For the purpose of this FanFiction – i will be doing my best to stay in the Universe as told by the Light Novel & Manhua *
Alternate title – MDZS2 return of the yiling patriach? MDZS2 unburied secrets
Mo Dao Zu Shi - Making Peace with Uncle - chapter 1
It had been three years since the events with Jin Guanyao at the Guanyin Temple.
The cultivation world had been in shock as the relevations had come to light regarding his behind the scene machinations and the true events leading to the death of the Chifeng-zun. During that time, the Zewu-jun: Lan Xichen the current Sect leader and Brother of Lan Wanji, the Hunguang-jun had been in multiple clan meetings with the other sect leaders as they came to terms with Jin Guanyao's betrayel and shame. The poor man had been still in shock, entering seclusion after learning of his dear friend's true nature – but the Gusu Lan's principles of perserverance & duty meant that he still took up his duties, in spite of that shock no more than 6 months after.
During this period, Lan Qiren – His Uncle, and respected elder of the Gusu Lan sect; maintained the duties of the Sect's home: Cloud Recesses. Life in Gusu was straightforward for the most part; with daily upkeep and care of the sect's home and the teachings of the next generation of disciples. If there was one thing Elder Qiren could say he had to complain about – it would be the existance and knowledge of Wei Wuxian, the Yiling Patriach, as his dearly beloved nephew's chosen life partner. (Lan Xichen hadn't even returned to his duties after his 6mth seclusion for more than another 6mths before Lan Wanji had returned back to Cold Recesses with the Youth firmly ensconce at his side. It was almost as if Lan Wanji had known exactly where the young man was to found after his freewheeling and roaming.) He couldn't comprehend it in the slightest. He'd known the boys were at odds with each other during their youth, training at Gusu, but he'd taken it as the antics of young men and the typical strife that came with growing pains – not something more!
It hadn't been till the events at the Nightless City and they had found Lan Wanji doing his best to share spirit energy with the battered Yiling Patriach to keep him alive, that Elder Qiren found he might have had to conside another possibility. He and the other Elders of that time had all been shocked when the consistently poised and respected Hanguang-jun had turned and fought back to prevent them from taking the Yiling Patriach. He'd originally thought that it was some curse by the Patriach making his dear nephew into some pawn. The Patriach hadn't even been thankful – harshly stating the words "get lost" at any comment made by his nephew.
Even after, Lan Wanji had taken his punishment as he had always done; resolute and silent. But he'd broken principle and fled his seclusion after the destruction of the Wen settlement at the Buriel Mounds. The Hanguang-Jun had brought back a strange child sick with fever – clearly in need of aid, so the continued punishment for breaching confinement had been light – but Qiren had been left unsettled by his nephew's change of personality. Doing things Out of Character... for the Yiling Patriach no less! But that was how it had always been between the two. After the death of Wei Wuxian, things had seemed to settle – his nephew roamed, settling chaotic issues and night hunts as he had always done. Cold and Austere like always... but both his Uncle and Brother could tell that Lan Wanji was not as he once was. Lan Xichen had suggested that perhaps he was seeking the Yiling Patriach as there wasn't any sign of any body or soul and therefore no confirmation of the man's Death. But Qiren felt that could hardly be the case. The two had been always at odds... but he supposed that wishing to bring peace to a fallen soul would be in Lan Wanji's righteous nature.
But one day, Lan Wanji had suddenly brought home a young man that had protested incessantly. Even to the point of taking him into his personal jianshi. The Man had been found to be a known cut-sleeve and a lunatic as well – poor Qiren had been at a loss. But Lan Wanji had shown a level of familiarity with the youth and duty of care, that left his uncle perplexed and shaking his head in confusion... but his nephew had seemed more enlivened than he had been since the death of the Yiling Patriach. So Lan Qiren had let things lie, even though the whinging yelps the youth made as he protested the rigid rules of the Gusu Lan sect brought back unpleasant memories of the former student Wei Wuxian.
It had always been one of Old Qiren's regrets, that the lad had never stayed long enough to have the strict Lan discipline driven into him. Perhaps he would have faced a different fate, instead of the one walking the dangerous Ghost path had led him to. But the Jiang Sect Leader and his young heir, Jiang Cheng had admonished the boy after an altercation with a fellow student; resulting in the promising young man returning to his home in Yunmeng. So Lan Qiren had never had a chance to straighten out the boy.
Later it had been revealed that the youth, Mo Xuanyu was actually the container of the revived Wei WuXian – causing the cultivation world to raise it's voice once again to urge for the death of the dreaded and feared Yiling Patriach. Instead of being sensible as he had been in the 13 years of Peace, Qiren's nephew had inexplicably followed after the Yiling Patriach and protected him. Accusations were again a fly and eventually the truth of Jin Guanyao's behind the scene machinations had come to light – giving rise to even more confusion as no one knew who was to blame or who was truly at fault.
As the corpse of Nie Mingjue, the Chifeng-zun and the corpse of Jin Guanyao was taken away, to be hidden and sealed, keeping the chaotic resentful energy contained within the bodies from harming others - the process of cleaning up duly took up the energies of those involved.
Lan Wanji & Wei Wuxian were often about and roaming and dealing with nighthunts and the like.
The Koi Tower Sect Meeting that Jin Guanyao, the Lianfeng-jun had once presided over gradually restarted. What had once been a yearly meeting between the sect clans had become a biyearly meet up after the necessary planning required during the SunShot campaign. With the fall of Jin Guanyao, his secret room that the sect leaders had once visited but briefly, had been inspected in depth. Jin Guanyao had been an intelligent and capable man. Perhaps his one failing was his meticulousness. The Man had kept multiple notebooks and diaries, hidden away in various secret places. As the contents of these diaries slowly came to light – more atrocities were found to cause outrage amongst his fellow cultivists. This had resulted in the Sect meeting between the various sects increasing to a quarterly meet up and it was found to be necessary to investigate all the past crimes that were exposed. The cultivation world – having been duped once by one so trusted, were of one mind to seek the truth once and for all.
This meant that Wei Wuxian's fate as the Yiling Patriach was still on hold, the various Cultivation Sects arguing greatly between each other on the fate of the resurrected soul. Some argued that dead men should stay dead and he was brought back via a forbidden array and should be ended once again. Others stated that his aid had allowed for a True Evil to be ended, as he had once aided with the Sunshot Campaign against villainous tyrants and that he hadn't done any harm after his resurrection – surely he had paid for his crimes? Other's feared the Yiling Patriach's rise to power once again as they only had memories of the terror he had visiting upon the Sects in the past.
