"again.. the Yiling Patriarch had always been the one to stir trouble..." A sect leader snarled the moment he arrived at Lotus Pier. Three demonic figures sat in the middle of Lotus Pier hall. Yes, Lotus Pier, the great fucking Wei Wuxian held the meeting at Jiang Wanyin's place four days after the burning of Cloud Recesses. If not for the circumstances and the upper-ups (Xie Lian and the gods), he would never allow such a thing. Everyone keeps staring at them. Aside from their nasty looks and canonical demonic auras, their overall output is fearsome and scary. No one dared talk or utter a word, especially Hua Cheng and Luo Binghe. Only Wei Wuxian seemed approachable.
"Of course! A scourge like him should have been killed or tried, if not for Hanguang-jun, he wouldn't be alive right now! And now, he's spouting nonsense that Wen Rouhan is alive... That man wouldn't be alive, that bastard killed him during the war." Another cultivator said, "If I know, he raised him again from the dead just as he did to the Ghost General. He must be up to something after years of silence and peace."
The Martial gods wore the same disgusted expression. No wonder, no human was able to ascend to heaven no matter how much they cultivate. "It is not his fault." Mu Qing stared blankly at the cultivator, "before you find fault from someone, know the details before you spout nonsense. That man is more honorable than the rest of you collectively." The martial gods have already determined that Wei Wuxian is an ally. They already asked the literature and archive gods to check on his background. Although he died miserably, he is still a good man.
The Cang Qiong Peak disciple remained silent while listening to the exchange of words between the gods and the cultivators. Ignorance is not an excuse for cultivators not to understand the difference between their statuses. They didn't dare cross that line, even if they are immortals, the Martials are in their league. Divinity speaks of their power and that lands them at the peak of the hierarchy.
"Stand aside cultivators... They are not people you can offend." Yue Qingyuan said and lowers his cup of tea. The tension even got heavier with his words.
"And who are you to tell us what to do? We are merely stating the fact that Wei Wuxian must be purged before he could destroy the world. He even had demonic allies right now!"
"I believe, they would never allow that." Three cold stares made the whining cultivators shut up. Lan Wangji's cold stare was borderline. However, no one expected Xie Lian's cold smile and Shen Qingqiu's searching gaze. If looks could kill, they'd be killed right on the spot.
"I did not expect for the Heavenly Martial's to descend in the mortal realm." The old sage mused while stroking his beard. "Even peak immortals came to assist. Good. Good, with much help, you three can concentrate on the fight. However, I did not expect much from the mortal cultivators... They happened to make extreme biases and ill judgments..."
"Please don't lump us with them." Jiang Wanyin said. Nie Huaisang, Lan Wangji, and he resolutely stared at them. The mortal cultivator had fallen silent with Jiang Wanyin's remarks. Well, Jiang Wanyin had long given up believing in what others are saying after he reconciled with Wei Wuxian and learned of the truth. "We will assist, but we need to learn the details if we can."
"Yes... Yes..." The old man Sage nodded and glanced at the problematic trio who ran away from him.
"Cracks have been appearing throughout the world. This was the reason the enemy came into this plane. From ancient times, different planes allow the existence of every single life. These are the Heavenly or the Divine realms, the immortal peak or high immortal, the mortal realm, and the demon realm. However, another realm existed for some reason. A realm that was forbidden to interfere with the other since ancient times. If this realm exists in this world, it would only mean destruction." The sage narrated, no one believed the words he said. Well, that is expected for the cultivators but not for the peak immortals and martial gods.
"As I have explained to this problem demon squad, they are chosen to close those cracks, defeat the enemy and save the world. That's all."
"That's all you say." Wei Wuxian grunted, "defeating the enemy rings the hardest hurdle. Right? He-Xiong, Cheng-Xiong?"
Hua Cheng remained silent for a while. Luo Binghe glanced at Shen Yuan. Shen Yuan had never been able to understand why Luo Binghe glanced at him.
