Chapter Text
Lan Wangji kneeled in front of the Lan clan. His uncle stood before him with a look of disappointment etched on his face. The other two clans remained silent as they watched closely. The silence was as empty as space itself. The heavens have not been this quiet in a very long time. But then again.... no angel had ever broken the rules this badly. Protected a Nephilim and dared to attack his own kind. It was even more shocking that it was Lan Wangji of all angels, a member of the Lan Family, one of the twin jades, the son of the current God.
"Wangji, do you understand your crimes?"
"I do." Lan Wangji's voice was low, broken, and fragile. Not because he regrets his actions, but because of the one he loved. His fated mate died not that long after he tried to protect him.
"....Your punishment.....is banishment. To the underworld."
The sounds of gasps filled the heavens. Hearing this sentence was shocking to everyone. No one thought that one of the princes of Heaven would be cast out....to become a demon. Lan Wangji looked down as he couldn't find the words. Two of the guards step forward and grab Lan Wangji's arms so the ritual to banish him could begin. He lifts his head, but his eyes only fall on one person. On his older brother.
-
Lan Xichen stood motionless beside the high dais, the soft light of the celestial realm glinting off his immaculate white robes. His posture was perfect, wings folded in measured calm, expression as serene as a statue carved by divine hands. To the untrained eye, he was the very image of composure—Heaven's First Jade, flawless and obedient.
But beneath that surface, his hands trembled ever so slightly at his sides. Before him, his younger brother knelt. The faint flicker of golden light from the ritual circle illuminated Wangji's bowed head, and for a moment, Xichen thought he could still see the child his brother once was—quiet, devoted, always following rules. Until him. Until Wei Wuxian.
He could still see it—he could never unsee it. He could never forget it.
The battlefield had been painted in light and blood. The smell of burning divinity still clung to his memories; the clash of blades and claws still rang in his ears. Wei Wuxian had fought like a falling star, fierce and blindingly beautiful even as his half-breed blood turned black with corruption. Xichen had been there when the Nephilim's body gave out, crumpling amid the ruins of the burning cave. He remembered it so clearly his brother kneeling beside him, pressing trembling hands against the gash through his chest. Wei Wuxian had smiled—faint, delirious, and far too calm. It unnerved Xichen that even in death, Wei Wuxian seemed content to perish. Xichen had wanted to call for this to stop, to summon healers, but the boy's light had already faded and fizzled out, dissolving like starlight at dawn. The sound of his brother's scream had torn through him like thunder—a sound he never wished to hear ever again.
Now, watching Wangji kneel before judgment, Xichen's throat felt tight. Every instinct in him screamed to speak—to protect, to reason, to beg for mercy—but his role as First Jade chained him in silence. He could not disobey Heaven. He could not defy his uncle nor his father.
So he stood there, silent, perfect, and loyal… while his brother was condemned to Hell. Only when the guards took hold of Wangji's arms did his composure crack. His wings trembled once—almost imperceptibly. His gaze met Wangji's, and in that single, fleeting moment, the entire weight of his guilt was laid bare. He was standing there watching the little brother he loved so dearly be cast down for simply loving another being.
-
Qingheng-Jun stood silently for a moment as his eyes were cast down at his youngest son. He couldn't believe it had come to this, but his own brother demanded this punishment. Even though he hated the thought, he was not wrong. Wangji had turned his celestial blade on his own kind, on his family. All for some Nephilim. For a half-breed that was no better than a servant.
He finally steps forward, as divine light follows him. Casting around Lan Wangji as the ritual marks start to glow. Many angels looked away. Some are not able to bring themselves to watch something so horrible.
Some were watching intensely. Ready to see even one of the twin jades fall. Jiang Cheng frowns as he glances over at his father, Jiang Fengmian. Not completely shocked, he isn't saying anything. The fact that he cared so deeply for the son he adopted, yet he didn't say a word in the man's defense, nor in Lan Wangji's.
Qingheng-Jun's wings open fully as he starts whispering in ancient tongues. The ritual markings are glowing brighter.
Lan Wangji looks away, finally, from his big brother as pain starts to fill his body. Even though he didn't show emotions, Lan Xichen was always able to tell how he was feeling, and he didn't want his brother to see the pain in his eyes.
