. . .

The moist rains pittered on the docks of Yijiang as the carriage's window flapped in the winds of changing seasons, revealing the young mistress in the royal carriage accompanied by guards. The person was a sight to behold, sitting on the carriage the pale skin gleamed in scarlet red robes, hems stitched with gold embroidered lotuses. The celestial jewelled gold headdress jingled as the wind caressed the semi-transparent veil that partly covered the young mistress's face with a peaking nose bridge along with those curious almond sharp deep eyes. A strong breeze whooshes through as if it was curious along with the gawking crowds to see the face of the newly betrothed bride. The veil flutters in above revealing a strong jawline, his red lips adorned with the sinful mole beneath. He smiled eyeing the crowds, as they gasped in shocking amazement.

It was not a bride, but a groom. The royal clan of Su betrothed one of the twin jades to a man, who could be none other than Wei Wuixian of the Yijiang sect. The crowd gasped, some murmuring in amazement, some in shock, some in disgust, some in pity, some knowing the prophecy.

The guards along with Wei Ying Harshly closed the fluttering window blocking the view of the pedestrians who stood witnessing the ceremony of the bonding journey of second prince Lan Wanji and young master Wei Wuxian. Wei Ying was told that the guards are for his safety. But he himself knew more than anyone what was that supposed to mean, they were keeping an eye on him, so he does not runs away from their grasp. The irony was if he were to run away, he could. Whenever he wanted to, but after all that devastating destruction he brought over the ones he loves he has let fate take the course. He knew not what awaited him after this marriage, but if handing himself over could save Shiijie and the others. He was ready! Ready to face everything and anything.

Eyeing over the guards' "tough" behaviour, he smirked as mischief stumbles in his mind.

"Aiya you plan to suffocate me or what?" He grumbles pouting to the guards as he snaps his fingers to overturning the window flaps open of both sides of the carriage giving the crowd a full view of the newlywed groom of the second prince. A sinful person, and on top of that a man. The secret the Su Royal clan wanted to keep hidden was out. He giggles in mischief while quickly he lowers his head out of the carriage, dodging the obstructing guards as he smiles to waving the crowds, his veil fluttering in the airs of autumn.

"You.." A guard was about to grab Wei Ying when a horse gallops by, stopping on the other side of the carriage, eyeing them to not cross the line.

"Wei Ying" A firm yet soft voice makes Wei Wuixan turn to look over the other side to the other man in white gold and red robes. Wei Ying bows slightly giving him a tight smile, understanding the other's concern. 'He doesn't want Wei Ying to cause any trouble as for now' He was not reprimanding him, he is concerned genuinely for his well being. Wei Ying takes a longing look at the man as he snaps his fingers back closing the flaps. He fiddles on the red ruby of his now new recultivated black choker. He does not understand this man, 'Why?, 'Why was he saving him? Being a royal! He was supposed to ...' The emotion the other person's eyes held for him and the contrasting responsibilities he bore. He could not understand. He takes a deep breath, closing his eyes calming his thoughts down, as his mind wanders to how the other person looked in those white golden robes, heavily embroidered with gold thread and ruby red patterns of clouds and crowns. Those ice-cold emotions of the pale eyes, those full lips, his now gold jewelled headband tied across the forehead, going up the gold headdress as the long laces of the band finally laid down again to adorn his long jet black tresses. He opens his eyes with his face flushed as his heartbeats unsteady. 'Is it just the anxiety of waiting to be killed by the most ethereal man on the earthly realms?' He asks in his mind as he patted his chest trying to soothe down his heart down. There is something between them just more than one could describe, but he just can't seem to put his finger on it.

---

Reaching the docs Wei Ying takes a longing look at the entry of Yijiang. 'He didn't even get to say goodbye to Shijie, angry lotus or anyone at all.' Tears well in his eyes as they board the boat. Closing his eyes as he sat down, along with more than ten or so guards. Cherishing the moments, the last sights of Yijiang in those changing seasons. He might not be able to view how it looks when the winter comes or maybe not even breathing to come back.

