Chapter Text
The winds whipped around him as the screams of the forgotten surrounded him. Covering his ears, did absolutely to deafen the noise as he was thrown around at the mercy of the wind. Or was it a current of souls? He wasn’t sure, he wasn’t even sure what a ‘current’ was. It involved water, right? Yes! It was that thing in the water that could send you downstream in an instant if you made even the minutest of mistakes. He remembered constantly having to fish his shidi’s out of the lake before they could get swept into the river.
Wait, what’s a shidi? And why was he fishing them out of various bodies of water?
His brows pinched as he screwed his face. Why couldn’t he remember his life? He knows he’s dead and is currently existing as some type of ghost, so he should have something to remember. Unless he died as a baby or something.
He closed his eyes as he tried to recall anything, something.
Wei Ying jumped through the air, a confident smirk on his face as he carried his prize. It was just two bottles of the famed Emperor’s Smile. Wei Ying’s interest had been piqued since before they arrived in Caiyi Town, when he first heard rumors of the legendary alcohol. And being unable to sleep and bored out of his mind, he had no choice but to entertain himself.
Cloud Recesses was famed for purity and seen as a pinnacle of intelligence, yet their wards were laughably easy to bypass. Maybe Wei Ying should warn them? Eh, that’s an issue for future Wei Ying. He hummed to himself as he swung his leg over the wall, only to be stopped by a stern voice. “Put your foot back, it’s past curfew.”
Wei Ying froze as a tall beauty jumped onto the wall. “What do you have in your hand?” Snapping out of his daze, Wei Ying regained his composure. Lifting his hand to show the two jars, he beamed at the Lan cultivator. “It’s Emperor’s Smile! If I share a jar with you, can you pretend you never saw me?”
“Alcohol is forbidden.”
Wei Ying’s smile drops in surprise as he slumps over. Alcohol was forbidden? Damnit, looks like he’s already messed things up. “Can you tell what exactly isn’t forbidden in your sect?” His eyes narrowed. Uh oh, did he mess up? He pointed his sword at the large boulder they passed at the entrance. Wei Ying’s mouth opened and closed a few times as the jade-like man talked as if he hadn’t just dropped a bombshell on him. “The rules are inscribed on the wall of discipline.”
How were they supposed to know the rules were all written on a random boulder? No one bothered to show them around! Wei Ying huffed to himself as he looked at his prize. He didn’t want to waste them after going all the way down to Caiyi Town. Not to mention the price for them…
Wei Ying jumped back as he reached for the jars. This beauty didn’t seem the type to secretly break the rules, so he must be planning to toss them out after confiscating them. Wei Ying jumped a few paces back, far enough for his plan. He quickly opens one of the jars, “Okay, if alcohol is forbidden, then I won’t go in. I’ll drink it standing on the wall. That wouldn’t count as violating the rules, would it?” Wei Ying didn’t wait for an answer before downing the whole jar. He could feel some of the liquid escaping and sliding down his throat, but he didn’t let that stop him. Once he was done, he wiped his lips, only to duck down as the Lan lunged for him.
Seeing the opportunity for some more teasing, Wei Ying took it. “Ah, Lan-xiong! It almost looks like you want this alcohol for yourself.”
“I must confiscate it.” His tone and his face didn’t match. Wei Ying blinked as he weaved around the blue blade. Man, for such a beauty, he’s quite the sorepuss. Wei Ying danced around him as he continuously aimed for the jar. Seeing no way out of this, Wei Ying just decided to sacrifice the jar. Angling it correctly, BAM! The clear liquid spilled everywhere as the jar shattered into pieces.
Taking advantage of the man's shock, Wei Ying jumped past the wall. He leaped across the roofs back to the guest dorms. Looking back at the glowing figure in white, Wei Ying grinned. “Hey! Lan-xiong! Let’s fight again some other time!”
He opened his eyes. Wei Ying, was that his name? And that man, the one covered from head to toe in white. His name eluded him, yet the memory of him made his heart ache. What did this man mean to him?
A sharp jerk to the side brought about another memory.
He was shivering underneath the warm blankets. His chest was tight as he desperately gasped for air. His forehead was damp with sweat, his throat was sore, his body burned, yet he continued to shiver.
He had accidentally swum into a current the previous day and had to be rescued by Jiang-shushu. When he woke up like this, Yu-furen had locked the doors to his quarters and forbade anyone but the healers from entering.
