The war was over.
Now came the aftermath.
Jiang Yanli barely remembered the first few days. She'd come to Qishan with the rest of the supporting forces and immediately focused on the injured. When she wasn't there she was tending to A-Xian in his private room.
The only time she rested was when A-Cheng came back to watch over A-Xian. Her brother took on the tough responsibility of observing the funeral rites for the dead. It made sense now that she knew about Wen Qing. Of course he wanted to see to the dead to ensure she wasn't among them. And there were so many dead.
Both of them didn't know what happened politically those first few days. A-Cheng was rarely included in the meetings between Zewu-Jun, Chifeng-Zun, and Jin Guangshan. At the time, they'd been grateful they could spend more time with their unconscious brother.
Now, she wondered if it was deliberate. If they'd already decided A-Xian was too powerful and the Jiang Sect didn't need more power.
Nie Mingjue woke up in Lan Xichen's lap. He smiled, "Xichen."
Lan Xichen smiled back, "You're finally awake."
If San-ge wanted to kill Da-ge, then he wouldn't have woken up. Or he'd have required immediate medical attention rather than just using Er-ge as a pillow.
Nie Huaisang tentatively decided to let this be. This was between his brother and his brother's sworn brother.
His focus should be on Jin Guangshan.
Besides, as long as his brother looked at Er-ge that way, there was no way he would approve of him arranging the death of San-ge. Er-ge would never allow it.
He stiffened, "Jiang-xiong, do any of your disciples have writing supplies?"
"What do you think?" Jiang Cheng crossed his arms.
Nie Huaisang rolled his eyes, "So unprepared."
"Here, Nie-gongzi," One of his disciples passed it up.
He kept it short and simple. Da-ge was willing to give up his saber soon. He didn't clarify soon, not if it would push San-ge to committing patricide in some weird version of penance. If he actually felt guilty about any of this, which was again, not Nie Huaisang's problem.
Nie Mingjue noticed Meng Yao kneeling with Baxia. Meng Yao rose and retreated as Nie Mingjue pushed himself up. With Lan Xichen's assistance, he got to his feet.
"Hand me the blade," Nie Mingjue demanded as Meng Yao averted his gaze.
"Nie-zongzhu," Meng Yao offered Baxia, "Let me explain."
Nie Mingjue took it and swung it back to strike.
Lan Xichen stepped between them, "Mingjue-xiong."
The first time Chifeng-Zun raised his blade as though to execute Meng Yao, he'd stopped himself.
The second time looked much more sincere.
While it was obvious now why there was such tension between the three sworn brothers, they couldn't help but wonder how that ceremony came together. There was simply too much hurt and betrayal between the oldest and the youngest.
Did they both care for Zewu-Jun that much?
Nie Mingjue stabbed Baxia into the ground.
"Nie-zongzhu, your wounds are still fresh," Meng Yao protested.
"Xichen, this is none of your business," Nie Mingjue pressed a hand to his chest, "When you were killing the Nie disciples-"
"I had no choice at that moment," Meng Yao protested.
"You had no choice?" Nie Mingjue growled, "It was always your choice whether to kill them or not."
"Was it really up to me?" Meng Yao asked, "Nie-zongzhu, if we could have changed out situations-"
"We couldn't!" Nie Mingjue interrupted, lifting Baxia again.
Meng Yao gripped Lan Xichen's robes tightly. Lan Xichen raised his voice, "Mingjue-xiong!"
"Xichen! Get out of the way!"
"Calm down!"
Nie Mingjue physically shoved Lan Xichen out of the way.
"Zewu-Jun," Meng Yao closed his eyes, not defending himself.
He didn't have to, as Lan Xichen blocked the blow meant to kill him, "Mingjue-xiong."
"Would you have let him do it?" Jin Zixuan asked.
His brother accepted his death in the Unclean Realm, but this was different. This time he had killed far more, and his justifications were far more dubious. Still, for someone who could be vicious and deceitful, he couldn't tell if Guangyao was acting here. Did he know Zewu-Jun would protect him if he acted weak?
Or did some part of him accept this as long as it was from Chifeng-Zun? Meng Yao had been a trusted deputy in the Unclean Realm. Surely there was some lingering gratitude for the promotion, which obviously was contested if that Captain was any indication.
"I couldn't do anything to stop him," Guangyao answered.
He barely tried to. Was it out of any lingering gratitude for the kindness shown to him?
Guangyao spied and killed for Zewu-Jun out of gratitude for kindness. What was so different about Chifeng-Zun?
Lan Xichen calmed himself, "Mingjue-xiong. What are you doing this for?"
"What for? Back then, after he was kicked out of Qinghe, I was wondering why I couldn't find him," Nie Mingjue thundered, "It turns out that he became a Wen underling and has been helping the tyrant in Nightless City."
"Mingjue-xiong," Lan Xichen repeated, "Do you know who gave you the Wen Sect's map at that time? Do you know who was our source of information all this time?" Nie Mingjue wavered, "Today, I received A-Yao's message so I could make it to the Palace with Wangji. I was right to have trusted him."
"It was him who schemed to let Wen Ruohan's guard down and seized the opportunity to kill Wen Ruohan," Lan Xichen explained.
"Him?" Nie Mingjue slowly retracted Baxia.
Lan Xichen shouldn't have thought the matter was so simple.
Killing Wen Ruohan had been Da-ge's obsession for over a decade. It concerned him how much of his life had revolved around vengeance. He'd thought Wen Ruohan's death would have been enough to convince Da-ge to put aside his other grievances with A-Yao. He thought they could finally move out from under the Wen Sect's shadow.
He should have realized neither of his sworn brothers were the type to move on easily.
Lan Xichen himself didn't understand how they felt until now.
A paperman landed on his table, holding a little note rolled up. It set it down and waved.
It had to be Huaisang. Just another thing he picked up from Wei Wuxian.
He accepted the note, and the talisman waited patiently. It wasn't a long message. It only told him that Da-ge was willing to stop his cultivation path for a few conditions.
A-Yao frowned at it, "What conditions?"
Lan Xichen didn't know. He presumed that was between the Nie brothers.
