.
Wuxian was beyond pissed.
He knew that his brother has a tendency to freely express his anger but this time he crossed a line. This is Wuxian's home, these are his disciples and Jiang Cheng needs to learn his place.
Yuxio jumped when she saw Wuxian exit his room. She followed the silent man and whispered after a while: "Are you alright?"
Wuxian did not stop but answered: "I'm fine. You don't have to follow me, Yuxio."
Yuxio: "You're going to see Jiang Clan Leader?"
Wuxian did not respond.
She sighs: "I'm loyal to you both. But loyalty does not overshadow what's right. I'm with you on this one."
Wuxian suddenly stops and turns to face her with a sharp look: "Yuxio, I will never ask you to betray your clan leader.."
Yuxio puts her hand up to stop him: "I made my choice!"
Wuxian eyes her for a few seconds then turns to continue his trek to the Cold Cave.
He found Lan Ran standing outside waiting for him: "His Excellency told me to wait for you before I go in to settle this matter. He doesn't want a civil war with Jiang Clan Sect."
Wuxian spares her a nod before passing by.
Yuxio and Ran shared a worried look and hastily followed.
They have never seen this side of Wuxian before; the silently seething side.
Wuxian felt his body sing the moment he entered the Cold Cave.
Unlike his past experiences here, this time around he felt his soul vibrate with the rhythm of this magical place. This was his ground zero.
He stopped at the entrance, just inside the cave and took a deep breath.
He felt his lungs expand beyond normal and a gentle smile graced his face.
The cave was singing to him.. The water.. The air.. The rocks.. They all reached out to touch his spirit and connect. The ring in his hand glowed for a while until he got his bearings.
It felt like this place was an old book that he once wrote and forgot about. Everything about it felt familiar. It felt like it was made only for him.
The moment of serenity was broken when he opened his eyes and spotted his brother leaning on one of the walls, hands crossed, eyes closed as he clenched his fists in repressed anger.
Wuxian walks slowly towards him until he was an arm's length away.
Jiang Cheng opens his eyes and stares at him: "What took you so long?"
Wuxian silently looks at his brother.
Jiang Cheng was unnerved by his lack of response. He closes the gap between them and asks: "You are here to get me out, right?"
With a blink of an eye, Wuxian was in Cheng's personal space with his ring hand gripping his jaw painfully. Cheng sucks in a breath out of surprise and Wuxian leans in, close enough to whisper his threat: "Jiang Wanyin, when will you learn?"
Cheng frowns, sparing his followers a look as they unsheathe their swords, unsure if they should interfere or not. Wuxian digs his nails in Cheng's jaw and examines his face closely: "Listen to me brother, because this is the only warning you will ever get. I.." Wuxian emphasizes each word by adding more pressure to his death grip: "am.. NOT.. someone.. the likes of you.. can boss around."
Wuxian loosens his hold and steps back. Cheng instinctively reaches for his sword's hilt, as fear courses through his body.
Wuxian's angry glowing eyes and the cold wind wrapping around him, playing with his hair would intimidate the strongest of men.
The Oracle aimed his piercing gaze at Cheng: "I am the Divine Oracle! I command the living and the dead. I can see the past and the future. No one is above me! I follow none while everyone else follows me. I earned my powers with sacrifice while you earned yours by privilege!"
Cheng took one step back, eyes wide, hands shaking..
Wuxian walks slowly towards the water and gracefully moves his hand up. The water morphs to follow his gestures, dancing to his instructions. He turns to glare at his brother: "This is the last time I allow you to hurt me, Jiang Cheng. I am done believing your words. Your promises are as hollow as this cave. Your anger has consumed your logic to the point where having a relationship with you is like sleeping in a bed filled with knives."
Wuxian's hair glows and all the water in the cave elevates, suspending in the air all around them in small droplets. They wobble until they turn into small arrowheads, aiming their sharp clear edges at Cheng and his followers. Wuxian's threatening voice echoes around the cave: "Touch me again and it will be the last thing you ever do.. Brother."
