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Lan Wangji was not the type of person who paid mind to people, let alone Jiang Wanyin. In the last thirteen years, he had done everything in his power to avoid the Jiang Sect leader. Often times he declined his brother's invitation to accompany him to conferences, not particularly wishing to see the faces of those who partook in the siege. If Lan Wangji was viewed as distant and cold, then it was by design. As they made their way to Mount Dafan, the amount of Jiang Disciples made it clear he would not be so lucky this time.
Mount Dafan was lively when they arrived. Regardless, they had little choice other than partaking in the night hunt. The matter of the ghost arm was too important to let go. The Lan Clan had responsibility for it and for the events at Mo Manor. Lan Wangji considered himself lucky that he had mentored Lan Sizhui as well as he did; he had led his fellow disciples well.
In Lan Sizhui's report, he made sure to tell Lan Wangji all about the assistance he received at Mo Manor from Mo Xuanyu. This was not a name that Lan Wangji was familiar with. Lan Jingyi was determined to ignore the Lan rules on gossip, and he ensured that Lan Wangji had learned all about the alleged mad man that was Mo Xuanyu. Even so, he would have been inclined to speak with him and give his thanks, yet as they fought to restrain the arm, —and then as the arm escaped—it appeared that Mo Xuanyu also took his leave.
It was no matter. Lan Wangji knew that he was thankful to the man. He did not need to seek him out simply to verbally express it.
As he led the Lan juniors into the forest of Mount Dafan, Lan Wangji held out a hand to stop Lan Jingyi, who was seconds from setting foot in an immortal binding net trap. The youth froze and looked closer, finally seeing the net that he had almost stepped into.
"T-thank you Hanguang-jun!" The youth blushed and Lan Wangji simply nodded in return, before turning back to the net with an icy glare. Glancing around the forest, he could see several other ones waiting for unsuspecting victims to step into them.
"Excessive." He withdrew Bichen and sent it flying through the forest, cutting and destroying all of the immortal binding nets. Bichen's blue glare was plenty visible, despite the amount of daylight they still had. To anyone familiar with Bichen, they would immediately know that he had been the one to cut the nets. It was not something that Lan Wangji cared about.
There was supposed to be a level of fairness in night hunts, and the use of such tools tipped the scale far too much. Not to mention how it flaunted wealth. He had his suspicions as to who these nets belonged to, which did nothing to subside his glare.
With Bichen sheathed, they carried on forward.
Not very long after, Lan Wangji could hear shouting up ahead. The unnecessarily loud and aggressive tone was easy enough to distinguish as the Jiang Sect leader, Jiang Wanyin. Without hesitation, Lan Wangji once again withdrew Bichen and blocked the attack of the young Jin Master.
Lan Wangji refused to speak to Jiang Wanyin at every opportunity. Luckily, Lan Sizhui was more than equipped to smooth things over. This left Lan Wangji to inspect the individual that Jin Rulan had tried to attack. The man was slim, robes ratty and torn and his face was covered in white and red makeup that looked to be days old.
Immediately, he was able to identify the man as Mo Xuanyu. He looked fairly distressed and surprised, looking at Lan Wangji with wide, pale eyes.
At long last, The Jiang Sect leader and the Jin heir left. Lan Sizhui turned to Mo Xuanyu and smiled kindly at him in a way that made Lan Wangji's heart ache the slightest bit. The ghosts of the past that he could see in Lan Sizhui would never fail to to bring him a strange mix of joy and sadness. He chose to focus on the joy.
"We meet again, Mo-gongzi."
"Do your work." Lan Wangji spoke with a deep, clear tone. From the corner of his eye, he could see the light smile that Mo Xuanyu gave Lan Sizhui. He turned back to the juniors. "Do your best, but do not overexert."
The juniors nodded, bowing before they ventured forward to find the corpse arm.
Lan Wangji turned back towards Mo Xuanyu, whose eyes were still wide with surprise and a chaotic swarm of other emotions that Lan Wangji could not bother to comprehend. He gave him a curt nod, hoping that his gratitude was understood, and took his leave before he could get a response.
