Almost before Lan Wangji can think, he is blocking Zidian's attack with Bichen, twisting the sword so that the whip wraps around it rather than striking Lan Wangji himself or, worse, striking Wei Ying. Its touch renders Bichen's qi inert, the glow draining from its usually-bright blade, but Lan Wangji's strength is untouched, and he holds on with his fingers tight around the hilt. Jiang Wanyin will not take this from him. Jiang Wanyin will not take anything from either of them. He has taken Wei Ying's golden core, because Wei Ying loves him too much for his own good; he has taken Wei Ying's peace from him on too many nights to count. He could have saved him, and he cast his shixiong aside instead.

He knows that Wei Ying hates this. If he had his way, Jiang Wanyin and Lan Wangji would get along -- or, at the least, they would not loathe each other so intractably. But Wei Ying gives away parts of himself as though they are worth nothing. He is quick to anger when injustice is done to others and not quick enough to it when he is hurt. He is the bravest, cleverest, most infuriating, and best person Lan Wangji has ever known, and if it remains Lan Wangji's duty to carry the anger he deserves for him, then he will shoulder that burden willingly.

With Bichen so occupied, it falls to Wangji to retaliate. Lan Wangji calls up spiritual power from within himself, pure qi and intent that feels equally pure, and sets his fingers to the strings to unleash a fresh chord assassination in Jiang Wanyin's direction.