.
Wangji steps into the Fragrance Hall to meet Jin Clan Leader and instead he is greeted by his son Jin Chan. Chan bowed and looked nervously at Wangji: "Your Excellency, it seems that my father has been poisoned. Last night, he exhibited the same symptoms as Treasure Wei and we were able to cure him in time. He will make a full recovery and will be able to rejoin us for the final banquet that's postponed to tomorrow tonight."
Wangji stares blankly at the young cultivator: "Why wasn't I informed of this earlier?"
Chan swallows hard: "We didn't want to disturb you while you were caring for your soul-bond. Forgive our tardiness."
Wangji: "Did you start an investigation on who would possibly benefit from poisoning your leader and our Treasure?"
Chan shakes his head: "Not yet. Father asked me to wait. He wants to handle this himself."
Wangji glares at the young man: "Take me to your Clan Leader."
Chan nods timidly and leads the way to his father's quarters. Once there, they found a pale Ziyang sitting at his table being tended to by another healer and drinking the same potion used to treat Wuxian.
After exchanging pleasantries, Wangji joins him at the table: "Jin Clan Leader, how is your health?
Ziyang: "I am better, thank you. How is Treasure Wei?"
Wangji nods and silence settles between them.
Ziyang: "I heard that Treasure Wei was affected by the poison more than I. Has the master healer figured out why?"
Wangji: "He used his spirit energy which escalated the spread of the poison."
Ziyang nods his understanding.
Wangji: "Jin Clan Leader, have you given any thought as to who would target the two of you specifically?"
Ziyang: "Treasure Wei and I don't share any enemies or have any history in common. The only logical thing I can come up with is that one of us was collateral damage. From Treasure Wei's dark history, it seems I was just in the way."
Wangji glares at Ziyang: "My soul-bond was poisoned in your Sect, under your roof and possibly by one of your clan members. I expect this to be resolved before we leave."
Ziyang bows his head: "There is no need for heightened emotions, your Excellency. Jin Clan will pursue this matter until it's resolved. After all.. I was poisoned too."
Wangji was unnerved by the minute dark smirk that flashed on Ziyang's face. A less controlled man would've stricken him dead but Wangji nods and leaves, hoping that this new piece of information could help narrow their search for their culprits.
After the healer was able to stabilize Wuxian, Wen Ning was back at his post guarding the sleeping man. The healer decided to add more sedatives to his potion to keep him calm and asleep for the next two days. So far he has not woken up long enough to speak to anyone, so Wen Ning was on high alert in guarding his incapacitated soul-brother. He bows to the healer when he walks in to check on Wuxian: "Master Healer, may I ask for a favor?" The healer looks wearily at him ten nods. Ning: "You mentioned that my clan's possessions are stored here. Did you by any chance see some of those items?"
The healer moves to face him: "Are you looking for something?"
Wen Ning bites his lips and nods: "My sister was the best healer in our clan. She learned under many masters and combined their knowledge to invent new ways to aid the sick and weak. One of her greatest achievements is creating a set of golden needles for acupuncture that's infused with spiritual energy. She carried it with her everywhere. Jin Clan took it from her before she was executed and I was hoping to have something of hers to add to our clan shrine. Would you help me find it?"
The healer sighs: "I cannot take things from our clan treasure as I please, young master. It's not within my power."
Wen Ning smiles sadly: "Can you please check if it's there? I don't want to get you into trouble. I just want to know that it's not lost and someone someday can use it once more to help the sick and continue her legacy."
The healer nods: "I will try to ask around and see if we have it stored."
Wen Ning bows in gratitude.
Wangji makes his way in and goes to sit with Wuxian: "Why does he look paler?"
The healer joins him: "He had a setback episode earlier. I was able to calm him down and will sedate him for the next few days to expedite his healing process."
Wangji turns around to glare at Wen Ning: "Explain."
Wen Ning: "Jiang Clan Leader asked Master Wei's permission to take him to Lotus Pier. He got emotional and refused his request. The healer banished Master Jiang from visiting him while he's here."
