying chose to speak.

Everyone else turned to him, seeing him raising a hand like a student trying to get the teacher's attention. "I have a questio--"

Yu Ziyuan cut him off, expression shifting to exasperation. "If you come with A-Cheng, I'll give you another chance at the double allowance, plus a whole day where you have my permission to invent whatever you want for a whole day."

Wei Ying's eyes shone with an eager light, grinning widely, giddily shifting his raised hand into a thumbs up. "I have no questions. Count me in."

Jiang Cheng's eye twitched. Seriously? You were asking about payment?

The Lady of Lotus Pier looked incredibly pleased, though. At least that's good. "Good boy."

Jiang Fengmian sweatdropped.

Jiang Yanli sighed, shaking her head fondly.

Almond and silver met. Wei Ying glowed with enthusiasm, now directing his thumbs-up at his shidi. "I will always do my best to support you, Young Master!"

Jiang Cheng threw a piece of bread at his stupid face. He relished at the squawk the head disciple let out when it hit true.

Jiang Yanli laughed, before chiding her youngest brother about it. Jiang Fengmian managed a genuine smile.

The rest of the lunch went by smoothly. It was only later when Jiang Cheng would realize that Wei Ying had effortlessly bled away the tension that appeared between them all, using his own greedy way.

Huh.

==

Kuai was there to greet him when Wei Ying was able to retreat to his room. Naturally, she pulled at his hair to show her anger, because how dare he trap her in this cluttered space?

But he knew Yu Ziyuan is angry, and he couldn't risk making it worse by having her mess things up. She'd just have to deal with it.

On the table, there was the pouch that suddenly radiated resentment while the silver-eyed teen was in the kitchens. 

Wei Ying closed his eyes, letting his own body sink down to the floor. Papers, paints, and sketches were scattered on the ground; the way it is when he left his room before going to that dye shop. Before the Yin Iron.

Haah. What a mess.

Not like it could be helped, though. At least--Wei Ying was able to help, in a small way.

The teen with the red ribbon took out his shoe, pulling out the only other thing there that wasn't in a pouch. Between his index and thumb, was a chipped-off piece of silver-black metal. The resentment in it was contained for now, due to Wei Ying putting a total of 5 warding talismans on it.

This is only a small piece of the Yin Iron, yet it already needs so much to contain it's resentment...

Wei Ying clenched his hand on the piece. The conditional teleportation talisman he put in thankfully worked, though it obviously needs some tweaking if it chipped off something from the target.

What would even happen if this talisman had transported a living person with this error?

So, he needs to fix that. It shouldn't be that hard.

About the chipped-off piece, though...

Hm.

What if. This piece of Yin Iron could be used to go against the rest of the Yin Iron pieces, even for a little bit?

Then wouldn't whoever has the rest of this rock have a very hard time assembling it all, if one is repelling the others?

Hmmmm. Stuff to think about.

Even so, the fact that the conditional talisman activated in the first place when it's only supposed to work when the target is in danger of being grabbed or sliced by an offender...

Something must have happened. Though Wei Ying hates that he can't do anything right now; Yu Ziyuan would surely prevent him from leaving before the Indoctrination. Sigh.

I hope Lan Zhan is doing okay.

==

Wen Qing couldn't look up, could only kneel at the sheer power that was threatening her. Threatening her little brother.

Her uncle, Wen Ruohan, was certainly not happy. With three of the Yin Iron pieces under his command, the puppets of humans that were turned into corpses started to surround her.

The corpses were bloodied, as they would after having torn apart a man just now.

She felt like she was going to be sick.

The Dafan Wen saves lives, not take them. And yet...

And yet...

"This is my last warning to you", the leader of the Wen Sect says to her, as if not addressing his own nephew--but a servant far beneath him. "If that happens again, Wen Ning will be the next test subject to my puppets."

If you help Wei Wuxian again, if you help any of them again, your brother will die.

Her fists clenched, hard enough to draw blood. Regardless of her own belief and morality--family comes first.

Her brother comes first.

"It will not happen again", Wen Qing forced herself to promise, bowing low. "His Excellency brought me up, and I am grateful. As long as His Excellency has an order, I dare not disobey."

Wen Ruohan hummed. The three pieces spun again.

A self-satisfied smirk appeared on the tyrant's face. "As long as you understand."

The puppets started to back away.

Wen Qing still couldn't breathe.

==

The first two days of Indoctrination was, uh...something.

Nightless City was a sight in and of itself. True to it's name, it is a place where the sun never sets--supposedly pointing to the Wen Clan's symbol being the sun itself.

Upon approaching the gates of this territory, what immediately greeted them were stairs made of ivory, pillars the color of onyx black, and buildings as red as blood. Even the air itself was oppressing.

Cultivators in Wen robes greeted the people of the Jiang Sect with swords to the throat. One of them stepped forward. "This way, young masters."

As if they couldn't do that without the threat of murder???

Wei Ying and Kuai both looked at the scenery and the swords aimed at them for half-a-minute, before blankly looking at each other.

The pheasant promptly flapped her wings and flew away from there at the fastest pace Wei Ying has seen from her.

The silver-eyed teen was frankly amazed.

As it is, what she did was uNFAIR KUAI COME BACK HERE! "QUITTER!"

Jiang Cheng stared longingly at where Kuai went off, apparently wishing that he could somehow sprout wings and fly away like the bird did.

Everyone else forced to be here could relate, honestly.

Upon being taken to where they were supposed to gather, Wei Ying could already see the Jin and Nie Sects at attendance. The silver-eyed teen sneered in Jin Zixuan's direction, receiving a complicated expression back before the peacock decided to ignore him.

Nie Huaisang was able to stand beside Jiang Cheng, which was good. At least they'll have someone to talk to. "Jiang-xiong! Wei-xiong!"

Jiang Cheng nodded at him. Wei Ying waved a hand enthusiastically.

So, almost all are accounted for. Where was GusuLan?

"Look at yourselves", a figure appeared at the top of the stairs before them all, sneering, greasy hair glinting in the light. Ew. "You all look like sleepy mangled dogs."

Wei Ying took a second to recognize him, but when he did, the silver-eyed teen immediately wanted to use his sheathed sword and beat the guy over the head with it. Wen Chao, looking at them all like they were all below him. The one who controlled the Dire Owl and endangered Wen Qing's people, back in that quest.

And when Lan Zhan, the only one to be brought from the GusuLan Sect, arrived, Wei Ying's intentions shifted to just strangling that pompous young master to death. With the way the Second Jade is limping, it was obvious that he was deeply hurt.

How hurt was his leg? Was it treated, even for a little bit?

Was the rest of the Gusu Lan okay? If the rest of the Sect has been wiped out, they should have heard something...

Wei Ying squashed down the spark of wrath in his heart before it could emerge as a bubbling volcano. He shouldn't cause a scene. Regardless of what he does, it wouldn't help Lan Zhan. It would make things worse for Jiang Cheng, too.

So, he forced his fists to relax and plastered a smile on his face. There are other ways to mess with people, after all. He can find a way. And maybe get Lan Zhan's leg checked, too.

Wen Chao proceeded to demand their swords taken. There were protests, but Wei Ying kind of expected this, really. With how the Yin Iron piece suddenly appeared to his pouch indicated an attack, and now with Lan Zhan's injury and the fact that he's alone...the signs are all there.

He's altered the conditional teleportation talisman, so--having given his Suibian and watching Jiang Cheng give Sandu to the Wen soldiers--hopefully, their swords will be intact when it activated.

Jiang Cheng is going to be very upset if something happened to his sword, and Wei Ying doesn't want that.

Jin Zixuan was pretty brave, though, speaking out like that. Still an a**hole, but--brave.

They were given these little booklets to memorize afterward. The Quintessence of the Wen Sect, containing proverbs and glories of Sect Leaders and famed gentries of the Wen Sect. They were all supposed to memorize it all by tomorrow, or else punishment.

Huh. Okay.

Kind of hilarious to read through them, that's for sure.

"Those who count on their Sect and do evil at will shall all be executed", silver eyes read through the page, internally laughing. Wei Ying was sprawled all over his bed, hair braided down with his red ribbon entwined between his locks. He just found the irony of it all incredibly funny. "Not only executed, but decapitated and reviled by the people to warn future generations."

Jiang Cheng blinked at that, before he snorted. His hair in a braid as well with his own purple ribbon among the hairstyle, he was sitting in his own bed. They just finished unpacking, after all, so what's the harm of relaxing for a little bit?

"If this is the case, the decapitated heads of the Wen Sect are going to outnumber the pigs' heads", Wei Ying cackled, kicking his legs. He let the book fall on the floor.

"It seems like thick skin is the Wen Sect's true heirloom", Jiang Cheng commented.

"True that."

A few minutes passed between them, with Wei Ying continuing to read the book while lying across the bed.

Jiang Cheng had unfolded a handkerchief, staring at the wooden comb in his hand. The silver-eyed teen doesn't know what, or who it is for, but it's not his business, so he didn't say anything about it.

But. "Your sword. Did it work?"

The almond-eyed teen wordlessly brought out his own qiankun pouch. He placed his hand in, pulling out a familiar sheathed sword. When he unsheathed it, light from its iron glinted.

"Yeah", Jiang Cheng breathed out--then snapped his head in Wei Ying's direction. "How about you?"

Wei Ying shrugged. "If it worked for you, then it worked for me, too. Now put it back, or our captors are going to find out about it."

"Don't tell me what to do", regardless, Jiang Cheng did it anyway. After placing the qiankun pouch back to where it came from, he looked at the comb again.

There was a pause. "Lady Wen...where do you think she is right now?"

The silver-eyed teen hummed. Rolling so his torso is the one touching the surface of the bed, the teen speculated. "She should be here in Nightless City. Though, I don't think we'll get to meet her here."

After all, Wen Qing is surely surrounded by the enemy. How can they get close to her then?

An exhale. Jiang Cheng nodded glumly, putting the comb back to being covered by the handkerchief. "Yeah..."

Wei Ying closed his eyes. He picked up the book again. "I know you hate this, Young Master Jiang. I hate this, too. But let's just push on, okay? It'll be fine."

It'll be fine.

Jiang Cheng nodded. It's not like they can do anything else right now.

At least they're together here.

==

Nope.

Jiang Cheng does not want to leave his room right now.

Seriously, this time is even more ungodly than Wei Ying's normal time of sleeping--which is saying something.

As it is, Wei Ying is the one that is waking him. A miracle for his brother to do that without some sort of money bribery. "Young Master. Get up, we have to get ready. They're already calling for us."

Jiang Cheng groaned. He shifted and buried himself underneath the pillow.

Wei Ying simply persisted.

Ugh.

"Wei Wuxian", almond eyes blearily blinked, squinting at the form of his shixiong in the dark. 

"Young Master Jiang", he heard Wei Ying reply.

"Break my legs, so much so that I won't be able to stand." Just so he can get a healthy amount of sleep, is that too much to ask!?

The response was immediate. "I can't do that."

"Then open all the windows and cast an ice talisman on me."

"Don't you want to continue sleeping?", Wei Ying's voice is tinged with amusement now. "That will just wake you up."

Jiang Cheng threw his pillow at the other teen for being so annoyingly logical when he doesn't want him to be.

As it is, it didn't take long for Jiang Cheng to force himself out of bed after that. They both hurried to get dressed and ready, before going back to where they all gathered yesterday.

Wen Chao is somehow even more obnoxious and annoying than before. Even after forcing them all to get up at such an early time, now he's getting them all to recite the whole book they've barely even memorized?!

Oh, how Jiang Cheng wants to cut him in half so badly.

As it is, Wei Ying, Lan Zhan, and Jin Zixuan were called first. The latter two refused, which left Wei Ying to do it on his own.

Jiang Cheng watched his shixiong calmly walk near the stairs. Wei Ying's expression was carefully blank, hands clasped in front; the perfect posture of a respectful servant.