A Truth they couldn't deny was that the Yiling Patriach had once again saved them and their Young Disciples in the Buriel Mounds in the Encounter with a follower of Meng Yao. Thus the meetings were spent examining the evidence left behind by Jin Guanyao and investigating the past events to verify that which had occurred.
It had been a sore point for some surviving sect members to find that the massacre of their clans in some cases, had nothing to do with the Yiling Patriach in the slightest. Jin Guanyao's records and diaries were quite detailed in his decision to eliminate one minor clan versus another. Some of the clans eradicated hadn't even been a threat or issue to Jin Guanyao – but since they had had a minor altercation with the Yiling Patriach, Jin Guanyao had used the incident to wipe out the family and throw further shade on the Yiling Patriach. Some of these survivors still argued that the Yiling Patriach was at fault for targeting them in the first instant – but other facts investigated and brought to light showed that the Yiling Patriach hadn't done more than a broken bone or caused the loss of face as punishment for the mistreatment the Yiling Patriach's People or the unjust harm of servants or non-cultivator families that needed protecting. As was the way of the Righteous. And he had only done damage to those deserving of such punishment.
The Lanling Jin Sect had hired culivators that specialised in treasure hunting to try and locate other hidden chambers – of which there were more that the Jin Sect had originally realised; leading to yet more records coming to light.
Most of the Sect meetings, Zewu-Jan currently partook in were involved in determining the next incident to be investigated for the truth. Groups involving multiple representatives were also still trying to locate more of the research grounds and corpse training grounds created by Jin GuanShan, Jin Guanyao & the demonic guest disciple, Xue Yang in their attempt to recreate Wei Wuxian's Tiger seal, his ghostly arrays and other discoveries. The self proclaimed Yiling Patriach disciples that had been collected by the previous Jin leaders were still relatively unaccounted for. Jin Guanyao had a record of those that had died or been eliminated in the course of researching Wei Wuxian's ghost path. Some records suggested that some had found their end as a part of Xue Yang's experimentations. But any and all, could be still a threat. For some of the eliminated clans, it had been found that they had nothing to do with either the Yiling Patriach or Jin Guanyao – the Lingfang-jun had simple allowed some of the so called Dark path disciples to lay waste and claim the petty revenge they felt they were due, as a price of their assistance in his search for a method to surpass or control the Yiling Patriach or his puppets.
The ambitious and malevolent plan of this one man to gain control of the cultivation world was in some ways more terrifying than that of the Previous Qishan Wen's tyranical reign.
Wei Wuxian did not attend these meetings – he hadn't since that night when his resurrection had been revealed. The man had said there was no point wasting time among people that did not wish him well. It fell on Zewu-jun to present answers on his behalf depending on what incident needed to be verified, but the space of time since his death made it hard for a resurrected soul to recall some events. Still the time spent verifying such events was bringing to light the fact that the feared Yiling Patriach hadn't done as much as he'd been accused of. Even during the years when he was at the height of his Infamy and most obnoxious.
When they weren't out roaming or partaking of night hunts – Lan Wanji & Wei Wuxian would often return home to Gusu. Even now as Qiren notarised the days event of Cloud Recesses, he could hear two soft voices of the pair on the soft breeze as they talked afar in his nephew's Jianshi. There was soft laughter amidst the murmuring. It was late, nearly time for the hour of sleep. Qiren cleaned his brushes and prepared for the night as a proper Lan disciple should do; but even after he'd doused the soft light of his bedside candle – he could still hear the soft sounds of the couple as they talked. At some point Qiren awakened to the soft yelps and pleadings of the couple next door – he frowned at the reminder of Wei Wuxian corrupting his dear nephew to the pleasures of flesh a mere three walkways away...
Why couldn't Lan Wanji have chosen a nice young lass? Or even a fellow Lan disciple? Lan Wanji choosing a male had been unsettling to Old Qiren, but not as unsettling to the old man's sensibilites or his sense of duty to his brother's children, than the idea of Wei Wuxian's visiting depravities on his dear pure nephew. The idea of the Yiling Patriach holding his nephew thoughtout a passionate night was a most disturbing concept for this poor old man. It would have been much better for Lan Wanji to have chosen a nice young lady as a partner rather than suffering the indignity of being held below Wei Wuxian...
The old man, did his best to settle to a night of sleep in spite of the uncomfortable reminders as the soft exclamations of arousal of the nearby jianshi murmured on the cold night wind of the Gusu mountains.
It was visiting day for Lan Qiren, as he traversed the hidden paths to the family range that the Gusu Lan Sect set aside for the wedded partners of Lan disciples and their children. Not all members were cultivators. A number were non-cultivating members of the populace – there was no disciple of Lan that would be disappointed in their child's path of choice (… unless perchance they chose to walk the Ghostly Path as the Yiling Patriach had done once before).
There were many Lan Principles that aided in this pleasant family scenario that was often not found in other homes:
do not disrespect the elder -
do not disrespect the younger -
do not make assumptions of others -
do not argue with your family, for it does not matter who wins -
embrace the entirety of the world -
do not look down on others -
judge people via their worth, not their status or situation in life -
Given his duties as the acting head of the Sect when his Nephew was away, Lan Qiren was a very busy man. Sadly this meant that his family time was limited to 3 or four visits a month. If Lan Xichen was at home to manage his duties as the sect Leader then Elder Qiren had the luxury to enjoy his time with his family more frequently. It had been that way even back when he was raising his two nephews; after his older brother had locked himself in seclusion for penance of his chosen wife's sins. Still, Lan Qiren's matrimonial situation was still a pleasant state of affairs, having chosen a very capable young lady from a merchant family. She specialised in embroidery and was a very capable and successful entrepreneur in her own right – essentially managing a thriving embroidery and weavers business, supplying skilled intricate goods via her kin folk at tidy profit. The duties of a merchant were just as numerous as the Sect Elder, so between the two they were able to reach a pleasant balance of each others responsibilites. Of Qiren's 6 offspring, only the 2 daughters had taken the cultivator's path in life. His sons had displayed various talents and determined choices in their path of life at an early age.
