The Rise of the Divine Oracle

Chapter 5 - Healing

.

Wangji has been sitting under the Wishing Tree for quite some time. The sun is starting to set and the man sleeping in his lap is not showing any signs of waking up. He's not sure if he should move him away from the tree because he can feel some kind of spiritual connection between them. So he just sat there, stared at the face of his soul bond and hoped that whatever is happening to him will end soon.

Leader Mao went to fetch them food and water as they waited. By the time he returned, Wangji felt Wuxain starting to regain consciousness. "Wei Ying?"

Wuxian: "Hm?"

Wangji: "Are you well?"

Wuxian: "She's sad."

Leader Mao: "Who's sad?"

Wuxian opens his eyes and sits up with the help of Wangji. He looks back at the tree and says: "Someone took her son and she's grieving."

Both Leader Mao and Wangji were confused. They looked at Wuxian for an explanation and he proceeded to tell them La Zaxia's tale. Leader Mao was livid when he heard about the evil man's deed. He cannot believe that one of the villagers would commit such an unforgivable sin!

Wangji hands Wuxian a cup of water to drink then helps him up. The men approach the tree, and look at the hole near the root. Wuxian: "We need to fill that hole with something that will help her while she grieves." Wangji nods and looks at Leader Mao: "Leader Mao, can you please gather the villagers tomorrow?" Leader Mao bows to them: "Your Excellency, we will do whatever it takes."

Wuxian was not feeling too well. He felt like the small energy he gained from eating earlier was sapped away while he was connected to Zaxia. He sighs and looks at Wangji: "I need to lie down." Wangji grabs his arm and together they make their way back to the village. Leader Mao arranges a room for them in an inn and Wuxian falls asleep the moment his head touches the bed. Wangji wanted to feed him first but apparently he was too tired so he let him rest.

Wangji wakes up at 5 like he normally does. He checks Wuxian's pulse while he's sleeping and was pleased that it's back to normal. He goes out to secure them breakfast and makes sure that Leader Mao has arranged a meeting with the villagers. After waking up Wuxian and watching him eat like a starved animal, they head out to talk to the villagers.

Once all is explained, the villagers were eager to find a way to comfort the Wishing Tree. They tried to suggest filling the hole with riches, food and sentimental items. But it seems like none of these items would be enough to calm a grieving mother. While the villagers were arguing, an old woman walks to the front and speaks up: "I have lost many sons during my lifetime. Some I have beared, some I have raised and some I have shared my wisdom with. With every loss, I have felt a deep wound forming in my heart that only one thing was able to sooth it."

She looks around and faces her fellow villagers: "We are a family. Our salvation is to share what we have with those who do not have it. My sons are gone but the sons of those around me have accepted my love enough for me to find a reason to live on."

An idea strikes Wuxian as he listened to the wise old lady: "She's right! If the mothers in the village are willing, your sons could vow to respect and cherish the tree as a mother. That should help her overcome her sadness."

With all the villagers' agreement, they head out to comfort the tree. The sons of all the villagers, young and old, bowed to the tree declaring it 'The Mother Tree' from this day to the end of days. The villagers bowed afterwards vowing to uphold their sons promise for every generation that follows. The sons gather some soil with their bare hands and fill the hole with devotion to their new mother. When they're done, the tree started to glow and the charred parts started to heal slowly. Tears of joy filled the air and bows of gratitude towards the cultivators were made. Once all is done, Wuxian looks at Wangji: "She asked me to visit before we leave." Wangji nodes and Wuxian turns towards the tree and touches the green mark again. 

.