Chapter Text
The next day, Lan Xichen opened the door of his Hanshi to someone's visit. Early in the morning. Even the Sun hadn't climbed out properly from the eastern horizon.
"Wangji?" He looked at the early visitor in surprise.
Lan Wangji nodded. "Xiongzhang."
Lan Xichen turned around and led him inside. "Come in first. What brings you here early?"
His younger brother followed him inside and replied, "Xiongzhang said yesterday, to let Wei Ying join me, arranging the Library Pavilion."
"...I did say that," Lan Xichen looked at him hesitantly. "But, must you come and get him in early morning?"
Lan Wangji pursed his lip and gazed at the wooden floor for a while, unable to answer.
"It's not like I disagree with your early arrival," Lan Xichen hurriedly clarified, "It's just...Wei-Gongzi hasn't woken up yet. It will be difficult if you require him to start early."
Lan Wangji heard his words and raised his head in a flash. "Why hasn't Wei Ying woken up yet?" He asked.
As he saw his younger brother's accusatory eyes, as if saying 'What else did you do to him!' —— Lan Xichen felt the urgent need to defend himself.
"Nothing happens to him. He just stayed out rather late, busy writing down the blueprint for a tool he wanted to make. I tried to wake him up at Maoshi and he couldn't bring himself to get up, until this hour."
There's a strange relief flowing down inside Lan Wangji's chest.
"Mn." He responded.
Afterward, he inquired once again, "What kind of tool did he want to make?"
"Last night Wei-Gongzi said..." Lan Xichen's words trailed off.
Looking back at what happened last night, it actually went like this:
The two of them were having their dinner in the Hanshi, and suddenly Wei Wuxian exclaimed in a pleasant surprise after slurping the fish soup into his mouth, "Hmmhhh!"
Lan Xichen looked up and asked him with concern, "What's wrong?"
Wei Wuxian shook his head. "Nothing. It's just, I didn't expect the food in the Cloud Recesses is actually getting better. The fish soup is well-seasoned!"
"I did tell the Cooks to prepare the fish soup in Hunan cuisine style." Lan Xichen smiled. "The Cooks here do make lightly seasoned food, but that's for the resident's palate. They're professional, nevertheless. They can also cook in other palates if necessary."
"So that's the case. That makes sense." Wei Wuxian was surprised for a while, but immediately nodded in understanding. "I will have to thank the nice Sisters there for the delicious food when I have a chance!"
Lan Xichen raised his brow. "Nice sisters?"
Wei Wuxian grinned. "Of course! All women want to be regarded as Sisters forever. Don't you know that, Zewu-Jun?"
"...It's the first time I have heard of it."
Wei Wuxian laughed.
They continued to have their meal.
As their meal was about to be finished, suddenly Wei Wuxian let out another pleasant exclamation, "Hmhhh!"
Lan Xichen looked at him and smiled, asking gently, "What else this time?"
Wei Wuxian looked back at him in the eyes, suddenly turning serious. "Zewu-Jun, you said before, if I want to have something, I can tell you."
"I did." Lan Xichen nodded in affirmation. "Did you suddenly think about what you wish to get? Tell me, I will see to it."
"Yes, please! During this period I was thinking about creating some tools. The idea has been vaguely shaped, but it lacks some fine touches. Just now I suddenly have an inspiration on how to finish it."
Lan Xichen was curious. "Oh? What kind of tool do you want to make?"
Wei Wuxian waved his hand. "Rest assured, I'm not making any harmful devices. It's actually, something that can be especially useful in nighthunting. Zewu-Jun, let me ask you, how did you resolve the Waterborne Abyss in Biling Lake back then?"
"That Waterborn Abyss?" Lan Xichen thought for a moment. "It's hard to take care of. The lake needs to be drained, and the lake basin needs to be exposed to the sun for a few years. Calculating both the manpower used to clean up the water ghouls inside, draining the lake water, and supervising the Waterborne Abyss Purification, it's already a lot."
"I figured." Wei Wuxian knew that many resources must be expended to take care of a troublesome evil infestation problem in the likes of Waterborne Abyss.
