Backlash Part 1

Chapter 161: Yanli Takes Names

On his way to the infirmary Lan Wangji spotted a large group of cultivators from various sects all crowded together near the section of camp where the minor sects had their tents. The many people were speaking over one another in such a way that the words became a jumbled illegible mess from a distance. Lan Wangji picked up the pace of his steps.

Wei Wuxian could absolutely get out and away from a group that size by himself. That required Wei Wuxian to accept hurting the other cultivators. Lan Wangji was less certain that Wei Wuxian would be willing to make that trade. If someone else was there to defend, Wei Wuxian would not hold back, but when it was just Wei Wuxian by himself...

Wei Wuxian was much better than he used to be. He wanted to live. His thoughts about dying were much fewer and lacked the desire to follow through. Lan Wangji was not certain he was ready to test whether Wei Wuxian would hurt others in order to protect himself. Lan Wangji was less confident in the outcome.

"I see..." A calm polite voice managed to carry over the bulk of the crowd. Those who had been shouting quieted down to be able to hear. "You find my Didi's methods disagreeable."

The voice was soft, with a mild thread of authority that had not been there when Lan Wangji first met Jiang Yanli. She had been through a lot, slowly gaining a confidence and decisiveness that she had not had when Lan Wangji first met her. This had only been strengthened from her time during the war. Jiang Yanli did not fight on the front lines, but she had fought to defend when they were attacked more than once. She had spent these years helping to lead the YunmengJiang sect.

There was also a note in Jiang Yanli's voice. Lan Wangji could not say exactly what it was. Something about the cadence of her speech, or a slight shift in her tone. Lan Wangji could not name what it was but he could hear it in her voice, and he knew what it meant. She was angry, and those cultivators had absolutely no idea.

"If you are not comfortable with A-Xian's methods then I will do my best to ensure you are on a different front. It must be terrifying seeing so many fierce corpses fighting your enemies for you. If you think you will fight better without A-Xian there to assist you, then I will inquire in the next strategy meeting about troop distribution. We can't spare A-Xian from the front lines. Much as I wish to keep my didi safe, we need his strength to win this war. If we cannot send you to other fronts we can perhaps instead put all of you in the same unit and A-Xian will simply keep his fierce corpses away from your unit. Then you do not need to be afraid of them and can fight the QishanWen sect cultivators on your own." Jiang Yanli's voice is soft and cheerful, slightly patronizing.

The crowd went disturbingly quiet. Even the stupidest among them must realize what it would mean to fight without Wei Wuxian aiding them. The fierce corpses were both a shield that protected the cultivators in battle, and a sword that slaughtered their enemies. Anyone going into battle without Wei Wuxian's aid was at a disadvantage.

"I'll have ink and paper brought over, and then I can begin taking down names." Jiang Yanli said with a faint smile after she had allowed the silence to sit.

Lan Wangji was close enough now to see her standing in front of Wei Wuxian. Lan Wangji was close enough to feel the wince travel through the crowd as her words sunk in. He was also close enough to get a good look at Wei Wuxian's expression. A faint red glow had just barely begun to creep into Wei Wuxian's eyes. Not enough for their audience to see it, but Lan Wangji paid enough attention to recognize the slight shift in colour that came before Wei Wuxian's eyes became true red.

Lan Wangji vaguely heard several stuttering voices saying things before people began to disperse. Excuses. Lan Wangji did not need to hear the contents of their words to recognize that the cultivators were making up reasons to cover why they were leaving. Speaking purely to try and hide their cowardice as they fled before they could be held accountable for their words.

Lan Wangji heard none of it. He could see the forced rigidity in Wei Wuxian's shoulders. The slight tremble of Wei Wuxian's balled fists. The rapid breathing that made his chest rise and fall with abnormal speed. Lan Wangji walked through the crowd forcing those who had yet to leave to flee or stumble out of his way.

