The End...

"Zixuan!" Chun felt glad that someone was outside and a few disciples with him had excavating tools.

Wangji was carrying the passed out Wei Wuxian "Some disciples reported to me that this part of the area was shaking a bit, we were about to dig" they followed the Lanling disciple to a nearby riverbank. The two who were awake gulped down good amount of water.

Jiang Cheng arrived with some Yunmeng disciples. He saw that his brother was unconscious but when he saw Chun who looked like she was tossed around "I-I'm glad you guys are alive" he hugs her.

Once he pulled away Chun caught sight of Wangji walking away "Wangji! Wait! Let's get your wounds treated first" she was completely ignored. When she was about to go after him, Jiang Cheng stops her "Lan Clan of Gusu is in a mess, let him be" she reluctantly lets him go.

"Young Master Jin, thank you for helping us" Jiang Cheng bowed but Zixuan shook his head "We arrived not to long ago but when we did, we were greated by the three here" Jiang Cheng took notice of Chun's hands that were blood stained. He grabs it but she pulls away "It's no big deal, we had to find a way out" she looks around "Where's my brother?"

Chun received no response and this gave her a foreboding feeling as she desperately waits for her brother to pop out of nowhere "Xue's in..." her hopeful eyes made it difficult for Jiang Cheng to lie "In?" He sighs "..Xue..he was captured" this made Chun's heart drop in an instant "When we got out, there were Wen and Xian disciples waiting for us outside. We had to fend ourselves off without our swords, then Wen Chao showed up and ordered to take Xue away. We tried to save him but-"

Jiang Cheng was cut off by Chun's bitter laugh "Are they that desperate!" She rarely raised her voice in such tone and everyone froze, it was bitterly hostile "Calm down we-"

"CALM DOWN?! YOU ASK ME TO CALM DOWN WHEN MY BROTHER IS IN THE CARE OF THOSE TYRANTS!! THEY'VE HAD THEIR EYES ON US! AS YOU ALREADY KNOW, BOTH OF US AREN'T COMPLIANT PEOPLE! HE-...he's been there for almost 2 weeks...he'd never accept their offer" her voice died down to a whisper to herself with those last few words

Chun mounts on an unoccupied horse and gallops to Qishan as her eyes burned with killing intent as if a gaze could pierce through their soul.