The withered maple leaves flutter by, as the boats take off moving along those bloomed lotuses. The Jade dragons transform, moving swiftly across the clouds hued ocherous in dawn to take up the flights home.

---

The weather of the Su mountains has turned colder, the seasons were changing from autumn to the snowy winters. The weather states the changes in time, and now it was evident. The Times truly had changed.

If one were to expect a bustling banquet after the grooms took their bows, the halls of Su Palace were surely bustling with the elders of the clan, but the situation was not like some usual martial blessing ceremony.

Kneeling in the white gold-red attire there he was midst all to take his punishment, for he had sinned to save the devil. He had not only failed his clan, but the responsibilities he bore to the heavens.

Lan Quiren frowned, beyond disappointed, seems like he had flaws in his upbringing.

"Wanji, recite the 52nd clause of the clan's principles." He ordered.

"No association with evil" Wanji stated.

"Do you know where are you wrong?" He asked him.

"Shufu!, Can one be evil since birth?" Wanji questioned back. His pale impassive eyes quivered on the thinking of what was yet to come. No, not for him. But 'him', the one he wants to protect.

"WANGJI" Lan Quiren yelled in rage, furious at what his beloved nephew has turned to be. He dares question back not just the clan rules but the will of heavens. The elders present were shocked too. Was it really the second prince speaking? The epitome of perfection. Let it be in martial art cultivation, calligraphy, behaviour, and even in dressing etiquette. The second prince was the...

"I will ask you again, Do you acknowledge your wrongs!? What are your responsibilities?" Lan Quiren questions again in authority.

"Shufu, What exactly is right/white and wrong/black?" Wanji asks again.

"Lan Wanji do you not realise! you allied with the evil, also saved him. What exactly are you trying to do. Have you forgotten your responsibilities " Lan Quiren was infuriated.

"Shufu, please tell, What exactly is right/white and wrong/black?" Wanji dares again.

"LAN WANJI !!Seems like you really need a lesson. You have allied the evil, you dare injure the elders. You shall receive 50 disciple whips as punishment, Half the number of elders you have injured." Lan Quiren commands. The elders were stunned at Quiren's decision he truly was a man of high morale, he punished his own nephew with the disciple whip. Only one lash of the disciple whip was equalled to 100 normal whips. To receive 50. One will take a year or more to fully recover from them.

Tearing through the robes, the whips lashed across Lan Wanji's back reminding him of the adversities he had brought upon the living realm just with one choice. His skin turned red with each stoke but his face remained unchanged, ice cold.

"And as for that marital bond, you must tarnish it?"

"SHUFU!!" Wanji exclamied in horror and protest.

"Bì zuǐ (Shut up)!!!!!!" Lan Quiren ordered. As Lan Wanji took every lash welcoming on his skin that bled red.

"Shufu, Ple_ase." His eyes clear in protest, begging not to take the sinner from him. Lan Quiren raged as he shut his nephew charming him to silence. He could no longer hear him plead for the devil. He took his leave from the halls to his chambers not able to bear it any longer.

The whips that lashed upon his skin did not seem to cause as much pain as what he was ordered to do. Tarnish a soul marital bond. He can not. He would not. One has to break every trust. Every belief his partner holds towards him to end it from the core. Turn them to hate the other. And that possibly means only one thing, Lan Wanji has to possibly take him without consent. R*pe Wei Wuixan! When the will, trust, the love and every lingering belief shall shatter within, with no chances to revive, the bond shall tarnish. But what choices anyone had, one can not kill their soul bonded partner with the other one alive. If one was killed, they may die together and if one was alive the chances are that the other's heart shall still remain beating. That is how it is to be bonded by the soul, in life and death.

But Lan Wanji was already tied to Wei Wuxian regardless of anything. A ritual or not, his heart remained chaste to the devil. Not a single wince could be heard as the count came to 25th. But his eyes were surely welled with emotions he dare not bring forth.

