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navarice · 1 year

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my dearest fellow mdzs stans, i really don't want to spoil anyone's fun but sometimes some things must be said. please do NOT mistake fanon characteristics for canon characteristics because by GOD is it frustrating to dissect a character when all anyone wants to do is blindly turn away from the very vivid and metastasizing flaws.

jiang cheng is an extremely complicated character, and that's why we love him. but by god, he is a jealous, self-victimizing asshole with a massive inferiority complex who likes to torture (probably) innocent look-a-likes of his (as far as he knew) dead adjacent family member. jesus christ this isn't some simple case of miscommunication (well it is but, you know no amount of communication will ever mend the giant chasm that developed between them. especially not with asians raised within the most classical case of asian parenting, i mean come on now) but a matter of deep and intense self-loathing developed since early childhood projecting violently outwards. let me be clear. he hates wei wuxian. he loathes him. he wants to kill him with his own hands again and again so some part of his convoluted sense of justice and superiority will be fulfilled. he's a classist, a bully, and abusive to everyone around him. ong at the end of mdzs, i was nearly crying tears of joy when jin guangyao flayed him flat on his ass bc that man needed to hear it. he needed to feel it. he needed to stop blaming others and blame himself.

and!! he's homophobic!! the entire cultivation world is, yes, but he's the only one we see give wei ying and lan zhan active shit for it!!

point is...his complexity makes him interesting. as a child, he was pretty alright tbh. he was understandably upset when three of his dogs got taken away and he saw his dad give a completely random kid such a gentle hug when jiang cheng never received one so far. he was a kid, and it was sad and helped the readers get a glimpse at the already dysfunctional family dynamics before wei ying came into the picture. as an adolescent/teen, yes he had a lot of unresolved rage and inferiority issues building up when he was constantly being compared to wei wuxian by his mother and not given enough reassurance from his father (once again, all present before wei ying...everyone just likes to dump the shit on him bc it's easier to point fingers at others than at yourself). perhaps he could have turned out differently if literally either of his parents stepped up and took accountability. however, after the burning of lotus pier? after the golden core transfer? after wei ying stuck around as his subordinate just as he promised, and protected jiang cheng like he promised, and defected just to save the yunmeng clan's reputation so jiang cheng doesn't have to put up with the other clan's shit, still continuing to keep his promise? after wei ying's death? idk abt y'all, but all bets are off bro.

mxtx makes it a point to make him so irredeemable. he's an exploration of what can go wrong if you let your traumas, self-hatred, and revenge fantasies blind you. he has the worst traits of his parents for a reason, directly contrasting with the other sibling, who is a perfect picture of eldest daughters born into a dysfunctional family. jiang yanli has the best traits of her parents (in terms of compassion and standing up for her family), but the family dynamics also made her the way she was. the responsible, the mediator, the occasional mother, stepping in where madam yu cannot.

there's just so much potential to hold him accountable buried under the pretense of misunderstandings and kinnie moments. he just had so many chances, more than any other character, to make a different choice. to actually look past his misgivings and unlearn the bad habits he used to protect himself as a child. i'm not saying he has to magically heal from all his traumas, but at the very least know not to be like his parents. but he wasn't written that way. because that is what happens when you give into your insecurities and generational trauma.

bottom line: jiang cheng is a fantastic archetype that needs to be explored in all his authenticity, including his moments of loyalty and cruelty.

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admirableadmiranda · 1 year

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for all the flirting and stuff pre time skip wex wasn't undyingly in love with lwj. that opens him up to other people. wq and him built a settlement together, and most definitely were in love. they're good for each other in a larger than life sense . he could not have married anyone else.

that anon does have a point where lwj and wwx wouldn't have worked out regardless and a marriage of convenience would have solved the problems. we even see that in cql,, i think there's a good fic by shanastoryteller that shows exactly this too.

Anon. Anon, anon, anon. Why the everloving fuck do you think I would read a mediocre hack of a "fanfic" author who can't get characterization right to save her life and scams her readers by getting them to buy updates to when she's working on fic? ShanaStoryteller is a hack of an author who should move on to original fiction because as a fanfiction author, she's pretty terrible at it. ShanaStoryteller has no respect for the world she writes in and I have no respect for her.

So let me debunk the stupid fanon you've dropped in my inbox this morning so that maybe this time you'll get the hint and move on. Mess with the Sangsang and you get the Peerless Cucumber.

Wen Qing and Wei Wuxian are not a romantic ship in any actual canon version of Modaozushi. Not even CQL. At best they are like siblings, in most cases they are just allies against inevitable doom. Could not have married anyone else? Why would he want to marry Wen Qing? Where in any one single line does he suggest that this is ever a thing on his mind?

A marriage of convenience would have saved them? Hah! Don't make me laugh. I'm sorry that you've so bought into Shana's fanon that you've forgotten the reason why they end up in the Burial Mounds to begin with is because Jiang Cheng won't protect them. What does Wei Wuxian marrying Wen Qing do? Absolutely nothing other than lock him into a marriage he doesn't ever want. Jiang Cheng's conditions for Wei Wuxian going back to Lotus Pier are very simple: Ditch all the Wens back in the slaughter camps and slink back alone. Marrying her saves no one. Jiang Cheng would do nothing and Wei Wuxian lacks the social power to do anything more than what he does already in canon.

As for the downright hilariously wrong claims that Wen Qing would have made him happier than Lan Wangji, this just proves to me that you don't understand any of the characters involved. Wei Wuxian does not want someone like Wen Qing. Wei Wuxian is not looking for a marriage at any point until the person in question is Lan Wangji. In the book the first time he ever mentions anything like that is asking Jiang Fengmian and Madam Yu in the Yunmeng Ancestral Hall to save Lan Wangji for him because he is the first and only person Wei Wuxian has ever even thought of that way.

And then your dismissal of Wangxian not working...well obviously I can't convince you to ship what I like, just as you can't convince me to believe in your pack of idiocy, but also there's a reason why they are the main romance and there's nothing that even comes close to competing with them. From the beginning they are compatible, but unaware of how to connect. Life gets in the way, but they never stop thinking well of each other and wanting to have things work better between them because they like each other. That is the cornerstone of any romance right there. You have to like each other. Wouldn't have worked out in any way? It took Wei Wuxian being dead for thirteen years to keep them apart for as long as it did. When they actually get the chance to spend time together at all? They get married in two months. That's how much they like each other. That's how likely they are to get together.

Wen Qing and Wei Wuxian lived on top of a corpse infested, resentment filled mountain for a year and nothing happened at all. Wen Qing built the settlement for the rest of her family while Wei Wuxian was the snarling guard dog on the outside. Only at the end of her life does she release him from the debt she invoked on him, presumably with the expectation that he will leave and take A-Yuan with him because all of the adult Wens have known all along they're living on borrowed time and eventually it's going to run out. It isn't a happy farming family, it isn't a peaceful settlement. It is a barricade against the inevitable. What's romantic about that? What's salvageable about that?

This is why I kinda hate stories where everyone lives and makes a happy life there. It's not a happy time, everyone's just scraping by one more day at a time, watching the sand in the hourglass run out aside from the toddler who they are trying to keep from feeling this same sense of dread. Outside of the farms and the ramshackle houses the corpses and spirits still wander and it's a miserable place to be. The Burial Mounds/Mass Grave Hills/Luanzang Gang is the place where some of the most miserable times of Wei Wuxian's life happened, do you really think he'd want to start a life and a family there? He goes there because it is a necromancer's paradise and the only place he can think of where he has the direct advantage against the Jin and the Jiang and the Nie and the Lan coming up to siege him. He does not go there to make a home, he goes there to make a threat.

Anon, just let it go. You can like ShanaStoryteller if you'd like, I won't stop you from doing that. But I refuse to read her crappy, out of character fics, I refuse to kowtow to your thinly veiled homophobia of "Wei Wuxian wouldn't ever be happy with Lan Wangji, he should marry a woman instead", I refuse to stop insulting her works when you show up in my inbox to cry about it and I suggest that you very kindly fuck off.

If you return again, I will block you. You have your corner of the fandom, get the everloving fuck out of mine.

#mdzs #asks #anon #anon asks #rant #salty on a wednesday #this whole ask is thinly veiled homophobia and being offended that I don't like their pet author #sorry that I like canon better than Shana's purple fanon #actually I'm not #Shana's purple fanon is ooc stupid tripe that has no respect for either the characters or the fandom she takes it from #CQL doesn't deserve the shit she throws in it and MDZS certainly doesn't #move on and go pollute another fandom elsewhere #or just go write original fiction like you so obviously want to

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murfeelee · 2 years

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CQL/MDZS INSP - Yiling Arc Pt2: Cultivating the Burial Mounds

In the Burial Mounds of Yiling, heading fifty- or-so of the fallen Wen Sect‟s cultivators, Wei WuXian planted vegetables, repaired houses, refined corpses, and made new tools. Every day when he was free, he played with the toddler Wen Yuan, son of Wen Qing’s dead cousins. Wei WuXian either let him hang on trees or buried him in the ground, fooling him that he‟d grow faster if he was watered and bathed in sunlight. Then, he was scolded by Wen Qing again. A few months passed like this. Aside from how the world’s comments on Wei WuXian worsened even more, there was no progress.

Wei WuXian and Wen Qing weren't surprised when they saw YunmengJiang’s sect leader Jiang Cheng arrive.

Jiang Cheng asked, “What are you all turning over the dirt here doing? Don‟t tell me you‟re really going to start farming!”

Wei WuXian said, “Didn't you hear? We are farming!”

“You‟re farming on a mountain of corpses? Will the things that grow here be edible?”

Wei WuXian, “Believe me. When people are really hungry, they'll eat whatever they can.”

Jiang Cheng asked, “You really intend on stationing yourself here in the long run? Can people even live in such a place?”

Wei WuXian, “I lived three months in here.”

After a moment of silence, Jiang Cheng asked, “You‟re not coming back to Lotus Pier?”

Wei WuXian replied in a relaxed tone, “Yunmeng is so close to Yiling. I‟ll sneak back whenever I feel like it.”

Jiang Cheng snorted, “You wish.” A child about one or two years old crept over. He was quite a fine, lovable child. Unfortunately, Jiang Cheng had no love in him at all. He turned to Wei WuXian, “Where did the kid come from? Get him away from me.” Jiang Cheng mocked, “The other sect leaders thought you gathered some leftover forces and crowned yourself king of the hill. But it’s only the old, the weak, women, and children?” Jiang Cheng continued, “Where‟s Wen Ning?”

- Mo Dao Zu Shi, chapters 73 and 74

MY THOUGHTS (Jiang Cheng minirant pt1)

In the fandom, Team Jiang Cheng gets huffy when people like me say we hate Jiang Cheng. But the author herself said it: “Unfortunately, Jiang Cheng had no love in him at all.“

Granted, I think this a hyperbolic AF--JC clearly loves WWX, and his parents, and OF COURSE the goddess of pork rib soup Jiang Yanli too good and pure for this world amen, and her son Jin Ling. However, JC’s problem is that he doesn’t know how to express softness, and I 100% blame his mother for that, cuz Madam Yu was gung-ho about JC being everything WWX wasn’t--to JC’s own detriment.

JC could barely show his own siblings and nephew he loved them, let alone show gratitude towards the good Wens who helped save them (ESPECIALLY Wen Ning), despite the evil Wens exterminating the rest of the Jiang sect (and him having a crush on Wen Qing).

There’s this WONDERFUL analysis of Jiang Cheng’s reaction to finding WWX squatting with the Wen remnants in the Burial Mounds, and how it compares to what Jiang Yanli would have done in his place: https://hunxi-guilai.tumblr.com/post/619224037560909824/hey-im-currently-re-watching-ep27-28-and-it-just

That post really highlights JC’s abandonment issues, inferiority complexes, and desperation for WWX to come back home--despite seeing clear as day that WWX was resigned to being “the Yiling Patriarch,” an exiled ex-cultivator aiding and abetting the Wens, and actively trying to make a new Lotus Pier in the Burial Mounds--doing the impossible.

#sims 3 the untamed #the untamed #sims 3 mdzs #mo dao zu shi #sims 3 anime #sims 3 asian #sims 3 gameplay

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llycaons · 1 year

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“Wei Wuxian, can you not be completely shameless for once in your life...What is this, a joke to you? You say you want to have a proper wedding, you want me to attend it on behalf of your family, but you’ll return to live with him before you’re married? What will people say? Have you not shamed this family enough for two lifetimes?”

“So you want me to, what, let Lan Zhan return to Gusu on his own?” Wei Wuxian says, incredulous. “Avoid the Cloud Recesses until the wedding? And where would I stay in the meantime?”

...He’s just come back from wandering the world for close to a year, sleeping in unfamiliar beds, and now Jiang Cheng wants him to give up the comfort of Lan Zhan’s arms again for Heavens know how long; all that just to satisfy his own small-minded sense of propriety, that little part of him that never let go of Madam Yu’s furious scoldings and feeble attempts to save face...He will not return to some narrow cot at a roadside inn just to keep people’s tongues from wagging.

Jiang Cheng crosses his arms. “What, is Lotus Pier suddenly not good enough for you?”

It feels like having his breath punched out of him. Wei Wuxian inhales deeply, desperately, and holds it in for a moment, unable to say anything...takes a moment to think, nods. “Maybe…maybe that’s not the worst idea. Maybe I should stay. At least for a while.”

I can't even tell if this is supposed to be a heartwarming sibling interaction because, the narrative just acts like jc is bad at communicating and prickly, instead of...I mean this is just absolutely blatant emotional manipulation, isn't it? wwx clearly doesn't want to stay at LP and in fact does leave after only a week, but the way this rolls out just feels very weird in how it's presented. jc pressures wwx into this by implying he's being...promiscuous, I guess? and then immediately guilt-trips him into staying by using the reputation of the sect, at LP he is alone and kind of miserable for a week because jc ignores him half the time

I don't think it's ooc because jc guilt-trips and emotionally blackmails and criticizes wwx for stupid things literally all the time, but this dynamic does not make me want them to reconcile. I don't think wwx should have to sift through aggression and disrespect to find genuine affection, and I don't like that jc can continue to act like this and demand wwx be in his life and wwx just complies with no boundaries or requests of jc in return. the reconciliation is clearly a process in this fic and things aren't perfect by the end, but I'd like to see some effort at least. anyway I'm so sick of this dynamic being presented as normal or even necessary to repair the relationship, when it's really anything but. in fact I'd say that if wwx doesn't set boundaries, there's no reason to jc to change because being an immature and angry dick is working for what he wants to see happen

#I DO like that he was uneasy at LP and had to leave early. felt realistic #sorry this was so long but it was a whole thing #ficblogging

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phagechildon · 1 year

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An idea I came up with and may try to write sometime! We’ll see x.x

Modern wangxian au where Wei Ying saves Lan Zhan and Lan Xichen from the Wen Clan (a very nasty gang, sort of like the mafia) at the cost of being kidnapped and presumed dead for 13 years. When Lan Zhan finally finds him, he learns Wei Ying has no memory of his old life, and a dark power surrounds him. In this universe, some people have powers and some don't - no one really knows why. Cultivation is still in practice, but it's strength and popularity have been lost to time. Only a few prominent clans still practice it, but are more focused on recruiting and raising those with powers. It's almost looked down upon because most who cultivate weren't born with powers, and those that do are seen as greedy and power hungry.

