Unbetitelt

A Collection by Mo Xuanyu

aka another crack au

When the Yiling Laozu died his work was divided up by its use

The Lan’s took anything deemed undemonic, like Spirit Lures and Demonic Compasses

The Jin’s snuck out anything dangerous under the lie they’d destroy it

And the rest of it…it got scattered everywhere to every lowdown villaige and wanna be demonic cultivator.

At first, no one thought this would be a problem. It’s not like anything dangerous is out there, and not just anyone can culitvate

But they forgot two very important things: 1) no one needs to be a culivator to use demonic cultivation and 2) people will find a way to use anything

Soon the culivation world is overrun by really, really weird cases that their cultivators just can’t keep up with

And when I say weird, I do mean weird here’s a look at some of the cases:

Case 1) Giant rabbits the size of houses have been spotted in a mountain near a sheparding villiage eating all their feilds. They asked Hanguang-jun for help. Hanguang-jun went up but he did not come back down. It is suspected the giant bunnies ate him

The reason their reports were honoured was not because the content they reported had any actual "pedophilic content" (The RPF fic did not have pedophilia), but because sexual intimacy 'below the neck' is banned in Chinese platforms, and LGBTQ content regardless of rating has been the target of increasingly strict state censorship for years. It was never about pedophilia like Tiffany G claims it is. I think a lot of people (including myself) think that censoring truly morally reprehensible content is a good thing, but from my experience with state censorship it always starts out that way, with things that we generally agree is abhorrent but then it never stops there. As of now, sexually intimate scenes are no longer allowed to be portrayed in stories, especially in LGBTQ centered stories, even though it was possible just a few years ago.

EDIT: Clarifying because I phrased the above line wrong and people on the comments think this means I'm pro censorship. What I meant was that there are people who may think that censoring morally reprehensible content like pedophilia is a good thing and I WAS one of them, but because of my experience with state censorship, I've come to realize that it doesn't stop there and will eventually spread to other "formerly acceptable" content and people should realize that fiction is not reality when deeming whether content is moral or not. My english is really not that good yet 😂 Thanks for helping me compose this @ravijahn

AO3 was able to exist as a gray area in Chinese internet for so long because of its niche existence. In the uncertain world within the 'Great Firewall', things like this can usually survive longer as long as it stays in its little niche corner, that's why minding your own business and being meticulous about tagging your content is such an important concept in Chinese fandom. It was generally agreed upon that no matter how bad things get in fandom disagreements, reporting content should never even be an option, because drawing mainstream attention is a surefire way to kill a free creative space within the firewall. Xiao Zhan's fans disrespected that and ruined everything for everyone, and since then rules like "No Xiao Zhan fans allowed" are common to see within Chinese online spaces.

This issue has made its way to weibo and plenty Chinese fans are pissed at that Tiffany person. Just look up 'Tiffany G' on weibo and read what people are saying. Although I have seen some genuinly hurtful and racist takes about Tiffany on international social media, I would also like to say that reducing the criticism against her as nothing more than 'white people being racist' isn't fair either because Chinese fans are just as worried and angry about this. I hope people can fight for this without unfairly misrepresenting Chinese fans, who were the biggest victims of the AO3 ban in China. It was the last bastion of creative freedom and uncensored LGBTQ content within the firewall and to have it taken away really brought so much pain to a lot of people. Tiffany G's views do NOT represent Chinese fans, and even though some people are painting her as possible representation for non-white fans on the OTW board, the reality is that her views are the exact opposite of what Chinese fans want.

Here's an excellent twitter post that explains this much better than I can. Please give it a read and share!

A dad

His daughter

His son

His other son

Bonus:

: oh its nothing, just a dad protecting his son

Alberu: put Cale inside the room

Advisor: your hignes---

Random noble: what if i don't?

Raon: then raise your standard you stupid bastard

Eruhaben: cale.

It will definitely, at the very least, be revealed to the Henituse Family, On and Hong, and the Molan Duo, but I'm curious if it'll be revealed to all Cale's allies or the entire Western Continent.

Will it be Clopeh's fault that it's revealed? A god? Lee Soo Hyuk? It might just be that Cale has a heart to heart with the people who knew Kim Rok Soo because the guilt eventually becomes to much for him.

All I know is that the moment something is mentioned in TCF, it will be brought up again at a later point, no matter how insignificant it seems.

