Chapter Text
Jing Yuan could be having a worse day.
At least that’s what he tells himself after watching his retainer (son, shh don’t tell anyone) Yanqing send another person? monster? abomination? flying into a building, which produces a loud crash that echoes throughout the busy city street, causing more commotion to erupt through the crowd- if that was even possible. Jing Yuan doesn’t quite know what to make of them, the strange group of people that just broke through the glass windows of a nearby bank, duffle bags stuffed full of money in hand.
However, he does know that they can’t possibly be a good thing, especially considering the screams of civilians they produce while tearing through the street. He is no stranger to thieves, but in his 1000-ish (seriously, who’s counting?) years of life, he’s never seen any people like them- and Jing Yuan has seen a LOT of people.
One is a gangly, lizardy-looking man in a shiny, orange jumpsuit. Another is a seemingly young woman in a black suit with magenta accents and crown, who is currently shooting similarly pink laser beams at Yunli, which he should be babysitting for his fellow General, Huayian.
Jing Yuan’s old friend certainly wouldn’t enjoy seeing his disciple (granddaughter) getting attacked under what should be Jing Yuan’s watchful guidance, however he figures it’s better to let her handle this, for everyone’s sake. It’s not like he could really stop Yunli anyways. As soon as those people shattered the glass, Old Metal was out and ready to apprehend some criminals, so the best Jing Yuan figures he can do is try and make sure the two of them don’t level the city block in the process, because they might be strong, but procision isn’t exactly their strong suit.
Speaking of leveling city blocks, Yanqing is currently trying his best to slash the third and final enemy they are facing off against- an inhumanly large, muscular man with withered gray skin and a gaunt face that is right now contorted in pain due to Yanqing’s efforts, his wispy white hair framing his sunken cheeks.
“They have abominations here too?!” Yanqing shouts, hopping on his sword and attempting to send the man flying backwards into another building, but he catches Yanqing’s sword and yanks it forward, sending the poor kid flying-
-right into Yunli’s back, preventing her from blocking the attacks of the woman and snake-man, who are ganging up on her simultaneously, causing them both to get hit with her energy blasts.
This is bad.
Jing Yuan grips the hilt of his greatsword tightly, gritting his teeth at the sight of two of the people most dear to him getting hurt. He knows Yanqing and Yunli should be handling themselves, and that in a mere moment they could be back to kicking those guy’s butts.
However, they’ve never faced anybody like these people before, and despite his (reasonable) concerns about fighting in such a residential area, he knows he can’t let this continue on for any longer, especially considering it is his responsibility to take care of the two of them. It is time to put a stop to this, once and fo-
“HALT.”
______________________
Yanqing isn’t quite sure how he got here, or where here even is anyways.
One moment he is having a playful spar with his friend Yunli while his master (father, but he’ll never admit it) Jing Yuan watches, the next they are standing in some random forest, in what appeared to be a completely different planet.
At least they can breath in the atmosphere, for now.
“Huh?!” Yunli shouts, lowering Old Metal as she looks around confused, wondering how there’s moonlight glinting off its broad blade when it was the early morning two seconds ago.
Immediately, Yanqing turns to Jing Yuan, looking for answers, but to his horror, the General looks just as surprised as they are.
“Where are we...” Jing Yuan muses, cautiously scanning the area around them. However, to his surprise, nothing is out of the ordinary. No abominations, no anomalies, no nothing. They are seemingly just in a normal forest, with no explanation of how they got here.
“Let’s take a look around, see if we can find any signs of civilization.”
______________________
“HALT.” A booming, authoritative voice shouts into the now mostly empty street, which causes everyone to pause, even the bad guys.
When Jing Yuan looks behind him, he’s greeted by an even stranger sight- a group of three people, both in utterly ridiculous costumes, similar to their enemies.
