A/N:
Hello everyone! I hope you've all been well! And look! I've kept my promise, this still is technically December right? lol. Sorry for the long wait. Consider it a New Year's present?! A lot of story plotting was able to take place though in the meantime, even if I didn't have the time to be actively writing (so many bullet point notes!) Unfortunately, my schedule's gonna be a bit busy for a little while yet, but I didn't want to leave you all hanging!
As a side note, in the previous chapter I typo'd and said Lan Zhan tied his and Wei Wuxian's right wrists together when he proposed with the headband. Actually, he tied it around their left wrists, which is why Wei Wuxian still wears it tied around his left wrist, hidden under his arm-guard. Oops. Also, I've decided to change a piece of terminology in this story? It doesn't effect any of the main story itself (though it does change a few things that have been mentioned in some previous author's notes) just switching one word out for the other. But I think it'll work better for the general plot line in the long run? (See the end notes for additional info).
Thank you to everyone who has read, commented, followed, and favorited me and this story! You have no idea how cool it was getting those notifications these past few months, even when I wasn't able to be actively posting. Yall are wonderful and I'm so glad that people have been enjoying this story! :D
Happy New Years! :D Stay safe out there! I hope you are having a wonderful day/night whereever you are!
As a headsup, this chapter does reference some OC's backstories, in relation to the Sunshot campaign. Though they don't go into a lot of detail, they're not especially happy cause...the Sunshot Campaign.
Thanks for reading, and I hope you enjoy!~
...
Chapter 11: Playing the Name Game
Wei Wuxian spun around to look at the disciples, clapping his hands.
"All right you lot! Time for a pop quiz!"
Muffled groans sounded as the ducklings looked up at him aghast. Wei Ying grinned.
The disciples had done well earlier, flying double on their swords. With just a tad of the expected wobbling of beginners, and only one junior crashing into another! Though whether that was actually an accident or strategic comeback for a mocking comment stated earlier in their flight was hard to say. Either way, Wei Ying was proud.
Currently, he and Zhu Zian had the kiddos practicing their marching, which was something to be trained just like one's running ability. It was a good idea to know how to be the most efficient with their energy to go further distances, with proper postures and what not, while Jiang Cheng did a good job of looking sect leaderly as he lead the way at the front of the line. He was doing a pretty good job at looking impressive too, instead of just the awkwardness he was probably feeling at having nothing to do. (Though really, Jiang Cheng was impressive. Even in the state Wei Ying had been in after leaving the Burial Mounds, he'd still felt unbelievably proud of Jiang Cheng and all he'd accomplished for their sect.) But three adults to eight kids, well 12 to 15 year olds, (so still kids, but the less snotty nosed variety) was a bit overkill.
And so they'd been practicing their marching, for about the last hour or so. And if Wei Ying was bored, he couldn't imagine how bored the kids must be. Wei Ying snickered delightedly, making the children's eyes widen even more.
Really though, Wei Ying mused, it wasn't like the kids had that much to complain about. He'd only left them to suffer for about a half an hour before he'd started correcting their forms. He didn't even make them wait to get the tips on adjusting their shoes to be better for long journeys on foot, after they'd switched over from swords. He could have let the blisters make a later lesson more memorable, but he was in a generous mood! Besides…suffering may be a memorable teacher, but it wasn't exactly a nice one. The world could stand to have a little more niceness in it, thank you. He'd just tell them horror stories about infected blisters that could curl their hair, hmmmmm, later. Maybe he'd pop in during their dinner.
Since the students were doing fairly well with this new physical lesson, Wei Ying decided that it was only natural to progress in their education with some metal stimulus, to challenge those bright young minds as they challenged their bodies. (Get some bigger lung capacity by having to talk while exercising!) And if it served as a reminder for their coming interaction with foreign sects, well that's just a bonus.
Wei Ying hummed gleefully, rubbing his hands.
The kids looked up at him with tired eyes. And he smirked again. He could tell Zhu Zian was trying not to laugh behind him.
"Hey now, don't give me that look! The winner who gets the most right will get a prize! I've got snacks in my bag, I even got candy!" He shook his qiankun pouch at them, the entire group of disciples looking decidedly more interested at this news.
Jiang Cheng shot him a betrayed glare and Wei Ying winked at him. As if he'd give away his brother's favorites! Well, not all of them anyway.
(Or maybe it had been the candy remark? Hmmmm…)
"Alright then, let's start with an easy one. Who can tell me the names of the main cultivation clans? Anyone? Come on, you should already know at least one quarter of the answer!"
Zhu Zian groaned, he better hope the kids would know their own sect's rating. Jiang Cheng rolled his eyes, grunting. Honestly, if they didn't get this right, they might have bigger things to worry about than this public relations of a night hunt they were going on.
A bunch of hands shot up. Wei Ying grinned, pointing at one in the front. "Yes, you".
The girl grinned, the eclectic collection of pins in her hair sparkling as she stuck out her tongue at her neighbor, who had begun pouting at not being called on. "The Jiang Clan, Nie Clan, Jin Clan, and Lan Clan, all with sects of the same name".
"Yes! Excellent!" Wei Wuxian clapped his hands. "But can anyone tell me if this has always been the case?"
Again, a bunch of hands raised. Wei Ying picked a girl in the back this time, the one with the really long pigtails. He really needed to get better at names. Though he supposed this is what he gets for avoiding his duties all those months. Though his memory was already pretty bad, it certainly hadn't helped. Sure, he'd kept an eye on the kids, but he'd avoided their training (for obvious reasons). At least he knew all the faces and their general capabilities! It was great that they kept getting new members to the sect, both cultivators and noncultivator staff alike, but, if he was being honest with himself, he hadn't wanted to learn them in case he wouldn't be able to stick around. Distancing himself had made it easier, when he'd felt like he'd been letting them all down.
But no more.
Maybe he could start learning them all on the sly (since for some of them it'd be a bit late to start asking for their names without it getting awkward, he wasn't really that shameless). Perhaps he could make it his new pet project in his coming months of seclusion, while hiding his developing baby bump from the outside world. The longer people could go without learning about the coming of xiao-Wei, and the more he could obfuscate the date of his baby's conception, the better.
But pigtails was talking.
"Previously there were five main clans, with the Wen falling out of favor following the Sunshot Campaign."
Well, that was one way to put it.
