Chapter Text
二 Harsh Reality
(Back in Jinlintai)
Absolute chaos started the moment that Wuxian had left the building. It would seem that they were scared of him. They should be, he had proven to them that he did not need the Amulet to do what it was that he did. He was more than able to deal with the threats that decided they wanted a piece of him. That was not to mean that he wanted to deal with more drama just that he could if it found its way to him. The Jin Sect was in chaos as the guards that had sworn themselves to Jin Zixuan started to round up Jin Guangshan, Jin Guangyao, and Jin Zixun so that they could be charged with the crimes that they had committed. With Xue Yang and Su She also in custody Jin Zixuan knew that his forces were a little slim. He would make this work though and prove to all of those who doubted him that he could run this sect the way that it should be. He watched Lan Wangji walk toward him, there had to be a reason for him to do such a thing since his family was one of the ones that were trying to start more agitation in what was going on right now. He did notice that there were several Lan disciples that were not partaking in the mud slinging that the others were doing, backing away from those that were doing so. He could tell by the small symbol on their robes that they were part of the healing corps that they had. It was the same for the Nie who were strangely quiet right now. He would have to think about that a little later, right now he had a mess to clean up, namely his family.
He had watched the golden eyes of Lan Wangji as they had been transfixed on the man that had hovered above them today. They had burned with love and pride for the man that had been there. He had been so entranced by the vision of Wuxian and who he had become that Zixuan was not sure that he would stay after Wuxian had left. He had seen the desire in those eyes to walk up to that man and keep him close to his side, the desire to protect and love. It was not something that he had thought that he would see from the stoic man in front of him. Those emotions had been there for everyone to see, in the open it was so unlike Wangji that even he had been taken back by the strength of those emotions. He had known at that moment that Wangji would not only leave it all behind but he would do so without a second thought when the time was right. He would not care what others thought of the choice that he would make. The only place in the world that he wanted to be was at Wuxian’s side. He watched as Wangji bowed low to both himself and his wife, a much lower bow than he was required to make to the two of them, one that Wangji had always reserved for his family. Did he see them that way now?
“Master Jin, Madame Jin, are you well?” asked Wangji wanting to make sure that they were alright. He knew that Wuxian would be upset if something happened to his sister whom he loved so much.
“Master Lan, we are well and safe. He did nothing other than set the books on the table in front of me. I worry about him though.” said Jin Yanli softly.
“As do I. I am sure that he will be alright. I pray that he will be alright, he has to be.” whispered Wangji looking at Yanli who was holding on to the silver bell that had been given to her when she was born. He had no idea what she was thinking. He was aware that she did not like the way that things were between the three of them anymore. He was sure that Jiang Wanyin was not done with any of them yet.
“It all had to be lies!” Shouted Jiang Wanyin, spit flying out of his mouth.
“No, they were not lies. One cannot lie while they are performing Empathy,” said Lan Xichen
Wangji knew that though one could not lie while using Empathy, one could omit certain things. The things that Wuxian had omitted though were things that were not needed. His presence at some of the events that had been played was not shown. Nor was the fact that Wuxian had told him clearly during the war that he was one of the few that he had wanted to protect. It did not matter to him that those things were not shared with the rest. It was something private between the two of them and it was enough that he knew what it was that Wuxian had been thinking at the time.
“Are you sure that you want to take that stance Sect Leader Lan?” asked Jiang Wanyin
“He showed nothing of myself or my family. We have not wronged him,” answered Lan Xichen
“Are you sure about that? Do you not have troops there as well?” asked Jiang Wanyin
“We do but he is still a threat,” answered Lan Xichen
“You are all fools!” yelled Jin Yanli, “Do you not realize that if he had wanted to start a war he could have not only started one but ended it on the same day while he was here? He wants nothing to do with the cultivation world anymore. You have made him despise us no matter who we are. You have chased him away from us so far that there will be no return for him. He just wants to be left alone. Protecting those that were being killed for nothing more than pleasure, those that were taken advantage of, the old and the sick, a child for Gods sake, that is all that he wants to do now. You and your greed and ignorance, your refusal to even think for yourselves is what has caused this. He just wants to bring justice to those that need it.”