Lan Xichen also recalled another part, "That's just the direct loss from GusuLan, however, other indirect losses were similarly huge. As Wei-Gongzi knows, Biling Lake has been a significant part of the daily life of Caiyi Town residents since forever. To name a few, transportation, economy, local jobs, and farming, these sectors have their lifeline tied in Biling Lake. Drying the lake for several years obviously had a great impact on the civilians. GusuLan had to spend a lot of resources back then to alleviate the blow as much as possible."
Thinking about the past trouble caused by the Wen Clan, Lan Xichen couldn't help but sigh.
Wei Wuxian, on the other hand, suddenly raised his lip in a smirk. "Then, what if I'm telling you now, the tools I'm about to make, are things that not only can make you solve Waterborne Abyss in just a few days, but also cut off a huge chunk of resources and manpower!"
Lan Xichen looked up in surprise. "There's such a thing?"
Wei Wuxian smugly patted his chest. "Of course there is! Leave it to Brother Wei!"
Lan Xichen chuckled at his jokes and asked, "Then, may I know how?"
Wei Wuxian said, "You've probably heard that during the war I created a Spirit-Attraction Flag, do you? That's it, I'm perfecting the Flag to not only be used to attract Yin creatures, but also to be modified in range. For example, when the scope of your nighthunt is Biling Lake, then you want to attract your target only from the Lake and nowhere else, so you can modify the flag's range into several miles."
Lan Xichen had heard about the Flag. Wei Wuxian actually often shared his knowledge generously with others. For example, he gave his advice regarding the nature of Evil Spirits, that usually only high-level creatures ate souls, while the low-level ones ate flesh.
Even if people didn't want to acknowledge his contribution, but undoubtedly, his offhanded advice had been used as a standard by the Cultivators during nighthunting.
The Flag itself had been used by Wei Wuxian in the war against QishanWen.
Therefore, the reputation of the Flag itself was actually more related to bloodshed.
It was the first time Lan Xichen realized the more practical use of the Flag in a positive light.
Wei Wuxian continued to explain more about the tools he wanted to create,
"——And now, in addition, I'm thinking about creating Evil Compass. It's a tool to help you locate or direct you to the nearby Evil creatures! For example, when dealing with Waterborn Abyss in the lake, you may have the Flag to attract them somewhere else, but Waterborne Abyss is very tricky and unexpectedly cunning. They could hide and change their position in any corner of the water body."
Lan Xichen understood and began to join the reasoning, "Indeed. If you put the Flag rashly, you may attract other Evil beings wrongly instead."
"That's it!"Wei Wuxian clapped his hands. "This is where Evil Compass helps you to show the location where the Waterborne Abyss is. You can then put a precise calculation of the Flag range. Once you attract the Waterborne Abyss to another unused water body, you can solve it real quick without wasting so many resources!"
"First, determine where the target is, and lastly, attract this precise target without inviting other uninvited beings. A flawless combination for nighthunting." Lan Xichen felt himself rather amazed and shook his head to express his incredulity. "That's...truly convenient..."
The words "convenient" itself were portrayed from different points of view.
He understood at once how useful these Flag and Compass would be. It's literally saving manpower, resources, and time!
Lan Xichen was a Sect Leader, what he envisioned about was not merely how to utilize the tools, but the impact these tools would have in the Cultivation World. Not only today, but also in decades to come!
Oftentimes, the reason why nighthuntings were delayed was that they had to ponder and search where the target was. As a result, they might spend more days just searching around. It's barely alright for cultivators from one Sect who act in a group, but for Rogue Cultivators who acted alone, their nighthuntings were much more difficult.
Wei Wuxian's tools aided the work of Cultivators greatly. If their nighthunting efficiency got higher, more Cases would be solved. More human lives would be saved in return.
It's even more impactful to Rogue Cultivators. Not every region had a Cultivation Clan to govern. For example, those small towns and villages in the Western areas like Yi City. Those blind spots oftentimes had cases but no one to help.
Those regions where no Cultivation Sects resided, became the place where Rogue Cultivators often wandered to make their earning.
In this case, if their work efficiency became better, more cases in those secluded places would be solved.
The more places to be taken care of, the braver Cultivators were to wander into new regions.
