A Lot Has Been Said About Wei Wuxian And His Self-worth Issues, Resulting In His Constant Acts Of Self-sacrifice.

A lot has been said about Wei Wuxian and his self-worth issues, resulting in his constant acts of self-sacrifice. But I would like to offer a parallel/counterpoint in Xue ”well aware I have no intrinsic value other than as a tool for others” Yang.

The hungry-for-everything street kid who wasn’t adopted into a benign, powerful sect. Whose greatest trauma resulted from being absolutely used. And who learned that lesson and made it his foremost weapon.

Xue Yang’s absolute foremost talent lies in making himself useful to the point of being indispensable… And using those seeking to use him in return.

“I have information. I have the knowledge that equals the power you want. I’m worth more alive than dead. Give me what I want in return - and don’t get rid of me just yet.”

With the Wen Clan, it’s his knowledge of the Yin Iron. How to channel and weaponize its power, and the whereabouts of the last piece.

“Still worth more alive than dead. Don’t get rid of me just yet.”

The potential for information, just barely useful enough to leave his head attached a little bit longer.

“I have a vastly useful skill set. I am a demonic cultivation prodigy. I am a weapon. Far more useful alive than dead. Don’t get rid of me just yet.”

Working for the various Jins, he makes himself useful in what unique services he can provide. His unparalleled talent with demonic cultivation, and interpreting and expanding on the dead Yiling Laozu’s research, as well as being deployed as an assassin to clean up whatever mess would cause the mighty Jin any inconvenience.

But then.

At his most helpless, he meets someone who doesn’t ask anything of him.

And.

“I have skills! I’ll be of use! More useful here than gone. Please don’t leave me just yet.”

(And of course, finally, the very last note:

“You are dear to me. Please, stay.”)

A summary of Damen: big brain, big smile, big muscles, big heart, big dick, big butt ;_; 

When an unstoppable force meets an immovable object

It is my belief that true genius cannot be bound. It must exist in a swirling chaos of anarchy.

A non-exhaustive list of things Xue Yang flirts with in episode 10 (and should not):

Da-ge. Baxia. Wei Wuxian.

Bonus: Side eye reactions.

Wei Wuxian: Hi-

Lan Wangji: I would die for you.