un: absterge

[downswing]

A child failed in Ke-Waihu. Again, in Serthica.

Here, young Princess Cle-Florens, convinced of duty as sacrifice. We cannot abandon.

Elsewise: beware the Wards, the Gut's Bind. Death wanders.

If you have come possessed or hell-tainted, speak.

Comments

[downswing]

Yet inescapable. I hear words unspoken.

[binghua]

If it would ensure her safety, then surely some methods can be forgiven. Maybe.

[downswing]

...daozhang.

( We're putting you back in the box. )

[binghua]

Hanguang-jun. If the only other alternative is her death, I think we can agree on the lesser evil.

I would not lose faith, though. There may yet be other ideas.

[downswing]

Daozhang nurtures a plan?



( Only a toddler before spun sugar sound be more hopeful. )

[binghua]

I do not. I do not know her situation well enough to think of anything at the moment, but I share your concern for her safety all the same.

[downswing]

Barely a child, they wish sacrificed for purity. To aid in battle.


( ...an effigy. )

[binghua]

Unless her blood holds magical properties we do not know about, then I think it is safe to assume that her sacrifice would be for naught. And even if it did, I do not wish to be complacent and just let something so terrible happen.

Do we know how much time we have before they want to carry this out?

[downswing]

No urgency spoken.

[binghua]

Then we shall keep an open ear to other, more honorable options.

[downswing]

The cultivation sects would not consider this.

[binghua]

The cultivation sects are not here. We can only rely on ourselves.

[downswing]

An unbound daozhang may say so freely.

[binghua]

[An audible exhale. This isn't about bureaucracy, it's about someone's life.]

I may and I do. Hanguang-jun will forgive this one for not having much faith in the sects.

[downswing]

How have the sects failed you?

[binghua]

Many cases fall through the cracks and are not picked up by the larger sects, be it because of distance or, forgive me my bluntness, importance. They do not fail me in this manner, but those are the people I tried to help, back then. The ones no one else would.

Then, of course, there is the matter of the Jin Sect and how they assured me they would execute Xue Yang once I turned him over.

[A hint of bitterness in his voice.]

That did not happen.

[downswing]

A son of the sects saw that justice later done.

I pledge.

[binghua]

[...That...silences Xingchen for some time. To finally hear confirmation of something he has wanted for years...

But even that desire fulfilled does not grant him the satisfaction he had once hoped for. His feelings for Xue Yang or the man he pretended to be or some tricky mixture of the two are...wrong. Misplaced? Unforgivable. The man's actions have more than justified the need to kill him. It doesn't matter who does it in the end.

But it does feel like a hollow victory, one that comes almost too late. The massacre of the Chang Clan was horrible enough and deserving of the initial execution orders already. But then to have him escape or whatever happened just so he could do it all over again at Baixue Temple and then force Xingchen's own hand in and around Yi City...]

...Oh. Good.

[There is no joy on his response, hardly even any relief, just...weariness.]

[downswing]

He died in hurt and ignominy. Justice for his slain.

[binghua]

Justice. Yes. I hope his victims can find peace.

[downswing]

From daozhang's mouth unto the Heavens.

[binghua]

Pray the heavens listen.

[downswing]

Why would they not heed?

[binghua]

I do not think...

[He shakes his head, but clears his throat upon realization that Lan Wangji can't see that action.]

It does not matter. This is not about me.

[downswing]

It is not.