The Rise of the Divine Oracle

Chapter 11 - The Plan

.

Zewe Jen passed by his brother in the main hall on his way to lunch. They agreed to meet every other day and discuss Clan issues to help Wangji's transition into authority. After they ate in silence, they shared a cup of tea and Wangji was telling Zewu Jun about a disciple who submitted a request to perform Soul Empathy on a vengeful spirit downtown to ease its anger.

While Wangji was explaining why he plans to decline the petition, Zewu Jun's mind was struck by something the Mother Tree said: 'The greatest anyone can offer in any relationship is empathy.'

He forgot that Wangji was still talking and whispered: ".. Empathy."

Wangji noticed that Zewu Jun was not following his conversation and questioned his wayward thoughts: "Brother, what is troubling you?"

Zewu Jun: "You said Soul Empathy."

Wangji: "I did."

Zewu Jun: "It's dangerous and prohibited without a good reason."

Wangji: "It is."

Zewu Jun: "It's the perfect answer but Uncle would never approve."

Wangji: "Uncle?"

Zewu Jun: "She said 'empathy' by word. This must be the answer."

Wangji just stared at his brother but no explanation was offered. Zewu Jun excused himself in a hurry and went to find Wuxian.

Wuxian was practicing with some of the disciples and showing them how to shoot arrows when Zewu Jun found him and demanded his immediate attention. They walked back to the Frost Room and Zewu Jun shared his epiphany with Wuxian.

He explained: "By sharing your past with my uncle, he will see your good intentions and allows trust to form between you. I am sure he will share his sorrows willingly afterwards."

Wuxian rubbed his nose in thought: "That is drastic enough to change my fate but I'm not sure if it will have the outcome we desire. I'm not a good person. I have done many shameful things. He will see the good and the bad. No hiding. No secrets."

Zewu Jun: "No one is a saint, Wuxian. The idea is not to paint you in perfect colors but to show him your true intentions. I believe you are pure of heart and even with all your flaws, you are better than most of us."

Wuxian looks down in shame, not believing a word of praise coming from his big brother but not wishing to argue: "Even if I agree to do the Soul Empathy, Lan Zhan and Grand Master Qiren will surely protest. My past is bitter and Lan Zhan wouldn't allow me to reopen old wounds."

Zewu Jun gets closer and pats his shoulder: "We need to tell them the truth about the vision. It's the only way. Sizhui will be back any day now. We're running out of time."

Wuxian nods with a sigh and they hashed out a plan: Zewu Jun will inform his uncle while Wuxian will convince Wangji. They will meet at the Frost Room tomorrow evening to perform the ritual.

Wuxian got up to leave but saw that Zewu Jun has closed his eyes and was smiling in clear happiness. That wasn't right. Nothing about this predicament demands such a reaction so he asks: "Why do you look happy?" Zewu Jun doesn't even bother opening his eyes when he answers: "The smell.. It feels like the day I swore my brotherhood with the Venerated Triad. The memory it evokes is so comforting.."

Wuxian smiles back: "You believe in me too."

Zewy Jen opens his eyes questioning his statement so Wuxian tells him about the wish granted by the Mother Tree: "What an amazing gift. Thank you for allowing me this happiness. I've never been jealous of Wangji before this moment." He laughs teasingly.

Wuxian jumps at the mention of Wangji's name and points accusingly at Zewu Jun: "OH NO! Don't you dare tell him! He will murder us both!" He runs out of the room in fear and hears Zewu Jun laugh loudly at his antics.

With heavy feet, Wuxian heads back to the Quiet Room and finds Wangji waiting for him with dinner on the table: "Sit with me. I haven't seen you all day."

Wuxian joins him but is too anxious to eat and ends up moving around the food while contemplating how he's going to ask Wangji to support this crazy idea.

Wangji stops eating and looks at a nervous Wuxian: "Wei Ying? What is troubling you?"

Wuxian: "If I ask you for something, would you give it to me?"

Wangji: "If it will not harm you, yes."

Wuxian: "If it will harm me for now but save me in the future, would you still say yes?"

Wangji sighs: "Wei Ying, ask me."

Wuxian started with explaining the vision from the Mother Tree and what she told him. Then shared Zewu Jun's solution. When Wuxian finished his explanation, Wangji stood up and yanked Wuxian by his wrist and brought him a breath away from his face: "Why did you keep this from me?" He demanded a low angry voice. Wuxian swallowed and replied: "I didn't want to burden you."

Wangji buried his nose in Wuxian's neck and breathed in his scent. As the comforting smell forced his anger to subside, he whispered: "Nothing you can ever do or say will be a burden to me. You suffer, I suffer."

Wangji pulled away and looked Wuxian in the eyes: "I don't want you to feel pain, but if this is the only way then I have no right to stop you."

.