Which he couldn’t be all that mad about, because what if he spread something to his beloved Shidi and Shijie? That would be worse than his cold. But it was rather lonely. He’s never been this alone since Jiang-shushu rescued him from his old life. Shijie or Jiang Cheng was always peeking around some corner.
Wei Ying’s eyes drifted across the room before landing on the window. It was bright out; it must certainly be noon. Everyone is probably going over drills under Yu-furen’s watchful eyes. His room is too far away from the courtyard, so he can’t hear a single thing. Well, other than approaching footsteps. Very familiar approaching footsteps.
The way they walked was soft yet with purpose, careful, calculated. They weren’t hesitant as she sneaked up to his room. Why was she just blatantly disregarding Yu-furne’s orders?
She slowly opened the door, the scent of lotus root soup filling the air. He didn’t realize how hungry he was until the smell hit his nose. He’s only had medicine to eat since last night; he was starving.
“A-Xian? Are you awake?”
“Sh-” His words were broken by a harsh cough. A warm hand was placed on his head. “Don’t speak.” She whispered with a smile. Wei Ying nodded silently, his lips sealed. He gave her a questioning look; luckily, she’s always been able to read him like a book. Her lips turned down slightly as she frowned, “I was watching the entrance to your quarters. No one came to deliver you food, so I asked the head healer if you had been prescribed anything that prevents you from having food. She said no, so I made you some soup. Sorry, I can’t do more for you.”
Wei Ying shook his head, trying to convey the message, ‘It’s okay. This is more than enough.’ Shijie only looked at her hands before shaking her head. Wei Ying’s heart ached as he saw how sad she looked, but he couldn’t do anything as he was told not to speak. Before he could come up with a solution, she seemed to pull herself out of her thoughts. Leaning over to help him sit up, “You’re too weak to eat on your own, so I’ll feed you.”
He doesn’t know how long it took until the bowl was empty, but by the end, he felt like he had eaten five pheasants. He knew it wasn’t a large bowl of soup; there wasn’t even any rice. Was it the illness making his appetite so low?
“A-Xian, I promise to get to the bottom of this.” What was she planning to get to the bottom of? Her hands were balled in her lap as her face held a look of resignation. Wei Ying didn’t like seeing her like this. So he painstakingly reached out and placed a hand on hers. He wanted to tell her to relax. It was fine, perfectly logical that he was being quarantined.
“No, A-Xian, this isn’t right. You were being starved while sick. If I hadn’t noticed, they probably would have continued until you recovered.” She looked down before looking up again. “Did something happen recently?”
Wei Ying shook his head before remembering something. His mouth opened briefly before he closed it and looked at Shijie. “You can tell me this.”
“I- i told Jia- shu, that he sh-ldn’t be so me- an to Jiang Cheng.” Her brows pinched. “What?”
“He man-ged to learn th-t move he ha- been str-,” He coughed harshly. “Struggling w-with. But h- didn- say anything. Only con-radulated me for teaching him.” Shijie sighed. “I knew it.” She muttered under her breath. “Thank you for defending A-Cheng, A-Xian.” She said louder as she smiled, a genuine one.
Wei Ying smiled back, but it was a bit shaky, though. “I’ll stay here until you fall asleep, A-Xian, and come back with something for dinner.” Wei Ying nodded back as he relaxed against the pillows. With Shijie here and a full stomach, sleep came easily that night.
Shijie never told him who was behind that incident. She was always trying to protect them from something, but would never let them know who this person she always perceived as a danger to them was.
Wei Ying misses Shijie and her warm soup. He misses his brothers too- but, isn’t he an only child? Right. He was the only son of Cangse Sanren, the disciple of the immortal cultivator, Baoshan Sanren. His father’s name was Wei…Wei…Changze? He can’t quite put the name together; no one really talked about him compared to his mother.
Wei Ying felt more aware than before. Is retrieving his memories also restoring his soul? Well, he can’t be sure, but what is a person without their memories but a blank slate? And what’s a ghost without its memories but the shell of someone who once was?
With nothing better to do, Wei Ying decided to dive right back in.
“How did I know I would find you here?”
Wei Ying lifted his head slightly to look at the approaching heir. “Hello, Nie-xiong, nice weather today.” He greeted him before he went back to doing his laundry. Here in Cloud Recesses, they have dedicated servants for things like this, but Wei Ying quite enjoys doing his laundry. The fact that he’s unused to having servants doing things outside of cleaning his room wasn’t mentioned.
