Chapter Text
A dark cloaked figure weaved through the alleyways. Their lungs burning in overexertion as they kept the pace. They only had a small window of time to accomplish their task.
The sigil continuously burning on their skin, a constant reminder of the little time they had.
As they rounded the corner, they saw what they were looking for a boney child hunched over, gnawing on stale bread.
A feeling of guilt overwhelmed them as they brought out a talisman, activating it with a wave of a hand.
The illusion worked instantly, four large dogs came alive. Slobber dripping out of their throat as they snarled.
Instantly the little boy whipped his head up, face shrouding in anguish as he lurched himself upward, food forgotten as he bounded quickly out of the alleyway.
If their calculations were correct, the man in question would be arriving shortly.
They had to run into each other.
Following alongside the corridors trailing the dogs as they shifted their position, forcing the younger boy to move down another alleyway.
His screams reverberating against the walls.
Guilt continued to swell but this was necessary. They’d ask for forgiveness later.
Deciding to leap on the roof to avoid any possibly detection the closer they got. Keeping their presence in the shadows, he saw the moment they collided. He let himself feel a moment of relief, it worked.
The illusion shattered after the older man propelled his saber, reassuring the boy it wasn’t real. Seeing the anger flicker on his face as he returned his gaze back down. Anger forgotten as he ruffled the younger boys hair.
Digging into his qiankun pouch he pulled out a teleportation talisman. Wen Ning let himself stare at the scared boy being comforted by the larger man just for a few seconds more. “Be happy, Young Master Wei” with that he activated the talisman and vanished once more.
Pressing himself against the wall, letting his muscle memory carry him along. Years of drills and practice rung in his mind.
He knew when the guards patrolled, the routes they’d take and the blind spots they’d ignore. After so many years he knew when to move and hide.
He waited with baited breath as he reached closer to his destination. This had been a gamble. But a promise was a promise and they’d already gotten this far.
They had tried to devise a plan on how to interact with a young sect leader Nie. It would do no one any good of having him run away screaming.
No matter how much sect leader Nie tried to convince him that everything would work. He was about to encounter a small child. A child who has only been in mourning for half a year.
Even as he tried to wear clothes that would hide his black marks, he was still a stranger.
Before his mind could conjure up the worst possible scenarios, wish included being thrown into the Nie dungeon. He was before sect leader Nie’s quarters.
Taking one more look at the remaining sigil on his body, he had time he just needed to be wise. He wish he had Young Master Wei or his A-Jie here with him.
If he could he’d be taking a deep breath to calm his nerves.
He slowly slide the door open, his eyes scanning the large room. Taking two tentative steps inside as he slid the door shut behind him.
He pulled down his cloak, hopefully the attire that sect leader Nie made for him would hold up the younger ones inspection. His hand lightly grazed the braids woven by the sect leader.
An unspoken language that every Nie knew.
A small ruckus caught his attention.
“Who are you” a little boy peaked over the desk he was currently crouching behind. Eyes darting towards the door and back to a wooden saber on the floor.
He instantly kowtowed, hearing a tiny gasp as he spoke up “Nie Husiang, please let me have a moment, I won’t harm you. I just wish to speak to you”
The younger boy inched forward “if you hurt me, Da-ge will have your head”
He raised his head keeping himself kneeling on the floor “I know”
Nie Huisang huffed “You’re aren’t a Nie disciple so why are you dressing as one? And your hair-“ he held himself completely still as the younger boy took smaller steps towards him.
“A-die taught me about those braids....did you know A-die?” A sorrow seeped into his words.
He shook his head “I know you, from the future” he had been against telling sect leader Nie everything so bluntly but the man had told him that even as a child he was incredibly perceptive. That if he had any inkling that he was being lied to he wouldn’t trust them, especially after his fathers death. “You did these braids, said you’d understand it”
“I do but” the younger boy’s face scrunched “The future. I’m not stupid”
“I can prove it to you” he waited until the younger boy finally nodded and waved for him to continue.
He leaned back and told him Nie secrets, secrets Sect Leader Nie had long ago entrusted him. Even as the younger boy gasped, he spoke of their time in Cloud Recesses, he spoke of Young master Wei and of them being friends, catching fish and running around.
He told him of his favorite tea leaves and his favorite place to go paint, hidden from disciples and only known by a handful.
Finally he told him of his da-ge, of how he had gotten lost when he was younger and Nie Mingjue had spent three nights looking for him. How he had lied for him so their A-die wouldn’t be disappointed.
He waited with baited breath until finally the little boy spoke “if I believe you, what do you want to tell me”
“These envelopes” he placed each one on the floor “they have plans, knowledge of future events. You’ve instructed me to tell you, to open each one at a certain time”
The little boy began to protest “you said that you probably wouldn’t follow that but to at least wait a year more, please”
He watched as young sect leader Nie mulled it over “keep going”
Wen Ning cleared his throat, he almost stuttered, an old habit long forgotten “The future….the future is not bright . Things need to change for the better, to avoid more sorrow and despair. We’ve already made changes to the timeline but Sec- Nie Huaisang with this everything can be better. The things that happened no longer have to occur”
“Does…does da-ge die?”
He faltered, staring at those innocent eyes.
“you need to tell me the truth”
“You will only be a child, Sect leader Nie!”
A grim expression flickered on his face “it will be the only way. It’s always da-ge. I will always want to keep him safe no matter what age. For my da-ge I’d move a mountain”
“Yes”
The boy wiped furiously at his cheeks before he took a deep breath “tell me more”
He glanced back down at the fleeting sigil. “My time is running out”
“You can’t stay?”
“No. I cannot exist in the same timeline. The sigil has held long enough.” He did not need to explain that he and the timeline from before would cease to exist.