"Well?", Wen Chao gestured the teen to start. " Go on."

At the stairs, Wen Zhuliu, the Core-Melting Hand, looked at the teen with the red ribbon, too.

Wei Ying inclined his head respectfully. Then Jiang Cheng saw his lips curl up, and knew this was going to be good.

The silver-eyed Jiang head disciple then opened his mouth. "Thou shall not kill, fight, or lech."

Nie Huaisang's lips twitched, barely managing to stop himself from cackling at the top of his lungs. Jin Zixuan smiled slightly

"Thou shall not shout, wander at night, or sprint", Wei Ying went on, all with a perfectly blank face. "Thou shall not bully the weak by being strong or tease others. Thou shall not break laws."

Jiang Cheng snickered, trying to hide it behind a hand. He saw Lan Zhan look at Wei Ying pointedly, confirming what the Jiang Sect Heir knew.

Wei Ying isn't reciting things from the book.

Wei Ying is reciting the rules of Gusu Lan.

Even if his treatment in Cloud Recesser is pretty unfair, guess all that time being sent to copy it as punishment worked out. This is just hilarious.

Especially with Wen Chao's face. He looks like a bloated chipmunk! "How dare you, Wei Wuxian! To read the Lan Principles here in Qishan! Do you have a death wish?"

Wei Ying blinked owlishly, like he's an innocent teenager who did no wrong in his life ever. "Oh, was that the Lan rules? Sorry. Perhaps some coins would help me remember the right things from the book. Would you offer me some, Young Master?"

Luo Qingyang's whole body shook from trying to contain her hilarity. She settled in covering her face instead.

Jiang Cheng shook his head, both exasperated and fond. Leave it to Wei Ying to be shameless enough to ask money from the ones holding them hostages.

Wen Chao, with his face a startlingly bright shade of purple, roared out to the soldiers. He demanded Wei Ying, Jin Zixuan, and Lan Zhan to be punished--by being made to carry dung?

Oof. What happened was amusing, what his shixiong did was awesome, but sucks to be them.

Wei Ying waved at him, walking by Lan Zhan's side as he was escorted to the vegetable garden with the Second Jade and the annoying peacock. Jiang Cheng waved back with Nie Huaisang, a little bit wary. 

Well. They're just handling some fertilizer, albeit the disgusting kind.

It'll be fine.

Right?

==

It wasn't fine.

Already, it was approaching evening, but Wei Ying is still not back. Lan Zhan and Jin Zixuan have returned, but Wei Ying is still not here.

Jiang Cheng tried to demand where his shixiong is, but the guards simply shoved him away. One of them even said, "Don't ask what doesn't concern you."

Which--yes, it very much does concern him! That's Jiang Cheng's brother they've taken to who knows where!

Then Wen Qing appeared, and the guards backed away at her swift command. Almond met dark, ink-colored ones, and silence went between them.

Then they asked at the exact same time. "Where is Wei Wuxian?"

The Wen doctor frowned. "He isn't back yet?"

Jiang Cheng shook his head. He feels like he's going to lose his mind by the worry he feels. "Wen Chao took him earlier, but..."

He could see all the gears turning in her head, before her eyes widened. She has a hunch where his shixiong is.

But--could she act on it?

"Lady Wen", Jiang Cheng says, earning her attention again. "I...was Sect Leader Wen...hard on you?"

Because if this--if she tries to help them, and it costs Wen Qing her family...

Jiang Cheng knew, having the priority to protect only his own. He wanted to help Lan Zhan, too, maybe even yell at him to ask what happened. But he didn't, since it would probably bring trouble on him or his Sect.

It could prompt Wei Ying to act, and then place himself in more danger. Then, Jiang Cheng wouldn't be able to hold his shixiong back without looking like a hypocrite.

He knew the fear of losing everything just by helping someone that isn't even someone you're particularly close to. He knew that when push comes to shove, he'd let others die if he could protect his family. Protect his shixiong, and the rest of the disciples here with him.

Chances are, Wen Qing has that same fear and resolve.

Still, Wen Qing nodded at him meaningfully. Jiang Cheng could tell that she knew what he was trying to say; if it risks everything for you, don't help us.

Still, she says. "I will try my best."

She will still help them, even with this uncertain position she probably found herself in.

As Wen Qing walked away, Jiang Cheng couldn't help but feel grateful to her.

He just wishes that something doesn't happen to her for this.

==

What the hell.

What the hell what the hell what the hell!

Wei Ying curled up in a ball, faced with the creature he was trapped with inside this room. Snarling, with giant sharp teeth that could snap his neck, the very hostile humongous dog trailed after him like a predator stalking his prey.

He couldn't think clearly.

No. He couldn't think at all.

All his body could manage was cower and make himself as small as possible.

To think that--that Wen Chao would have that thing...!

There was a sharp, metallic taste in his mouth. A sharp pain on his thigh and torso, too--Wei Ying pressed the wound on the former, wincing as the sting worsened.

Blood trickled down his injuries. The smell further enticed the monster, too, for it opened its mouth. Drool flowed out of it, trickling from its very sharp teeth.

Wei Ying closed his eyes tightly. Someone--

A growl sounded, growing even louder. The chains in the thing rattled, as it went closer and closer.

Someone...help me.

A whimper left his throat. Wei Ying was too weak to even try to stand, much less run away again. Everything hurt.

Where would he even go?

Jiang Cheng..., his shidi. Didn't he--didn't he promise to keep away all the dogs from Wei Ying? Jiang Cheng...! Someone! Anyone!!

Save me. Save me.

Please!

PLEASE!

But there was nothing.

The monster came closer. Unable to do anything else, Wei Ying ducked his head and covered it with his arms. His throat was already sore from screaming.

Still, nothing came.

The monster was getting closer.

Wei Ying's heart was beating loudly, thinking not again no no no--

--then, something. A glint of a needle, sinking to fur.

And the monster dropped down, succumbed into sudden sleep. The silver-eyed teen blinked back tears, working through his blurred vision--and recognized it. 

A bufotoxin needle. Like the one Wen Qing was holding when he and Nie Huaisang encountered her alone in Cloud Recesses, back then.

When his heart calmed down and his rationality came back to him, he heard a voice through the locked door of the dungeon. A familiar one. "Young Master Wei. Young Master Wei!"

Dull silver eyes shifted, meeting concerned Pitch Black. A murmur left Wei Ying's lips. "Wen Ning..."

Wen Ning...saved him...

He felt ready to faint out of relief, but Wen Ning was calling out, so he forced himself to crawl to the door.

Wen Ning, bless his soul, didn't just knock out the monster with his sister's needle, but brought a medicine pouch for Wei Ying to use.

Wei Ying sat up, leaning against the wall. His right foot was excruciating to move--no doubt he might have twisted his ankle when he was still able to run. That's gonna be a total b**** later, he was sure.

He tried to recall the things that led here. In the vegetable garden, he tried to get Lan Zhan to a secluded place to talk. Wen Chao saw his attempts and tried to whip him, but Lan Zhan--that beautiful annoying guy--intervened and caught the whip before Wei Ying could get hit again.

Then, Wen Chao somehow guessed he has a Yin Iron shard. For that, he brought Wei Ying here.

Tch. In hindsight, maybe Wei Ying should have stolen his money and his stupid crown instead of agreeing to be taken here. It wasn't like he knew the terrifying thing here when he did what he had to...

But first-- "How are you and your sister?"

Were Wen Ning and Wen Qing okay? The whole thing with Dafan Mountain might have consequences, especially when the Dire Owl was killed by him and Lan Zhan...Wen Ruohan was bound to have noticed that.

"Jiejie is fine. There's no need to worry", Wen Ning assured kindly. "But she's been reprimanded by Sect Leader Wen when we came back here."

"Because of Lan Zhan and I."

Wen Ning nods sadly. "I don't know what he said to her, but she's been acting weird after that. She even told me to--"

"Stay away from Lan Zhan and I", Wei Ying finished, a weary smile on his face. He knew the situation, even a little bit. Still... "Is that really necessary? Dealing with it all on her own..."

He shifted, and the world zeroed in on the hot, searing agony from his injured ankle. Wei Ying's vision darkened for a moment, and he might have even shrieked at the sensation.

At least his soul slammed back in his body when he accidentally hit his head on the wall.

Hah. Hahaha.

No moving around yet, then. Alright.

Thanking Wen Ning, he started applying the medicine the other teen gave him to his most fatal injuries. Starting with his torso, then his bitten thigh--but left the undoubtedly broken ankle alone for now. He can touch it when it stops feeling like it's getting stabbed by a million knives.

Wen Ning took this time to inform Wei Ying of what he didn't know; apparently, Wen Xu went to Cloud Recesses and burned Cloud Recesses down. Lan Zhan had his leg broken when Wen Xu saw that the Yin Iron was nowhere to be found.

Wei Ying grit his teeth. He had a hunch, but for it to be confirmed...

He was suddenly hyper aware of the piece in one of his pouches--both the larger and smaller part. No matter what, he swore that the Wens will never get this for as long as he still breathes.

As it is--

Wei Ying pulled a pouch from his left shoe. He's finally labeled them, so he found what he was looking for right away.

Wen Ning blinked in confusion at the handful of talismans thrust in his hands. "Young Master Wei...?"

Wei Ying smiled, giving a weak, but small salute. "A token for my gratitude. And also me asking for a favor."

"A-a favor?"

"You don't have to do it. The talismans are a gift, and they will be enough to let you, your sister, and some of your family escape if you need to. But", Wei Ying bowed his head. "If you do this, I will forever be in your debt. All my money and possessions will be yours, if you want to. I promise."

"Y-you don't have to go that far!", Wen Ning squeaked, alarmed and flustered at the same time. A pause, then. "What do you need me to do?"

The silver-eyed teen's eyes shone with joy and heartfelt appreciation.

Yet also a deep melancholy.

Wen Ning didn't know what to feel about that.

==

Jiang Cheng's eyes widened, seeing Wei Ying's state when his shixiong appeared the next day.

The teen with the red ribbon obviously tried to downplay whatever happened to him by smiling and joking around with Nie Huaisang, but it's obvious that something did a number on him. His robes were cut, made into makeshift bandages on his arms and leg.

There was even one on his torso, and--he was limping. Robes cut into strips were much thicker on Wei Ying's right foot, centering on where his ankle should be.

"Have you eaten, Young Master Jiang?"

And yet.

And yet, Wei Ying is still smiling like nothing is wrong.

And yet, Wei Ying is the one offering food--when he probably hadn't even eaten breakfast before coming here. He looks so pale.

Jiang Cheng bit back the scream ready to escape him, pressing back the mantou Wei Ying was offering. "You eat it. And eat this steamed bun, too."

...it was saying something, when Wei Ying wordlessly took both food and started to chew without a teasing remark or a witty joke asking for money. Even Jin Zixuan looked like he wanted to help.

While reading the books given to them, Nie Huaisang suddenly fainted. He was taken by the soldiers back to his room.

Essentially, that also saved Nie Huaisang from what's to come.

A disciple came in, reporting strange events in Muxi Mountain. Apparently, monsters are gathering there and those sent to suppress it barely survived.

"Should we report it to Sect Leader Wen?"

"For what?", Wen Chao scoffed at the stupid suggestion. "We'll surely defeat those beasts with this many human shields!"

And so, they were sent to search for the source. Not for the first time, Jiang Cheng wished that he could just cut that rat of a man in half.

Now, normally, Wei Ying would have healed by now. He has such a strong golden core, so that would have been enough.

But he didn't get to eat at all for the rest of the day, after Wen Chao gave him that punishment with the dung. His qi flared up while he was in a panicked state, leaving him a bit drained right now. And the steamed bun and mantou were barely enough to regain that strength.

