Chapter 26

They arrived home by foot, slower than they would've if they were travelling by sword, however none of them felt all that comfortable sharing one with Xue Yang. The boy had many tricks up his sleeve, and he was easier to control on the ground.

By time they came home, there was a group of Nie cultivators waiting to greet them, with Da-ge at the centre of it all and Yao-ge beside him.

Nie Huaisang practically skipped inside, clearly glad to be back from the hunt.

"Da-ge!" Er-ge greeted their brother loudly, as Da-ge came to greet them, "It's so good to be home."

"I see you both have returned safely," Da-ge grinned, as he placed a hand on both his and Er-ge's shoulder. "I am glad you are well and unharmed."

"Da-ge, next time you watch over San-di!" Nie Huaisang complained immediately, "He kept running straight into danger! It was exhausting trying to keep him safe. You have no idea just how tired I am!"

Da-ge laughed, and Wei Wuxian scowled, "I only did what was necessary," he defended, "Lan Zhan, tell Da-ge I wasn't reckless."

"Wei Wuxian was reckless several times," Lan Zhan betrayed him immediately, "However his actions saved countless people."

"Lan Zhan!" he cried out simply, in despair. How could his Lan Er-gege betray him this way? He pouted at his friend, who didn't seem remotely phased by it.

"Thank you, Jiang gongzi, for keeping Nie Huaisang safe while he kept Wei Wuxian safe," Da-ge bowed with mirth in his eyes, towards Jiang Cheng.

"Of course, Chifeng Zun," Jiang Cheng bowed back, "I enjoyed their company on the hunt."

"And who are your new friends?" Da-ge asked, noticing Xiao Xingchen and Song Lan standing behind them.

"This is Jiujiu and Shushu," Wei Wuxian introduced quickly as Nie Huaisang rolled his eyes.

"I am Xiao Xingchen," Jiujiu bowed, "My master is Baoshan Sanren, and Cangse Sanren was my adoptive sister. This is Song Lan, my cultivation partner."

"It is a pleasure to meet you both," Da-ge smiled warmly at them. "I've heard a lot about the both of you. Come, you must be tired from your travels. We have lots to discuss."

Da-ge's eyes landed on Xue Yang, as they hardened. They'd written ahead about what had happened to warn Da-ge that they would be bringing the criminal home with them.

"Will you stay a while?" Wei Wuxian asked Xiao Xingchen quickly, knowing the two would want to head out again shortly. "I would like to get to know you both better. Please?"

"Perhaps we can stay the night," Xiao Xingchen looked over at Song Lan in confirmation. "It would be our pleasure to get to know you better as well."

Meng Yao gestured at the guards then, as they stepped towards Xue Yang.

"We will imprison you for the night," Nie Mingjue said to Xue Yang, "And discuss your punishment in the morning."

"I'll dream about you," Xue Yang winked at Wei Wuxian, as Lan Zhan pulled him behind him protectively. Nie Mingjue looked peeved at that, eyes darkening.

"He dares flirt with my brother after everything he's done," Nie Mingjue glowered, as Wei Wuxian put his hand on his brother's arm.

"I'm okay, Da-ge. He didn't hurt me. He's going to face justice for what he's done," Wei Wuxian said, and NMJ nodded in agreement.

"Come, let's eat then you can tell me all about your travels," Nie Mingjue said, finally as Nie Huaisang dragged Jiang Cheng ahead, eager to show him their home.

Wei Wuxian sighed in contentment, happy to be home, but also to have his friend by his side. He sat down beside his friend in the dining hall, wanting to have him as company through the meal, and unwilling to have anyone else sit beside Lan Zhan.

The staff were quick to serve them, bringing in a selection of his and Er-ge's favourite foods. He watched as they also brough some delicacies that he knew Lan Zhan had enjoyed during his past trips here, and he was quick to place some onto his friend's plate.

"I know you like these vegetables," Wei Wuxian said, as Lan Zhan ate them with a small smile. "You must be so hungry from everything. Please regain your energy, Lan Zhan!"