The more new regions to be unraveled, the more hidden resources to be found in new places!
Don't forget, that one of GusuLan's potent forbidden techniques came from a newly found land back then, Dongying.
The larger the scope of cultivation world was, the more prosperous the era would be.
It's such a vigorous cycle. The more you unraveled the more you'd get.
If it were to be properly promoted and popularized, Lan Xichen knew how much impact just these 2 tools could bring to the Cultivators society.
Lan Xichen couldn't help but look at Wei Wuxian with a strange gaze.
This person was really ridiculous. He's truly absurd for always casually putting forth a way that could change the whole cultivation society.
Lan Xichen suddenly let out a request, "Wei-Gongzi, when you have finished these tools, may I, will you let GusuLan promote it to the Cultivation World?"
Wei Wuxian was surprised. "Of course you can! I'll be happy if you want to help me spread this out. Forget it, I'll even give you the blueprints!"
Lan Xichen hurriedly made his intention clear, "There's no need to go that far. Your manuscript is your private property, Wei-Gongzi."
"Hmmm, but this manuscript is just my initial work? I will in fact upgrade the tools sooner or later. In that time, the manuscript will become outdated."
"..."
"...Is that so." Lan Xichen smiled stiffly.
It was the first time he knew a cultivation manuscript could be outdated.
"Then, it's decided. When the time comes, GusuLan will definitely arrange proper publicity to introduce these tools of yours."
In public relationships, the lack of publicity and the wrong way of handling the promotion could cause a certain achievement not to get the reputation it deserves.
In other words, it needed the correct way, the correct time, and the most suitable method.
Lan Xichen thought much more rather than just popularizing the tool for public usage. As a Sect Leader, his focus was automatically on the Clan's interest. Wei Wuxian would become his spouse, hence Lan Xichen would naturally care about his interests as well. Promoting his inventions would build a reputation for the young man.
As of now, Wei Wuxian's reputation was known more for his ability to create bloodshed.
However, Lan Xichen wanted the world to know better. Wei Wuxian was not just a war weapon. His intelligence could benefit not only during the war but also the 3 Societies: Cultivation Clans, Rogue Cultivators, and Civilian, both at the same time.
So, here we come, Gusulan Public Relations (PR) Team!
When Wei Wuxian woke up at the late Chenshi (09.00), he was surprised to find Lan Wangji in the Hanshi.
"Lan Zhan!" He moved toward him and plopped down on his side of the table.
Wei Wuxian often had sloppy posture. When sitting, he was rarely able to sit straight and would always slack at some point. This time too, sitting crookedly next to Lan Wangji, propping his head with his hand on the low table, he peered sideways at him. "When did you come? Are you here to pick me up to work?"
Lan Wangji glanced back at him. "I came here at the last hour of Maoshi."
Wei Wuxian had his jaw dropped. "That early?!"
Lan Wangji, thinking that he should add a more convincing reason, said with a straight face, "It's better to start early and finish early."
Wei Wuxian, "...I know that. But still, that kind of hour..." He looked troubled but unable to say any complaint.
Yesterday, he had promised to help things, but now he's squabbling to bargain the time. Wouldn't that sound rather insincere?
Lan Xichen's gaze fell on Wei Wuxian's knee which was slightly touching Lan Wangji's.
He smiled and said, "Wei-Gongzi, helping Wangji is just something I offered to you so that you won't feel bored while I am away. It's absolutely not an obligation to you. Let alone a strict schedule, even if sometimes while helping you suddenly have something else you want to do, you are free to leave and do the other things first."
Lan Wangji looked up and caught his older brother's gaze, seemingly wanting to say something, but then closed his mouth.
On the other hand, Wei Wuxian immediately cheered happily. "Thank you, Zewu-Jun!"
Lan Xichen shook his head gently. "No need to thank me. That's only natural. Speaking of which, Wei-Gongzi, I've prepared your bath water and your change of clothes. You may prepare yourself first."
He stood up and motioned to his younger brother to follow him, "Wangji and I will go out to give you privacy."
After the older brother said this, Lan Wangji had no choice but to stand up and walk out.
Wei Wuxian, "??"