---

Wei Ying plopped on the bed in his chambers, exhaling a long breath. It's been almost the whole day he had been confined to this room, doing the required ceremonial rituals. Yet his so-called partner was nowhere near. He tumbled across the bed looking around the majestic white chamber. There were no decorations. The white which was supposed to signify serenity and purity seemed to mock Wei Ying because, for him, it was as if mourning a predestined death. He smiled at the thought. His smile was beautiful to cause people to faint with throbbing hearts but if one could see the pain in it or not, was the question. Since he promised not to cause trouble, he fiddled around the room amusing himself.

Someone suddenly rushed, opening the doors. Wei Ying quickly slid his veil down. It was the crown prince Lan Xichen.

"Your Highness," Wei Ying uttered keeping his grudges aside, frowning at the state of the crown prince. His robes seemed to be rushed, his breath frantic as he held the door fame making himself stable.

"Wei Gōng zǐ, Is Wanji here." He asks, looking clearly troubled.

"No, your highness. He was_ not here since noon." He said completing, the crown prince was in such hurry that he rushed out after Wei Ying uttered no. Something was not right. Wei Ying thought as he snapped his finger creating a spirit charm to hallucinate his image on the bed, as he dashed stealthily following the crown prince.

----

Lan Quiren was pouring tea with trembling hands as the sight of his nephew Wanji, being vulnerable, pleading to save a creature of the dark was embedded in his memory. He just could not shake it off. He sighed putting the pot down. He did not want to punish him. But the ways he went were outrageous and that creature was surely clouding Wanji's mind. Just like his father. Protecting what he believed was right. Till the very end.

Things were getting out of hand. Such a prosperous bond to Jiyang's was tarnished.  Xichen's denial to marry Yanli. And finally this!!! After their father and mother died in the war, trying to go against the cultivation world, for they believed the cultivation world had become nothing but sinful greed that must be ended. But how can one change the ways of the whole world?  The cultivation world surely has flaws but one can not dismiss it. After that dreadful incident, he had personally taken up the upbringing of his nephews. Teaching them the laws and how to be just without going too much against the world. But now...Everything was just....as if history is being repeated. Where did it all go wrong? Should he have been more strict? Was it his fault he cou...

Lan Xichen abruptly enters the chamber halting his thoughts.

"Xichen" He frowned looking at his state. Robes rushed, hair not neat, the head crown unstable.

"Ah" Xichen realised as he quickly mannered himself, neatly adjusting his attire.

"What brings you here?" Lan Quiren enquired, sipping the tea.

"Shifu, Please let Wanji slide his punishment this while." He addressed bowing down.

"Youuu.." Lan Quiren was on the verge of losing his mind. 'Has he lost his mind too?' Both of his nephews were defending that devil.

"Xichen, Do you have any idea what_"

"Please hear me out Shifu, Wanji is not acting recklessly." He sates quickly halting Quiren. He was never to cut his uncle off, but after he visited the halls, looking at Wanji's state. He needs to hurry. He must save his little brother.

"I know at first I deliberately refused the marriage as I and Wanji sensed something else. A power. It was more like only Wanji could sense it. We came to the resolve that if we instigate some amount of chaos we could draw the creature to the resentful energies of spite and anger. And it did...

Quiren drew his hand stoping Xichen. 'Did he felt wrong? Was there a reason underneath their doing? Was he punished for no reason...' He halted his thoughts as he ordered his people to stop Wanji's punishment and bring him to his chambers.

"Continue," Quiren asked Xichen as he was now more inclined if he was wrong all along. Maybe he had brought them up just fine. For now, he must hear first before coming to any conclusion.

"The dark creature 'Wei Wuxian' could only be hunted down by Wanji. The creature must not be harmed by any other. But before that Wanji needs to win the creature, bowing to him, to _his.. control. Yes, Wanji needs to earn its trust and belief and when the creature's heart will be in full power. And then only Wangji can crush him and his entire clan to establish peace and make the world devoid of any lingering wrongs to the will of the heavens. That is how it must be done." Xichen said.

