Chapter Text
Wei Wuxian feels some peace when he looks at A-Yuan playing at his feet as he tried to focus on creating an upgrade for the protective array he put up around the settlement. Though he couldn't concentrate much as the grating noise of dead interrupted his thoughts with screeching nothings.
Not for the first time he grudgingly admitted that Lan Qiren predicted exactly what might happen if he took up heretic cultivation. But he was always willful even if he could not achieve living without regrets, he will take righteous path of saving innocent lives. The question is how can he keep these people from certain dead in a mass grave yard that is ravenous yet gives nothing back?
A-Yuan needs trees to climb on. He needs rivers to swim in and mountains to mediate and grow his golden core. He needs so much but this place is exactly opposite hindering his growth. Wei Wuxian thinks tentatively it's time they move. Maybe if they are careful enough by using disguises and spreading across various villages that are not under the sects preview or they can just take boat to the distant land maybe........but he need Wen Qing's thoughts.
Making sure there is no dangerous experiments lying around and causing unnecessary damage, Wei Wuxian scoped A-Yuan into his arms as he stood up. His little radish giggled and throwed his little arms around his neck.
"Baobei, let's go and look for your Qing-jie ah. We need to talk important things when we get there make sure look at your jie with those big doe eyes and cling to her hmm? So that way we can convince her together. I will take you into the town hmm okay?" He shamelessly bribed A-Yuan for extra support.
A-Yuan just giggle more and nodded with bright eyes. Looking at him being so happy even though having so little made Wei Wuxian more depressed and at the same time igniting a fire in him. It was familiar, the need to provide the best for his loved ones with all his strength and even life.
In that instant he didn't hear the dead voices grating against his head or his self- deprecating thoughts that have been plaguing him since massacre of Lotus Pier. All he wanted was to move mountains and cross seas to see that A-Yuan happiness remain for long time. He walked down from the cave towards the scattered huts. He watched as the Wen remnants try to bring life into the Burial Mounts just by sear will. And succeeding with mixed results.
Huh. Maybe....
Wei Wuxian rushed towards Popo to mind A-Yuan for the time being. He found Wen Qing in her hut calculating their finance for the month and calculating what will be needed for next month.
When he entered the hut Wen Qing glanced up once and returned to the calculation she was doing without any indication what she thought about his hasty entry. Undeterred by the cold aura emitting from the young doctor Wei Wuxian proceeded to sprawl across the floor and stare at her until she relented and paid attention. Wen Qing used to Wei Wuxian antics made sure her work is done before gracing the impish man with her attention.
"What?" she asked him with enough force that any other weak cultivator would rather turn around and run but Wei Wuxian smiled his most charming smile. Though, it seems to not work if the hard look Wen Qing casting him was any indication.
Signing to the fact that he no longer can use his charms on this doctor to get out of things and straightened up to get into business. "Ahh. Wen Qing we need to move. Like move out of Burial Mounds and find somewhere else to settle. Even if we were to survive here for long term I don't think it will be good for A-Yuan or any of our health while exposed to this thick resentment for long time. I have read research on how Burial Mounds affects the health of Yiling's citizens even if it’s not deadly it will affect us more. We have seen too much to be not directly affected by its harmful nature. I brought you and everyone here to keep you safe from immediate threats of the cultivation world but we can't stay here for much long. We will all die and become one with the Mounds. The Mounds have been restless for few days now nothing I can't handle but still its best we moved."
He looked directly at Wen Qing as he delivered his thoughts trying to read her as she took in what he had to say. Wen Qing for what it’s worth didn't even break from her cold mask and her eyes were frozen on him as she processed the new issue that threaten their settlement.
Wen Qing thought about the frequent check-ups she did to the wen remnants and what she knew of resentful energy and its effect on people who are exposed to it constantly. Her knowledge in this particular subject was extensive. She knew what Wei Wuxian getting at it is a very big possibility. Even if the resentful energy affects their physical health visibly it will definitely will affect their mental health. It is affecting their mental health already.
