A Means to an End (WangXian)

Silence

"Was it a warning? Were they trying to tell me something?"

"It is possible they wanted to leave a message, may not be a warning."

Wei Wuxian sighed and leaned back up against the tree he rested on. The two had exited the Burial Mounds and were at the outskirts of the barrier. Wei Wuxian decided it was best to leave the barrier as is, at least until he had a chance to come back and properly cleanse this land, even if it took the remainder of time to achieve. 

"All they did was thanked me and told me that 'time only applies to the living.'" Wei Wuxian tapped his hand on his knee repeatedly as he contemplated what was said.

"Perhaps you brought them peace."

Wei Wuxian looks up at Lan Wangji, a solemn look encompassing his face. "How would I have done that? I did nothing but manipulated them."

Lan Wangji knelt closer to Wei Wuxian and placed his hand on his knee. Wei Wuxian in turn grasped his hand, finding comfort in its warmth. 

"You focused their energy. Resentful energy is a disarray of calamitous emotions an individual feels in death. It is hard for the energy to have a focal point, or to move passed its grievances. It is possible that your control gave clarity to the energy, in return, they were able to find peace."

Wei Wuxian soaked in Lan Wangji's words. Then, he let go of his hand and instead wrapped his arms around Lan Wangji's neck, pressing a gentle kiss to his lips. "How is it you always know what to say?"

"Learned it from the best," Lan Wangji responded, holding Wei Wuxian still in his arms.

Wei Wuxian could only smile. "You're becoming too cheeky. I think I'm a bad influence on you."

Lan Wangji's face remained monotone, but Wei Wuxian could see a gentle light in his eyes.

Wei Wuxian felt a warmth on his chest. At first, he thought it was just his imagination. A conjuration of being so happy beside Lan Wangji, but then he realized that the heat was not dissipating.

Wei Wuxian pulled out a talisman and gazed at it with worry. 

"Who is it?"

"It's Zewu-jun. There's not much detail, but he said there has been movement from the Wen Sect. He believes it is best we make final preparations in Yunmeng."

"Yunmeng is closer to Qishan."

"They haven't mobilized their forces. Wen Qing would have notified me," Wei Wuxian stressed.

"Perhaps news spread from a supervisory office."

Wei Wuxian bit his lip. "I'm not sure. I don't have a good feeling about this."

Lan Wangji nodded in understanding. "We should go."

The two were quickly off.

Their journey back to Yunmeng did not take nearly as long as it had when they traveled from Lanling Jin. However, the two still decided to stay off main roads and skipped over any crowded villages.

The more that they traveled, the more uneasy Wei Wuxian became. He didn't understand why he hadn't heard from Wen Qing recently. If the Wens are really on the move, she would have been the first to alert him, but the talisman he has that is linked to hers remained blank and untorn. 

They were not very far from Qishan. Wei Wuxian contemplated making a detour just to check on her, but the Wens have increased their security. Being able to meet with Wen Qing was nearly impossible. If she was in a tough position, Wei Wuxian didn't want to make it worse either.