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         Upon getting closer to Wei Wuxian's cell, Meng Yao changed his facial expression. He changed it as if turning a page in the book. Seems like this person was more than what he was known to be.
        "A-xian, something terrible is happening." He said upon entering.
Wei Wuxian simply ingnored him. He wasn't going to be bothered by any of it. He doesn't have to be.
         Meng Yao understanding this, changed his words. He straightforwardly shooted out,
        "Lan Wangji is planning to kill your brother."
        Wei Wuxian whipped his head towards Meng Yao. He didn't demand any questions but his look said it all. So Meng Yao continued,
        "My men in Gusu said that Lan Wangji had been lately having many discussions with certain disciples and your brother's name could be heard most of the time. Upon more investigation, this piece of knowledge have been received."

         Wei Wuxian was dazed. Was he hearing things? What is going on? Why does Lan Wangji have to kill his brother? Shouldn't he be the first to be killed if the other really wants to?
        Wei Wuxian could hear Meng Yao saying something but he was too amazed to speak. It was only after a long while that he noticed that the latter had already left.

        Meng Yao came out of the cell even more happily. Once he was far away from everyone's sight, he took out a talisman and wrote,
        "Attack within two days time."
Within few minutes the talisman burned indicating that the message has been received. He was internally screaming with happiness and couldn't wait to see what was going to happen. Finally, things were happening according to his plan.

        "Sect leader..... Sect leader....."
Nie Mingju was discussing about certain important things with his subordinates when he heard someone scream his name. When the person came in sight of him, he barked,
          "How dare you ca..."
         "Sect leader, the Wen's are attacking us."
         "What!"
Everyone said in unison. "This is bad." They thought.

        Wen's were standing forth the gates of the Unclean Realm's prison. And it was obvious that they were not going to leave until they have taken the prison down.
       "What are you all here for?" Nie Mingju questioned.
       "Why else would we be here for if not for killing you bunch of idiots?" Wen Chao asked back.
       "Not when I am still alive." Nie Mingju replied with clenched teeth.
        "Good. I wasn't expecting any less from the Nie's. And that would make this much more fun."
        Nie Mingju was growing furious. With no more words, he attacked first. Wen Zhuliu who was the trusted subordinate of Wen Chao came protecting his master from the blade and fought with Nie Mingju.
        When everyone was busy observing watching the fight, Meng Yao sneakily slipped away.

        The fight was getting more furious. Not only the clan leader was being attacked but also many other innocent disciples were attacked too.
         Blood could be seen everywhere. Dead bodies were shattered all over the ground. Many were lying on the floor, injured. Some of them were having their last breaths. It was such a pitiful sight. But it still didn't have the strength to soften the evil's heart.

          Nie Mingju knew that he was loosing. Many of his men were already dead. But still he kept on fighting. He wouldn't bow his head to the injustice.
         Finally, when he lacked all his strength to fight anymore, Wen Zhuliu lunged straight at him with the sword. Nie Mingju knew that it was his end. But something unexpected happened. The sword didn't pierce through him. He opened his eyes. He couldn't believe it! His trusted subordinates.. Meng Yao was lying over him... Sword pierced through his chest!
          "Let this be a warning to the rest of the cultivational world." Wen Chao spat. "Let's go." He commanded to his men.

         Nie Mingju had arranged an immediate meeting with hi subordinates later that evening. Everyone reported the losses the Wen's had caused. Nie Mingju gritted his teeth and clenched his hand. "They are seeking their own deaths." He thought for himself.
"Sect leader, there is something important to be said." One of the men said.
        "Go ahead."
      "Two prisoners are missing."
       "Who are they?"
       "Wei Wuxian and Xue Yang."
       "What!" Nie Mingju exclaimed.              "How could this happen?"
       "We found that they were missing only a little while before. And no one had seen them running away either. Sect leader, should we search for them?"
       "No. There are more important things to take care. Nurse the injuries first. Take care of the children and women who have lost their fathers and husbands. Prepare funeral for the deads and clear the surrounding. Finding them can be done later."
        "Yes, sect leader. Everything will be done immediately. Sect leader can be rest assured."

         Lan Xichen didn't know what he was supposed to do. Both his father and brother had isolated themselves leaving everything for him and his uncle. This didn't bother him before but now it did. How couldn't it be when the Wen's have started attacking the cultivation world showing their superiority. No, this wouldn't work. He must talk to his brother.
           Lan Xichen looked at the latter who was meditating. Although his brother looked calm in the exterior, he knew that his brother was far away from calm deep within. He felt bad. But he couldn't help.
        "Wangji..." He began. "There is something important I must say to you."
       Lan Wangji didn't respond and Lan Xichen didn't expect it either. So he continued,
        "The Wen's have started attacking the cultivation world. Last week the Nie clan was attacked. Dage wrote us to be careful and cautious."
         Lan Wangji shot his eyes open. The Nie clan...
        "What about Wei Ying? Is he alright?"
          This is the first time Lan Wangji had spoken to him ever since the isolation. His voice sounded raspy and hoarse.
         Lan Xichen couldn't help the anger rising in him. His brother didn't even bother to ask about his uncle and the juniors but about the... Son of a murderer.
          Lan Xichen tried to calm himself. He knew his brother. Once he got attached to someone, it is hard for him to let go. He couldn't be angry with his brother for something which he hadn't done. It wasn't his brother's fault. So he said,
         "Young Master Wei and his brother are said to be missing."