Growing up, Wei Ying always protected those who got bullied, no matter the reason; his sharp tongue just as painful as his fists. He even stood up for Lan Zhan in elementary despite the bullying not bothering him. Wei Ying would always turn to him with a bloody nose and toothful grin, stunning the little Lan. "Come on Lan Zhan, you gotta stand up for what you believe in, and you gotta believe in yourself!" Naturally Lan Zhan practiced restraint, and almost never lost his temper. Wei Ying defending him made the bullies stop him more often, claiming he hid behind the unwanted street rat. Only at those words did he nearly lose his temper.

Yet even then, Wei Ying and Lan Zhan were never that close. Lan Zhan's uncle always claimed Wei Ying was a poison and he'd do well to stay away. High school however, changed everything. Always being an over achiever, Lan Zhan volunteered wherever he could, and that included being a tutor at their school. His first student happened to be Wei Ying, much to his 'displeasure,' but stayed civil. He hated Wei Ying, not because he was loud or obnoxious, or overly flamboyant. Wei Ying made him feel things, things he never felt before, and made him want to do things for himself.

Every tutoring session was a two way street. While he helped Wei Ying with school, Wei Ying taught him how to live. To eat candy when he wanted, to relax his posture, to have an opinion, to almost feel like a normal teenager for once - hell even a kid. Over the next year and a half, they grow impossibly close.

Naturally there's family drama for Wei Ying. He beats Wen Chao up for nearly beating someone to death, and Madam Yu, furious at him for giving their family "bad attention," forces Wei Ying to go straight home everyday after school to either work or be punished. He's being forced into the family business, something he never wanted to do, and can no longer talk to Jiang Cheng or Yanli. He runs away and his siblings are forbidden to look for him. Lan Zhan hears Wei Ying ran away from home and sets out, finding him hiding under a Willow tree they took shelter under during a bad storm during a elementary school trip. This is the first time Lan Zhan sees Wei Ying vulnerable, and comforts him as much as he can. They both don't want to follow in their family's footsteps, they want to live their own lives Wei Ying jokingly says they'll come up with an escape plan together, not knowing Lan Zhan is serious when he replies with "lets." That night, Wei Ying texts Lan Zhan and asks him to meet him at the Willow tree Friday night, wanting to talk to him about something important. They never make it to Friday.

While Lan Zhan and Lan Xichen are walking home together, they hear screeching tires. Looking up, Lan Zhan barely sees a motorcycle coming his way before his world is tumbling. When he comes back to himself, he feels a hand under his head, cushioning it from the ground, and something wet dripping onto his face. Opening his eyes, he sees Wei Ying hunched over him, one eye clenched tightly closed as blood runs down his forehead. A casual smile comes naturally to his lips as he sees Lan Zhan staring worriedly up at him, but it quickly fades as heavy footsteps make their way towards them. The motorcyclist is cursing and waving a gun at them, Lan Xichen naturally stands in front of them, trying to talk the man down. Wei Ying warns him not to, but the sound of the gun going off stops them all in their tracks. Lan Xichen drops to his knees, clenching his chest, and Wei Ying goes ballistic. Lan Zhan tries to get up, but another gun goes off, shooting him in the leg. Wei Ying at this point has beaten the shit out of the first guy, only to be surrounded by new motorcyclists. Lan Zhan recognizes the symbol on their clothes- the Wen gang.

Wen Chao and Wen Zhuliu pull up just as they slam a bloodied Wei Ying into the ground. Lan Zhan is helpless as he watches them take Wei Ying away. Wei Ying is tortured by the Wens, used against the Jiang’s, making them lose so much and for nothing. All their promises to his foster parents are broken. Wei Ying, unable to stand being used against his family tries to kill himself, but fails, and amused, is taken to “The Burial Mounds,” where it’s said brutal acts of mass murder and genocide were committed. It’s a large canyon and they toss him in.

Somehow he survives the fall, and wakes in a small run down village. The said village is run by Wen Qing and Wen Ning, healers that rescue those the Wens and others throw down to rot as they too were cast away. When Wei Ying wakes, they make a startling discovery: Wei Ying has no memories. He doesn’t even remember his name, only basic functions and words.

Something even more alarming: “You don’t need them to keep watch, it’s not like I have anywhere to go.” Wen Qing raises an eyebrow, confused by his statement. “No one’s watching you.” “... uh huh,” Wei Ying blinks skeptically, hiding a scowl beneath his smile as he glances over the hooded figures in the room. Their forms are hazy and dark, as if a spell is preventing him from making out the finer details. “So they like spending their days watching poor little ol’ me waste away?” “What… are you talking about?” The sincerity in her question made Wei Ying’s facade fall a bit, nervousness seeping into his veins. “We’re the only ones here.”

The sheer amount of negative energy, death, and fear tainted a once sacred talisman, one that was lost to the Burial Mounds long ago. When Wei Ying was cast down, the mountainside slowed his fall (if you could even classify it so), and landed on a ledge that so happened to have eroded a bit due to a violent storm. In the dirt lay the talisman, and Wei Ying, going in and out of consciousness, grabbed it, unable to resist the whispers beckoning him.

Pain. He didn’t remember much, but he remembered the unforgiving, unbelievable pain he went through. His memory may be wiped, but his body remembered. It’s later revealed Wen Ning, who found Wei Ying, noticed hundreds of animal bones in the area along with fresh corpses, all of which facing the talisman that's clenched in Wei Ying’s unconscious hand. It used to have color, somehow Wei Ying knows. And a heartbeat.

The same heartbeat he hears when it’s silent.

They call him “Mo,” since he doesn’t know his name.

Any power he had before is gone, and replaced with strong darkness that overwhelms and blinds him at times. As time goes on, he gets better at controlling it and himself. Their living conditions worsen. Water barely collects and falls, and what little crops they have start dying. They repeatedly tell him they can’t leave, that something keeps them trapped there, so they have to rely on the land.

Wei Ying however decides to test it, and finds both himself and Wen Ning are able to leave and find the road. The thing that was keeping everyone there was the talisman, which is now Wei Ying (but they dont know that).

Going to the nearest city though, was a huge mistake. Wei Ying barely remembers it, but he wakes up, horribly wounded, with Wen Ning who also looks injured - and scared.

When they first started walking around, Wei Ying started acting strange, losing his balance and speech, as if he was struggling to stay awake. He bumped into someone in a crowded crosswalk, and darkness pierced everyone around them. Wen Ning’s arm was scratched by a tendril, but thankfully nothing worse. People fought back, cops were called in. There were many casualties, both civilian and officers, and would’ve been more if Wen Ning hadn’t managed to use a dart to knock him out.

From then on, Wei Ying stays home, that is until Wen Ning doesn’t come back with a few others after going to town to sell radishes. He leaves and finds them being killed and “toyed” with by the Wens, all but Wen Ning brutally killed and used, Wen Ning at the brink of death. This time Wei Ying works *with* the surging darkness, saving Wen Ning and giving birth to the rumor of a violent ghost escaping the Burial Mounds to slaughter anyone who dares go near.

The experience makes Wei Ying understand his powers more, and he practices and owns them until he doesn’t have an experience again. By now it’s been 10 years since he first showed up at the Burial Mounds, which no longer supports them with potatoes and vegetables aside from radishes.

Behind everyone’s backs, Wei Ying goes into town (not city) and starts working different jobs. There are days where he sleeps in the parks and such, far too exhausted to walk back to the Burial Mounds. He earns enough to save up while supporting his home. On the side he sells the beautiful flowers that grow in the Burial Mounds and nowhere else, along with some radishes. They soon find out they can grow coffee, which is odd, but eventually manages to open a coffee gift shop.

Fast forward to three years later, making it 13 years since he woke with no memory, he hears his *real* name for the first time.

“Wei… Ying?”

Lan Zhan never gave up on Wei Ying even when everyone tried pronouncing him dead. He followed in his brother’s footsteps, becoming a very notable officer, then a guardian, as they call officer with such power and status, not to mention trust. Even with all his influence and power now, however, he still finds no clues or traces of Wei Ying.

Ten years later however, he hears about the incident in the City near the Burial Mounds and is assigned to the case. He watches the footage of the culprit, and finds it… odd. Everytime his face looks in the direction of the camera (though obviously unaware of its existence), the footage blurs around the face, as if intentional. But it’s not. He can tell in the other’s body language, the happy skip in his step, the way he stops and excitingly points to something in the sky, gaining the attention of the clear young man next to him. There’s awe in the “accomplices” eyes too, as if they both have never seen the world before.

No matter how much he investigates though, the trail goes cold. The only thing he can follow is the resentment, but being so close to the Burial Mounds makes it hard to track it.

While patrolling the area 3 years later, pulling all-nighters working on a new mass missing persons case, he goes to a local popular coffee shop. He’s surprised to see it’s also a gift shop, all of which look handmade, that also sells flowers that are hand picked from the Burial Mounds? Who has the courage to attempt such a thing?

But Lan Zhan’s whole world stops hearing that *laugh,* that *voice.* Denial hits him first, believing he’s being hopeful, as usual, but his breath leaves him as he catches sight of the owner. Silver eyes, long black hair, a smile that dazzles and enchants - there’s no doubt it’s Wei Ying. *His* Wei Ying.

For a moment, he can’t move - he can’t *think.* After searching all these years, he’s not sure *what* to do. Yet his mouth moves before his mind:

“Wei… Ying?” That face he fell in love with so long ago freezes, and the air within the very room becomes stiff. *Recognition,* but not the kind he was expecting. He looks over, resembling a deer in the headlights- For Wei Ying, or rather “Mo,” it’s the first time he’s heard that name, yet knows it’s his.

That voice too, his heart pangs as he grasps it, a name slipping from his lips as his mind starts to feel like it’s splitting. “Lan… Zhan?” The lights in the shop flicker a bit, remaining a bit dimmed. Wen Ning looks up, alarmed, then back to “Mo,” only to helplessly watch blood squirt from Wei Ying’s shoulder, the sound of a gun making everyone scream.

Xue Yang was hired by the Wens to find the “creature” from the Burial Mounds, and although he took their money, he wants Wei Ying for himself, wanting his powers. He knows better than to get him too riled up, remembering the other City, and has been watching him a long time. The bullet is actually from his own body, and it acts according to his will. It makes him feel tired and out of it while he grabs Wen Ning and uses him as a “hostage,” pretending to be robbing him. He has to be careful not to overstimulate Wei Ying, so he makes it look like a simple robbery. Thankfully for Xue Yang, Wei Ying is very good at controlling himself and his powers. His plan might’ve worked, if Lan Zhan hadn’t recognized Xue Yang and managed a sneak attack. Xue Yang retreats, but Lan Zhan knows he’s not gone - that this isn’t over.

Yet when he tries to go over to Wei Ying, who’s looking at him like a deer again, like a lost child wearily longing for freedom they won’t reach for, he learns Wei Ying doesn’t remember anything. He tries to reach for his arm to help him up, but Wei Ying cowers back, away from touch, something he’s *never* done before, and it makes his heart ache even more. After 13 years of going through who knows what, he realizes it’s to be expected, especially if he doesn’t even remember him. He won’t leave Wei Ying’s side again though, determined to help and protect him, especially since Xue Yang is after him, along with the Wens - *still.* After all these years, learning he’s still being *hunted* makes his stomach churn and boil.

The only bright side to this is that, even though Wei Ying doesn’t remember him, let alone himself, he reassures Wen Ning that they can trust him. Being near Lan Zhan though, hearing him speak, breaks the damn little by little, a damn the resentment has built, and threatens to fight Wei Ying the more he remembers his life outside the Burial Mounds - because he’s their property, their vessel and life. They don’t want to let him go.

I donno a very long idea i might try to write at some point ;////; lots of cute parallels too like Wei Ying hiding in a tree to sulk after getting in a fight with Wen Qing or even Lan Zhan, and is surprised when Lan Zhan finds him. Small "insignificant" things take his breath away, and eventually he feels so comfortable with Lan Zhan he leans against him, falls for him, but the resentment treats this as a threat. Luckily for Wei Ying, Lan Zhan is very possessive too, and highly protective. Especially when both the Wens and Xue Yang come for him.

And Xue Yang *does* come for him, manages to kidnap him, and Lan Zhan better find him fast because he’s a very cruel person who’s a little familiar with manipulating resentment, for he was cast down into the Burial Mounds, but wasn’t called upon by the cursed treasure. Now he wants it all, even if he has to learn how to control Wei Ying to do it. Thankfully Wei Ying is Wei Ying, and it’ll take a lot for Xue Yang to get his way

#wangxian #mdzs #wei ying #phage writes #i copied and pasted my idea from twitter so sorry if there's space issues ;////;#i really wanan write this we'll see lfiuasd orz

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rosethornewrites · 2 years

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5/30-6/4 NR, E, & M reading

The usual

Finished

Explicit:

Library, by tailor31415

"Lan WangJi gave no other response than a snarl against Wei WuXian's ear, breath puffing out against his skin in a blast of heat, and Wei WuXian let out a gasp as he realized he had finally, finally cracked the surface of the impenetrable Jade."

Mature:

Rare Beauty, by Anonymous

Wei Ying takes hold of the books, sheepishly sliding them toward himself. Then he looks at Lan Wangji, his pout transforming into a mischievous smile. “You didn’t peek inside them, did you, Lan Zhan?”

Lan Wangji says nothing, but he steadily holds Wei Ying’s gaze.

“Don’t tell me you’re still embarrassed by things like this,” Wei Ying says. He leans an elbow on the desk and flips one of the books open to an image of a man bending another over a low-hanging tree branch. “After all these years? Ah, Lan Zhan?”