Looking forward to it when it happens though.

Feels like Cale will end up isolating himself from everyone fter it's revealed instead of waiting to see the reactions of his family because he will probably misunderstand the shocked and hurt expressions on their faces. Might even have an arc of Cale, Raon, Choi Han, On and Hong on the run in the aftermath.

“-Are you the same as others? Who knows which sewers other people will be splashing in, but you’re going to be the leader of the Jiang Sect!”

You can really see where Jiang Cheng got his sense of superiority and classist view from.

Wei WuXian stood forward, accustomed to it. Madam Yu scolded, “You’re like this again! If you yourself don’t seek progress, then don’t drag Jiang Cheng along to fool around with you. You’re going to be a bad influence to him.”

Wei WuXian looked startled, “I don’t seek progress? Why, am I not the one with the most progress in the entire Lotus Pier?”

You tell her!!!

And more proof that Wei Wuxian doesn’t have low self confidence and has no problem standing up for himself.

There’s also something extremely pointed about Madam Yu saying this after the narrative just had Wei Wuxian display archery skills better than everyone else in the sect.

And also they’re literally practicing their archery??? Which is a form of training? I don’t see the problem. There isn’t one really. It’s just that Madam Yu has to makes a problem out of everything even when one doesn’t exist.

Hearing this, an air of hostility appeared over Madam Yu’s forehead. Jiang Cheng hastened, “Wei WuXian, shut up!”

He turned to Madam Yu, “It’s not that we want to shoot kites in Lotus Pier but, right now, isn’t it that none of us are allowed to leave? The Wen Sect assigned all of the night-hunt areas to itself. Even if I wanted to night-hunt, there isn’t anywhere for me to go. To stay at home and not go outside to provoke or fight for prey with the Wen Sect—isn’t this what you yourself made clear to Father?”

You know, I think this is one of the only times I’ve ever seen Jiang Cheng try to defend Wei Wuxian. And even then, he’s not so much defending Wei Wuxian specifically here as much as Jiang Cheng is justifying his own presence and actions. In fact Jiang Cheng makes a point to phrase it as if they are all only doing this because they have little choice and not because it is an enjoyable activity. And notice the switch from ‘we’ to ‘I’?

The sentence just as easily could have been, ‘Even if we wanted to night-hunt, there isn’t anywhere for us to go.’ And yet Jiang Cheng makes a point to only refer to himself here. And the reason this is noticeable to me is because nights hunts are normally done with a group of disciples so the other way would make more sense wouldn’t it? As a sect heir I doubt Jiang Cheng would be allowed to night hunt alone after all.

Even Jin Ling (with one uncle apparently actively sabotaging him—looking at you Jin Guangyao) usually took night hunts if not with Jiang Cheng and his disciples than at least with them nearby. And Fairy was normally with him too.

So unless this is a translation thing he’s clearly making a distinction between himself and everyone else to try and stay in his mother’s good graces.

There’s a lot of interesting nuance anytime the Jiang family interacts with each other because their home life is so fraught.

Wei WuXian, “Well, they think they’re the sun shining above all sects. It’s not the first time that the Wen Sect is so shameless. Taking advantage of their large sect and strong influence, it had been prohibiting the other sects from night-hunting ever since last year. Just how much prey, how much land has it stolen?”

Jiang FengMian was sitting at the foremost seat, “Watch your words and eat.”

Wei Wuxian, speaking the hard truths no one likes to hear like always.

And that last part is interesting because Jiang Cheng and Yu Ziyuan always made it sound like Jiang Fengmian treated Wei Wuxian like he was above reproach but here, in our second meeting with Jiang Fengmian, we clearly have him scolding Wei Wuxian. The text is literally directly contradicting their words before we’ve even heard any accusations of favoritism from them at this point to try and give us an unbiased account before we hear their imagined grievances.

And the text did this earlier in the chapter too when it displayed Wei Wuxian’s prowess as an archer right before Madam Yu accused him of not seeking progress. All this is to clearly show how reality differs from Madam Yu’s and Jiang Cheng’s viewpoints because the ones they have are incredibly biased.

Madam Yu scolded, “Of course you’ll go! Or else would your sister go? Look at her, still happily peeling lotus seeds. A-Li, stop peeling them. Who are you peeling them for? You’re the mistress, not somebody’s servant!”