"Mingjue-xiong, after the incident at Qinghe, A-Yao always felt remorseful, so he was afraid to run into you," Lan Xichen continued, "I was escaping Cloud Recesses and he saved my life. Later on, he managed to sneak into the QishanWen, approached Wen Ruohan, and then wrote me letters secretly."
"At first, I didn't know who was sending me letters. Then I realized who it was after spotting a few hints in his letters," Lan Xichen kept looking between the two, "Didn't you tell Mingjue-xiong all of this?"
"Zewu-Jun," Meng Yao replied, "You saw it. In that sort of situation, even if I had said it, Nie-zongzhu wouldn't have believed me." He gripped Lan Xichen's sleeve, then stepped aside.
There were only two people Jin Guangyao would accept death from.
Da-ge and Er-ge.
For Da-ge, it was complicated. At first, he had respected him. It was a rare man to support a bastard over those of established lineages. Then he realized that Nie Mingjue seemed oblivious to the continued difficulties he faced after promotion. He was so arrogant to think being his trusted second was enough for him to be respected.
When the Captain continued to bully him, when a good number of the disciples did as well...when the only person who genuinely seemed to like him was Huaisang, he figured out the mighty Chifeng-Zun never would have noticed at all if it hadn't been for that day in the caves.
It made his kindness seem a lot more like pity. Jin Guangyao wasn't sure he would accept death from him anymore, now that he saw more of his hypocrisy, but Da-ge wasn't as set against him as he used to be either.
Er-ge was just too kind.
Jin Guangyao didn't think he could live in a world where he wasn't worth even a little of his kindness.
Meng Yao went down on his knees, "Nie-zongzhu, what I just did here was to gain his trust and to cover my identity. But I did hurt you and said awful things. I knew you still grieved what happened to your father and I purposefully brought it up."
"You shouldn't kneel to me," Nie Mingjue turned away, "But to those who were killed by you."
"Wen Ruohan was atrocious," Meng Yao said, "If there is something that is against his will, he would go insane. If I wanted to be trusted by him, when he was insulted I couldn't stay silent."
"Fair enough," Nie Mingjue looked down on him, "It seems you've been quite used to barking for him."
"Mingjue-xiong," Lan Xichen interjected, "While working in Qishan, A-Yao couldn't help doing undesirable actions. I believe when he was doing such things, deep in his heart," Baxia trembled again, "He must have been-"
Nie Mingjue swung his blade, but only cut through a lantern.
Meng Yao kept his eyes closed for a moment longer, then turned to look at it.
With that final warning, Nie Mingjue left and Meng Yao could sit back.
And so he escaped again.
Madam Jin shared a look with her husband. Finally, he seemed to grasp just how dangerous his bastard was.
A little too late.
Now he'd dug his claws into A-Xuan. He'd found the only way out. A-Xuan was finally standing up for himself, trying to use the approval he'd earned during the war to make a play for Sect Leader. It might even work.
Especially if he thought he had the bastard's support.
When Wei Wuxian woke up, he found himself in a bed. His sister was waiting next to him, "A-Xian," She moved up onto the bed, "A-Xian, you're awake. How do you feel? Do you feel any discomfort?"
"Shijie," He stared at her, "What time is it now?"
Jiang Yanli smiled, "You've been asleep for three days." He sat up, and she half-scolded him, "A-Xian."
A slightly more pleasant sight to wake up to than Nie Mingjue got.
Not that it was unpleasant to see Xichen. Ever. It was simply that he was the one who told Xichen that Meng Yao was a good, trustworthy person. They may have only interacted twice before Meng Yao went and saved his life, but maybe Xichen wouldn't have been so complimentary or attentive if Nie Mingjue hadn't mentioned him in a few letters.
It was unpleasant to realize he had, at one point, wanted Xichen and Meng Yao to be friends.
Just not like that. Not after he knew how duplicitous Meng Yao could be. Especially not when Meng Yao became Jin Guangyao.
He wished he'd just stayed unconscious and woken up to Huaisang. His younger brother would have sat on him and explained just who Jin Guangyao was before he could pull his saber out and do anything stupid. Then Xichen wouldn't have thought he needed to play mediator constantly.
Xichen wouldn't have stayed so close to Jin Guangyao if he didn't feel like he was making up for Nie Mingjue's rejection.
"Three days?" He asked as he struggled to sit up, "Jiang Cheng? Lan Zhan?"
"Don't worry," Jiang Yanli assured him, "They're all safe."
Wei Wuxian brought his hand up to his chest, still looking uncertain.
"Oh," Nie Huaisang sighed, "He thought we found out."
Jiang Cheng frowned, his hand coming up to his chest, "How did we not find out?"
He was unconscious for three days. Multiple healers came to see him. Sure, Jiang Cheng and A-Jie didn't let them stay for too long. There were already whispers that Wei Wuxian was too powerful. He didn't want anyone to kill him in his weakened state, but Hanguang-Jun came with a Lan healer in tow.
It was hard to tell him no. It was like when Wei Wuxian was missing, but somehow worse because he was there, he just wouldn't wake up.
Wen Qing shrugged.
"He was depleted of spiritual energy," Hanguang-Jun frowned, "Considering the power he used, it wasn't inexplicable."
Jiang Cheng should have figured it out.
"A-Xian," Jiang Yanli gripped his arm, "The Wen Sect has been eliminated. There's nothing to worry about. The most important thing for you now is to rest. When you were in a coma these past few days, both A-Cheng and Lan-er-gongzi were very worried about you. Even Jin-zongzhu came to see you several times."
"Jin Guangshan?" Wei Wuxian clarified, looking disturbed.
"Jin-zongzhu rushed over from Lanling. He said he would take troops to chase the remaining evil of the Wen Sect," Jiang Yanli continued.
Wei Wuxian scoffed, "I didn't see him during the Sunshot Campaign. Now he's so enthusiastic about it."
"A-Xian," Jiang Yanli scolded, "Being spiteful is not right."
"Okay, Shijie," Wei Wuxian sulked, then made to swing his legs around.
He had every right to be spiteful.
Many in the room felt a similar stab of annoyance. It was obvious now who truly contributed to the Sunshot Campaign, and the rewards didn't match the contributions.
Jin Guangshan didn't deserve to be Chief Cultivator.
