Chapter 110: Concealment (Part Four)
Wei WuXian, “Coffins are used to hold corpses, of course. I’m guessing that what had been buried here was the corpse of Jin GuangYao’s mother, Meng Shi. He came here tonight likely to retrieve his mother’s corpse and travel to DongYing with her.”
Lan XiChen said nothing. Nie HuaiSang exclaimed with an ‘ah’, “Oh, yeah. It sounds very reasonable.”
Wei WuXian asked, “What do you think the person would do after they dug out the corpse of Jin GuangYao’s mother?”
Nie HuaiSang, “Wei-xiong, why do you keep on asking me? No matter how much you ask, I don’t know anything.” With a pause, he continued, “But…” Slowly, Nie HuaiSang brushed together his storm-drenched hair, “I think that if this person hates Jin GuangYao so much, they’d probably be entirely merciless towards something he cherishes more than his life.”
Wei WuXian, “Like cutting apart his corpse and keeping his limbs at different places, like what happened to ChiFeng-Zun?”
Nie HuaiSang jumped, stumbling backwards, “Th-Th-That’s… That’s a bit too much, isn’t it…”
Wei WuXian stared at him for a while before finally averting his gaze. Conjectures were conjectures, after all. Nobody had evidence.
Perhaps the confusion and helplessness on Nie HuaiSang’s face right now was all pretense. He didn’t want to admit that he used others as pawns, treating human lives as nothing. Perhaps this wasn’t the entirety of his plan. He had to hide his true colors to do more things, reach higher goals. Or, perhaps it wasn’t at all so complicated. There was someone else who sent the letter, killed the cats, and pieced together Nie MingJue’s head and body. Perhaps Nie HuaiSang was a complete, authentic good-for-nothing.
Maybe the last words Jin GuangYao said was a last-minute lie after his intention of attack was seen through by Nie HuaiSang, so that Lan XiChen’s thoughts would be disrupted while Jin GuangYao dragged them towards the same death. After all, Jin GuangYao was a big liar with countless past offenses. It wouldn’t be strange no matter when he lied or what he lied about.
As for why he changed his mind at the last moment, and pushed Lan XiChen out of the way, who could know just what exactly he was thinking?
Veins suddenly lined the back of the hand in which Lan XiChen placed on his forehead. His voice sounded muffled, “… Just what does he want to do? I once thought I knew him well, and then I realized I did not. Before tonight, I thought I knew him well once more, but now I do not.” Nobody could give him an answer. Lan XiChen repeated in frustration, “Just what does he want to do?”
Yet, as even he who was closest to Jin GuangYao didn’t know, it was impossible that others had an answer.
After a while of silence, Wei WuXian spoke, “Let’s stop standing around for nothing. Get a few people to go find assistance. Save a few to stand by here and watch the thing. The coffin and the guqin strings won’t be able to seal ChiFeng-Zun for long.”
As though to verify his judgement, loud noises echoed within the coffin again, along with a nameless fury. Nie HuaiSang shivered. Wei WuXian glanced at him, “You see? You have to switch to a firmer coffin right now, dig a deep ditch, and bury it once more. You won’t be able to open it in at least a hundred years. If you do, it’s guaranteed it’ll continue to haunt, resulting in endless consequences…”
Before he could finish, a loud, clear bark came from afar.
Wei WuXian’s face changed at once, while Jin Ling managed to gain some energy, “Fairy!”
The thunder had died and the pouring rain had become a sprinkle. The darkest part of the night had already passed. Light could be seen.
Sprinting, the soaking-wet dog flew in like a black wind, throwing itself at Jin Ling. Its round eyes were damp as it stood up on its hind legs, clinging to Jin Ling’s lap and whimpering. Wei WuXian watched as its crimson tongue extended from its white, sharp teeth and licked Jin Ling’s hand. His face paled and his eyes glazed over. As he opened his lips, he felt that his soul was about to become a wisp of green smoke and fly to the Heavens through his mouth. Quietly, Lan WangJi placed himself in front of him, blocking the line of sight between him and Fairy.
Immediately, hundreds of people surrounded the Guanyin Temple, each looking alarmed with swords unsheathed as though they were ready for a big fight. However, after those who rushed into the temple first saw the scene before their eyes, they all hesitated in surprise. Those lying on the ground were all dead; those who didn’t die were half-lying, half-standing. In summary, corpses and general chaos were plastered all over the floor.
