This wasn't a joke.
Even if the idea of Lan Wangji, of all people, having an illicit affair was ridiculous and watching Lan Qiren spit blood then collapse dramatically on the disciples behind him was.
The cultivation world was upset.
Nie Mingjue grabbed his brother, forcing him to be silent before he could say anything more incriminating. This wasn't like the forbidden romance between Jiang Wanyin and Wen Qing. This wasn't some fanciful story of star-crossed lovers that could be resolved by a real explanation. Jiang Wanyin and Wen Qing had a chance, if she truly helped their side.
No matter what, Wei Wuxian was a demonic cultivator. As unjust as it might seem to Huaisang, it was more than enough for most of the world to condemn him. He would never stop being dangerous.
This was only buying him time until the next accusation of evil, until his next experimentation crossed another line.
Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji weren't star-crossed. They were doomed.
"Da-ge-"
"Don't, Huaisang." He shot a glare at Jin Guangyao, "Do something."
As annoying as his lying and manipulations were, Xichen needed it now.
~
Under any other circumstances, Jin Guangyao would have ignored his eldest sworn brother or feigned inability. This chaos, this defamation of character, was exactly what his father hoped for and a part of him didn't want to disappoint him. Besides, this was what the world always wanted, to see those in power fall in disgrace so they might have the chance to replace them.
Through the shouting of irate people, he saw how terribly sad Er-ge was.
He didn't personally care about Lan Wangji, but his pain was his brother's pain. He could never intentionally cause Er-ge harm.
Jin Guangyao rose from his seat, "Esteemed guests, calm yourselves. Let's be reasonable."
"Reasonable?" Jin Zixun raised his voice, "Hanguang-Jun has disgraced himself with the Yiling Patriarch!"
"Hanguang-Jun has done nothing but admit his devotion to Wei Wuxian," He corrected, dropping some of his politeness, "I believe we can all agree Wei Wuxian is not the same as the Yiling Patriarch, can we not?"
"We can," Nie Mingjue agreed, and a part of him preened at his words.
"Of course we can," Su She sent him an odd look, but supported him nonetheless, "We are all aware of how resentful energy corrupts the mind. This Wei Wuxian still does not know of the Yin Iron!" He got nods of agreement from some of the other minor Sect leaders, "The worst we can say is Hanguang-Jun is a cutsleeve, but it's not like any of us expected him to marry anyways."
There was the sly insult he was waiting for. There were worse things to be than a cutsleeve. If it were anyone other than Wei Wuxian, it likely wouldn't have impacted his reputation at all.
"I thought Lan only loved once," Sect Leader Yao frowned, "Who's to say he is not still in love with the Yiling Patriarch?"
"His presence here says he isn't," Jin Guangyao lied, "Just as Jiang-zongzhu chose his duty over his heart, Hanguang-Jun stands with his brother, not his love. He sits with his Sect, here, in Koi Tower, not with the Wen in the Burial Mounds. Even if he were still in love, it is obviously not enough for him to act on it."
"Is it really love if it doesn't last when the other is at their worst?" Sect Leader Jiang asked bitterly.
Jin Guangyao nodded in agreement, "Have we heard Hanguang-Jun speak in the Yiling Patriarch's defense? Has he thrown aside his sword and joined him on the heretic path? No, because he is everything his reputation says he is. If he were truly in love with the Yiling Patriarch, why has he done nothing to help him?"
His words were cruel, but hurt pride was easier to fix than a damaged reputation.
Hanguang-Jun stiffened, his eyes flaring with obvious anger. Er-ge reached out to stop him. For a moment, Jin Guangyao thought it wouldn't work, that Hanguang-Jun would say something to put him beyond saving. But Er-ge's eyes pleaded for restraint and patience. If there was one thing the Lan were good at, it was being restrained and patient.
To his surprise, Madam Jin spoke up, "We can forgive Hanguang-Jun a youthful fancy, can't we? After all, no one like Wei Wuxian has ever gone to the Cloud Recesses before."
Jin Guangyao was highly aware Hanguang-Jun was still hopelessly in love with Wei Wuxian. He was sure everyone else of importance from the major Sects was also aware, with the exception of his father. He exchanged a long look with Da-ge, who nodded in thanks. He'd bought them time. He gave them until Wei Wuxian returned from his disappearance a demonic cultivator.
"Love doesn't last long," Madam Jin continued, "When it is unrequited."
~
Jiang Yanli glanced sharply at her mother-in-law as she continued to soothe her infant son. Jin Ling had been behaving so well up until all the shouting began. She wished desperately to comment upon the situation, say something in support of A-Xian, but it was all she could do to keep her child from screaming his lungs out.
