Chapter Text
Jiang Cheng gazed down at the lotus pond, his mind finding its way to memories, and things he wish he could forget.
The full moon always made him start to wonder, and think, reflecting what he wanted to be, but would not be. Quiet dreadful, isn't it.
"sect leader Jiang, The Sect leader of Gusu is here." a disciple announced, bowing low. The normally angry man turned, looking calm yet...dead in a way." Let him in, and lead him over." he says, his voice is devoid of emotion but loud and clear. He didn't wish to exchange pleasantries and let that bastard in. But he should leave at least one decent impression before leaving and disappearing forever.
It didn't take long for the older man to appear."Sect leader Jiang." a voice called from over his shoulder. He turned to see Lan Xichen standing an appropriate distance from him, giving a slight bow before straightening. " Sect leader Lan. How may i be of any help? you came on such short notice, only one can wonder why i may be needed." the man clad in purple says quietly, though in his mind hes asking why someone of more importance isn't being asked. It wasn't like they would die without him, so why was he in Yunmeng? There where many more important, and more respected sect leaders they could have gone to other than him, after all.
Where they attempting to mock him?
Trying to make him feel respected and needed before going back to trading rude comments about the Jiang clan sect leader again?
His gaze hardened slightly before he gave the man his full attention, who was now speaking in his almost sickeningly calm and nice voice. " The other leaders have realized you weren't receiving their letters, and were growing worried-" Jiang Cheng Internally snorted. Yeah fucking right."- and asked me to come check up on you. There will be a meeting soon on improvements we may wish to make." The sect leader dressed in white says, intently staring at Jiang Cheng and waiting for an answer.
Jiang Cheng nods, looking down. "I see. I'll check the letters, and attend the meeting. I apologize for not answering, and inconveniencing you." He murmurs, offering a bow with his apology. Now hes going and being a problem again...he cant even do one thing right huh.
A half crazy laughs almost bubbles out of him, but he stops it quickly and straightens himself. " No need to apologize. It was not of any inconvenience to me, sect leader Jiang." The man in purple highly doubted that, but nodded nonetheless. " is there anything else you may need, Sect leader Lan? or would you like me to get one of my disciples to bring you too a room?" he asks as he peered at the other man. He could tell he was slightly uneasy. Probably worried about pride, and what face he may lose, visiting the sect of an unwanted man.
How funny.
"No." he finally says." And i can stay at an inn. I wouldn't want to trouble you at all-" good lie, sect leader Lan. But im pretty sure you where taught not too? Is he the worst scum on earth that Lan Xichen must simply ignore his Shushu's teachings and wish to leave? Do as you wish.
No one would care anyways.
❀❀❀
It had now been some weeks since Lan Xichen had showed up, and he had read the dumb, short and meaningless letters.
He had already attended the meeting, which resulted in all insults being directed at him, and Fucking Lan Xichen acting like some fucking peace maker.
Disgusting.
Jiang cheng scoffed at the memory, finishing the letters he made....in case something where to happen. Which...he feels something would.
And he was right.
Jin Ling had asked if he would come to a night hunt with him, despite having hanguang jun and Wei Wuxian with him. He loved his nephew, but he knew that he would only be temporary. That soon Wei Wuxian would capture him, and Jiang Cheng would be an irrelevant, no good family member.
That ending was inevitable.
Jiang Cheng just emotionlessly watched as they all had fun, his presence forgotten. But this is how it should be. And how it always has been. Wei Wuxian getting praise, love and attention, him sitting with the imprinting of 'second option' deeply stabbed int him.
But it was normal. To be expected, and quiet comfortable. He knew he would never be anything more than a walking second option. Hes come to terms with that already. And even...enjoys it.
He relishes in the feeling, knowing that the small burn of pain in his heart isn't his imagination.
He knows that's not normal. He knows he should care more, and ask for love. He knows.
He knows that its bad that he enjoys the pangs of sadness cause he can only ever feel annoyance
But that makes it better.
Easier to let go.
Jiang Cheng knew this was what he was waiting for.
While the happy go lucky family was chatting away, he backed off outside of the ring of trees surrounding them, knowing he'll just stain their presence. The tree's where an obvious barrier.
He has been waiting. And it was rewarded when a giant beast came out, and had the displeasure of killing the Jiang sect leader.
He almost felt bad.
But he didn't.
The sudden pain that brought tears to his eyes as the beast pounced, claws digging into shoulders.
The heightening pain that coursed through him when the beast's maw nudged his face, smelling and growling.
The exhilaration feeling of being clawed at, and bitten all over his torso by a giant beast.
The blood that spilled and tainted everything.
The screams his supposed family uttered...
The pain caused blood to rush to his ears, before even leaving there. His hearing became muffled as the beast took one more giant bite, before jumping off-no being forced off-and fighting the happy family...
He felt...great
He opened his blurry eyes to see a tall and built man, his usual stern look softening as he extended a hand.
'Come, A-Cheng. Your free now'
And in those last moments of this lifetime, he smiled.
'Ah...free....Finally...'
A weak laugh almost bubbled out before his qi stopped trying to heal him by itself. His body, now almost dead, went completely limp.
More screams echoed around him, mingling with furious and desperate roars, It all went past him though.
Jiang Cheng relaxed as he felt the elating feeling of a burning warmth envelope him.
The beast had knocked him, into a lotus pond...ones that clouded his memories and nightmares for years.
only fitting to die in a source of some of my pain... He thought, slightly amused but tired
With no more air to breathe in the water, it didn't take long for his pulse to stop as well. But he didn't mind. He felt familiar strong arms engulf him, pulling him from his useless body and away.
Away from this damned place.