Gusu mountains was a cool weather mountain range, but it was warm in the connecting valleys – one son had found successful enterprise raising precious silkworms and mulberry trees. He helped supply high quality silk cocoons to his mother and the Sect (used for stitching the intricate arrays within their protective robes) as well as mulberry parchment for their record keeping. Two sons assisted their mother – one in weaving, the other had proven dexterity in embroidery and design. The last son had joined his mother's merchant family and served in their guild – traversing and bringing their goods along the trade routes to the various regions. Of the two daughters – only one had become a full disciple. The younger daughter had been of less spiritual capabilities and found more interest in embroidery anyway. She had combined the two paths to craft wondrous motifs, often infused with protective energy for wards and charms to be hung about the home. She often helped with the stitching of the protective arrays in the disciple robes when she wasn't working on her merchant goods.
All had found reliable spouses of their own and Qiren could look forward to the parental joy of multiple grandchildren.
When the Cloud Recesses had been burned – as per the edicts; the majority of the top disciples and elders had hidden their robes under plain clothes and led non combatant and non-cultivating personnel in evacuation and had headed to secure the various family zones that had been set aside for the disciples' dearest members.
Perhaps if those elders and advanced disciples had stayed and been on hand when the QishenWen sect had come to make an example of Gusu, the loss and burning of the the dearly beloved Cloud Recesses would not have been as severe. But the Gusu Lan Sect was one of the oldest sects in existence, with a long history to be proud off. In fact the currect emergency protocol in place existed due to trials and lessons learned early in their ancestors early beginnings back when they were building the Sect. Back then the records showed that during a feud with the Qinghe Nie Sect in the days when the current alliances did not exist - the leaders of the Gusu Lan sect had prioritised the defence of their home at the cost of the people and the library. The cost had been high and they had lost, at the time, about a century's worth of documents (some of which were still being restored even now) and the people – defenceless family members and loyal servants alike. After grieving for such a high cost, the leaders had rightly set an edict to ensure that should strife reach its dire hand for Cloud Recesses once again then; as they had in the more recent Wen attack, the disciples would prioritise the safety of the family zones and the library – for what was Gusu without the people one loves and cherishes, and the knowledge stored in their hallowed halls?!
Homes could be rebuilt, but the lives of their loved ones and the centuries worth of knowledge they were known for, could never be restored once lost!
He paused for a bit as he headed to his home. The late May breeze brushed past a handsome elder of looks in the in the mid 40s – no Lan was unpleasant on the eyes after centuries of good genes - In spite of his outward age, Lan Qiren was past his first century having reached Supreme Golden Core stage in his early 60s. He could spy the dark haired youth, Wei Wuxian lazing about on the meadow grass in a distance. Lying on his back, a leg crossed upon his knee. Wei Wuxian seemed to be at rest soaking up the soft sunlight. Qiren shook his head at such lackadaisical behaviour.
- Highly Improper! - The older gentleman thought to himself. By rights, only Lan disciples should be aware of these hidden paths to the family zones. Lan Qiren feared that Wuxian had shown himself to be a bright enough lad in his youth, that he had probably been able to negate most of the defensive illusion arrays that hid these paths from detection. It wouldn't surprise the old teacher, if the young man had managed to find most of these paths during his student days when he'd played truant during the old man's lessons. It was still a sore point that Lan Qiren had never managed to get through to such a talented and promising student – his one true failing.
No other youth had left him both perplexed and infuriated. Even now, the fool didn't consider retaking the opportunity presented to him and making an effort to Join in the Lan discipline lectures! It would go a long way to fixing his station in the cultivating world, if the youth used his second chance at life to return to the trusted path instead on continuing the crooked ghost path. And Learning of any sort could never be wasted. He'd been on edge waiting for the infuriating young man to attempt to lead their disciples astray; but nothing seemed to happen, if anything it seemed as if the man was doing his best to avoid the elders of Lan. Perhaps he knew he wouldn't escape any tongue lashing the moment he was out of line. Most of the elders still remembered the pain and indignity left behind when HanGuang-Jun had taken leave of his senses and attacked his esteemed Seniors. That grudge had them directing steely cold eyes at the weasel within their midst. Lan Qiren sometimes felt as if the young man was maybe purposefully behaving himself within Cloud Recesses, but that certainly couldn't be so – after all Wei Wuxian lived to cause havoc, no matter where he stayed!
Night had fallen, Lan Qiren had spent an enjoyable day helping around the home and playing with his various granchildren. About eight this time had voiced an interest in taking the cultivation path, 6 boys and 2 girls, so Qiren had spent most of the time explaining the preparation they would need to do to take the application and screening exams that the Lan Sect laid out when choosing disciples. In spite of the Lan's tough and strident rules none of his grandchildren had had second thoughts. Time would tell though as the minds of ladies and gentlemen no more than 8 and 10years, were apt to change as time passed. But for now, Lan Qiren could take pride as only a grandfather and cultivator could when learning that his kinfolk wished to follow his path.
He lay with his wife of many years, partially naked in the bed after a session confirming their ardour for each other still burned hot. For all the ascetic living of the Lan Disciples, once they had found their one & only, they tended to ensure that they made up for their years of abstinance (Gusu energy supplements made by the eminent medical practitioners of the Lan Sect were often highly sought after merchandise in the merchant world and indeed were a much needed boon for the non-cultivating spouses of disciples – less they collapse from their lover's affection). While she wasn't a sword cultivator, she was still a striking woman that aged gracefully and maintaining a healthy visage of late 30yr to match Qiren's outward appearance of mid 40s (in spite of the difference of their ages – Qiren had wedded around his 80th yr to his wife's 20yrs of age. His Brother. the former sectleader had found and married his nephews mother about 30yrs after). The secret tonics & elixers made in Cloud Recesses helped to keep one's age to match her spouse. Still, as could be imagined – though she had come late to the cultivating world, She was capable of some low level cultivation (indeed it was a necessary skill to maximise and activate the elixers for extending ones life that became essential for a Gusu Lan spouse) and was a successful Qi manipulator at the early foundation stage, easily keeping pace with Qiren's 170yrs.
