Chapter Text
Seeing a sect leader hold a child in his arms is a sight you rarely ever see. Much less a homeless child in the hands of sect leader Wen of all people, but if he says nothing then they won’t either.
Wen Ruohan looks at the child. The tears never stopped coming, he took note of the multiple injuries he had. His heart ached at the sight.
“Child, stop your crying. It’s not good for someone to cry so much.” He spoke sternly in an awkward attempt to console the child, “…Uuu..” He whimpered in fear.
“I-Is… Is xiansheng angry at A-Ying? I’m sorry…” Wei Ying cries further but more silent.
Wen Ruohan was never good at consoling people, much less children. He had nannies for his sons but this child had lost his parents long ago and now he’s fighting dogs for scraps; he got injured in the process and didn’t even get to take at least half of it.
The sect leader shook his head, “No. I’m not angry, I’m just worried your eyes will pop from all the crying. You have such pretty eyes too.”
Wei Ying whimpered again but he stopped crying at least which he considered a win. First, they need to return to Nightless city to bath and get treated by a doctor. His wounds seemed infected. Even he can tell as much, poor kid. Then they must eat, he’s all skin and bones!
A whole year has passed since he was taken in.
Wen Ruohan had literally fallen to his knees when he learned that Wei Ying was in fact, his blood nephew and his mother is his sister.
Since then people has referred to him as third young master. He felt Wen Xu was more like his brother rather than cousin, but he would much rather stay beside Wen Ruohan but he doesn’t protest.
Having grown up in the streets—people had pestered him about his habits of keeping things to himself. All he has to say is that he wants it and the Wen clan will gladly go through hell just to get it, they’d be damned if Wei Ying comes home upset.
He’s now 8 years old, he was walking around Nightless city when he hears someone play a dizi. His eyes widened.
The disciples tasked over him seemed to have noticed, “Does the young master like the dizi?”
“I do! It plays such a beautiful melody.” His eyes never looked away. Not even for a moment.
He badly wanted to play it, “Should we stop by a store? Oh but it’s already late, shall we go tomorrow instead?”
“Oh… Tomorrow then!” There was clear disappointment in his eyes but he smiled nonetheless. They walked away, following him intently. If the young master says tomorrow—then they’ll get him one tomorrow.
. . . . . .
“Ying’er, you’re back.” Wen Ruohan stood.
“Jiujiu!” He bowed before jumping into his arms, the man smiles very slightly at the affectionate boy. He took after his mother rather greatly.
“You seem excited, what happened?” He eyes the disciples.
“Third young master heard a man playing a dizi and had told us he wanted one. However, it had been getting late and shops were already closing.” They bowed, never looking up.
“I see. Request for a customized dizi under my name, make sure it’s made with the finest materials” He looks at the boy, his eyes widened with joy. If his smile could get any wider it would have, Wen Ruohan soften at the sight.
When his nephew received the dizi—he was so happy. The smile on his face was something even he can’t forget, it was truly a sight to behold.
If someone saw the greatest musician become Wei Ying’s personal teacher, then no one said anything.
. . . . . .
Wei Ying is now 12 years old. He had finally been given a courtesy name, Wuxian. Meaning, no envy.
What use would envying others do when he can have anything he desires just by simply staring with his beautiful, sparkling, silver eyes. Speaking of eyes—He had started to slowly grow out of his baby-like face and onto someone befitting his age.
“Wuxian. A lovely name.” Wen Xu patted his head with delight.
Wei Wuxian giggled at the attention, next year he is to receive his sword and start proper training. He had only been training with dummy swords, they’re lighter and much harder to grip so he’s more excited to own one than receiving his courtesy name.
“Jiujiu chose it for me! He told me that My courtesy name mean no envy because I mustn't feel jealous when I can have anything I desire!”
Wen Xu, “Indeed so, just say the word and your wishes will be granted.”
They spent the whole afternoon together, learning about sword forms, talismans and whatever Wei Wuxian found interesting. Wen Xu would bend the library if his cousin wanted to read something he isn’t supposed to.
If Wei Wuxian wanted it—he will have it. No questions asked.
Wei Wuxian was visiting Yunmeng because apparently, it had natural warm waters.
