.
They made it to Luxia City after ten days. They had to stop for two days during that time so Wuxian could have his healing session and recover. The good news is: his gums stopped bleeding and he got his appetite back. The bad news is: he's back to feeling fatigue and experiencing dizzy spells. If he had to choose; he'd take fainting over vomiting blood every time. It's a 'lesser of two evils' situation. Mianmian became the 'unofficial' healer assistant. Her efficiency and ability to act without prompting made her an ideal helper to Fu Shi. Unfortunately, it lit a fire under Wangji's insecurities which was starting to annoy Wuxian a bit. He was just too tired to deal with it for now.
Nie Huaisang greeted them at the gate and ushered them to the nearest inn to rest. Wuxian was covering his head with the hood of the white coat his father had made for him and it helped hide his identity. Nie was instructed by Grandmaster Qiren to empty out the inn they were staying in to help Wuxian feel more comfortable and keep him safe. All the occupants were Lan Clan or Nie Clan members.
Nie sat with them that evening for dinner and said: "Brother Wei, I've asked about the man from your vision and sent disciples to look stealthily around the city. We came up with nothing."
Wuxian: "We're early. We still have time to figure out how he's planning to destroy this city before he actually arrives."
Nie: "I've arranged a meeting with the town council tomorrow to discuss how we're planning to prevent this event from happening. Grandmaster Qiren was adamant about keeping your presence hidden, how are you planning to investigate and move around the city?"
Wuxian scratched his head and looked at the people around him: "I haven't thought about that."
Zewu Jun: "I will meet with the city council tomorrow on your behalf. Unfortunately, we cannot control the townspeople here like Lan Ran did in Gusu City."
Wuxian: "I cannot possibly stay hidden for a month. We have to come up with a more convenient way for me to move around if we're planning to figure this mess out."
Wangji: "Covering your hair with the hood should work for now. Wen Ning and I will handle any threat should you be discovered."
Nie unfurled his fan and moved it around: "I've stationed my men around the city in plain clothes. Should any unnecessary trouble crops up, they will be on standby to assist."
Wuxian: "Tell me about the well."
Nie: "The well has a fable that's connected to its origin. No one knows if the story is true or not. According to historians, this well was a blessing from a western God that came across a weeping old man. He asked about his sorrow and the old man told him that he has lived his life without any accomplishments or children to leave as a legacy. The God promised him a good, unforgettable ending if he would find an offering that's worth the gift. The man has nothing to offer but the clothes on his back. He ventured into the woods looking for something worthy to offer the God and stumbled upon a fairy. The fairy couldn't speak to the human but saw he was tired and offered him food and water. After he ate her food and drank her water, he thanked her by building her a house from fallen branches and twigs. The fairy was grateful for her new home and pointed towards a cave. The man didn't understand what she wanted but went into the cave anyways. Inside the cave he found a boy swimming in an underground spring. The man asked the boy if he was lost and needed help. The boy told him that the fairy built this home for him because he helped her a long time ago. The water he swam in gave him youth and he's been swimming in it for hundreds of years. The man was tempted to join the boy and live a longer life but the boy warned him: if he touched the water he can never leave. The man felt sorry for the boy; a long life in solitude is not a life worth living. He understood that the fairy wanted him to live longer as a thank you for building her a home. But this was more of a curse than a blessing. The man went back to the God and asked if he could change his wish: he wanted to save the boy and give him a family instead. The God accepted his sacrifice as a worthy offering and chose to fulfill both his wishes. He created a well that the boy can live in between other people who will cherish him and the man will forever be known as the person who built the blessed well that gives life to many who survive on its abundance."
Wuxian rubs his nose: "Do we know how old this well is?"
Nie: "There are no verified records of when it was built."
Zewu Jun: "What's so special about it? Why do people think it's blessed?"
Nie: "According to our intel, people claim that the food and drinks made from the well water tastes better and lasts longer without going bad. Many healers also claim that the water also helps with mixing herbs and making more efficient medicines. There are rumors that couples who drink the wine made from this well will be blessed with a long happy marriage and have many healthy children."
Zewu Jun: "All hearsay. Do you have any proof that it's truly blessed?"
