A Means to an End (WangXian)

Finale

Wei Wuxian had tears in his eyes that threatened to fall at any moment. His emotions were so overwhelming that he ran up to the figure, hugging them tightly, like he thought he would never see him again.

In some ways, there was a time he genuinely did think he wouldn't see him again.

"I didn't expect to see you moving so much already!" Wei Wuxian exclaimed.

Nie Huaisang hugged his best friend back. "Wen Qing really is a miracle worker."

Wei Wuxian only laughed. He pulled away from his friend to look at him more closely. His face was still rather pale, but color was beginning to return to his cheeks. "I'm glad you're making so much progress."

Nie Huaisang gave him a grateful smile. "Alright, well. I know you're not just here to see how I'm doing. Why don't we go somewhere more private to talk?"

Wei Wuxian nodded, knowing the worrying concern of him being spotted by anyone recognizable in Lotus Pier.

Lan Wangji stood behind him and followed the two to an Inn where Nie Huaisang had traveled to in order to meet them. Lan Xichen remained at the Jin Sect, helping Jin Zixuan take over. Baoshan Sanren is taking care of the criminals.

Jiang Wanyin sat at the table in the rented Inn room. Hot tea already placed and ready for their arrival.

"Jiang Cheng, how is everything?" Wei Wuxian greeted.

Jiang Wanyin had his arms crossed. "Fine, I suppose. Though we clearly need to discuss some things."

Wei Wuxian gave him a smile and a playful roll of his eyes. "Always straight to business."

Jiang Wanyin only huffed as the three sat around the table, Nie Huaisang right next to him.

"What would you like to discuss first?" Wei Wuxian asked, knowing this was a touchy subject for both of them.

Neither made any movement to begin.

"Is one of them maybe easier to address at the moment?" Wei Wuxian coaxed.

The two looked at each other before gazing back at Wei Wuxian.

Finally, Nie Huaisang sighed. "I guess Meng Yao makes better sense. He's easier to take care of right now as he has no influential position."

Wei Wuxian nodded. "Where is he right now?"

"Here in Lotus Pier. Da-ge left him with me at my request. He needed to return home to take care of the sect."

"Alright. Nie Huaisang. Is there anything new that you're worried about?"

Nie Huaisang pursed his lips. "Perhaps. I don't want to jump to conclusions."

Wei Wuxian raised his eyebrow, telling him to continue.

"He hasn't done anything, really, but he has been asking questions about you and the demonic cultivation. He keeps asking me how you use it. I keep telling him that I don't know, nor would I want to. I tried re-issuing the idea that demonic cultivation is unstable and dangerous. I doubt he has really listened."

"He's been acting weird since news spread that Jin Guanshan got arrested and stripped of his title," Jiang Wanyin added. "He's been more quiet and distracted."

"Could be seen as a good thing or a bad thing. Problem is, we don't know what he's thinking," Wei Wuxian commented. He took a sip of his tea in thought, a slight crease between his eyebrows. "He hasn't done anything extreme yet, so I don't want to do anything too rash, but his questions on demonic cultivation are concerning. We need to deter him away from it."