The Rise of the Divine Oracle

Chapter 84 - Battle of Wits

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Wei Wuxian was stuck in his headspace. It's been a few days since he visited the boy and so far they haven't made any significant progress. Zewu Jun spoke to the city council and they were not very cooperative. They refused to accept Meili's story about the well and chose to stick to their fable. They did however provide the city census documents which Taiho and Sizhui are going through to find any descendent of Luxia City's indigenous clan. It's a lot of documents and they're making slow progress.

Nie invited everyone for dinner that evening and Wuxian was currently sitting between Wangji and Zewu Jun, trying his best to avoid Yuxio's perverted stare and playing with his food. Any gathering that doesn't involve alcohol should be called a bummer fest. What intrigued Wuxian the most was the exchanged sharp looks between Meili and Nie. He didn't know these two knew each other well enough to despise one another or be uncomfortable with the other's presence. Either ways, this development didn't pass unnoticed.

Jingyi, who was sitting behind Hanguang Jun leans to whisper into Wuxian's ear: "This is boring. May I be excused?"

Wuxian pinches his arm: "If I have to stay, then you have to stay."

Jingyi rubs his sore arm and grumbles: "Fine!"

Nie: "Brother Wei, I haven't seen you in days. Is everything alright?"

Wangji: "I asked him to stay in our room for his protection."

Nie looks suspiciously at Wangji: "Wei Wuxian is more than capable of taking care of himself. Why the overprotectiveness?"

Wangji tightens his hold on his cup.

Zewu Jun: "Love makes people do irrational things. You should know. It was the same reason why you sought revenge on your brother's behalf."

Nie's eyes widened. That was a low blow from Zewu Jun.

Healer Shi, unlike the twin jades of Gusu Lan, had no problems with lying: "I required Treasure Wei's assistance with mixing some decoctions. He read many books and his memory is better than mine."

Nie raised an eyebrow: "If that's the case, then why are you here? He can be a healer in your stead."

Healer Shi eyebrows twitched. If this man wants a verbal war, she can give him that: "Knowledge and practice are not the same. You should know that, Nie Clan Leader. Anyone can read a book about fighting techniques but not everyone can wield a sword."

Jingyi whispered to Wuxian: "Oh snap!"

Wuxian nods and leans to whisper to Zewu Jun: "Who would you bet on?"

Zewu Jun: "Gambling is prohibited."

Wuxian tsks at him and leans back to ask Jingyi: "Wanna bet?"

Jingyi: "What's at stake?"

Wuxian: "Hmm.. I'll share my food with you for the next two days."

Wangji grabs Wuxian's arm in warning. So Wuxian tried again: "How about.. I let you hug me for 5 minutes."

Wangji turns to glare at the two of them. Wuxian punches his arm: "He's just a child. Get over it."

Jingyi protested: "I'm not a child!"

Wuxian: "Don't ruin this for yourself. If I win, you will shine my shoes for me."

Jingyi: "You're on! I vote for Nie sect leader."

Wuxian: "Little turtle will win for sure."

Their attention was back to the table to see Shi drink her tea with excessive force, while Nie looked at her with venom from behind his fan.