"Are you really here?" Xiao Zhan croaked out; his words barely audible above his thumping heart. He could feel panic rising within him, his blood pumping frantically as he clutched his hands.
"Yes, I am indeed here." The figure replied, tilting its head a little as its sharp red eyes stared directly into Xiao Zhan's crimson ones.
What the freaking hell is happening? How is this possible?!
"...Wei Wuxian." Xiao Zhan uttered the name he had been using for the past year. It felt foreign upon his tongue.
A wide smile spread across Wei Wuxian's face. "Hello, Xiao Zhan!" He greeted warmly with a wave. "I didn't expect to run into you here."
Me neither!! What's going on?!
The two stared at each other for a brief second, taking in one another's presence. Wei Wuxian's eyes twinkled with curiosity, while Xiao Zhan's eyebrows scrunched up in confusion.
"How are you here?" Xiao Zhan asked, his voice shaky. He felt his heart lurch in his chest as if there were dozens of needles piercing deep into his flesh. This situation was too out of left field.
And please do not say that you are coming back for good... I can't leave.
Wei Wuxian, on the other hand, looked amused. "Hmm... From the looks of it, it seems to me that we used Empathy at the same time. Which is why you and I are currently sharing the same mindscape at this moment." He answered, "We're both kind of linked after all."
"What do you mean?" Xiao Zhan questioned, still bewildered.
"To put it briefly, I woke up in your place one day." Wei Wuxian told him.
"You mean... You are in my world now??" Xiao Zhan exclaimed. He couldn't help but stare at Wei Wuxian.
"Well, you are also in mine. Why are you so surprised?" Wei Wuxian answered, chuckling.
"Ah... Right." Xiao Zhan murmured to himself. "So, how are we linked again?" he inquired curiously.
"Simple." Wei Wuxian grinned, shrugging his shoulders nonchalantly, "You are me, and I am you. We are one soul, you see."
"...One soul..." Xiao Zhan muttered incredulously, blinking slowly as he tried to process the new information.
"Yup. That's pretty much right." Wei Wuxian replied matter of factly. "You are my reincarnation." He added.
"Your reincarnation...?" Xiao Zhan repeated softly. He couldn't help but stare at the other intently. It was like looking into a mirror of himself, except the difference was Wei Wuxian was standing in front of him in his previous form. The modern 21st century version.
"Yep, exactly!" Wei Wuxian confirmed. "But I must say, you really live up to my expectations! You look pretty damn cool with that getup!" He said, leaning forward and resting his chin atop his hands. His bright eyes seemed to sparkle, and his lips curled into an almost catlike grin.
Past life is... real. This feels so weird... I am talking to Wei Wuxian who is also my past self while being in my past self...
Xiao Zhan took a deep breath. His mind still reeling from this bombshell revelation. Not that he never had considered this concept before. But to have the evidence right in front of him? He asked, "So, do you have any idea what happened to us?"
Wei Wuxian cocked his head slightly, rubbing his chin, "Honestly, no. I have yet to understand fully what actually happened as well."
They stood in silence for a few moments as they contemplated their predicament.
Wei Wuxian broke the stillness, "Anyway... I was just trying to check in on you since there was a day that I think you came back. I didn't expect that you'd use Empathy at the same time as me."
Xiao Zhan gasped, his eyes widening in surprise as realization dawned upon him. "That was not a dream ..." he murmured; his eyes glazed over in disbelief as he replayed the memory once more.
"Do you know how shocked I was to wake up in Yibo's place that day?" Wei Wuxian grinned, shaking his head lightly. "On his couch and underneath him to be exact."
Xiao Zhan pressed his lips together, a blush creeping onto his cheeks at the remembrance. "So... is he-"
"Yes, he is." Wei Wuxian answered before Xiao Zhan could finish his question. He could tell what Xiao Zhan wanted to ask him. "Yibo is Lan Zhan's reincarnation."
"Oh..." Xiao Zhan breathed out, the knowledge somehow gave him warm feelings that were hard to describe. They filled him with a strange sense of comfort. Of security.
Yibo. Lan Zhan. Now the dream made sense.
"And don't you worry?" Wei Wuxian chirped, "I'm not going to ruin whatever you are having with Lan Zhan here. I can understand as much. We are the same person after all."
Xiao Zhan could feel the tension in his muscles go away with those words. "Okay..." he exhaled deeply. He lifted up his face again to ask, "Does Yibo know about all of this?"
"Yes. He does actually. About everything." Wei Wuxian nodded. "He's been helping me out since day one." He smiled softly.
"Hmm?" Xiao Zhan raised an eyebrow, his curiosity piqued at the notion. "You two are quite close then, aren't you?"
"Yeah, we are." Wei Wuxian admitted honestly. "I am teaching him how to use his golden core."
"..." Xiao Zhan blinked, processing the word for a couple of seconds, "His what now??" He said, his tone raising by two keys in shock.
