Chapter Text
The golden spirit butterfly flitted in an exhausted manner, struggling against the waves of water it had traveled upon its swift journey to Caiyi. It inherently knew it had to deliver the message spelled into it – perhaps a sentience that was only known to its caster – but it would not fail in this endeavor. It was bedraggled, having almost drowned as the leaf it had settled upon was carried from the northern reaches of the lands of the Wen downriver to the lands of the Lan. But it had prevailed and now seemingly shook most of the water off of itself and gingerly flapped its thread-like wings.
When it felt strong enough, it flew from the lake it had found itself in and made its way towards its ultimate destination. It flew high, letting the natural winds of the mountains buffet it closer and closer-
The butterfly shuddered and twitched, almost losing its spiritual nature as it passed through the wards of Cloud Recesses, flapping hard as it lowered itself and continued onward. It soared through the natural beauty of the stronghold of the Lan Sect, through the green rolling hills and down towards its destination – the hanshi located near a small deep pond by one of the many waterfalls of the Gusu Lan territory. A grove bamboo hid it from the lake itself, giving the illusion of privacy from the main walking paths it connected to, but it was nonetheless quite identifiable because of said bamboo grove.
The spirit butterfly hovered on the outskirts of the bamboo grove for a long moment before a hand gently curled around it and brought it close. Long, elegant fingers stretched out mere seconds later as the spirit butterfly rested against the palm and flapped its wings once.
It had reached its destination.
Lan Xichen watched the golden spirit butterfly flap its wings a second time before the message whispered with quiet power in his mind.
Wen Xu moves, my friend. He is not of a conciliatory mood.
Xichen stilled as the butterfly dissolved, having delivered its message. As the small wisps of the spell disappeared, he lowered his hand and pursed his lips, considering his options. The visit had been a long time coming, but there had to be a significance to it – something that tipped Wen Rouhan's hand to order this. Xichen thought hard, his mind running through the double lifetime of memories he had accumulated up until this point.
The Meishan Yu Clan had not reported any disturbances in the past year or so, quietly gathering information and sheltering the remnants of two once-powerful sects in its impenetrable mountain fortress. Not even the Wen Sect could reach them and Xichen knew they had thrown a lot of their cultivators at Meishan Yu in futile effort to wipe out the heads of the clans – only to fail time and time again. At least the immediate family and heads of the Nie and Jiang Sects were still alive by his reckoning. That much was certain.
Three major Sects of the cultivation world were left of the original five with the Wen Sect still ruling as Chief Cultivator. It would have almost been two major Sects if Gusu Lan had not bent the knee all those many years ago and its Sect Leader back then had not sacrificed himself to save his family.
Xichen knew as he still had nightmares of that day, leg broken and forced to watch as Wen ZhuLiu, the Core-Melting Hand, ripped the Sect Leader's core out, crushing it before the man was unceremoniously decapitated. His head was ordered hung at the gates to Cloud Recesses until the crows picked it clean. The Sect Leader's brother, Lan Qiren, was forced into seclusion by the Elders and control of the Clan and Sect was nominally turned over to Xichen by right of bloodline; though it was known that he was merely a figurehead. The Elders were the ones with the ultimate decision-making power and fear drove that – fear of the Wen Sect and of what they did to the clans who rebelled against their authority.
On the surface, Gusu Lan Sect was completely and utterly subservient, vassals to the Qishan Wen Sect. They continued to hold their year-long lectures for disciples not of their sect, went on night hunts to help the people and quell the resentful energy brought on by non-cultivators. Xichen even attended Discussion Conferences held every six months to catch up with the minor sects and discuss new cultivation techniques, see the spirited competition between the disciples and even discuss new treaties and trade agreements. But all of these were under the watchful eye of the Wen Sect with a heavy air of deference and piety towards the Chief Cultivator and his apparent mercy in sparing the Lan Sect.
The lectures still taught good cultivation techniques and practices, but they included material from the Wen Sect's own teachings and were overseen by an appointed observer each year. The night hunts were handed down by the Chief Cultivator – many of them brutally hard and more often than not, a Lan disciple was severely injured in them if not outright killed. The Discussion Conferences' conversations were always mocking, the Wen Sect's words piercing with faces so thick that it was a wonder any sharpened sword could go through. The competitions held in these Conferences always had a Wen in the top two if not three.
That was the price Gusu Lan had to pay for the Wen Sect's mercy.
Xichen sighed, pulling himself out of his dark thoughts. Do not break faith, he reminded himself. The years had been dark, but there were bits of joy in it, even though another person could have found both the irony and the exasperation in it. A certain perpetual smiling demonic cultivator mentioned it once or twice in the intervening years. As much as Xichen would have loved to lay blame on Wei Wuxian, he knew he was equally culpable, perhaps guiltier than the man who had no golden core and was forced to turn to demonic cultivation as the only means of salvaging his pride, life and kind nature to help the people in this world.
It wasn't supposed to happen this way. This was their second chance, their opportunity to make things right. Their chance to saved the ones they loved, to prevent such tragedy in their lives. And for the last twenty years, it had gone horribly wrong. Do not break faith, Xichen reminded himself once more as he sighed and started to walk the familiar path to a certain part of Cloud Recesses. He had tread upon the familiar path for so many years, had stopped for the couple of years he was in seclusion, and started once more when he found – or more like it had been shouted at him rather angrily by a person clad in the purples of a certain sect – he could not meditate his own guilt, faults and blind faith in people away.
Those few years he had after were perhaps kinder than he deserved, but the gnawing guilt grew in him until the fateful day where the plan had been proposed – surprisingly accepted – and executed.
Only for the participants to see it go horribly awry in the scant couple of years they had before they realized that this whole thing with traveling back in time and trying to redo a better future, was perhaps the beginning of what one could call a mistake – but what their enemies definitely called opportunity.
To Xichen, it was not a mistake – even if his father died a second time around – there were people here that weren't in the last fifteen years. There were families still intact, albeit with some personality changes, but they were here. But most of all, he was still alive, untwisted by the machinations of a man who did not deserve the title of father for the many bastard sons and daughters he sired.
Meng Yao, A-Yao, was still alive, in a dangerous position, but one he chose willingly to protect those he loved. And Xichen could not have asked for a more beloved friend, a sworn brother, to do the work he clearly loved and thrived in. He could only nurture, support, smile and help A-Yao in the only way he knew how – by learning from him, from the years and years of experience he carried within him, two lifetimes, to ensure A-Yao and anyone else Xichen felt was dear to him, stayed alive through this nightmare.
Xichen was not proud of some of the things he had to do to ensure the safety of his loved ones, but given the fact that their enemies had a far more clearer advantage than the last time around, he would bend the knee, force Uncle into seclusion to save him from being flayed or thrown into Wen dungeons and pretend he himself was a figurehead Sect Leader; paraded around whenever the Wen felt like showing him off as an example to scare the minor clans and especially those of the Jin Sect – the only other major Sect left after the annihilation of the Jiang and Nie Sects years ago.
He had the few years since A-Yao's actual death in the original timeline to thicken his face enough to endure whispers, rumors and pity; such face helped in this timeline when they were caught off guard in this one. He also had – the kindness and support of his family to help him through it, even though he knew they did not like it nor could barely tolerate it – Wangji especially. But Wangji had his own mission, his own responsibilities and if there was one thing Xichen knew from both lifetimes, was that Wangji took his responsibilities quite seriously; especially when it involved a certain head disciple of the Jiang Sect.