“I agree. When was the last time that any of you thought about double-checking the information that you were receiving?” asked Jin Zixuan, thoughtfully. He had fallen into that trap as well, until his wife told him her thoughts and beliefs. Between her and Huaisang, he had found it in himself to double check his own information. He was glad that he had. He was well aware that he could have been party to the genocide of the Qishan Wen Sect and all of thier subordinates.
“Jin Guangyao has always given me the facts when I have asked him,” answered Lan Xichen
“Wrong. He lied to you during the war. I am sure that Master Lan Wangji can attest to that if he was to be asked about it.” answered Huaisang
“What do you mean that he lied to me during the war?” asked Xichen
“He lied to you about the number of fierce corpses that Wuxian would have to deal with. I saw this with my own eyes. Heck for quite a while he did not even tell you that they were there but they were. Wuxian had been dealing with them long before we heard the first word about them from Meng Yao. There is also the fact that there were many times that the forward camps that he told us about were not forward camps but instead simple villages that only had common people non-cultivators in them. War is not about body counts. Genocide is, however. “ said Jin Zixuan
“There was also the fact that he set things up so that he would be the one to kill Wen Ruohan. Come on anyone could see in that Empathy that he had that same blade on his waist just as he does now. When he was asked about it later he told Wuxian that it was an ominous ( dark ) blade and that he had simply gotten rid of it. It is the same one that he still wears now, were it an ominous blade he would have purified it or simply destroyed it, right?” said Nie Huaisang
“Wangji is this true?” asked Xichen
“Both of their statements are true. I was right in front of them just below on the stairs when Meng Yao stabbed Wen Ruohan with the same blade that he now wears. The reports that you received about forward camps were false. Most of them were villages that only held common people, ones that were never cultivators. Some of those villages did not have a single person in them that carried the Wen surname.” answered Wangji looking at his brother as if this were something that they had talked about before.
“His reports on the Burial Mounds have been detailed and exact,” said Xichen, still trying to fight what it was that they were saying about Meng Yao.
“Really? Did he tell you how it was that he was coming by that information?” asked Huaisang, knowing the answer to the question.
“Daily flyovers of the compound that Wuxian has built there.”
“Daily flyovers? You have to be kidding me.” laughed Jiang Wanyin, “You cannot see the ground from the air. The dust and energy there prevent that. That is not to mention that the barriers that Wuxian has on the Mounds right now are ground and air-based. You cannot see anything from the air. He lied to you.”
“How do you know?” demanded Lan Qiren
“I was there. When he and I fought about him leaving the Jiang Sect. I could not fly to the main compound because I could not see it from the air. The dark energy there and the dust from the dry climate make it almost impossible. I am not even going to mention the cloaking shields that he had up on the settlement. He did not want them to come under fire from the air. You all know these barriers, you use several of them. The Empathy that he showed you about what was there is the truth. The only people that are there are the ones that you saw. There is no army there, hell they cannot even feed themselves let alone feed an army.” laughed Jiang Wanyin
“Fierce Corpses do not require food,” said Xichen, dryly.
“You are right, but they do require a constant draw of energy. The stronger the corpse the stronger the draw of energy.” answered Huaisang, “Wuxian is only protecting those that live there with him now. He has never wanted an army or fierce corpses.”
“Why did you not tell anyone what you found there, Jiang Cheng?” demanded Jin Zixuan
“I knew that his precious Lan Zhan would go there to see him. I figured that the Lans would do something about it. No one would have believed me. Ha, the jokes on you Lan Zhan they did not believe you either!”