"Can we trust these memories?" Jin Zixun demanded, "If Hanguang-Jun is in love with him-"
"This wasn't Hanguang-Jun's idea," Her husband interjected, "This was Nie Huaisang's."
"I'm not in love with anyone," Nie Huaisang retrieved his fan, "I just want to know what happened. Besides…" His eyes sharpened, "I owe him a debt. He saved Da-ge's life at Nightless City...the least I can do is watch what he chose to share."
It was a not so subtle reminder that A-Xian saved them all.
"He killed members of my Sect," Sect Leader Ouyang narrowed his eyes.
"As many as he saved during the Sunshot Campaign?" Jin Guangyao wondered.
"Lives can't be weighed like that!" Sect Leader Yao thundered.
"Well if they can't," Her husband's half-brother approached the orb, "Please give me some warning before you condemn me for the lives I took to get close to Wen Ruohan." He picked up the dormant device, his eyes closing in concentration. After a few seconds, a vivid green joined the other colors in their swirl, more similar to Nie Huaisang's than his half-brother's.
"Sometimes to achieve great things, sacrifices need to be made," The youngest of the Venerated Triad tossed the orb to the oldest, "I can see now how much Wei Wuxian must have given up to become the Yiling Patriarch. If he did so to save us all, as I did, then perhaps he needs rehabilitation, not condemnation."
She wished she was closer to Jin Guangyao. He had such a way with words. He subtly commanded any room he walked into. It made her husband and mother-in-law uncomfortable. Sensing that, Jin Guangyao rejected her every attempt at socializing with him. He really did remind her of A-Xian sometimes. He was so eager to help, to prove he deserved his place.
He wanted their love so desperately, and she wished to give it. Sadly, she wasn't the person he wanted it from.
"You may have a point," Jin Guangshan mused.
"I would be more than willing to help my little brother," She spoke up, A-Ling fussing only a little in her arms.
She wasn't completely blind. She knew her father-in-law wanted to control A-Xian. Just as he dangled his approval before Jin Guangyao, he watched this projection looking for something A-Xian wanted enough to obey him. Hanguang-Jun wanted to save her little brother, but it was beyond his power.
There were subtle ways to influence Jin Guangshan. His eyes darkened with approval at her words.
"If he is worthy of such effort," Jin Zixun muttered, but fell silent.
There were no more words spoken of Hanguang-Jun's betrothal. Jin Guangyao convinced everyone else his love died when A-Xian turned to demonic cultivation. Those who persisted in discrediting Hanguang-Jun could not speak without insulting Jin Guangyao, which was foolish even if both of his sworn brothers weren't present.
Nie Mingjue adding his memories was all they needed to continue. His support was incontestable.
The attacks stopped, and together, they approached the altar.
Nie Huaisang fluttered his fan, keeping his thought that this was appearing more like a wedding than an engagement to himself.
He already got what he wanted.
His brother was so firm in his beliefs. It was why he got along with Er-ge so well. The Lan Sect rules were carved in stone. They were unchanging. Er-ge himself wasn't so rigid, but he was honest and forthright, which was enough for his brother. Da-ge could forgive keeping secrets, but he had his own ideas of righteous and just behavior.
San-ge didn't fit that. San-ge lied as easily as he breathed. He put on an act in front of everyone.
But sometimes lying and manipulation could accomplish more than straightforward action, so he created a situation to prove that. If there was anyone Da-ge would break his own rules for, it was Er-ge.
"I want to take a closer look and see what it is," Wei Wuxian said, "It won't allow strangers to get near it." He reached down a hand to touch it.
Lan Wangji stopped him with his sword, "Do not touch it. This guqin is a rare masterpiece and it is enhanced by power. It will attack anyone who is not a member of the Lan Sect. It must belong to an ancestor of the Lan Clan."
Wei Wuxian nudged him, "I just want to take a look, I swear not to touch it."
He tried again and was blocked again, "Stop it. Be respectful to the heirloom."
"How can I get a good look without picking it up?" Wei Wuxian complained.
"I have my way," Lan Wangji tugged him to the other side.
It was easier to see Wei Wuxian as someone else entirely from the Yiling Patriarch.
They could understand why Hanguang-Jun would love Wei Wuxian. He was bright, cheerful, funny, his opposite in personality but equal in cultivation. For all that he acted like Wei Wuxian annoyed him, it was an act. It was obvious to see now all the times he was just embarrassed.
