Chapter 83
Wei Wuxian flew through Cloud Recesses, as Lan Zhan was firmly on his tail.
"Do not run in Cloud Recesses," Lan Zhan told him, but Wei Wuxian ignored him. From the moment he'd landed alongside his brothers, he'd had only one thing on his mind. Finding out what had happened to his Jiujiu.
"No time for that, Lan Zhan!" Wei Wuxian said, despite switching to a very swift walking pace enough to not break the rules.
Lan Zhan grumbled in agreement, as Wei Wuxian arrived in the hospital wing.
"Jiujiu!" he exclaimed, as he saw his uncle on one of the hospital beds, patched up with bandages as Shushu and a young girl sat beside him.
"A-Ying, you did not need to come here in such a hurry," Xiao Xingchen said, clearly seeing the ruffled state of him. It had been less than a few incense sticks since he'd gotten the letter from Lan Zhan that his Jiujiu and Shushu had asked for assistance bringing in Xue Yang as Jiujiu was too badly injured to fly back himself.
So of course he couldn't sit back and be calm. Who could be calm at a time like this?
There was no time for calmness.
"Jiujiu, you're hurt," he said simply, as Lan Zhan caught up to him, alongside his brothers.
"It's nothing I won't recover from," Jiujiu said simply, reassuring him, "You do not need to worry, Wei Ying."
"What happened?" he demanded, as Da-ge and Er-ge stood beside him, "How did you find Xue Yang?"
"He was experimenting with fierce corpses in Yi City," Jiujiu explained, "He was trying to increase the power of his attempt at the Yin Iron pieces. We were fighting when Song Lan showed up, and together we were able to subdue him."
Wei Wuxian looked at his Shushu with questioning eyes.
"I'm supposed to believe it was just a coincidence that you showed up to the same place Jiujiu was in after you left him?" Wei Wuxian pried.
"It wasn't," Shushu said simply, "I missed Xiao Xingchen. I did wrong by leaving him, and I wanted to make it right. I'll spend the rest of my life trying to make it up to him."
"Good," Wei Wuxian nodded, pleased. He liked his Shushu, and he would hate it if he had to forever disown the man for leaving his Jiujiu behind. But he would show loyalty to his family if that was what was needed. His Jiujiu deserved justice.
Even if he secretly knew he would be furious with Lan Zhan if Lan Zhan had done the same thing.
But he also didn't think he'd be capable of leaving Lan Zhan behind.
He loved him far too much to be separated.
Lan Zhan simply gave him a fond look as if he knew exactly what was on Wei Wuxian's mind.
"A-Xian, do not be so hard on him," Xiao Xingchen said, holding Shushu's hand, "It was my fault as well. But we've worked through it. And we're stronger now."
Wei Wuxian beamed at that, "And you adopted me a cousin?"
"How did you know I was adopted?" the girl demanded, crossing her arms, "I could just be their companion. And who said anything about being your cousin! I don't even know you."
"Is she my cousin?" Wei Wuxian ignored her, turning to Jiujiu.
"I suppose she is," Jiujiu said thoughtfully, "This is A-Qing. We adopted her semi recently. We only really asked her right after capturing Xue Yang. So it is new for all of us. But she will be in our care for as long as she wishes to be."
"What if I don't want a cousin," A-Qing said, with a pout.
"I've never had my own cousin before," Wei Wuxian looked at her with wide eyes.
A-Qing let out a huff.
"I suppose having a cousin isn't the worst thing in the world," she relented, and Wei Wuxian grinned brightly.
"This is Er-ge and Da-ge," he immediately introduced to her, "They're your cousins too then, cause they're my brothers. I have a younger brother too but that's complicated because we didn't officially add him to the family registry and technically, he's my future brother-in-law but we call him Si-Di. Lan Zhan is my zhiji so he's your cousin-in-law. And Xichen-ge is Lan Zhan's Xiongzhang, so he's your cousin-in-law too, but twice cause he's also Da-ge's zhiji. Their uncle is also my uncle-in-law so I guess he's your uncle-in-law too. And Er-ge's partner is Jiang Zongzhu, so I guess you'll also be related to him. And-"
"I did not sign up for all of this family," A-Qing cut him off, as Jiujiu put a hand on her back.
