Jin Rulan was fourteen years old. But right now he felt like ten times that. His head ached and he clenched his jaw to prevent himself from saying something uncouth to the old geezers who were currently talking as if he weren't even in the room.
"Sect Leader is too young," said Elder Jin Shan emphatically, "Those puny little sects will think they can take advantage of our Jin sect because of our leader's youth and inexperience."
"It does not matter," countered Elder Jin Huizhong, "That is what advisors are for. Jin Rulan is the rightful Sect Leader and he would remain so even if he were four rather than fourteen. Or are you disputing this again, Elder Shan?"
Elder Shan sputtered, "Of course not, however we can't let the Jin sect be taken for fools!"
"I thought Jiang-zongzhu had made it clear that anyone messing with Jin Rulan would face the full wrath of Yunmeng Jiang?" piped up Jin Yong, "They might try to get one over on us but Yunmeng stands behind us and should anyone try anything too ridiculous they'd soon regret it."
"Bah, what can Jiang-zongzhu do? He can't whip every rat in the cultivation world," spat Jin Qiao.
No but he can whip you, thought Jin Ling savagely.
"After the events of the past few months, the Jiang sect and the Nie sect have become the strongest of the top four. It would not do to underestimate Jiang-zongzhu," said Elder Huizhong.
That's right, thought Jin Ling, Jiujiu is the best.
"Elder Shan and Jin Qiao are right however," said Elder Jin Guozhi, "Jin Rulan's youth makes it difficult for other sect leaders to take him seriously. Jiang-zongzhu's help, while invaluable, can only extend so far."
"So what do you propose we do then, Elder Guozhi?" said Elder Jin Feng.
"We have to show the other sects that we will not be bullied of course. Even with a young Sect Leader. We have to have someone with a strong presence by his side."
"Ah! I've got it!"
"What is it, Elder Shan?" queried Jin Shunyuan.
"We can elect someone as acting Sect Leader in the meantime until Jin Rulan is of age."
The councilroom broke out into a sea of chatter at that pronouncement. They had never had an 'acting' Sect Leader before. In fact, it was unheard of.
Jin Ling's heartbeat quickened and he couldn't breathe well all of a sudden. He didn't bring back the attention of the Elders, other advisors, and high ranking Jin Sect members to himself because he had wanted to see how long it would take them to notice that they were sitting in front of their Sect Leader and talking over him. But they seemed to have totally forgotten his existence and instead were making plans to essentially take over the sect while pretending to be doing it temporarily to help him.
He couldn't leave Lanling now, not when they might take his absence as a chance to usurp him. Lan Jingyi hadn't been able to stay long after their hunt but Zizhen hadn't left yet, maybe he could send a message to jiujiu with him. Zizhen would arrive faster than a letter or butterfly would and time was of the essence.
Jin Ling snuck out while his council were fighting amongst each other and urgently made his way towards his friend's quarters.
"Didn't I tell you to hold on properly?" grunted Jiang Cheng, grabbing hold of the arms around him in a vice grip as Wei Wuxian almost slipped off the sword for the fourth time while excitedly craning his head in all directions to take in the view.
"But it's been soooo long," Wei Wuxian whined, pressing his face into the back of Jiang Cheng's neck petulantly. He could admit to himself he was being a bit dramatic but… he'd really really missed being up in the air on a sword. He hadn't allowed himself to think about what he'd lost when he gave up his core. But now that he had real time to digest everything that happened to him, it was also one of those things that he'd been processing.
Though he didn't regret it. Not one bit. His shidi was worth it.
Besides, he'd never been a leisurely passenger before (and he had no idea when he would get the opportunity again) so now he was taking in the sights without having to worry about watching where he was going.
But he did have to worry about falling off if he wasn't careful, as Jiang Cheng kept reminding him after every near miss. Though he wasn't truly worried about falling to his death. He had full confidence that Jiang Cheng wouldn't let him become a Wei Wuxian pancake. A thought which would have surprised him only a few days ago, but of which he was certain now.
Jiang Cheng gave a long suffering sigh.
"If it means that much to you we'll take it slow when going back to Lotus Pier. But for now, stop trying to get yourself killed again."
His heart warmed. "Okay," he agreed, feeling shy all of a sudden. They had a few minutes of companionable silence before another person zoomed past them (narrowly avoiding them) so fast that they hadn't seen him coming and almost spun around in mid-air in his wake.
"Blasted teenagers," grumbled Jiang Cheng, spitting out a lock of hair that had made its way into his mouth.
"Hey isn't that-"
"Sect Leader Jiang!" called the aforementioned teenager frantically, who upon realising who it was he almost knocked out of the air, doubled back just as quickly and came to an abrupt halt beside them.
"Breathe kid," snickered Wei Wuxian, "Jiang-zongzhu only looks this way, but he won't bite you."
"If we weren't in mid-air, I might bite you," growled Jiang Cheng irritably.
And of course, not being one to ever let go of an opportunity (presented on a gold platter no less) to tease his grumpy shidi Wei Wuxian bat his eyelashes coquettishly (not that Jiang Cheng could even see him) and said archly, "Promise?"
"You!" Jiang Cheng attempted to turn his head to glare at Wei Wuxian but the sword wobbled and he was forced to swallow his annoyance. Ignoring Wei Wuxian's nonsense for the moment, he turned seriously back to a now gawking Ouyang Zizhen.