Indeed aside from the various suppliments and elixirs, It wasn't uncommon for the partners and spouses of the Lan disciples to find themselves slowly walking the ascetic path unconciously as they strived to enjoy their lives with their dear ones. Madame Lan though late to the cultivator's path, was slowly taking hesitant steps in that direction, and even Qiren's son and daughter of the artistic bend may indeed might gain enlightment and develop the core of a cultivator at a later date (Qiren was looking forward to when that enlightment was discovered and already had celebration plans). Unlike the Sword path the strictures of Cloud Recesses were not as enforced for the Ascetic path; as the belief was that one needed to restrict oneself to ensure the righteousness of one's blade. After all the Ascetic path was one of self reflection more than the applied mentality of the more militaristic Sword Path.
As was the way with a couple of strong marital unity of more than 40yrs marriage, pillow talk was a frequent event in Lan Qiren's family home. Here with his significant other he could indulge in his petty jealousy and stubborn rants, relieving the stress of his daily duties at the Sect. He just finished ranted once again about the return of the Yiling Patriach and all the evils likely to be pervaded with such a soul darkening the auspicious Cloud Recesses.
Madame Lan Minghue(formerly Shan) listened to her husband's tirade once again. It wasn't the first time the man had bemoaned the youth Wei Wuxian. During his youth and especially after his departure of the Lan Teaching opportunity, she had listened to the concerned ramblings of the despairing scholar. Her husband was a good man, but his stubbornness was both his virtue and his failing. Still once he was willing to accept his errors he would go out of his way to make reparations – he might not apologise, but he would make amends. And for all his stubborn harangue, this old teacher was still concerned for his long errant student (even if he didn't realise it himself). She planted a kiss on the still firm chest of her husband "A student is still a student, Dear. I'm sure given time you'll get through to him, even if he is a grown man."
"Preposterous! The man never bothers to even try to attend a lesson. I'm sure he's planning some tomfoolery to distract the juniors and we'll be stuck having to hand out discipline again!"
His wife sighed, " I remember a certain man, mourning the death of another once; if I recall, he lamented that the 'failing of the student to learn is not the student's fault but the fault of the teacher that did not make the lesson worth learning', did he not?". Qiren spared a look at his wife before turning away. He had indeed said something to that effect once before (more than once actually). Wei Wuxian had been a young man of high promise and polished potential. In his heart when he'd chosen to be truthful in himself, he'd been somewhat jealous that the Jiang Sect leader had found such a rare gem to be polished. He was the son of the Cangse Sanren after all.
"I still don't approve of of Wanji's choice" he said, changing the subject, petulance in his tone. It was only here, with his dearest one that he could indulge in all his petty jealousy and essentially be just another everyday man. Lan Qiren the esteemed professor and guiding light of the Lan Sect; Guardian of its Hallowed Teachings couldn't possibly be anything other than reserved, strict and dignified. But he was a fellow human – and nothing seemed to spur his petty temper and anger none other than the rapscallion Wei Wuxian. "Even if Wanji had to take the path of the cut-sleeve, surely there were some nice young disciples here in Lan for him to choose from? Even in the other sects there's a few of those orientation? Why that troublemaker?"
Madame Lan sighed. She'd always been concerned for her young nephew. Lan Xichen was the more approachable and made connections with ease, but Wanji had always been stoic and hard to read. He'd never really acted like a child, far too mature for a mother's sensibility. Even her own children, try as they might, had found the young boy to hard to understand. Qiren had forgetten how elated he'd been when the two had begun feuding in their youth – the childish feuds had seemed like a glimmer of normalcy for Wanji to learn how to act like his fellow youths...
She recalled a memory when Lan Wanji had been but four, maybe 5 years old? In an attempt to try and make friends with his cousins, the young boy that hadn't know better had tried to bring a pet back for her son when the older boy had mentioned wanting to have one. The rule to not keep animals did not apply to the family zones. However Qiren had seem frozen when the boy had come home carry as strange curled up creature. She remembered Xichen has also been in shock as well. Her Young nephew had been non-existent for most of the day and she'd just begun to worry as to where he might have been, as none of her own children could remember if the awkward boy had been with them in their childish pursuits around the homestead. Both Qiren & Xichen had urged the young Wanji to throw the creature away. Qiren had grabbed a nearby billet of wood and rushed towards the young boy. The obedient child wasn't sure what the urgency was, but had dutifully tossed the creature off to the side. The older Xichen had been close on his uncle's heels, reaching forward to pull his brother away as the odd creature seemed to unravel itself. He'd tripped in his efforts, falling while pulling his brother atop himself.
The creature had staggered upright, shaking a little as it stretched out 7 spider like limbs. It was a creature known in the area as 'Devil's Hand', a strange kind of insect infested with demonic energy. Qiren had swung the wood in his hands to block the creature as it lunged forwarded attempting to jab the nearest living thing alongside of it, which happened to be the fallen brothers. Each and every one of the needle sharp 'claws' at the end of its feet were able to extract and drain energy & nutrients from out of its target's body, once pierced. As the closest single 'finger' pierced the wooden stave, Qiren had grabbed the two boys and quickly rushed them back to the house as the wooden stave had crumbled and withered away. In shock, Wanji had protested asking his uncle not to hurt the creature since his cousin wanted a pet. Qiren had scolded the boy harshly, more than necessary and shaking him half in fear and half in anger, startling the young boy that had not yet seen his loving uncle with such a terrifying face. "Little Fool! Are you trying to kill your cousin! That thing is not even an animal!" now closer to the house, Qiren had rushed to grab his blade as nearby disciples also visiting their families in the area came closer speedily, alerted by the agitated voices. The Devil's Hand had shaken the wood free and flexing like a skeletal hand, had started to scrabble speedily closer to the living creatures it could sense. Her older sons had, given their father's behaviour had grabbed various tools from around the yard: a shovel, a broom, a carpet beater and a hoe. They stood hesitantly unsure of what they could do against something that only their father or other adults could truly combat against.
