Chapter 88: Loyalty—Part Ten
When Jiang Cheng accused him, Wei WuXian couldn’t defend himself at all, but he just couldn’t bear it when such words were being directed at Lan WangJi.
Wei WuXian, “Jiang Cheng, just listen to yourself. What are you saying? Is it appropriate? Don’t forget who you are. After all, you’re the leader of a sect. Insulting a renowned cultivator in front of Uncle Jiang and Madam Yu’s spirits—where is your discipline?”
His original intention was to remind Jiang Cheng to at least hold some respect for Lan WangJi. However, Jiang Cheng was the most sensitive. From those words, he managed to make out the notion that he wasn’t fit to be a sect leader. Immediately, darkness crawled up his face, bearing an eerie similarity to how Madam Yu looked when she was angry. His voice was harsh, “Who’s the one insulting my parents in front of their spirits?! Could you two please understand whose sect you’re in? I don’t care if you act so shamelessly outside, but don’t you dare fool around inside our ancestral hall, before my parents’ spirits! After all, they were the ones who brought you up—even I feel ashamed for you!”
Wei WuXian never expected such a huge blow to crash down on him. He was both shocked and furious, blurting, “Shut up!”
Jiang Cheng pointed outside, “Mess around outside however you want, whether under a tree or on a boat, hugging or otherwise! Get out of my sect, get out of anywhere my eyes can see!”
Hearing him mention ‘under a tree’, Wei WuXian felt his heart skip a beat—could Jiang Cheng have seen the scene where he crashed into Lan WangJi’s arms?
His guess was not wrong. Jiang Cheng did indeed go out to find Wei WuXian and Lan WangJi. He chased after them in the direction that the street vendors pointed at. A voice in his heart seemed to tell him to which places Wei WuXian would definitely go. He caught up to them in just a while. Yet, he just so happened to see Wei WuXian and Lan WangJi enveloped in a tight embrace under a tree, unwilling to let go of each other even after so long.
Goosebumps immediately ran down Jiang Cheng’s body.
Although he’d made guesses at the relationship between Mo XuanYu and Lan WangJi before, they were only attacks trying to offend Wei WuXian, not that he really doubted anything. He’d never thought that Wei WuXian would have ambiguous ties with a man, for after all, when they grew up together, Wei WuXian had never expressed any such interest. He’d always loved good-looking girls with a passion. On the other hand, it was even more impossible for Lan WangJi. He was famous for his asceticism, seemingly interested in neither men nor women.
But hugging like that seemed abnormal no matter what. At least, they didn’t seem like normal friends or brothers. He immediately recalled that Wei WuXian had always stuck to Lan WangJi ever since he came back. Lan WangJi’s attitude toward him was also different from what it was before he was reborn. At once, he was almost certain that the two really were in that kind of relationship. He couldn’t turn around and leave, yet he didn’t want to say a single word to the two, so he continued to hide himself as he followed them. Every single look and movement that passed between them seemed different in his eyes. For a while, the shock, absurdity, and slight disgust that he felt combined to overpower his hatred. It was only after Wei WuXian brought Lan WangJi into the ancestral hall that the long-suppressed hatred was awakened again, devouring his courtesy and rationality.
Wei WuXian was holding something back, “Jiang WanYin, you… apologize right now.”
Jiang Cheng mocked, “Apologize? For what? For exposing your thing for each other?”
Wei WuXian raged, “HanGuang-Jun is only my friend—what do you think we are?! I warn you. Apologize right now—don’t make me beat you up!”
Hearing this, Lan WangJi’s expression froze for an instant. Jiang Cheng laughed, “Well, then I’ve never seen ‘friends’ like that before? You warn me? Warn me against what? If you two had the slightest trace of integrity left, you shouldn’t have come here and…”
Seeing the change in Lan WangJi’s expression, Wei WuXian thought he felt insulted by Jiang Cheng’s words. He was so angry that his entire body was shaking. He didn’t dare think about what Lan WangJi would think after being shamed like this. The rage from his heart rushed to his head as he threw out a talisman, “Have you had enough yet?”