She grabbed him, "You don't need to get up now. Lan-er-gongzi said that you've spent too much spiritual energy using the amulet." Wei Wuxian's eyes widened, "Even if you woke up, you still have to rest for a few days."
"Shijie," Wei Wuxian looked her up and down, "You knew about it too?"
Jiang Yanli brushed his hair off his face, "I didn't know my A-Xian has been so good, but you can't use the amulet anymore." He nodded in agreement, "Lan-er-gongzi said it could consume too much power and is bad for your temperament."
"Lan-er-gongzi, Lan-er-gongzi, Lan-er-gongzi," Wei Wuxian repeated, "Why do you keep mentioning him today? He's a boring person," Yet he was grinning, "He doesn't talk much."
"You're being naughty again," Jiang Yanli interjected, "These past few days, when you were in a coma, Lan-er-gongzi came every morning and evening and played for you to relax your mind and spirit. If he hadn't done that, I'm afraid you wouldn't have woken up so soon."
Wei Wuxian's smile faded.
Wei Ying thought he knew.
Lan Wangji's hands curled into fists. If there was ever a time for them to have found out, it should have been then. Jiang Wanyin and Jiang Yanli were overly cautious of anyone wanting to see their brother, and Lan Wangji had become...overprotective. He'd worried the healers would find something worse to condemn his beloved.
Instead, they could have unravelled all mysteries and gotten Wei Ying the help he needed.
Not that he was sure what he would have said. He would have waited for Wei Ying to wake up before demanding an explanation for his missing core.
Or maybe he would have lied to Jiang Yanli and stolen him away to Cloud Recesses. Some part of him knew Wei Ying wouldn't use demonic cultivation against him, and if he'd known that was all he had…
Lan Wangji should have taken better care of him.
There was a knock on the door. Jiang Yanli smiled, "That must be Lan-er-gongzi."
Wei Wuxian once again looked alarmed, but he struggled into a better sitting position as Jiang Yanli let Lan Wangji in.
Lan Wangji's eyes widened in surprise to find Wei Wuxian awake. Wei Wuxian averted his gaze nervously. Neither said anything as Jiang Yanli dismissed herself after thanking him.
They were both silent for a long moment, then Lan Wangji wordlessly set up his guqin and started playing.
"Lan Zhan," Wei Wuxian started, "Actually, I-"
"Be quiet," Lan Wangji interrupted, "Concentrate."
Wei Wuxian tapped the end of his nose, then drew his legs up to meditate. He listened to the music for the duration of the song. Lan Wangji occasionally glanced his way as his spiritual energy filled the room. At the end of his song, Wei Wuxian stretched his wrists, "Lan Zhan, I'm fine."
Lan Xichen let out a deep sigh.
The music couldn't have helped much. There was no spiritual energy for it to boost. It might have relaxed him, given his mind more focus, but really that smile must have been for Wangji. Just another lie to try and convince him he was fine.
If he was fine, then Wei Wuxian could keep Wangji away.
Just like Da-ge did. For years he'd had him convinced he was fine, and Lan Xichen didn't look closer into preventing his qi deviation.
For over a year now too, A-Yao convinced him everything was fine so he wouldn't look closer.
There was something to be said about respecting others' boundaries and not pushing where he wasn't welcome, but if Lan Xichen had been a little more suspicious, a little more demanding...could he have gotten the truth earlier?
There was going to be a new Chief Cultivator once this was all said and done. It was highly likely people would expect him to step up. He had a milder temper than Da-ge, and he was older than Jiang Wanyin and Jin Zixuan.
How could he dare take the position when he was so easily blinded?
How could he ever trust another with that power either?
Lan Wangji walked over to him, "Three more days are needed."
Wei Wuxian stood, "I'm really fine. Look." He stretched and bent his arms.
"Exorcise evil. Ease the mind," Lan Wangji quoted, "Don't be neglectful."
"Exorcise evil?" Wei Wuxian repeated incredulously, "I don't need an exorcism. I've just spent too much spiritual power." Wei Wuxian's expression fell, and he brought a hand up to his chest.
"Wei Ying," Lan Wangji brought him back.
So it still bothered him.
Not enough to lose control like before, at least not yet.
More in the room were dreading the truth behind Qiongqi Pass. They'd been misinformed about Wen Qing. They'd wrongly assumed that Wei Wuxian's Amulet came from Xue Yang's Yin Iron. The Jin Sect's contribution to the war was largely exaggerated. As were the heroics of the others. The war wasn't glorious, it was desperate.
They wouldn't be surprised if Wei Wuxian's crimes were more rumor than truth.
After all, now that they were suspicious, they noticed that none of the guards were there. Why wouldn't they come to lend more truth to Wei Wuxian's condemnation?
"Lan Zhan," Wei Wuxian sobered, "Do you also think the Stygian Tiger Amulet is evil and can disturb people's minds?" He paused, "But in this world, is there really such an undetectable thing that can change people's minds from loyalty to treachery or from good to evil?"
Before Lan Wangji could respond, they heard a shout from outside, "Kill them!"
Wei Wuxian turned towards the door, "They're catching people?"
"Chasing the Wen Sect's remaining evil," Lan Wangji said.
"Where are those three shards of Yin Iron?" Wei Wuxian asked.
"Destroyed," Lan Wangji answered.
The shouts got louder and both looked unsettled.
An undetectable thing that could change people's minds from good to evil.
Jin Zixuan couldn't help but apply those words to his Sect. Rumors were such a thing.
He felt his stomach churn, knowing the shouts the two just heard were likely Wen civilians about to be slaughtered by his Sect's disciples. Under his father's orders. Carried out happily by those who blindly carried out orders. The cowards who didn't fight at all in the war but were more than willing to kill when the target wasn't fighting back.
"Don't be rash," A-Li warned, "The time will come."
He nodded tightly. The time would come, and then he would have to make a decision.
Jin Zixuan had already decided his father needed to be removed from power. Whether he would face execution or not...well, that was something for Chifeng-Zun and Zewu-Jun to lead an inquiry on.
Then he'd decide whether to renounce his brother and have him share in that fate, or decide on something else. He had to be punished. That much was clear from the Sunshot Campaign, but he also deserved the chance to rise again. What punishment could do so without being too lenient?
Lan Xichen stood with Jin Guangshan and Nie Mingjue in the empty throne room.