Xichen arrived at his brother's jingshi in short order, the strings of the qin plucking the familiar melody of Cleansing into the air. A second harmonic pluck made Xichen smile a little and pause on the step for a moment to enjoy the melody for a moment. Though he knew it was not directed at him, it still soothed him to hear its effects for a few minutes before he sighed quietly and knocked gently on the door.
The second harmonic faded away immediately before footsteps approached and the door slid open to reveal Sizhui's gentle face. “Uncle,” he greeted with a short bow before pulling the door open further and inviting him in.
Xichen returned the bow and stepped in, his eyes immediately searching and finding Wangji still plucking away and the person he was sending the calming energies towards in a meditative pose across from him. Wei Wuxian, for a rare sight, was not moving, fidgeting nor being his usual playful self. Instead, he sat in perfect meditative pose, eyes closed. There was no hint of pain or crease around his forehead and eyes like the few times Xichen was used to seeing both in his original body and that of Mo Xuanyu, but there was the definite whiff of resentful energy that was faint in the air – almost masked by the incense of sandalwood – but there if one knew what it smelled like. To Xichen it smelled like the coppery scent of a sharp metal, not like blood, but a little sharper. He knew to others, it smelled like sulfur or of a rotted corpse.
He guessed that his brother and Wei Wuxian had returned perhaps a couple of days ago from their most recent trip. Sizhui moved around him and sat back down in front of his qin to continue playing the harmonics of the piece, sending even more spiritual energy towards Wei Wuxian to help calm his spirit and clear the resentful energy he gathered. Xichen watched with patient eyes as the piece slowly ended and let the comforting silence hang in the air for a few minutes before Wei Wuxian opened his eyes.
“How do you feel, Dad?” Sizhui asked.
“Better,” the other man still looked tired with red-rimmed eyes and sallow skin. However, compared to the fair amount of other times Xichen had seen him in the immediate aftermath of his missions, he looked better.
“Need twice more application,” Wangji murmured quietly as he stood up and crossed the short distance to help his husband up. Xichen turned his gaze away for some propriety at how close the two of them clung to each other and out of the corner of his eye, saw Sizhui also looking away, though with some pink to his cheek. It seemed his nephew did not turn away fast enough.
“Can't you wait? So shameless.” Sizhui muttered none too loudly.
“Aww,” Wei Wuxian suddenly appeared in their vision and ruffled his son's hair a little, making the young man frown and attempt to smooth his own hair out as he got up from where he had been sitting.
Xichen turned back, resisting the urge to roll his eyes at their antics. It had been a habit he had picked up in the scant few years after his seclusion spending time with the person that brought him out of his seclusion. In that timeline, Wei Wuxian had teased him endlessly about it and Xichen had no inclination of letting it happen again in this new timeline even though he found it appropriate at the times he thought his brother-in-law was being quite obnoxious.
“Xichen,” Wangji greeted, happy to see him even if his face did not quite show it. It was all in Wangji's eyes. Xichen was long used to reading the most subtle range of emotions that his brother was capable of expressing and was glad that in this timeline, it was still quite easy.
“Wangji,” he inclined his head slightly before turning to Wei Wuxian and also greeting him. “Wuxian.” Because in this timeline, Wei Wuxian had married Wangji a lot earlier and a lot younger, Xichen felt a lot more comfortable addressing him so familiarly where as in his original timeline, circumstances did not preclude such closeness. It was one of the few things he took comfort, joy and pride in – that he did not have to see his brother suffer needlessly from heartache and sorrow for so many years.
“How are the preparations?” He asked.
“We've finished clearing the perimeter in the eastern parts of the Mounds so there's more room to farm and plant if necessary. Barrier's reinforced too and a few fierce corpses under my control have been sent to deter any townsfolk from wandering in,” Wei Wuxian had a tired smile on his face.
“What's happened?” Wangji asked, his voice quiet, but serious. Even Sizhui had paused in trying to smooth his hair back to normal after being ruffled by his father.
Xichen knew perhaps once long ago, he would have hid his surprise, but it was what got them into this mess the first time around, so he instead addressed the three of them. “Wen Xu is headed to Cloud Recesses. Probably soon, if not already.”
“The fuck does he want now?” Wei Wuxian cursed, eyes flinty.
Even Wangji's expression was of a pinched fury judging by the slight narrowing of his brother's lips. Only Sizhui looked disquieted since he had only heard of the last few times Wen Xu was in Cloud Recesses.
“Isn't it enough he finds fault in each visit and the juniors pay for it?” Wuxian frowned, shaking his head.
Xichen smiled in a slightly conciliatory manner. “Fault is relative to those who witness it and the one who allegedly committed it.”
“Xichen-”
“It will be fine as always,” Xichen lifted his hand slightly to calm his brother down. He knew Wangji did not like what always inevitably happened after each rare visit from Wen Xu. “Are the preparations enough that we can move?”
The three looked at him with a degree of alarm before Wuxian snorted quietly. “So we're really, finally doing this.”
“Earlier than we like, but later than what should have been done years ago,” Xichen replied.
“Uncle?” Sizhui looked confused while Wangji merely nodded once. Wuxian was the only one grinning at him with a teeth-filled smile that was quite unkind. But such unkindness was not directed at him.
“A good thing too since I think I've figured out how I did mess up array,” Wuxian replied. “Though I suppose waiting four more years probably isn't advisable, right?”
“But it does pose the inevitable hypothesis of stability,” Xichen had to point it out and Wuxian laughed lightly.
“I remember this conversation,” he replied before pushing himself up from his meditative position and stood up. “Wen Qing's not going to like this, but I will convince her.” He hesitated for a second before shooting Xichen an unidentifiable look. “You should probably come to the Sanctuary...just, uh, you know...”
Xichen smiled slightly and inclined his head a little. “I will consider it.”
Wuxian rolled his eyes, a very reminiscent gesture that tugged at Xichen's heart a little for the familiarity of it. “Lan Zhan, Lan Zhan, your brother is way easier to read.”
“Mn,” was the only reply from Wangji.
“Take a few minutes to convince him. Sizhui and I will start gathering the others.”
“Mn.”
Xichen bowed to both Sizhui and Wuxian as the two of them left the jingshi, swords in hand – though he saw the familiar beautifully carved black dizi of Chenqing stuck in the back of Wuxian's belt. He turned back as he felt the barest shift in posture from Wangji who gathered up his qin and banished it from all eyes with a quick application of a talisman. It would only be revealed once needed.
“You are not joining,” Xichen eyed his brother who merely gave him a look, standing up and taking a quick look around the jingshi for anything that might be of importance or value that they did not collect.
“Why?”
“Wangji, you must lead them in my stead-” He sighed as he saw consternation pass through his brother's stoic features. “I am not to fall so easily, Wangji. But you must lead them. I will follow, but if the worse should come to pass, then you know what needs to be done.”
“I do not,” his brother was really not happy.
