un: daozhang | audio

[binghua]

I have been thinking lately, perhaps too much, about forgiveness. Or, rather, resentment, especially with regards to these curses we've been gifted. I don't know what everyone else has to break, but mine involves jealousy and, thus, its own kind of resentment. I think most lingering cases such as these stem from unhappiness along a similar vein.

As a cultivator, it is my duty to cleanse such resentment from the dead so as not to affect the living in their wake. I am willing to help anyone else who may need it, though I fear I may not be as much help as others. I'm not sure I'm the best at forgiveness, either, even for myself...

[Xingchen's voice trails off, almost as if he forgets he's talking to anyone else, but he quickly recovers and clears his throat.]

I'm rambling. What I mean to say is I would like your cooperation if it's not too much to ask. As I said before my curse involves jealousy and words spoken in anger and dissatisfaction. I would like for as many of us to instead spread words of affirmation around the village. It might sound silly, and maybe it is, but I believe even something so small can make a difference. For example, last night I told one of the bartenders he had a pleasing voice. It doesn't have to be anything complicated, just kind.

Don't feel as if I'm forcing you, either. No one has to help if they don't want to.

Comments

audio;

[reparo]

...that's a creative spin to atonement. Doing the opposite of what your adopted ancestor was guilty of doing?

[There's a soft huh.] Hadn't thought of it that way. But at the core, I think mine has to do with jealousy as well, so - I can try.

[And what he won't notice: a nod. She can try - and start here.]

I appreciate that when we first met, you were trying to feed the less fortunate at your own risk.

[binghua]

This particular ancestor sowed discord among his peers with cruel words and ruined their careers. I cannot go back and reinstate them as they should have been, but I believe I can at least leave this place and any of their descendents more uplifted.

If you would like to share more details of your own curse, I can offer my opinion, for what it's worth.

[When next he speaks, Hermione should be able to hear the smile in his voice.]

And I appreciate you having helped me at risk of your own wellbeing.

[reparo]

[She does - actually, and you can tell that's the case because of how fast she readily offers up the facts:]

Mine was more physical with her actions. A young wife, whose husband died days after their wedding, channelled her grief into making other young brides in the village disfigured with poisoned face paints.

[A pause.] What I have thought of so far is that this is proof make-up is evil.

[downswing]

( JUST DOING WHAT DAOZHANG WANTS. )



You are pleasing, silent.

[reparo]

[You're pleasing, silent?!?!?!?!]




Your chicken were nice.

un: chengmei | voice

[thesuspense]

[He listens to his daozhang's words, and while his expression doesn't really betray how much of them he actually takes in, he nevertheless jumps into action once he's made up his mind. He makes sure he can be heard, as there is no point in being seen when it's Xingchen he wants to pay attention.

And he starts walking around, looking the people near him up and down.]

Eh! You, auntie! You look younger than you are!

[Yes, he proceeds to yell out compliments. How sincere they are, that's a different question.]

You look really healthy. Good eater, huh?

[Some of his compliments may come out slightly backhanded, but he possibly means well.]

You must be brave, wearing that.

[There are also quite a few compliments that are very obviously the first thing he can think of.]

Kid. You there. You-- aish, I don't know. Nice face.

[And, in a much lower voice.]

Got any candy? [Louder again, as someone else passes.] I bet you were in great shape when you were younger.

[It is not too surprising that some of his compliments end up on the edge of propriety, if not crossing right over.]

Big breasts, well done. And yours are good too, don't worry about it. Doesn't need more than a handful.

[He's getting into the spirit of encouraging compliments, if in his own way. And finally, as there are no people in his immediate vicinity for the moment, he pauses to address Xingchen.]

Daozhang~! Am I doing well?

[downswing]

( efff you, he's not complimenting this. )

[thesuspense]

You have an unpleasant voice, good that you are quiet.

[binghua]

[...Of course, this was going to happen.

And yet, Xingchen can't be entirely upset. Xue Yang isn't threatening to hurt or kill anyone, which is...a pleasant change.

His standards are extremely low, these days.]

Your approach can be rather...crude.

[thesuspense]

Crude, daozhang?

[There are so many ways to put so much into his voice and he uses all of them there.]

Ah. You think so? Because this was nothing. I could be.

I could be appreciating you.

voice;

[reparo]

[what did she just witness.]

Don't just commend on people's breasts loudly on the street.

[eternallywandering]

[He is listening to you, Xue Yang. Weighing you. Judging you. And he comes to the conclusion that you, sir, are nothing more than trouble. It is a shame he can never keep himself far from mischief!]

Daozhang Xingchen isn't going to like those. Try something less backhanded, friend.

un: abster

[downswing]

( The. Most. Pained. )


Daozhang shows wisdom.

[binghua]

I doubt that very much. I am simply tired of misery.

un: qishan

[silverneedles]

A clever idea.

[binghua]

I hope it is enough.

un: man's greatest treasure - and private bc secret potions society of ladies

[reparo]

I deeply appreciated how well-stocked and kept the lab was in Taravast.

un: absterge

[downswing]

( Ah, to be under daozhang's direction. )


You possess resilience.

un: Black Prince; text

[blackscales]

You cleanse resentment from the dead?

audio;

[binghua]

As much as we are able. It also depends on the dead themselves and how willing they are to let go of that resentment.

[downswing]

( Oh, for... fine, he'll do this. )


Inquisitiveness is advantageous.


( You know. Generally. )

un : deft hand of little deaths (voice)

[scrapgege]

That's a clever idea. I almost wish I had thought of it, but that might not have been enough for mine.

[binghua]

If I remember correctly, your curse does seem to require a different touch. Have you had any luck with preparations?

[Audio; UN: heavenly four seasons]

[eternallywandering]

Daozhang, if you're jealous, I'm more than happy to help you forget it for a time~

[He softens almost immediately at the rest of the post. What a sweet man.]

You're handsome, your voice is soothing, you are incredibly graceful and you have one of the kindest hearts I have ever encountered.

[binghua]

[A little flustered!]

I'm not - ! Think of your husband.

[He's still a little flustered listening to this list of compliments. It wasn't his intention to garner any for himself, either, but Zhou Zishu is not the first to do it.]

Zhou Zishu is also kind. And a good, patient listener. This one considers him a good friend.