But unlike Wanji at the time, her children were aware of Devil's Hand. Most of the nearby families that tended to livestock in the area were aware of the creatures. Singly as long as one was prepared, a single Devil's Hand wasn't too much of an issue – the problem was usually when you had a swarm which brought great loss to livestock. Usually facilitating a request to the Lan Disciples for elimination. The practice in the area was to dispose of the single creature when detected – as early as possible before they multiplied or alerted the rest of the swarm, but even the single insectoid was still difficult to dispose of. It's speed and agility making it difficult to land a truly damaging blow when you were not a Cultivator. The usual rule was to only face a Devil's Hand, five to one and even then it's draining ability and sharp claw tipped fingers would leave one with severe scars. As Qiren waited at the ready to face the creature, one of the yard's chicken flustered by all the commotion had run past the dark creature. In a flash the creepy insect had wrapped itself around the unfortunate bird like a giant skeletal hand as if strangling the life out of it – as it indeed was, all 7 needles stabbing deep repeatedly into its body. The sound it made was terrible as it flapped in desperation before drooping and collapsing in the yard in a very short amount of time. The Hand seemed to pulse as it drained all the energy and nutrients from its tragic victim. The Bird's body seeming to collapse in on itself. Lan Wanji had luckily carried it in a manner that had prevented it from being able to pierce him as he brought it to the homestead. He watched in silence, wide eyed at the fate of the poor bird, while his uncle and the fellow disciples took the opportunity presented by the distracted creature to strike a killing blow with their swords. Once assured of it's death, Qiren had returned – dropping to his knees he grabbed the 5 year old Wanji by his shoulders again. "Imbecile! What in the world were you thinking?! You've had those lessons! I've taught you before how to tell the difference between clean energy and dark! How could you fail in such a manner?!" The then younger sect leader had been too disturbed by his own fears at the potential loss of his brother's child to curb his admonishment in terms more fitting for a 5 year old. Dry eyed, little Wanji could only stare as if seeing a stranger.
"Uncle, brother only just finished that lesson – and he hasn't started dark creature studies yet" Lan Xichen said in a small voice as he tried to mollify the irate young man, staunchly defending his younger brother.
"That's not the Point!"
"Elder Qiren, Please calm down." this was one of the other disciples that had come to assist. His forehead ribbon was bare of the cloud motif, showing that he was one of those who had studied to be a disciple instead of being a blood clan member.
"Disciple Zheng, " Lan Qiren, had released his nephew to salute in gratitude for their assistance. The other disciple bearing a cloud forehead band had brought the severed creature and the pathetic remains of the semi mummified chicken with him.
"I don't think you are justified in being too hard on the boy in this instance, Elder Qiren"
"Explain yourself Lan Airu?" Qiren had snapped. For an answer the disciple had simply help out the dead animals for inspection. With the redirection, Qiren had calmed down enough to see the difference with a single glance. The mummified state of the chicken and the larger size of the Devil's Hand, as well as it's difference in colour to the normal creatures that the homesteads would look out for indicated that this particular Devil's Hand was a variant. Usually Devil's Hands were smaller, the size of two men's hands together about 20-30cm from head (the wrist like appendage that was uppermost as it scrabbled on its 7 fingers). This one was about the size of a medium cat, about a length about a 50cm, the finger like appendages of a thickness of a 2cm branch. Unlike the dark almost black, shiny beetle like exoskeleton found in the commonly found Hands, this was a dull smoky dark silver, textured like tree bark. Usually once the Devil's Hands had drained the energy & blood from their prey, they would often swarm and slowly flay the still plump flesh from the dead body, leaving behind nothing but a polished skeleton. Indeed some taxidermists made a point of visiting a small colony when they needed a clean skeleton for whichever lord had commissioned such a display. This chicken had been sucked dry, the flesh compressed and tight, looking aged as if dead for months.
Even the pieces remaining of the demonic animal didn't give off any of the residual energy typical of the species. Usually this species – previously a type of stick insect – became altered after becoming exposed to dark malovent energy, but the energy that could still be traced from the creature was a mix of the energy of its death and the death of the chicken, and what appeared to be the positive energy of the chicken it had consumed and it's own fading life. Clearly this creature was a mutant and very different to the usual Devil's Hands that the local farmers had to watch out for.
Now calm, Lan Qiren had hugged his nephew in relief, "Are you alright?" stroking and kissing the small boy. "I'm sorry I yelled, but that was very dangerous." Silent Lan Wanji had simply stared, blank faced and miserable. Qiren had kissed and hugged both his nephews, murmuring apologies and doing his best to both reassure and explain his actions. But as Madame Lan recalled, the damage as it were, was already done. Reflecting, Lan Wanji had been found prostrating himself in multiple deep bows in front of his uncle's jianshi and his father's. The disciples would find him in the library struggling to read through the beastiary which was written in letters too advanced for a young child. Her nephew had even kneeled an bowed to his aunt and his cousins on his next visitation, apologising in his soft voice. It had marked an indication of Wanji's manner for the future and he'd become even more stoic and rigid at an age that most children typically made havoc and cried, to learn about the world and their place in it. It was a memory that always left her saddened greatly, and Qiren was always overcome with guilt whenever the memory afflicted him. At the Sect, he always kept his emotions sealed with the typical Lan stoicism, but he would come home to mourn whatever hand he'd had in forming his nephew's easy acceptance for punishment. The memory coming to mind whenever he'd had to ordain punishment on his nephew as per the Sect laws.
Qiren wasn't aware, but Wei Wuxian had frequently traversed the family zones during his student truancy. Then and now. She hadn't found any issues with the boy back then. Certainly, he was an irrepressible scamp – that was a given. But Wei Wuxian had never been a bad boy – and Madame Lan prided herself on her ability to judge character (imperative for any merchant). Even in his youth, though he was flirtatious, frivolous and carefree, the boy never exhibited unpleasant traits. Always helpful and respectful to the common folk. There were cultivators out there that looked down on those that could not cultivate, the boy that would grow to become the Yiling Patriach had never been one of those.
Lan Sect principles forbad the speaking behind ones back, but she wasn't a disciple and gossip was the lifeblood of a merchant. At the time of the Yiling patriach's infamy, she'd shared the information found and acknowledged via the merchant network to her husband and nephew at the time. They'd been using that information to investigate and verify events, until the unfortunate events of the Quongzi path & Lanzing Hill had exploded and led to the eventual death of the Yiling Patriach and related parties. Hence she'd never veiwed the dreaded Yiling Patriach with quite the same horror as the rest of the world. For the rest, war made monsters of anyone that walked the sword path.