Soon after arrival, Jing Yuan had realized his and the kid’s normal getups were far too much for this environment after spotting the normal civilian attire. Therefore, they had (politely) stolen some clothes from a nearby store last night, and fortunately that had gone undetected. Jing Yuan would have paid if he could, but this place took neither Strales nor IPC credits, and he figured walking into a bank in his General’s attire was not the best of ideas.
However, these guys a) actually seem to be from here, and b) make no effort to blend in, with each of their outfits being weirder than the last.
The first guy he spots is the source of that voice, and Jing Yuan scans him up and down like he did for the other people. This man is dressed in a green and black outfit, and is calmly floating a few feet above the ground, with a soft, green aura emanating off of him. Jing Yuan blinks and realizes that it’s a similar power to that of the magenta lady Yunli had been fighting- equally as dangerous, but far less malicious. Fortunately, despite his initial similarities to the robbers in attire and power, this man has an air of stern friendliness, one which Jing Yuan recognizes from encounters with his fellow soldiers- this stranger must be a military man.
To this man’s left is a woman with bright, red hair, and yellow tracksuit, which are striking on their own. However, what really catches his eye is her mace sparking with electricity and giant hawk wings splayed out threateningly behind her. She looks far less reserved than her two comrades, with an ambitious spark in her green eyes that lets Jing Yuan know that he shouldn’t even think of testing her. The lady notices him staring, and cocks an eyebrow in his direction, almost begging him to question her presence, to give her a reason to use that mace of hers.
Fortunately, Jing Yuan is in no mood for a fight, so he’s prepared to explain the situation to them and attempt to make peace when he suddenly gets interrupted when the third, final, and by far the strangest member of this new group of people,
who steps out of the shadows Jing Yuan spotted him lurking in and into the sunlight.
The other two aren’t exactly normal looking, but this guy takes the cake. Unlike his teammates, who are wearing rather colorful attire, he’s practically dressed in all black, and appears to be wearing his underwear on the outside of his outfit. If that isn’t enough, the guy has what appear to be bat ears on the top of his helmet? mask? thing? which poke out rather adorably into the air, somewhat tarnishing his otherwise intimidating presence. Perhaps Jing Yuan would find him more scary in the dark, or if he hadn’t already been in such dire situations to the point where nothing can really terrify him.
Nevertheless, things absolutely can still confuse him, with this situation being a prime example. Therefore, it doesn’t even register to Jing Yuan that their enemies had left until he hears shouts from Yanqing and Yunli about how they are getting away.
Unfortunately for the kids, before they can run off to chase the robbers, gentle, green energy wraps around their bodies, firmly but carefully preventing them from moving, which finally snaps Jing Yuan out of his stupor.
“Who are you?” He shouts, narrowing his eyes and lifting his sword a slight bit, a clear warning which the three strangers absolutely pick up on.
“We should be asking you that question.” The red-haired lady quips, lowering her mace and gesturing lightly to her floating friend, who loosens (but does not remove) his grip on Yanqing and Yunli, freeing their hands but not the rest of them, which immediately results in them trying and failing to claw their way out.
Jing Yuan sighs, knowing that if these guys were trouble, they’d already be fighting, so he might as well explain who they are, especially considering that bat guy is staring daggers at him.
“I am general Jing Yuan of the Xianzhou Luofu.” He says, turning to face the kids. “That is my retainer, Yanqing,” Jing Yuan continues, pointing to the struggling boy, “and his friend Yunli, who I am babysitting at the moment for an old friend.”
“You’re who from the what now?” The green guy exclaims, although he sounds less surprised and more relieved that the three of them clearly aren’t trouble.
“Relax.” The man dressed in black says, stunning them all into silence. “We can figure out the logistics of this later- it’s only fair we explain who we are too, seeing as you also clearly don’t recognize us.”
Hmm. Jing yuan thinks, a knowing grin stretching across his face. This guy is good.