Jin Guangshan approached, "Lan-zongzhu, chasing the remaining evil is easy. You don't have to bother. I will get it done properly by myself."
"But I just heard a woman's voice," Lan Xichen protested, "Catching the remaining evil doesn't need to include the defenseless Sect members."
"Xichen," Nie Mingjue said, "I know that you're a kind person, but even if we destroy the Wen Sect, there are numerous followers all over the land. You and I conquered Nightless City, but they might take advantage when we relax our guard. They might reunite and fight for the Wen Sect while we're busy settling down."
Lan Xichen looked as though he might argue, but just closed his mouth.
"The Lan Sect has always preferred civilizing people," Nie Mingjue continued, "What Xichen said was not unreasonable. Jin-zongzhu, how about letting go of these defenseless members of the Wen Sect?"
"That was your decision?" Wen Qing couldn't help but ask.
She'd thought...well, she'd thought her people were universally condemned. She thought that Zewu-Jun hadn't put up a protest because he trusted his sworn brothers. She'd thought Chifeng-Zun was too caught up in his vengeance to care if innocents were killed.
"I'd like an answer to that as well," Jiang Wanyin sat up, lending her his authority, "I was under the impression that to bear the name Wen was a death sentence."
"That wasn't what we agreed to at all," Zewu-Jun claimed.
Jiang Wanyin snorted, "How was I supposed to know?"
It was somewhat heartening to know Jiang Wanyin wasn't included in these discussions at all.
Zewu-Jun flinched, "We didn't mean to exclude you-"
"It's not an oversight if it happens repeatedly," Jiang Wanyin interrupted.
"Would you have objected?" Jin Guangshan asked.
"It depends on how this discussion goes," The young Sect Leader growled.
Jin Guangshan chuckled, "Chifeng-Zun, Zewu-Jun, there is nothing wrong with considering benevolence first, but don't forget that though the Wen Sect is gone and the Yin Iron destroyed, there is still one shard missing. We cannot ignore it. That great of power doesn't need further elaboration."
"If," He turned towards them, "And I mean if, it fell into the hands of the remaining Wen or other people with ambition, it would bring disaster. Therefore, to capture the Wen is to find out the whereabouts of the Yin Iron."
Nie Mingjue saluted, "Jin-zongzhu has thought about it very thoroughly."
"Jin-zongzhu," Lan Xichen noted, "What do you mean by people with ambition?"
"He meant Wei Wuxian," A-Xuan huffed, "Here I thought the Jin Sect could show gratitude."
Jiang Yanli wished there was something she could do, but she was well aware of the anguish of being unable to stop a family member. At least she'd always known A-Xian was a good person at heart.
"We agreed it was right to suspect him," Jin Guangshan narrowed his eyes, "After all, who could have guessed there were more pieces of Yin Iron?"
"I did," A-Li smiled politely.
"Guangyao, did you ever question Wei Wuxian directly?" A-Xuan demanded.
"No," Lianfeng-Zun answered after a slight hesitation.
"Did you ask Jiang Wanyin?" Her husband followed up, "If anyone could enlighten you about Wei Wuxian's ambitions, it would be his brother and Sect Leader."
Lianfeng-Zun lowered his gaze, "No. I would never dare question a Sect Leader."
That was a job for another Sect Leader. It was Jin Guangshan's role to request relevant information from A-Cheng.
A-Xuan snorted, "Wei Wuxian saved us all, and less than a week later you are all suspecting him of...what? Wanting to grab power? Harboring resentment against us? Who seems more guilty?"
Jiang Yanli squeezed his hand, hoping to restrain him. It was true that the one with ambition was Jin Guangshan. The one harboring resentment as well. Everything he accused A-Xian of, he was likely guilty of the same. It was just the way men like her father-in-law were like.
Jin Guangshan turned around, "Huh? Nothing. It's just that this is of great importance. We shouldn't dismiss suspicious people. Therefore, no matter if the person is from the Wen, Jin, or Jiang Sect, everyone has to be inquired one by one. I've asked A-Yao to conduct a detailed investigation."
Jin Guangshan moved closer, "To tell you the truth, A-Yao is my long-lost son. Now he's very lucky to have the chance to find his origin. How fortunate!"
"He is now renamed Jin Guangyao," Nie Mingjue said as the man entered the room with more Jin disciples. They led a group of prisoners with them.
Jin Guangyao bowed, "Zongzhu, the remaining evil from Nightless City have been captured and await justice."
"Some remaining evil," MianMian muttered.
It was her Sect at the time that carried out this mass execution. If she hadn't been under Jin Zixuan's command...if they hadn't kept him in the dark...she wasn't sure what she would have done. She probably would have tried to help some Wen civilians escape and then been exiled or executed for treason.
Qin Su bit her lip, "Why would Jin-zongzhu take charge of the investigation if he wasn't going to do it properly?"
Chifeng-Zun snorted, "It was the first position of authority he could get his hands on."
"By taking control of the clean up, he took control of recovery," Or lack thereof in the case of the Wen Sect.
"Without having to lose anything in the war," Qin Su murmured.
"Minimal loss, maximum gain," MianMian agreed.
"A-Yao," Lan Xichen stepped closer, "What is your opinion about these remaining evils?"
"I've interrogated all the rest," Jin Guangyao answered, "There is no clue about the Yin Iron. Most of them are members of the Wen Clan who have no spiritual power. I suggest we confine and monitor the old, weak, and young as long as they stop making trouble. And those who have killed ours must be executed."
"But where should we confine them?" Lan Xichen asked.
"The Wen Sect has a place called Qiongqi Pass," Jin Guangyao replied, "It's a secluded road in a valley which is easy to defend and difficult to attack. Why not keep them there?"
"So it was agreed to be imprisonment, not death," Lan Wangji said.
"Did you think I would agree to anything less?" Xichen asked.
Lan Wangji didn't answer, but he was sure his expression said it all. The war had affected his expectations of everyone. He didn't expect his brother to stand against the cultivation world if they decided on vengeance. They'd lost too much to risk losing more to another disagreement. He also knew how much influence Nie Mingjue had over Xichen.
If there was anyone who could convince him death was more suitable than imprisonment, it was Nie Mingjue.
Though it looked like the opposite was true here.