“Right, nice…” It really was nice today compared to normal. Not too cold or anything, just nice. “Why are you doing that yourself?”
“I just like doing laundry,” The repetitive motions were perfect for keeping his mind calm. It’s a miracle he even managed not to zone out completely yet. “And since I don’t have any punishment today, I just decided it was the perfect weather to get my hands wet.” It was indeed a rare occurrence since the lectures began. Even after learning the boundaries of what he could and couldn’t do here, he was constantly in trouble for one thing or another.
Nie Huaisang had to acknowledge that Wei Wuxian was unnaturally mellow as he washed his robes. Maybe if the Grandmaster were here to see this, he wouldn’t believe Wei Wuxian was a demon hell bent on torturing him by breaking all the rules. Or maybe he’ll just get angry and punish him for some bullshit reason like ‘doing servants' work’.
“Hey, Wei-xiong, I have a question for you.”
“Okay, what is it?”
“Do you wish you could have a sibling?” Wei Ying’s motions slowed. What type of question was that? Wei Ying answered on instinct, “I already have Shijie and Jiang Cheng.”
“Jiang-guniang is more like a parental figure than a sibling. And Jiang Cheng is your Shidi because you two aren’t allowed to be anything more.” Wei Ying looked down. He wasn’t wrong on both accounts. He knows the way he feels for Shijie isn’t the way most people feel about their sister figures. And as much as he and Jiang Cheng felt like brothers, they couldn’t be anything more than Sect Siblings.
“Well, when you put it like that… I guess? I would love to have a sibling.” He kind of wishes he had at least an older sibling. Maybe an older brother or something. Nie Huaisang drops to his knees beside him with a smile. “Perfect! Then why don’t we become sworn brothers?”
Wei Ying tilted his head, “Why? That’ll bring you no advantages?” It’ll only cause him problems. People already think so little of him; if they become sect siblings, it’ll only get worse.
“What do you mean, what’s the advantage? I’ll get you! A genius who has one of the strongest cores of our generation! If anything, the one getting the short end of the stick is you.”
Wei Ying shook his head, “No, it’s still you. You’re the heir and younger brother of Nie-zongzhu. You have money and status, I have nothing.”
“You’re the son of Cangse Sanren! The disciple of Baoshan Sanren, the immortal cultivator! And you’re the youngest head disciple in the history of the sects! Not to mention, don’t you own an orphanage and a home for the homeless in Lotus Pier?” Nie Huaisang pointed his fan at him. “You have status and reputation, Wei-xiong. That’s way better than me, who just rides on his brother’s fame and money.”
Wei Ying wanted to argue more, remind him that his father was a servant, but Nie Huaisang hushed him. “Plus, if something ever happens in the future, you’ll have someone to turn to. I’ve heard some things about Lotus Pier.” He grabbed his hands, “I know you love the sect that took you in and will never think or say anything bad about them. But other people do.” Wei Ying looked down before shaking his head. “Nothing’s going to happen.”
“But, don’t you want that reassurance if it does?” Nie Huaisang looked at him sadly. Wei Ying didn’t want to think about the possibility of something bad happening. Like Yu-furen finally having enough of him and kicking him out. But, Nie Huaisang is right, you can never know what is coming.
“All right,” Nie Huaisang brightened immediately. But Wei Ying stopped him, “But let’s not tell everyone right away.” Nie Huaisang nodded with a cheeky grin. “That was my plan all along! Who knows if this would make your situation worse if it got out?” He grabbed his arm before pausing, “I’ll let you finish that first.”
“Thank you, Nie-xiong.”
“Nope! I think you’ve earned the right to call me, Sang-ge.” Wei Ying blinked before smiling softly, “Then you can call me whatever you like.”
“Hhm, A-Xian?” That was Shijie’s name for him. But, then again, Jiang-shushu uses it too. Wei Ying looked around, suddenly terrified that someone could be watching them and reported this back to Lotus Pier. Jiang-shushu might just come up here and drag him back to Lotus Pier if he ever finds out before the lectures end.
“Okay, but please let’s only use it in private.”
Sang-ge… oh no. How is Sang-ge taking his death? And Cheng-cheng too! They both must be devastated! Wei Ying looked around. He needed- he needed to find them! Before he could pick a direction, he was forced into another memory.