A droll voice called out a few children over, a stalk of grass hanging out of their mouth. The light of conspiracy glinting in her eyes. Wei Wuxian shuddered, forget being rent apart by angry ghosts, or whatever the rest of the cultivation world seemed to be expecting. This child… Ju Li was going to be the death of him some day. She took the Jiang moniker to an impossible degree. It was a little impressive. But from an instructor's standpoint, she was a series of heartattacks waiting to happen.
Ju Li tossed her long braid over a grass-stained shoulder. "Before that there were six, the aforementioned five, and the school-based Baoshan sect, which removed itself to a hidden spiritual mountain at the command of its leader. An immortal cultivator known as 'Baoshan-sanren', following the conversion from school-based cultivational teaching to the modern clan-based system. Sect leader Baoshan-sanren was a peer to our clans founders, but remains removed from the cultivational world, despite the status this would seemingly give her. The main clans are considered to be main clans due to their military and cultivational prowess, monetary influence, and sheer age. Having been founded over 500 years ago. Arguably the Baoshan sect is still considered one of the main clans, but generally isn't included in discussion since their members generally don't interact with outside affairs, nor have any formal representatives ever left the mountain. Personally, I think its flying green men who abduct orphans on the sly."
Zhu Zian coughed loudly, turning away at the end, hiding his face.
Jiang Cheng shifted awkwardly at Wei Ying's side, which Wei Ying pretended not to see, smiling brightly.
"Correct again! Eh, sort of…someone has been paying attention in history class! Though I don't know about…er, any little green men."
"Flying, green men, sir. Rescuing orphans."
Zhu Zian coughed again.
"Well," Wei Ying paused a moment, collecting himself, as Zhu Zian's coughing became increasingly louder beside him, did the man need some tea or something?
"Well…I suppose it has been theorized that the sect supplements its members by collecting unknown orphans from off the streets…"
Blinking away some echoes from childhood, Wei Ying ignored the hollow he felt at questions left unanswered.
Zhu Zian stopped coughing, mirth leaving his face after looking over at his shixiong, smoothly stepping into Wei Ying's pause.
"Little is known about the Baoshan sect, with only two cultivators having left their mountain since its seclusion, a male disciple known as Yanling-daoren and a female disciple known by the name Cangse-sanren. However in both cases it was purported that the Baoshan Sect Leader makes her disciples swear an oath to never reveal the location of their mountain, which remains unknown to this day," Jiang Cheng shifted slightly, glancing at Wei Ying who was studiously ignoring his surroundings.
"Nor are they allowed to return to their mountain, or contact their sect, should they ever leave and descend the mountain. Effectively creating an excommunication from the sect. Despite the hazy nature surrounding Baoshan-sanren, an undisputed point of fact, is that should you ever meet a Baoshan disciple, they will undoubtedly be exceedingly powerful, as every known disciple has been. So one would do well to be wary and make the most of the situation."
A boy with a faint scar under his eye turned to another with ink smudges on his hands. "Whose Yanling-daoren?"
"An infamous cultivator who suddenly went mad and fell under a thousand swords. Lived a few centuries ago."
The boy's eyes bugged out. "And the other one?"
"Senior Wei's mother"
"Ehhh?! WOW, no way. That's so cool!"
A few of the kids who'd been listening in to their conversation nodded in agreement.
Wei Ying clapped his hands to regarner their attention.
"Yes, and she died when I was three. So no, unfortunately, I can't answer any of your questions." He winked at them, his smile coming off as fake to only himself.
"Besides," he teased. "Anything I did say would be a secret, no? Now, can anyone tell me how to identify these different sects? How do you tell who's who in the cultivation world?" It was really time to change the subject.
Jiang Cheng snorted. Usually the more annoying they were, the higher rank they'd be. That was his experience at least. It sucked that the future of his sect depending on him being, well not nice, but civil to some of these people.
Another tentative hand lifted into the air, this time a girl with twin buns on the top of her head, obviously mimicking one of Jiang Yanli's favorite styles, looking kinda confused at the seemingly simple question.
"The sect uniforms are different colors?"
"Yes! That's part of it. Though things like pattern, cut, and embroidery can also play a role as well. For instance, where the Wen wore scarlet robes with black accents usually in sashes or piping, the BailingOuyang sect wear maroon with dark blue accents. Though both are technically red, the designs are very different."
"oooh! What about-!" The kid froze, realizing they hadn't been called on. Wei Ying laughed, flipping a hand out at them to speak. The kid stuttered a moment, blushing at their mistake, before continuing.
Zhu Zian shook his head at the boy, who was rubbing at his pointed chin in a manner reminiscent to how da-shixiong would rub his nose, though the kids' hair style seemed to be a reference to Jiang Cheng's.
The boy continued, his excitement only slightly abated, "A lot of clans also have subsets of their uniform within their sect! Like how our novices wear cream with light purple overrobes, whereas our seniors wear dark blue and purple, with purple considered the main color. Or how the Jin servants clothes are made out of wool and cotton, while silk is only allowed to be used for their upper ranks like cultivators, with gilt thread reserved for the main family. Or, or how the…the ChangpuFa were green and blue."
Wei Ying's eyes softened. If he remembered correctly, this kids' family was from Changpu. The Fa had been a minor sect who specialized in the making of cultivational robes, working powerful protective enchantments into their threads as one of their secret arts. They'd been targeted by Wen Ruohan for this reason, and had been completely wiped out by Wen Xu as they bought time for the villagers to flee to safety.
"Yep!" cried Wei Ying, popping the 'p', as he nodded in an exaggerated but encouraging manner, trying to bring the kid back to the present. It seemed to work, as the boy looked up at him, smiling shakily at the praise. One of the kids next to little Changpu reached out and grabbed his hand briefly, helping his shoulders relax further.
Gosh, Wei Ying loved his kids.
Wei Wuxian stood, hand on his chin, unconsciously mimicking the kid. "Since there is often variation within the inner workings of different clan's uniforms, along with just individual preference, each sect usually has a standardized symbol of their clan that also gets worked into their uniforms or general clothes. The Wen had the flame patterns on their sleeves, whether it be made of embroidery for their upper ranks, or more simple cut patterns of cloth for their lower cultivators, or even just simple stitching in their servant class. I don't even know what the Baoshan sect's is, it's not commonly known anymore…though they may have favoured white?" Wei Ying paused, thinking back about his mother. "But who can tell me the rest of the main clan's symbols?" He smirked, wiggling his eyebrows "how many can you all name?"