"Xiōng Zhǎng !!? (elder brother)" Wanji has heard his brother 'what was he ....saying?', He stumbled reaching the chamber accompanied by two men. His robes were stained and tattered in his blood. Lan Quiren frowned, eyeing Wanji.

"A- zhan" His brother rushed at his side supporting him.

"Wanji is it as, Xichen sates?" Lan Quiren enquires sternly.

"Y_E_S shufu, I shall _not disappoint you," Wanji utters somehow looking at his older brother's worried look.

"Then why did you_!?" Lan Quiren sighed not bothering to ask anymore. Wanji has always been so quiet let alone excuse any of his doings with reason. 

"Nevertheless, you have saved him, you must have his trust enough. So, prove yourself that you will tarnish the bond!?" Lan Quiren orders. He dismisses them to take their leave gesturing with his hand before Lan Zhan could say anything. He already has a lot on his mind.

---

"Xiōng Zhǎng !!? (elder brother) __" Wanji hesitates as he catches a glimpse of a vial inside the robes of his elder brother.

"If You know, then you know the next too." His brother states as both the brothers seek each other's eye in understanding. Wanji nods closing his eyes as he leans onto his brother for support. Xichen sighs looking empathetically at his little brother. His eyes stating the sorrow as he had to face this situation more than once. Wangji was very little to remember what happened to their parents but Xichen has seen them doing something similar and wildly running into the arms of death. But he always thought his parents were right and the incident had him shattered. But to see Wanji  'Just like father.' Why is it's him who has to lose every person he holds dear? Neither he can not hinder Wanji's path or he can state clearly what is right? for the time being. 'It will be fine' He lies to himself. But deep down he acknowledges the truth that even he does not know how long he can keep up this facade. But he shall do everything in his possibility to save his little didi. 

"Please, stay safe," He says quietly as he leads Wanji to his place.

---

Wei Ying shuts his doors close as he slides down the doorway crouching into the floor. 'What did he hear, just now?' The one who seemed to be saving him all along. It was...it was just an act. "AN ACT!!!!" He chokes his own mouth close to not let any sound out as he whimpers moving his knees close to his chest. Just like the way his mother was taken away from him. They not only plan to take him down but the entire clan. 'NO!, NO!, NO!, NO!, NO!, NO!, NO!, NO!, NO!, NO!, NO!, NO!," his mind chanted. He can not let it happen. A tear slides down his cheek as he could see the truth of his saviour. 'The person was acting, it was_it was all a lie! The entire time!' He sniffs as he silently laughs like a maniac. 'So, funny.' It was so funny that even after reaching his full potential powers he chose to stay quiet the entire time. His mother chased, killed. His clan was almost destroyed just because the world has a stupid prophecy. The nine-tailed being hunted down for years to their lust for power, yet here the fates of heavens were blaming it onto the one single creature. And since he was being labelled evil since birth, one has the right to do any injustice they desire. Let be humiliate their existence, break down their trust, crush things, execute people they love, even r*pe them. Yet those people were right, they were doing justice to end the evil in the "will of heavens." Such irony. Who really is evil actually? Who is right?

"Pfft, So funny" He states string to nothingness, as his eyes wander to his reflection on the jades engraved on the pillars. He was still in the sacred betrothal red robes. More tears slide down his cheeks. It was not even a day was over he is betrothed. Was he to find such brutal truth today? Why is it, that it hurts so much to find out something already so obvious? Maybe at least he expected Lan Zhan to stand the other way. They not only plan to kill him but also the entire clan. His siblings, Sjihie, father. NO. He can not just stand this anymore. No matter what the world says, this is unjust. No matter how the world sees him. He must save them. Even if he were to be possessed by the devil. And how dare, how dare they target his people?

Wei Ying gets up, with resolution. He has nothing to lose, one way or the other he has to face death. But if he were, he shall fight for what seems right? He chants the spell calling to summon his flute with his foxfire. He opens his eyes, gleaming blood red, with a black flute twirling around into the mid-air. He smirked as he grabs it, placing it beneath the bed. He may not be willing to do what his mind says to him right now. But he must. 'He needs to kill or maybe deeply injure Lan Wanji before he kills him and hurt the Jiyangs'.

