text; un: yuheng

[wooden_one]

I need someone who has some skill in medicine making. I need a medicine I brought with me replicated.

I will compensate you for your time.

It is not urgent.

[It is a little bit urgent? Not right now but soon...but is he going to say that? Of course not.]

Comments

text; un: pillar of the heavens

[inkfire]

Shizun, are you okay? What do you need medicine for?

text; un:yuheng

[wooden_one]

[.......what is that username? Pillar???????



But also, he wished his were a little less identifying. Maybe it was not too late to lie? He doesn't want Mo Ran to know about Xia Sini!!!!!]

I'm fine. It is nothing for you to be concerned about. I have it under control.

text; un: pillar of the heavens

[inkfire]

[ ... And now he is mortified about that username. Don't ask about it, Sizhun.

Also, too late. But he's trying to be very careful about revealing anything. ]

I— Are you sure, Shizun? I'll help however I can.

[ He'd already be looking for ingredients for the medicine if he knew what they were. ]

[wooden_one]

[His face is too thin to admit he didn't know something. So he will sit here and try to figure it out himself. (And probably get it wrong.)]

I already said it's fine. Would I say that if I wasn't sure?

[He would.

Pillar...pillar.....some sort of column? Something holding other things up? Perhaps a reference to how Mo Ran has become more responsible???

That sounds right.]

You don't need to worry so much. I am not incapable.

[inkfire]

[ Yes, of course, Chu Wanning would say that if he wasn't sure, and Mo Ran knows that all too well. But he'll let Chu Wanning keep his thin face intact.

And yes. He's responsible now, Mo Ran. Upstanding. It's definitely not a joke and Chu Wanning doesn't need to think more about it and Mo Ran really is going to look into how to change his username on the network or else make sure no one ever explains it.

Maybe no one else gets it? ]

Shizun is the most capable cultivator I know. I'm just offering help if you need it. It might be hard for one person to find all of the ingredients needed for it.

[wooden_one]

[Writing was nice. Writing gave him time to weigh what he wanted to say before he said it.

So there is a pause before he replies.]

You don't need to worry. But if the person who makes the medicine needs help I will let them know you offered. And I will compensate you as well.

[But also...since this conversation seems to be going...okay, so far, he decides to say something else. After all, he had asked for advice before ending up here (and in that mess in Peach Blossom Springs) on how to be better liked by his disciples.]

I hope you live up to that name. Now that you've grown up more.

[He's trying.]

1/2

[inkfire]

You can't pay me.

[ Mo Ran wouldn't necessarily refuse money, since he doesn't know how things work here but money has talking power. But he wouldn't accept compensation from Chu Wanning. Not how it works.

The follow-up message makes his eyes widen, however. ]

2/2

[inkfire]

What name? Do you mean the username?

[ Maybe someone's used Mo-zongshi? Maybe? Except no, that's impossible, and Mo Ran wouldn't call himself that, so the username has to be it.

He has to live up to it. He can be an upstanding pillar of heaven. ]

I will do my best.

[ And now he has to make sure that username is never explained to him, ever. ]

[wooden_one]

Who's going to stop me?

[He just doesn't like owing people.]

What else would I mean?

[Clearly that's the only name here that could apply to. And, not suspecting anything at all, he only has one thing to say to Mo Ran's words.]

Good.

[inkfire]

Shizun, this disciple couldn't accept money for helping you.

[ Mo Ran will stop him. ]

Live up to the name. Okay. Thank you for your guidance, Shizun.

[wooden_one]

If not money then something else.

[Your time is worth something and he doesn't like getting charity.]

I was the one to have guided you.

[As in, he's not...your Chu Wanning, the one who was with you for five years. Why does that matter? Because for him, it hasn't happened and so any praise felt...unearned.]