“You do not have my permission to call me that!” growled Wangji
“Oh, but you gave it to that pathetic selfish waste called Wei Wuxian? How low are you?” demanded Jiang Wanyin
“Jiang Wanyin, do you have something that you need to say to me?” asked Lan Wangji coldly
“How desperate you are for attention that you are looking for it from that worthless thing? Seriously, he started shit while he was at Gusu Lan Lectures chasing you like a lost puppy. He got kicked out of there for punching Jin Zixuan for talking about Yanli like he did. After that, he continued to stir more shit with the Night Hunt that the Wen Sect held by placing first and taking off your ribbon. He wanted to leave us when Cloud Recesses was hit just to find you and your stupid family. At the Indoctrination, he stirred even more crap when he did not do what I ordered him to do and that was to stay under the radar. He did all of that to protect his precious Lan Zhan . In the Cave of the Turtle of Slaughter, he left me to deal with everything just so that he could protect you once again. It is because of his actions there that the Wens came to Lotus Pier. If he had just stopped chasing you my family would still be alive. Yunmeng Jiang would not be struggling right now. He only cares about himself and you, nothing else matters. For you alone, he will do whatever it takes, even kill.”
“Shut up! You have no right to say my name! What about you Jiang Wanyin? You have the core that he gave to you. That brilliant light, that scorching sun that he created is now in your pathetic chest. How did you repay that gift to him? You scream for his death! You have no room to speak to me about the things that he did. You owe him your very life right now.” growled Lan Wangji
“That has to be a lie. No one can change the core of one person to another.” snorted Jiang Wanyin
“It was Wen Qing, you are telling me that the best doctor alive today could not find a way to do that? If you truly believe that it is a lie try to pull the blade Suibian from its scabbard.” Wangji dared, his voice cold and unfeeling.
“Why should I do something like that? It is a lie, that is all that there is to that.”
“From what we saw in the Empathy, if they had not stayed behind in the cave none of the rest of those that were there would have made it out alive.” said one of the other sect leaders in the back of the room.
“Is Sect Leader Jiang Wanyin in love with Wei Wuxian and simply jealous of the attention that Wei Wuxian pays to others that are not him?” asked a female in the back of the room.
“He does seem very jealous over the friendship between them. It makes one wonder for sure.” said another.
“They put a child in the camps! What were they thinking? What harm could a child do to us?” asked another voice from behind them
“Gusu Lan and Yunmeng Jiang had been allies for decades longer than you have been alive, Sect Leader Jiang. You should have gone out to find Master Lan and his family. It was part of the alliance.” said another from the other side of the room.
“That is not to mention that Wuxian was the strongest and fastest swimmer among all of the Jiang sect members. If there had been a way out he would have been able to take Master Lan Wangji out with him even if Master Lan Wangji was injured as he was,” said Jin Yanli
“That is true we all know about his skills.” said a Jiang Sect disciple behind Jiang Wanyin.
“The tunnel that we swam out of collapsed behind us. There was no way for them to get out of there. You know that Jiang Cheng you were right in front of me when it collapsed.” said Jin Zixuan
“They told us that right after they escaped the tunnel, remember? They were picking stray stones out of their hair from the collapse.” said a voice from behind the Pingyang Yao Sect Leader.
“Master Jiang, what is it that you are mad about? From what you have said and what we have heard others say and what the Empathy showed, you have no reason to hate him. I was at the Indoctrination, he protected all of the heirs, including Master Nie Huaisang, Master Jin Zixuan, yourself, and Master Wangji. Wen Chao was just looking for a reason to get his hands on Master Wei Wuxian the whole time. It was Master Wei who busted him for trying to cheat at the Night Hunt that Qishan Wen held before the Indoctrination. You were there when he tried to murder another sect heir. I believe that it was Sect Leader Yao’s son he was trying to kill.” said another person from the back.