Nie Huaisang sends Wei Wuxian some erotic books at Cloud Recesses. Lan Wangji accidentally intercepts them—and precipitates a revelation

Unfinished

Not Rated:

Jiang Cheng- Dumb Ways to Die, by such_stuff_as_dreams_are_made_on

Jiang Cheng somehow manages to send his consciousness back in time. However, instead of saving everyone, he keeps on dying.

No Loss, by eb4life

After being forced to remain stuck in his wolf form by Madam Yu, Wei Wuxian conforms to her wishes of making it appear that he's runaway from home by doing just that. When he's God knows how far from home and manages to get captured by the knights of a king he's only heard rumors of, Wei Wuxian expects to be killed or imprisoned as the king's personal attack dog. He doesn't expect to move from "exotic pet" to "closest friend" within only weeks of his stay at the king's side. This story is inspired by Bisclavret.

The Untamed: To Walk in One's Shoes, by YenGirl

It turns out that that old adage of 'To walk a mile in someone's shoes' proves to be the most effective way for three siblings to understand one another. Too bad there's a wedding involved.

You double-faced entendre, by pink-lotus-pods (Waterlogged_fireflies)

Five years since the Yiling Patriarch surrendered himself to Lanling Jin.

Seven months since Yuandao woke up in a mudfield, caked in blood and filth and his mind completely wiped clean. Seven months since Yuandao traced the scars on his body and made up stories for them, because he didn't know the history of his own body.

He'd heard somewhere that amnesiacs get dreams, sometimes. He wished he got dreams, but his dreams were always gone by morning. He wondered if he was the kind of amnesiac to simply just... not remember his previous life. An anomaly. His Yulang-jie always said that he was always exceeding expectations.

Exceeding expectations.

Now where had he heard that before?

Or, an amnesiac Wei Wuxian wakes up, gets himself a new family and is immediately roped into a political schism, EXACTLY in that order. Updates will be once every two weeks.

Mature:

Keep Holding On, by abCEE

As they reached an inn and Wei Wuxian got them a room with three beds, the world seemed to have frozen for Jiang Yanli when her brother suddenly fainted and Jiang Wanyin was just fast enough to catch him before his body could hit the floor.

"A-Xian!"

"Wei Wuxian!"

In which after the Lotus Pier Massacre: Wei Wuxian was greatly injured by Zidian, Jiang Yanli left the inn to buy the medicines and food, and Jiang Wanyin distracted the Wens.

(With a bonus of Wei Wuxian knowing the title of the song and more things ensued inside the Xuanwu Cave that may or may have not involved Lan Wangji's forehead ribbon)

Canon diverged from there.

Impossible Remains, by Jengabears

Jiang Cheng wakes slowly to the feeling of spiritual energy swimming through his veins. Not just swimming. Singing. Flooding. He was filled with it. He didn't know if it was because he had been without any for so long or if Baoshan Sanren had chosen to make him stronger, but he had never felt so powerful in his life. It was glorious. It was everything. He felt alive again. Whole. Better than whole. He had to thank her. He had to scream his joy across the mountain. He was so infinitely grateful.

He ripped off his blindfold, turned to look around him, praises and gratitude resting on the tip of his tongue. Yet what his eyes rested on was a face he never expected to see. His joy and gratitude instantly snuffed into ashes in his mouth. His eyes widened in horror at the sight which greeted him. He wished he could take everything back. Every thought which had passed through his mind since he'd woken.

How could this happen?

Wei Wuxian dies in the core transfer.

Time, by WithBroomBefore

Time travel fix-it AU, diverging from after Wei Wuxian's death and before Lan Wangji's punishment.

One: Perhaps the not-voice is a spirit, wailing its own grief. Two: Perhaps it is Wei Wuxian. There is no shortage of unhappy spirits in the world, now, so there is no certainty of that, but Lan Wangji must find out if there is any chance at all. Three: They have not taken his guqin, but the guards will hear it if he plays, and they may stop him. Four: He must then leave Cloud Recesses.

Get it right (this time), by AmiraAlzilu

Death would be a fate too kind for Wei Wuxian. He should pay for every sin he committed.

At least that’s the only explanation he has for this impossible situation. After falling from the cliff he woke up in his 15 year old body, just before his months of study at Cloud Recesses.

So, thinking it was for the best, he decides to disappear when he was supposed to be searching for their lost invitation.

Little does he know someone else came back in time with him.

#the untamed #mo dao zu shi #mdzs #cql #chen qing ling #untamed fanfiction

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themischievousfangirl · 2 years

Photo

Hi y’all, may I interest you in some Madoka Magica x MDZS AU stuff xD

After the announcement of the next PMMM movie, I kiinda sorta binge watched the series again? And then when that scene with Kyuubey showing Madoka the history of humanity and magical girls showed up, I thought: hey. Why not.

I guess this counts as time travel too, except the source of time travel is a pain in the butt fkjsdgk

This is just the initial idea tho xD

So, in here, the setting is still MDZS canon. Tho I guess Jiang Cheng takes the role of Homura here. More stuff under the cut.

e one who takes Madoka’s role here is Wei Wuxian. Kinda xD I just figured that there’s a lot of designs for him, so I chose his Untamed demonic cultivator outfit for the Magi form bc it looks neat heheh

The events from the original canon still happens, and Wei Wuxian consequently turns into an extremely powerful witch that would have destroyed the whole world if Jiang Cheng didn’t make a wish himself.

I was also thinking that Jiang Yanli lived? But it’s only because she made a wish to Kyuubey–I don’t know the wish yet–and when she rushed in the battlefield and was struck, she was fine because she had the super healing Magi has to themselves.

Still, Wei Wuxian thought he killed his shijie and snapped then and there.

And you know witches; once the Magi turn into them, it’ll be like a fate worse than death. No one can reach them, and the witch will be trapped in their own despair until someone can destroy them.

Losing everyone he loved while facing the unjust hatred of the whole world…who wouldn’t turn into a witch with those circumstances?

With so much despair he shoulders, naturally his witch would be really powerful. Not to mention that Wei Wuxian himself is super strong, so it’s not possible to defeat his witch.

So, then Jiang Cheng chose to make this right, making a wish that will save both his family and the world.

Aaand time travel comes in xD

Idk yet what the next events are, but I imagine that Jiang Cheng will do his best to stop his shixiong from making a wish–no matter the circumstances.

And also maybe at the same time save his Sect and parents? xD

That’s just the initial idea tho, thank you for coming to my Ted Talk xDDDD

Any thoughts, guys? owo

#quinny's works #how do you make a long post fjhsrkg #pmmm au #mo dao zu shi #wei wuxian #jiang yanli #jiang cheng #yunmeng siblings #yes die kyuubey #let Jiang Cheng save the world and have his siblings #mdzs time travel #you guys like this idea?#if so I'll try to make more content of this hehehehe #hope the pics are of high quality skfksdjg

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wangxianficfinder · 2 years

Text

I’m in the Mood for a Fic Where…

~*~

1. Do you know any good TGCF crossover fics where WWX is in Ghost City during the 13 years that he's dead, and Hua Cheng (and maybe Xie Lian) is aware of his existence? @the-ma-an

silvery eyes meet silver wraith butterflies by sweetlolixo (T, 17k, HC/WWX, wangxian, romance, fluff, angst, pining)

~*~

2. In the mood for a Wangxian fic that is Lan Xichen-critical

💖 When has silence saved anyone? by Vrishchika (T, 6k, wangxian, LSZ & WWX & LWJ, post-canon, LXC critical, family feels, angry LWJ & LSZ, LXC gets scolded)

恩仇仙人- Enchou xianren (Immortal Avenger) by AshayaTReldai (E, 110k, wangxian, major character death, angst, mental anguish, whipping, pining, revenge, execution, politics, reincarnation, ascension, injury recovery, torture, dark LWJ, not cultivation world friendly, not LXC friendly, WIP)

Quite Funny by nirejseki (T, 2k, vicious NHS, suffering LXC)

The Quiet Room by nirejseki (T, 38k, LXC/NMJ, LXC/JGY, canon divergence, sensory deprivation, partner betrayal, consent issues, manipulation, medical trauma, not Lan sect friendly, not LXC friendly, infidelity, gaslighting, mental health issues, willful blindness)

Bitter Recompense by mondengel (M, 1k, LXC & LWJ, angst)

~*~

3. Hi! I'm in the mood for some fics with Nie Huaisang taking up fan cultivation or him getting a special fan from WWX that let's him fight. Would really appreciate some recs! Thanks for all the work yall Mods do!

❤️ Time Charm series by Jenrose (M, 141k, wangxian, wangxian(/WQ in later fics), time travel, fix-it, my post) not a focus but mentioned NHS does cultivate with war fans

#3 on this post has plenty of Fan Fu Fighter! NHS fanfic and fanart.

On the Cleanliness of Work by katineto (mistalagan) (T, 2k, animal death, animal cruelty, competent NHS, Fun Times At Wen Summer Camp) although nothing is expressly shown, has WWX noticing that NHS’s fan is heavier and sturdier than its appearance suggests.

The Untamed: A Dinner to Remember by YenGirl (Not rated, 34k, wangxian, canon divergence, fix-it, angst, humor, family, fluff, love, redeemed SS & JGY) has mention of NHS using fans in ch 9

shades of grey by cl410 (M,58k, NIE WWX, Hurt/Comfort, Accidental Sibling Acquisition, Fluff, Humor, Happy Ending, Everyone Lives/Nobody Dies, Protective NMJ, Some angst, Blood and Injury, Kidnapping, Protective Siblings) huaisang fights with fans

Book One: Water by Dont_do_sadness (M, 43k, WIP, WangXian, Avatar & Benders Setting, Fusion, LWJ is the avatar, JC is So Done and very sassy, Found Family Dynamics, chosen family, Friendship, Slow Burn, Genderfluid NHS, NHS is a Kyoshi Warrior, Protective WQ) Air Avatar LWJ; Southern Water Tribe Jiangs; Earth Kingdom Nies; Fire Nation Jin Sect and Northern Water Tribe Wen Sect for a change; nonbinary Kyoshi Warrior! NHS. The cast of MDZS are slotted into the plot of ATLA, but the author has a sure grasp of characterization and how different personalities w Kyoshi Warrior! NHS. The cast of MDZS are slotted into the plot of ATLA, but the author has a sure grasp of characterization and how different personalities would shift character dynamics

~*~

4. Hey, do you have any fic recs similar to A Marriage Story by Deviyude Thoolika?

~*~

5. hi! do you have any nb / genderfluid wwx recs? tysm <3

you who knows what love is by luckymarrow (E, 4k, wangxian, modern, trans LWJ, genderfluid WWX, fluff & smut, PWP)

your history keeps pulling me down by ravenditefairylights (T, 5k, wangxian, modern, social media, genderfluid WWX, friends to lovers)

Storm by WithBroomBefore (G, 3k, wangxian, LWJ & LSZ & WWX, trans LWJ, nonbinary WWX, post-canon, gender dysphoria, happy ending)

Vanilla Twilight by toastpersona (T, 3k, wangxian, wangxian, pining, gender dysphoria, trans LWJ, nonbinary WWX)

don’t threaten me with happiness by ang3lba3 & Mellomailbox (E, 11k, wangxian, nonbinary WWX, wedding planning, negotiations, mortality, arranged marriage, consensual non-con, angst w/ happy ending)

both before and after by aroray (G, 3k, wangxian, nonbinary WWX)

Perennial by ang3lba3 & Birthdaytoasts (E, 11k, wangxian, JC & WWX, LWJ & LSZ & WWX, post-canon, reconciliation, secret marriage, nonbinary WWX, fluff & smut)

Phone sex (this is it, right?) by LegacyWorks (T, 1k, wangxian, asexual WWX, asexual JC, asexual NHS, nonbinary WWX, dumb conversations)

The Piercing by Nightfeather18 (E, 1k, wangxian, modern, piercings, nonbinary WWX, mildly dubious consent, grinding, coming in pants)

I'll stay by your side even if my feet bleed by Larryissocute (G, 6k, wangxian, modern, nonbinary WWX, childhood friends, friends to lovers, 5+1, fluff)

💖 Paths of Light and Darkness Converge by ataratah (E, 30k, wangxian, marriage of convenience, animal transformation, fox WWX, dragon LWJ, genderfluid WWX, fluff & angst, secret identity, happy ending, Mojo’s bookmark)

~*~

6. Hi! I hope you are doing great! I'm sorry, I really appreciate mods and authors work but, do you know any good light fic? I've actually stopped reading a lot of fics because, altho they are great, I feel like it is so detailed that the plot does not seem to move. I know this is probably just me, but do you know any story like that? I suppose it would be the opposite to slow burn. They don't have to be comedy, and I'd love for them to be WX, please.