“Well, we are all members of the Justice League, a group of superheroes who banded together to protect the earth- even the universe as a whole. My name Shayera Hol,” the winged lady explains, “but you should call me Hawkgirl.”
“John Stewart, but most know me as this sectors’ Green Lantern.”
“Batman.”
Jing Yuan laughs, startling the three of them.
“What a strange day.” He muses. “I suppose we both have a lot of explaining to do, but could you start with letting my kids go?” He asks, cocking his head towards and increasingly agitated Yunli and Yanqing. Green Lantern quickly releases them, but the damage is already done. Before Yunli can give them a piece of her mind- or of Old Metal- Jing Yuan blocks her path.
“Young lady.” He says sternly, immediately stopping her in her tracks. Yunli huffs and backs off, but the spark in her eyes tells Jing Yuan she isn’t just going to forget this one.
Fortunately, Yanqing is a lot more understanding, calling one of his swords back from the concrete it’s embedded in, shocking the Justice League members.
“How did you do that?” Batman inquires, as curious as he is impressed, a sentiment shared by Hawkgirl and Lantern.
However, instead of giving a proper explanation, Yanqing just shrugs.
“I just... do. I suppose I never thought about it- can you not do that?”
Now it’s Green Lantern’s turn to laugh.
“This is going to be a wild ride, isn’t it?”
___________________
Yanqing and Yunli get along with the other Justice League members surprisingly well, both to Jing Yuan’s delight and horror, as perhaps they get along a little too well.
Despite already being subjected to these people’s confusion, Yanqing has no qualms about doing even more weird (although to the three of them, it’s rather ordinary) tricks with his sword, receiving several concerned stares when he just.. sits on top of it while it’s flying. Yunli is no better, and while they are both receiving the “strange, adorable child” treatment, her catlike demeanor has already netted her approximately five older siblings, two parents, three uncles and nine cousins in the 15 minutes since her arrival at the watchtower. While on the Yuming, the citizens had long since learned to not underestimate her, but this new group of people clearly weren’t educated in such matters, so in order to maintain her threatening reputation, Yunli quickly pulls out Old Metal again- a bad idea considering the damn thing is twice her size.
“How are you carrying that?” A man named Green Arrow asks- which Jing Yuan can only remember because he’s one of the first people who introduced himself to them on the watchtower.
“Because I am.” Yunli answers confidently. “This isn’t even the biggest sword I own!” She exclaims, earning impressed stares and murmurs from the heroes congregated around her.
“Isn’t it dangerous for someone your age to be playing with weaponry?” Wonder Woman questions, before stopping herself with a murmur. “I suppose I’m not one to talk.”
“Yeah!” Flash chimes in, ignoring the second part of Diana’s inquiry. “Where are your parents, kid? Isn’t this unsafe?” At that he shoots a glare in Jing Yuan’s direction, but Yunli only lets out a giggle at his concern.
“My parents are dead.” She blurts out.
Batman spits out his coffee.
Flash goes to apologize, alongside several of the other heroes in proximity, but Yunli does not need nor desire their comfort.
“It’s fine.” She says drily. “That was like... 30 years ago anyways, I’ve had time to process it- besides, gramps gives me company.”
The revelation that she’s older than a majority of the people babying her is even more shocking than her last statement, causing a lot of them to recoil in confusion.
“But aren’t you a kid?” Flash asks.
“Yes?...” Yunli answers, before the realization dawns on her.
“Ohhhh.” She exclaims, clapping her hands together. “You guys are short-life species!”
“What.” They collectively reply, and Jing Yuan decides he better explain what he’d already told Lantern, Hawkgirl and Batman on the way here.
“We… aren’t exactly the same species as you all are.” He says, earning the curious stares of everyone currently at the watch tower.
“I figured.” Green Arrow muses. “So, how old is she?”
Jing Yuan smiles. “I don’t know Yunli’s exact age, but she’s around 40 years old, which would be about your equivalent of a 12 year old. Yanqing-“ they all turn to look at him, and his eyes widen in surprise, having zoned out on his sword. “-Is about 50 years old, but he’s like a 14 year old by your standards.”
