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Chapter Text

The point of secluded closed-door cultivation training was found in the seclusion. It freed oneself to focus purely on calming the mind to reach an appropriate state to foster cultivation breakthrough. Which was why Lan Wangji had recently started a three-month stint of it, finding himself far ahead of his age-mates, local night hunts oddly thin on the ground and with little else to occupy his time until the upcoming arrival of the Sect Heirs. So he could have explained if anyone had thought to ask him about the matter. But clearly no-one had thought to do so or to make it clear to others that seclusion required no unexpected incursions, and so Lan Wangji found himself, weeks before the intended end of his seclusion, rudely interrupted by a loud knock on the door.

It took him a few moments to realise what was going on, the repeated thumps dragging him out of the place of deep meditation he had carefully brought himself to every day for the last fortnight. He blinked in the dull, greyish light of an apparently rainy day, something he hadn’t noticed when stilling himself hours ago. The noise at the door continued in jarring contrast to the carefully maintained quiet of the seclusion hut, bringing a small frown to his face as he rose carefully from lotus position and made his way across to the entrance of the simple dwelling.

He pulled the door open smoothly, leaving the noisemaker with their fist still raised mid-knock. A drenched figure of not too dissimilar build to his own stood under the porch overhang, still dripping rainwater from his sodden robes and off the wide brim of the weimao that covered his head. He could see white robes underneath a thick and practical-looking travel cloak, but surely no member of his sect would think to barge in upon him in such a way.

“Hello!” the interloper exclaimed, a bright smile coming into view as he lifted the sopping veils away to one side. “Would you happen to know how to reach the Cloud Recesses?”

Lan Wangji was stunned momentarily. How could anyone make it this far into the inner reaches of Lan territory and still be ignorant of where they had intruded into, or have the gall to pretend they were so? Or maybe it was the impact of the enthusiastic energy contained in that exuberant voice, or the brightness of the welcoming grin turned towards him. He hadn’t even glimpsed another human in the last five weeks, to go from that to this unreasonably forward figure was something of a shock. He couldn’t remember the last time someone had smiled at him in such an unabashed, unrestrained way. He was often sent a soft smile from Xiongzhang or a pleased look from Shufu when he performed in a particularly exemplary manner, but the other juniors tended to find him somewhat forbidding and grins were much more likely to be quelled than inspired by his presence.

“Are we close yet?” the stranger continued, unfazed by Lan Wangji’s uncharacteristic lack of response to a straightforward question, “I ended up completely turned around in this miserable weather. I’m fairly sure this is the right direction, but I’d hate to fight through all that rain just to end up back where I started.”

The stranger did indeed appear to have encountered a considerable amount of rain, judging from the size of the puddle quickly pooling on the porch. Lan Wangji pulled himself together.

“You are in the Cloud Recesses.” His declaration was met with a look of surprise and raised eyebrows. Lan Wangji inhaled to ask him how exactly he had made it to this warded sanctum of a Great Sect without being aware of the fact but found himself interrupted.

“Oh, are you quite sure? I know the Lans are known for their reserve and elegance but isn’t this a bit too quiet? Very beautiful of course, but not really what I was expecting!”

“This is the seclusion annex.” he stated flatly, watching as the idea settled itself into the stranger’s face, eyes suddenly widening and mouth forming an ‘O’ of realisation. Which was informative, in that it indicated the trespasser was a cultivator and understood at least some of their principles without further elaboration, but Lan Wangji felt tired just watching the number of expressions that had raced across the other’s face during their short interaction. He wondered how he found the energy for it.

“Ah Gongzi, I’ve intruded on your seclusion! I didn’t realise, I’m sorry!” His visitor finally offered a bow- if not quite of the correct depth- before unleashing a veritable deluge of words to rival the rain falling behind him. “Grandmaster would retreat to a cave when needing to focus, I’d never considered using buildings instead. I wonder if there’s much difference in the quality of the meditation between the two? And there have been so many isolated cottages I’ve seen when travelling over the last few days I didn’t think to assume I’d meet a cultivator in this one. You wouldn’t believe how ingenious the charcoal burners are when it comes to keeping warm around here, they shared some interesting ideas with me when I last stopped and… wait!”

At least he was as happy to interrupt his own words as Lan Wangji’s,

“I broke in on your seclusion, has that impacted your cultivation? There’s not any backlash is there?”  Lan Wangji found himself with a pair of sharp eyes peering intently at his face, and a hand instinctively raised towards his wrist as if to check his meridians. He gracefully side-stepped out of reach.

“No consequences.”

“Ah well, that’s good, I’m glad, I would have been truly sorry to cause you harm like that.” His bow this time managed to somehow radiate sincerity, the accompanying expression contrite once his head had raised enough to be visible once more.

Lan Wangji was not wholly unfamiliar with divergences from his expected routines; his responsibilities as both Sect heir and Head of Discipline would often result putting aside his immediate plans in order to see to clan obligations or deal with the fallout from unruly disciples. Sometimes he was called upon to cover lessons for the younger disciples or bolster night-hunt parties. But so far this interaction failed to fit into any of the clear categories of response he’d been prepared to muster as he opened the door, leaving him feeling a little unmoored. He tried to pull the conversation back into familiar territory.

“Why do you seek the Cloud Recesses?” he asked. Maybe he was seeking sect assistance in a difficult night-hunt if he was desperate enough to travel in these conditions, especially without fully knowing the location he was seeking.

“Oh, Grandmaster told me to come!” Another blinding grin was thrown out in his direction “She said my mother found it useful when she first started out. And apparently if I’m going to have to deal with the sects then the Lan aren’t the worst.”

Well. That unhelpfully provided more questions than answers, along with a flash of annoyance at the summary of the entirety of his sect as ‘not the worst.’ Pride was forbidden but respect was also encouraged. He should hurry to acquire pertinent responses with as few opportunities for more slights as possible.

“Your Grandmaster is?”

“Baoshan Sanren.”

The stranger uttered this as if it was no way remarkable, but Lan Wangji found himself once again lost for words.

The immortal Baoshan Sanren had secluded herself and her disciples away for nearly a century now, and it was incredibly rare for any news at all to make its way from her hidden mountain home, never mind an actual person. The last time it had taken place was over a generation ago, and it had caused considerable uproar among the cultivation world – due, as far as Lan Wangji could glean for vague references, to both the exceptional talent of the individual and the thwarted interest several prominent individuals took in them.

“Your mother…” He tried to settle on some part of the blithe statement to address first, “…you are the child of Cangse Sanren?”

Lan Wangji hadn’t realised it was possible for that smile to light up any further but apparently he’d been mistaken.

“Yes! You’ve heard of her! I wasn’t sure if anyone would remember her by now but they must have if you know her name. And you don’t look much older than me, you can’t have met her yourself –someone must have thought her interesting enough to tell you about as well!”

It was true, they did look to be of an age, but that only raised more questions how someone this young had not only been trained by Baoshan Sanren but then gone on to leave the mountain and travel, presumably, as a rogue cultivator. Lan Wangji was occasionally sent to deal with lower-level yao independently, and of course he had also completed the expected teaching curriculum for his sect, which is why he was (supposed to be) in seclusion in the first place. But this was generally viewed as exceptional, and Lan Wangji held no delusions that he would manage half so well without the resources and support of his sect behind him. If everything the newcomer said was true then… this person made no sense. Every time he opened his mouth he managed to throw matters into further confusion. It was unreasonable to be annoyed with him for it, but Lan Wangji was not enjoying the unfamiliar experience of feeling wrong-footed. Treading unknown waters he fell back on convention once again to win himself some time to process all of this.

“I have been remiss. Lan Wangji, Lan Zhan, Second son of Lan.” The rules of proprietary didn’t cover how to interact with an Immortal’s Disciple, existing in a respected position but outside of the gentry hierarchy, so he made his accompanying bow of appropriate formality for an equal in rank.

“Wei Wuxian, Wei Ying.” Lan Wangji’s bow had presumably been sufficient, as he was answered back in kind. “Pleased to meet you. And you’re a Lan? That’s perfect, Wangji-xiong would you be so kind as to direct me to where I could find Sect Leader Lan? This one would hate to make the wrong first impression by being tardy with my greetings.”

This was said with a teasing lilt to his voice, as if he was well-aware that turning up looking half-drowned at a remote outpost rather than through the main entrance like a reasonable guest had already provided a less than favourable first impression. It riled Lan Wangji up to an unexpected degree, stated easily as if all the finer points of courtesy were just a game to Wei Wuxian, instead of the vehicle for showing proper respect were intended as. For the second time in as many minutes Lan Wangji found himself calling on the precepts to remind himself not to retaliate with a cutting response. There were more important matters to deal with here than his own frustration.

“Sect Leader Lan resides in extended seclusion.” Lan Wangji let the detached statement flow over him and tried not to resent having to state this carefully unspoken rule of the Lan sect (and wider cultivation society) out loud. Jin Guangshan was a boorish philanderer, Jiang Fengmian and his wife made each other miserable and Qingheng-jun had retreated beyond the reach of even his closest family more than two decades ago. Nobody explicitly mentioned any of this, yet the workings of entire sects revolved around these uncomfortable truths. It wasn’t this Wei Wuxian’s fault that he was fortunate enough not to have had to learn this yet. “My brother oversees sect concerns, and it would be proper to inform him of your presence.”

There, that would be an appropriate courteous response to Wei Wuxian’s arrival and would coincidentally also result in Lan Wangji no longer having to stare at his impudent face.

As he was still currently stuck having to do so it was easy to see Wei Wuxian glance out at the heavy rain still falling before frowning thoughtfully.

“Don’t suppose you have some sort of communication talismans so we could manage that without turning into an unusually handsome pair of water ghouls before we make it down there?”

Lan Wangji graced him with a look that had successfully quailed troublemaking disciples twice his age. It rolled off Wei Wuxian as smoothly as the rainwater off his cloak.

“I’ll take that as a no. Well then Wangji-xiong, may this humble one intrude upon your hospitality a little longer then?” He was grinning again. How did Wei Wuxian manage to take what should be perfectly respectful words and twist them round to leave them anything but? Unfortunately leaving him standing on the porch in the downpour was not in line with the Lan precepts of hospitality, despite his fervent desire to do so. Lan Wangji allowed himself a moment to mourn the quiet he had taken for granted he would enjoy for the rest of the afternoon.

“You may shelter inside until the weather improves.”

“Thanks Wangji-xiong!” he chirped. He searched around inside his sleeve for a moment before pulling out a yellow talisman and smacking it to his front. Lan Wangji’s robes were ruffled by a sudden burst of wind and then Wei Wuxian was stood in a considerable larger puddle, his clothes looking significantly less soggy. “Drying talisman,” he explained cheerfully, “took me ages to get the gust right and not just blow away everything near me.”

He fully expected Wei Wuxian to continue to bother him. But once he’d bustled inside and seen the space clearly arranged for meditation practice he merely hung up his cloak by the door and settled into lotus position over in the one unoccupied corner. He nodded to Lan Wangji before closing his eyes and sinking easily into a meditative state. Lan Wangji saw no point in contesting this unexpected respite and proceeded to settle down himself, the rhythmic sounds of raindrops on the roof almost lulling him into the false sense that nothing had changed since his meditation had been interrupted. 

Unfortunately Wei Wuxian’s reserve seemed to disappear with the rainclouds, and once they had judged conditions sufficiently improved enough to head off down the mountain his chatter started up again.

“So what can you tell me about the Cloud Recesses then, aside from the beauty of its cultivators?” Lan Wangji was certain he showed absolutely no reaction to this cheap flattery, so was left slightly unnerved by how Wei Wuxian’s grin still grew in response to whatever he read on his face. “I was never told why mother decided to come here in the first place, and Grandmaster didn’t really explain. I mean she’d sometimes laugh when she mentioned it but that only makes things more confusing doesn’t it?”

Lan Wangji let himself consider for a moment; what would lead an immortal to repeatedly encourage disciples in the direction of his sect? Once could be an accident but twice supported intentionality.

“Learning comes first.” He decided on, after some deliberation. “Many sects send their disciples here to educate them.” 

“Educate them? Hmm, what does that look like then? Do you practise cultivation together? It’s been ages since I’ve had someone to spar against, I’ve tried some of my latest ideas out on a few yao but it’d never really the same as crossing blades is it Wangji-xiong? You can’t be a stranger to a spar yourself- even when you’re just carrying it I can tell that beautiful sword of yours is impressively powerful, you can’t have managed that just by running through the forms.”

The address felt like a wrongly played note every time Wei Wuxian threw it at him. No-one had tried to apply it to him in the several years since Nie Huaisang had realised - during his first attempt of studying at Cloud Recesses -that attempting to lever their unfortunate familiarity with each other wasn’t going to lead to any leniency or cheating in class. He should probably correct Wei Wuxian, make him aware that no-one called him as such but trying to interrupt the rush of words, particularly when he kept throwing in ridiculous compliments like that, felt just a little beyond Lan Wangji’s reach after several weeks of silence.

