MDZS Fanfic
Red Strings of Connections
ARC 03 Chapter 64
The End of Storm

"Wei Wuxian is dead!"  Cheering has reach his ears.

'Who is Wei Wuxian?'

'Why is he dead?'

'Is he a bad person?'

'Does he deserved to died?'

This are some questions that pops on his heads upon hearing that single sentence chant, but all thoughts, questions were dropped down as realization hits him.

'Oh yeah... he deserved to died... Wei Wuxian is the creator of demonic cultivation and he deserved a cruel death. He died because he ruined so many lives by just existing. Yes, he is a bad person, and yes I really deserved to died.'

Wei Wuxian's soul that were scattered into pieces after his death at Burial Mounds has finally finished at regathering and recreating his form when he was used to be alive. When his eyes open it wasn't the same ones: lively, full of dreams and energy, they are more similar to his eyes before he died, no hope, disappointed and dead. From head to toe, Wei Wuxian is transculent, like a thick white smoke coming from a steaming water.

Smirk finds it way on his face, yet his eyebrows are knitted.

Yes, he is indeed dead.

He turn his heels and stare at the empty and burned forest of Burial Mounds, where he used to live together with Wen Qing, Wen Ning and the remnants of Wen Clan. He walks and explore the place, looking on everything and everywhere, 'till he reach the huge tree with rabbit hole that large enough to fit in a child. He sighs in relief, if he doesn't find a blood on it then there's high chance that someone took A-Yuan, the only child with them; Wei Wuxian only wish that whoever took A-Yuan would raise him well and never hurt him.

Soon, Wei Wuxian discovered that the soul can really float, and with this new found knowledge, he visited many places like Yunmeng; visiting Jiang Cheng who he found crying in front of an altar with his Chenqing. He wanted to apologized for their lost both about Jiang's couple and Jiang Yanli, but even he tries, Jiang Cheng would never able to hear him.

He went next to Lanling; going straight at a certain chamber, and there he found quietly sleeping his nephew, Jin Rulan, innocent and unbeknownst to all tragic events that have occured. Despite knowing that he won't be able to touch the baby, Wei Wuxian still attempts to caress his nephew's hair, and apologized for what happened to his parents.

And finally to Gusu, he really doesn't know why he come here, it wasn't like something is worth seeing, or he could witness a rare view of Lan Clan tossing a celebration to his death. No, the Lan Clan ain't like that, and just as he expected the Lan Clan is still the same, quiet and not bother.

He left, choosing not to see Lan Wangji being the same as ever.

He floats, aiming with nothing in mind.

Torturing himself to the past.

Time went passed, unlike what the others claim, Wei Wuxian didn't become a resentful spirit and keep himself at bay, not hating anyone but himself. Wishing for those people he cares to continue to live a good life and good fortune.

On his walk he noticed and gotten curious of number of monsters and ghosts that started gathering.

"My friend may I know what's is this gathering for?" He asked to one of the ghosts.

"Oh my! You don't know? Today is the day that the Ghost City will be open!"

"Ghost City?"

"You don't even know that?"

"I only heard of it once, but... it is actually real?"

"Of course. If the Ghost King, Hua Chengzu is real, so is his Ghost City!"

That peaks Wei Wuxian's interest, "Hmm... How can I enter the Ghost City?"

"Oh... You don't have to worry about such a thing! The Ghost City welcomes everyone who wants to enter it, even living humans could enter."

Ghost City, like he said, he only heard of it, but he found no clue of its existence, so Wei Wuxian drop it just a tale, but now, right Infront of his eyes the gates of Ghost City is opening.

*****

The war have ended upon Tiao Kanglin's and Evil Tortoise's death...

How is that possible?

With the news of defeat of the last line of defense, Wen Chao went into hiding, disappeared to everyone's radar, together with some remaining cultivators that still believing that prominent sects or the Suns must shot down, and they are not the only thing the prominent sects have lost, but also the clues about Wen Ruohan.

Everyone thinks that the missing Sect Leader of Wen Clan has already died, and maybe Wen Chao and Wen Xiu has done something to his body that's why no one could find it.

Some thinks that his corpse were might been eaten by Tiao Kanglin's Xuanwu, but Tiao Reinshun claims that she never once feel his spiritual energy or a bit of soul there.

