blood lust;

“晨起开门雪满山，雪晴云淡日光寒。 檐流未滴梅花冻，一种清孤不等闲” 28. OC muse for xiuxiancrp Nie Sect. Inner Disciple.

[niejiulixx]

This was the life he was meant to have.

Jiuli calmly wiped down his sabre, a pleased smile tugged at the corner of his lips. Was his expression a little morbid considering the situation? Absolutely. Did he care? No. Jiuli was even thinking that, perhaps, he had learned what he could from the Cloud Recesses and it was time for him to return to his ordinary duties. There was no point in completing a year - what his mother wanted him to take from the Lans was their inner peace. After the battle today, Jiuli understood more than ever that the path of Lan was not the correct one for him.

Hearing Yukai’s compliment, he actually gave a nod of acknowledgement instead of a judging look as per usual. This was an indicator that he was in a fantastic mood that couldn’t be easily spoiled. “Come here,” he told Yukai, finally looking up from his weapon to see his sworn brother’s dishevelled state. “I have an ointment for wounds, if you want, it works on burns too.” Jiuli turned his head, seeing another disciple with a few claw marks on his arm. “You too, come this way.”

Blood lust cooling, Jiuli’s eyes took on a sombreness as he assessed the damage they took. The demon bird did not go down without a fight and he wondered if the Lan sect leader knew how powerful this thing was before sending them out on the extermination mission. They could have all easily died on multiple occasions and...who knows, perhaps a few did die. Considering their group was mostly made up of inner disciples, he wondered what a death would mean for the sect alliances.

“Have anyone seen Jiang Lian?” The Nies and Jiangs had a good relationship, so of course that would be the first person he asked about. Jiuli would ask about Jin Zhiyang, except he already saw the man earlier, looking quite alright. He was not surprised, considering Zhiyang was an intelligent man who knew when to charge into battle and when to draw back. Lian, not so much.

One of the other disciples pointed and Jiuli turned in response. Jiang Lian didn’t look fantastic but his woman looked four times worse. Jiuli looked down at the medicinal ointment in his hand, frowned before waving over the other disciple. “Pass this to them after you use it,” he said, putting the container into his hands. Walking away before any questions could be asked of him, Jiuli couldn’t believe he was giving specialty Nie medicine made by their best doctors to a woman, who, by the way, should have stayed off of the battle field. Lian shall have his hands full, choosing an unrefined one like that for marriage.

At the same time, though, she did do her best against the demon bird, and that meant she helped with the mission. She did not deserve to die from her injuries and Jiuli wanted to make sure of that. The Huang Lady might be on the coarse side, but she had a courageous heart.

“Now, where is that cripple?” Jiuli wanted to ask Yukai, but before the words could leave his mouth, the ground began shaking. He thought the battle was over but clearly, he was mistaken. “Everyone, step back from that thing!” He shouted, averting his eyes from the red glow. “Don’t look at it!”

[niejiulixx]

「baggage.」

[niejiulixx]

xxxiaojian‌:

(...)

“We must ready ourselves… it’s coming.”

At first, all Jiuli saw was a small red dot. As a softly feathered, palm-sized bird, the enemy looked as threatening as Siying when she was throwing a fit in her toddler days. A part of him began to think this one’s power laid only within its ability to deceive. However, out of an abundance of caution, he drew his sabre anyway, a decision he thanked himself for two seconds later.

The red bird stopped atop a branch, its tiny head tilting as it watched them. Jiuli took a step forward and swung his sabre. He did not put a lot of force into it, but considering his strength, the wind generated should be more than enough to push the feathered thing from its comfortable rest.

It remained perfectly stationary, not a single feather ruffled.

Interesting.

The next second, it dove for them, transforming before their eyes from an innocent looking little thing to an actual monster twice his height. Jiuli braced himself for impact and wedged Yongmian between his body and the creature’s mouth. It snapped at him excitedly, the sharp teeth inside its beak yearning for a taste of flesh.

Jiuli’s eyes lit up with excitement. Oh yes, this was what he wanted all along. How wonderful it was to finally meet something he could kill.

[niejiulixx]

Hello. I made this account because I heard my sister has one and I am looking for it. She is not allowed to date, especially on this piece of trash application. Do not attempt to strike up a conversation with me unless you’ve seen my sister’s tinder profile and wishes to send me a screen shot of it. Her name is Nie Siying, thanks.

[niejiulixx]

「baggage.」

Jiuli knew exactly in which areas he had skills and baby sitting was not one of them. A part of him wanted to just go on and leave the irritating cripple behind. Another part of him, however, urged him to stay. The Nies, were, after all, charged with not only delivering justice but to protect the weak as well.

To give him some due respect, the cripple was doing his best to not hold anyone back. Jiuli can tell because even though he had lost his cane, the one who called himself Jian was hopping along diligently. It must be tiring to move that way, yet the other persisted in order to be less of a burden. Likely it was just out of pride, but Jiuli appreciated the man’s efforts.

As reward, he made the man a makeshift cane out of a fallen tree branch.

“Lean on this.” Jiuli shoved the thing in Jian’s hands, squinting. “Actually, give it back.” He snatched it before giving the other a chance to properly react and sliced a piece off of it. It felt wrong, to be using his sabre against wood, but it was for a good cause. “There.” The height matched better this way.