Of the two who were at the foremost position, the left was the chief manager of the YunmengJiang Sect, while the left was Lan QiRen. Lan QiRen still had on a face full of shock and doubt. Before he even opened his mouth to ask, the first thing he saw was Lan WangJi, so close to Wei WuXian that they were practically one person. Within the blink of an eye, he’d forgotten everything he wanted to ask. Rage surged onto his face. Brows knitted together, he huffed and puffed, sending his mustache flying into the air.
The chief manager immediately went forth to help Jiang Cheng up, “Sect Leader, are you alright…”
While Lan QiRen raised his sword and shouted, “Wei…”
Before he even finished a few white-clothed figures rushed out from behind his back, all of them shouting, “HanGuang-Jun!”
“Senior Wei!”
“Senior Patriarch!”
The last boy bumped into Lan QiRen so hard he almost tipped over. He fumed, “No running! No making clamor!”
Apart from Lan WangJi, who turned to him and called, “Uncle”, nobody paid him any attention.
Lan SiZhui grabbed Lan WangJi’s sleeve with his left hand and Wei WuXian’s arm with his right, beaming, “This is great! HanGuang-Jun, Senior Wei, what a relief that both of you are fine. With how anxious Fairy was, we thought you came into something truly difficult.”
Lan JingYi, “SiZhui, really? How could there be a situation HanGuang-Jun cannot deal with? Told you you were worrying too much.”
“JingYi, were you not the one who was worried the entire way here?”
“Go away! Stop speaking nonsense.”
Lan SiZhui saw Wen Ning, who was finally able to get up from the ground, out of the corner of his eye. He immediately dragged him over as well and stuffed him into the circle of boys, who explained what had happened, all chirping at once.
After Fairy bit Su She, it sprinted all the way towards a dependent sect of the YunmengJiang Sect’s that was located around this town, barking unstoppably at its door. As the young sect leader saw the special collar at its neck, including a golden sign and a crest, he knew that this spiritual dog was probably of important background. With blood all over its body, it was clear that it had been in battle, with its owner having likely come across danger. Afraid of mishandling this, he immediately mounted his sword and brought it to Lotus Pier to notify the real sect presiding over the area, the YunmengJiang Sect. The chief manager at once recognized that this was the spiritual dog, Fairy of Young Master Jin Ling, and sent assistance immediately.
At the time, the GusuLan Sect was also about to leave Lotus Pier. Lan QiRen, however, was stopped by Fairy. It hopped up, tore off a thin white fabric from the hem of Lan SiZhui’s robe, and used his paws to shove it onto its its head, as if it wanted to make the white cloth into a circle around its forehead. It then lay on the ground and pretended to be dead. Lan QiRen had no idea what was happening, but Lan SiZhui had a moment of epiphany, “Mr. Lan, does it not seem like it is imitating the forehead ribbon of our sect? Does it want to tell us that either HanGuang-Jun or someone from the Lan Sect is also in danger?”
And so, the YunmengJiang Sect, the GusuLan Sect, and a few other sects that hadn’t left yet finally gathered everyone and came to assist them together.
Lan JingYi clicked his tongue, “We keep on calling it ‘Fairy’ this, ‘Fairy’ that, but who would have known it really is a spiritual dog!”
But no matter how spiritual, how magical it was, it was still a dog, the scariest creature in this world, to Wei WuXian. Even with Lan WangJi in front of him, he still shivered from his head to his toes. Ever since the Lan Sect juniors came, Jin Ling kept on sneaking glances at them, watching how they surrounded Wei WuXian and Lan WangJi in chatter.
Seeing Wei WuXian’s complexion grow even paler, he slapped Fairy’s butt and whispered, “Fairy, you go outside first.” Fairy shook his head and his tail, continuing to lick him. Jin Ling scolded, “Get out. Not listening to me anymore?”
Fairy gave him a pitiful state and jogged out of the temple, tail wagging. Wei WuXian could finally let out a sigh of relief. Jin Ling wanted to go over, but he felt somewhat embarrassed. Just as he was hesitating, Lan SiZhui suddenly saw what was at Wei WuXian’s waist. He paused for a moment, “… Senior Wei?”
Wei WuXian, “Hm? What?”
Lan SiZhui seemed to be in a trance, “Could… Could you let me take a look at your flute?”
Wei WuXian took it off, “What about the flute?”