So... Wei Wuxian and the others continue to search for Wen Ruohan's being.

As for Tiao Liujuan, after hearing everything that occured against Tiao Kanglin, Tiao Liujuan has place a placate with Tiao Kanglin's name next to the placate of his wife, and everyday, every night, him and Tiao Reinshun would offer a prayer for them.

They just doesn't making it obvious but they are both heartbroken upon Tiao Kanglin's death. They thought, that a time would come where they could still spend moments together as a family, but Tiao Liujuan didn't even able to see nor hold his child for the last time.

That's some of the things that everyone faces after the war.

Because of many deaths during the campaign, there also a lot of new born resentful spirits in various locations, most are spirits of cultivators, and some are from innocent, harmless, ordinary, and normal people that had been killed just because they caught on the heat of battle.

The sects send out their disciples to defeat these resentful spirits, and also to cleanse the areas that are affected.

Tiao Reinshun sighs after finishing at reading the documents in her hand, she pinch the bridge of her nose and rest her back on her chair. Since coming back Tiao Reinshun has been tied into this kind of jobs, not going out nor even allow to meet anyone else but Zhuque Sect's Heads, Head Disciples and Hua Xie.

The thing about her real origin were being question by several sects, and her humanity is being included on the problem. Most people—Sect Leader Yao the one that ignites the doubts, making them afraid of her and the power hiding within Zhuque Sect; and even though they already told them that nothing needs to be afraid of, those who are actually wants Zhuque Sect to fall, insists on locking Tiao Reinshun away.

Really, there's nothing needed to fear about Tiao Reinshun.

They are just simply afraid of the strength that Zhuque Sect has.

Such a ironic thing.

Before Wei Wuxian come in Zhuque Sect, there are less than five people were aware of their existence, not really bothered, worst their sect were being look down. Yet now, look at how work up they are.

"There's nothing we could do about their stupidity." Tiao Reinshun said to Xingxiu Xuanyu, she looks so unbothered and bored, "My only problem right now is where I could find a place to do my seclusion."

"What? You don't like your current form?"

"Who wants them?"

"Me?" Tiao Reinshun couldn't help but stare at Xingxiu Xuanyu in bewilderment. It's been a week since she gets free from Evil Tortoise, and ever since then Xingxiu Xuanyu has been vocal about his affection towards her, it wasn't like she never noticed it before, she's fully aware of it, adding oil on the fire are their siblings' frequent teasings; and she would be lying if she say that it doesn't have any effect on her, but...

Tiao Reinshun heaved a breathe, "You want this pointy ears?"

"Don't start listing them, Reinshun, I only have one answer to all of them. Well technically, I love you, so I love everything about you."

Tiao Reinshun quieted again, Xingxiu Xuanyu has more confidence than ever been before, and no matter how many times she hears his claims, it still surprising her. "What happened to you during my absence Xuanyu?"

"Hmm? Whatever you mean?"

"You know whatever I mean..."

"Well... I just have a self reflection, that's all." Xingxiu Xuanyu smiles at her full of affection, "What's wrong? Does it bother you? Should I stop—is what I normally will say... but stopping now is totally impossible."

"What a self-reflection."

"I just hate that feeling I felt when all hopes of bringing you back distinguish."

Tiao Reinshun could only hum in response.

It wasn't like she doesn't understand what he is saying, she herself felt that way too during her time inside the Evil Tortoise...

Suddenly she felt awkward towards his affections.

The door of the office where Xingxiu Xuanyu and Tiao Reinshun slide open, making the awkwardness within Reinshun cut off, thanking whoever the opener is—which turns out to be their brother Wei Wuxian.

"Bro Ying..."

"There you are Sis Rein."

"Do you need anything from me?"

"Well not really need anything but I have a news for you."

"What it is? Did Sect Leader Yao finally died out of heart failure?"

"That's... nice if ever that actually happens, but nope, it's not about him."

"You know, one of this days Sect Leader Yao might become the second Wen Chao."

"That's not far from reality."

"So... what it is Bro Ying?"

"Zumu—My Grandmaster Baoshan Sanren offers you to use her Sacred Mountain for your seclusion."

This surprises both Xingxiu Xuanyu and Tiao Reinshun, "Are you serious? Your Zumu is going to let me do my seclusion on her Mountain?"

