Video | un: a jug of wine amidst the flowers

[wenderer]

[ A man with long dark hair, dressed in green silk robes, is lazily fanning himself and smiling, as he lounges by a campfire. He’s singing along with a group of children seated next to him:

Stitch by stitch,
The love of a witch
Will unravel

Dusk to dawn
Each morning to mourn
With blood and gravel

He lifts his hand, stopping them. ]

I think I’ve learned it now, I’ll teach you all a verse also, come listen.

[ He clears his throat, and in a formal style, speaks as if he were reciting before a large audience. As he does so, the man’s eyes drift away to something just out of view. ]

When mountain peaks wear away, when all the rivers run dry
When thunderstorms rumble in winter, and snow falls from the summer sky
When heaven and earth seal back together, only then will I dare to—

[ A hand abruptly darts out from off camera, obscuring the scene for a moment. When it draws away, the stone has been forcibly moved, revealing the face of another man. ]

That’s not why we’re here. We’ve found out a few things about Lord Arha. If the song these children have been singing is true, this ghost army isn’t trying to rescue anyone, it’s out for revenge.

[ The first man scoots back into the scene, sitting right next to and parking his chin on the second man’s shoulder. ]

Ah-Xu, the man was betrayed!

[ He clicks his tongue, shaking his head sadly.]

He went to rescue his lady, but she joined hands with her enemies instead. The whole army was slaughtered!

[ "Ah-Xu," with a slightly frozen smile, says through his teeth: ]

Keep it down.

[ The undead army is clearly changing its guard in the background. More softly, the first man says, leaning towards the stone: ]

I’ve met some people who say they know how to deal with ghosts. Kindly share your knowledge, I have a feeling we’re all going to need it.

[ Meanwhile, the children have started softly singing again:

Love, her love
Hatisse’s sweet dove
Arha fell last

Vowed to return
His lady to scorn
And spit on their past

With strike of sword
The love of a lord
Will unravel

Dawn to dusk
His memory a husk
Each year he will travel.


ooc: replies from Wen Kexing wenderer and/or Zhou Zishu fated_dance ]

Comments

[wenderer]

[ He's visibly impatient during the time it takes the old monster to decide to respond; once he does, Wen Kexing immediately responds: ]

For someone who already has this background, in scholarship and cultivation, what then must be done?

[ His expression is wide-eyed and earnest, a picture of innocence and dedication. ]

[softheartedshizun]

Then perhaps it's not completely hopeless, but that person will need a willing master and dedication to their teachings.

[ Somewhere inside he felt like maybe he was a brat collector.... Though he would never co sider any of his diciples brats, so well behaved they were. Binghe... a complicated exception. ]

[wenderer]

[ ...

It seems that this is just a special form of cultivation. If so, Zhou Zishu won't have to lose his martial arts. It sounds pretty good, except... ]

You... you can't be one of these abusive masters, you must respect your disciple's dignity!

[ Otherwise he can see Zhou Zishu getting fed up and quitting. He himself could step in and learn the method in that case, and then teach it, but it's unclear how long that will take. It's better if Ah-Xu can simply learn it from the master. ]

[softheartedshizun]

This master is loved by his disciples! Don't say such terrible things!

But surely you must understanding taking a master and taking a disciple is not a light thing to do?

[wenderer]

[ Loved? This guy? He suppresses a scoff. ]

Naturally, which is why respect is important, especially when a disciple’s cultivation is advanced already!

[ A beat. Zhou Zishu is very attached to the former master of Four Seasons Manor. He might be averse to taking another, at least formally. ]

And… and you shouldn’t expect such a disciple to formally join your sect or call you “shifu.”

[softheartedshizun]

This one is Shizun.

[ But that was honestly here nor there. ]

Joining my sect isn't so simple, and I don't expect someone to join in such a way.

[wenderer]

...

[ Of course, the man is so pompous as to require the title "Shizun." He'd snort, if not for Zhou Zishu. ]

That's settled, then.

[ All that remains is for Zhou Zishu to agree. ]

[softheartedshizun]

[ Was it…? What was settled? Was anything really settled? What are you settling exactly!? ]

…

This teacher is known as Shen Qingqiu, Qing Jing Peak lord of Cang Qiong Mountain sect….

[ Late for introductions…? No, not too late. ]

[wenderer]

[ Oh. Well, fine. They've been talking long enough, he supposes introductions are in order. ]

Wen. Wen Kexing.

[ He naturally isn't going to mention his own affiliations. ]

[softheartedshizun]

Then let us discuss this all soon, when we have more to work with.

[wenderer]

[ ... ]

What do you mean, more to work with?

[ Isn't everything settled? Are you reneging already, you ugly monster! ]

[softheartedshizun]

Being able to do the exam.

[ What is he supposed to do at this point? They aren't even in the same room. ]

[wenderer]

What exam, what does it entail?

[ It better not be too ridiculous! ]

[softheartedshizun]

Checking the qi flow and internal medicine.

[wenderer]

Oh.

[ Well, that seems reasonable enough. ]

Zhou Zishu.

[ Since the man wants names, he'll oblige. ]

That's the one you'll be testing.

[softheartedshizun]

[ He noded. Good to have names.

Did he offer anything else? No. Was it because he forgot to speak further? Perhaps. Hard to say, either way, he didn't give much away as to what he was thinking of now. ]

[wenderer]

[ The man's lack of a response is annoying, to be honest. But this Shen Qingqiu can do what he claims... he'll hold his tongue and suffer this fool. ]

Well, if there's nothing else, I'll tell you goodbye for now.

[softheartedshizun]

I will give word when we can proceed then.