His own wings are opening and slowly turning black. The once brilliant white wings are now tainted in darkness. Jagged horns sprouting from his head. His arms turned black as his hands turned into those of demons. Sharp claws are revealed for a moment before shortening for now. A long tail stretching from his lower back is now whipping violently. It only lasted a second before it fell calmly behind him.
The God of Heaven's chants continued as he stood directly behind his son.
Jin Guangshan's face, for a moment, showed a faint smile watching the scene. His eyes glance over at his own sons for a moment. Glad to know it wasn't a member of his family that caused the first banishment in over a century.
-
Lan Xichen's wings felt unbearably heavy as the divine light spread through the hall. Every word of his father's chant struck like a blade, sharp and fatal. He stood motionless among the gathered crowd, his face calm, his posture flawless—truly Heaven's perfect son. But beneath that perfection, his breath trembled, and his nails dug into the silk of his robe hard enough to draw blood beneath.
The air crackled with the sacred energy of the ritual. His father's voice deepened, steady and absolute, and the symbols beneath Wangji's knees flared white-hot. The brilliance was blinding, but Xichen could not look away.
He watched as Wangji was trying to remain proud, unbent, even as Heaven itself broke him apart. The glow of the marks spread across his body, carving through flesh and soul alike.
Feathers darkened to ash, all Xichen could see were the white feathers he'd help preen when his brother was young. The brother he taught to fly..The smell of smoke and iron filled the air.
Lan Xichen's heart screamed, but his lips did not part. His eyes met Wangji's for a single heartbeat—long enough to see sorrow there, and it broke him just enough to take one single step, but the look he got from his uncle had him stepping back.
Then the last of the light faded away.
Lan Xichen stood frozen long after it was done, staring at the space where his brother now kneeled. And though the hall remained silent, he thought he could still hear the echo of whispers.
-
Mo Xuanyu stood at the back of the hall, hidden behind the marble pillars, his hands trembling where they clutched his robe. The light was so bright it hurt to look at, searing against his skin, crawling under it. The holy energy made his blood feel wrong—like it was trying to burn its way out of him.
He knew why.
He wasn't pure enough.
He bit down hard on his tongue to keep quiet, tasting copper. He should have left. He should never have come. But his feet wouldn't move, not when he could feel it—him—Lan Wangji's pain tearing through the air. He'd heard the stories, whispered in fear, about the Nephilim who had defied Heaven. Wei Wuxian. The one who had tried to save others like himself, the one Heaven called heretic. He'd heard that Lan Wangji had fought for him..and.. That he'd fallen for that.
And now, here he was, watching Heaven destroy him for it.
When Lan Wangji's wings turned black, something inside Mo Xuanyu shattered. The gasps and murmurs of the angels around him blurred into static. All he could hear was the crackling voices all around and the low hum of God's voice as he condemned his own son. His own father stood near the front, arms crossed, mouth curved in faint satisfaction. Mo Xuanyu's stomach twisted at the sight. He didn't understand how anyone could see this and still believe Heaven was pure. How could anyone believe Wei Wuxian was the one who sinned?
His throat tightened, his chest heavy with a rage he didn't dare voice. He pressed his shaking hands to the pillar and whispered beneath his breath, barely audible even to himself.
You were right. They'll never see the truth.
But something deep inside him began to stir—a small, furious spark that refused to die. His anger towards those he knew orchestrated this mess, who got Wei Wuxian killed. He'd make them pay.
-
When the ritual was over, a soft sigh left Lan Wangji's lips. He remained kneeling, and his head remained lowered. He was now just a demon.....no longer Heaven's pride. No longer the 2nd Jade.
Qingheng-Jun lowers his hands as his majestic wings finally close. He strolled back to his throne before looking down at his son....no- not his son anymore. This demon.....
"The ritual is complete. You shall never return to Heaven. Reflect on your behavior, and try to bring balance to the underworld." His voice was firm and calm, even though, under the surface, it broke him.
Lan Wangji stood slowly. He staggered and, for a moment, his wings lost a few feathers. He takes a final breath before bowing slowly to his father, uncle, and older brother.
Though that respect was not given to the others in attendance.
Lan Qiren looks over at his nephew and speaks lowly. "Open the portal to the underworld," he ordered calmly. His eyes only glanced at Lan Wangji for a moment before falling back on Lan Xichen.
Jin Guangshan's hand slowly raised. "Do excuse my interruption. But what of the other Nephilim? The remaining wen servants."
