[open post] NEW USER: Shang Qinghua

[greatmasterairplane]

Look, this clearly isn't Proud Immortal Demon Way. Shang Qinghua might not remember all the details of what he wrote—that's what his most devoted fans are for, to point out inconsistencies in the comments section so Shang Qinghua can bullshit some mystical explanation, hahaha—but he's sure he didn't write this Western-style mansion. The System, when he tries to question it, is silent. So maybe it's some kind of test?

If so, not fair! Arranging the invasion of the Immortal Alliance Conference was supposed to be his last thing. The original Shang Qinghua died shortly after that, so how much plot relevance could he have?? He was meant to be retired, living life in the lap of luxury (or drudgery in the employ of his king, but whatever). Why doesn't the System just reward him for all his many years of loyal service? Can they have a "being hand-fed melon seeds by a group of big scantily-clad men" event, please???

He skims through the welcome table materials. Okay, so a world between dimensions, people pulled in from disparate worlds and trapped for eternity, sure. Classic stuff. His king is bound to show up at some point and drag Shang Qinghua away by his collar like a tiger scruffing a kitten. Until then, he'll just try to stay out of trouble.

Comments

[lightbearinglord]

It is, very clearly, one of those days. Lan Wangji has yet to determine the exact nature of the mansion's trickery on this day, but he is developing a fairly detailed suspicion.

This newcomer looks like someone who could feasibly be from Lan Wangji's world, but he has learned his lesson regarding that particular assumption. He watches for a time as the young man pages through the welcome table, but he bows once he sees that he has been noticed. "Young master."

[greatmasterairplane]

Whoa! Too handsome! Way too handsome!! This guy is definitely not from Proud Immortal Demon Way. He's not one of Shang Qinghua's, and he's far too good-looking to be a background character. That resting bitch face could give even Mobei-jun a run for his money.

Shang Qinghua could try to impress him with his Peak Lord credentials, but it's probably safer to grovel. It usually is. He clasps his hands in front of him and bows deeply. "My lord, take pity—I am but a humble traveler. What manner of beings reside in these halls?"

[lightbearinglord]

Lan Wangji had thought this man to be a fellow cultivator, and so the formality of the greeting takes him aback. He hesitates, but only for a short time. "All manner," he advises him. "The people of this place come from a multitude of worlds and circumstances." Recalling his lapse with Gertrude earlier in the day, he remembers to add, "My name is Lan Wangji. I come from Gusu." He doesn't anticipate the name being recognized, but it is worth the try.

[greatmasterairplane]

Just as expected from the welcome sign—wait. Shang Qinghua is sure he's heard the name Lan Wangji before. Not from his life as Shang Qinghua, but from the first one—it has a kind of webnovel-y ring to it, like he's seen it scrawled all over the Zhongdian forums. It's been decades since he died, though, and he can't quite place it. "Ah, hm. It is an honor to meet someone so distinguished." What story are you from? "Might I ask if anyone else has accompanied you to this place?"

[lightbearinglord]

This reaction doesn't make it clear whether this man has heard of him or not, and it also has failed to provide him with a name. Lan Wangji's expression shades mildly wary, but he answers, "My cultivation partner is here with me."

[greatmasterairplane]

Oh well, that doesn't help, and Shang Qinghua doesn't want to interrogate him—but the name is so familiar, it's really going to bug him. "I am Shang Qinghua, of Cang Qiong Mountain Sect. If you'll pardon the presumption, you seem an accomplished cultivator. If I can be of assistance in any way, let me know—I can be quite useful." Finding the most powerful person in the room and groveling at his feet—that's the tried and true Shang Qinghua method!

[lightbearinglord]

Lan Wangji regards Shang Qinghua with bemusement. He is an accomplished cultivator, and he is accustomed enough to the variety of reactions this can inspire in the people around him, but it has been some time since he encountered this manner of obsequiousness. He tucks his hands behind his back and remains expressionless. "I am self-sufficient," he says.