So This Is New by spiralingho (E, 27k, wangxian, ABO, consensual somnophilia, chooking, everyone lives au, no sunshot campaign, mpreg, fluff & smut, bottom LWJ, WIP)

💖 Letterless by diamondbruise (E, 16k, wangxian, fox WWX, dragon LWJ, marriage proposals, pining, getting together, consensual non-con, double penetration)

in the crevices, in the hold by Anonymous (M, 4k, wangxian, Pygmalion and Galatea AU, cisswap, dark LWJ, sculptor LWJ, angst w/ happy ending, fairy tale elements, yearning)

~*~

7. hi! are there any fics that talk about wei ying's fear of sword riding/flying after wen chao and wen zhuliu throw him into the burial mounds. can be either after he came out or after he got resurrected.

every breath that comes before by tardigradeschool for AlfAlfAlfAlfAlf (T, 10k, Hurt/Comfort, Poison, Golden Core Reveal, Sharing a Bed, Hair Brushing, Angst with a happy ending) It's a brief scene, but WWX has a panic attack when LWJ is flying him back to Carp Tower and he talks about how it's the first time he's been on a sword since Wen Zhuliu pushed him off

~*~

8. At this point I'll take literally anything where lwj is called "wei-furen" by the wen clan/wen remnants I'm fuckng dying

💖 The Epic Lie of the Yiling Laozu and His Wife by JaenysBloodcourt (T, 9k, wangxian, WWX/WQ, fake/pretend relationship, fake marriage, misunderstandings, lies, jealousy, BAMF WWX, yiling wei au)

The Dreams of Youth by sami (E, 86k, wangxian, time travel, fix-it, family, not lan sect friendly, canon typical violence & gore, childhood friends to loveres, hurt/comfort, mothers who live, some people live/not everyone dies, Mojo’s bookmark)

~*~

9. hello!! im in the mood for fics were wwx or lwj end up as war prizes, or something along those lines. any good recs?

debt of a knife by iliacquer (E, 13k, wangxian, fantasy au, warlord LWJ, forced marriage, faked dubcon, exhibitionism, voyerism, consensual non-con)

#3 of this post has quite a few options

golden when the day met the night by Anonymous (not rated, 67k, wangxian, slow burn, sugar daddy LWJ, light angst, fluff, eventual smut, WIP)

Baijiu for Breakfast, Sanity for Lunch, Innocence for Dinner, Your Poison in my Cup by Cy_anne & NiceElsa (E, 20k, wangxian, rape/non-con (not between WX), ABO, forced marriage, forced pregnancy, god WWX, war prize LWJ, adultery, cheating, angst w/ happy ending, mpreg, pregnant sex)

~*~

10. For the next "I'm in the mood for a fic for", I humbly request any fic that deals with LWJ discovering that WWX has died (canon compliant only) @blueghost13

~*~

11. Hi Mojo! I was wondering if you or anybody else knew of any fics where Wei Wuxian had a blood sibling that was adopted into the Jiang Clan alongside him?

your smile tells me im safe by TheDoctorDionysus (E, 8k, LXC/reader, bg wangxian, bg JYL/JZX, reader insert, angst & fluff & smut, slow burn, eventual happy ending, canonical character death, crossdressing, pining, suicide attempt, unplanned pregnancy, pregnant sex, marriage proposals, WIP)

~*~

12. Perhaps somebody knows of good body swap fics? Thanks for all the recs!

Switcheroo by nirejseki (G, 2k, time travel, body swap)

~*~

13. any fics where wangxian are grandpas? it can be in the canon setting or modern au @sentientcongee

And Time Is But a Paper Moon by sami (M, 139, wangxian, xichengqing, time travel, fix-it, healing, everybody lives au, PTSD, BAMF WWX, getting together, falling in love, Mojo’s post) WWX stands in as Mo Fan(Madam Mo)’s father at the wedding with JGY, is adopted grandpa

~*~

14. Hello! Let me start by saying thank you for your effort running this thing for us. For the "I'm in the mood for a fic", can I get fics where weiying get a core again? Idc the method, as long as he get a core again after the transfer. Once again, thank you and have a nice day!

could you find a way to let me down slowly, if you're leaving baby let me down slowly by ravenditefairylights (M, 36k, wangxian, golden core reveal, implied/referenced sex, miscommunication, hurt/comfort, angst w/ happy ending, hurt WWX, pining, trauma, ptsd, dubious consent, phoenix mountain, getting together)

You Feel Like Paradise (And I Need a Vacation Tonight) by singingintheshower48 (E, 5k, wangxian, post-canon, smut, PWP, WWX has new golden core, dual cultivation, marathon sex)

The most dangerous thing is to love by KatAnni (E, 113k, wangxian, golden core reveal, fix-it, angst w/ happy ending, yunmeng siblings, hurt wwx, ptsd, panic attack)

the silver needle by hotpotluck_chaoscollective & UniquelyCommon (T, 1k, mild body horror, WWX has a new golden core, injuries, action, ambiguos/open ending)

A Dragon Lies in Wait by Ulan (T, 2k, wangxian, sparring, WWX has new golden core)

smiles like flowers on the altar of the heart by cl410 (T, 1k, wangxian, post-canon, WWX has new golden core, happy)

What Is Left Over by qodqodqod (T, 30k, wangxian, JC & WWX, post-canon, reconciliation, WWX has new golden core, training montage, happy ending)

❤️ three surgeries and a mercy kill by MarbleGlove (T, 11k, medical procedures, fix-it, Mojo’s bookmark)

💖 Intervention of Spirits by Vrishchika (T, 4k, wangxian, pre-relationship, canon divergence, golden core reveal, WWX has new golden core)

💖 Until The End by abCEE (M, 365k, wangxian, canon divergence, communication, established relationship, sunshot campaign, mpreg, canon typical violence, WWX has new golden core, canonical character death, happy ending, fix-it of sorts)

A Cup of Tea by Silvers_Hidden_Corner (Silver_Flame_2724) (E, 4k, wangxian, burial mounds settlement days, dubious consent, aphrosidiacs, porn w/ plot, dual cultivation, WWX has new golden core, communication, fix-it of sorts)

💖 The Epic Lie of the Yiling Laozu and His Wife by JaenysBloodcourt (T, 9k, wangxian, WWX/WQ, fake/pretend relationship, fake marriage, misunderstandings, lies, jealousy, BAMF WWX, yiling wei au)

these colours fade for you only by doodlebutt (T, 36k, wangxian, fix-it, fluff & angst, happy ending, WWX gets a new core, hurt/comfort, slow burn, pining, canon-typical violence & gore)

Different Paths to the Same Route by JustAWanderingBabbit (T, 184k, jjin guangyao & lan xichen & nie mingjue, 3zun, lan wangji & wei wuxian, canon divergence: AQ becomes XXC and SL’s first disciple) WWX is reincarnated into a new magically constructed body

Dream of the Gold Chamber by JustAWanderingBabbit (T, 9k, 3zun, canon violence, referenced canonical incest, crack treated seriously) WWX is reincarnated into a new magically constructed body

24 Hours by tailor31415 (E, 5k, wangxian, post-canon, PWP, bondage, prostate milking, dual cultivation) LWJ fucks a new core into WWX in a dual-cultivational ritual

nothing gold can stay by Rilke (M, 10k, Canon divergence, Golden core reveal, On the run Wangxian) an English fandom classic, Translations in Italian, Spanish, Russian, Bahasa Indonesian, Korean and Podfic available

~*~

15. hi!! thank you so much for all you do! this is a kinda vague ask, but do you have any fics where wwx thinks lwj hates him? like just any where that comes up lol thank you again 🙏🥺 sorry if that's a difficult request

Love Is More Than Telling Me You Want It by phnelt (E, 99k, wangxian, ABO, trapped in a cave, rut sex, knotting, virginity, sunshot campaign, everyone lives au, angst w/ happy ending)

The price of freedom, the worth of love by Serinah (E, 31k, wangxian, forced relationship, enthusiastic consent on sex tho, undernegotiated kink, bondage, bondage, spanking, feels, angst w/ happy ending, dom/sub, misunderstandings, hurt WWX, romance)

~*~

16. Can I get some recs for A) fics about different first meetings between wangxian and also B) fics where it focuses on Wei Wuxian still being traumatized by Wen Chao flying him to the burial mounds and pushing him off? Like, Wei Wuxian can't get on a sword because it brings up bad memories? Or he is only comfortable being on Lan Wangji's sword and anyone else's, even his own, just gives him a panic attack?

16A)

a paper friend by soft_wanning (G, 4k, wangxian, different first meetings, paperman WWX, fluff, meet-cute, identity porn)

💖 blossoms at the roadside by bleuett (T, 12k, wangxian, au, getting together, tenderness, gardens & gardening, hand feeding, happy ending)

💖 Xiao-Ying of the Third Refugee Village by abCEE (T, 31k, wangxian, WWX banished from Jiang sect, not Jiang friendly, found family, mpreg, fluff, flirting)

💖 carried by the wind by saichan (T, 7k, wangxian, YLLZ WWX, rogue cultivatior WWX, letters, crows, post sunshot, yi city)

💖sweet chaos by eachandeverydimension (G, 86k, wangxian, arranged marriage, different first meeting, falling in love, getting together, lwj in lotus pier, Chinese culture)

SanRen by Kyogre (T, 87k, wangxian, rogue cultivator WWX, action & romance, fluff, happy ending)

~*~

17. I'm in a mood for fics where WWX calls LWJ sweetheart :)

💖 hello my old heart, how have you been? by ravenditefairylights (M, 10k, wangxian, post-canon, temporary amnesia, curses, hurt/comfort, fluff, trauma, pining, sleepy cuddles)

~*~

18. Hello, Mod L! I hope you’re doing well. I’m in the mood for some fics where A) WWX grows up in a stable household with no abuse, grooming, etc. B) Jiang Sect/Lan Sect bashing fics (excluding Lan Wangji, and Sizhui as well as Jingyi depending on the time it’s set in). And C) good crossover fics where WWX is the main character or one of them. Thank you, keep up the good work!

18B)

Anything by Preludian_staves not Jiang friendly

💖rain falls and soaks into the earth by RoseThorne (T, 37k, wangxian, no war au, near death, hurt WWX, psychological trauma, depression, justice, fear, angst, attempted murder, recovery, mind all the tags, series in progress)

The Scapegoat by chiyukimei (T, 4k, wangxian, JL & WWX, bonding, not Jiang friendly, not JC friendly)

💖 in payment, a hand series by justdoityoufucker (M, 10k, wangxian, not jiang friendly, amputation, injury recovery, self reflection, abusive YZY, families of choice)

Like stones on an unseen board by Vir_Abelasan (Not rated, 11k, wangxian, age difference, dark lwj, manipulation, implied abuse, corporal punishment, happy ending, not jiang friendly)

💖 Matters of regret and confrontations series by pft_a_Frog22 (Not rated, 16k, wangxian, not Jiang friendly, time travel, golden core reveal, suicidial ideation, burial mounds, demonic cultivation, WIP)

💖 An Unexpected Visitor by Hauntcats (G, 8k, QHJ/Madam Lan, wangxian, fix-it of sorts, not Jiang friendly, not jin friendly, happy ending)

When the World Comes Crumbling Down, you Will Call my Name by pft_a_Frog22 (Not rated, 5k, wangxian (unrequited as far as I read), not lan sect friendly, not cultivation world friendly, BAMF WWX, ambiguos/open ending, WWX gets a happy ending)

I wanna take you somewhere so you know I care (but it's so cold, i don't know where) by Callmetatsuo (M, 1k, wangxian, LSZ & LWJ, LXC & LQR, PTSD, panic attacks, hurt/comfort, not Lan sect friendly, not LXC friendly, not LQR friendly, not cultivation world friendly)

The Hate and Love of family by Moonlit_dewdrops (T, 11k, wangxian, not YZY friendly, abuse, near death, recovery, trauma, hurt WWX, WIP)

💖 Whatever you do by apathyinreverie (T, 8k, wangxian, not Jiang friendly, BAMF WWX, BAMF LWJ, BAMF LXC, implied/referenced torture, genius WWX, fluff, fix-it)

💖 Worth of a Good Man by Vrishchika (G, 6k, wangxian, everybody lives / nobody dies au, not jiang friendly)

💖 To Speak Up by Vrishchika (M, 7k, wangxian, modern, child abuse, child neglect, not jiang friendly)

18C)

Of Hats and Flutes by FixaIdea (G, 6k, WIP, Discworld crossover, Humor, Witches, Fluff, Necromancy)

Myopia by rustycol (G, 67k, WIP, Water Margin crossover, Canon Divergence, Canon typical violence, Wen Qing lives)

Dignity and Animality by Anielka (G, 31k, Watership down fusion, Reincarnation, Lapine language, Rabbit!Wei Ying, Sunny Angst, Pining -Mojo's Post)

a journal of impossible things, by lily_winterwood (T, 18k, Doctor Who fusion, Time Lord!WWX, 1930's Shanghai, Period typical homophobia)

~*~

19. I don't know if this still works but I'm in the mood for a fic where WWX was raised by his real parents. I only ask that, no matter the plot. @hotarudaiki

Song Unwritten by Kytrin & Mslead (E, 94k, wangxian, temporary character death, angst w/ happy ending, fix-it of sorts, cql meets mdzs, parallel universes, transmigration, yiling wei sect au, YLLZ WWX)

The Lotus Throne by Bluebeads (G, 2k, WCZ & CSSR & WWX, JYL & WWX, sect leader WCZ, rogue cultivator WWX, BSSR diciple WWX, cloud recesses study arc, WIP)

From Those Years Of Youth by Sundellier (Not rated, 7k, wangxian, CSSR & WCZ live, childhood friends, eventual smut, WIP)

Cartwheels In Cloud Recesses by ShanaStoryteller (not rated, 24k, wangxian, series in progress)

softly; with feeling by diettcherrysoda (T, 3k, wangxian, fix-it, canon divergence, WWX has a younger sister)

Let the Heavens be the judge by A_Mirror_of_memories (T, 4k, wangxian, not Jiang friendly, not JC friendly, angst w/ happy ending, time travel, fix-it, CSSR & WCZ live)

Wújī by FairyTaleDreams (M, 39k, wangxian, rogue cultivator WWX, CSSR & WCZ live, WIP)

~*~

20. Hey there! For your next in the mood for post, i saw this fanart recently and immediately wanted to read some young wwx meets hanguang-jun fics! Preferably cloud recesses days but other times are fine too! I just would prefer heavy amounts of doting (: @redafi

💖 From the Future for the Past by friedchickenlord (G, 27k, wangxian, time travel, fix-it, fluff & humor, happy ending, denial, pining, bullying ur younger self is in fact ok)

💖 vinegar jug by dandelion_san (G, 7k, wangxian, time travel, Mojo’s post, WIP)

💖 The Eternal Recurrence by countingcr0ws (E, 51k, wangxian, time traveler’s wife au, underage kissing, time travel, romance, fatherhood, family, poetry, coming of age, getting together)

~*~

If you didn’t get an answer to your ask here, don’t forget to make use of @mdzs-kinkmemeand MDZS KINK MEMEon Dreamwidth. Authors actually do use them for ideas. You may get what you order! ***Your prompt doesn’t have to be kink! Fluff, crack, whatever - it’s all good!***

#long post

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robininthelabyrinth · 3 years

Note

Prompt: what if jc was lxc's age (and jyl maybe 2 or 3 years older) and wwx was lwj's/nhs' age when he was brought to lotus pier? (Or anything that involves a much bigger age gap bw the jiang sibs and wwx - where wwx is babey)

Untamed

“You know what,” Jiang Cheng said to his sister, who looked at him. “I’ve changed my mind. I’m not marrying a woman.”

Jiang Yanli’s lips started twitching uncontrollably and she hid her smile behind her sleeve. “Oh?”

“Nope. I’m going to marry Chifeng-zun.”

“On the basis of…?”

“If you take two adult men in charge of two Great Sects,” Jiang Cheng said, doing his utmost best to keep a straight face, “with all the power we can generate between us, we might – maybe – have a chance at disciplining our baby brothers.”

Jiang Yanli burst out laughing.

“There, there. It’s all right,” he said, grinning, reaching out to pat her on the shoulder. “You can join us if you’d like. There’s enough room in Qinghe for two wives.”

“We are not both running away to Qinghe,” she said, giggling. “A-Cheng!”

