Joke's on Us?

Cloud Recesses...

'Ahh back here again huh Zhanzhan? You get to go home after a mission.' said Wuxian as he had to have a Jade Token to come past the wards.

The Lans under Lan Wangji were HAPPY to be home AND alive, thank you very much.

When the Wens attacked as Wuxian warned, they were more prepared for war, hidden outside the Recesses while they have plenty of food and medicine supplies stocked and hidden by the female Elders.

But due to their nature, they aimed to maim only...giving Wen Xu the chance to come back with an even stronger force that the Recesses are all but obliterated, with Xichen long gone into hiding with their clan's treasures and Wangji has all the money.

For survival's sake, they broke their laws than die like dogs...causing the clan to have a really heavy epiphany on themselves.

This is a literal declaration of war that they can no longer afford to show mercy or lose their kin.

There had been a loooong debate over the matter, while recalling Wangji for the money to rebuild while Xichen must remain hidden safely.

Well, all those rules are their downfall in the first place, Wuxian thought. There's a time and place for everything.

Right now, all Lans live in tents while rebuilding and buying supplies. This will EMPTY their coffers by the time war ends.

The Lans also aid the hired labor force, so it won't be too expensive. They themselves do the material processing, and the laborers use it to put everything together. Besides, its also training in a way.

The Residences, Offices, Facilities were rebuilt in order of priority.

And it's halfway done too. So the ancient, mystical feel of Gusu Lan Sect is gone, that the recreated buildings are so brand new it now looked artificial.

Lan Wangji's troops were given a one week vacation to fully heal under Medical Cultivation, before waiting for their next orders.

'A-Yu, you're on vacation too but see the Infirmary on schedule for your replacement of bandages and poultice.' Wuxian told his student. 'Your mom should be in the Servant's Dorms. Her black jade in my pockets didn't even crack, so she's alright.' he said, taking out a tiny, human-shaped effigy out of a black jade. That was to Xuanyu's relief and he ran off.

'...'

Xuanyu's black jade cracked in places where he was hurt during Night Hunts and the cracks healed when he did.

Due to war happening, he gave Mo Xiuyi a small black jade necklace connected to the black effigy he had of her. She must always wear it so they would know she's doing OK. As long as spirit energy exists, the spirit of magic spells will work no matter the country!

'Yes yes, no running in the Recesses and all, but with war happening, you really have to run.' Wuxian patted Wangji's back. 'Or lose what we care for because we couldn't get to them in time.' he said. 'Poor kid's in jitters despite my reassurances that his mom's OK. War will scare anyone.'

'...'

xxx

And so...

'So this is your room...or rather, cottage!' What classifies as a Lan BEDROOM, is a space the size of a Living Room for a family of six, plus dining room in one space. 'You need a bath?'

'Mm.'

Wuxian took out a pouch, reached for what's inside and gave him a small burlap sack. 'There and this, too.' a talisman that reads 'Heat'. 'For a nice warm soak and the rose petals are good for skin. Once the water's hot, put the petals in. Wait for three minutes before going in and soak in there for at least half hour.' that's what the burlap sack was? Wangji took the items with thanks. 'I'll make soup out here alright? And can I borrow your tub after dinner?'

Did Wangji just have a childish expression back there as he nodded before leaving? Too cute!

At the baths, Wangji filled his tub with water, wincing in his injuries before slapping the talisman on the tub and activated it. Really now, a talisman for...heating a bathtub? What on earth was Wei Ying doing in his spare time? Yes, in his mind, he was Wei Ying, not Wei Wuxian. He had been calling him Lan Zhan or Zhanzhan, so why can't he?

Upon getting into the baths...yeah. The heat soothed his weary body...while ignoring the stings that lasted a few seconds. He relaxed for that one hour, with only his face on the surface so he can breathe, while occasionally washing his face with the treated water or simply lowering his face for a few seconds..

This...feels good...and the scent of roses is also relaxing...

Once he was done, he got out and disposed of the water and he felt a lot better. It helps that Wei Ying gave it to him.

Upon dressing up, he left the bathroom to get changing in his room while also smelling food being cooked.

In a pot was black chicken soup with leafy vegetables, mushrooms, jujubes and goji berries with what he can see but something else is surely what's obvious underneath. He can see its a Ginseng Soup. Perfect for anyone who lost blood like himself, but as its a powerful food remedy with a lot of Yang energy, it shouldn't be consumed too much that it was good that he's sharing it with Wei Ying who's also injured. It seems Wei Ying studied medicinal cooking...and on a grill next to a pot of rice, was shellfish and the mushrooms he's now cultivating at the back mountains by rows of logs...away from his rabbits, of course.

After a healing dinner, they talked for a bit to catch up, before Wuxian borrowed Wangji's bathtub, before staying over since he's not sure if they have Guest Disciples over, his old room probably has an occupant in it.