At the back of the line, which he'd migrated back to at some point, poking at some kids' ribs who had begun slouching, Zhu Zian rolled his eyes.
"Senior Wei! Well, there's um, well there's us with our Clarity Bells" said sparkle pins.
"yeah, no duh"
"shut it a-Bao. And there's um, the Lan with their forehead ribbon for…regulation?, and the Jin with their peony, and the Vermillion Mark! Which means Clarity of Sight, as a, a symbol of the idea of being able to see beyond, and a representation of life, and a, a want of 'wisdom and aspiration to see the world bathed in vermilion light'. Which for them is ironic…I, I mean a noble aspiration to pursue! And then there's the Nie with their sabers instead of swords, and the Ouyang with their bracelets, and the Yao with their necklaces…"
Wei Ying hummed. "A nice turn out in that response! However, though the Nie are commonly associated with their sabers, their braids are actually considered by them as the main symbol of their sect. I know I know!" Wei Ying grinned at their confused faces. "They all seem so burly and tough, you wouldn't think that it'd be something so cosmetic? But don't let surface impressions fool you! As you may have noticed before, the Nie sect braids are very intricate. However, if you look close, they have very decisive variation in their styling. Though some of their meanings remain private, there are braid patterns reserved just for their sect leader, and others just for their sect heir, for example, and so on. Anyone can steal a uniform, but these symbols are generally much harder to fabricate, which is why they're used as a primary form of identification status, and often have important secondary uses that aren't always made public. Like how our bells help to clarify and focus the thoughts of their wearer against outside influences, and will only chime when held by their true possessor. Or how the Ouyang bracelets only tarnish when exposed to bad air, which is reminiscent of the time when their founder would mine rare minerals for spiritual tools!"
Wei Ying looked them in the eye, "Just as how none of you would give your clarity bell to another lightly, I'm sure you can appreciate then how other sects might feel about their own. Just because you don't understand something, doesn't mean its not important"
"Though it doesn't make it any less frustrating, or confusing" Wei Ying muttered under his breath.
"Now!" Wei Ying spoke up again. "Mediocres, which is really kinda a rude term when you stop to think about it, generally refer to Malignant Beings, aka Evil Creatures, as either 'ghosts' or 'monsters', but what's misleading about this use of nomenclature?"
Jiang Cheng looked back at the students walking behind him and snorted. "Come on, this is important, if you ever want to nighthunt on your own. Lots of times you're gonna have to get information from civilians, who might say things like this."
Gan Huian raised his hand, "it's because they're using cultivation classification terms incorrectly, which can be misleading about the nature of the problem. Noncultivators don't always know the proper terminology, and civilians are rarely versed enough in the topic to be able to correctly identify more obscure or complicated cases correctly. As a cultivator coming for the disposing of Malignant Beings, you have to be able to figure out what's going on based off of your own observations and think critically about what they're telling you, rather than believing a report or hearsay at just face value."
"Which is something a lot of people could do to remember" added Senior Zhu.
Sect Leader Jiang nodded at the kid, who beamed, before turning back around to face the front.
Wei Ying clapped his hands again. "Now, based on the report, the disturbance we're going to investigate is being caused by an unusually large concentration of yao found in a nearby forest. With additional reports of some ghosts and monsters nearby, that have been mingled in. With the yao seeming to be the biggest issue. Now, since we got this report from another sect, it's likely more reliable than a civilian notice, but that still doesn't mean they'd seen everything. Especially since one of the reasons they've called this night hunt is because they're understaffed." Wei Ying looked out over the Jiang disciples, walking backwards as to watch the kids, while expertly navigating a pot hole without looking.
"Now who can tell me the difference between a yao, a ghost, and a monster, and why you shouldn't confuse spirits with spectres, and how spirits and spiritual energy aren't the same thing?"
…
Gan Huian yawned and stretched as he walked off with Fu Howin, Hai Jiaying, and her roommate Shui Biyu. Biyu-mei's pins were sparkling quite a bit in the late afternoon light, so he was kind of glad that she was walking behind him. Those things could get pretty bright. Sometimes he wondered if that was the point, if she intended to weaponize them in a fight. As the only twelve-year-old here, who'd been allowed on the night hunt, it was an obvious show of her potential. She probably didn't get special permission to attend if she weren't the sort to think ahead.
He rubbed at his legs, feeling sore. He'd considered going in to sit down, but the temptation of seeing a new place had been too strong. Based off everyone else's reactions, it seemed his sectmates would agree.
After speaking with the representative from the WuBai sect, who had seen and greeted their party when they'd first arrived in town, Senior Wei had dismissed them to look around in town, with a 'go explore, and don't break anything'. Reminding them to remain in pairs and not let anyone wander off alone.
The WuBai were the ones who'd called the nighthunt, and the representative had been a senior disciple with slightly graying hair. The senior had worn auburn robes with some sort of weird piping at the shoulders, and had looked a bit harried. Apparently, a lot more people had shown up than they'd initially been expecting. Their Jiang party had actually snagged some of the last available rooms in the one inn town, and as they'd been leaving Gan Huian had seen another group be turned away due to the lack of vacancy, forced to camp on the edge of town. Sect Leader had looked a bit sour about this. Though to be fair, Sect Leader Jiang making a sour face didn't necessarily mean anything.
Gan Huian had felt kind of bad for the other sect, a smaller minor sect from Dingxiang, the DingxiangFai, maybe? They'd been wearing robes in a forest green…but his relief at knowing his own party wouldn't be sleeping outside that night, had slightly overwhelmed that feeling.
"So, this is Huángjīn Wù Cūn" said Howin-xiong, looking around the small town. The buildings were neat and fairly orderly, all built out of a similar colored wood along the dusty streets, with a few flowering trees creating some splotches of color. Handfuls of people were going up and down the road, with a lot of the locals wearing neat homespun and cheap tailored jobs, trying not to gape (with varying degrees of success) at the influx of visitors.
