.
They made it on time to Qinghe City. Thanks to Nie Huaisang, the people in this city were cordial and very welcoming. They threw flowers at Wuxian's carriage and cheered happily as he made his way to the inn Nie secured for them. Wuxian felt special and the heartburn he sensed knowing that Zewu Jun and Wangji bribed Luxia City eased a little.
Nie welcomed them at the door and showed them to their rooms. It was getting late so they agreed to meet in the morning to debrief before Wuxian's healing session. They will leave to Cloud Recesses as soon as he is well enough to travel. The smaller man still took mild painkillers for his broken hand. He sat on his bed that night, watching Wangji move around and arrange things for the morning.
Wuxian blinks slowly and says the first thing that came to him: "You kissed me in front of everyone."
Wangji stopped what he was doing and turned to look at his half asleep soul-bond: "I did."
Wuxian: "We agreed to no more public display of affection."
Wangji tried to hide a proud smirk as he turned to resume his task: "It was an emergency."
Wuxian sighs deeply: "I get a free pass for this."
Wangji frowns: "Free pass?"
Wuxian lays down: "Yes, a free pass. You don't get to manhandle me without consequences. I have my pride to protect."
Wangji sits next to his soul-bond and looks down at him with a smile: "You don't need a free pass to do as you please. I am yours."
Wuxian tsks and turns away grumbling: "Sentimental fool."
The next morning, Wuxian and Wangji joined the rest at the inn's big eating area. Nie debriefs them on the contained situation in Luxia City and gives them his word to keep an eye for any rumors pertaining to Wuxian. The smaller man feels guilty and looks sadly at Nie: "Brother Nie, I'm sorry for causing a commotion in your sect."
Nie waves his fan in dismissal: "They should be kneeling at your feet, thanking you for saving their lives. I'm sorry they're too ignorant to appreciate your sacrifices."
Wuxian sighs and rubs his broken arm: "I don't care for praises. I just hoped we could have solve this problem more.. smoothly."
Nie nods then remembers something: "Brother Wei, forgive me for asking but during the fight and the drama afterwards, we didn't get a chance to hear what transpired between you and the evil man."
Everyone in the room was too considerate to ask. They all wanted to know what happened. Wuxian looks down and says in a low voice: "He said that I ruined his plans so I must compensate him. Apparently, he was the same person who kidnapped the Mother Tree's son which explains the black leaf from my vision. He.. he smelled her blessing on me and said he can taste the power under my skin. He told me that he has no face but has the ability to mimic anyone's face as long as he knows their birth name and what they look like."
Zewu Jun nods: "So when you called my brother by his birth name he was able to copy his features?"
Wuxian nods, eyes filled with shame. Wangji wraps his hand around Wuxian's waist and pulls him closer to his side in comfort.
Wuxian looks down at Da Ziran then says: "Da Ziran says that he cannot copy my features since it's a visual representation of the power the Earth Deity bestowed upon me. Even if he tried, he won't be able to copy the color of my eyes, hair and skin."
Zewu Jun nods: "That's a relief. Just to be safe, no one is to use their birth names in public from here on out."
They all nod in agreement.
Wangji turns to look at his subdue soul-bond: "Why did he kiss you?"
Wuxian's eyes widened at the bold question and he rubbed his neck in clear sign of discomfort: "He said.. if I interfere with his plans again, he will kill everyone I love and keep me for himself."
Wangji broke the chopsticks in his hands. His face was calm but one look at the death gripped fists.. one could tell he was ready to kill mercilessly.
Zewu Jun said in a calm voice: "Obviously, none of us will let that happen. We need to be more prepared.. if there is a next time."
Wuxian sighs: "I haven't had a vision in a while.. so we're safe for now."
Zewu Jun: "We still have to deal with Shenhua Clan. I have updates pertaining to them from Liwei. We found their Clan Sect in the north. Uncle has a plan that will be discussed after we return."
Nie: "I will ask around about them and let you know what I find out. The more information you get the better."
They all finished their meal and went their separate ways. Wuxian retired for an afternoon nap, while Zewu Jun and Wangji sat together to discuss travel plans with Healer Shi.
The young disciples decided to roam around Qinghe City and visit the market before they had to leave in a few days. They were accompanied by a few Nie Sect disciples. Taiho looked at an absentminded Sizhui who's holding a white coat: "Why did you bring Treasure Wei's coat with you?"
Sizhui looks sadly at it: "Father was devastated when Zewu Jun told him that the coat was damaged beyond repair. It was a gift from Grandmaster Qiren and he felt like he failed his father by destroying it so soon after receiving it. I thought we might find someone who can wash off the blood and restore it."
Taiho frowns: "My grandfather designed that coat. Treasure Wei cannot wear a mended piece of clothing. He represents our clan. It has to be near perfect to be acceptable."
Kaoji: "We could just buy him a new one."
All Lan Clan disciples turned to glare at the ignorant boy.
Jingyi: "Did you not hear Taiho? He just said that Treasure Wei represents our Clan! He cannot possibly wear something you buy from a street stall!"
Kaoji pouts and stays quiet.
A senior disciple from Nie sect intervenes: "I know a guy that can replicate any piece of clothing with the same quality within a day. He does an amazing job but charges a lot for his services."
They all turn to glare at Jingyi who looks innocently at them: "What?"
Taiho: "Someone took half of our allowance. Even if we pitch in to buy a new replicated coat it won't be enough."