The water retreats after a minute, shaping itself as a snake similar to Da Ziran and sloshing around him, mimicking the movement of his divine spirit animal. Wuxian's commands travel across the water: "You will not disrespect my home, my soul-bond or my disciples. I will not allow you to dominate me in any way, shape or form. I am older, stronger and I outrank you in every possible way. Learn your place, Jiang Wanyin, because I am done coddling to you. If violence is the only language you speak.."
The water around Wuxian settles back into the cave ground and the place is bathed in utter silence. Wuxian steps up to his scared-shitless brother and whispers: "I speak it fluently.."
Cheng was frozen in horror.
He never felt this kind of fear in his life.
Yuxio, Ran and everyone present felt dread spread through their veins.
Wuxian's anger was beyond terrifying.
Wuxian steps into his brother's space and gently places his hands on his chest to smooth out his robes while whispering: "Do I make myself clear?"
Cheng shakily nods.
Wuxian smiles at him, patting his cheek: "Now.. apologize to me and to Yuxio for acting like a jackass instead of using your words.."
Cheng's lips moved but nothing came out.
He clears his voice, trying his best to compose himself then manages to utter: "I'm sorry." to Wuxian and to Yuxio.
Wuxian looks sadly at his scared brother: "A wise man picks his battles, Wanyin. Life is too precious to spend it in anger and resentment. Do better."
Cheng shakily nods, willing to do anything at this moment to end this conversation.
Wuxian sighs loudly and makes his way towards the door: "Come along.. I'm in the mood to eat something sweet.."
Everyone in the cave fell to their knees when Wuxian was out of sight.
Yuxio held her hand to her beating heart: "I almost shat myself!"
Ran lays flat on one of the stones trying to center herself: "I never knew I could hold my breath for that long! I was too scared to even breath!"
Cheng felt a few tears betray him as he sat in a heap on the ground. He hasn't been scolded in a long time and he felt so ashamed to push Wuxian to that extent. He loved his brother so much, but anger somehow always colors his actions.
Yuxio kneels before him and whispers worriedly: "Jiang Cheng?"
Cheng felt his emotions overpower him and he reached out, grabbing her into a tight embrace. She sighs loudly, settling down next to him and patting his back: "For the love of God, never piss off Master Wei again. I don't think any of us can survive that kind of trauma again."
Cheng sniffs, nodding and hiding his face in her neck.
She smiles at his sudden clinginess. This childish side of Cheng always makes her heart flutter a little.
When Cheng finally composed himself enough to follow Wuxian out, he found his brother in Little Sanctuary, eating dessert while watching Da Ziran hop around with the other bunnies.
He silently sits next to Wuxian and sulks.
Wuxian pushes the plate towards him and Cheng shoves a few pieces into his mouth.
Wuxian turns to laugh at him.
Cheng looks at the smiling face of his brother and smiles back.
They sit in silence for a few minutes then Wuxian whispers to Cheng: "I'm sorry I had to push you like that but you gave me no other choice.."
Cheng nods, solemnly accepting it: "I deserved it."
Wuxian turns to look into his eyes: "I know that you like Yuxio. I've seen your future. If this is how you plan to court her then you will never succeed."
Cheng awkwardly scratches his cheek: "Um.."
Wuxian sighs loudly: "You're a big boy, Wanyin. Use your big boy words."
Cheng turns to glare at Wuxian: "That's not funny!"
Wuxian chuckles at him: "The only thing funny in this situation is your courting game. You came all the way here to fetch her and you ended up throwing a massive tantrum and embarrassing yourself instead."
Cheng ducks his head: "She won't come back! I don't know what else to do!"
Wuxian: "Did you ask her why?"
Cheng shakes his head.
Wuxian sighs: "I listened to her reason and we made a deal. She will return to Jiang Sect after we defeat the faceless man."
Cheng looks hopefully at Wuxian: "Really?"
Wuxian nods, reaching out and gently patting his brother's head: "If you stop screaming at the world for a second, you will hear all the answers you need."
He smiles at Wuxian: "I will try to be more mindful, Wei Ying. I truly am sorry for making you angry and hurting you."
Wuxian smiles back: "It's ok. Now I get to name your first child and none of you gets to complain."
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