Phoenix

Part 33

            It had been four days since Wei Wuxian interrupted the Sect leader's meeting to reclaim his husband so that their egg could hatch. No other meeting had been assembled during that time, much to Jin Guangshan's ire. Everyone had already accepted Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji as the new Wen Sect leaders. 

             Since they were in Nightless City, the other Sect leaders respected their want to be there for their children. Only Jin Guangshan and his supporters, Sect leaders Yao and Ouyang kept pushing to rush the meeting. The plan was simple: if the two young sect leaders could not attend, it would be easier to gain an upper hand on Wei Wuxian. 

             Finally, after much pushing, all the Sect leaders met on the fifth day. They still seemed disgruntled about not allowing the parents a full week with their newborns. Begrudgingly they had to admit wanting to get the meeting over with so they could finally return home after the war. It was almost time for the meeting to begin. The two Wen Sect leaders were not yet present.

             Jin Guangshan stood to host the meeting. The doors to the meeting hall opened with huge force. Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji walked hand in hand, followed by Wen Qing, Wen Li, and Lan Junjie. They walked to their seats without sparing anyone a glance. After making sure his entire group was settled, Wei Wuxian turned to look at Jin Guangshan with a scowl. "Sect leader Jin, will you not sit down so we can begin the meeting?"

             The Jin sect leader's face became red with rage before he breathed out and smiled. "Ah, Sect leader Wen, so good that you were able to join us. I was just about to start the meeting." Wei Wuxian let out a bit of his aura to shut the man up. "Sect leader Jin isn't it a bit presumptuous of you to attempt to host this meeting in my home? I have no ties with the Jin, and you didn't even participate in the war. Your son fought to bring a few men, but that was not you. Had Sect leader Nie or Sect leader Lan tried to host, it would have been understandable. Sect leader Nie was the great Commander that led us all to victory. Sect leader Lan was not only at his side, but being my father-in-law, he could stand in for my Lan Zhan. So again, what are you trying to do by trying to host a meeting in my Sect." 

             Jin Guangshan grit his teeth but sat down under the amused stare of the other clan leaders. Madam Yu was furious. "How dare you talk to your betters like that? You are just a filthy vampire hybrid. The only thing you do know is to open your legs like your whore of a mother. I should whip you so you remember your pl-" The hall went deafeningly silent, not understanding what they had seen. Wei Wuxian had stood there taking the verbal assault calmly seeming used to it. In a flash, Lan Wangji had flown across the room and punched Madam Yu hard enough to send her flying into the wall.

                He seemed to collect himself as Wei Wuxian came to hold him. The Jiang were in an uproar to see their Lady so disrespected. Lan Wangji turned cold eyes towards them, silencing everyone. "Disrespecting a Sect leader in their own sect is a crime punishable by death. She is no Sect leader, only a Sect Madam like myself, so she should remember her place and quiet down while the Sect leaders speak." Lan Wangji then gracefully glided back to his seat next to a delighted Wen Lin and a proud Lan Junjie.

                Wei Wuxian cleared his throat before thanking Lan Wangji. He directed his attention to the rest of the hall. " Well, now that we have everyone's attention, we can begin. I suggest someone from the Jiang Sect take their Madam to the infirmary. Next on the agenda, I heard that some of you have worries about my claim of the Wen Sect leadership. There is also the fact that I am a vampire. While that is true, there are a few things to take into account. " He looked around the room, glad to see everyone paying attention.

               " First, it is important to not forget that I am only half vampire; the other half is phoenix. Notice how the Wen Sect crest is a fiery phoenix? Yes, that is because the original Wen line was the Phoenix. It was only after Wen Mao's sons were not born with this bloodline that he tried to destroy the Phoenix line. He knew that any phoenix of his family would have a claim to the throne. Enter the lovely woman over there, Wen Li, my great-grandmother and Wen Mao's niece. She was forced to seek asylum in the Lan Sect, where she remained hidden, only speaking to her children and grandchildren. As soon as we met, she recognized me since she had trained my father, Wei Changze, in his powers. 