"It's sweet to see how much you care for your partner," Xiao Xingchen said, eyes twinkling at them, as Nie Mingjue stared at Wei Wuxian.

"We promised to night hunt together always!" Wei Wuxian chirped, "But we can only do that if Lan Zhan eats well and regains his strength. He worked hard fighting the Danfen statue and then Xue Yang and all the other adventures we had. We couldn't have succeeded without him."

"What were the rest of us, his backup support?" he heard Jiang Cheng murmur as he leaned close to Er-ge.

"Always," Nie Huaisang rolled his eyes, "We were just there to keep Wei Ying alive."

"Hey!" Wei Ying argued, but Lan Zhan distracted him by placing a piece of meat into his bowl.

"Eat," Lan Zhan instructed, "Wei Ying must also regain his strength."

"You all should eat," Da-ge instructed the four junior to him, "Perhaps you can tell me how you found yourself with a Jiujiu and a Shushu, A-Ying."

Wei Wuxian lit up as he told Da-ge all about how he found his Jiujiu and Shushu and how they fought Xue Yang bravely without Wei Wuxian having to lift a finger. Which Lan Zhan protested vehemently, saying Wei Ying was the one who bound him, making him easier to detain; a fact his uncles both agreed with.

"You both have done well," Nie Mingjue said proudly at his little brothers, "I'm sure Xichen will be glad to have you home safely as well, Wangji. Of course, you are welcome to stay here for as long as you'd like. I know Wei Wuxian would like that."

"Da-ge," he whined, but glanced at Lan Zhan, hopefully.

"Lan Zhan, you'll stay for a bit, right?" he saddled up to his best friend, placing more food in his bowl.

His friend looked reluctant to answer, and Wei Wuxian nudged him.

"Lan Zhan?" he prodded.

"I cannot stay too long," Lan Zhan said finally, "We need to get it to a safe place. I cannot keep it here in your home unguarded where the Wen can sense it."

"Okay," Wei Wuxian's shoulders sagged, knowing he was right. The Yin Iron needed to be stored in Cloud Recesses, and anywhere else wouldn't be safe for them. But he just wished he wouldn't have to leave so soon, "Can I come with you? To make sure you get home safely?"

Lan Zhan's eyes softened at him "I will be safe, Wei Ying. You have helped me much already."

"Will you pass along a letter to your brother for me?" Nie Mingjue asked Lan Zhan. "It is for his eyes only, and I want to ensure its' safety."

Both Lan Zhan and Wei Wuxian understood immediately. Whatever that letter contained, it most likely was about matters regarding the Wen sect.

"What if I could make a talisman?" Wei Wuxian pondered, "So you could send secure missives that only the other party could read?"

"You'll have to show any designs to the talisman master," Nie Mingjue said with a nod, "But if you could come up with such a thing, I'm sure it could be of great benefit."

"Just don't set anything on fire," Nie Huaisang piped up.

"Does he do that often?" Xiao Xingchen asked, intrigued.

"Frequently," Nie Mingjue sighed, "He has absolutely no regard for his own safety. It was why I sent his older brother with him on the night hunt. And why all his talismans need to be approved by the talisman master. And why his weapon designs must first be approved by the weaponsmith. To ensure he won't hurt himself or anyone around him."

"No one else has ever gotten hurt!" Wei Wuxian protested.

"But Wei Ying risked himself," Lan Zhan said, sounding most unhappy with that.

"Aiyah, Lan Zhan, I'm fine," he grinned at his friend, placing a piece of food directly in Lan Zhan's mouth, as his friend looked startled, but chewed it with grace.

"Can you stop flirting please?" Nie Huaisang pleaded, "It's disgusting. Do you really need to do this around your family?"

"Who's flirting?" Wei Wuxian protested, "I'm making sure Lan Zhan has eaten well. He works so hard. Does he not deserve to eat well?"

"I'm sure Xichen will be pleased to know that you have been well taken care of while in my home," Nie Mingjue laughed, and Wei Wuxian grinned.

