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A group of eager disciples are gathered around Cloud Recesses's gate. They've been instructed to fetch the donkey living in the back mountain after they made sure it's fed and ready for the journey ahead. Jingyi was instructed to gather all the herbs and medicines needed, if Wuxian were to relapse, from the healer and he was too scared of Hanguang Jun to mess up this assignment.
They heard Wuxian's laughter before they saw Wangji holding his hand and walking towards the gate. Wen Ning, wearing black and covering his head with a straw hat, was following a few paces behind. They bowed in respect and Wangji led the way towards Baling Ouyang Sect. They took many breaks and rested properly throughout their journey and reached the city gates within five days. Wuxian was talking less and riding Apple more by the time they reached their destination. He internally sighed with relief when he saw the gates. He was ready to drop but was too prideful to admit his weakness.
They were greeted at the gate by Leader Ouyang and his eager son, Zizhen. Zizhen barely finished his bow before he rushed over to Wuxian and started talking up a storm: "Master Wei, I'm happy to see you again. Welcome to my home! I hope you like it here. Did you bring Sizhui with you? Did you lose weight?" Wuxian pats his shoulder with a warm smile: "I knew you would be the sentimental type." Zizhen blushes and ducks his head. Wuxian: "Sizhui didn't come but we brought Jingyi to play with you." Zizhen looks at Jingyi and waves then steps near Wuxian with a confused look: "You smell different."
That simple statement earned him a sharp aim from Bichen to his throat. Wuxian tried to pull Wangji back as people around them started to react in alarm to the threat: "Lan Zhan! We talked about this! It's a blessing, remember? And he's just a kid!"
Wangji sheathed his sword but aimed a burning glare at Zizhen before he bowed slightly to his father to defuse the tension.
Leader Ouyang laughed awkwardly and ushered them to the Passion Room. Wangji kept Wuxian next to him, holding his hand while sipping tea. Zizhen was not fazed by Wangji's threat and sat on Wuxian's other side and demanded his attention while the leaders finished their meal. Wuxian had a soft spot for the young disciples he helped at Coffin City and considers them as his students. He cherished Zizhen and was happy to gain his trust. His father, on the other hand, opposed him on many occasions and he was wary of his intentions. That's why he didn't fight the constant hand-holding and the extra cold gaze in Wangji's eyes.
Leader Ouyang coughed hard to get his son to stop talking, and addressed Wangji: "Your Excellency, thank you for responding to our request. I have arranged a peaceful meeting between the heads of our clan to discuss our dispute in your presence and hopefully get your guidance."
Wangji nodded his head in agreement, so the leader continued hesitantly: "I have to say, even though Zewu Jun mentioned Wei Wuxian's possible visit, I am surprised to see him with you."
Wangji looks at Wuxian and surprises everyone when he smiles warmly: "He will be my soul bond and my judgment won't be complete without his input."
Wuxian covers his face with his free hand and sighs loudly. He whispers to Wangji: "Must you embarrass me everywhere we go with your sentimentality." Wangji whispers back: "I only speak the truth."
Zizhen is looking at them with googly eyes after hearing the whispered conversation between the two soul bonds. Wuxian looks up and addresses the Clan leader: "Thank you for having me in your lovely sect, Leader Ouyang. I promise to not cause any trouble as long as no one crosses me or the people I came with." He couldn't help the evil smile of Yiling Patriarch from slipping out with the subtle threat.
The look of fear that passed over the Clan leader and those who were present was satisfying Wuxian's mischievous side. He deliberately took out his Chenqing and started twirling it around with his free hand to prove his point. The brave act didn't fool Wangji, especially when he felt the hand in his start to shake slightly.
Wangji excused himself and his followers to get some rest after their long journey and held Wuxian close until they reached their guest quarters. Wuxian sat down with a huff: "That was weirdly uneventful." Wangji kneeled behind him and started to untie his hair band and brush his hair. Ever since his illness, Wuxian noticed that Wangji enjoyed doing simple things for him; like brushing his hair, tying his robes or pouring him a cup of water. He initially thought that Wangji was treating him delicately because of his ailment but soon discovered that the man actually enjoyed doing these small gestures. So Wuxian never commented or asked him to stop. He smiles to himself: 'It's fine as long as he doesn't hand me any more stolen hens.'
