A Means to an End (WangXian)

Regrets

Lan Wangji held Wei Wuxian's hand tightly. There was this despair in Wei Wuxian's eyes that made Lan Wangji's chest tighten uncomfortably. He was vacant, almost, as they guided the group of Wen survivors back towards Yunmeng. The sun now high above them. They needed to be quick and careful while escaping, ensuring they were not caught. They feared it would be more difficult in such a large group. Several times already, they had been spotted and had to fight off Wen cultivators.

Though, it wasn't as difficult as they thought it would be. The reappearance of the figure beside them, that held Wen Xu in a tight bind, assisted in warding off the cultivators, including making their presence more vague so the cultivators couldn't track them.

Even though Wei Wuxian was lost in his own thoughts, his senses were still heightened, and he kept a wary gaze around him. He was sure the news had already made it back to Wen Rouhan. His sudden appearance would not be a surprise.

But it was quiet, as they neared the edge of territory between Yunmeng and Qishan. 

Wen Qing stood slightly behind Lan Wangji and Wei Wuxian. Her brother at her side and a sleeping A-Yuan in her arms. She had given him a sleeping poultice right before they left. The poor boy had already been scarred enough, witnessing his parents be killed right in front of him.

Not everyone made it out, but Wei Wuxian does notice there are some unfamiliar faces in the crowd, ones that didn't make it out of the war in a previous time. Though, it still did not bring him comfort, knowing A-Yuan would grow up to be an orphan, just like him. He couldn't change that.

Eventually, the large crowd made it to the small village within Yunmeng.

"Wangji," Lan Xichen called out to his brother.

Immediately, action took place, helping those that were injured and delegating other cultivators to prepare areas for them to rest and recover in.

Wei Wuxian still felt numb.

"What happened?" Nie Mingjue asked.

Jiang Wanyin waited to see if Wei Wuxian would respond, when he did not, he answered in his stead. "Wen Rouhan caught them, had his son start massacring everyone in front of Wen Qing's eyes."

"And you brought the man back alive? Who is this woman?"

Attention was immediately directed to the woman who stood behind Wen Xu. His arms still secured tightly.

"We met her while traveling. She is not our enemy," Lan Wangji cut in after speaking briefly with his brother. 

"That still does not answer my question," Nie Mingjue pressed.

She was dressed similarly to the last time Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji had met her, in the Inn of a remote village. Her robes were still a dark burgundy, this time with a black shawl over her shoulders. 

"Perhaps this conversation would be best somewhere more quiet." She gestured to the man she had detained in front of her. Lan Xichen got the cue and had a trusted disciple remove Wen Xu and take him to a secluded area until they could discuss their next steps.

"Please, follow me. We have a more private location where we may discuss freely." Lan Xichen led the group to the tent they were utilizing as a war room. There were seats scattered around the room and a map of Qishan Wen on a far table. Talismans were spread around as well, keeping the area quiet and reserved.

Wen Qing joined the group after laying A-Yuan down and allowing her brother to watch over him. Nie Huaisang sat beside Wei Wuxian, flashing his eyes worriedly between him and Lan Wangji. Lan Wangji stayed on the other side of Wei Wuxian, his hand still tightly in his grasp.