A Means to an End (WangXian)

Questions and Answers

Lan Xichen and Nie Mingjue had arrangements made to send groups of Wen Qing's family back to Gusu and Qinghe. Until this war was over, it was safer to separate the Wens where they can be protected easier. Once the Wen Sect has been taken care of, a proper home for all of them will be established within the vast lands of Gusu.

In order to have better protection during the journey, the Wens were divided even farther and they would make the trip to the designated location at different times. 

While this was happening, more reinforcements began to appear. It was not a moment too soon as it became well aware that Wen Rouhan knew of their location and was in the process of finalizing war preparations, planning to target their location first.

Wei Wuxian kept himself busy, handing out talismans to each of the Wens and even to other cultivators that had arrived. He prepared a barrier around the village they were hunkered down at, and began finalizing any offensive and defensive talismans before the Wen Sect made their official first move.

"Are we sure it shouldn't be us making the first move?" Wei Wuxian questioned Lan Wangji. It was decided in a previous meeting that they will not engage until the Wen Sect made the first move. Wei Wuxian had his hesitancy towards this plan, but the vast majority of the others in the room had a different idea. "It gives them the advantage to strategize around us and eliminates our chances of using surprise."

Lan Wangji nodded. He agreed with Wei Wuxian's concern. However, he had a feeling that whether they attacked first or didn't, it would still end in the same way. "Xiongzhan wants to lure them out of their territory. They are stronger in the terrains they are familiar with."

Wei Wuxian let out a sigh. "Yes, Zewu-jun is right. I suppose there's not a right or wrong approach to this. In either case, there are pros and cons." Wei Wuxian turns back towards his latest project, one that was nearing completion. It was a type of hallucinogen. He had used it in his previous life to scare the wits out of the Wens. He's hoping to use it in a similar method to scatter their numbers quickly. However, he needed to ensure that it did not affect their own cultivators, which can sometimes be tricky.

"Have you spoken to Wen Qing?" Lan Wangji asked, shifting the conversation. He was currently cleaning and changing the strings out of his guqin.

Wei Wuxian shook his head. "She's been taking care of A-Yuan. He's been having nightmares."

Lan Wangji stayed quiet for a moment. He went back to wrapping the strings tightly into place, gently plucking the strings to ensure it was secure. 

Wei Wuxian's shoulders slumped. "She asked if I would come visit him."

Lan Wangji looked up at this. "Will you?"

Wei Wuxian bit his lip. He placed the talisman's down, along with his brush. "I don't know."

"You can," Lan Wangji reassured. "It would be good for the both of you."

Wei Wuxian turned to face Lan Wangji. "Would it? He suffered so much because of me, in the past and in the present."

"It is not your fault." Lan Wangji placed his guqin off to the side and stood so that he may sit beside Wei Wuxian. 

Wei Wuxian shook his head. "Everyone keeps telling me that, but why can't I seem to believe it?"

Lan Wangji gripped Wei Wuxian's hands in his own. "You only have control of so much. Allow yourself to find peace within yourself. Process how you feel, forgive yourself, and move forward."

Wei Wuxian gave a shy smile. He leaned forward and hugged Lan Wangji. "You're right. I just need to figure out how."

"Bond with him. I am sure it will help."