“What? I think it’s a great idea. If our parents want us back, they can negotiate with Chifeng-zun for it – may they have more luck than they had with the whole medicinal herb debacle.”

“A-Cheng, I am officially tabling this idea,” Jiang Yanli said, still snorting. “Older sibling privilege.”

“I let you out of the womb first as a matter of courtesy,” Jiang Cheng sniffed. “And now you use it against me? A-Li, how could you?”

“Call me jiejie! It doesn’t matter how much older, a few shichen or a few years, older is still older.”

“You probably elbowed me with those sharp pointy things you have on your arms. Weapons of war.”

“Older is older!” she sang. “Now tell me, what did A-Xian do this time?”

“Would you like it in chronological order, or in order of severity? I can also group it by theme, if you prefer.”

“Oh no,” Jiang Yanli said, covering her eyes. “Oh no.”

“And the chief-most theme,” Jiang Cheng said, continuing anyway, “is still called Lan Wangji.”

“Oh no!”

“He has the worst crush,” Jiang Cheng said, shaking his head with endless amusement. “And he just – refuses to admit it. ‘Nooooo, shixiong, we’re just friends, he can’t even stand me most of the time, he’s always trying to get me in trouble, but sometimes he lets me sit next to him and spend time with him and he’s so handsome and I really just want to make him laugh –’”

“We have,” Jiang Yanli said thoughtfully, “raised an idiot.”

“He was fine when we got him,” Jiang Cheng disagreed. “We have spoiled an idiot.”

“This is true. Maybe we should go form a mutual complaining society with Chifeng-zun; isn’t his little brother also an idiot?”

“Oh, you have no idea,” Jiang Cheng said. “Worse: they’ve teamed up. Nie Huaisang buys Wei Wuxian porn now.”

“Oh no…”

“In return for help cheating on his tests!”

“Oh no!”

“So that’s why I’m going to marry Chifeng-zun,” Jiang Cheng concluded. “Our parents may be disappointed by my decision, but with our powers combined, we might be able to save the world from our respective younger idiots.”

“Maybe,” she said, and shook her head. “A-Cheng – about our parents…”

Jiang Cheng shook his head as well, echoing her action but more in denial. It wasn’t anyone’s fault that she took after their father and he took after their mother, that she was born a shichen prior to midnight and he a shichen after and their personalities completely different as a result; it was no one’s fault that their parents didn’t get along, with their mother disdaining what she perceived as Jiang Yanli’s passiveness and lack of passion and their father despising Jiang Cheng’ prickly temper and difficulty communicating his affection without scolding.

It certainly wasn’t Wei Wuxian’s fault for being younger and more brilliant, talented at everything he did and with just the sort of personality their father liked best – the combination of his former best friend and the girl he’d once thought of marrying – and that he’d always made that preference very clear to everyone, even to their mother who often worried that her husband would dispossess her children in favor of his foundling and who lashed out at everyone in response.

That had hurt – hurt a lot, even, and Jiang Cheng was soft and sensitive underneath all his defensive layers, but any time he got angry over it he would look at Wei Wuxian, their little A-Xian, baby Xianxian, who adored his older siblings more than anything and was adored in return, and he forced himself to get over it. He was old enough, by the time Wei Wuxian arrived, to know to whom the blame really belonged.

“I spoke with Nie Huaisang while I was at the Cloud Recesses,” Jiang Cheng said in an undertone, one reserved just for his sister. “He’s asked me to pass along a message to his brother, the next time I go night-hunting, about the whole debacle – he’s so terribly apologetic, you understand, he couldn’t wait for the post – if we get to Qinghe by tomorrow, Chifeng-zun will be able to get to Gusu in time to intervene before our father does something wretched like cancel your engagement and take A-Xian home early from his studies.”

“The engagement I wouldn’t mind,” she remarked. “If Jin Zixuan feels so strongly about it that he’d get into a fistfight with A-Xian, it’s better not to marry, no matter what our mother might think. But on no account is A-Xian to be sent home early! He needs his education!”

Unsaid was everything else he needed, things he could get better at the Cloud Recesses than anywhere else.

“Then we go?”

“We go,” she agreed. Between the two of them, Jiang Cheng had more talent at cultivation, but she was steadier, even in her overall mediocrity: when the two of them flew on a sword together, they could make it much further and faster than anyone expected.

Qinghe wasn’t really close enough for a quick jaunt – they flew all night without stopping – but Chifeng-zun was amendable to their scheme, jumping at once onto his saber and making his way straight to Gusu. A waste of spiritual energy all around, really, but far faster than their father would move, with his Sect Leader’s dignity and retinue, rushing to the Cloud Recesses to save his precious little Wei Wuxian from having any connections in life that weren’t to the Jiang sect, and the Jiang sect alone.

And never mind how much he needed those connections: needed to have friends his own age, needed to have more time with that crush of his, needed independence and freedom and everything the Jiang sect supposedly stood for - needed for them to support him and act as the foundation beneath his feet, rather than the chains tying him down to earth.

Chifeng-zun – who was only a few years older than they were – was really a very understanding person, getting the problem at once and immediately agreeing with their view on things. Perhaps there really was something to be said about the difference in generations…

“Let me show you to rooms where you can rest,” Chifeng-zun’s aide said, a slender young man with a polite smile on his face as he saluted. “I’ll arrange for refreshments as well.”

“We hate to trouble you, but in all honesty you are a lifesaver,” Jiang Yanli said to him warmly, and he unexpectedly flushed red at the cheeks. “A-Cheng, let’s follow this handsome young man and rest a while before we return to the Lotus Pier.”

The young man was blushing.

“What’s your name?” Jiang Cheng asked, and the blush faded away at once as the man paled a little: it would be one he expected them to recognize, then, and not in a good way.

“This one is Meng Yao,” he said, and saluted again even though he’d already saluted once before, and Jiang Yanli’s eyes flickered to Jiang Cheng’s very briefly before she caught his arms and raised him up.

“I’ve heard of you. Smart and talented enough to get Chifeng-zun’s attention, even so far as becoming his personal deputy - you must be brilliant. Truly, you deserve a better father,” she told him, and he stared up at her, dumbstruck.

“Don’t mind her,” Jiang Cheng said. “She’s trying out this new thing in which she says everything she feels without thinking first.”

She elbowed him. “And isn’t it your fault?” she asked snappishly. “You’re the one who needs to speak your mind more; I’m just modeling good behavior!”

If she’d been older than him – really older, rather than just a few shichen – maybe she would have held her tongue more and played the role of the peacekeeper, trying to protect him from his father’s indifference the way she had tried to when they were both younger, just as he had tried to distract his mother from her with his hard-fought accomplishments. It wasn’t until they had little Wei Wuxian to spoil and care for, a joint task that required both of their attention, that they realized that splitting their forces like that was pointless and self-defeating: it wasn’t actually helping that Jiang Yanli suppressed so much of her spirit until she felt like little more than a reflective mirror with no content, nor that Jiang Cheng nearly worked himself to death trying to prove that he was worthy of his father’s love and respect that he would never receive, and it never would.

So they stopped.

They were trying very hard to stop, anyway.

“You’re very kind,” Meng Yao murmured, and led them to their rooms.

The moment he closed the door behind him, Jiang Yanli turned to Jiang Cheng and said, “I’ve changed my mind about your plan – we can run away to Qinghe. You marry Chifeng-zun, and I’ll marry that charming boy out there.”

There was an audible thudding sound from the corridor outside, as if someone had accidentally walked into a wall, and they both grinned at each other.

“Mother would kill you,” he warned her in an undertone.

“And being married to someone who disdains me enough to fight over my worthlessness in public wouldn’t?” she retorted, smiling even though her expression was tinged with pain: if she had one ambition in life, it was to never become their mother. “The marriage agreement might have been forged by our mothers, but the text of it says ‘the Jin sect leader’s son to the Jiang sect leader’s daughter’. Why can’t I marry him?”

“He hasn’t been acknowledged.”

“Only technically. Everyone knows he’s the real deal, or else his father wouldn’t have made such a fuss about it.”

“But –”

“Anyway, he must be a good man, or Chifeng-zun wouldn’t have promoted him.”

“I don’t know about that,” Jiang Cheng said. “Chifeng-zun doesn’t have the sense of self-preservation the heavens bestowed on a lemming.”

There was a vaguely audible snort from outside their door. It seemed Meng Yao, at least, had the good sense not to leave guests in his house unattended, and no discrimination against the very useful business of listening at doors.

He also had a sense of humor, which was good given Jiang Yanli’s newfound ambitions in his regard.

“Yes, well, I wasn’t saying I’d elope with him tomorrow or anything,” she sniffed, eyes dancing. “Give him some time to prove himself to me.”

Jiang Cheng couldn’t help but smile back. “That’s true,” he said, raising his voice a little. “At Chifeng-zun’s side, he’ll be able to make a name for himself until the whispers all say that his father was an idiot for keeping him away.”

“And if even that doesn’t work, I’ll marry him in and make him help me run the Jiang sect,” she said cheerfully. “Who needs Lanling Jin?”

“Wait, since when are you inheriting the Jiang sect?”

“I’m older! And anyway, aren’t you marrying Chifeng-zun? That means you’ll be away helping run his sect, and that leaves an opening at home for me.”

“…huh. Good point.”

“Maybe you can just swap places with Meng Yao,” she said, starting to giggle again. “And we can all see how long it takes anyone to notice…”

“Our parents might not,” Jiang Cheng said dryly. “But Chifeng-zun would. If only because I have my sights set on his bed, and I don’t think Meng Yao does.”

“You don’t know that; everyone wants Chifeng-zun. Maybe you have competition.”

“Better to have competition than be oblivious. Do you want to hear the whole story about A-Xian and Lan Wangji’s tragic mutual pining disaster? Xichen-xiong told me all the details he’s been leaving out of his letters.”

“Tell me everything!”

#mdzs #jiang cheng #jiang yanli #meng yao #nie mingjue #my fic #my fics #jiang sect twins #crazycat27 #mingcheng #meng yao/jiang yanli

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heavymetalchemist · 3 years

Text

I think it’s easy to forget that Wei Wuxian is strongly villain-coded. We see the story from his perspective, we know his reasons and justifications, if you’re watching CQL and paying attention you can figure out the core transfer before the reveal. We know that Wen Qing and Wen Ning are good guys. We know that the Burial Mounds gang is a bunch of tired uncle/aunts trying to grow some stupid radishes, a four year old, and the Disaster Bi Gang (none of whom have swords, even!) We know that Wei Wuxian has his heart in the right place, that he feels an incredibly strong debt to the Wen Siblings and by extension their remaining family, that he has no golden core and has no choice but to forsake the sword and cultivate the demonic path, that he defects from the Jiang sect in a fake fight with his brother so that the Jiang sect won’t suffer the consequences of his actions, even though they have Secret Soup later.

But if you’re not us, the audience? If you’re, for example, Sect Leader Yao?

Hey did you all hear about how Wei Wuxian got kicked out of the Cloud Recesses for violently lashing out at the Jin sect heir?

Hey did you all see how he doesn’t carry his sword any more and claims it’s because he’s so badass that he doesn’t need it? And he has that Stygian tiger seal, so maybe it’s not bullshit? Can you even fight against that with a sword?

What kind of power does this guy even have? He’s a teenager! He drinks all the time and he’s moody and surly and holy shit did you hear what he did at that Wen outpost? He tortured all of them to death! Ugly stuff, man. Gruesome way to go. Maybe even worse than what Wen Ruohan did, at least a hot poker doesn’t make you claw your own eyes out.

Oh shit, he just stormed into this banquet and just SAID “if I want to kill someone who can stop me” and he still has that tiger seal I think we should be worried???

He just busted a bunch of Wen cultivators out of prison! And then he ran off to the Burial Mounds??? And his sect leader didn’t even know anything about it? Is he going rogue? Is he starting an uprising? This demonic cultivation stuff really seems to be corrupting him!

Oh man he got kicked out of the Jiang sect? You mean even the man he grew up with, who he was raised with practically as a brother, can’t control him any more? Did you hear about his fierce corpse? They call him the Ghost General! He’s unstoppable! What are we going to do if he comes for us?

He could be building a whole army in there, Sect Leader Jin said so! Who knows what kind of sick, twisted stuff he’s getting up to! Don’t forget all that horrible shit in the Sunshot Campaign, remember when he was raising the Wens’ own dead to turn against them? He could do that to us! He’s working with the Wens now, even! He’s gone totally crazy!

We can’t let some outlaw have all this power. It’s putting the safety of all of us at risk. What if it’s just another Wen Ruohan waiting to happen? (especially applicable if you’re thinking he’s using Yin iron as in CQL!) If we let him consolidate his power too much, then he’ll be unstoppable!

HOLY SHIT he murdered the Jin sect heir and his cousin with his fierce corpse! That’s the man his former shijie married! The one he punched in the Cloud Recesses, remember when the Lans kicked him out because he was so unruly and disrespectful? Yeah! It was probably revenge! Have we done anything to him? Oh gods what if we’re next???

A major point of MDZS/CQL is how important reputation is, and how that affects everything. Wei Wuxian’s reputation is straight-up villainous. We, the audience, know that he’s trying his best, that he’s a traumatized teenager with a shitload of emotional baggage trying to do the right thing and repay a colossal debt, that he’s made choices that he now has to try and live with, etc. But to the rest of the world this guy has fucking lost it, he’s gone off the deep end and he has an incredibly powerful weapon and a mode of cultivation that seems to corrupt you and turn you into a monster, and frankly, they’re not wrong! It does affect his temperament and he does end up killing a lot of people and he is out of control!

MDZS/CQL is interesting precisely because we’re getting an entire Villain Apology Story. A long time ago I read a post by someone on here saying they find Jiang Cheng challenging to write about because he’s the protagonist of a different story, and he really is. He’s the guy whose former shixiong turns into a villain in pursuit of power, the Obi-Wan to WWX’s Anakin, the one who sees how incredible power corrupts and is obligated to fight against it. Having to fight against a former ally who was seduced by “the dark side” (in this case, demonic cultivation) is a story that gets told over and over, but always condemning the one who went to the dark side. He’s the blackened protagonist, the aren’t you tired of being nice, don’t you want to go ape shit power fantasy, where we as the audience can justify his actions because we know he did it to save his brother, his sister, the Wen remnants he owes a debt to. He isolates himself from the people who love him to protect them, he refuses Lan Wangji’s help because he’s convinced he just wants to lock him up and stop him from using demonic cultivation because he’s a righteous upstanding Lan (totally unaware of LWJ’s intense crush, obviously). He jokes about it but he knows he’s being painted as the villain, and he’s in denial about how much that will affect him, because after all… he’s the Yiling Laozu, and he knows his power. But so does everyone else, and they’re rightfully terrified!