Lan Xichen nodded. Nie Mingjue huffed, "You are really familiar with it."
At his suspicion, Jin Guangyao's expression fell.
"Do as A-Yao said," Lan Xichen ordered, and there was no protest by either Sect Leader.
They simply took their leave, Jin Guangshan pausing for a moment to smile at Jin Guangyao. As soon as he was gone, his expression fell further.
"A-Yao, you don't have to take it seriously," Lan Xichen tried to comfort him, "Mingjue-xiong is typical of his kind. He resents evil and favors the good. He's just afraid you've made the wrong choice."
"Resents evil?" Jin Guangyao repeated, "Am I evil?"
That wasn't a question with a clear answer.
He killed the Nie Sect Captain. He saved Chifeng-Zun. He killed more Nie disciples. He also killed Wen Ruohan. He ran the investigation which condemned Wei Wuxian, but what authority did he have to question another Sect Leader or another Sect's Head Disciple? Did he purposely mess up the investigation or did Jin Guangshan never intend for it to succeed?
How much was the man's choices and how much was the circumstances he found himself in? What was more important? Was his pursuit of power and recognition evil in and of itself? If he weren't a bastard wouldn't those qualities be praised?
Even still, there was something about him that just seemed...unhinged.
Many were beginning to see that same cruelty in Jin Guangshan.
"I didn't mean that," Lan Xichen stammered.
"Zewu-Jun, you don't need to think about that," Jin Guangyao assured him, "I've been following Nie-zongzhu for so many years. I know what he's thinking. I never take it personally." With that, he managed a smile, "Zewu-Jun, you should go with Nie-zongzhu. Here. I'll handle it."
"Okay," Lan Xichen agreed, stopping him from bowing with a smile.
"Why did you agree to the sworn brotherhood?" Qin Su asked.
It just seemed ridiculous seeing how Chifeng-Zun distrusted Lianfeng-Zun. There didn't have to be a whole ceremony to commemorate their victory.
"Xichen insisted," Chifeng-Zun answered, "He wanted to help Jin Guangyao."
"But you didn't," She tilted her head, "Or do you not hate him as much as you seem to?"
"We worked well together for years," The intimidating man grimaced, "Then we didn't." He lowered his voice, "Sometimes I wish he'd just stayed Meng Yao."
Qin Su glanced at Jin Guangshan and shuddered. It couldn't be easy being his son. She couldn't imagine having someone like that for a father.
Wei Wuxian stood on a cliff outside the palace. He fiddled with Chenqing as Lan Wangji approached and stood by his side.
"Lan Zhan," Wei Wuxian said, his voice serious, "What do you think about the people here? Who is good and who is evil?" His breathing hitched, and he once again grabbed at his chest.
"Wei Ying," Lan Wangji grabbed his arm, "Concentrate."
Wei Wuxian closed his eyes and focused. The attack passed in time.
So he was already against their treatment of the Wen Sect.
Nie Mingjue felt another wave of shame pass over him. They'd all been in that city. There was no place where screaming couldn't be heard. Nie Mingjue just grew deaf to it until it stopped. It didn't matter to him. They deserved it in his eyes.
Typical. Just like everyone else. As though justice were a matter of public opinion and not principles.
Yet Wei Wuxian, whose thoughts should have been as clouded as his with resentment, saw clearly that this was wrong.
But no one asked him for his opinion.
"Do you have an answer, Jiang Wanyin?" Jin Guangshan asked.
"Those who have killed must be killed," Jiang Wanyin repeated, "By that logic, those who have saved lives must be saved."
Nie Mingjue doubted he would have brought up Wen Qing then, but he would have established a precedent. None of them thought anybody with the name Wen was helpful to their cause. They would have agreed thinking it wouldn't have applied to anyone.
Then, when Wen Qing came to Wei Wuxian, things would have gone differently.
"Would you like to learn the musical notation of Cleansing?" Lan Wangji offered.
Wei Wuxian turned to him, "Lan Zhan. You want me to learn Cleansing? You doubt me too, don't you?"
Lan Wangji looked off, then his gaze darted to Wei Wuxian, "When did you forge the Stygian Tiger Amulet?"
"Lan Zhan," Wei Wuxian half-smiled, "If I said that I had a Yin Iron sword in the Xuanwu Cave, would you believe it?"
"When?" Lan Wangji asked.
"When Xuanwu was killed," Wei Wuxian answered.
"When did you finish refining it?" Lan Wangji clarified, refusing to get distracted.
Wei Wuxian turned away and sighed, "Recently…"
"You knew it was Yin Iron," Lan Wangji pressed, "Why did you need to refine it?"
"Lan Zhan, enough," Wei Wuxian snapped, then looked guilty.
Why? Because it was the only way to win.
There was no other choice. Refine it and win or leave it as it was and lose.
Lan Qiren's thoughts turned to his nephews' mother. No one had ever asked her why she had killed. They only saw her actions and condemned her without further inquiry. The elders told him it was a black and white matter, and he'd been too recently shoved into the position of Sect Leader to have any sway over that decision.
He didn't realize the lack of investigation affected Wangji so much. He remembered the few times he would linger outside the Jingshi, listening to his nephews and their mother. She always sounded so happy, so kind and patient with the children.
In those moments, he would wonder how such a wonderful mother deserved imprisonment.
Then he'd remember his responsibilities, and take his nephews back. He wondered if there was a reason the elders forbade an investigation, just as the farce of Wei Wuxian's was a plot of the Jin Sect. But if it were so unfair, why wouldn't she have protested?
Or was there some secret she was protecting, just like Wei Wuxian was protecting Jiang Wanyin?
"You promised that you would let me help you," Lan Wangji reminded him.
Wei Wuxian didn't look at him, "But if you don't believe me, how can I help you?"
Wei Wuxian looked over the cliff, then turned away to leave. Lan Wangji caught his arm, "The Stygian Tiger Amulet is not orthodox. Once you get restless, you will lose control."
"Lan Zhan, are you afraid that I'll be like Wen Ruohan?" Wei Wuxian asked, "Controlled by Yin Iron? But the Stygian Tiger Amulet is not the Yin Iron, nor am I Wen Ruohan."
"He really isn't," Luo Qingyang commented.
