.
Wuxian's fever broke after a few more days. By that time, the wrap around his wrist was removed with strict instructions not to pick up heavy items or use it excessively. The smaller man was relieved to be back in his Treasure Room and ready to receive people and resume his duties.
He hasn't shared his last vision with anyone else. He wasn't sure if it was actually a vision and hoped that the nightmare would pass and be forgotten. The stubborn Mianmian didn't let him live in his blissful denial by pestering him to tell his soul-bond and brother about it. He's been procrastinating under the guise of waiting for the right time.
Grandmaster Qiren requested a family meeting this afternoon after he finishes his duties in the Treasure Room. He made his way into the Orchid Room and silently waited for the rest to join. Qiren smiled at him and chose to sit next to him before Wangji got to his usual spot. The subtle twitch in his soul-bond's eyebrow made him almost burst out laughing.
Zewu Jun started the meeting with an update: "I received a message from Liwei. He has located a page from the prophecy book. As I instructed, he has not read the content or allowed anyone access to it to avoid any ill fortune based on Meili's assumptions. He did confirm that the page emits the same energy as the one we showed him. He's on his way back to deliver it to us. Hopefully, he will be here tomorrow."
Grandmaster Qiren nods his approval: "That boy sure knows how to complete his tasks with efficiency."
Wuxian looks sadly at his father: "Where is Hweiru? I haven't seen her since I came back."
Qiren: "I didn't want to expose you to her repressed emotions in case it triggers another vision of the past."
Wuxian frowns: "Isn't that a good thing? That way we know what happened to her. We can help her cope better with that knowledge since she's still refusing to share it."
Qiren looks at his nephews and when he receives a collective support from the room he says: "I will bring her over tomorrow after you finish your duties."
Wuxian smiles: "Thank you, Father. I hope she still remembers me."
Qiren: "We are planning to contact Shenhua Clan and send a warning letter to their leader. It is an aggressive move to force their hand into action. We want them to know that we are aware of their hidden location and willing to push if they're planning to shove."
Zewu Jun looks down as if he's repressing his opinion.
Wuxian caught the gesture and asked him: "Brother, what are you thinking?"
Zewu Jun: "I think a more peaceful approach would yield a better result."
Qiren: "Can you be more specific?"
Zewu Jun took the opportunity to voice his idea: "If we could convince the other clans into accepting Shenhua Clan as part of our alliance then they will be forced to follow our rules that are based on peace and brotherhood."
Wangji stared blankly at his brother: "They tried to kidnap Wei Ying."
Zewu Jun: "They got their punishment for that transgression. Let's not look at the past and focus on the future. If we start with an offensive move, war will be inevitable. We don't know how deep their connections are. We're still in the dark when it comes to intel pertaining their sect."
Grandmaster Qiren strokes his beard in thought for a few minutes and then says: "So you propose we convince the other leaders to allow Shenhua Clan into our midst?"
Zewu Jun nods: "Even if it doesn't happen, we will succeed in introducing the rest of our brother clans to this new threat and get to know more about them by studying their politics. We keep our friends close and our enemies closer."
Wuxian frowns: "I don't know if I feel comfortable inviting them to Cloud Recesses after what I saw them do in my vision."
Zewu Jun: "It will be a gamble. Wangji's title of Excellency forces this truce meeting to be held here but our allies' presence should enforce our defence."
Wangji: "We need to plan this very carefully. Shenhua Clan has shown no mercy when it comes to getting what they want."
Grandmaster Qiren turns to glare at Zewu Jun: "If we are planning to invite those people here, Shenhua Kai is not to set foot into Cloud Recesses. Is that clear?"
Zewu Jun nods: "I agree with you. Brother Wei has made his threat very clear the last time he was here."
Wuxian puffs his chest in pride: "I protected my home. I regret nothing."
Grandmaster Qiren pats his shoulder: "I would've done the same, minus the property damage and the poisonous bite."
Wuxian shrugs: "Jiang Cheng said I was dramatic. I had to live up to his expectations. I do have a reputation to uphold."
Qiren laughs at his son's mischievous antics.
