A Means to an End (WangXian)

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"Thank you for joining us, Chifeng-zun," Lan Xichen greeted.

"Of course." He nodded.

Lan Xichen poured him a cup of tea, then his face turned serious. "Everyone in this room is aware of the impending war. There is no need to hold onto any information."

Nie Mingjue grunted, but he did not argue. "A small sect to the north has been destroyed," he starts.

Everyone's eyes widened. "What happened?" Lan Qiren asks.

"Wen Chao, the youngest son of Wen Rouhan went to negotiate. From what I can understand, those negotiations went south. It ended in a blood bath. Not a single one of them survived."

Wei Wuxian grit his teeth and clenched his fists. 

Wen Chao, that coward.

"They're already on the move then," Lan Qiren reflected.

Nie Mingjue nodded. "Some of my men report hearing whispers of their planned invasion on the Cloud Recesses. It sounds as though everything is going according to plan. They will be here within a matter of weeks."

"That's good. We will be ready for them this time," Lan Xichen stated.

Nie Mingjue turned to Wei Wuxian. "Have you finished completing those talismans?"

Wei Wuxian didn't realize the sect leader spoke to him until he felt a firm hand on his knee. He shook out of his stupor and looked at the people around the room.

"Oh yes!" he claimed. "I apologize. Here is a list of the talismans in my arsenal. They are ready to be used. All that's left is for them to be placed and activated," he explained.

"How are they activated? Same way as normal?" Nie Mingjue asked and looked at the long list of talismans he couldn't even believe were actually created by the man sitting across from him.

"Most of them, yes, but some require other things," he said. "Many of them can be activated through just a little bit of spiritual energy, but some of the others must be drawn over the person or object directly, then infused with a larger quantity of spiritual energy."

Nie Mingjue nodded, but his face twisted slightly. "What is this one talisman? Core protection? Why is the activation missing?"

Wei Wuxian pursed his lips before speaking. "That one I'll have to activate on my own. It takes a different type of procedure to activate, and it can be dangerous if not done properly."

"Why is a core protection talisman required?" Nie Mingjue asked.

"There is a member of Wen Rouhan's army that has the ability to crush people's golden cores. My hope is that this talisman can protect against it."

"How reliable?" Lan Qiren asked. Curiosity beseeching him.

Wei Wuxian shook his head. "I am unsure. At least fifty percent. I can't tell for certain because it has never been tested," he claimed. "I will use that one as we get closer to indoctrination and the war. The talisman only lasts for so long."

Everyone nodded in understanding.

"How are defenses for the Cloud Recesses coming along?" Nie Mingjue asked.

Lan Xichen nodded his head with a small smile. "Well, we have prepared a surplus of medicine, food, and other supplies. We have also established a safer evacuation route," he explained. "We are in the process of preparing our disciples and placing stronger wards around particular areas."

"I will place my talismans around the Cloud Recesses as well for support," Wei Wuxian added.

"Good. Now, what are the plans for indoctrination?"