Chapter 2: Cooperation

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"So how are we going to run the disciple through training if my left hand is tied to your right hand?"

"Well Shijie made adjustments to it so it won't interfere with our individual activities. Our wrists aren't physically tied together but we can't walk a certain distance from one another

"You left Suibian in your room again." Jiang Cheng scowls at him. Wei Wuxian looks away, swallowing away the lump that forms in his throat. No matter how many times he gets berated for leaving his sword behind, it still brings a pang to his heart.

"We're just running through the drills right? Correcting their form and such?"

"Demonstrations are useful. Don't try slacking off." Jiang Cheng elbows him in the side.

Wei Wuxian sighs.

"I won't."

He picks up a wooden sword from the training yard and runs the disciples through their first set of drills. He only lasts a few moments before the world starts spinning.

"Wei Wuxian, what's wrong?" Hands catch his shoulders. Wei Wuxian blinks away his blurry vision to see Jiang Cheng scowling at him, though there is clear concern in his eyes. Jiang Cheng's hand, Wei Wuxian realizes, feels like a searing pain on his shoulder. He can feel the spiritual energy coursing through his brother's hand and onto his shoulder, but instead of warmth, all he feels is pain. He takes a deep breath and tries not to grimace from it.

"Nothing," Wei Wuxian says, pulling away from him. "I just got tired."

"Tired? It hasn't even been one incense of time yet. Cultivators don't tire this easily. Are you sure you're feeling fine?"

"I'm fine, really," Wei Wuxian says hurriedly. Jiang Cheng gives him a skeptical look and then they continue. Wei Wuxian manages to pull through until the end of training. By the end of the day, he passes out on the bed and falls asleep long before Jiang Cheng has taken his outer robes off.

The next day, they put most of the focus during their day on actual rebuilding and construction. Wei Wuxian gives him pointers on new additions to add to Lotus Pier.

"How about I make a shield?" He suggests. "Extra protection. I'm not sure how big I can make it but it should cover most of Lotus Pier."

"Sure." Jiang Cheng begins to agree then his brows furrowed. "Is this another one of your inventions?"

"I've always been good at inventing talismans and stuff," Wei Wuxian points out. "I have a talisman used especially to repel dogs. Isn't that useful?"

"Hmph." Jiang Cheng rolls his eyes. Wei Wuxian squeezes next to Jiang Cheng on his desk, helping him answer his letters. Wei Wuxian tries to secretly slip all letters from Sect leader Yao into Jiang Cheng's pile, but of course his brother notices.

"Wei Wuxian!!"

"Yes?" He blinks innocently at the man next to him whose eyes are practically on fire.

"You're annoying!" Jiang Cheng snaps, purposely elbowing him. Wei Wuxian wants to laugh but unfortunately, the elbows catch him right in the ribs and he doubles over in pain.

"Ow...Jiang Cheng..." Wei Wuxian wheezes out.

"I didn't even hit you that hard. Stop being a baby!" Wei Wuxian catches his breath again and resumes answering letters as if nothing had happened. Once the day's paperworks are done, Wei Wuxian practically drags Jiang Cheng to the back courtyard to watch him invent talismans.

~

"This is one of my new inventions. It's called the Compass of Evil. You remember that proposal I said about having a tool that points to where the resentful energy is? Back at Baling Lake?"

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