"You do not need to consider all of them family if you do not want to," Jiujiu placated her, "But having more people who care about you is never a bad thing. We can of course, take it day by day, and have you meet them all in due time. For now, you do not need to decide anything."
"Wei Wuxian is a bit overzealous when it comes to family," Er-ge said teasingly, "But he means well. You get used it to it after a while."
"Er-ge," Wei Wuxian whined, "You're the one who adopted me and wanted me in your family."
"You're the nephew who lived on the streets," A-Qing said, in understanding.
"Uh, I guess that's right," Wei Wuxian said in confusion, as he looked at Jiujiu for clarification.
"Perhaps the two of you can talk later about your experiences," Jiujiu suggested, "If you wish, A-Qing. I think it could benefit you."
"Maybe in a bit," she said, seeming uncomfortable, and Wei Wuxian immediately understood.
Because wasn't he the same back then? So convinced that one day Da-ge and Er-ge would throw him out? He used to stock up on food just in case he got hungry. And even when he knew they wouldn't, it took him forever to finally accept presents and ask for things he wanted.
Of course he understood how she felt.
"I would be happy to talk to you about my experiences if you are comfortable," he told her gently, "For what it's worth, even if you do not want the rest of us to be your family, Jiujiu and Shushu are both incredible people and you'll be safe with them. And family or not, if you ever need anything, I will gladly help you out in any way."
She looked a bit taken aback, but only nodded, "Okay," she said, clearly uncomfortable, and Wei Wuxian let the matter drop. He knew better than to push someone who was just opening up to accepting support. It would do no good if it was not something she was willing to accept.
"I'm glad you're okay, Jiujiu," Wei Wuxian said changing the subject, "And that you're back with Shushu. I hope you stay here long enough to rest and recuperate before you leave. It'll be nice to catch up with you both. I can tell you about my wedding!"
"I see the date has been set," Xiao Xingchen said, smiling at him warmly, "Have you invited your grandmother?"
"I haven't had time to drop the invitation off to her yet," Wei Wuxian said, a bit sheepishly.
"Would you like me to drop it off?" Xiao Xingchen asked him, "I want her to meet A-Qing as well, so I would be happy to pass it on for you."
"That would be great," Wei Wuxian breathed, "And Lan Yi too? I want Lan Zhan's ancestor there as well."
"Mm," Lan Zhan agreed, clearly feeling the same. After all, hers was the first blessing they had gotten.
"I will," Xiao Xingchen said warmly.
"What is being done about Xue Yang?" Da-ge asked Xichen-ge, as Lan Qiren sighed instead.
"I have summoned the other sects here as well," Lan Qiren responded, "We need him to have a formal trial. If rumours are to be believed, Xue Yang has a powerful benefactor. One with enough capital to allow him to test as he has been and enough power to ensure he was able to avoid detection."
"You think one of the other sect leaders are backing him up," Nie Mingjue surmised, looking unsurprised.
But who? None of the minor sects would have that kind of power or wealth to help out nor would they be able hide such a thing from the rest of the world. While Wei Wuxian was certain there were quite a few sects that would benefit from such a thing, he knew that none would have been able to avoid detection for quite as long as they did.
Which left the major sects.
Da-ge would never. He knew how his Da-ge felt about resentful energy. He didn't even like Wei Wuxian using it in the war but had accepted it as a necessary evil. He'd tolerated it in their sabers but hated that it meant they would die of qi deviations. He stood against such things.
And no one would ever accuse the Lans of wanting such a weapon for their own gain.
The Jiang could be argued to need the power after the decimation of their sect after the Wen attack. But Jiang Cheng was a good person who would never do such a thing, especially if it meant Er-ge may get hurt by his actions. And Xue Yang had very nearly killed Da-ge in the saber tomb.
Which left-
"You don't think-" Lan Xichen said, a bit startled.