Lan SiZhui received the flute with both hands and frowned a bit, some confusion on his face. Lan WangJi looked at him, while Wei WuXian looked at Lan WangJi, “What’s wrong with your SiZhui? He likes my flute?”
Lan JingYi exclaimed, “What? You finally lost that bad, out-of-tune flute of yours? This new one seems quite good!”
But he didn’t know that this new, ‘quite good’ flute was the spiritual tool he’d always wanted to take a look at—the legendary ghost flute ‘Chenqing’. He only beamed in his heart, Great! Now at least he will not lose face for HanGuang-Jun when he plays a duet with HanGuang-Jun. Heavens! The flute he had was ugly to both the eye and the ear!
Lan WangJi, “SiZhui.”
Lan SiZhui finally snapped out of it. He gave Chenqing back to Wei WuXian with both hands again, “Senior Wei.”
Wei WuXian took the flute. Remembering that Jiang Cheng was the one who brought it, he turned over there and commented casually, “Thanks.” He waved Chenqing, “I’ll… be keeping this?”
Jiang Cheng glanced at him, “It was yours in the first place.”
After a moment of hesitation, his lips moved slightly, as though he wanted to say something else. However, Wei WuXian had already turned to Lan WangJi. Seeing this, Jiang Cheng remained silent.
Of the people here, some were cleaning up the scene, some were solidifying the seal on the coffin, some were thinking about how to move it safely, and some were feeling angry. Lan QiRen raged, “XiChen, what in the world is wrong with you?!”
As his hand pressed the corner of his forehead, Lan XiChen’s face was full of an unspeakable grief. He seemed tired, “… Uncle, I am begging you. Ask no further. Really. Right now, I really wish to say nothing.”
Lan QiRen had never seen Lan XiChen, a child he single-handedly brought up, look so agitated and discomposed. He looked at him, then looked at Lan WangJi, surrounded by disciples alongside Wei WuXian, and felt more irritated the more he looked. He felt that of these two of his proudest disciples who had been absolutely perfect, neither listened to him anymore and both gave him much worry.
The coffin that sealed away Nie MingJue and Jin GuangYao was not only abnormally heavy, but also required careful treatment. Thus, a few sect leaders were the ones who volunteered to handle it. As one sect leader saw the features of the Guanyin statue, he first paused in surprise, then pointed at it for others to see as though he found something new and interesting, “Look at its face! Doesn’t it look like Jin GuangYao?”
Everyone mused after they looked, “It’s his face indeed! Why would Jin GuangYao make such a thing?”
Sect Leader Yao, “To declare himself a god with wild arrogance, of course.”
“Arrogant indeed, then, hahaha.”
Wei WuXian thought to himself, No, not necessarily.
Jin GuangYao’s mother was seen as the lowest prostitutes, so he decided to carve a Guanyin statue with his mother’s appearance, receiving the worship of tens of thousands.
But there was no use in saying all that. Nobody knew with more clarity than Wei WuXian that nobody would care and nobody would believe him. Anything related to Jin GuangYao would be given the most malicious conjectures and passed through the mouths of the crowd. Soon, this coffin would be sealed within a larger, firmer coffin. It’d be secured with seventy-two mahogany nails and buried deep underground, sealed under some mountain with stone tablets of warning.
And the things sealed inside would never see light again, under heavy barriers and endless scorn.
Nie HuaiSang leaned against the wall beside the door, watching a few sect leaders carry the coffin across the Guanyin Temple’s threshold. He looked down and dusted the dirty mud at the lower hem of his clothes. As if he saw something, he paused. Wei WuXian looked over as well. What had fallen to the ground was Jin GuangYao’s cap.
Nie HuaiSang bent down and picked it up. Only afterwards did he begin to saunter outside.
Fairy was waiting anxiously outside for his master, barking a couple of times. Hearing the barks, Jin Ling suddenly remembered that when Fairy was still a clumsy little puppy that couldn’t even reach his knees, Jin GuangYao was the one who brought it over.
Back then, he was only a few years old. He fought with the other children of Koi Tower, and didn’t feel satisfied even after he won, smashing everything in his room as he bawled his eyes out. None of the maids and servants dared approach him, afraid to be hit.
Grinning, the younger uncle of his snuck inside to ask, “A-Ling, what’s wrong?” He immediately smashed half a dozen vases beside Jin GuangYao’s feet. Jin GuangYao, “Uh-oh, how fierce. I’m so scared.” He shook his head as he left, pretending to be scared.