'...what type of bedding is this?' Wangji asked, curious about the mattress Wuxian laid out next to his bed.

'The Dongying people call it Futon. In our language it's Butuan. Its perfect camping bed but Dongying from all walks of life sleep on this.' said Wuxian, patting his bed. 'The difference is quality based on what you can afford.' Wuxian explained. 'I naturally got the kind rich folk use. Made mountain camping life a lot easier during sleep. Its a pain in the ass cleaning it every two weeks though.'

'...I heard you took Nie Huaisang with you?' and why, does Wuxian hear jealousy just now or was it just him?

'Well, he begged me to so Sect Leader Nie can focus without worrying about him and promised to come back stronger.' said Wuxian. 'He allowed it and Sangsang now caught up, so he now classifies as a Senior Disciple.'

Gloomy aura ensued.

OK, Wuxian thought. This Lan Wangji is different from the cold stoic guy he knew in the past...

'Ahahaha, I'll bring you once war is over, OK?' Wuxian promised him nervously. 'Sangsang prioritized Body Cultivation as that's twice as hard than spirit cultivation. He's now Middle Level Bone Refinement while Low Middle Core. The Nies apparently, prioritize Body over Spirit, given their origins.' he said.

That got Wangji astonished.

What?

Last he checked, the night after graduation, Nie Huaisang broke through to Golden Core Realm. And a year after graduation, he's not even a hair into Low Level. But in one year, he was 'the lowest'.

It takes four years, to reach Peak Low Level Stage once the Golden Core forms at childhood around age nine.

And Wei Ying is saying that Huaisang skipped the ENTIRE four levels of Low Gold Core in just MONTHS and is now Low Middle Core stage?! What the hell?

'...Wei Ying. Have you any idea how long it takes, even for people with talent?' he asked him slowly, and incredulously. Whatever Wei Ying did for Nie Huaisang and Mo Xuanyu makes everyone else's efforts a joke now! Wangji took ten years to be where he is now even with his talent!

'I know.' Wuxian would know. Genius he may be, but even he took years to reach his stage when he was 15. 'I'm just crazy enough to use the Burial Mounds to get to where I am now, as well as another country to train my kid out of a warzone.' because Wei Wuxian mostly cultivated as his body was in peak shape along with mastery of techniques, his body cultivation is now Peak Low Body Recreation. He can now freely use his style without harm to himself despite his 'slim' body.

His sword style focuses demand on Body Cultivation because for a normal human man, you'd need a very developed, muscular body. For Wuxian who honed his body for years upon knowing how, along with his master's conditioning, he could wield it with no harm to himself, but he never learned the style's ultimate skill which had a requirement that horrified him thus he was never 'a true successor' to his master's school. For Mo Xuanyu who's still as skinny as a twig, he learned basic swordsmanship attacks and spirit sword attacks only while conditioning his body and his cultivation.

Suuure he achieved Low Bone Refining, but that did not include Body Recreation which cultivates the muscles. If he teaches Xuanyu the style with underdeveloped muscles and at his cultivation stage, he'll end the kid's career before it can even begin. So basics and hand-to-hand, yes.

'...do you need cleansing again?'

'Nah, Dongying's Mt. Kong(osore) is Hallowed Ground. Sacred since there's a religious temple there.' Wuxian reassured him. 'That temple is so large with very faithful believers they affected the qi in the mountains that Sangsang's resentful energy taint from Nie Technique was naturally purified over time without a ritual. It was that good it also served as natural barrier from the surface's insane taint of Resentful Energy so it was safe to cultivate and train Xuanyu in talisman magic there, effectively sparking that mountain's qi to life making it Sacred, spreading fast like fire on oil, so the inhabitants of Mt. Kong actually live in peace and prosperity as long as they keep that up.' he said.

'Dongying's surface outside Mt. Kong, if sparked by a Cultivator's Energy, will become a massive Burial Ground worse than the one in Yiling. As an expert on Resentful Energy I can certify that.' Wuxian told him. 'So its best if only few people knows of that. I trust two Sect Leaders, you and my two best friends with this.'

'Mm. Sleep now.'

'Yes yes, Haishi, I know~'

xxx

Next morning, after breakfast...of yet another Ginseng Soup for the last time, they spent their vacation doing whatever.

Wuxian had tasked Xuanyu to stay in the Cold Springs to heal and cultivate when his mother is at work as Cloud Recesses is still reconstructing. He also gave Xuanyu Ginseng Soup for Lunch and Dinner to get over blood loss. While on 'vacation', Wuxian wore a different outfit this time. He wore a kinagashi with part of his chest exposed and a haori since hey, the recesses are cold.

Didn't stop him from wearing geta sandals, and his long hair loose.