Wei Ying was standing on a ladder as he painted the top of the walls. It was a little difficult with two sleeping toddlers strapped to him. He held a small container in his hand as he painted with the others, leaving most of the paint at the bottom of the ladder so the children had easy access to more paint. Wei Ying was wrapping up the final touches when he heard a small shriek behind him.
“Hey!” It was Xiao-Hong and Xiao-Chen. Xiao-Chen was glaring at a gleeful Xiao-Hong, who was holding her stomach as she laughed at her friend's misery. Only to stop laughing with a gasp as she ducked away from a splatter of paint that hit the unfortunate girl behind her. Xiao-Shan jumped in shock before glaring at the two younger children.
Wei Ying sighed as he predicted what was to come next. He was slowly climbing down, mindful of the two children strapped to him, when Xiao-Shan reached into the nearest bucket and spattered them both with paint.
“I didn’t hit you!” Xiao-Hong stomped her feet with a pout. Xiao-Chen’s eyes watered with tears as he looked down at his ruined robes. “Wei-Niang bought this from me!” Hearing his wails, Xiao-Chao decided that the best course of action was to splash A-Hong and A-Shan.
“Stop making A-Chen cry.”
“You want some of this too, Chao-di?” That was his only warning before things devolved into an all-out paint war. Wei Ying watched the brawl as A-Li, who had been peacefully napping on his back, began to wail at her disturbed rest. Wei Ying decided it’d be best to step in now before someone gets seriously hurt.
“Hey. Hey!”
He wrestled the brushes from the children as A-Bo stirred from his nap against his chest. By the time things calmed down, everyone got covered in paint, including him. Luckily, he had specially requested paint that was easy to wash off the skin. Hair, on the other hand, he’ll have to figure that out.
“Guys, look. Your two youngest have been reduced to tears due to your antics. Xiao-Hong, apologize for splashing Xiao-Chen. Xiao-Chen, apologize for accidentally hitting Xiao-Shan.” Wei Ying then looked at Xiao-Chao, “You did well trying to defend Xiao-Chen, but you only escalated the situation. So, think about your actions and apologize later.”
Xiao-Hong crossed her arms with a pout. “Why don’t I get an apology?” Wei Ying placed his hands on his hips, “Because you started it by splashing Xiao-Chen. Do I need to take away your drum for a little while?” Xiao-Hong’s eyes widened, “No!”
“Then apologize.” She looked away before turning to Xiao-Chen and A-Shan. “Sorry for dirtying your robes by throwing paint on you. And I’m sorry you got hit by paint when I jumped away.”
Wei Ying smiled before patting his head, cringing slightly at all the paint on it. “Okay, guys, looks like we all need a bath. “Xiao-Qingge, get the towels. Xiao-Hua finds us some more buckets. The rest of you help me put this stuff away.” When they finished putting everything away, Wei Ying rounded up the children in the washroom. It took hours to clean the paint off their faces, but their hair had been stained. It won't come off, so he’ll have to take them to the healers to see if it’ll have any negative effects.
As they walked back out front, Xiao-Shan pulled at his robes. “Wei-niang, can we keep it?”
“Keep what?” She pointed at the wall, “The wall. It looks pretty.” Wei Ying looked at the wall, and the paint had already dried, so they couldn’t do anything about that. And part of Wei Ying felt that even if they tried to paint over it, nothing other than maybe black could cover the collage of colors covering the wall.
“As long as you guys like it, I don’t see why not.”
The children cheered as Wei Ying hurried them outside the mansion he had turned into an orphanage.
Heh, luckily, they said the paint should wear off in a few weeks and shouldn’t have any negative effects. He remembers how he spent almost two months with rainbow hair, it had been very humiliating, and he ended up being the butt of many jokes, but it did keep Yu-furen from punishing him until it wore off.
Not even the ever serious and angry Yu-furen could take him seriously enough to not start laughing when she saw his hair. Even her maids cracked a smile whenever they saw him for those two months.
In the end, they did keep the wall of paint splatter, as Shijie said it brought some charm. And like he said back then, if the children liked it, then they’ll keep it. It was them who were going to be living there, not him; he chose to ignore the fact that Jiang-shushu would have blown a fuse if he moved out of Lotus Pier. Even if it was to the orphanage on the hill.