“You do,” Xichen missed the days where he was able to reach out to show physical affection to his brother, but made it so that his posture was open, caring and warm. “Wuxian knows what happened, but it is of good fortune that you do not. You are not able to potentially fall into the same traps that the three of us fell into.”
The small frown that graced his brother's lips deepened slightly and Xichen sighed.
“You will not fall into those same traps even if you did not know. You are still Hanguang-Jun and you will thrive and save everyone where the chaos is.” He did not need to add that even in this timeline, the Wen could not quite find fault with Wangji when he had marked skill. The only thing that they could do was attempt to lash out at those around him, but Wangji always managed to protect his loved ones and Xichen was right by his side smoothing the rougher edges with practiced diplomacy and tact. Xichen also knew that by extension this made his brother a greater threat and the few attempts to trap him – whether by killing him through proxies or otherwise – spoke of how feared he was to the Wens.
It was also why Xichen specifically ordered Wuxian to keep a lower profile whenever they inhabited their jingshi at Cloud Recesses. Not only because the Elders would more than likely attempt to punish Wuxian through Wangji again in this timeline, but also because of the secrecy surrounding his wanted status and the Wen observers sent to Cloud Recesses to keep the Gusu Lan Sect in line. There was no need to spell out that Gusu Lan had the most-wanted cultivator in the lands hiding right under their noses.
“You should visit Sanctuary,” Wangji suddenly said and Xichen blinked once. It was returned with the aplomb of a mutual stubborn look.
“It is best I do not,” he replied.
The barest twitch of an eyebrow was his answer and Xichen gave a half-smile to Wangji, disagreeing with the silent notion that he was a hypocrite. “He has his own life now, one I am not inclined to interfere with again.”
“Wei Ying has heard him ask after you time and time again.” Wangji eyed him and Xichen's half-smile became a full one.
“I am sure. And I have seen him and asked after him. But in this case, he is happy and so I am happy as well.”
His brother's eyebrow twitched again. You are oblivious.
Xichen tilted his head slightly. I am not. I know him and he knows me.
Wangji's lips twitched in reply. “Mn,” was the sound issued from it, but to Xichen, he knew it was a snort of disbelief. “You should visit Sanctuary.” You should visit before it's too late, before there are regrets. You should visit because I want a modicum of happiness for you my dear brother. You should visit because you and he have done so much for us and yet have little happiness for yourself.
Xichen exhaled. He honestly could only stand so much of an assault from Wangji until he gave in. In this case, he knew his brother would not relent. “I will visit if there is time after preparations are complete,” he eyed his younger brother who gave him the barest nod. The hints of satisfaction were on the corner of his lips and Xichen once again resisted the urge to roll his eyes. Two years after seclusion, and he picked up on one of the worse habits from the person that brought him out of his seclusion. It only took two years.
He really was too soft.
Xichen nodded in return before he took his leave, headed out of the jingshi and towards his next destination. Wangji would follow shortly, having his own preparations to make especially in regards to the branch families that lived in and around Cloud Recesses. Wuxian would handle the junior disciples, having led many of them on secret night hunts to train them up – all away from the Elders' eyes of course and always led by Wangji so that they did not have to lie if asked directly.
Xichen was halfway to his next destination as he heard the flapping of robes first before “Zewu-Jun!” was inevitably shouted.
He raised an eyebrow as the whirlwind of white-robes stopped before him. “Jingyi...” he warned.
“Sorry, Zewu-Jun,” the young teen sounded out of breath, having clearly broken two rules – No running allowed and No shouting allowed of the four thousand rules posted. “I was sent to let you know that the seniors are setting up the perimeters and the Elders have been notified. Lan Meiyun and Lan Zhouan are evacuating as many as they could to the Cold Caves. The Elders think its just a drill as every visit from the Wens and we have given them no other reason to think otherwise.”
Xichen nodded. It was not a lie, as lying was strictly forbidden per their clan's rules, but for all they knew it was perhaps just normal visit by the Wen clan to check up on their subservient clan and make sure all was in order. The only difference was hiding the movement of their plans underneath the visit.
He reached out and touched Jingyi on the shoulder, drawing a wide happy smile onto the young teen's face. He was proud of the young man he had helped raise. Jingyi's mother and father had died in one of the brutal night hunts they had been ordered to per the Wens' mandate. He was only eight when Xichen took him as his ward, raising him in place of his parents. Like the original timeline, he was happy to see that Jingyi became best friends with Sizhui and the two of them would inevitably lead the juniors on various night hunt missions. Jingyi was also behind a lot of classroom antics, especially towards whomever was the Wen observer of the year.
They were mostly harmless pranks in nature, reminding Xichen of the long-lost years of his own generation's classes at Cloud Recesses. He knew his ward was careful to ensure that the pranks did not draw too much ire from the Wen observer as Jingyi was well aware of whom his guardian was and the political situation from being the ward of the Sect Leader. It was a minor difference between the Jingyi Xichen knew from his first lifetime versus the second one – but it was small enough that Xichen could not fault the young teen for his caution.
“When you are done, go to Sanctuary and help Sizhui. I will follow when I can,” he said.
“Yes, Zewu-Jun,” Jingyi bowed and Xichen returned it before the teen scampered away – though walking as fast as he could without outright running.
Sizhui and Jingyi had been told parts of the plan, though only Sizhui was aware of the time traveling aspect – that was something he was sworn to secrecy and it was only because of Wuxian's insistence. That same knowledge was shared with their mutual friend Jin Ling and even he was sworn to extreme secrecy because of his position as Heir to the Jin Sect, but also because he was perhaps the most affected by the previous timeline's events.
Xichen watched as Jingyi's form disappeared over a small hill towards the back mountains of Cloud Recesses where Sanctuary had been carved and built. It was near the Cold Springs and Cold Cave, but far off the worn paths and hidden by layers of wards and spellwork that only the Sect Leader had access too. Not even the Elders for all of their power and guidance, could access without violating the privacy of such an area. The fact that it had been built near Xichen's father's original house of seclusion lent credence to the rumors.
He turned and continued to his next destination and arrived shortly. The White Frost Room was built like many buildings at Cloud Recesses, but this one in particular was the personal residence of Lan Qiren per his status as an instructor and Elder. When the lectures were not in session, Qiren had been mandated by the Wens to be in seclusion, taking no part in any affairs of the state of the cultivation world nor receiving any news or participating in the Council of Elders. It was the concession that Xichen had been able to extract from the Wens after a couple of years of seclusion for his Uncle – and an inevitable outcry from those who participated in the Gusu Lan Sect's famous lectures.
Xichen knocked gently on the door. “Uncle,” he called out.
The padding of feet was heard before the door slid open and Uncle stood before him, eyebrow raised.
“Xichen, what...” Uncle trailed off as his brows knitted together. He frowned. “Then it is time.”
Xichen's eyes widened in surprise before his Uncle scoffed and waved him in with a perfunctory nod of his head. “Uncle?”
“There is nothing to be said of eavesdropping when two young juniors tend to be so loud outside of my door interrupting my seclusion all these years.” Uncle did not look happy that he was trying to skirt the rules and instead, knelt down to pour him some tea as Xichen sat across from him. He accepted the cup with a brief murmured thank you and sipped it, enjoying its bittersweet taste. This batch of tea leaves were more than likely from the stash that Jin Ling had brought during his first ever visit to Cloud Recesses to study a couple of years ago.