She still had the memories of the young lad, freely offering a helping hand to any that he passed – young or old. His charming smile left one pleased with his acquaintance long after his departure. Even now with his different younger face, Wuxian was a free roaming agent – always willing to rethatch a cottage, draw water or even hoe the earth. Unafraid of manual labor – some cultivators wouldn't lift a finger to stop a falling package. For the sake of her nephew, Madame Lan always kept an ear out for any gossip regarding the young man Lan Wanji had brought home. His ways were never likely to be Lan ways; but he was not a bad man and had never showed any behaviour of concern. And she'd never heard anything seriously bad of him. Before and after his return. Physical altercations could be viewed as justified as he was often giving aid to those being heckled unjustly.
"You know he visits the family zones frequently in his wanderings do you not?"
Qiren stiffened, a multitude of dire consequences running through his mind.
"The boy is fine, he hasn't done anything of concern"She soothed, "If anything we owe him thanks."
"What? What nonsense do you speak of?" Qiren was incredulous at the idea that anyone would owe the Yiling Patriach thanks for anything.
"Ah Fan ran into some trouble at the village" Fanxi was one of Qiren's granddaughters. A young responsible maid of 15. She often ran errands to the various villages – often assisting her mother by delivering her completed embroidery projects to their clients or their uncle's guild warehouse. As focused on her embroidery as her mother had been.
Madame Lan hastened to assure that his granddaughter was indeed fine, "Some travellers thought to mention her pretty face and make less than polite comments and proposals when she passed by them on the return trip. From what I understand that young man happened to be passing by and when no one else stepped up; returned some comments and proposals of his own." Lan Qiren could almost picture the flippant remarks and cocky smirk on Wuxian's face as he would have politely derided the fools to their face with a confident swagger to his hips.
"He left them shame faced and prostrate in the dirt after some dancing around and clever trip ups" his wife shrugged. "To be safe he escorted Ah Fan back home – he wasn't aware that she was my granddaughter, till they reached my door. I still don't think he even realises that we are your family. I'm just the nice merchant lady that he can sweet talk some steamed buns from for a smile." she smiled. " ...it was amusing, listening to him talk with the young ones when they clamoured for a story. They wanted a tale about the Yiling Patriach and his fall." Qiren stared, somewhat uncomfortable with where this may be going.
"He shared a tale, mostly the same as what is currently known – I think the only difference was the part about saving the Wen survivors from the Lanling Jin sect cativity. You've only ever told how he turned Wen Ning into the dreaded Ghost General." her tone was softly accusing, "the usual tale has him killing Wen captives to make his puppets. Not that Wen Ning had already been killed by Jin disciples because of the general distaste that was held for anyone belonging to the Qishen Wen, and the Yiling Patriach simply revived the already semi-dead man."
Qiren groaned, even he had forgotten the argument at koi tower that had Wuxian demanding the remnants of Wen to be handed to him, the tale buried in time with each retelling added embellishments to the story. "It's no longer something to worry about," his wife reminded him, "If they chose, the children would likely learn about it eventually. Especially with all the investigations occurring about the former Lingfeng-jun. They all pestered him with how he came to be friends with the Yiling Patriach and such. He was respectful of their age and the sensitivity of that conversation, he seems to be quite concious of that within the Gusu region – he made it seem as if he was a friend of Lan Wanji's friend who happened to know the Yiling Patriach before his death. So the grandchildren don't know that he's the actual Yiling Patriach, they're too young to add up the years. Ah Ting was a fire with questions about the ghostly demon path and why people would chose the walk it instead of the usual Sword path." Lan Ting was one of the younger grandchildren that had expressed an interest in cultivation when previously he'd wanted to be a cabbage farmer and grow gigantic cabbages. Qiren's brow furrowed with more concern.
"Even that young man pointed out that the Yiling Patriach wouldn't have walked the Ghost path if he'd had other options at the time. 'Who would walk a creaky old bridge to one destination and a chance of falling to your death, when a broad sturdy road with various destinations existed?' is what he said. He also pointed out that it was likely that the Yiling Patriach only had such success because he'd cultivated the true Sword path for so long and had a thorough understanding of his cultivation before that. Normally one was likely to die if one walked the Ghost Path. He even said the Yiling Patriach never took a disciple because the 'ghost path isn't one to be taken by the stupid!'. So don't worry, Ah Ting is afire to learn true cultivation so that he's smarter than the Yiling Patriach." She smiled, "So don't be so concerned – He not a terrible person or a stupid boy ." Qiren lay with complicated thoughts chasing each other in his mind. His wife's last comment was clearly to remind him that the Yiling Patriach wasn't the terrifying monster he'd spent so many years painted as. Even now, mothers were changing their admonitions from 'watch out or the Yiling Patriach will take you away' to 'watch out lest Smiling Meng Yao spins lies about you'. But such changes were mostly around Gusu and Yiling.
She chuckled, "He pointed out that they would have to be prepared if they cultivated in the Lan Sect as there was a scarey grumpy old man that would scold them for breathing and make them write out scriptures for anything he found wrong with them which meant they couldn't do anything remotely fun! Like running, or picking fruit or watching birds & flowers, or the clouds in the sky racing each other, so they'd have be prepared for such a grouch! It was so funny, since he doesn't know that we are your family in the slightest, so the grandchildren were laughing so hard at how he described you." Qiren didn't know where to look – he was an prestigious professor that families and numerous clan sects around, jumped at the chance to send their young ones to for schooling; and Wei Wuxian thought him nothing more than an old Grouch who's only goal was to scold people for no reason?
"That young man has no appreciation for the importance of education, whatsoever!" he huffed.
"He reminds me of my cousin, " Minghue half laughed, " do you remember? Ah Ping hated studying his numbers as a child (he only ever talked about how he was going to travel the world bringing all our wares to everywhere) until he came to understand just how important and necessary they were when travelling, for calculating food & fodder rations and such – then he asked you for schooling so he could catch up to his peers. I dare say Wuxian is similar; did you ever explain the point of your lessons and how they were useful in the practical sense?"
Qiren was silent – Lan Sect Rules were the epitome of life, how could anyone view them as useless? (but as much as he disliked his wife's reminder, in the quiet of his heart, he couldn't deny that while he'd explained such matters to other students that he'd trained, he couldn't recall if he'd ever done so with this cheeky truant in particular).