Lan Wangji glared darkly at Jin Guangshan. He speaks lowly, a new darkness to his tone. "I will take them to the underworld with me. Is that fine...fa- God...."
Qingheng-Jun thinks for a moment, then nods. "That is fine. Someone bring the prisoners here....they will leave with him."
-
Lan Xichen turned, the weight of the command heavy on his shoulders. His hands moved automatically as he began to trace the air in front of him. Divine sigils appeared where his fingers passed, glowing with cold, pale light. The air trembled as sacred power gathered, swirling into a growing spiral of white and gold.
His throat was tight. He could not speak—did not trust himself to—but his movements were steady, reverent, and obedient. He intended to make this as easy for his brother and the others as he could.
The sound of the portal opening filled the hall, low and mournful, like a sigh drawn from the heavens themselves. The light grew brighter, forming a vortex that shimmered like liquid gold.
He forced his gaze downward, unwilling to let his expression betray him. He could feel the stare of his uncle behind him, waiting, then the crowd whispering, feeding on the spectacle. The sound of chains, the scrape of armored feet—then the sound of people hitting the floor.
He didn't dare look until he heard a voice.
-
Wen Qing stumbled forward as one of the guards shoved her through the parting crowd, the heavy weight of divine chains dragging against the marble floor. The light was blinding—so clean, so cruel—that it made her sick. She fell to her knees beside the others, her wrists bound, wings torn and bloodied.
Beside her knelt Wen Ning, his own head bowed, trembling so hard she worried he might have a concussion. Around them, the surviving Wen remnants crouched low, their faces hollow, their auras dim. They were little more than ghosts now—outcasts that Heaven refused to see as living beings—half breeds who wanted only to live in peace.
She forced herself to lift her chin. The first thing she saw was him.
Lan Wangji.
He stood tall, despite the changes in his body, with dark wings heavy behind him and a black tail curling faintly. There was something unsettlingly haunting about him now—terrifying, yes, but still composed. Still noble. Still him.
For a heartbeat, Wen Qing's anger flared, bright. Not at him, but at the God who watched the angels who mocked. At the smug faces in the crowd—Jin Guangshan's especially. She wanted to spit, to curse them all, but Wen Ning's hand brushed hers, and she stopped.
A quiet roll of energy passed through the room as the portal behind Lan Xichen expanded, its pull faint but unmistakable.
She looked toward the assembled council of Heaven, and her eyes burned with restrained fury.
"Wei Wuxian died for us," she whispered under her breath, too quiet for them to hear, but not for herself. "And still they call us evil. He gave his all to protect the weak. And yet he was cast down and killed for it."
No one responded. No one dared.
The only sound that followed was the hum of the portal and the soft rustle of feathers falling to the floor—none of them white anymore.
And as Wen Qing's gaze met Lan Wangji's, she bowed her head—not out of submission, but respect. She could only hope…that now that this was over, Wei Wuxian could rest in peace.
-
Lan Wangji watched as the portal appeared and expanded. His eyes did not leave it until the sound of chains dragging across the marble floor shook him from his thoughts.
He turns to see the remnants of the Wen Clan get dragged in and pushed to their knees.
Even though the Wen Clan was a demon Clan, these members were Nephilim like Wei Wuxian. They studied healing or lived their lives. Captured during the war because it was easy. Because they didn't raise weapons against anyone.
Now they were like this. Prisoners. Seen as less than trash. Lan Wangji refused to let Wei Wuxian's life be sacrificed in vain....
Lan Wangji looks at Wen Qing and nods his head slightly towards her before he steps towards the portal.
His body didn't shake, even though it wanted to. Tears didn't fall even though his eyes were itching to cry. He kept his composure as a Lan. As one of the Twin Jades. As Heaven's pride.
He turned and glanced at his father.... no, not anymore. At the God on his throne. "....They no longer need the chains."
Qingheng-Jun sighs but nods as he waves a hand, and the chains fall from the prisoners' wrists. Then vanish the moment they hit the floor.
Lan Qiren glares, disliking how his older brother is acting. It was just the softness in his heart, and he couldn't let that softness get him killed.
"You prisoners are leaving for the underworld with this banished one. Get up and follow him out. If you try to escape, you will be executed on the spot."
Wen Ning flinched, hearing the threat after watching the chains fall to the ground and disappear. He was different from everyone who was captured. He was a Nephilim, but an alpha in both sides of himself. So, most saw him as a bigger threat, even though he was such a gentle soul.