Hearing the word ‘servant’, Wei WuXian didn’t mind much. He had finished all of the lotus seeds in the dish all at once, chewing as the soft, refreshing sweetness filled his mouth. Jiang FengMian, on the other hand, raised his head slightly, “My lady.”

It’s really amazing how little Wei Wuxian seems fazed by the Jiang’s having an argument right over his head. He doesn’t even react at all. Especially when the text seems to imply that Madam Yu is saying this specifically to undermine Wei Wuxian’s heritage.

And noticeably it’s this implied insult to Wei Wuxian’s father that has Jiang Fengmian speaking up in contrast to how he later stays silent when Madam Yu insults Wei Wuxian’s mother in a much more frank and crass manner. I didn’t even have to put the ‘My lady’ in bold. The text already had that there to emphasize how serious he is here.

I think it’s supposed to illustrate which one of Wei Wuxian’s parents Jiang Fengmian cares about more. And it’s not Cangse Sanren.

It’s also possible that I’m reading too much into it and Jiang Fengmian is simply reacting to the slight done to Wei Wuxian himself. But we also never really see Jiang Fengmian take active steps to cease his wife’s behavior towards Wei Wuxian normally. So why does this veiled slight, of all the many different insults Madam Yu has directed towards Wei Wuxian’s person, the one that spurs him to scold his wife?

Madam Yu laughed harshly, “How wonderful. He can go if he wants to. If he doesn’t want to, it’s definitely possible for him to stay. Why is it that A-Cheng has to go no matter what?-“

She says as if she literally didn’t say so herself a few moments earlier that Jiang Cheng had to go because the Wen Sect specifically asked for one disciple from the clan (presumably meaning from the main family) to be sent along with some of their disciples. Wei Wuxian get’s a choice precisely because he is not a member of the Jiang Clan. Which is exactly what Madam Yu wants in the first place—for Wei Wuxian to not be considered part of her family.

The novel even follows it up by saying this:

There was resentment within her heart. She simply wanted to let out the rage, even if it made no sense.

So the “favoritism” she’s apparently perceived Wei Wuxian getting clearly isn’t what’s actually happening right now.

“-Just how did I give birth to a son like you?!”

- Madam Yu, direct quote.

Glancing around, Wei WuXian remarked, “As expected, people came from Gusu as well.”

He didn’t know why, but all of the boys sent from the GusuLan Sect looked somewhat pallid. Lan WangJi’s face was especially pale, but his expression was still as frosted as usual, distancing him from everyone else. The sword Bichen on his back, he stood alone, with nobody around him. Wei WuXian had wanted to go up to him and say hello, but Jiang Cheng warned him, “Don’t cause any trouble!”

And so he could only forget about it.

Just Wei Wuxian immediately zeroing his attention in on Lan Wangji like always.

And just Jiang Cheng being a roadblock between Wangxian, also like always.

With confidence, Wei WuXian unstrapped his sword and handed it over. At the same time, he couldn’t help but glance across at the GusuLan Sect’s side. He originally thought that Lan WangJi would definitely refuse to hand it over. Unexpectedly, even though Lan WangJi’s face was frighteningly cold, he unstrapped his sword anyway.

Wei Wuxian’s confidence in himself here is very sexy.

Also it’s just a little funny how Wei Wuxian really can’t seem to help himself when it comes to Lan Wangji being the focus of his attention.

The one who suffered the most was Jin ZiXuan. He grew up having been cupped within the palms of his parents. He had never undergone such humiliation before. If not for how the other disciples of the LanlingJin Sect stopped him and the fact that Wen ZhuLiu wasn’t easy to deal with, he would have willingly killed himself along with Wen Chao on the first day. On the other hand, Lan WangJi seemed to be in a state of inner peace and absolute indifference, as though his soul had already risen out of his body. And, Wei WuXian had been through years of Madam Yu’s diverse methods of scolding when he was at Lotus Pier. He began to laugh whenever he stepped off the platform, hardly blinking an eye to such moments.

There’s something about this paragraph that is really amusing and just highlights the differences between these people.

You have Jin Zixuan, who is used to being spoiled and getting what he wants, and also simultaneously doesn’t seem to grasp the full seriousness of this situation, nor the consequences his actions could have. It is almost, cut and paste, the same traits that led to his death. Both his misjudgment and mishandling of the situation leading to him being killed and escalating the situation to something worse. Here, at least, he has people to stop him.