“Lan disciples train, guest disciples focus on their studies.”

“Studying what though? Surely they can study in their own sects too, what do the Lans offer that makes everyone so eager to send their disciples away in such a hurry?”

Lan Wangji carefully did not raise an eyebrow, but his silence seemed to adequately convey his thoughts regardless.

“Ah, yes,” a rueful look flitted across Wei Wuxian’s face, “Well let’s assume the circumstances I find myself in are perhaps a little different than most… do you focus on a particular form of cultivation at Cloud Recesses? Do you have some special skill the rest of the sects are desperate for?”

“The Lan sect is proficient in musical cultivation.” Do not be prideful, but facts were facts. “But each sect has their own skills to offer, and we do not generally instruct guest disciples in our techniques.”

Wei Wuxian’s eyes lit up. He had quite a handsome face, and it seemed a pity that excitement spreading over it should give Lan Wangji such a sense of unease.

“Ohhhh, no-one on the mountain really practised but it always sounded so interesting. Do you play? What do you play? It must be something refined to match such an elegant Gongzi? I bet you’re the most sought-after musician of the sect aren’t you, all the pretty girls must want you to play for them?”

Lan Wangji was suddenly ready for this conversation to be over.

“We must not keep brother waiting,” was all the warning he gave before stepping onto Bichen and speeding off towards the main clan dwellings, Wei Wuxian’s laughter following close behind him.

His brother looked up as he entered the Hanshi, made a small double-take and then rose gracefully to meet him.

“Wangji, I did not expect to see you so soon, all is well I hope?”

“I am well, brother.” Xichen relaxed minutely. “Although we have received an unexpected visitor.”

“Indeed? And you encountered them in the back hills?”

“Mnn. May I present him to you?”

“By all means,” he inclined his head graciously, interest dancing in his eyes.

Lan Wangji went to the door where Wei Wuxian stood waiting, absent-mindedly playing with the hilt of his sheathed sword, and beckoned him through.

“Xiongzhang this is Wei Wuxian, Wei Ying, Disciple of Baoshan Sanren and son of Cangse Sanren.” Wei Wuxian turned out to be capable of bowing with perfect form when he set his mind to it.

“Thank you for receiving me Lan-gongzi.” His eyes flickered over to Lan Wangji to check that had sufficed, and he stood a little taller at Lan Wangji’s subtle nod.

“Welcome to the Cloud Recesses Wei-gongzi.” Xiongzhang was as amicable as always, providing the softening kindness Lan Wangji tended to lack. “The Lan sect are pleased to welcome any of Baoshan Sanren’s people. How may we be of service?”

“I have only recently left the heavenly mountain, and Grandmaster advised me to visit Cloud Recesses in light of my mother’s experiences here and to acquaint myself with the wider cultivation world. If it would please you I humbly request permission to learn from your sect.” Despite the ridiculous conversation Lan Wangji had endured on the way down, Wei Wuxian to also seemed to be capable of speaking decorously when needed.

“I see. Well, you have arrived at a fortuitous time then Wei-gongzi. It is not long until  we will be hosting our Guest Disciple lectures, where many young cultivators come to study for a while at our sect, and I hope they will be of great benefit to you. Of course you are also welcome to reside at the Cloud Recesses until then, and start on a more informal program of study before the lectures begin.”

“My thanks, Lan gongzi, that is most generous of you.” He bowed again.

“Wangji, would you be able to make arrangements for a guest-room for Wei-gongzi to be made up?”

He felt somewhat loath to leave Xiongzhang alone with Wei Wuxian, especially as Xichen was wearing the considering look that often preceded an intention to meddle, an impulse that Xiongzhang would do well to curtail as it sometimes resulted in such ridiculous ideas as ‘Maybe Wangji and Nie Huaisang would really come to value each other if we only forced them together one more time while Nie Mingjue visits’. But he couldn’t argue with the necessity of seeing Wei Wuxian situated, as it did seem like he would be visiting for some time. He took his leave, sending a warning look to Xongzhang as he did so.

One that he clearly took no notice off whatsoever, as when he eventually returned to the Hanshi his brother was smiling widely in response to some wild tale of Wei Wuxian’s. Or at least he assumed it was wild, for why else would he need to wave arms around quite so violently? The formality Wei Wuxian had assumed when introducing himself had toned down considerably, and despite his loud, cheerful voice and endless run of words Xichen was barely hiding the same sort of indulgent look he’d often wear around the novices. He seemed to be under the misapprehension that Wei Wuxian was charming instead of aggravating.

“Lan-gongzi!” Wei Wuxian cried out as he stepped into the room, as if he hadn’t seen him mere minutes ago. “Or Lan-er-gongzi, I should probably say?” His eyes flicked over to Xichen for confirmation and received a nod. “Your brother’s been telling me all about the Lan sect, all your famous scholars and musical cultivation! How come you didn’t mention you are their resident musical prodigy?”

“Xiongzhang is too forward in his praise.” Lan Wangji gritted out. And was stirring, without a doubt now. Xichen continued to look on beatifically, and Lan Wangji continued to exercise impressive self-control and refrained from glaring daggers at his revered older sibling. What purpose he could have in presenting him favourably to this walking disturbance of the peace was beyond him.

“Wangji is indeed a great credit to our sect. He is a keen student of cultivation has been working diligently to improve himself. But of course, Wei-gongzi is aware of that.”

Wei Wuxian at least had the grace to look shamefaced at this. “This one apologises once again for interrupting Lan-er-gongzi’s training.”

“Wangji’s cultivation practice has been interrupted,” Xichen agreed thoughtfully, “but as a training partner of suitable skill has been found it should not prove too impactful in the long run.”

Wei Wuxian blinked “Training partner?”

“Yes, once you have had some time to settle in I have no doubt that Wangji and yourself will have much to learn from one another. Which is why I intend to assign Wangji as your particular host during your stay. Putting together a suitable program for Wei-gongzi should prove an interesting test of your skills, don’t you think Wangji?”

Lan Wangji found himself blinking his own disbelief. For reasons know only to himself Xiongzhang decided to interpret this as agreement.

“Excellent. I’m sure you’ll want to refresh yourself after your long journey here, shall we see you to your quarters now Wei-gongzi?”

“The son of Cangse Sanren?” Shufu looked aghast at Lan Xichen’s announcement. “Surely not. Wei Changze and Cangse Sanren died over a decade ago, no-one has mentioned anything about a surviving child. Did you verify his claims?”

“It would stand to reason that no-one heard of him if he’s spent the intervening years on the Celestial Mountain, Uncle.” Xichen countered. “It also seems a bizarre claim to falsely make considering that, as you say, no-one has been looking for such a person, and I do not know what anyone would think to gain by it.”

“They would gain the unearned appreciation of the cultivation world, standing around staring slack-jawed at an Immortal’s disciple.” his Uncle scoffed.

“Should we not show consideration to one that Baoshan Sanren has claimed as her own?” Xichen asked lightly. Uncle’s scowl only deepened.

Despite his own misgivings Lan Wangji decided it was only fair to offer up the relevant information he had uncovered.

“Wei Wuxian possesses considerable spiritual power. To a degree that seems compatible with being trained by an Immortal.” He had noticed it while they journeyed down from the back hills together, still unusually spiritually sensitive after spending extended time on his own cultivation. Wei Wuxian’s golden core practically blazed with power next to him, even as the other boy chattered away and barely exercised his powers beyond the background everyday circulation of Qi. When Wei Wuxian flew alongside him he was showy and reckless but also undeniably skilled, completely unfazed by the hard pace Lan Wangji drove. It was rare that Lan Wangji found someone outside his brother with such overwhelming spiritual strength, and rarer still among those of his own age. After forcing himself to try and consider the idea objectively there was some merit behind Xichen’s stated intention to have them train together, as Wei Wuxian may potentially offer some level of challenge to his skills. He reserved the right to only admit that once it was a proven fact, however.

“As it stands, I have already granted Wei-gongzi permission to reside here until he can attend the Guest Disciple Lectures, and it would be discourteous to retract the invitation now.”

Lan Wangji couldn’t help suspecting that Xichen had very much ensured that the invitation had been offered before their elder got wind of it for this very reason. He wondered if their uncle realised just how many (carefully above board and within the boundaries of the Lan teachings) methods Xichen employed to try and smooth the way between his Uncle’s sometimes demanding tendencies and the rest of the world.

“No good will come of this!” his Uncle declared with an air of gloom. Lan Wangji barely stopped himself from frowning in response. Yes, Wei Wuxian was disruptive but in fairness his misdemeanours had been due to ignorance rather than malicious intent, and it seemed ill-advised to judge him for offenses as yet uncommitted, especially for such petty reasons as his lineage. He seemed intelligent and well-intentioned, if somewhat boisterous, and he tried to convince himself that Wei Wuxian was sure to improve upon familiarity with their teachings and time to acquaint himself with their ways.

Chapter Text

Wei Wuxian did not improve after more exposure to the rules. Lan Wangji was determined to take his role as instructor seriously, unlooked for as it may be, and if Wei Wuxian was truly interested in learning from his sect then the precepts were the best place to start. He duly arrived at Wei Wuxian’s quarters the next morning to deliver a complete copy of all three thousand strictures to his bemused charge. He tasked him with reading them through fully, assuming that would give him at least a week’s breathing space to assemble a more comprehensive plan of study.

It took Wei Wuxian a day and a half to read them through in their entirety, and to take copious notes. Because Wei Wuxian wasn’t content to simply absorb the precepts and meditate on their wisdom, no he also had to pose questions.

“Do you really manage to live like this Lan-er-gongzi?” he’d asked, fingers still stained with ink and the receiving space of his guest quarters looking considerably less tidy after only a few days of occupancy. “I really don’t see how anyone is meant to match up to this.”

“It is because we do not naturally reach these standards that we need the rules to remind us.”

“So why do so many of these apply only in Cloud Recesses, if they’re so helpful in regulating the world?”

This one at least had a clear answer “Be easy on others.”

“Be strict on yourself.” The paired precept rolled off Wei Wuxian’s tongue. “Hmmm you know, I can respect that, not pushing onto other what you’re not willing to take on yourself...” He looked to be considering that for a moment before he suddenly slumped his front across the desk, sending scribbled notes flying everywhere.

“But Wangji-xiong, how come you’re not easy on me then? You’re so cruel to me, making me go through all these when we could be doing something interesting. Did you miss the bit where I said this was my first time off the mountain in years and we could be out there having fun?”

The whine in his voice grated on him immensely, and any goodwill Wei Wuxian had gained by his unexpected studiousness evaporated. “‘Having fun’ is not the goal.” Lan Wangji countered sternly.  “Concentrate on cultivating.”

Wei Wuxian scrunched his brow in confusion. “Well yeah, of course, but why shouldn’t we have fun while cultivating?”

“It is not the goal.” he reiterated.

“But it can be a side-effect.”

“Frivolous.”

“Practical.” Wei Wuxian shrugged, unphased by his disapproving tone. “If you enjoy what you’re doing you’re more likely to keep at it for longer, try to learn all you can about it and improve yourself. Whether it’s weaving or swordplay you’ll always see better returns if you’re genuinely interested in it.”

Surprisingly it was a concept at least worthy of proper consideration, but Lan Wangji was confused by how handicrafts had made their way into the conversation. “Weaving?”

Wei Wuxian grinned “We’re pretty isolated on that mountain you know, we have to be mostly self-sufficient. And weaving’s fun, there’s something about getting all the patterns figured out and how best to use the fibres that reminds me of talisman work. I’m not too bad at it either, I made the cloth for these!” He pulled at the neckline of his inner robes, as if Lan Wangji was going to want to examine them and review the quality.

“It is good to work diligently,” he allowed, choosing not to address that shameless display, “but it shouldn’t be determined by how attractive the task is to you. Duty should be seen to for its own sake.”

“And Wangji-xiong is nothing if not dutiful, I’m sure. Which this one is grateful for, as I’m pretty sure you’d be straight back up into seclusion if you weren’t beholden to Zewu-jun. Wei Ying appreciates the pains you take for his education Lan-er-gongzi, it’d be a shame to hide such a handsome face away from the world again.” Lan Wangji had been studiously avoiding looking at Wei Wuxian after the attempt to show off his robes, but this dragged his gaze back towards him. He found the other watching him with barely restrained mirth, waiting for some sort of reaction. He refused to give him the outrage he was angling for.

“Do not flatter.” He intoned, in the flattest tone he could muster.

“Do not tell lies.” Wei Wuxian shot back merrily, as if this were all some sort of game and he was determined to score points. Lan Wangji found his patience suddenly at an end. He was on his feet before he even realised he was moving.