“That is not anything compared to the fact that he was able to get rid of those Fierce Corpses for us during the war. Granted I am not fond of his cultivation but his reasons for the change are sound and it did help us win the war.” said someone behind them from one of the smaller sects.
“He was the only reason that we won the war. We all know that even if we hate to admit it.” said another sect leader, his voice showing his distaste for admitting something like that aloud.
“It is not like there would be anything for him to do once he gave away his core. He would have been helpless. I can see why he would have turned to that path now.” said one of the sect leaders behind them.
“The injuries that he received from Madame Yu would have killed him for sure without a core to assist in his healing. I am not even going to mention how much worse they were after the torture and fall into the Mounds after that.” said a Lan disciple healer softly, shaking their head at the injuries that Wuxian would have had at that time.
“From what I saw he should have died after the assault on Lotus Pier. He definitely would have died after the torture and the fall was lethal. No one had attempted to heal him from his earlier injuries. There was no time for them to do so even if they had found out that he needed their help. The fact that he survived all of this without a core is startling.” Said another Lan, a healer standing behind Lan Qiren
“Do you want to talk about the fact that because he protected you and Madame Jin he was thrown into the Burial Mounds without a thing on him and expected to die there?” demanded a woman from the crowd.
“He should have died there. No one has ever made it out of there even with every bit of assistance they were given. He did it with nothing more than his mind, conviction and determination.” said another member of Gusu Lan.
“He found a way out of there and joined us in the fight against the Wen. That in itself should have been impossible for him to do. He did though, he was able to get you the revenge that you wanted and he ended the war. I am not sure how much more that he could have done for you at that point.” said a Nie sect member.
“You do not see him as your brother, simply a tool for you to use. He got wise to your attitude and chose to make his own fate. You do not deserve to call him brother. I would be overjoyed to be able to call him even a friend with how he cares for those he feels close to.” Said another Nie disciple.
“Why are you all piling on me? You are all as much to blame as I am! You all wanted his blood just a couple of hours ago. He still needs to die for his corrupted path.” said Jiang Wanyin
“A corrupted path that he had to take because of his sacrifice to you.” pointed out Lan Xichen
“Also information changes many things, do you not agree?” asked one of the Nie disciples.
“I told you that he did not give me his core. What about you Sect Leader Lan? You have forbidden your brother Lan Zhan from even leaving Cloud Recesses, you hate him too.”
“I did not forbid him from going to the Mounds, that was my uncle. I wanted Wangji to find out what was going on there. I just did not believe what he told me because it was so drastically different from what I had been told.” answered Xichen
“Do not lie. I told you twice what was going on and you still chose to listen to Meng Yao over me,” said Wangji
“He listened to a sworn brother over his blood relation? This is shocking to hear. I thought that they were inseparable.”
“Huaisang, the things that he said, are they all true?” asked Mingjue, looking for confirmation of everything that they had found out today. He knew that Huaisang had his fingers in several of the piles that were being stirred up today. If anyone knew the truth of things he was sure that it was his brother.
“Yes, granted I have not been to the Mounds myself but I have documentation of everyone that was in the camp that he took those people from. There was not one cultivator among them other than Wen Qing and Wen Ning. Wen Qing only has her cultivation the way that it is so that she can fly on a sword to get to those that need her assistance faster. Wen Ning's cultivation was not even that high, to begin with, so barely a cultivator. Of the 1,000 people that they had there the year before he took them, only 50 of them were left alive when Wuxian arrived. They killed at least 3 people a day, and that is the ones that they chose to document that they had. We might never know the true number of people that were killed in the camps. They used Wen Ning to try and lure the 6 winged bat king into a trap, during the last group Night Hunt. Do any of you realize that the Jin sect created a puppet, the beginnings of a fierce corpse, when they did that?” asked Huaisang
“What do you mean?” asked Xichen, shocked at this information.