The second day, Jin Ling refused to go outside or eat anything as he sulked. Jin GuangYao walked around right outside his room. With his back against the door, Jin Ling shouted to be left alone, and suddenly the bark of a puppy came from outside the door.
He opened the door. Half-squatting, Jin GuangYao had in his arms a glistening-black puppy with round, wide eyes. He looked up and smiled, “I found this little thing but I don’t know what to call it. A-Ling, do you want to give it a name?”
The smile was so kind, so genuine that Jin Ling couldn’t believe Jin GuangYao faked it. All of a sudden, tears fell from his eyes again.
Jin Ling had always thought crying was a sign of weakness, treating such an act with contempt. Yet, apart from a flood of tears, there was no other way to release the pain and anger in his heart.
He didn’t know why, but he felt like he couldn’t hate or blame anyone. Wei WuXian, Jin GuangYao, Wen Ning—every one of them should be responsible to some extent for the deaths of his parents, every one of them gave him a reason to loathe them with all he had. But it also seemed like every one of them gave him a reason that made him unable to do so. But if he didn’t hate him, whom could he hate? Did he deserve to lose both his parents when he was young? Was he not only able to seek revenge, but also unable to hate someone purely and entirely?
He somehow didn’t want to let go. He felt wronged. He’d rather die together with them and end everything.
Watching him cry soundlessly as he stared at the coffin, Sect Leader Yao asked, “Young Master Jin, why are you crying? For Jin GuangYao?”
Seeing that Jin Ling said nothing, Sect Leader Yao spoke in a tone with which seniors often scolded juniors of their sect, “What are you crying for? Hold back your tears. Someone like your uncle doesn’t deserve anyone’s tears. Young Master, I mean no offense, but you can’t be so weak! This is the kindness of the fairer sex. You should know what’s right and what’s wrong, and straighten up your…”
If this were at the time the leader of LanlingJin Sect was still the Chief Cultivator who led the entire world of cultivation, the sect leaders of other sects would never have had the guts to patronize the Jin Sect’s disciples no matter what. Right now, Jin GuangYao had died already. Nobody was able to uphold the LanlingJin Sect. Its name had also been pretty much ruined, and likely it wouldn’t be able to rise again in the future, thus some people dared.
Jin Ling had thousands of thoughts and feelings whirling around in his heart in the beginning. Hearing Sect Leader Yao’s comments, a fire surged into his heart. He roared, “So what if I want to cry?! Who are you? What are you? Won’t leave me alone even for crying?!”
Sect Leader Yao didn’t expect to be shouted at either. He was a sect leader that had some fame as well. At once, his face darkened. Some others comforted him in low voices, “Let it go. Don’t bother with children.”
He finally retracted the embarrassed anger, snorting coldly, “Of course. Hah, why bother with young brats who know nothing about what’s right and what’s wrong?”
Lan QiRen watched as the coffin was hauled onto the cart. He turned around and was surprised, “Where is WangJi?”
He’d just been planning to abduct Lan WangJi back to the Cloud Recesses and talk to him for a hundred and twenty days, and perhaps ground him again if it still didn’t work. Who knew he disappeared in the blink of an eye. He walked around a bit, raising his voice, “Where is WangJi?!”
Lan JingYi, “Just now I said we brought Lil’ Apple and kept it right outside the temple. And HanGuang-Jun, along with… along with… went to greet Lil’ Apple.”
Lan QiRen, “And then?”
It was needless to say what happened afterwards. Not a sliver of Wei WuXian’s, Lan WangJi’s, and Wen Ning’s shadows remained outside the Guanyin temple.
Lan QiRen watched Lan XiChen who followed behind him sluggishly, still absent-minded, and sighed forcefully before he left with a flip of his sleeves.
Lan JingYi looked around, yelling in surprise, “SiZhui? What happened? When did SiZhui disappear too?”
When Jin Ling heard that Wei WuXian and Lan WangJi were gone, he rushed outside, almost tripping on the threshold of the Guanyin Temple. But no matter how anxious, he was no longer able to find their figures. Fairy giddly ran circles around him, wagging his tongue.
Jiang Cheng stood below a tall, straight tree within the Guanyin Temple. He glanced at him and spoke coldly, “Wipe your face.”
Jin Ling rubbed his eyes roughly, wiping his face before running back, “Where are they?”
Jiang Cheng, “Gone.”
Jin Ling exclaimed, “You let them go just like that?”
