Chapter Text
"This is insane. You guys are insane. I am telling you this won’t end well. If Wei Qianbei or Hanguangjun finds out, we will all be done for.” Zizhen spoke, trying to knock some sense into his idiotic friends. He had thought out of everyone, at least Sizhui would be sensible. But turns out he was wrong.
“Why are you so afraid? They’re not going to find out. And who is going to tell them?” Jingyi asked, fixing Zizhen with a glare.
“You’re talking about Wei Qianbei and Hanguangjun. Even if we don’t tell them, they’ll still find out. And what if something goes wrong? No one has ever attempted such a thing. And if it was really possible, why hadn’t Wei Qianbei done it? This is his invention, after all, isn’t it?” Zizhen argued. Both Jingyi and Jin Ling looked as if they were ready to argue while Sizhui was conflicted.
“I…I think Zizhen is right. Maybe we should stop.” Sizhui spoke, tentatively.
“What? No way. Nothing is going to go wrong. Didn’t we already talk about this? So, why are you backing out now?” Jingyi asked, getting agitated.
“For the first time in my life I have to say I agree with this un-lan here. I know Zizhen and Jingyi has no personal stake in this other than quenching their curiosity. But what about you? Don’t you wish to change Wei Shishu’s fate? And what about Wen Xiansheng? If there’s a chance to change his fate, wouldn’t you take it?” Jin Ling’s question made Sizhui even more conflicted than he already was. The sentimental and emotional part of his brain desperately wanted to change the past so that his A-die wouldn’t die and his parents wouldn’t be separated for sixteen years. But the logical and practical part of his brain knew it was a mistake to tamper with fate. What if by trying to change one bad outcome, they end up making it even worse? And so while Sizhui was in a dilemma, both Zizhen and Jingyi were outraged for another reason.
“Hey. What the hell do you mean by we have no personal stake in this? Just because both me and Zizhen has no relationship with Wei Qianbei and Hanguangjun, doesn’t mean that we are not invested in it personally. I see both Hanguangjun and Wei Qianbei as my parents. And I would do anything for them. So, don’t you dare say that again.” Jingyi spoke, feeling indignant.
“I second that. They may not be my parents. But I have never felt so loved and accepted until I met Wei Qianbei. You guys already know how my family is. Most of the time I am invisible and my parents only see my elder brother and my younger sister. My elder brother is the heir and will take over the sect one day while my younger sister will get married to someone from one of the prominent families which will help our sect gain more connections and allies. While I am just the forgotten middle child—visible only when I make any mistake or meet with Wei Qianbei, who my father considers the scourge of earth. The only time I feel seen is with you guys and with Wei Qianbei. But having said all that, I still think this is a bad idea.
One should not play with things they don’t understand. I understand your feelings, Jin Ling. But tampering with fate just because you’re not happy with the cards you’re dealt with is not a sensible thing to do. There are so many people in this world whose life is unfair or who have died unjustly. What do you think will happen if everyone thinks like you and tries to change their fate by changing the past? And what is instead of making things better, we end up making it far worse? What then?” Zizhen’s words made sense. They all knew it did. Including Jin Ling, who wanted to stubbornly stick to his guns. But stubborn and bullheaded as he was, even he wasn’t stupid enough to ignore the facts.
“I apologize. That wasn’t what I meant when I said that. It’s just, both Sizhui and I have selfish motives behind wanting this. I want to save my parents' life and change my Uncle’s relationship with each other. While you already know Sizhui’s reasons. But you both don’t have any such selfish reasons behind this. That’s what I meant.” Jin Ling explained, sounding dejected.
“Well, I don’t think it’s selfish to want to save one’s parents. Though I have to say I don’t think your second reason is ever going to be fulfilled. Doesn’t your Jiujiu hate Wei Qianbei?” Jingyi spoke, making Jin Ling angry.
“What do you know? My Jiujiu doesn’t hate Wei Shishu. If he did, then he wouldn’t have allowed me to have a relationship with Wei Shishu at all. He is just bad at expressing his emotions.” Jin Ling defended. Though everyone could see that he himself didn’t believe it fully.
