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On top of the immortal celestial mountain, a well known immortal entered the plains with a child bundled up in her arms.
Baoshan Sanren held the trembling child within her arms, clinging to her as if thinking she would throw him back to where she found him. He was such a small little thing, malnourished, dirty and grim.
She had heard the news of her top disciple’s death along with her disciple’s husband — Cangse Sanren and Wei Changze. She had known there was a child that was supposed to be with them too, but no news of where the child was, if alive or not.
As soon as she heard the devastating news she went off into the mortal realm in search of the child herself. It had taken her a few months till she finally located the small poor thing. She found him hidden within the bark of a sturdy tree, and she immediately thought this child couldn’t stay here any longer, so she took him with her. She decided she would guide him as one of her own disciples, just like his mother.
The disciples training near the celestial mountain entrance, scurried to their immortal master as soon as she came into view.
Baoshan Sanren’s eyes softened, as the child, Wei Ying, looked around with huge innocent eyes and wondered at the students coming towards them in excitement.
“Welcome home, A-Ying.”
.
.
.
The wind stirred the leaves overhead, sending a soft rustle through the branches. Somewhere deeper in the forest, birds called to one another, their voices faint beneath the steady crunch of footsteps along the narrow path.
Wei Wuxian trailed a few paces behind his shixiong, Xiao Xingchen, his hands clasped behind his head and his gaze wandered from one tree to the next. Golden embroidery glimmered along the hems of his rich red-and-black robes, catching the sunlight whenever it slipped through the canopy.
Xiao Xingchen wore a similar embroidery, though the gold stood out more delicately against his pale white robes.
Nonetheless, both of them had those gold patterns visible to the naked eye. Their swords hung at their waist, swaying gently with each step.
For nearly a whole minute, Wei Wuxian has been unusually quiet, and Xiao Xingchen looked like he was beginning to appreciate the peace and silence. Wei Wuxian couldn’t help but get swayed into temptation to break that quietness.
“Xingchen-ge!”
Xiao Xingchen glanced over his shoulders. “Hm?”
“Are we really allowed to be here?” He asks, pondering, his ponytail sways from side to side gently along with his red-gold embroidered ribbon which ties it up firmly. Wei Wuxian was having a hard time, doing his best to be nonchalant when he really was just brimming with excitement, he bit his lower lip to keep himself from blurting something nonsensical.
His shixiong’s steps didn’t falter, and still held onto that peaceful flow in his steps, a soft touch to it that seemed hard to describe. “And… that is the fifth time you’ve asked me, A-Xian.”
“I know, I know!” Wei Wuxian hurried to catch up, falling into step beside him. “It’s just that I still can’t believe it! Master has never allowed us to descend to the mortal realm before!”
“Then you should be grateful that she finally has.”
“I am grateful!” Wei Wuxian protested. “I’m so very grateful that I’m practically floating~!” He teases.
Xiao Xingchen laughed, shaking his head at his antics. “Try not to float away then. I would rather not have to explain to Master of how I lost you before we even reached our destination.”
Laughter was exchanged among the two, with Wei Wuxian ending up with shaking shoulders, smiling.
Xiao Xingchen’s smile lingered as he turned his attention back to the path ahead. His fingers brushed the fresh papers discreetly, which were hidden among his pristine robes, checking to make sure the entrusted letter remained safely tucked.
Their journey was no ordinary excursion. Their Master would never have permitted them to leave the mountain without a good reason, and the task she had given them was one they could not afford to mishandle.
Wei Wuxian, however, was determined to make the most of their rare freedom.
“Since we’re already here,” he began, seizing Xiao Xingchen’s arm and leaning against him, tilting his head as they walked, “do you think they have wine down here?”
Xiao Xingchen gave him a sidelong look.
“I’ve heard that it tastes quite unique from the normal drinks at home!” Wei Wuxian continued with excitement, and mild curiosity.
His shixiong sighed disapprovingly.
“You are far too young to be drinking alcohol, A-Xian.”
Wei Wuxian’s smile fell into a pout.
He then made a wounded sound and leaned more heavily against his shixiong’s shoulder. Xiao Xingchen allowed it for a few steps before gently nudging him upright.
“Walk properly! You’re making it difficult to move.” Faint fondness lingered around those words.
“You’re so heartless, Xingchen-ge!”
Xiao Xingchen laughed softly.
By then, the dense trees had begun to thin, sunlight slipping across the forest floor and the narrow path opened into the clearing. Beyond it laid a broader road, worn smooth by passing feet and cartwheels.
Xiao Xingchen slowed, studying the road ahead.
They had been given their destination, but neither of them knew the surrounding area well enough to navigate it without asking for directions.