Then you have Lan Wangji, who is painfully aware of the consequences his actions could have after the burning of the Cloud Recesses and seems to have just completely shut down and dissociated.

And then you have Wei Wuxian, who is just so used to such treatment that he can laugh it off with a smile. Take a moment to think about that.

Wen Chao’s treatment of him here doesn’t phase him because Madam Yu treats him worse daily. Wei Wuxian even describes such treatment as ‘diverse methods of scolding’ when Madam Yu does it. Even though the text quite clearly sums up how Wen Chao’s treatment of them is abhorrent and meant to humiliate them. The implications are chilling.

I listed all the ones that apply to Wei Wuxian and Jiang Cheng’s relationship.

Note: For the most part, a good relationship makes you feel secure, happy, cared for, respected, and free to be yourself.

And now, the signs:

1. All take, no give. Any relationship in which you experience withdrawals of energy without deposits will leave you in the negative.

-

3. Lack of trust. A relationship without trust is like a car without gas: You can stay in it all you want, but it won't go anywhere.

4. Hostile atmosphere. Constant anger is a sure sign of an unhealthy relationship. You should never be around hostility because it makes you feel unsafe.

5. Occupied with imbalance. A one-sided relationship can never run smoothly.

6.  Constant judgment. In judgmental relationships, criticism is not intended to be helpful but rather to belittle.

7. Persistent unreliability. Mutual reliability is important to building trust and is at the core of any good relationship.

8. Nonstop narcissism. If the other party's interest in the relationship is really just a reflection of him or herself, it's impossible to achieve any kind of balance.

9. Loaded with negative energy. It's almost impossible for anything positive to come out of a relationship filled with negativity.

10. Lack of communication. Without communication, there is no relationship. Period.

11. Continuous disrespect. Mutual respect is the first requirement of a good partnership.

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13. Insufficient support. If you cannot turn to each other, is there a reason to be in the relationship?

14. Ceaseless control issues. If one person is in control, or a constant tug-of-war is going on, you're probably spending too much energy navigating the relationship.

15. Never-ending drama. Good relationships improve your life; they don't make it messier.

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17. Constant challenges. All relationships go through challenges, but good relationships work through them.

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19. Vibes of entrapment. Is the other person a positive force in your life, or are you there because you don't see any way out?

20. Always undermining. If a relationship can't be reassuring, it's failing a crucial test.

21. Empty pretense. Smiles don't always mean everything is OK.

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23. Brimming with envy. Partners are never equal in all aspects, but that should be a source of strength, not of a source of disruptive envy.

24. Shortage of autonomy. Anyone in any relationship should have the right to say no.

25. Permeates victimhood. You can't move onto the future if you're tied to someone who's still stuck in the past.

28. Makes you unhappy. If someone is constantly making you unhappy, you owe it to yourself to let that person go.

29. Feels uncomfortable. Sometimes your mind needs more time to discover what your heart already knows.

30. Lowers your high standards. Toxic relationships can cause us to slowly begin accepting what was once not acceptable.

33. Filled with criticism. A nonstop barrage of criticism never helped anyone improve; it's not about making things better but boosting the critic's ego.

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35. Cannot do anything right. If you cannot do anything right, maybe the relationship is all wrong.

That is… 29/35 signs. And it should be noticed that most of the one’s missing from this list are the ways in which Wei Wuxian didn’t let his relationship with Jiang Cheng affect him negatively.

For example:

2. Feeling drained. If, instead of feeling happy and productive, you're always mentally, emotionally, and even physically drained, it's time to re-evaluate.

16. Persistent self-betrayal. If you find yourself changing your opinions to please someone else, you're in a damaging relationship.

18. Feelings of unworthiness. It's an insidious thing negative relationships do: They leave you feeling you don't deserve any better.

22. Packed with uncertainty. When nothing is sure, forward movement feels impossible.

34. Brings out the worst. If you are constantly being your worst, you cannot be your best self.

Which is a credit to Wei Wuxian as a person really.