“Doesn’t he always scold you for meeting with Wei Qianbei?” Jingyi asked before yelping in pain as Zizhen elbowed him in the ribs.
“He scolds me for everything. That’s just how he is.” Jin Ling knew how weak that excuse was even before it left his mouth. But he was so used to defending his Jiujiu’s actions that it has almost become a reflex.
“I seriously don’t get it. Wasn’t it already proven that Wei Qianbei was not responsible for Jin Ling’s parent’s deaths? So why is sect leader Jiang still angry with him?” Jingyi asked, ignoring the warning glances from Zizhen and Sizhui.
“Jingyi, I don’t think what sect leader Jiang does is any of our business. We shouldn’t interfere in their private matters.” Sizhui spoke, trying to put an end to this line of conversation. But it seemed like Jingyi was determined to get to the bottom of it.
“We were literally considering traveling back to the past to change everyone’s lives without their permission just a few minutes ago. And you think my question is invasive? Aren’t you guys even a little bit curious? Not just about Wei Qianbei and Jiang Zongzhu’s relationship, but about the past in general. Just think about it. We learned about the sunshot campaign and the evil Yiling Patriarch in the class. We grew up believing that Wei Qianbei was evil and he did many evil things. And that he and Hanguangjun were enemies. He was framed, vilified, feared and then killed by this cultivation world. And to this date there are still people who believe he is evil even after he was proven innocent.
And his own Shidi refuses to rekindle their relationship and still goes around treating Wei Qianbei like he did before the truth came out. I feel like there are still many things we do not know about. And everything we were taught were either all lies or half truths. And I for one is fed up with all these half truths. Sizhui is Hanguangjun and Wei Qianbei’s son and I am pretty sure that even he doesn’t know the whole truth. And the same goes for Jin Ling. He still doesn’t know the truth behind his parent’s death other than the fact that it wasn’t Wei Qianbei’s fault. Then whose fault was it? Jin Guangyao never vocally admitted to killing Jin Ling’s parent’s did he?
And what about Wei Qianbei? Text books doesn’t say why he learned demonic cultivation or how. Only that he was a demonic cultivator and hence he was evil. It also said that he was the reason why the Lotus Pier was massacred and that he seceded from the Jiang Clan after the war. But again the books doesn’t say why. After knowing him personally, I can say without an ounce of doubt that everything that was written about him in the books and taught in classes were complete and utter nonsense. Wei Qianbei is the kindest and strongest person I know after Hanguangjun. And I do not believe that he could ever do anything wrong intentionally. He didn’t deserve what happened to him in the past and the treatment he is still receiving from people who don’t know anything about him, but still slander him behind his back.
You want to know why I wanted to do this. Because I want to know the whole truth and I want everyone to know the whole truth. Wei Qianbei was given a second chance. But he never got true justice for all the injustices he suffered in his first life. He died and people celebrated his death. He came back and people are still vilifying him and blaming him for practically every bad thing under the sun. And all this is because of whatever that happened in the past. And only by changing the past can we change the present and Wei Qianbei can get his justice. Not just Wei Qianbei, but everyone who suffered injustice in the past, but was left forgotten. That is why I want to do this.”
Jingyi’s words made them all stunned. They had never seen Jingyi speaking so seriously about anything. But they had to admit that whatever he said was indeed true. Both Jin Ling and Sizhui realized that their families never truly got any justice. And it wasn’t just the dead that deserved justice, but also the living. Sizhui still remembers the bleeding scars on his Baba’s back, the pain and longing he endured for sixteen long years. His Uncle Wen, who was chained up in some dungeon by the Lanling Jin sect and was never even given so much as an apology for his sufferings. And his whole family which were killed during the siege. Not to mention the unimaginable injustice suffered by his A-die and he was filled with a rage unlike anything he has ever felt before.
While Jin Ling too felt that same helpless anger and frustration boil inside him. He grew up hating Wei Wuxian. Because if it wasn’t for him, his parents would still be alive and he wouldn't have been mocked and ridiculed as an orphan. And if it wasn’t for him, his Jiujiu wouldn’t have spent sixteen years alone and bitter, hunting for anyone who practiced demonic cultivation. While growing up, he had dreamt of countless scenarios where he would give Wei Wuxian the most painful death thus avenging his parents and his Uncle only for it to come tumbling down like a house made of cards when Wei Wuxian was proven innocent. So, Jin Ling forgave him. Forgiving Wei Wuxian was the easiest part. Because it was hard not to like his Wei Shishu. But even though Wei Wuxian was proven innocent, his parents still never got any justice.