“Let's find someone who can point us towards the sect.”
Wei Wuxian nodded, dutifully.
Then in less than a second his eyes stray towards something insect blue that had fluttered onto his sleeves, he examines the butterfly with interest and wide eyes.
Xiao Xingchen shook his head with exasperation, then dragged his junior alongside him into the dusty clearing.
—
Caiyi town was not what they had expected it to look like.
The streets were quieter than they should have been, that too in a town as big as this. Several big shops had their shutters drawn down while small ones still lingered around, and few families hurried past with bundles of belongings clutched in their arms. Even the usual bustle around the town seemed to have thinned, leaving behind an uneasy stillness that neither the warm sunlight nor the distant calls of merchants could quite dispel.
Wei Wuxian’s smile gradually faded, and looked around concerned.
He followed the direction of the few hurrying families with his eyes before noticing an elderly woman leading a little boy by the hand. Unlike the others, she wasn’t rushing, though the tightness in her expression suggested that she had plenty of reason to if she could.
His shixiong approached her.
“Excuse me Lao-furen. Is this Caiyi Town, near Gusu?”
The woman stopped and looked between the two men with caution. Her gaze lingered on the golden embroidery along their robes before she answered.
“Yes, gongzi. Although it seems you’ve come at a troublesome time,” she glanced towards the docks in the distance, then gasped in hope “Are you here to deal with the waterborne abyss?”
Xiao Xingchen exchanged a brief look with Wei Wuxian.
“The waterborne abyss?” He repeats, lost.
“It's been causing havoc for three days now. The town chief sent word to the cultivation sects, and someone was supposed to arrive today.” The woman's eyes moved from between them again. “Could it be you two are—?”
“Oh no! We’re only passing through!” Wei Wuxian said quickly, waving his hands. “But we’re cultivators so we’ll certainly take a look!”
The woman's face has eased a bit before she bows and continues on her way with the child.
“It seems we’ve arrived at the right place after all. At least, nearer to our destination.” His shixiong turns.
Wei Wuxian hummed in agreement.
He had questions about the missing boats, the frightened residents, and the so-called waterborne abyss. More importantly, he wanted to see what sort of creature could frighten an entire town into abandoning their own streets.
His shixiong had barely released his arm when a sudden uproar erupted from the distance. A scream was heard from the docks in the distance, both of them turned towards the commotion alarmed.
Wei Wuxian was already running towards it, knowing his shixiong was on his trail.
“A-Xian!”
Reaching the docks, they saw something dark and gooey surge out of the waters from Biling Lake. Black tendrils beneath the swollen surface churning the water into massive violent waves. Soon the creature slowly rose higher, its grotesque shape barely distinguishable beneath the layers of murky water clinging onto it.
The waterborne abyss.
Several boats were already capsized. Cultivators rushed across the water on their spiritual swords, trying to reach out to those who were thrown overboard. Some were pulling the injured towards the shore, while others struggled to keep their own footing as the creature lashed out at anything within its reach.
Wei Wuxian’s gaze quickly swept over the chaos before him.
One cultivator was dragging a drowning man towards a boat. Another had managed to catch three people at once but was losing grip. Further out, someone was calling desperately for help.
There were just too many cultivators in the water.
And at that moment, the abyss started moving quickly. Too quickly.
Even Xiao Xingchen paused for a fraction of a second, assessing the creature's movements. It was larger than they had anticipated, and the dark energy radiating from it was far more dangerous than normal.
Both nodded at each other, and Wei Wuxian didn’t waste time and hopped onto his own spiritual sword, Yin Fu, that had been with him before taking off into the air.
He passes two cultivators with pure white robes, and long forehead ribbons, seemingly helping the fallen ones as well. The youngest one, stared, golden eyes wide and dazed as Wei Wuxian passed them with a breeze.
Cutting through the air, Wei Wuxian’s red-and-black robes with his ribbon snapped through the wind. The golden embroidery along his sleeves flashed beneath the sunlight as he descended towards the water.
The young man in purple robes was struggling to keep three unconscious cultivators from slipping out of his grasp while on his sword. His jaw was clenched with effort, the cultivators in his hands were soaked with water making it even difficult to grasp them.
Wei Wuxian flew to his side.
“Here, let me help, Jiang-gongzi!”
The young man was startled. For a moment, he looked like he was ready to demand who on earth he was, and how he had appeared out of nowhere.
Then one of the unconscious cultivators slipped lower in his arms.
Jiang Wanyin swallowed his protests.
“Take these two!” He barked. “I’ll carry the last one, he’s too big!”
“Got it!”
