A Means to an End (WangXian)

Next Steps

Wei Wuxian, Lan Wangji, Lan Xichen, and Baoshan Sanren made their way towards the Jin Sect. Jin Zixuan had already gone ahead of them.

Baoshan Sanren held Wen Rouhan and his sons captive as they traveled along with some other cultivators to keep them under guard.

After dealing with the aftermath of the war, they knew they needed to take action immediately. Word would only reach Jin Guanshan in lightning speed, and they need to prevent his meddling now that Wei Wuxian's skills are out in the open.

Nie Mingjue, Jiang Wanyin and the Wen siblings stayed behind with Nie Huaisang, who was finally awake and recovering well. When he is recovered more, they will travel and stay at Lotus Pier until he is fully healed.

When the group officially reached the Jin Sect, Jin Zixuan approached them with gritted teeth.

"He's already aware," he warns.

They prepared themselves as they were escorted by another Jin cultivator to the main hall where Jin Guanshan resided. 

His eyes were cold, calculating. In many ways, they reminded Wei Wuxian of Wen Rouhan's own. The two were both cunning and ruthless in their own ways.

Jin Guanshan rose and gave a slight bow to the future sect leader of Gusu Lan, but everyone in the room knew it was more of a facade. "I commend you for bringing the Wens here for persecution."

Lan Xichen bowed in return. "It is Wei Wuxian and Baoshan Sanren that deserve the praise of Wen Rouhan's and his two sons' capture."

Jin Guanshan's eyes narrowed on the woman in the room. Some could say they even saw his face begin to lose color.

"Baoshan Sanren. I was unaware you had participated in the battle. My sincerest apologies." He bowed to her, but it was even more fake than the one he gave Lan Xichen.

She waved him off. "It is no trouble. However, now that you are aware. I would like to bring these three back with me for further retribution."

"That would need to be discussed amongst the sects. He has harmed many, and the decision of what happens next will not be sought out lightly," he argued.

Lan Xichen removed two letters from his sleeve. "These are letters both from the Jiang and Nie Sect giving Baoshan Sanren approval with this move. As future sect leader, I also give my approval."

Jin Guanshan gritted his teeth and took the letters, scanning through them.

"This is from Jiang Wanyin. He is not the sect leader of Yunmeng Jiang."

"With the death of his father, the title will be passed to him soon. He acts in a similar manner as I do," Lan Xichen retorted.

Jin Guanshan gazed at each person in the room, considering his next move. His eyes landed on Wei Wuxian.

"Perhaps we should still discuss this further. It would be crucial to consider the effects of letting Baoshan Sanren take them, when assessing that her disciple is a demonic cultivator. I heard he painted the entire battleground in red all on his own. Should we not fear the kind of leverage handing over the Wens to the likes of them would give them?"

Wei Wuxian kept his shoulders square, glaring at the Jin leader without fear.

Was there a chance of them not pulling this off? Yes.

Was anyone in the room particularly worried at the moment? No.

Why?

Baoshan Sanren took a step forward. "I would watch your tone. You are aware of who I am, and my position in the cultivation world. Going after one of my disciples will not end well."