The Boy and his Toy
15 years old Wei Wuxian lived all alone to prevent many things.
The most prominent being, being adopted by Jiang Fengmian that will cause great fracture in the Jiang Family because of his very existence.
He lived in a town near the Burial Mounds that became his home years from now. While a dangerous place, it also has good Feng Shui. Thick with power he just has to be careful.
He began cultivating, while ekeing a living as a thief, sneaking into homes and stealing money. He only buys when absolutely necessary.
He grew up healthy and muscular, and his cultivation stronger than ever than when he was last fifteen.
Well, there was a reason Uncle regarded him as very talented. But he held back because of Auntie's anger when he could have been so much more.
Now, he has no such chains.
He can cultivate as much as needed as he trains his body. No need for education when he remembers what he studied for years.
And he planted a bamboo plant that he raised with his own spiritual power so he could recreate Chenqing.
"I wonder if...Jiang Cheng grew up with Uncle's attention and approval this time...did things change, now that I'm not there?" he wondered with a sad smile. "I hope it did."
As a child, he was oblivious to reality until as time passes by, he got wind that Uncle was best friends with his parents when young, but said friends eloped while he was in love with his mother.
After that, he was pressured by Meishan Yu Sect to marry auntie.
But when he found him, he happily took him home and raised him as his son and favored him over his OWN son. It made Wuxian wonder as bringing him home, caused rumors...not the good kind...and he just let everyone have their own opinion as explaining wouldn't do much good.
Wuxian knew from experience come adulthood, by the way!
He sent a letter to Wen Qing in hopes of convincing her while he meets the needed people who must survive to win the upcoming war because he lives near them...even if they condemned him to death afterward, so he would never do Demonic Cultivation ever again. He pleaded and begged Wen Qing to secede without Wen Ruohan noticing. If she didn't believe him, he warned her of significant events. And of little A-Yuan whom he loved like a son who was three years old before Wuxian died. He wanted a happy future for A-Yuan.
Remembering that sweet little child sometimes makes him cry while living all alone.
If two happened years from now, she must Secede to protect those under her banner, and flee to a land not under a Sect's jurisdiction. Or change their names before they get famous, and apply as doctors for another clan. Anywhere BUT the Jins, their killers!
He hoped Wen Qing would listen as soon...the nasty future will come.
'I wonder if Xichen-ge got my application letter...?' he wondered.
Wuxian was a powerful cultivator with icy-white skin that made his eyes and lips stand out, enhancing his already good looks, while having a slim and lean but muscular body just so he can wield a weapon someday if ever. And upon forging Chenqing out of the bamboo he raised, he bought music books and began creating his own fighting style.
If the Lans made music deadly...why can't he? Its not like he'll have a sword again anyway, he got by without one.
'Time to say goodbye to home.' he mused as he made his home in a hut he built. He started off living in a stolen tent, while as time went by, he built a hut for himself after learning how. Very cold in rain and winter, but by circulating his qi, he stays warm and dry. A nifty skill he developed...among other things.
In the end, he thought, he is indeed...a rogue.
Born to two Rogue parents.
'I've come back a changed man.' he mused as he took a bath, did some thorough scrubbing on himself and wore new clothes and shoes that he now looks like a dashing young man as he tied his hair into a half-ponytail, his hairstyle as his adult self...the Yiling Patriarch.
He wondered many times where his enemies got that name from.
He checked at the Inn where he visits as he has a dropbox there that he rents for 50 copper a month.
He got a letter upon opening the lock. With a Jade Token.
You can't get in and out of Cloud Recesses without it.
To young master Wei Ying, Wei Wuxian,
We accept your application to the Annual Guest Lectures
and we look forward to your arrival.
But as you admit to having no sword and applying only
for Spiritual Music Flute Class, we can accommodate
your request for application switch from Sword to Music
lessons.
You are required to follow the rules upon our Wall of
Discipline until end of term. Tuition Fee is 500 silver
taels and you are responsible for belongings you might
bring with you. Take good care of them. Pets and illegal
goods are not allowed in Cloud Recesses as a final note.
Our disciples will give you a tour on first day at (insert date),
do not miss.
Gusu Lan Sect
Lan Xichen
'Fucking hell, 500 silver taels?! I gotta rob a bank for that!' Wuxian exclaimed, his eyes popping wide, horrified at the amount. The costs are enormous! And Uncle just chucked all his kids to annual Lan Lectures?!
Shijie got her term at fifteen, followed by the boys two years later. So all in all Uncle chucked 1500 silver taels. The same costs of a low-ranking sword. OUCH.
Because of his ordeal, he no longer cared about anyone outside the people he held dear. He went to enact revenge. He remembers those who condemned him. They were Jin Guangshan's toadies from minor sects. Thus weak and relies on ass-kissing to get by.
He robbed about five clans dry, and kept his Qiankun Money Pouch safe inside his boots, taking only enough money out on an ordinary pouch for expenses, which he trades for loose coins. 1 silver tael = 1000 silver wen.
After all, they condemned him without even hearing him out, nor evidences provided for his supposed crimes and wickedness.
His heart is closed, reserved only for certain people.
But he has no idea about that fuddy-duddy Lan Zhan. His feelings for him are conflicted.
That boy in his second childhood...to that ice block he's known...what happened?
Judging by the year he was in Cloud Recesses, he counted backwards upon learning the year, that he was seven years old, two years before meeting Uncle.
He remembered that one snowy night when he missed the parents who never came back, he made three drawings. Of his family, muttering, 'A-die...a-niang...a-xian...' and at that moment, little Lan Zhan was in front of him...and with a gentle look on his face, gave him a toy drum.