“Wen Ning had been exposed to the Yin Iron when he was younger making him susceptible to possession. The Yin Iron was originally part of the Dafan Goddess Statue before Wen Ruohan took it. It weakened his spiritual consciousness and lowered his cultivation capabilities. In attaching a lure flag to him and attracting the bat king they allowed it to take part of his spiritual consciousness from him. It turned him into a puppet.” Explained Wangji
“Who attached the flag to him?” asked Lan Qiren
“Jin Zixun,” answered Xue Yang, huffing slightly.
“How do you know this?” asked Lan Qiren
“I was watching it as it happened. I thought that he was dead. If I had known that was all that it took to make a puppet I would have done it long ago.” sighed Xue Yang shaking his head at his failure.
“Wen Ning was a unique case. It most likely would not work that way again.” said Lan Wangji softly, this was information that Wuxian had given to him that night in the Mounds. He was not sure that he would want it to get out. However if it assisted others in understanding the crimes that the Lanling Jin had committed he would give it with caution.
“Explain.” said Lan Qiren, his voice harsh.
“It did not take all of his spiritual consciousness. Wen Ning was restored because it did not do so. He had a talisman and sacred pouch, given to him by Master Wei. Those things helped him retain a part of his consciousness even it if was just a sliver of it that remained. He is nothing like the ones that we fought during the war. He has been restored to himself. He can act like a fierce corpse but he is not one either, just looks like one.” answered Lan Wangji
“Xue Yang, what were you offered to make you choose to stay with the Jin Sect?” asked Jin Zixuan
“Your dad told me that he would not kill me, I just had to create an army for him. He wanted what Wen Ruohan created but using the Amulet that Wuxian had to control them so that no one could take them from him.” said Xue Yang with a snarky smile.
“Why you … “ yelled Jin Guangshan before someone put a silence spell on him. Everyone knew that it had to be a Lan but no one knew which one it was.
“Is this not what he tried to warn us about the day that he took the Remnants?” asked one of the Jin sect members.
“Where did you get the people that you experimented on?” asked Qiren continuing the questioning without hesitation. One could hear the disgust in his voice but his face did not show it.
“From the prison camps, where else? Yao would bring them to me and I would do my thing. Once they died and failed he would take the bodies back and bring me fresh ones. It was the easiest, most enjoyable job I have had in a long time.” answered Xue Yang, smiling.
“Where did you get the piece of Yin Iron from?” asked Xichen, seeing that he had to have gotten the last pieces from somewhere. Wuxian had not had it like they had all been told the whole time.
“I had it for a long time. Did not know how valuable it was until Wen Ruohan started attacking you fools to get more of it. I hid mine and went to work for him.” smiled Xue Yang
“Where did you hide it?” demanded Jiang Wanyin
“You would not believe me if I told you.” laughed Xue Yang, shaking his head.
“Just tell us.” sighed Lan Xichen
“Lotus Pier, near the Hall of Ancestors in the water.” laughed Xue Yang hysterically, doubling over with his laughter.
“What?” yelled Jiang Wanyin, his face turning bright red, his fists clenched, Zidian sparking dangerously.
“You really thought that the reason that your precious Lotus Pier was taken out was because of the ridiculous beef that Wen Chao had against Wei Wuxian? You are a dumbass. Wen Ruohan would not have given him troops for that mess. It was because I needed the distraction to get to the Yin Iron that I had hidden there. You guys never had a clue that you were sitting on the last piece of Yin Iron for almost a year.” Laughed Xue Yang at Jiang Wanyin.
“You are the reason that my family is dead?” yelled Jiang Cheng
“Yep, well me Wen Chao and Wen Zhuliu. I wanted to ask you how it felt to have your core burned out and your meridians fried to a crisp. I could hear you scream like the little bitch you are from across Lotus Pier.” laughed Xue Yang hysterically
“My core was restored to me by Baoshan Sanren.” insisted Jiang Wanyin
“Bullshit,” laughed Zue Yang, “even I know that is impossible.”
