A Means to an End (WangXian)

The Looking Glass

Author's notes: The chapters covering the future are not very detailed and it is very rushed. I also skipped over certain parts. I apologize for that, but I didn't want to spend too much time reiterating things the readers already knows about. Thanks and enjoy!

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Many clans stood in a clearing of one of the education offices by Qishan. Most of the disciples here came from prominent clans. The three people who entered Wei Wuxian's memories stared at them all, completely unseen by the mass of people there.

The three observers noticed how gloomy everything was. No one wanted to be there and many made that obvious with their sneering gaze.

"I should mention what has happened so far,"  Nie Huaisang started. "Cloud Recesses was the first to be attacked by the Wen Sect." The Lans stared at him wide eyed. "They burned half of the Cloud Recesses down. Lan Qiren was severely injured and Zewu-jun, you went missing with important documents from the library."

"What about Wangji?" he asked frantically.

Nie Huaisang pursed his lips. "He tried to protect the library from being burned down. Wen Rouhan's eldest son retaliated by breaking his leg, then forcing him to come here for the indoctrination. He should arrive at any moment." The three focused back on the scene. They watched Wei Wuxian converse with his brother. Jiang Cheng looked like he wanted to strangle Wei Wuxian to keep him out of trouble.

None of the observers liked that. All three of them were interested to see what their relationship will turn into, though Nie Huaisang mostly wanted to know more about why it happened.

"Look, the Lans are here!" Wei Wuxian cheered. "I think I see Lan Zhan!"

Before Wei Wuxian could approach Lan Wangji, Wen Chao shouted out, "Quiet! All of you!"

Everyone turned towards a tall platform where Wen Chao and Wen Zhuliu stood. 

"He became a big problem before and during the war. I'd say he's a big contributor to what happened to Wei-xiong," Nie Huaisang added.

Wen Chao looked down at them all. An evil glint in his eyes. "Starting today, all of you will turn in your swords!"

Many people opposed the idea and began to mumble angrily among the crowd.

"A cultivator should never give up their swords!" someone shouted.

"What did you say?" Wen Chao barked. He stared daggers at the offender. "Many of you have no etiquette and don't understand subordination, that's why you're here! If I don't correct this now, then you will challenge authority and try to climb over our heads!" he yelled, his face twisting disgustingly.

The three observers heard a struggle and turned back to Wei Wuxian.

"Why are you restraining me?" Jiang Wanyin was holding his sworn brother back.

"Making sure you don't do something stupid," he remarked. "Do you see that man beside Wen Chao?" he asked. Wei Wuxian turned and looked up at the tall man beside Wen Chao. "That's Wen Zhuliu, also known as Core-Melting Hand. He's Wen Chao's personal assistant and can destroy your core. Don't provoke either of them," he warned.

Wei Wuxian grimaced, but listened to his brother regardless and only continued to stare up at them in thought.

"Is that the man that destroyed Wei-gongzi's core?" Lan Xichen asked.

Nie Huaisang shook his head. "I'm not sure. I don't know how he lost his core."

As Wen soldiers walked around, everyone slowly and reluctantly turned in their swords.