Chapter Text
The bright sun shines above the streets of a once bustling village: the streets now only showed abandoned stalls and houses, their were now only two men standing in the middle of the village road, One in all white and blues, the only darker color being his inky black hair and golden eyes, his partner in contrast was dressed in black and red's matching the ribbon in his hair, his hair a raven black and eyes honey brown.
These men were of course ‘Hanguang-Jun’ and the infamous ‘Yilling lazou’ and despite their sad and chilling surroundings, both men looked unaffected and almost content.
This place was the Lin village and it had been a rich spot for traders and noble men to visit.
That it was until 5 months ago when both men and women and their children started to go missing, rumors had reached High and Low about the decreasing village population and the screams that would be heard at night, in fact so high the rumor had caught the ears of the gusu lan sect.
……. …….
Grandmaster Lan sat in front of them clearly trying to keep a calm demeanor, unfortunately that had never been one of his strengths so the twitchs of his eyes and clenching of his hands were made obvious.
“Did you forget that listening to gossip is forbidden or are our clan's teachings all for waste?” He finally said, the three juniors he is currently talking to Lan Jingyi, Lan shizhi and Jin ling all shared a look. All 3 of them could not help but think that: this master is so stubborn! The “rumor” they had told him was quite concerning and all he cared to mention was the rule they'd broken!
Lan Shizhi was the first to reply, “Grandmaster is correct, I will make sure we proceed with our punishments later” He pauses, Beside him he could see a annoyed look on Jin lings face, “But Lan Jingyi is correct, with your permission we hope to help the Lin village” He finally added.
It would be more of a lie to say they'd found out about the matter through a rumor, they'd actually found out during a nighthunt when they bumped into a group of Lin refugees who more so begged them to help their village after they'd noticed their Gusu and Jin clothing.
Lan qiren ran a hand through his beard, “Unneeded, Whatever struggles the Lin village may be facing is of the Nie sects concern not Gusus” He said.
Finally, it seemed that after 30 minutes of back and forths with the master, the last dam had been broken and someone slammed their hands into the table, both Lan shizhi and Lan jingyi breaths hitched as they turned to the young sect leader beside them.
The young man looked as shocked as the others at his outburst with eyes wide and cheeks blushing, Grandmaster lan huffed, “What is the meaning of such an outburst? Do you have no respect for your Elders!” The man continued on.
The lan juniors stood up Lan shizhi cleared his throat freely ignoring that interrupting your elders was forbidden, “Forgive our disobedience Master, we will continue to take punishment in the library” this only got another annoyed huff from the elder as all 3 children bowed and rushed to leave.
The minute the door closed behind them Lan jingyi turned to Jin ling frustrated, “What was that for!” He pointed a finger at the golden Boys chest, Jin ling rolled his eyes “Your grandmaster was getting on my nerves!” He argued.
“We would've gotten through him if you hadn't lost control over your anger!” The young lan yelled back, “Oh please we both know we were getting nowhere with this conversation” He scoffed.
Lan shizhi sighed, “Enough both of you, what's done is done.. we can try again after our punishments”
Jin Ling's face tightened, “Why do I need a punishment? I'm not even apart of your sect”, The smile on Lan shizhis face started to strain, “As guest student of cloud recess you are required to follow all gusu rules”
Jin ling huffed, “Whatever” he than started to walk away while both lan boys started to follow him.
In truth, Lan shizhi was also frustrated. This grandmaster was always so strict and stubborn about the wrong things, he would not even allow the help of a helpless village.
“Why can't you, I don't know, try to get Sect leader Nies help, it is a part of his territory and you are a Sect leader” Lan jingyi asked, Jin ling sighed, “I can't. Ever since Our previous sect leader had passed, Sect leader Nie had become unreachable” He crossed his arms.
It was true, a lot has changed since the event of Guanyin temple had happened, For almost a year the Nies have went completely silent, some territories even closed off. Ouyang zizhen spared no time to tell them of how rumors believed the Nie sect was finally collapsing because of its lousy sect leader, Sect leader Lan had went into deep seclusion the only visiting members being Lan Qiren and occasionally Lan wangji and sect leader Jiang had become even more distant and angry, Although has stayed silent about matters concerning Wei wuxian.