Wangji finishes brushing his hair then prepares Wuxian's evening potion before he pushes it into his hand: "Drink."
Wuxian whines: "Urg, so bitter."
Wangji pushes his arm until he drinks it all with a sour face: "This is torture. I miss drinking liquor."
Wangji took his wrist to measure his pulse and Wuxian sighs: "Again with the over worrying."
Wangji: "Your pulse is weak. Do you feel faint?"
Wuxian shakes his head: "It is? I feel fine."
Wangji gives him an indignant look and holds his shaking hand up to prove his point.
Wuxian laughs stiffly: "It's almost 9 in the evening, time to rest anyways."
As always, Wangji was first to wake up at 5 in the morning. He developed a new ritual of staring at a sleeping Wuxian and enjoying his joyful scent. The smaller man was so tired and in deep sleep that Wangji would check his spiritual focal points without his protest. Wuxian was alway on the lean side but his speed and strength makes up for his slight build. Recently, Wangji can see his ribs clearly outlined and that was not acceptable: 'He eats constantly. Why is he still underweight? I will consult with the healer once we return home.'
After eating breakfast, both men, accompanied by Wen Ning, went to join the clan meeting set up by Leader Ouyang. Sitting in the middle, Wangji and Wuxian received a bow from each clan leader and then Leader Ouyang proceeded to explain their predicament: "Your Excellency, Master Wei, our clan motto is simple: "Benevolent life leads to no regrets." We pride ourselves as a group of people who share our emotions openly; the good and the bad. We believe that hiding one's feelings is the ultimate form of deception and thus we express them and accept them without judgment. I have one son and after my wife's passing, I couldn't bear being with another. Our clan needs a second young master but with five brothers and two sisters who share 13 sons and daughters between them, we couldn't find a way to choose their rankings. With our emotions and opinions out in the open we know that our judgment is clouded and we agreed that an impartial wise man such as your Excellency may help us put this dispute to an end."
He gave one of the disciples a parchment paper that was passed to Wangji: "Each sibling has chosen one son/daughter to represent them. This is a list of five capable young disciples who are of age and qualified to be considered a second master to our clan. We will accept whatever method you choose to pick the most worthy among them."
Wangji read the list of names and passed it along to Wuxian: "I accept your request. You will introduce the chosen disciples to us mid-day tomorrow at your training grounds."
Wuxian: "Leader Ouyang, May I borrow Zizhen for the day?"
Zizhen didn't give his father a chance to respond and jumped from his seat to sit next to Wuxian: "Master Wei! I'm free forever just for you!"
His father points at him and yells: "YOU! You have chores! Come here before I.."
His son cuts him off: "Father, relax. Anyone can cover my chores. Master Wei needs me!"
His father huffs and with a resigned look leaves with the rest of the clan leaders.
Wangji and Wuxian were left behind, contemplating the issue at hand: "Wei Ying, what are your thoughts?"
Wuxian rubbed his nose: "Picking a future leader is not an easy task. Zizhen, can you tell us more about your cousins?"
Zizhen frowned and said: "I know three of them very well. We trained together. The rest were sent away to train under other clans to strengthen relations and diversify our clan's collective skill set."
Wuxian: "Did they all join any night hunts?"
Zizhen: "They all did, but some of them are more experienced than others."
Wuxian smirks and looks at Wangji: "I have a plan!"
He looks back at Zizhen: "How good are you at pretending?"
Zizhen smiles devilishly: "I can cheat a hen into believing that I'm a rooster."
Wangji looks at Wuxian: "What do you have in mind?"
Wuxian: "Something that will determine who's better at leading and whose destined to follow."
He turns around and looks at his guardian: "Wen Ning, you haven't stretched your muscles in a while. How about it?"
Wen Ning looks back at him with devotion: "Let's do it."
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