"Like I said, he's our Hanguang-Jun's reincarnation. His core was dormant but his cultivation base is still intact. He can use some of his spiritual energy now."
Xiao Zhan was speechless for a while before he blurted out his thoughts out loud, "What would he use his spiritual energy for? Flying with his motorbike?"
Hearing that, Wei Wuxian doubled over with laughter. "Good one!" He cackled, his body shaking. After that, the laughter died down, leaving only Wei Wuxian snickering quietly to himself. "Perhaps I should tell Yibo to try that one."
"Hell no! Don't teach him that kind of dangerous thing!" Xiao Zhan barked instantly, a scowl forming on his face.
"I'm kidding. I'm kidding." Wei Wuxian held up his hand, "Geez, you are too serious." He then continued, "Also, what's with your crazy work schedules? I am this close to quitting and moving to the countryside and be a shaman instead."
"A shaman? Are you insane?" Xiao Zhan furrowed his brows, clearly not pleased with the idea.
"Hey, if I am insane, you are too!" Wei Wuxian shot back, crossing his arms over his chest. "Don't forget, we are the same person." He countered.
Xiao Zhan grimaced as he couldn't deny the fact. He sighed heavily. "Just tell me what happened on your end."
Wei Wuxian smirked, "I guess I should tell you everything from the start." He said. He began with how he thought he died from his fall from the cliff but didn't.
Xiao Zhan stopped him. "Wait. The cliff?"
"Yeah." Wei Wuxian mumbled, looking at the ground as he recalled the moment when he let himself fall. A pained look flashed in his eyes for a second.
"Sorry." Xiao Zhan muttered, feeling bad for him.
"What are you sorry for? I didn't die though." Wei Wuxian was all smiling again before recounting all the events that transpired so far.
"So... That blackouts... were because of you??" Xiao Zhan asked, his tone raising slightly.
"Yeah, sorry about that. I didn't expect that popping in here to check on you would cause that kind of surging." Wei Wuxian scratched the back of his head sheepishly.
"You did it multiple times!" Xiao Zhan retorted.
"Oh, come on! I was worried about you! I didn't think that you would be affected badly." Wei Wuxian argued defensively.
Xiao Zhan took in a deep breath and closed his eyes, letting it all settle down. He let out a quiet sigh. He opened them again and spoke, "How are... my parents?"
"They're doing well." Wei Wuxian replied, his expression softening. "Don't worry, I won't let anything bad happen to them." He promised earnestly.
"Good." Xiao Zhan breathed in relief. He missed them. Both of them. But...
Wei Wuxian gave him an understanding smile "I see that you have a family here now too." He commented softly. He paused briefly. "And people do not despise you. Unlike me." He added softly.
"I'm sorry that happened to you." Xiao Zhan replied honestly, his voice low.
"You don't have to. You kind of fixed that part of my life though. And... thank you for saving Lotus Pier, by the way." Wei Wuxian smiled sincerely. He then lightened up, "And damn! You managed to end the war in just a few weeks. You're impressive!" He gave two thumbs up.
Xiao Zhan let out a small chuckle. "Well, that was because of your mad genius brain that I somehow inherited." He replied. "Besides... Your amazing cultivation base helped me in a lot of ways."
"You're welcome." Wei Wuxian grinned, puffing his chest up proudly. "And I can say I can cook and not sing like a donkey now. Thanks to you!"
They both laughed at that, feeling the tension easing away little by little.
"I won't be here long since you will probably get the backlash again." Wei Wuxian said holding out his hand, "Let's shake on that."
Xiao Zhan took hold of the offered hand. The effect it had was instant, causing them to jolt backward at the intensity of the pain coursing through their soul.
"Fuck!" They both groaned in unison, clutching their heads from the tidal waves of memories pouring forth, exchanging every single detail of their lives since they woke up in each other's bodies. After a few moments of intense pain, the sensations gradually disappeared as they both panted heavily.
"I see that you already went all the way with Lan Zhan." Wei Wuxian commented, chuckling weakly.
"And you caused an earthquake at the airport?!" Xiao Zhan exclaimed incredulously.
"Yeah... That wasn't my intention." Wei Wuxian admitted sheepishly. "You have some crazy fans out there!" He reasoned.
"Still...." Xiao Zhan sighed. "Never mind. It's in the past." He shook his head. "And I can say the same about you and Yibo." He pointed out.
Wei Wuxian's lips curled up into a grin. "He's still Lan Zhan, you know?"
"Well, now I know." Xiao Zhan said, mirroring the smirk.
"Wei Ying." The deep voice echoed in the space that they were sharing, sounding double.
"Lan Zhan." They mumbled in unison.
"Wei Ying!" The voice called again, its tone sounding urgent as the pressure around them increased significantly, causing the two to stagger backward slightly.
"Okay, I think it is time for me to go! See you next time!" Wei Wuxian waved, jumping upwards into the air. "Oh, and check the saber!" With that, he disappeared into thin air, leaving behind faint dark wisps of energy.