But what made Lan Zhan the ice block rule-worshipper he knew? And why did he forget such a memory?
He kept that drum for many years.
Curiosity is eating at him, as after robbing the annoying Pingyang Yao Clan last. Serves old bastard right, along with four clans he's robbed after ensuring their security won't implicate him as the thief, but to his comical disappointment, it's just guards guarding the coffers! No spiritual security at all!
Using a spell using spirit energy this time on a technique he created with Demonic Cultivation, he put the guards under his control to open it for him, and he harvested his loot.
Actually, by being rich, he can now have his own sword made...ah well.
Too late for that now. He can have Suibian forged after his term.
He traveled to Gusu, using a dummy pouch where his tuition fee is.
Upon arrival at Caiyi Town, he bought himself a wardrobe and matching shoes per outfit. He wasn't from a sect, why bother wear uniforms, aye?
He isn't affiliated with anyone right now.
He presented his acceptance letter and jade token to the guard duty and he was directed to the Admin Office. He applied for classes he likes and paid the tuition fee...which the Assigned Lan poured onto a big jade tablet with her and it glowed white before she said, 'Sufficient amount is paid young master, please proceed to Guishi(osmathus room) and wait with everyone else until everyone has arrived.' she instructed. 'The tour will begin at Shenshi*.'
'OK.' and Wuxian, with familiarity, went to said room where there's people there already.
Old faces he's known. He came late on purpose before Shenshi begins as to not encounter Jiang Cheng and the Jins by the entrance due to a lost token issue.
When he got in?
People wondered who was he. His skin is white like ice. Lips and eyes stood out making them look vivid in color. He was very good-looking though he wears black robes and gray-all-else all over with the only colorful thing he has on, is his red hair ribbon and tassel on his flute! And he seems gentle. But by his feel of his cultivation...he's strong. Stupidly strong!
Who is this guy?!
But since his clothing's fabric isn't silk like the rest of them, who is this fellow? And where is his sword?
'Uhm, hello there.' Nie Huaisang greeted him nervously. 'What's your name? Everyone in here knows each other but we've never seen you before.'
'Wei Wuxian.' Wuxian answered in his gentle, amiable manner he often uses on his son who fondly calls him with the unfortunate nickname of 'poor-gege'. 'I'm here to learn spiritual music since I'm not one for violence. What is young master's name?'
'I'm Nie Huaisang of Qinghe Nie...I'm not much for violence either.' said Huaisang sheepishly and Wuxian has long known that. He didn't know where Huaisang stood when the whole world condemned him when his clan cultivates with resentful energy too...but he does know where Nie Mingjue stood. Since he had valued his friendship with Huaisang, he had left the Nies alone in the Siege. 'I guess we'll get along after all!'
'I hope so as well, Nie-gongzi.' said Wuxian softly with a smile he uses on ladies. Maybe he could craft a new life here.
Soon, a Lan Disciple came to get them for the tour around the recesses...ending in where their dorms are.
He has his own room...which he fortified to be a fucking fortress. He knows Jin Zixuan won't do despicable deeds, its his fellows are the problem.
Well, what the Lans mean by 'room' classifies as high-class hotel by standards. Baths are communal.
Mealtimes?
Oh yes, he did NOT miss the clan's shitty food.
The Lans believe food is medicine. Eating is not for pleasure, but for good health and good flow of qi.
But they focused so much on nutritional value, that they did not take into account how the end result will taste!
And then there's the shitty rule of 'Do not be a picky eater'. People who had it tasty will be shocked by the...unique blends of Lan Cuisine!
After the tour, was dinnertime starting at Youshi*. The rest of the time before Haishi* was for disciples' free time however they want to spend it as long as no rules are broken. However! Curfew/Bedtime is strictly Haishi as everyone must rise and get ready for school as well as breakfast at Maoshi* for classes start at exactly Chenshi*.
That's the rules.
Ugh...
The things he must do, really!
After using spells to fortify his room, he was still careful with his belongings...especially his money pouch, dammit.
He keeps it in his shoes.
xxx
Dinnertime...
The food deceptively looks and smells nice...just you guys wait, he thought with an inner smirk. On the walls were reminders of mealtime rules as they were all eating with the Inner Lan Disciples.
First mouthful, got the spoiled young masters choking.
Well, Wuxian has three months of this and looong used to it...
'Wow Wei-xiong, you can actually swallow...whatever that was.' Huaisang was impressed with him. 'Vegetables are supposed to be sweet, yet they made it bitter somehow...been here for three years until Dage is satisfied with my grades so I'm long used to it...'
'Well, I heard rumors that Lan Sect food is medicinal in nature...they weren't joking.' Wuxian would tell him, looking queasy as while used to it, it doesn't mean that he wants it. 'Maybe they focused too much on the benefits, that they didn't take into account on how the end product would taste?'
'I can see that...' Huaisang sweatdropped.
'Well, its rude to turn down a chef's food especially as its good in a way...just that when I'm out of here when this is over, I'll eat all spicy food I want for comfort.'
'Spicy food?'
'I'm from Yunmeng Prefecture so spicy cuisine's normal there.' said Wuxian. 'I never had other cuisines yet since I never left the prefecture till now.'
'Heee...'
In a way, that was true.
But in those hard times, he got accustomed to 'normal food' and even 'famine food' as times in the mounds were tough.
He's like a cockroach, he can survive anything, even his own death.
But he better not get cocky.
Second chances...are all he's got.
Shenshi: monkey time - 3-5 pm
Youshi: rooster time - 5-7 pm
Haishi: pig time - 9-11 pm
Maoshi: rabbit time - 5-7 am
Chenshi: dragon time - 7-9 am