The Rise of the Divine Oracle

Chapter 73 - Trouble

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It's been a while since Wuxian had an all-together pleasant day. Yesterday was a blessing he never knew he needed. Being out and about without a care or worry in the world has been a privilege he didn't know was missing in his life. But, when life creates something beautiful it has to balance it out with something less fortunate.

When the perfect day ended with their safe return to Cloud Recesses, Wuxian found himself unable to sleep well that night. He had a healing session the next day but that was not what kept him awake. His chest felt congested and he ended up waking up from time to time to cough. Wangji was startled awake each time, fretting over the painful sounding coughs coming from his soul-bond. By midnight, Wuxian snuck out of their room to spare Wangji's sleep while he sat outside, looking at the stars until sunrise. By the time morning came, Wuxian was tired and supporting dark rings under his eyes from lack of sleep. He was able to sneak back into bed before Wangji woke up and played along through their morning rituals.

He was going to meet Liwei in the morning, have his healing session at noon then deal with whatever happens from that afterwards. Each session so far came with it's own set of side effects that is hard to predict or plan anything for days after until the deed is done.

Wuxian coughed while waiting for Wangji to finish combing and tying his hair. Wangji frowned at him: "I don't like the sound of your cough."

Wuxian rubs his neck tiredly: "No one likes the sound of coughing."

Wangji lets go of Wuxian's hair and moves to look at his soul-bond: "You look sick."

Wuxian coughs a few more times and swallows painfully: "I'll be fine. I'm meeting Healer Shi later today anyways. She might have a tea or something to make this go away."

Wangji stares uncertainly at him for a few seconds before resuming his hair brushing.

If Wuxian thought he was convincing, he was mistaken. Wangji insisted on following him to the Treasure Room where he's supposed to meet the finder. Wuxian sighs at his clingy soul-bond just before they went into the main hall: "Stop following me! Go do your work. I promise we won't talk about you behind your back.. much."

Wangji stares blankly at him and follows him anyways. They found Zewu Jun waiting inside the main hall. Wuxian smiles at him: "Brother! What brings you here this early?"

Zewu Jun: "I heard we have a visitor this morning."

Wuxian frowns at him: "How did you know? Who told you?"

Zewu Jung smiles at him: "I've been manning this place for many years, brother Wei. Nothing goes around here that I don't know about."

Wuxian narrows his eyes: "You command the snitches around here, don't you?"

Zewu Jung chuckles and nods: "You can say that.."

Wuxian takes a seat in his chair and leans forward a little to cough.

Zewu Jun frowns and asks Wangji: "Is he sick?"

Wangji nods and looks sadly at his struggling soul-bond.

Zewu Jun stood beside his brother-in-bond and rubbed his back until the coughing fit subsided. He nods to one of the guard disciples and they hastily left to follow the silent order.

Zewu Jun: "Wei Wuxian, don't you know that sick people need rest to recuperate? Why are you here if you're sick?"

Wuxian: "It's just a cough. I'm fine."