“Young Jiang Wanyin, NO ONE , and I do mean NO ONE can restore a core, not even Wuxians grandmother. Even if that were the case you would still owe him a life debt. He prevented you from killing yourself.” said Qiren
“So assuming that both Empathy and Xue Yang are telling the truth. You should not have a core unless it is the one that belonged to Wuxian.” said Wangji coldly, “Brother you have felt the core that Wuxian had. You should check the core that Jiang Wanyin has to verify that information.” Wangji knew that Xichen had felt Wuxians core as he oversaw their duels during the lectures. It was not out of place for him to be asked to verify that core, he was one of a few that knew it.
“No, I will not allow anyone to check my core.” snarled Jiang Wanyin
“What, Cheng, are you afraid of what it is that you will find out? Are you afraid that you owe him even more than you could ever hope to repay?” asked Yanli with a slight sneer in her voice.
“Jiang Wanyin, where is the blade known as Suibian?” asked Lan Qiren, his tone thoughtful.
“On me, why, do you want that stick? You can have it.” sneered Jiang Wanyin
“ I want that blade,” said Wangji, his voice broaching no argument.
“Why? You could not even pull it when we found it.” laughed Jiang Wanyin
“Because you have his core,” growled Wangji
“No, it is because you are not his zhiji. He does not love you. He does not care about you. You are just someone that he likes to tease.” laughed Jiang Wanyin
“He is my zhiji, always has been, and always will be.” said Wangji his voice steady and calm, even though if one knew him they could tell that he was as far from calm as he could get. He had never wanted to tell others who Wuxian was to him before he had talked to Wuxian. In this instance it would seem that he would have to. He wanted to hurt even kill Jiang Wanyin right now. Xichen could tell that in Wangji’s anger that his hand was so tight around the hilt of Bichen that Xichen was scared that he would shatter the white jade hilt from the pressure alone.
“Remind me Master Lan Xichen, what are the conditions that must be met for one partner to pull the blade of another?” asked Huaisang. He knew where this was going and was more than happy to push just a little harder to make it happen.
“If they are zhiji, cultivation partners, or in love with each other, they can pull the blade of the other. The love must be felt mutually or the blade will remain sealed. No one other than the person that the blade belongs to other than their cultivation partner, zhiji or romantic partner can pull the blade, unless it were to be a situation like this. In theory if a core is transferred then it is only natural that the blade would respond to that power, even if it is not the original owner of both blade and core,” answered Xichen thoughtfully
“So what you are saying is that unless Jiang Wanyin and Wei Wuxian love each other as romantic partners there is no way for Jiang Wanyin to pull the blade known as Suibian. If he does so it has to be because of the core transfer or they are in a romantic relationship.” smiled Huaisang
“We are not in a romantic relationship. That is just nasty Nie Huaisang.” sneered Jiang Wanyin
“That would mean that if you pull that blade you have the core of Wei Ying Wuxian spinning inside of you and you owe him a life debt that you will never be able to repay. Is the correct assessment right Lan-zhongshu?” asked Huaisang, he wanted to push just a little harder to put that sneering face in check.
“You are correct in your assessment. Unless they are romantically involved with each other there is no way that he would be able to pull that blade unless he had the core of Wei Ying Wuxian inside of him.” answered Qiren for Xichen.
“WE ARE NOT ROMANTICALLY INVOLVED WITH EACH OTHER!!” yelled Jiang Wanyin.
“Give me Suibian,” said Wangji, calmly. He knew that Wuxian did not love Jiang Wanyin like that so that reason was off the table. He also knew full well that he could not pull the blade but also knew that Jiang Wanyin would. He just had to force the issue, he could do that easily. Jiang Wanyin was pissed off as it was, all it would take is a tiny little push to make him make a mistake. A tiny push that he was more than willing to give.