Jiang Cheng mocked, “Or else? Have them stay for dinner? Say thank you and sorry after the meal?”
Jin Ling began to simmer, pointing at him, “No wonder he wanted to go. It’s all because of that attitude of yours! Why are you so annoying, Uncle?!”
Hearing this, Jiang Cheng raised his hand with glaring eyes, scolding, “Is this how you talk to someone older than you? You asking to be beaten up?!”
Jin Ling shrunk back. Fairy tucked in its tail as well. Yet Jiang Cheng’s slap never landed at the back of his head. Instead, it was retracted powerlessly.
He spoke, irritated, “Shut up. Jin Ling. Shut up. We’re going back. Each to their own sect.”
Jin Ling paused in surprise. After some hesitation, he shut up obediently. Head hanging, he walked a few steps beside Jiang Cheng before looking up again, “Uncle, you had something to say, didn’t you?”
Jiang Cheng, “What? No.”
Jin Ling, “Just now! I saw it. You wanted to say something to Wei WuXian, and then you didn’t.”
After a moment of silence, Jiang Cheng shook his head, “There’s nothing to say.”
What could he say?
That, back then, I wasn’t caught by the Wen Sect because I wanted to go back to Lotus Pier to retrieve my parents’ corpses. That, at the town we passed on our way, when you were buying food, a group of Wen Sect cultivators caught up. That, I discovered them early and left where I sat, hiding at the corner of the street and didn’t get caught, but they were patrolling the streets and would soon run into you outside.
That this was why I ran out and distracted them.
But just like how the past Wei WuXian couldn’t tell him the truth of giving him his golden core, the current Jiang Cheng wasn’t able to say anything either.
What I love about this story is that the author had given each and every person a personality and background, enough for the readers to relate to them. I couldn’t not relate to Jin Ling, everyone had their reasons, and came the result, but who was he to blame? When he started crying, I just wanted to rush there and hug him tight. JGY, although he had done wrong deeds, he did have love and genuine, seeing how JL was alone without friends, he decided to present him a dog as a friend. There’s no calculation or behind story here.
Ooof every character is so tragic. Jin Ling just witnessed one of the few people who showed him love die a horrible death. Of course he feels conflicted. Poor boy will need years of therapy to recover from the trauma of his childhood.
And then there’s JC. Him and WWX have so much brotherly love for each other and they will never reconcile or express it openly because of the chasm of their past history. It’s all so bloody heartbreaking 💔
Hopefully, in a fanfiction written by fans, the two will be able to make up and become brothers again.
This is the main reason why I shipped XiCheng, because in fanfiction it gave me the idea of many possibilities because if XiCheng became a thing, then it will give Jiang Cheng and Wei Ying to see each other more often for them to reconcile their brotherly relationship. Also because both Jiang Cheng and Lan Xicheng can find happiness in each other, and their personality compliments each other IMO. Not to mention that the Lan’s will be a big happy family there.
Interesting. I don’t know why you got those dislikes. Even if any pairings does not make sense or is not canon, readers are free to ship anyone they want, the author herself gave permission to do so as long as the main couples (wangxian) are not separated and shipped with other ppl or reversed them, that is her dearest wish. With that being said, XiCheng is indeed interesting, their endings are bittersweet and they could have potential since JC’s requirements for his future spouse fits Lan Xichen’s type somewhat lol. Also LXC is called an airhead by MXTX herself XD (no wonder there is some Lan Himbo fics lol), so his airy personality will compliment with JC’s hard headedness i guess haha.
I just want to go and give Jin Ling a tight hug, and tell him that all his feelings r valid! and that feelings can’t be wrong and right!! That his confusion is valid!! That he can cry his heart out!
Lan SiZhui grabbed Lan WangJi’s sleeve with his left hand and Wei WuXian’s arm with his right, beaming, “This is great! HanGuang-Jun, Senior Wei, what a relief that both of you are fine. With how anxious Fairy was, we thought you came into something truly difficult.”
What a happy family 😉😉
Everyone of them have their own deep grief in their heart that none wanted to reveal. This is just so sad!
Everyone is saying that there is no one to hate in this story because all of them have their reasons and sad past.. have you forget about Wen shao and the crazy chick with him?