Lan Wangji is known for being controlled and consistent, has worked hard to ensure he is controlled and consistent despite the strength of his feelings, to ensure the play of his thoughts is not reflected in his demeanour. But something of his annoyance must show through despite the carefully maintained layers of restraint. Wei Wuxian hurriedly rises too.

“Lan-er-gongzi, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to disturb you so much. I’ve kept myself cooped up while I was reading and I’ve just been rambling on at myself, it’s too much fun to talk with you instead!”

He considers this. He knows that others do not always take to solitude the way he has trained himself to. A quick glance at the debris scattered around the room backs up the idea that Wei Wuxian has barely left, but worryingly reveals no evidence of meals.

“Have you eaten since you started studying?”

Wei Wuxian shrugs and smiles, always smiling even when admitting to being too scatter-brained or disinterested in his own well-being to tend to his basic needs. Ridiculous.

“You should look after yourself more responsibly. Make yourself presentable and follow me.”

That smile widens, again, and Wei Wuxian dashes to the privacy screen to grab the outer robe with trailing sleeves draped haphazardly over it. “I wouldn’t dare to show Lan-er-gongzi up, don’t worry!”

Lan Wangji gives that statement all the credit it deserves and swiftly exits the stuffy quarters.

Wei Wuxian continues plying him with questions while he provides a very cursory tour of Cloud Recesses- making sure their guest knows where the dining halls and quartermaster are, that he is informed of the intended entrance to the sect for if he ever deigns to come and go in a sensible manner. If Lan Wangji happens not to draw Wei Wuxian’s attention to his own favourite haunts in a vague hope that he might retain some peace and quiet that is his call to make.

“But do all these rules actually help Lan-xiong? Some of them make sense, of course, but what does it matter whether I smile needlessly when I’m helping some frightened farmers out with their guai infestation, eh? Surely smiling would reassure them that everything was under control, and even outside of that is smiling ever truly needless? Doesn’t it tell the people around me that I’m happy, that I enjoy their company, that things are well, why can’t all that matter too?”

The teasing edge to his voice is gone and when he looks over Wei Wuxian seems open and genuinely interested in his response. Lan Wangji has enough experience of conversation partners plastering on politeness over disinterest, and Wei Wuxian doesn’t seem to care enough about propriety to humour him that way.

So he gives himself a moment to fully consider his words. “I do not presume myself wise enough to cast judgement on the teachings of my ancestors. There are some I cannot claim to appreciate fully, but I believe the deficit lies in my understanding rather than their usefulness.”

“Ahh. I see.” Wei Wuxian quiets thoughtfully for a few moments in response, to Lan Wangji’s great surprise. “I must seem nothing but presumptuous to you, right? You might not believe it, but I don’t mean to disrespect them sp. This is just so different from how I’ve been taught.”

“How does the Immortal Baoshan Sanren teach her disciples?” It was a question he had some interest in, despite himself.

“See that’s the problem, we’re not even working from the same starting point here! Grandmaster almost never teaches; she just throws a problem at you and expects you to find your own answers. Or she tells you to ‘Settle on your own questions A-Ying, how do you expect to get anywhere if you can’t even figure out which ones are worth asking?” Lan Wangji would take a moment to shudder at the idea of any of his teachers addressing him as ‘A-Zhan’, even Xiongzhang hasn’t tried for nearly a decade now, but Wei Wuxian is still talking. “And it’s not like there’s a set of sect rules for us all to work by either, everybody follows their own cultivation practices so I don’t know if it’d make sense. There are no ancestors’ teachings to learn from as Grandmaster set everything up, and then she refuses to say what she thinks is the right answer, so we still have to do all the work to figure it out anyway. This is all very new to me, you see!”

That sounded like being thrown adrift in a storm with no way of steering. It sounded chaotic and dangerous and exciting and more than a little terrifying. It sounded overwhelming and exhausting. It sounded a lot.

“That is a very different approach, yes.”

Wei Wuxian laughs loudly again. “It is, isn’t it? So have pity on your poor Wei Ying please, he’s just a novice in this, having to rely on his Lan-laoshi to show him the way.” Wei Wuxian’s teasing doesn’t stop as they pass a couple of bemused disciples on the path, and Lan Wangji finds ‘overwhelming and exhausting’ to be an apt description of the Celestial Mountain’s teaching practices and inhabitants both.

On his return from seclusion Lan Wangji had made sure he was re-added to the patrol rota. He often had a watch at least once a week, and sure enough two nights in he was called on to cover for a senior delayed on a night-hunt. It was rare that anything of note took place on the evening patrol but Lan Wangji remained alert and attentive as he walked the grounds and outer walls, so he quickly spotted a white-clad figure making their leisurely way up the slope but away from the main gate. He swiftly makes his way to the nearest perimeter wall to investigate.

The figure soon resolved into the recognisable (and unwelcome) features of Wei Wuxian, whistling to himself as he crested the last slope and dangling two jars of what looked very much like wine from one hand. As he drew close to the wall he has the audacity to look up and wave at him.

“Evening Lan-xiong!” Wei Wuxian calls out, looking pleased and relaxed and not at all concerned that he’s been caught with contraband and breaking numerous of the very rules they had just spent a tiring day debating.

“What are you doing?” Lan Wangji gritted out. He was struck with the impulse to jolt the other out of his easy insouciance somehow, to make him sit up, take notice, to force him on the defensive. He pushed it down, forcing himself back into protocol for this type of situation. “Why are you outside the grounds after curfew?”

“I was asking around the kitchens trying to find something less medicinal and they told me I’d be lucky to find anything closer than Caiyi. I’d heard it wasn’t too far off, so I gave myself a little reward for all my studying. They were right, the potstickers are fantastic Lan-xiong! And it turns out Gusu possesses some excellent wine; I understand why but you were really holding out on me by keeping this a secret. I made it back a little later than I expected though.” He stops to take a swig from the liquor jar in his hand in somehow the messiest way imaginable. Even from his position atop the wall Lan Wangji can see some of the clear liquid missing his mouth completely, trailing its way down his chin and throat instead.

Wei Wuxian swipes the back of his hand across his face to get rid of the worst of it. “Don’t worry, I’m not going to bring any of it in with me, and I won’t try to come through until the morning. I spotted a comfy looking alcove over this way where I can camp. So this is all strictly outside of Cloud Recesses, I wouldn’t want you to think I’ve not been paying attention Lan-Laoshi!

And don’t worry, after my nice night out here under the stars I’ll be ready for you to try and knock me into respectable shape again tomorrow.” He makes a half bow in Lan Wangji’s general direction.

He found himself almost vibrating with taught anger at the cheerful insolence. Lan Wangji wanted to knock the wine jar out of his hands, knock the smile off his face, knock the other bodily to the floor. With some effort he instead turned on his heel and stalked away. Wei Wuxian’s laughter continued to carry across the night air to him for much longer than he would have expected.

First thing the next morning Lan Wangji went to his brother and asked that someone else take on Wei Wuxian’s instruction, as evidently nothing substantive was being learned under his own supervision. Xiongzhang proved unexpectedly uncooperative in this however.

“Keep trying for me Wangji. I know it might not be easy, but I do believe there are things you could learn from him during his stay here, and him from you.”

It was a fair and reasonable statement and in no way warranted the flash of resentment Lan Wangji felt on hearing it. He lowered his eyes to avoid Xiongzhang’s patient gaze. He couldn’t find a way to rephrase ‘This person doesn’t instantly listen to what I say and it makes me want to fight them’ in such a way that didn’t sound incredibly petty. The possibility existed that it simply was incredibly petty, and that Lan Wangji was not approaching this endeavour in the detached, neutral manner he had until this moment thought he was doing.

“Mmn. Wangji will retire to reflect on the wisdom of Xiongzhang’s words.” He turned the problem around in his mind as he walked slowly back to the Jingshi, settled himself at his writing desk and tried to assess the situation objectively.

Wei Wuxian hailed from the celestial mountain, was trained by an Immortal herself, and was certain to possess cultivation knowledge beyond the scope of even the extensive Lan libraries. Even without that Wei Wuxian was quick-witted and intelligent, able to debate and challenge Lan Wangji in ways that few others ever attempted, certainly not successfully. Wei Wuxian was undeniably, frustratingly smart, what Lan Wangji had seen of his talisman work was ingenious, and it made it all the more infuriating that everything about his person riled Lan Wangji up in a way that tested his patience to the limit.

He was loud, he was carelessly disrespectful, and he exhibited no restraint, rushing to and fro and laughing and throwing an arm around him as if he thought Lan Wangji would welcome the gesture.

Unfortunately, none of that precluded him from also being resolute in his proclaimed intention to do good, uphold justice and protect those weaker than himself, all things that Lan Wangji had to allow were explicitly encouraged by the precepts and evident in the way Wei Wuxian talked about his cultivation.

And, considering the situation objectively, it was also possible that he had not approached their interactions in the most helpful way himself. His general response to Wei Wuxian’s manner was reactive and heavy-handed. He attempted to curtail his excesses, to push him towards what Lan Wangji himself found more acceptable, to focus on the things the other boy shouldn’t be doing rather than acknowledging anything good he actually did. It gave Lan Wangji very little opportunity to learn from the other, despite the potential resources he could offer, and seemed spectacularly ineffective in any case. He would need to significantly re-think his approach if he was to make any headway in this as his brother has asked of him.

He pulled a fresh sheet of notepaper in front of him.

Have a strong will and anything can be achieved.

Later that morning Lan Wangji goes to find Wei Wuxian at his quarters, and he does seem remarkably bright for someone who must only have made it back inside the compound barely two hours ago. He perks up even further when Lan Wangji informs him that they’ll be taking their studies elsewhere today, scrabbling to collect his writing materials and following him eagerly out of the door.

Wei Wuxian was inquisitive and eager to learn and these were traits to be encouraged. So Lan Wangji had realised after meditating on his own conduct, concluding that it had been not just rash and impulsive but also woefully ineffective in achieving his supposed aims of facilitating the other’s learning. Lan Wangji led them further into the main compound than he’d previously allowed Wei Wuxian to glimpse, sedately ignoring the incessant questioning about their destination as it would soon become self-evident. Sure enough they rounded a bend in the path and Wei Wuxian’s babble was replaced by a delighted gasp.

“Oh Lan-er-gongzi, tell me I’m reading that right, is this whole pavilion a library?”

He nodded. “There are also several other wings not visible from this approach.” Wei Wuxian’s eyes widened even further.

“We’re going in there aren’t we, you’re not just going to dangle this in front of me and then expect me to walk away are you? Lan-xiong wouldn’t be so cruel to this Wei Ying!”

It seemed more expedient to walk in rather than respond to this, this conclusion in no way influenced by the hope of escaping Wei Wuxian’s dramatics.

He expected Wei Wuxian’s ever-flowing narration to accompany them inside but he was strangely quiet as they made their way through the imposing archway marking the entrance. The Lan sect didn’t tend towards elaborate ornamentation and decoration but out of everywhere in Cloud Recesses the Library Pavilion was where they had focused their considerable skill and resources, ensuring it was as pleasing and beautiful a structure as possible. It was a well-organised and functional repository of knowledge but also an elegant space designed to encourage and enable scholarship. Lan Wangji had spent many hours here studying for his own classes and then later following up on relevant research for night-hunts. Part of the Lan sect’s strength lay in the vast wealth of knowledge housed here, and its familiar reading rooms had long been some of his favourite corners of Cloud Recesses. Ones that he hadn’t wanted to open up to the possibility of Wei Wuxian’s intrusive presence.

But Wei Wuxian refrained from his usual exclamations as they walked inside, his eyes darting frenetically between every shelf-label that came within sight, and practically vibrating with suppressed energy. Or questions, unfortunately probably questions. Lan Wangji resigned himself to his fate and began his introduction.

“These are the open collections. As a guest disciple you are welcome to study in this space and make use of the works made available here. Books and scrolls are not to be taken away from the library pavilion, should be returned exactly to where you found them and must be handled with the utmost respect and care.” He thought back to the whirlwind of notes overtaking Wei Wuxian’s quarters. “There is a system to keep them organised, have you ever used one before?”

“Lan-er-gongzi the closest I’ve been to this many books before is Grandmaster’s study, and that was made up of piles of her journals and vague hints like ‘I think the cover was blue’…” Lan Wangji grimaced slightly but Wei Wuxian missed it as he craned around to peer down the nearest walkway.

“There is a reminder of the layout and filing system located in the central seating area, it is encouraged to review before delving into the archives.” Wei Wuxian nodded somewhat distractedly. “Spare notepaper and inkstones can also be found there, although if you require significant quantities they can be provided through the storehouse instead.”

Wei Wuxian still hadn’t stopped drinking in the library around them the entire time Lan Wangji was talking, turning in little circles so he could take all of it in. He eventually came to a halt and met Lan Wangji’s gaze again. “And you’re saying I can just read whatever I want in here?” He sounded a little disbelieving. Lan Wangji was keenly conscious of his own failings in introducing Wei Wuxian to his sect, considering he had left his charge so sceptical about such a fundamental principle.