"I don't know," Lan Qiren admitted, "It is dangerous to speculate without proof. We will have a trial for Xue Yang and we will learn more as we question him. I have no doubt that if he indeed has a benefactor, his benefactor will be present during it to see the outcome. If we're lucky, we can learn who indeed is involved in all of this.
"We should begin preparations," Lan Zhan said, and Wei Wuxian felt torn between staying with his uncle and helping Lan Zhan out. Especially if a criminal trial was taking place, they would need to heighten security around the sect.
"Go, A-Ying," Jiujiu said, and Wei Wuxian hugged him tightly, before pulling away.
"I'll find out what happened, Jiujiu," he told him, "We'll make sure he's punished properly."
"I have no doubt that you will," Shushu laughed.
Wei Wuxian waved to A-Qing before following Lan Zhan out of the room. There would be quite a bit to prepare for.
Wei Wuxian fiddled around as he watched the main hall of the Lan sect fill up of cultivators. It had been a while since Cloud Recesses held a discussion conference, and Wei Wuxian knew it was one of the first main ones since the end of the war.
There hadn't been the need for a proper one since everything had been wrapped up, but now that Xue Yang was finally brought in, they would need to get to the bottom as to what happened with him.
Wei Wuxian watched the faces of the sect leaders and their cultivators as they were announced one after another, taking their seats.
The Nie had been placed right next to the Lan sect, with the Jiang close by, leaving the Jin placed the furthest away from the action.
"What is the reason for this conference, Xiandu?" Jin Guangshan asked with a hint of disrespect in his tone.
"We shall begin once everyone has been seated," Xichen-ge said, a bit of chiding in his tone, "There is no reason to rush the start of this conference."
"You called us here with such urgency," Yao Zongzhu said in response, "And now you say there is no need to rush?"
"You misunderstand me," Xichen-ge said in his own sect leader voice, "There is every need for this conference to occur with upmost timeliness. However we can afford to wait until every cultivator has had a chance to take their seats. There is no need to rush."
Yao Zongzhu looked properly disciplined, and Wei Wuxian grinned internally.
"Now," Lan Qiren said, as he looked around the room once every last cultivator had settled into their seats and had been given the chance to get a cup of tea, "The reason we've summoned you all here. I'm sure you've all heard rumours of increased activity of resentful energy around the cultivation world once more."
"We have," He Zongzhu said, "But was that not expected when the Nie sect wields a powerful tool of resentful energy and refuses to give it up."
"We've already confirmed that the tool has been destroyed," Nie Mingjue said, not impressed.
"So you claim," Qin Zongzhu said, "But you have not provided any proof of the matter."
"That is not why we are gathered here today," Xichen-ge said, and Wei Wuxian sighed.
He stood up and walked in front of the room, "Xiandu, I do no wish to interrupt, but I see that unless I present proof of the destruction of the Yin Tiger Amulet, this conference will not be able to move on and discuss the important matters that we've gathered here for."
He'd expected it when Lan Qiren told them that the conference would be called. He knew from the wedding that Jin Guangshan clearly did not believe him that it was destroyed, so he'd asked Nie Zonghui to bring the pieces from the Saber tomb where he'd left them. He'd return it after the conference, but with the resentful energy cleansed from it, it was nothing more than a rock."
"Xiandu, if I may, can you please examine the pieces of the Yin Tiger Amulet?" he asked, knowing no one would question a Lan to tell the truth and verify that there was no resentful energy lingering.
Xichen-ge presented the pieces to Lan Qiren who looked at the pieces thoughtfully, as he did a through examination.
"Yes, this matches the energy signature that the Yin Iron pieces have," Lan Qiren agreed, "But there is not a drop of resentful energy remaining in it. How did you cleanse it?"
"I would not recommend the method," Wei Wuxian admitted, "It nearly killed me, and no one should go through a similar process. The Nie weapon was only ever meant to be used during the war. We only took it out as our enemy was far too powerful and it gave us a competitive edge. However the war is over. There is no need for any such tools to exist in this world. It was sacrificed to end the Nie family curse. But the mechanisms to cleanse the Yin Iron pieces will be similar and hopefully can be done in a timely manner."