And yet? When he comes back, LWJ still wants him, still cares for him, will move heaven and earth to protect him. JC cares about him so much he’s having a Constant Crisis about it. And WWX has not forgotten his shijie or shidi, immediately cares about Jin Ling, and still is the man who really just wanted to be free and grow some goddamn radishes. He accepts that he paid for what he’s done with his death, and just wants to start over.

It just drives me nuts when people pretend like WWX was an angel who did nothing wrong because the whole POINT is that he was a villain-coded gay (well, bi) and the man you had to really watch out for was the polite, thoughtful, soft-spoken one that worked his way up from a tragic backstory. It’s a whole subversion and it’s awesome!

#mdzs meta #wei wuxian #yiling laozu #of course wwx has a good heart but remember when that kid shot an arrow at him and he threw it right back through his heart?#remember when JC and LWJ walked into that Wen outpost and were like oh fuck oh man what the fuck?#remember when he almost busted out chenqing to murder JZX over a SOUP MISUNDERSTANDING?#this is not a wwx hate post this is a pls understand complex characters and nuance post #that audience knowledge is NOT character knowledge #is this a lowkey NMJ defense post? yes.

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vrishchikawrites · 3 years

Note

Are you still taking prompts?

Cause if so, I'd love to see a time travel fic where post-canon WWX and LWJ get yeeted back into their younger bodies, and land just before the GC transfer. And Post-Canon WWX - who's had some years of being a part of a loving, supportive family, in a non-toxic, non-abusive environment; and therefore no longer has any misconceptions about how much the Jiangs were not his family - takes one look at JC lying there on the table in the cave after WQ knocked him out (and is now in the middle of prepping for surgery); and just goes, "LOL, yeah; nope.😆 Been there, done that; 10/10, would not recommend.😝 Hey, WQ - change of plans!😎"

(Except, you know, not written like crack. 😉)

Not necessary to include, but a fun idea:

JC gets dragged along to the past as well because he has WWX's GC; so whatever sent them back mistook him for part of WWX and brought him along.

So when he wakes up from the anaesthesia, he freaks out about not having a GC anymore. And WWX has this whole story ready to tell young JC about how, "Oops, sorry; you can't have a new GC after all" - but this is Post-Canon JC; so he knows about the transfer, and knows that this means that WWX decided not to do it again.

Which means he ends up screaming at WWX about, "How dare you not give me your GC!"

So WWX feels exactly zero sympathy.

(Before that happened he was maybe feeling a little bit bad for young JC; because that JC hadn't done anything too bad yet - but he already knew how it would turn out if he went through with it. And he was not giving up his chance to cultivate to immortality with his hubby; just so that JC could Feel Like A Real Man, and go on to murder his way through life again.)

What would be really, really great about this, is if WWX had brought JC to Qinghe or Gusu; or somewhere the other cultivation sects involved in the SSC had gathered, before JC woke up. Planning to leave him there where he would be safe. So when JC wakes up and starts screaming, everybody hears him.

And they're all like, "...WUT."🤤

"You expected him to do what?!?"😲😨😱

So instead of all the sympathy and compassion, etc, that he would have gotten over what happened at LP (that he probably did get the first time), or for losing his GC; basically the entire allied cultivation world as a whole is collectively side-eyeing him.

IDK; I just think it would be really funny.

But mainly, I just want to see WWX a few years post-canon; having the chance to do it all again, and choosing not to go through with the GC transfer. LWJ going with him is because the thought of post-canon LWJ losing his WWX makes me sad; and I want them to stay together. 😋

Post-Canon JC going back and getting stuck with the coreless body he deserved is just for my own catharsis.

(The rest of that idea is simply for the lulz.) 😉

(I decided not to include JC traveling back in time. Hope this works and satisfies you!)

“No, I don’t.” Wei Wuxian sees Wen Qing blink and stare at him while Wen Ning stills in the process of making Jiang Cheng comfortable.

“What?” Wen Qing asks but rethinks it immediately, “No, no need to answer that.” She starts packing away her instruments immediately like she’s glad that Wei Wuxian has changed his mind. He looks at her and feels aching fondness rise in his chest. She must be frustrated that he made her go through all of that trouble and yet she still chooses to move before he can change his mind again.

“What… are we going to tell Jiang-gongzi?” Wen Ning asks tentatively but Wei Wuxian notes the faint look of relief in the boy’s eyes.

“We’ll tell him the treatment wasn't possible,” He says, glancing at his… former shidi. It isn’t an easy decision to make, because he knows Jiang Cheng would suffer for it. A part of him feels like he’s being unnecessarily cruel by denying Jiang Cheng his core.

But he has already paid his debt and it cost countless people their lives. Jiang Cheng’s actions didn’t just lead to the death of the Wens. Lan Zhan had told him about the numerous ‘demonic cultivators’ Jiang Cheng had pursued relentlessly. Even his love wasn’t certain how many people died or were tormented to insanity because of Jiang Cheng’s persistence.

While Wei Wuxian doesn’t intend to let the situation get so out of hand, it is apparent that Jiang Cheng can’t be trusted with power.

He is worried about how Jiang Cheng would react. Wei Wuxian had promised him a core, after all. But whatever happens, a powerless Jiang Cheng is safer for everyone.

“We’ll tell him that rebuilding the core is impossible because Wen Zhuliu destroyed his meridians as well.”

“He has,” Wen Qing points out, “I was about to repair them.”

Wei Wuxian frowns, “And can you repair them still? Without transferring the core?” That would certainly help Jiang Cheng heal faster and accept some spiritual energy transfusions. Wen Qing looks at Jiang Cheng with a frown and nods.

“Wei-gongzi… what changed your mind?” Wen Ning asks as Wen Qing goes to work immediately. Wei Wuxian knows that if he has to help the Wens, he needs to tell them the truth. While Wen Ning would trust him and accept his explanation without too many questions, Wen Qing wouldn’t be so easy.

Wei Wuxian takes a deep breath and closes his eyes, getting his thoughts in order. When he opens them again, both of the Wens are looking at him with frowns.

He grins wryly and spreads his hands, "I have a tale for you, my dear friends."

Jin Guangyao needed to have his last 'hurrah'. He just couldn't leave them be, even as he died. Whatever he did, whatever tool he used, it sent a shockwave of Resentful Energy that would've killed them all.

As always, Wei Wuxian stepped forward to protect people. As always, Lan Wangji stepped forward to protect him.

Wei Wuxian gritted his teeth and changed his plan at the last moment. At first, he wanted to absorb the energy and channel it somewhere else. But with so many people just lingering instead of running, he needed a different solution.

His mind flashed, he saw Jiang Cheng, and decided.

A forbidden array formed.

"I needed something that would use up all of the Resentful Energy and protect everyone, including Lan Zhan."

"So, at the last moment and on the verge of dying, you chose something as improbable as time travel." Wen Qing deadpans. Wen Ning is looking at him with wide eyes. Strangely enough, both look like they believe him. Well, he did mention a few things, personal incidents, that he had no way of knowing if the Wens hadn't told him.

Still.

"I'm not the one for regrets," He says softly as he looks at Jiang Cheng, "But I thought that array was the safest solution. It doesn't harm the current timeline so everyone is safe. Lan Zhan, I know, wouldn't mind following my lead in this." He did regret taking Zewu-jun's brother away from him after such a traumatic event but there really was no other option. Not with Jin Ling so close and so many innocent people in the vicinity.

Wei Wuxian is quite certain that the blast would've destroyed everything around them, including the innocent people around the Guanyin Temple complex.

The siblings exchange glances before Wen Qing returns to Jiang Cheng's side, preparing to work on his meridians, "You're going to change things." She observes, "Save people?"

"Save you and Wen Ning. Save Jiang Yanli. Save innocents, yes."

Wen Qing freezes.

---

Lan Wangji doesn't know what Wei Ying did but he trusts his beloved. When he finds himself in the past, just before the Sunshot Campaign begins and shortly after the fall of the Lotus Pier, he doesn't hesitate.

He knows that his brother is safe and his uncle is managing things at Cloud Recesses. But he also knows that somewhere out there, his beloved is preparing himself for a risky, painful procedure.

Wangji can't let that happen. He thinks back on everything Wen Ning shared with him about the incident, particularly the location of where it occurred. He's probably too late to stop the transfer but perhaps not late enough to stop the Wens from finding Wei Ying.

It takes him days to reach Yiling without the aid of Bichen but he manages and immediately heads towards the approximate location Wen Ning had mentioned.

"Wei Ying," He breathes softly when he spots his beloved shopping for some supplies. He hadn't anticipated finding him so soon but is grateful nonetheless.

Wei Ying is dressed like a peasant and blends in well with the people around him but Wangji can recognize him anywhere.

Dressed discreetly and without his forehead ribbon, Wangji too is inconspicuous. He moves swiftly towards Wei Ying and catches his elbow, eyeing the people in red and white uniform at the far end of the street warily.

"Come." He whispers.

Wei Ying doesn't say a word, just paying the vendor and following Wangji into a more discreet location.

Wangji looks at his beloved's face, drinking in his bright silver eyes and sharp features with acute relief.

"Wei Ying, you… you look well." Strangely so, for someone who has just given up his Golden Core.

Hope stirs in his chest and Wangji reaches for Wei Ying's wrist.

His love's lips quirk in amusement, but Wangji ignores him, focusing on sending his spiritual energy through Wei Ying's meridians.

A strong core pulses in response.

"Wei Ying," Something bright and triumphant burns in his chest and he resists the urge to pull his beloved into a crushing embrace.

He would've supported Wei Ying's decision to give up his core and cultivate with resentful energy again. He knew it wasn't evil or harmful now.

But Wei Ying chose himself. His beloved had finally chosen to save himself.

"Aiya, Lan Zhan!" Wei Ying laughs, "If you keep looking at me like that, I'll do something quite shameless and embarra-"

Wangji kisses him.

He cups that precious face, pulls him close, and slides his lips over soft flesh in a tender expression of love he can't contain.

Wei Ying chose himself.

---

Jiang Cheng returns from his trip to the mountain with a thunderous expression on his face.

He disregards Lan Zhan and grabs Wei Wuxian's arm in a tough grip, dragging him away from the crowded tea house. Lan Zhan follows without a word, his expression frosty and eyes on Jiang Cheng.

"Your Grandmaster," He spits, "Is just as useless and worthless as you. All she could do is repair my meridians! My body was too damaged for anything else, she said!"

Wei Wuxian knows Wen Qing wrote the note they left by Jiang Cheng's side but he hadn't known what she had written.

It must've been reasonably convincing for Jiang Cheng to be convinced.

"That's-" He searches his mind to find words that would be appropriately sympathetic. Saying 'that's too bad' would be just rubbing salt on an open wound.

He may dislike Jiang Cheng, but some of the childhood affection still lingers. He doesn't wish to hurt his former shidi.

"I didn't know," He says finally, his heart throbbing in sympathy at Jiang Cheng's devastated expression. He briefly reconsiders his decision but Lan Zhan shifts discreetly by his side and Wei Wuxian remembers why he made that decision in the first place.

Jiang Cheng had been unworthy of the gift he had been given.

His shidi snarls and turns to Lan Zhan, "What are you doing here, Lan er-gonzi," He snarls, "Coming to triumph in our misery?"

Lan Zhan looks at him flatly, "I came to assist Wei Ying."

"Came to assist Wei Ying," Jiang Cheng mocks, his expression tight and furious, "Well, you're welcome to take him away! There's nothing left for him to destroy. Everything is gone. He invited the wrath of the Wens on our heads to protect you and that led to the destruction of my sect. He couldn't even repay that debt. His Grandmaster failed."

Jiang Cheng turns hate-filled eyes towards him, "You are a curse. My father should have left you to rot on the streets!"

"Jiang Wanyin!" Lan Zhan warns but Wei Wuxian places a hand on the Second Jade's arm to halt him.

"I'm taking you to Meishan to be with shijie." Wei Wuxian says calmly, "And then I'll go join the war efforts."

Jiang Cheng sneers before turning his head away, silent.

Wei Wuxian does as he says. He leaves Jiang Cheng in Jiang Yanli's care and heads to Qinghe with Lan Zhan. The war goes differently than before. He manages to kill Wen Zhuliu and Wen Chao early, which gives them a big morale boost. But that's the only thing that goes their way for a long time.

"I'm going to use it," He tells Lan Zhan once, when the scales tip dangerously in the Wen's favor.

Lan Zhan studies him before nodding gracefully, "I will help."

There's no way to avoid using his cultivation method, not if he wants to keep people safe. He's more careful and restrained this time and he doesn't create the Yīn Hǔ Fú. But Mo Dao is Mo Dao. It attracts disapproval from people regardless.

Wei Wuxian doesn't care and Lan Zhan stays by his side without paying any heed to the grumblings of his clan. He goes to sleep every night with Lan Zhan's guqin notes in his ear and meditates every morning with the Cleansing purging the Resentful Energy from his body.

With a powerful and active Golden Core, Wei Wuxian can't use Mo Dao liberally without risking Qi Deviation. But he uses enough to help them win the war.

Wei Wuxian successfully retakes Lotus Pier and Yunmeng from the Wens. Jiang Cheng's hatred doesn't diminish and even Jiang Yanli grows distant after a while. Jiang Cheng's suffering and downfall hardens something in his soft shijie.

Wei Wuxian accepts that consequence quietly.

He hands Lotus Pier back to Jiang Cheng and stays on the front lines, leaving most of the freshly recruited disciples behind to protect his former martial siblings. When the war ends, argues to keep the Wen cultivators in better conditions. He makes sure everyone knows how much the Jiangs owe the Wen siblings, and saves the children and elderly.

With Jiang Cheng out of the Cultivation World and Wei Wuxian's reputation as a war hero, saving the Wen remnants is easier than it had been before.

---

Everyone is baffled when Jiang Wanyin names a new head disciple and Wei Wuxian never returns to Yunmeng. People gossip, sect leaders question, and new Jiang disciple flounder.

Neither Jiang Wanyin nor Wei Wuxian confirms it but it is clear to everyone that the Jiang Sect has, foolishly, kicked out its most powerful disciple. YunmengJiang remains wealthy but the Sect's influence diminishes significantly once Wei Wuxian leaves.

Other Sects, big and small, scramble to find Wei Wuxian, ready to offer him a place and get a powerful cultivator in their ranks. Letters pour in promising wealth and prestige.