At very least, he had been able to give his thanks to the man who had helped the Lan disciples. That was enough for him. He left, staying close enough that he could assist should the disciples need it, but not too close as to hinder their confidence and make them reliant.
Lan Wangji was racing through the forest, making his way towards where the other cultivators needed assistance. As always, he was swift and graceful, though he moved with purpose, steps never faltering.
That is, until the sound of crude flute playing a song reached his ears.
Immediately, he froze. He knew that song like the back of his hand. It felt like he was brought back to a damp cave, unsure whether he or the person this song was for would survive. This song was a confession of longing, one that had he had written himself. There was only one person who knew that song, and he had been dead for the last thirteen years.
Lan Wangji was once again moving with purpose, his mind a flurry of emotions. For years he had mourned, the loss he felt had left a hole in him he had tried his best to fill, but he knew it was impossible to. There was a smile and laugh from a man that he had missed for far too long.
He did not dare to hope, being wrong about this would only serve to tear him further apart. However, with every step forward, the song became clearer and any doubt that it was indeed the song he composed for the frustrating boy from his youth, washed away.
Lan Wangji came to a stop, taking in the sight of Wen Qionglin being led away from the chaos of the other cultivators. The man playing the flute was the same person he previously thought was Mo Xuanyu. Jealously surged through him at the thought of this song being played for anyone else, but he would process that later. Right now, the only thing that mattered was that somehow, by whatever means he did not care to understand, the man in front of him was Wei Ying.
Wei Ying backed up into his chest, and Lan Wangji wasted no time in reacting and grabbing a hold of his wrist. Wide, pale eyes shot up to meet his, the familiarity all too clear in them now. Lan Wangji knew that he was right, this had to be Wei Ying.
Wei Ying leaned forward and started playing the flute again, wrist still being held tight by Lan Wangji. The notes were fast and rushed, sending Wen Qionglin away. Lan Wangji did not bother watching the fierce corpse leave, his golden eyes were locked onto Wei Ying's new face. He was smaller now, the body of Mo Xuanyu was a vast contrast to how he had looked before, but Lan Wangji could admit there was still beauty in it.
The beauty was Wei Ying.
Nothing else mattered. This time, he would not fail him. He would protect Wei Ying from the start, be there and be whatever it was that he needed Lan Wangji to be. His confession after Nightless City did not matter. He had spent too many years being haunted by the hollow 'Get lost' that Wei Ying said to him repeatedly. He could forget it all if Wei Ying would allow him to be close, to help and keep him safe.
He refused to lose Wei Ying a second time.
"Excellent. Back, are you?" The snide voice of Jiang Wanyin reached Lan Wangji's ears, and he only had a breath to react to the crackling lightning whip Zidian. He pulled out his guqin, Wangji, and strummed his fingers, blocking Wei Ying from the attack. The look of rage and fury that clouded Jiang Wanyin's face was unbecoming of a man who held the title of sect leader, but Lan Wangji said nothing and his cool expression revealed none of his feelings.
He would not lose Wei Ying again. He would not be taken away from Lan Wangji's protection.
The two of them exchanged several attacks, and Lan Wangji was so sure that Wei Ying would stay behind him, but he had guessed wrong. He did not have a chance to react in time before Zidian shot out and hit its mark on the back of Wei Ying's retreating back, knocking him onto the ground.
Lan Wangji felt the hole in his heart tear wider. The world seemed to still, time moving slower as he watched this happen. Everyone was well aware of the properties that Zidian had, that a single whip could pull the spirit possessing a body and cast it away.
He felt his blood run cold. As far as Lan Wangji knew, there were not many ways that would allow Wei Ying to return to this world. Possession was the most likely. He had failed before he was given a chance to make amends for how he had been in Wei Ying's first life. He had failed already at protecting him and keeping him safe.
The scars on his back ached dully, an unkind reminder of the last time he had failed Wei Ying. Lan Wangji always seemed to be too late. He was unsure how he could recover from losing Wei Ying a second time, the man he so desperately loved and cherished slipping through his fingers once again.