Jin Guangshan gritted his teeth as he heard some ugly comparisons. He wasn't the same as Wen Ruohan either. He wanted control over the cultivation Sects, but he wasn't stupid enough to seek domination through brute force.
Not when there were other means.
If his reputation continued to take these hits, he wasn't sure he could get through this. Zixun still hadn't realized he was going down. His bastard likely saw where this was going, but it seemed he'd already abandoned Jin Guangshan for A-Xuan.
A-Xuan, who picked the worst time to grow a spine. He had to find a way to stamp his newfound rebellion. He wouldn't let this be his downfall.
They stared at each other. Once again, before Lan Wangji could form a response, they could hear shouting.
"Help! Please don't kill my child!"
Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji went running. They came across a group of people being hunted by Jin disciples, led by Jin Zixun. The only survivors were a woman and her child. Jin Zixun lifted his bow to shoot her.
Wei Wuxian turned to Lan Wangji, and they intervened.
"We had just agreed on imprisonment," Zewu-Jun said, "What is this, Jin-gongzi?"
"They were involved with the Yin Iron!" Jin Zixun claimed.
"Even the children?" Jiang Wanyin demanded, "How?"
"They resisted arrest," Jin Zixun said next, "We didn't dare risk them getting away."
"Is the Jin Sect so weak?" Chifeng-Zun scoffed, "If you were having such difficulties that you could not round up weakened cultivators and children, our armies were still present to assist."
Wen Qing didn't want to listen to this. She glanced hesitantly towards Jiang Wanyin, seeing his face set in stone. His protective rage reminded her of Wei Wuxian, despite their many differences. These discussions could turn against her at any time, but she was relatively safe as long as she stayed close to Jiang Wanyin. She shifted slightly closer to him.
They'd agreed on imprisonment.
It was good for her cause that the Jin Sect was already shown to be disobeying that agreement. It would go on to show the prison itself was created and run in bad faith.
It was just terrible to relive.
"Lan-er-gongzi," Jin Zixun handed his bow off, "I don't know why Lan-er-gongzi would want to help the Wen Sect."
"These are women, children, and old men," Wei Wuxian argued, "Are they also evil?"
Jin Zixun scoffed, "It's Zongzhu's orders that anyone who was involved with the Yin Iron should not be alive." Wei Wuxian almost lifted Chenqing, "Nie-zongzhu and Lan-zongzhu also agreed. Does the Jiang Sect have any objections?"
Wei Wuxian stepped forward, but Lan Wangji grabbed his arm.
Jin Zixun laughed and walked away.
"You dare speak for me?" Da-ge growled.
"There was an agreement," Jin Zixun idiotically protested.
"Yes, for those potentially involved with the Yin Iron to be questioned," Nie Huaisang opened his fan, "Not killed. I wonder, Jin-gongzi, were you given different orders or were you just too stupid to understand?"
"You-" Jin Zixun's brain finally seemed to kick in.
His next words were important. Nie Huaisang saw a few ways they could be interpreted. He could take the fall and say he misunderstood, or deliberately disobeyed because he thought the Wen Sect deserved a greater punishment. That would be just as much a death sentence as the curse he bore.
Or he could implicate someone above him. There were very few people above him.
"Why didn't Hanguang-Jun protest if he knew it was wrong?" Jin Zixun demanded.
Deflection. Such a lazy counter.
"Because the Lan Sect was significantly weakened after the war?" Nie Huaisang asked back, keeping his voice deceptively light, "Because he'd been too concerned about the love of his life being in a coma to keep up with all the decisions being made? Because you just threatened the love of his life by making it seem like any protest would ostracize the Jiang Sect?"
"Come now, Jin-gongzi," He fluttered his fan, "You said exactly what you needed to in order to make them shut up. You can't be that incompetent."
"What are you insinuating, Nie Huaisang?" Jin Guangshan asked, also deceptively light.
Oh, he didn't even get a title anymore.
"Insinuating? My brother has been clear in his meaning," Da-ge supported him, "Either Jin-gongzi is incompetent or his orders were different, and if he is not incompetent…"
"The matter will be rectified, Chifeng-Zun," Jin Zixuan promised, "Right, father?"
Jin Guangshan said nothing.
Wei Wuxian glared at Jin Zixun as he left, then sighed, "I'm afraid there will be more resentful spirits in Qishan. What is needed now is the music Rest." He gently removed Lan Wangji's hand from his arm and stormed off in the other direction.
Lan Wangji sat down and pulled out his guqin, beginning to play for the dead.
From a distance, he could hear a flute join him in a mournful accompaniment.
Jiang Cheng was acutely aware that Wen Qing was sitting closer to him.
It was distracting. Probably in a good way otherwise he would have exploded at Jin Zixun when he saw what he did to force Wei Wuxian's secrecy. As much as he wished he could have spoken freely, he was restrained by Wei Wuxian's demonic cultivation. He refused to put him at greater risk by making dramatic decisions.
Of course it went the same for Wei Wuxian. Of course he tried to not act out if it meant causing him more trouble.
Jiang Cheng should have realized before that it didn't matter if he did everything right. As long as the cultivation world was wrong, Wei Wuxian would set himself against it.
Attacking Jin Zixun would only give Jin Guangshan the opportunity to end this viewing. He wasn't sure how well the device would hold up to any damage, and wouldn't it be tragic if it was damaged because Jiang Cheng couldn't contain his temper?
So it was a good thing Wen Qing was close, but was she there to protect him from himself or for something more?
Jiang Cheng understood how hard it was to relive the destruction of one's Sect. He'd sought out his sister for comfort. Wen Qing didn't have her brother here. She only had him.
Would she welcome his comfort?
"We swear to god," Nie Mingjue stood between Lan Xichen and Jin Guangyao, "Today, the three of us will make a solemn pledge here. Live up to our Sects. Help the common people. Heaven and Earth are here to bear witness. If there is disloyalty between us, we'll be universally condemned. Both God and the people will be furious with us."
Jin Guangyao and Lan Xichen repeated his words. They knelt and kowtowed.
Lan Xichen noted the contradictions in their vows. Live up to their Sects.
How could Da-ge and A-Yao live up to their Sects and help the common people? The Nie Sect collected corpses to use as guards for their resentful, sentient sabers. The Jin Sect was corrupt, the golden tower hiding a mass of sins.