“Learning comes first. Once the Guest Lectures begin there will be some required and encouraged material, but until then you are free to study areas you consider personally beneficial.’”

The smile that broke out over Wei Wuxian’s face was perhaps not quite as wide as some teasing grins Lan Wangji had witnessed so far but it was radiant. He had to steel himself not to look away from the crescent moons of Wei Wuxian’s eyes and the flash of his teeth. He exuded joy in a way that leaves Lan Wangji feeling almost physically uncomfortable at witnessing so much emotion left unrestrainedly on display.

“I’d say I don’t know where to begin but honestly I’ve got at least five areas in mind to cross-reference before I get in too deep. The reference desks are in the middle, you say?” He rustled around in his ill-organised notes and pulled out a handful of paper, taking on a slightly manic look of glee as he did so. Lan Wangji tries not to be unduly pessimistic about whatever he has unleashed.

Wei Wuxian was a being constantly in motion and had immediately assumed that sword training would be part of the Guest Disciple lectures on hearing about them. Arranging for him to join in with the practical training classes with the rest of the Lan disciples would be a logical addition to his instruction program.

Lan Wangji had progressed beyond the junior classes a year prior so would not be training alongside him, however much Wei Wuxian pouted on hearing this. “But Lan Zhan you’re leaving me with the babies,” he complained, despite the fact that the disciples in that class were,at most, two years younger than Lan Wangji and the eldest being a little older even. “How am I going to improve when I can’t test my skills against the prodigy of Gusu Lan?”

“Unless you are much older than you appear these are your peers.”

“They might be my age-mates but are they my peers Lan-er-gongzi? Why don’t we go a few rounds so you can make a proper judgement of that?’”

“That is for the Sword master to judge. If you are as proficient as you describe yourself to be you will move easily through the gradings.” Wei Wuxian groaned dramatically at this.

“Such lack of faith Lan-xiong, you wound me! Do you not want to try some friendly spars anyway?”

He would be interested in seeing how they matched up, but for the sake of Wei Wuxian’s ego it would be better not to make him aware of that “It is not necessary.”

“Ohhh, I see, are you worried I’ll show you up? I promise to go easy on you gege.”

Wei Wuxian looked much too pleased with himself and Lan Wangji levelled a look at him, ignoring the sudden roaring in his ears. “If Wei Wuxian succeeds in testing out of the junior classes,” he stated calmly, making sure to draw out the ‘if’ just long enough to make clear his disbelief, “I make no such promises in return. I hope you find it easy to learn from your defeats.”

Lan Wangji tries not to exult too excessively over leaving Wei Wuxian spluttering on the path behind him.

Wei Wuxian goes on to thrive in response to the new arrangements Lan Wangji puts in place for his provision. He was regularly found in the library hours-deep into the latest line of research he’d enthused himself into, notes still copious but mostly limited to a couple of desks rather than the entire subject sections he had spilled over to at first. Lan Wangji suspects a run-in with one of the sect scholars who maintain the library pavilion to be responsible for this, but they also seem to have collectively taken Wei Wuxian under their wing, shaking their heads at his (lack of) organisational system but happily helping him locate an increasingly eclectic range of titles and authors.

As Lan Wangji suspected- but was loath to express to his face- Wei Wuxian proves more than capable of moving easily through the staged competency levels of the sword classes and is in fact almost shockingly competent. The Sword master insists that if he is to join in with Lan training then Wei Wuxian will need to adhere to the Lan sword forms in classes, instead of the much more fluid and improvisational movements he defaults to. Wei Wuxian takes this in good cheer and declares it an opportunity to stretch himself then proceeds to race through the foundational and intermediate forms in a ridiculously short number of weeks.

Lan disciples usually take years to perfect the style Wei Wuxian manages to grasp in less than a month, and while he manages not to make a point of this on the training grounds – always ensuring that his partners have ample opportunity to practise and build up their skills even if he could probably end their bouts much quicker if called upon- he also clearly wants Lan Wangji to acknowledge it, bringing up the latest forms often in conversation or demonstrating with exacting precision the latest drill he has been successfully signed off on. Lan Wangji takes no small amount of enjoyment in under-reacting to each of these unsubtle reminders on Wei Wuxian’s part. On occasion he placidly states that Wei Wuxian had encouraged him not to be impressed with anything less than holding his own against Lan Wangji, but he was glad Wei Wuxian was finding things to amuse himself with until then. Wei Wuxian’s arrival in Cloud Recesses provides not just a significant increase in energy levels but also Lan Wangji with the revelation that teasing others can be a surprisingly fun and entertaining endeavour, at least when you have a peer to tease without impunity.

And a peer is what Wei Wuxian proves to be. Lan Wangji has been used to outstripping the others in his classes for years, both in their studies and their practical training, but Wei Wuxian can meet him point for point in a debate and is able to approach questions of theory and cultivation practice from angles Lan Wangji has never previously considered. Wei Wuxian is particularly gifted in talisman theory, not just sharing talismans previously unknown to the Lan sect but to the point of creating new talismans of his own design, a feat he doesn’t even seem to recognise as exceptional. Apparently, several of those on the Celestial Mountain ‘dabble in it’ as a hobby, but the way Wei Wuxian soaks up all the available talisman lore in the library like water speaks more of mastery than a mere passing interest in the topic.

Questions into Wei Wuxian’s current research interest of the moment lead to drawn-out and wide-ranging discussions that Lan Wangji finds himself so engaged in that he is regularly surprised by the warning evening bell mid-question. Another new experience, as he has previously kept himself so timely as to arrive back at the Jingshi far before the toll. But Lan Wangji is also learning more than he can remember doing in years as Wei Wuxian introduces new approaches and forces him to explain and clarify his own ideas in a way that few have ever expected of him before. He’d like to think he is also having a similar effect on Wei Wuxian, what with the amount of notes he takes during their debates and the gleam in his eye when Lan Wangji lands a particularly eloquent point.

Six weeks into his stay at Cloud Recesses and Lan Wangji is shocked to discover how well the boisterous disturbance that is Wei Wuxian has fitted into their surroundings. He has become part of the background rhythm of the library, the training grounds, the wide meadows where they practice archery and somehow even the well-established patterns of Lan Wangji’s own routines. While their visitor came equipped with several changes of his own black-accented robes he is also remarkably adept at getting them dirty for someone otherwise so competent, and borrowed layers of austere Lan silks begin appearing in his dress.  Wei Wuxian charms the sect scholars, coos over the youngest clan members yet to develop their golden cores and wins over the other junior disciples with a combination of dedication to their training and his friendly demeanour. Lan Wangji finds himself drawn into more social interactions that he would otherwise have instigated, although they are generally less of an effort than he used to find them when Wei Wuxian is there to pull everyone easily into conversation.

Xiongzhang doesn’t say anything out loud yet still manages to exude such a clear feeling of ‘I told you so’ that Lan Wangji must actively school himself not to glare back. Have wins and losses.

“Have the Lans always focused on musical cultivation?” They are settled into one of their now regular post-dinner discussions and Lan Wangji had summoned his guqin to help demonstrate some of the finer points of his argument.

Lan Wangji hummed an affirmative. “I have seen scores copied from Lan An’s original works, so it would seem so.”

“I wonder what drew Lan An towards it?” Wei Wuxian lost himself in thought for a moment, but as usual outside of mediation he didn’t stay silent for long. “I know why it makes me itch to try it out, but I feel like you Lans probably have more dignified reasons for branching off into whole new areas of cultivation.”

“Does your reasoning involve explosions?” Lan Wangji asked dryly, an eyebrow slightly raised in judgement as he recalled what greeted him the last time he went to collect Wei Wuxian from a recent stint at the creche. The targeted combination of a clever wind talisman and a few spare bags of flour Wei Wuxian had wheedled out of the kitchen staff had delighted the little Lan novices and horrified their usual caretakers in probably equal measure.

“Lan Zhan, I’m shocked you’d think such slanderous thoughts of me!” Wei Wuxian’s feigned outrage was undercut by his pleased grin. “I’ll have you know that the thought hadn’t even crossed my mind until you mentioned it. But then the wide-reaching explosive potential of musical cultivation has been rather underutilised so far hasn’t it?” Wei Wuxian’s problem-solving scrunch to his brow appeared, and Lan Wangji resolved to quietly steer him away from any of the more… destructive texts during future sessions in the Library pavilion. Thankfully he dropped that train of thought relatively quickly.

“No, the whole idea just makes me feel kind of itchy, but in a good way you know?” Lan Wangji did not, in fact, know but had learned by now to wait for Wei Wuxian’s inevitable elaboration. “The way it channels spiritual force into a malleable form that can be directed with such ease, I mean it’s a genius idea. Swords are powerful but limited in their reach, talismans are often limited in how much power they need to either store or draw upon for activation, but musical cultivation combines all the power of a spiritual weapon with the directionality you usually only find in talisman and ward-work, it’s just awesome Lan Zhan!”

Wei Wuxian still couldn’t be relied upon to address him in a consistent, never mind appropriate, manner. Cries of Lan-xiong, Lan-er-gongzi, Wangi-xiong or the occasional gege could be heard throughout the Cloud Recesses, and besides committing to a deliberate non-reaction Lan Wangji had mostly given up on trying to curtail them. Due to Wei Wuxian’s own ambiguous social status no-one was entirely certain of the correct levels of formality due to him anyway, and Wei Wuxian surely wouldn’t adhere to it even if it was clear.

But sometimes Lan Wangji’s birthname would slip out too, and he wasn’t entirely sure how to feel about this unsanctioned familiarity. Admittedly it was rare and never around company, and strangely lacked the teasing edge Wei Wuxian’s mouth added to his other monikers. It made something in him jump with surprise each time it happened but didn’t unsettle him as much as he would have expected. He had eventually decided to maintain his usual course and appear to take no notice of it, expecting Wei Wuxian to let it drop eventually.

“Mn. I am glad Gusu Lan still has new knowledge to offer you, even after training on the Celestial Mountain.”

Wei Wuxian continued to wax lyrical in further excited praise of Gusu Lan’s scholarship, and Lan Wangji was struck by the fleeting thought that he would happily have his time overseeing Wei Wuxian’s stay in the Cloud Recesses stretch on much longer than planned. It was an unexpected but not unpleasant outcome to his efforts.

Chapter Text

Eventually the days ran out and the planned-for disruption to Lan Wangji’s general calm was upon them. It wasn’t that he would go so far as to say he exactly disliked the guest disciple teaching sessions, or at least not more than any other required interaction with the other sects. Lan Wangji had meant what he told Wei Wuxian about appreciating the opportunity to share learning between the sects, to feel like he was contributing somewhat to imparting the hard-won teachings of the Lans and supporting his clan in their scholarly endeavours. But the guest disciples… In fairness some were attentive and respectful and fully intending to learn but they were in the minority. Most had been sent by their sects or their parents with barely any understanding of what they were coming to, and when they realised they would face long days of study, be expected to adhere to a way of life they would praise to a Lan’s face before proceeding to scoff at behind their backs… Well. Lan Wangji had learned to never set his hopes particularly high for his enjoyment of them, despite Lan Xichen’s well-meaning insistence that it would be good for him to connect with others his own age. Lan Wangji wondered if Xichen would feel the same if he were the one having to listen to the small-minded bragging of the Jin sect delegation while guiding them to their quarters, but then Xichen also had to interact with Jin Guangshan directly so maybe it was unfair to compare ordeals.

If things had followed their expected course then Lan Wangji wouldn’t have exited seclusion until the night before teaching commenced, but as they hadn’t he was pulled into the uncharacteristic bustle that filled the Cloud Recesses at the arrival of the guest disciples. He didn’t even have Wei Wuxian for company as he met incoming disciples at the gate, saw them settled in their rooms and ensured Shufu’s preferred reference texts were transferred to the Lanshi ready for the next day.

To Shufu’s chagrin news of the arrival of a disciple from the Celestial Mountain had clearly spread, and he was oddly insistent on Wei Wuxian not acting publicly alongside the Lan sect, or else ‘paraded in front of juniors from other sects for them to gawk at’.  Lan Wangji failed to see what difference it made considering Xiongzhang had insisted, in his smiling way, that yes Wei-gongzi was of course welcomed and encouraged to attend the lectures, and the visiting disciples were sure to see plenty of him in class. But the result was Wei Wuxian spending arrival day with some of the youngest disciples still focusing on their core formation as their custodians were pulled away to other tasks. Lan Wangji tried not to envy him as Nie Huaisang babbled out a long-winded explanation of why it was of the absolute utmost importance that he return to Caiyi town immediately in order to retrieve the favourite fan he must have left there this morning.