Zew Jun turns to ask his uncle: "Grandmaster, have you checked the identity of the Slayer? I want us to be fully informed before we attempt this treaty."
Qiren nods: "I have. None of the elders, including me, remember him."
Wuxian looks confused: "Zewu Jun, you've been dancing around revealing your theory for a while. Share it with us so we can help you prove it."
Zewu Jun hesitates for a few seconds then says: "You know the story about my parents' marriage. My mother was originally a rogue cultivator that my father fell in love with but she didn't reciprocate his feelings. She prided herself as an advocate for peace and justice. So, when she heard about a grandmaster from our clan teachers who used animals and creatures for experiments that lead to torture and death, she made her voice heard and protested his methods. Things escalated to the point where the grandmaster raised his sword at her and she defended herself, killing him in the process. My father saw the woman he loves kill his teacher in self defense and secretly married her to protect her from prosecution. He brought her into our Clan and sheltered her, even though many of our elders demanded retribution. He protected her until her last breath."
Wuxian felt sadness wash over him. This story gets more grim the more he learns about it. Zewu Jun continued: "From the description Nie Clan Leader provided and the details from your vision pertaining the Slayer's origin, it is safe to assume that he's the son of the grandmaster my mother killed to defend herself."
Wangji: "Do we not have records pertaining to the deceased grandmaster's lineage?"
Qiren: "We do. It doesn't mention a son. Which is why the elders and I are confused."
Wuxian rubs his nose: "Do we know any disciples that studied closely under this grandmaster? They might know something we failed to uncover."
Zewu Jun nods: "My father was his senior disciple. I already asked Keeper Daozi to look for some of his possessions that survived the invasion. He was a humble man and didn't believe in keeping things for too long so it might take him some time to find something for you to use to summon his spirit."
Wuxian swallows hard, still apprehensive about meeting his father-in-bond. He knows that knowledge is the key weapon they need to fight the Shenhua Clan and there is no room for his doubts to hinder their progress. That thought made him take a deep breath and confess his secret: "A few days ago.. I had a vision. Well.. sort of a vision."
All the men present turned to glare at him.
Qiren: "You kept this from us because..?"
Wuxian looks down in shame and whispers: "I hated everything about it. It was a little distorted by my fever and I think it blended in with another vision somehow.."
Wuxian kept on rambling until his father laid a comforting hand on his to stop him: "How about you tell us what you saw and we will try to help you figure it out."
Wuxian looks at Wangji with sad apologetic eyes before he tells them the details of his vision. The room was washed with shocked silence when he finished, leaving him wallowing once more in doubt. Wangji frowns: "Is that why you left during the night while you were sick?"
Wuxian hangs his head in shame: "I was confused and needed some space to figure out what I saw. I'm sorry."
Wangji purses his lips and nods hesitantly.
Zewu Jun: "I'm more concerned over the other Wei Ying in your vision. From your description, the future Divine Oracle was trying to warn you over something that's so drastic that warrants a forced visit to the past."
Qiren: "Do you think he wants us to stop this woman?"
Wuxian furrows his brows: "I've had a few days to think about it. He wasn't looking at them when he screamed his warning. The moment I could understand his words, she disappeared in a cloud of green smoke and our room was set on fire. Maybe.. maybe that's the consequence of not heeding his warning?"
Wangji was suspiciously silent. Wuxian steals a few looks between sentences to make sure he's alright. From the tight grip the tall man had on Bichen, Wuxian can safely deduce that Wangji is definitely bothered by the vision or his reaction to it.
Zewu Jun: "I think we should wait until the vision clears up in the future or the woman shows up to worry about it. We don't have enough information to safely consider changing it or interfering with whatever fate connected to it."
Qiren hums his approval: "Shenhua Clan is an active threat at the moment. Let's deal with them first then work on figuring out what this last vision has to do with the two of you."
With a truce to plan, Zewu Jun and Qiren made their way out while the bonded men stayed in a blanket of tense silence. Wangji stood up and held his hand out for his soul-bond without making eye contact. Wuxian knew that the taller man was mad but didn't want to show it so he took his hand and followed him back to their room. He will do whatever it takes to make Wangji feel better. All he has to do is figure out how.
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