.
No matter how hard Wuxian tried, he couldn't get past what happened when he was kidnapped. He made sure he was wearing extra layers of clothes because he felt exposed. He covered his wrist so people won't see his wound and he even asked Wangji for the first time in a while to let Healer Shi braid his hair. He didn't want any reminder of how easily a group of boys and a mediocre cultivator were able to overpower him and humiliate him while he sat there, powerless and weak. It made him feel.. helpless.
Mianmian turned his carriage into a nest, stuffing it with hay and rags to make it warm and comfortable for him. At least now he doesn't have to shiver every time he sits in it while snow continues to fall outside. He was grateful to be surrounded by heroes.
They reached the stop Wuxian requested on the way. The smaller man puts his coat on and guides them through the deserted city. Taiho went closer to his teacher and asked: "Master Wei, what is this place?"
Wuxian: "This used to be a vibrant city back in the day. It was raided and the people were killed or enslaved. They say that it is haunted by the spirits of those who died unjustly so no one wants to rebuild it."
Jingyi: "We're here to cleanse it?"
Wuxian shakes his head: "No. I'm here to fulfill a promise."
Jingyi and Taiho shared a confused look. When Wuxian did not elaborate more, they fell back into formation and did not ask any more questions. Zewu Jun walked beside the Slayer at the back of the moving party. He truly wanted to consider inviting Jinhai into their clan but for some reason, their wariness was starting to sway his judgment. Something about the Slayer brings out the curiosity in Zewu Jun.
Wuxian stood in front of an old shed. Jinhai stands next to him and stares at it: "I was raised here."
Wuxian nods: "I met with your father after seeing your past. I was able to coerce him into giving me more information about his work. A man with his ego was more than happy to share his accomplishments with a few words of praise." The Oracle points towards the house: "Inside that house, we will find what you're looking for."
The Slayer takes a deep breath then opens the door. The place was ransacked and covered in dust. He walks around for a few minutes, reminiscing over old painful memories. He turns to Wuxian and asks: "What are we looking for?"
Wuxian rubs his nose while thinking. He walked around, putting pressure on the wooden floor planks until one of them squeaked. He sits on the ground near it and tries to pry the wood out. A surge of pain bursts from his wrist and he hisses, pulling his hand to his chest and closing his eyes until the ache ebbs away. Wangji sits next to him and gently takes his injured hand to see if the wound is bleeding again. He smiles at him: "Let me?"
Wuxian smiles back and nods. Wangji removes the wood and digs through the dirt underneath it with his sheathed sword.
Jinhai joins him and they find a warded wooden box in the soil. Wangji hands it to Wuxian and the smaller man gently opens it and hands it to Jinhai: "Keung Jun's life work centered around creating an object that transforms normal cultivator tools into first-class weapons. Normally, a cultivator harvests his energy and shares it with an object until that object starts to develop its own essence, turning it into a first-class weapon that recognizes a master and serves it. Your father was not able to harvest enough energy himself to create one so he dedicated his life into finding other means to do so. Since he did not know how to extract a golden core, he had to slowly harvest energy from non-cultivator folks throughout the years. You provided the people and he collected their souls to make this."
Jinhai slowly reaches into the box and takes out a white crystal-like rock, shaped like a Pegasus. The Slayer looks at it with wonder then hands it to Wuxian: "Does it work?"
Wuxian nods while examining it: "Theoretically, it works. Keung Jun made a mistake while creating it. The only resources he had were homeless children and defenseless men and women with innocent souls. That type of energy created an object that can only be used for good."
Jinhai frowns: "I don't understand."
Wuxian grabs his hand and places the Pegasus rock in it and covers it with his own: "This is the Pegasus Crystal, it does create first-class weapons but only for those the spirits trapped in it deem worthy. Your father was not, so even though he worked his entire life to make it, it refused to obey him."
Jinhai stares at the small delicate hand covering his and whispers: "How do you know it works?"
Wuxian turns around, looking for something to prove his point: "Jingyi, give me your sword."
The boy hesitantly moved closer and sat next to Wuxian, handing him his weapon. The Oracle takes the Pegasus Crystal, places it over the sword and closes his eyes. Da Ziran wraps around his arm and shines for a second, sending energy towards the rock and the sword lights up like the sun. The people present covered their eyes and when the light dims, Jinygi's sword has transformed into a different sword. The sheath was covered in frost like spikes, wrapped in white leather. Everyone present moved a little bit closer to take a look. Wuxian smothers a laugh over how they're all looking in wonder like children. He unsheathes the sword and hands it to a surprised looking Jingyi: "It's name is Touming. It reflects your transparent personality."
Jingyi holds his sword and examines it. It reacts to his energy and slowly starts to turn translucent then disappears. Jingyi's eyes widened: "Wow! I can still feel it in my hand but I can't see it!"
Wuxian smiles: "Congratulations, you now own a first-class weapon."
Wuxian hands the stone back to Jinhai: "It works."
The man looks sadly at it: "This is what I sacrificed my life for?"
Wuxian: "Fate is just. Your father wanted to create something by harming others and ended up creating something that benefits only those who want to protect."
Jinhai stares at the Pegasus Crystal for a few minutes in silence then puts it back in the box and hands it to Wuxian: "I have no use for this."
Wuxian frowns: "You.. you want me to keep it?"
Jinhai sighs: "My life is a waste. I spent it searching for a home and answers. Now I'm homeless and I know my past cannot justify my sins. I have nothing left to live for.."
Wuxian turned to look at Zewu Jun and saw his brother nod at him. He sighs loudly and looks into Jinhai's eyes: "People can change. If you put your heart into it, the Pegasus Crystal might find you worthy some day."
Jinhai laughs bitterly: "You have no idea how big my sins are."
Wuxian puts the box down and cautiously moves closer to the Slayer: "Zewu Jun has spoken on your behalf when we all fought him and feared you. A man as wise as my brother only sees the good in people. If he saw a sliver of hope in you, then I do too."
Jinhai examines Wuxian's beautiful face, finding himself captured by his golden intense eyes: "You cannot teach an old dog new tricks."
Wuxian smiles at him: "The snake which cannot cast its skin has to die."
Jinhai stares at Wuxian then moves close to him, taking a deep breath: "Your scent.."
Wuxian swallows hard and asks: "What about it?"
Jinhai takes another deep breath: "It is comforting.."
Wuxian moves back quickly and wraps his hands around himself. Bichen stabs the wood on the ground between Wuxian and the Slayer as a warning. Wuxian did not know how he felt about this odd turn in event. Gaining the trust of a ruthless murderer was not an outcome he ever thought was possible.
Zewu Jun steps up before Wangji starts a war with Jinhai and says: "Brother Wei was blessed awhile back. Those who trust and believe in him will enjoy his comforting scent. I would suggest you keep your distance. My brother has no patience when it comes to his soul-bond."
Jinhai frowns: "I never trusted anyone before."
Wuxian takes a deep breath to calm his nerves: "Come with us to Jin Sect. We're going to stop the faceless man and you might be able to help. I can't promise you anything after that but it's a start."
Jinhai smiles gently for the first time ever at Wuxian and says: "I have nothing else to do. Let's go kill the faceless man."
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