“Fine you want that piece of shit take it,” said Jiang Wanyin holding Suibian out with its scabbard out toward Wangji, exactly what Wangji had wanted him to do.
Wangji pulled the scabbard hard knowing that if what Wuxian had told them was true the blade would pull free easily because Jiang Wanyin was holding the hilt. A bright red sword glare lit up the area around him and Jiang Wanyin. Suibian was free from its scabbard for the first time in almost 5 years. Wangji held the scabbard gently knowing what the blade had meant to Wuxian. He would not disrespect the blade because of his hate toward Jiang Wanyin. With a clatter, the bright red blade fell to the ground. All anyone around could hear were the fierce denials coming from Jiang Wanyin's mouth.
“Oh dear gods.” whispered Jin Yanli, one hand over her mouth the other clutching at Zixuans robes. She watched the events unfold in front of them. This was undeniable proof that the core that rested in her brother was in fact from her other brother. There was no way that this could be argued otherwise. The pain that she felt sickened her. She was horrified at what she had just witnessed as she watched that beautiful powerful blade hit the ground.
“No, it is impossible. There is no way. It cannot be done. This is just a trick that he is pulling on all of us.” shouted Jiang Wanyin.
“It is no trick. You pulled Suibian from the scabbard. The core that burns in you right now is that of Wei Ying Wuxian.” said Qiren coldly, thoughtfully stroking his beard.
“You’re lying.” yelled Jiang Wanyin
“I do not lie. I would never lie about something of this magnitude. The core that you have been bragging about cultivating to its current level in fact belongs to Wuxian. There is no denying that fact now.” said Lan Qiren realizing that there were things that he had to consider now in the way that they had treated Wuxian and the choices that he had made.
“You do not deserve it.” Growled Wangji as he reached down and picked up the blade Suibian and held it up for all to see. He did not want to put the blade back into its scabbard knowing full well that it might never see the light of day again. He did though replace it into the sheath, to protect and guard it from those that would try to claim it as a trophy. He then slid it into the pouch that he carried with him in his sleeve. It did not matter to him that Wuxian could no longer use the blade, it should never be with Jiang Wanyin. He would never allow Jiang Wanyin to hold this blade again. “You should be thankful that he cares about you. There is no other that would do what he has done for you.” said Wangji as he turned from Jiang Wanyin who was still sputtering denials at the top of his lungs.
“He owed me this for the deaths of my parents and the loss of my home.” spit Jiang Wanyin
“ You are such a fucking idiot! I just told you that the reason your pathetic family died was myself and the Yin Iron. I know first hand that Wen Ruohan wanted nothing to do with your twisted sect. We were only there to get the Yin Iron. The loss of Lotus Pier was just the aftermath of the fighting. You are so stupid and pathetic . You are just stuck in that one track blaming him for things that he did not do. It is no wonder that he left you behind. I would have killed you myself for the shit you have caused him to go through. Even as despicable as you find me, I would not do that to my brother, let alone the only reason that I survived everything that happened.” laughed Xue Yang hysterically.
“ Owed you? You walked out there after he told you to stay and watch over your sister. Owed you? You tried to kill him when he tried to keep you from returning to Lotus Pier. It is because of your foolish actions that your sister got sick from standing out in the rain waiting for you two to return. You chose to go back yet again and get caught. Everyone here knows that Wuxian's stealth skills are second to none. Your sister even said that you had been there for a week and he had not gotten caught. You chose to do that. Instead of making you live your life like the commoner that you should be, he gave you his life. He gave you the future that he wanted to have with me."
"You owe him your life. You try to kill him and yet he cannot bring himself to raise a hand against you. He saw you as his brother and loved you unconditionally, even knowing that your mother orphaned him. How did you return that love? I have seen you beat him. I have heard you taunt and torment him. I have watched you set others on him to beat him. During the war, you avoided him like the plague wanting to impress others around you with your ‘battle prowess’. You got angry with him when he came to save you from the fights that you could not handle. With only a flute he was able to best you. Did he owe you? No, you should be on your hands and knees begging him to forgive you. Thanking him for every second that you are alive and yet you are the one that still torments him and turned from him so that you could grovel at the feet of more that wanted to kill him."