Wei Wuxian ignores them all and settles in Cloud Recesses. He's content to teach a group of eye-wide Lan ducklings now to deal with resentful energy and limit the risk of Qi Deviation. He takes them on Nighthunts, teaches them real-life lessons, encourages creativity, and becomes a well-loved senior.

New YunmengJiang disciples aren't near as strong as their predecessors without someone to teach them properly.

People gossip and speculate as the years pass. They hint that he is wrong to leave his former sect behind but he doesn't care.

Wei Wuxian has Lan Zhan and Lan Sizhui. Wen Qing and Wen Ning live happily in a small farming village not far from Gusu. They intervene before Jin Guangyao kills Nie Mingjue. They save Lan Xichen from heartache. Jin Ling is born and has both of his parents.

That's all he needs to be happy.

YunmengJiang is no longer his responsibility.

#short prompts #time travel au #wei wuxian #lan wangji #no golden core transfer #anti jiang cheng

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admirableadmiranda · 3 years

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The importance on when we find out something: or JC’s sacrifice reveal

I just want to note that I keep seeing this brought up as a “Gotcha!” or a winning argument that we should have all known that Jiang Cheng really cared and it should change our perspective on things. But all it really is meant to do is hammer home the tragedy of Jiang Cheng’s failings.

Narrative beats exist in every story, and Modaozushi is no different. The flashbacks offer us a deeper understanding of the present story, there is one key moment that entirely reframes the story and our perspective of a character, and of course the emotional climax of Guanyin Temple that begins with the clarity of Lan Wangji’s love and ends with Jin Guangyao and Nie Mingjue being sealed in an eternal battle of hatred. Where Jiang Cheng’s sacrifice reveal is placed is telling.

Regarding the two core reveals, we find out Wei Wuxian’s between the emotional heights of the Second Siege and Guanyin Temple, and it is a reveal to both the audience and everyone in story. Set shortly after the last flashback, it completely recontextualizes everything we thought about Wei Wuxian during the Sunshot Campaign. Why does he give up his sword? Why does he learn demonic cultivation? Why does he keep everyone at arms length and go so far to save the Wen siblings and the others in the camp? Because of this one action that he owed them so much for and can’t ever let anyone know because in the world he lived in, to have it known that he can no longer cultivate at all would invite the dogs to his door. Once you know it, you can’t look back at his actions without seeing that struggle there. Wei Wuxian as we know him becomes a different person knowing everything he did was to hide that one fact. Successfully, it doesn’t come out for almost eighteen years down the line.

Contrasting, we find out that Jiang Cheng distracted the Wens at the very end of the story. Narratively, this is not the point that is meant to recontextualize his actions as actually loving. It can’t. That’s not the point of that reveal. In story, we only find out that this one action of his happened after Wei Wuxian has turned away and let the door finally close behind him. This reveal is also set before everything else that happened, but only lets us see that Jiang Cheng once cared enough to actually do something. Him once deliberately drawing the Wens away does not make up for the following lifetime of refusing to pay any of his debts, actively turning the cultivation world against Wei Wuxian, leading the siege that killed him, and actively trying to capture and torture him through all of the present day. The reveal is not meant to tell us “Oh, but he loved him after all,” it is meant to highlight the tragedy of Jiang Cheng’s fall.

Once, yes, he did care and he acted in emotion to save him. But regardless of everything, it isn’t enough. One act of care is not enough to outweigh all the bad you have done. And Jiang Cheng knows that, and in his second and final act of care towards Wei Wuxian across the whole book, keeps it secret and lets him go.

#mdzs #wei wuxian #jiang cheng #canon jiang cheng #it's not a gotcha #it's not proof that Jiang Cheng was always better than Wei Wuxian thought #it's just a single moment of selflessness in the life of a very selfish man

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vvienne · 3 years

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XICHENG FIC RECS

hold my hands by Snooze (Chiruka)

Transplanting a core into a new person isn’t without repercussions. One year after the events at Guanyin Temple, Jiang Cheng found himself once again faced with the possibility of losing everything he had. Reconciling with his brother, learning to let Jin Ling go, and dealing with his blooming emotions toward the First Jade of Gusu — will Jiang Cheng accomplish what he wants before time runs out?

it all passes someday by screamlet

A week before the anniversary of Wei Wuxian’s death, there was a commotion outside Lan Wangji’s house.

Jiang Cheng and Lan Wangji over the years.

The Unlikely Expression of Love by manamune

When everything has settled, when everyone else has moved on with their lives and their friends, Jiang Cheng has a realization which shouldn’t actually be a surprise:

He’s lonely.

Indigo, lavender, and violet (I don't wanna be red) by ohwhatevrewhatevr

It, in the pale colors of the late morning, is the closest to perfect Jiang Cheng will ever reach. He strokes Lan XiChen's hair and presses a light kiss to where his ribbon and hair meet. The sky is a pale blue, and the pastels of flowers and clouds are spread out through the window, a brilliant world waiting for them, them in the gentian house, safe from stronger breezes - there is the clutter of birds fluttering and chirping outside. It is a warm, perfect, spring morning.

Jiang Cheng and Lan XiChen have been together for an year. In which, no one ever really gets over things, Jiang Cheng has the misfortune of interacting with his brother, the juniors help out with the proposal, and there's a marriage.

Altitude by starknjarvis

When Jin Ling lures Jiang Cheng to the Cloud Recesses under false pretenses, he finds himself out of place among this new family Wei Wuxian has formed.

Lan Xichen, at least, seems pleased to have his company.

Perhaps there is still a chance for Jiang Cheng to make amends and move forward.

[Modao Zushi Online] GLITCH REPORT: My Brother Got Chased Down And %$@*$&@ By Gusu Dungeon Boss??? by oh_fudgecakes

Modao Zushi Online is a virtual reality MMORPG. Jiang Cheng and Wei Wuxian are top ranking players in its new server, currently tied with their arch-nemesis from their previous server, Wen Chao. In an attempt to defeat him, they take on the Gusu Dungeon Boss, Zewu-jun, to win the reward of a legendary weapon. Ever the cheat, Wei Wuxian tries to take advantage of a glitch to defeat the seemingly undefeatable boss. It backfires. Jiang Cheng gets fucked by a boss monster.

He can't get enough.

Meanwhile, Lan Xichen, the unwitting staff member in charge of controlling Zewu-jun, absolutely did not sign up to be pulled into a secret virtual reality fling with a player. Mod Ji, who has to deal with Wei Wuxian's incessant glitch reporting of his brother's sex life, is long-suffering.

Mulberry by xxdz

Jiang Cheng grits his teeth and pushes harder. He feels like torn silk, the embroidery needle sinking in again and again and again; patiently, desperately, endlessly trying to make something beautiful out of something broken.

Jiang Cheng builds his sect, learns embroidery, and raises his nephew.

we can raise a little family by lanyon

“Well, brother,” says Wei Wuxian, leaning against the outside of Jiang Cheng’s chambers. “I had heard that you and Xichen went on a night hunt and came back with a baby, which is not the order I’d choose to do things in…”

In which Jiang Cheng and Lan Xichen acquire a baby of unknown origin, and are the very last to know what it means.

Beyond the Impossible by Silverine

Summoned by Lan Qiren, Jiang Wanyin goes to the Cloud Recesses to drop his nephew Jin Ling, expecting to discuss relevant matters with his old master. Instead, he's asked to take with him no other than Sect Leader Lan himself, all the way back to Lotus Pier. If the reason why he accepted such an outrageous task is indeed a mystery, he's about to be surprised by how this entire trip, their encounters, and his warm company, suddenly feel fated.

Incrementally by xxdz

Jiang Cheng is trapped in a day on repeat where he begins by waking in Zewu Jun’s bed at dawn and ends by dying painfully at dusk.

It’s getting very irritating, and he has the sneaking suspicion that his chances to solve his own murder are rapidly running out. Soon, his death will be much more permanent.

All in all, worst birthday ever.

Audience of One by WinterDreams

“Then let an established star go first,” Lan Xichen interrupts again before Lan Wangji can give a stubborn reply. Both men twist toward Lan Xichen, and he smiles at Wei Wuxian’s tilted head. “If I publicly date a man for awhile first, your engagement shouldn’t receive as much backlash.”

Or, that AU where everyone is famous in some way or another, Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji have been dating in private for years, and Lan Xichen and Jiang Cheng pretend to date publicly for their brothers' sake.

A Bit of Ruthlessness by jirluvien

When Jiang Cheng hears that Lan Xichen went into seclusion following Jin Guangyao’s death, it’s almost as if he can see the grabby hands of a restless ghost, reaching out for something to keep him company. For something warm and living and devastated. And as history has proved time and time again, the Lans are perfect victims when it comes to giving in to ghosts.Yeah, no. Not on Jiang Cheng’s fucking watch.A story about grief, determination, unexpected friendships, abandoned watchtowers, and letters. So many letters.

All Tied Up In You by Clearpearls

Yet again, the night had come to this:

Jiang Cheng on the floor, kneeling, Zidian wrapped around his wrists.

Alone.

Thank You, and I'm Sorry by Hamliet

Jin GuangYao might be dead, but his story is not. Taking advantage of the chaos he instigated, someone makes an attempt on the life of the young new leader of the Jin Sect. When Jiang Cheng takes Jin Ling to the Cloud Recesses to have him study while he attempts to work with Wei WuXian and his husband Lan WangJi to eliminate the threat, he encounters a mourning Lan XiChen, lovestruck teenagers, and a persistent corpse--and both pairs of brothers find themselves struggling to move on.

saturn's rings (don't be a heartbreaker) by iskendaris

Set after the seige of burial mounds, Yunmeng rebuilds as they hold the first Discussion Conference at Lotus Pier. Sometimes the night is a gift, a refuge for loneliness. "So stern, Sect Leader Jiang," Lan Xichen murmured, "So glacial... What will it take to melt that icy exterior? What can I say?"

"Nothing. There's nothing you can say or offer."

reciprocity by jukeboxhound

There’s a pause before Lan Xichen says, in a tone that’s a little more neutral, “I would like to paint on you.”

“…What?”

“Of course, if you say ‘yes’ but then change your mind at any point, for any reason, you need only say so and I will stop immediately,” he adds.

Well, silver lining: Jiang Cheng is feeling much more awake than he was a moment ago.

Talent Hunt Crew Finds Angry Guy Shouting On College Campus, Recruits Him For Vocal Projection Abilities by oh_fudgecakes

Jiang Cheng, resident Angry Guy and heir to a conglomerate empire, has never been the apple of his father’s eye. Quashed under the shadow of his brilliant brother, the music prodigy Wei Wuxian, Jiang Cheng sees his chance to turn things around when he is recruited by the All-Stars Lan Talent Hunt. One problem: he can’t sing to save his goddamn life.

As he struggles to develop his nascent singing abilities, Jiang Cheng finds himself sucked into the whirlwind drama of reality TV, helped along by his adoring siblings, his irritable vocal coach Wen Qing, and strangely enough, the unfairly attractive host of the All-Stars Lan Talent Hunt, Lan Xichen. Somewhere in the glare of the stage lights and an unexpected first love, Jiang Cheng stumbles upon the thing he was searching for all along: the courage to dream — and to attempt the impossible.

Marginal Costs by ohwhatevrewhatevr

“You think you know what you want, Er-Ge,” A-Yao says. “But you should consider what you’re willing to give first,” he says wryly, taking Lan XiChen’s chess piece with slim, skilled fingers.

Lan XiChen looks up at A-Yao’s concentrated expression and the hint of contentment on his face that he is special enough to be allowed to see.

“It’s not just one decision, but the lead up to many more. One decision decides what else you’re going to have to pay, and each time you have to ask yourself, ignoring the sunk costs, if this time it’s worth it as well.”

When his sworn brother looks up at him with those clear, amber eyes, waiting, Lan XiChen feels the pull and gives in: he asks.

“Are you happy being in love?”

(First half is two sad sworn brothers talking, internally mourning how unfortunate their other sworn brother’s death was :/ and second half is when a mopey boy in blue meets an angsty boy in purple whilst chasing a demonic cultivator, and a lil bit of sexy dual cultivation happens.)

Somewhat Tender by theherocomplex

There is no defense against kindness; it has always undone him.

I didn't expect you to be lonely (too) by bettydice (BettyKnight)

Jiang Cheng's life is a mess, he's a mess, and he doesn't miss his brother at all. So when his sister gifts him ten sessions with a massage therapist, who turns out to be someone he was crushing on for a hot minute as a teenager and is still as hot as ever... yeah, that might as well happen. It won't have to mean anything.

This feels intimate to Jiang Cheng in a way that's probably very inappropriate and maybe even pathetic. Nobody touches him like this, right where he’s hurt the most. There's no one who handles him so gently, so carefully.

It's the gentleness that's his undoing, he thinks. He would be able to deal better with it if it was painful.

Life for Rent by yodasyoyo

“Yeah well. You’re not taking me seriously. This guy is my soulmate!”

“Soulmate.” Jiang Cheng rolls his eyes. “Whatever.”

“Just because you don’t believe in them—”

“I believe in them!” Jiang Cheng says. “I’ve never denied they exist.”

“Just last week you said that it was an evolutionary quirk that had been used by greetings card companies, movie makers, and corporations to exploit lonely and vulnerable people.”

“And I stand by it! That doesn’t mean that soulmates aren’t real. Just incredibly unlikely and probably pointless.

Or:

Xicheng vs Soulmates. Fight!

Halfway Around the World by theherocomplex

Normally, Jiang Cheng would be seething, jaw clenched tight, if someone sounded like that while they were talking, but — Lan Xichen has the trick of always making you feel like you're in on the joke, whatever the joke is. That you're laughing together.

Whelmed by yodasyoyo

For months now Jiang Cheng’s been idly fantasizing about how it would be if something were to come between Wei Ying and Lan Zhan. Mostly those daydreams have been simple enough — they break up (probably because Lan Zhan is boring or Wei Ying is annoying), Wei Ying is sad for a couple of days (Jiang Cheng’s willing to allow some space for feelings, he isn't a total monster), but then Wei Ying realizes he’s better off, he gets over it, and Jiang Cheng gets his brother back.

Unfortunately the fantasy version of events has only proven partially true, so far. They've broken up. Wei Ying has been sad.

Now weeks have passed, though — and Wei Ying is still sad, every. Single. Day.

It’s like Jiang Cheng's stuck in a looping GIF, and it’s driving him insane.

Or:

Jiang Cheng plots, Lan Huan pines, and, unfortunately for Lan Qiren, Wangxian are inevitable.