Jiaying-jie waved at Chen Meirong, who was trailing after Ju Li towards some vendor stalls across the way. The two girls splitting off from the main group of Jiang disciples as they exited the inn, their own little sea of dark purple amongst a scattered rainbow of colors, bleeding out into the rest of the road. Behind them he could see Bao Junjie, the oddly bright lighting making his scar stand out more against his dark skin than usual. The light reflecting off the thin white line, Gan Huian shuddered at the memory. He was speaking softly to Kang Longwei, who looked to be doing better. After talking for a moment, they seemed to decide to follow after Ju Li and a-Mei.
Gan Huian vaguely wondered if the vendors down there were selling anything that he could use as part of a one-month present, he wanted to make something instead of just buying it. That seemed to be a Jiang tradition. Though he wasn't sure what, just yet.
But he decided to continue down this road instead. He could always ask the others if they'd seen anything interesting later, if he didn't take a peek himself, before heading back to the inn. If he went over now Ju Li might dare him to balance on the tip of his sword or something. His record was two and a half minutes (nowhere near as close as hers, though a lot better than everyone else's) and he just didn't feel like having to fly fifty feet in the air to do that right now.
Howin-xiong was looking at the forest appraisingly, which could be seen to the south-east. The tops of the trees of Jīn Wù Sēnlín barely visible over some of the houses. Opening his spiritual senses, Gan Huian expanded the reach of his golden core, trying to see if he felt anything. But whether it was the distance or the nature of the creatures within, he couldn't sense anything. Just the normal fuzzy echoes of life happening around him, and the brief surge of spiritual power of another cultivator lighting a heating talisman, under a bowl of soup he thought, from what he could see between the buildings where the woman stood on the next street over.
He hadn't really expected much, since the area wasn't known for having either really good or really bad fengshui. So, it wasn't like there'd be a lot of ambient spiritual or resentful energy in the air. And it's not like you could feel another cultivator's spiritual energy unless you were actively looking for it when a spell went off, or, he supposed, if you were a doctor checking another's golden core by seeping their own energy through their patient's meridians. And you couldn't really do that to a person by accident, or without that person noticing.
Apparently, their party had just missed the golden hour before they'd arrived. Which was a bit disappointing, he heard some cultivators in a dusty mustard yellow talking, still in a daze about how pretty it'd been. When the mists over the trees had been lit up. Something about the entire canopy being hidden in a sea of swirling gold.
Looking behind him at some excited murmurings, he saw Biyu-mei was now eagerly counting her share of the pocket money that Senior Wei had handed out to them earlier, and was trying to get Jiaying-jie to pool their money together for getting a snack or souvenir or something. Though it didn't seem to be working. Gan Huian sighed, shaking his head at them. That money was supposed to last the both of them till the end of the trip. They could at least wait until the night hunt was over before buying a souvenir.
"Soooooo, what did you think of the quiz?" said Howin-xiong, looking over at him with a sly grin, like he already knew the answer. Which he did.
Gan Huian sighed, prompting Howin-xiong to pat him consolingly on the shoulder with an ink-stained hand, trying not to laugh.
"Verbal quizzes are the worst. You have to think on the fly, which, I guess is kind of the point. Decision making under duress, training for nighthunts and the whatnot. Maybe it's just the audience…"
Fu Howin nodded, "yeah, probably, you did great on the last trip with that spectre that kept spooking those villagers though, thinking on your feet then! And today Sect Leader seemed to think you did a good job".
Gan Huian brightened, "Yeah! He did!"
Then he frowned, "I still don't like pop quizzes though".
Fu Howin laughed. "My dear friend, no one does."
"I think the Lan might."
"The Lan are insane".
"I think that might be what they say about us".
Jiaying-jie sighed, wrapping an arm around his shoulders and leaning on him dreamily, "Sect Leader Jiang is so cool, I want to be just like him when I grow up".
Gan Huian nodded, "Yeah, he's so badass! But I think Senior Wei is cooler."
Jiaying-jie gasped, "You take that back!"
"Senior Zhu and Wang are pretty cool too!" piped up Biyu-mei.
"I thought the questions were pretty interesting." Fu Howin intersected, with the air of a long-suffering scholar.
"'Spirits' are just a blanket term for any sentient being that is a not a living human. Which sounds pretty much like a synonym for Spectres, which are visible and intangible deceased humans possessing memory and thought. But 'spirits' is used only in the relation to an older studyship of spiritual energy and spiritual signatures, rather than in reference to Malignant Beings, which is how its colloquially used today. Which is really interesting especially since that school of study isn't really followed anymore…"
Hai Jiaying shrugged, going back to listing Sect Leader Jiang's virtues and the best ways to copy them, "I hope I get a spiritual tool as badass as Zidian one day" and "He rebuilt his entire sect at 17! FUCKING 17! THAT'S TWO YEARS OLDER THAN I AM! He's one of the youngest sect leaders in generations…!"
Shui Biyu paused at a small book seller's table, holding one of the wares in her hand. It was a tiny handbound book with a rumpled cover, a collection of romance stories.
There were actually a lot of vendors out, more than Gan Huian might expect for such a small town. It almost made him wonder if people had heard about the sects' coming and prepared for the increased cash flow. Wouldn't it be funny if the issue got resolved in a day and they'd all come out here for nothing? He'd seen at least three different colored uniforms on this street alone. He was kinda surprised that so many people had turned out for such an informal event, even if he didn't recognize most of them.
Walking up behind her, he looked over Biyu-mei's shoulder to see which story had caught her attention. He recognized the title of the book from a tea house a few years ago, back before the war. He didn't think it had anything too scandalous or scarring, so he didn't feel the need to censor it for the younger. It was mostly just stories of star-crossed lovers realizing their love for each other in endearing or increasingly dramatic fashions. In one, a guy had planted an entire garden filled with his beloved's favorite flowers hidden behind his house, and then used the place to propose to her.
Of course, she'd said yes.
The page was turned to a simple but aesthetic painting of a fairy character, pining after a lost love. It was from one of the more popular stories that the playhouses had been doing back then. Fairy stories were always really romantic and dramatic, with grand sword fights and great beauties in need of rescuing. This one had been a little different in that the fairy had been an observer of conflict rather than one of the main participants, with the story focusing on the fairy's reflection on past events, where they hadn't learned of the danger their lover was in until it was too late, leaving them to mourn for the rest of their long life. A popular theory was that fairystories had evolved from rumours about cultivators amongst mediocres, back before cultivation was more commonly known. In a way it made sense, it was nice to think that places which could grow evil could also grow good, that cruelty and resentment weren't the only things that were catching.