"You do not deserve that core. It was created by a man who believed that justice should be done no matter the cost to himself. A man who had a loyalty unlike anyone else that I have ever known. A man who gave everything that he had to the people that he wanted to call his family. A man that protected those that hated him but did not ask anyone for protection from their hate. That core was created from the purest of righteousness. Before that core entered your chest it was the purest brightest thing that I had ever had the honor of feeling in my life. It sickens me to know that it now grants you its power."
"Your pride, arrogance, and jealousy cost him everything. Yet you whine that he will not stand beside you at Lotus Pier. You carry him inside of you, you pathetic worm. He did not leave, you abandoned him when he needed you the most. You disgust me . I never want to hear his name fall from your lips. I never want to see you around him. You are unworthy of the gift that he gave to you. You are unworthy of being in his presence, of even breathing the same air that he does. Always remember that every heartbeat that you have, every step that you take, those are things that he granted you with his sacrifice.” growled Wangji as he turned to walk away from the area around Jiang Wanyin knowing that if he did not do so now he would kill the man that Wuxian had made the ultimate sacrifice for. He would not do that. He would find a way to return to that man's side and never leave him.
“Why have you not gone to him if you think that he is all that? Did you not abandon him as well? Why are you singing his praises like you are? Are you being intimate with him? What the hell is wrong with you? He is a demonic cultivator. He is nothing! He deserves to die! ” snapped Jiang Wanyin
“You are simply vulgar. He is only a demonic cultivator because he gave you his core. How the hell do you think that he made it out of the Burial Mounds when he was dropped there off of a sword by Wen Chao?” asked Huaisang
“Wangji, you should be careful of your words,” said Lan Xichen
“Would you have given your core away? If this had happened to me Xichen would you have given me your core? Uncle, would you have made that sacrifice for me? Would any of you in this room have done that for someone?” Dead silence was his answer, “I did not think so. Master Jin if you require my assistance I will do what I can to help you. I want to find justice for those that have been harmed in this.”
“Your assistance will be appreciated. Thank you,” said Jin Zixuan
“Wangji there are still things that we need to talk about,” said Lan Xichen
“There are times when words are not enough and actions must be taken. I have to do this. I have to finish this. You and Shufu need to reflect on things. Take your time.” answered Wangji as he returned to Jin Zixuan, “How might this one assist you Master Jin?” his voice serious.
“Will you escort the guards to the dungeons and make sure that the cells are strong enough? I will have the guards seal their cores until the trial. When we are finished with that I guess we should go through all of the evidence that we have been presented with.”
“Agreed, lead the way. I will make sure that they make it there and are secured.” Wangji was finished with the posturing that others did.
It was time that they did something that would bring about real change. To do that they needed to make sure that they did it right. Granted his turning his back on his family might seem like the wrong thing but to be honest, he was done dealing with the double standard that they applied to everything. He wanted to do something, take action, he could do this. Wuxian had taken the biggest risk of his life tonight and still no one wanted to hear what it was that he had to say. The only plus that had come out of things tonight was that once again the legendary blade Suibian had seen the day. He could only hope that Wuxian would not be angry with him when he found out what it was that he had done.
Wangji was certain that Wuxian would not be able to use the blade anymore because of his new dark core but that did not mean that he should have to leave it behind. Jiang Wanyin could not use the blade. The style that Suibian used was not something that Jiang Wanyin could do. Wangji knew the moves but he could not pull the blade himself. He would care for it to the best of his ability and treasure it as it should have been from the start. Wuxian might not be able to use it but it was still a piece of him that Jiang Wanyin would never treasure, Wangji always would.