Wen Ning spots Wei WuXian and Jiang WanYin amongst the crowd of disciples and his heart clenches. He had been expecting them, of course, but he also knows what they'll be going through in a few days and that's simply not conducive to a calm mindset. He watches them gathers closely with the other Jiang disciples, of whom he recognizes Jiang Shu. Finally the group disperses. Or, well, spreads out a little. 'Disperses' is a bit much. Wei WuXian moves the farthest away, grouping up with an anxious-looking Nie HuaiSang. Jiang WanYin, on the other hand, stays near his disciples and glares at the other sects- mostly the Wen, of course -like their existence insults him personally. Wen Ning glances about to make sure no one's paying him any attention before slipping into the crowd to join up with his friends. Some of the disciples give him dirty looks as he passes but he ignores them, keeping his attention on his young master and the future Nie Sect Leader. He finally makes it to them, greeting them both immediately with a bow. They return, neither having quite caught up to his sudden appearance yet. Finally, Wei WuXian grins, slinging an arm across his shoulders. While he tenses a tad, he doesn't shy away like he might with virtually any other person. He trusts Wei WuXian, after all.
"So, Wen Ning, have any idea what's going on?" Wei WuXian inquires, taking the lead as always. A few nearby disciples within earshot turn towards them slightly. They're curious, and hiding it badly.
"Ah, no. My sister didn't say anything to me about it," he denies. "But it's probably just Wen Chao and, um, Sect Leader RouHan flaunting their strength." Nie HuaiSang rings his hands nervously, his arm bumping against his saber's handle with every movement. He clearly isn't used to wearing a sword and can likely hardly use it.
"You don't think-" Nie HuaiSang is cut off by the ever-irritated Wen Chao.
"Hey, you!" Wen Ning holds in a sigh and turns to face Wen Chao. The boy makes a motion clearly supposed to mean 'get out of there'. Wen Ning turns to Wei WuXian and Nie HuaiSang for a moment. He dips his head respectfully.
"Sorry. I've got to go now." Wei WuXian waves him off and Nie HuaiSang mumbles a good-bye and then Wen Ning is gone, making his way out from the crowd of disciples. He stands hesitantly at the edge of the crowd before making his choice. He moves away and closer to front where he could get a better view. He had missed this last time and was told Lan WangJi's reaction was rather amusing. Of course, this was told to him by a smitten Wei WuXian so who knows if it's true. The order to turn in their swords was given and a mutinous silence fell immediately. The edge of Wen Ning's lip twitches. Even the disciples that would usually hate each other have been brought together against a single sentence. It is amusing, in an odd way. Then the disciples erupt into disdainful murmurs and hissed rejections. Wei WuXian hands his sword in first, then Jiang WanYin and LAn WangJi. Wen Ning is a bit off-kilter. Admittedly, he had expected there to be more fight against the order. Nie HuaiSang hands in his saber almost happily. Then one of the guards reaches for Jin ZiXuan's sword and the trouble starts.
"The Jin Sect will not hand in our swords," Jin ZiXuan near-growls. "If you want swords, we will go with them." Wen Chao moves to do something- whether it's just to insult Jin ZiXuan or to, say, punch the peacock, Wen Ning couldn't say. All he knows is that he's got to diffuse the situation and the best way to do that is to get involved before Wen Chao can insult anyone too badly.
"If I may," He interjects, moving closer. Wen Chao shoots him a dark look but Wen Ning just blinks innocently. He tilts his head, waiting for his superior's answer. Wen Chao snorts but nods to give him permission to speak. Perhaps Wen Xu was correct, then. Wen Ning turns to Jin ZiXuan.
"Young Master Jin, this is a very useful practice. It allows you to grow and become capable of defending yourself even without your sword. It is a valuable learning experience that you should take advantage of." Most of what he just said was made up on the spot and for that, he's rather proud of himself.
"And when would I be without my sword?" Jin ZiXuan challenges with a snear. Wen Ning bites his lip. This time, it's less from nervousness and more to keep himself from laughing. He could say so many things to that and embarrass all the people here. It's tempting. It's oh so tempting. Alas, he isn't Wei WuXian and he has a Jin heir to convince.
"If you are unarmed by your opponent. Beyond that- if your opponent were to take you by surprise." Wen Ning reasons. Jin ZiXuan just scoffs.
"I'm never without my sword." Wen Ning clenches his jaw, shoving down both of his initial reactions. Wei WuXian seems to be having trouble with that and is covering his mouth to stop his laughter. Apparently they had both had the same reaction.
"If you continue to make excuses," Wen Ning manages, switching tactics. "Shall we assume the Jin Sect refuses to give up their swords in fear?" That gets an immediate response. Jin ZiXuan growls, actually growls, and shoves his sword into the chest of the guard that had originally come to take his sword.
"The Jin Sect isn't afraid." Jin ZiXuan says firmly. Wen Ning bows his head politely. Mostly to hide the grin he can't suppress anymore and partly to keep from making Jin ZiXuan any angrier. Wen Chao relaxes, looking almost disappointed he didn't have a chance to tell the peacock off. Wen Ning backs off, watching the proceedings to make sure there's not another problem but not really paying attention. It's not long before the Quintessence of Wens book is being handed out. Beyond a few remarks he barely catches, nothing more happens.
And so, the first day is over, thankfully.
Wen Ning rarely sees the disciples over the next few days, too busy helping his sister make medicine for those same disciples. Regardless of how Wen Chao treats them, even he understands that injured and exhausted disciples will be useless to them and so the siblings were assigned to their health. It isn't difficult work but it is time consuming and it makes him worry he won't be able to plan enough.
Of course, the day is upon him before he even notices and he has no time left to deliberate.