Yes, Jin Guangyao was dead. He got his comeuppance. But it was sixteen years too late. His death didn’t change anything. His parents died in vain. Wei Wuxian died in vain. They were victims of someone else’s greed for power. While he and his Jiujiu became collateral damage. So did he think they got justice? Absolutely not. And was there anything he could do about that? Again the answer was No. And suddenly the idea of time travel didn’t seem like such a bad idea at all. Risks be damned.
“Urgh, you guys are making me feel depressed. And now I feel like the bad guy for repeatedly rejecting this insane idea. If only there was a way to make sure that this experiment is solid and that we won’t end up ruining our present by trying to fix the past.” Zizhen bemoaned, tugging at his hair in frustration. And just like that all their faces fell.
“Then how about you show the future to the people in the past rather than trying to fix it yourselves?” A voice spoke from beside them, making them all scream and step back in fear.
“Oops, sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you kids.” The person apologized, sheepishly and it was only then the four juniors realized who the interloper was.
“Xiandu.” All four of them called out at the same time, shock clearly written on their faces. Nie Huaisang, the current Xiandu, looked at them with amusement in his eyes as he hid his smile behind his fan.
“Why do you kids look so shocked? Is it because of me or because I overheard your conversation? In my defense, you kids weren’t exactly being very discreet. Didn’t it ever occur to you that such things shouldn’t be discussed out in the open because someone might overhear you?” Huaisang asked, making the juniors look down in shame. Ofcourse they didn’t think about it. Because it was Gusu for fuck’s sake. And the disciples of Gusu Lan doesn’t eavesdrop on others. Not to mention they were in the backhills away from the clan grounds. Who would’ve thought they would run into Nie Huaisang out of all people here. What was he even doing there in the first place, they wondered. But that wasn’t the question on their minds right now.
“Uhm, Xiandu, please accept our apology for not greeting you properly. But what did you mean by show the future to the people in the past?” Sizhui asked, voicing out the question that was in all their minds. Nie Huaisang smirked before closing his fan and looking at the kids seriously.
“It means exactly what I said, young Lan. You kids were discussing about how to change the past, weren’t you? And I am guessing that’s Wei Xiong’s book that you’ve got there. He is the only one capable of coming up with such ideas and I may or may not know something about it.” Huaisang answered, instantly perking up the juniors' interest.
“You mean you already knew about these plans before? How? Do you have spies in our clan?” Jingyi asked, narrowing his eyes at the once headshaker in suspicion. They didn’t know the full story still, only that after the Guanyin temple event and the dust was settled, somehow Nie Huaisang had ended up as the Xiandu which was a shock in and of itself. It didn’t make any sense to them as to why everyone would choose the infamous headshaker out of all people to be the next Xiandu. But they were just mere juniors who had no right to interfere with such matters. But now, standing face to face with Nie Husiang in a place where he wasn’t supposed to be, discussing plans he wasn’t supposed to have any knowledge of, they suddenly felt wary and suspicious. And why wouldn't they? Considering how the last three Xiandu’s turned out.
“And what makes you think I will just answer you just because you asked? Little Lan, here’s some advice for you. You can either take it or leave it. Do not let your enemy know that you’re onto them. It will either make them pull their guard up or eliminate the threat before it becomes a problem later. And as for your first question, well, all I can say is that I had access to Wei Xiong’s books before it was returned to him.” Huaisang replied, making the juniors look at him with a confused expression.
“Why are you looking at me as if I stole Wei Xiong’s belongings? You’re the Jin Sect leader. So, don’t you know that the Jins had basically looted all of his belongings after the siege at the burial mounds? Weren’t you the one who returned all of it back to him after taking over the sect?” Huaisang questioned, making Jin Ling puff out his chest in annoyance.
