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Taiho was in charge of the other disciples. Zewu Jun gave them a task: document the traffic of people coming and going around the blessed well. He diligently organized shifts of two people around the clock to monitor the location and write down hourly counts.
It's been two days and so far it appears that there is a clear routine happening around the well. Food and wine sellers would show up early in the morning to get their share. Families and worshipers show up around noon and afternoon to line up and take their fill while other merchants who need water like blacksmiths and fabric makers are pushed back to receiving their share at night. Overall, the well is never free or out-of-service. The only slight decrease in traffic is noticed at night since merchants don't need water refills daily.
Taiho was good at spotting details and marking information. He worked with his grandfather, Keeper Daozi, since he was young and hopes one day to take over his position. He needed to be meticulous with as much details as possible, especially if Treasure Wei's safety is involved. The people who live in this city were well informed about the Divine Oracle's changed appearance and gifts. He heard many of them talk about Wuxian openly while waiting in line and he had no doubt that if they found out that he's here.. things could get ugly. They believed in the supernatural. He wouldn't put it past them if he believed that Wuxian is more than a human with blessed gifts.
Taiho took the book they wrote all the information in to Zewu Jun and watched him leaf through the information. When he was done he asked: "What do you recommend?"
Taiho was not expecting to be consulted. He hesitated for a second then said: "The darkness of night is a blessing to those who seek shelter. Even though the amount of people who visit the well at that time are still considered great, the others will be sleeping should a problem arise. Less audience, less people to contain. Plus, we can use the darkness as an extra precaution to hide his.. noticeable features."
Zewu Jun thinks for a second then says: "I see the logic but it might be hard on Wei Ying, especially with his current state of health. He needs a full night sleep to function properly."
Zewu Jun went through the book one more time then closed it, looking at Taiho with a smile: "Thank you boys for the detailed information. I will confer with the others and let you know what course of action we will take."
Taiho bows and leaves.
Zewu Jun took the book to share with Wangji, Wuxian and Nie. Nie voiced his concerns: "I don't think the hood of your coat is enough to hide your identity. Based on the intel your disciples brought us, these people know who you are very well."
Wuxian: "Do you have any suggestions?"
Nie: "How about we use dye to change your hair color to black? That should throw off most people who are not close enough to see your eyes."
They hear Wangji unsheathes Bichen and glare daggers at Nie. He opens his fan, hides behind it and whispers in fear: ".. or not."
Wuxian sighs: "That won't be practical for a long period of time. Besides, I'm starting to think that my hair has a mind of its own. Everytime I try to hide it or cover it, it always ends up loose and in the forefront."
Zewu Jun: "If you feel up to it, Taiho suggested we visit the well around midnight. The darkness and the hood should be sufficient in hiding your identity."
Nie: "I still think we should inform the city council of your presence here. They could help us contain the situation should the need arise."
Zewu Jun shakes his head: "Grandmaster Qiren made it clear that that is not an option unless we have no other choice."
Nie: "Then we can't all go at the same time. I will take my disciples earlier and station groups around the city while Zewu Jun can take your disciples and stand around the well. You should be fine with Lan Wangji and Wen Ning by your side. A bigger crowd will attract attention."
They all agreed on the new plan and things were set in motion for the next night.
Wuxian was feeling antsy all day and when Healer Shi forced him to take multiple naps, he had trouble falling asleep. When the sun started to set, Zewu Jun and Nie left to take their stations around the city and the well while Wangji waited with Wuxian until midnight.
Wangji watched Wuxian pace around the room and sighs: "Why are you worried?"
Wuxian turns to stare at his calm soul-bond: "Why aren't you worried?"
Wangji sips his tea in silence then says: "It is what it is."
Wuxian's eyes widen at his soul-bond: "I sometimes wonder how could you be so tranquil in the face of hardship and so overbearing in the face of everything else! Are you even human?"
Wangji gets up and moves to stop his pacing partner by placing his arms around his waist: "Why are you anxious? We are well prepared."
Wuxian huffs: "Are we? Because if I don't find something useful to go on at the well.. all these people we are trying to avoid could die!"
Wangji can see how the burden of being an Oracle is starting to take a toll on his mate. He places his forehead on his and whispers: "This is just like all the other missions we've been through together. We have yet to fail. Have faith in yourself and in us. You are not alone."
Wuxian sighs loudly and tries to share his soul-bond's optimism. Unfortunately, it's not a simple burden that can casually be shared.
Wen Ning steps into the room carrying Wuxian's coat: "It's time."