But now, it is all gone. The orphanage had been burned to the ground, so many dead bodies had been buried in its remains. Fifteen dead, he had counted each small body he had to bury. But, there had been thirty kids living there by the time of the massacre, Wei Ying prayed that the rest had managed to escape safely. He ran out of time to look for them after he fled to the Burial Mounds, and had to lay his hopes in Jiang Cheng as he focused on helping the extremely malnourished A-Yuan survive.
…A-Yuan? Oh, suprememes, A-Yuan!
“Wei-gongzi.”
Wei Ying looked up from his notes. Wen Ning was standing at the entrance of the Demon Slaughtering Cave holding a sleeping child. “He was calling for you in his sleep. I just thought…” He looked a little awkward just standing there. As lost and confused as the first time they met.
“It’s okay, give him to me.” Wei Ying held out his arms to accept the child he’s grown quite fond of over the last year. Wen Ning obediently handed A-Yuan over. Wei Ying looked down at the sleeping two-year-old; he was still so small for his age. If someone saw him, he wouldn’t fault them for thinking he was only a few months old. Wei Ying had thought the same when he first saw him cradled in the arms of Wen-popo. They hadn’t even believed he would live much longer, but he had been determined not to allow another child to die because of those camps.
He swallowed his pride and begged Sang-ge for help. And he sent a doctor who's used to working on children, and with her assistance, A-Yuan managed to survive. And he now lives a mostly carefree life here on the Burial Mounds, something that was thought to be impossible before now.
Wei Ying smiled as the child shifted closer, and he clutched his robes. Before his smile fell, why did this have to happen to a boy so young? His only crime was being born a Wen. He wasn’t even born yet when Wen Ruohan committed all those heinous acts, yet he was treated like a criminal. What a cruel world they lived in.
Wei Ying placed their foreheads together. If being born a Wen was such a crime, he wished A-Yuan had been born to another clan, another family. He wished A-Yuan could have been his; maybe then he could have asked Jiang Cheng or Sang-ge to take him in. Or maybe they would if they knew how much he meant to him?
Wei Ying looked at the blank sheets of paper surrounding him. He could, no, he needed to, but he can’t just do that without asking for permission. When he wakes up, he'll talk to Wen Qing and Wen-popo. They were all going to likely die eventually, but it’ll still be worth it in the end if this innocent life that had just barely begun had a chance to live on after there’s had ended.
No, no, no! If he’s dead, then where’s A-Yuan?! He knows he died before they could finish the move. Could he be? No. He can’t be.
“Let me go to my son!” He screamed into the current. His words were drowned out by the voices, yet the direction changed. Yes, he was being taken to the one that needed him most right now.
A-Yuan, A-Niang was coming.
“A-Niang?! Me?” He pointed at himself. A-Yuan nodded with a smile as his silver eyes sparkled. “A-Yuan, you know I’m a man, right?”
“But, Popo said that an A-Niang is someone who puts you to bed with a gentle song, who feeds and bathes you, and who makes you feel safe like an A-Die.” He explained before adding something else. “Plus, an A-Die’s supposed to have enough money to buy me and A-Niang food. And Xian-gege is very poor, so he can’t be an A-Die.” Wei Ying held his heart. Why do children have to be so blunt?
He looked down at the child, “If I’m you’re A-Niang, then who’s your A-Die?” Surely he’ll realize that he still does everything an A-Die does, besides the part about money. A-Yuan answered instantly, “Rich-gege!” Wei Ying almost choked on air. Lan Zhan?! Of all people, Lan Zhan- eh, it could be worse. And Lan Zhan is very rich and patient, and he was so gentle with A-Yuan before. Already willing to spoil him with toys like a real A-Die would.
“What about Sang-ge?”
“That’s Jiujiu, since he’s your brother.” Wei Ying’s eyebrows raised. Yes, they were sworn brothers, but he didn’t think that would mean enough for A-Yuan to call him Jiujiu. But he guesses it’s better than some other things. “Well, Lan Zhan has an older brother and an Uncle. What would they be?”
“RIch-gege has a Gege and a Bobo?”
“That’s his Shufu,” Wei Ying corrected gently. “What’s the difference?”
“Shufu is very formal. For example, A-Niang and Muqin mean the same thing, but Muqin is more formal than A-Niang.” A-Yuan nodded with pursed lips. “Well, I want a Bobo.” Wei Ying laughed. He doesn’t know whether Zewu-jun would have a heart attack or drop to his knees in joy at being called Bobo.