“So they are children.” Wonder Woman muses. “Just... strangely aging children.”
“Wait-“ Flash says, raising the question that’s on everyone’s mind “how old are you?”
“Hmm, about... 800 years old? I’m not quite sure honestly- I stopped counting a while ago.” Jing Yuan replies calmly, enjoying the baffled expressions on their faces.
“Wait- so like are you a senior citizen?!” Supergirl chimes in, causing a few others to nod, which only causes Jing Yuan to laugh.
“Heavens no- I’m like, fourty, at the oldest in your years- native Xianzhou citizens never grow old, we reach adulthood and stop aging. Well, unless they are Vidyahdarha... Anyways-.” He says. Despite having experienced this exact conversation many times over throughout his long life, it truly never gets old for Jing Yuan to see short-life species attempt to comprehend how he’s probably older than their family trees combined.
“So, do you even die then?” Green arrow asks, and Jing Yuan shrugs.
“Theoretically we can live forever, but most don’t even make it to a thousand.”
“So what stops you then?” He continues.
“Hmm. Other natural causes like illness, or being killed. It’s not true immortality like gods might have- we can still die; our ‘immortality’ is more of an extended lifespan than anything. However, unlike how I assume the people on your world die- the most common way for Xianzhou citizens to perish is by being Mara-struck.”
Now that causes the heroes to fall silent. Although there is no way of them knowing what being “Mara-struck” is without Jing Yuan telling them, the unfamiliarity of it, and the solemnity of his words alone convey the seriousness of its nature.
“Do not worry about it, it is a plague that is impossible for any of you to contract unless you happen to seek THEIR blessing- and you do not know who THEY are. We have long since grown used to the condition. I’ll leave it at that.” He says, a somber atmosphere hanging over the room.
The silence is stifling, with the League members wondering if they are even brave-or stupid- enough to ask who “THEY” is, realizing that there’s more to Jing Yuan and his origins than just some friendly visit. Fortunately, they do have the Flash, who although curious, also could not care less about the typical silence that answer would permit, as he’s not quite done asking questions yet.
“Sooo, General. Why are you here, exactly? It’s not like we’re upset- but this is a rather random visit- especially considering we’ve never even heard of your home or practically anything you guys talk about?”
Jing Yuan sighs.
“If I’m being completely honest, I have no idea either.”
____________________
Sometime through the chaos of the meeting, Batman manages to pull Jing Yuan aside to talk to him.
Jing Yuan’s brow furrows. Although he’s 90% certain that the man who practically dragged him into another room (quite a feat considering Jing Yuan is around 5 inches taller than him) has no powers, and would prove an easy fight if they were to butt heads, he still can’t help but feel intimidated by Batman- whether it be his demeanor or his unique attire. Earlier, he found it rather silly, but now, when compared to the rest of the Justice League, Batman sticks out like a sore thumb, and makes Jing Yuan far more uneasy around him than he reasonably should be.
“Do you need anything?” Jing Yuan asks calmly, trusting that the other man has good intentions, even if inwardly he’s resisting the urge to summon his greatsword.
“Not particularly.” Batman admits. “The League has seen its fair share of strangers from other worlds or timelines- and although you three are by far the most unique- it’s nothing we can’t handle.”
Jing Yuan chuckles. If only this man knew.
“Well, I’d say this is a rather new experience for me and the kids as well. There is no “Earth” in our star charts- and the people in my universe have mapped it out fairly well- although we already told you that. You’re lucky the Justice League and its members are so novel- you’ll satisfy Yunli and Yanqing’s curiosity for quite a while- before they start demanding to go down to Earth, that is.” He replies, a soft smile forming on his face.
Batman coughs, “that’s actually what I pulled you aside for.”
“Earth not being in my home’s records?”
