The Rise of the Divine Oracle

Chapter 26 - The Bonding Gift

.

Wuxian thought the embarrassment of sitting while Qiren told Wen Ning about his feelings was the most awkward moment of his life. He was gravely mistaken.

He was sitting between Wangji and Cheng while they deathly glared at each other. It all started when Wuxian returned with Cheng. He had his arm around Chang's shoulders and his brother had his arm around Wuxian's waist. That's how they normally walk back home. He didn't think much of it until they met Wangji on the way to lunch and the battle between the two leaders began. Wangji glared daggers at Cheng and Cheng verbally dared him to protest.

Needless to say, Wuxian stood between them to stop them from fighting which ended with him getting dizzy. At least him almost fainting stopped the bickering until this moment.

Wuxian sighed loudly: "What are you even fighting about? I'm your brother and his soul-bond. YOU CAN BOTH SHARE!"

Cheng huffs: "I've known you longer! He cannot control when and how long I can hug or touch you!"

Wangji: "He's MY soul-bond."

Wuxian looks at Wen Ning and pouts: "Wen Ning, let's run away together and leave them to wallow in loneliness." Wangji grabs his hand on one side, Cheng grabs his arm on the other.

Wuxian groans and yanks his arms away and gets up to leave. Moving that fast was not a good idea. The moment he got up, the world turned hazy and the next thing he knew he was lying on the ground with three people staring worriedly down at him. Wangji touched his cheek: "Wei Ying, are you alright?"

Wuxian lets out a long breath and shakes his head: "I'm hungry but both of you won't let me eat my meal in peace."

Wangji shares a look with Cheng and they both help Wuxian sit up. Cheng pats his arm: "Sorry. We won't fight anymore. Let's finish our lunch so you can go rest."

After finishing his meal and retiring for a nap, Wuxian wakes up at sunset feeling refreshed. He asks Wen Ning to go grab a few bottles of Emperor's Smile and bring his brother to join him in The Silent Room. They met in an hour and when Wuxian poured his first cup, Cheng commented: "Should you be drinking this with your condition?"

Wuxian laughs loudly: "I'm not a pregnant woman."

Cheng blushes and yells back: "That's not what I meant! Besides, what would the other Lan Clan members think if they found their new Treasure drinking in secret and breaking the rules?"

Wuxian smirks: "Father said it was alright. This is my free space to do as I please."

Cheng frowns: ".. father?"

Wuxian: "Grand Master Qiren."

Cheng looks shocked: "He lets you call him 'father'?"

Wuxian was offended: "He asked me to! Why are you so surprised?"

Cheng: "That man is so stiff, I wouldn't have guessed he had a paternal bone in him."

Wuxian: "He raised Lan Zhan and Zewu Jun."

Cheng: "Have you seen these two? You're proving my point for me!"

Wuxian just sighs and shakes his head at his brother's antics.

After a few drinks he looks at his brother: "Jiang Cheng, I would like to get your opinion on something."

Cheng looks at him with full attention: "Sure."

Wuxian wrings his hands in worry: "My Bonding Ceremony is in five days. Per customs, each bonding partner needs to present a gift to the other. As everyone knows I'm tragically poor and can't afford to get something that's befitting of Lan Zhan."

Cheng looks at him seriously: "The Lan Clan doesn't provide for their Treasure?"

Wuxian smiles sadly: "They do. But don't you think it's wrong to use their coins to buy their leader a gift?"

Cheng reaches out and grabs Wuxian's arm: "You're my brother. I will buy you anything your heart desires.. even if it's for that possessive fool."

Wuxian smiles sadly, pats the hand grabbing his arm and shakes his head: "I was exiled from the Jiang Clan. You cannot spend their money on me."

Cheng swallows hard and tears start to pool in his eyes: "I'm sorry you feel this way. I was wrong for kicking you out and if the Lan Clan hasn't acted so fast I was planning to find you and invite you back to stay in Lotus Pier with me."

Wuxian wipes his brothers tears and smiles: "I told you not to think of it anymore. I love you brother and nothing, not even exile, will stop me from being loyal to you and our people."

Wuxian takes a deep breath and continues: "The gift has been bothering me for a while. I don't really have anything to offer him but my devotion and I don't think that counts as an offering."

He drinks one more cup before continuing: "Father gave me a book of spells and while reading it, I came up with a spell that will allow the bonded to feel when the other is in danger. I know that one of Lan Zhan's fears is that my weak body cannot help me defend myself. He doesn't leave my side and worries about me to the point of exhaustion. Do you think if I perform this spell during our bonding it is considered a worthy gift?"

Cheng nods and smiles: "An unorthodox gift from the strangest of man. Can you do this spell with me too?" Wuxian smacks his head: "It's for the soul-bonded only, you fool!"

Cheng rubs his head: "Ouch! You can't hit a Clan Leader!"

Wuxian smirks: "No one saw it. It didn't happen."

Cheng points at him: "YOU! That's.. How dare you!"

Wuxian gets closer, side hugs him and smiles: "Thank you for easing my mind brother."

Cheng takes one deep breath and melts into his brother's embrace: "This smell of yours can be used as a weapon."

Wuxian wiggles his eyebrows: "I am well aware."

.