"After her! Don't let her get away!" Jiang Cheng commands and those discples that had swords went after her "It's like asking for a death sentence" he anxiously waits beside Wei Wuxian.

~~~~~

Chun was driven with rage and adrenaline. She lost the disciple long ago after knocking them out. At this point, nothing can stop her from seeing her brother.

Arriving at the center of the Nightless City, she was surrounded by a mix of both Wen and Xian that had their swords pointed at her "YOU MOTHERFUCKING GREEDY DOGS!"

Wen Chao along with the sector leader of Luzhou, Bing Kai stood atop of the steps as the looked down on her.

Wen Chao briefly laughs "Stubbornness do run in the family. You're still alive" they got the the bottom of the steps. Chun gets of the horse as she held the ribbon tied at the hilt of the dagger, posing as a rope dart.

Before she could even ask, Zhuliu showed up dragging Xue who's gotten thin, obviously abused, and extremely weak and Wen Qing behind them trying to discreetly lessen the friction of the poor boy's skin on the ground.

"Xue!" despite her own situation, the adrenaline helped her a lot as she activates her energy circle. With a toss of her weapon and a swing of her ribbon, she was forcing her way through the sea of soldiers and disciples but halfway through.

"STOP!" Wen Chao yells.

They obeyed, Chun saw it as an opportunity but they held a sword against her brother's neck "Well? Another step and his head will fly off" she reluctantly steps back with her hands in the air "Does the offer still stand?" She asked and Bing Kai smirks "You don't just look like your mother. In fact, I can see you take after her"

"..I have no mother! Now answer me, does the offer still stand?"

"My, my, you can't just be born out of nowhere. It's truly ashame that she had to poison my cousin. The sector leader prior" she kept silent paying no attentiont to him.

Wen Chao, slightly taken aback by Bing Kai's claims he smirks at the girl "So you finally want to comply? If you and your stupid brother agreed long ago, then we wouldn't have ended up like this and you'd already be safely serving us" he grabs Xue by the hair and made him face Chun who flinched "If it still stands then... I'll accept it. BUT on one condition, my brother is not going to be involved in serving, he'll be treated well and he must stay safe. If you agree then I'll serve you with all my might, until my final breath"

"N-No" Xue croaked out in a raspy voice, this painer Chun even more 'How much did he endure...'

"Mhhh, if you have a condition then so do I. Serve us but you must also be a concubine of mine" Xue suddenly jolts from Wen Chao's statement "I acce-"

"No!..I-I won't allow Chun to be w-with you disgusting fuckers" Wen Chao hits Xue who lands on the ground and Chun saw it as a chance. Her movement was quick and precise as she already grab ahold of her brother and they were at a distance "Xue, I'm here. Just hang on for a bit, we'll get us out of here" she comforts her brother

Wen Chao haughtily laughs "Do you really think you'll be able to escape?" as soon as he said those words Chun puts up a barrier with her circle. "You! You're indeed a Xian! Aren't you curious on how I know about that energy circle of yours? It's only the blessed Xian's who are capable of wielding it! We disposed of the last one years ago, yet you manage to live? Isn't that too much of a blessing to be given to you dear?" she was curious on what he knows and wants answer but their current circumstance isn't the best time to do so.

Chun was about to transfer some spiritual energy to Xue when she felt that his weakness wasn't only from being starved and abused, his golden core was gone. Her hands trembled "Hey, I c-can't help you m-much but I don't want us to be bin-ded to them" her heart cries as she gaze at his dull eyes.

Chun's looks at the three men "You...you didn't just hurt him...you took his core away" she laid her brother "You've done well. Now let sister take over and just stay here". Blinded by so much negativity, she was on a killing frenzy.

Those that was Wen Chao's flesh shield was rapidly decreasing. Zhuliu appears and aimed for her core "Useless" she grins before matching the amount of energy in his palm and striking Wen Chao across the area.

However, even with so much adrenaline and hatred driving Chun to kill, her body could only take this much. Gradually, she becomes sloppy with her attacks and this was the exact moment Bing Kai was waiting for. Xue noticed the look on the sector leader's eyes, as if everything was in slow motion. Chun manages to punch Zhuliu to a distance "Chun!" as she turns around Xue was pierced by the sword of Bing Kai who draw it back and slashed him away.

"You!" Chun kicks him in the stomach, she picked up Xue and started running

A few arrow grazed Chun but she paid no mind. Her legs gave out after running for 15 minutes, and they were almost at the center of a clearing. Her energy circle was wavering she still puts it up "I'm so sorry, this is all my fault. Just give me a moment to catch my breath, we'll get through this. I'll find you a doctor, everything... everything's going to be fine"