"Even I think you have too many stifling rules and it wouldn't hurt you and the other disciples to relax once in a while instead of being so rigid all the time. But I'm not a sword walker, nor am I a true disciple, I just meditate – I'm sure that there's a meaning to the Sect adhering to such rules for such a long time. But I am thankful I don't have to live my life hedged in by such rules. I've often thought that they leave you and your disciples lacking when it comes to understanding the everyday man. Compared to other cultivators; the edicts that you live by, make you the most approachable by far, and the most pleasant to deal with. But you and the other Sect members are still cultivators. I'm sure that there are plenty of behaviours that you find confounding among us non-cultivators. Wuxian seems to have more of an understanding of that than the regular cultivator – perhaps because he's the child of a servant and walks along both sides?"
Qiren remained silent. His wife Minghue, was a shrewd and clever woman; her merchant family being one of the few that granted a thorough education to all their members regardless of gender. She could pass as an elegant noble if she so chose, and indeed could have married into a noble family with the number of suitors she'd had in her youth. He always listened when she talked about the daily ins and out of the everyday people of the region, precisely because she was right. Lan Sect Cultivators never really understood the non-cultivating populace until they finished their graduation and headed out into the world to start their Roaming years. It was yet another lesson that could only be learnt during the experience of life. Lan Sect Principles merely hoped to create a base by which their disciples could stand steadfast and uphold their motto to be 'Be Elegant & Righteous'.
He hugged her bare shoulder slightly, granted silent acquiescence to her admonitions. He remained slient for a moment more before, " … I don't know how I'm to approach the boy" he sighed. "Even Wanji seems to keep the lad at a distance to me"
"So you've tried to talk to him? Not lecture?"
"...I'm sure I meant to talk... but the conversation waned and he's infuriating..." it was a weak excuse and Qiren knew it. He couldn't look at the man without a scold rising to his lips. All he could do was swallow his words in fury as Wuxian essentially fled his presence before Qiren could find something of fault to take him to task for. Of the multiple visitations to date; they'd exchanged actual words perchance three? Five times? Often of a cold and stilted manner on Qiren's part. Anxious and hesitant on Wei Wuxian's part, with his eyes shifting to the side as he sought the nearest exit away from a man that seemed destined to only see his failings.
"You've always said that the glory of Lan Sect teachings is that only the Gusu Lan temper decisions with information and knowledge rather than forging ahead and making mistakes fuelled on emotion like the Yunmeng Jiang or Qinghe Nie. Just talk to the boy... a clearing of the chest as it were?" Madame Lan sighed, " it's a pity you won't drink while in the Sect. I know you won't risk your reputation, but usually men share a cup to air their grievances and get to know one another better as alcohol helps to reveals one's true self... that or they usually have a fisticuff to take the mettle of a man. Though I doubt the esteemed Lan Qiren, Professor extraordinare could be expected to do so. It's a pity really – I know you can hold your liquor. Xichen took after you in your manner and your liver but I fear Wanji is too much of his father's son. Do you remember how your brother passed out from the single cup when he toasted us at our wedding? After all the shenanigans that happened then, we found him afterwards, sleeping on the roof and the cousins said after his 13 second nap, he supplied them with a sword dance display then a melody on the gugin while he sang of your vitality and prowess as a future husband." Minghue giggled like the young maid she'd been back then at the recollection. Qiren had smiled as well, Lan Zhan was truly his father's child – even to his stoic manner and inability to find the words to express himself. Xichen clearly had more of his mother in him. When they were visiting other sects and allowed themselves to indulge on the rare occasions, Xichen and Qiren could keep up with the best of the drinkers (though they only showed that side of themselves to those they truly trusted). Lan Zhan however, had his father's liver... and after that one disastrous episode of the past they'd both kept alcohol and Wanji separated.
Perhaps, a communal drink would have help break the ice with the Yiling Patriach... but as long as he was in within Sect boundaries, Qiren's pride and principles wouldn't let him even consider such a deviation. He was a Representative of the Gusu Lan Sect Principles and firmly believed in educating the next generation by example.
"Maybe take him for a meal, if not a drink?" his wife sighed as a exasperated suggestion.
"Would he even speak truthfully instead of his usual capricious rantings?" Qiren queried, a resigned defeated tone in his voice – he truly doubted that the Yiling Patriach could speak of anything serious for long.
"Don't you have those cultivation spells to ensure truth or something?" Minghue was starting to succumb to sleeps embrace, "Or are you worried that Wanji will lose his trust of you, if you bully his lover?" she yawned, slowly drifting off. It was the crux of his concern. When it had become general knowledge that Mo Xuanyu was Wei Wuxian and was looking to be a regular visitor at Cloud Recesses, the Lan Elders – especially the ones that had found themselves injured at the fall of the Yiling Patriach – there had been a general outcry to subject Wei Wuxian to the Song of Truth. But Lan Xichen and Lan Qiren had both hesitated. Both concerned on how Lan Wanji might react. The Song of Truth ensured no lies could be told, almost forcing the target to speak only truth but would cause a certain amount of strain on the receiver due to the spiritual pressure exerted by the practice. But Lan principles meant that they never cast such a song without the targets acknowledgement (only in certain cases would the Lan disciples violate the targets privacy and only when absolutely necessary). Lan Wanji was very protective of Wei Wuxian, almost to the point on never letting him out of his sight. Though their relationship bothered Qiren, he couldn't deny the care Wanji had for Wuxian; and if he was honest, he didn't wish to risk his relationship with his nephew if he found that his aversion was truly nothing more than petty jealousy.
"...if it bothers you, talk it over with the other elders. It's not like you to rely solely on your own self..." his wife murmured, before losing her battle and falling into a deep sleep.
Settling his wife, Qiren was still too full of thoughts to sleep and walked outside to think. Covered in a light sleeping robe, he could feel the cool late night air on his bare chest as he sat down on the stoop of their modest landing and looked upon the night sky. Their home, while simple lacked for nothing – made of sturdy wood and decorated with the Shan family guild symbol and the Gusu Cloud motif in intricate tasteful carvings. It seemed like a simple building at first but had the extravagance expected to serve an esteemed scholar and proficiant merchant. There were side buildings where his wife prepared and stored her crafted wares and taught their grandchildren and other Lan neighbors with an interest in the various thread craft. It was late spring - The half moon shone on the soft rolling greens that marked the valley where his family resided, dotted here and there with small holdings belonging to other Lan Disciple families. The verdant green was sometimes disturbed by farming plots or the occasional fence to separate animals. Killing wasn't allowed in Cloud Recesses, in respect to their ancestor's roots as a monk – but that didn't mean that they avoided meat. On certain occasions, when the edicts allowed; meat would be purchased for the night's meal to bring variety to the mostly vegetarian fare. They just didn't kill it at Cloud Recesses, usually they sourced it at one of the surrounding villages or from the family zone. It would be unthinkable to subject their families to the Sect asceticism when they weren't cultivating disciples themselves.