Wei Wuxian took over and caught the two cultivators handed over to him before they could sink any further, shifting their weight carefully so that he could carry them without slipping. Jiang Wanyin turned towards the shore, his expression grim with concentration.
Accelerating towards the docks, others were beginning to reach the shore, some coughing violently, others too exhausted to do more than lie still while their companions checked their breathing. Most of them had been cleared from the waters safely, thanks to Wei Wuxian moving quickly from one place to another along the lake.
The waterborne abyss gave a deafening roar.
Wei Wuxian spotted his shixiong in the air.
“Xingchen-ge!” he shouted. “Now!”
Xiao Xingchen was already moving.
He rose above the docks, his pale robes billowing around him as he formed the necessary hand seals. Spiritual energy gathered beneath his feet, spreading outward in a precise formation. The air trembled as the formation descended over the waterborne abyss, its force pressing against the creature's thrashing body under.
The abyss fought back, trying to find a hole in the formation as it descended slowly.
Xiao Xingchen’s expression remained composed, but his fingers moved fast, adjusting the formation stronger to make sure the creature didn't break through. Trapped in the formation, the abyss gradually dissolved into thin air under the water.
Silence fell over the docks. Then someone let out a shaky breath. Wei Wuxian turned to look at others, and found most of them looking pale and stunned.
Xiao Xingchen descended his sword, Shuanghua, returning to his side. His expression is mild as ever, though the faint crease in his brows have yet to disappear.
Nearby, Lan Xichen stood watching them.
He had been overseeing the expedition, and he had expected a difficult fight. He had not expected unfamiliar cultivators to appear out of nowhere, rescue the people in danger, and subdue the waterborne abyss with such startling efficiency.
The young man in white, in particular, had displayed an extraordinary command of spiritual energy. His formation had been precise, controlled, and powerful enough to suppress a creature that had troubled the town for days.
Lan Xichen stepped forward and bowed.
“Many thanks to both of you for your assistance. Without your intervention, we might have suffered considerably greater losses.”
Xiao Xingchen returned the bow, looking faintly uncertain about the formality.
“There’s no need to thank us. We happened to be passing by.” His shixiong says.
Wei Wuxian pressed his lips together suppressing a laugh, as he straightened from his bow. His shixiong sounded baffled, and certainly not used to praise similar to him.
Unfortunately, he couldn’t enjoy the moment for long. A figure in yellow robes came into his line of sight.
“Who the hell are you both?” The cultivator said, face full of disdain.
Wei Wuxian blinked at the sudden rudeness.
The young man looked him up and down, his expression twisting into open distaste. “Do you think you have the right to put gold in your robes and impersonate the Jin Sect?”
“Jin Zixun!” Jin Zixuan said, horrified by his cousin's words.
His cousin turned, seemingly surprised by the sharpness of his tone. “What? Look at them!” Jin Zixun says, arrogantly.
The other cultivators mumbled amongst each other, watching the drama that had unfolded in front of them.
Nie Huaisang’s fan fluttered open, and fanned it fast due to the tension among the crowd, and because of his own nervousness.
“Jin-gongzi, don’t you know that only Baoshan Sanren’s disciples have gold in their robes...?” He said, hiding the lower half of his face behind his fancy fan.
Jin Zixun’s expression shifted, though whether from embarrassment or disbelief, it seemed difficult to tell.
The name drew attention to several nearby cultivators. Even those who had been tending to the injured began to glance over, to get a better look.
Xiao Xingchen sighed quietly. “My name is Xiao Xingchen. And this is my shidi, Wei Ying, courtesy name Wuxian. We are disciples of Baoshan Sanren.” He says, ignoring the way a few started gaping at his words.
Wei Wuxian gave a cheerful little wave at them. “Hello!”
Jiang Wanyin had a complicated expression that was hard to describe. Nobody seemed quite sure how to respond to that with their minds still processing Xiao Xingchen’s words. But slowly one by one each person introduced themselves with a hint of brightness.
It’s been many years since any disciple of the immortal had descended down the celestial mountain, and it was extremely rare too. So, Wei Wuxian wasn’t surprised by their surprise and the way they reacted, well, except how Jin Zixun reacted wasn’t something that can be excused like the others.
Xiao Xingchen, apparently deciding that further explanations would only prolong the matter, and turned towards Lan Xichen. “You are the heir of the Gusu Lan Sect, are you not?”
Lan Xichen’s attention returned to him once more. “I am Xiao-gongzi. May I ask why you ask?” His voice was curious, and startled.
His shixiong slipped a hand into the sleeve of his robes and drew out a carefully folded letter. Only him, Wei Wuxian and the Lan Elders know that this letter was for the immortal Lan Yi who recedes in the caves.
