The Rise of the Divine Oracle

Chapter 162 - Whole Again

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He passed out again.. Hopefully for the last time. Wuxian felt like his body had somehow regenerated within a span of a few minutes of napping. He never knew how much he was suffocating until the energy flow once again ran throughout his body.

Wuxian opened his eyes and was greeted with a heavenly scene. His father, who looked pale and tired as hell, sporting the most proud and loving look as he gently played with the soft hair of his granddaughter. Hweiru was spread out almost on top of Wuxian as she probably fell asleep waiting for him to wake up.

Qiren breaks the silence first by whispering: "I finally fulfilled my promise to you, son."

Wuxian felt his eyes water and his throat close up. He struggled to whisper back: "Thank you."

Qiren: "I'm sorry you had to suffer for too long but I am sure once you rest and build up your strength it will all be worth it."

Wuxian nods frantically as a few tears slip past his defences: "I don't know what to say.."

Qiren leans close and smiles at him: "I don't need to hear anything from you. You are my son. The least I can do is make sure you're healthy enough to take care of me when I'm old and sickly.."

Wuxian huffs a laugh and nods: "I don't know what you're talking about. You will probably outlive us all."

Qiren smirks: "Wisdom never dies."

Wuxian watches his father wipe his face in clear exhaustion and asks: "Are we still barricaded in?"

Qiren groans: "A lot of things happened during your healing session."

Wuxian sits up carefully, gently supporting his child's weight and placing her in his lap: "What happened?"

Qiren: "The rogue faction used the element of surprise to their advantage. We did not anticipate their large numbers or how skilled they are. Needless to say, things got hairy for a while but we were able to push them back and I reinforced the shields to keep them out. Lan Wangji sent a distress signal to all the main clans, hoping that some of them might be close enough to assist."

Qiren glares a little at Wuxian: "Your disciple, the Slayer, refused to listen to my commands. He said that he promised not to kill unless you give him permission."

Wuxian laughs awkwardly: "He did promise me that."

Qiren continues to glare at Wuxian. The young man squirmed like he was waiting to be punished: "I have no control over him! He's very strong willed."

Qiren clears his throat, clearly not amused: "Shenhua Clan showed up first. They were merciless, claiming that these are their people and they have the right to cut off that rotten branch of their bloodline."

Wuxian felt his heart beat faster. He remembered the weird vision he had last week. He asked hesitantly: "They were all killed?"

Qiren nods: "They turned our gates into a bloodbath. They're still hunting down the runners and executing them. I tried sending Zewu Jun and Lan Ran to mitigate some type of truce, but Shenhua Qi refused any type of leniency, claiming that the rogue faction have defiled their clan image and need to be cleansed."

Wuxian looks sadly at his father: "I don't know what to say.."

Qiren closed his eyes and they stayed silent for a few minutes.

A disciple knocks on the door and enters, handing two wooden boxes to Grandmaster Qiren. The old man slowly opens them and places them before Wuxian: "May these serve you well, in the name of peace, prosperity and justice."

Wuxian felt his heart sing at the sight of his beloved Chenqing and Suibian. He instinctively threw Suibian at Wen Ning and smiled at the look of longing on his soul-brother's face as he reacquainted himself with the sword. He turns around to grab his flute. The moment his hand touches the clear surface, it shines golden and he hears it play calmly to him, harmonizing their energy once more and stating its claim on his spirit.

He felt light as a feather.

And at that moment, he knew exactly what he needed to do.

Just like a distant memory of a recurring dream, he found himself gently placing his daughter on the bed and walking out the door.

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