He wanted to say, 'I thought I had taken a bath many times here and you don't avoid anything, why the sudden politeness?'
The two brothers stood side by side in the simple garden in the bamboo grooves. There was a small pond surrounded by jagged granite. The dark color of the rocks formed a contrast with the surroundings, where the grounds were laid out with pure white pebbles arranged in a wavy texture.
Lan Wangji suddenly spoke, "Xiongzhang, is it okay for Wei Ying to stay in your Hanshi these days before your formal...union? Shouldn't you arrange a temporary courtyard for him during this time?"
"Hmm?" Lan Xichen was bending down, taking a fallen bamboo leaf from the surface of white pebbles. "It is fine. The marriage ceremony is not that long away."
Lan Wangji strictly corrected him, "It is 1 month away. It is still long."
Lan Xichen, "..."
Lan Wangji added softly, "It's not good for his reputation."
Lan Xichen laughed. "You really are, caring so much about Wei-Gongzi's reputation, don't you? Well...at first, the reason why I didn't think to send him to another courtyard is because he just woke up from a coma. It's easier to pay attention to his health when we live in the same space."
"As for the other reason?" Lan Wangji pursued.
"The other would be..." Lan Xichen's words halted halfway through.
Recalling how the two of them had been sleeping on the same bed these days, Lan Xichen thought, it was already too late to care for propriety.
That being said,
Glancing furtively at his younger brother, Lan Xichen felt that he shouldn't tell him this news. Lan Wangji had already shown disapproval at the breach of conduct when a couple shared the same house before marriage, how would he react when he knew they'd even slept on the same bed? Even though nothing happened.
He explained slowly instead, "Wangji, it is the first time that Wei-Gongzi lives in the Cloud Recesses aside from his period as Guest Student back then. In the future, this will be his home. I want him to feel closer and help him to feel he belongs here."
Hearing that in the future the Cloud Recesses would also be Wei Ying's home, Lan Wangji couldn't help but feel elated.
His joy was very clearly displayed on his face under Lan Xichen's observation skill.
Knowing that his younger brother was in a good mood, Lan Xichen continued to say, "——One of the tricks to make someone comfortable is by offering them company. If I put him in a separate courtyard now, Wei-Gongzi will inevitably feel lonely considering his sociable nature. If during the initial stay, he already feels discomfort, I'm afraid it will affect his future impression of the Cloud Recesses..."
Lan Wangji lowered his gaze, and his lips quivered.
In the end, he had to acquiesce and said, "...Xiongzhang always knows what to do best."
"Ah?" Lan Xichen chuckled. "That's not true. Besides, another thing I have considered to make Wei-Gongzi feel more relaxed here is by letting him spend time with his acquaintance, in this case, it's you, Wangji. So, Xiongzhang will leave this part with you. I wish the two of you can spend your time more comfortably."
Lan Wangji had his pupils dilated slightly.
He responded firmly afterward, "...Mn!"
At this time, their attention was drawn away as they turned their head and looked toward the front entrance of the Hanshi. The door slid open, and Wei Wuxian sprang out from within in a high spirit.
"Zewu-Jun, did you two wait for long? Lan Zhan, I'm ready here, let's go quickly!"
There, Wei Wuxian, clad in the pristine white garments of GusuLan, was putting on similarly pure white boots to match his robes.
Though, rather than the 6-layered Hanfu, he merely put 3 layers of inner-middle-outer robes. Despite the silky fabric having more formal senses, the habit of showing some skin on his chest still couldn't be erased. The set of uniforms was strangely transformed from a solemn vibe into a romantic style once again by the wearer.
Lan Xichen walked to his side, and his hands automatically straightened his collar to cover more skin. He didn't forget to tighten the girdle on his waist as well. After brushing here and there, he was finally satisfied and patted the young man on the shoulder.
"There you go, Wei-Gongzi."
Wei Wuxian, "..."
It's embarrassing to be taken care of like this in front of Lan Wangji.
He looked at the other end, Lan Wangji's gaze had flickered away just now, as if he was avoiding the sight.
Wei Wuxian thought in his mind, 'Lan Zhan couldn't be jealous, right...?'
Jealous that he, Wei Wuxian had robbed him of an older brother?