Through his grief, he felt a silent anger starting to boil within him. If Jiang Wanyin had been successful and did indeed exorcise Wei Ying's soul, then Lan Wangji was unsure of his ability to hold back. He had done his best in the last thirteen years, being polite and amicable to the men responsible for killing the one he loved. How was he supposed to suppress it a second time? How was he supposed to keep his grief and anger in check, knowing that it had been possible for Wei Ying to return, only to be washed away within seconds?
He supposed that, like last time, he had only himself to blame. Both lives, he had not been enough to keep Wei Ying safe.
Lan Wangji stared at the body laying on the ground, praying that it would rise and that his second chance was not cut short. He took a cautious step forward, silently begging Wei Ying to wake. If Wei Ying were to actually be gone once again, Lan Wangji knew it would take all of his restraint not to lash out. He needed to lead by example, needed to continue to mentor and help Lan Sizhui…
A new wave of guilt washed over him as he remembered Lan Sizhui would not even understand what it was he had lost for a second time. His memories were still locked away, and Lan Wangji could not help the anger and resentment that filled him at the thought of Lan Sizhui never getting to know Wei Ying at all.
It was all a cruel form of torture, one he had never considered a possibility. Wei Ying had been so close, and even still, he had been ripped away from Lan Wangji.
The cacophony of thoughts raging through him quieted all at once when Wei Ying let out a groan and slowly started to sit up. Lan Wangji's breath hitched, though no one would have ever noticed such a reaction from him.
He used the donkey to assist him in getting to his feet, and Lan Wangji had to force himself not to rush forward and check him over.
"Wow! Must be nice coming from such a huge and powerful clan, eh? Beating and whipping who ever you please!"
There was nothing that anyone could say for several beats. Lan Wangji was too overwhelmed with relief, all of the terror and anger he had felt in just a short few seconds all but evaporated. The anger towards Jiang Wanyin, however, hung heavy over him. He reminded himself that senseless violence was not the answer, that it would do nothing but give Lan Xichen a headache. He knew that Wei Ying would not want harm to come to Jiang Wanyin, so he restrained his thoughts and focused on the brilliant light in front of him; Wei Ying was alive.
Wei Ying was alive, and instead of being overcome by guilt and sorrow, Lan Wangji had the opportunity to make things right. He had the chance to change things between them, to keep him safe and protected.
A darker part of him whispered that he could make him stay put—and stay safe. That he can bring him to Gusu and ensure that he would never leave… He pushed the thoughts aside. Wei Ying was always a free spirit, and while he would absolutely be bringing him back to Cloud Recesses, Lan Wangji knew that locking him away would be a waste. Wei Ying would be able to offer insight into this malicious sprit arm, and more importantly, he would be unhappy to be restrained.
Even still, a twisted part of him was thrilled at the prospect of dragging him back home. He did his best not to let his thoughts linger, lest they turn impure. He simply wanted to do right by Wei Ying. He would only do right, by Wei Ying.
"What the hell is going on?!" Jiang Wanyin was shouting (unsurprising), preparing to strike Wei Ying down again with Zidian. Luckily, Lan Wangji did not even have to intervene.
"Sect leader Jiang, isn't once enough? You're using Zidian!" Lan Jingyi, so prone to speaking out of turn, had earned Lan Wangji turning a blind eye to this instance.
Lan Wangji's gaze drifted back towards Wei Ying, as one of the other cultivators present began telling Jiang Wanyin about 'Mo Xuanyu'. He did not care so much what they were saying about Mo Xuanyu. To Lan Wangji, somehow the person in front of him was Wei Ying. Through means outside of possession, he had found a way to return. If Jiang Wanyin believed that this was in fact, still Mo Xuanyu, then Wei Ying would remain out of his grasp. The Jiang sect leader could believe whatever kept him away from Wei Ying.
It wasn't until the word 'cut-sleeve' was spoken that Lan Wangji's attention fully returned to the gossip. The disgust on Jiang Wanyin's face was evident as he looked at Wei Ying. Lan Wangji remained as expressionless as ever, but he could feel himself tensing slightly. It was not difficult to decipher what was going through all of their minds; there was no way that Wei Ying would want the body of a man who was a cut-sleeve and declared a madman.
Wei Ying's eyes darted between everyone, but lingered on Lan Wangji for moment, making his heart beat slightly faster. He wanted to take him away from here as quickly as possible, but he could also see the familiar mischief in his eyes, plotting, no doubt, on how to get out of here without Jiang Wanyin or Lan Wangji.