Jingyi huffs: "It's not my fault you suck at finding things."
Sizhui turns his puppy eyes on his friend: "Father is truly stressed out about this, Jingyi. It would mean a lot to him. I will pay you back later."
Jingyi was not impressed. He pursed his lips and tried to walk away until Bhao blocked his path: "You said that you're his favorite."
Jingyi looks up at the giant: "So?"
Bhao folds his arms: "You won't even help us find him a coat to warm his cold small hands?"
Jingyi stomps his feet in frustration then groans: "FINE! But I'm taking all the credit for this!"
The senior disciple led them to a small store at an obscure back alley. They made a deal with a shady old man and he promised to finish the coat by tomorrow morning. On their way back, they saw Wuxian walking with Wangji. It was hard to miss since most people around them stopped to bow or kneel as a sign of respect to the young Oracle. The combination of Nie Sect Leader's warning to the townspeople and Da Ziran's Lion form kept most of them at a distance.
Sizhui ran towards his adoptive parents and bowed, followed by the rest of the young disciples. Sizhui was happy to see the contented smile on his father's face: "Treasure Wei, what brought you out this late?"
Wuxian looks at the sky then frowns: "The sun is still up."
Sizhui coughs awkwardly then says: "I mean.. we would've accompanied you if we knew you were planning to leave the inn."
Wuxian pets his head: "I've got enough protection. You kids run along and continue doing whatever you were doing."
They all shifted in their spot, acting shady. Wuxian narrows his eyes and steps near Jingyi to whisper: "Did you do something illegal without me again?"
Jingyi, who was munching on sesame cookies, sighs: "Nope. I wish."
Wuxian looks mischievously at him: "How fast can you run?"
Jingyi frowns at the random question: "Fast enough, why?"
Wuxian grabs his cookie stash and runs towards the busy streets of Qinghe City, while Da Ziran keeps pace next to him without any problem.
It took the rest a few seconds to realize that the golden-hair man had made a run for it and swiftly proceeded to follow. Wangji shakes his head and walks calmly, while keeping an eye from afar.
Wen Ning jumps over the roofs and out runs them all, keeping a close eye while enjoying the loud laughter coming out of his soul-brother.
Jingyi: "THIEF! YOU TOOK MY COOKIES!"
Wuxian turns around and yells at a struggling Jingyi: "That's payback for all the food you stole from me! You got so fat, a snail can outrun you!"
Sizhui: "FATHER STOP! You could get hurt!"
Wuxian laughs, feeling the wind go through his hair, relishing the feeling of freedom: "Don't be such a prude! Live a little!"
Wuxian checks back to see how far he was from his slow disciples. When he turned to look ahead.. things started to morph and change color until he found himself running somewhere else..
'He was surrounded by trees. He recognizes this place. It was just outside of Cloud Recesses's gate. He stopped to catch his breath and look around. What's going on? He didn't have to wait for long when the brute from his previous vision passed by in haste, carrying Wuxian's unconscious form. He ran to follow the limping Slayer all the way to an abandoned shed just outside of Gusu City. The man kicked the door open and gently placed Wuxian on the ground. He removed the cloth covering him and the hibernating form of Da Ziran was revealed. They didn't plan to just kidnap him, they took his spirit animal as well. The Slayer checked Wuxian's pulse and was joined by a few more Shenhua Clan members. He turned to address one of them: "Is the soul-bond dead?" The man shook his head: "We made sure he survived the fire just like you instructed." The Slayer: "The rest?" One of the followers replied: "Most of them didn't make it." Shenhua Kai joins them and looks as emotionless as the rest: "They're still struggling to contain the fire. We could've used a less destructive means to rescue the Divine Oracle. It is after all your home too." The Slayer turns to glare at Kai: "That place was never my home!" Kai raises an eyebrow: "You are a Lan Clan member by blood. It's your birthright to claim it as your home." The Slayer picks up Wuxian and pushes past Kai: "If you're such a wise man I wouldn't have to clean up your mess. Keep your mouth shut until we reach safety." They all moved as a group and walked out the shed. The younger disciples brought a cart with boxes at the back. The Slayer gently places Wuxian in a padded box and closes the lid, locking him in and hiding him from the world. He watched as they all shed their green robes and changed into peddler clothing as they got ready for their journey. The Slayer sits near the box Wuxian was in and whispers to him: "Don't worry. Soon you will be in your rightful place and nothing will stop you from fulfilling your destiny.. not even yourself."'
Wuxian blinked a few times when things around him flickered back to reality. The first thing he saw was Wen Ning's worried face as he stood in front of him, close enough to be in his personal space but far enough not to touch. Wuxian sighs, closes his eyes and leans his head to rest on Wen Ning's shoulder. He feels Wangji's warm large hand rubbing his back: "We need to move inside."
Wuxian nods and looks around him for the first time. A little bubble of panic pops in his chest when he remembers that he's in public but it is extinguished quickly when he looks around and sees everyone within sight kneeling. An old lady, barely able to fold her knees looks up with a wide smile and says: "Thank you Divine Oracle. I've never felt this alive in my life!"
Another joins her gratitude: "You're a blessing to us all!"
Everyone stayed where they were, looking up at Wuxian like he was a holy being and showered him with praise and gratitude.
Wuxian clutched Wangji, shocked by the contrast experience to what they faced in Luxia City. He whispers to his soul-bond: "Am I still in a vision?"
Wangji smiles warmly at him: "No. This is what a man like you truly deserves."
.