Jin Guangshan speaks up once again. "Our lords, you aren't going to let that broken Nephilim go as well, are you? Maybe he should remain...as a servant to be kept in check."
Some other angels began whispering in agreement. Some are hoping to be the ones who catch him.
-
Lan Xichen's head turned slightly at the sound of Jin Guangshan's voice. The smugness laced within it made his chest tighten, but outwardly, his expression remained unchanged. His composure remained divine, eyes placid and calm, every trace of emotion sealed behind layers of discipline.
He took one step forward from where he stood before the portal, the faint hum of its power rippling around him. When he spoke, his tone was calm, measured, almost serene—but there was a faint chill in it.
"Lord Jin," he said evenly, his voice carrying across the hall with authority. "You forget your place."
A few of the murmuring angels immediately fell silent. Xichen's gaze swept over them before he continued, his tone still polite, but now threaded with steel.
"The will of Heaven has already been spoken. All Nephilim are to be sent to the underworld alongside the banished one." He paused, just long enough for the words to settle. "It was decreed by God Himself. Are you suggesting you know better?"
The faintest flicker of light glimmered along the edges of his wings—divine energy responding to his restraint. To anyone else, he appeared as a loyal enforcer of Heaven's command, but to those who looked closer, there was something far more dangerous beneath his composure. He was protecting his brother and what his brother lost everything to protect.
He turned his gaze fully upon Jin Guangshan then, and his following words came smooth and cold.
"Or perhaps you would prefer to explain to the court why you question His divine judgment? I'm sure the Heavenly Recorders would love to add that to today's proceedings."
-
Jin Guangshan's eyes seemed to fill with disdain for a moment. He didn't like being questioned and not getting what he wanted.
He fakes a smile as he raises his hands in a mocking gesture of defeat, though to those watching, every movement seemed genuine.
"Of course not. You are right, please excuse my insolence." He fell silent as thoughts started to cloud his mind. Wanting nothing but to come up with a way for Lan Xichen to suffer.
The Wens all stood and formed two lines, moving to get ready to walk behind Lan Wangji.
Wen Ning grips his sister's hand tightly. Scared that they may actually take him away.
Lan Wangji takes a breath and steps through the portal without another word. As he steps through his wings, they slowly change to those of a demonic style. The feathers burst into flames, leaving behind a beautiful, haunting texture.
The Wens followed behind slowly before it was just the angels of Heaven left in the grand hall.
Qingheng-Jun turns to look at his son. "Close the portal. Everyone but the three main clan leaders is dismissed." He spoke firmly.
Jiang Cheng frowns as he glances at his father before taking his older sister's hand and leading her and the Jiang members out.
Jin Zixuan turns and leaves, a bit irritated by his father's behavior. Meng Yao was silently following behind as well without a word.
Members of the Lan clan quickly all leave without a single word of complaint.
---
Meanwhile, in the underworld, the Wens and the Nies were in the heat of battle. Both clans want to rule over all of the underworld, yet not a single one yields to the other.
The portal opened a few miles from the battleground. Lan Wangji steps through along with the Wen remnants and looks around as the portal to Heaven....to his old life....closes forever.
-
Lan Xichen lowered his head, eyes closed for the briefest of moments as the last shimmer of the portal faded into silence. The hum of divine energy dimmed, leaving behind only the weight of what had been done. He turned toward the throne, robes brushing against the marble floor, and bowed low before his father.
"Your will has been carried out," he said quietly, his voice calm and composed, though faint exhaustion threaded through it. "Heaven remains in your order."
When he rose, his gaze flickered—just once—toward the space where the portal had stood. The faint smell of burned feathers still lingered in the air. He straightened, expression unreadable, and stepped away from the dais. His hands were steady, his movements graceful, but each step felt heavier than the last.
He left the hall without another word, praying to …who knows …that his brother would be ok.
-
Nie Huaisang crouched low on a jagged cliff ledge, his fan pressed against his lips as he watched the chaos below. The air of the underworld was thick with heat and ash, the roar of battle echoing endlessly. The Nie banners were torn and bloodied, their warriors locked in brutal combat with the Wens—each strike more desperate than the last.
He should have gone back down. Should have joined the fight. But one look at the battlefield had been enough to know that this was madness. No honor. No strategy. Just vengeance. And he was no warrior.