“Ofcourse, I know that. But that still doesn’t explain how you came across them? They were in our vaults before it was given to Wei Shishu. So, how exactly did you see those?” Huaisang rolled his eyes, mentally at Jin Ling’s question. He didn’t know whether to be happy that his act of a good for nothing idiot had left such a lasting impact in everyone’s mind that it’s impossible for anyone to fathom that he was actually smart. Or be sad that it worked so well?
“Does it matter how I came across these notes? Instead, shouldn't you be asking me how I can help you with this little plan of yours?”
“Wait, are you serious? You can actually help? How?” Zizhen asked, disbelief lacing his voice. And why not? This was Nie Huaisang they were talking about. The same person whose Mantra in life was I don’t know.
“I wouldn’t be here if I wasn’t serious, would I? I am the Xiandu. Do you think I have time to waste on a bunch of kids?” Both Jingyi and Jin Ling bristled at the words kids, but Sizhui and Zizhen held them back so they wouldn't end up murdering their Xiandu.
“Xiandu, this disciple will forever be grateful to you if you could help us. Please tell us what to do and how we can change the past.” Sizhui asked, bowing deeply while the rest of the juniors looked at him like he had lost his mind.
“Sizhui, have you lost your mind? You’re asking the headshaker for help?”
“Yeah, what could he possibly do that Wei Shishu couldn’t?” Both Jin Ling and Jingyi whisper yelled in Sizhui’s ears while Zizhen just looked at Huaisang, sheepishly, hoping for the ground to open up and swallow him whole so that he can escape from his friend’s stupidity. Did his idiotic friends truly didn’t know that their whisper was not so much a whisper, he wondered.
“You’re truly Hanguangjun’s son. You have his manners and temperament. Unlike your friends here.” Husiang spoke, casting a stern glance at the rest of them, making them feel embarrassed.
“Xiandu, I apologize to you on their behalf. Please do not take their words to heart.” Sizhui bowed once again and this time the rest of them bowed too, not wanting to escalate the situation.
“Yes. We apologize.” Both Jingyi and Jin Ling spoke at the same time.
“No need, no need. But can you all please stop bowing? I feel like I am bullying little kids if you keep doing that.” Huaisang spoke, gesturing them to stand up straight while Jin Ling muttered something about not being a kid under his breath but didn’t dare to speak out loud.
“Alright then. Now can we get back to serious business?” Huaisang spoke and immediately everyone put on their serious faces and nodded their heads.
“Good. In that case, let’s take this to somewhere more private, shall we? I don’t like discussing serious matters out in the open where anyone could walk in on us.” Huaisang spoke and the juniors felt ashamed. Because that’s exactly what had happened to them.
“Then let’s go to my quarters. It’s private and no one will suspect anything since we usually spend a lot of time there.” Sizhui suggested.
“Well then. What are you waiting for? Lead the way, little lan.” Huaisang spoke and before they knew it they were all assembled in Sizhui’s living room which looked a bit cramped with so many people occupying the space. And while Sizhui went about clearing space, arranging place mats and brewing tea like a good little host, Huaisang got busy with laying out his own notes and drawings which looked like utter nonsense to the junior’s eyes.
“Are these your notes, Xiandu? Is this the plan you were talking about?” Zizhen asked, looking curiously at the notes in front of him.
“Yes. They’re mine. I had this idea when I read Wei Xiong’s notes for the first time.” Huaisang explained.
“I don’t get it. If you already knew about it, then why didn’t you do anything at the time? Why now?” Jin Ling asked, his initial suspicion turning into genuine curiosity
“Because your Shishu’s idea was incomplete and unfeasible. Out of everyone, Wei Xiong has the most reasons to want to change the past. But he didn’t. Why do you think that was?” Huaisang asked, throwing the question back at them.
“I knew it. So, I was right. If we had gone through with the plan, it might’ve ended up in a bigger disaster.” Zizhen spoke, feeling validated.
“Well, not really.” Huaisang spoke with a smirk on his face.
“Huh? What do you mean? You just said Wei Qianbei’s idea was incomplete. And now you’re saying the opposite. Which one is it? Does it work or not?” Jingyi asked, being the ever impatient person that he was.