Even so, even if Wei Ying visibly looked weak and ready to topple over, he still offered to carry Lan Zhan.

Jiang Cheng's eye twitched. That idiot...is he trying to play hero? Did he forget that he has a sprained ankle?

The almond-eyed teen decided to carry Wei Ying himself, despite the idiot's protests. It was obvious that this money-obsessed shixiong of his won't take care of himself, so it's up to Jiang Cheng to do it for him.

He was thankful for Wen Qing, though, for letting them all rest. Both Lan Zhan and Wei Ying were able to sit back and stop aggravating their wounds now, at least.

The almond-eyed teen looked around. Where was that place Wen Chao and his mistress Wang Lingjiao were making them find, anyway?

==

Wei Ying found the place using a talisman he had created. It was a cave.

There was also a turtle inside that cave.

A giant overgrown turtle with a snake for a head and an indestructible shell.

When Jiang Cheng got out his sword--Wen Chao and his goons were gone by that time, the cowards--his blade only succeeded in making his whole body shake with the force.

Oh, and annoying that stupid turtle.

Wei Ying pulled him and Lan Zhan away, as the rest of them were able to get out safely. They rushed to the nearest crevice big enough for them, narrowly avoiding becoming turtle food.

Jiang Cheng absolutely hates everything in this stupid place.

==

"Lan Zhan", Wei Ying looked up from where he was placing a splint on Lan Zhan's leg. "Do you like MianMian?"

Lan Zhan's utterly gobsmacked face was enough for Jiang Cheng to think that maybe, maybe, all of it is not so bad.

And also to cackle at the Second Jade's misery, because why not?

==

"Wait, you have the talismans. The...the teleporting one?", the almond-eyed teen recalled, after the three of them woke up from sleep. "Can you use it?"

Wei Ying blinked, not knowing what Jiang Cheng is talking about for a bit. Then, he brightened. "Oh, yeah! Jiang Cheng, you're a genius!"

Lan Zhan looked at them both in confusion, watching Wei Ying eagerly taking out the pouch he needs.

"Talisman?", golden eyes met almond ones.

"A conditional teleportation talisman", Jiang Cheng explained. "It can transfer something from one place to place to another, provided that the thing or person the talisman is attached to is being threatened to be taken or about to be hurt by an unwanted party..."

Wei Ying gleefully slapped a talisman on his shidi's back, just as the almond-eyed teen remembered the exact conditions for the activation.

"F**k", Jiang Cheng says, with feeling.

"F**k, yes", Wei Ying agrees with an unholy glee--the way he tends to be when about to experiment with something dangerous. "Get ready to be turtle food, ChengCheng!"

"F**k, no!"

But left with no other choice, the three of them ventured outside their temporary safe haven again. The turtle was now sleeping back into a lump of rock.

The gears in Wei Ying's head started to turn. "Should I wake it up?"

"You're still injured, if you've forgotten", Jiang Cheng was frankly getting tired of this. If he gives Wei Ying enough money, will he finally have enough self-preservation?

Lan Zhan picked up a discarded bow, inspecting its bowstring.

"Don't, we can't kill it", Wei Ying pointed. "It needs to try to eat us. That's the talisman's condition."

Now Lan Zhan was looking at Wei Ying like he was insane. Jiang Cheng can relate, but he's unfortunately used to his shixiong's brand of insanity by now.

But hmm. How to wake the turtle up?

"What about...noise", the silver-eyed teen brightened. "Jiang Cheng, sing at the top of your lungs! Quick!"

"What!? NO!", Jiang Cheng is self-aware enough to know that his singing is downright horrible. Letting himself be a Xuanwu snack is one thing, embarrassing himself is another! "You do it!"

"We'll all do it, then! Lan Zhan, together!", Wei Ying took a deep breath--

Lan Zhan drew his hand back and threw the bow in his hand like a ball. It hit quite a few of the other discarded weapons, letting them all crash into the rocks. The resulting rock cracks and splinters of wood stirred the turtle from its sleeping state.

Seriously. The Lan arm strength is no joke.

Wei Ying blinked. "That works, too."

He picked up a rock and threw it on another pile of discarded weapons. It made a cluttered mess.

Jiang Cheng gathered the weapons that weren't broken yet, making piles of them for Lan Zhan and Wei Ying to hit and make a ruckus off. Waking the turtle up was a team effort.

And now, being stared down by reptilian eyes, Jiang Cheng could feel goosebumps run down his spine. This is a terrible, terrible idea.

Wei Ying, his shameless shixiong, immediately dove to cling onto Lan Zhan's arm. Not wanting to be left out, Jiang Cheng did the same to the other arm.

As the turtle's jaw opened wide, the three of them tensed. They all closed their eyes shut, bracing themselves.

They could feel the turtle's snake-like head start to snap their heads off--

Then, nothing.

Jiang Cheng opened his eyes.

His legs turned to jelly out of relief, falling to the floor in his shared room with Wei Ying in Qishan. Not an ideal place to be, but anywhere else is better than that stupid cave, really.

Wei Ying's shoulders sagged, falling to the floor as well. Lan Zhan caught him, because of course his priority is his idiot shixiong.

"It worked. It worked", a hysterical laugh bubbled up the teen with the red ribbon's throat. "ChengCheng, it worked!"

"Never do that again", the almond-eyed teen heaved. He would have died of a heart attack for that!

Wei Ying only smiled. Jiang Cheng couldn't tell if it was teasing, genuine, or something else.

==

They were able to sneak out of Nightless City undetected.

It probably helped that Wen Chao is nowhere to be found. As a matter of fact, there are barely any soldiers left, too.

Hmm.

==

It didn't take long for Wei Ying and Jiang Cheng to manage to return to Lotus Pier, and Lan Zhan to Cloud Recesses. With Suibian and Sandu, they were able to fly the Second Jade back to his home, before they went back to their own home.

Wei Ying was glomped by the younger disciples upon arrival. Jiang Cheng got trapped in a group hug by the older disciples, which was annoying but he found that he didn't really mind.

They told Jiang Fengmian what happened during their stay in Qishan. Wei Ying suggested that they get ready for a possible attack, as Wen Chao had hinted at it.

"We have an agreement with QishanWen. Despite the Indoctrination, they should uphold that", the sect leader said.

"But just in case", Jiang Cheng pointed out.

Jiang Fengmian nodded. "Just in case."

Wei Ying immediately set to work. There are already wards around Lotus Pier, so he worked on fortifying them.

He also did his Head Disciple duties dutifully, training the younger disciples on how to hold swords and shoot arrows. He had even made them practice evacuation, just in case.

Jiang Cheng was frankly a little bit jealous, for his shixiong to be able to do so much. So, he helped as much as he could, training the ones Wei Ying couldn't handle by himself.

Some disciples who didn't want to work that well were easily blackmailed by Wei Ying into doing it, as they supposedly did not pay the Head Disciple money yet. Seeing that was interesting.

They worked well as a team.

So, the days passed like that.

Yu Ziyuan looked up when she heard a knock at the door. Affirming the person to enter, she saw silver eyes searching around the room before falling on her.

"Wei Wuxian", she acknowledged.

"Madam Yu", Wei Ying smiled, giving a short bow. Then, he started to share the progress report today for everyone on the Pier; it was something that was always his duty, especially now when preparing for a threat.

The Lady of Lotus Pier nodded at the words spoken. It was good that the young disciples were developing well. For the older ones... "Make them run twenty laps for daring to fool around at a time like this."

Really, to think that they're the ones that are supposed to set an example...

"Yes, Madam Yu", Wei Ying bowed. He was supposed to off back to his work now, but today, he was staying. His expression turned a little bit bashful, as the teen wrung his hands together nervously.

Yu Ziyuan raised an eyebrow. What is it now? "Anything else, Wei Wuxian?"

"Um. I, uh!", Wei Ying scratched his cheek. "Well..."

"Speak up, we don't have all day."

"Y-yes, Madam Yu. Just...", he took a sharp inhale. Then, with cheeks flushed pink, he subtly opened his arms. "Can I...um...?"

Yu Ziyuan's eyebrow raised higher. "You already have your double allowance and extra day."

"I-I know that! I mean--this one knows. But", Wei Ying gestured around helplessly. "Maybe this can count as advance payment?"

"Advance payment? So, you're willing to trade your next pay for this?"

The 17-year-old teen pouted like a toddler.

Yu Ziyuan rolled her eyes. Really...what a silly child. "Very well. Come here."

Wei Ying immediately brightened, looking like she has just given him the whole Jiang Sect treasury or something. He waited for her to stand up and spread her arms, before pouncing on her enthusiastically in a hug.

No matter how much he's grown, this child is still really a child to her. He could only reach up to her shoulder, though he doesn't seem to mind all that much.

Yu Ziyuan hugged back, reaching to pat Wei Ying on the head the same way she does to her own children when they ask for hugs like this. "Hm. You're happy with this?"

"Mm! This one is happy", Wei Ying gleefully replied. "Madam Yu is warm. Snuggle, snuggle, snuggle~"

And he proceeded to subtly rub his head on her like a cat.

Really, Yu Ziyuan should be annoyed with this. But Wei Ying has always been a happy child, and his joy is infectious; she found herself smiling, despite herself.

They stood like that for a while.

"...this is your replacement for your next pay."

Wei Ying automatically shifted his smile to a pout. "Mmph...okay."

==

Maybe the advance payment had been warranted, no matter how strange.

The wen Sect arrived, claiming to have taken their sixth shidi for shooting down a kite and to want to interrogate Wei Ying for what he knows.

"We believe that he's taken a very precious artifact that rightfully belongs to QishanWen", Wang Lingjiao, Wen Chao's mistress, raised her head arrogantly. "He needs to give it back and be punished accordingly."

Wei Ying's eye twitched. What was she talking about? Even after all that he said of stealing money from them, he never actually stole anything.

Well, anything that truly belongs to them, anyway.

How did they even get in? The wards would have surely kept them back...

It didn't take long for things to turn into chaos, then turn for the worst. Wen Zhuliu had appeared when Yu Ziyuan was about to go hell hath no fury on that infuriating mistress. Jiang Cheng wasn't able to stop Wang Lingjiao from firing that signal, too busy pushing his mother out of the way while Wei Ying held the Core-Melting Hand back.

And in no time at all, a whole battalion of the Wen Sect arrived at their doors.

The rest of the disciples stood with the trio, as enemies broke the wards through sheer number and surrounded them all. It was a struggle, defending each other while keeping the Core-Melting Hand back. At least they had their swords.

Of course, the Wen Sect didn't have it easy. 

Part of their problem was Wei Ying. He fought like a demon, whirling through the attacker's ranks, rolling under their feet and swiftly slicing through the enemies in an instant. It was like watching a blur.

Wen soldiers raised their swords at him despite his kill and incapacitation count. Wang Lingjiao opened her mouth--maybe to shout an order, maybe sing soprano--yet Wei Ying simply somersaulted through the line of enemies and hit the girl with Suibian's hilt.

The mistress immediately crumpled to the ground.

Jiang Cheng noticed the Jiang disciples disappearing. Whenever one of their own was about to get a fatal wound, they simply disappeared--like they were never there in the first place.

Nimble feet slipped to him. Wei Ying stood at his back, scanning the remainder of the enemies. "After this, what do you want to eat, Young Master Jiang?"

Jiang Cheng rolled his eyes. "Of course you're thinking about food at a time like this. I bet you're planning on squeezing in money to earn, too?"

"Yep!"

Jiang Cheng wasn't doing so bad himself, too. His skill with the Jiang forms enabled him to cut down enemies in the instant that they approach him, and while he can't do the freestyle movements Wei Ying can do, he still contributes significantly to the general mass panic being caused.

However, the greatest threat of the Wens was Yu Ziyuan herself. True to her title as the Violet Spider, she kept back wave after wave of the enemies with Zidian. She looked graceful, barely even breaking a sweat.

