The Rise of the Divine Oracle

Chapter 28 - The Aftermath

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Wuxian fell asleep the moment they entered their room. Wangji had to wash up and leave for his duties so he called for Sizhui to watch over Wuxian and make sure he's awake to meet the clan leaders for afternoon tea. Sizhui looked at his surrogate father while he slept and took his pulse to make sure he was sleeping peacefully: 'His pulse is still weak. His hands are still cold and he's still underweight. Father, what is wrong with you? How can I fix this?'

Wuxian fought Sizhui since he woke up, whining that he wanted to sleep more. Sizhui pushed him as instructed and made sure he was at the main hall for afternoon tea. Wuxian didn't feel so great but didn't want to disappoint his father so he kept a smile on his face, listened and commented when necessary and drank the offered tea. Wen Ning, who was sitting behind Wuxian, noticed his hand shaking, he got closer and whispered to Wuxian: "Master Wei, do you want us to leave?" Wuxian shook his head: "We have to stay. These clan leaders came all the way to see us and since Wangji is busy with Clan duty, it's my job to entertain them."

Wen Ning frowned: "Your hand is shaking."

Wuxian smiles at him: "I can endure."

Qiren and Zewu Jun were busy speaking with other clan leaders while Wuxian stuck to staying seated and pretending to enjoy his tea. Jiang Cheng crawled his way to sitting beside his brother with a groan: "We're never drinking like this again. I feel like my insides are being cooked with fire and my head is about to split open." Wuxian smirks at him: "You're getting soft in your old age." Cheng glares at him: "I'm younger than you!" Wuxian huffs: "You act like an old granny. I highly doubt anyone would believe that I'm older."

Cheng lets out a chuckle: "At least I showed up. Nie is probably still out looking for his shoes."

They both laugh until Wuxian goes into a coughing fit. Cheng pats his back until he stops then asks him: "Are you alright?" Wuxian nods and accepts the cup of water Wen Ning hands him.

Cheng smiles at him: "We're both aging nicely."

Wuxian elbows him with a playful smile.

Zewu Jun was speaking to Leader Ouyang when he heard Wuxian cough. He turns to check on him and doesn't like what he sees. He excuses himself and takes Jiang Cheng's place next to Wuxian when he gets up to mingle with the other leaders. He takes Wuxian's shaking hand in his and asks: "Brother Wei, why don't you retire early?" Wuxian shakes his head: " I don't want to be disrespectful." Zewu Jun pats the hand in his: "I will make an excuse on your behalf. You should go rest for now." Wuxian lets out a forced laugh: "I.. I don't think.. I can get up."

Zewu Jun was getting really worried. He shared a look with Wen Ning before getting up and whispering something to Jingyi and Sizhui who were standing nearby. They both nod and walk further away, grabbing Zizhen and Jin Ling on the way. Zewu Jun kneels near Wuxian and grabs his arm: "Brother Wei, I will help you up in a minute. Be ready." Wuxian looks confused until he hears a commotion on the other side of the hall. The teen disciples are bickering again and attracting attention. The moment people turned around, Zewu Jun and Wen Ning helped Wuxian up and out of the hall unnoticed.

They were not able to reach the Quiet Room before Wuxian faints.

Wangji was sitting in the Underworld Room, supervising a spirit cleansing ritual performed by young disciples when he felt an overwhelming coldness. He was confused as to why this feeling felt so foreign. So he ignored it for the sake of the ritual he's overseeing. A knock on the door drew his attention. A disciple snuck in to whisper into his ear: "Your Excellency, Treasure Wei has fallen ill again. He passed out while Zewu Jun was escorting him back from the afternoon tea meeting."