As Madame Jin said, he was young, enraptured by the free spirit he'd never encountered before. It would die as Wei Wuxian changed.
After all, he was Hanguang-Jun. He was everything a cultivator aspired to be. There was no way he was in love with the Yiling Patriarch.
Lan Wangji took the seat behind the instrument and placed his hands in position to play. Wei Wuxian sat next to it as he played the opening to Inquiry. He withdrew after a moment.
"Ask the spirit," Wei Wuxian encouraged, "I have heard of the sorcerous act, a unique skill that only the Lan can execute. Talking with the deceased through strings." Lan Wangji glared at him, and he stood up with a nervous laugh, dusting the place where he'd been sitting.
As soon as he was standing, there was a response on the guqin. Lan Wangji stared down, "It's her."
"Who is it?" Wei Wuxian asked.
Lan Yi.
Lan Qiren forced himself to calm down. His Sect couldn't afford to lose more face, especially when it was revealed Wangji did not, in fact, stop loving Wei Wuxian, even after demonic cultivation ruined him.
He would assign a fitting punishment for Wangji's indecency later. How dare he bind himself to Wei Wuxian? How dare he bring someone like that into their Sect, their family? Without consulting him or any other? He didn't even ask for permission, he just performed the ancient ceremony. Wei Wuxian didn't even understand the significance!
He never stood a chance. Wangji was doomed to repeat all his father's mistakes.
Soon, Xichen would have to make the same choice as Jiang Wanyin. It would become impossible to protect his brother and uphold the values of their Sect, as was expected of his position. It might be expected of them to expel Wangji.
Lan Qiren wasn't sure what he would do if they needed to.
Suddenly, other voices could be heard, "The QishanWen. The GusuLan. The YunmengJiang. The LanlingJIn." The two of them moved between the instrument and the voices. They drew their swords, "The QingheNie. Kill the gentry and destroy the Yin Iron. Kill the gentry and destroy the Yin Iron."
"What are those voices?" Wei Wuxian asked as the chant continued.
"I do not know," Lan Wangji answered, "Be careful."
"Xue Chonghai, hand the Yin Iron over!" Someone demanded.
"It sounds like the Five Sects," Wei Wuxian commented, "They were trying to eliminate a certain faction. Yin Iron? What is that?" He looked towards his companion.
"I have never heard of it," Lan Wangji confessed.
It reminded too many of the Sunshot Campaign.
The Sects came together to fight against the one who abused the Yin Iron.
All lingering discussion of Hanguang-Jun's love life faded, everyone realizing this was it. This was the moment Wei Wuxian and Hanguang-Jun were informed of the Yin Iron. This was the beginning of the Yiling Patriarch.
As the chanting faded, they sheathed their weapons.
"The Yin Iron is cursed, not worth mentioning," A new voice said. They turned together to see a woman approaching the guqin. She sat down behind it.
"Lan Yi," Lan Xichen provided to the audience.
The Lan disciples whispered to each other. How lucky for Hanguang-Jun! He got to meet one of their esteemed ancestors in person! Lan Yi was well-known as the only female Lan Sect Leader. She was also the most innovative. Chord Assassination was only one of her many creations.
Then she disappeared.
If any of them had been asked who Lan Yi would appear for, they would have chosen Lan Xichen over Lan Wangji. Zewu-Jun was strict, but he was understanding. It was Hanguang-Jun who appeared uncompromising.
Now, knowing how Lan Wangji was in love with YunmengJiang's head disciple, it seemed fitting for her to watch over their union. Lan Yi would have seen Wei Wuxian as similar to herself. She would have fostered his creative spirit, encouraged him to challenge and strengthen their rules. She would make him feel less like an outsider in the Sect.
It was as much a pity as it was a surprise. None of them expected Lan Wangji to ever find love...
The scene cut away to Lan Xichen and Lan Qiren, "Shufu, it's possible that Wangji and Wei Wuxian are fine and that nothing happened. I have sent people to look for them."
"Wangji has always been diligent since he was a boy," He stared out into the distance, "He would never fool around like Wei Ying." Lan Xichen nodded, "Yet now, both of them disappeared in the Cold Spring. I am worried that…"
"Shufu, what worries you?" Lan Xichen asked.
Lan Qiren breathed deeply, "A storm is coming."
"They haven't been gone that long," Nie Mingjue frowned.
"Time passed differently," Lan Wangji answered.
"Like a dream," Nie Huaisang murmured.