"Oooh pretty!" Said Jiaying-jie, bouncing over with her pigtails flying, as she caught sight of the painting.
"You know that one's pretty good, but my favorite is the story of Liàng Cǎihóng the Fairy Queen. The daughter of a mortal woman and a heron, tragically forced to flee the mortal world with her children after her village turned against her and her lover succumbed to the thrall of dark spirits." She sighed, swooning, eyes big and starry eyed, completely ignoring the nomenclature lesson from earlier.
Gan Huian looked at her, "Why do you look so happy about that? It's a completely tragic ending! None of the heroes prevailed, and all their efforts were painfully destroyed. The heroes should have conquered the villains! People deserve better than that!"
Jiaying-jie nodded, "I know".
"But that doesn't always happen," Howin-xiong pointed out.
"Doesn't mean they don't deserve it."
"But isn't it also beautiful? She stayed true to her character and beliefs despite the peer pressure of others and the temptation of evil. She remained a good person, rather than just the impression of one."
"Doesn't she die in the end?" asked Fu Howin, turning to her. Biyu-mei looked up at them, watching attentively.
"Yeah," Gan Huian says, causing them to turn to him. "Liàng Cǎihóng and her kids make it to the foothills but get waylaid by demons and are killed."
Shui Biyu looked up at them eyes wide, lip trembling. "That's horrible!"
"But Liàng Cǎihóng dies a hero! She doesn't abandon the children in her care to save herself, and refuses to sell her soul, unlike the other people around her. Though she dies at the end of the play, she dies as herself, with all her convictions and morals intact. Where arguably all the other characters had already died, metaphorically at least, earlier in the play. Because they'd given up who they were and the people they'd loved out of power, fear and greed."
"Why are we even talking about this? That play is super old. You should check out one of the historical plays instead. A bunch have been coming out of Gusu lately, and there've been a few nice mysteries from the Unclean Realms". Gan Huian interjected.
He had actually used to like that fairystory when he'd been younger. But after seeing his father die trying to protect him and Lian at the start of the Sunshot Campaign…well, he'd lost his taste for stories that romanticized death.
There were some deaths worse than others, but in the end dying wasn't beautiful. It just ended things.
And they'd been left behind.
He'd wanted more time.
He glanced around, looking for something to change the topic. Seeing a man standing over by a stall across the street, he jerked his head at him, "who do you think that guy is? Uh, what sect do you reckon he's from?"
It was a good question. Though the guy seemed to be a cultivator, he certainly wasn't dressed like one.
The man was young and had a bit of a baby face with wide, innocent looking eyes that probably made him look younger than he actually was. Like a cat, wide-eyed and confused at finding a ball of string. Not sure if they should play or pounce, likely to stumble over their own feet. At first glance he looked more around Senior Zhu's age, though he was actually probably closer to Sect Leader's or Senior Wei's. The Senior was wearing flowing cream-colored robes with a lot of layers, long and trailing, and decidedly not good for fighting or doing messy labor of any kind in. Which was pretty much a staple for night hunts.
Hence, the oddity of seeing him.
The man's outer robe was a sheer emerald green, covered with intricate swirling embroidery in coppery and darker green tones, maybe a forest green? His hair was long and silky, going almost to his knees, and shiny in a way that screamed wealth. It was left hanging mostly down, sans the fancy top knot at the top of his head, which was held in a sparkly guan in some sort of floral design. The clothing was much fancier than anything a local would wear. Too rich for a rogue, but not in any uniform he'd ever seen. Which, admittedly, wasn't many. But…
The man looked like the type, that bandits would eat alive.
And yet… there was also something about him…like the type of foolish who regularly went out leaving their purse at home. Silly, not much of a prize or danger. And too noticeable to really be worth bothering with. Which was maybe how this social butterfly had managed to survive. It didn't look like he was traveling with anyone.
His friends glanced over, Hai Jiaying raising an eyebrow.
"Definitely a cultivator" said Fu Howin, without skipping a beat.
The guy did have that air about him, silly though he seemed, that people born into the cultivation world generally had, which is why Gan Huian had asked.
Jiaying-jie nodded, "He's not carrying a sword, but that doesn't actually mean anything," the others nodded as well, well acquainted to Senior Wei and his antics.
"You know, it's not really fair, people pick on Senior Wei for it all the time, yet no one's bothering him." Said Buyi-mei, in an appropriately scandalized voice.
"Well, Senior Wei doesn't exactly look useless, does he?" said Hai Jiaying.
Ouch.
"He made a face earlier at one of the fake talismans that vendor up the street was selling." Said Meirong-mei, appearing out of nowhere, making Gan Huian jump, Ju Li trailing behind her.
"And then tripped him when the scam artist wasn't looking. Ruining the creep's entire stock in that mud puddle. He obviously knew what he was looking at, and has some measure of ethics and morality." Added Ju Li.
"So definitely not most Jin then" said Jiaying-jie.
Fu Howin shot her a glance hissing, before looking behind them, checking to see if they were overheard, "Yingying, don't be rude". Hai Jiaying ignored him.
"I doubt he's from anyplace like Baixue or Gusu, if he sabotaged a vendor like you said, rather than directly confronting him. Though are you sure he did it on purpose? But his robe isn't anything I recognize, so probably from one of the minor clans…? Then again, with that outfit…though why you'd wear that nighthunting, I wouldn't know."
Gan Huian pondered that as well. Maybe the guy was so badass that he'd never muss his robes? Possible though, he glanced over where the Senior was currently stepping on the hem of his robes, doubtful. Maybe he was forgoing his uniform now and was wearing some personal clothes? Not everyone stuck to their uniforms, Senior Wei being another prime example to that, though most people didn't do it practically everyday like him.
The man continued perusing the stall, chatting up its proprietor about something they were too far away to hear, the gilded guards of his fan glittering as he fluttered it about his face.
Shui Biyu looked up from the book she'd been flipping through. "Maybe he's from the Nie sect? Those braids of his are pretty fancy."
Fu Howin scoffed, "heh, no way. All the Nie are super big and buff! You see how slender and willowy he is? There's no way he's part of the Nie sect." Hai Jiaying nodded sagely. Gan Huian wasn't so sure, remembering what Senior Wei had said about the braids.