The only loyalty that existed between them was the care they both had for him.
Lan Xichen should never have insisted on this. He shouldn't have forced such a bond.
Were they already condemned? The people barely knew a fraction of the secrets and betrayals between the three of them.
Or was he the only one who actually meant his vows when he said them?
The banquet in the palace was that night.
When Lan Wangji and Lan Xichen walked into it, the Jiang trio were already talking to Jin Guangshan and Jin Guangyao. They greeted each other.
"Congratulations, Jiang-zongzhu," Lan Xichen smiled, "I believe that under your leadership, Lotus Pier will surely revive to protect the people of Yunmeng."
"You flatter me," Jiang Cheng replied, "In the future, I'd like to receive your guidance."
Lan Wangji stared at Wei Wuxian, who stared back. His eyes drifted to the white sash of mourning tied around his waist, but his attention was diverted by Nie Mingjue's arrival. He and Nie Huaisang made their greetings.
"Nie-zongzhu, why are you so late?" Jin Guangshan asked, "Everyone is waiting for you."
"I wonder why," Luo Qingyang muttered.
Chifeng-Zun snorted.
It was distasteful to dine in the halls of their enemy. It was downright insulting now that they knew this was the place where Chifeng-Zun was tormented.
"It's admirable you showed up at all," Qin Su complimented.
"Huaisang insisted," Chifeng-Zun admitted.
Her gaze flickered to the younger brother, who was still hiding slightly behind his fan. She'd already figured out he wasn't as much of an idiot as everyone thought he was. Nor was he a coward. He understood the political repercussions of missing such an event. Undoubtedly he was the reason Chifeng-Zun was even at this birth celebration.
Qin Su lowered her voice, "I don't think he's mad at you anymore."
"Do you." The larger man's voice went tense again, as though he didn't want to believe her.
"Hm," She hummed, "You were sincere in your apology and there's so much else to be angry about."
"Not being angry isn't the same as being forgiven," Chifeng-Zun pointed out.
"But it's a start," Qin Su offered him a reassuring smile.
She was much less intimidated by him the more time passed. She saw he was more than a warrior. It was hard to fear him when she'd seen his pain. It was easy to see how much he loved when he was willing to go into a sworn brotherhood with someone who caused him so much agony just to make his best friend happy.
Nie Mingjue just leveled a look at Jin Guangyao, who bowed his head, "Chifeng-Zun. Please have a seat."
"A-Yao," Lan Xichen interjected, "You've forgotten. Now that you two are sworn brothers, you should call him Da-ge."
"Yes," Jin Guangyao replied, "Er-ge, thanks for the reminder."
Lan Xichen nodded to Nie Mingjue, and Jin Guangyao tried again, "Da-ge, please."
Nie Mingjue still didn't move, "Jin-zongzhu, what do you mean?" He gestured at the throne.
"Nie-zongzhu, please have a seat so we can begin the banquet," Jin Guangshan said.
Nie Huaisang's eyebrows went up for a moment, but he turned his attention to his brother.
"Jin-zongzhu. Everybody," He raised his voice, "Although we're holding a banquet in Nightless City, I will never sit in that seat." He pointed at the throne.
Jin Guangshan laughed, "Nie-zongzhu. No wonder you are respected by all. The blame should be on me. I'm too careless. We'll rearrange our seats. Nie-zongzhu, please. Have a seat."
"Please," Nie Mingjue agreed, and everyone went into the room.
Was it carelessness or was it cruelty?
Lianfeng-Zun knew what happened in that room. He'd spilled the blood that needed to be cleaned before they could feast there. With as much input into the proceedings as he'd had, did he never think to mention that this place could be uncomfortable for Chifeng-Zun? After serving so long in the Nie Sect, he had to know how much pain and grief Wen Ruohan caused him.
It left a void that couldn't be filled just with Wen Ruohan's death.
Did Lianfeng-Zun know and not say anything? Or did he tell his father and Jin Guangshan decided to be cruel?
Refusing the throne was taken by many as Chifeng-Zun's rejection of Chief Cultivator.
Was that all a scheme of the Jin Sect?
"Wei-gongzi," Jin Guangyao stopped him and bowed, "Wei-gongzi. What did you want to say to me just now?"
"Me?" Wei Wuxian asked.
"Yes," Jin Guangyao nodded, "You seemed to want to say something to me when we were greeting each other."
"Nothing," Wei Wuxian assured him, "It's just that the weapon you held seemed to be a flexible saber when you killed Wen Ruohan. Why doesn't Jin-gongzi carry it today?"
"Wei-gongzi, I'm sorry to have made a show," Jin Guangyao apologized, "It's just the first thing I could find. Later, I found it was sinister so I threw it away."
Wei Wuxian smiled, "I see."
Jin Guangyao gestured him in, "Please."
"Please," Wei Wuxian nodded, then walked away.
"Did you really?" Er-ge whispered.
Jin Guangyao sighed, "I still have it."
Not that he had any intention of using it. He didn't need to pull out a sword to get people killed. He only carried it as a last resort.
He wondered if Wei Wuxian suspected him of lying. He wasn't as carefree as he pretended to be. He must have heard about his investigation. Maybe, if he approached this differently, he could have used it to ask about the Amulet or the missing Yin Iron.
He hadn't, because he didn't want to raise Wei Wuxian's suspicions.
Hanguang-Jun sat at his table alone for a long time, watching others interact. He then took his sword and went outside, to where Wei Wuxian drank on the steps. He stood above him.
"It's you, Lan Zhan," Wei Wuxian twirled Chenqing, "How about playing Cleansing?"
"I'm learning a new score," Lan Wangji admitted.
Wei Wuxian scoffed, "You haven't given up, have you?" He sat up, "You are really stubborn." He laughed to himself, then drank more. There came a cry of celebration behind them.
Did Wei Ying think he'd given up?
Lan Wangji hoped he hadn't given that impression, but after this...Wei Ying only saw him at the Crowd Hunt and the one time he managed to sneak away to Yiling.
Xichen said he talked to him, but given his brother's guilt about it, he'd said the wrong thing.