"If not for you three misbehaving, you could have stopped Bai Wuxiang's nasty ritual on His Highness, Crown Prince XianLe, the attack on Shen Qingqiu at the Bamboo house, and Cloud recesses burning. There's no one to blame but your rash decision."
"San Lang?" Xie Lian couldn't help but feel sad at Hua Cheng's conduct.
"You can't blame me, Gege. I was taken to a weird place, woke up with these two, and was later told to save the world. Take a look at us Ge, there's nothing redeemable on us. I am a nasty ghost, *points at Binghe* he's a demon sprawl, *points at Wuxian* a shitty whining demonic master. It was too far for a joke to tell us to save the world..."
"Agreed." Luo Binghe assent, "I told them already... We might as well destroy the world."
"It's like cracking a boulder with a stone."
"Understandable..." Shen Qingqiu's said and lowered his fan. Nie Huaisang's eyes landed on Shen Qingqiu's beautiful mint green and white fan. "Hearing this for the first time, this might as well be a joke."
"But it wasn't." Lan Wangji interjected and sighed.
The demon squad flinched at the heavy gazes their loved ones are throwing at them. However, there was no fault in their words. "I understand San Lang... What's done is already done... What we need to do now, is how to fight back. If these cracks appeared on the mortal plane, of course, next would appear in the Peaks."
Shen Qingqiu's dropped the question offhandedly, "I have to be frank, of all the enemies that came after you three, who are the strongest?"
Hua Cheng spoke, "Bai Wuxiang, for the cowardly gods, he's formerly known as the Martial Emperor."
Luo Binghe, "I only fought my father... TianLang-jun... However, the one who attacked Shizun is not him... *Glances at Shen Qingqiu, then the old sage, then back to Shen Qingqiu*... Someone... I don't know."
A lie. Shen Qingqiu noticed Luo Binghe lied. Hua Cheng and Wei Wuxian's worried gaze made it noticeable even for Xie Lian and Lan Wangji. Lan Wangji expected Wei Wuxian to be mindful of everyone's problems. And Xie Lian didn't expect Hua Cheng to have that kind of caring expression for another—it made him happy.
"Master Lan Wangj—"
"How dare you casually call Hanguang-jun by his courtesy name?" Sect Leader Yao interjected.
"He can." Mu Qing finally spoke for the first time in the whole conversation, "His Highness the Crown Prince is a god. If anything, you're the rude one for interfering in this serious business."
"It's okay... It doesn't matter... Well then, Hanguang-ju—"
"Wangji is enough Your Highness."
"Then call me Xie Lian too—or Lian-ge! I must ask, who are the other enemies of the mortal plane?"
"Aside from Wen Rouhan... there's Former Sect Leader Jin Guangshan and Jin Guangyao." Lan Wangji replied, "Lian-ge... I believe, there are more than three enemies. I've seen the dark figures looming above Wen Rouhan before they left."
"There are seven." Luo Binghe said, "seven enemies."
"Then there's still five unknown enemies... I believe we must enter into a treaty for this..." Shen Qingqiu proposed, "I believe my Cang Qiong Peak and the Martial had agreed, along with Master Jiang, Master Nie, and Master Lan Wangji... Though this may seem frivolous, the earlier conversation between the martial gods and the mortal is disappointing. Only a few could be trusted within the human ranks. It wouldn't do us well having them around. What can you say Lian-ge?"
"This not the time to question everyone's trust." Xie Lian replied.
Feng Xin finally spoke, "I agree with Master Shen's proposal. Our top priority is to aid Master Wei and Master Luo along with *rolls eyes while he uttered Hua Cheng's name* Ghost, King Hua Cheng. Not the mortals or the peak immortals. As I see it, the mortals can stand on their own. If we ever had to send someone with them, I believe, it must be their chosen trusted person."
"You dragged my name." Hua Cheng huffed in amusement.