“No- although that is still important. Truthfully, I wanted to talk about your children.”
Silence.
“…they aren’t my children.” Jing Yuan answers slowly, although the lack of confidence in his words speaks louder than what he’s saying itself.
Batman just scoffs, unimpressed by the half-hearted dismissal.
“What- are you worried about them?” Jing Yuan asks nervously, suddenly afraid that he’s committed some transgression of sorts that he must pay for.
“That depends on you.” Batman replies neutrally, and Jing Yuan begins to feel like this is less of a friendly conversation, and more of a brutal interrogation.
“What do you mean?”
“It depends; how is Yanqing doing?”
Jing Yuan squints, figuring he might as well indulge the other man. He begins mulling over the last few months, all the way back until that time 40 some years ago, where he met that small, young child on the side of an alleyway one rainy afternoon, and on a whim had decided to take him in.
“He- he’s a rowdy kid, with a very pure heart. Despite his age, he’s one of the hardest workers I know, and I’ve known very many people over my long life. Yanqing didn’t take no for an answer when he asked me to train him- to help him become the next sword champion, and I just- couldn’t deny him either. He had that determination in his eyes, a spark like I did when I was a kid, and I couldn’t help but desire to give him everything I never had, and help him become the person I never got to be- especially because he doesn’t have parents, or at least doesn’t have any semblance of a relationship with them..”
Jing Yuan stops himself, realizing he’s been rambling far too much, and saying things he’s never even thought out before; he simply never questioned the nature of their relationship prior- at least not in this manner. He realizes that his eyes once carefully trained on Batman’s every move had unconsciously drifted away, leaving him gazing wistfully out the window, back down upon the radiant Earth.
Perhaps the other man’s strength was not literal, unlike the other members of the league. Rather, it was in his ability to get people to let their guards down, to expose their weaknesses, whether in combat or in conversation.
Or, perhaps Jing Yuan has simply been holding all this back for far, far too long.
“Nobody has ever asked me that.” He says softly. “And I suppose I have never really thought about it before... but now.”
“Now?”
“I know I should take better care of him. I want to let him have his independence, especially since he’s growing older- but he gets in far, far too much danger-” his eyes narrow, thinking of Hoolay, or of Yanqing’s encounters with the Stellaron Hunters and Imbibitor Lunae, “-so scolding him isn’t enough sometimes. I just-“
“-you just don’t know what to do.”
“Yeah.” Jing Yuan murmurs, sighing.
“How about Yunli?”
He blinks, recalling his relationship with her.
“She- she’s a troubled kid too. Strong beyond
reason, and the most determined girl you’ve ever met- but, she struggles with self regulation. Yunli’s actually the granddaughter of my fellow Arbiter, the one she calls ‘gramps’. She might pretend to be unbothered, but the loss of her parents hit her hard- even harder than it did for Yanqing, especially considering she knew them. Yunli is admittedly quite a hothead, and incredibly stubborn, not just for her age. However, she’s well meaning and a good kid, so I introduced her to Yanqing, hoping that they could become friends and bond over their similar experiences. It’s... complicated. I’ve kept the things we’ve told your League rather brief, but the problems she and Yanqing face- and will be facing- are ones that run deep. One that are partially my own fault. I can only hope their story turns out better than mine...”
Jing Yuan falls silent for a moment, watching space debris float past the windows.
“So,” he finally speaks. “I’ve said my piece- what have you determined from it?”
Batman exhales, and takes a few steps forward, standing side by side with Jing Yuan, looking towards the earth like he is.
“I think you should let them spread their wings... They are kids after all, and you won’t be able to protect them forever. However, you should also let them know that if there is anywhere in the world they need to go, or anyone they need by their sides... you will always be there for them, without a second thought.”
“Hmmm.” Jing Yuan mutters, turning back to look at him. “Speaking from experience- are we?”
Batman cracks a small smile.
“I just might be.”