“I apologize on behalf of Sizhui and Jingyi,” he set the cup down and bowed his head.
“Hmph,” Uncle grumbled. “It is a wonder no one else heard anything by how loud they were talking.”
Xichen laughed lightly for a few seconds, hiding it behind his sleeve before he sobered. “Then you know why I am here-”
“And I am not to be coddled and moved like I am a kind of delicate piece of furniture-”
“Uncle-”
“Nephew,” Qiren pinned him with a look and Xichen frowned. “You will need me here to make it look convincing. I will not have you and the seniors stand and hold the line while the Elders are in relative safety.”
“Uncle you are in seclusion. Wen Xu has never made it a priority to see you after...” he swallowed heavily, still finding it discomforting to talk about the immediate aftermath of what had happened on that fateful day. Cloud Recesses had been saved from being burnt unlike the first time around, but the cost had been high and Xichen was well aware of the damaged done to the minds of those who witnessed it. Even he himself was not immune to the nightmares that followed. If anything, judging by the nightmares Wangji also had, it was worse than being forced to burn their home.
“And if he does not, you will have my strength to help. If he sees me, he will know everything is as should be, Xichen,” Uncle stared at him straight in the eye. “We do not deceive what is in front of us.”
And yet, we engage in the creative of bending our rules , Xichen did not need to add as he sipped his tea silently. Judging by his Uncle's words, Xichen realized that seclusion had not tempered his Uncle's sense of the rules, right or wrong, but rather inflamed his anger at the blatant injustice of what the Wens had done in Cloud Recesses by breaking so many rules and not adhering to the courtesy of the Clan's way of life. To Uncle, his presence, whether or not Wen Xu came to see he was still in seclusion or not, meant it was a chance to enact discipline on the disrespectful cultivator.
And in that sense, Xichen could see how it could be construed as such – providing they end up surviving all of this. The Elders would question it afterwards, but the application of deft diplomacy would probably result in minimal punishment.
He picked his next words carefully. “Judging by the amount of rules you have perceived to be broken, what is your recommendation as an esteemed Elder of the Clan?”
Qiren's lips quirked up in a tight humorless smile. “Your gift of sincerity and words have improved greatly.”
“I learn from the best,” Xichen demurred easily. It was a lesson learned the hard way in his first life, the careful observation and study of A-Yao that he brought with him into this second life. It was still sincere – or at least as sincere as he could hope after so many years – with none of the deception and twisting that he knew he was incapable of. He knew his own faults and foibles, but he also still wished to see the best in everyone, even in those who called themselves Wens. Wen Qing and Ning, members of the branch families were proof that the Qishan Wen Sect was not wholly corrupt or drunk on too much power and authority. Even Sizhui was proof – though he knew Wangji and Wuxian would beg to differ and say Sizhui was a Lan and Wei first and a Wen in the tertiary sense.
“Make your preparations, Nephew,” Qiren set his tea cup down and leveled him with a look. “Do not worry about these old bones. I will not associate with the evil that is Wei Wuxian and his heretical cultivation and corruption, but neither will I stand for the undisciplined pride and arrogance that rules the Qishan Wen Sect.”
Xichen set his own cup down and stood up, clasping his hands together and bowing respectfully towards his uncle. “Then I will make preparations.” It was returned with a brief nod. Just as he looked to leave, Uncle's voice spoke up.
“Xichen,” the tone was something different than what he was used to hearing from Uncle. “If you feel the need to flee, do not worry about us. We have been proud of what you've accomplished for us and what needed to be done to keep everyone safe. Gusu Lan will survive and we will await your leadership as always.”
He turned back around and wordlessly clasped his hands again, bowing deeper than ever and holding it for a few seconds. “This humble servant will find a way to repay the failures and hardships endured by our clan.” Righting himself, he slid open the door to the outside world and stepped out, closing it behind him.
He took a deep breath and let it out slowly. It felt comforting that Uncle was staying, even though there was no fault to his reasoning. Xichen took another deep breath and let it out slowly, centering himself. There were still things that needed to be done before night turned into the morning. He supposed he would have to break part of his promise to Wangji to visit Sanctuary before Wen Xu arrived. There was too much to do.
Wen Xu arrived a little after six in the morning the next day, windswept and clearly angry. His loud, booming voice carried clear across the quietude of Cloud Recesses as he yelled at his retainers for the horrific weather delay that had prevented him from arriving in the middle of the night.
Xichen was already awake per the normal wake up time of all Gusu Lan members even though he only got perhaps three and half hours of sleep; dressed, eaten breakfast and was in the midst of walking around the grounds, when one of the senior disciples announced Wen Xu's presence at the gates. Another senior would be leading the Heir to to the Wen Sect to the yashi without having to make him wait for approval – one of the conditions of the vassalization of the Lan Sect.
There was once a time when the Wens demanded a jade token, but through rumors and pressure from the other cultivation clans, the request was eventually withdrawn. It was a small victory, especially when the Elders even seemed relieved that such an affront was not to be tolerated.
Xichen clasped a hand behind him, his other holding Liebing as he walked calmly to the yashi. He bent his head in greeting to the cultivators that came with Wen Xu, recognizing their faces as the man's personal retinue and guard. They nodded back, some still stoic after all these years while others responded with a little more familiarity.
He knocked on the door in polite deference to Wen Xu that he had arrived before opening it and stepping in. Xichen schooled his features into a neutral expression at the sight before him. The senior that had escorted Wen Xu in was on his knees with his face nearly touching the ground.
“Zhuwei,” he greeted kindly. “You may take your leave.”
“Zewu-Jun,” the senior immediately lifted his head up, red-faced with shame before ducking out of the yashi as fast as humanly possible without running.
“I didn't say he could leave,” Wen Xu eyed him, standing up with a sneer on his face as Xichen went around the table and bowed to him. The bow was returned as shallowly as possible without being impolite.
“Nonetheless, his duties are needed elsewhere,” Xichen replied mildly before gesturing for the two of them to sit. He set Liebing to the side of the table and poured tea for the two of them. “Zhuwei is also seeing to your retinue's comfort during your stay here. We wish to ensure our hospitality is not lacking while you are here.”
Wen Xu snorted as he sipped his tea. “Your hospitality is the least of your worries with all of your stupid rules and regulations. Why Father does not wipe them and wipe you off the face of the cultivation world is a mystery. I could order you to stay here to bow for forty days and nights and no one would bat an eye.”
“If that is what you wish?” Xichen met the sneer with a simple look of his own.
Wen Xu met his gaze for half a second before bursting out laughing. Xichen kept his expression neutral, blinking slowly as the other man slowly recovered. “Look at you, all obedient and so whipped. You're no fun anymore, Zewu-Jun. Are you truly deserving of your title at this rate? I only but have to say do something and you will do it. How much face do you even have left? It is a miracle that my Father has not said anything to keep you in line during the Discussion Conferences.”
He laughed, an ugly sound that grated on Xichen's ears. Arrogance is forbidden. Sneering for no reason is prohibited. Sitting improperly is prohibited. Do not use frivolous words. Do not bully the weak. Do not be greedy. Do not praise yourself to slander others. Do not take advantage of your position to oppress others. Do not exult in excess...