Deciding the older kids were apparently now annoying, boring, or both, Biyu turned back to the bookseller, and proceeded to buy the book. Which was probably a good thing, since the man was looking a bit peeved about a group of gossiping tweenagers blocking his stall as they pawed through his merchandise.
"I think we should adopt him".
Everyone except Biyu-mei, who was still ignoring them, spun around to look at Chen Meirong.
"Well just look at him!" She waved her hand in the Senior's general direction. "It'd be irresponsible to just leave him there"
They looked back at the Senior as he stepped away from the vendor's stall, looking a bit dejected before schooling his expression.
"Eh...Meirong-jie, we're kids, and, well, he's an adult." Said Howin-xiong, with an air of incredulity.
"And?"
"But-"
"Nope. Adopted."
Gan Huian looked back and forth between the two. On the one hand, Howin-xiong was his partner for this fieldtrip, so he couldn't exactly leave him. But he was starting to wonder if it'd be better if he disengaged from this situation, or stuck around to keep it in check. Based on Fu Howin's expression, he wouldn't be leaving anytime soon. Gan Huian really hoped they didn't end up stalking a foreign disciple all over a strange town. He was still tired from walking here.
"Hey look, he's on the move".
They all turned to look at Ju Li, who was looking bored, as she rested her chin on her crossed arms, leaning on her…sheathed sword that was hovering in-front of her at about chest height, using it to support most of her weight. That was…actually pretty impressive. Most people couldn't do sword seals on a sheathed blade.
Hai Jiaying giggled, looking at Chen Meirong's determined and gleaming eyes and Fu Howin's 'kill me now' expression. Gan Huian sighed, well it looked like they were doing this today. Fu Howin groaned, as the others started walking away, before doubling back to poke Shui Biyu between the shoulder blades to get her moving, who started trailing behind them absentmindedly, nose in her new book.
"Well we can't leave this one behind". Said Howin-xiong, gesturing at all of Shui Biyu, who seemed to be oblivious to what was happening.
Ju Li hovered along behind them, her head about a foot above the ground, braid wrapped around a lazy arm, now hanging by her knees from her still sheathed sword. Sticking the toe of her shoe in Howin-xiong's ear to get a rise out of him. Gan Huian sighed, shaking his head with a small smile, as he followed after his sectsiblings.
…
As they walked into the dining room, Jiang Cheng kept looking over at Wei Ying, as Zhu Zian talked to the host who started to lead them to a table. He'd been surreptitiously checking on the elder since they'd left Lotus Pier, and he hadn't looked peaky or anything, the exercise seemed to do him some good. Come to think of it, even his hair looked a little longer. He was practically glowing.
But that thing about Baoshan-sanren earlier…
Wei Wuxian glanced over at him and Jiang Cheng looked away, scowling. His brother's eyes softened.
Wei Wuxian reached out, gently squeezing Jiang Cheng's hand before letting go, the act hidden by their sleeves. He gave him a soft, but genuine smile. "I'm fine didi". The voice was a murmur, but it made the tension in his spine relax a little.
Wei Ying said he didn't regret it. He couldn't keep drowning in guilt…But…
Shaking his head, Jiang Cheng said gruffly "Of course you are, why wouldn't you be."
From the corner of his eye he saw Wei Wuxian's grin get bigger.
"ooooh~ you love me"
"Shut up"
Checking his older brother with his shoulder, he sat down at the table as the server took their orders. Stopping Wei Ying from getting something abhorrently spicy and instead only mildly so.
The room was already pretty full when they'd come in, and by the time their food had arrived it was fit to burst. The restaurant was swarming with cultivators, only a handful of people seemed to be locals. A few people kept glancing over at their table, eyes on Wei Wuxian. But a glower from Jiang Cheng was enough to get them to look away pretty quick. Zidian sparking. Wei Wuxian didn't seem to notice. Then again, that didn't really mean anything.
His older brother rubbed at his back ruefully, before feigning a ridiculous yawn and then attacking his food with gusto. Ordering seconds before he and Zian-xiong had even finished their first. Then drinking his tea with an amount of slurping noises that was frankly disgusting.
Jiang Cheng rolled his eyes, looking back at his own food.
"Hey! It's not my fault my nose is stuffed up"
"Mhmm"
Zhu Zian laughed. Idiot.
A flurry of movement behind his brother made him look up again, back tensing beneath his heavy robes. He didn't really expect anyone to start something here, which is why he'd picked the event in the first place. But he also didn't trust any of these people farther than his eyelashes.
Though he supposed this person was a little better than most.
"Sect Leader Jiang! I'm surprised to see you here!"
"Sect Leader Ouyang, a pleasure, I'm sure."
Ouyang Bojing laughed, slamming his hand on the edge of their table. Wei Wuxian gave him a disgruntled look, pulling his bowl closer as he continued to eat his chicken and noodle monstrosity.
"Sect Leader Ouyang, I hope you are well?" Zhu Zian leaned forward, smiling politely.
The Jiang and Ouyang sects had been allies for the past three generations. So the four of them had pretty much grown up together, or as much as one could when one of them lived over 80li away and was about 13 years older than you. Like himself, Ouyang Bojing was another person who'd risen to the rank of sect leader during the war. Unlike himself, he'd actually been somewhat prepared for it. And, you know, an adult.
Sect Leader Ouyang stroked at his long goatee, his uncommonly large and muscled bulk towering over their seated figures slightly.
"Very well, very well" Sect Leader Ouyang grinned, looking a little punch drunk.
"Yao Dandan had her baby last week." He looked thrilled. "I'd still be there, but I think she was getting a little sick of my hovering, so she sicced me on this nighthunt instead." He smiled, looking fond. "Our first child..."
Punch drunk from happiness, then.
Zhu Zian beamed, "Well that is wonderful news!"
Jiang Cheng stood and bowed, a depth fitting between two sect leaders. Wei Wuxian and Zhu Zian mimicking him, where they'd also risen from their seats, after having seen him stand. As was befitting between a sect leader and his people.
"This is joyous news. The YunmengJiang offer our congratulations."
"Thank you, Jiang Wanyin." Sect Leader Ouyang bowed in return.
"I trust Madam Ouyang and the child are well?"
Ouyang Bojing looked like he was positively bursting with pride, and couldn't stop beaming.
"They are both in excellent health. You should have heard the lungs on the boy! And a handsomer child you never did see." His laugh boomed across the restaurant.
