The rings gave him immortality, which should include being protected from soul suckers (even if for a while), and this is supported by the fact that he didn’t die initially, cf. everyone else whose souls left them almost immediately. Wenwu’s soul only left him after he gave up the rings. He 100% could have used the rings to fight back or at least free himself even if he didn’t have the right energy to kill the Dweller in Darkness (I’m assuming Shangqi could because of the power from the Dragon). So it wasn’t a matter of having to sacrifice himself so Shangqi could escape.
My take is he chose to die to be with Ying Li after finally realising that he can’t bring her back. She was more important to him than anything: certainly more than the rings (which he first gave up for her), and even more than his children (whom he let go of and only reached out to once he thought he could get her back again). So if she couldn’t come back to him, he would follow her, by giving up the rings a second time.
Ying Li repeats these motions, wrapping the fabric around Wenwu’s arm until she reaches his wrist, and then she carries on with his other arm, working in reverse from wrist to elbow. She keeps some slack in the middle, just enough so that her husband’s arms can remain relaxed at his side even while bound. Wenwu says nothing through all this, but she occasionally feels tension in the fabric as he tests the cloth’s give.
Ying Li repeats these motions, wrapping the fabric around Wenwu’s arm until she reaches his wrist, and then she carries on with his other arm, working in reverse from wrist to elbow. She keeps some slack in the middle, just enough so that her husband’s arms can remain relaxed at his side even while bound. Wenwu says nothing through all this, but she occasionally feels tension in the fabric as he tests the cloth’s give.
Ying Li never believed Wenwu when he blamed the rancid farts on Morris, and after she passes, he still takes ownership of them so he can continue to be the man his wife thought he was….
morris is an absolute menace. they know they can get away with anything because ying li will always protect them.
that really old, valuable vase in the “old fool’s”* study? looks breakable
those hydrangeas the old fool spent all morning planting? looks inviting for a trample
those xiaolongbaos the old fool left on the kitchen counter for some important guests later? yep delicious, the kids are going to love them.
the old fool’s new slippers that he took off in the courtyard? deserves to be thrown off the side of the mountain, just like the other 348 pairs.
the best part? wenwu knows morris is responsible for it all, but he isn’t brave enough to do anything about it again. the last time he dumped morris in the forest (after the hydrangea incident), ying li didn’t talk to him for a week until he had to go back into the murder maze to collect the menacing ball of fluff.
*morris calls wenwu “old fool” because that’s what ying li affectionately calls him and morris thinks that must be his name.
hnnrg YES. it’s the perfect place to get that hunter/hunted energy out. Wenwu obviously never figured the forest out, but he still went in because he knew he’d always make it out safely
omg yes please. ying li as the hunter who “stalks” him through the forest until they get to the clearing and that’s when she pounces
The shiver that runs up Wenwu’s spine when she whispers in his ear, you’re mine
hnnrg YES. it’s the perfect place to get that hunter/hunted energy out. Wenwu obviously never figured the forest out, but he still went in because he knew he’d always make it out safely
this idea lives rent free in my head: what if ying li and xu wenwu had their roles reversed? she lived a thousand years and wielded the ten rings + founded the ten rings (organisation). and xu wenwu was the guardian of the entrance to ta lo and they had that same fight where he initially defeated her, and they fell in love — and he gave up his powers, left ta lo to settle on earth and start a family with her. except because it’s ying li, she’d make sure their family was protected, so, when the iron gang showed up, the ten rings soldiers were there to RIP them. and ying li got to spend many more afternoons playing ddr with her husband and kids
A magical wind from Ta Lo dropped this off in my DMs. For anyone who’s seen my username and thought ‘yes!’ - you will enjoy this one :)
I did not write this, and the writer has expressed preference to remain anonymous (which you can see in the AO3 link). However please leave them comments and love, whether here or on AO3!!
The rings gave him immortality, which should include being protected from soul suckers (even if for a while), and this is supported by the fact that he didn’t die initially, cf. everyone else whose souls left them almost immediately. Wenwu’s soul only left him after he gave up the rings. He 100% could have used the rings to fight back or at least free himself even if he didn’t have the right energy to kill the Dweller in Darkness (I’m assuming Shangqi could because of the power from the Dragon). So it wasn’t a matter of having to sacrifice himself so Shangqi could escape.
My take is he chose to die to be with Ying Li after finally realising that he can’t bring her back. She was more important to him than anything: certainly more than the rings (which he first gave up for her), and even more than his children (whom he let go of and only reached out to once he thought he could get her back again). So if she couldn’t come back to him, he would follow her, by giving up the rings a second time.
Wenwu has to get used to being sick after he gives up the rings; through recovery he remembers the sensations of life. Congee sitting heavy in his belly, the smell of ginger tea growing stronger in his slowly-decongesting nose, the shivers of a fever fading into the warmth of Ying Li’s embrace.
![2pcbart: Does anyone else see this for Ying Li and Wenwu?[inspired by that movie poster]](https://64.media.tumblr.com/b7e0a442bbc4be2ecd4609d4974c7c04/b637cb8b91117b02-3f/s1280x1920/eddef9a7836382292a1ca2f07572601104e6a50e.jpg "2pcbart: Does anyone else see this for Ying Li and Wenwu?[inspired by that movie poster]")
