thinking this morning a lot about Jin Ling's relationship with JGY, both as nephew and future sect leader...

That, in lieu of a "direct" heir, JGY had only JL to "shape" and to carry on ~JGY's~ legacy. Imagine, if you will, a Jin Ling who has learned to carry his "angry young man" persona like a shield b/c JGY has taught him the value of being underestimated, of being ~clever~

This is CQL based hc, and comes out of mulling on Rusong's death and JGY's apparent refusal to sire any further heirs, which he COULD DO if he married a consort. Lots of reasons why he might not want to do that, but he COULD.

Which suggests that founding a direct-line dynasty was never high on his list of priorities, and further he doesn't ~need~ to b/c Jin Ling is ~right there~. If JGY's priority is ensuring his own posterity/reputation and deeds, then using JL to do so has a certain je ne sais quoi

JL learns to "hide" b/c JGY teaches him how. JGY teaching JL not just how to be a good sect leader but a clever one, a manipulative one, a ruthless one. But JL is too young to realize that he, too, is being manipulated.

A form of grooming, I suppose, but political instead of sexual: JGY instructing him not to tell JC about their meetings, about what he is sharing with JL. Their secret lessons, where JGY teaches him all (not all, not really) his spy tricks, his crafty cut-throat ways.

We see JL being shocked in the temple scene, obviously he cared for JGY. My speculation is more canon divergent than canon compliant but what if he was shocked not just by betrayal but by the realization that JGY had played HIM the way he taught JL to play everyone else?

i don't know why I want "secret budding mastermind Jin Ling" but the idea really appeals.