She remembers how Third uncle screamed just the day ago in middle of night due night terror and Second Cousin Zhiruo was having difficulty with her temper recently and Popo mentioned how the general moral of the people is slowly very slowly getting affected nothing concrete but might affect them in long term.
She knew.
Wen Qing searched Wei Wuxian eyes. What she found is the same determination she saw when he requested for the golden core transfer surgery and when he saved all the Wen remnants from the Qiongqi path and taking them away from the cultivation world at the cost of his own life and reputation.
She is faced with the same force that survived three months in depth of Burial Mounds with no defense and created a whole new path of cultivation. The one who single handedly won the war for Sunshot Campaign.
Wen Qing closed eyes and meditated a moment on what she knew and came to terms with their situation. They needed to move fifty-five Wen remnants and a fierce corpse somewhere the sects won't bother looking. They need food and money to sustain the journey. They needed precious information on sect territories and coming and goings of cultivators.
If they can even make it out of Yilling without alerting them.
She needs to consult the other elders. Maybe they have more ideas on where they can stay and the travel expenses. But it is clear they needed to move sooner than later and the Winter starts in just four months they need move fast and settle before winter. She opened her eyes and looked at Wei Wuxian with what she hoped was same amount of determination and hope. She nodded once and took a new parchment and started to list what resources they have at hand.
Wei Wuxian didn't think it would be this easy to convince Wen Qing. He even had more arguments and points thought up. But seeing the way Wen Qing moved with same assuredness as she did when handling needles he was slightly shocked and remined wordless for a minute. He shook it off and smiled at Wen Qing and leaned forward to see what she was writing.
It was list of abled body Wens and their resources at hand and at the top is a deadline marking the lìdōng (start of winter). Ah... yeah, they are only few yuèzi(lunar months) away from winter it really makes everything rushed. "I think we can use dead horses as stead, they might be faster than normal stead but finding them will be a challenge and it might be obvious who we are if use them. I was thinking of moving in groups in night time far away from sect patrols and maybe even reach the sea and get a ride to distance land if we can manage it."
"Are you sure it will be possible to use dead stead without causing us more problems? What about A-Ning where ever we go we might not be welcomed because of his condition. We also have concern of hygiene if were to use your corpse horses. But it is good idea to move in night and in groups. We need discuss the how we move based on our destination. Do you have knowledge of where the sect territories lie and their reach?"
"Hm. I know Junmeng Jiang's Boundaries and that of its subsidiary small sect's Boundaries. Also, other smaller sects around Junmeng Jiang. I also have more than basic knowledge of Wen territories due to the war but I don't think they can hold up now its been a year since I reviewed any information on them. But I know some uncharted territories. But we need to cross the mounds and might travel roundabout way to reach them. It will be hard on the people and we will not be able to return for a long time I am not even sure if there are any dangers but if we cross Nanman we will reach new territories. It will be not be safe but if we couldn't find any villages or the trip to seaside is not viable then I think its best we venture into them."
Wen Qing looked curious at the uncharted territories but understood it will be last option and made notes on territories that Wei Wuxian knows about. They made a rough map of Jianghu and marked of various territories. by the time they finished the sun has started to set and they were called for dinner.
Wen Qing gathered the notes and moved towards the community hall for dinner with Wei Wuxian. She saw Wen Ning helping with serving of food. She felt pang of hurt deep in her heart every time she thought of her brother who has been through so much and him becoming fierce corpse added more guilt to already bleeding heart. She couldn't save her little brother from his cruel fate.
She searched for Popo among the gathered people spotting her with A-Yuan in one of the tables she moved to sit across from her. Wei Wuxian went to gather other elders to discuss their plan. They settled down around the table and finished their meagre meal quickly.
Uncle four and Uncle third were sitting on one side of the table while Wei Wuxian sat beside her. Cousin Ruyi sat beside Popo and A-Yuan. Aunt Mu Xinyi and her brother Mu Pingji sat occupying the other side. She and Wei Wuxian explained their reason to make the move from the Burial Mounds to the gathered group. The elders looked concerned as the time passed but didn't interrupt them.
