Chapter Text
The morning of their departure, Wei Ying handed everyone a protection talisman. He made enough of them when he was in the Burial Mounds, now they finally have a purpose. He stopped in front of Lan Wangji and smiled.
“You’ll be careful?” He asked.
Lan Wangji nodded, “Mn. I will.”
Wei Ying watched the large group of cultivators march out of Cloud Recesses while standing next to Jiang Fengmian, Madam Yu, Jiang Yanli, Wen Qing, and Wen Ning.
They weren’t the only ones who stayed behind. Each sect chose a few disciples to stay behind for protection while taking the rest to Nightless City to challenge Wen Ruohan.
When they were out of sight, Wei Ying went back to the guest house with Wen Qing and Wen Ning. He’s been feeling better. It was his second night of a full night's sleep and Wei Ying’s body was screaming that it felt better. He wasn’t sore, he had more energy, and he was comfortable with talking and working again. Wen Qing took one look at him, and says just as much.
“You’re feeling better.”
Wei Ying nods with a smile, “Yes I am.”
“Good, your physical injuries have healed, I would only say to be careful, while you’re still healing, you need to be careful, don’t put a lot of strain on your body otherwise you’ll end up back in bed.” Wen Qing warned.
Wei Ying nods, “I understand.”
They spent the rest of the morning enjoying each other’s company. Yanli ended up joining them with a small tray of snacks that she brought with her.
—
Nightless City didn’t look the way it should. The cultivators expected an army waiting for them with Wen Ruohan waiting for them. They were all expecting to fight in the fast courtyard of Nightless City, but that wasn’t what they came to.
Wen Ruohan was indeed waiting for them. Hands behind his back, the man stared off into the horizon calmly without a care in the world. The cultivators had no idea what was going on. They were corralling around each other, forming a circle.
Wen Ruohan let out a chuckle, “You all look ridiculous and predictable.” He said as he slowly made his way down the steps.
“Wen Ruohan, what is the meaning of this?” Nie Mingjue demanded his saber at the ready to attack.
“Whatever do you mean, clan leader Nie? Were you expecting me to wait for you here with an army? How predictable.” He said with a chuckle. He stopped mere inches away from the group, looking directly at Lan Wangji with a smirk before continuing.
“Well since you all so graciously came to visit me, I might as well give you a hint. I imagine you were thinking that you would catch me off guard with this parade of yours, but did you ever think I would think the same thing and planned one step ahead.” When he was met with silence, he added.
“I noticed that sect leader Jiang isn’t here today and yet his son is. I wonder where I could find him.” The realization dawned on Jiang Cheng and Lan Wangji first. The two looked at each other.
“Cloud Recesses. What have you sent to Cloud Recesses?” Jiang Cheng demanded.
Wen Ruohan cackled then, “Oh, now you’re getting it. I suppose I could tell you, but why do that when you’ll figure it all out by yourself?”
Nie Mingjue rushed forward, “Enough of this. Jiang Wanyin, Lan Wangji, take some disciples and head back to Cloud Recesses, offer additional back up if needed, the rest of us will take care of things here.”
They didn’t need to be told twice, the groups divided up, half staying and half returning to Cloud Recesses.
—
Cloud Recess was always peaceful and calm, which made it very easy to tell when attackers were coming. That, and Wei Ying’s talismans went off, alerting him and the Jiang family. It was a whole army, the majority were attacking the barrier at the front gates, but a few tried in different areas with little to no luck.
“Everyone arm yourselves, if they break through we’re going to have to make a stand.” Madam Yu commanded, readying Zidyan. Wei Ying and Wen Ning helped gather the young, injured, and inexperienced and hide them in some of the guest houses that were nestled back enough to be passed by easily. Wei Ying gave them some extra cover by slapping on some talismans on the building to disguise it.
“What do we do now? Your barrier won’t last long.” Wen Ning asked once they rejoined the rest of the cultivators at the main gate.
“A flare, someone send up a flare. I will try and keep the barrier up.” Wei Ying said before rushing off to the main hall. It was quiet where he could concentrate on strengthening the barrier.
A Lan disciple sent up a flare, hoping that their clan would see it and come to help. Wen Ning stood by the door to the main hall while Wei Ying meditated, sending as much power as he could to all of the talismans, strengthening the barrier.
The Wen pounded on the barrier, some drew their swords and tried stabbing into it, but the barrier remained unwavering, keeping everyone inside safe.
Wei Ying was trying not to overdo it, but with this many Wen soldiers outside, he may have to. He kept himself steady and continued pouring his power into the barrier. His mind wandered to Lan Wangji and how they would reunite when the fighting was over. Lan Wangji said he would court him. He couldn’t wait, maybe Lan Wangji would come to Lotus Pier and he could show him around Yunmeng, too. They would have many days and nights in each other’s company. Wei Ying wanted that so much.
The noise outside the main hall started to get louder. He wasn’t sure what was happening, but he had to keep the barrier up, no matter what.
A moment later, he heard Wen Ning’s voice, “Young master Wei! It’s Jiang Wanyin and Lan Wangji! They’ve returned with help.”
Wei Ying heard him, but didn’t think about releasing the barrier. He kept his concentration on the barrier, until his mind went blank and his sense of time was muddled.
When he came to, it was to a warm presence at his side, gently pouring energy into him. It was calm, but strong. Wei Ying looked up to see Lan Wangji, his eyes shone with worry.
“Wei Ying, are you alright?” He asked.
“Lan Zhan? What happened, where is everyone?” Wei Ying asked as he slowly sat up. He was still in the main hall, but all of the noise was gone and instead was replaced by rushing and hushed voices.
“The Wen have been defeated, but you used up too much energy on the barrier.” He explained, holding onto him, keeping him steady and upright.
“You came back.” Wei Ying said with a tired smile.
“I promised I would.”
“Yeah, you did. Thank you Lan Zhan.”
“Between us, there is no thanks or sorry needed.”
The two shared a smile, knowing in that moment that everything would be okay.