As if Lan Wangji would let that happen.
As the Jiang disciples started moving towards Wei Ying to capture him, he surprised Lan Wangji by running behind him, grabbing hold of him and yelling out, "Ahhh! What are they going to do to me?!"
Lan Wangji could only gaze at him, saying nothing in response. Perhaps, Wei Ying was going to make this easier for him than he thought. Besides, if Wei Ying were to leave this mountain alone, there was no doubt that the Jiang clan would capture him and bring him back to Yunmeng.
"Lan-er-gongzi, are you trying to make things difficult for me on purpose?!" Jiang Wanyin spoke in a low, vicious tone. Yes, thought Lan Wangji. He would always look to make Jiang Wanyin's life difficult where Wei Ying was involved.
Once again, Lan Wangji was pleased and grateful towards Lan Sizhui for handling the situation and taking over. The less he had to speak to Jiang Wanyin, the better. His words were already few, so he did not wish to waste a single breath on him if he could help it.
While Sizhui spoke to Jiang Wanyin, Lan Wangji forced himself to pay attention, but knowing that Wei Ying was alive again, that Wei Ying was clinging to him…it was almost too much.
When Wei Ying laughed, Lan Wangji's heart ached.
"Uhh, hey Sect Leader Jiang…it's troublesome that you keep clinging to me like this." All eyes fell onto Wei Ying. "Your kindness is too much, but you're over thinking it. Just because I like men, doesn't mean I like all men. You're not my type!"
Lan Wangji could see the game that Wei Ying was playing, trying to be let go out of sheer disgust. A part of Lan Wangji enjoyed hearing Wei Ying talk about liking men, even though he knew that it was false. He would not allow himself to feel hopeful over something he knew for a fact would not happen.
"Oh? And please, enlighten me on what your type actually is," Jiang Wanyin's words came out in a disgusted sneer, only proving that Wei Ying was getting under his skin.
"My type? Hmm, I quite like Hanguang-jun's type!"
Lan Wangji turned to observe Wei Ying closely. There were little things that Lan Wangji noticed that reminded him a great deal of the Wei Ying he remembered. Though his face showed mild concern, his eyes shined in a way that reminded him of the mischievous boy he met on the walls of Cloud Recesses. He looked as though he thought the game was won.
However, Lan Wangji knew that Wei Ying would not expect him to have changed so much in the thirteen years he was dead.
"As you wish," Lan Wangji's words were not very loud, but they were clear enough for everyone near them to have heard.
"Hmm?" Wei Ying's eyes went wide, clearly trying to comprehend what exactly Lan Wangji was saying.
"I will be bringing this person with me back to Gusu, under the Lan clan." Lan Wangji looked at Wei Ying with his own version of amusement. It was not very often in Wei Ying's first life that he was rendered speechless, and Lan Wangji could not help but feel a little smug about doing so now.
"What?!"
Lan Wangji kept telling himself that this was for the best, there was a reason he needed to bring Wei Ying back with him. A number of reasons, really. However, the main reason was because in the years since Wei Ying's passing, Jiang Wanyin had become unstable. If Wei Ying were to be let go now, there was no saying how quickly Jiang Wanyin would capture him, nor how much torture he would force Wei Ying to endure. Lan Wangji would not allow it.
Though, there was a part of him, that small, darker part of him that was buzzing at finally being able to bring Wei Ying with him back to Gusu. Lan Wangji refused to lose Wei Ying again. He hoped that he could get his assistance on the source of his dismembered arm, but he dared not hope for more.
He only wished to be allowed to remain by Wei Ying's side, to show him the way that he had changed over the years, so show his love and keep Wei Ying safe…that was all he wanted. Even if Wei Ying was wailing and shouting about not wanting to go, Lan Wangji hoped he would see reason eventually.
As the group started their travel back to Gusu, Lan Wangji could feel that emptiness within his heart slowly start to fill again. The pain from the loss and being apart from Wei Ying would never truly heal, but he did have an opportunity heal anew in other ways.
This time, he would ensure it was different.