Chapter Text
The Cultivation world was hit with a major, heart stopping, shock when Nie Mingjue, Sect Leader of the Qinghe Nie Sect, announced that he had invited the Yiling Wei Sect to this year's cultivation conference. Many of the other Sect’s voiced their disapproval of Nie Mingjue’s choice but were ignored by the fierce Sect Leader.
Preparations for the Conference were made by Nie Huaisang, Nie Mingjue’s younger brother and right hand man, who was seen chuckling in manic glee whenever his older brother sent another disapprover packing. Few knew that it had been Nie Huaisang’s suggestion and careful conversations that had brought on the invitation of the Yiling Wei Sect.
The Discussion Conference approached quickly and the attendance for this year was astronomical compared with other years. Many wanted to see how it would turn out. Even Lan Qiren, who normally only participated when his sect was hosting, was in attendance, a frown featured on his face from the get-go.
Each clan and sect were announced as they came to Qinghe Nie’s vast banquet hall. Jin Guangyao and Lan Xichen and their respective sects were the first to be announced. With Jin Guangyao following behind Jin Zixuan, the new Sect Leader of the Lanling Jin Sect as of two years ago, along with the man’s wife, Jiang Yanli and their son Jin Ling. The Lan’s and the Jin’s were seated to the right and left of Nie Mingjue, a single row of tables between the Lan sect and the Nie seating area. Lan Xichen and Jin Guangyao sat closer to Nie Mingjue, who was their sworn brother and secret mate, than the rest of their sect members.
The Jiang Sect was the next to arrive and were seated next to the Jin Sect. Jiang Cheng greeted his sister and her husband politely and then proceeded to greet the other sect leaders present. Jiang Cheng had grown more mature and thoughtful over the years, his quick temper calming somewhat. He and the others shared pleasantries as more and more sects filed in and were seated. It was as the last sect was seated that the arrival of the Yiling Wei Sect was announced. Everyone tensed in anticipation, a tense and heavy air freezing most in place. Several moments went by, everyone staring at the banquet hall door, where six black robed figures appeared.
Wei Wuxian, the Yiling Patriarch and Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation, led the small group. Time had not changed him much in terms of looks but it had granted him a certain calm and steadiness that had not been present when he was younger. He still held a mischievousness about him that had many shivering in nervousness when his gaze was turned towards them. His long, raven’s wing black hair was pulled up into a high ponytail by a red ribbon with a gold and silver headpiece ornamenting and helping to direct the flow of his hair. The robes he wore were expensive looking with black being the dominant color and reds as the accents. The inner robe was a red so dark it looked like blood and the outer robe had simple yet elegant designs. Wei Wuxian held Suibian in one hand and many in the hall were surprised to see him with his sword, for many remembered the time during the Sunshot Campaign when he never carried the sword.* Chenqing sat innocently in the blood red sash around his waist; the sash had gold and silver embroidery depicting a yin and yang sign in the middle, a raven like bird with wings raised in flight on either side of the yin and yang sign.
The other members of his sect wore similar robes that were simpler in design but no less elegant looking. Those in the hall all drew a collective breath in shock, not because of the Yiling Patriarch or even the sect’s rich appearance, no they were shocked because of who stood beside the Yiling Patriarch ...Hanguan-Jun, Lan Wangji, Second Young Master of the Gusu Lan Sect stood proudly beside Wei Wuxian in black and red robes...Wait black and red robes? Thought most in the hall in bewilderment. Fore indeed, Lan Wangji, who had been missing for over 12 years, did not wear the distinctive white robes of the Gusu Lan Sect, instead dawning similar robes as those of Wei Wuxian’s, actually upon second look they were almost identical to Wei Wuxian’s. His hair was done in the same way as Wei Wuxian’s, down to the same red ribbon. The major differences being that where Wei Wuxian had gold embroidery, Lan Wangji had silver, and where Wei Wuxian had silver, Lan Wangji had gold. The only other difference was that where Wei Wuxian’s sash had two raven-like birds on either side of the yin yang sign, Lan Wangji’s had what looked like some type of large feline, like a snow leopard, on either side of the sign. The only connection Lan Wangji seemed to have with his past was the sword held firmly in his hand, Bichen, still sheathed in Lan white. The opposite coloration and overall similarities made them look like quite a pair.
Many heads turned towards where the Lan’s were seated gage their reactions. Lan Xichen seemed frozen in shock, a teacup raised halfway to his lips, Lan Qiren looked like he was about to go into Qi Deviation and the rest of the clan was switching between staring at their sect leader and their newly reappeared Second Young Master.
During all of this, the Yiling Wei Sect, led by a smiling Wei Wuxian, had made their way to stand in front of Nie Mingjue. All six, Lan Wangji included, bowed in unison to their host. “Wei Wuxian greets Sect Leader Nie and thanks you for inviting us!” Wei Wuxian greeted formally.
Nie Mingjue stood and greeted them back. When he rose from his bow he stated, “Greetings Sect Leader Wei. Greetings Hanguan-Jun, it is good to see you once again.” At this he bowed slightly to Lan Wangji, who bowed back, acknowledging Nie Mingjue’s words silently. “Please introduce me to the rest of your party?” Nie Mingjue implored Wei Wuxian.