"Shut up, you fiend." Feng Xin snarled and closes his eyes. "We can discuss the measure we needed to talk—"
"That would be unnecessary." The old Sage once again took over the conversation. "This trio will take down their enemies on their respective cracks. That is the only way to stop the widening of the cracks."
"You mean... They are to enter the cracks?" Xie Lian asked.
"Yes... And only them could enter the cracks." The old sage stroke his beard and said, "a human cannot withstand the demonic energy of the cracks no matter how powerful they are. The only ones who can enter at will are them. For the three realms, I would order you to try and protect the mortal plane as they defeat the enemies."
"IMPOSSIBLE!" Lan Qiren huffed, "Wen Rouhan is downright powerful! Wei Ying couldn't possibly go against him! Especially, with his cultivation right now."
"Wei Wuxian might have just repeated the past..." The old sage replied, "dug his core and give it to someone again... After all, he is the most powerful without his core. Right? Master Jiang?"
Everyone had fallen silent. Jin Ling who had been beside him worriedly glanced at his uncle. Every cultivator spared him a glance. It was a secret that Wei Wuxian made him promise to keep. But now, it seems that they can't keep it any longer.
"I won't destroy the core he once gave me and place another." Jiang Wanyin's reply, "he had always attempted the impossible, I am sure, he wouldn't need to dig his core out to achieve impossibility... Ugg. What am I saying, that idiot is impossible himself!"
"Aiyo! Jiang Cheng! Way to go! dissing your dear brother!" Wei Wuxian whined and pointed at Jiang Wanyin, "you stupidly constipated brother of mine, if I am impossible, you're way more impossible than me! Even the matchmakers banned you!"
"Wei Wuxian you!"
The brothers ended up bickering right in front of the heavyweights. The materials had soft gazes at the brother and even the peak immortals were laughing for the love of god! It was truly a feast for the eyes, "how old are they?" One of the martial gods asked.
Nie Huaisang, "They're about in their forties."
Mu Qing, "And still acting like a kid?"
Xie Lian, "talk about being kids. Isn't the same has to be said to you and Feng Xin?"
Hua Cheng, "gege, I'll keep that in mind, I'd behave. This boy will act like his age."
Wei Wuxian, "how old are you Cheng-Xiong? You looked as young as me!"
Luo Binghe, "I bet older than your great great great great great great great great great great great great great great great grandfather."
Feng Xin sneered, "why am I included in this?"
Ming Fan, "I thought of the same."
Mu Qing, "what did you say?"
So, even before the groups would go wage war, the old sage tapped his cane, but no one heard his warning. He tapped again, swords about to leave its scabbards. For the third time, "YOU BRATS! YOU GONNA LISTEN OR I'LL MAKE EVERY ONE OF YOU SHUT UP!"
Everyone paused and immediately sat perfectly in sync. Wei Wuxian had been laughing so hard and ended up receiving a playful smack from the old man. "You too. Sit down..."
So again, the old sage had to take over again.
"So? What will be your decision?" The old sage seriously stared at them.
"Wei Wuxian." Hua Cheng called, " What do you want to do?" Wei Wuxian was like a good kid. Hua Cheng has to admit, he sees Gege's reckless side on him. Also, the way this person spoke to him intrigued him.
Luo Binghe also glanced at Wei Wuxian. This was the man who helped take care of Shen Yuan. Of course, seeing how this person resembles his Shizun, he would agree to help him.
"Of course save the world." Wei Wuxian nonchalantly replied and glanced at his family, "for the young, for my loved ones, for the future... I have to fight."
Luo Binghe, "do you know why Cheng-Xiong, if I may, Master Hua—ask you?"
"I am a mortal... I will die... And die inevitably." Wei Wuxian smiled, "but still I have to... Save it."
Both Hua Cheng and Luo Binghe glanced at Wei Wuxian. The decision he is making is a total suicide. He wasn't a ghost to live numerous times as long as their ash remains. He wasn't demon blood who would never die. He was a human, of course, his situation is would be the consideration.
"Lan Zhan... Did we talk about this right? That time I asked you if I have to take that path again..."