It shifted to Jiang Cheng and Jiang Yanli searching the back hills. Jiang Yanli stumbled, and her brother looked to her with concern, "A-Jie, you stay here and take a break. I will bring some help and look over there." He led her towards some rocks and helped her sit down. Then he marched off.
"A-Cheng," Jiang Yanli panted, "Please find them."
"Be assured, A-Jie," Her brother didn't turn back, "I will find him and break his legs."
She laughed.
After a few minutes alone, she continued searching, but slipped on some rocks. She managed to fall into Jin Zixuan's arms, and they had a moment of eye contact before they both separated.
"Watch out, Jiang-guniang," He advised, then went back to his disciples.
Jin Zixuan blushed at his own awkwardness. This wasn't a competition, but he already felt like he was failing. Jiang Wanyin had already bought Wen Qing a comb. Lan Wangji literally tied himself to Wei Wuxian.
Would they have married if the war hadn't started? Would an alliance with the Jin even have mattered if the Jiang were already allied with Wen and Lan? Maybe his fight with Wei Wuxian wouldn't have been needed to dissolve their betrothal.
It cut back to the cave. Lan Wangji knelt, "Master Lan Yi," He bowed, "I am Lan Zhan, a descendent from the Lan Clan."
Wei Wuxian was shocked, "So, she is the one? The only female clan leader of the GusuLan, who created the Chord Assassination Technique, Lan Yi." Lan Wangji tugged on their joined wrists, reminding him of propriety. He bowed, "I am Wei Ying, a disciple from the Jiang Sect." He bowed, "Master Lan Yi."
"Why does this feel like a marriage?" Jiang Cheng asked bitterly.
"Because it is," Nie Huaisang unhelpfully answered, causing another bout of whispering to flood the room, "Belated congratulations again, Hanguang-Jun."
Lan Wangji just nodded.
Because he couldn't be bothered to speak. He didn't tell Wei Wuxian why he deserved to be beaten with the rest of them. He didn't explain the significance of binding them with the ribbon. He didn't tell Wei Wuxian he loved him. He didn't speak up for him beyond a few words when the Sects turned against him.
Neither did he, but Wei Wuxian knew they were still family.
Like hell would he allow the Jin Sect or the Lan Sect to house him in his recovery. He was coming back to Lotus Pier when this was all over.
Even if he was married to Hanguang-Jun.
She picked up a rabbit and petted it as they rose. Wei Wuxian smiled, "Master Lan Yi, so these rabbits with headbands were raised by you."
"They were here to keep me company," She said, "But my energy has been fading away throughout the years. They are too fond of playing and thus often come out."
"Master Lan Yi," Lan Wangji spoke, "The rumor was that you had passed away years ago. How come?"
"It must have something to do with the Yin Iron," Wei Wuxian deduced.
She looked up at him and sighed, "It was my biggest mistake in my lifetime. And I paid the price with all my power. I kept the Yin Iron in confinement." She held out a hand, and the Yin Iron shard materialized.
An untold tragedy. A secret known only to the inner family of the Lan Sect for over a century.
Hanguang-Jun being married to Wei Wuxian could never compare.
What was loving a demonic cultivator compared to a past Sect Leader attempting demonic cultivation? And a former Sect Leader of the righteous Lan Sect at that?
The two boys exchanged looks, "Master Lan Yi," Wei Wuxian started, "What is the Yin Iron, and where are the shouting and pounding noises coming from?"
"The seal is beginning to crack as the power gets weaker," She looked sad, "My energy is weakening and here you are. It may be destined."
Destiny?
Lan Xichen closed his eyes. This could not be their destiny.
Destiny implied this was unavoidable. It meant everything that had happened was inevitable. And maybe it was. With the release of the Yin Iron, tragedies were going to happen.
Why did his brother have to be at the center of it?
"Master Lan Yi?" Wei Wuxian prompted.
"Hundreds of years ago, when the Yin Iron was not in fragments and still whole…" She trailed off, "The Yiling Burial Mounds back then was a celestial land and Xue Chonghai was the most powerful cultivator. Hundreds of years have passed, still, nobody knows why someone like Xue Chonghai, who had everything, would use the Yin Iron to absorb grievance and resentment and use living people as sacrifices."
Power.
What other reason was there? Just as Wen Ruohan craved power so he could control the cultivation world, Xue Chonghai must have had a similar thought to Wei Wuxian. After all, if demonic cultivation could be used without harming the user, there was more resentment in their surroundings than could ever be harnessed in their golden cores.
Terrible things were always done for the sake of power and vainglory.
The cultivation world was a competitive one. Everyone strove to rank higher than others. It was inevitable for someone to cheat.
