Chapter Text
Wei Ying has only been in Lotus Piers for three weeks and he is already fed up with the atmosphere.
Madam Yu (and not Madam Jiang?) had slapped him when it has been revealed his golden core was formed at nine years old.
It's stable since almost two years ago. How could he have survived as an homeless child in Yilling for four years without one?
Jiang Cheng hasn't present even a flicker of one.
His parents began to train him since the moment he started walking on his own to channel his energy, he never stopped practising after their disappearance.
They took the time to taught him the base of talisman usage: one of the reason he had been able to fight against food scarcity, extreme weather and, in the first few weeks, the lack of shelter against dogs and wild animals. He wasn't totally defenceless.
His temperament let him to be known as a hard working little orphan in Yiling. While he was family-less, he wasn't forsaken entirely.
His friendly demeanour had been a part of his four years survival.
But at this moment the treatment he received by the Jiang family displeased him greatly. Beside the slap.
His supposed “Shushu” let his wife constantly insulting his mother, and best friend; he doesn't oppose the rumour that he might be his bastard! When the Madam had him beaten by her maidens for correcting this lie, the man just walked out the hall a defeated smile on his face.
What kind of leader is that?
Following this incident, the Violet Viper (a name well worn in his opinion) spends her time in punishing him for every infractions committed in Lotus Piers. He is whipped, but not with Zidian, sleep and food deprived regularly, there will be soon his knees imprint in the ancestry hall hard wooden floor: he has to reflect there for hours almost each day.
Jiang Yanli often tries to bring food and water, which is nice if insufficient.
He isn't allowed to train or participate in the disciple classes. He is not asked to read any learning text either. Jiang Cheng mocks him constantly for his lack of proper education.
But his Golden Core continues to thrive.
He does succeed to train, to read and to learn on his own when the other take their rest.
Spying helps to. He listens to whatever conversations is spoken around him.
Nothing passes by him without being memorised, analysed and put into practise if need be.
He learns to be sneaky and discrete about the way he better himself.
At age ten and a half, Wei Ying evaluates his life conditions and decides he needs to get out this toxic sect.
He vows to humiliate the Lotus Piers' Lady and to shame Jiang Fengmian and son as a payback for their behaviours. He just has to found an opportunity.
He tries to plan his exit for a few months when the Jiang Clan is invited to the Unclean Realm.
Some kind of ceremony is being performed for their disciples accomplishments with an amiable competition between the diverse sects.
As a treat.