---

The twilight of the mountains darkened to a solemn night. Wei Ying sat quietly in the chamber as the attendants quickly fixed his hair and robes. 'The damn last ritual' Wei Ying thinks what is the purpose even? He was waiting for his betrothed partner to complete the bows and drink the congratulatory wine. After that...

The door opened ending his wait. Lan Wanji was dressed in scarlet red robes now. He cleared his throat turning the maids' attention to leave. Wei Ying walked to him, cocking his head to the other side.

"Lan Wanji, oh or is it your highness divinity or maybe_ should I call, husband" Wei Ying teased, somewhat darkly. Lan Wanji frowned as he took his hand escorting him to the ancestral hall for the last but most important ritual. The marital bows to heaven.

---

The elders of the Su clan witnessed their bows silently. It was too silent as if one could not tell the occasion was of marriage or condolence of a funeral.

Lan Wanji glanced at Wei Wuxian who was sitting closely bowing to the heavens along with him. His heart was anxious, but maybe it was not because of his overdue responsibilities. It's just Wei Ying was. His hair laid back with a gold headdress strewn in his locks, the fair milk skin and his lips that were seen hazy underneath the red veil. To even think what he was asked to do, was a sin. And to the ethereal being who saved him twice, healed him twice, it was heavens crime to him. He pressed his lips in a tight line worriedly as they performed the last bow.

Getting up they bowed to each other as they cross cupped to drink the wine. Wei Wuxian frowned as he tasted the bitter juice. 'Damn it, is it not wine.'

"It is a blue rooted herb. Alcohol is prohibited." Lan Wanji whispered reading Wei Ying's reaction.

"Ah, I thought it's poison. " Wei Ying chirruped darkly smirking as he managed to drink the cup finally. He looked up and now that they were close Wei Ying studied Lan Wanji. Despite his stoic expression, he could feel that his partner seemed to be in immense pain. 'But why? Wasn't he the one devious one calling the shots! Then... what was..' Wei Wuxian was puzzled. But one thing was he was sure of if the Royal Su clan would be targetting his beloved ones. He shall not wait for his death. No matter the costs he needs to pay, he shall rather be called a devil than not be able to save his people.

"Now, Wangji." His Shufu commanded. Wangji's stays still not complying with what his Shufu meant.

"WANGJI" Old Lan comanded. Wangji was to speak before Xichen eyed him to comply for now. 'What did his brother mean?' Even if he Does needs to tarnish the bond. Were he to do with all these people watching!! Just a proof. He exhaled with a slightly visible frown as he took Wei Ying clasping his waist to pull him closer. He gulped as he leaned in, to mouth Wei Ying forcefully. Wei Ying was enraged, although he has kissed Lan Wanji, this was different. By doing this in front of all these people Wangjj was letting all know that this marriage was nothing to him. Wei Wuxian was resisting Wangji with all his might, pushing him off. Wangji gripped him more tightly leaning into him closer. For he needs to get this act right. Their chests collided as Wangji rips the veil off. Staggering for a second, at the sight he looked into those deep raging dark eyes. His fated one was the epitome of beauty. The red robes complimented this pale skin, his faint smell of white lotus and that sinful mole. Even if he were not allowed to love him, he shall, till the very end. Wangji gripped Wei Ying's head planting a small peck on just beside the lips as the very moment Wei Wuxian let his fox claws dig into the chest of Lan Wangji. It was not visible to others' eyes as robes were red, and so was the blood that spilt.

Wangji smiled as Wuxian staggered in his place. 'His expression'. The other is in pain, he was not and yet It hurts him too. Tears roll down Wei Ying's cheeks.' Why?' He could not find the answer to why was his heart so weary.

One wept while the other bled. They stood tied midst the "rightful world" sinning a ritual that should not have never been done, to begin with. A remorseful devil and a sinful angel with a love that bloomed in blood.

. . .

A/N - Who will be sacrificed? Will their love survive!

Zhan ge's birthday special..and yes I am too tired to edit.