Truly it seemed the only ones really enjoying the world right now were Senior Wei and Hanguang-Jun. What? With the constant looks they sent each other and excessive touchiness? A warm feeling spread in Lan shizhis chest at his family's happiness, even if it was horribly embarrassing at times.
“Woahh, looky here it's my favorite juniors!” A loud voice called.
Speak of the devil.
Wei wuxian ran towards the kids, his black exterior clashing with everything else. He noticed the frustrated looks on their faces, he raised a brow, “What's with the stormy looks?”
“We asked Grandmaster Lan for permission so we could help.. certain people from a Nie village. He said no” Lan jingyi replied with a guilty look on his face.
“Ah, that Master always so stingy. But tell me which village exactly?” Wei wuxian questioned his curiosity evident on his face, “Lin Village horrible rumors have spread about the constant attacks on it's people, Some say it's almost become deserted”
“Lin village?!” Senior Weis' eyes widened, “You know of the village Da-jiu?” Jin ling asked, “Why of course I know of it! Sect leader Nie had once taken me and your jiujiu to it, aiya we ended up getting lost in the crowds that day! We were even younger than you three at the time” His eyes started to grow misty as they usually did when he talked about the past, it made their hearts hurt: if only they could change the past of the man before them who'd brought them much comfort and needed realisations in the past year.
“Well Maybe you can help! Senior Wei!” Lan jingyi said cheerfully, “Me? Why?” He pointed a finger at himself, “Senior Wei you're a very talented cultivator! And your husband is Hanguang-Jun! You're practically allowed anything. The Lin refuges we met are still in an In down at caiyi town” He exclaimed.
Wei wuxian chuckled, “Oh please not anything” All 3 juniors sent the adult man A deadpanned look, “Aiya! Why are you looking at me like that!”
Jin ling rolled his eyes, In which Wei wuxisn replied to with a, “Hmm fine, I'll talk to that Hanguang-Jun of yours about this, now tell me where are you 3 going to”
“Where else? That stupid lan library for punishment” Jin lings face scrunched up as he talked about their punishment.
Wei wuxian suddenly hugged Jin ling making Jin ling scream at him to let go, “My beautiful nephew getting his first punishment” He pretended to wipe a tear of his face.
Turning a look at Lan shizhi, “Tell me what did you get punished for?” He said teasingly.
Lan shizhi blushed at his father's enthusiasm, “We broke the “Do not argue with your Elders” Rule” Among other things.. was left unsaid by him.
“And Jin ling slammed the table because of Grandmaster” Lan jingyi helpfully added.
Jin Ling glared at the lan, angry at being told on to his uncle.
Fortunately, this was Senior wei not Sect leader Jiang, so he started to giggle like a mad man, “Oh Jin ling you are so much like me. Are you sure we aren't related by blood?”
“It's enough you are my martial uncle! I do not need you as a blood one to!” He stomped his foot like a child, and walked away.
Lan shizhi and Lan jingyi sent a sheepish smile to Wei wuxian as they bowed clearly planning on following their friend.
Wei wuxian rolled his eyes and waved for them to go, “Go go take your punishment, Ah reminds me of Lan zhan and I from back then” Neither boy wanted to know the implications of such a sentence thank you very much, so they quickly fastened their walking pace, they were not running really.
Senior Wei broke out into outrageous laughs once again from behind them.
. .. …………. ….
It was barely night time when Lan wangji reached the Jingshi, His husband laid on their bed only in his inner robes clearly awake but his attention focused on the talisman in his hand.
Lan wangji smiled, “Wei ying” His voice called the name out gently, this caught the other man's attention and he propped up Lan wangji watched as Wei yings face lit up, warming his heart efficiently.
“Lan zhan!! The man wasted no time and immediately rushed towards him capturing him in a hug, “This poor husband missed you so much”
“Mm.. Miss Wei ying to” It'd only been a couple of hours since they'd last seen each other but, this had been the longest they'd left each other's side since marriage as both men were usually very free exempting when they had to go teach their classes separately.
“What did Wei ying do today?” He asked as he carried Wei ying back towards their bed, Wei ying huffed, “Nothing really after I'd finished my classes I'd went off to annoy those juniors of ours”
“Mm… like usual” he said teasingly, which got a dramatic gasp from Wei ying, “Are you calling this husband annoying!?” He clutched at his heart, “For shame Hanguang-Jun! What will the cultivation world say when they find out you're mistreating your spouse?”