“Young Master Wen, may I remind you of one of our rules? Do not exult in excess?” He said with a faint smile on his face.
“Oh come off it,” Wen Xu snorted and waved away his words. “I am only pointing out the obvious. You would dare lecture me?”
“I only wish to remind you that classes are in session and we are still teachers of our clans and their mandates,” he replied smoothly. “We both wish to set examples to our juniors.”
“Yeah, I don't know what example you're setting, except that of a whipped errand boy,” Wen Xu laughed again, the same ugly sound.
Xichen had plenty of practice over the years of letting the words roll off of him and instead, set about pouring more tea for his guest. “Now, what can this humble Sect Leader do for you, Young Master Wen?”
Wen Xu stopped laughing and instead picked up the cup, staring at it before looking at him over its rim. “For starters, Father's decided that the heirs of the clans need some more indoctrination. It's been too long since the last one, and some of the smaller clans think they could rise up to challenge our positions. We're demanding that each clan sends its heirs and its top four junior disciples to Qishan for training.”
The most insincere smile Xichen had ever seen was plastered onto Wen Xu's face. “As far as I know, your brother is still the heir, right? Where is he? He normally would be wandering around here or nearby.”
“Hanguang-Jun has been taking up a lot more night hunts in recent years. The waterborne abyss has been an issue for us-”
“Ah, no, no, you're not asking if you can get rid of it. That thing stays in Biling Lake to remind you of our power.”
“As you wish,” Xichen conceded.
“Now, as far as I remember, the top four juniors-”
Xichen did not miss the emphasis on four. The obviousness of the word meant that the juniors would more than likely be taken hostage, kept for a while and summarily executed or experimented upon. Bodies would be returned with a perfunctory apology if any. Four was death.
“-Would be Lan Sizhui, Lan Jingyi, Lan Meifong and Lan Xingshu, am I correct?”
“Young Master Wen has been keeping a close watch on the development of the juniors of the clans,” Xichen replied carefully.
Of the four Lans, Meifong was the only female – separated per protocol in teaching, but nonetheless one of the top night hunters of the females. Xichen had the pleasure of observing her on the female night hunts per his capacity of Sect Leader and she was good, if not equal to Sizhui for raw talent. She scared easily like Jingyi, but when push came to shove, she was tough and willing to defend her fellow cultivator sisters. She would make a good political match when she came of age, though he heard rumors that she was quite taken with one of the outside disciples of the Ouyang clan who had come to Cloud Recesses to study this year.
To lose the top four juniors of the Lan Clan, or even allow them to come to harm would against the very grain that Xichen stood for. He harbored no doubts that Meifong would probably suffer a more horrible fate than her distant cousins and fellow juniors. The Wen Clan was perhaps the worse when it came to treating the female cultivators in their clan – worse than Jin Guangshan and his misogyny – and those outside it with harassment and manners unbecoming of gentlemen.
“So, where's that boy, Zhuwei? He can summon them and let's get a look at them. We'll leave with them right away. Send your dear brother along after he gets back all right? I expect him to be at Qishan in two days time.”
Xichen pursed his lips slightly before smiling politely. “Unfortunately, the juniors are with Hanguang-Jun on his night hunt.”
“Well, Lan Meifong is probably still here, unless she's at a night hunt too?” Wen Xu raised an eyebrow and Xichen demurred with a turned look.
“Of course. But please take into consideration that we do not mix the genders of our cultivators while they are learning. I will have to first seek out permission from the Elders before approaching their senior lady.”
“Boy, you and your rules! Don't you get sick and tired of them?” Wen Xu threw up his hands in a huff before rocking up to his feet. “Well, now, let's go then!”
“As you wish, Young Master Wen,” Xichen replied politely as he stood, picking up Liebing at the same time and gestured for the other man to precede him out of the yashi. Outside, the guards stood at attention and followed as they made their way to the female dorms. Xichen counted at least eight other cultivators around them besides Wen Xu. There were probably more waiting on the perimeters considering it seemed the heir to the Wen Clan was expecting to use a show of force to ensure he left with the disciples.
He led them down the familiar worn paths with a stately grace that was surprisingly followed by some of the Wen cultivators, but ignored by Wen Xu entirely. The man bounced from foot to foot, not in a reminder that was perhaps similar to Wei Wuxian, but rather in a manner that seemingly beget the arrogance and show of who held the real powers of the cultivation world. Once, long ago, it would have been an eyesore, a swift reprimand, and copying the Sect rules twice – minimum – while doing handstands. Now, it was just the loudness of his voice.
Xichen hid a smile behind his sleeve, pretending he was scratching an itch on his face, at the discontented murmurs of the other Wen cultivators around him. It was not the first time he heard it from the cultivators that surrounded the heir to the Wen Sect, but in the stillness of Cloud Recesses, it was louder than what would have normally been heard. Yet Wen Xu paid it no mind, his face so thick that it seemed utterly oblivious to the murmurs.
The flash of white caught Xichen's attention as he saw Zhuwei approach once more, his robes fluttering behind him. They stopped as he bowed towards them.
“Young Master Wen, Zewu-Jun,” Zhuwei finished his greetings.
“What is it?” Xichen asked mildly.
“There is a herd spotted in the perimeters. Do you wish for us to drive them out?”
“If they are bothersome to the practices. But please take care not to hurt them.” These were the coded words that he was waiting for Zhuwei or one of the other seniors to tell him. How many Wen cultivators were spotted around Cloud Recesses' perimeter.
“Unfortunately some are scattered, so I believe we'd only get a few at a time,” Zhuwei looked disappointed.
“Then please do what you can. Remember, treat them fairly,” he replied.
“As Zewu-Jun commands,” Zhuwei bowed once towards him. “Young Master Wen.” The older senior looked like he was about to leave before Wen Xu stepped forward.
“Hey! What's this about? You, little Senior, tell me what's going on?”
Zhuwei froze, looking a little bewildered as he turned around and hastily bowed back. He opened his mouth, his eyes darting towards Xichen who stepped forward.
“My apologies, Young Master Wen,” he said smoothly. “The training grounds are an open field, so we occasionally have animals wandering in and out. We try not to harm any herds that wander by as killing is forbidden in Cloud Recesses.”
“Bah,” Wen Xu waved a hand, “you and your rules. If there is a herd, then perhaps one could be spared, could it not? Zhangxi!” He called out and one of the eight cultivators that had been walking with them immediately snapped to attention.
“Yes, Master Wen?”
“Go with this little Senior to get us some meat. We're going to have a feast tonight,” Wen Xu crowed before turning to Xichen. “Your cooks know how to cook meat, right? I mean, it's not all just plain vegetables and that god awful bitter crap you pass as tea? That's clearly medicine.” The other man laughed, the same ugly sound. Xichen saw Zhuwei frown, clearly attempting to contain his anger at the insults thrown around and shot a small burst of spirit energy towards the senior to calm him down. He saw Zhuwei's eyes flicker towards him before the other man pursed his lips together, still angry, but nonetheless realizing that he had to bear with it for now.
“As Master Wen commands.” The cultivator bowed towards them before following Zhuwei.
“I want to see this deer, Zhangxi will capture,” Wen Xu seemingly rolled on the balls of his feet. “This will be the greatest thing yet today!”