When he arrived he took notes of the bodies of waters that flowed so deeply, it mesmerized him but he doesn’t know how to swim.
He showed no signs of yearning an entire lake so deep you can sail a ship but why is it that when he came home disciples had been running around making a huge hole in the back?
He approached his uncle the same day he returned, demanding answers.
“A little birdie told me you couldn’t have as much fun as you had desired when you visited Yunmeng because you can’t swim. I simply could not allow that so I asked to make a lake so you can hone your swimming abilities, after all—it’s quite useful in some situations.” Wen Ruohan had explained generously.
“Jiujiu!! Thank you!”
It was no secret he rarely asked for anything but everyone knows just how much his heart desired for many things.
Wanting a whole lake for yourself isn’t that big of a deal, it’s just a small ‘welcome home’ gift, after all, he had been gone for weeks. Everyone needs a little welcome home gift from time to time. Wen Xu explained to his seething younger brother that is Wen Chao.
Age 15 and he already has such a strong influence over the entirety of Nightless city.
He already has multiple disciples under his command, forever loyal and devoted to the young master.
He was strolling when he sees another Wen disciple he hadn’t seen around shoot multiple bullseye without breaking a sweat. Though, Wei Wuxian’s still better by a touch.
He shows a promising future but his timidness is covering his true potential.
“Th-third y-young master!?” he stuttered.
“At ease, what’s your name?”
“…Uhm.. W-Wen Ning, c-courtesy Q-Qionglin…”
Wei Wuxian hums, “You have quite the talent for archery! With just a bit of training you’ll be perfect in no time!!”
His eyes sparkle with excitement.
“WH-WH-WHAT!? Y-young master I-I could never!!” Wen Ning pathetically flays his hands around.
“And let your talent go to waste? No way! If no one wants you then I do, I’ll make good use of your talent and show it off so please don’t deny me personally training you.” As time passes, he grows bolder.
Most times he doesn’t even ask anymore, he just takes it and deals with the consequences when it arrives.
Wen Ning is unable to deny him.
. . . . . .
“So this wimp’s your personal bodyguard now?” Wen Chao snarled.
Wen Ning shrinks into himself, averting eye contact.
“Yes, do you have a problem with it? He trains under me and will remain that way.”
“How can he even protect you when he shakes viciously just by the mention of my name!?”
“He has shown great improvement unlike a certain someone I know.” A nasty wide eyed glare from the silver, soul shredding eyes was enough to have Wen Chao scurry away in fear. For a moment Wen Ning swore it turned red.
The young master’s trust in him was painfully strong, he has to do better than before.
Now 16 with a promising bodyguard and a master of all six arts, plus his excellent, spectacular beauty—he was ready to go and own lands under his name!
He chose the burial mounds to be owned by him, it wouldn’t have benefitted him in any sort of way but they dared not question it.
The next was a nearby forest with an actual, naturally formed lake. It had been a gift.
He loves that place and named it Xiao Hong Tang mountain, or little red pond. The pond looks red if your timing is right.
. . . . . .
Having heard of the waterborne abyss situation much early on, he had demanded to go to this year’s Gusu Lan lectures.
The disciples that pushed said abyss was under his command—when he told them to deal with it accordingly then report back, he hadn’t meant push it to a different sect so they’d be endangered then.
In a fit of rage—he demanded to see the disciples responsible in the middle of lunch.
“I had asked you to deal with it and return to me! If you are struggling then request help from within the sect! Are you trying to run our names down to the ground as if our reputation isn’t bad enough!?”
Though his older cousins and uncle were terrifying, his rage was much more feared.
He is not one to enrage, in front of his family no less.
“Wuxian-“ Wen Xu was immediately silenced by his father, silently telling him that the disciples deserved that for ruining their, not so pristine reputation.
“Young master, you hadn’t given us specific orders to-“
“My order was as clear as day! If you need orders for even the littlest things then you shouldn’t be a cultivator! A Wen cultivator no less! You are tarnishing us because of your idiocy! Get out of my sight!”
Many lives are in danger because his mistake, he should’ve dealt with it himself.
The disciples scurry off the floor and out the door.
“Chao-ge’s incompetence is contagious…” he mumbled, no one said anything to the very much deserving insult.
He needed rest, he had a lecture to attend to.