As the sky started to darken into twilight Lan Wangji realised it was the first time in several weeks that he’d gone a whole day without seeing or hearing any sign of Wei Wuxian. It was unnerving to discover he’d become so used to having him around without his even noticing. He should have appreciated the respite from the constant chatter and demands on his attention, but a day of dealing with visitors who either shirked away from maintaining eye contact with him or subjected him to polite but utterly meaningless small talk had reminded Lan Wangji of how little enjoyment he usually gained from his peers. Which, deductively, meant he’d been experiencing something different recently. Meant he’d been enjoying his time with one of his peers, with Wei Wuxian.

Xiongzhang must never be allowed to find out.

The first day of lectures found Lan Wangji in his usual place in the Lanshi- about halfway down the rows and slightly to the side; still able to hear clearly but easily placed to spot troublemakers- but for once he was not surrounded by a small circle of empty seats. Wei Wuxian sat to his right, looking much more awake and attentive than he usually was at this hour, hands flitting from grinding ink to flicking through the stack of books and notes he’d unearthed from his chaos in the guest quarters. Dressed in new robes of a guest disciple Wei Wuxian could be taken for any other young master attending the lectures, but Lan Wangji spotted a few curious glances sent in their direction. Or perhaps it was simply the novelty of someone willingly getting close to him that drew the eye.  

“Lan-er-gongzi” Jin Zixuan nodded at him as his contingent made their way over to the first rows of the classroom. Wei Wuxian poked him in the arm after they’d passed by.

“Wangji-xiong, is that how I should address you while we’re in class? Are we all on our best behaviour now?” Considering how many times Lan Wangji had unsuccessfully tried to make him settle on something less informal over the last couple of months he saw little benefit in repeating himself now. Wei Wuxian pouted.

“I don’t deserve that look, you know I’m making an effort!”

Lan Wangji’s affirmative “Mnn” probably didn’t warrant the smile he received in response but then Wei Wuxian caught sight of Shifu entering the Lanshi and quickly schooled his expression into something more reserved.

It was a passable attempt but in Lan Wangi’s opinion the brightness of his eyes undermined the effect of the whole. He never seemed to quite manage to rein that in.

Shifu began his familiar opening lecture centred on the precept of ‘diligence is the root’, setting out his expectations of the visiting disciples for the duration of the lectures. Several dismayed looks appeared as the extensive list continued, but Wei Wuxian just absentmindedly fiddled with his brush. After an hour of similar fare he was one of the few students not visibly chafing with the effort to remain still and attentive, so it surprised Lan Wangji when Uncle decided to call him out specifically.

“While attending these lectures you are all expected to develop and expand your education, not just arrogantly rest in the assumption that prior knowledge is sufficient. Wei Ying!”

 “Here.” Wei Wuxian rose swiftly to respond, as Lan Wangji had advised him to do if called upon, and Shufu proceeded to pelt him with questions.

“Let me ask you. Are yao, demons, ghosts and monsters the same thing?”

“No.”

“Why not? What are the differences between them?”

“Their origin. Yao are formed from living non-human entities; demons from living humans; ghosts from deceased humans; monsters from deceased non-human entities.”

It was a textbook answer, but one that apparently didn’t satisfy his uncle, who continued.

“‘Yao’ and ‘monsters’ are easily confused. Provide an example that distinguishes the two.”

“Easily done.” Wei Wuxian pointed at a leafy tree growing just outside the classroom window. “For example, a living tree, if it soaked in scholarly energy for years, could cultivate into a spirit and form its own consciousness- and also develop a taste for mischief and disturbing those around it. That would be a ‘yao’. If I took an axe and cut the tree in two, leaving a dead tree stump, and that cultivated into a spirit, then that would be a ‘monster’.”

Wei Wuxian’s explanation combined his understanding of the topic with his clear skill at phrasing and expressing concepts in a manner suited to his audience, one that Lan Wangji had witnessed frequently before in Wei Wuxian’s conversations with everyone from the junior novices to sect scholars. Shufu clearly did not share his approval of it though.

“What was the profession of the founder of the Nie Clan of Qinghe?”

Wei Wuxian tilted his head slightly in confusion.

“I don’t know Lan-laoshi.”

“As expected. The heraldry of the Lanling Jin Sect is a white peony. Which type of white peony is it?”

“I have no idea Lan-laoshi.” A smattering of quiet laughs could be heard from the surrounding guest disciples.

“Ignorant and impudent!” Shufu curled his lip in something close to a sneer.

“Laoshi this one must respectfully disagree.” Lan Wangji glanced quickly over in concern- his Uncle’s lectures were not the place for Wei Wuxian’s teasing approach to debate- but Wei Wuxian still looked like a model pupil, even with his brows furrowed in concern. “Or if I am ignorant it is of how this branch of knowledge is intended to develop our understanding and effectiveness as cultivators. Please explain.”

“Sect histories and knowledge are crucial to ensuring cultivators conduct themselves correctly.”

“Why exactly? Not all cultivators are attached to a sect, and it seems unreasonable to dedicate time and effort to learning which exact flower I should think of when I see a certain shade of robes when I could instead be learning more about the enemies we fight and our methods to subdue them.”

Uncle’s face was slowly reddening the longer Wei Wuxian spoke. “That you can boldly stand there and make such ridiculous claims shows how lacking your education has been thus far.” Lan Wangji’s sharp hearing caught some sniggering from the direction of the Jin party at this. “Sit down and listen, then perhaps you might realise the faults in your thinking.”

Lan Wangji caught a flash of something like hurt on Wei Wuxian’s face as he settled back at his desk. He was similarly confused at the unnecessarily harsh tone his Uncle had taken, along with the complete lack of any actual refutation of Wei Wuxian’s point. Since when had casting aspersions on another’s abilities counted as a fair rebuttal?

Lan Wangji barely took notice of the rest of that morning’s lecture, more concerned with trying to figure out why his Uncle had felt the need to single out Wei Wuxian to such an extent, and to cast such aspersions on one who had already proved themselves to be a capable scholar and eager to learn. By Xiongzhang’s design Wei Wuxian had been kept far away from Shufu thus far in his stay, but he had been kept informed of their guest’s development and educational endeavours. Lan Wangji would have expected his Uncle to be interested in working with such a capable pupil instead of shutting him down at the first opportunity. It left him with a sour feeling in his chest.

They were dismissed when the midday meal bell rang, students scurrying in their haste to escape the classroom. Lan Wangji kept pace with Wei Wuxian as they headed towards the meal hall, unsure of how best to break the unusual quietness hanging between them.

“Lan-er-gongzi,” Wei Wuxian’s words, when they finally came, sounded unusually serious.  “I don’t think your Uncle likes me very much.”

Lan Wangji couldn’t say he disagreed but struggled to voice his thoughts without verging into unfilial territory. “I am unsure of why.” He settled on eventually.

“Ah, does Lan-er-gongzi think there might still be something to like about this one then?” His voice remained disconcertingly flat. Lan Wangji geared himself up to make a bold statement.

“Shufu would be mistaken to believe otherwise.”

Wei Wuxian raised his eyes from the swept path and met his gaze. For a moment Lan Wangji was held caught by the piercing look sent his way before Wei Wuxian softened slightly.

“Well, if the esteemed Second Jade of Gusu declares it so then who am I to argue, eh?” The laughter in his words sounded stale somehow and the unpleasant twist in Lan Wangji’s chest grew stronger. Suddenly Wei Wuxian shook himself, as if there was water in his ears, and stepped out with renewed speed towards the hall.

“Come on Lan-xiong, I don’t want to miss the look on their faces as the others realise just what they’ll be eating for the next few months.” The matter didn’t feel resolved to Lan Wangji, but without any further ideas of how to assist he let himself be pulled along with only a faint roll of his eyes.

Of course, things were sure to change with the arrival of so many new faces from so many different sects. Past meetings at discussion conferences and competitions had already taught most of Lan Wangji’s fellows from other sects to give him a wide berth, and as expected he wasn’t unduly interrupted by more than polite pleasantries. But Wei Wuxian was an unknown and curious quantity wrapped up in a friendly and frustratingly charming personality. Naturally he was swamped with disciples seeking out his company, for both their personal enjoyment and in order to learn more about the mysterious Immortal’s protégé.

Lan Wangji knew Wei Wuxian’s nature was much more sociable than his own and so more likely to welcome this. But he was also initially concerned that Wei Wuxian was ill-informed to navigate the murky waters of the inter-sect politics he would undoubtedly be exposed to. Wei Wuxian proceeded to ignore them entirely and to build friendships and new connections based purely on who it pleased him to spend time with rather than any obvious strategic benefit. He was as likely to be caught joking along with a disciple from a minor sect or a quiet Lan junior as with members of the established gentry, something that the Jin and Jiang delegations seemed to take umbrage at, as if they were somehow entitled to Wei Wuxian’s attention on name alone. Lan Wangji had thought Wei Wuxian was happily ignorant of these undercurrents, up until he watched Jin Zixun demand to speak with him in a particularly condescending manner only for Wei Wuxian to breeze right past him and clap an Ouyang disciple on the shoulder, loudly making plans together for later that day. Wei Wuxian appeared quite capable of handling matters decisively, if not always diplomatically.

This trend was bucked with the fast friendship he seemed to fall into with Nie Huaisang of all people. That Wei Wuxian welcomed Nie Huaisang’s friendship continued to puzzle (and secretly frustrate) Lan Wangji the longer it carried on, considering Nie Huaisang’s ongoing efforts to be as useless and as empty-headed as possible, which was surely the opposite of what Wei Wuxian needed in a companion. But Wei Wuxian insisted that the Nie heir contained hidden depths, to the extent of him being a discerning connoisseur of the arts and music. Nie Huaisang even went so far as to gift him a fine dizi from Caiyi town after Wei Wuxian mentioned regretting leaving his own behind on the mountain. On hearing this Lan Wangji berated himself for not thinking of doing so before, especially considering the numerous times they had talked over musical cultivation theory, but he did at least get to benefit from the pleasure of hearing Wei Wuxian play. As with most things he turned his hand to Wei Wuxian proved skilled and able, managing to combine technical precision with a musicality that breathed life into the scores shared with him. Wei Wuxian somehow continued to find the time to meet up with Lan Wangji in the evenings, but these now often span out into duets rather than debates, Lan Wangji finding an excellent counterpoint to the refined steadiness of his guqin in the lightness of Wei Wuxian’s playing, his improvisations weaving in and around the melodies Lan Wangji laid down. It had been too long since Lan Wangji had played purely for the enjoyment of music instead of strengthening his cultivation and he was pleased to have gained a partner in this.

Wei Wuxian continued to attend the lectures as planned, but the air of anticipation he had previously carried was exchanged for a steely sort of politeness. Lan Wangji had the shocked realisation one evening that Wei Wuxian was almost certainly mimicking his own manner when dealing with a distasteful task, but never quite mustered up a thick enough face to question him about it. While Wei Wuxian was always ready for the lectures with brush and paper Lan Wangji noted the absence of any of his personal notebooks or reference materials in the Lanshi going forward. His desk was kept neat and tidy and exactly as stipulated in the lecture rules, utterly devoid of any trace of the lively mind that occupied it. Despite this he made sure to familiarise himself with the materials covered, scoring perfectly on tests and outstripping the assorted sect heirs and inner disciples to an almost embarrassing degree. Some took this in their stride, even going so far as to beg Wei Wuxian for tutoring which he happily acquiesced to and added to his already full schedule of classes, sword training sessions with the Lan juniors and his ongoing research in the library pavilion. Some waved it off as ‘only to be expected’ from Baoshan Sanren’s disciple. Still others seemed to take offense at his competence, bizarrely clinging to the idea that Wei Wuxian should somehow limit himself instead of looking to improve their own performances. Lan Wangji didn’t see the point in catering to those who would look elsewhere to explain faults in their own performance and so gave these little thought.

Shifu asked him to stay behind after lectures finished one afternoon. He steeled himself for yet another recitation of Wei Wuxian’s supposedly innumerable faults -Lan Wangji would argue that while they were many they rarely seemed to be the ones his uncle accused him of, and so his regular tirades seemed particularly unhelpful in resolving them- but his Uncle’s ire had turned towards Nie Huaisang that day instead. Lan Wangji nodded along to Shifu’s complaints bemoaning the Nie heir’s utter lack of studiousness, efforts to bend every situation to his own favour and his general attitude of frivolity but managed to sidle out of the conversation before committing to any sort of oversight or tutoring on his own part. The concept had been tried, tested and found utterly wanting on at least two occasions prior, and he didn’t expect the situation to have improved now that he was fairly sure Nie Huaisang was responsible for the suspiciously well-coordinated yet untraceable flow of alcohol into the guest lectures this year.

Making his way over from the Lanshi towards the library he could see a fair number of the class still gathered in the connecting courtyard. Most seemed to be bunched around Wei Wuxian, who was gesturing enthusiastically to the excited listeners. As Lan Wangji moved closer he could hear the tail-end of one of Wei Wuxian’s animated night-hunt accounts, this time against a vengeful sword spirit that refused to be put to rest until it was bested in combat.