"Yes. She said; with the abundance of spiritual energy her Mountain has, it'll only take a year for you to go back to the way you used to be."

"You're not joking Bro Ying."

"Why would I make a joke about this important issue? Beside, Zumu isn't the only one that offering you a place to do your seclusion."

"Who else?" Xingxiu Xuanyu gotten curious.

"Someone is offering his city for your seclusion area, if you want to enrich your demonic energy."

"Huh? Who it is?"

"If you go at Sacred Mountain, whether you choose spiritual energy or demonic energy or both, you'll definitely meet him."

"Why going so far? Does the Willow Tree at Liu House or Zhuque Mountain ain't enough anymore?"

"The Mt Zhuque right now is filled with Yin Energy because of Evil Tortoise; as for the Willow Tree, indeed it helped me during the time of abrupt raising of demonic energy or sudden drops in spiritual energy, but it's not enough in my current situation. If I rely at Willow Tree, it'll takes decades before I could cultivate enough spiritual energy just to go back in my old form, as for Mt Zhuque, it'll take at least three years minimum of Bro Ying's cleansing before it could be usable again. Sacred Mountain is a best choice out of all them."

"But... you'll be gone for a year or so." Xingxiu Xuanyu is pouting, making Wei Wuxian snickers at the childish acts, while Tiao Reinshun is flabbergasted.

"Ayo! It is only for a year Yu'er. It wasn't like she no longer going to go back here."

"Yeah, I'm fine with that part."

"Then what?"

"What if she'll like one of the disciples there..."

Wei Wuxian bit his lower lip, suppresing himself from laughing out loud, yet he seems failed to stop his shoulder to reflect his real emotions.

Tiao Reinshun, on the other hand, being subject of his problem, found herself staring at him for quite a long time, then she smack his face with the documents on her hand.

"Ouch!"

"You think I'm that easy?"

"No.. but you are free now, your sister's shadow has been long gone, so you are free now to do what Tiao Reinshun can only do."

Wei Wuxian and Tiao Reinshun sees his point, and they couldn't help but to agree.

"I am Tiao Reinshun, I've lasted this long not looking at anyone with affection, so what's more now that I am free? Nothing have changed." Wei Wuxian nodded, "Beside, if there's anyone that must be worry about such a thing, it should be me! You are already fine now, your trauma is no longer triggering, you are fine now of looking for someone to love!"

"You two are too worried for stupid stuffs."

"Right..." Tiao Reinshun agrees at first second but then when the realisation hits her, "HEY!"

"Aah..." Wei Wuxian turns his heels, with his hand folds behind him, "Thank goodness" his voice sound merry, "Lan Zhan and I no longer need to worry about those things!" And Wei Wuxian left the room, closing the door behind him, leaving the two alone again.

Silence eats the whole room, and none of the teens says anything for a while, not until Xingxiu Xuanyu finally cut it off, "I'll wait for you, no matter how long. Even your seclusion lasted for three years, ten years... I'll continue to wait."

Tiao Reinshun doesn't know how or what to reply, and so she just bring her attention back in the documents, yet she couldn't bring herself to refocus, as there are words that wants to come out from her mouth.

She sighs, and finally, with low voice, said, "Its fine if while I am gone, you'll find the person you really want to be with and get marry, I'll understand, but I'll expect that you will be the one that welcome me first once I am back."

Xingxiu Xuanyu is aware that keep claiming about waiting for her, wouldn't satisfy either of them, and so he just agreed to her terms. "I will. Definitely will." Tiao Reinshun nodded.

*****

"To make sure—" Baoshan Sanren cut herself when a pop of smoke has burst out from Wei Wuxian, after the smoke clears the young mortal cultivator is back on his original body age.

This is his time back at the Sacred Mountain, right after Hua Cheng saved him from falling in the Burial Mounds.

"I'm back..."

"Yeah, you are. Now then, to make sure that your fate will change in full rotation, we lead some people to create your current sect. Number one is your parents, instead of dying in that Night Hunt, I saved them and healed their wounds so they could be with you.” Baoshan Sanren claimed.

“We rescued some of your uncles in their fated deaths as well.” Hua Cheng added.

Xie Lian, “And caused some situation that could make them to meet up.”

“That some big movements just to change mine. You've even erase my memories. Why?”