"What's the matter? Has something happened?" he asked worriedly. Ouyang Zizhen usually stayed with Jin Ling longer than the few hours he must have been there today. Sect Leader Ouyang was glad to have his son in the good graces of a great-sect leader and encouraged him to spend as much time with Jin Ling as he wanted. That he had left Koi Tower so early and was flying so fast that he almost collided with them didn't lead to any good conclusions.
Ouyang Zizhen snapped himself out of the positively gobsmacked state he was in at the sight of the former Yiling Laozu teasing the intimidating Sandu Shengshou (who was supposed to hate him) while they were pressed together on one sword.
"It's the Jin council! Jin Ling said the elders are trying to elect someone as some sort of acting sect leader until he comes of age, but he said it's obviously just a ploy to take over the sect without others interfering because they would be able to deny it was a usurpation. He sent me to Lotus Pier to find you but it's good that you're close to Jinlintai already."
"What?! Those slimy snakes!" He was shaking with rage.
"A-Cheng, let's talk about this on the ground huh," said Wei Wuxian, who was worried that they really would fall off the sword now.
He said nothing but he descended, the Ouyang boy following.
"Sect Leader Jiang, what are we going to do?" said a panicked Zizhen, who was anxious for his friend, but who was well aware that as the leader of a different sect, it would be difficult for Sect Leader Jiang to intervene in an internal matter like this.
"After those rats let A-Ling bear the brunt of the criticism for the past Jin sect leader's crimes, after he did so much to try and start repairing the Jin sect's reputation and relationships with other sects, they want to try and take his rightful place again, but in a way that will prevent others from interfering," seethed Jiang Cheng.
"But we won't let that happen! There must be something we can do," said Wei Wuxian. He wasn't a man used to letting bad things happen to those he cared for without trying his best to fix it. But in this case even he was stumped. He couldn't just threaten Jin Ling's problems away as much as he would love to.
"Did they say who they were thinking about taking Jin Ling's place?" Jiang Cheng asked Zizhen.
"No, not when I left at least. Jin Ling said they were all arguing. He snuck out of the council meeting while they were fighting to ask me to go to Lotus Pier."
"Well it's a good sign that they're arguing over it. It means at least some of them are on Jin Ling's side. The question is if it's enough of them. The council will need to take a vote to truly decide if they will see that through. But I don't think that Jin Ling will win this. There are too many power hungry men on that council. They'll vote to replace him and then fight about who will be the one to do it. That should also help buy time because I don't think they'll come to an agreement on that one so quickly," mused Jiang Cheng.
"Yes, I'm sure they're all going to be fighting to get the post themselves, or put someone who each one of them think they can control," agreed Wei Wuxian.
"It's too bad that there's nobody who they'd elect that wouldn't want to steal Jin Ling's position," said Ouyan Zizhen sadly, "It would be good if Jin Ling could actually have someone trustworthy take the position, then he could actually get to live normally for a while before needing to go be Sect Leader again and not have to worry about them doing bad things or being controlled while they're there."
Ouyang Zizhen's innocent words struck a chord.
Jiang Cheng stilled. A slow smile grew on his lips. He turned his eyes on Wei Wuxian. Wei Wuxian gulped, "J..Jiang Cheng.. Wh..why are you looking at me like that?" He didn't like the look of that face at all. Jiang Cheng's eyes gleamed in a way that suggested he'd figured something out and that Wei Wuxian was probably not going to like it. It was an expression he'd rarely ever seen on that stern countenance but it promised mischief. He'd loved that expression once. He'd probably still like it if it wasn't directed at him.
"Why Mo-gongzi, whatever do you mean?"
"M..mo-gongzi? Jiang Cheng, have you lost the plot?"
"Lost? Oh no, on the contrary, I think I gained it," he said, still smiling that smile that promised misery for all involved. "How do you feel about gold? And nephews by -get this- blood?" Jiang Cheng said, slinging an arm around Wei Wuxian's shoulders and pulling him against him, a gesture of camaraderie that Wei Wuxian had appreciated once but hadn't experienced for a very long time. He'd get emotional about his lack of physical contact with people he loved later. Right now he had other things to be emotional about.
"Those things on their own sound pretty great but I don't think I like the picture you're painting with them together," he grimaced at the almost too tight embrace. This body was weaker than his old one. He was starting to get annoyed by that.
"Ah but the important thing is that you do see the picture," said Jiang Cheng, satisfied.
"But I thought you said I could come hooome." he whined, "Jiang Cheeeeng, I hate Koi Tower."
"Yes yes we all hate Koi Tower. But it will only be for a few years and then you can come home for good. And you can always visit."
"But… but I won't be able to call you shidi anymore."
"You've never called me shidi that much to begin with! Just stick to your normal forms of address. We can just say it's because we're both Jin Ling's uncles that's why you call me familiarly."
"I still don't like it. I'm not cut out for this."
"Of course you are, you're the genius of Lotus Pier. You'll manage. If A-Ling can do it, so can you. And of course you'll have A-Ling with you anyway, you're just a figurehead to prevent those old coots from getting their way. A-Ling should still be with you and learning. It will be more like a joint effort. The pressure will be less that way."
Let nobody say Ouyang Zizhen was slow. The boy had lit up at what the Sect Leader was suggesting.
"Senior Wei, I think it's a great idea! Jin Ling would be relieved if it's you."
Ah damn it. They had to pull the A-Ling card, didn't they? He'd do anything for his shijie's son. Including accepting A-Ling as his *sigh* da-ge's son (ugh gross!).
"A blood nephew made of gold sounds fantastic," he said in a strained voice.