Nie shrugs: "People are oddly happy and active here. When you go through the city tomorrow you will understand what I mean."
Wuxian yawns and leans into his soul-bond. Wangji: "We will reconvene tomorrow to figure out how Wei Ying can visit the well without being detected. It's best if we retire for the day."
Nie whispers to Wuxian: "Want to have a few drinks later?"
Wuxian raises an eyebrow at him and points to his hair: "Haven't you learned from last time?"
Nie gulps and grabs his bun before backing off towards the door: "Maybe after we succeed in our mission. Bye!"
Wuxian chuckles at his antics: "This man never learns."
Wangji pulls him up and pushes him towards the bed: "Sleep."
Wuxian pouts at him: "We haven't been alone in many days and all you want to do is make me go to bed early?"
Wangji grabs his soul-bond and pulls him into a tight embrace: "You drive me crazy."
Wuxian chuckles while rubbing Wangji's back: "I drive you crazy? Have you been noticing your irrational behavior lately?"
Wangji moves Wuxian's hair to bury his nose to the side of his neck and breathes him in.
Wuxian whispers to him: "What do you smell?"
Wangji: "The purple flowers I planted in Little Sanctuary."
Wuxian: "That's the flower your mother grew in her garden?"
Wangji nods. Wuxian laughs a little: "I remind you of your mother? That's weird."
Wangji: "No. You remind me of a time when I had no worries or fears. She viewed the world as a place that we all need to enjoy and protect. You, Wei Ying, are my world."
Wuxian groans: "We're back to saying cheesy stuff?"
Wangji: "You don't seem to understand how much I need you."
Wuxian pokes Wangji's side: "EVERYONE knows how much you need me! You are not subtle with your actions."
Wangji: "Then I must continue lest you forget."
Wuxian sighs: "Do as you please, my dear soul-bond. As you have declared before: I am yours."
Zewu Jun went the next day to meet the town council. It was not a very productive meeting. They told him the same fable Nie told them yesterday. However, he did get a chance to walk around the city and get the happy vibe Nie Sect Leader was talking about. He also tasted their food and it was delicious. He took the disciples to visit the well and examine it before they can bring Wuxian over. It looked exactly as Wuxian described it from his vision. At least he can confirm that this is where the event foretold will take place.
Zewu Jun noticed that the well was used continuously. Water was pulled in buckets and people stood in line, waiting for their turn.
Zewu Jun asked the disciples to watch the traffic until morning and report when the line of people stops or thins out. He wanted to plan when it was safer for Wuxian to visit the well with minimal requirements for crowd control.
Wuxian spent the first few days indoors with Wen Ning while the rest had tasks to complete. Not that he was complaining, but at the moment he was beyond bored.
Wuxian was making shapes and figures from parchment paper he found on the desk and asking Wen Ning to guess what it is.
Wen Ning: "Is it Da Ziran?"
Wuxian sighs: "Da Ziran can be any animal! That's cheating!"
Wen Ning pouts and whispers: "It's not my fault you're bad at folding paper."
Wuxian smiles and fake-reprimands him: "Yuxio and Jingyi are having a bad influence on you. First you steal now you cheat. Wen Ning.. you're better than that!"
Wen Ning freaks out a little: "I never stole or cheated! I swear!"
Wuxian chuckle: "I'm just teasing you. Relax!
When Wen Ning hangs his head down, Wuxian sighs and pats the seat next to him: "Come here."
Wen Ning obliges and Wuxian smooths his hair away from his face and looks him in the eye: "You know I love you, right?"
Wen Ning smiles and nods. Wuxian smiles back: "Even if you cheat, steal or kill.. I will still love you no matter what."
Wen Ning leans in to embrace Wuxian. The smaller man pats his back and whispers: "You will always be my favorite.. just don't tell Jingyi or Lan Wangji. Their jealousy is insufferable."
Wen Ning chuckles and nods, enjoying this rare comforting moment with his soul-brother. Wuxian smelled like his sister and he couldn't help but tighten his hold a little to convey his gratitude. Introverts rarely know how to use words to express their feelings but he knows that Wuxian will never need explanations. After all, only real love can awaken one's soul.
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