Soulmates are a thing?!

Part 11

                     The sound of the gong sent adrenaline through their system. They grabbed their swords and rushed to the gates, where they met up with Madam Yu and Qingheng-jun. Lan Xichen was surprised to see his father, but Madam Yu's voice cut through his shock. " Wei Ying, Wangji, Lan Xichen, it seems the Wens are attacking. They had apparently tried to take Wangji away to help with the curse but attacked at being denied. They acted like the Lan Sect had belittled their sect by not accepting to give up Wangji.

                    A-Xian, go with Grandmaster Lan and see how you can improve the wards quickly. Actually, Wangji goes with them in case they need extra power and to stop any arguments. Lan Xichen, come with me to greet your guests. Qingheng-jun order your disciples and meet us at the gates. NOW!" Lan Qiren growled at Madam Yu for bossing him around but ran off with the two boys to do as requested.

                    Wei Wuxian looked at the central arrays and cussed before he started redoing them. Lan Wangji held his uncle back from attacking Wei Wuxian while the boy insulted their security arrays. Within minutes, the arrays had been overwritten, and both young men powered the new arrays. Power rippled visible through the barrier immediately.

                       "Lan Zhan, I am using the mountain's spiritual energy to protect and reflect any incoming attacks. These wards made it so people couldn't come in without a pass, but attacks and items could still get through. So what if a person can't get through if they have skilled archers? The Wens are known for using fire. The last thing we need is for your home to burn.

                          Just in case, take these talismans and place them in the most important buildings. I only have six made, but after activating them, nothing will, and no one will be able to touch that building until its barrier has been deactivated. Let's hurry back to Madam Yu." Lan Wangji nodded determinedly before running off. Lan Qiren grouchily followed Wei Wuxian back to where they had last met Madam Yu.

                             " Wei Wuxian report." Her voice was calm as he stood straight at her side booth, staring towards the gate. Everyone except Madam Yu was surprised when there was no trace of the joking troublemaker to be seen in his demeanor. "Madam Yu I found the barrier around Cloud Recessess to be severely lacking to protect from attacks. It was a simple yet powerful privacy barrier that could be overpowered. Furthermore, it only stopped people from entering, allowing in both items and attacks. 

                               I adjusted the barrier to work with the mountain's own energy so it could not be overpowered and layered it with a second barrier to keep attacks and items like projectiles out. The barrier can also be strengthened if some disciples pour qi into the arrays for extra comfort. Oh, and I keyed it so only the main Lan family can get in or out during attacks, using Lan Wangji as an anchor to decrease the chances of traitors. I do not believe there will be traitors, but it is a precaution. We can attack from this side of the barrier unhindered if the need for that arises."

                             Madam Yu nodded, satisfied, as she faced her son and the disbelieving stare of the Lans around her. " What is wrong with you people? We are under attack, and you sit there staring while my head disciple works for the safety of your home. I am insulted you would believe Jiang sect's head disciple wouldn't know how to react in this situation." Jiang Cheng snorted, seeing the Lan's startle into movement. Jiang Cheng would go with the other guest disciples to help protect the children under Madam Yu's orders. She stood battle-ready, flanked by Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji, with their swords in hand.

                                Minutes later everyone inside the barrier tensed as the sky over them was almost covered in flaming arrows. They breathed when the arrows only got extinguished and bounced off the barrier without penetrating it. Madam Yu nodded at Wei Wuxian, pleased with his work. " Qingheng-jun, get your archers firing. When the person in charge of this attack shows themselves, you and I will leave the barrier to fight. Wei Wuxian, I expect you to cover us with your talismans. Wangji, I shouldn't have to say this but protect your betrothed while he covers for us.

                                 I will use Zidian to keep the army back while Qingheng-jun fights their commander. If you require help, signal Wei Wuxian. He will create a distraction with his talismans so I can join your fight. They will take over, keeping the army busy. As soon as the children here are safe, some of the Lan disciples led by A-Cheng will aid from the cover of the trees with talismans or floating swords. They have been warned not to get in close combat with the Wen; their safety is still our priority. 

                               Remember, the fight will be over as soon as their commander is dead. After that, the rest of your disciples may join the fight to capture or destroy the Wen. Understood?" Everyone nodded grimly, knowing their roles. Many Lans were aggravated, being ordered around by a woman from another sect, but were forced to bite their tongues since both Lan Xichen and Qingheng-jun were allowing her to do so. 

                             Minutes ticked by slowly, with only their archers actively fighting. Wei Wuxian had sat himself on the floor writing more talismans while he waited for their next move. The attacks from the other side slowed, so Qingheng-jun stopped the archers waiting. They were all paying close attention to what would happen next. Wei Wuxian stood putting all the talismans in his sleeves. 

                          A good-looking man sauntered up to the front of the army, looking like an even bigger peacock than Jin Zixuan ever had. " I am Wen Xu, son and heir of Wen Rouhan. Surrender Second Young Master Lan peacefully for treatment in Qishan, and we will only burn your buildings. I am a merciful man, so there is no need to kill everyone. If you do not, it will be considered an act of war against the Wen sect."

                            Madam Yu loudly scoffed, "Is this not already an act of war against the Lan and Jiang clans?" She was smiling so viciously at Wen Xu that everyone had chills. He seemed to pale when he noticed her but got his bearings surprisingly fast, pointing his sword at her. Qingheng-jun moved swiftly, locking swords with him outside the barrier as planned. Madam Yu followed him out, wielding Zidian and her sword with deadly precision. She looked like a goddess of carnage surrounded by blood and purple lightning.

                         Wei Wuxian stood in awe for a moment before jumping in to throw talismans that explode, confuse, blind, or bind enemies. Lan Wangji was at his side, cutting down anyone who got too close. Wei Wuxian thought he looked beautiful while skillfully slicing through enemies. 

                      "Wuxian!" the firm call from Qingheng-jun knocked him out of his thoughts. He threw a few talismans at once before unsheathing Suibian and taking up Madam Yu's spot so she could join the fight against Wen Xu. Lan Wangji sheathed his sword and pulled out his Guqin to attack a broader group of enemies the way Zidian had. Thankfully, it wasn't long until talismans were helping them again, coming from the forest as well as arrows.

                      It felt like hours of fighting before the Wen soldiers dropped their swords in surrender. They got to witness Madam Yu wrap Zidian around Wen Xu's neck and cut it clean off. Qingheng-jun ordered his disciples to capture the Wen army and bowed in thanks to Madam Yu. She had been busy watching Jiang Cheng, Wei Wuxian, and Lan Wangji, along with a few others, throw up for killing people now that the fight was done. 

                    "Qingheng-jun, there is no need for thank yous; we are going to be family. A-Cheng, A-Ying, Wangji, get your bags. We are leaving right now via teleportation talisman. A-Ying, I expect you to make something that will make travel easier between your two homes. Now move. I have to tell Fengmian about this and plan a trip." 

                     Due to Madam Yu's clear anger Wei Wuxian didn't try to convince her of the change in plans. He just grabbed Lan Wangji's hand showing two qiankun pouches. Jiang Cheng asked to stay to help the Lans clean up. She glared at him but just grabbed Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji teleporting away before anyone could say anything.