Wei Wuxian smiled mischievously and gestured to a young man standing directly to his left and said, “allow me to introduce my head disciple Wei Yuan, courtesy name Sizhui, mine and Lan Zhan’s son.” The young man bowed in greeting as the rest of the hall was left yet again in a deep state of surprise.
Nie Mingjue recovered quickly, returned the greeting to the boy and said to Wei Wuxian, “I didn’t realize that you and Lan Wangji were Cultivation Partners, but allow me to offer you both congratulations and may I say that it looks as though you have raised a fine young cultivator.” The young man blushed and ducked his head, his long hair partially pulled up in a bun and the rest free flowing and almost hiding his face; much like his parents his clothes were black with red accents. Though the boy’s were simpler than his parents, boasting only the yin yang sign and no animals. His sword was held in his left hand and sported a red and black sheath and hilt with a yin yang sign above the sword’s name “GuiHun,” meaning Ghosts.*
Wei Wuxian chuckled before stating, “Thank you, Nie Mingjue, for your congratulations. Yes we’ve been cultivation partners for years now!” At this he looked at Lan Wangji, who nodded in agreement. Wei Wuxian’s smile returned, even brighter than before then he turned to introduce the next person. “This is Song Qing, my Shishu's, Xiao Xingchen and his cultivation partner, Song Lan’s daughter.”* The girl was slightly younger than Wei Sizhui, but not by much. Her robes were more similar to Wei Sizhui’s then her sect leader’s only her yin yang sign was done in black and white instead of gold and silver. The girl’s hair was held back from her face in multiple braids and two simple silver lotus hair pins, that which was not in braids was loose down her back. Her sword also sported a black and white yin yang symbol on its black sheath, above the sword’s name “Yě lián,” meaning Wild Lotus.* Her bow was elegant but people whispered under their breaths in confusion when they saw that her eyes were covered with a black silk ribbon. Wei Wuxian ignored the whispers and moved on to introduce the last two members of his party. He motioned to the tall male first and said, “this is Xue Yang, courtesy name Chengmei.” The young man bowed almost lazily. Unlike the rest of the Sect he wore no red on his person, only black and grey made up his appearance. He had most of his hair held in a low ponytail, held by a black ribbon, his bangs framed either side of his face. He wore his sword on his back instead of held in his hands like the rest, and the yin yang symbol on the sword hilt was done in different shades of black, above the name “Jiangzai.”*
Xue Yang moved closer to Lan Wangji as Wei Wuxian introduced the last of their party, “and this is Wei Qing, my adopted sister and healer extraordinaire!” the woman, previously known as Wen Qing, glared at Wei Wuxian for his theatrics then bowed regally to Nie Mingjue. Her dark grey robes hosted flying cranes in silver on the bottom and gold starburst on her blood red sash. Wei Qing’s hair was set in a similar style as that of Song Qing’s, with many braids, only hers was all braids and they were held together in a silver hair piece with two flying cranes embossed on its surface.
“This one greets Sect Leader Nie and apologizes for her didi’s theatrics.” Wei Qing said with a sharp look at Wei Wuxian when he went to protest her words.
Nie Mingjue chuckled in amusement before saying, “of course Lady Wei, I understand the actions of younger brothers.” He smiled at her in shared amusement then showed them all to the empty table between the Lan’s and their host’s seating. Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji shared the front table with the other four sitting behind them, Wei Qing and Wei Sizhui directly behind as the direct family of the Sect leader, with Song Qing and Xue Yang sharing the back table. Nie Mingjue returned to his seat and called for the banquet to continue and people slowly started to turn towards normal conversations. All except for the Lans.
Lan Xichen had recovered enough from his shock at seeing his brother to return the greetings of the Yiling Wei Sect before they sat down. Lan Qiren seemed to have turned inwards and was oblivious to the outside world. As Lan Xichen watched his didi interact with his family and practically ignore the Lan’s, he shifted his focus towards Nie Mingjue. Opening their mental connection as mates, he asked, “Did you know?” Meaning did Nie Mingjue know that Lan Wangji was alive and would be in attendance.
Nie Mingjue finished with what he was saying to Nie Huaisang, who sat beside him, before replying with, “No, of course I didn’t, I would have warned you A-Huan.” Lan Xichen nodded in reply.
Across the hall Jin Guangyao joined the connection, “Yes I think this was a surprise for all of us. Perhaps Mingjue can ask them for a meeting tonight and we can get more information?”
Both Nie Mingjue and Lan Xichen agreed with A-Yao’s plan and when everyone was getting ready to return to their rooms after the banquet finished, Nie Mingjue made his way over to Lan Wangji and Wei wuxian, who both agreed to meet in an hour.
Lan Xichen breathed a sigh of relief at their agreement. Placing a hand on his Uncle’s shoulder he guided him to a side room where Jin Guangyao, Jin Zixuan, Jiang Yanli and Jiang Cheng already waited. The other’s of their respective sects had returned to their provided rooms. A few moments after Lan Xichen and Lan Qiren were seated with the rest, Nie Mingjue and Nie Huaisang entered the room. Now all they had to do was wait for Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji to arrive...and the wait would be worth it, thought Lan Xichen.