"The resentful energy will affect us more as we try to live here, even though we have taken multiple measures to be safe from it. I expect this exposure at worst will affect our soul and eat away our humanity very very slowly. Maybe with a soul calming ceremony it will be not come to that, but no one here have that protection. At best we will slowly see our physical body deteriorate and die because of failing health. Also, we don't know what it will do to a growing child such as A-Yuan."
"The mounds has kept us safe form the cultivators but we are still in danger from the resentful beings trapped here I can keep them off us but in long term we will still be affected by the ambient resentful energy, maybe with more materials we could start cleansing the grounds but we are struggling as it is. A-Yuan deserves more than this mass graveyard. Everyone here deserves more than this place."
Wei Wuxian took a deep breath as he looked at the others before leaning forward and seriously informed them " While I was in the town I heard some of the increasing and ridiculous rumours about all my evil doings and even about my growing Wen army consisting of numerous Fierce Corpses. The next Wen Ruohan.” He said the last part with a smirk that was more self-deprecatory then evil.
"The Jins have occupied the power vacuum left by the war, yet they are also greedy after the Yīn Hǔ Fú's power. We are going to be in danger as long as we are in cultivation world. They want the power that let to Wen's loss in the war and I have it. In hindsight it is clear that their main focus is me and the tally since handful of wen prisoners are not precious enough for them that they are willing to spread rumours and ensure we are as isolated as possible cutting supplies and sending disciples on look out. I think the most of the other Sect leaders don't even know what happened Qióngqí Dào much else the that there is a child here."
The grim realization of their predicament sat heavily on everyone around the table. Popo was petting the sleep A-Yuan who has laid across her lap. She cleared her throat and started "So we are moving ah. Its good we have identified the threat. We should choose where we are going to live sooner than later. We will add what little knowledge we know about the territories. Ruyi-er wasn't your maternal uncle a peddler traveling across the lands? hm. you come and help with what you know."
Wen Ruyi a woman in her late thirties leaned forward towards the map made by Wen Qing and Wei Wuxian. "There are handful of sea side villages here that are under no cultivation sect generally only rouge cultivators visit but if we go further south on the outer edge of Hunan there is forest area with no human trace. Also, its far away from other small sects. the nearest sect is Wushou Li from Nanman which takes at least one week of travel by carriage. I don't know any other village that is not frequented by cultivators. There are villages that are along the border of Meishan and Qishan but I think we will be not able go there, we will be found."
Uncle three added, "Qiu-er has travelled to Wushou Li for her cousin's marriage we can ask her about the roads used for travel and Dangers. She might know what we will need in the travel to such areas. But, Wei-gongzi I think we need more than an uncharted area to prevent any cultivators to find us. We need to erase our tracks as we move and scout out the area before moving. We must have a solid plan and many contingency plans."
Wei Wuxian thought about Uncle Three's point. They need to move fast and stealthily. He had been trying to experiment with arrays for travel but they are just that experiments. If he can work one of them successfully they might be able to cut short the travelling time greatly. To travel such long distance generally a cultivator needs to learn travelling path cultivation and use a travelling talisman to move between great distance. It expends large amount of energy and the talisman while a brilliant invention on manipulation of space and time is still not feasible for many situations. Maybe if he created an anchor and power it through the ambient natural energies. He will have to do some experimentations.
Wei Wuxian had many more theories branching out in his brain but put them on hold as he focused back on what was being said at the table. Wen Ning has fetched some papers and writing set for Wen Ruyi to mark the map on new information they have discussed. Third and Fourth uncle got up to go and discuss with Wen Qiu about her past travels. While the Mu siblings gathered the dirty utensils to take them to be washed. They are to inform others on their impending move out of Burial Mounds and collect any information others may have that could be helpful.
Wei Wuxian could see the visible change in atmosphere as the news spread in the small group instantly. Excitement. Dread. Fear. Mainly hope shone amongst the living. Wei Wuxian got more determined than ever as the people he thought as his become excited at mere mention of moving out and finding new residence ways away from cultivation world then they were already.