"Even though attempting to do so almost killed you?" Yu Zongzhu asked, and Wei Wuxian shook his head.
"We cleansed our tool in a moment of need due to internal affairs," Wei Wuxian said, not wanting to go into details, "However with the assistance of the Lan sect, I believe there is a far safer way to do so."
Nie Mingjue glowered at the sect leaders that had questioned them, "Has this assuaged your worry? Can we proceed on now that you've finished questioning the honour of my sect?"
Yao Zongzhu did not back down, "You have to admit that it is awfully suspicious that your sect happened to also own a tool that conveniently won you the war."
"Did we not all win the war?" Xichen-ge said pleasantly, "I wasn't aware the Nie sect alone were responsible for our victory. We all contributed, and we have all benefitted without Wen Ruohan in charge."
"Hear, hear," Jiang Cheng said in agreement, as he threw in his own support.
"Are you questioning if we should have introduced the weapon?" Nie Mingjue said, not impressed, "You were welcome to take on Wen Ruohan yourself, if you think you would've been able to have done it any differently. I do not remember the Yao sect offering much support."
Yao Zongzhu flushed, "You know we do not have as many resources as the Nie."
"And yet you question the resources the Nie offered," Nie Mingjue glowered.
Wei Wuxian watched as Yao Zongzhu backed down, clearly unwilling to fight it any further as no one else backed him up. Even Jin Guangshan who always had something to say on the matter said nothing. Instead, he looked at the broken pieces of the Yin Tiger Amulet, looking very much displeased.
As if he had been strongly hoping that Wei Wuxian had been lying about it's destruction.
Interesting indeed.
He knew Jin Guangshan wanted the Yin Tiger Amulet. But how far would he go because he wanted it?
"If we could get on with it," Jiang Cheng said, a bit annoyed, "Xiandu, I'm sure you called us here for a very important reason. Could you share it with us?"
He knew that Er-ge had probably already told Jiang Cheng why he was being summoned, but really it was more for the rest of the sect leaders.
"Yes, I do believe that would be wise," Lan Qiren said, gesturing to a few cultivators, and they immediately opened the door once more for Jiujiu and Shushu to enter. Alongside their prisoner.
"Xue Yang," Nie Mingjue said, looking at him very much displeased, "I see you have been up to no good once more."
Da-ge turned to face Jiujiu and Shushu, "Where did you catch him?"
"In Yi City," Shushu said, "He was there murdering the occupants and resurrecting their corpses to use for demonic cultivation practice."
"Like that's a crime," Xue Yang scoffed out, "Wei Wuxian did it and everyone praised him. They even gave him a fancy title. But when I do it, it's a problem, isn't it? Is it because no one adopted me into their sect?"
"He has a point," Qin Zongzhu said quietly, "We set the precedent. How can we punish one but not the other?"
"Didn't we just go through this?" Jiang Cheng glowered.
"He used it to fight other corpses and help us win a war," Da-ge boomed out, "Xue Yang, on the other hand, is using it to inflict pain and cause nothing but misery. That is not the same thing, Xue Yang. Do not try and pretend otherwise."
"And yet, would Xue Yang have made his own iron piece if he did not take the inspiration from Wei Wuxian?" Jin Guangshan asked.
"I never said anything about Xue Yang making an attempt at the Yin Iron," Shushu remarked, "Just that he was practicing demonic cultivation."
"Isn't it obvious where you were going with it?" Jin Guangshan scoffed.
"I would not have reached that conclusion myself," Lan Xichen said simply, "But perhaps your years of experience has given you added insight into the matter."
Or perhaps he was the one responsible.
"That does not change the fact of the matter," Jin Guangshan said firmly, "If we had been harsher on Wei Wuxian after his use of forbidden techniques, then there wouldn't be those today who are trying to imitate him."
"When have I used demonic cultivation since the war?" Wei Wuxian questioned him, standing up for himself, "I used it once to break the curse on Da-ge's family line. And all I did was pull the resentful energy poisoning them and purify it. I have never once used it for my own gain. I have never once used it to harm innocents."
