.
Wuxian wakes up with a dull headache. He groans and moves closer to Wangji to mooch off his warmth. Da Ziren moves around them lazily and he pets her to calm her down. He feels Wangji tightens his embrace around him and moans: "I'm hungry."
Wangji: "You skipped your extra meal and dinner."
Wuxian opens his eyes and looks at his soul-bond: "How did I end up here?"
Wangji: "What do you remember?"
Wuxian sat up with a puzzled look and scratched his head: "Hm.. I was making golden leaves for the ill.. then.."
His eyes widen then he turns to look panicky at his soul-bond: "Did I really weep like a three year old who lost his mother?"
Wangji nods slightly. Wuxian squeezes his eyes in embarrassment: "And then curled up in your lap like a baby?"
He gets a hum from Wangji.
Wuxian covered his face in shame: "Damn it!"
Wangji pulls his hands away and looks seriously at him: "Can you explain to me what happened?"
Wuxian rubbed the back of his neck: "I don't know exactly. I just had this overwhelming feeling of loss and despair. Like the boy who died was my son? I've seen many people die and I know it's not my fault but for some reason I couldn't control the staggering amount of emotions I was feeling."
Wuxian blushes a little and with a low voice continues: "The only thing I can think of to make it stop was you so I sought you out."
Wangji clears his throat to hide his blush and then asks: "You don't remember seeing anything?"
Wuxian: "Like what?"
Wangji explains to him what happened with his hair, the mother's memories and the conversation he had with Zewu Jun. Wuxian had no recollection of any of it. Wangji: "For once, your bad memory serves as a blessing."
Wuxian grabs a strand from his hair and examines it closely: "Do you think that's why it changed color? To somehow show us the past?"
Wangji nods: "It's a logical conclusion from what we experienced."
Wuxian pouts: "My soul-bond.. Are you planning to feed me anytime soon?"
Wangji gets up to prepare their breakfast while Wuxian lays back and looks at Da Ziran when she starts moving over his stomach to look directly at him: "Ziran, is this something you can help me figure out?" The snake responds this time with words: "No. I am here to serve you as a spirit animal. Nothing less.. nothing more.."
Wuxian kisses its nose then pets it: "It's ok. You're cute. I forgive your uselessness for now."
The snake bobs its head in amusement and settles down to cuddle with him while he waits.
After eating breakfast and drinking his potion, Zewu Jun joins them: "Brother Wei, I'm glad to see you have recovered."
Wuxian ducks his head in embarrassment: "Don't remind me!"
Wangji informed Zewu Jun about what happened from Wuxian's perspective. Zewu Jun frowned like his brother when he heard about the memory lapse: "Interesting.. It seems the Deity was not as cruel as I deemed it to be."
Wuxian stands and dust his robes: "Enough dillydallying! Zewu Jun, let's go. I have people waiting for my help."
Zewu Jun stops him: "Brother Wei, shouldn't you rest after yesterday's ordeal?"
Wuxian laughs and grabs his arm to drag him along: "I'm fine. I slept forever and now I'm ready to fix more people. Let's go!"
Zewu Jun made sure that today only two ill people would be presented to Wuxian to decrease the chance of what happened yesterday from happening again any time soon. He pulled Lan Ran before the visitors arrived to update her with Wuxian's new 'ability' and warn her about allowing anyone to touch his hair, especially when it starts to glow.
Wuxian doesn't seem to be affected by yesterday's events at all. He was done with the spirit summons and the healing by mid day. Ran was discussing something with him when a disciple announced the arrival of Grandmaster Qiren. Before Wuxian could stand, Qiren made his way into the main hall, followed by the clansmen who were traveling with him and they all kneeled to Wuxian: "We greet thee, Divine Oracle!"
Wuxian jumps to kneel in front of his father and helps him up: "Father! What are you doing?"
Before he says anything else, he's engulfed in a warm hug: "My son.. I missed you. Have you been well?"
Wuxian smiles shyly and hugs him back: "I'm alright. I hope your travels didn't wear you out."
Qiren pulls back and holds him at an arm's length, staring at him in awe: "You look different.."
Wuxian grabs his hair in sudden distress: "I tried cutting it shorter! I know the Lan Clan rules prohibit long hair but it won't.." He was cut off when he sees the overjoyed look on his father's face when he gently grabs a strand of his hair and examines it with wonder.
