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Zewu Jun never knew that his patience had a limit. He was always capable of containing his emotions and dealing with whatever comes his way with reason. But at the moment, he's a few seconds away from jumping across the table between them and strangling the pompous jackass before him.
A few days ago, he received a letter requesting admission into Cloud Recesses from Shenhua Clan's First Master: Shenhua Kai. Zewu Jun recognized the name and respectfully declined his request. The man was nothing less than persistent. He came the next day and the day after, sending letter after letter demanding entry into Cloud Recesses. Grandmaster Qiren refused each time so Zewu Jun went outside the gate to hear the man's reason behind his visit.
Shenhua Kai was a tall man with a strong build. One would describe him as ruggedly handsome with a sharp jawline and well defined muscles. What's unsettling about him is his emotionless gaze. In fact, all Shenhua clansmen shared this stoic, expressionless demeanor. From the information provided by Jiang Cheng, Shenhua cultivators prefer spears and daggers over swords. Kai was carrying a marble spear with a golden tip, a first-class weapon named Feng.
They met at a tea house in Gusu city and after exchanging pleasantries, Zewu Jun asked: "First Master Shenhua, why are you here?"
Kai: "We request an audience with the Divine Oracle."
Zewu Jun frowns at the flat response: "May I ask why?"
Kai: "It does not concern you."
Zewu Jun: "I am his brother-in-bond and consultant. Whatever business you have with Wei Wuxian very well concerns me."
Kai assesses Zewu Jun for a few seconds then replies: "Arrange a meeting and I will consider your presence during our talks."
Zewu Jun takes a deep breath to quell his frustration: "First Master Shenhua, you seem to have the wrong impression. I do not serve under your pleasure. Grandmaster Qiren made it adamant that you and your clan, under no circumstances, will be allowed near our Treasure. Unless you give me a reasonable excuse as to why I should present your case for consideration, this meeting will be considered a waste of my time."
Kai sips his tea then stands up: "You have no right to monopolize the Divine Oracle. We will meet him with or without your permission."
Zewu Jun closes his eyes and gets in the last word before Kai is out of earshot: "Be careful who you threaten. The ignorant always mistakes peace with weakness."
Zewu Jun sent senior disciples to keep an eye on him and his followers.
The next day, things escalated. Shenhua Kai showed up at Cloud Recesses gate a few hours after Grandmaster Qiren left with Wuxian's disciples. He didn't ask for permission this time. He settled for deactivating the wards surrounding the gate and waiting at the door. Zewu Jun showed up with Lan Ran and an army of disciples hoping to negotiate a peaceful solution or defend their home should things escalate. He stood at the door, staring at the man for a few minutes in silence.
Zewu Jun: "I do not understand your intentions. Breaking our wards is an act of aggression, yet you stand here waiting for me to invite you in."
Kai: "I was raised to respect other's homes and I refuse to leave without speaking to the Oracle. Drastic measures is the next logical step."
Zewu Jun frowns at him: "Drastic measures?"
Kai: "I will complete my mission by any means necessary."
Lan Ran whispers to Zewu Jun: "I recommend you invite him in before a fight starts and many get hurt."
Zewu Jun: "Where is Wangji?"
Ran: "In a meeting with the sect town leaders. He will be available in the afternoon."
Zewu Jun addresses Kai: "You may enter and wait until our Clan Leader is free to join us."
Kai bows with respect and follows Zewu Jun to the Orchid Room.
Wangji was informed of Shenhua clan's presence before he led his emotional soul-bond to rest in their room. He wasn't exaggerating when he promised Wuxian that his needs will trump other duties. If they're willing to barge in uninvited then let them wait.
When Wangji finally showed up, he received a courtesy bow from Kai.
He saw Zewu Jun shake his head behind Kai before he addressed him: "State your business."
Kai: "I request an audience with the Divine Oracle."
Wangji: "You attacked us, drugged my companions and broke our wards. Why should I accept your request?"
Kai: "We have our reasons for our past transgressions. You have no excuse to deny our request now."
Wangji glares at him: "He is my soul-bond."
Kai: "The Earth Deity blessed him to serve us all equally. Not just Gusu Lan Clan."
Zewu Jun: "He serves no one! He's been blessed and has the choice to do as he pleases with his new gifts."
Kai: "Yet, he has not left Cloud Recesses to visit other clans and share his talents. Why is that?"
Wangji: "You are in no position to ask for explanations."
Kai takes out a book from his robes and hands it over to Wangji: "These are signed petitions from over 4000 cultivators asking Gusu Lan Clan to release the Divine Oracle so others can meet him freely."