She paused for a moment, "He controlled an ancient monster, the Xuanwu of Slaughter. Blood was shed. Lives were taken. It was a great tragedy."
"So the Five Sects united," Wei Wuxian deduced, "They killed Xue Chonghai."
"Wei-gongzi, you are as smart as I expected," Lan Yi complimented, "Xue Chonghai was executed and the Xuanwu was put down. Dead bodies were everywhere. And Yiling, this once celestial land, became a massive burial ground."
No one missed the irony of Xue Chonghai's palace being the current residence of the Yiling Patriarch.
Nor did they miss the implication that to stop the Yiling Patriarch, they would likely create another Burial Mound. If he were truly evil, how could they hope to stop him? What would a siege cost them?
"Master Lan Yi," Lan Wangji asked, "What happened to the Yin Iron after that?"
"The Yin Iron had snatched and absorbed too many living spirits, their grievances were too heavy to be dissipated." She answered.
"Snatching spirits?" Wei Wuxian repeated.
Both Lans looked at him, the woman replying, "That is right. The Yin Iron was a rare treasure that was grown naturally. It was able to absorb energy from the universe. Yet Xue Chonghai fed it with living spirits, even cultivators. So the Yin Iron was filled with grievances and resentment. The change was irreversible."
"Later on, the Five Sects decided to suppress it, and thus broke the Yin Iron into pieces and placed it in different locations that are full of good energy," She continued, "To avoid anyone following the same fate, the Five Sects made an agreement and never spoke of the Yin Iron again."
An agreement that was now irrelevant, as all heard of the Yin Iron's power.
Its origins were a surprise, but a few took comfort in it. If Xue Chonghai could be forgotten in time, along with the Xue Sect, then so would Wen Ruohan and the Wen Sect.
"Do you think Xue Chonghai is an ancestor of Xue Yang?" Someone wondered.
It would explain how he knew of the Yin Iron when he was not tied to a major Sect. It also proved the Jin's persecution of anyone involved with the Yin Iron was righteous. Xue Chonghai was defeated centuries ago, yet Xue Yang only arose recently to commit atrocities. Would it be the same with the Wen Sect? If they let the survivors be, would they one day rise again?
"With all due respect," Wei Wuxian said, "If the Yin Iron can truly absorb natural energy, we may be able to turn it into something to put to good use."
"Wei Ying," Lan Wangji warned.
"I am surprised," Lan Yi stared at him, "What you said is the same as what I had thought." Wei Wuxian gasped, "Being a woman, even after I became the Lan Sect Leader, people never stopped criticizing me. We were experiencing a reconstruction of the Sect. For years, I tried to break the old rules and find ways to innovate."
She looked away, "All my life, I was fighting to revitalize the Lan Sect, yet I faced so many impediments and obstacles. Then one day, when I was having a chat with my friend, Baoshan Sanren, she mentioned the Yin Iron by accident."
"B-Baoshan?" Wei Wuxian stammered, "Master Lan Yi are you an acquaintance of Baoshan Sanren?"
Another allusion to his mother.
Jiang Yanli sighed. A-Cheng believed A-Xian took on this danger because of his obsession with Hanguang-Jun, but she could tell he did this for his mother. A-Xian felt no connection to his birth family. Of course he would seize something tangible at the first opportunity.
Lan Qiren's thoughts mirrored hers, and he felt slightly guilty. If he had told Wei Wuxian about his mother, would he have gotten more involved with the Yin Iron?
The spirit smiled, "She was my best friend, the dearest to my heart, but I…" She shook her head, "I failed her."
"Why do you say so?" Wei Wuxian asked.
"Ever since I learned about the Yin Iron, I could not sleep. I dived into the Lan Sect's book collections and I was able to put the clues together," She explained, "I found the place where the Lan Sect's ancestors stored the fragment of the Yin Iron."
She looked around, "Cold Spring Cave is full of natural energy. Cold streams of air from all directions merged and condensed into a pond of cold water that will never freeze. It was not only the source of the Cold Spring, but also the best place to seal the Yin Iron."
"So this is the place where you found a fragment of the Yin Iron," Wei Wuxian concluded.
Lan Wangji slightly frowned, "If the Yin Iron cannot be neutralized...Why did you want to find it?"
"I thought the way you did, Wei-gongzi," She answered, "I was young and naive. I ignored the warnings."
History often repeated itself.
Just as the Sects came together to defeat the Wen, as their ancestors had done centuries ago to the Xue, so were some destined to follow in the individual steps of their ancestors.
Except it was switched.