                   Secondly, I have evidence that Wen Mao was not the original leader of the Wen Sect but his brother, my great-great-grandfather Wen Hao. As such, the only person with more rights to the Wen Sect leadership is Popo Wen Li. As an immortal, she is not allowed to take the seat, so I will do it for her. Third, the only person I drink from is my husband. There in no worries of me going crazy with thirst since I have him. Plus, everyone always remembers the massacre of Lotus Pier at my mother's hands. No one ever remembers why it happened. Isn't that right, Sect leader Jiang?" 

                The man moved in his seat uncomfortably. All eyes were on him. No one ever knew why the vampire had gone on a killing spree. It was just blamed on her dark origins. " I guess he does not wish to speak of it. That is fine. I will explain. Most people don't realize, but vampires have destined mates like any other shifter. My father was her destined mate. They tried to amicably break away from the Jiang Sect so they could travel. 

                 The Jiang clan not only denied but also placed a slave seal on my father. To add insult to injury, that slave seal was something her own mother had invented. She warned them to release her mate, but they refused, so she went on a killing spree. She killed every elder who held control over her mate's seal. It was not indiscriminately as the Sect leader's claim. She killed enough elders that the seal crumbled, then she took my father and ran.

                  Vampires have been watching over the sects for centuries, never giving us any trouble. Yet one vampire fights for her mate's freedom, and there is a purge on all shifters? It is very disappointing. Then again, that is neither here nor there. If there are no further objections to my right to be Sect leader, we can continue to more important topics, like my plans for the Wen Sect and the reparations to those afflicted. I know who they are. Remember, I made the barriers along with my husband.

                 The meeting went by smoothly with the Jiang sect silently seething and Jin Guangshan shut down by a reprimand from the Lan Sect leader. "Sect leader Jin, did I not warn you that if you refused to join the war, I would not allow you to gain anything from it?

                  Sect leader Nie commanded the army. Sect leaders Wen and Wangji created protections and talismans to aid in the war. Not only that, they also spent most of their time on the front lines. Jiang Wanyin led his troops to victory, securing important footholds for the war. Nie Huasang and Meng Yao were the strategic masterminds behind putting intel together. Jiang Yanli managed all costs and resource gathering for the camps along with aiding in the medical bay and the kitchens. Sect leader Ouyang led his men fiercely. 

                 My point is that everyone here has a right to be here except you. Your son is invited to join us, but the Jin Sect did not get involved and was not harmed by the war at all. Therefore, you may leave or let the people actually relevant speak." Lan Wangji looked so visibly proud of his father that the elder's ears grew pink while he avoided looking their way. A few minutes before the meeting ended, Lan Wangji stood up and left. 

                  Many wanted to know what he was doing, but there wasn't long to wait. Wei Wuxian cleared his throat to regain everyone's attention. "Before you all leave for your homes, I believe that through this war, we have all become a sort of family. As such, I would like to present my heirs, Lan Jingy and Wei Sizhui." 

                 Not a second later, Lan Wangji walked in, holding two attentive baby boys. The women were cooing over the cute babies. Since the first month had not passed, they did not allow anyone to hold the babies. Lan Wangji was quick to take them back out of the hall while Wei Wuxian closed the meeting.

                      Later in their room, Wei Wuxian collapsed at Lan Wangji's side, exhausted. "Lan Zhan, it's my first day as a sect leader, and I feel like I got beaten up. I think that war was more relaxing than this." Lan Wangji shook his head at his beloved's dramatics. He placed a kiss on Wei Wuxian's head before getting the man ready for bed. 

                     The babies were sleeping, so if he wanted his husband to rest, Lan Wangji had to move fast. That night he made sure to keep Wei Wuxian safely sleeping at his side. He knew it wasn't over. Sect leader Jin seemed too furious to think he would not try something. All he could do was protect his family from Whatever came their way.