“Would Young Master Wen like to wait back in the yashi?” Xichen offered.
“Nah,” the other man waved away his hospitality. “We can wait here. It'll be only a few minutes. As I remember, the training fields are not too far away from here.”
“As you wish,” Xichen replied, his fingers tightening around Liebing. It was not the ideal location, but it would do for now. Those who were prepared for battle got to chose their battlefield. While Xichen rather it be mostly away from the houses and buildings of Cloud Recesses, the training fields were perhaps the most ideal place.
They waited, the cultivators passing the time by shifting their feet while Wen Xu had started to pace. Xichen stood like a serene statue, waiting for the moment when the young master of the Wen Sect would lose patience. He felt a thread of amusement as his apparent unruffled state garnered some whispered admiration from the Wen cultivators, which in turn, made Wen Xu frown. The other man opened his mouth, looking to perhaps speak his mind again, before he closed it and sniffed, turning around and stilling himself as he clasped both hands behind him.
Xichen wanted to find some amusement in the one-sided attempt to apparently show him up, but all he felt was a hollow sadness. It was a normal feeling now, having felt most of it during the Discussion Conferences, but here in Cloud Recesses, it was perhaps laced with a bit of pity and sympathy for the heir of the Wen Sect. He always wondered if when the members of the Wen Sect who perished in the first timeline got their memories back up to the point of death, did they have any other plans beyond revenge and the oppression of their fellow cultivators. It seemed twenty years after the fact, it was not the case, and now were falling back into habits of old.
Something he knew he should probably meditate on and consider to further the resistance's goals. Still, perhaps it boded well for their efforts as it seemed the Wens may become complacent. Xichen wanted to avoid an outright war, even with all of the atrocities committed in the last twenty or so years. He knew the other man that had come back in time with him disagreed, but grudgingly admitted that there were perhaps far less deaths than this time around and the fact that there were certain people still alive in this altered timeline made the two of them appreciate the gift of life a lot more.
But they both agreed long ago when they first enacted this plan, that if there was no alternative, then war would be inevitable.
The sudden jerking of movement made Xichen glance towards Wen Xu in time to see the other man throw his hands up in frustration. “Where are they?! They should have killed that stupid creature by now!” He made an inarticulate noise of frustration and stamped his feet for a few seconds before storming off in the direction that the Zhuwei and Zhangxi went off towards.
Xichen followed as they crested a small hill that led down to the fields. He stopped two meters or so behind Wen Xu as they came upon the training fields. The scene before them was not so much a bloodbath, but rather a very one-sided fight. The Senior disciples and teachers that had elected to stay behind and provide a semblance of presence at Cloud Recesses had all but subdued twenty of the Wen cultivators that had been waiting at the perimeters.
“W-What...?!”
Liebing's clear note of warning rang out as Xichen lowered his xiao slightly. The seven cultivators that had been guarding Wen Xu were as still as statues, frozen, literally, to the spot. The temperature around the area had dropped by a few noticeable degrees and an unnatural frost was forming on the still wet dew of the warm spring morning. He saw some of the Lan disciples spring away from those they had been holding down by sword point before Liebing's spellwork could affect them. All good and well considering the note he blew crept along the affected meridians like a slow, freezing winter's day.
“H-How-?” Wen Xu was the only one who was not affected of the Wens that came. Xichen watched as he spun before pinning him with a frightened look before it was quickly replaced by fury and anger.
“I would not,” Xichen immediately advised as he saw Wen Xu reach for his sword. “Please do not make this more difficult for you or your cultivators.”
“W-What did you do?!”
“The meridians affecting their hands have been frozen. The effect will dissipate in a few hours, and they will be in some pain, but it is something our healers and a good application of their golden core along with rest cannot fix.” Xichen could see hoarfrost spreading along the skins of the cultivators he had frozen with Liebing's warning note. The cultivators affected looked like they were in some pain as considering their meridians were cut off in that sense.
“T-This...this is rebellion! This is-” Wen Xu suddenly pointed at him. “You cannot do this! M-My Father-”
“It is done,” Xichen pronounced with a calm air as he stared at the spluttering heir to the Wen Sect. “Please content yourself as our guest, Young Master Wen. We will provide you hospitality befitting your status. Your fellow cultivators will also be our guests.”
“You mean prisoners,” Wen Xu spat.
Xichen shrugged and leveled Wen Xu with a look that did nothing to hide his disdain and contempt for everything that had happened in the last twenty years or so. “I prefer guests, but if you wish to be treated as prisoners, then we will do our best to accommodate your preferences.”
Wen Xu spluttered again, his face turning red with rage as he desperately turned. The Lan disciples that had been freed of their duties to hold down the cultivators they had subdued all had their swords drawn, but no one made any moves towards the heir of the Sect, waiting for Xichen's order. He sighed quietly and stepped forward, startling Wen Xu who immediately back pedaled a few steps, but then realized he was moving towards the Lan disciples who were gathered and froze in place.
The other man's hands flew towards his sword, but did not draw it. Instead, his hands shook, making the blade inside rattle loudly against the sheath for all of the confined space sheaths were designed for a cultivator's personal sword.
Xichen held out his hand, a clear silent demand that Wen Xu hand over his sword in surrender, but the other man gritted his teeth and tightened his shaking hands on his sword. “Please do not force my hand, Young Master Wen,” Xichen started quietly. He did not exactly like to speak in such a manner, but when it came to the Wens, there really was no alternatives. They were a clan that dealt with absolutes and ultimatums.
“Y-You can't kill here-” Wen Xu stuttered and a few of the Seniors frowned, clearly finding fault with his words and the hypocritical nature of them considering what Wen Xu did all those years ago.
“You are correct,” Xichen instead, drew upon the patience and kindness he was known for and inclined his head slightly. “We cannot kill here, nor can we lie. Truth be told, I do wish for your death for my own revenge, but as we are in Cloud Recesses and as I am the leader of this Sect – which you have placed me in charge – I only offer you this one chance of mercy.”
He took a step closer and drew close to the trembling form of Wen Xu. He let his left hand rest against the pommel of the sword, forcibly stopping the harsh rattling sound with the barest application of his strength. Xichen slid his gaze down to the left, meeting Wen Xu's terrified dark eyes with his light golden ones. “Take this opportunity at a second life to reflect and meditate,” he murmured quietly so that the other man was the only one to hear his words.
Wen Xu's eyes widened in shock.
Xichen stepped back and extended his hand once more. “Will you surrender, Young Master Wen?”
There was a moment when Wen Xu's lips thinned in anger and consternation before he thrust his sword out towards Xichen. “As a guest of Gusu Lan, I hope to be treated with a hospitality befitting my station and request that the same be extended to the cultivators that came with me.”
Xichen took the sword just as a signal flare with the Wen crest suddenly flashed high into the air. All eyes turned towards the direction the flare came from and to Xichen's dismay, it was near Sanctuary. He turned back to see Wen Xu looking like he swallowed an unripened loquat.
“...Maybe not all...”
“Zhuwei,” Xichen tossed Wen Xu's sword towards the disciple who grabbed it and nodded once. He called to two others and the three of them mounted their swords and flew off towards the location of the flare. They would bring the message to cease whatever fight had broken out and let all know that Wen Xu had surrendered.