He had to hold onto the hope that Sect leader Nie and himself had truly thought of everything, especially with Hanguang-jun and Master Wei’s knowledge. They had grown suspicious of the inquisitions but when they had figured it out, it had been too late.
“The young boy who will arrive, Wei Ying. He invented this as well”
“He’s my friend, in the future”
“He is” he kowtows once more “please keep young master Wei safe. He has always done so much for everyone and never asked for anything in return. Here, he’d be safe and protected”
“I promise”
“Be well Nie Huasiang” He bowed once more before he took off, heading towards a familiar place. He’d be able to see it, even for just a few moments.
Wen Ning knew he owed a great debt to Young Master Wei and Hanguang-Jun. They had kept his family safe, they had welcomed him into their home and allowed for him to prosper in Cloud Recessess.
He had been able to welcome each of Young Master Wei and Hanguang-Jun children. Standing alongside Grandmaster Lan in the Jingshi.
But things never remained peaceful.
Young Master Wei had been harmed, badly enough that he never tried to sneak out of the medical pavilion. Twelve days, were he mostly slept. The poison had gone undetected, something that Hanguang-Jun did not believe nor Zewu-Jun.
It had been an attack on the chief cultivators partner.
Frenzy had fallen over Gusu lan and neighboring clans.
Punishment ranging from banishment to death had been dueled out to those who had schemed.
Young Master Wei was never the same after the poison had finally been cleansed from his body.
Master Wei could barely leave on night hunts. He had witnessed him sobbing because he couldn’t hold his baby anymore.
The following days had been cold in Gusu lan.
He finally saw the familiar trees. Mindful to keep himself hidden, he heard that voice, the voice he had hadn’t heard in over 30 years.
His A-jie.
Even at her young age she look so poised, her head held high. His heart ached, he wanted to hug her and have her tell him that everything was going to be alright.
“A-Ning don’t go near the forest!” He watched as his younger self faltered and ran back to hide behind his sister “silly boy, you might get hurt” she ran a hand tenderly through his hair “let’s go back to father”
His heart felt full. They’d have a different future, things would be better for everyone and his A-Jie would be alive.
His family will not be slaughtered.
A-Yuan will not experience war.
They will not know hunger.
Young Master Wei will keep his golden core.
Hanguang-Jun will not be punished for protecting young master Wei or his family.
Things will be better.
He felt the tug, the sigil had completely burned. Wen Ning closed his eyes, it was done. He felt almost peaceful as his body slowly started to disappear, finally he’d be able to leave this world. He let himself think of his last dinner with Master Wei and Sizhui, a small smile on his face.
Black dust began to rise into the sky.
Nie Mingjue cradled the younger boy closer to him. After staying the night at an inn, feeding and bathing him they had set off early in the morning. When the excitement from flying had finally worn off, the boy had promptly fallen asleep.
Stepping foot into the Unclean Realm, the day was only starting.
“Huaisang! Where-“ before he could continue a small boy ran into his legs.
“Da-ge!!!” tiny sobs rang out as fingers gripped his lower half.
He carefully pushed back Huaisang and knelt down on the floor. “Didi why are you crying” he cupped his brothers face, his thumb softly rubbing away the tears.
“I-I…I missed you. You said you’d be back yesterday”
Warmth filled his chest “I’m sorry, Didi. I got sidetracked and had to stay the night”
His brother nodded “Whose that?” Huaisang peered over the hidden lump he was holding, only a head of hair visible.
“This is Wei Ying, he’ll be staying with us”
“Da-ge!!! Is he going to be my didi??”
“Huaisang -“
“Da-ge! I won’t be lonely anymore!” a big smile splayed on his face as he looked between Wei Ying and him.
With that he was rendered silent “treat Wei Ying kindly and show him around, you can do that right?”
His Didi nodded enthusiastically and he ruffled his hair. He was about to tell him to lower his voice so Wei Ying could sleep more but the boy popped out from his bundle. “Are we there yet?” He yawned.
“Wei Ying, this is my brother, Huaisang”
Huaisang suddenly got shy, moving to hide beside him.
Nie zonghui chuckled behind him.
“oh, hello!” A boy with a cheeky smile meet Huaisang’s nervous one. He let Wei Ying shuffle from his hold, moving to stand before his brother as he bowed before him “I’m Wei Ying! I like your braids, they’re pretty”
“Thank you” his brother tentatively smiled back.
“Let’s go get breakfast” he stood up, eyeing the courtyard “we can later decide which room you want to pick”
“I get a room?” Wei Ying whispered in wonder.
“He can stay with me!” Huaisang grabbed onto his hand and began to tug him along “after we can play too!”
Wei Ying looked back with widen eyes. “It’s alright you go with Huaisang, I’ll be right behind”
Nie Mingjue looked at the two as they scurried away.
“I think this will be good for the young master” Nie zonghui spoke up as he moved to stand beside him “He’s been staying in his room more often”
“I think so too, come on let’s go eat before they finish all the food” he clasped him by the shoulder and pulled him along.
“Lan Xichen sent a letter, it’s waiting for you” Nie Zonghui gave him a knowing look.
“Be quiet” he slapped him across the back of the head “don’t speak idly”
“Are you sure I can stay?” Wei Ying asked as Nie Huaisang tugged him down to sit. Plates of food appeared before him, making his tummy grumble.
“Of course! You’ll be my Didi soon, so I’m going to take care of you!”
Wei ying laughed freely “should I call you my Gege then?”
Huaisang nodded “Yes!”
He raised his hands “Okay, okay”
Huaisang grew serious as he looked him in the eyes “You’ll be safe here”
Wei ying kept staring at him until he finally nodded, a small smile on his face.
“Eat, eat!”