When one managed to sneak in the direction of the two teens, she swiftly cut them down with her spiritual weapon or her own sword.

Truly, they were a force to be reckoned with.

However, there's only so much they can do with only sheer skill. It didn't take long for them to be outnumbered.

Yu Ziyuan disappeared as well, when Wen Zhuliu managed to get ahold of her through threatening Jiang Cheng and Wei Ying. Jiang Cheng hoped the talisman acted quick enough for her core to be unscathed.

Now, only he and Wei Ying were left.

Knowing that they can't fight anymore, the silver-eyed teen grabbed his hand and pulled him deeper inside their home. Swiftly dodging and avoiding the soldiers running after them, they managed to enter and lock themselves into the room they managed to reach--which turned out to be Jiang Yanli's room.

Jiang Cheng frankly looked ready to collapse. Weakly raising a hand, "The-the talisman will still activate--for me. Right?"

Wei Ying didn't reply, only keeping on staring at the door.

THUD! The door was starting to be broken down.

"Wei Wuxian?"

An exhale. Wei Ying turned to his shidi, and gave a smile. "Jiang Cheng."

Oh. Oh, no. "What are you planning?"

The teen tossed a pouch at the Sect Heir. Jiang Cheng was distracted for a second, utterly confused and wondering what this is for--

And then warmth enveloped him, as the teen with the red ribbon engulfed him in a hug.

Jiang Cheng's brain--refused to work. What...what's this? What's going on?

THUD! THUD! "OPEN UP!"

A crack started to form at the door.

"ChengCheng. You, shijie, Madam Yu, Sect Leader Jiang. And everyone", Wei Ying whispered, hugging tight--like a goodbye. "You have to live. Okay?"

He doesn't like this. "What are you saying? Shut up. We can--we can escape together! You have enough talismans, you can come with me!"

Wei Ying pulled away, shaking his head. He had something in his hand--a chipped-off piece of resentful metal.

Jiang Cheng froze. He hasn't seen Yin Iron before, but--but, if he can guess--

"We'll still be brothers in our next life, so", Wei Ying's voice cracked. "Don't worry about me."

"No", Jiang Cheng clenched his fists.

"So, please--"

"No, no. I refuse, Wei Wuxian, shut up!", Jiang Cheng reached out, grabbing ahold of the end of a red ribbon--

Silver eyes closed, a melancholic grin. "Please live."

The door finally broke down. An arrow was shot, heading straight to Jiang Cheng's chest.

The last thing he saw was Wei Ying cutting the arrow in half--and another arrow piercing his shixiong through the chest.

And in the blink of an eye, Jiang Cheng found himself in someplace new.

With walls and furniture made of simple wood and stone seen, the Jiang Sect heir seemed to have transferred--to one of the houses in Dafan Wen?

"A-Cheng!"

Jiang Cheng found himself held by his own mother. Yu Ziyuan frantically checked over him, brushing away stray hair from his face. "Are you okay? Were you hurt?"

He couldn't reply. It was like he'd been submerged underwater.

Red and black robes entered the room. Jiang Cheng recognized the newcomer as Wen Qing, holding what seems to be a healing concoction in a small cup.

She looked around, worry written all over her face. She held out the cup for him. "Where's Wei Wuxian?"

Familiar chirping. A peasant flew in, having been missing for several days and turning out to be here. Kuai landed on Jiang Cheng's shoulder, undoubtedly asking the same question Wen Qing was asking.

Jiang Cheng's vision blurred.

He fell to the floor, feeling like his own heart was cut out of him. The pouch fell to the floor.

The red ribbon was in his grip, his hand clenched around it so deeply that it drew blood--yet it didn't help the pain he was feeling.

Why? He couldn't understand. WHY?

Why did Wei Ying do that...?

Please live.

That was the last thing his shixiong said to him.

His throat felt tight--he didn't know if he started screaming. He didn't care.

All he could think about was the way the arrow pierced Wei Ying's heart, the blood starting to flow from there. You idiot. You idiot!

Jiang Cheng wanted...his shixiong here with him...

He wanted Wei Ying to live, too...

Why...!?

==

The Wen soldiers sneered around the silver-eyed teen, watching him cough up blood. Wen Chao pushed through them, Wen Zhuliu by his side.

Wei Ying hacked, covering his mouth with a hand. The wound pulled, as Wen Chao grabbed his hair to make him raise his head.

"You look better like this", the young master commented, smug. "Beautiful, with your hair down. Like a delicate maiden. Heh. Too bad you're about to die."

Many of the soldiers laughed along. Wen Zhuliu remained silent, staring at the teen with eyes full of pity.

"The Wen Sect has conquered Lotus Pier! Rejoice!"

Thump. Thump. He could feel his heartbeat slowing down. It was a scary thing to feel.

But Wei Ying managed a smile.

After all, this is worth it. Necessary.

Letting them have what they want, while actually not getting anything. The Jiang Sect will be safe, at least.

Plus, there's another thing. An experiment.

Payback.

Thump...thump.

"Are you...", silver eyes glinted, in stubborn defiance. "Sure about that?"

His teeth bit down on the piece of metal he snuck in his mouth.

Thump.

Silver eyes widened, red bleeding into it--overtaking the color.

And a wave of sinister energy burst forth, violently sending the enemies back. There was an agonized, almost feral-like scream.

Then, nothing.

Whimpering, sobbing, I'm sorry, Jiang Cheng, shijie, sorry, sorry--

Laughter, empty and cruel.

Wen Chao weakly raised his head.

Shrouded in red and black energy, creeping all over his skin, the prey Wen Chao cornered now stood there. The blood on his robes disappeared, the arrow visibly fading away into ashes. Soulless eyes of a deep blood red stared straight at the young master.

Wei Ying smirked, red eyes glowing against the dark light of the hall.

Though--is this still that money-loving Jiang head disciple towering over him?

The aura was oppressing. It felt like something was crushing his throat, strangling him with hands fueled by hatred.

But there was nothing. Nothing but the teenager that was supposed to be dead, and the resentment flowing through the air.

"Wen Chao~", Wei Ying purred--he didn't even sound like himself. Another voice--dark and deeper--mixed with his own. Demonic. "You poor, poor thing~"

It was obvious now. The predator and the prey had switched roles.

Wen Chao was afraid.

Chapter Text

Jiang Yanli was horrified, when she found out.

Initially, she felt fearful. Having been with her father from a meeting with her waipo in Meishan, she'd returned to a Lotus Pier covered in dark miasma.

The home for the free-spirited, her home, was corrupted by resentful energy and set up in flames. Overrun with the invading Wen soldiers, the enemy charged at the girl and at her father.

Jiang Fengmian held steadfast, meeting their blades halfway with his own. Jiang Yanli tried to find an opening to get through, or maybe find a familiar face. Sixth shidi, Jinzhu, Yinzhu--

Yu Ziyuan.

Jiang Cheng. Wei Ying.

Were they alright? Did they make it out, before this...this darkness descended in this place?

A flash of cold steel.

Jiang Yanli recoiled, just in time to avoid betting slashed on the face by a sword's point. She felt her ears ring, as she stumbled and collapsed on the boat's ground.

"A-Li!", Jiang Fengmian thrust his arms out, forcing the advancing soldiers to stumble back. The Sect Leader lunged to shield her with his own body--

Just as a sharp wave of sinister red light slashed out, cutting all the enemies cleanly in two.

The father-daughter pair scooted back, eyes wide in shock as torn flesh and guts littered the pier. Blood splattered on the boat's wood, staining the clear waters of the YunmengJiang territory.

There was a burst of disembodied, inhuman laughter that echoed. The sound sent chills down Jiang Yanli's spine.

Then--

The laughter abruptly stopped.

"Sh...shijie...?"

Amber eyes snapped up, desperately searching for the possible source of the voice. It might be--a bit of a stretch, there's clearly nobody else left now as far as she could see, but--Wei Ying, her Xianxian, please let him be alive--

Partially hidden by the black fog, the distinct purple robes stood out among the red of the fallen soldiers. The ribbon he loved so much was nowhere to be found, letting his hair flow freely and gracefully blown by the wind.

There were red and black markings on his skin and arm, almost as if the miasma came from him. Still, the teen's eyes were undeniably a shining silver, wide, and glistening with tears.

"Shijie...Young Lady Jiang", Wei Ying stumbled to them, clenching down on his left arm. His ever-present smile was absent. In fact, he looked as if he was in constant agonizing pain. "Sect Leader Jiang. I--you have to leave. Please."

Jiang Fengmian fixed his eyes on the Head Disciple, eyebrows furrowed. He clearly doesn't know what's happening, a sentiment that Jiang Yanli certainly shares, but... "Is anyone else still in there?"

Wei Ying's eyes briefly flashed in a different color, but he closed his eyes shut before Jiang Yanli could see it clearly. He let out an audible wince.

"No--no one else. None from--from our Sect. Please, you need to leave! Now!"

"Not without you, A-Xian", Jiang Yanli removed herself from her father's hold, reaching out to the Head Disciple. To the teen that has become like family to her, the child she saw as another younger brother. "Before the rest of the Wen and--and the demon that did this came back."

A sharp inhale. Silver eyes glistened.

"A...A-Xian?"

Jiang Yanli hesitantly reached out. Wei Ying stepped away from the action, sending a pang of hurt in her chest.

But she can't worry about her own feelings right now. Wei Ying was struggling, eyes falling shut, the red markings on his skin flaring brighter, and the dark miasma darkening. His expression scrunched up, hands clamped over both sides of his head. It was like--something was eating away at him, screaming at him from the inside.

As her shidi staggered back, Jiang Yanli realized it.

The miasma. The markings. Her shidi...

"Young Lady Jiang, I'm--I'm sorry", the teen managed, his voice breaking. "I'm sorry."

Jiang Yanli shot up, ready to grab her brother, to assure him that he didn't do anything wrong--!

Wei Ying's whole body relaxed, as if suddenly falling asleep.

A sense of foreboding went through the two Jiangs.

When Jiang Yanli tried to ignore it, Jiang Fengmian grabbed her arm to force her back, sword raised and an arm held out to her to give her protection.

When Wei Ying's eyes opened again, they were an empty, cold red.

"There! W-Wen Zhuliu, get him!"

Jiang Yanli didn't even get a warning before a flash of glowing gold erupted from the miasma. Wei Ying barely even blinked, red and black tendrils shooting up from the darkness--and capturing limbs and wrists in a split second.

A man in red robes was revealed when her shidi stepped aside, caught in place. His right hand was still glowing--yet stopped when the tendrils twisted, and a sickening snap resounded through the place.

Wen Zhuliu, the Core-Melting Hand, let out a pained scream. Jiang Yanli felt nauseous.

"You think you can escape? Hm", Wei Ying's voice was--different now. Like two of him are speaking at once; devoid of the warmth he'd always held, replaced with a foreign sadistic glee. "The two of you should know that it's hopeless by now..."

The teen chuckled. With dawning dread, Jiang Yanli realized that Wei Ying sounds just like the monstrous laughter from earlier.

Another thud. A greasy-haired male stumbled down, bruised and bloodied and trembling.

The person, which must be Wen Chao according to the portraits she'd seen and stories she'd heard, crawled pathetically to cling on Wei Ying's robes. "Pl-please. Spare m-spare me. I-I'll give you anything! Y-you-you like money, don't you? M-my allowance, it's all yours!!"

A pause. Wei Ying let out a wicked grin. He tilted the other man's chin. "Too late, Wen~ Chao~"

Crack! Wen Zhuliu did his best not to scream again, but the sinew and broken bone of his right arm were visible now. Jiang Fengmian sucked in a sharp breath.

Jiang Yanli grabbed on her father's wrist tightly, understanding the same thing he did.

The one that tried to get them to run was their Wei Ying. Her Xianxian, their money-obsessed sunny child.