"Of course Lan Zhan will be treated well here. How else will I get him to keep visiting if I treat my friend poorly? Besides, Lan Zhan deserves the best of everything," he said, and Lan Zhan turned a bit red.

"Wei Ying," his friend chided him gently, "You should focus on eating as well. You used up a lot of spiritual energy."

"Okay, Lan Zhan!" he agreed.

"Perhaps you can tell us some stories about Wei Ying?" Xiao Xingchen turned to his brothers and Wei Wuxian froze.

"When he first moved in and was trying to get his bearings, Da-ge gave him Baxia once to hold and he fell over immediately," Nie Huaisang said immediately, "He tried to make a talisman to make the sword seem lighter, but instead it made him lighter, and he nearly floated away. Da-ge had to grab him by the foot and take off the talisman."

"Er-ge!" Wei Wuxian protested.

"He once insisted on catching a bird for Nie Huaisang and jumped off the roof trying to catch one. Thankfully Nie Zonghui was right there and caught him before he hurt himself," Nie Mingjue supplied.

"Da-ge!" he said in betrayal, cheeks heating up, as he glanced at Lan Zhan.

"Wei Ying once wanted to procure a lotus when we were visiting the Jiang sect, and he dived into the water, only to remember he could not swim. Jiang gongzi rescued him but was most upset about not getting the lotus," Lan Zhan said, to his dismay.

"I learned to swim after!" he pouted, feeling betrayed by his family, "And I got the lotus!"

"Because you wanted to give it to Lan Zhan," Jiang Cheng snickered.

"Why are all of you betraying me like this," he cried out, "This is the worst."

"This is what it means to have a family," Nie Huaisang laughed at him, "Now you have uncles and brothers. That means we all get to tease you."

He made a saddened expression, despite a warm feeling passing over him at the thought. He had a family who loved him so much that they all remembered stories about him and wanted to cherish him.

Was Lan Zhan included in that family? He didn't see Lan Zhan like a brother the same way Xichen-ge was. Nor was he a friend just like Jiang Cheng. He was much more special to just be like that.

Lan Zhan was Lan Zhan. His best friend. His night hunting partner.

Zhiji?

That felt right.

He leaned towards Lan Zhan, as his friend supported him, the feast continuing on around him.

The next morning, however, had Wei Wuxian feeling despair.

"Do you have to go so soon?" Wei Wuxian asked, as Song Lan and Xiao Xingchen stood at the gate of Qinghe.

"We are needed out there," Xiao Xingchen smiled at him warmly, "There are many out there who suffer and need the help of cultivators. And there is still much of the world that we would like to see."

"The both of you are welcome here anytime," Da-ge said, "You are A-Ying's family, and that makes you our family. You do not need to formally join our sect in any way. However ,any time you wish to visit or require our assistance, you need only ask. We will be most happy to help you or host you."

"Thank you," Xiao Xingchen bowed, alongside Song Lan. "My Jiejie would have loved him very much, and I know she would be happy to find out that he was taken in by such a caring family. The stories about your righteousness do not compare to the love you have for both your brothers. I am glad he found both you and Nie gongzi."

"Maybe we will meet on a night hunt in the future," Wei Ying said, feeling a bit of optimism at that, "Then we can hunt together! Jiujiu, Shushu, Lan Zhan, and I!"

"What, am I not invited now that you have your uncles?" Nie Huaisang said sarcastically, and Wei Wuxian froze, but he saw his brother didn't look all that bothered by it, and was most likely simply making fun of him.

"You and Jiang Cheng can come too! Nothing would stand a chance against us!" Wei Wuxian beamed at his brother. "The Nie younger brothers, rivalled only by their Da-ge who could defeat anyone!"

"Wei Ying," Nie Mingjue sighed fondly, ruffling his hair.

"That would be most welcome," Song Lan smiled at him, "We are glad to have found a nephew on our hunts."

"Do you think I could ever meet Grandmaster?" Wei Ying asked Xiao Xingchen, feeling a bit unsure.