That, and spending time with Wuxian was Wangji's secret joy.

The war will last two years as Wuxian knew.

He'll be called to help out, but he'll never use Demonic Cultivation ever again. He has his high levels to bank on, as well as his sword style that enables him to become the Black Ship of the Land.

He did NOT want a round 2 of his past, thank you!

Well, he got called alright, a week later.

'Wei Ying, you are asked to join by xiongzhang.' said Wangji, receiving a messenger bird. 'Will that be alright with you?' its optional whether or not Wuxian wants to join. But one cannot deny they need all hands on deck but Wuxian is sect-less and this is a War of Sects. He may avoid wanting anything to do with this, Wangji thought and frankly, he'd rather keep Wei Ying safe.

'Don't be shy Zhanzhan~' Wuxian chuckled. 'You'll pay me back by cooking for me right?' he asked with puppy-look eyes...and in Wangji's mind, that face dealt MASSIVE DAMAGE to his ever-growing feelings, finding it cute.

'Mm. I'll cook.' he quickly agreed. That Jiang Cheng embellished on how good his cooking skills are that Wei Ying now wants to try it out.

Suppose he owes Jiang-gongzi for this now?

'Awright! That's a promise!' Wuxian glomped him playfully and Wangji wondered WHEN he could hug back. Wei Ying's slim body fit well against his, even if he too, was a pound of muscle. 'I'm gonna tell the kid we'll be on a job for who-knows-how-long so I'll leave him his homework before we go.' he said. 'Go pack up. I always am packed up since I travel a lot so let's meet by the Discipline Wall.'

'Mm.' and Wuxian left ahead while Wangji went to pack up.

xxx

Servant's Quarters...

'Eh? Laoshi's leaving?'

'Got assigned on a mission. Well the stupid Wens and their flunkies have massive numbers compared to the Sunshot Alliance.' Wuxian sighed. 'So yep, hands on deck.' he said, giving Xuanyu a scroll. 'Homework and finish what you can while I'm out. Once you finish a task, cross em'. I will test you when I get back.'

'But its war?' who was it who pounded into his head the realities of war again?

'Oi, I'm more resilient than a cockroach.' Wuxian snorted in reassurance. He can claim that as he got sent back after dying in the Siege. 'This one ain't dyin' anytime soon, kid.' that made Xuanyu feel better. 'Train hard, alright? Stay here in the Servant's Quarters since some Guest Disciples are helping out and some of them may be jerks. This place is safer for you till I'm back.' Xuanyu balked.

'There's that...' he croaked out. Bullying. He hates bullies, being bullied...ALL his life, by the way?!

'Tell your mom I said hi and bye. Gotta go!' and Wuxian took to the trees to wait for Lan Wangji at the stairs. But alas, No Running in the Recesses! Really now?! At war time?

Once the Lans arrived by walking, albeit in quick steps, they all flew on their swords.

'Wei Ying, your sword is strangely thin.' Wangji commented, seeing Wuxian's sword Suibian...and its nonsensical name close to the guard.

'It's hardy and I cultivated with Suibian so she can withstand my teacher's techniques...besides, I can't use Tongxing for safety reasons.' Wangji frowned with worry at his words.

Safety away from Wen Ruohan and his obsessions with his mother.

Jiang Fengmian lampshaded how Wei Ying's mother endured Wen Ruohan's brand of...stalking. To the point her family had to live on the road and raise their child, Wei Ying ON the road! No words can describe how hard that is!

Wen Ruohan would know everything about Cangse Sanren.

Should anyone report the sword Tongxing used by someone, ye gads.

Wen Ruohan WILL seek Wei Ying.

xxx

And at the battlefields...

Meishan Yu Sect acted as informants, enabling the Sunshot Campaign to know when and how to strike.

Because Lotus Pier was damaged from the attack on them, rebuilding a sect on a lake is quite, the challenge, thus the Jiang Sect pitched camp at their allied Sect.

The priority was retaking lost territories starting at the borders, to enable Cross-County Trading once more without fearing the Wens' exorbitant Toll Fees or forbidden entry, or be killed and looted.

This was the most difficult job. Chongyang Pass was also at the borders, with Sects assigning who to where based on competence levels vouched for by their Sects.

They set up camp and placed all protections to protect their camp while the fighters all go out. So a number of barriers keyed to Lan Uniforms and one Jade Token in Wuxian's possession.

After a long trip, they rested for two days...before they went out to sortie.

'Wei Ying, this is your second battle.' Wangji spoke as Wuxian nodded.

'Yeah. I got the hang of it after the crazy that was Chongyang Pass and Sangsang screamed to save you guys from a Battle of Attrition.' Wuxian chuckled. 'Come on Zhanzhan, time's wasting.'

Thus, the Legend of Wei Wuxian began. The Black Flash.