Probably neither, as A-Yuan was his and Lan Zhan hated him. The whole world knows that. Maybe he shouldn’t let A-Yuan continue with this dangerous train of thought, even if Lan Zhan seemed fond of him, he couldn’t accept a child of his. And his clan would be worse, probably attempt to kick him out, or accuse Lan Zhan of having a bastard. He wouldn’t dare to stain his peerless reputation with something like this.
Yet, when he looked down at the child who was happily drawing his new family, the words got stuck in his throat. Maybe this wasn’t a bad thing for him to cling to for now.
Wei Ying stepped back over to his desk, where he had a couple of things laid out. Two qiankun pouches from Sang-ge, those flutes he had been working on, and two hairpins he found. Once these are done, he will have no more reason to selfishly hold A-Yuan back. To keep him from finding a new life and happiness away from the scourge named Wei Wuxian and the sins of his birth clan.
Wei Ying panted as he leaned against the tree. He was a ghost; he didn’t have lungs, but this was the only way to express his exhaustion. He slowly climbed his way up the mountain; he mustn’t allow himself to falter. His son was waiting for him.
It never rains on his mountain yet, today the sky was painted black as the tears of the ghosts within rained down on them. They cried for the mortals who would soon lose their lives and become trapped like them. And they wept for the joy lost.
Wei Ying paid the rain zero mind as he wrapped his already frail son in his outer robes as he shielded him from the rain. He ran until he found the tree, the one that A-Yuan loved to hide in during hide and seek.
The tiny grip on his robes tightened as he knelt down to set the boy inside, “A-Niang…” He whined as his eyes filled with tears. “Please, don’t go.” He pleaded, but Wei Ying knew he couldn’t grant him this request. They were here for him and would never stop searching until they found him. But A-Yuan- he could hide away and avoid this fate. Only three people knew of him, and none of them was cruel enough to kill a child. Even Jiang Wanyin, who was drowned in his grief and rage, would never stoop so low.
“I have to leave Baobei,” He said, trying to hide his grief. “No, No! A-Niang, please!” He wailed as he clung to him desperately. Wei Ying could already feel the tears burning his eyes. Oh, baobei, he knows how hard it is for him to deny him anything, especially if he cries.
“I’m sorry, I can’t risk them finding you.”
“We can leave together!” They could, they could go and run far away if they left now. But A-Yuan would still be in danger. They would never know peace as the sects would hunt him down for eternity. He gently grasped his son’s hands, “Baobei, I can’t escape with you. So, please stay here until Jiujiu comes and finds you.” A-Yuan shakes his head, “No, no.”
Wei Ying places a gentle kiss on his head as he pulls out a talisman, “I love you, Baobei, so please live for me.” He places the talisman on A-Yuan's back. He could tell it worked from the way A-Yuan’s desperation grew, as his pleas became softer before he succumbed to the talisman's effects.
Wei Ying looked down as the tears continued to fall, as his son cried for the life he once knew. Everything would be different after today. Wei Ying pulled the qiankun pouch out of his sleeve. If only he hadn’t been so weak, so selfish. A-Yuan could have already been living safely in Qinghe with Sang-ge, away from this heartache and danger. He set the pouch on his chest; at least someone would get to use the warding array he created.
He could hear people shouting in the distance. It was time. He stood up and walked away, giving one last mournful look at the fully warded tree. His gaze drew away from the tree to the two birds perched on its branches. He still doesn’t know where those two tree swifts came from, but he knows that they weren’t ordinary birds.
“Keep my son safe.” He commanded before walking back to the summit. As long as he knows A-Yuan is safe and will live on after this, then he doesn’t mind marching straight to his death. If he in the end managed to save someone, just one person, then Ning-di, Qing-jie, and Shijie’s sacrifices would not have been in vain. And he could die with a purpose.
Wei Ying looked down at the slumbering child. His face was flushed as his breaths were all short and quick. He was sick. Wei Ying had known that this was a possibility, but he had also hoped Sang-ge would have made it before then. Wei Ying looked at the branches, and XiBao was gone, great. Luckily, HuaiJiu was still here, keeping close watch.
Wei Ying wanted to question where she was, but he knew Huaiju wouldn’t be able to give him an answer. He just prayed that nothing bad happened to her. He knows those two birds were incredibly loyal to him and A-Yuan, so he’s going to believe that she left to look for help.
Unable to do much else, Wei Ying sat at the base of the tree and started singing. He hoped maybe this would offer his son some comfort. Yet, during this song, another memory surfaced. A much older one.
