Someday We’ll Learn To Walk Upright (7715 words) by chaoticmitochondria
Chapters: 5/?
Fandom: 人渣反派自救系统 - 墨香铜臭 | The Scum Villain's Self-Saving System - Mòxiāng Tóngxiù
Rating: Teen And Up Audiences
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Relationships: Shen Yuan | Shen Qingqiu/Yue Qingyuan, Shen Yuan | Shen Qingqiu & Yue Qingyuan, Shen Jiu | Original Shen Qingqiu & Yue Qingyuan, Xuan Su & Yue Qingyuan
A No-Transmigration AU where Shen Yuan, a native of the PIDW world, happens to Cang Qiong by circumstance and it is revealed that he is the true wielder of Xuan Su. As one might expect, what follows is chaos--but also a story about healing from trauma, expanding the SVSSS world sword lore, reconciling the Qing generation of Peak Lords, and giving Yue Qingyuan a happy ending through the power of Shen Yuan's ability to love and nag the world into wholeness.
Please give it a read! 5 chapters are posted so far, I'll post when there are updates from now on!
More tags below:
Characters: Shen Yuan | Shen Qingqiu, Yue Qingyuan, Xuan Su, Cang Qiong Mountain Sect Peak Lords, Wei Qingwei, Shang Qinghua, Mu Qingfang, Liu Qingge
Additional Tags: Shen Jiu | Original Shen Qingqiu and Shen Yuan | Shen Qingqiu are Not the Same Person, sword lore, Xuan Su Sword Reveal (Scum Villain), Cang Qiong Mountain Sect (Scum Villain), Sword Cultivation, PIDW Native Shen Yuan | Shen Qingqiu, Alternate Universe - Scum Villain Cultivation Setting with No Transmigration, Author goes crazy with sword and cultivation lore, Shen Yuan changing the world with his empathy and fierce love of the world around him, like he do, No Character Bashing, Here we psychologically analyze our problematic faves and try to help them out, Angst with a Happy Ending, Body Horror, just a smidge, Disability, Dissociation, Reconciliation, Asexuality Spectrum, Qing Generation of Peak Lords, Cang Qiong Mountain Sect Peak Lords as Family, (eventually—bit of a slowburn reconciliation)
Summary:
“Spiritual weapons do not choose wielders based on talent, or merits. I’ve seen many a fine cultivator make a common sword magnificent, and just as many undeserving of what they wield. Just as your fate fixes you to your body, fate fixes a sword to one destined Heart.”
—
Shen Yuan was an outer disciple of middling talent, hailing from a small sect in a forgotten corner of the Jianghu, that had few resources and fewer living elders. The death of his shifu sends him to Cang Qiong Mountain Sect, hoping perhaps there is where he’ll finally find a spiritual sword of his own.
HELLO @yanny-77!! I have lied, schemed, and manipulated (with so much love) my way through the @acotargiftexchange to ensure I could deliver you the most perfectly curated fic possible. It was an absolute honor to be your Satan this gift exchange, and I hope you love this fic: an Empyrean angst inspired Azris calamity of errors featuring as much sword lore as I could wrap my head around. -Love, your Satan 😈🖤
Eris travels to the Night Court to surprise Azriel, hoping to sneak in a romantic rendezvous. Unfortunately, the night goes horribly awry. How many members of the Inner Circle will walk in on them? Guess we’ll find out.
***This fic takes place post HOFAS and includes spoilers for the Crescent City series.
***This fic contains direct quotes from Fourth Wing and Iron Flame woven in as parts of the plot. How many can you find?
Read a snippet below or start the full fic on AO3!
Running a hand through his hair to wrestle the short strands back into place, Eris let out a determined sigh. His steps echoed through the wide, empty halls deep within the Forest House as he set out toward his room. The day had been long and advisors more tedious than ever; pushing back against Eris’ attempts to prepare Autumn for his eventual reign.
Beron still sat atop the throne, High Lord in title, though his power waned. Each day Eris felt a new trickle join his amassing magic and he knew it would not be long before he’d need to make his move. All but one of his younger brothers stared at him with hungry eyes, anxious to steal what was rightfully his.
Pushing open his door, Eris tried to act unsurprised by what he found. His youngest brother lounged before the fire, long legs draped over the chair’s arm. Eris groaned internally, struggling to keep his eyes from rolling. He’d been hoping to unwind by himself for a moment, but no matter; he could prepare for what came next with or without Lucien there.
“Who let you in?” Eris asked, voice monotone in an attempt to disguise his disgruntled state.
Lucien scoffed, righting himself in the chair. “Why, I let myself in. You did get father to lift my banishment after the war.”
“Stop making me regret that.”
Continue reading on AO3.
Thank you to @suebswrites for being the absolute best spy and beta, and to @climbthemountain2020 for betaing and being the most supportive mod! Shout out to Vanth for connecting me with Suebs in the first place!
Let me know if you want on or off the taglist! @pippsmcgee @born-to-riot @chunkypossum @bubybubsters @queercontrarian @yanny-77 @fieldofdaisiies @iftheshoef1tz @secret-third-thing @jules-writes-stories @the-darkestminds @climbthemountain2020 @amalhe-kofee @molcat07
It’s really hard trying to convince people you’re not a psychopath when you’re into weapon lore and also Not A Historian. Like, someone asked what curved swords are for and I was midway through my explanation of how slashing is often more practical than stabbing from horseack before I thought “Oh Shit” and switched to “So yea, it was all, like, totally weird medieval stuff, I guess??” and tried desperately to communicate with my eyes that my desire for a knife collection is purely for the aesthetic