The talisman was both fast and powerful. It exploded at Jiang Cheng’s right shoulder, causing him to stagger. Jiang Cheng didn’t expect Wei WuXian to attack so suddenly. His spiritual powers hadn’t recovered completely yet, either, and so the talisman hit its target. Blood seeped from his shoulder as disbelief flashed across his face. Zidian immediately unravelled from his fingers, lashing out with sizzling light. Lan WangJi unsheathed Bichen to block the attack. The three began to fight inside the ancestral hall.
Jiang Cheng’s voice was as hideous as the look in his eyes, “Very well! A fight it is, then! You think I’m scared?!”
Yet, as he fended off a couple of attacks, Wei WuXian suddenly remembered. This was the YunmengJiang Sect’s ancestral hall. Just a short while ago, he was kneeling here, asking for the Jiang couple’s blessings, yet now, he was attacking their son with Lan WangJi, right in front of their eyes!
As though doused in an icy waterfall, he felt the light in his eyes flicker between light and dark. Lan WangJi glanced at him before whirling around and grabbing his shoulders. Jiang Cheng’s expression changed as well. He stopped his whip as his eyes gleamed with alertness.
Lan WangJi, “Wei Ying?!” His low voice rang within Wei WuXian’s ears, echoing endlessly.
Wei WuXian was starting doubt if something happened to his ears, “What’s wrong?”
He felt something streak down his face, but reached up only to retrieve a handful of scarlet. Accompanied by throbs of dizziness, blood continued to drip down his nose and his mouth, onto the ground.
This time, he finally wasn’t faking it anymore.
Wei WuXian could barely manage to stand, holding onto Lan WangJi’s arm. Seeing that the white clothes that Lan WangJi had just changed into were dyed red by his blood again, he couldn’t help but reached out to wipe them, worried in an ill-timed way, I made his clothes dirty again.
Lan WangJi, “How do you feel?!”
Wei WuXian didn’t answer the question, “Lan Zhan… Let’s go.”
Go. Right now.
Don’t ever come back again.
Lan WangJi, “Yes.”
He’d completely lost all intention to continue the fight with Jiang Cheng. Without saying anything, he picked Wei WuXian up and turned to leave. Jiang Cheng was full of both shock and doubt. He was shocked that Wei WuXian was suddenly in such a terrible condition, yet doubtful that this might be a pretense Wei WuXian came up with to escape. After all, Wei WuXian had often used this to pull pranks on him in the past.
Seeing that the two were about to leave, he shouted, “Stop!”
Lan WangJi seethed, “Leave!”
What came as well was Bichen, the force of which immediately flung out. Zidian also lashed, and the two struck, sending out an ear-piercing clash. Impacted by the noise, Wei WuXian’s head almost split into two. Like a dying candlelight that was finally blown out, he closed his eyes, and his head drooped as well. Feeling the weight on his shoulder, Lan WangJi retreated from the fight to feel his breathing. Without the help of its owner, Bichen was slowly being overpowered by the approaching Zidian. Jiang Cheng didn’t really want to hit Lan WangJi, and immediately retracted his whip, but it was already too late. Just now, however, a figure leaped down from the side and blocked between the two.
Jiang Cheng looked to find that the uninvited guest was Wen Ning. Immediately, he raged, “Who let you inside Lotus Pier?! How dare you!”
He could manage to tolerate others, but definitely not Wen Ning, the Wen-dog who put his hand through Jin ZiXuan’s heart and ended both his sister’s happiness and her life. Just a look, and he felt the urge to kill him right there. How dare he step foot on the earth of Lotus Pier—he really was looking for his death!
Because of the two lives and many other reasons, Wen Ning had always felt guilty, and so he’d always been somewhat scared of Jiang Cheng, consciously avoiding him all the time. Right now, however, he blocked Wei WuXian and Lan WangJi as he faced him, taking the hard lash. A gruesome scorch climbed across his chest, but still he didn’t flinch.