As tears welled up, Xue shook his head "Just go...you're still useful to them..leave me a-and save yourself" Chun shook her head "No! I promised! I promised to take care of you, that I'll bring you to the beach, go on a picnic at the peak of Mt. Mu...we'll attend each other's wedding, let our children be playmates..." she sobs "What about Ling Wu, she needs you...I need you" Xue's shaky hand slowly tries to wipe her tears "Then carry on with you promise..even if I'm not here. Tell Wu that I love her"

They hear the sound of those who were chasing them grow near and near "Go, hurry before they catch you" Xue tried to push her away "What's the point? You're all I have, you're my family, my brother, and my home. It seems I'm hopeless too" she chuckles "Listen.." Xue gently rests his hand on her cheek "I could never ask for a better family than you. Chun...you're the best sister I could ask for and in the next life, I wish for us to meet again" she held his hand as tears streamed down her cheeks "Y-You called me sister... Don't worry, let's leave" as she was about to carry Xue, the bastards surrounded them.

Wen Qing who was only invited to watch the sibling's suffering was only to set an example of what would happen to her and Wen Ning if they were to disobey. The sight of a bloody brother in the arms of a crying sister, for a moment it was replaced with their faces and she shivered 'Apologies Lady Jie but I can't help you'

"I-I won't leave you, I'd rather die here with my sworn brother than run away like a coward" Chun cries cradling Xue and admittedly, it broke Wen Qing's heart to see this duo going down like this.

"Burn them" Bing Kai had a cynical look "That brat still has her barrier but if we turned the heat up, they'll falter and be burned to deatg" this was an agreeable idea to Wen Chao and so the disciples surrounded them with fire.

×××××

A week or so later...

"The Wens are in the house"

Wei Wuxian faces Jiang Cheng "Uncle Jiang isn't home. We..." he grits his teeth "Let's go"

Lingjao waited at the hall "Tea" she demands but the two mades glares at her "No tea. Get it yourself" she arrogantly speaks "What's the use of having servants here then?" Yinzhu answers "The servants here have more important things to do. Things as a simple serving tea is not our job" this displeased the bitch and kept on rambling.

"Madame"

Ziyuan, "Why did you capture our diciple?"

Lingjiao, "Asking me? He was impudent and disrespected the Wen Clan. I'll have him punished."

"What are you talking about?" Jiang Cheng and Wei Wuxian interrupts.

One of the Wen disciples handed over a kite. Lingjiao shook the kite, "This is the proof"

Wei Wuxian laughed, "The kite is just a one-eyed monster. What proof could this be?"

Lingjiao sneered, "Do you think I'm blind? Look carefully" she pointed at the red circle on the kite "This is the sun that stands for Wen Clan. He shot the kite which means he wanted to shoot the sun"

Ziyuan spoke coldly, "So, you came all the way here for a kite?"

"Of course not. Today, I'm representing the Wen Sect and Young Master Wen, here to punish someone"

Wei Wuxian felt his heart skip a beat. Lingjiao pointed at him, "Him. On Muxu Mountain, he tried ro stir up trouble and almost ruined Wen Chao's plan. He must be severely punished. I hope Madam Jiang...won't object?"

Jiang Cheng, "Mom!"

Ziyuan, "Shut up"

Watching Ziyuan's reaction, Lingjiao was quite pleased, "Wei Ying, if I remember correctly, is a son of a servant, right? Sect Leader Jiang isn't home. I'm sure that, Madam Yu knows what'd be the best to do....If the YunmengJiang Sect insists on defending him, it'd really make people wonder… if the rumors… are true"

Jiang Cheng knew that she was hinting on something, "What rumors?!"

Lingjiao giggles, "You don't know? It has to be those old romantic ties of Sect Leader Jiang…"

Slandering Fengmian right in front of them, Wei WuXian felt his blood boil, "You…"

However, pain suddenly shot out from his back. His knees couldn't help but buckle. Ziyuan had suddenly stricken him with her whip.

Jiang Cheng was in between, "Mom, no"

Zidian had turned into its whip form. She shouted, "Jiang Cheng, move out of the way"

Wei Wuxian tried to get up, "Jiang Cheng, leave it!"

Ziyuan lashed out her whip again, forcing him back onto the ground. She ground her teeth together, "I've said long ago, that you… you unruly thing! Would bring trouble to the Jiang Sect, sooner or later!" Jiang Cheng tried to intervene but was held back by several disciples.

Wei WuXian clenched his teeth as he suffered, unspeaking and unmoving. In the past, although Ziyuan had always come at him with harsh words, she had never truly been cruel to him. The most that he'd been through were two or three strikes and being grounded but when the Jie siblings arrived, it became an almost unknown occurance... now he endured dozens of heavy strikes. His back burned and his entire body was numb with pain "You should be thankful to Jie Chun for defending you! But this time, I can't just brush this off"

Lingjiao's ears perked at the said name the punishment didn't satisfy her. After Ziyuan had finished, she retracted Zidian. Kneeling on the ground, Wei Wuxian's body swung forward, as though he was about to collapse. Jiang Cheng wanted to help him, but Ziyuan ordered, "Stand back. Don't help him!" he was firmly held back. Wei WuXian had managed for a while before falling to the ground, motionless.

