A Clan of Our Own | The Untamed/Chen Qing Ling/ Modao Zushi

Fractured Memories: Part I

"Pa! No!"

As soon as Wei Wuxian tried to wrestle himself out of the hold of the guards, he was quickly struck on the head, instantly knocking him onto the floor.

Jin Guangyao never even flinched for a moment despite the great deal of violence.

"Surely he'd know better than to suddenly attack." He mused, seemingly to himself.

"Wei Ying!" Lan Zhan gasped out before he and A' Yuan were also sharply pulled away.

The blow to Wei Wuxian's head must have been much more damaging than he had realised, because before he knew it his entire body was paralysed.  He couldn't get up, rush towards the family being snatched away from him or even continue to fight. This hadn't happened to him ever since Wen Ning and Wen Qing, along with the rest of the Wen survivors, sacrificed themselves, though that feeling of hopelessness had never truly left him since, the same hopelessness that had made him give up everything.

The last thing Wei Wuxian could even think about before darkness filled his mind was the safety of his family, and his last regrets.

-Sixteen Years Ago-

Oh how Wei Wuxian had failed. He was always told to stop playing the hero. Now he finally understood why those words were repeated over and over again. Standing outside of the Burial Mounds, he took a deep breath.

What were Wen Qing and Wen Ning thinking, asking to receive punishments?! They were surely going to die! The Jin sect was not going to be merciful, especially since Zixuan was murdered by Wen Ning.

He knew there was no point in resisting anymore. If he wanted to stop bloodshed, which was what he originally intended by saving the survivors, he'd have to swallow his pride.

***

Jiang Yanli was almost frozen in grief, Jing Ling in her arms. She had wept for the last three hours without any breaks, and wasn't about to move as far as she planned. Her mother in law, Madam Jin, insisted on staying instead of her so she could sleep, but no matter how many times she made the offer, Yanli refused to move.

"Please, A' Li. I'll bring you some food." She heard the older woman plead.

Not wanting to strain her further, Jiang Yanli nodded silently, still cradling Jing Ling as best as she could. With some assistance, Madam Jin stood up, and after calling off the maids, staggered towards the exit.

Wei Wuxian was already stood outside of the funeral procession, hesitant to approach. He held Chenqing tightly in his hand, and the amulet in the other. When was the right moment, if at all? He peeked behind the pillar, watching the scene before him.

"Who's that? Come out!"

However, it was foolish and careless of him to do so. Madam Jin had caught him in her line of sight, and he knew it was time to give up. He ran to the centre of the grounds, and stood still.

"Get the guards! The Yiling Patriarch is here!" He heard her shriek in panic.

Immediately, the court was swarmed by the disciples and other guards who surrounded him and drew their swords and blades. By now, Yanli had turned around to see what the commotion was about. She got up and walked outside of the building.

As soon as she locked eyes with her martial brother, she froze. Wei Wuxian looked worse for wear: his eyes were a bloodshot red and his black robes were dishevelled and unclean. A year of poverty had not served him well.

"A' Xian..."

"What are you doing here?!" one of the closer disciples cried out. "Haven't you been causing enough trouble?!"