Having come to the conclusion that Wei WuXian was only in a temporary state of unconsciousness due to extreme fatigue and anger, Lan WangJi finally tore his gaze away. He saw that Wen Ning held something in his hands and passed it to Jiang Cheng. Zidian, in Jiang Cheng’s right hand, glowed so bright that it was almost white, its light surging alongside the killing intent within him. He laughed from the rage, “What do you want?”
The object was Wei WuXian’s sword, Suibian. On the way, Wei WuXian tossed it everywhere due to it being too much of a hassle. In the end, he left it in Wen Ning’s care. Wen Ning held it as he spoke, “Pull it out.”
His tone was firm, and his eyes determined. He had nothing of his previously blank look left.
Jiang Cheng, “I warn you. If you don’t want to be turned to ashes once more, then immediately move your feet off of Lotus Pier’s soil. Leave!”
Wen Ning was almost thrusting the sword hilt into his chest. His voice soared, “Do it. Pull it out!”
Annoyance swelled in Jiang Cheng. His heart pounded without a reason. For whatever reason, he really did do as Wen Ning said. He held Suibian’s hilt with his left hand and pulled on it hard.
A white, glaring blade was removed from its plain hilt!
Jiang Cheng stared down at the glimmering sword in his hand. He only realized after a few moments.
The sword was Suibian, Wei WuXian’s sword. After the siege at Burial Mound, it was collected as a battle trophy by the LanlingJin Sect’s people. It’d long since sealed itself. Of those who saw it later, not a single one was able to pull it out.
But why could he do it? Did the sword lift its seal?
Wen Ning, “It’s not that the sword lifted its seal! Even now, it’s still sealed. If you put it back into its sheath and ask someone else to unsheath it, nobody would be able to pull it out.”
The chaotic confusion within Jiang Cheng could be seen shown on his face, “Then why could I pull it out?”
Wen Ning, “Because the sword took you as Young Master Wei.”
Carrying the unconscious Wei WuXian on his back, Lan WangJi stood up.
Jiang Cheng shouted, “What do you mean the sword took me as Wei WuXian? How?! Why would it be me?!”
Wen Ning’s voice was even harsher, “Because the golden core that is revolving inside you right now is his!”
why is no one pointing out JC speech? it sounded like those things homophobic parents tell to their kids after coming out, Im having the chills, jc nooo. It was just a HUG, A HUG and even if it was more than that there is nothing wrong with that.
JC using their relationship as something sinful, something to be ashamed of is so wrong, why no one in the fandom ever talk about this???
But hugging like that seemed abnormal no matter what…. At once, he was almost certain that the two really were in that kind of relationship…“Apologize? For what? For exposing your thing for each other?”
and oh lets talk about how wwx doesnt see jc using his words to hurt him until they are meant to someone else, wwx grew up thinking everything jc threw at him was out of love (even if it wasnt… or as his puncking bag?) is not until he said those hurtful words to someone else that he goes ‘wait a minute, thats wrong’. But Im glad that in this moment he called out jc, you are going in a great direction, learn your self-worth
Its not a big issue in this fandom since this story was from year of great old china, we can’t expect for characters to embrace third sex as it was rare, forbidden, and considered disgusting back then. Author-nim need to put realistic issues in this story or else it won’t be effective.
??? what are you on man…..even in the 21st century, homophobia is prevalent and then you are shocked when a book based way back in history has a homophobic character? hell almost everyone is (at least slightly) homophobic in this story lmaoo, (including the two mains) but they don’t really care because until now wwx was evil or hero. (just saying don’t be shocked lmao mxtx is known for practicality even in fantasy novels)
The thing he said were indeed insulting but we need to consider the time period the story took place in. During that period, relationships between the same sex were looked down upon.
I think you’re right… Btw at that time in ancient China homosexuality was almost as common as heterosexuality, it’s was really common & wasn’t treated as wrong thing, you can read about it… Only after the westerns came to China they brought the homophobia with them….