Jiang Yanli was still smiling faintly at the crowd, but her gaze was frigid. Lan Wangji was amazed Zidian was not sparking on her hand with how enraged she clearly was. Then again, spiritual tools often took after their masters. Even and enraged Jiang Yanli was calm and focused. She did not lash out with expressive displays of rage. It was possible that Zidian was becoming more calm and contained after two years with her.

Lan Wangji stood beside Wei Wuxian and lightly took hold of Wei Wuxian's wrist. Wei Wuxian's eyes flashed red for a second and Lan Wangji felt the cold prickle of resentful energy against his skin. It was a brief burst of cold against Lan Wangji's skin, like the bite of a strong wind in winter. The resentful energy settled back immediately, having done little more than brush against Lan Wangji's skin before it withdrew.

"They love to talk up until they are asked to actually take responsibility for what they say," Jiang Yanli said with a disapproving frown.

She had turned to Wei Wuxian now that the last of the onlookers had fled. Her entire face softened into warmth and concern as she searched Wei Wuxian's face. Wei Wuxian did not meet her gaze. He was staring decidedly at some point on the ground, avoiding anyone's eyes. Jiang Yanli did not try to touch Wei Wuxian. A testament to how skilled she had become in recognizing and assisting when Wei Wuxian was struggling with something.

"A-Xian," Jiang Yanli said softly. "You are my didi. I want you to remember that. The things those cultivators said... It's jealousy, because they know you are better than all of them. I'm proud of my didi." Jiang Yanli's voice was soft and earnest. Wei Wuxian shivered briefly under the force of her words. Jiang Yanli locked eyes with Lan Wangji. A silent request in her gaze that was familiar.

'Take care of him. Look after him.' Her eyes demanded. Lan Wangji inclined his head in acknowledgement.

"I helped your Lan Wangji prepare some food for you. You should go eat it while it's still warm. Come find me later if you feel up to it," Jiang Yanli requested softly.

Wei Wuxian gave a small nod, which was the most he had done to acknowledge either of them. Jiang Yanli smiled. Lan Wangji could see Jiang Yanli hold herself back. He could see her impulse to hug Wei Wuxian, pat his head and hold him. Jiang Yanli did not do any of that, because she knew that was not what Wei Wuxian needed right now.

Jiang Yanli gathered herself and stepped away. She retrieved a basket from the ground where she must have discarded it before inserting herself into the confrontation. With it in hand she walked towards the tents of the minor sects. She must have been on her way to visit Luo Qingyang.

Lan Wangji began to walk back towards their tent. He pulled Wei Wuxian's wrist only slightly. It was enough to get Wei Wuxian to walk. After that they remained in step, side by side. Lan Wangji was anxious to be back in their tent. Wei Wuxian was not willing to expose his emotions in the open. Holding himself rigidly and avoiding physical contact with Lan Wangji. Wei Wuxian had not immediately sought to increase their closeness. It told Lan Wangji that Wei Wuxian needed privacy. He needed space away from everyone else.

Entering their tent did not cause any immediate change. Lan Wangji retrieved their food from where he left it. The talisman keeping the food warm and fresh was still in place. Lan Wangji walked further into the tent, setting the food down. He did not immediately unpack the food. Wei Wuxian would not have much of an appetite until he was able to talk through what he was feeling.

"Wei Ying." Lan Wangji spoke softly, standing near Wei Wuxian but not touching. Wei Wuxian jerked slightly at the sound of his name before he glanced up at Lan Wangji briefly. "Would you like to sit?" Lan Wangji inquired.

Wei Wuxian hastily shook his head no. Lan Wangji nodded in acknowledgement. Sitting, for them, usually meant some level of cuddling. Lan Wangji took Wei Wuxian's refusal to indicate that he was not ready for that level of touch yet. Given how Wei Wuxian reacted when Lan Wangji took hold of his wrist, Lan Wangji was not all that surprised.

"Can you tell me what happened?" Lan Wangji inquired after a long pause.