And also I think that Meng Yao had too many opportunities to live a good life and accomplish his revenge without shitting on so many innocent people’s lives…
I agree with you on Wen Chao and his crazy chick 🤣that woman was something else wasn’t she? And in the most worst way possible.
for me not only Wen Chao, and his crazy bitch, but i also hate the core melting hand, Su She Jin Zixun, Jin Guangshan and not to mention Madam Yu for her toxicity -.-
seems like everyone here has forgotten about Lan Qiren i really laughed hard at where he wanted to abduct Wanji away. As if wei ying would allow u to do so
Or like Wanji would allow himself to be taken away from his uncle. That calm guy would salute an apology to his uncle before fighting his way back to Wei
crying…
This novel is truly a masterpiece with each character being so fully developed and all the layers and … wow just WOW <33…
They portrayed WWX fear of dogs a lot better in the novel. The live action kind of made it seem…kind of minuscule and ridiculous. But the way it’s written you can see he’s literally terrified and nearly has PTSD from the experience
They made it as a grief release in the series and it’s ok too, everything is kinda downgraded imo, including WWX terrifying power. In a way, it’s funny, coz I find him the closest to his novel version when he doesn’t actually show his power, just let it be implied, like when he faces Jin ZiXun at Koi Tower, talking quietly, yet exuding danger, or when he summarizes for the junior “Xue Yang must die” and walks away.
I can’t truly hate JGY, what he became was because of other people as well. It wasn’t his fault that he was a prostitute’s son. It was his father’s fault who never accepted his son and even insulted and hurt him mentally. He saw his mother being mistreated by her clients every now and then, she just wanted a good life for her son so she endured it. If his father had accepted mother and son, he’d have been a better person. This still does not justify the crimes he committed, just because one was mistreated does not give them the right to kill everyone. But we can not ignore human emotions as well. He hated a lot of people and killed them brutally but he loved Jin Ling, there was no scheming at all. If he wanted he could have easily killed JL as well( he killed his own son after all).
Oh wow.
I really do not hate JGY, even though he causes so many others to suffer. It’s Jin Guanshan and Xue Yang that I have no love for and the Wen Sect (minus Wen Ning, his sister and their followers). I especially do not like Wen Chou and that mistress of his.
If you don’t hate JGY, how can you hate Xue Yang???
And not only did Jiang Cheng cared about and sacrificed himself for Wei Ying in the past, he even tried to do it again in the present, not only that scene with JGY when he already knows the story behind his GC.
In the demon slaughtering cave at Burial Mound when WWX painted himself as a target for all those corpses. Jiang Cheng does not have his spiritual power cause of Su She, and as soon as making sure Jin Ling was safely outside and threatening him, he rushed back inside the cave towards WWX and LWJ who were on the brink of losing if not for the corpses of the Wen Sect’s remnants. He rushed back inside with sword in hand, which has absolutely no spiritual power. He did it for his brother. Now if he truly hates him from the bottom of his heart, he would not even bother. Ppl have to understand the complexity that is Jiang Cheng’s character. Never doubt his love for Wei WuXian. He still cared about him but cannot forgive him either (cause its so much more easier to blame him for everything than also acknowledging his own failure, that is one of his flaws, but he will get there eventually). So he rushed back right inside with no spiritual energy, he still does that when their bonds are already broken. Jin Ling ofc does not listen to his uncle, despite the threat, he still rushed in after him too XD.
Remember why Jiang Cheng was so crazy during those 13 years too. If he truly hates WWX, he would think it serves him right, and he would even rejoiced his gruesome death. Cause thats what they were there for, the death of Yiling Patriarch. But what did he do, he searched for his soul in his own way in a crazed manner. He could not accept that his shixiong died like that, he likely witness the horrible death and must have regret not killing him himself at the very least and ending his burden cause if he truly wants WWX to atone for all his sins, he would enjoy his gruesome death and felt that justice is finally served. Instead he became more angry with everything. He must have think his soul shattered too since they could not find it. He also likely punished all those demonic cultivators not only because he suspects them to harbor Wei Ying’s soul, he also must have really detest the diabolic path that drove his brother crazy, and also must have felt resentment when others used it so carelessly while continuing to blacken WWX’s name even more than it already was. The craziness continued, fueled by his hatred. Like LWJ, he was probably unlively, but unlike LWJ he was driven by hatred and so on i guess. Remember the moment that he confirms that it is indeed WWX in MXY’s body, his whole features comes ‘alive’, its not clear whether which emotions are superior, hatred, disgusts or ..”raving ecstacy”. He also calmly interrogates him and wants to bring him back to Lotus Pier (he does not even allow Wen Ning to step foot inside, the one he hates the most) to make him sit in the ancestral hall and apologises over and over again (“You don’t have anything to say to me?”) He wants an apology more than anything, an apology for breaking his promise, which led to all those disasters. He loses it quickly enough when he thinks back to all those betrayals and broken promises and the fact that Jin Ling is parentless because of WWX’s indirect actions and esp became scornful after WWX subconsciously calls out LWJ’s name. There’s a lot going inside JC’ s mind indeed. And eventhough he told Jin Ling to cut off WWX’s tongue if he tries to whistle, he said it loud enough for Wei Ying to hear, warning him not to do it (as if JL would honestly do that XD). He never outrightly tried to harm him (much) ever since he confirmed that it is indeed WWX except for that time he loses control at Lotus Pier. The second siege don’t count, he was mostly there for Jin Ling and tries to find an opening to confront WWX again. Thats why at Lotus Pier, he was even bothering to follow their trails and just happened to caught their embrace. Now why would a person constantly tries to find the person they hate so much? He should have killed him right away if he hates him so much. Unless that hate is mixed with so many other complicated emotions.