"I don't know," Xiao Xingchen admitted, "Once one leaves her mountain, they are unable to return. But she did know about you, and was saddened by your mother's death. It haunted her greatly, and I think she would be happy to meet you one day."

"Thank you, Jiujiu!" he smiled, "I am glad that we met as well."

"We should be off now," Xiao Xingchen said, as he and Song Lan bowed towards them, and they returned the gesture.

He watched as his uncles left, disappearing on their swords, before he heard Lan Zhan call his name.

"Wei Ying," Lan Zhan said, a bit regretfully.

"Please don't say you have to leave already," Wei Wuxian froze. He knew Lan Zhan wanted to leave shortly after arriving, but he had hoped he could convince Lan Zhan to stay a few days before he headed out.

"I must return home and brief Xiongzhang and Uncle about what has happened here," Lan Zhan said, with a heavy voice.

"Okay," he said, looking down.

"You are always welcome here any time, Wangji," Da-ge told his friend, "You do not need to write to ask. You and your brother both always have a home here."

"Thank you, Zongzhu," Lan Zhan bowed, as Nie Mingjue looked at him fondly.

Wei Ying threw his arms around Lan Zhan, feeling his heart beat faster, and Lan Zhan was startled but caught him quickly.

"I'll miss you," Wei Wuxian said, with a heavy heart. Why did it feel harder and harder every time Lan Zhan left him? It wasn't fair. He just wanted his friend to stay with him forever. Was that too much to ask?

"I should leave too," Jiang Cheng sighed, "I didn't exactly tell my father I was leaving. I told my mother I wanted to go on a night hunt to increase by skills, so I should go face my father."

"Write often," Nie Huaisang instructed him firmly, as Wei Wuxian refused to leave Lan Zhan's arms.

"A-Ying," Da-ge said gently, "You will see him again soon. In fact, I was thinking of visiting Gusu shortly. I'll bring you along with me, okay?"

"Really?" Wei Wuxian said, pulling away enough to look at his brother.

"Really," Da-ge said fondly, "Now why don't you release Wangji. He has a long ride ahead of him, and it would be better for him to return home as quickly as possible.

"Fine," Wei Wuxian sighed, "Write to me," he said, and Lan Zhan looked at him tenderly.

"Mm," Lan Zhan said simply, "Will miss Wei Ying too."

"Lan Zhan," his throat tightened. "Lan Zhan, I just want to go on more night hunts with you."

"We will arrange something soon," Lan Zhan promised him. "Will ask Xiongzhang."

"Okay," he exhaled, trusting in his friend. If Lan Zhan promised him something, he knew he would keep that promise.

"Goodbye, Wei Ying," Lan Zhan said, giving him a nod, as he got on his sword, and he saw Jiang Cheng doing the same thing, before both the sect disciples took off.

"They'll be back soon," Nie Mingjue comforted both his brothers, as he led both Wei Wuxian and Nie Huaisang inside. "Come, I want to hear more about your trip."

He wanted to know the specifics that they couldn't quite share out in the open, even in their own sect. especially about the Yin Iron.

Wei Wuxian was not sulking.

He wasn't.

But he did hate that he felt like he was being ripped apart from the inside.

He loved his family. Da-ge and Er-ge meant everything to him, had given him so much, and loved him so much. And similarly, he loved them so much. They meant everything to him. His family. And this was his home.

But he couldn't help but feel unsettled.

He missed Lan Zhan, more than he could even describe. It felt like his heart had been torn out of his chest and had gone back to Gusu, leaving him behind.

"How much longer are you going to pout for?" Nie Huaisang said, as he sat beside Wei Wuxian on the rooftop, "How do you even get up here so easily? Da-ge had to help me up."

"Skill," Wei Wuxian grinned at Er-ge, as Da-ge sat down on the other side of I him, "I'm just naturally talented I guess."

Nie Huaisang shoved him, as he fell towards Da-ge.

"What's on your mind, Wei Ying?" Da-ge asked him gently, as Wei Wuxian stayed leaning against him.

He was quiet for a few minutes, not really sure about what he was feeling.