They did more planning and ironing out what has been discussed today. At the end it was decided they will collect more information before locking their destination. For next two days Wen Ning will be send to collect information in Yilling and other nearby villages. Wen Ning sweets as he was determined to collect everything he could. Not for the first time Wei Wuxian admired how Wen Ning used his quite character for his own advantage.
When the fire started to go out, Popo left first with A-Yuan to put him to sleep. Immediately afterwards the settlement slowly made way to their huts to sleep. Wei Wuxian got up to make way to his cave but was bracketed at both sides by the Wen Ning and Wen Qing. The older women grabbed his arm and practically dragged him back to his cave.
"Aiya Wen Qing why so forward? What would others think about the great Yilling Laozu being dragged to his liar. hm? Be gentler ah, I am fragile." He started babbling as he sensed whatever talk is ahead of him he is not going to like it. Wen Ning ever faithful to his older sister looked apologetically at him before helped his sister drag him to the Demon Slathering Cave. Ugh the betrayal!
Wen Qing bored his incessant chatter till the entrance of the cave before she pulled her needles to threaten him into submission. He was unceremoniously dropped on his bed. Wen Qing crossed her hands and looked down at him with narrowed eyes. Not able to hold his nerves anymore Wei Wuxian asked, "What is it? Why am I being subjected to your cruel treatment? I didn't do anything ah!!"
Wen Qing eyes flashed in warning before she took deep breath and said, "If we successfully move out of here and escape from their watchful eyes then we might have some handful of months before they find us again. You need to do something about your tally. But again it will not stop the Jins from retaliating. They have the resource. It will take a miracle to escape from this. The power you wield will always be covetous to cultivators along with the tally. We will need to go further then Nanman, we need to disappear from the face of earth."
Wei Wuxian held his breath as he processed what Wen Qing said. He came to the same conclusion somewhere between Jiang Cheng's and Lan Zhan's visit. But he didn't acknowledge that depressing thought. He has already broken his promise to Jiang Cheng. Shijie is now in Lanling. But he still yearns to be with them, he still wants to at the least hear news from story tellers in village inns.
He desperately wants to be with his family even though the ties have frayed beyond help. It hurts.
He know its selfish wish to want after everything he has done. The Lotus Pier Massacre is still fresh in his mind. He could see the burning piers and screams of shidis and shimeis as they were hunted down. The guilt and weight of everything that has happened weighted on him.
Logically he knew not everything was his fault that Wen Ruohan had marked Yunmeng Jiang on his hit list long before Wei Wuxian has made himself a nuisance before Wen Chao. He knew that giving up his golden core has broken him more than he likes to admit to himself. He knew that he is not indebted to Jiangs as Madam Yu repeatedly screamed at him. Yet he can not comes to terms with these truths.
He will always carry these weights.
He also knew the only thing that stopped him form creating a portal array was his attachment to the cultivation world and little bit of research he can't do without a golden core. Okay he needs more resources to come up with the portal idea but it is becoming a need rather than a fancy idea he thought up for fun. Wen Qing also seemed to understand that part of him well enough to corner him in his own space.
Wei Wuxian is tired and he thinks it's obvious when he answers back, "Then we shall disappear from the face of earth." He is determined to take these rag tag group of people he rescued to safety. These people showed kindness towards him even thought he raised their kin from dead to slay more of them. There must have been at least one dead of family member because of him yet they pulled him into their lives as if he is their own.
Then there is A-Yuan, he could still remember his elation when he called him Baba after a stressful tantrum. He might have cried. A little.
He will ensure of their safety if its the last thing he must do.
Wen Qing made a complicated expression before sighing and taking the seat beside him. She took his hands in her smaller ones and held them as they sat in silence. Wen Ning hesitantly sat at their feet lightly leaning on their legs. Showing his silent support.
Wei Wuxian feels tears sliding down his face. He silently mourned what is to come.