Lingjiao was surprised, "It's over?"

Ziyuan snorted, "What did you think?"

"That was it?"

Ziyuan raised her brows, "What do you mean, 'that was it'? Which level of spiritual weaponry do you think Zidian is at? He won't heal even after next month. It'd be enough for him to savor!"

"A proper punishment, means something he will remember forever"

Jiang Cheng raged, "What else do you want?!"

Ziyuan glanced at her sideways, "What do you want, then?"

"Young Master Wen is kind. He's willing to let it go if you cut off one of his hands"

"You vicious bitch. You're trying to take revenge!" Jiang Cheng broke free but Ziyuan glares at him "Stand back!"

Madam Yu glanced at Wei Wuxian as though she was considering such an idea. Jiang Cheng dropped on his knees "Mom, Mom, please don't…The things aren't how she said…"

Lingjiao raised her voice, "Young Master Jiang, are you saying that I'm wrong?"

A cold light flashed through Ziyuan's eyes. Her voice was eerie, "Jinzhu, Yinzhu, go close the doors. Don't let the others see the blood" Both kneeled on the ground, answering, "Yes!" They shut the doors to the main hall tight.

As Wei Wuxian heard the sound of the doors closing, the light on the ground disappeared as well. Wei Wuxian felt fear arise, 'Don't tell me that she really is gonna chop off one my hands?'

After the fear had passed, Wei Wuxian clenched his teeth, his heart set, 'Let it be, then! If it's in exchange for the peace of the sect… a hand is just a hand. I'll just practice the left-handed sword from now on!!!'

Lingjiao started clapping "I knew that you must be the most obedient subordinate of the QishanWen Sect! Somebody, hold this brat down!"

"There is no need" Jinzhu and Yinzhu walked over.

"Oh, so you're having your maids hold him down? That'd work too"

"Mom! Mom listen to me! I beg you! Don't cut off his hand! If father knew…"

The second he mentioned Fengmian, Ziyuan's expression changed at once, shouting, "What could happen if he knows? Kill me?!"

Lingjiao beamed, "I just admire you so much! It looks like that from now on, in the supervisory office, we'll get along well as well!"

"Supervisory office?"

"That's right, supervisory office. The second matter that I came here for. Supervisory offices to be built at every city. The previous incident made Master Wen Chao worry if Jiang Clan can fully comply with the new policy" Lingjao walks past Ziyuan "But what you just did proves that you'll be the most loyal subordinates of Wen Clan" she smiles "Then I'll declare Lotus Cove will be our Supervisory office in Yunmeng"

Jiang Cheng's, "What supervision office?! This is my sect!!!"

LingJiao scrunched her brows, "You must discipline your son properly. Or he might end up like those two wretched siblings"

All their gaze at her stiffened "What wretched siblings?" Ziyuan asks in a low voice "Oh you know those scoundrels that hops from sect to sect just as they please. After causing such chaos at Mt. Muxi, that insolant brat dare cause trouble at Nightless City" Jiang Cheng knew of this and shouts "What did you do to them?!"

Lingjao pulls out a white ribbon and a black jade bracelet, tossing it to the ground she smiles "Her brother was already useless after losing his golden core but she was too stubborn and wiped out a good amount of our disciples... now look how they ended up, dying in the most painful way possi-"

Before she could finish, Ziyuan gave her an echoing slap. It was shocking both in sound and in force. She spun around a few times before finally falling to the ground. Blood gushing out of her nose, she widened her eyes.

The few of the Wen Sect's disciples unsheathed their swords. With a wave of Ziyuan's hand, a purple light shot out of Zidian and a large portion of the disciples collapsed immediately. With all her elegance, she walked toward Lingjiao and looked down on her.

Suddenly, she bent down and grabbed Lingjiao's hair. Pulling her up, she gave her another slap of wrath, "How dare you!"

Without holding back at all, Ziyuan gave her another slap, "Who do you think you are? Who do you think I am?You think you're superior? Let me tell you who's the lady of the house here. It's me not you"

She threw Lingjiao on the ground. Lingjiao LingJiao covered her face with shaking hands, cheeks stained with tears, "How dare you do something like this… they'll never let you go!"

On the side, Jiang Cheng was already in the middle of helping Wei Wuxian up. A Watching the scene unfold as they picked up the items of the Jie siblings.

Ziyuan coldly stared at her 'An uneducated maid acting up and she said that...those two died? Her words matches Jiang Cheng's so that means...'

Hearing a commotion outside, Zhuliu crashes in the hall and began to fight with Ziyuan. Once he pushed back Ziyuan, he tells Lingjiao to go.

"Wen Zhuliu always follows Wen Chao to protect him. How come.." Jiang Cheng said and it made Wei Wuxian realize the situation as Zhuliu runs out after Lingjao "Oh no! Stop them!"

Not long after the two Wen peopl ran out, a flare stick was set off and the bright red symbol of Wen decorated the dark sky.