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

[scrapgege]

Chu-daozhang knew exactly what I speaking of, and I think I have a suitable candidate in the village to stand in as my ancestor's ghost groom, thankfully.

.... They have a lot of dead people here.

[binghua]

That is good to hear. I am sure you will be successful, then.

This whole world has a lot of dead people. Or rather, restless dead.

[scrapgege]

Yes, that's the whole problem, isn't it? Dead people not staying dead. Here, it seems their bodies are dead but their spirits keep floating around.

[binghua]

Lost spirits that have not yet entered into the cycle of reincarnation.

[That reminds him, though.]

I spoke with Asgeirr some time ago and asked what his opinion of the afterlife was. If I remember correctly, he didn't believe in one, despite being a man of faith. Whether his belief reflects reality, I can't say for sure.

...Maybe I should seek him out again.

[scrapgege]

Maybe he knows some things about this place? I don't remember, did he ever mention anything about traveling when he was still alive?

[binghua]

I didn't speak with him about any of that, so I don't know. He's more the scholarly type than the worldly, though, so he might have knowledge regardless of his experiences.

[scrapgege]

Maybe he read something. It can't hurt to ask.