“How many total?”
Wen Xu looked around at the other Wen cultivators still frozen in place. “Seventeen others,” the man muttered. We had them move towards the back near your Cold Springs or something like that.”
“Hong Rui, Liu Jiyi, please let Zhuwei know of the situation and to direct efforts towards guiding the others back here if not to the south dorms.”
“Sect Leader-”
Xichen merely gave them a look and the two senior disciples nodded before flying away on their swords. Though they were not immediate members of the Lan Clan, they were still senior enough that they were considered Lan like Su Minshan once had been before he broke away to form his own clan. That was one of the few things Xichen could not prevent this time around, even with the kindness he showed to the other man. His jealousy and perceived hatred of Wangji eclipsed whatever kindness shown. The only saving grace was that this time around, Xichen made sure no one easily got access to the Forbidden Library and its dangerous works.
However, if his dates were correct, they were running up against another deadline and Xichen was hoping that their efforts this time around was enough to prevent certain tragedies from happening. The first step was this: subduing the Wens without much violence unless absolutely necessary. Wen Xu surrendering was a good first step; perhaps the easiest considering that it was the Second Young Master Wen Chao they had the most to worry about and then Sect Leader Wen Rouhan.
Wen Xu died too early in the original Sunshot Campaign to really be much of a threat when it came to dual-lifetime knowledge. Wen Chao, for all of his blubbering and arrogance, was actually intelligent if he put his mind to it and had died later than his older brother – enough for his dual-lifetime knowledge to be a genuine threat. As for Wen Rouhan, he was the unknown quantity, even with the intelligence they had from his inner circle. Xichen dared not to press much, considering the source, but even he could not help but worry.
Xichen sighed quietly and started to delegate the disciples that were around into herding the Wens that were not frozen to the south dorms where they would be under house arrest. Those that were frozen were guarded by a few until the spell wore off and another was sent to alert the healers of what had happened. Two more were sent to the Cold Caves to let the rest of the Clan, including the Elders, know it was safe to come back out.
Wen Xu was escorted by two disciples to a guest house where it would be guarded day and night to ensure he was compliant. Xichen watched as the heir to the Wen Sect was led away before he turned and headed towards the White Frost room.
The sun had already risen by several centimeters and classes would have started if they were in session. Nonetheless, Xichen knocked once on the doors to the White Frost Room and received a polite, gruff 'enter'. He slid the door open and greeted Uncle with a short bow, Liebing held in front of him.
“If one did not hear the warning note across Cloud Recesses, the evidence of vapors and residual spiritual energy tells me you used it,” Uncle gestured for him to sit and poured him some tea.
Xichen set his xiao down onto the table and sipped the tea instead. “Wen Xu surrendered as did the others he brought with him.” He set his cup down and smiled slightly. “I would like to think you would want the honor of teaching them with the others. They will be a bit late to the curriculum, but I am sure an applicable measure of discipline and study sessions in lieu of some of the other more...physical exercises the others go through would catch them up in no time.”
The smallest bark of laughter emerged from Uncle's mouth as he nodded once. “Reformation of the spirit and soul. You do credit to our clan and our ways, Nephew. Have the Elders been consulted?”
“They will once our conversation has finished,” Xichen replied. “I have no doubts they will agree with the methodology set in place. They will also agree to rescind this forced seclusion so you may return to your duties as our esteemed teacher.”
One pencil-thin eyebrow rose up in mild surprise before Uncle lowered his cup. Xichen watched him carefully as he read the myriad of emotions that passed through both the minute twitches of facial muscles and what was in Uncle's eyes. Consternation, guilt, sorrow, happiness, pride .
Uncle gingerly set his cup down, folding his hands together for a long moment before he spoke. “A-Huan-”
Xichen started a little. Uncle almost never referred to him by his birth name, not since the death of Mother.
“-if it has not been made clear to you, or even to the Elders, you have sacrificed much for our Clan and Sect's well-being. You have led us these last eighteen years with the deft hand of diplomacy, patience, perseverance and wisdom beyond your years. The Wen Sect will not take kindly to what has happened here. We both know war is inevitable, but the clan trusts you and Wangji to guide us through this turbulent time. Perhaps I have been too strict upon you and your brother, but I could never be more prouder of the men both of you have become – even if Wangji has taken up with Wei Wuxian much to my heartache.”
Uncle looked solemn. “The two of you will lead us in this war and you will return to us.” And I hope, you will return to me.
Xichen moved back a little and bowed, his head touching the ground. “We will return, Uncle.”
It took no time at all for the Wen cultivators to be settled in the south dorms, the families that had evacuated moving back to their homes in along with the younger disciples. Only the senior most junior disciples like Sizhui and Jingyi had not returned, having already heeded their orders to move with the others to their next base. The senior disciples set up new wards and cleaned up as best as they could. The bodies of the Wen cultivators that had attacked the area near Sanctuary and patrolled the Cold Springs were given funeral rites and burned. Their swords would be returned with a volunteer from the captive cultivators.
Wen Xu had not hesitated to pick out the cultivator in his clan to deliver the swords and news, but Xichen had seen the fear light up the woman's eyes. No amount of respite or words said could be said for the sacrificial cultivator. In two or three days time, Wen Rouhan would know that Gusu Lan was in open rebellion against Qishan Wen. The messenger would more than likely be killed for delivering the message, even if she was a Wen.
It was in the early afternoon that the Elders convened a meeting. Xichen had been meditating, catching up on the lost energy from the lack of sleep, when a disciple had been sent to find him. He thanked the young man and headed towards the Hall of Ancients where the Elders usually meditated. Beneath was the Chamber of Ancients, a repository of objects of value that were studied by their scholars or used in presentations. The objects placed there were communal in nature, but occasionally given to or for marriages, political alliances and so forth. It was normally at the discretion of the Sect Leader since all permission had to be given by him in order to access the objects in there. Some of the gifts given by other clans during their yearly lectures found its way in there, but more often than not, they were more of a personal nature and so the recipient kept the gifts.
“Heard what happened this morning.” The last voice Xichen expected to hear called out to him as he approached. He turned to see the speaker step out from the dark shade and bark of the blooming meihua. The heavy full-bloom of the tree's petals had deftly hidden the speaker from his view down the path.
“Jiang Cheng,” he greeted with his hands clasped and a respectful bow.
“Really? Still going to be so formal after all we've went through?” Dressed in the varying purple hues of the Yunmeng Jiang Sect, he had blended well against the dark brown bark and deep pinks of the tree's full bloom.
Xichen smiled slightly and felt himself warm a little from the teasing, but exasperated tone in Jiang Cheng's voice. “Forgive me then,” he bowed his head slightly.
“What's there to forgive?” The other man snorted in what could be construed as an undignified manner, but Xichen was long used to the sound as that of an embarrassed deflection. “You wanna be all formal fine, see if I offer my help with-” He waved towards the large building that housed the Elders. “-That.”
Xichen laughed lightly, hiding it behind his sleeve. It had been a while since he had last seen his friend. Jiang Cheng looked away immediately, cross his arms across his chest as he fiddled with bangle-and-ring that was Zidian . “I thought you left last night.”