He stayed still, hidden in the shadows of the rocks, eyes scanning the haze until something strange caught his attention—a sudden surge of blinding light miles away, out of place in the endless dark.
A portal.
For a heartbeat, his blood ran cold. Heaven? Here?
He rose slightly, squinting through the smoke. The golden light rippled, then dimmed, and from it emerged figures—shrouded in flame and shadow. The sight of blackened wings made his stomach twist. If Heaven had sent angels into this realm, then something worse was coming. But he saw no white wings, just singed black, and he wondered what it could mean.
"…Da-Ge…" he whispered under his breath, clutching his fan tighter. "Look." He whispered as he pointed off in the distance.
-
Wen Qing tightened her grip on Wen Ning's hand, fingers trembling against his. The air was heavy—thick with the stench of blood and sulfur—and screams echoed faintly in the distance. When the last flicker of the portal disappeared behind them, she turned, staring at the place where it had been.
No return. No salvation. No freedom.
Only this.
She drew a slow breath and looked toward Lan Wangji, who stood a few paces ahead, the last traces of divine light fading from his form. His new wings burned faintly at the edges, dark and terrible. He looked neither afraid nor broken.
"Lan Wangji," she said softly, her voice barely carrying over the wind that swept through the desolate field. "What will you do now?"
-
Qingheng-Jun nods. "You did well, my son. You may go." He watched as his eldest left the grand hall. The thoughts of what happened were now burned into his immortal mind.
He never thought he'd be banishing someone, let alone his own son. He takes a breath before glancing at the remaining leaders.
"Lord Jin, and Lord Jiang. It is time we spoke about the next festival. It will be among us soon, and it must be hosted somewhere. And we must also speak about the future marriage for my son Lan Xichen."
-
Nie Mingjue was fighting against Wen Rouhan. Blades crossing as if their very lives were a part of the weapon. Neither was willing to back down, nor was either willing to give in.
Demons from both sides were fighting tiredly, while others were trying to get the injured out of the way.
As the demon Lord moved swiftly, he stopped hearing his little brother. Jumping with ease, he lands on a large rock and glances in the direction Nie Huaisang was pointing at. ".....Heaven?"
-
Lan Wangji turns as he opens his hand, and his sword materializes. Its once beautiful white and light blue color had changed to black and dark blue..
His voice was calm, low, and dark as he spoke. "I was told to bring balance. Demons answer to power correct? Then I shall fight both sides and put an end to this infighting." He steps forward. "Keep your people away from the fight."
He continues to step forward. Slowly unsheathing his sword. The dark power coming off it was stronger than his old divine energy.
Maybe it was because his hatred was already intense. That his sin of betrayal was already so large, he did not become weak; one could say his fall made him stronger.
Wen Ning frowns slightly as he looks at Wen Ning. "Let me help him. He can not fight alone....besides, all leaders need a right hand....right?" He touches the silver collar around his neck and, with ease, breaks it off. His power seemed to surge as his eyes turned completely black.
-
Jiang Fengmian folded his hands behind his back, the faintest trace of a calculating smile touching his lips. His tone was even and polite, but there was a deliberate weight behind every word.
"Your Majesty," he began, inclining his head slightly toward Qingheng-Jun, "if I may speak frankly, my son, Jiang Cheng, though young, has proven himself diligent and disciplined. A union between the Lan and Jiang Clans could only strengthen Heaven's foundation after such… turbulent times."
He paused, his gaze drifting briefly toward where the portal had been moments before, as if to acknowledge what had transpired without daring to name it. "Such a match would restore the court's faith in the order of things—showing that the Lan remain bound to Heaven's principles and alliances, and that our two Clans are united in purpose."
He glanced subtly toward Jin Guangshan, voice softening but not without edge. "Naturally, I am aware of the friendship between your son and Meng Yao, but I must advise caution there. Meng Yao's lineage, while blessed with talent, remains… complicated. The court would not easily accept a union between a Jade of Heaven and one born illegitimate."
The words were carefully chosen, spoken with measured diplomacy—but beneath them, the message was clear. Politics before sentiment. Status before affection. And if a marriage could tie the Jiang name closer to Heaven's ruling house, then all the better.
He inclined his head once more, posture impeccable. "I believe such a bond would benefit both our families and serve Heaven well."