And he never outed him either to the cultivation world, that WWX returns, until his cover blows at Koi/Carp Tower. Considering his past actions of crazily hunting down any possible news of WWX, JC should have already warned the cultivation world by now. Nobody knew whatsoever until that night becoz of JGY’s crafty plan. And despite LWJ’s worries, he never hunted WWX down either after his escape, when he would rushed out in an instant with burning fury for Wen Ning. There is a lot that can be interpreted from his actions. All these subtle moments are hidden between the lines.
He can’t forgive his brother easily for everything, but even before the golden core scene, he can’t outright hate him with all his heart like his mind tells him to do, like he convinces himself. He cares for him too much, in his own grudging way. Try to understand every character’s motives and you will realized that hate is too strong of a word to bear towards a person, even fictional ones like JC, JGY and such.
And again excused me for the long ass comment, i was in the mood for it. And also cause i feel JC deserved a chance. And also
cause this is the brotherhood / bromance theme that was just as powerful as the main romance. Despite the angst.
Thank you for posting. This explained very well the complexity of JC character. Too bad JC didn’t ask WWX to stay for dinner.
Yes too bad 😭. I know JC wanted to ask. He masked it with sarcasm and bitterness. These two Yunmeng bros needs to reconcile properly. But i’m sure with time, they will heal, too bad we won’t see it.
what an essay you wrote lol. To be honest JC does have his faults for how things turned out, especially with some of the things he said to WY was really harsh and shouldn’t have been said in the first place. If I was WY I understand why he felt like it is impossible to gain back that brotherly relationship they once had because too many things have changed but it is without a doubt that they both do care for each other still.
Honestly I blamed JC attitude and how he blames everything on WY on his mother, I hated Madam Yu to be honest for her toxicity and how JC turned out.
In the end, I do hope that one day JC and WY can be like brothers again because they do still care for each other even if they are walking separate paths now.
Agree with you on Madam Yu. I could write essays regarding this starting from JFM’s earlier days with CSSR and WCZ and then Madam Yu, circling back to this, the reason JC is the way he is (mainly due to his mother’s influence). I don’t hate Madam Yu, but i don’t like her either. I can never like a person who would blame an innocent child for something he has no control whatsoever and then holds resentment for said child cause of those past (but still i try to understand her pov as much as possible too). Anyway i’m too lazy to write the details but yes, i agree with you.
Refreshing to read this here, as I basically tried to say about all that bk in the chapter about the golden core, but ppl were not yet ready to understand the complexity of the characters, nor the lesson of this book: don’t judge without knowing!
But yah, even before knowing of this “little” plot twist, it was so obvious for me that behind his gruesome behavior there was so much love and angst. His inferiority complex, born and nurtured by his mother nearly on a daily basis made it very hard for him to face this “too perfect” brother, successful in about everything he does, even when it’s supposed to be wrong. Yet, he unconsciously know of his love and loyalty too, which is why he feels betrayed by the choices WWX makes, even when he understands them somehow.
But his biggest betrayal in his eyes, I think, was dieing in such horrifying way right under his eyes, leaving him alone in this world. I think he led the siege to Burial Mound out of grief to try to understand what happened at Nightless city, but also to protect him from the other sects if he cld. And he’s terribly angry at himself for not managing it, as well as at WWX himself for making him feel weak by failing again to protect those he loves. Kick in that inferiority complex again!
