The Rise of the Divine Oracle

Chapter 89 - Weakest Link

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Wuxian thought that his broken hand would be a source of annoyance for the next couple of weeks. But, after he started accepting others' help, he didn't mind the extra attention everyone seems to pay him. Today they're supposed to leave Luxia City to join the rest of the group in Qinghe City a few hours from here. Wuxian's bruises have faded and his arm is slowly healing. They haven't talked about what happened that day and if Wuxian is being honest with himself, he's not ready to open that can of worms.

He was sitting in bed, looking at Healer Shi while she gently unwraps his broken hand to check on it. She seemed so stressed out lately and he felt guilty over the trouble he caused her: "Little turtle, are you mad at me?"

Healer Shi looked up in surprise: "I thought your hand was broken, not your brain."

Wuxian rubs his neck in shyness: "Something is wrong and I cannot figure out what I did to make you feel uncomfortable. Tell me so I can fix it."

Healer Shi sighs loudly and turns to glare at Wangji, who's silently sitting at the table near the bed and drinking tea. Shi continues to glare at him as if her gaze would make the man choke on his hot beverage. Wuxian watches the open hostility and leans in to whisper: "What did he do?"

Healer Shi grumbles: "It's what he didn't do that's annoying me."

Wuxian: "Alright.. What did he not do?"

Healer Shi looks up and smiles evilly at Wuxian: "How about I braid your hair for you? It will be hard to control with one broken hand."

Wuxian looks over and sees Wangji tighten his grip on the cup he's holding: "It's fine. I can manage it with one hand."

Healer Shi finishes wrapping his hand and stands behind him: "I insist. Consider it a doctor's order." She braids his hair and shoots Wangji buring looks from time to time.

Wuxian was not oblivious. He knew that there is a silent war happening between his soul-bond and what seems like everyone else. Since Wangji refuses to leave Wuxian's side, the smaller man has to witness these silent jabs and passive aggressive moves towards his soul-bond who doesn't seem to be fazed by any of it. Wuxian thought it was amusing for a while but now it's starting to bother him. He had only one way of finding out.. the weakest link!

When Wuxian was escorted by Wangji out and into the carriage. He was surprised to see an empty street on a weekday morning. The inn has never been this quiet and Wuxian was actually prepared to fight his way to the wooden box. After he settled in, he looked out the window as they made their way towards the city gate without seeing a single soul. That was odd. Wuxian was hesitant but he turned to Kaoji, who was sitting with him, and asked: "Where are all the people?"

Kaoji coughs and as if he was reciting a rehearsed line said: "They have a town meeting on the other side of the city."

Wuxian raised an eyebrow: "All of them?"

Kaoji cleared his throat and said: "Yes?"

Wuxian frowns: "Is that a question or an answer?"

Kaoji looks around the carriage for something to help him out of this conversation and grabs the nearest sack and finds fruit candies in it: "Oh look.. food. Would you like some?"

Wuxian stares at him for a while then takes the bag. He will wait for the weakest link.

An hour into the journey, Sizhui switches with Kaoji and starts a light conversation: "Father, how are you feeling?"