Work Text:
Confrontation
Do you remember the scene when Jin Guangyao threatens Wei Wuxian's life with a guqin string tied around his neck? How he mocks Lan Wangji, insisting that the two of them face each other again as opponents like in Nightless City? Jin Guangyao really seems to enjoy playing the two of them off against each other. I am firmly convinced that Jin Guangyao hates Wei Wuxian with all his heart.
But what did Wei Wuxian do to earn Jin Guangyao's hatred? After all, he is one of the few big names in the cultivation world who treats Jin Guangyao with respect. Obviously, there are a lot of similarities between Wei Wuxian and Jin Guangyao to begin with. So, why is there so much hate?
You know what the one thing is, one should never do? Comparing yourself with another person or celebrity. I think Jgy does this a lot and it makes him a very unhappy man.
- WWX was accepted into the Jiang clan, although he is not biologically related to Jiang Fengmian (rumors persist that he is an illegitimate son). JGY is an illegitimate son of Jin Guangshan and is initially neither recognized by him nor accepted into the Jin clan. His father even has him thrown out of Jinlingtai, where he injures himself.
- WWX grows up in Lotuspier, JGY in the brothel where his mother works.
- WWX's mother Cangse Sanren is the disciple of a famous Immortal, Meng Shi is obviously very educated and may have been sold to the brothel either by human traffickers or even by her own family. Although both mothers are beautiful, intelligent and educated, their circumstances are very different and largely determine the social status of their children.
- WWW is raised as a cultivator and a young master of gentry, while JGY is raised as one who must serve the Nie-Clan in order to survive. He is thus a servant, despite being of noble paternal blood, and although he and his mother hope to train him as a cultivator, this is only moderately successful.
- WWX can therefore study in Cloud Recesses, while JGY only accompanies NHS as a servant and is not allowed to stay, although he was personally encouraged to do so by Lan Xichen.
- In Cloud Recesses, WWX can form valuable friendships with NHS and LWJ that strengthen and secure his position within the cultivation world. JGY is denied this opportunity. JGY will later cultivate closer social ties with Xue Yang and Su She, but like JGY, these two are not particularly respected within the clans, nor are they part of the gentry.
- WWX has a very good relationship with his shidi, while JGY does not develop a really close relationship with his half-brother Jin Zixuan. The reasons for this are the difference in rank between the two men, as well as Madam Jin's jealousy and JGY's mother's origins. Both siblings love WWX even though he is not related to them by blood and treat him as their equal as far as possible.
- WWX's intelligence and talent is recognized and encouraged, while JGY has to fight for every scrap of knowledge and skill. His intelligence, emotional intelligence and talents are neither encouraged nor admired.
- WWX is on the list of the most sought-after bachelors and is also a celebrated war hero. JGY operates behind the scenes and may even be involved in the war as a double agent. Again, WWX gets recognition, JGY does not or only very late (after the Sunshot Campain has ended).
- WWX seems to have secured his social position. He is said to be the future second in command in the Jiang Clan under Jinag Cheng. Moreover, he is obviously not completely poor (this could also be a mistake on JGY's part). JGY is poor and has to struggle to find his place in the cultivation world.
- WWX resists many social rules from the beginning and obviously does so. JGY does not seem to defy social norms at first. When he does (murdering comrades who have mistreated him), he tries to commit his acts in secret and conceal them.
- WWX is seemingly open with his feelings to the point of arrogance (he is an untrustworthy narrator and does not talk about many things, including many feelings, playing them down or disguising them), JGY behaves passively according to his position and never reveals his true feelings and motivations (until the Guanyin Temple).
- Both before and after WWX's death, LWJ is a close confidant of WWX, actively supporting him in front of the world. Their close relationship is obvious to all. Lan Xichen is nowhere near as open with his affection for JGY. Moreover, JGY is only one of two brothers-in-law and not Xichen's “the one and only”.Even after Nie Mingjue’s death LX never goes as far as LWJ for WWX for JGY.
- WWX and JGY have many things in common that could have made them allies and perhaps even friends. Both have to keep up a facade, both come from underprivileged backgrounds, both suffer from abusive parents and discrimination.
I see the biggest difference in their personalities. WWX wants to help other people and is generally open-minded about the world. He wants to conquer it for himself and make a place for himself. Although he definitely suffers from Madame Yu, he still experiences security, reliability and love in his family (especially his siblings), which shapes him into a worldly-minded idealist. Just like WWX, Jin Guangyao wants to find his place in society. Due to his childhood experiences, his view of the world is a negative one. Corruption, violence, discrimination and hypocrisy are the cornerstones of his environment. Jin Guangyao has learned that there is only one principle in this world. Save yourself and take what you want.
Jin Guangyao and WWX mirror each other. The roles between them could easily have been reversed. A first good deed (by Jiang Fengmian) makes a big difference. In my eyes, Jin Guangyao knows how easily the roles could have been reversed, what he could have been, and more importantly, how he could have been. For this reason, he reacts with envy, jealousy and hatred, which might also indicate a deeply hidden self-hatred. I don't think Jin Guangyao would have let Lan Wangji and Wei Wuxian escape from the temple alive. The mere existence of Wei Wuxian is probably enough for Jin Guangyao to hate him and stage him as an ideal scapegoat. By destroying Wei Wuxian, he is in a way also destroying himself.