Wei Wuxian was Lan Yi in this, and Lan Wangji was Baoshan Sanren.
"The fear was it couldn't be controlled, it might control you instead," Lan Wangji said.
She looked down and sighed, "Baoshan told me the same thing, but I had always done things my way and thought to have a clear conscience. I thought I was doing the right thing. I wanted to promote the Lan Sect's cultivation and heirlooms. I ignored her warning and entered into the forbidden ground."
"Unfortunately…" She took a deep breath and shook her head again, "At the end of the day, I was wrong."
"What happened?" Wei Wuxian asked, "Did Master Baoshan know about this?"
Lan Yi looked away, deep in thought, "You can probably tell what happened next. I could not neutralize the Yin Iron. Not only that, I also made a terrible mistake. Once the seal on the Yin Iron breaks, it can never be redone. I tried countless times, and they were all failures. As a result, I was badly injured."
She paused again, "The Yin Iron was sealed here temporarily with all my energy and I can never leave this place." She set the rabbit down and placed her hands on the guqin, "For so many years, my spiritual cognition has been guarding this place, the forbidden area of the Lan Sect. Since then, no one dared to step in."
If Lan Yi couldn't contain it, what hope did any of them have? Destroying it would be harder than containing it...but no one could be trusted with its power. Even if they could trust those in the present, how many decades would it take for another well-meaning individual to inadvertently release doom on the Sects.
If it cost Lan Yi everything, what did it cost Wei Wuxian?
"How about my grandmaster then?" Wei Wuxian inquired.
Her hands drew back as she peered at him curiously, "Your grandmaster?"
"Honestly speaking," Wei Wuxian said as Lan Wangji looked at him, "I am Wei Wuxian. Although I was adopted by the Jiang Sect as a child, Cangse Sanren is my mother and Baoshan Sanren is my grandmaster."
She looked surprised, "It's been so many years." She smiled, "At that time, Baoshan Sanren had no disciples. But now, her disciple already has a disciple, and he stands in front of me." She shook her head, "What a pity. After I made the big mistake, she has lived in seclusion, and I felt too shameful to seek her."
A somber silence settled.
When history repeated itself, it offered a glimpse into the future.
Lan Wangji bowed his head. Was this Wei Ying's fate if he could not find a way to save him? Would Wei Ying take his Stygian Tiger Amulet and disappear? Would he never know what his fate would be? Would he linger in some cave, all his energy concentrated on fixing his mistake, containing his creation, until he faded away?
Jin Guangyao was right. He should have done more. He would not hesitate moving forward.
And if that left him in seclusion, at least he could say he did everything in his power for his love. He could imagine cultivating to immortality away from the cultivation world who had sentenced Wei Ying to death. He could see himself waiting for Wei Ying's reincarnation, wandering from mountain to mountain and training students to go out and do something good in the world.
Maybe Baoshan Sanren would finally find Lan Yi's reincarnation now that she had fully passed on from this life.
"Master Lan Yi," Lan Wangji broke it, "I also have a question to ask. Are you the one who led us to this place?"
She shook her head, "No." The boys looked at each other, and she continued, "In the past one hundred years, I have used my spiritual power to suppress the Yin Iron in order to protect the wards in the back hill. Yet in the recent decade, the Yin Iron revealed traces of activation. My spiritual power is getting weaker. I'm afraid...the grievance of the Yin Iron has immersed into the water."
"Master Lan Yi, why would the Yin Iron be like this in the last two decades?" Wei Wuxian inquired.
"If my guess is right," She answered, "The other shards of the Yin Iron have appeared."
Two decades.
That's how long they had just watched Wen Ruohan and the Wen Sect descend into tyranny.
That's how long it took them to find the evil amongst them.
It took them too damn long. While many certainly saw Wen Ruohan's crimes coming, only Nie Mingjue prepared his Sect for what came.
Perhaps that was why they wanted the Yiling Patriarch dealt with as soon as possible, as penance for their previous inaction.
The boys looked at each other again, Wei Wuxian continuing, "It can be assumed that the cultivator we saw last time, whose spirit was taken, was another puppet that was created, similar to Xue Chonghai."
"They are experimenting," Lan Wangji guessed.
Lan Yi sighed, "Since I broke the seal, the shards of the Yin Iron have been able to sense each other. I'm so lucky to have lived for a hundred years. The day comes, anyway."
"Master Lan Yi," Wei Wuxian paused, "Are there any other methods to prevent the Yin Iron from bringing disaster to the people?"