Yes i agree! It’s really sad. The westerns were the one first mentioned about the homophobia in china hence they banned and now though all the western country doesn’t treat it as wrong thing. But now sadly china banned homosexuality.
I’ve seen meta posts about this from Chinese fans and the main issue/reason JC is mad was that they were being affectionate and displaying PDA in the ancestral hall. Thats why he said they could go about and do whatever they wanted anywhere else but there. WWX not only coming to the ancestral hall but also bringing along LWJ who is not part of the Jiang family IS actually very disrespectful in terms of cultural norms. They both did some wrong things here. Im not sure whether JC is meant to be homophobic in any way or he’s simply reacting out of immaturity, cause he’s reacted the same ways towards WWX flirting with girls despite him thinking WWX was straight the whole time. His feelings and words here were mostly influenced by the whole ancestral hall debacle.
Being paid respect to and burning incense for them isn’t wrong. Even when a family member is dead, friends or those who know him can burn incense or come to prostrate as a sign of condolences. Wei Ying will never disrespect the Jiang family and if its disrespectful, he would know. And by the way, Lan Zhan would know too. So there’s nothing wrong with how Wei Ying wanted to bring LZ there to pay them a visit and prostrate.
What’s WRONG is JC letting his hatred blind him and said those hurtful words when all Wei Ying and LZ did was burn some incense for the deceased as a way of respect.
he’s gonna accept him with time dw
omg I’m going to start crying again…
I don’t condone jc’s words argh I usually sympathise with him but I can’t deal with his so-called disgust
But omg wwx gave his golden core to jc?! Is that why he doesn’t really use his sword?
But then… The fact that Lan Zhan has used it before, I think… Doesn’t that mean that Wei WuXian has the sword unlocked for LZ? *Blush blush*
the sword being sealed means it cannot be unsheathed by another person but if WWX will unsheath the sword then pass it to LZ, he can still use it. LZ or anyone else just cannot take it out from its sheath.
He Did Because WWX knew from the very start the JC wants to be a sect leader and kinda jealous of his ability . And he also wants to keep his promise to JC’s parents that he will protect him no matter what
Yes!! You tell him Wen Ning!!! Blow his head off with that bomb!!
Also, awwweee!! LWJ was hurt when WWX friendzoned him. Poor LZ. And my oblivious WY misinterpreted his expressions.🤦🏻♀️🤦🏻♀️🤦🏻♀️
LIKE I ALREADY KNEW THAT JIANG CHENG HAD WWX’S CORE BC I ACCIDENTALLY WATCHED SOME SPOILERS BUT I ABOSOLUTELY WENT WILDDDD
Man beat me. Before reading this I have seen and heard so many spoilers that now nothing surprise me. It’s like I’m reading it 2nd time. Lol but bcz of the spoilers I became interested in this.
I stay away from spoilers until I’m done reading, but I had actually guessed it a long time ago, with how much he was apparently contemptuous of using his sword, it seemed too ooc imo.
So yah, was soooooooo excited to have confirmation! Lol
Can someone tell me why does jiang Cheng hates wen ning so much.. the death of jin zixuan mistakenly was his fault but he can’t blame him for the death of jiang yanli, she died to protect her brother how much does he hate Wei Ying and wen ning to blame them
I think Jiang Cheng also feels jealous that, once Wuxian left, Wen Ning was his new companion, his partner in night hunts and his supporter. He felt he lost his sister when she married, so he also felt alone with out him. He thinks Wen Ning took the gratitude and support Wuxian should have giving him.
Yeah but in a way Wen Ning literally represents everything that went wrong in his life. He’s a Wen first and foremost but hes also the same man responsible for countless deaths AND he’s the closest one to WWX after he and JC fell out as siblings. For him to see someone like that who’s still alive and under the protection of WWX and the Juniors probably hits him right in his inferiority complex.
Wen Ning had enough of his shiettt
JC pulled out his homophobic hetero card I hate him even more you guys 🙂🔪
LWJ listening to the “We are just friends” was like: Bitch what?!