Wangji strokes Wuxian's hair and sighs deeply: "That man never learns."
He turns to the healer and nods his appreciation.
A few hours later, Wangji meets with Cheng and the young disciples to share the gathered information. Cheng was surprised to hear about the news regarding Ziyang: "That can't be right! He could be faking it to divert suspicion!"
Wangji shakes his head: "I've confirmed it with the master healer. He was definitely poisoned."
Sizhui: "If they're the only two poisoned, we need to figure out the method it was administered to trace back the culprit. That should help us narrow down the list we have or look into people we haven't considered yet."
Taiho: "The master healer allowed me to read the scripts related to the poison. According to the original formula, the poison has a strong taste so ideally it has to be served with spicy food or strong drinks to hide its presence."
Linao: "They don't serve spicy food at Lan Clan tables because of your dietary restrictions. And other clans do not share dishes or drinks. So how were these two the only ones poisoned?"
Jingyi: "Alcohol!"
Kaoji looks confused: "Alcohol is prohibited to Lan Clan members."
Sizhui: "Jingyi is right! Treasure Wei drank the toast offered to Hanguang Jun if it has alcohol. He's done it in the past so it's not unexpected for him to drink it when Jin Clan Leader offered it at the evening assembly after he announced the night hunt."
Cheng whispers: "Just like his brother did many years ago.."
Wangji nods, remembering the incident from back then: "Do you think Jin Clan Leader wishes to avenge his brother's death?"
Cheng: "It makes no sense. We all know that the hundred holes curse was placed by Su She and that Guangyao orchestrated the death of his brother, not Wuxian."
Jin Ling: "But he was killed by Wen Ning's hands."
Cheng glared: "No one asked for your input!"
Ling huffs: "I'm trying to help!"
Cheng ignores him: "If that's the case, then he should know that we would see through his deception. It's too easy."
Lijian pitches in: "If we can prove that the jar of alcohol served during the assembly to Treasure Wei is the source, we can narrow down the list to people who have access to the drinks that night. I think that's a good start."
With a new goal in place, the young disciples bowed and left to investigate. Wangji turns to Cheng: "Why did you confront Wei Ying this morning?"
Cheng sighs loudly: "I honestly didn't expect him to react so negatively. He needs to know our plans after this conference is over."
Wangji: "You do remember the last time he was there?"
Cheng looks down in shame: "I wasn't a gracious host."
Wangji glares: "If he feels strongly about not going back, I cannot force him."
Cheng looks determined: "I will fix this."
Wangji: "You cannot fix what you don't understand."
Cheng glares at Wangji: "Then tell me! Help me understand so I can mend our relationship."
Wangji: "It is not my place to interfere."
Cheng lets out a sarcastic laugh: "Not your place? You're his soul-bond! If he's incapable of expressing his grievances then it's your job to do it on his behalf. He cannot keep bottling up his issues and pretending it's in the past when it's clearly affecting him!"
Wangji stays silent for a while then whispers: "He's afraid."
Cheng: "Of what?"
Wangji: "Afraid because he failed to fulfill the promise he made to you and your sister."
Cheng throws his hands in the air in frustration: "He gave me his golden core for heaven's sake! That's worse than death and he still thinks he owes us? I thought we were over this!"
Wangji: "You are, but she might not be."
Cheng raises his voice in annoyance: "Who might not be?"
Wangji sighs: "Wuxian can speak to the dead. The ring he wears allows him to communicate with the deceased while holding or touching an item that belonged to them before their passing."
He looks sadly at Cheng: "I think he's afraid to face your sister."
Cheng closes his eyes in realization and whispers: "She wouldn't fault him even if he burns our Clan to the ground. That woman adored him more than anyone.. How can he be so dumb?"
Wangji stares at him: "What do you plan to do?"
Cheng: "I don't know. He has no other choice at the moment. His safety trumps his emotional needs. I will try my best to accommodate his wishes but he has to face our sister sooner or later."
Wangji nods and leaves.
Cheng shudders at the thought of meeting his sister: 'Wuxian, you shouldn't be the one freaking out about meeting Shijie.'
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