The Rise of the Divine Oracle

Chapter 25 - Enquiry

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Zewu Jun was overjoyed to be the one planning his brother's Bonding Ceremony. With the misfortunate turn of events that happened with his sworn brothers, he's glad that this task will take his mind off of all that's happened. He was pleasantly shocked to see how hands-on his uncle was into making sure that the ceremony was well planned with no spared expense.

While sitting with his uncle he remembered: "Uncle, something odd happened a few nights ago after the banquet. Wuxian claimed to have met my mother in the Silent Room while he was drunk. He was able to describe her accurately and relay stories from our childhood that only Wangji and I know. Wen Ning said that the ring glowed when he touched our mother's flowers before this happened. Can you explain it?"

Qiren looked calm and smiled at his nephew: "The ring Wuxian wears is my mother's guqin. It's not unusual for him to communicate with spirits while wearing it."

Zewu Jun looked confused so Qiren elaborated: "Enquiry. Just like we play the chords to summon and communicate with spirits of the dead, he can do that if he wishes because of the ring."

Zewu Jun frowned: "But he saw her. We only communicate by chords."

Qiren laughs: "That boy is special. I'm not surprised that he would surpass our conventional methods.. even while drunk."

Zewu Jun smiles and nods with agreement: "Does that mean he will be able to perform all our signature techniques that pertain to the guqin?"

Qiren shrugs: "Only time will tell. All we can do is keep an eye on him and guide him through it."

A week before the Bonding Ceremony, Wangji was awakened in the middle of the night by a shivering Wuxian. The smaller man was unnaturally cold to the touch, so Wangji tried to wake him to see if he was in pain: "Wei Ying, what's wrong? Are you ill?"

Wuxian looked at him in confusion and when he tried to sit up, his movements were lethargic: "I.. I don't feel so good."

Wangji got an extra cover to wrap the shivering man and went to fetch the healer. After examining Wuxian, the healer said: "I cannot determine the cause but I can treat the symptoms. I will prepare a hot potion that you can drink now with a warm meal and hopefully that should help return your strength. Do not leave the bed for the next three days and eat two extra meals a day because you're still underweight."

Wangji stayed up all night watching over a shivering Wuxian. Wen Ning and Sizhui took over the vigil while he went to do his duties. Wuxian kept complaining that he was fine and was about to leave the room when the Grandmaster blocked the door: "You better not be planning to escape!"

Wuxian smiled awkwardly then went back in and patted the bed, pretended to soothing the covers: "Nope. Just stretching my legs. No escaping."

Qiren glared at Wen Ning and Sizhui who were diverting their gaze so as not to expose Wuxian's obvious lie: "Sit down before I whip you!"

Wuxian bit his lips and sat on the bed in fear. Qiren sat next to him and took his cold hand: "You're still cold. Sizhui, can you please prepare a pot of hot tea?" Sizhui nods and goes to get the herbs. Qiren: "Master Wen, can you go ask the healer for incense that will help in calming the mind." Wen Ning bows and leaves to follow his instructions. Qiren brings the covers on the bed and wraps them tightly around Wuxian's shoulders: "You need to get better before the clan leaders show up. We can't have others think that we can't take care of our own."

Wuxian slumps and whines: "But I'm bored. All I'm allowed to do is sleep and I'm not tired enough to do that."

Qiren smiles and takes out a book from his robes: "This is a book that I found in the library that should keep you busy." Wuxian looks unamused but took the book and read the topic: 'Locks: A collection of Bonding Spells and Talismans'.