“I suppose you consider yourself as some sort of swordsman?” Jin Zixun drawled in a pitying tone as Wei Wuxian wrapped up his story with the spirit subdued after a hard-won duel.

“I suppose you do as well?” Wei Wuxian turned in the Jin’s direction, completely unruffled by the taunt.

“Of course, I wouldn’t shame my sect by being anything less. Those of us with the proper training can’t help but maintain an edge over those less fortunate.”

“Ah it’s fine,” Wei Wuxian raised his arms in a ‘what can you do’ gesture, “..those of us without the proper training just have to make do and actually prove ourselves instead.” A few muffled laughs could be heard from the students loosely clustered around them.

A sneer twisted across Jin Zixun’s face as he stepped forward. He might have been aiming to look intimidating, but Wei Wuxian had several inches of height on him and the attempt fell rather flat.

“A backwater nobody like you wouldn’t know skill if it hit you in the face.”

Lan Wangji had known some of the gentry felt uneasy at Wei Wuxian’s unexpected presence – and brilliance – at the lectures, but this was the first time he’d witnessed it expressed quite so virulently. It wasn’t especially surprising to find it was a Jin who had finally taken the step up from ill-concealed resentment to petty insults.

“See that’s where you’re wrong.” Wei Wuxian replied lightly, “Skill has hit me in the face several times during my stay here.” Lan Wangji thought back to his memories of Wei Wuxian on the training grounds and charitably classed this statement under exaggeration for effect. “Because unlike you, or…” he looked around in an exaggerated manner “…any of the Jin cultivators I can see here, I’ve been attending the practice sessions provided by our hosts. I’ve witnessed an awful lot of impressive swordplay and none of it the result of the proper training of the Jins. Strange, isn’t it?”

“Far be it from me to suggest you haven’t then had the opportunity to see true swordsmanship in action and you’re easily impressed.” Jin Zixun retorted. Jin Zixun’s scathing (and ill-conceived) attempts to undermine Wei Wuxian were firmly cementing Lan Wangji’s impression of him as one the most idiotic cultivators of their generation.

“Well, outside of Lan Wangji I’ve yet to see anyone who even comes close to matching my shishu.” Lan Wangji tucked that declaration away with the intent of finding out when exactly Wei Wuxian had witnessed his swordsmanship, he hadn’t previously been aware that he had. “Why should I hold my breath waiting to be dazzled by anything other than the glare off your robes Jin-gongzi?”

Jin Zixun puffed himself up “You dare insult the honour of the Jin sect in such a way?”

“Well,” Wei Wuxian looked non-plussed for a moment, “Is it an insult when it’s just stating the truth?”

‘You!! You’ll regret that disrespectful mouth of yours..” Jin Zixun reached towards his blade and Lan Wangji found himself moving to intervene, but Wei Wuxian took action first.

“Ah, a challenge!” he cried loud enough for everyone in the courtyard to overhear, “You want to spar then?” Jin Zixun’s hand paused on the hilt, clearly not having intended anything of the sort.

“Of course you wanted to spar, Fighting without permission is prohibited in Cloud Recesses after all, and I know a member of the honourable Jin clan would never disrespect their hosts so as to brawl in the heart of Lan sect grounds.” He inclined his head towards the yellow-robed figures, but his grin was sharp. Lan Wangji found himself struck by a rush of something fierce, maybe pride, at hearing Wei Wuxian enforce the Lan precepts in such a way, but maybe it was just relief at not being the one to have to counter his arguments for once.

Wei Wuxian was still smiling as Jin Zixun spluttered incoherently in response. “Luckily for you I know exactly how to proceed. Lan-er-gongzi!” Wei Wuxian’s bright voice was raised once more, just within the boundaries of acceptable noise levels, “May we have a moment of your time?”

Lan Wangji hadn’t been aware of Wei Wuxian registering his presence in the courtyard until that moment, but he gamely made his way across to the group as if it had been his intention all along.

“This Wei Wuxian and Jin Zixun would like to request use of the training grounds, if it would please Lan-er-gongzi to grant permission.” Wei Wuxian once again served a flawlessly executed bow, and the sight of it left something uncomfortable itching beneath Lan Wangji’s skin. He ignored it in favour of nodding his acquiescence.

“We can find a senior to adjudicate on the way.” He found himself saying. Wei Wuxian raised his eyebrows in question, but Lan Wangji opted to ignore that too and turned instead to walk towards the training grounds, leaving the others to follow.

Technically he himself could take on the role, as he often did when juniors sparred, but Jin Zixun’s boorish and arrogant behaviour had been irritating him since their arrival. He would not be a fair and unbiased observer of a match between Wei Wuxian and Jin Zixun, because he would in truth be cheering Wei Wuxian on in the absolute thrashing he was sure to deal out. Internally cheering, of course. He’d hate to deal with a Wei Wuxian who was aware of his bias towards him in this.

He found one of the assistant sword-masters seeing to the upkeep of the practice swords who readily agreed to oversee the spar. By the time he had helped the sword-master clear the weapons away the others had made their way to the training grounds. The Jins clustered together, Wei Wuxian talked animatedly to his friends once more. There numbers were swelled by a surprisingly large group of unrelated hangers-on who must have decided to see what all the fuss was about.

Wei Wuxian spotted him approaching from the weapons store and raced over to his side.

“No running in Cloud Recesses.” he scolded reflexively.

“Ah but excessive movement is allowed within the bounds of the training grounds is it not Lan-er-gongzi?” Wei Wuxian beamed over at him before turning to the Sword Master. “Lan-xiansheng thank you for sparing us your time. We were thinking first to five points, if you’re amenable?”

Soon the two opponents were facing each other in the prescribed starting positions. Jin Zixun clearly wasn’t pleased with a thoughtless threat somehow turning into an formal challenge with spectators, but had maintained a level of bravado and bluster that tried to suggest this was the chance he’d hoped for all along. Wei Wuxian had been really quite restrained so far, but beneath the somewhat unnerving politeness there was a hard edge to his expression.

Their senior called the small crowd to attention. “First to five points will be declared the victor. Neither should leave the confines marked on the edge of the training grounds. No bloodletting allowed. Are the combatants in agreement?” Two quick nods. “Then you may begin.”

The came together in a quick flash of blades. Jin Zixun’s swordsmanship was competent, as to be expected from a highly ranked inner member of a Great Sect. But Wei Wuxian excelled. He had reigned in his naturally acrobatic style in favour of strong clear lines and forceful stances, which confused Lan Wangji for the half-minute it took for him to recognise the patently Lan-inspired move Wei Wuxian used to break through Jin Zixun’s defence and disarm him.

“Point!”

Wei Wuxian waited with uncharacteristic stillness while Jin Zixun scrambled for his sword, moving straight into another forceful attack as soon as his opponent made it back to the starting position. Watching closely Lan Wangji could see where Wei Wuxian had added a touch of his own fluidity to a stance, an unorthodox switch between two usually unrelated moves but his sword work was distinctly Lan, an impressive blend of the elements he had drilled while training with the juniors.

“Second point!”

Lan Wangji was fervently glad he’d had the foresight to not referee the bout himself. He’d been distracted from the hit by the slight furrow of concentration on Wei Wuxian’s brow as he carried out a particularly tricky feint that had taken many of his classmates months to master. Wei Wuxian had been introduced to it barely a week ago. 

Jin Zixun face grew redder- with exertion or embarrassment Lan Wangji wasn’t sure- as he continued to make no headway against Wei Wuxian’s unassailable defence, and by the time Wei Wuxian won the third point off him he had resorted to throwing out insults along with his strikes.

Wei Wuxian could, Lan Wangji knew, have come at Jin Zixun as hard and fast as he was fully capable of, and would have finished the match with humiliating speed if he’d done so. But instead Lan Wangji was reminded of Wei Wuxian delivering training matches to the younger juniors- allowing them the chance to practise their forms and find their footing by meeting them with a retort just beyond their skill level, pushing them to develop their technique. Anyone watching could tell that Wei Wuxian was leading his opponent by the nose, easily maintaining control over the match while Jin Zixun struggled just to meet him. And he was using Lan techniques to do so.

Five points and the match were called while Lan Wangji was caught up in the heady realisation of what Wei Wuxian doing. Proving the inanity of Jin Zixun’s insults by employing the very skills he’d disparaged. Doing so in a way that also highlighted the strength of Lan techniques, which Jin Zixun had also carelessly dismissed.

Wei Wuxian sheathed his sword then bowed properly once more towards their adjudicator. Jin Zixun was still struggling to catch his breath, laid out on the ground where Wei Wuxian’s final disarm had sent him flying.

“May I suggest that Jin-gongzi come by the practice session in future, and take the opportunity to see true swordsmanship in action?” He inclined his head towards the Sword Master respectfully before sweeping away from the training grounds, leaving Jin Zixun sprawled in the dust and Lan Wangji strangely out of breath as well.

The tension broke eventually, as quickly and catastrophically as a stray spark catching dry tinder. Wei Wuxian never lost his initial interest in musical cultivation, something that Lan Wangji himself had happily encouraged, pleased that the wisdom of the Lan sect clearly had so much to offer him. Although they obviously stayed away from sect secrets such as Inquiry that Lan Wangji was not at liberty to share, the Lan had been far from the only musical cultivators in history. There was still much left for Wei Wuxian to learn and theories for him to expound on as he found ways to incorporate them into his own cultivation practise.

Wei Wuxian had been particularly eager to tell him of a recent breakthrough when they played together the night before, promising to share it with Lan Wangji once he had fine-tuned the details; a process that could leave him waiting three weeks, result in a happy but sleep-deprived Wei Wuxian appearing at the Jingshi the next morning or anything in between, depending on how the whim struck him. Even so Lan Wangji hadn’t been prepared for Nie Huaisang to rush up to him, wringing his hands and babbling thatsomething was happening with Wei-xiong, that he didn’t want to bad-mouth Grandmaster Lan but please could Lan Wangji come quickly?

Nie Huaisang hurried him away to a garden near the guest quarter, where they were far from the only ones there to witness the disturbance. A small crowd had built up around the figures of Wei Wuxian and his Uncle, the anger painted on both their faces growing clear with each step taken towards them. Wei Wuxian had his arms folded and his grip held firmly on his dizi, while Shufu pointed an accusatory finger, repeatedly jabbing it towards Wei Wuxian as Lan Wangji drew close enough to hear them clearly.

“You have been delving into secrets you have no right to! Betraying the hospitality of your hosts even!”

“As I have truthfully told Lan-laoshi numerous times already, I haven’t even glimpsed any of the Lan sect scores. I’ve researched musical cultivation yes but only what was available on the open shelves. I’ve been learning, which I apparently misunderstood as the intention behind these lectures!”

“And how do you explain that mockery of Rest I caught you playing, if you supposedly have no knowledge of it?” Even stuck behind several rows of onlookers Lan Wangji could see Wei Wuxian bristle at that.

“It’s not a mockery of anything! It’s a piece I’ve been working on to try and calm restless spirits, I thought it’d be helpful for tackling invisible ghosts when you’re unsure of their location.”

“It is in the Gusu style!”

“It’s in the Gusu style because I spend half my time playing with Lan-er-gongzi, what else would anything I compose sound like when I practically sing his music in my sleep nowadays?”

Lan Wangji felt oddly warmed at the idea that their sessions together had left such an impact but was quickly distracted by the outrage contorting his Uncle’s features.

“You have the audacity to try and use Wangji as an excuse for your wrongdoings! Of all the disrespectful, self-serving and ungracious things to do. I expected nothing less from a child of that insolent woman!”

Lan Wangji couldn’t stop the gasp that escaped him. He’d known that Shufu had been acting unreasonably since the start of the lectures but hadn’t realised him capable of such an outright and petty insult to Wei Wuxian’s face. The rising murmurs around him suggested he wasn’t the only one shocked by this. He started to push his way forward, hoping to somehow put a stop to this before even more damage could be done, but was interrupted by the quietly furious words coming out of Wei Wuxian’s mouth before he could reach them.

“I expected so much more from you Grandmaster Lan. Have you already decided I’m in the wrong whatever the truth might actually be? Why do you call on us to learn yet refuse to listen to anything outside of your own ridiculously narrow ideas? Why the fuck does it matter who my mother was?”

“How dare you!”

“How dare you?” Wei Wuxian wasn’t raising his voice but still sounded more disdainful with every word he spoke. “I sit in your classes and I learn your ridiculous genealogies and I try to go and work on something actually useful for once and you berate me for that too. What is the point?”

“Perhaps this is why only those with the proper background are invited to sect events, they at least can truly appreciate the worth of them.”

Ah. Of course Jin Zixun would be idiot enough to feel his opinion worth airing here.