"The Yin Iron is the spirit of heaven and earth which can't be eradicated. The grievance came after it was broken into pieces. Evil things will go to the places where it lies. The only way is to find these shards and repress them in the Cold Pond Cave," She answered.
"Is that even possible anymore?" Jin Guangyao wondered.
"Perhaps," Er-ge answered, "If the Sects decide we are trustworthy."
Which they might not, given the revelation of Lan Wangji's relationship to the Yiling Patriarch.
Besides, that was just delaying the problem until another ambitious Lan Sect member decided they knew better than everybody else.
"Yet…" She trailed off, her form becoming slightly transparent, "I'm unable to fix my mistake by myself."
"Master Lan Yi," The boys said together in concern.
"Don't panic," She assured them, "My final day is coming soon. I live to repay my debt. Now that you've come here, I don't need to force my efforts." She continued fading.
Lan Wangji knelt and saluted, "As a descendent of the Lan Sect, I'll try my best to accomplish your wish of finding the Yin Iron and sealing it in the Cold Pond Cave."
He bowed, which forced Wei Wuxian to kneel. He also saluted and bowed, "Me too."
Lan Wangji side-eyed him, "It's a family matter of the Lan Sect. It's none of your business."
"Lan Zhan," He stared back, "You can't stop me anyway. Although I grew up in the YunmengJiang, I can tell what's fair and what isn't. Besides, my grandmaster was isolated for a century for the Yin Iron. It's part of my duty."
Lan Yi was almost gone, but interjected, "As a disciple of Baoshan, you are right." Wei Wuxian smiled at her, then jutted his chin at Lan Wangji. She continued, "Remember this. To seal the Yin Iron, there must be many barriers. Anyway, I hope you can avoid making the mistake I did."
"Please be assured," Wei Wuxian responded, "I'll do my best."
Many around the room scoffed.
"He failed!"
Nie Huaisang tilted his head, "That would depend on how you define failure. He did find a way to use the Yin Iron to help us, didn't he?"
He exchanged a long look with Jiang Cheng. He was happy to finally know the entire backstory behind the quest he'd unwittingly joined, but it made everything sadder. Wei-xiong was warned about demonic cultivation. He was warned about the Yin Iron.
He wasn't an idiot. On the contrary, his friend was a genius. Did the burning of Lotus Pier drive him so far to forget this? Or had his three month disappearance driven him to it? Either way, he was now more certain becoming the Yiling Patriarch was the only choice Wei Wuxian had. He wouldn't make the same mistakes as others if it wasn't.
She faded away completely and the Yin Iron fell.
"Master Lan Yi!" Wei Wuxian shouted, "You haven't told us where the other pieces are!"
There was no response.
And thus, a legend passed on, leaving her burden to the two young men before her.
"Would it be possible to tell Baoshan Sanren of her fate?" Jiang Yanli inquired softly.
Madame Jin smiled at her daughter-in-law, "I'll be sure word spreads to all the cultivation world of her sacrifice. Hopefully, it will reach her."
As painful as watching Lotus Pier fall would be, she wanted to know what Ziyuan's final words to her son were. She may never know how she died, but she hoped for once, her sworn sister let herself express how much she loved her children.
The memory shifted to Wen Qing walking along the back hill. She thought to herself, " Does Cloud Recesses have an enchantment at the back hill just to protect the mountain?"
She sped up, but before she got too far Jiang Cheng called out to her, "Wen-guniang!" He came running out of the woods.
"Jiang-gongzi," She greeted.
"Wen-guniang," He smiled, "Are you here to look for Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji too?"
She hummed and nodded.
"Who knew Cloud Recesses was such a romantic place?" Huaisang fanned himself.
Nie Mingjue eyed him suspiciously, before deciding to play along. This was probably Huaisang's way of apologizing for causing all the tension in the first place. If there was one thing the small man did well, it was create distractions, "Where is your intended?"
His little brother gasped in mock offense, but his eyes lit up at the teasing, "Ah, but who is still single from our class?" He pondered the question, before standing and peering around the seated cultivators, "Luo Qingyang! Come sit with me!"
A young woman he vaguely remembered from the Sunshot Campaign and the memories approached hesitantly, but gained confidence as Huaisang gestured for servants to add a table between theirs. She bowed to him, "Thank you, Nie Huaisang."
"Don't thank me yet," He sat down, "You're here to protect me if Da-ge gets mad again."
"Of course," Lady Luo laughed, "It is not at all because you want someone to gossip with." She turned to him, "Nie-zongzhu."
"Luo-guniang." He gestured for her to sit, noticing the smile she shared with Madame Jiang and Jin Zixuan.