~jelly lil bro JC seeing LWJ and WWX hugging under a tree, lol. i’m truly jelly on JC seeing the two hug though. I mean, at least he saw it lol! While there’s us… millions of fans of this series… wondering and can only imagine how they really hugged under the tree never wanting to let go… and if will we ever get to see it animated (donghua) ever or if it’s among the manhua chapters? Since this part got censored or not included in the web drama series The Untamed.
Yes you are so right … Even though The Untamed was really good nothing can compare to this masterpiece, this novel and sometimes, reading it, I imagined myself to be a little bird for witness all of these moments of the novel especially the WangXian moments.😁
Lol!!! why am I imagining it’s us WangXian shippers who were like JC stalking the two in this scene??? lol I’m like what??? He continued to hide and followed them??? sounds familiar… hmmm lol.
…dammmn JC, now i’m not sure if you’re jelly subconsciously or plain homophobic. wtf man.
…awww poor LWJ being friendzone by oblivious WWX and WWX misunderstanding LWJ expression as a reaction towards JC’s insults toward their sexuality.
Someone’s going to be SO guilt ridden.
WeiYing what friend are you referring to? 😂 even a dog would notice your lovey dovey💕
I love how wen Ning stood up for WWX. He’s had enough of JC thrashing WWX
I’m just wondering why was even JC stalking WWX and LWJ? 😂
As he had told his guests at the start of the banquet, when their disappearance was noticed, that he’d gone to “invite” them back later. So he did just at that point!
I can no longer comment on JC, I can only facepalm😁 From shock to hatred to insecurity to indignation to hatred again. It must be so exhausting being him🤦 Sure they shouldn’t have gone to the ancestral hall but couldn’t he cut WY some slack for once instead of jumping to the worst conclusions. BTW what’s the original character for ‘messing around’? I just wonder how strong it is. And WY having just secretly plighted his troth to LZ and planning their retirement but still friendzoning him to his face😁 I just feel so helpless 🙃
Thank you for translating 🌺
He friendzoned him because he thinks Wangji doesn’t like him that way and would be disgusted if anyone suggested such a thing :/
Oh my god I am about to cry😭😭😭my heart💔💔
Not WWX going from prostating his marriage with LWJ to friend zoning him the next second
Ummmmm😐😐😐 wat in the name of bipolar is this?
Wwx misunderstood lwj expression.. aww so painful to lwj.. Go wen ning blow jc head.. after so many years of keeping this secret.. and the truth revealed.. 😭😭 tell them wen ning..
I really would love a narration of LAN Wangji thoughts 💭…. like what Is he really thinking when Wie WuXain is talking too him…. would love to know what goes on in that head of his….
Dear translators, thank you very much for all your hard work and taking the time to translate each novel for us fan obsessed readers, your time is truly and appreciated 💝💝
I waited this part. One of the best scene in Live Action 🥺
LWJ did not ask to be hurt in this way, “only my friend”
I’ve been rooting for JC since the donghua, then the live-action drama (I’m not done yet le mao I’m juggling between this and the novel), and now this novel but his actions shouldn’t really be tolerated anymore. It’s like he never grew out of his childishness, and he’s in his 30s already?? Instead of striving to be a better person, he chose to mull over the fact that Wei Ying was the better person–one who was smarter, more powerful, and above all understood the Jiang clan motto better than he ever did. He really is his mother’s son, always too prideful to recognize his inexcusable behavior.
Don’t get me wrong, I never had it in my heart to dislike him as a character, but GRRRRRR this chapter really got me frustrated.
I finally understand why most of readers from the novel didn’t like Jiang Chen much. He is acting such a homophobic. No Chen Chen !
Jiang Cheng is overwhelmed by grief and hatred. I don’t think you can fully blame him.
The Wen Clan destroyed Lotus Pier, killed his parents, and killed his brother-in-law.
WWX helped the Wen Clan and retreated to the Burial Mounds.
[I bet I’m gonna be showered with people with different opinions on this matter but I’m not the one to judge.]