Wei Ying didn't know he'd been all but confined to Cloud Recesses. He heard he was mending the library, but he didn't know that was involuntary. He didn't know about his punishment after his visit. He didn't know how restricted his night hunts had become. He was no longer allowed to go anywhere alone.
Wei Ying didn't know his history. What reason did he have to suspect the Lan Sect would be so strict?
Lan Wangji once again resisted the urge to just go to the Burial Mounds now. They were entering a risky time. If Jin Guangshan decided to act before he was outed, it could spell disaster for all.
"Many Sects gathered together," Jin Guangshan started his speech, "To crusade against the Wen Sect, which had great fortune the past century. The success of the Sunshot Campaign owes its gratitude to the QingheNie, the GusuLan, and the YunmengJiang, these three Sects. Today, I'll drink first to show my respect to you."
Wei Wuxian shook his head as he listened to everyone respond to that speech, then get quiet to drink.
"Everybody, I have always been concerned about something. It was inappropriate for me to mention it before because of the war. Now the disturbance has been suppressed and I have no worries anymore," Jin Guangshan continued, "Luckily, all of you are here today, so I hope all of you can witness."
"As you all know, Jiang Fengmian and I were as close as brothers," Jin Guangshan droned on, "And my wife and Madam Yu were as close as sisters. My son, Zixuan, had been engaged to Jiang-guniang since childhood. But because of some misunderstanding, we called it off."
Some misunderstanding?
What lies!
Jin Zixuan had insulted Jiang Yanli at every turn. He'd insulted her publicly and privately. He'd made her cry and dismissed her contributions to the war effort.
Jin Zixuan was lucky Jiang Yanli loved him enough to forgive him. If her affections had been any less...well, there wouldn't be a birth to celebrate because there never would have been a marriage.
This was just another ploy by the Jin Sect to bully the Jiang Sect. What was Jiang Wanyin supposed to do? Correct Jin Guangshan and speak of past grievances openly? Be pressured into promising his sister to a man who didn't deserve her?
It was despicable.
Wei Wuxian got to his feet, walking back into the hall as he listened to the speech.
"What a pity!" Jin Guangshan lamented, "Now my friend has joined the heavens, and my wife and I both hope that the two families can become relatives by marriage again. Not only would it confort my old friend, but also I can look after his daughter, which is one of my wishes. Jiang-zongzhu, what is your opinion?"
Wei Wuxian watched Jiang Cheng stay silent.
"It's a good thing," Sect Leader Yao commented.
Others agreed.
Like sheep being herded off a cliff.
MianMian shook her head. How had they not figured out sooner what was going on? How had it taken her so long to see the evil in her own Sect? The corruption in the entire cultivation world?
The earlier anger at Jin Guangshan's audacity was fading as everyone was reminded how they were complicit in this.
They were so quick to blame when it wasn't themselves at fault. They would also be quick to forgive if it meant clemency for themselves.
Nie Huaisang sent his friend a pitying look, as did Lan Xichen. Jiang Cheng grimaced, conflicted.
"Jin-zongzhu," Wei Wuxian called, drawing attention to himself as he walked further in, "We appreciate your kindness." He made his way to the front and saluted, "Jin-zongzhu. Marriage is a lifelong matter. I assume that you should ask my Shijie first, rather than ask Jiang Cheng directly. Do you agree, Jiang Cheng?"
"Wei Wuxian," Jin Zixun narrowed his head, "Our zongzhu is talking to Jiang-zongzhu. How dare you interrupt them?"
"How dare he?" Nie Huaisang asked, "How dare Jin-zongzhu try to pressure Jiang Cheng into agreeing to a marriage?"
"They are in love," Jin Guangshan said.
Nie Huaisang scoffed, "Now they are, but love is a journey more than it is a destination. Would they love each other the same if their marriage came about this way?"
"I handled it, Nie Huaisang," Jiang Yanli smiled.
The question haunted her at times. Their courtship had been so complicated, but she sometimes wondered what would have happened if their betrothal was never called off. Would they have come to love each other?
Or would he have remained arrogant and resentful?
Jiang Yanli tried not to repeat her parent's mistakes, but if they'd gotten married any sooner than when they had, their marriage would have been marred with misunderstandings. Similar misunderstandings that led to her parent's unhappiness.
She would have ended up just like her mother. She would have thought she loved her husband, but she wasn't loved in return. Except she was never as strong or outspoken as her mother. She would have just faded until A-Xian or A-Cheng did something.
"Well, you can ask Jiang Cheng yourself," Wei Wuxian retorted, then looked to Jin Guangshan.
Jiang Cheng stood, "Jin-zongzhu, this shouldn't be decided between two Sects. When my father was still alive, he had the same thought. We should leave the decision to A-Jie. It shouldn't be meddled with by others."
Wei Wuxian smiled.
Jin Guangshan laughed, "You're right. As for this, we should listen to Jiang-guniang's opinion."
Jin Zixuan sat up straighter. Jiang Yanli rose.
"Shijie," Wei Wuxian said, an offer and a warning.
Lan Wangji took his place behind his brother.
"I'm very grateful for your kindness," Jiang Yanli bowed, "But the Jiang Sect has gone through much havoc. As a disciple of the Jiang Sect, I should think more about the whole Sect, and ought to return to Yunmeng to rebuild Lotus Pier." Her gaze drifted to Wei Wuxian, who smiled, "For now, it's not the right time for me to get married."
They got married at the perfect time.
Jin Zixuan winced, then corrected that thought. It would have been more perfect if Wei Wuxian could have been there. As much trouble as his brother-in-law would have caused...he brought A-Li twice as much joy.
Love was as much a journey as it was a destination.
But he could still enjoy where they were at the moment.
In this moment, he was sitting with the most beautiful woman alive, who held the most perfect child ever born. He chose, for a moment, to forget about the schemes and evils of his family and enjoy the little family he had with him. This was all he needed.
Even if his sense of honor gave him a responsibility to do and be more.
Jin Zixuan rocked back, and tried not to look disappointed.
"Jin-zongzhu," Jiang Yanli continued, "Please excuse me."
Lan Xichen nodded and ducked his head to hide a small smile.
Wei Wuxian saluted, then left again. Lan Wangji didn't follow him this time.
They'd thought it was rude at the time, but now they understood.
How could Wei Wuxian celebrate their victory, when he knew they had not triumphed over evil?