The Rise of the Divine Oracle

Chapter 41 - Red Handed

.

The next morning, the sun rises with a promise of clarity. The young disciples were able to narrow the list of suspects to 3 people: Jin Yon (Jin Zixun's widow), Jin Xiolin (a follower of Jin Guangyao) and Jin Qion (a follower of Jin Guangshan). All had extreme distaste towards Wuxian. The widow blamed Wuxian for her husband's disgrace and death. Xiolin, who's now the leader of disciples, secretly still believes that Jin Guangyao was wrongfully accused and used as a scapegoat for Wuxian's sins. Qion, a wealthy Lin Clan elder, despises the chaos Wuxian creates every time he visits Carp Tower. He voiced his displeasure about allowing Wuxian back during this visit. They were all present during the assembly, had access to the treasure vault and had the knowledge (and wealth) to alter the poison. The question is: Which one of them did it?

Wangji was determined to find the answer by nightfall. All three suspects will be present during the night hunt celebration tonight and he wants to confront them while the other clan leaders are still present. He was sitting with his soul-bond, warming his cold hands in his and watching him sleep. He hasn't woken up yet from his last ordeal but the healer assures him that he's recovering faster while he sleeps.

Wangji smiles when Wuxian lets out a content sigh and moves closer to Wangji, seeking warmth. Wen Ning, who hasn't left Wuxian's side, whispers: "He's never this relaxed. Your presence comforts him even in sleep."

Wangji smiles at Wen Ning: "I'm sure he feels the same way about you."

Wen Ning looks seriously at Wangji: "May I ask for a favor?"

Wangji nods. Ning frowns: "Let me kill whoever did this."

Wangji looks shocked. Ning: "He is my soul-brother before he became your soul-bond. Someone used my Clan's secrets to poison him. My anger will not be satisfied without spilling blood."

Wangji stares at Ning and nods: "You will not touch anyone until they're proven guilty."

Wen Ning bows in understanding.

Bhao enters silently and bows. He looks worriedly at Wuxian before addressing Wangji in a low voice: "Hanguang Jun, we found something that needs your immediate attention." Wangji kisses the hands in his and leaves to join the youth outside.

An hour later, Wen Ning hears a loud crash coming outside of the healer's room. He rushes to see what happens. He opens the door to look outside, but not step out, not wanting to leave Wuxian unprotected. One of the healer's disciples was carrying too many jars and slipped, breaking them on the ground. A small weak voice is heard behind Wen Ning: "Wh.. What happened?"

Wen Ning turns around to see a disoriented Wuxian, trying to remove the covers around him to get up. He rushes to him and grabs his wrists to stop his movement: "Master Wei, all is well. One of the disciples dropped a few jars outside. Go back to sleep."

Wuxian stops struggling, blinks tiredly at him while shivering: "Cold."

Wen Ning smiles at how innocent Wuxian looks. He gets up to look for extra blankets to cover him and returns to find a young disciple helping Wuxian drink what seems like water. Something didn't sit right with him. So far, no one touched or tended to Wuxian other than the master healer himself. He dropped the blankets and rushed to grab the young boy: "What is this?"

The disciple looks shaken up: "Master Wen, it's just water."

Wen Ning takes the cup from his hand and drinks it. It tastes sweet. He looks furiously at the disciple and yanks him up, out the door and throws him on the floor: "WHO SENT YOU?"