The Rise of the Divine Oracle

Chapter 161 - Breaking Point

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"What do you mean 'no'?"

Wuxian pushes his soul-bond away to glare at him. Wangji: "We managed to push them out the gate and reestablish our wards. Grandmaster Qiren is using a rotation of disciples to keep the shields up."

Wuxian frowns: "Are you serious? We're lounging here while others fight to keep a stupid rogue faction who want to kill me out?"

Wangji watches Wuxian frantically try to get up and grabs his arm and pulls him back into bed: "You're sick and I'm hurt. Help is on the way."

Wuxian let his mate manhandle him, but he was still unsure: "Whose help?"

Wangji pats his back after he lays them down and whispers: "Sleep. Everything will be alright when you wake up."

Wuxian honestly didn't have the energy to argue with his soul-bond so he did as he was told.

In another location in Cloud Recesses, Healer Shi was banging stuff as she moved her equipments around, clearly angry and frustrated. Zewu Jun took a tiny step back to give her more space. She turns to glare at him: "You think this is a game? Just because I'm a healer doesn't make me a miracle worker!"

Zewu Jun: "Two days is not that much of a difference.."

Shi cuts him off with an angry scream: "WHO ARE YOU TO MAKE THAT DECISION?"

Zewu Jun purses his lips, reminding himself that the woman before him has been awake for two days, working non-stop at healing the wounded and caring for the fallen from the battlefield while worrying about Wuxian. Her anger is justified.

He took a deep breath and sits at her table before he tries again: "Healer Shi, I know what I'm asking might sound selfish and inconsiderate, but if you can consider this option, it will increase Brother Wei's chances of survival and eases our minds."

Shi groans loudly and slams a weird potion in front of Zewu Jun: "Drink this!"

Zewu Jun suspiciously eyes the dark concoction she placed so viciously before him. Shi deflates and sits heavily on the opposite side of the table: "It's just a strengthening potion. I know you're as tired as I am."

He smiles at her and drinks it in one go, trying his best not to gag because of the bad taste.

Shi stares at the table between them, silently contemplating his request: "Sealing and unsealing an energy container is a delicate process, Zewu Jun. Just because I fixed parts of it doesn't mean he will be strong immediately and will be able to fight this battle with you."

Zewu Jun reaches over the table and gently holds her hand: "We don't need him to fight. We just need him to not be as helpless as he is right now."

Shi sighs loudly but turns her hand to entwine her fingers with her future husband: "After I unseal his spirit container, he will have to meditate for at least a week to regain enough strength to fight. You know how cultivation works. Energy doesn't come from thin air, one must harness it."

Zewu Jun: "I am aware. If it will not affect his health negatively, please consider it."

Shi bites her lips for a few seconds then nods: "Alright. If he agrees to it, then I will set everything up and summon Yuxio. This last session will take longer than normal, about an hour and a half so make sure that this place is secure and we are not disturbed."

Zewu Jun pulls the hand in his to place a gentle kiss on her knuckles: "I am grateful for you. I will have everything ready within an hour and go ask for brother Wei's consent." He didn't give her a chance to change her mind and hastily made his way out.

Zewu Jun was not kidding when he said he was going to get everything ready within an hour. He barged into Wuxian's and Wangji's room, pulled the half asleep Oracle from bed and didn't even give him a chance to overthink this.

Wuxian felt like a puppet that's being dressed hastily and pushed out the door: "Zewu Jun! Slow down! I don't understand what you're saying."

Zewu Jun continued to pull the smaller man towards the healing room: "We're fixing your body today.. Now!"

Wangji who was following them asked: "Now? Healer Shi said we have to wait two more days."

Zewu Jun turns to glare at his brother: "Now!"

Wuxian shivered in Zewu Jun's arms: "Why are you rushing this?"

Zewu Jun turns the smaller man and grabs his shoulders to look intensely into his eyes: "I don't want to alarm you, Brother Wei. But my job is to protect you and I can't do that if you can't even handle a simple wait in the cold cave. We're at war and you're our clan treasure. I don't want to be the reason why you die!"

Wuxian blinks a few times to process what Zewu Jun just said. He places a gentle hand on one of the ones grabbing his shoulders and whispers: "I'm sorry for being such a burden."

Zewu Jun felt guilty when Wuxian looked at him sadly: "That's not what I meant, Brother Wei. I would gladly die to protect you. I just can't handle watching you die again over something trivial as being cold."

Wuxian swallows hard, feeling guilt eat up his soul. He knew his illness was a burden on others but they hid it so well to the point where he questioned his insecurities from time to time. This.. this was a clear sign that the people around him have reached the breaking point. He looks down and whispers: "Alright.. Let's do it."

Wangji grabs Zewu Jun's arm and glares at his brother. He knew that Zewu Jun didn't mean to hurt his soul-bond but his words went too far: "Let go."

Zewu Jun was taken aback by Wangji's threatening voice. He slowly lets go of Wuxian and steps back.

Wuxian sighs: "It's fine, Wangji. He's right. We're at war and I'm the cause of it. The least I can do is not make it worse.."

Zewu Jun frowns at the way Wuxian phrased his words.. Slowly understanding why his brother was being defensive.

Wangji stepped closer to Wuxian: "This is not something anyone can rush you into, Wei Ying. It's your health and well being." He turns to glare intensely at his guilty brother: "It's not up to anyone, not even your consultant, to make that decision for you."

Wuxian rubs his face and steps back to take a deep breath. Zewu Jun tries to salvage his mistake: "Brother Wei, I didn't mean to be so forceful. You are not a burden to care for but a pleasure and honor to serve. Many would kill to be by the Divine Oracle's side, including me.."

Wuxian puts his hand up and smiles sadly at Zewu Jun: "Your flattery is not necessary. I'm too tired to second guess and argue at this point so I choose to trust you and follow your lead, Brother."

Zewu Jun frowns over Wuxian's clear surrender. This was not what he intended and clearly not what he was trying to convey. Watching someone you love slowly die in your hands for more than an hour was something that will haunt Zewu Jun's dreams for many years. Not to mention the constant near death experiences and ill bouts over the past year.. He never wanted that kind of life for his brother-in-bond and hated watching Wuxian suffer unnecessarily. He should've chosen his words more wisely.

He watched Wuxian square his shoulders and turn around to continue the walk to the healing room. Wangji passed by Zewu Jun as he followed and glared daggers at his brother as he passed him.

Zewu Jun sighs loudly, closing his eyes for a few seconds: 'Heavenly deities, let these trying times pass so I can make it up to Wei Ying with more love and support than he will ever ask for.'

He strengthened his resolve with that vow and followed the two men to finally unseal Wuxian's spirit container.

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