This one...wasn't their Wei Ying.

The now red-eyed teen clapped his hands gleefully. "Well...it's more fun to let you run around. Let's play tag!"

Wen Chao whimpered.

Whatever happened here--will lead to war. Wei Ying had a reason to kill those many soldiers, for those people were invading their home.

But this, torturing someone out of amusement--even if it's Wen Chao, it's monstrous. Jiang Fengmian can't stand for it, especially when he wanted to keep the peace for as long as possible. "Wei Wuxia--"

Red eyes snapped back to the pair, all mirth suddenly disappearing. All of it was replaced with an irrational irritation. "You, I don't like you."

More tendrils, sharp and deadly, went for them both. Jiang Yanli gasped as the resentful energy moved to kill--

When she opened her eyes again, she was facing Jiang Cheng and Yu Ziyuan, in a house of stone and wood. In an unfamiliar place.

Wei Ying was nowhere to be found now, but what she witnessed definitely left her reeling. Her feet gave out under her, and she would have fallen to the ground if Jiang Cheng didn't lunge to catch her.

Wei Ying, her A-Xian...Xianxian...

What just happened? What happened to him? No doubt it had something to do with the resentment, but...

He had been his normal, cheerfully greedy self when she left. Upon her return, Wei Ying was--and the Wen Sect...

The Wen Sect...

Did they have something to do with this?

What did they do to my brother?

==

"A-Jie...it was bad. Wei Wuxian--someone shot him in the heart with an arrow--"

Jiang Yanli stopped breathing. Frantic amber eyes whirled to meet amber, choking out. "A-are you--are you sure?"

Jiang Cheng looked like he might cry again, but he managed a nod.

Jiang Yanli felt like screaming. Her mind was swirling with so many thoughts, so many impulses and emotions blended and mixed together with gravel and ice.

The Wen Sect attacked. The ones that were left in the Sect fought them off. Wei Ying somehow put talismans on everyone without their knowledge, to teleport them to another place just before they get dealt with a fatal blow.

Wei Ying didn't put the talisman on himself. Wei Ying was shot in the heart by an arrow.

By all means, no matter how good his cultivation is, he shouldn't have survived that blow. The heart was the center of the body, of emotion--and Jiang Yanli knew that the person wouldn't be able to last for more than a few minutes without treatment after being struck in that place. Cultivator or otherwise.

But Wei Ying...

Jiang Yanli took a deep breath. She has to calm down.

There were so many pieces missing from the story. So many things are left as a mystery, or are so unbelievable that none would have believed if they didn't see it with their own eyes.

She needs to calm down.

They need to figure this out.

Whirling back to her didi, Jiang Yanli's expression was grave. She made sure her voice was as clear as it could be, despite the crushing grief--not just for Jiang Cheng's benefit, but to Yu Ziyuan's, and everyone in this room that doesn't know yet. "Didi, A-Xian...something else happened to A-Xian."

==

"Did you hear? Did you hear?"

"What?"

"A demon crawled out from the YunmengJiang's remains! They said that it's lurking about, hunting for the Second Young Master Wen and the Core-Melting Hand!"

"R-really!? That's creepy...do you think YunmengJiang raised that demon as a pet? I mean, it's a cultivation Sect, but a resentful monster came from there..."

"Well, I heard that it wasn't the YunmengJiang Sect's fault at all, but the scheme of the Head Disciple, Wei Wuxian!"

Nie Huaisang stopped, hand inches away from taking his selected fan. Green eyes sharply looking at the three people gossiping for a glance, he took his hand back and pretended to keep trying to decide with the designs.

"What's this got to do with him?"

"Well. Who else will be capable of it, with his specialty on unorthodox cultivation methods! I bet that son of a servant sucked the Sect's treasury dry, developing wicked cultivation underneath their noses. Now, look at the situation! The Sect is wiped out, and the demon is free!"

"Yeah...that Wei Wuxian is vile. Taking advantage of the Sect that took him in..."

"In hindsight, the Jiangs should have known. With Wei Wuxian being super obsessed with money, they should've noticed that money is all he cares about!"

"It's not their fault they chose to place their trust on the wrong person, though..."

"You know what? Maybe the demon is Wei Wuxian! To do something so heinous, the gods must have cursed him to become a monster!"

"Dianxia, I hope the other Sects kill him."

"Right?! That way, the fallen Sect would be avenged, and the demon will be no more."

"They should get rid of him soon. Or else another Sect is going to be crushed to the ground!"

The three kept talking, but Nie Huaisang heard enough. Taking the fan he wanted to get, the teen paid a good amount to the vendor, and marched forth back to Qinghe.

There was a cold, calculating gleam in his gaze. He had to be careful not to hold his fan too tightly, lest he break the wood.

==

When Nie Huaisang first saw him, he pulled Jiang Cheng down with a curt, "I need answers."

The YunmengJiang moved to Qinghe, moving in small groups and numbers to avoid any suspicion. Jiang Cheng came with his sister, Wen Ning and Wen Qing, when Nie Huaisang confronted him like this.

Almond eyes narrowed. "Why?"

"What do you mean why!", Nie Huaisang smacked him with a fan. "People were saying you've been wiped out, but you're all here. Even the--very much terrifying Madam Yu. Except for Wei-xiong...oh god, did the demon kill him?"

"The--the what?"

No matter how ridiculous, if the rumor is told by almost everyone in the cultivation world, there must be some truth to it.

Nie Huaisang knows his friend is a good person. A bit proud and absolutely a hoarder of gold and shiny things, but Wei Ying has a noble heart. He's one of the only people Nie Huaisang can feel comfortable with; someone who doesn't really expect much from him; unlike his Da-ge, who no matter how much they love each other, always demands that Nie Huaisang practice his saber.

With Wei Ying, Nie Huaisang could just--be himself. Demands and teasing for money aside, Nie Huaisang genuinely enjoys spending time with Wei Ying. They could create and appreciate art together, play around, and just be.

The thought of--Wei Ying not making it is...

Of course Nie Huaisang is happy that the YunmengJiang isn't as destroyed as they all thought, but--

Still...

There was a tightness around Jiang Cheng's lips that told Nie Huaisang that the other teen is holding back quite a lot. There was a certain heaviness to his shoulders.

Nie Huaisang began to fear the worst. "Did...did Wei-xiong really die?"

Tense silence.

Jiang Cheng's fists clenched, but he shook his head. Nie Huaisang brought down his fan with a frown. "Then..."

"...I don't know. I think", almond met green, hesitantly. "The demon, right? I think that's Wei Wuxian."

Nie Huaisang dropped his fan. "Pardon?"

==

They were on the verge of war. How could it not lead to that?

Cloud Recesses was burned down. While there were not that many casualties, there were still so many losses that weren't yet fixed. Lan Xichen is still missing, with whatever was saved from the great library of the Sect.

Qingheng-jun, the Twin Jades' father, had passed away.

Then, there's the insult of the Indoctrination. In an attempt to keep the peace, they all had to give up their heirs to be educated, when everyone knew that it was so the kids can be hostages.

And their heirs almost died for it, almost becoming turtle food if it weren't for some of the captives' quick thinking.

But if that wasn't enough, Lotus Pier was attacked. If Wei Ying didn't put the teleportation talismans on everyone in the Sect, there was no doubt that--judging from the sheer number of the soldiers that flooded in--everyone would have been massacred.

And Jiang Cheng--has an idea why.

"This is what Wei Wuxian gave me", the almond-eyed teen stated, putting the pouch to the center of the table. His face was clear of any emotion. "He didn't tell me what it was, but...I think I could guess. What's inside might be a piece of the Yin Iron."

Yu Ziyuan straightened in her seat. Zidian crackled in her hand. "What? Yin Iron? What is that? Since when did he have this? Why did you not tell me?"

Nie Huaisang winced. Jiang Cheng did his best not to look at his mother in the eye.

"A-Cheng."

Jiang Cheng flinched.

Jiang Yanli looked between her mother and her brother, lost in the conversation. Kuai was perched on her shoulder, snuggling contentedly with the girl's hair as a blanket.

The bird was absently chewing on Wei Ying's red ribbon; something that the pheasant refused to part with, now that Kuai realized Wei Ying won't be coming back. Not in the meantime, at least.

Kuai really did love Wei Ying...

Almond eyes wandered, catching sight of Kuai and Wei Ying's ribbon. Kuai spared a second to shout at Jiang Cheng.

Yu Ziyuan nodded abruptly. "Yes. What she said."

"Do you even know what...", then, a defeated exhale, for Jiang Cheng knew that there was no fighting this. "Wei Wuxian...I didn't tell you because Wei Wuxian asked me not to."

A raised eyebrow. "You'd rather follow the words of your shixiong than consult your mother or your father about such a potentially important matter?"

Jiang Cheng scratched the back of his head sheepishly. "To be fair...he did have a point. It won't be fair to tell anyone else about this, because it's not our secret to tell. It's Lan Wangji's, and the Lan Sect's."

"Oh?"

And so, since Yu Ziyuan might murder him right then and there if he doesn't crack, Jiang Cheng launched into a story.

He narrated the Yin Iron quest from his own perspective; how he went to visit Wei Ying at the dye shop in Tanzhou and found him missing, how Wen Qing helped him find Wei Ying, the whole thing with fierce corpses and the moving statue, discovering about the Yin Iron in Lan Zhan's possession and the fact that they're in a quest to look for more, him joining in this quest, the Dafan Wen civilians, meeting Xue Yang, going to Qinghe, and then going back to Lotus Pier.

Nie Huaisang chimed in with his own version of events when necessary; how he found Lan Zhan and Wei Ying together in Tanzhou, finding out about the Yin Iron together with Wei Ying, finding the remains of lady florist's garden, following the tracks of the other piece of Yin Iron to Dafan Mountain, sleeping in a temple, fighting the goddess statue, and then breaking off from the group when they neared Qinghe to get Meng Yao and Nie Mingjue to help.

None of them told the part about Xiao Xingchen and Song Zichen. Jiang Cheng knew that Wei Ying might want to keep that secret. It's unrelated to the whole Yin Iron deal anyway.

When they finished, Yu Ziyuan mulled the new information over. "So the Wen Sect...wanted to take the Yin Iron? Since Wei Wuxian was Second Young Master Lan's longest companion...he's the primary suspect."

"Yes, A-Niang", even if Jiang Cheng didn't like to admit that fact.

The Jiang matriarch tapped a finger on the armrest of her seat. She supposed that would make sense, with how the QishanWen thinks with their arrogant mindset. Their greed and ambition will make them certainly chase and grab what they can--even if it's forbidden, as long as it's more power for them...

"Mm! This one is happy", said the silver-eyed teen clinging to her. "Madam Yu is warm. Snuggle, snuggle, snuggle~"

Her eyes softened in recollection.

Then, that gaze narrowed when she connected the dots.

Between this Yin Iron, and the current situation with their Head Disciple... "A-Cheng. Wei Wuxian's current condition...it doesn't have anything to do with that evil artifact, does it?"

Judging from Jiang Cheng's grim expression, Yu Ziyuan was unfortunately right on the hunch. "A small piece of metal was in his hand before he...before I left. It gave off resentful energy."

It took all her willpower to stamp down her fury and not to unleash Zidian to make a mess of this whole room.

Tch.

That...that brat! Why is he playing the hero here!?

A hero rarely gets a happy ending. That's why she absolutely hates such types.

Like hell she'll let that child fall as a tragic story. The Violet Spider never lets go of those she considers hers.

"When we get that idiotic brat back", the Madam of Lotus Pier stood, with all the fierce power and grace of a woman worthy of her reputation. "We are confiscating all his money, and we are breaking his legs."

Jiang Cheng and Jiang Yanli's eyes widened at her words. Nie Huaisang squeaked, hiding behind his fan.