Wuxian shakes his head, suppressing a chuckle: 'Definitely a blood related fetish!'
After a few minutes, Wuxian coughs to snap Qiren out of his daze. Qiren lets go of his hair and grabs his chin to look into his eyes: "Fascinating.."
Wuxian laughed awkwardly and looked around to see the new arrivals staring at him as well. Qiren grabs his attention when he speaks up: "I see your room is done and open to the public. Two days in and you're the only topic discussed by every cultivator and layman around."
Wuxian blushes and asks timidly: "Is that a good thing?"
Qiren smiles at him: "You make us proud."
After Wuxian bounces around excitedly, giving Qiren a tour of his new place, then sat with him for a cup of tea. Qiren says: "Zewu Jun filled me in with what has transpired in the weeks I've been absent. My son, the prophecy is such a big burden for you to bear."
Wuxian sighs: "I don't have a say in this matter. I was chosen for a role I haven't applied for."
Qiren stares at Da Ziran, so Wuxian asks it to move along the table between them until it settles around his shoulders and torso. Qiren examined it: "It carries a lot of energy. Are you able to communicate with it?"
Wuxian smiles at his snake: "She rarely speaks with words. I just feel what she feels because we share our energy. That's why she doesn't need to eat."
Qiren raises an eyebrow: "She?"
Wuxian: "It sounds like a woman when she speaks to me.. so I assume it's a female."
Qiren pets the snake: ".. interesting. Do you know what she's capable of?"
Wuxian: "Lan Ran said she would help me figure it out."
Qiren nods his approval: "That woman is a good seed. Zewu Jun chose well."
Qiren returned the snake back and looked seriously at Wuxian: "I came back bearing good news. I found a healer that has the knowledge needed to heal you."
Wuxian joyously screams: "REALLY?"
Qiren smiles at him and nods: "I will introduce the healer tomorrow after you finish your duties."
Wuxian looks skeptical: "Do you believe this healer will have answers to what ails me?"
Qiren nods: "I have no doubt. Have faith."
That night, Wuxian sat in his room waiting for Wangji to finish his duties and share their evening meal together. He kept wandering back to when he first arrived here. He honestly believed that his chronic pain was a punishment he deserved. Now, all he can think of is what Zewu Jun told him a long time ago:
'There are set rules in this world and goodness is with regulations. If you were the only one in the world, you surely can do whatever at your will. But unfortunately, everyone has a say in the world. I hope you won't be so self-centered since people you care about are affected by your actions'
Not only did he have people who he cares about to consider, he is the last hope for many who are suffering. His limitation is a byproduct of his poor health. This needs to stop. He will no longer suffer because of his self deprecating guilt. He will choose a different path and pay his dues by doing good.
Wangji enters their room to see his soul-bond in deep thought. He places Bichen down and sits next to him: "Wei Ying, I missed you."
Wuxian snaps out of his thought and smiles at him: "You just saw me this morning."
Wangji pulls him close and settles his forehead on his shoulder: "Too long."
Wuxian chuckles and rubs his back: "You say the corniest things."
Wangji wraps his arms around him and pulls him onto his lap. Wuxian continues to rub his back: "Lan Zhan, do you have any regrets."
Wangji: "At this moment, no."
Wuxian: "If you had a chance to change something in the past, would you do it?"
Wangji shakes his head: "I have you in my arms. I ask for nothing else."
Wuxian's heart was filled with warmth and he lay his head on Wangji's shoulder: "Your brother told me years ago that I was self-centered. I think he was right."
Wangji pulls back to stares with alarm at Wuxian: "You cannot possibly believe that!"
Wuxian looks down and whispers: "I was.."
Wangji cuts him off: "No! You are the most selfless human being I have ever met. No one gets to question your integrity!"
Wuxian sighs: "Urg.. you make me feel like I'm a saint!"
Wangji lifts his chin to look deep into his eyes: "In my eyes, you can do no wrong."
Wuxian smiles happily for a few seconds then he says: "Even if I cut all my hair off?"
Wangji's eyes widened in horror, then he swallowed hard and nodded reluctantly. Wuxian laughs hard and hugs him: "I can't even if I tried. Relax!"
