.
Cheng shows up at his brother's room early morning with breakfast. Slowly, the rest of the group joins and they eat in silence while waiting for Wuxian to awake.
When Wuxian shows no sign of waking up, Cheng goes to shake him: "Wei Ying, you can't possibly sleep the day away. Get up!"
Wuxian hums and blinks lazily at his brother. After a few seconds, he sits up and looks around in confusion. Cheng cups his brother's cheeks to get his attention: "Are you awake?"
Wuxian blinks slowly then nods.
Cheng: "We need to get moving or we won't reach Nightless city on time."
Wuxian nods again. Cheng: "Breakfast?"
Wuxian frowns and shakes his head.
Cheng sighs: "Are you planning to talk soon?"
Wuxian swallows and with a hoarse voice whispers: "Wanyin.. I'm cold."
Cheng looks worriedly at his brother then takes off his cape and drapes it around him: "Better?"
Wuxian nods.
Wangji joins Cheng, looking worriedly at his soul-bond: "Wei Ying, we must leave."
Cheng sighs and turns around: "Come on. I'll carry you."
Wangji helps Wuxian get on Cheng's back. Wuxian tightens his hold around his brother's neck and whispers: "You're so warm."
Cheng smiles while making his way towards the horses.
They took turns holding Wuxian while riding their horses. He seems pretty out of it for most of the day.
He sobered up by nightfall but the coldness didn't go away. Wuxian, who's wearing three capes, was still shaking. When they decided to settle down for the night, Wangji eased a shaking Wuxian from his horse and pulled him close to warm him up: "You're still cold?"
Wuxian: "Y.. Yeah."
Yuxio hopefully yells: "I can warm you up with my affection!"
Wuxian huffs: "I'd rather freeze to death, pervert!"
Jingyi: "I don't know if we should be ashamed or proud of her persistence."
Cheng glares angrily at her: "ASHAMED! Definitely ashamed."
She pouts at them and they all made their way into the inn. The night was uneventful. Wuxian seemed better and rode his own horse for the rest of the journey.
They reached a day early to meet the rest of the clan groups in front of the city. The world has never seen this many cultivators in one place. Young, old, from well known clans and strays all showed up to be judged by the Earth Deity.
Wuxian looks openly shocked: "Woah.. I didn't know so many cultivators existed!"
A maroon colored blur flashed its way through the men guarding him and slams into him: "MASTER WEI! I MISSED YOU!"
Wuxian pets Zizhen's head while he clings to him: "I see you haven't grown one bit."
Yuxio yanks the boy from Wuxian and looks critically at him: "Who's this?"
Sizhui: "That's the first young master of Ouyang Clan: Ouyang Zizhen."
Zizhen glares back at her and looks accusingly at Sizhui: "Who's that?"
Sizhui can feel a headache building up and sighs: "That's a senior disciple from Jiang Clan and the last Phoenix Warrior: Yu Yuxio."
They both stare at each other, sizing one another. Then Zizhen turns puppy eyes at Wuxian: "You replaced me?"
Wuxian sighs loudly: "That pervert can never replace anyone. Calm down."
Yuxio smirks at the new kid: "This pervert is an upgrade!"
Wuxian throws his hands in the air and huffs at his brother: "She doesn't even deny it anymore!"
Cheng shrugs: "I gave up a long time ago. Just accept that she will pester you till the end of days."
Zizhen moved in to hug Wuxian again and was stopped once more by Yuxio: "If I don't get to touch, no one else gets to touch."
Zizhen stomps his foot and looks tearfully at Wuxian: "But.. But I miss him.. and his smell."
Wuxian groans: "Someone please make this conversation end!"
He feels Wangji wrap his arm around his waist and leads him towards the city. The rest followed until they reached the inn. It was fully booked but Wangji was able to secure one room to share with his soul-bond and Cheng while the rest slept outside.
They were sitting down, drinking tea before they went to bed when Cheng said: "Wei Ying, are you prepared to meet the snake thing tomorrow?"
Wuxian laughs: "How does one prepare to meet a big white talking snake?"
Cheng rolls his eyes: "I don't know. I'm just trying to be a good brother and make sure you're alright."
Wuxian sighs: "I just want this to be over."
Cheng looks at him: "I feel like with all these cultivators present, if someone mentions your blessings and gossip spreads we will have a big problem."
Wangji: "I will contain it."
Cheng scoffs: "The all mighty Excellency can only do so much. Have you seen the amount of people who showed up? Not to mention the people who're late and will arrive tomorrow. The city is about to overflow."
Wuxian: "I guess we have to keep a low profile and hope for the best."
Cheng laughs: "From the visions you've had, fat chance of that happening."
Wuxian grimaces: "Your optimism leaves me envious, brother. What's meant to be, will be. We just have to accept the events fate has in store for us."
It's safe to say, none of them slept peacefully that night. Their slumber was weighed down with the knowledge that whatever this is, it has something to do with Wuxian and none of them is willing to let their guard down.
The next morning, they all get dressed and ready by sunup. A soft knock on the door reveals Zewu Jun: "Brothers, Jiang Clan leader, good morning."
He nods to them then goes to kiss Wuxian's ring hand. Cheng was surprised by the gesture and more shocked when his brother acted like it was a normal thing to do.
Wuxian pulls Zewu Jun into a light hug and whispers: "It's nice to see you again, brother."
Cheng rolls his eyes in irritation when he sees Zewu Jun's happy smile.
Zewu Jun: "The disciples are outside, ready to make way. Wangji, the place is heavily packed with cultivators from all around the continent. I would assume the safest place is at the Palace of the Sun and Flames. The plaza and roof are already filled with people."
Wangji nods and turns to look into Wuxian's eyes: "Come good or bad, do not let go on my hand."
Wuxian smiles reassuringly at him: "I won't."
They make their way out of the inn and Wangji unleashes Bichen. He grabs his soul-bond and together makes their way to the top by riding the sword. The rest of their group followed and when they reached the Palace, they landed to see that all the clan leaders were there, waiting for their arrival. They all bow their respect to his Excellency and stood waiting for the arrival of the Earth Deity.
Cheng nudges Yuxio and aims his glare at a group of people wearing green a few paces away: "They look familiar."
Yuxio: "They're wearing the same clothing as the people who posed at bandits a few days ago."
Cheng: "Keep an eye on them."
She nods and retreats to inform the other Jiang disciples.
Wuxian was fidgeting with nervousness. Wangji lets go of his hand to circle his arms around his waist and bring him close for comfort. Wuxian whispers: "Lan Zhan, people are watching."
Wangji places his forehead on Wuxian's shoulder and breathes in deep: "Calm down."
Wuxian looks around worriedly: "I'll calm down just let go before people start commenting."
Wangji pulls him in tighter: "Let them."
Jingyi: "Master Wei, it's too late. Everyone already knows how shamelessly in love Hanguang Jun is."
Sizhui elbows him and hurriedly said: "Don't worry father, people are too anxious to notice you."
Wuxian lets out a deep breath and melts into Wangji's embrace. If he cannot stop it then he might as well enjoy it.
.