Source: https://www.inc.com/lolly-daskal/35-signs-youre-in-a-toxic-business-relationship.html

Every TCF story arc in a nutshell

Volume 1: chapters 1-99

Transmigration Cale: *randomly wakes up as a minor villain in a novel* Cale: You mean I'm rich and I have reputation of being trash, with no responsibility or expectations?? Cale: PERFECT

Role Adjustment Cale: (Being trash sure is great) Cale: *is nice and polite to everyone* Everyone: Young master smiled?? Young master gave a compliment?? Young master's not breaking anything??? Cale: (Yep. No one suspects a thing)

Meeting the Protagonist Cale: (Let's change this character's fate from the novel and avoid the plot altogether.) Cale: Come with me, I'll feed you. (So pls don't beat me up) Choi Han: *gratitude mode activated* I shall follow this man for the rest of my life Cale: What Choi Han: What

Establishing Power Base Cale: Well if I want to survive I need a power-up of some kind Cale: Depending on divine beings is a bad idea. Let's just get an average-strength human power Cale: *gets an extremely holy-looking shield power* Cale: ... Cale: I'm sure this won't bite me in the a** later

First Adoption Kittens: *hungry and homeless* Cale: Tsk. Cale: *feeds them* (It's to keep them quiet) Cale: *gives them more food* (It's not like I care) Cale: *gives them medicine* (I don't even like cats) Cale: *takes them in* (They might be useful, I guess) Cale: *spoils them* (Children are supposed to play and eat well) Cale: *becomes a legit parent* (It's not like this makes me a good person)

Starting the Journey Deruth: So we thought we'd be sending Basen to the capital, but we'll be sending you instead Deruth: (My son has been in such a good mood lately, he might actually agree this time!) Cale: (What is this?? I don't want to go, that's where the plot and danger happens!!) Basen: *smol cute bro vibes* Big brother, it's okay. I don't mind if you go in my place Cale: … Cale: (Well f***)

Rescuing a Dragon Cale: There you go, little dragon. Now go and live freely Cale: (I have no intention of adopting THIS one. Way too much trouble) Raon: *protective mode activated* I shall follow this weak human everywhere, b-but it's not like I like him or anything, b-baka! Cale: (…so I got one more, huh)

Helping an Invalid Cale: *collects another power which was Taylor's in the novel* Cale: Ok, I anonymously sent him enough info to change his storyline so he'll survive this time. Let's ignore him from n- Taylor: Greetings! Cale: (Well f***) Cale: *helps him* Taylor: *admiration mode activated* Cale: (IGNORE)

Enter the Wolf Tribe Cale: *chilling with the kids* Ah, slacker life is best- Choi Han: *barges in* Cale-nim, we got plot on our hands!! Cale: (Well f***) Cale: *helps out Lock* Lock: Thank you so much! Can you help my family, too? Cale: I don't want to. Lock: Huh? Cale: *adopts him and his siblings anyway*

Meeting the Crown Prince Alberu: Young master Cale! A free spirit from such a noble family! Cale: Your highness! The shining sun of our kingdom! Alberu: … Cale: … Alberu: (…We both know we're totally faking, right?) Cale: (Right) Alberu: (Let's never meet again) Cale: (Agreed) *And so Began a Beautiful Friendship*

Plaza Terror Incident Cale's allies: Just sit back and relax. We'll handle everything Cale: I'm great at being still. Cale: *saves the day with a holy-looking shield* Everyone: HERO!!! Cale: (Well f***) Alberu: So you saved the day, what do you want as reward? Power? A medal? Cale: Hell no. I take cash only Alberu: Okay then…? *gives him a two-time use credit card to his personal bank account* Alberu: (This is in no shape or form a bad idea. What could he possibly buy?) Cale: *smirks* (You, sir, just made a big miscalculation)

Sea Encounters Cale: *comes to the sea shore to pick up another power* Cale: Well in the novel the Whales didn't show up until like Volume 5, so I should be safe from the plot for no- Toonka: Hi! My name is Bob. Cale: (Well f***) Paseton: *dying of poison* Save… me… please… Cale: (WELL F***) Cale: *helps both of them* Cale: This much should be okay, right? (It's not like I'm going to get involved any further...)