“You have no appreciation for story telling. And to answer your question, yes, it’s impossible—but not for you four.” Huaisang’s answer only made them even more confused. And even the ever patient Sizhui found himself getting annoyed with all the secrecy and puzzles. Upon seeing the juniors annoyed expression, Huaisang decided to stop building up the suspense and to just get to the heart of the matter. These kids sure didn’t have any appreciation for good storytelling.
“When Wei Xiong made this plan, there was a major flaw in it. It wasn’t his fault. But it’s the law of nature. One cannot interfere with time without facing dire consequences. And according to Wei Xiong’s plan, it is possible to travel back in time. But the moment you do, your soul will disintegrate and your entire existence will be erased permanently. Because nature thrives on balance. So does our golden cores. The imbalance to one’s golden cores results in qi deviation. And so will the presence of two identical energies in the same time period. Each of us have our own unique energies. It’s how a soul is identified after their bodies death. No two people can have the same soul energy. And likewise, identical soul energies cannot exist in the same place without disintegrating into nothing.”
The juniors had their jaws on the floor by the time Huaisang finished his explanation. And it took them a moment to come back to their senses and open their mouths to speak.
“So basically there can only be one Wei Wuxian at any given time. And that is why A-die never tried it. He knew his soul will disintegrate if he were to go back in time.” Sizhui spoke as if solving a big puzzle. “So, it wasn’t because he didn’t want to change the past—but because he couldn’t.” Sizhui felt an immense weight lift off his shoulder as he realized this. Till now there was this huge guilt sitting on his chest like a boulder because he was afraid he was doing something his father never wanted. But now he knows that wasn’t the case and just like that the feeling of guilt left his body.
“Ok, I think I understand why you said it’s possible for us four to travel back in time but not you. It’s because we aren’t even alive in that time period, isn’t it?” Jin Ling spoke, realizing the same thing as Sizhui.
“You’re both right. So, now do you understand why I said it was impossible before? The only way one could travel back to the past is to pick a point where they’re either yet to be born or dead.” Huaisang had tried every means to find a way to travel back—only to get stuck at the same point as Wei Wuxian. But after observing these juniors for the past several months, he knew they were the perfect candidates for this task. Two of them were related to Wei Wuxian while the other two also held immense love and respect for the Yinling Patriarch. Not to mention, they also had their own reasons for wanting to change the past, especially Jin Ling and Sizhui. So even though Huaisang knew it was a risk and he would probably get killed if his friend were to find out, he still couldn’t let this chance go.
“You said we should show the future to the people in the past instead of trying to change it ourselves. How do you suppose we do that?” Zizhen asked, wondering how such a thing was even possible. He still hadn’t digested the whole time travel thing and now he has to digest another impossible phenomenon?
“Because trying to change the minds of people who are set in their ways and are rigid and inflexible is impossible. Haven’t you heard the term, Seeing is Believing? Unless they see the truth with their own eyes, they will never change. Things will continue to remain the same. And what can you even do by yourselves? Go to every single person and tell them some fantastical story about time travel and try to convince them to trust you? You would be lucky if they don’t kill you on the spot or throw you into some dungeon.” Huaisang mocked, bitterness lacing his voice.
“A-die and Baba will believe me.” Sizhui spoke in a small voice, clutching his sword with both hands while his friends huddled close, offering silent support. Jin Ling too wanted to say that his Jiujiu will believe him. But he knew that was just a pipe dream. His Jiujiu is a practical man. And he would never believe in such nonsense without some solid proof which Jin Ling could ofcourse give. He knows many things about his Jiujiu that no one knows. But he doesn’t know the kind of man he was in the past. Everything he knows about his Jiujiu is from after he was born and he doesn’t know how that knowledge was going to help in convincing the past Jiang Cheng.
“Little Lan, the parents you know now are not the same people from the past. The Wei Wuxian of the past was a troublemaker and a brilliant cultivator. But he was also a self sacrificing idiot who took on all the burdens in the world on his shoulders, never relying on anyone. He also had a tendency of self blaming and believing that everything wrong in the world was because of him. Which he still does to an extent. Though his priorities now have changed a lot from what it was in the past. In the past, he was loyal to the Jiang sect to a fault and prioritzed them over everyone and everything, even his own life. He was thankful to them for taking him in from the streets and he believed he had to pay off that debt with his life.