"It is not up to you to punish those in other sects," Lan Xichen reminded him, "Wei Wuxian is part of the Nie sect. Neither the Nie nor Xiandu see any reason to punish him. And the Yin Tiger Amulet has been destroyed."
"As to your other point, Xue Yang has been practicing demonic cultivation since before the war officially started. We caught him when he slaughtered the Chang Clan. That was far before Wei Wuxian formed his own weapon," Jiujiu said gently, "He owned the piece of the Yin Iron far before. At most, Wen Ruohan could be blamed for his actions for giving him orders. But none of this is Wei Wuxian's fault."
"Fine," Xue Yang shrugged, "Maybe I did not start because of him, but you have to admit, he is inspiring. With his one tool, he took on all five pieces of the Yin Iron. Imagine how powerful his tool must have been. If he could forge one, I can too."
"I see there is no arguing with you," Lan Qiren cut him off before Jin Guangshan could go into another tirade about how this was all Wei Wuxian's fault, "You murdered people. Countless lives were taken. The Chang Clan. The monks at Baixue temple. The people of Yi City. And who knows what others were killed by or because of you. Your actions have been unforgivable and you show no remorse. Even when you escaped, you did not use the chance to become better or stop killing. You show no remorse for any of your actions. As your actions have harmed countless Sects, we will unanimously vote."
"He deserves execution," Jiang Cheng said firmly, "The Jiang Sect will accept no other punishment for his crimes."
"The Nie sect supports that punishment," Nie Mingjue said, "He has attempted to harm several of our sect members, and I do not trust him to reform or escape if he is imprisoned."
"The Lan sect agrees," Lan Xichen said simply.
Jin Guangshan looked torn, "The Jin sect agrees."
And something inside Xue Yang clearly snapped then.
"How could you agree with them?" Xue Yang spat out, "What, I didn't get you the Yin Tiger Amulet, and now you want to throw me to the wolves? You are supposed to get me out of this! You said I would be safe."
"I have no idea what you are talking about," Jin Guangshan said coldly, "Clearly you are trying to say anything to get yourself out of a sticky situation."
"You promised!" Xue Yang screeched at him, and Wei Wuxian studied Jin Guangshan's face carefully.
"Your tactic of blaming Wei Wuxian clearly failed," Jin Guangshan said simply, "And you sensed there is a bit of discord between my sect and the others. It is clear you are attempting to manipulate them into accusing me ,so I go down with you, Xue Yang. The Jin sect agrees with your execution. You are nothing but a criminal. And you deserve everything that comes to you."
Lan Qiren looked at Jiujiu and Shushu.
"We agree with the punishment," Jiujiu bowed, "He has harmed far too many, and I do not believe there is any salvation for him."
And one by one, the minor sects followed suit.
"There is no proof," Lan Zhan said into his ear, clearly sensing what Wei Wuxian was thinking. Just Xue Yang's word was not enough to accuse Jin Guangshan of anything. Especially since he was a sect leader. They could not so callously accuse him on the words of someone, especially Xue Yang.
"Take him away," Lan Qiren said then, "You will be executed first thing in the morning, Xue Yang. You will be given a last meal before your execution. Hopefully you can show repentance before then."
Xue Yang began screaming as he was dragged away by Lan cultivators.
"I thank you all for attending," Lan Qiren said with a nod, "I have some other matters to discuss while you are here. And I have asked the kitchens to prepare a meal for us all tonight."
"Xiandu is generous," Nie Mingjue said with a wry smile as Lan Xichen shot him a warm look.
"Xiandu is wise," Wei Wuxian said, and Lan Qiren shot him a stern but kind glance.
Lan Zhan bumped into him lightly, and Wei Wuxian beamed "Aiyah, Lan Zhan," Wei Wuxian smiled, as he caught his zhiji's gaze, "Do you think after this we can go see our bunnies? I haven't seen them in so long."
"Mm," Lan Zhan agreed, "They are doing well. Will show Wei Ying after this."
"I can't wait," Wei Wuxian sighed, knowing it wasn't long now until they would be together forever.