Wei Wuxian scoffed, not even glancing in the direction of the interruption. “And that leaves you with bullshit cultivators like Jin what-his-name over there so we all know how well that approach is working out for you.” He started pacing, Shufu apparently frozen by the experience of someone unrestrainedly talking back at him for once.

“If this is what the cultivation world is like I’m starting to understand why Shifu left it. You should be working your hardest to protect those around you with your skills, and instead you expect people to revere the ground you walk on while barely seeing to their protection. You demand respect towards your own courtesies and lineages yet throw mud on my dead mother’s name and expect me to just accept it!

You throw tantrums at the mere idea of someone being as talented as you, or knowing the same techniques as you, like toddlers asked to share your favourite toy instead of adults who should be glad for more capable assistance. Why are you so self-absorbed when so many left at risk by your neglect and your obsession with pointless posturing?

You ‘Great Sects’ with your demands and your self-importance, what is even the point of you all, if this is what it comes down to in the end? I left my Grandmaster so I would be able to do some good in the world, to put what I knew into good use. If this is what you’ve twisted cultivation to mean I ask you again, what is the point?”

He flung his arms out widely, as if seeking a response from the spectators. Finding none he swept his gaze across the crowd, finally spotting Lan Wangji as he did so. He paused there for a long moment, the sardonic expression on his face undercut by the tears Lan Wangji could spot welling up in his eyes.

Another blink and he was gone, turning and bolting from the garden in the direction of his quarters, furious gossiping already rising in his wake.

Wei Wuxian was in his rooms hurriedly stuffing papers into a qiankun pouch by the time Lan Wangji caught up with him. He didn’t look up as he entered.

“I won’t take it back.” Wei Wuxian continued packing, a slight shake to his voice. “I won’t take any of it back, I meant everything I said.” Lan Wangji had no trouble believing it.

“I would not expect you to.” Lan Wangji didn’t know what to say about what had just happened. There were many complicated things he was feeling about it all, but none of which he thought would help Wei Wuxian until he’d had the chance to process them. So he kept quiet as his friend dashed around the space that had become so familiar to him over the last few months, stripping it of the personality and life he had brought to it.

Lan Wangji hadn’t fully appreciated that they had come to this point, that he had made what felt like a true friend for the first time in his life, and now it was coming to an end. Because Wei Wuxian was leaving, and the worst thing he could do for his friend was to try and keep him here in this place he clearly felt so disrespected in.

As if reading his thoughts Wei Wuxian looked up from the robes he was somehow making more of a mess of the more he folded them “I… Lan Zhan I can’t stay here, you understand that right?” There was a quavering edge still hadn’t left his voice. Lan Wangji hated hearing it there.

“Mn.” He stepped over and gently pulled the robes out of Wei Wuxian’s hands, neatly folding it into a compact pile before moving on to the next. “I am… grieved that it has come to this, but I fully respect your decision to do so.”

“I was so rude to your uncle Lan Zhan, I insulted all the sects, you can’t just ‘mn’ at me in response!”

“Shufu was incredibly rude to you. You made some valid criticisms based on your experiences.” When he went to reach for the next piece of clothing a hand grabbed his wrist, stopping him.

“Lan Wangji!” Wei Wuxian’s eyes were bright and searching his face as he spoke. “Are you honestly telling me you’re not annoyed right now, that you’re not angry with how I dismissed you all? Are you not going to berate me for thinking too highly of myself?”

Lan Wangji took a moment to examine his thoughts. “I am angry, but not at you. You pointed out aspects that also frustrate me, that I think could change for the better. It would be ridiculous to be angry at that. And I do not think you have truly dismissed all of us, you wouldn’t work so hard with the juniors, speak so respectfully to the seniors or challenge me so much if you believed us all beyond hope.”

Wei Wuxian jolted and let go of his wrist, a light blush spreading over his features.

“What needs packing next?” Lan Wangji asked calmly, turning his attention to practical matters instead of Wei Wuxian’s astonishment.

There wasn’t an awful lot to extricate from the room in the end. It was only a few scant minutes before Wei Wuxian was ready to go and the two of them were left with nothing more to do than head slowly towards the gate, Wei Wuxian re-adjusting the travelling cloak and bags he once again carried with him. It was almost strange to see him back in all his own robes, the weimao he had rarely used while in the Cloud Recesses tied securely in place.

“Please beg forgiveness from Zewu-jun for me not taking leave of him before I go. I think it’d be best for everyone if I’m long gone before anyone has to decide how to deal with that mess.”

Lan Wangji was not entirely sure he agreed, but it was Wei Wuxian’s choice to make. Instead he asked “Where will you go?”

“I don’t really know just yet. I’d had vague thoughts about visiting the different sects to learn from each of them but I’ve gone off that idea somehow.” He grimaced. “I meant it, you know, about coming down the mountain so I can make a difference. I don’t know why we bother if we can’t help people out with what we know. I think I’ll just travel for a while, see if I can pick up a few night-hunts here and there and see where that takes me.”

It was a fair, reasonable proposition, well within Wei Wuxian’s capabilities, and the thought of him wandering around the countryside with no-one aware of his whereabouts really had no business troubling Lan Wangji so.

“I am sure you will be of great help to those you meet.” Lan Wangji believed that even more strongly than he felt any unnecessary concerns about his safety.

All too soon the gateway came in sight.

Wei Wuxian appeared resolute and he was far from fragile but Lan Wangji couldn’t help feeling unsettled. He wished there was something he could offer him, something that wouldn’t leave him with such a bitter last impression of his home and sect…

“Wei Ying.” The other looked up from tightening his sword belt, mouth gaping just a little. “I am sorry it has ended this way but I am glad you came to stay with the Lan. You will be missed.” He folded over his outstretched arms in a sincere bow. “Wei Ying, please take care on your travels.”

Wei Wuxian’s… Wei Ying’s smile grew a little tremulous as he returned the bow, and it was all the more beautiful for it.

“Lan Zhan… Lan-er-gongzi… I am sorry. I hope we meet again soon someday.”

With that he strolled through the gates, nodding to the disciples on duty. Lan Wangji watched his retreating figure for longer than was probably necessary to see him off. He didn’t look back.

Chapter Text

The Cloud Recesses had never seemed so quiet as after Wei Ying’s departure, and never had the quiet around Lan Wangji felt less in tune with what he felt.

He did not return to the Guest Lectures. On the day Wei Ying departed Lan Wangji had allowed himself a couple of hours of meditation before he set himself to work. He pulled out a fresh piece of parchment and thought over everything that had led to the incident. Shufu’s initial unfounded dislike on simply hearing his name, singling Wei Ying out in that first day of class, doing nothing to correct the ill-spirited gossip that built up as he continued to shine despite that. Shufu doing nothing to correct his own behaviour and thoughts while constantly finding faults with Wei Ying’s. Deliberately curtailing Wei Ying’s learning, speaking ill of his parents, refusing to recognise the good and condemning every perceived fault in him. Lan Wangji willed himself to remain calm as he noted down the extensive list in his neat calligraphy, finally acknowledging the source of his rising discomfort since the start of the lectures. Never mind the outrage at what they had witnessed that afternoon.

He reviewed his list to ensure it was as comprehensive as he could make it, listing the corresponding precepts that had been broken beside each grievance. With it completed to his satisfaction he carried it to the Hanshi. As expected Xiongzhang and Shufu were within sharing their usual post-dinner tea although with little of the calm that usually accompanied it. Xiongzhang was brittle with barely concealed tension and Shufu did not look to have fully recovered from his shameful display earlier. Which was probably for the best; there was little point in him settling down before hearing what Lan Wangji had to say. 

Xichen gave a start as he crossed the threshold “Wangji, we missed you at the evening meal.”

“Mnn, I apologise. I was busy with a matter of some urgency.” He knelt with the utmost propriety and presented his list.

“Wangji, what is this?” Xiongzhang was audibly worried now.

“A detailed account of recent infractions I have been made aware of. As Head of Discipline only among the juniors and guest disciples the necessary punishments for them are beyond my purview.”

Xiongzhang glanced over the lengthy list before letting it drop and closing his eyes in a desperate bid to keep a hold of his patience, a gesture the likes of which Lan Wangji hadn’t witnessed since the last negotiations with Jin Guangshan.

“Xichen?” Uncle demanded gruffly, snatching the paper out of his hand when Xiongzhang declined to respond. Both his frown and the splotchy redness of his face only intensified the further he read.

“Wangji! What is the meaning of this?”

“The meaning was intended to be clear. The precepts have been ignored, harm has occurred, surely punishment and meditation upon the rule-breaking that took place is to follow?”

“Wangji! You sit there and put forth such disgraceful nonsense without even the decency to show remorse?

Carefully maintaining perfect posture he turned to face his spluttering Shufu, eyes kept lowered in what surely looked like respect. “The precepts are to be upheld by all in the Lan sect. This has not been adhered to. This Wangji feels great remorse that this has been the case.”

“You dare to be so unfilial? Are you so desperate to meet with the discipline rulers!?” 

“This one is happy to serve punishment for errors made. As any other Lan would be once made aware of their errors.” Xiongzhang gave out a soft noise.

Lan Wangji kept his gaze trained on the matting and so could only guess at what kept his Uncle from raising a similar commotion to the uproar outside the library pavilion.

“Wangji. These are serious claims.” Ah, that was Xiongzhang’s best negotiation voice, there was surely some frantic placating taking place outside of Lan Wangji’s eyeline.

“Mnn. I would not have troubled you without due consideration.”

“I will make sure to review them with care. Will you give us time to do so before any decisions are made?”

“As Xiongzhang wishes.” He had little hope that the situation would play out in the way he would wish, but he took comfort from having made his point as emphatically as possible. He took his leave with another perfectly executed bow.

Lan Wangi found himself tasked with copying out the entirety of Virtue and Conduct three times- with all entries regarding filial piety to be copied ten times - a penalty lenient enough that Xiongzhang must have intervened against Uncle’s harsher suggestions.

The argument and Wei Ying’s subsequent departure was widely- and wildly- talked about amongst the guest disciples (and somewhat more discreetly between the Sect ones) but was never officially addressed by either the Elders or Lecturers, leaving people to draw their own conclusions over what had taken place and who was in the right. Lan Wangji suspected he had forced his Uncle into a deadlock, knowing that his own misconduct would be examined if he spoke out unfairly against Wei Ying but outright rejecting the idea that any of Lan Wangji’s criticisms could be valid. Shufu had certainly taken to pointing out numerous perceived faults of Lan Wangji’s whenever they happened to be within earshot of each other while also refusing to acknowledge or speak directly to him. He couldn’t help thinking that was rather ill-advised on his Uncle’s part, as Lan Wangji himself had much more practise with passive aggressively ignoring others, and his own pointed silence in return seemed to infuriate Shufu to a much greater degree. It was somewhat embarrassing to have this familial dispute played out in front of the curious gazes of everyone attending the lectures but also less embarrassing that giving tacit approval to what had occurred, so Lan Wangji found it in him to rise to the occasion.

Needless to say returning to the lectures seemed a waste of everyone’s time and patience, and no-one was mourning his absence there. While others had rarely sought out his company before, their distinct avoidance was even more noticeable after his recent glut of socialisation alongside Wei Ying. Lan Wangji soon found himself retreating into old habits. Even after he had (easily) completed his copying punishment he still often studied alone in the library, taking some solace in continuing the research Wei Ying had encouraged him to explore. He spent a lot of time practicing his guqin, trying not to think about the piece Wei Ying had been so pleased with developing but never had the chance to share with him. He let himself wander the back hills and furthest reaches of Cloud Recesses, wondering occasionally whether he should check on the integrity of the perimeter wards.

Once he came across Nie Huaisang suspiciously close to the bounds laid out for Guest Disciples, but his usual affected startle was curiously absent and he even invited Lan Wangji to join him as he sat beside the brook. He accepted without really knowing why and they spent several pleasant minutes in silence before the Nie heir spoke. “Wei-xiong liked this spot you know. He told me it reminded him of life on the mountain.” He slipped off without another word, leaving Lan Wangji contemplating the gentle babble of water over the stony riverbed, the sunlight reflecting brightly off its ever-changing surface.

Xiongzhang approached with him with the kind of wariness usually reserved for experimental talismans. Which was ridiculous, he had already let Shufu know exactly what he thought of his behaviour and so Lan Wangji had little reason to explode. Letting Jin Zixun know that he was not qualified to speak to him the second the idiot had tried to open his foolish mouth didn’t count, as that was surely what everyone felt upon being unlucky enough to interact with him.

As the days turned into weeks and little improved in the ongoing stalemate between Lan Wangji and his uncle, Xiongzhang started to gain an air of desperation. His polite smiles and gentle tones may have appeared unchanged to everyone else, but Lan Wangji was starting to see the strain behind them breaking though. It was not an easy situation for him, either as a Sect Leader mediating between prominent clan members or as a filial nephew and brother stuck in between family.