And I totally agree with you that during those 13 years he cld never let go, never believed that WWX had trully abandonned him. If his soul was hidden, it must be coz somehow he’s back, isn’t it? He’s the almighty Yiling Laozy afterall, he cannot be gone, so it’s up to him to find him again…
And when he’s back, oh finally, maybe he can protect him this time? Yet, he prefers to stick to that horrific (in his eyes) Second Master Lan, who was part of why the destruction of the Jiang happened before they had time to prepare properly… how heartwrenching for him!!! Yet, like LWJ endured all the teasing to stay by his side and protect him, JC chooses to do what he can by keeping silent on his return, yet trying to find out if others than him know, like when he asks who is accompanying the Lan brothers at the entrence of Koi Tower.
So much love and so much angst at the same time…
JC protected WWX and that’s why he was caught by the Wen-dogs instead of WWX back then, resulting to losing his core. He never told this to WWX.
WWX knowing that JC can’t live without cultivating, he gave up his core for JC. Without the core, he can no longer fight the wen-dogs back then while waiting for JC in Yiling. Thus resulting to him being thrown at the burial mounds with no choice but to cultivate the “wrong/evil/ghoul” path.
Because of misunderstandings, they had to separate ways. broken friendship. broken brotherhood. but deep down they truly care for each other like real brothers. they silently supported each other especially WWX to JC 😭 I really wish for them to patch things up and that even if they can’t go back to how it was before, I want them to atleast be a little bit closer with each other like before. 😭 Sometimes I would like to go back to their past where they’re in cloud recesses. NH, JC, WWX together hanging out. That would be great but… 😭😢
Somehow I don’t know what to feel. contentment and regret was the only thing left but for some strange reason I feel at peace seeing it’s going to end in a few chapters
JC’s thoughts and his POV of what happend in the street back then really got me..he likes his brother WWX but never got the chance to express it due to all that happened..and JL..come here..let me give you a hug baby
I feel like Jin Ling is so lonely 💔 and I just want him to get close to wei ying and the Lan sect juniors more, as well as the others juniors too!
Also Lan Quiren is so unintentionally hilarious 😂
I can’t even. I understand now what a person means when they feel ‘wronged’. Who can we hate here? It’s impossible to because somehow there’s a reason for everything and you can’t even fully hate anyone. And that bit about Jiang Cheng at the end…my poor heart
It’s why hate is so meaningless…
jiang cheng in the last para broke my heart.
oof another full of emotion chapter T^T
Ooops, so I was wrong to blame JC for getting caught. Still… he held on too much to his grievances… and why does he treat poor JinLing so badly???
Don’t think too much on how JC treats JL, thats just how he is. If you really want to know if JC truly cares about his nephew. Its pretty clear on his actions as compared to JGY. JGY was willing to take his nephew as hostage, JC would rather he was taken as hostage than JL. Its all these little things hidden behind his tough demeanor (just like his care towards WWX). JC would never put JL in danger like that. Ofc i’m sure JGY indeed cares for his nephew too, but at the end of the day its not to the extent of JC’s love for their nephews. JGY despite being kind and doting towards JL, at the end when he’s in a pinch, only cares about saving his own skin. JC would gladly sacrifice himself for his nephew despite him being more harsher. Thats just how JC is, and it explains a lot, regarding his rs with his shixiong as well. Among Jin Ling’s three uncles, all of them do care for him, but JGY would never care for him that deep to the extent that JC and WWX are willing to sacrifice themselves for their nephew. Cause JGY never really like his brothers, on the other hand JC and WWX truly loves Jin Ling’s mother, their sister, so the bond is more deeper. But still JGY giving him that puppy, i am sure that was 100% genuine, his feelings.
Everything is so tragic that I just cannot cope.
I never expected this novel to bring about so many complicated feelings..
Many thanks to the amazing translator!!!
And the music is just perfect.
thinking of Lan SiZhue with Lan Zhan and Wei Ying, i remembered the part where Wei Ying thought of his parents and in turn asked Lan Zhan to hold on to little Apple(the donkey) while he rode it. To me in that moment their little one had always been Lan SiZhue(little A Yuan)… just melts my heart picturing that.
why can’t people TALK? arghhhh
THIS! This right right! Is what I yell every time 😭
Every character is truly special in this book I would never have expected Nie HuaiSang to be the possible mastermind and it turns out Jiang Xheng I also like his relatiomship with Jin Ling.