Jiang Cheng's face quickly fixed, replacing shock and grief with determination and anger, fueled with tentative hope. "I'll hold him down for you, A-Niang."

Nie Huaisang whirled to his friend.

"A-Cheng!", Jiang Yanli was aghast, though she couldn't do anything when Kuai chirped her agreement.

Yu Ziyuan let her lips quirk up.

The motto of YunmengJiang is to attempt the impossible. Therefore, this whole thing is simply a challenge for them all.

It had to be.

==

A resistance rose, intent on countering Wen Ruohan's tyranny and knocking the big guy off his throne.

To shoot the sun out of the sky; this is the purpose all the Sects united for.

Led by QingheNie, GusuLan...and the entirety YunmengJiang.

The Sunshot Campaign has begun.

==

Before the Sunshot Campaign even started properly, Wen Ruohan was crippled right away. Figuratively.

Wen Chao was found in an inn near Qishan, cruelly torn apart as if eaten alive by countless ghouls and fierce corpses. Resentful energy lingered in the room, already dissipating when cultivators found the scene.

Wen Zhuliu was still alive, though. Yet all his limbs were missing. The guy would have died of blood loss if left unattended.

Grimacing, Wen Qing kneeled to the now handless Core-Melting Hand and brought out the medical supplies with her. Jiang Cheng frowned when he saw her action, hand gripping Sandu so tightly that the skin on his palm may tear. "What are you doing?"

Wen Zhuliu technically did not do anything, but he would have crushed Jiang Cheng's mother's core if the talisman wasn't on her. He probably crushed Wei Ying's core, too, leaving his shixiong more susceptible to the Yin Iron's control.

Taking all that into account, why should this guy be saved? Why should they spare Wen Zhuliu?

"I'm not a killer. I've made an oath to save as many as I could", she met his gaze evenly through the hood that covered her face. "And he can be useful to get intel."

Almond eyes stared back, before looking at the human stick of Wen Ruohan's human weapon. That makes sense, since Wen Zhuliu is more of Wen Ruohan's right hand. He is also the Sect Leader's most loyal servant.

But also...so is Wen Qing. She was as close as she can be, being Wen Ruohan's personal doctor and favored nephew. She's already told all of what she knew to Nie Mingjue, Jiang Fengmian, and Yu Ziyuan, which is more than enough for them to gain an advantage.

Therefore, they don't really need Wen Zhuliu.

...unless.

"You think he knows something about Wei Wuxian?"

The Wen doctor's focus was completely on the task, making sure that Wen Zhuliu's wounds were thoroughly clean before applying antiseptic on them.

"We can't be sure if he even knows anything", she said matter of factly. "But on the chance that he might know enough to give us a picture of Wei Wuxian's state...we can't pass up the chance."

Riiip. Wen Qing tore the bandages in half.

Jiang Cheng looked away when she started wrapping the bandages around the stumps that used to be Wen Zhuliu's arms. After all, he'd take what he can get for this.

To get his shixiong back.

==

Lan Xichen reappeared in Qinghe in one piece, just as GusuLan arrived together.

Lan Zhan went straight to Jiang Cheng and Nie Huaisang when he saw them both. Sparing a second to properly greet them with a salute, the Second Jade then asked. "Where is Wei Ying?"

Jiang Cheng's eyes went colder than ice. "You dare?"

Gold eyes blinked rapidly. Lan Zhan stepped back, surprised. The feeling quickly melted into anger. "Jiang Wanyin."

Nie Huaisang stepped between them, both hands held out to their faces in an attempt to hold them back.

Unfortunately, that can't hold them back from speaking. "You listen here. It's your fault this happened in the first place, and now you're telling me you don't know!? WHERE WERE YOU!?"

"Do not succumb to rage."

"REALLY!? REALLY!!?"

"Jiang-xiong!", Nie Huaisang threw his weight on Jiang Cheng, trying to stop him from actually punching Lan Zhan's pretty face. "Calm down!"

"NO! I WON'T--HUAISANG, DON'T STOP ME", Jiang Cheng tried to push his friend away, which only made Nie Huaisang cling harder. So, Jiang Cheng settled on jabbing a finger at Lan Zhan's face. "BECAUSE YOU DIDN'T DO A GOOD JOB GUARDING THE F**KING ROCK, WEI WUXIAN IS...he's...!"

The almond-eyed teen wasn't able to finish, instead turning to bury his face on Nie Huaisang's shoulder. A muffled scream came, of frustration, of anger, of sadness--a deadly combination heard and felt.

Lan Zhan's face didn't change, except for a slight widening of his eyes and his complexion paling. He fixed a desperate look on Jiang Yanli, who came over the group after checking on Lan Xichen with Wen Qing.

Jiang Yanli had been relieved when they found that the Lan Sect Heir had no fatal wounds. Any injury he had was already treated. That was good news, at least.

Then, Lan Zhan came to her with this question. "Young Lady Jiang. Where...where is Wei Ying?"

==

Light entered the room. Wen Zhuliu raised his head.

The man gave pause when a pheasant walked through the door. The bird looked at him as though he were nothing more than a pebble to it, with a red ribbon wrapped around it's neck and chest.

Wen Zhuliu couldn't help but note that he felt like he saw that ribbon somewhere...

"You'll get to keep your life if you tell us what we want to know", a voice echoed in the chamber, as a familiar woman went in after the bird. Eyes as sharp as ever, with her ring crackling with purple lightning, Yu Ziyuan sneered. "If you won't cooperate, I'll sic Kuai on you." 

Wen Zhuliu looked away. Before joining the Wen Sect, when he was still Zhao Zhuliu, he had grown up with this woman alongside her sisters. The clans Yu and Zhao were close-knitted, and the bonds strengthened when the first Young Lady Yu married Zhao Zhuliu's older brother.

But that was then. The Zhao Sect is gone now.

As gratitude for saving his life, Zhao Zhuliu abandoned his old name to be Wen Zhuliu. He swore to serve Wen Ruohan, giving his loyalty and life to the Sect Leader.

Things changed. They can never be the carefree children from before, not anymore.

--Yu Ziyuan used such a strange threat, though? Why is she referring to the bird as if it is a brandished sword?

She must have read his confused expression. Yu Ziyuan's sneer deepened, and she tossed something in the direction of the bird--it looks to be a metal pole the size of a grown man's leg.

The pheasant turned to the pole, and--

GULP.

It was as if the pole was never there, having disappeared down the bird's throat.

Wen Zhuliu blinked rapidly. ...oh. That's why.

Kuai the pheasant spread her wings to him as a warning, which may not be that threatening under normal circumstances--but after just seeing the pole get swallowed whole by the bird, it was natural that anyone would feel nervous.

Just--what? How? What the--

"Tell us about Wei Wuxian", Yu Ziyuan snapped, tone poisonous and sharp. "Or else your head's going to be the bird's lunch today."

...yeah, he can do that.

Limbless as he is now, Wen Zhuliu doesn't want that to be the way his soul returns to the reincarnation cycle. What she's asking for doesn't have anything to do with Wen Ruohan, anyway.

Though-- "I can only give you what I've observed. Even I don't understand all of it."

A scoff. Yu Ziyuan crossed her arms, face impassive as if to say, I don't care about that.

Wen Zhuliu took a deep breath. The hairs on his skin were still standing, fearful of the experiences he just lived. His stumps still ached, phantom pains of missing arms and legs, and the sensation of his limbs torn away from him.

Wei Wuxian, who mercilessly made him feel every second of that torture.

Wei Ying, who let him live; even if it's already a second too late.

A pause, as he considered what to say. Wen Zhuliu parted his lips. "There are two of them. One is your Head Disciple, and the other one is a monster."

==

Silver, when Wei Ying is in control.

Red, when it's the demon taking the reigns.

Yu Ziyuan pinched the bridge of her nose. It's not like this is unexpected, per se. With what Jiang Yanli and Jiang Fengmian told them, Wei Ying's eyes did turn from silver to red. And he was like a completely different person after the change.

Still unexpected, though. The cases of demonic cultivation were normally the wielders losing themselves, becoming little more than living resentful ghosts.

Then again, Wei Ying's situation is a little different. The Yin Iron is an instrument, so the thing must have a spirit, like how spiritual swords have.

And that same spirit must be possessing their Head Disciple's body, fueling Wei Ying's own desire for vengeance to keep being in control.

Grrh.

What a mess.

==

Public opinion about Wei Ying didn't really change, even after YunmengJiang's reemergence and the defeat of Wen Chao and Wen Zhuliu.

Lan Zhan had to grit his teeth, pouring all his energy into holding himself back when he heard the gossip the townspeople and civilians are exchanging. After all, they are painting Wei Ying as this evil, shameless person who took advantage of the Jiang clan's goodwill to cause destruction; one who bites the hand that feeds it, basically.

Though, it's not like the gossip is without any basis. Everywhere "the demon" is spotted, a trail of Wen soldier corpses lay in its trail. But it's not just the Wen the demon kills; there have been reports of Lan, Jin, and Nie disciples who had their lives brutally end because of the monster's resentful energy.

Of course, there are some who escaped with their lives--proof that Wei Ying is still in there and possibly actively fighting the monster in his body--but most of the survivors didn't come out unscathed.

The whole thing made it more difficult to save Wei Ying from the influence of the Yin Iron, because...how can they get close, when the demon apparently cuts up anyone who gets near?

All of this happened...

Because Lan Zhan decided to trust Wei Ying.

Because the Second Jade let the Jiang Head Disciple be involved in this mess in the first place.

No wonder Jiang Wanyin was angry, the teen exhaled, as golden eyes looked out to the horizon below his sword. Essentially, it's because of me that...Wei Ying is now like this. And I didn't know.

If only Lan Zhan was there to help.

If only their homes weren't attacked.

If only he was strong enough to protect the piece without the assistance of the talisman.

If only he hadn't let Wei Ying put the talisman on the qiankun pouch.

If only, if only, if only.

But that doesn't matter right now, does it? Only of what he can do now.

...I hope we can fix this. I want to make this right.

Regardless of his wishes, however, Lan Zhan can't do anything. How can he, when the person he wanted to help can't be found?

The Sunshot Campaign has been ongoing for about 3 months now. The Jin had arrived a while ago with Jin Zixuan as a representative, and now the war is waged in earnest.

Fueled by their mutual affection for the money-grubbing Jiang disciple, Lan Zhan and Jiang Cheng had both formed a tentative alliance; they both agreed to work together and do their best to find and trap Wei Ying in place. Just long enough for them to do something about the possession thing.

And with that agreement, they both take every battle of the front lines--just to get even a glimpse of the silver-eyed teen.

But so far, nothing. Even as they've retaken more and more land from the QishanWen, even as Lan Zhan gained the title Hanguang-jun and Jiang Cheng the title Sandu Shengshou--

Even as the cultivation world named Wei Ying the Hongyan Tiekui...

They've never seen the Head Disciple.

They've done their utmost, of course. Followed every lead, chased after every distinct miasma of darkness, but they didn't see even a hint of him.

So, now, they're trying something different.

"You sure?", Lan Zhan felt skeptical, flying with Jiang Cheng to the latest trail they've managed to find. His golden eyes were on the red ribbon in his hand.

The wind was blowing in their faces, cold nipping in their fingertips and noses. Almond eyes stared intently ahead, determined to see this through. Determined to succeed.

"Of course. That thing's really important to Wei Wuxian, so it's our best bet in getting him", the Jiang Sect Heir said. Then, "Don't lose it."

Lan Zhan pursed his lips together. He clenched his hand tighter around the ribbon.

The pair traveled down to the ground, jumping off when their swords are inches above the floor. Lan Zhan and Jiang Cheng sheathed their swords, before taking a look around at the place they've landed on.

Frankly...there's not much to see. They could make out a few houses, some furniture, and what could be more corpses, but all of it is obscured by the miasma surrounding everything.