The three made their way out the room and towards the well. So far, no one seems to notice Wuxian or question why he had a hood on at night. They reached the well in peace. Wuxian looked around and saw the exact same place that was in his vision. He went as close as he dared to the well while avoiding the people standing in queue to get their share of water. He had a nagging feeling that he should know something.. but after circling the well a few times, nothing new was revealed. Wuxian cannot come here everyday. He needs to find a new lead to help the others search and stop the anonymous man from killing these innocent people.
To his knowledge, there are three things that can allow anyone to do something this heinous: A reason, means and timing. He had a rough estimate of the time this will occur. Now all he needs to figure out is the reason behind it and how it will happen.
Wuxian stood still for an hour, looking at the well hoping that something would reveal itself to him. He shivered from coldness and felt Da Ziran's discomfort over the drop in temperature. Wuxian turned to Wen Ning and asked him to take the snake for now. When he turned his head to stare back at the well, something caught his eye. The well was made from brown bricks constructed by clay. One of the bricks was broken and parts of it were on the ground. He slowly made his way towards the well and kneels to try and fix it without anyone noticing him. With fingers numb from the cold, he tried his best to mend the side of the well. When he stood up, the world around him was not what it was seconds ago.
'It was daylight. Same setting as his previous vision showing a happy thriving community. This time around, he saw the man stand in line like the others, waiting for his turn. Wuxian went closer to get a better look at the man's face but for some reason.. his features were blurry. Wuxian stood next to the man and waited in line. The man said nothing, did not even twitch. He just took a step when the line moved. Wuxian frowned. This is not what happened last time. He looked around for clues until the man in dark clothing's turn came up. The man looked into the well and reached with his hand to touch something inside the well. Wuxian leaned as far as he could to look at what he was doing. There were markings, glowing in blue inside the well walls. The man seems to be somehow activating it. After a few seconds of touching the markings, the man removes his hand and clenches his knuckles until they are white. Finally.. Wuxian saw an emotion. He was angry. The man whispered at the well: 'If you won't give me what I want.. then don't blame me for forcibly taking it.' He turned his back and walked away. Wuxian leaned again to see the markings in the well but they were gone. When he turned to follow the man in black.. all traces of him were gone.'
"WEI YING!"
Wangji's panicked voice snapped him back to reality. He blinked his eyes to adjust to the change and by the time things were back to normal, realization settled and he froze. During his vision, the wind and the golden spark associated with his gift unveiled his long golden hair. In the darkness of night, he shined like a beacon, inviting all to welcome his gifts.
Wuxian whispers: "Damn it.."
Then things went to hell from there. Needless to say, no amount of planning would've worked to contain the mob that assaulted the young Oracle. All he could do was cover his face and grab Wangji's robes so he won't lose him in the crowd. Someone yanked his coat and tore it, leaving scratch marks on Wuxian's neck.
These people were ordinary people, driven to insanity out of need and misguided devotion. The cultivators who rushed in to help contain the situation couldn't possibly use their swords and talismans on the helpless. The struggle ended up in a war of push and pull and bodies piling over each other, hoping to touch the magical being in their midst.
Wangji was starting to get desperate. When he heard his soul-bond whimper with pain, he snapped. He grabs hold of Wuxian and transfers spiritual energy into his legs to help propel him high into the air. He jumped over the pile of people around them and landed a few paces away, supporting his breathless soul-bond. He didn't stop to assess the situation and just ran, dragging Wuxian along with him.
Wuxian was beyond dizzy. He lost his coat during the struggle and his body was getting numb. He tried his best to keep up with Wangji's pace but after a few minutes of being dragged, he stumbled and fell.
He closed his eyes to stop the world from spinning. Wangji was trying to whisper something to Wuxian but his ears were ringing and he couldn't hear it.
Wangji looked behind him when he heard people following and out of desperation, picked up Wuxian and jumped over the nearest fence to hide behind it. He crouched and placed a shaking Wuxian next to him.
He looked over to make sure that no one saw them. When the coast was clear he looked down at his soul-bond.
Wuzian was shaking like a leaf, his neck was bleeding from scratch marks and he was pale as a ghost.
Wuxian weakly grabs Wangji's robes and looks at him desperately: "I.. I.. c..can't.. feel my.. f.. fingers."
Wangji takes off his outer robe and drapes it over the smaller man's shivering frame. He takes his numb hands and blows hot air into them and rubs them gently. He needs to find him shelter soon before Wuxian passes out or gets sick. They cannot afford any setbacks at the moment and he's not sure if the inn they're staying at is safe anymore. Wangji continues to blow hot air into Wuxian's ice-cold hands and looks around desperately for a safe place to hide.
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