Chapter Text
The wind that carried them into the northeast of Gusu was cold enough to sting exposed skin. Beneath them, Bichen cut through the clouds with effortless grace while Wei Wuxian leaned comfortably against Lan Wangji's shoulder, one arm wrapped around his husband's waist. Their missions had become treasured escapes over the past three years—just the two of them, free from the endless responsibilities waiting in the Cloud Recesses.
Since the events at Guanyin Temple, their lives had settled into a peaceful rhythm. Lan Wangji had become Chief Cultivator, admired across the cultivation world for his unwavering righteousness. Wei Wuxian had transformed the Lan Sect's talisman and array techniques into something unprecedented, earning the title of Gusu's Talismans and Array Master.
Five months earlier, Lan Xichen had finally emerged from seclusion and resumed his place as Sect Leader, lifting another burden from Lan Wangji's shoulders.
Wei Wuxian smiled faintly as he rested his cheek against the white robes before him. "When we get back, let's drag Sizhui and Jingyi into helping me test those new suppression talismans."
"Mn,They will help," Lan Wangji answered.
"They'll complain first."
"They will."
Wei Wuxian laughed quietly. Even Lan Wangji's calm agreement sounded affectionate.
Hidden beneath immaculate white robes was a secret only the two of them knew. Five weeks. That was all. Barely more than a whisper of new life. There was no visible change yet, only moments when Lan Wangji instinctively rested a hand over his lower abdomen when Wei Wuxian wasn't looking, and Wei Wuxian pretending not to notice while worrying far more than he admitted. He had suggested postponing dangerous night hunts more than once.
Lan Wangji had refused every time. "I am capable."
"You are," Wei Wuxian had sighed. "That doesn't stop me from worrying."
Now, as the ruined temple emerged through the mist, every playful thought vanished.
The structure stood on a lonely mountain ridge, abandoned for centuries. Stone pillars leaned at impossible angles. Half the roof had collapsed inward, exposing blackened beams to the gray sky. Ivy strangled ancient carvings that no longer resembled the gods they once honoured.
The moment Bichen touched the cracked stone before the staircase, Wei Wuxian frowned. "...Lan Zhan."
Lan Wangji immediately halted. "What is it?"
Wei Wuxian slowly looked around. The air was too still. No birds. No insects. Not even the whisper of spiritual energy or resentment.
It was wrong. "So quiet," Wei Wuxian murmured. "This place feels... empty. Too empty."
Lan Wangji nodded once. "We proceed carefully."
Side by side, they climbed the weathered stairs, every step echoing through the mountain. Dust drifted from fractured statues as they entered the temple's open courtyard. The instant both their feet crossed the broken flagstones— an array exploded beneath them.
Brilliant crimson lines raced across the ancient stones, illuminating carvings buried beneath centuries of dirt. The formation expanded with terrifying speed, locking every exit as towering pillars of light erupted around the courtyard.
Wei Wuxian's expression changed instantly. "...No." His spiritual energy vanished. Not disappeared— its sealed. Golden Core, spiritual meridians, their energy... Everything. Beside him, Lan Wangji's hand tightened around Bichen's hilt. "I cannot circulate spiritual power." Wei Wuxian's heart dropped. "A suppression array..." One far older than anything he had ever seen.
Before either could react— Footsteps. Dozens. Figures dressed entirely in black emerged from every doorway surrounding the courtyard. Their faces were concealed behind dark veils, leaving only cold eyes visible. Around each neck hung an unfamiliar jade token engraved with symbols that glowed faintly against the suppression array.
"They're unaffected..." Wei Wuxian realized. The Jade tokens. They were protected.
Without a word, the attackers charged. Steel rang through the courtyard.
Lan Wangji met the first blade with Bichen, despite the sword feeling impossibly heavy without spiritual reinforcement. Wei Wuxian snatched a fallen spear from the ground, spinning it into another attacker's ribs before twisting away from three more blades. They fought as they always had. Perfectly together. Back to back.
Every movement synchronized by years of trust. But this time... Their bodies betrayed them.
Mo Xuanyu's body had never possessed the strength Wei Wuxian once commanded.
Lan Wangji...
Wei Wuxian caught the almost imperceptible hesitation every time his husband twisted too sharply. Five weeks was too early, too vulnerable, but instinct had already changed how Lan Wangji moved. Protecting. Avoiding unnecessary impact on his abdomen. Saving strength. He hated that he had to.
"Wei Ying!" Lan Wangji warned.
Wei Wuxian ducked just before a sword slashed where his neck had been.
More attackers flooded into the courtyard. Too many. Far too many.
Their breathing grew heavier. Their arms slower.
Without spiritual power, even Bichen was only a sword.
Without talismans, Wei Wuxian was only a man.
"We need to retreat—"
"There is no way to retreat."
The exits had been blocked completely. The attackers said nothing. They simply continued pressing forward.
Wei Wuxian's eyes darted across the battlefield. Something clicked. "...They're after me."
Lan Wangji glanced at him only briefly. "I know."
Every strike aimed towards Wei Wuxian. Every opening blocked only when Lan Wangji stepped between them. His husband wasn't simply fighting. He was shielding him. Again. And again. And again. Until— One swordsman slipped past. The blade shot forward. Not towards Wei Wuxian. Towards Lan Wangji. Towards his abdomen. Their Child. No no no. Everything seemed to stop. "LAN ZHAN!". Wei Wuxian threw himself forward without thinking. His shoulder slammed into Lan Wangji's chest, shoving him backward.
The sword changed targets. Straight into Wei Wuxian. Steel pierced flesh. The blade drove cleanly through his chest. Blood erupted in a crimson spray across white robes. Time froze. "Wei Ying—!" Lan Wangji's cry shattered the silence.
The attackers stopped moving.
Wei Wuxian staggered once before collapsing into waiting arms. Lan Wangji caught him before he struck the stone, lowering both of them gently onto the courtyard floor despite his own trembling hands. Blood soaked through blue robes. It poured between Lan Wangji's fingers no matter how tightly he pressed against the wound. "Wei Ying..." Wei Wuxian coughed. More blood stained his lips. "...Ah...it hurts..." "No." Lan Wangji's voice shook for perhaps the first time since Guanyin Temple. "No."
Around them, the masked figures formed a silent circle. Watching. Waiting. Not attacking. Wei Wuxian could barely keep his eyes open. His vision blurred until only Lan Wangji's face remained. Beautiful. Terrified. Covered in tears.
He lifted one trembling hand. Instead of touching Lan Wangji's face...
He rested it gently over the place beneath white robes where only the faintest beginning of life existed.
"I'm sorry..." His voice was barely audible. "Lan Zhan..." His fingers lingered there with heart-breaking tenderness. "You should... live well..."
Lan Wangji's tears fell freely. "No, Wei Ying."
Wei Wuxian smiled weakly. "So stubborn..."
Gathering the last of his strength, he reached upward and drew Lan Wangji down into a soft, lingering kiss. For one perfect heartbeat... There was only warmth. Only home. Only them.
Then suddenly Wei Wuxian's hand slipped into his sleeve. A talisman. One he had prepared months ago, just for fun. Never intending to use. One needs a lot of blood not energy and he can afford that now.
His blood soaked fingers slapped it firmly against Lan Wangji's chest. The paper ignited with blinding white light.
"Wei Ying—what are you—"
The talisman activated. The entire courtyard exploded in radiance. The masked cultivators shouted in alarm.
"The transfer array!"
"Stop him!"
"No—!"
Light swallowed everything.
Lan Wangji reached desperately for Wei Wuxian. Their fingertips almost touched.
Then— Silence. Darkness. And nothing at all.