Jiang Cheng raised his head, keeping his eyes and ears sharp for any hint of a newcomer. Lan Zhan keeps his thoughts focused, watchful of any perception-altering effects from the mist. He clutched the red ribbon close to his chest.

"Is that my...?"

The two teens jumped a little. Jiang Cheng whirled. "Wei Wuxian!"

But he didn't see anything.

"But that can't be...Jiang Cheng can't..."

"Wei Wuxian!", the almond-eyed teen would have launched himself into the abyss, if it weren't for Lan Zhan to hold him back. "Where are you!? Let me know, I'll--I'll get you! I'll save you!"

...

Silence. The longer the response took, the more Jiang Cheng's heart sunk.

Lan Zhan gripped his companion's arm tighter.

"I don't need saving, though?"

Lan Zhan tensed up, feeling a positively sinister presence behind him. Meanwhile, Jiang Cheng's expression suggests that he's about to fall apart, but forced himself to be held together by sheer force of anger and tentative hope.

Together as one, they slowly turned.

Gold eyes then widened in shock. "Wei...Ying..."

Half-lidded glowing red eyes peered through eyelashes and unruly bangs, devoid of the kind warmth they once always held. Once wearing purple Jiang robes, now the newcomer's form adorned devilish red and black ones. A smirk was on the person's lips, just short of appearing as a sneer.

"What do you think? Am I pretty, Lan-er-gege? Jiang Cheng?", Wei Ying--no, the demon taunted. He held the sides of his robes, bending his knees and bowing his head in a curtsy. "I rather like this style. Easier to hide the blood this way."

Lan-er-gege. Lan Zhan could feel his ears burn. Wei Ying had always called him Lan Zhan or Second Young Master Lan, so this was quite new...

Then again, this doesn't count.

This was not their Wei Ying.

"Stop pretending, Hongyan Tiekui", Jiang Cheng snarled, stepping closer. He made sure to hide Zidian and the crackles of lightning behind his back. "Give Wei Wuxian back."

All the mirth in the demon's face instantly wiped away. "...huh."

Lan Zhan even felt unnerved--not just because of the oddity of seeing Wei Ying like this, but also because the resentment somehow rose. The miasma turned impossibly darker, caressing his hair and fiddling with his robes.

He could tell that Jiang Cheng felt it, too.

This was resentful energy that was about to attack.

"And here I thought you'd like to see how we're doing. So cruel!", the demon sobbed melodramatically, wiping crocodile tears. A second later, he let out a laugh. "Too bad, though. Your precious Wei Wuxian is asleep."

There was humming. Red began to bleed in the black, starting from the bottom.

The demon sneered, twisting Wei Ying's beautiful features with such a cruel emotion. "Want to wake him up? GOOD LUCK."

Tendrils of darkness shot out from everywhere, fast as the light.

Jiang Cheng whipped out Zidian's true form, just as fast. He forced the attacks back with one clean wave, applying the quick lessons his mom gave him. Swinging his arm back, he willed the momentum of the whip to head to the demon's way.

A mocking smile. Wei Ying's form disappeared, Zidian striking on thin air as a result.

Jiang Cheng grits his teeth. He unsheathed Sandu, wielding both while shifting into a defensive stance. "Wangji. Now."

Lan Zhan spread his hand, willing his guqin Wangji to appear. The Second Jade didn't flinch at the crack of lightning and darkness directly above his face.

"Grhhk!!" 

--yet he's tempted, to abandon the plan if only to protect Wei Ying and keep him from harm.

"WANGJI!"

But he can't do that. The enemy shares the same body as his...friend.

Lan Zhan can't afford to falter here.

His fingers swiftly brushed the strings. The first notes of the song played; Song of Clarity, capable of suppressing hostile energy and clearing the mind.

The sounds of steel meeting steel, slashes of flesh, and fighting went around. Jiang Cheng was having difficulty, trying to keep the demon from destroying the guqin.

A mocking laugh was heard from the demon. "Tell me. Are you willing to kill your shixiong to stop me?"

Almond eyes narrowed. A split second later, Zidian slammed on Wei Ying's chest--or should have, except tendrils of darkness stopped it in place. It's certainly smoking, hissing with the spiritual weapon's power of exorcism...but it doesn't do much.

After all, what can a simple spiritual weapon do with the bloodlust from thousands of the unjustly murdered?

Jiang Cheng struggled, but he's kept in place by the same concentrated energy holding his whip. Like this, he's like a puppet tied by strings.

"What a shame. Wei Wuxian was so desperate to save everyone in the Sect. Especially you, his baby brother", the demon licked his lips, putting a finger underneath Jiang Cheng's chin to tilt the younger teen's head up. Lan Zhan glimpsed Wei Ying's nails turn a bit longer, a lot sharper, poised to slice the Jiang Sect Heir's throat. "But if I kill you...well, that's one step closer to making this body my own, isn't it?"

Another tendril lashed out, striking the middle of the guqin and splitting it in half. Another tendril shot off, Lan Zhan wincing as he narrowly dodged getting stabbed through the cheek.

Lan Zhan unsheathed Bichen, cutting the strings trapping Jiang Cheng--and staggered, for another tendril struck, stabbing straight through the Second Jade's left shoulder blade.

The Second Jade fell.

"SH**--", Jiang Cheng lunged to catch him, Zidian now back in ring form. The Jiang Sect Heir panicked, grabbing the nearest makeshift bandage--Wei Ying's ribbon--and wrapping it around the other teen's shoulder blade to stop the bleeding.

Despite it all, the blood still continued to pour. It stained Lan Zhan's white robes to a dark red.

"You should have stayed away."

The almond-eyed teen glared hatefully at the enemy's hostile red eyes.

The demon's head tilted innocently, one hand behind his back. A self-satisfied look was present in his eyes. "Then again, your refusal to give up is what I was counting on."

Wei Ying's body raised a hand. Resentful energy condensed, a blinding red taking form...until a shining sword was in his grip.

Jiang Cheng pointed Sandu at the demon--then screamed, as another tendril struck through the teen's arm. Agonizing pain filled his whole being.

The demon simply looked on, entertained by the boys' despair and misery. He raised the sword.

"Goodbye, Young Master Jiang, Second Young Master Lan", the demon said, grin a vicious mimicry from Wei Ying's own mischievous smiles. "It was nice knowing you."

Lan Zhan stirred, trying to stand--

Jiang Cheng refused to go down--Zidian was back in whip form again--

The blade swung down--

Blood was spilled.

It wasn't from any of the rescuers.

==

The voice in his head offered something he couldn't refuse.

Do you want revenge, Wei Wuxian?

And to Wei Ying, who lies there dying, surrounded by enemies and Wen Chao, it's the sweetest offer he could ever want.

As his heart gave out, as his vision grew blurry, the buried resentment in his soul started to unearth.

Yes, I want it, he wished, impulsively, desperately, unable to think beyond the numbness, excruciating agony, and hopelessness. Make them pay. MAKE THEM REGRET THIS.

And in no time at all, the dark energy exploded--and it was like being chained up inside, caged like a bird with cut wings.

Wei Ying was drowning, and he was trapped.

Wei Ying was drowning, and--he can't even control his own body. No matter how much he struggled, how much he tried--he couldn't afford control for more than a few seconds, a few minutes.

He killed so many people. So much blood on his hands...

Wen Chao was gone. Wen Zhuliu is useless now. So why...?

Why are you fighting me? Isn't this what you wanted?

...let me go. Please let me go...

This isn't what he wanted at all.

==

The Song of Clarity suppresses the hostile energy and clears the mind.

It gave Wei Ying what he needed.

--the second the demon thought he was winning, the second he let his guard down,

Wei Ying took the chance and ran with it.

==

Jin Zixuan wondered what the commotion was about--and immediately found his answer once Jiang Cheng and Lan Zhan ran past him.

A familiar form was in Jiang Cheng's arms, limp, covered in blood, and with a red sword through his chest. The person looked as pale as death.

Wei Wuxian.

The Jin Sect Heir was so off-put by this, he ended up following the Lan-Jiang pair to where they were going.

The infirmary was certainly not empty, nor does it have any extra room among the wounded. Therefore, it shouldn't be a surprise when Jiang Cheng headed in the opposite direction of the infirmary--well, after he glared at Jin Zixuan and barked at him to get a healer.

Which--okay, rude! 

But Jin Zixuan saw Wei Ying writhing, clearly in pain. The other teen's breathing sounded more like a pathetic wheeze--and jerk that got him in trouble or not, it's still painful to hear.

So, Jin Zixuan couldn't bring himself to protest. He ran straight for the infirmary, threw open the doors (much to everyone's shock inside the chamber), and announced. "We need a healer!"

Wen Qing's dark, ink-colored eyes blinked up at him. Jiang Yanli's gentle, amber ones did, too.

Jin Zixuan swallowed. "It's Wei Wuxian."

It was almost impressive, how quickly the two maidens moved to leave right away. Leading the way, Jin Zixuan would have struggled to find a path if it weren't for the trail of blood left on the floor. Judging by the fact that there are two trails instead of one, it's not just Wei Ying that's injured.

The three of them ended up in a spare room next to Jiang Cheng's own. Yu Ziyuan was already there, as is Jiang Fengmian, Nie Huaisang, and Wen Ning.

Lan Zhan fluttered about, bringing up the bucket of water for Wen Ning to use.

Wen Qing walked in with a purpose, face grim but set with a purpose. She took her place beside her brother. "How is he?"

"Ru-running a fever, but...he's strangely stable, jie", Wen Ning's eyebrow furrowed in worry. "Which sh-shouldn't be, b-because--"

"There's a f**king sword in his chest, BUT YOU'RE SAYING HE'S FINE?!", Jiang Cheng all but roared at this. Even Jin Zixuan had to wince at the harshness.

Wen Qing sighed. Her eye was twitching, indicating her anger at the outburst--but she understood Jiang Cheng's feelings right now, so she didn't comment on it. Pulling out acupuncture needles from her sleeve, she asked questions while striking at points on the critically injured's limbs. "Where did the sword come from? It's not a spiritual sword, that much is obvious."

...yeah. Even a non-cultivator can figure that out.

Spiritual swords are made to channel qi. This one simply reeks of resentment.

Lan Zhan breathed out, grimacing when Nie Huaisang removed the ribbon and bandaged his injured arm properly. Jin Zixuan looked in fascination; this is the first time he's seen the Second Jade express anything other than a resting b*tch face.

The golden-eyed teen bowed his head. "Created from the darkness. Sword from resentment."

Jiang Fengmian's eyes widened.

Yu Ziyuan turned at Wen Qing sharply. "You heard him. Pull it out! That evil influence has to be rid of!"

"With all due respect, Madam Yu, but I can't do that", the girl swiftly replied, grabbing the clean rag Wen Ning had. "Not only for the reason that Wei Wuxian's organs will fail once the sword's been removed, but you heard my brother. Having the sword in him stabilized his condition. Somehow."

"So, you're saying that A-Xian needs to...have the resentment?", Jiang Yanli looked absolutely heartbroken.

Wen Qing paused. "It may have something to do with how the resentment even got inside him in the first place. But yes, that's...what I'm guessing."

A  hush fell over the room.

Jin Zixuan awkwardly looked at his former fiancee, then at the disciple who punched him before.

Honestly...he didn't really believe the rumors. Sure, there's a demonic cultivator running around or whatever--but he didn't really think it was Wei Ying. The guy seemed too...

Well. Too...carefree and happy, he guesses? There's the obsession with money, but it seemed more of simple infatuation than a real obsession--if the fact that he punched Jin Zixuan, the heir to the second richest Sect in the cultivation world, in the face.

So, this...

Just what happened?

--he was snapped out of his musings, when the sword's glow flared up. Dark mist started to erupt, marking started to appear through the robes--

Wei Ying screamed, an animalistic, raw sound of anguish--

"Xianxian!"