#xicheng #fic recs #mdzs #mdzs recs #jiang cheng #lan xichen #obvs these reflect my personal preferences etc etc

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bloody-bee-tea · 3 years

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Beetober 2021 Day 10 - Lantern

Nie Mingjue knows what Jiang Cheng will say, even before he sits down. He guesses three years have been ample time to learn to read someone and so he’s not surprised when Jiang Cheng says “I want to leave.”

“I see,” Nie Mingjue says, because he does.

He even understands.

Theirs is not a marriage of love, even though Nie Mingjue finds himself wishing it was more and more often lately. But it is a political match, made even before Jiang Cheng or Nie Mingjue were old enough to consent to it, and their alliance was the only thing that stopped a war.

It might have saved the world they know, but feelings didn’t play a part in it.

At least at first.

“I wouldn’t—” Jiang Cheng starts but he cuts himself off. “I’m not leaving-leaving,” he then says, even though they both know he couldn’t anyway.

If it should be announced that they split, the possibility of war will be back in their lives. A divorce is not in their future, if they want it or not.

“Okay,” Nie Mingjue says, because there is nothing else to say.

He will not force Jiang Cheng to stay when he doesn’t want to.

“I’m not—” Jiang Cheng cuts off again, clearly upset with himself and his lack of words in this situation, so Nie Mingjue leans forward and takes his hand in his.

This, these small touches; they have worked hard for them and Nie Mingjue is loath to give them up.

“It’s alright, Wanyin,” he tells the other man. “I understand.”

“No, you don’t!” Jiang Cheng hotly says, the spark that Nie Mingjue loves so much in his eyes. “I don’t want to leave. I just—I wasn’t allowed to go on night hunts before we were married,” Jiang Cheng explains and instead of looking at Nie Mingjue he looks down, at their intertwined hands. “My parents feared I would die or get seriously injured and you’d call the marriage off, so I simply wasn’t allowed to. And even here—”

“You always have to go with me,” Nie Mingjue finishes for him because he sees how that could be grating for Jiang Cheng.

He knew that it would upset Jiang Cheng the very first time he went with him, but Nie Mingjue isn’t strong enough to let his husband out of his sight and night hunts are dangerous.

He was simply worried.

“It’s not even about you. I always have to go with a whole division and I barely get to do anything,” Jiang Cheng corrects. “I never got to travel. I just—I want to see something of the world,” Jiang Cheng tells him and Nie Mingjue nods.

“And you want to go home,” he guesses, because he’s sure that will be one of Jiang Cheng’s stops.

Nie Mingjue wouldn’t be surprised if he even stayed there for a longer time, too. It’s where his siblings are, after all.

“No,” Jiang Cheng immediately says. “I do not want to go home. I don’t want to see my parents.”

“Alright.”

“You’re taking this way to calmly,” Jiang Cheng whispers and Nie Mingjue wonders what he expected of him.

“How should I take it?” he asks but Jiang Cheng only shakes his head.

“Not like this! Why are you so okay with this?”

“Because you want to leave. I want you to be happy and if you have to leave for that then I will let you do that.”

“Mingjue, no,” Jiang Cheng says and gets up so he can walk around the table and climb into Nie Mingjue’s lap. “I’m not unhappy. And I don’t want to leave you,” he says and his voice doesn’t allow an argument. “I’m happy here with you, because I like you,” Jiang Cheng goes on and since he’s this close now Nie Mingjue gets to see how a faint red dusts his cheeks. “I love you. It’s just—”

“You want to go,” Nie Mingjue finishes and follows it up with a soft kiss.

“I was barely eighteen when we were married. I have seen nothing of this world. And there’s a pair of rogue cultivators in the city, who said they’d take me with them if I want. And I want, Mingjue, I want to go out and experience all of that.”

“You don’t have to argue with me,” Nie Mingjue says with a small smile and puts his thumb to the corner of Jiang Cheng’s mouth. “I love you, too. You can go wherever you want to.”

“But I will come back. I promise I will!” Jiang Cheng tells him and Nie Mingjue nods, even though he knows better.

Jiang Cheng might say that right now, and he might even mean it, too, but Nie Mingjue has experienced life outside of this city, outside of this marriage. His time away will change Jiang Cheng and he might find that Nie Mingjue no longer fits him when—if—he comes back.

“How about this,” Nie Mingjue says and moves his hand to cup Jiang Cheng’s cheek in it. “I’ll keep a lantern lit for you, so you’ll always find your way home.”

It’s stupid, Nie Mingjue knows it, because by the time Jiang Cheng will be able to see the lantern, he is already mostly home, but he can’t help himself. “And when your parents are here, I’ll extinguish it so you know to stay away,” he adds and it startles a laugh out of Jiang Cheng.

“Okay,” he softly agrees and turns his head into Nie Mingjue’s hand. “And I’ll come back.”

It sounds like a promise, but Nie Mingjue doesn’t dare to trust it.

~*~*~

“Which one of your poor disciples has the duty to keep the lantern lit?” Jiang Cheng asks on his very first visit back.

He looks good; like life itself and Nie Mingjue has to admit that life on the road seems to be good for Jiang Cheng.

“Or is it like a punishment for them?”

“What are you even talking about?” Nie Mingjue asks with a small frown. “I keep the lantern lit. It’s my husband it’s supposed to guide home, so it’s my duty to look after it.”

“Oh,” Jiang Cheng breathes out and a second later Nie Mingjue finds himself with an armful of Jiang Cheng. “I miss you when I’m away,” Jiang Cheng says and it sounds like a confession.

Nie Mingjue swallows his bitter reply—but not enough to want to stay—and instead simply hugs him close.

“I miss you, too,” he admits into Jiang Cheng’s hair and they stay like that for a long time.

Two days later, Jiang Cheng leaves again.

~*~*~

“What are you doing here, Wanyin?” Nie Mingjue hisses and pulls Jiang Cheng into an empty room. “Your parents are here.”

“I know, I saw that the lantern was extinguished,” Jiang Cheng reassuringly gives back and moves his hands over Nie Mingjue’s arms. “But I wanted to see you.”

“You’re an idiot,” Nie Mingjue mutters and Jiang Cheng grins at him.

That must be a recent development, Nie Mingjue thinks, because Jiang Cheng never grinned like that before. Nie Mingjue wonders where he learned it and who teased it out of him first and he can’t deny that he’s filled with jealousy at the thought.

He will still not ask Jiang Cheng to stay.

“But I’m still your idiot,” Jiang Cheng gives back, more confidently than Nie Mingjue has ever seen him and a second later Jiang Cheng pulls him in for a kiss.

It seems like the Jiang delegation will have to wait a little while longer.

~*~*~

It goes on like this for almost two years. There’s no schedule to Jiang Cheng’s returns and he doesn’t write to Nie Mingjue much. The worry for his husband sits deep, especially when word of a dangerous night hunt reaches him, but somehow Jiang Cheng always makes it back to him.

“You know you don’t have to come back if you don’t want to, right?” Nie Mingjue asks one night, when Jiang Cheng is safe and sound in his arms, and Nie Mingjue can almost feel how Jiang Cheng frowns.

“But I want to come back,” he says, sounding confused about this topic.

He wants to come back, but he never wants to stay. Nie Mingjue refuses to let that hurt him more than it already does.

“You always can,” he whispers and hugs Jiang Cheng close.

Maybe one day it will be enough for him to want to stay.

~*~*~

Jiang Cheng arrives back in Qinghe four days after he left and the only reason Nie Mingjue can think of is that he’s hurt.

Or that he’s finally here to tell Nie Mingjue that he’s not going to come back at all.

“Wanyin,” Nie Mingjue asks in alarm, because he sweeps into his office with an urgency that Nie Mingjue doesn’t know from him.

“I’m here,” Jiang Cheng says and doesn’t stop in his advance until he crashes into Nie Mingjue. “I’m here.”

“I can see that,” Nie Mingjue gives back, still confused about this, but he hugs his husband back, because what else is he going to do.

“No, I mean—” Jiang Cheng starts and pushes away from Nie Mingjue so he can take his face into his hands. “I’m here to stay. I’m here, my soul, I’m here.”

“What?” Nie Mingjue chokes out, because this is not what he expected.

Jiang Cheng always leaves again and he never wants to stay.

“I went out again but this time it didn’t feel right,” Jiang Cheng explains. “The only thought on my mind was that I want to come back home, back to you. No night hunt could interest me, every inn was below my standard, because you weren’t in it. I’m done living outside of this, and I am so done of living without you.”

Jiang Cheng smiles slightly at him and Nie Mingjue realizes with a start that he looks scared.

“If you’ll take me back, of course,” he adds, his voice barely above a whisper and Nie Mingjue immediately nods.

“I never let you go,” he admits. “This has always been your home and I have always been waiting for you,” he confesses, because now he can without making Jiang Cheng feel guilty over it and Jiang Cheng beams at him.

“I love you. I love you even more than before,” he says and Nie Mingjue believes him.

His time on the streets might have changed Jiang Cheng but that part has always stayed the same, despite Nie Mingjue’s worries.

“I love you,” Nie Mingjue whispers, too afraid to break this precious moment, and Jiang Cheng gently wipes the tears away that spill over. “I have missed you so much.”

“I’m here now,” Jiang Cheng promises and softly kisses him. “And now I can be a good husband to you.”

“You always have been,” Nie Mingjue tells him, because Jiang Cheng needs to know that.

“Well, then I’ll be an even better one now,” Jiang Cheng decides with a laugh and Nie Mingjue loves him so much, he would let him leave a thousand times over if it would make him happy.

But luckily staying with Nie Mingjue is all Jiang Cheng needs for that.

Link to my ko-fi in the sidebar!

#bt writes #mingcheng #beetober2021 #the untamed #mdzs #arranged marriage #canon divergence #love confessions #hurt/comfort #fluff

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lhaewiel · 2 years

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So, as promised this is my essay.

Well, I tried, I was never really that good in essays at school. I will delve a bit in personal stuff, just be mindful, k?

Everything under cut.

So, today is a JC feels day, so here I am. I am not going to discuss his character in particular, as several other people on this hellsite have already done it in depth and I recommend you go and check them out.

My sort of discussion is mostly around how I relate to this one character and why he is my favourite. It is an absolutely personal opinion, but I felt like airing it out, especially with all the discourse around him.

Let me make a quick premise, if one single character can stir up so much discourse in either direction it means that it is a well-written character with realistic drives and fatal flaws.

And boy, oh boy, Jiang Cheng truly is the one I can relate to the most, when speaking in this terms.

But let’s get down to business.

Jiang Cheng is a deeply flawed character, who does make very poor decisions in spite of trying his best. He is at least five childhood complexes barely held together in a hanfu, has the self esteem of a boiled courgette and on top of that he is also a war veteran who lost everything and had to rebuild from literal ashes. Both of his siblings died minutes apart right in front of his eyes and he has not been allowed to mourn them properly because he had a sect to rebuild, a nephew to raise and the wall of sect politics to deal with.

And I can understand the rage he has; he is mostly trying to mask the grief he cannot express.

I know.

To make a Real Life example, my dad lost everything too and when he also lost his wife, my mother, there were a couple of difficult years where he was constantly angry and quoting him: “I can’t have one single happy moment, because the next moment everything is going to shit!”

My dad lost his parents and the house he grew up into, my aunt and uncle, his older siblings, went on their own ways and he was left alone to deal with everything. He then met my mother and then my mother died, leaving him a broken husk of a man who would happily jump off a bridge if I was not there.

And yet, with all of the poor decisions and wrong turns, he is still the kindest man on earth.

And Jiang Cheng strongly reminds me of my dad. Jiang Cheng too is a man who lost everything. He had to make horrible decisions because society forced him to do so.

I am 100% convinced that if he had received support when he was taking the Wens’ and WWX’s defences at the Phoenix Mountain Hunt, things would have gone differently, but everyone there was just trying to save their own.

And it is politics, if anyone who had any weight had supported him then he probably would have made better decisions.

He probably would not have had to lead the First Siege at the Burial Mounds – because that was something JGS forced him to do to demonstrate that he was not compromised and that the newly established Jiang clan would not suffer again the same fate under a different Sect Leader.

Jiang Cheng had to be strong.

He did not need to do that, if politics were not involved and if JGS, you know, the man who thought that WRH was neat didn’t want the Stygian Tiger Amulet.

Jiang Cheng had to let the world think he had killed WWX to make up a reputation, so that he could protect his sect. And in this whole mess he was even supposed to be happy that WWX had died!

1. This sucks

2. This requires a sort of strength that really makes people reach for the impossible

Speaking of which, JC REALLY attempted the impossible and succeeded, so JFM can just shut up. JC has been mostly ignored by his father and constantly compared to pretty much everyone. And I get that this might be something parents pull to make their children better, but????

I know what that does.

It just sinks any sort of self esteem below ground level, it gives anxiety and spikes up the “I am a failure and I will never be good enough to anyone and never be good enough at anything”. Not only, this also spikes up the whole “suck it up, kid, no one cares about what you feel, no one will ever care enough, so what if you are hurt, just suck it up”.

I know those feelings very well, because they are my own.

I was constantly compared to everyone, my successes were dismissed with a “if you reached there you could definitely have done better”, and whatever I created had constantly a ton of mistakes and would never be enough. Ever.

I was angry. I gave up on myself. I felt useless and I felt that whatever I did no one would ever love me, or accept me. My best was never enough.

This awareness has crippled me in ways that in a decade after I went away on my own they still have effect on my day-to-day life.

I understand how much JC has to be angry and salty about everything.

I understand if he takes years to get over everything that happened because he has had no time to think and heal, like let’s say LWJ.

You can move on only after healing and I really love the fact that post-canon he gets to reconcile with WWX, because it means that he’s had a confrontation, that all those issues were laid out and both him and WWX could have some sort of closure.

JC is a very cathartic character and either way he is going to stir emotions.

Maybe antis should REALLY see WHY they hate him, it might be a case of “my issues are mirrored in him and I don’t like it because I feel called out”. In the same vein, it could be, for the stans, that “my issues are mirrored in him and I feel liberated and happy that I am not alone feeling like that”.

What it is, he is supposed to be a morally grey character that does not stand in only white, or only black, but instead stands in the middle of greys and colours.

And even being a morally grey character he still is quite chill compared to other characters, including WWX himself.

Also, please love him or hate him for the correct reasons.

I am fairly sure there is more to say and a lot has been said, but I keep an open mind and I am open for discussion :)

#jiang cheng #jiang wanyin #the essay is here #as promised #the untamed #jc my beloved #personal #asdfghjkl

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