So if you were to approach him and tell him about the past events, he will still try to handle everything by himself without troubling anyone and will probably convince you guys to not speak a word about it to anyone else. Or worse he will blame himself for everything once again and might leave the Jiang sect altogether thinking he can avoid all the disasters that way. The second option wouldn’t be a bad thing actually—I mean leaving the Jiang clan part. But you kids get the point. As for Hanguangjun, I apologize for breaking your bubble, but he definitely wasn’t the person he is now back then.
The war and Wei Xiong’s death changed him. But back then, he was a stickler for rules and he would never do anything that will go against his clan or the rules he was brought up with. It took him losing Wei Xiong to realize his own heart and how pointless his obedience and devotion to his clan was. The Hanguangjun and Yiling Patriarch of now will not hesitate to help you without caring about the consequences. But the Lan Wangji and Wei Wuxian of the past are only teenagers who still have to listen to their elders and abide by their words. Wei Xiong may be reckless and stubborn, but even he won’t do anything against his benefactor’s wishes.”
All the juniors had varied expressions on their faces as they listened to Huaisang, especially Jin Ling who couldn’t hide the scowl on his face.
“What do you mean by ‘ It will be a good thing if Wei Shishu left the Jiang sect? ’ Why would that be a good thing? I thought we are trying to change the past and not repeat it. Wei Shishu left the Jiang clan in the past. So now that we’re going back, shouldn’t we be trying to stop that from happening?” Jin Ling asked, puffing out his chest in indignation.
“Out of everything that I said, that’s what you fixate on? You’re truly Jiang Xiong’s nephew. He too is just like you. Fixating only on one thing while conveniently forgetting about everything else. You’re still young and teachable unlike your Uncle, who is far beyond the point of learning. So, I will give you some advice and I hope you will listen to it. Do not make judgements based on the meagre information you have in your arsenal. There are many things you do not understand. About your Shishu’s and your Jiujiu’s relationship and the reasons behind their unstable relationship. But that’s alright. You’ll soon learn everything. But until then, learn to be more patient and wait until you know the full story before commenting.”
Huaisang’s words left Jin Ling with a sense of foreboding and he desperately wanted to question Huaisang about what he meant. But he knew he won’t get an answer. Patience was never his strong suit. And he knew his Uncle’s relationship was complicated even without Huaisang’s comment. But having said that, he knew when to push and when not to. And this was definitely not the time to push for more answers. If their plan worked, then he will learn everything anyways. He will just have to suck it up and learn to be more patient until then.
“Xiandu, please tell us what we have to do. We’re willing to do anything as long as it’s not immoral or against our values.” Sizhui spoke, bringing the conversation back on track.
“Don’t worry, Little Lan. I won’t make you kids do any immoral things. I am still too young to die at the hands of the Yiling Patriarch. Your A-die has already invented the array that can take you back to a fixed moment in time. But you will need an anchor to your original timeline so that you kids can return back when the time’s up. And I will be that anchor.” As soon as the words left Huaisang’s mouth, the juniors looked at him with a mixture of uncertainty and doubt. It wasn’t a secret that Nie Huaisang wasn’t a strong cultivator. So, for him to offer such a suggestion made the juniors hesitate. They were really putting all their trust in someone who has a reputation of being weak and cowardly. And though they knew better than to believe in all rumors, Nie Huaisang being an average cultivator was not a rumor but a fact.
“I know what you kids are thinking and I have to say I am offended. I may not be as strong as Wei Xiong or Hanguangjun, but I think I am capable enough to handle such a small task. Or do you kids need me to prove it?” Huaisang asked, making the juniors look away, sheepishly.
“We apologize for offending you. It wasn’t our intention. We were simply concerned.” Sizhui spoke while the rest nodded in agreement.
“Forget it. Let’s move on. And also when I said I will be the anchor, I didn’t mean it literally. The array that Wei Xiong invented which will take you to the past will also act as your anchor to the present timeline. And all I have to do is simply make sure the array is running smoothly without any interruptions until you kids come back.” Huaisang explained.