He pretended to think about it for a second, “Bewitching spell had been broken”
Wei ying grabbed at Lan Zhans clothing, his shoulders shook as he laughed and thought to himself: whoever said this man had no sense of humor was wrong!
“Ahhh Lan Zhan always so cruel to this poor and defenseless husband.. don't you know I'm so weak to you?” He pulled Lan wangji down with him to lay on their bed.
Golden eyes meet brown, Lan Zhan caressed Wei yings cheek, small shy smiled on each others faces.
“Ah, Lan zhan before I forget the juniors told me of a hazardous situation in Lin village” he said eyes focused on Lan zhans lips.
“Mm?”
“Apparently the rumors of a monster attacking the village endlessly are true, They claim to have met some of the refuges, they asked me to investigate on their behalf”
Lan Zhans face moved closer to Wei yings to the point that both their noses were touching, “Does Wei ying want to investigate?”
Wei ying was blushing despite his usual thick face, “It would be nice.. we have not had a casual night hunt in so long”
“Than I shall arrange it Tommorow” The golden eyed man said breathlessly as they finally touched lips.
When they finally parted, Wei yings eyes shone, “Hmm perhaps this husband of mine is not so cruel” A smirk appeared on his face as he said that.
That was not the end of the story as Lan zhan went in for another kiss, thirsty for it like a man would be with water.
….. …….
And that seemed to be the story of why both men were now searching through the empty streets.
Hanguang-Jun had managed to take a trip down to caiyi town to speak to these refugees the juniors had brought with them, they were a family of 6 and they were the Lin family, they had been the family in charge of the village previous to the attacks and had been willing to share as much information as they could with the couple.
The way they'd described it, it seemed like the monster was an overgrown dog, The Lin even claimed that they'd believed it was some sort of new dog breed attacking the village before making a thoroughly check.
Wei wuxians eyes squinted, “There truly is no one! Even Yi city had been more lively!” He exclaimed to Hanguang-Jun.
“Mn.. Yet the streets look untouched”
A thoughtful look spread on Wei wuxians face, “Perhaps it's not a monster but a person? The streets look normal if you ignore the lack of people”
Lan Wangji turned to his husband, “Wei ying is correct Though, The Lin family reported that before leaving they would hear growls at night”
Wei wuxian pursed his lips, “Ah, right” He crossed his arms, “It's odd though! Is it not? I do not sense any sort of resentful energy! This creature must be very powerful”
Lan Wangji was about to insert his own commentary when a figure ran from the corner of his eyes, making the bushes near it make a crunching sound, to the average person it would be unnoticeable maybe a figment of your imagination but, both Wei wuxian and Lan wangji have had intense years of training and experience with these things.
They both shared a look and then started to run after it, clearly the creature had noticed their trail because it no longer bothered on hiding its sound, finally revealing itself.
It was a beast… It looked like a wolf but it was far too large to actually be one, its eyes were fiery red and its claws were long and sharp.
Beside him he heard Wei wuxians breath hitch and his face slightly pale, a look of recognition on his face.
“Wei ying-” He was about to say when he was interrupted again by the beast as it suddenly stopped and turned to them.
Wei wuxian took a step back clearly prepared to fight, the thing lunged at them- no it lunged at wei ying.
Lan wangji took out Bichen. quick to attack using his spiritual energy, but the beast sent out an even stronger blast of energy which threw Lan Wangji into the nearby pavement.
He watched in horror as it skillfully avoided Wei yings attacks and bit down on his beloved's arm, and then dragged him towards the nearby woods.
He felt All the blood in his body rush to his head, “Wei ying” Lan wangji shouted spending not a second as he got up and followed them.
Lan wangjis heart was now maniacally beating through this chest, he'd promised to protect Wei ying he'd failed again, the only comfort was the shouts of Wei ying that confirmed he was not being torn apart.
The beast jumped into a cave letting go of Wei wuxian; the fall would have been lethal had it not been for Lan Wangji quickly catching him.
For a minute they just stood on Bichen only a few feet away from the cave floor, with wei wuxian tightly held in lan wangjis arm.
The beast had disappeared.
“Lan Zhan” Wei ying hugged him.
“Wei ying- almost lost..” Lan Wangji looked at Wei Wuxians concerned face, he registered that other than the bleeding hand that the beast had bitten on earlier, Wei Ying was fine.