Field Trip to the Forest of Darkness Witira: So I'm here to thank you for saving my brother Cale: (I know that) Witira: Who was there because we're fighting the mermairds Cale: (I know that too) Witira: Who are using your territory's resources to make themselves stronger Cale: *spit-take* WHAT Cale: *gets further involved* Also Cale: Well, heeeello new power-up! *gets a bonus scamming power*

Unexpected Results Cale: *suddenly realizes he's got 2 Cats, a Dragon, 11 Wolf children, the protagonist, and a bunch of big shot alliances on his hands* Cale: HOW did this even HAPPEN???

Buying the Magic Tower Cale: Why am I buying a worthless wreck of a building for 10 billions? Boasting rights, obviously Toonka: I 100% believe believe you! You're such a good friend! Cale: *loots the secret floor filled with riches and steals himself an architect* Cale: Yes. I'm a very good friend, aren't I Toonka: *trust mode activated* Cale: (IGNORE)

Returning from the Path of No Return Litana: The legend said there was a dragon here who randomly shows up to grant people's wishes. But I guess- Cale: *randomly shows up* Hello, I'm here to save your Jungle from the fire Litana: … Litana: So the legend WAS true! Cale: …Huh?

A Dragon's Revenge Everyone and their mother: Young master Cale is such a good, pure person! Cale: *rents a torture dungeon* Odeus: *terrified* (LIES! ALL LIES! THIS MAN IS NOT PURE OR INNOCENT AT ALL) Cale: *helps his son overcome his trauma by getting back at his abuser* Cale: So you see, this is why I'm absolutely not a good person Cale's group: (LIES.)

Getting to Know the Crown Prince Better Cale: So anyway, I've figured out that you're part Dark Elf. Here's some dead mana from a motherf***ing dragon. Alberu: … Cale: What? Alberu: Are you gonna blackmail me, or…? Cale: Keep serving me as a bank account and that'll do it, I think Alberu: You sly bastard Cale: Why thank you Alberu: Get out of my office Cale: With pleasure Alberu: *reluctant trust mode activated*

Hit and Run, Cale-style Cale: So now that's over, I'm going to rest for a bi- Ron: *shows up poisoned with his arm cut off* Cale: … Cale: Welp. Time to blow up an island, I guess Cale: *goes on a war path* Cale's group: ... Cale: (My poor life. Why am I constantly surrounded by such crazy, vicious individuals?)

Running an Errand Cale: *starting blankly into space* The children: Is he okay?? Is he bored?? Is he sick?? Cale: (Ahhh, slacker life sure is best-) Alberu: *calling* Are you free right now? Cale: No Alberu: Great! Anyway, go pick up something from the Dark Elves for me Cale: No thank you Alberu: If you won't help me there's a high chance I'm going to be exposed and die. Cale: … Cale: (Well f***)

Recruiting a Necromancer Everybody: Necromancers are evil, dangerous beings. All fear their dark cursed powers Cale: *looks at Mary* Cale: There's no reason not to adopt this child who is actually older than me.

But why are they different despite both harnessing resentment as energy? Well, I personally think that the Nie actually harbor that resentment in themselves from their sabers (like wwx is accused of doing with his ghost path), and the more they use the sabers, the more it builds, particularly with no outlet such as Cleansing from the Lan. I’ve been thinking about this since the explanation of how the Nie fight in one of the flashbacks, which is that they seem to go into a sort of berserker mode while fighting that’s fueled by bloodlust and the resentment of their sabers. However, wwx’s ghost path seems to work more along the lines of simply controlling how the resentful energy is being used, rather than taking it into himself, like a conductor as opposed to a conduit (hope I’m using these terms right). Wwx is able to use resentment without harm because he doesn’t hold onto it, while the Nie need to hold onto it in order to gain the benefits of using their sabers.

The Wen remnants were murdered because they were Wen, not because they were connected to wwx. The cultivation world did not care about protecting the Wen remnants because they were Wen, not because they were connected to wwx. Likewise, wwx was murdered because he dared to go against the cultivation world and protect the Wen, not because he was doing unspeakably evil things with his cultivation (for the cultivation world, being better than them and protecting the Wen WAS the unspeakably evil thing wwx did).

