Chapter 142 - Be Mine

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Wuxian's eyes were fixed on the area Biming was standing in. His brain was going a mile a minute, trying to figure out how he could stop him. Mianmian appeared in his line of vision, smiling. She hands him a warded pouch and whispers happily: "One victory at a time.."

Wuxian stares at the pouch in his hand and all he can see is how bad he is shaking. He feels Mianmian grab the shaking hand holding the pouch and whisper to him: "You did good. Now we have shown him that we're in control and he has to tread lightly. One man cannot fight an army of strong cultivators no matter how confident he is."

Wuxian whispers back: "He never showed any fear.. Only towards Da Ziran."

Zewu Jun approaches them and takes the pouch to examine it: "This is heavily warded. I'm not sure if we can open it."

Mianmian frowns: "We have to. My family is trapped in there!"

Leader Ziyang takes a look and says: "We have books in our hidden library that can help. After we finish eliminating the threat here, we can head to Carp Tower and have it sorted out."

Wangji was barely listening to the men discussing the stolen pouch. His sole attention was on his pale, shaky soul-bond. He squeezes the hand in his to get his attention then whispers: "Are you alright?"

Wuxian shakes his head: "I don't know how I feel about what just happened. Something he said is not sitting well with me."

The fortune teller approaches them cautiously and says: "Divine Oracle, the faceless man did not recognize me even though I was standing right behind you. I think he is getting out everyday to try to find the fortune teller."

Yuxio steps close and is about to say something but Wuxian puts his hand on her mouth to stop her. He shakes his head: 'Let's not talk about this in public.'

She nods, understanding his cue.

After their brief stop, Wuxian was led to the opening ceremony of the Archery Competition. He sat in a shaded area and watched the participants bow and introduce themselves to him and the crowd. It somehow made him feel better. The only thing is.. any one of the people who are surrounding him can be Biming. He never described himself as a paranoid person but at the moment, he was suspicious of everyone but his snake and the soul-bond who hasn't let go of his hand since they left the inn.

He watched his disciples and others shoot arrows at different distances and felt himself reminisce over the past. Zewu Jun was right, he was one of the best marksman ever to live and he was proud of it. The head of the city council was sitting with them and kept stealing looks at Wuxian from time to time, making sure that he was happy and entertained. At the end of the first round of competition setup for today, he stood up and made a toast: "Dear townspeople, we are honored to welcome the Divine Oracle and his Excellency to our city to witness the competition and bless our festivities. It is well known that the Treasure of Gusu Lan is the best archer to ever live and we are hoping that you will honor us by demonstrating your talents for these men and women.."

Wuxian was surprised by his request. Wangji was about to stand and protest but Wuxian tightened his hold on his soul-bond to stop him. He stood and raised his cup to the council leader: "It would be my honor. I do have one request."

The council leader smiles happily: "Name it."

Wuxian smirks: "The winner of this competition will renounce his or her clan and become my disciple."

People in the crowd erupted in surprise and confusion. Some of the participants looked hesitant. Leader Ziyang stands: "Treasure Wei, your request is impossible!"

Wuxian stares at him: "I thought being the disciple of the Divine Oracle would be an honor.."

Ziyang purses his lips then tries again: "You're asking these people to renounce their families and clans. That's too much to ask for."

Wuxian glares at Ziyang: "Leader Ziyang, why are you so confident that none of my students will win?"

Ziyang felt trapped. Nothing he can say will be less than offensive so he huffs and sits back down. Wuxian turns to stare at the city council leader: "What do you say?"

The council leader confidently addresses the participants: "Do any of you object?"

The participants all bowed down to show their respect and approval and Wuxian smirks. Eyeing one person in particular in the participating crowd. Wuxian stood up and Da Ziran glowed as he moved into the center of the competition area. Wen Ning followed, scaring everyone out of the way. Da Ziran's glow dims and her form clears up: A beautiful white Cheetah with golden spots. Taiho runs towards Wuxian and hands him a bow and 10 arrows. Wuxian took them all and drew all the arrows at once, aiming it directly at the sky. He took a deep calming breath and shot them all at the same time. A few seconds later they all fall, having caught at least two birds per arrow. Da Ziran runs around collecting them and dropping them in front of the speechless town council leader. His eyes are about to pop out of his skull from shock. The whole area was awash in silence. They knew he was good, they didn't know anyone could be THAT good.

Wuxian hands over the bow and smirks at the town leader on his way back to his seat: "I guess your lunch is on me today."

The moment he sits down people snap out of their shock and start screaming and cheering like crazy. Wangji takes Wuxian's injured hand and examines it before planting a gentle kiss on his bandages: "That was impressive."

Wuxian pouts at him: "Why do you sound so surprised?"

Wangji smiles at him: "I am not."

Wuxian hears Ziyang curse in a low voice a few paces away and he smothers a laugh. Da Ziran sits heavily next to him with her head on his lap. He strokes her soft fur and enjoys the crowd as they frantically continue to cheer. He hears Yuxio whisper from her position behind him: "I think my new hobby is finding out all your hidden talents."

Wuxian turns to glare at her: "I will not sing for you."

Yuxio wiggles her eyebrows: "It will happen. I have amazing persuasive skills."

Healer Shi whispers: "You pester people until they give up.. It's not a skill you should be boosting about."

Yuxio tsks: "I'm surrounded by haters." She winks at Wuxian: "Except you."

Wuxian groans and turns around to ignore her. He looks into the participants and locks eyes with the one he hopes would win. A single nod in return confirmed his doubt. His impromptu plan was well received. He opened the door for change and he prays that the deities are kind enough not to disappoint him.


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