The other man whipped his head back around so fast that one would have thought he had gotten whiplash. “Yeah, well, some idiot was asked to visit Sanctuary, by multiple people , mind you. And you didn't come. So someone had to come and make sure your stupid ass was in one piece.”
“I am so grateful to have Sect Leader Jiang's concern for my well-being,” Xichen teased and the other man spluttered, face turning a little pink as he looked away. He rubbed the back of his head for a moment before turning back.
“Yeah, well...someone's also gotta update you before you walk into that nest of vipers,” Jiang Cheng uncrossed his arms and stared at him. “We got everyone out. Wen Ning and I stayed behind to make sure we weren't followed, but some of the Wens that came in the morning saw the stragglers. Had to kill them – though not actually within Cloud Recesses' perimeters mind you.” He pursed his lips for a moment. “Sorry about that...I figured you didn't want them to die-”
“It had to be done,” Xichen held up a hand to placate his friend. “At least everyone is safe.”
“Your brother wanted to come back. Thankfully, Wei Wuxian stopped him, for all the good that idiot had done.” Jiang Cheng shook his head. “Then your ward got it in his head that you needed help and Sizhui pretty much nearly knocked him flat on his back until he gave in. That stupid talisman of my brother's is good for something I suppose. What is with you Lans and being all self-sacrificial idiots? I swear, Sizhui is the only proper Lan for not being an actual blood-Lan.”
“Jingyi is loyal,” Xichen was not surprised. Jingyi for all of his loudness and declarations was perhaps the most similar to Wangji in terms of sheer stubbornness. It did not surprise Xichen considering Jingyi was a branch member of the Lans.
“Hanguang-Jun and Jingyi probably stopped fighting when I said I'd stay,” Jiang Cheng groused, though it was without heat. However, he leveled Xichen with a dark look. “You know, you're even more trouble than you were before all this shit happened!” He took a step forward. “You better not think of martyring yourself any time soon. I didn't agree to or enact this plan only to see you fucking die because of some sense of stupid nobility and honor.”
“Never crossed my mind,” Xichen promised with a faint smile and three fingers held up pressed near his own shoulder in a promise. It was a reaction that was so automatic and familiar that the two of them flinched a half-second later as Xichen turned his fingers into a curled fist as he coughed politely into it. It had been one of the silly gestures of days long gone – of days after the events at Guanyin Temple. It had also been one of the unspoken rules between the two of them as they embarked on their respective missions in this lifetime. To not remind the other of what was past and more than likely would never be in this new timeline as they pursued their goals.
An awkward silence fell between the two of them for a few minutes before Jiang Cheng shifted uneasily on his feet, avoiding his gaze. He finally spoke. “I figured if you're going to talk to Elders, might as well tell them at least most of the story and how we ended up in this situation.”
Xichen nodded. He wanted to tease that Jiang Cheng knew him so well, but after his automatic response, he knew it would not go over so well. Instead, he said, “Thank you. I could not have done this without your support, my friend.”
“...Yeah.” The other man cleared his throat roughly, still avoiding his gaze before gesturing with a chin towards the building. “We going or you want to keep talking until we got nothing else to say to each other?”
Xichen couldn't help the faint that appeared on his lips. Even after living twice their lifetimes, Jiang Cheng still had problems expressing himself unless it was with acerbic words. Xichen gestured with an inclined head for his friend to join him on the path to the Hall of Ancients and heard the barest grunt of approval. It was a comfortable silence that paced their steps, though as they approached the doors, Jiang Cheng had the sense to keep a half-step behind per his capacity as an unannounced guest.
“Sect Leader,” A woman with more white than grey in her hair bowed to him and returned it. “Sect Leader Jiang,” the woman continued neutrally.
“Elder Lan Huixu,” Xichen greeted politely. “Sect Leader Jiang is my guest and required for this audience with the Elders.”
The older woman raised an eyebrow, glancing at Jiang Cheng for what seemed to be a long minute before she looked back.
“Sect Leader, it is highly...unusual...”
“Then please convey to the Elders that I am patient enough to wait on their decision if they wish to make it regarding Sect Leader Jiang's presence at this meeting.” The unspoken, I will not proceed to say anything else on matters that happened this morning hanging in the air.
Elder Huixu frown was rather pronounced before she pinched her lips together and nodded once. “Please excuse my presence for the moment.” She bowed curtly to him and he returned it with diplomatic formality as she opened the door and stepped into the room, closing it behind him.
Silence descended upon the cavernous hall, punctuated by the chirps of birds and the distant sounds of rushing rivers and waterfalls. Xichen heard a shuffle behind him and tilted his head to look back before Jiang Cheng cleared his throat lightly.
“Maybe...this wasn't such a good idea-”
“You've committed to many paths, Jiang Cheng,” Xichen interrupted softly. “Will you back away now when there is only one path forward.”
“...No,” was the stubborn, almost sullen answer before a loud sigh filled the air behind him. “Just...don't want to cause any problems for you-”
Xichen smiled, turning his head fully as he allowed himself the one vice he had picked up in the last two years of his previous lifetime and never seemed to get rid of. He rolled his eyes at his friend. “There are too many problems in our world to count this small one as such a problem for myself.” He shrugged. “Besides, I feel comfortable with your presence by my side. Your voice deserves to be heard as much as my own. This is not just my story to share, my friend. This is also yours.”
A flush erupted across Jiang Cheng's face and he looked away. “When you put it that way...” The other man muttered almost too quietly to hear except it echoed in the vastness of the hall.
Xichen shook his head and turned back as the door opened to reveal Elder Huixu. Her expression was neutral, but turned into a frown as she caught sight of Jiang Cheng's flustered appearance. She apparently decided to not ask if the Sect Leader was all right as she turned back to face Xichen.
“The Elders have agreed.” She opened the door and gestured for them to precede her.
Xichen tightened his grip on Liebing and strolled in, one hand resting against the small of his own back per habit and custom and walked towards the center of the darkened room. The actual meeting spot in the Hall of Ancients was built like a pagoda with a series of overhang structures that allowed the Elders to look down upon those summoned to speak with them in several layers high.
The doors closed behind them as he glanced up into the levels to see shadows of wizened old men and women staring down at him. The only time men and women of the Sect were allowed to come together – marriage being the other time – was when they passed a certain threshold of cultivation of their core. It wasn't immortality, but it was quite close to it. That was when it was decided, after thorough examination by the healers and an appointed Elder to supervise, that they could join the ranks of Elders to help guide and advise each Lan Sect Leader or any other member of the clan that wished their advice.
“Sect Leader Lan Xichen and honored guest, Sect Leader Jiang Cheng of Yunmeng Jiang, we were told there is an explanation for this morning's...incident involving the Qishan Wen Clan heir.”
Xichen took a deep breath, steeling himself before he addressed the Elders. “In two or three days time, Gusu Lan will be at war with Qishan Wen.” He paused for half a second, half-expecting a reaction, but when he merely got soft grumbles of discontent, he continued. “This was unavoidable and should have happened earlier if not for a series of mistakes, misconceptions and the selfishness of two people.”
“Selfish?”
“Selfish,” Xichen confirmed. “That of myself and of Sect Leader Jiang. Selfish in the sense that about four years from now, in another lifetime, we both made a wish and traveled back in time.” He looked around at the assembled Elders.
“This is that story.”