the post in question doesn't offer hard evidence as much as posit that this scenario could be consistent with canon; after several paragraphs and a bullet point list to outline the obscure and much contested fact that wei wuxian's reputation was bad, we get the following points:

the duel was staged and planned offscreen as a way of tricking the audience into thinking that this was the final break between jiang cheng and wei wuxian

wei wuxian was not invited to the wedding, but he was invited to jin ling's one month celebration - obviously a conscious choice based on the baby party's potential to improve his image by letting him show off his uncle skills

jin ling's birthday party is where The Big Public Reconciliation would have gone down, as evinced by... nothing, though in the tags they do mention that jiang yanli and jiang cheng were standing next to each other (unprecedented & highly suspicious)

once this incontestable mountain of evidence ceases to blow my mind and shake my very foundation, i might point out that the fake duel was not, in fact, planned offscreen: the whole discussion leading up to jiang cheng suggesting it happens on-screen and is rife with real aggression and ideological disagreements that do not, in any way whatsoever, suggest that wei wuxian and jiang cheng resolved their issues and planned a years-long pr strategy after the scene cut away. their falling-out isn't just a problem of image and wei wuxian trying to protect the jiang sect by leaving; jiang cheng wants to kill wen ning and turn in the remaining wen, and wei wuxian refused. jiang cheng literally states he doesn't understand why saving anyone at the cost of public favour is something wei wuxian would be willing to do, and suggests they fight because he's fucking pissed. we don't see them 'plan' the fight in the sense that we don't see them agree on which field to duke it out on, but as far as i can tell this does not indicate that jiang cheng actually agrees with wei wuxian and was just putting on an elaborate performance of callousness for wen ning's corpse.

before they get to the next point they mention that wei wuxian's two-year-ish absence is good for Jiang Cheng's Super Secret Wei Wuxian PR Plan, as it demonstrates wei wuxian's ability to not be an active menace to society. i don't think this really hints at anything, since it's what wei wuxian would have done regardless, though it does raise the question of why jiang cheng took zero steps to correct the unflattering rumours about wei wuxian raising an army and eating babies, as it would be detrimental to his Super Secret Wei Wuxian PR Plan. maybe he was busy crafting his 'wei wuxian did nothing wrong' campaign posters?

the post goes on to claim that wei wuxian being absent from the wedding but invited to jin ling's celebration could only have one explanation: they were waiting until enough time had passed for jiang cheng and wei wuxian's big fight to reasonably have blown over and for wei wuxian to have been a good boy long enough to be portrayed as mostly harmless. it can't just be that the sects had finally calmed down enough for inviting wei wuxian to be a possibility, or that jiang yanli considered wei wuxian meeting his nephew more important than him attending a wedding for a union he had previously scorned; it HAS to be part of Jiang Cheng's Super Secret Wei Wuxian PR Plan, there is no other option. but oh naur! wei wuxian only found out he was invited through a written invitation that is shown in full and contains no mention of pr damage control or the jiang sect or anything else that could indicate the existence of a premeditated scheme for justice. informing wei wuxian of a plan that heavily necessitates his very public involvement seems like a pretty crucial step, yet it is not one taken.

finally we get this piece of fanfiction:

none of this is canon, hinted at, or in any way derived from anything in the text, which should be immediately obvious to anyone who has engaged with cql or mdzs, but what stands out to me the most is this line: "maybe not a full return to the sect just yet, i think this was a multi-step plan, but we were getting there." not a full return to the sect, yet, maybe, but wei wuxian is ready and willing to return to the jiang sect and pretend this whole separation was all a bad dream.

there's a big, wen-shaped hole in this theory. even if wei wuxian's image is successfully rehabilitated, what about the wen remnants? wen qing and wen ning? wei wuxian left for them, to protect them. him leaving the jiang sect was final and intentional because jiang cheng's rejection of their humanity was final and intentional, and he's made clear over and over again that he's aware he's sacrificing his connection to his family to defend them, but will do so anyway. returning to the jiang while the wen are still too controversial for jiang cheng's tastes is not only antithetical to everything wei wuxian stands for, it also renders his actions at the beginning of the arc completely meaningless. it's... honestly kind of nonsensical.

op mentions in the tags that some of this is derived from the novel. i'm not rereading the book just to dunk on a tumblr post, but reading the things mxtx says about jiang cheng should already be evidence enough that Jiang Cheng's Super Secret Wei Wuxian PR Plan is not a canon element in the novel or something mxtx intended to hint at. if you're reading this and you feel like scouring the novel for any possible references to a clearly defined masterplan to 'bring wei wuxian home', by all means be my guest, but i'm completely positive you won't find anything.