Every cultivator raised their guard upon hearing Wei Wuxian's words. He clutched the part of his chest where his golden core reside. The golden core he builds for twenty years to live with his spouse through time. He smiled, "for everyone... I have to... Leave. I have to take that path again."
"Wei Wuxian!" Jiang Wanyin's voice thundered. "Are you going to repeat history?! You can fight now! You can stand with us by your side!"
Wei Wuxian gave his brother a sad expression. He wished that everything was fine. He wished that he can fight them with both his core and demonic cultivation—but he was mistaken. The power he needs right now is solely demonic cultivation. His core bars him from using more energy than he needed. And this time, he needed it again.
"I can't... I need to do this Jiang Cheng." Unlike Hua Cheng and Luo Binghe, he is still human. A human's body cannot use both energies without breaking any of them. While the rules on Yin and Yang talked about absolute balance, right now, Wei Wuxian couldn't fight using both. He dies instantly in that one-sided fight if not for his quick thinking of sealing his core and dabbing on demonic cultivation. "This is for the future of the world I am doing."
"Again with your self-sacrificing tendency!"
Wei Wuxian smiled. Of course, everyone would fear him again. He stared at Lan Wangji who paved the way for him.
"Lan Zhan." He calls, Lan Wangji did not make any move and waited for Wei Wuxian to continue, "I asked you before right? What if I took that single narrow planked bridge again? I am... Still waiting for your answer dear husband."
Hua Cheng and Luo Binghe didn't move and waited for this moment to unfold. They're going to save the world. They have to. Not for them, but for their loved ones who loved the world.
"I will, well maybe die..." Wei Wuxian said, "again... Leave you behind all over again... But Lan Zhan... I... For us... For everyone... I have to take that path again. Will you still give the same answer? Will you stop me? I want to protect the world. The future our child has. Will you do the same and ask me to stop the crook path?"
Every cultivator hoped for Lan Wangji not agree. They couldn't afford to have Wei Wuxian run amok again once he returned. They wanted it but they couldn't get his power. If anyone, if he returns to being Yiling Patriarch, no one could stop him.
Wei Wuxian stared at Lan Wangji's golden hues. He smiled and was about to turn around fully knowing what his love's answer would be. He loves him, and Lan Wangji had always hoped for him to stop taking the crook path. That's why he cultivated his core once again and leveled himself with Lan Wangji's standard. But instead, warm hands took his hands on his side. They were guided to Lan Wangji's cheeks. Cold tears fell on the said man's eyes, his ever-dignified and stoic appearance crumbled at every second.
"Wangji understands." His simple words rang making almost all cultivators fall into silence. The materials and peak immortals couldn't tear their eyes away. "Wei Ying loves the world... Wei Ying is willing to protect the world... I understand... I will always understand..."
A selfless mortal protecting humanity but fighting humanity. His luck was not great and he was constantly followed by death.
No one ever expected Hanguang-junto to cry for one person, "so please, when everything's alright..."
That devotion and desperation were born out of his pure love.
If he can... If Wei Wuxian can be returned to him.
"Please come back to me."
Wei Wuxian cried. He lay his forehead on Lan Wangji's. "Always Lan Zhan... I will always come back to you... So please..." The words, the same wishes he had back then, "wait for me..." A place where he can return. A place where someone is waiting, "please wait for me... I will return to you."
Hua Cheng couldn't help but feel proud of this person. "Gege. He is trustworthy."
Xie Lian smiled, "of course he is. A good man too good for the world."
Old sage, "so we have agreed."
The trio faced him and nodded, no glance was spared even a good talk.
They all said.
"Let's go run amok and destroy the world!"
"WHAT THE FUCK!?"
"YOU'RE TOLD TO SAVE IT!! GODDAMN IT!"
Swear EVERYONE had three handfuls of demon masters with twisted personalities.
They're all made for this work.
Patience dear cultivators.
(A/N: Aja!)
...to be continued...