Wei Ying grinned, "there must be something in the water, all these babies being born!".
It was true, though the war had ended four years ago, most people had still been in a state of repair until recently. But with increased stabilization and the reunion of lovers…well, a baby boom was bound to occur.
Jiang Cheng shot him a look as Sect Leader Ouyang snorted. Thankfully Zhu Zian decided to follow up that comment with a more appropriate question.
"Has a name been chosen yet for the young master?"
"Ah, yes! Ouyang Da, courtesy Zizhen", he beamed. "My son".
"I am sure you will be an excellent father, and that young master Ouyang Zizhen will bring great pride to his sect." Said Wei Wuxian, for once his voice sounding completely sincere.
Sect Leader Ouyang blinked for a moment, before smiling at him.
"Thank you, Wei Wuxian."
Wei Wuxian inclined his head.
"Is Sect Leader Yao with you as well?"
Ouyang Bojing turned back to Jiang Cheng.
"No, though a-Dan kicked him out as well, Yao Dongxing decided to return to his own home rather than accompany me."
"That is too bad" said Zhu Zian.
Though really, it wasn't.
Sect Leader Yao was Sect Leader Ouyang's brother in law, and was fiercely protective and doting of his elder sister. Which Jiang Cheng could understand. Which was also the man's only redeeming quality, in Jiang Cheng's opinion. Though Ouyang Bojing seemed to like him well enough. This caused the two sect leaders to often be in each other's company which created an, interesting dynamic.
He wasn't sure who he hated running into more at sect related functions, Yao Dongxing or Jin Guagshan. Unlike Jin Zixuan, most people he'd come to find, didn't improve under better acquaintance. Honestly, he'd rather run toward Lan Wangji if it would give him an excuse to avoid talking to those two. And talking to Lan Wangji was just plain uncomfortable. Especially when they were around Wei Wuxian. There was just something about the Second Jade and their Second Pride that he couldn't pin down.
Before he could delve into that any further, a flurry of robes announced another arrival.
"Sect Leader Jiang! Wei Wuxian! Zhu Zian! Fancy seeing you here! Oh, hello Sect Leader Ouyang, I didn't see you behind Jiang Cheng."
Jiang Cheng pushed the other man off where he'd flung himself at his neck.
"Nie Huaisang, hello" said Sect Leader Ouyang, giving a respectful bow, which Nie Huaisang returned.
"Would the two of you like to join us?" asked Jiang Cheng, gesturing to their empty seats.
"Ah, no. No thank you." Said Ouyang Bojing, glancing at Nie Huaisang. "My food will probably be ready soon," and he wandered back to his table after another bow.
Nie Huaisang flopped back into a seat with a dramatic sigh as Wei Wuxian went back to attacking his food. " I thought he'd never leave."
Jiang Cheng and Zhu Zian sat back down properly, because they weren't heathens.
"Nie Huaisang, it is good to see you again."
"You as well Zian-xiong! It seems like ages since I've last seen you all!"
"It was at a-Ling's one month, wasn't it?" asked Jiang Cheng. Nie Huaisang nodded.
"I trust you and your brother have been well?"
"Oh my gosh you really are a sect leader. Yes we've been fine! I got your letter by the way Xian-xiong. How's your workshop coming along?"
Wei Wuxian looked him dead in the eye, "I have the best brother in the world."
"Untrue, cause mine's better, but go on."
"It has shelves all the way up to the ceiling. With counters everywhere. It's bigger than my room. And there's a koi pond, with no fish."
"Brilliant! What color is it?"
Jiang Cheng scowled. He was not blushing.
"That's just it. The outside's all red and black, with this massive purple lotus on the front. And the inside is all this warm gold wood. It's very relaxing."
Nie Huaisang nodded appreciatively. Zhu Zian turned and caught Jiang Cheng's eye, winking. Jiang Cheng had spent 3 days agonizing over what color wood to make the interior. It was good to know his efforts had been appreciated.
"So what brings you here Sang-xiong? Is the Nie also here for the night hunt?" asked Zhu Zian, deciding to rescues him, cause he apparently wasn't completely evil.
Nie Huaisang waved his hand dismissively.
"Nothing like that, I was just nearby and heard it was happening. I'm here for the gossip and wine."
"Speaking of gossip," said Wei Wuxian wiggling his eyebrows. Having apparently finished his food, finally. Or at least finding something more interesting than it. It was good to see his appetite was improving.
"Heard anything interesting?"
"Hmmm," Huaisang tapped his fan on his chin, before flicking it open and fluttering it before his face for dramatic effect.
"Well, Song Lan's left Baixue Temple, apparently."
"Who?" asked Wei Wuxian, obviously not recognizing the name.
"That little sect up in the east mountains, the one with Snow Pavilion as their main hall?"
"The architectural marvel?"
"Yeah, their head disciple. He placed fourth in the competitions at the last Discussion Conference" said Zhu Zian.
Jiang Cheng remembered him vaguely. He'd been very skilled with his sword, with a cool demeanor, but reportedly of an upright and forthright nature.
"He's also ranked third on the list of eligible young masters. Though I suppose he may drop down now, since rogue cultivators are generally seen as less desirable" added Nie Huaisang.
"I thought that was suppose to be Jin Zixuan? Are we really so old that they've already come out with a completely new list?" asked Wei Wuxian, looking mildly shocked.
"Speak for yourself" said Nie Huaisang, flicking his fan. "No, the Jades are still where they were. I don't think anyone could knock them off that pedestal. And Jin Zixuan is married now, isn't he? Honestly I wouldn't be surprised if the Jades weren't taken off even if they did get married. But Jiang Cheng is fourth now and you're fifth. Something about being 'dangerous but still alluring'. Not really sure who they're talking about there, to be honest."
He snapped his fan shut before reaching out and stealing one of Jiang Cheng's dumplings, popping it in his mouth, where he proceeded to talk even as he chewed.
"And of course I'm still at sixth, like the absentminded talent I am. Really, you should feel lucky I don't care about such popularity contests, or I'd've crushed you all to dust by now."
Jiang Cheng rolled his eyes.
"Why did he leave?" asked Zhu Zian.
"Who? Oh, Song Lan? Dunno. It was amiable though. He's got a standing invitation to return. I guess he wanted to wander the world or something, rather than stay in some stuffy old temple. I know I barely survived my time in Gusu. And it was just their founder who came from a monastery!"