And the world abruptly stilled, for Jiang Yanli lunged to hold her shidi. She was scared and afraid, yet she put it all off to hold Wei Ying's face, frantically brush away his bangs, and soothe him. "Shh, it's okay Xianxian, you're safe--you're okay--"

And she started to pour spiritual energy through his abdomen.

Jin Zixuan was about to protest--what if you make it worse--but then the red blended with the gold. A gasp echoed from Wei Ying, before his screaming died down into small, pained groans.

Jiang Yanli stopped passing spiritual energy. Wei Ying squirmed, and then opened his eyes

Then--

"Sh--shijie", Wei Ying's eyes were now silver and red, but mostly silver. Unfocused, hazy that suggests he's not all there--but open. "It hurts. It-it hurts!"

Jiang Yanli placed a kiss on his forehead. "I know, A-Xian. But Qing-jie's going to make it all better. Okay?"

Wen Qing choked, tears prickling her eyes. Jiang Yanli may be saying that, but Wen Qing knew that could just be an empty promise.

Jiang Cheng, having realized that, looked away to hide his own panic and sadness.

But Jiang Yanli placed a firm, faithful look at Wen Qing--so strong-willed and hopeful that it had the doctor to take a moment to consider.

"M...mn", the Head Disciple's eyes fluttered close. "Sorry..."

A sharp inhale.

And Wen Qing got moving again. "Jiang Yanli, get him awake for as long as possible. He needs to, for his own core to be at its most solid and capable of spinning resentment and spiritual energy together. Wei Wuxian, I'm going to ask questions through your sister, and you're going to answer them. Got that?"

"A-Xian", Jiang Yanli tenderly tapped her shidi's cheek. "If you stay awake through all this, you're getting triple allowance. Okay?"

Wei Ying's eyes blinked back open again. "...En."

Yu Ziyuan rolled her eyes. Jiang Fengmian managed a chuckle.

None of them protested.

Jin Zixuan blinked rapidly. He--was lost. What just happened?

He accidentally met Jiang Yanli's gaze. And despite the odds still unlikely, despite the danger this risk they're taking, of doing something that could destabilize Wei Ying's fragile state and could still kill him--

She smiled tearfully, as if it was all going to be alright.

And somehow, Jin Zixuan couldn't help but believe that hope, too.

==

It took them about 16 hours. Hours of nonstop work from everyone, who worked on Wei Ying himself or searched for sources that could help with his situation.

It took many hours, but they managed.

Even if the resentment is still in him, the demon was sealed and shut away. As long as the golden core kept spinning, the demon will be nothing more than an evil little voice at the back of the Head Disciple's mind.

They did the impossible.

Wei Ying would live.

(During it all, Jin Zixuan couldn't help but notice the soft look Jiang Cheng was shooting at Wen Qing, whenever he's not focused on keeping his brother awake with Jiang Yanli or researching with Lan Zhan or Nie Huaisang. That was...interesting?

Not like he had room to talk, though; apparently, Jin Zixuan's shooting the same besotted look at Jiang Yanli.

...okay?

Jin Zixuan doesn't know, but--it would be nice to get to know this...incredible woman more. That's all there is to it.)

==

Light shone through the room. Silver eyes opened to the warmth shining down on the teen's face.

Oh, and the beak currently tugging on his har. Can't forget about that.

Wei Ying weakly raised a hand to where he felt Kuai is tugging--only to have his hand be stabbed instead. "Ow. Good morning to you, too?"

Ugh. Everything hurts.

What happened...?

"OI HUAISANG--"

The door was slapped open, yet Wei Ying was already wincing at the loud noise. Silver eyes fell to a teary-eyed Nie Huaisang and a wide-eyed Nie Mingjue, and wondered what this is about. "Uh. Hi?"

The silver-eyed teen wasn't able to sneak another word in, when Nie Huaisang launched himself halfway across the room.

==

Apparently, Wei Ying had been asleep for about three days. When he woke up, he didn't remember anything beyond getting struck by the arrow.

It took a while for the memories from when he was possessed to come back. When it did, he recoiled from his siblings' touch and buried himself under the blanket and pillows when Jiang Yanli and Jiang Cheng came together to check on him.

Jiang Cheng raised an eyebrow at this. "What? You're going to bury yourself for something you had no control over?"

A groan from the lump in the bed. "My past sins...they're haunting meeee...don't look at me I'm ugly and horrible and I haven't washed my hair."

An amused huff. "Dramatic a**hole."

"You're not so far off from that yourself, Young Master Jiang."

"I'm really going to hit you, recovering patient or no. Don't think I won't."

Jiang Yanli had a small, melancholic smile on her face as she leaned in close to Wei Ying's form. She poked what could only be her shidi's shoulder. "Xianxian? Can you come out here for a second?"

More grumbling. Since he didn't want to deny Jiang Yanli anything, Wei Ying crawled out of the pile.

Carefully, Jiang Yanli scooped both Wei Ying and Jiang Cheng in a hug. It was almost funny, how Wei Ying looked like his brain just crashed at this. The silver-eyed teen started squirming. "Shijie! What--this is hardly appropriate--"

"Xianxian. A-Cheng", she said softly, pulling away to look at them both in the eye. "The three of us...must be together forever, and never be parted. Okay?"

Wei Ying and Jiang Cheng looked back at her, eyes glistening. The latter choked up, and then turned to the former. "You heard A-Jie! Don't...don't do it again. You said we'll still be brothers in the next life, right? Technically, this is your next life. So settle in your place by my side, and stop being a f**king hero and getting yourself into trouble. You'll make m--A-Jie upset."

Wei Ying stared at them, wide-eyed. Tears started pouring.

"A-Xian!?"

"WHY ARE YOU CRYING--"

"I'm sorry. I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm sorry", Wei Ying's body was wracked with sobs, valiantly trying to make himself stop crying. The tears kept streaming down, no matter how hard he tries to wipe them away. "I only wanted--I didn't mean to hurt you..."

Jiang Cheng's shoulders sagged. Carefully working through his own impaled arm, he put one hand over Wei Ying's back. "Come here, you f**king idiot."

The three of them held each other, even as Wei Ying's cries and sobs died down. They shared their warmth, as the time passed by them.

They'll take all the time they could get. Things will be better from now on.

==

Yu Ziyuan visited one time, and gave Wei Ying a brew of medicinal tea. "Drink. You may not be as fragile now as before, but you still need to make sure both energies are balanced."

"Yes, Madam Yu", Wei Ying shifted up, taking the tea without protest. He kept his face carefully blank, so as to not reveal what he really thinks of this awful taste.

Wen Qing couldn't afford to take out the resentment in his body, so they all pitched in to make it safer inside the silver-eyed teen. After many seals and wards are placed around the demonic energy that tied itself to his core, Wei Ying was then deemed to be alright. Especially when his wounds started healing on his own, when the operation finished.

Though, that doesn't count on leftover pains from the injuries. To minimize and eliminate it all, Wen Qing was adamant to make him drink the medicinal tea and take a rest for about three days.

And, yeah, sure, he can't protest about the rest thing. He'd much rather want to lie in bed right now.

But.

Can't they make this tea a little sweeter? It's terrible, he's being poisoned!!!

"Oh, and I'm confiscating all your money in the meantime."

Wei Ying choked on the tea.

He can't really bring himself to protest, though. For making everyone feel bad and hurting them like this, he kind of deserves it...

Then, he feels a hand on his hair, far from gentle but warm and grounding, and Wei Ying's brain crashes again.

"Fengmian and I", YuZiyuan exhaled. There was an almost soft look in her eyes. "We're glad you're here."

There was a pause.

Wei Ying managed a small, bright smile.

==

Lan Zhan was having a terrible time. The source of his torture was the pheasant trying her best to peck his eye out.

Wei Ying couldn't help but laugh at the sight. It just looks so ridiculous! "Lan Zhan, ah, Lan Zhan! If you want to stay here, you have to put up with the bird!"

Lan Zhan picked up the fork to swordfight the bird with it. Kuai was absolutely gleeful to indulge.

"Mn", golden eyes didn't stray from the duel, though his words are a surprise. "Will bring treats for Kuai when courting Wei Ying."

Wei Ying dropped his spoon. "Wait, what?"

==

The final battle is fast approaching, as forces of the Sunshot Campaign get closer to Nightless City. Wildcard as he may be, Hongyan Tiekui had played a huge part in this upcoming victory.

And the demonic cultivator is planning to help one last time.

"No, like, listen", Wei Ying raised his brush from one of his extra pouches (which no one will understand how it got in his shoes without anyone noticing). "Hongyan Tiekui gathered so many corpses while he was in control. We could turn the tide if we can use the corpses to protect everyone!"

Jiang Cheng pinched the bridge of his nose. "Wei Wuxia--"

"I'll be holding your hand the entire time. The one with Zidian. If the demon is taking control again, you can just shock him back to submission."

Jiang Cheng considered it. For a second. "It's not just about the--the demon. What if you get hurt? What if the resentful energy bites back at you in another way? What if the corpses turn on us?"

"...Jiang Cheng."

Oh, no. Not that tone again. "Anything you've thought up just now, I want no part of it."

But Wei Ying simply smiled back, full of mischievous cheer. Jiang Cheng never thought he'd see the day that he'd be glad to see it. Even for a little.

==

What the f**k?

Wei Ying controlled the dead with a flute. A flute.

None of them can even say anything about it, since the dead controlled by Wei Ying successfully held back the puppets controlled by Wen Ruohan. Some of the puppets were even redirected away from the Wen Sect Leader's control.

It got Wen Ruohan to come out.

It also got Wen Ruohan to chase after Wei Ying, intent on killing him. Jiang Cheng won't let him, wrapping Zidian around the guy and sending him back. Lan Zhan flew in on Bichen to protect Wei Ying, coincidentally decking Wen Ruohan's face along the way.

In the end, none of them dealt the final blow. It was Meng Yao, the new Wen torturer and apparently the spy that was sending them intel, who stabbed Wen Ruohan and ultimately killed him.

Just like that, it was over.

Everyone played their part in the war.

They won.

==

Kuai chirps excitedly, chewing on the red ribbon.

"Yes, yes, I'll get you some wood and food to eat. Just stop doing that to my hairtie", Wei Ying laughed, setting the boxes down. He looked around, at the room they'll be staying in in the meantime here in Nightless City. "...we have our work cut out for us, huh?"

Kuai headbutted the annoying child. Wei Ying laughed.

He turned to look at the setting sun outside. A smile was on his lips. "Eh, as long as I get more money for this."

On the bright side, he!!! Can finally steal from the Wen Sect!!!!! Legally!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Woohoo!

==

"I'm sorry you had to lose Wangji, Lan Zhan."

"No need for thank yous and apologies between us."

"I-I know. But still...", a sigh. "At least you got a new one."

Wei Ying felt fingers interlace with his own. He smiled behind his sleeve.

Then, there was a harsh tug.

"Hurry up!", Jiang Cheng scowled at him, Wen Qing by his side. "We'll be late for the banquet at this rate!"

Wei Ying blinked up at them. His mind wandered. "Did you and Qing-jie--get together?"

Jiang Cheng shoved him on the shoulder for that. It only made the Head Disciple laugh.

Wen Qing turned away. There was a wooden comb in her hair, though; with a lotus-shape design, and intricately beautiful details.

Wei Ying definitely saw that comb before. He chose not to say anything about it. "So, Young Master Jiang. We'll be going ahead?"

Kuai cheered from her place on top of Wei Ying's head. The silver-eyed teen pat the bird affectionately. "Yes, yes, there are lots of things to stab there for you."

The almond-eyed teen snorted. "Let's go. A-Jie's waiting."

"Not with that peacock, I hope?"

And so, the two pairs headed off to the main hall in Nightless City--and to the unknown. But that's not so bad, is it?

Things will only go well from here on out.

...mostly.