-
Wen Qing turned quickly as Wen Ning stepped forward, the silver collar snapping like brittle glass. For a moment, her heart lurched—fear and pride tangling together in her chest. She wanted to call him back, to stop him before he did something reckless, but the determination in his eyes silenced her.
He wasn't the timid boy who once hid behind her robes anymore.
The air around him shimmered with power as he followed Lan Wangji toward the battlefield, his movements sure and unhesitant. She was genuinely proud.
Wen Qing exhaled slowly, forcing herself to look away before the tightness in her throat broke her composure. There was no time for grief. No time for hesitation.
She turned to the others—the wounded, the frightened, the ones too weak to fight. "This way," she ordered softly but firmly, her voice steady even as her heart pounded. "We'll find shelter beyond the ridge. Stay close to me."
The Wens obeyed without question. She led them down the uneven slope, helping those who stumbled, guiding them toward a cluster of stone caverns that offered at least a moment's safety.
Only once they were hidden in the shadows did she stop and glance back.
"Don't die, you fools," she whispered.
-
Nie Huaisang froze as the black blade caught the dim light of the underworld. Even from his distance, he could feel the weight of its energy—cold and suffocating, yet strangely… divine.
"That… that's not Heaven's light," he murmured, his fan trembling slightly in his grip.
As the figures came closer, he could make out two of them clearly now—the towering silhouette with burning wings, its face beautifully yet with a deadly glare as its expression, and the other just as imposing, a faint silver glow trailing behind it like a loyal shadow.
He felt his throat tighten. "Da-ge…" Huaisang's instincts screamed to move. The power radiating from that fallen angel was nothing like he'd ever felt—it wasn't demonic or holy. It was both. And it was terrifying.
Without thinking, he ducked behind his brother, crouching low behind the edge of the boulder. "Da-ge, who is that?! Please tell me Heaven didn't send someone to start more fighting!" His fan snapped open and shut nervously, voice cracking just slightly.
-
Qingheng-Jun listens and stays silent as he speaks. Maybe he was right. The union between their two families would be for the best, and it wasn't as if it was impossible for his son to grow to care for the husband chosen for him eventually.
But of course, Jin Guangshan's voice came out a bit irritated, yet still calm and collected. "Your Majesty. Meng Yao and Lan Xichen have always been close to each other. Why not let two of them finally admit their feelings through a union? No need to test the waters with a bond that may inevitably fail."
He gazes where the portal once was, before looking back at the God. "The Jin clan is higher in its status than the Jiang clan. I am sure all in Heaven would expect a union between the two top families."
He glances at Lan Qiren, hoping the brother would side with him, knowing deep down he disliked the Jiang family as much as he did.
"Let us not forget..." he pauses for a moment. "It was Jiang Fengmian's adopted son who started all this mess."
-
Wen Ning waits for a moment before seeing the signal to attack from Lan Wangji. It was the same signal he had seen Wei Wuxian use once — only once, but he remembered it.
He moved swiftly. His black, feathered wings spread as he flies over and attacks whatever demon gets in his way.
Lan Wangji glided through the battlefield with ease. Striking down anyone who dared to attack him. With every life he took, a feather would fall. Slowly but surely, any angelic part of him was disappearing for good.
---
Nie Mingjue frowns as he watches the two unknown creatures join the battle. Seeming to be on a side all their own.
He glances over at Nie Huaisang and speaks in a firm tone. "......I think....that used to be one of the twin Jades.....Lan Wangji. The one with him....looks like a wen, but from the nephilim branch."
He sighs. He didn't know what was going on, but he didn't need to risk his brother getting injured.
"Run. Get somewhere safe." He then returns to attacking Wen Rouhan. He didn't care much about anyone other than this man anyway.
Wen Rouhan had noticed the two newcomers and recognized Wen Ning almost immediately, but was then distracted by Nie Mingjue's attack on him again.
-
Jiang Fengmian's calm cracked at last. The faint smirk that had lingered through the earlier exchanges vanished, replaced by a sharp glare.
"Love?" he repeated, voice rising before it settled into a growl. "Love is a luxury for poets, not for clans who rule Heaven." He turned his head toward Jin Guangshan, the faint echo of thunder threading through his tone. "A marriage need not be sweet; it need only serve its duty. I was not in love with my mate, and yet the Jiang family endures. We do what must be done for the sake of our clan. My son understands that. He is the perfect match, albeit beta; he can still be a good match."