Zhu Zian looked at him skeptically, "I think you did more than just survive there".
Nie Huaisang waved his hand at him, "semantics. Besides, you weren't there for most of it."
"You know, that doesn't do anything to lessen my opinion."
Wei Wuxian laughed, raising a hand to cover his mouth, ending in a snort. It was a bright sound Jiang Cheng hadn't heard in a while.
"oooh, is that a rare Jiang Cheng smile I see?" Nie Huaisang reached out, poking him in the side of the face. Jiang Cheng gave him a backhand to the gut for his trouble.
Zhu Zian took a sip of his tea, peering at them over the rim of his glass.
"Sect Leader, do you need to be avenged?"
Jiang Cheng raised an eyebrow, "to take care of this weakling? Unnecessary."
Nie Huaisang squawked in exaggerated indignance as Wei Wuxian snorted again.
But before the banter could devolve into a full on wrestling match reminiscent of their school days, which really wouldn't be a good idea, not just because he was a sect leader now, the door to the inn flung open, with a dash of fluttering robes that came near running into the restaurant.
Jiang Cheng looked up, and was immediately on his feet, Wei Wuxian and Zhu Zian quickly following him.
Kang Longwei skidded to a halt in front of them, his tiny frame shaking with each breath. His face flushed and eyes wide. Looking on the verge of tears. A smear of dirt ran down one of his sleeves. There was a bit more on the bridge of his nose.
The child gave a quick bow. Wei Wuxian was already walking toward him, reaching for his qiankun pouch at his waist. He'd put his gloves back on sometime Jiang Cheng hadn't been looking.
"Sect Leader Jiang! Shui Biyu has been hurt."
...
A/N:
So...we got a lotta new names this chapter! Some of them were canon characters whose courtesy and given names weren't ever mentioned (at least that I'm aware of) and others were some OCs! I got the names from babyname websites, so if they're odd...that's why.
ChangpuFa sect: Changpu (used as the name of a village in this) supposedly means "forever simple" and Fa means "setting off".
WuBai sect: with Wu being used as the area the sect is located in, meaning "wood" and Bai meaning "white".
DingxiangFai sect: with Dingxiang being the area they're from, meaning "stability and fortune" and Fai meaning "growth". (These towns are all made up btw, I'm not referencing real places, or at least, I don't think I am...)
In the Jiang Juniors we've got, Shui Biyu, with "Shui" meaning "water" and "Biyu" meaning "jasper/semi precious stone". Bao Junjie (aka a-Bao), with "Bao" meaning "precious, handsome" and "Junjie" meaning "outstanding". Chen Meirong, with Chen being a common surname according to the internets, without a specific meaning being given, and "Meirong" meaning "beautiful countenance". Kang Longwei (the youngest of the boys present) with "Kang" meaning "well-being" and "Longwei" meaning "dragon, greatness".
Liàng Cǎihóng the Fairy Queen, with "Liàng" meaning "bright", and "Cǎihóng" meaning "rainbow". Is the main character from one of Hai Jiaying's favorite stories.
Sect Leader Ouyang was given the courtesy name "Bojing" which according to the internets means "win admiration". Sect Leader Yao was given the courtesy name "Dongxing" with "Dong" meaning "east, winter" and "xing" meaning "star".
Sect Leader Ouyang's wife/Sect Leader Yao's sister, Madam Ouyang, is named Yao Dandan. With "Dandan" meaning "cinnabar (red)".
The newborn heir to the BalingOuyang Sect is Ouyang Zizhen (part of our original junior quartet! Three down, one to go!) with the given name "Da" meaning "attainment". Currently we've got a 1 year old Jin Ling living at Koi Tower with his parents. Jingyi is a few months younger than Jin Ling and living at Cloud Recesses with his parents (a lot of people I've seen theorize in fics that Jingyi is an orphaned cousin who lost his parents either in the war or at Nightless City/First Siege of the Burial Mounds, but those latter two haven't happened, so he still has his parents in this fic, yey!) And now new-born Ouyang Zizhen! :D
Did the Jiang Juniors roast Nie Huaisang this chapter? Yes, yes they did.
The line about 'seeing the world in vermillion light' in reference to the Jin sect's Vermillion Mark on their foreheads, I believe is a line taken from the book (MDZS).
In other news, the changing of some terminology in this fic. As previously mentioned this fic was loosely inspired by the inciting incident of another fic, and since that fic was omega-verse, some omega verse terminology was borrowed from that fic, with those words' definitions being changed in relation to the content in this fic. And these words were used in reference to the different bodytypes in this fic. I'd been considering changing them for awhile though (back even before the little hiatus) but wasn't really sure, what to, which is why it hadn't been brought up before now. But I think these changes will work better with the story plot in the long run. Nor do they change anything about the pre-planned plot really, or what's already been made canon in these published chapters, though it does change some things stated in some authors notes (specifically in reference to bodytype/what bodytypes certain characters have). Sorry! But really for the previous chapters, it's just swapping out one word for the other.
As for why this change would work better, well that would be spoilers~ ;)
Previously in the fic, where the word "omega" was used, the word "erial" will now be used. Where the word "alpha" was used, the word "ethe" will now be used. And where the word "beta" was used, well that's just an average person, so I suppose you could use the word "Ren" which apparently means "person/people" in Chinese. Or just substitute it with the phrase 'this individual looks like a very average/typical person'. etc.
"Erial" is a Spanish word that means "wasteland". "Ethe" is a British English term which means "not requiring much labour or effort; not difficult; simple".
In A Mother's Love, Erial is a term used to refer to people who look androgynous. (Being androgynous and being intersex is unrelated/not dependent on each other). In the fic, Ethe is a term used for people who have uncommonly large spiritual energy/prowess.
In A Mother's Love Wei Wuxian is erial. While Lan Wangji and Lan Xichen are both ethe. (These terms are used to describe people in a similar manner as to how you might say someone is tall, or a brunette, or has green eyes, etc. A descriptor of a naturally occurring physical trait).
I hope that clears things up and wasn't too confusing! Thank you for your patience!
And as always, thank you to everyone who has read, commented, followed, and favorited this story! Yall are wonderful!
Thanks for reading, and I'll see you next chapter! :)
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