"Be nice to her, Da-ge," Huaisang teased as she sat between them, "Maybe now that everyone knows Wei-xiong is pining after Hanguang-Jun you can return to high society."
"Why would I do that?"
Nie Mingjue snorted. If he was in the Jin Sect he'd be fed up with all the political games too. He noted the slight tension in her shoulders and remembered who she was. She was the one who spoke in Wei Wuxian's defense. When no one listened to her, she left the Jin Sect. He supposed she would become more involved in events from here forward.
If Wei Wuxian was worth her defection, he could offer her a place in the Nie Sect.
Before he could respond, they heard Wei Wuxian shouting, "Lan Zhan!" The two fell out from behind the ward, tumbling onto the ground together. Lan Wangji was stuck on his back, with Wei Wuxian knelt over him, "Lan Zhan, I didn't mean to." Lan Wangji looked to their connected wrists as Wei Wuxian balanced on his sword.
"Wei Wuxian!" Jiang Cheng shouted.
Wei Wuxian beamed, but didn't get up, "Jiang Cheng!" He laughed as the two approached.
"Get up," Lan Wangji ordered.
His embarrassment was so obvious now.
"Okay, sure," He laughed as they both made to stand. Once the forehead ribbon was back in place, he moved closer, "Jiang Cheng. Wen Qing. Why are you here?"
"I should be the one asking that question," Jiang Cheng's eyebrows scrunched together in anger, "Wei Wuxian! Where were you the whole day and night? Do you know A-Jie was too worried to eat or sleep? If I couldn't find you, I'd have to send a letter to inform my father."
"Ha?" Wei Wuxian looked confused.
"One day and one night have passed," Lan Wangji repeated.
"Yes," Jiang Cheng looked to him, "Zewu-Jun has also been looking for you without rest." His gaze darted back to his brother, "Do you know that everyone is worried about you?" The boys looked at each other, "Where did you go?"
"I'll tell you when we get back," Wei Wuxian evaded, "It's a long story."
Jiang Cheng scowled. Another broken promise.
He wasn't as upset as he thought he'd be. He was right. This wasn't a concern of the Jiang Sect, but that didn't mean it wasn't Wei Wuxian's concern. If the idiot had just told him he was doing this to honor his mother and grandmaster, what could he have done to forbid it?
He scowled because Wei Wuxian learned early never to mention his mother. He knew if he told them he was doing this Madame Yu's wrath would be worse than if he'd just disappeared without an explanation.
"Wait," Wen Qing interjected, "There is a hint of coldness between your eyebrows. What's inside that place?"
"We wanted to cure our injuries in the Cold Spring," Wei Wuxian answered, "But we were carried away to an extremely cold place by a whirlpool of rapid water."
"What place?" Jiang Cheng demanded, "How could this happen in Cloud Recesses?"
"We were trapped for a long time," Wei Wuxian lied, "We swam for so long that we exhausted our strength just to find this exit."
"What's inside?" Wen Qing asked.
"There-" Lan Wangji started.
"Nothing," Wei Wuxian interrupted with another smooth lie, "It's all water and ice. Let me tell you, I was almost frozen inside there." He turned back and smiled secretly at Lan Wangji, who averted his gaze.
"Fine," Jiang Cheng reluctantly accepted, "Go back first to ease their worries."
"Yes, exactly," Wei Wuxian agreed, wrapping an arm around his shoulder, "Let's go. Go."
Jin Guangyao was impressed. He assumed Wei Wuxian was good at lying, but the earlier memories made him doubt that assumption.
Of course Wei Wuxian was a good liar. There was no way he was cheerful and carefree when his entire existence depended on Jiang Fengmian's favor. If he lost it, Madame Yu would have tossed him out. Though maybe he embodied the Jiang Sect motto precisely for Jiang Fengmian's approval.
He wondered if he should adapt his outfit to wear more black. It would certainly be easier to smile if the drinks purposely spilled on him couldn't stain. Nor would dirt show as easily when he was shoved to the ground, or blood when he wasn't fast enough to avoid the crueler of the objectors to his existence.
Was that how Wei Wuxian forgave so easily?
He adjusted his robes self-consciously. His goals hadn't changed much, but he approached this wrong. He saw Wei Wuxian as someone uncontrollable, but they were the same in some ways. They both wanted the acceptance and love of their families. They wanted to be useful, even if they were used for terrible deeds.
Jin Guangyao thought no one understood him. Wouldn't it be just his luck if the person who could was the person he was ordered to get rid of?