“We were on our way to deliver this letter to the Lan Elders in Gusu. But since we have encountered your sect disciples here, I suppose we have been fortunate.”
Lan Xichen’s expression changed to a look of unexpected surprise. He accepted the letter with both hands, treating it with considerably more care than he had the ordinary exchange of introductions.
“Then I shall see that it reaches safely.”
“Thank you.”
“I must admit, I wasn’t expecting a letter from an immortal’s disciple.” Lan Xichen smiled. “It seems this expedition has brought us much more surprises than I anticipated.”
A quiet murmur passed through the gathered cultivators.
Not everyone was whispering, only a few. Su She, still soaked from the lake, stared at the letter with a look of disbelief. His gaze shifted to Lan Wangji, who had remained quiet throughout the exchange, and then back at the two strangers.
“A letter from an immortal to the Lan Sect…” Su She trailed off, apparently finding the thought difficult to comprehend. No one paid much attention to him.
Lan Xichen, however, noticed something far more interesting.
His younger brother had barely spoken since the two strangers arrived, not that he spoke much in the first place. Lan Wangji was not the one to waste words amongst any individual, but his gaze kept returning to the young man in red and black, his ears faint red which was something only Lan Xichen notices, reading his younger brother easily.
Lan Xichen’s smile grew. Oh?
Before he could investigate this unexpected development, Xiao Xingchen stepped subtly in front of Wei Wuxian. The movement was slight enough that most people would have missed it, but Lan Xichen did not and neither did Lan Wangji.
Xiao Xingchen bowed to the gathered cultivators. “Now that our task is complete we shall take our leave. It was nice meeting you all.” Then he grabs Wei Wuxian and starts dragging him away.
Wei Wuxian stumbled after him, looking back over his shoulder with the bewilderment of someone who had just been informed that an excellent meal was to be cancelled before even the dish had arrived. That was it? They were going back to the mountain?
They had not even been in the mortal realm for an hour!
Behind them, Lan Xichen watched the pair retreat with growing amusement. Then an idea occurred to him, when he noticed his younger brother’s lips trembling and his grip on his sword tightened in frustration.
“Xiao-gongzi! Wei-gongzi!”
The two of them stopped. Wei Wuxian perked up with hidden glee.
Lan Xichen approached them with a calm smile. “Since you’ve both come all this way, would you consider visiting Cloud Recess?” He suggests. “It’s not far from here and we’d be delighted to have you both.”
Wei Wuxian turned so quickly that Xiao Xingchen had to tighten his grip to keep him from charging right back. Xiao Xingchen could feel the helpless tugging on his sleeves.
“Please, Xingchen-ge! When will we ever get another chance? Master might not let us descend the mountain again for another hundred years!”
Xiao Xingchen considered it, but still had a funny expression on his face as he discreetly eyed Lan Wangji.
The truth was Wei Wuxian had a point. Their Master rarely permits her disciples to leave the mountain, and neither of them could know when they would be given such an opportunity again. Besides, they had already fulfilled the mission. Staying a little longer would not necessarily interfere with their return. But the way Lan Wangji was looking at his shidi, something tells him it was going to take months before they even leave at all.
He glanced at Lan Xichen, who was patiently waiting without attempting to hurry his decision. Then he looked at Wei Wuxian’s hopeful face.
“Very well,” Xiao Xingchen said at last, though he did not release his shidi’s arm just yet.
“Yay! You’re the best Xingchen-ge!” Wei Wuxian chirped. A gust of wind swept through the area at that moment making everyone's robes within the area flow with it.
Lan Xichen laughed. “I assure you, we’ll do our best to make your stay a pleasant one.”
As the cultivators began preparing to return to Gusu, conversations started flowing. Many were mostly depleted of spiritual energy so they gathered their bearings and started walking by foot towards the direction of Gusu.
Lan Wangji watched from a distance on their way. He watches Wei Wuxian laugh, bright and loud, and mesmerising. He watches him brighten up when Nie Huaisang describes wine.
He found it difficult to look away from him. The boy was too loud. Distractable. Beautiful. And entirely willing to throw himself into danger for people he never met. And Lan Wangji had this deep urge to protect this selfless boy.
Lan Wangji lowers his eyes. “Wei Ying…” he murmured, testing the boy’s birth name with his own voice, his ears getting more flushed.
A smile threatened to spread across Lan Xichen’s face. But he held it back with considerable effort. Still, he couldn’t help but feel happy for his younger brother. He only hopes that Wei Wuxian will be kind to his brother's heart.
“Good luck, Wangji…”