Wangji hands the book over to Zewu Jun and says in a low threatening voice: "My soul-bond is not an object to be traded. He was the Treasure of Gusu Lan Clan and my soul-bond before he became the Divine Oracle. Our protection is not up for debate."
Kai's expressionless face was getting to Wangji. He didn't understand what this man's endgame is.
Kai bows to them both and says: "I will give you time to think of a better answer and return tomorrow to hear it."
He and his followers left without a fuss, leaving both brothers in confusion. Zewu Jun laughs in shock: "People think we're keeping Wei Wuxian as a hostage?"
Wangji, still glaring towards the door Kai left through, replies: "Brother, confirm the validity of the names in that book and assemble the elders. We need to find a solution before it spreads to the other main clans."
On his way out, Zewu Jun says: "Do not bother Brother Wei with this matter. He is under a lot of pressure as is."
Wangji nods his head, agreeing to his request.
Wangji returned that night after extensive debate with the elders to find an empty room. He took a deep breath, assessing his connection to his soul-bond and when he felt no imminent danger, he chose to stay and wait his return. He was sitting at the table, writing letters to the other main clan leaders about today's event when Wuxian showed up.
Wuxian opened the door with more force than necessary. Wangji turned to see Wen Ning behind his swaying soul-bond, holding his hands up to his sides and ready to catch him if he fell. Wuxian spotted Wangji at the table and pointed at him: "LAN WANGJI!"
Wangji raised an eyebrow at his soul-bond and Wen Ning sighed: "He's drunk."
Wuxian stumbled towards the sitting man and sat on his lap, straddling him with his legs on each side, facing him. Wangji moved back a little, shocked from the sudden intimate position. Wuxian squished Wangji's cheeks between his hands and pulled him close: "Lan Wangji! Do you know.. Do you know how much I appreciate you?"
Wangji stares at his clearly out-of-his-mind soul-bond. Wuxian frowns, trying to look serious while saying: "You!" He squeezes Wangji's cheeks more and continues: "YOU are the best.. bestest.. more best?"
His eyes roll around like he's trying to find the right word inside his head then turns to look at Wen Ning who's stifling a laugh and says: "Top?"
Wuxian nods: "Yes.. THAT! You, Lan Wangji, are the top soulmate EVER!"
Wangji blinks at Wuxian, speechless. He gently takes Wuxian's wrists and pulls them away from his abused cheeks: "Wei Ying, you're not supposed to be drinking."
Wuxian: "Nah. Little turtle said it was fine."
Wangji turns to Wen Ning and he says: "Healer Shi."
Wuxian leans forward and places his forehead on Wangji's shoulder. Wangji pulls him close and rubs the back of his neck in comfort. Wangji whispers after a few silent minutes: "Wei Ying, do you feel trapped here?"
Wuxian sighs and asks: "Where?"
Wangji: "In Cloud Recesses, with me."
Wuxian puts his hand over Wangji's heart and snuggles closer to his soul-bond: "What?"
Wangji: "Do you feel like you are trapped with me?"
Wuxian lets out a deep breath: "You like to cuddle."
Wangji frowns at the weird answer: "How is that relevant?"
Wuxian borrows his nose under Wangji's neck and continues: "You like to cuddle. You protect me. You make me feel safe and accepted. You feed me like I'm a cow. You make me feel special.. You're my home. When I'm with you, no matter where we are.. I feel like I'm in heaven."
Wuxian lets out a content sigh after the last statement that forces a wide smile on Wangji's face. He pulls the smaller man in tightly and whispers "Thank you" into his hair. The moment was broken when Wuxian's stomach growled loudly. He pulls back to stare at Wangji and with a stern look says: "Your cow is hungry."
Wangji purses his lips to stop himself from laughing while Wen Ning snorts unsuccessful in hiding his. Wangji: "What would you like to eat?"
Wuxian scratches his head and says: "Food."
Wen Ning is barely holding it together.
Wangji: "Any preference?"
Wuxian smiles at him: "Spicy food."
Wangji turns to look at Wen Ning who's covering his mouth to stop himself from bursting into laughter and the younger man jumps to fetch the drunk something to eat.
Wangji stokes Wuxian's hair as they wait and whispers to him: "Did you enjoy drinking with Healer Shi?"
Wuxian nods: "She said we will be friends forever."
He gets closer to whisper, but ends up saying loudly: "I think she will be our future sister-in-law."
Wangji shakes his head at Wuxian's antics: "Does that make you happy?"
Wuxian smiles stupidly at his soul-bond: "Only you make me happy."
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