I just wanna share an excerpt from 2ha - a small scene, not really relevant to the plot but to Chu Wanning's own character. It's my most favorite scene of him and I think it really defined him the most.
After reading this part, it stayed with me always and would randomly appear in my mind. I don't think a lot of readers remember this part which understandable because 2ha is very long with many arcs and many more memorable moments.
And I just want to share one of my favorite moments of Chu Wanning.
also, not gonna lie, i even forgot which chapter this was in and had to look back on the chapters and arcs which i thought were in
And so, on the first day of Yuheng Elder's confinement, all three of his got the runs from food poisoning. On the second day, Jielu Elder sought out Chu Wanning and tactfully conveyed that Mengpo Hall had no need for extra helpers, and to please go sweep the fallen leaves and wipe the pillars at Naihe Bridge instead.
Naihe Bridge connected the main areas of Sisheng Peak with the disciples' living quarters, wide enough for five horse carriages to pass through side by side. It was a majestic structure, with nine beasts of white jade representing the nine sons of the dragon atop its main pillars, and three hundred and sixty low pillars decorated with lion heads.
Chu Wanning quietly swept the ground, then set about diligently wiping down the jade beasts.
The task took most of the day. As the sky started getting dark, it began to rain.
Most of the disciples returning from their classes didn't have umbrellas, squawking as they scampered through water puddles on the ground. Drops of rain pitter-pattered on the stone steps. Chu Wanning glanced at the disciples in the distance, the young boys and girls were drenched through and through but the smiles on their faces were bright and carefree.
"......" Chu Wanning knew that those smiles would vanish the moment they saw him; he looked around, and went to stand under the bridge.
The disciples who ran ahead and arrived at the bridge first couldn't help uttering "eh?" as they took in the sight before them.
"A barrier?"
"Why is there a barrier over Naihe Bridge?"
"It was probably set up by Xuanji Elder." One of the disciples guessed, "Xuanji Elder is always nice to us."
The translucent golden barrier covered Naihe Bridge, extending all the way to the main walkway of the disciples' quarters, sheltering them from the rain the rest of the way.
"This is definitely Xuanji Elder's work, he's in charge of the area right?"
"Xuanji Elder is the best."
"What a pretty barrier, Xuanji Elder is incredible."
The disciples shook the water out of their dripping hair, shoving playfully at one another and laughing as they ducked under the barrier and continued towards their quarters, chattering the whole way.
Chu Wanning stood under the bridge, listening as the commotion above passed by, until everything became quiet once more, before slowly putting away the barrier and leisurely walking out.
"Shizun."
He was surprised to hear someone calling for him.
Chu Wanning looked up abruptly, but there was no one on the shore.
"I'm over here."
Following the voice, he saw Mo Ran sitting sideways on the white jade bridge, dressed in the customary silver-blue light armor of the sect, a leg draped lazily over the edge.
The youth had striking features, eyelashes long and thick like a little pair of fans hanging over his eyes. He held an oil paper umbrella, and almost seemed to be smiling, yet also not, as he gazed at Chu Wanning.
One on the bridge, leaves rustling in the wind; one under the bridge, rain splashing in the river.
For a moment, neither spoke, both simply looking at the other.
The misty rain blurred the line between heaven and earth almost poignantly. Fallen bamboo leaves drifted between the two of them now and again, carried by the wind.
Finally, Mo Ran laughed and said teasingly: "Xuanji Elder, you're getting drenched."
Chu Wanning spoke at nearly the same time, coldly: "How did you know it was me?"
Mo Ran pressed his lips together, dimples deep and eyes curved in a smile: "A barrier this big is beyond Xuanji Elder, right? Who else could it be but Shizun?"
Chu Wanning: "......"
Mo Ran knew that he couldn't be bothered to put up a barrier for himself, but an idea popped into his head, and he tossed the umbrella over.
"I'll give this to you, catch."
The bright red paper umbrella drifted slowly down. Chu Wanning caught it. The glossy, jade-green bamboo handle still held a remainder of warmth, droplets of rain sliding along the top of the umbrella and sparkling as they fell. Chu Wanning looked up at him: "Then what about you?"
Mo Ran grinned deviously: "Won't I get back
perfectly fine if Shizun just uses a little spell?"
Chu Wanning let out a hmph, but his hand waved lightly in his sleeve nevertheless, a translucent golden barrier spreading out immediately above Mo Ran. He looked up and laughed: "Haha, how pretty, it's even got peony patterns. Thanks."
Chu Wanning shot him a look: "Those are haitang flowers, only five petals."
Then he left, white robes under a scarlet umbrella, leaving Mo Ran in the rain to count the flower petals by himself: "One, two, three, four, five......ah, it really does only have five petals......"
When he looked back up, Chu Wanning had already walked far away.
- Excerpt from Chapter 31: This Venerable One's Uncle, from the translation of Rynn and Suika
I just love how Chu Wanning silently covers up the disciples and let them think that it's Xuanji Elder because it shows how kind he is and how he doesn't care if his kindness is overlooked because he's not expecting a reward, he just wants to be kind and protect the other people (that part of him is also shown in his first introduction- when it is shown that Chu Wanning was the only one who cared to fix the barrier of the ghost realm when it is said that fixing the barrier didn't help you with getting stronger or helping grow your cultivation.)
He is very much aware how the disciples think about him thus hiding under the bridge and I want to say that this doesn't affect him but it does. It affects his self-esteem and the way he thinks about himself.
And goddamn, I just wanna shower that character with love and affections but I can't. That's why ranwan's interaction there at the end was also meaningful to both me and Chu Wanning because even though ranwan doesn't realize it yet, Mo Ran loves Chu Wanning and wants protect him as well.
ksjdhfldfh sorry for ranting. i'm just overwhelmed with feelings for this well-written character that is called chu wanning 😭😭
Okay so did you always plan to do that to Alix? bc jesus christ you had to do that to my favourite character. Also: kim. I just... all of AVA. Had to hit 'em like that.
Ah. Alix, yes…
The moment I introduced AVA, I knew things wouldn’t end well for them, as long as they resorted to rioting without a clear purpose, other than to spread chaos. Either someone was gonna die, or be seriously injured; I just hadn’t figured out who or how yet.
Originally, AVA was going to be a much more aggressive group, but I worried about sending the wrong message about how protests worked; though this IS a work of fiction, I am not oblivious to how fanfiction impacts people, especially in this day and age.
I actually had to consult my writing bae, who pointed out that AVA could accomplish its goals without outright resorting to assaulting the heroes, which was how the original draft of Ch. 31 went down, followed by an AAT member thwacking Alix over the head.
So I changed it so that AVA still remained a group that could be sympathized with, even if their methods were chaotic, which would allow their movement to continue in a new direction, if they so chose.
Count this as extra kudos and a thank you for the new chapter of BTU... Even if it left me worse than before... Keep going!! (I don't have an Ao3 account, so I'm thanking you your efforts here!)
I think you CAN still comment on AO3 even if you don't have an account. But extra kudos here are always appreciated, as are comments however you get them to me~ :3
I’m glad you enjoyed the chapter, even if it DID wreck you in some way (MWAHAHAHAHHA.)