Hua Cheng sighs in irritation, which Wei Wuxian couldn’t understand the caused, “You have the tendency of keep coming back at Jiang Clan, trying to protect it from worst outcome, which is also wasted the opportunities we kept giving you. Thus I come up with the idea of erasing your memories for your tenth life. You need people that no matter what happen will stick with you, even the world turns against you. In the end we come up with Zhuque Sect.”

"That being said, not everything in this life were changed by us. There are many things that were changed because of you."

"I've changed them? Like?"

"Wen Ruohan is one. Instead of becoming a tyrant sect leader, he became a doting uncle, and Wen Clan become close and friendly to the other sects."

"The Wen remnants and Wen Ning too. Instead of becoming helpless, they're now well-known in medical field. Wen Ning has become confident in his abilities and talent. You've done many things unintentionally."

"But I don't think I would be able to do all those without my uncles' help."

"You are the one that triggers their fate by offering them a hand."

"Nothing will occur, if nothing will start."

"Look at your hands." Hua Cheng said, which Wei Wuxian obeys and he were surprised and confused upon the red strings that tied on his every fingers.

"The connections that you have created were made by you alone, and those red strings in your hands were connected to everyone, from enemies to family and friends; and the brightest of them all is connected to the only person that loved you more than anything in this world."

"Who is it?"

"Do you really need to ask?"

That's right, Wei Wuxian doesn't need to ask as he fully aware of who owns the end of the brightest red strings.

*****

With thirty three whips on his back, and despite his brother's plead of him not to forced himself, Lan Wangji still went in Burial Mounds at the final location where Wei Wuxian believes to died, the place where his brother and others witnessed Wei Wuxian's suicide by having himself get eaten by living corpses.

He walks alone, not minding his white shoes to be soiled by the burned earth. He halted near at the handmade house of the remnants as his eyes found something on the ground, it was red where both ends are burned making it shorter than he remembers, he crouched down with support from his sword and pick the familiar ribbon.

Lan Wangji cannot mistake it to anyone's but "his".

The red ribbon, the only accessory "he" were using since they have met.

Tears fell down, unstoppable, the person that everyone believes that doesn't possesses any kind of emotions, is now crying loudly, yet no one hear him, nor see the tears on his eyes, the rich emotion he letting out right now is unforeseen by anyone.

Tigthly embracing the single dirty red ribbon while his cries filled the whole Burial Mounds.

Lan Wangji open his eyes slowly upon feeling someone poking his cheek gently, knowing full well of who will he see once he opens them, confident and not afraid of finding that it might not who he is expecting.

"Lan Zhan... Are you alright? It wasn't like you've drink an alcohol! Or are you tired? Of course you are! We've gone through of it for many times for the whole night!"

"Shameless..."

"Ayo! I don't want to be called like that by you! You are more shameless than me! We even give a little Mianmian a fright back at the forest just because Hanguang Jun couldn't control his thirst!"

"And whose fault is that?"

"Aiyah! Don't blame it to me! You are the one that easily getting swept!"

"Then stop seducing me every time."

"Should I? Do you want me to? Can you really resist me? When you cannot do it at all even I'm not doing anything? Aiyah! Lan Zhan you are really the shameful one!"

"You made me."

"Aiyoh! I didn't do anything! I've just exist! You've done it yourself!"

"And that's enough..."

"Oh! Already accepting that Lan Zhan is shameless?"

"No."

"No? Then what?"

"Everything is enough as long as you are here with me."

Wei Wuxian was speechless, he didn't expect his lover to say it with straight face, but what he is expecting? Lan Wangji has been always a straight forward either by face or by his words, and honestly Wei Wuxian couldn't be grateful enough.

Nine lives of dying in vain, dying for someone, dying while carrying the weight of sins he never commited.

Nine lives of suffering, hurting himself, torturing himself, of self blame.

And now, on his tenth life, finally Wei Wuxian have a life full of bliss and happiness.

Living his life with the one he loves and the person who loves him.

A life with his family and friends, with his lover.

A life of peace.

A life full of abundant love.

Wei Wuxian puts a vegetable on Lan Wangji's bowl, "I love you Lan Zhan..." He claims, with smiles full of love and affection.

Lan Wangji only smile, but that smile is fills with much more love and affection for Wei Wuxian alone.

The Red String of Connections
The End...