[greatmasterairplane]

Fine, it's not like Shang Qinghua isn't used to this kind of ice queen act. But does he have to be exactly Shang Qinghua's type?? He could easily have written this character himself, the beautiful man with the broad shoulders and the total lack of facial expressions—oh. Wait. This is all ringing a bell too. A guy who never smiles, who wears robes like that, with a blue ribbon around his forehead—

"Lan Wangji!" he says aloud, snapping his fingers in recognition. "From Gusu Lan! You're"—Wei Wuxian's husband!—"Hanguang-jun." Mo Dao Zu Shi was not a direct competitor of Proud Immortal Demon Way, of course, but he'd have to have been living in a hole not to have heard of it. And not only was he not living in a hole when MDZS was published, he was a successful webnovel author!

[lightbearinglord]

There it is again -- his title, and not from someone to whom he has spoken it directly. Lan Wangji is surprised to find himself of two minds about it. He can hardly object to it; it belongs to him, and it is the way that his students, and most of the people he encounters in his usual life, address him. Magnus calls him Hanguang-jun, and that does not bother him at all. It may only be the jarring memory of the way Claudius used it the other day. That is something Lan Wangji intends to discuss with him later.

"I am," he allows. "Do we share a world of origin?"

[greatmasterairplane]

"Ah, no." He can't pretend to lie about that, he definitely does not remember MDZS well enough to bluff through it. He barely remembers the details of the book he actually wrote! "In my world, I have heard tales of your illustrious achievements."

[lightbearinglord]

This so nearly makes sense that Lan Wangji can imagine a slightly stupider version of himself believing it. When he came here, for the first time, he found himself completely absent of his typical reputation. None of the people here recognized him, not even Luo Binghe. Shen Yuan did only because of some useless and inaccurate dramatic adaptation in which Lan Wangji is apparently, impossibly, interested in women.

Keeping his voice mildly neutral, he asks, "Such as?"

[greatmasterairplane]

Ah, man. What the hell happens in MDZS, besides demonic cultivation? Shang Qinghua remembers the fandom more than the book, so all he knows for sure is that Lan Wangji has a huge dick and Wei Wuxian is a mouthy bottom. There was definitely a war, like all the clans teamed up against the evil clan, except it turned out the true evil was the wealthy people who profited off the war and persecuted the refugees, which is a message Shang Qinghua can get behind.

"Hanguang-jun participated in a great war," he says, wracking his brain for the name of the evil clan. Some neural circuit improbably connects. "The Sunshot Campaign."

[lightbearinglord]

Lan Wangji's eyes narrow a little. Stories of the Sunshot Campaign have made it to other worlds? This seems improbable as well, although that may be mere wishful thinking on his part. If Lan Wangji must be remembered, he would rather it be for the hundreds of night-hunts, ranging from the mundane to the grueling, that he tackled after Wei Ying's death, but perhaps it is inevitable that some part of his legacy will remain forever tied to the Wen cultivators who fell to Bichen's blade. Most see war as more glamorous than minor exorcisms.

Realizing something, he turns a cool gaze on Shang Qinghua. "Are you an associate of Shen Yuan's?"

[greatmasterairplane]

Shang Qinghua does not know anyone called Shen Yuan. He does know a Shen Qingqiu, and the tone of the surname is right, so either that's a coincidence or Cucumber-bro picked the most obvious secret disguise name of all time. But his strategy of "everyone likes Cucumber-bro" has served him well so far, so if it is him, that's an enthusiastic yes! "Are you speaking of a tall man"—he gestures—"who wears light green robes and carries a folding fan?"

[lightbearinglord]

Lan Wangji refrains from pettily pointing out that Shen Yuan, while tall, is not quite as tall as he is. "Mn." The look on his face performs a subtle yet unmistakeable shift from cool blankness to icy irritability. "Peak Lord Shen."

[greatmasterairplane]

That's him, alright, and Lan Wangji doesn't look too happy about it. Shang Qinghua maintains his composure, but inside he is cackling. Cucumber-bro, what did you do to piss off Hanguang-jun?? Probably rode Luo Binghe's dick too hard. Shen Qingqiu is nice to everyone, including literal monsters, unless he feels they've wronged his precious baby. Shang Qinghua expects to be sued for custody any day now. "Our connection is professional, not personal," he assures Lan Wangji. He leans in to say, conspiratorially, "Between you and me, he can be a bit overzealous. Unable to maintain his detachment from worldly matters." Sorry, Cucumber-bro, but Shang Qinghua's not taking the fall for whatever you've been up to.