The next day passes by without a hitch. Wuxian was eager to meet the new healer. When his duties were over, he made his way to the Elegance Room to join his soul-bond, brother and father. Once they settled in, Qiren requested one of the disciples to go fetch the healer.
A woman around Zewu Jun's age with warm features and a motherly smile enters wearing white robes similar to what healers in villages wear. She had her hair up in a neat bun and was wearing no jewelry or ornaments. She kneels to Wuxian saying softly: "Divine Oracle, I greet thee. May my knowledge and experience serve you well." She then turns to bow to the other three men.
Qiren introduces her: "This is Fu Shi, a well known healer in the south. I went seeking her grandmaster but he informed me that she has surpassed his skills and will be more helpful in curing your chronic illness."
Fu Shi bows slightly: "I am humbled by your confidence in me. I will do my best."
Wuxian gets up to go near her: "Thank you for traveling all the way here to help us. I will try to cooperate with whatever course of treatment you see fit."
She smiles warmly at him and for a second, Wuxian was reminded of his sister. She looks towards Wangji and says: "Your Excellency, I was informed that you take offense with strangers laying a hand on your soul-bond. I wish to get your blessings before I proceed with checking over the Divine Oracle."
Zewu Jun and Qiren see the minute twitch on Wangji's eyebrow and both struggle to hide their amused smile, while Wuxian flat out chuckles. Wangji reluctantly nods his approval.
She turns to Wuxian and says: "I was given a room near yours to use as healing quarters. If you will, I would like to examine you now." Wuxian was suddenly nervous and turned to see Wangji get up to join him. He stood next to him and held his hand while addressing Fu Shi: "Lead the way."
Fu Shi ushered them to the healing quarters and instructed Wuxian to loosen his robes and sit on the bed in the middle of the room. He complies after placing Da Ziran on Wangji's shoulders and waits while she goes to wash her hands and ready her tools. Wangji stood by the bed, far enough not to be in the way but close enough to interfere should Wuxian need it. She stands behind him and speaks softly: "May I move your hair out of the way?" Wuxian nods, then she looks at Wangji and he nods too. She methodically braids his hair and ties off the end then brings it over his shoulder. Fu Shi started by placing two fingers at different energy points around his body, measured his pulse, had him breath deeply while placing a hand on his chest and back. Her assessment was thorough and long. She examines every inch of him from his teeth to his toe nails. He quietly did as she instructed and Wangji stood by and did not complain.
When she was done, she sat down near him and asked him many questions. He replied honestly and when he couldn't Wangji filled her in. She documented all her findings and lastly asked to examine the snake. Wuxian was hesitant but did as she asked. Da Ziran looked warily at the healer as she examined it. Her touch was professional and quick and after careful prodding and poking, Wuxian and Wangji were dismissed with a promise of a prognosis soon.
Wuxian leans on Wangji on the way back: "I'm proud of you. You didn't even threaten her once. You have made progress."
Wangji smiles at him: "Anything for your health."
Wen Ning steps behind them: "She seems nice."
Wuxian turns to tease him: "Do you want to marry her?"
Wen Ning panics: "What? NO! What?"
Wuxian throws his head back and laughs hard: "I'm joking.. relax! She is too old for you."
Wen Ning lets out a sigh of relief and distances himself from the couple. Wangji drags Wuxian with him to finish replying to some letters before they head back to their room. Wuxian idles around and then remembers something: "Lan Zhan, do you remember the bandits who killed my horse and drugged us?"
Wangji looks at him and nods. Wuxian: "Did we figure out what they want?"
Wangji: "Zewu Jun mentioned a letter they sent a while back."
He gets up and after a few minutes returns to hand over the letter from the archives to Wuxian. He reads the content a few times then whispers to himself in thought: "Shenhua Clan.. hm.."
Wangji: "The wording they used is more of a demand than a request. Uncle refused them politely a month before you joined our clan."
Wuxian looks at his ring: "You think they want the ring?"
Wangji: "Since it's irremovable it's safe to assume that they want you as well."
Wuxian frowns at him: "But why? What could they possibly gain from the ring?"
Wangji shakes his head: "It's unclear to me. Zewu Jun sent some disciples when he returned to go ask about them. So far they have not been able to acquire any useful information."
Wuxian puts the letter back: "Zewu Jun will let us know when he finds something. Since they've shown no additional interest in me or the ring, we can let it pass for now."
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