Xiao Zhan's eyes snapped open, pulling out from the Empathy session. There was momentary silence in the room as he took a moment to recalibrate his senses. He then turned to look at Lan Wangji who was sitting behind him in utter silence. A slight frown creasing the Second Jade's brows as Xiao Zhan observed his expression. "Lan Zhan?" He asked softly.
Lan Wangji seemed to snap out of whatever trance he had fallen under as he focused on his lover, "Mn?"
"Okay, what is happening, Didi?" Nie Huaisang broke in, his curious gaze settling on the couple. "You two were both asleep for hours. Is everything alright?"
"Both?" Xiao Zhan raised an eyebrow, staring at Lan Wangji.
Lan Wangji cleared his throat before speaking, "I'll explain later."
Hm? What's this? Lan Zhan is acting strange...
As much as Xiao Zhan wanted to pursue the matter at that very moment, he knew that he needed to focus on the more urgent predicament.
"Father's saber. It might be the source." He stated, turning to look at Nie Mingjue.
"The saber?" Nie Mingjue repeated, sounding grim. "Let's have a look at that then." Without another word, he marched towards the weapon on its stand. The cold steel glinted in the light, reflecting off the moon's rays as he unsheathed it. "It looks fine to me." He said after examining it closely.
"Da Ge, can I have a look?" Xiao Zhan said as his eyes caught the lanyard dangling from the side of the grip. It was a beautiful piece of craftsmanship, intricately designed with delicate beads and vibrant colors. At first glance, it seemed like a mere decoration, but as Xiao Zhan's gaze lingered on it, his instincts kicked in. There was something off about this seemingly harmless accessory.
Xiao Zhan reached out to inspect the lanyard, his fingertips brushed against the beads, and a surge of malicious energy pulsed through him, causing his heart to race. There were engravements on the beads that looked a lot like spell inscriptions. He had read about similar markings when delving into the forbidden arts in the secret chamber of the library in Scorching Palace.
He turned his attention to Wen Qing, his voice steady but filled with urgency. "Qing Jie, could these incantations be the source of the Qi poisoning?"
Wen Qing moved over closer to take a closer look and after a brief pause, she nodded, "It is the same kind of energy." She confirmed. "Those beads are enchanted."
A heavy silence hung in the air as the insinuations of Wen Qing's words sank in.
Xiao Zhan bit his lips. He recognized the ornate lanyard as one that Jiang Fengmian had gifted his father to congratulate him on his appointment as Chief Cultivator. The implications of this discovery sent a chill down Xiao Zhan's spine.
Lan Wangji noticed his uneasiness, moving slightly closer toward Xiao Zhan. "What is it?"
"This is... Uncle Jiang's gift." Xiao Zhan muttered; his eyebrows knit together with confusion.
"What??" Nie Mingjue and Nie Huaisang responded simultaneously.
"Are you sure, Didi?" Nie Huaisang asked again for affirmation.
"Positive." Xiao Zhan said. There was no mistaking it. "But this can't be it. Uncle Jiang would not do this kind of thing." He shook his head, trying to wrap his mind around that fact. "He wouldn't betray his sworn brother."
The others couldn't believe it either. Jiang Fengmian had been the one that most worried when the news of Sect Leader Nie's collapse reached his ears and he asked for updates on his recovery every day.
"Maybe someone's trying to frame Uncle Jiang." Nie Huaisang voiced out the possibility. Sect Leader and Jiang Fengmian were tight like real brothers and he happened to witness their closeness on many occasions. It wasn't exactly impossible for someone to do such a thing to bring both of the sect leaders to their downfalls.
Nie Mingjue frowned, all he wanted was to catch whoever was responsible for what happened to their father. His gaze set on Xiao Zhan as he spoke, "If it's really true, we need to investigate further. We must bring Uncle Jiang here for questioning."
Xiao Zhan nodded in agreement, "Yes. We should do that." He said despite feeling conflicted inside.
"Then, that settled. I will send the message out to Lotus Pier." Nie Mingjue concluded.
"Lan Zhan." Xiao Zhan called out to Lan Wangji who seemed to be lost in thought along the way to their shared room.
Lan Wangji blinked rapidly, refocusing his attention on his lover. "Mn?"
"What happened back then? Why did you fall asleep during the Empathy session?" Xiao Zhan enquired, tilting his head slightly.
Lan Wangji pulled him into an embrace, wrapping his arms tightly around Xiao Zhan, pressing his face against his shoulder.
"Lan Zhan?" Xiao Zhan murmured tentatively, placing a hand on Lan Wangji's back. "What's wrong?" He questioned worriedly.
"Zhan Ge."
Xiao Zhan stood frozen in his spot, his heart pounding like a frenzied drum in his chest. It was as if time itself had come to a standstill, every nerve in his body electrified with apprehension, his breath caught in his throat, as though his very existence had become tethered to this singular moment.
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A/N: This chapter is linked with the spin-off of this story: [Unbridled] in which Wuxian woke up in the 21st century in place of Xiao Zhan.