Yet, he could not stop the horrible thoughts inserting into his mind.
“Lan Zhan, Lan Zhan I'm fine” Wei wuxian cupped lan wangjis face, Lan wangji nodded “Fine- yes I-” The other man put a finger on his mouth.
“Shh… it's fine Lan Zhan. Look! It dragged us to this cave this must be the source of the issue! It's almost time for us to go home, no?” Wei wuxian held Lan wangjis hand, they will be having an emotionally exhausting talk tonight thats for sure.
“Mm. Stay close Wei ying”
“I will”
Both finally turned to observe the surroundings, it looked like any other cave. The room was chilly and the floor was covered in a thin layer of dirt.
But there was one thing that stood out, there was a small opening to where the beast had run through, and both Lan Wangji and wei Wuxian felt the strong radiating spiritual and resentful energy calling for them to enter.
“Wei ying.. you recognise this beast?...” He asked turning to look at Wei Ying who's eyes were still stuck on the cave's entrance, “...it's a creature of the burial ground, I have no idea how it could've possibly come here, they're smart and efficient creatures no wonder I couldn't sense any of its energy…”
Lan Wangjis grip tightened on Wei yings hand, This creature.. he did not know much about Wei yings time in the burial mounds but, it was clear at some point Wei Ying had encountered it.
Wei wuxian noticed Lan Zhans death grip and thought “This man truly so protective to me”
As they crossed the entrance of the hole they were immediately met with the statue of a woman, she stood tall both hands clasped in front of her, her eyes were closed, and her hair was half up half down, her clothing were simple yet classy worthy of a merchant.
The beast from earlier walked from behind the statue, which caused Lan wangji to immediately pull out bichen.
“Do not fret” A feminine voice echoed all across the cave catching both of them off guard, an energy that was not there previously appeared behind them.
Turning around it was the woman from the statue now colored. Her eyes were an unnatural blue, her hair was black while her robes were whites and gold.
“It is an honor to meet you ‘Hanguang-Jun’ and ‘Yilling lazou’ I am the goddess Zhèngyì” she bowed, both Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji bowed after her, both at a loss for words.
“Your highness.. we are blessed to be in your presence, we apologise for any intrusion we may have committed” shockingly it was Wei wuxian to first speak, The goddess chucked, “Non-sense it was I who brought you here”
Both men blinked, The beast…
She did not wait for either of the men to speak again, “The world has changed. Righteousness now a ploy as a way to gain riches and power, until you” she pointed at the men Wei ying was gaping at her while Lan wangji stood still though nobody could see the anxiousness within him.
“I have been watching you for so long, I know your sorrows, your happiness and your heart's deepest desires, that I shall grant” She smiled.
Both their eyes widened, “Your highness, we appreciate your gift but that is truly unnecessary, she huffed, “Non-sense! You will receive your gifts, it is by my own will! In addition! It has already been granted" she announced cheerfully.
“What?”
“Once you leave my cave everything will become a new” She held both their arms, “Now I must go do either of you have any more queries”
“The villagers?” Lan wangji finally asked ignoring her prior announcement, she waved at him, “They are fine they shall return Tomorrow at sunset”
“Thank you, your highness”
And just like that the women disappeared with a flash of light and so did the beast, both men did not dare to utter a word still tense from their encounter with the goddess.
As they took a step outside the cave the world went dark and the last thing either of them heard was a thud.
….. …….. . ….
Wei wuxian startled with a gasp, he felt his robes stick to his sweaty skin.
His heart beat quickly in his chest as if he'd just awoken from a terrible nightmare, Wei wuxian did not have any time to process what had just happened as someone beside him grabbed his arm.
“Wei Wuxian what the hell!” A tired voice called from beside him.
Jiang cheng…? “Jiang cheng?!” He asked, This frightened him even more, it did not help that the man before him looked much younger his features yet, to be drowned in the bitterness and resentment his own brother was so familiar with.
“Yeah? What's wrong with you! Waking up like a mad man! Some of us are trying to sleep” the child huffed although there was a gleam of concern in his eyes.
“It's nothing… just- just a nightmare”
Jiang cheng rolled his eyes, “Yeah whatever goodnight” though as he said that the arm around his hand tightened.
Wei wuxian layed back to process where he was.
“Good night, Jiang cheng…”