So, he was unsurprised to find himself summoned to his brother’s office and assigned a night hunt that would take him outside of Cloud Recesses tracking an unknown quantity further into Gusu. There had been reports of people unaccountably going missing from some of the more obscure settlements, spread wide enough that it was uncertain but not impossible that they could be connected. Something with the power and scope to impact such a large area would surely have left more traces of itself, but if the Lan sect were to carry out their due diligence then it should be investigated fully. He idly wondered how inappropriately happy Xiongzhang had been to see this appear on his desk; it couldn’t have been more tailored-made to keep Lan Wangji easily occupied long enough for Shufu to possibly relent a little. But he was happy to acquiesce and ensure that the matter was properly settled and the citizens of Gusu protected to the best of their sect’s ability.

Several days and several settlements later and Lan Wangji had made surprisingly little headway into definitively identifying the situation one way or another. The little he could glean from the remote villages he had visited was that yes people had indeed gone missing, that no bodies or signs of a struggle had been found and that very little seemed to connect those who had disappeared. They had all been outside when it occurred rather than taken from their homes but apart from that they were different ages, different occupations, married and unmarried, and spread out across the local area in no pattern he could clearly discern. Well-established forests featured heavily in this part of Gusu and there was a sizable river making its way from north to south across it, but nothing specifically pointed to either of these habitats or common yao found in them.

He rose on the fourth morning deciding a change of approach was in order. If scouting for information had proved fruitless then a more active search was needed. He set out from his sparse camp that morning towards his best approximation of a focal point for the incidents, this time stopping every half an hour to take readings of the resentful energy in the area. It was a laborious and time-consuming way to go about things, but probably the best way to rule out that there wasn’t anything significantly dangerous enough to leave civilians at risk if the Lan chose not to pursue this further.

He had registered nothing substantial for the first half of the day, as to be expected, but the first reading after for a quick lunch showed the resentment rising, although not to concerning levels. He carried onwards, attempting it again another few miles further into the forest to find that it had continued to rise steadily, roughly in the direction of the north-east if he had interpreted it correctly. Perhaps there truly was something behind all the seemingly disparate incidents, that had somehow managed to conceal itself effectively until now.

He moved forward with more wariness now, drawing Bichen and keeping his senses attuned to any spiritual activity taking place around him. There would always be naturally occurring spiritual fluctuations waning and waxing, but this should hopefully provide some warning before anything powerful was able to make its way close by.

He had just stepped into one of the frequent glades scattered throughout the woods when he felt a spike of spiritual power on the edge of his awareness. It didn’t feel resentful, and could be caused by any number of things, but Lan Wangji paused to try and take stock. As far as he could tell it was strong and seemed to be getting closer. He glanced around to see if there was any coverage or tactical advantage to be found nearby but they seemed limited unless he wanted to retreat into the treetops. He was considering the merits of this when a voice came out of seemingly nowhere.

“Hello Lan-er-gongzi.”

On moment the clearing was empty, the next Wei Ying somehow stood before him. He was stunningly beautiful. The previously gentle wind picked up, sending the veil of Wei Ying’s weimao and the long tails of his hair ribbon dancing up and away in the dappled sunlight. Lan Wangji felt like he could barely breathe.

This shouldn’t be a surprise. He had seen this face every day for months on end, there should be nothing novel about the warmth of Wei Ying’s eyes, the perfect curve of his cheek or the laughing smile of his mouth.

But coming across him so unexpectedly like this, Wei Ying’s presence hit him all at once with the force of a blow to the head, knocking the sense out of him. Or knocking the sense into him perhaps, hundreds of thoughts and moments rushing together and replaying in his mind with brutal clarity as he could no longer avoid the screaming realisation. How had he gone on for so long wilfully ignoring that his world was being thrown into disarray? Was he really so stubborn as to not even let himself acknowledge what had been taking place?

Yes, actually, unfortunately that sounded frustratingly like him.

“Lan-xiong? Lan-er-gege? Lan Zhan?!” Oh, yes, Wei Ying was expecting a response, and looking increasingly concerned. He managed a nod in acknowledgement.

“Aiyah Lan Zhan you had me worried there, what’s going on behind that handsome face of yours eh?” Lan Wangji could not possibly express what was taking place in his mind currently, even if he’d had any inclination to do so, and he hastily settled on the first thought that was both true and unlikely to throw him into emotional turmoil.

“It is good to see you Wei Ying.”

“Ok now I know you’re not yourself, the great Lan-er-gongzi surely wouldn’t be moved to miss this one after barely three weeks!” That teasing smile was once again splashed across his face as if he’d never had a care in the word, no shadow of their last meeting hanging over him.

“Ridiculous” he murmured, not quite having regained a firm hold over his own thoughts and not entirely certain if he was referring to Wei Ying and himself with that last statement.

“You wouldn’t recognise me if I wasn’t!” Fine, Wei Ying was going to decide that for him. On to more important matters

“Are you well Wei Ying?”

“Oh I’m fine, I’m fine,” he waved off airily, “just getting on by you know. But what are you doing out here of all places?”

“I am following reports of missing people in the area. We at first thought there must be mundane causes, but I have started finding signs of unusual resentment in the area.”

Wei Ying’s face was always so expressive, and as he spoke Lan Wangji could almost see the switch from eagerly interested to something akin to bashful. He detachedly registered that the fact he took such detailed interest in Wei Ying’s face was another blindingly obvious tip-off, and one that he surely should have taken more notice of.

“Ah, well, in that case I might know something about that. Tell me again what you know so far?” Lan Wangji managed to hold on to his coherence long enough to explain and then Wei Ying was jumping on to his sword and telling him to follow. How could Lan Wangji do anything else?

Wei Ying took them up over the tree-line, heading in a similar direction to the one Lan Wangji had been aiming towards but slightly more towards the river if Lan Wangji had understood his maps correctly. As they flew further the sense of strong resentful started to press upon his spiritual cognition, but Wei Ying did not slow down and Lan Wangji trusted his guidance. By the time they came into land the air around them was thick with it, Wei Ying giving a shake as if he felt it physically.

“Don’t worry, it’s constrained.” Was all the explanation he gave before pulling Lan Wangji towards the jutting edge of a gorge sticking out above the river.

Lan Wangji had dealt with innumerable water ghouls, drowned spirits and yao that made the ever-dangerous waterways and bodies of water their miserable home. But he had never seen anything of the size and sheer strength of the awful creature that writhed down below them, churning up the blackened water as its countless rotting limbs flailed around it. He dragged the two of them back instinctively.

“Lan Zhan, look, it’s ok, well it’s not ok, this thing should never be allowed to exist but for now I’ve got it restrained in this section of the river, and I included a cloaking element to the wards so it doesn’t even know we’re here, it won’t react to us.”

“Is that truly…?” It seemed too implausible to voice out loud, but what else could it plausibly be?

“A Waterborne Abyss? Yeah, I think so, I’ve never seen one before but it’s got all the makings of one hasn’t it?

Lan Wangji didn’t know where to begin. “Wei Ying. How?”

“How did it end up here? That’s what I’ve been wondering too, even those disappearances you mentioned don’t account for something of this size.”

“No, you misunderstand me. How did you manage to restrain something like this?”

“Ah, well this was a tough one, I won’t lie. I was approaching from the east following some requests that sound quite similar to yours actually, maybe this counts as us finally night-hunting together? I’ve been working on a few tracking devices lately and this was my first proper chance to test them out. I thought I must have messed up the sensitivity ranges as they kept pointing to something ridiculously powerful but then I was flying across the river and suddenly something tried to drag me down into it. I wasn’t close mind you, I was quite high up at this point and it still had the reach for it. I managed to wriggle my way out but then obviously I had to do something about the monstrosity just waiting to get anyone unlucky enough to get close.” Wei Ying always talked with his hands as well as his words, and at this he gestured dismissively, as if anyone could be expected to take on one of the most dangerous known resentful creatures alone.

“First it made sense to leave myself less of a target, so I used some cloaking talismans so I could get close without it realising. After watching it for a while it seemed to be moving further downriver, and that didn’t seem to bode well for anybody, so I decided to try and keep it fixed in one place. I scouted further downriver until it narrowed a little, and that’s where I set up wards blocking resentful energy. They’re a bit of a patch-job from a few others I’ve seen but they’re working so far. Like I’ve said I linked them in with some cloaking and dampening elements so hopefully it’s less likely to react if someone gets too close, and I was just figuring out where to set up a maze array in case anyone does come near when I ran into you.”

How many times was Wei Ying going to render Lan Wangji speechless? Somehow his brilliance and beauty and absolutely ridiculous but stunningly effective approach to all things seemed to rob the already few words out of Lan Wangji’s mouth. At his prolonged silence Wei Ying started to look uneasy, the happy confidence draining out of his stance a little.

“What, do you think I should have gone about it another way?” How did Lan Wangji find himself so skilled in some areas and apparently so completely incompetent at making himself understood?

“Wei Ying, you have to know this is brilliant. I can’t think of anything you could have done differently, and I couldn’t have thought up what you’ve achieved in the first place. Not one in a hundred cultivators could have managed this, not one in a thousand in all likelihood. But you should not…”

“Should not have what, Lan Zhan?” Wei Ying declared, a hint of steel coming into his voice and manner, “Should not have interfered in Sect business? Do you know how many lives I can trace back to this monstrosity in just the last week? I’m glad they finally got around to sending you but not everyone can wait for Sects to decide they’re a priority!”

“You should not have had to face this alone.” Wei Ying’s face softened again into something warmer. “This was a powerful foe; it would have been prudent to have had backup.”

“Well, you know me Lan Zhan, I can handle myself.” Wei Ying settled back into his teasing manner, his serious tone flung aside now it was clear that Lan Wangji was concerned merely for his own safety, a thing he disregarded with worrying ease. Something in Lan Wangji flashed hot and angry.

“You could have been hurt.” Wei Ying’s mouth dropped open. “You could have been seriously injured and nobody would have known.”

“Ah, but who would want to know Lan Zhan?”

The answer flowed out of him as easily as breathing. “I would.”

Wei Ying didn’t seem to have a ready answer to that, and for once Lan Wangji wasn’t the only one left struggling for words. Lan Wangji took the opportunity to let him know just how great a tragedy he’d averted with his actions.

“This river runs down to Caiyi lake. If it had continued unchecked it would have preyed upon the whole town, the fishing boats and the river merchants there. You’ve saved untold lives with what you’ve accomplished here.” Lan Wangji offered a bow of thanks on behalf of all of Gusu Lan.

“Lan Zhan!” Wei Ying squeaked, pulling him out of his bow and proceeding to flap his arms around red-faced, as if he could waft Lan Wangji’s words away with his flailing hands. Lan Wangji tried not to notice how well the blush suited him and continued. 

“The site will have to be drained and the core of abyss exposed, but that can be done relatively easily by diverting the river path, the Lan have the resources to carry that out quickly.”

“Are the Lan going to want anything to do with a hunt I’ve been involved in?” Lan Wangji hoped his stare conveyed his disbelief that Wei Ying even had to ask, but decided to verbalise it to leave no chance of misunderstanding.

“There is a catastrophically powerful resentful creature on lands under Gusu Lan’s protection, of course the Lan will be involved in subduing it once it is made known to them. Your involvement would not alter that fact either way, but there are many in the sect who would see association with your work as a further incentive rather than a discouragement.”

Wei Ying blew an escaping lock of hair out of his eyes in apparent defeat “I don’t know what’s happened to you recently Wangji-xiong, you keep saying all these outrageous things with a straight face. Where did you learn all this?”

“Wei Ying is a great teacher.” That earned him a snort of laughter this time.

Oh, he wanted this. He wanted the chance to make Wei Ying laugh, to see more of his brilliance in action, to be alongside him as he casually carried out legendary feats of cultivation instead of catching up to him out of pure luck. He wanted to watch the red rise in his cheeks as he was complimented and fly out behind him as his bright ribbon fluttered.

There were certain procedures that needed to be followed, as he had said there was no way Gusu Lan would leave this unresolved once they knew but they would need to be informed. But beyond that he had no pressing reason for returning to Cloud Recesses, in fact had every reason not to be there until his Uncle finally ate his words. And he had always been told to take on every opportunity to expand his learning and skills… 

“Wei Ying, do you remember Xiongzhang saying you could act as my training partner when you first arrived?”

Wei Ying sent him a bemused look. “Yes, now you mention it. Didn’t get very far with that did we? We never even had the chance to spar together in the end, very rude of you to deprive us of that you know.”

“We were interrupted. How would you feel about re-locating our training to a less theoretical setting?” As he watched a smirk grew on Wei Ying’s face, a similar glimmer appearing in his eyes as Lan Wangji had spotted on first introducing him to the library pavilion.

“Then this laoshi looks forward to working with Lan-er-gongzi. As a wise instructor once told me, I make no promises to go easy on you!” Wei Ying’s laughter rolled over him and Lan Wangji let himself break out into an easy smile of his own.