He took a single step forward, eyes hard. "You speak of higher status, Lord Jin, yet you measure worth by gossip and pedigree. A union based on power alone breeds arrogance. A union built on duty breeds stability."
The moment Jin Guangshan mentioned the adopted son, something inside Jiang Fengmian snapped more. His hands clenched behind his back, nails biting into his palms. Wings splayed wide in a sign of power.
"Do not speak of him in this hall," he said, voice cold and shaking with restrained fury. "That boy was a shame to my house. He turned his back on everything that was given to him and spat upon the discipline that raised him. The Jiang clan will not be tied to that disgrace any longer. I should have never given that half breed a chance."
He straightened, expression sharp and unmoving, though his jaw trembled slightly from the effort of keeping his temper contained. "If you wish to debate alliances, do so with reason, not with venom. The Lan family will decide what is proper for themselves."
His tone softened only when he turned back toward the throne. "Your Majesty, whatever decision you make, the Jiang clan will abide by it."
He bowed stiffly, the motion clipped and exact, before falling silent again, the ghost of anger still flickering behind his composed expression.
-
Lan Qiren exhaled quietly, the faintest flicker of irritation crossing his otherwise impassive face. He stepped forward, bowing briefly to the throne before turning his sharp gaze toward the others gathered.
"Brother," he began, his tone crisp and authoritative, "I must speak plainly, for this is no time for hesitation or sentiment. Lord Jin speaks with reason. Wangji's… disgrace has already shaken the Lan Clan's reputation. If we are to restore our standing in the eyes of Heaven, we must act decisively."
He folded his hands neatly behind his back. "The Jiang clan is already under suspicion. Wei Wuxian's rebellion and subsequent corruption have tainted their household. Though Jiang Cheng bears discipline, there is still a whisper of the same impurity running through his line. A union between our families could be seen as indulgent, even dangerous. The Lan cannot afford to be linked to that kind of instability; it is bad enough that the Jiang Omega daughter is betrothed to a Jin."
His eyes narrowed slightly as he looked toward Qingheng-Jun, his voice softening, though not in warmth—instead in careful persuasion. "Meng Yao, however, has proven himself capable and loyal. His service to the Lan and Jin clan has been invaluable. He is intelligent, articulate, and knows his place. If the Jin family is willing to clear the question of his birth and present him properly to the court, then Heaven will see such a union as righteous and strengthening."
He tilted his chin, tone hardening again. "You know as well as I that the court watches us closely, brother. They already whisper that compassion and softness have taken root in our house—that your mercy toward the banished one was unbecoming of God." His gaze flicked to Jin Guangshan, then back. "If our heir weds the Jin boy, it silences all of that. It binds us to Heaven's strongest power and reminds every clan that the Lan do not bend to sentiment, but it would also give the pair a fighting chance at a successful mateship."
He paused for a moment, then added coldly, "Were we to entertain an alliance with the Jiang, it would only feed the flames of doubt. Already, they question how deeply the influence of that thing ran in the family. We cannot risk further suspicion."
Lan Qiren straightened, hands clasped tight behind his back. "My advice is clear, Your Majesty. Approve the union between Meng Yao and Lan Xichen. It will restore faith in our house, strengthen our political standing, and ensure the Lan name remains unshaken."
-
Nie Huaisang's breath hitched as the ground beneath him shuddered from the clash below. He watched the two figures—black wings slicing through fire and smoke, every movement a whirlwind of power. He saw Lan Wangji's sword strike down demon after demon, saw Wen Ning dive through the air like a falling star.
He didn't think. He couldn't.
The moment his brother barked the order, Huaisang's wings flared open, instinct taking over. "Stay alive, Da-ge!" he shouted, the words breaking from him before he could stop them.
Then he turned and launched himself skyward.
The air was thick and heavy, choking with the scent of ash and blood, but he forced his wings to beat harder, faster. The higher he rose, the smaller the war looked—the dark swirl of bodies and steel fading into distant flickers of light.
He didn't look back. He didn't dare.
-
Qingheng-Jun was about to speak. To calm Jiang Fengmian down, but his brother's voice stopped him. Listening to him, it all made sense as well.
He couldn't let more shame fall upon their family, even if he hated the thought of how this made him feel like he did not trust Jiang Fengmian when he did.
Jin Guangshan's face showed no emotion, but a smirk was threatening to pull at his lips. He knew he would win this argument so long as Lan Qiren stood up for him.