          Lan Wangji's breath hitched. Wei Ying was.....
       "How?" He could only manage it out. He was in a swirl of emotions.
       "Not quite sure."

        Lan Wangji couldn't breathe. He found it hard to breathe. "What happened to Wei Ying? Was he alright? Was his brother with him or was he alone? Had the Wen's taken him? If so, then....."
        "Wangji... Calm down. Young Master Wei will be alright. Wangji, take a deep breath. Breath in. Now breath out. Yes. Like that."
         Lan Xichen felt very bad for his brother. His little brother was suffering so much for someone who doesn't deserve it.

      "Brother, I want to find him. Please!"
      "Wangji, you cannot leave now. We don't know what will happen in the near future."
      "Brother, for how long? What if something happens to him?"
       "Wangji... Do what I say! You are not allowed to leave Cloud Recesses until I say."
        "Brother but please..."
        "Go to your room." Lan Xichen commanded.
        With no further talk, Lan Wangji left. He knew his brother was doing this for his own good. But still, he couldn't help but feel useless.

         Lan Wangji had come out of the seclusion and it's been a week now.  For this whole week, Lan Wangji had been trying to convince his brother to send him to search Wei Wuxian. Unfortunately, his brother was never convinced.

         "Zewu Jun...."
         "What is wrong?" Lan Xichen asked trying to mask his panic.
         "Zewu Jun,the Wen's are coming at us." The disciple informed.
         "Where are they now?"
        "They are at the southern gate."

       "Oh no!" Lan Xichen thought. Southern gate leads to the disciple's sleeping quarters. Lan Xichen panicked.
      "Collect all the juniors and retreat to the back hill." Lan Xichen ordered.
      "Yes."

        The Wen's were destroying everything. Sooner or later, library would be destroyed too. Lan Qiren couldn't digest the thought that ancient texts books are going to be destroyed into thin ashes. So he turned towards Lan Xichen, who was discussing strategies to save the juniors and other Lan's.

         "Xichen, we cannot let them destroy the library. You take the books and leave."
          "No, uncle." Lan Xichen replied, "I am not leaving for anywhere. It's better if you leave with the books."
         "Xichen, why can't you understand? You are the next sect leader. Your existence is more important than mine."
        "Uncle..." Lan Xichen tried. But Lan Qiren stopped him.
         "Xichen, this is not the time for argument. Leave."
         Lan Xichen bowed one last time for his uncle and the elders and off he went, with all the books he could collect.

          Wen Xu and his men were attacking each and every disciple they saw. No one was left out. Cloud Recesses which never once had any other colours except white and blue, was now filled with a deep red.

         When one of the Lan disciple finally said that rest of the Lan's are inside the cold pond cave and one need a Gusu Lan ribbon to enter it, Lan Wangji couldn't take it any longer. He decided to go out and surrender. They needed the Yin iron which he had with himself. And so he might as well hand over it rather than let the remaining Lan's die.

        Lan Wangji headed out of the hiding place. It was no longer a hiding place. He glared at the traitor, Su She. And before he could even say anything, he was made to kneel down by breaking his right leg.

          Lan Wangji clenched his teeth and clutched his sword hard. The pain was unbearable. But even so, he refused to show it to these evils. He would never ever once in his life bow to them. If the result was death too.
          The Yin iron that he had kept hidden, fell out when he was made to kneel down. At the sight of it, Wen Xu laughed hard. Harder than ever. He finally had a piece of Yin with him. He was so glad that he turned to Lan Wangji and said,
           "You have done such a great job. Let me reward you."
           Wen Xu was about to break Lan Wangji's other leg, when a cold voice ran through everyone's ears,
          "Stop!"

         Lan Wangji's head snapped towards the source of the voice. It was a very familiar but a very different voice. Could it be....
       Lan Wangji couldn't believe his eyes, when the other finally came into view.

         All the Wen soldiers put their weapons down and knelt. Wen Xu, the sect heir of the Wen's bowed his head. All of them said in unison,
         "General Wei..."
        
          Lan Wangji couldn't believe it. No, it is impossible. This cannot happ....
          "Wei Ying!"

        "Long time no see, Second Young Master Lan."

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