"How do you know if you like someone?" Wei Wuxian asked, as Nie Huaisang and Nie Mingjue exchanged a look.

"Like as a friend?" Nie Huaisang asked him cautiously.

"Or more?" Nie Mingjue prodded lightly.

"More?" Wei Wuxian asked, throwing his hands up, "How do you know if someone is a friend, or you like them romantically? What's the difference?"

"Your intentions towards them," Nie Mingjue said finally, "It can vary based on the person. Some people love others but have no intention of ever being intimate with them. Others love multiple people who love them in return. Some men like men, and some women like woman, sometimes they like both genders, and sometimes none at all."

"I like flirting with women," Wei Wuxian said finally, "But I think men can be pretty, too. Like Lan Zhan is very pretty and so is Xichen-ge."

"There's no right or wrong answer, A-Ying," Nie Huaisang told him gently, "But for most people, it is the person they cherish most besides their own family. The person they want to spend every moment with. The person who is the first one they think of when they wake up, and the last person they think of before bed. It is the person they want to spend their entire life with. That is what it means to love someone."

"Do either of you have people you love?" Wei Wuxian asked as Nie Huaisang looked anywhere but at him.

Da-ge simply betrayed nothing with his expression, "I will talk to you both about it when I am ready to do so."

Nie Huaisang smirked as if he knew something Wei Ying did not.

"Do I have to leave if I love someone?" he asked his brothers, "What if they're in another sect?"

"We will talk about that when the time comes," Nie Mingjue said closing his eyes, "But you will always have a home here, A-Ying. We are your family, and if you marry out, nothing will change that."

"What if they don't like me back?" Wei Ying asked, voice getting quiet, "What if they think I'm not good enough for them? Or they want to marry someone better than me?"

"Who said that?" Nie Huaisang demanded immediately.

"Did they tell you that you weren't good enough?" Nie Mingjue's eyes darkened, as he placed his hand over Baxia, threatening to draw his saber.

"No!" Wei Wuxian said quickly, trying to settle his brothers, before either did anything rash. "I don't even know if I like anyone! I just don't know if anyone would like me back."

"Why wouldn't they?" Nie Huaisang scoffed, "You're one of the most eligible men in our generation. Besides the direct heirs to the sects like Da-ge, Jiang Cheng, and Xichen-ge, who often are singled out because of their future sect leader positions, you are one of the top. You beat Jin Zixuan because you have skills but aren't cocky. Lan Wangji, because you actually are nice to other people, and no one counts the Wen brothers. You may be adopted but you are well desired, Wei Ying. Anyone would be happy to end up with you."

"But I'm not a Nie by blood," he said, looking away, "I know you both think of me as family but that doesn't mean others see it that way."

"They're wrong," Nie Mingjue said without room for argument, "And even if you aren't, your mother was a strong cultivator. A disciple to an immortal. And your father was the righthand man of a sect leader who was well respected and loved. Both your parents were powerful. Your Jiujiu and Shushu are well respected. Do you think that there haven't been stories spread amongst the disciples that the second Nie heir's uncles are powerful cultivators. The rumours of Wei Wuxian and his night hunts continue to spread."

"Da-ge knows all the gossip," Nie Huaisang said with a smirk.

"Nie Zonghui appraises me of anything he thinks I should know about the two of you," Nie Mingjue said, not looking embarrassed. "My didis are very powerful and the tales about the two of you have been most interesting to hear."

"The point is that you are a powerful cultivator, in your own right. Your skills speak for themselves. You are enough. Anyone would be more than lucky to have you as a partner. If anyone ever makes you feel like you are not enough, then they do not deserve you," Nie Huaisang said, looking at him.

"Perhaps you should think about how you feel about this person, and see if you want to tell them," Nie Mingjue said stroking his hair, "If there were a person you cared for. It can be terrifying admitting the truth to someone you care deeply for, and there is no guarantee that they will even return your feelings. But if they do, then there is no greater feeling."

"Be honest with yourself," Nie Huaisang advised him, "I'm sure you know the truth of how you feel, even if you do not want to admit it to yourself."

