A Means to an End (WangXian)

Supervisory Office

"You killed a sect leader. Why should I trust a single thing you have to say?" Jin Zixuan claimed.

Wei Wuxian felt his heart immediately drop. He only began explaining that the Wens have a secret Supervisory Office on Jin territory, but Jin Zixuan immediately cut in. Already, there are rumors and lies spreading about what occurred at Lotus Pier. Already, people believe Wei Wuxian betrayed his sect.

"Hold your tongue." Lan Wangji's eyes narrowed dangerously at the Jin.

Jin Zixuan stiffened and clenched his jaw. Arguing with Wei Wuxian was one thing, but arguing with a Lan, let alone Lan Wangji, would only lead to future trouble and animosity. The Lan Sect is too powerful for Jin Zixuan to allow that to happen.

Wei Wuxian was looking down into his teacup. The three had agreed to meet at a private location. As much fun as Wei Wuxian was having sneaking around the Jin Sect, he knew it would not impress Jin Zixuan in the slightest and would only make this conversation even more difficult.

"I didn't," he muttered. But even Wei Wuxian had a hard time convincing himself. He had a job to do, and that was to keep them all safe. He had failed. It was his fault.

"Madam Yu said that you're responsible for Wens attacking the Sect. She said you lured them by provoking them. This led the Yunmeng Jiang Sect to be unprepared for their invasion."

"No," Lan Wangji immediately shut down. "The invasion has been planned for several months. They waited until the Sect Leader was gone to strike."

Jin Zixuan's eyebrows furrowed. "Gone? Why would he have been gone? No one said anything about the Sect Leader not being there."

"They're spinning stories. Madam Yu wasn't necessarily happy with me before they invaded us. I'm not entirely surprised to hear people think it was me." His hands were clenched tightly together, leaving his nails to dig into his skin.

Lan Wangji quickly laid his hand over Wei Wuxian's to get him to ease up. It worked and Wei Wuxian laced their fingers together with a sigh.

Jin Zixuan studied them for a moment. They're relationship seemed much closer already than he could remember. The two have always been spotted near each other since the lectures at the Cloud Recesses, but this was much more personal.

"Let's say I believe you for a second. What is it that you want me to do?" he pressed.

Wei Wuxian looked up. "I've got intel that there is a Supervisory Office concealed within the Jin Sect. It's possible that we can weaken their resources, which would leave them vulnerable."

"Then I am to assume you want the Jin support in helping to take down the Wen Sect."

Wei Wuxian nodded. "We can take down the Supervisory Office. It's not a difficult feat, but moving forward, we will need more allies. The Wen Sect will plan a quick and decisive move to wipe us out. We have to strike while they are weak."

Jin Zixuan thought on it. He never liked those Wens. They were too cocky for his liking. He rather liked the idea of taking them out.

But, nothing is free. "What's in it for me?"

Wei Wuxian knew the Jin would say this. It was only the most logical thing for him to do. What makes this question difficult is that there is nothing the Jin doesn't already have. Except ...

"I have quite the interesting information on your father. I'm sure you would like to hear about it."

His eye twitched. "My father? Are you trying to blackmail me?"

Wei Wuxian shook his head. "I'm not that low. I won't be sharing this information with anyone else. But I do get the feeling that this information would be vital for you to know."