A few stars dotted the dark night sky. The quiet still air seemed to reflect his mood and his inhibition to come to a decision regarding the problem represented by the scamp Wei Wuxian. A part of him was afraid to face the truth of the Yiling Patriach. Was he a truly honourable person? Had he led his nephew astray? Was he as evil as they had believed all this time? Would he bring harm to Cloud Recesses as he seemed to have done to the Jiang Lotus pier? Would he lead the young ones astray? Was he just a pitiful old man, harbouring old grievances because it was easier than to face the truth?
The Sunshot Campaign had caused many to stain their hands, even Qiren had been on the front line – could he truly say the blood he shed on the battlefield was truly righteous? Would grieving relatives of the deceased come to claim umbrage from him as his brother's wife had once done? Qinheng-Jun had loved the woman at first sight, but Qiren wasn't sure if his Sister-in-Law saw his brother the same. His Brother loved her too much to let her die, but they'd found out later that the lady had sought revenge against the elder Disciple for the deaths of her father and brother. It mattered not that her family members had deserved their execution at the Master's hands, she had loved and lost and sought the Master's death.
Qiren hadn't approved his Brother's choice back then either, neither the marriage or his brother's choice to remain in seclusion in penance - not even seeing his erstwhile wife after their marriage as further self punishment. Lady Lan had relied on letters for communication to the Lan elders and only spoke to the female disciples that tended to the small secluded building in which she was hardly ever allowed out from. Did he feel guilt for not supporting his brother love life? He'd been one of the most vocal over seeking justice for the dead and had said many harsh words at the time. Over time he'd come to appreciate Lady Lan's qualities and perchance come to gain a greater understanding of the poor sinner after seeing her true joy and love for her children. At the time of her death he'd believed that she was at least appreciative of the Qinheng-jun's efforts and devotion.
But it was the children that had suffered for their parents choices. Many often confused the Twin Jades of Gusu as actual twins...but Xichen was from the consummation night of their parent's wedding. Indeed, it was only because of a letter politely requesting a chance to meet with her husband for the sake of giving the then 2 year old Lan Xichen a sibling, that the Elders had allowed it. Lan disciples usually had large families as the norm, it was one of the reasons that Cloud Recesses was always bustling and never seemed to lack for students. Qiren had once held a small hidden hope that perhaps at intervals his brother might at least have the semblance of the joy of marriage & family if the elders saw fit to grant more opportunities for at least more siblings... but when Lan Zhan had been three years old, his mother had suffered a bought of pneumonia during the winter – she had survived but had been rendered barren sadly, leaving that half faint hope to fade into dust. Qiren had never known how to view his brother's wife, he'd spent more time with her than her own husband had done – enquiring of her needs and doing his duty as the acting leader and obligated brother-in-law. He'd tried multiple times to at least get the Qinheng-jun to leave the seclusion Jianshi to at least spend time with his sons, arguing the case every time he brought documents requiring the Sect leader's signature. Lan Xichen at least, had the benefit of knowing his father for a short time; if only because as the Heir to the leadership, he needed to be aware of some of the Sect leader duties that were only passed on via verbal communication (Xichen had changed this practice, recording everything to be stored in the forbidden room, not wishing to run the risk of losing vital information if another attack caught them by surprise as the attack by Wen Xu had). Lan Wanji sadly, had never experience the pleasure of meeting his father. The Man had been in deep seclusion since his wife's death and truly it had only been the attack that had brought him out as the situation demanded, leading to his injuries and eventual death (Qiren sometimes wondered if his Brother had thrown himself recklessly into battle as a means to finally make peace with his Master's deceased ghost and finally join his wife's spirit) . He'd seen the man of course, Qiren and Xichen had pointed him out from a distance. But the Qinheng-jun was virtually a stranger to him. He'd found his nephew at times, lingering around his father's hut waiting silently, much like when he waited to be allowed to see his mother at their monthly meetings. Sometimes both boys would be waiting, hoping for a glimpse of their father.
One day when Qiren had come to deliver some scrolls for approval that truly needed the offical Sect leader's signature, he had found Lan Wanji practically in front of his father's door. But the Qinheng-jun had barely looked at his son as he received Qiren and his armful of documents and duties.
"At least smile at the Boy! He's your son!" Qiren had said in an outburst, unable to contain Lan decorum after watching Lan Wanji (no more than 7 then) stand with wistful eyes at his father through the gap in the door.
"...I cannot" Qinheng-jun had said after a pause, face like a rock, as stoic as his son had grown to be. "He is better without a sinner like me as his father"
"You are hardly a sinner" Qiren had argued
"But I chose a sinner for his mother, for the both of them...I can not bring her to harm, yet I can not bring her to justice for the crimes she commited"
"You're their father! At least spend some time with them! The both of them! They hardly know you!"
"It is best if they do not... You have raised them well, Brother. Better than I ever could have and... I thank you. Also for the care of the boys and … their mother. They are a testimony to You and I am proud of the both of them and who they will one day become" So saying his brother had saluted him and calmly sat down to attend to the duties of the day, seeking to clear them as soon as possible to return to prayer to atone for harbouring a sinner and to apologise to his deceased master. As he had done ever since the wedding.
Qiren sighed as these uncomfortable recollections ended. Was he simply aversed to Wei Wuxian's place in his nephew's life because of the similarities to his brother's tragic love story? He dearly loved his nephew, the pride of his scholarly career and genuinely wished for him to be happy. Wei Wuxian was the epitome of everything the Lan Sect did not do – the old man just couldn't comprehend how his nephew could be remotely happy with the man.
He found himself mentally reciting the the Gusu Lan list of Principles – Wei Wuxian had probably broken most if not all of them during his 6 month stay as a student...But if he was being honest with himself, he broke a fair number of those edicts himself whenever the Yiling Patriach was concerned.
- Tomorrow, I will discuss with Xichen and the Elders how to approach Wuxian for the Song of Truth- he thought to himself, sacrificing whatever hesistation came from his pride and making the decision to face whatever truths were sealed in the Yiling Patriach's forgotten memories.