[lightbearinglord]

In answer to this, Lan Wangji's eyebrows twitch a little, but at least it is with a flicker of amusement rather than continued irritation. He gives Shang Qinghua a renewed look of careful assessment, one sweeping glance from head to toe. "He is unable to control Luo Binghe," he says, somewhat evocatively dry about it.

[greatmasterairplane]

"Oh, that's an understatement," Shang Qinghua says, warming to the topic—especially after Lan Wangji gave him those elevator eyes! Shang Qinghua knows he's married, but he'll take it. "You should have seen him when Luo Binghe was his disciple. Absolutely no boundaries! The worst favoritism you've ever seen. I thought it was inappropriate," he adds, disapproving.

[lightbearinglord]

Lan Wangji, who goes to great lengths to remain fair-minded with his own disciples despite that Sizhui is very much his favorite of them, gives him a curt nod. Thinking back to a conversation with Claudius, he says, still fairly icy about the whole topic, "They deserve one another."

[greatmasterairplane]

Oh, haha, so he hates Bingge too. That's... kind of a bummer! Everyone's supposed to love Luo Binghe or get murdered until they do. That's, like, the whole character. But fine, whatever. Lan Wangji's from a book with actual themes and morals. Guess he's too good for stallion trash, or something. Maybe he's not too good to share some gossip, though? "Have they... grown close, here?"

[lightbearinglord]

The tightening of Lan Wangji's mouth should do more than enough to convey both the answer to that question, and his feelings about said answer. "Reportedly."

[greatmasterairplane]

Clearly not a beloved couple. Shang Qinghua can only imagine. If he knows his son, Luo Binghe gets very intense about new romances, and everyone in the Twelve Peaks knows how deeply annoying Shen Qingqiu is about his pet disciple. Shang Qinghua is happy to keep shit-talking them, if that's what this extremely hot man would like to do. "Lack of discretion," he says, shaking his head ruefully. "So inappropriate for one of Shen Qingqiu's rank. You know, the sect leader indulges him shamelessly."

[lightbearinglord]

Talking behind others' backs is prohibited, Lan Wangji thinks to himself, with only, generously, half as much guilt as he ought to. This is surely not the worst of his violations. So he gives Shang Qinghua a blankly curious look, inviting him to elaborate further if he would like.

[greatmasterairplane]

Okay, now Shang Qinghua is getting a little excited. He never gets to tell this story! He wanted to put it in PIDW, but he cut it because the fandom discourse would have been unbearable. It was painful rising through the ranks of Cang Qiong Mountain Sect and hearing everyone speculate on the nature of Shen Qingqiu's relationship with Yue Qingyuan, knowing he had the juiciest piece of gossip in the whole sect, yet unable to share it.

He draws himself up to look more dignified, as befits the serious nature of this backstory. "It is a tragic tale. Shen Qingqiu and our sect leader, Yue Qingyuan, were childhood friends. As close as two children can be. Yet both were born into bad circumstances. Yue Qingyuan had the opportunity to escape, and promised to return for Shen Qingqiu, but circumstances delayed him. Before he could do so, Shen Qingqiu found his own path to better things." He's not going to mention all the murdering Shen Jiu did on the way out. He is implying all this happened to Cucumber-bro, after all. "He always believed Yue Qingyuan betrayed him. And Yue Qingyuan, afflicted with guilt, is too shamed to enforce the sect's rules upon him."

[lightbearinglord]

Lan Wangji listens to this thoughtfully, and thinks of Wei Ying and Jiang Wanyin. Jiang Wanyin still believes he was betrayed; no other paths were open to Wei Ying. This is not the same, but many stories share that basic makeup: betrayal, love, guilt, and the changes wrought by the passage of time.

Something occurs to him, then. "Shen Qingqiu? Or Shen Yuan?"