He closed his eyes, listening to the wind moving around them, as he tried very, very hard, not to picture anyone's face in particular as he let his brothers' words wash over him.

Wei Wuxian knew something was very wrong when his brother had summoned him and Lan Zhan to his study with urgency. Nie Zonghui had a grim look on his face when he had asked the pair of them to go see their brother immediately as he had something he needed to discuss with them both.

"Da-ge?" Wei Wuxian asked as he and Nie Huaisang pushed into his brother's study, "What happened? Is everything alright?"

"The Wens have sent a missive," Nie Mingjue said, looking unhappy as he glanced at both of them. "Apparently the Wens are dissatisfied with the cultivation level of the major sects given that they are unable to handle a few resentful beasts. They think it would be wise to do a education camp so the other sects may benefit from their knowledge."

Wei Wuxian froze, knowing what it was that their brother was saying.

"An indoctrination camp," Nie Huaisang surmised, also having sensed the same thing. "This is because of what happened with the Wen at the village?"

"It seems like Wen Ruohan is not pleased that his village was saved by outsiders. He had intended for them to learn a lesson," Nie Mingjue mused, "And that Lan Xichen is hiding a piece of the Yin Iron. He doesn't trust the other sects and wants to hold our families as hostages."

"How long is the camp?" Wei Wuxian asked, already making a note in his head of all that would need to be done.

"He didn't say," Nie Mingjue sighed, "Xichen isn't going to send Wangji or any of the other disciples. I'm tempted to do the same."

"But?" Wei Wuxian pressed, knowing that his brother would think about it from many angles.

"But he is trying to force our hand. If we decline, it'll be a declaration of disobedience. I've tried very hard to keep us separated from them since Father died. Even though I wanted Wen Ruohan to face justice for what he had done to our families. Wen Ruohan has time and time again disrespected our sect. He's pushed into our borders and hurts everyone with his use of the Yin Iron."

"You think it would be good for us to go into his sect," Wei Wuxian understood.

"He is a powerful cultivator," Nie Mingjue said, "But his sons barely rank in any of the competitions. He has many cultivators, but they do not go on night hunts outside their main cities, and even then, they drive out beasts to other lands. Like the waterborne abyss. They don't go to any educations that Gusu does, so no one knows how capable they are. I want to know how strong they are."

"You want us to snoop around," Wei Wuxian said, nodding in agreement. It was a good plan. It was only a matter of time before they went to war, and any advantage could help them out.

"He only decreed that one sect heir must go," Nie Mingjue sighed, "I don't want to ask either of you to go. I'd rather not, and I don't like the idea of either of you going straight into danger. I'd go myself, but-"

"But we can't leave the sect without its' leader," Nie Huaisang said in agreement.

"I'll go," Wei Wuxian volunteered quickly, not wanting Er-ge to go in his place.

"I'm going too," Nie Huaisang scoffed, as Wei Wuxian quickly started protesting, "Da-ge, I know Wei Wuxian is the better bet, but we can't trust him by himself. What if he gets himself into trouble? He needs someone to watch his back out there."

"I don't want either of you there," Nie Mingjue sighed, "And I don't know if I feel better about the two of you having each other or worse. I just want you both to be safe. I can refuse to send either of you. Just tell me you don't want to go."

"Da-ge," Wei Wuxian started, "It's a good plan. Besides, we can look after ourselves. The rest of the people there cannot say the same. There's going to be so many innocents there. We can't let him hurt them."

"You both have grown into such fine young men," Nie Mingjue said, hugging them both, "I'm so proud of both of you. We'll be prepared at any time for anything that may happen. Just send a note, saying you're enjoying it there, and we'll be there as soon as we can. You won't be on your own."

"We'll be okay, Da-ge," Nie Huaisang said, as he squeezed Wei Wuxian's hand, "Besides, Jiang Cheng will be there too, and we can look out for each other. We'll be okay."

Nie Mingjue didn't say anything in return, simply pulling them in tighter.