They sat on a hill overlooking a field of flowers, Maia’s domain. Yoko always loved it here due to how calming it is to be there among the fairies that serve his Aunt Maia. But today, he could only look down as he played with his fingers. Okaa-san had brought him here after avoiding him for days since he revealed that he didn’t want to remain a Eunha; he wanted to ascend further to the rank of Supreme.
Of course, not just any Eunha could become a Supreme, so they had Khaos test him, and he said he did have the potential. Okaa-san had not been pleased at that and didn’t talk to him for a few weeks. Which was hard on him, he’s never gone so long without Okaa-san since he was born. Even when she would leave on assignments, she would still call back and chat with him and his sisters.
But today, she woke him up early and brought him here. So, Yoko couldn’t be blamed for his anxiousness as he awaited her verdict.
“So, I thought about it. And, I decided that I can’t stop you from following your dreams, but I also can’t allow you to walk into this completely blind.” She- he started. “You know Khaos will force you into a trial, right? You’ll be stripped of your divinity and maybe your memories too. You won’t be able to contact any of us until it’s over.”
Yoko stayed silent; he knew this. His uncles talked about the hundred lives they had to endure as a part of their trial more than Okaa-san does, but he knows it’s because of all the horrors he endured.
“Tomoko won’t be able to help you prank Maia’s kids. Tomiko won’t be able to patch up your wounds after training. You can’t train with your father or uncles. Your Dad can’t take you on adventures. And your Papa won’t be able to teach you magic. And I… I can’t protect you if you continue down this path.”
Yoko had known he wouldn’t be able to talk to his family during the trial, but when he put it like this, it sounded more daunting. He loved his family and couldn’t imagine himself going one day, much less years, without them. But he still wanted this. He wanted to be able to understand Okaa-san and his siblings more. He wanted to have a spot in this family outside of the youngest child of light, who was born with the ability to manipulate darkness. He- he just wants to be able to stand alone.
“Yoko, tell me you understand that once you tell Khaos that you want to start your trial, you will be completely alone on a random mortal planet. Everyone you knew will be gone, and you will have to navigate this new world on your own.”
“I understand, Okaa-san.”
“Okay then,” He stands up and brushes off his pants. “Come on, we have a lot to go over. No child of mine will be going in completely blind.”
Wei Ying wakes up to the sound of approaching footsteps. He recognized whose gate this was, but it was so different compared to usual. It was heavier, and each step took twice as long compared to usual.
Wei Ying rose to his feet as the man broke through the treeline. It was Lan Zhan yet, he looked, he looked awful . His skin was pale and clammy, which is saying something because all Lans are naturally pale. His eyes were unfocused as they squinted at everything. His gate was uneasy as his legs trembled under the weight of his body. What happened to him?
A familiar chirp drew him away from his observations of Lan Zhan. It was XiBao. Did she leave to find Lan Zhan? How did she know about him? They both arrived weeks after Lan Zhan left the Burial Mounds for the final time.
“Lan Zhan!” He called out, but remained unheard. So he turned to the bird sitting on the tree, “Bring Huaisang to Cloud Recesses!” He must be informed of these changes in events. Lan Zhan hadn’t even once been considered a possibility due to the rigidness of his clan and the potential hatred of Lan Qiren. But it’s still better than nothing, especially considering his current condition. While he didn’t doubt the medical expertise of the Nie Clan’s healers, he still knew they probably didn’t compare to those of the Lans.
He watched as Lan Zhan effortlessly broke through the wards despite his physical (and probably spiritual) condition. The way his eyes widened as he gazed down at the child curled up in the tree. “A-Yuan,” he whispered to the wind.
Wei Ying wanted to reach out to touch them, but that was the moment it struck. He should have seen this coming, considering the way he died. His soul should have shattered already, no, it did shatter. But he had held onto the pieces of himself for this purpose. So he could ensure his son would get rescued, so he could watch him get saved.
Now that had been accomplished, and he was going to leave with a place with his A-Die. There was no need for him anymore. Yet, he still followed them down the mountain, waiting until they were at the very edge before he completely lost himself. His final words were drowned out by the river.
“Lan Zhan, thank you for saving our son.”
“Wei Ying?”
HuaiJiu - Nostalgia
XiBao - Announcement of joyful news.
Okaa-san - Mother in japanese
Yoko - Ocean Child
Tomoko - Wisdom Child
Tomiko - Wealthy Child