“Oh, so that’s how it works. Really, Wei Qianbei’s inventions are simply brilliant.” Jingyi spoke, his fanboy mode on.
“But you haven’t said how you’re going to show the people in the past their future?” Zizhen asked, his mind reeling from all the information he has received in just a short time.
“With the help of the spirits, ofcourse.” Huaisang spoke in a matter of fact way as if it was the most obvious thing while the juniors just looked at him dumbfounded.
“Huh? Did I hear that right? You said with the help of spirits?” Jingyi questioned, looking at his friends to confirm that he didn’t hear it wrong.
“Why are you so surprised? How else am I supposed to know everything that happened in the past? Do I look omniscient to you? Or should I go around asking the people involved in the past events to share their memories with me? Half of the people involved are already dead and the living ones will simply bury me alive if I tell them what I am planning. So, if I can’t ask the living people, then that leaves me with just one option—ask the spirits. They're the only ones who have witnessed everything other than the people involved.” When put like that, the juniors realized how obvious the answer was and they felt stupid for not realizing it sooner. But one thing was for sure. Their opinion about Nie Huaisang being an incompetent dumbass was suddenly disproved.
“But manipulating spirits and compelling them falls under demonic cultivation, doesn’t it? Are you saying you practice demonic cultivation?” Jin Ling asked, feeling skeptical. He may have forgiven Wei Wuxian, but his tolerance for demonic cultivation is still only for his Wei Shishu and no one else.
“I do whatever is necessary, yes. If you have a better idea, I am all ears.” Huaisang spoke, shutting Jin Ling up essentially. It was true he didn’t have a better idea—well, any idea at all.
“So the spirits will provide with the memories. But how are you going to show it to them?” Sizhui asked, being the peacemaker that he was.
“Once we activate this array and you kids travel back, the time will pause from that moment on and will only start moving once you’re back to your own timeline. Until then everything will be paused except for you kids and the people who will be viewing their future. As for how the future will be shown, leave that to me. I have my own ways for that. It will take a long time to explain and I do not have the patience for that. Just trust me when I say I have it under control. Also, once you’re there, it’s up to you on what information you want to convey and what not. But I will appreciate it if you don’t tell them about my involvement and keep it a secret. In any case, they will find out everything by the end even if you don’t tell them. But I just don’t want them to know until then. Got it?”
Huaisang’s words brook no arguments and the juniors all nodded their heads, suddenly feeling a bit intimidated. And once again, their entire worldview was tilted on its axis. Because how else could they explain their sudden fear towards someone who is supposed to be the least scary person in the whole cultivation world?
“Uhm…you said it’s up to us to choose what we want to tell them about ourselves. But how do we know what to say and what not to say? What if we say something we are not supposed to?” Huaisang looked at the person who asked the question and ofcourse it was Jingyi, the loudmouth Lan. And suddenly Huaisang was having second thoughts.
“Then don’t say anything. Just introduce yourselves, except you, Sizhui. Old man Lan might end up having a qi deviation if he finds out you’re the son of Yiling Patriarch. Ofcourse, it won’t stay a secret forever. But it’s better to wait until they have a favorable impression of Wei Xiong and they’re not clamoring to kill him before you tell them the truth. And the same goes for all of you. Especially, you both.” Huaisang spoke, pointing his finger at Jingyi and Jin Ling.
“You both are equally loud mouthed and have a short fuse. It won’t do good for you if you get easily riled up and lose your composure at even the slightest provocation. The only reason why I am even allowing you four to travel back is because I need you to serve as an anchor between the past and the present just like I will be the anchor for you in this timeline. I could’ve also sent just one of you, but I know you four will never agree to that. But do not make me regret making this decision. If I find you running your mouth and saying things you shouldn’t, I won’t hesitate to pull you back right that instant and you won’t be able to return no matter how much you beg me.” And once again the juniors found themselves nodding along to every single word from Huaisang including Jingyi and Jin Ling, who didn’t even dare to meet his eyes let alone come up with a retort.
“That’s better. Now let’s move on to the people from the past.”