It shouldn't be that hard for him to fake that Meng Yao was a legitimate heir.
Qingheng-Jun sighs softly as he nods. "...my brother is right. I am afraid we can not take the chance. I will announce during the banquet in three weeks that my son, Lan Huan, will marry Meng Yao. But Jin Guangshan, you have three days to clear the question of Meng Yao's birth, and as my brother said...present him properly to the court."
He takes a moment before speaking again. His voice is very calm. "If you fail to do so, I will just have to find a suitor among other families in heaven."
-
Nie Mingjue growls as he continues to fight. His body showed how hard he was breathing. His muscles flex with every motion. Dodging every swing from Wen Rouhan.
Wen Rouhan rolls his eyes as he swings his blade faster. "You look like you are getting tired, Nie Mingjue!" He yelled darkly.
"Not even close!" He growls back as he continues to fight.
The sounds of swords clashing continue to ring out through the underworld, but the sounds of screams coming from both the Wens and the Nies were now mixing with the clash of metal.
-
Wen Ning growls darkly as he moves faster. Taking down another demon with ease. His tail stopped one who tried to stab him from behind by wrapping around his wrist, breaking it.
Wen Ning turns and snaps the demon's neck before flying to attack anyone who tries to get to Lan Wangji from behind.
Lan Wangji himself was moving with grace, power, and ease. His scent paralyzed the others more quickly than just their sight of him. Most tried just to avoid him, while others attacked without thinking.
-
Jiang Fengmian's jaw tightened as Qingheng-Jun's words settled over the hall. He had expected resistance, but not finality. The moment God's decision was spoken, the room felt smaller—his breath heavier. His instinct screamed to argue, to demand reconsideration, yet even he knew when the line had been drawn.
For a long moment, he stood still, fists clenched behind his back. Then, slowly, he inclined his head.
"…As you command, Your Majesty."
The words left his tongue like ash. He straightened, keeping his tone level though anger rippled beneath the surface. "The Jiang clan will abide by Heaven's decree, as it always has." His eyes flicked toward Jin Guangshan, sharp as a blade, though he smiled faintly in pretense of civility. "May the Lan and Jin find fortune in this arrangement."
He bowed once, curtly, and fell silent. The look in his eyes said what words could not—that God's law bound him, but his pride did not yield.
-
Lan Xichen crept through the long marble corridors of Heaven's palace, the echo of his steps the only sound. The weight of the condemnation of his brother still lingered on his shoulders—the hollow announcement of his brother's banishment repeating in his mind like a bell tolling.
He turned a corner and stopped short.
Meng Yao stood at the far end of the hall, half-lit by the silver glow of lantern light. Their eyes met. For an instant, neither spoke.
Lan Xichen's composure never faltered; his face remained calm, unreadable, as the teachings demanded. But his heart felt like shattered glass beneath the surface. His brother was gone, condemned to the underworld, and now he knew Heaven intended to chain him in a gilded cage. He knew that with Wangji gone, Lan Xichen would need to step up.
He wanted to speak—but the words would not come. His throat ached with the weight of silence.
Lan Xichen inclined his head in a bow, the gesture flawless, empty. "Meng Yao." His voice was even, soft, almost detached. He walked past him without another word, though his steps slowed as he passed—just long enough for his shoulder to brush the faintest trace of warmth from Meng Yao's sleeve.
When he reached his door, he paused, eyes lowering to the floor. His hand trembled once before he folded it behind his back again. Not a single sound escaped him. Not grief. Not anger. Nothing.
Just silence—beautiful, suffocating silence.
-
Mo Xuanyu lingered in the corridor long after the meeting had dispersed, pressed into the shadows where no one would notice him. The words he'd overheard twisted in his chest. It was all wrong. Everything was wrong.
He pressed a trembling hand over his mouth, heart hammering. They'd cast out Lan Wangji, erased Wei Wuxian's name, and now they were forcing Lan Xichen into a kind of prison for the sake of their image.
He bit his lip until he tasted blood. He shouldn't be here. If anyone saw him, he'd be reprimanded and beaten.
He turned and ran.
The halls of Heaven blurred as he moved, soft light streaking past him. He didn't know where he was going—only that he had to do something. He had to find a way to clear Wei Wuxian's name and maybe even redeem Lan Wangji, to prove that the one everyone called heretic had actually been right all along.
Even if it meant defying Heaven itself.