It felt weird, demon hunting with a stranger. “Once the demon shows up, you should do your best to stay out of my way.” Jiuli knew himself well and was aware of how he could start focusing solely on the battle and ignore those around him. Too many times he’d nearly cut Yukai in the past, so it was only fair that the cripple should receive a warning. “If I accidentally kill you because you put yourself in the path of my sabre...know that it would be your own fault.”

[niejiulixx]

「distress signal.」

[niejiulixx]

weiyukaixx‌:

(...)

“Wait!” Yukai hissed, grabbing Jiuli’s arm in a vice-grip. “Not so fast. What are you hearing right now? Whose voice is it?” Yukai turned his eyes on Jiuli. For the first time in a long time, they were devoid of humor; the look he gave Jiuli was the same one he always gave when their situation turned serious–or disadvantageous. “I heard my parents’ voice… my dead parents.”

If Jiuli determined to go somewhere, he would do so and nothing short of a mountain in his path would slow him. Fortunately for them both, the strange mist did unsettle him slightly upon entrance, making him less confident to charge forward like a bull. Jiuli was not the type to fear and he’d fight dragons if they existed and phoenix even if a single accidental touch of their feathers could reduce him to ashes. A hidden enemy, however, was not one to be taken lightly.

“I hear Siying.” He narrowed his eyes. "It makes no sense to hear from your parents. Last time I checked, there aren’t any demons who could open the gate to the netherworld.” If there was, then it would truly be the end of the world. “I don’t hear her anymore-Wait!” The voice had gone quiet when their conversation started, and then, almost on cue, it resumed. Once again, Jiuli heard Siying, this time shrieking as if she had gotten injured.

He heard that sound before, when they were both younger. She was a toddler and he was a child, waiting with open arms as she took her first steps. Jiuli wasn’t the type to show love and such tenderness he reserved only for Siying. On that day, a servant called his name and he looked away for a moment. A lot can happen within a few short seconds and when his eyes returned to Siying, his toddler sister was falling. He rushed to catch her, but was unable to do so in time. Poor Siying shrieked as she hit her knee and wailed loudly after from the pain.

Jiuli would never forget how terrible he felt in that moment, as the servants rushed to comfort their lady, leaving him alone to reflect on his incompetence.

“Do you hear that?” He shook Yukai with force. “Do you? How can you not, it is right there!” Jiuli pointed in the direction of the voice. “She followed us, didn’t she? Stubborn little fool, she is always like this! She never listens to what I say.”

[niejiulixx]

「distress signal.」

@weiyukaixx

The unnatural mist swallowed up everyone in sight, saved for the one standing right next to him. Jiuli’s eyes were on his sworn brother, but his ears were following the voice of their sister. One second, she sounded like she was among the trees, then the next, she had moved to the bushes. The only constant thing was the distress in her voice and the implication she was in trouble.

In a way, it fit Siying’s character - she was exactly the stubborn type that would follow her brothers into a dangerous mission. Likely disguised herself and trailed behind them the entire time, not wanting to reveal her identity because she knew it would mean the end of her freedom. Under their watchful eyes, she would be able to join the demon extermination, but not on her own terms.

Jiuli knew Siying always acted up because she wanted more from life and thought she was capable of taking on responsibilities. Had she been a man, Jiuli would have given her more and let her find out - through bumps and bruises, cuts and burns - that it wasn’t easy to be in the leadership role. Unfortunately, she wasn’t a man and Jiuli, who had a soft spot towards his little sister since her birth, did not have the heart to see her covered in scars like the rest of them.

“Do you hear that?” Jiuli asked Yukai, but did not wait for an answer. He was already moving, towards the direction of the voice and ready to save his sister.

[xxxiaojian-deactivated20210908]

* lord of cinder,

[niejiulixx]

xxxiaojian‌:

(...)

“So, say if I set some fruit ablaze with my talisman, you’ll unsheath your sabre? I would really like to see you do so.” The golden outline materializes in Jian’s palm, dancing quietly like a fire. With one swift move, he could easily cause the wooden stand to go up in flames.

Jiuli gave his warning - it was a gesture of benevolence which this wretched nobody did not deserve. He must admit, this Xiao Jian character really fit well with the Wei sect, with his poor manners, lack of common sense and now obvious death wish. “Your grave,” Jiuli said. drawing his sabre with one swift movement. He was, after all, a man who delivered on his promises.

Tension was thick in the air and nervousness swept through the small crowd that had gathered around them. “Do not be afraid,” he said to the villagers. “I will protect all of you.”

He turned his weapon, aiming its sharp point at his opponent. The red lanterns hung over their heads reflected on the silvery surface of his blade, reminding him of blood. Jiuli didn’t want to admit it, for his mother’s sake, but there was a part of him that thirsted to see blood coat his entire sabre. And later, when he would raise his weapon into the air, declaring victory, he’d want that warm liquid to run from the sabre hilt down to his hands, over his wrist and drip onto his forehead, colouring his proud brows.

Jiuli waited for Jian to make the first move, but someone else beat him to it. It was, surprisingly enough, the street vendor who had been threatened earlier. The old man approached Jiuli with impressive courage and after a hesitation, wrapped both of his feeble arms around Jiuli’s free one. His teenage son, who was apparently there the whole time but utterly over looked, went and latched onto Jian’s non-crippled leg.

“There is no need to start a fight, young masters!” The old man exclaimed, laughing nervously. Jiuli could tell by the way the man was sweating that he was scared half to death but also determined to diffuse the situation. “Let’s not harm my fruits or each other. What was it that you guys wanted to know again? A mountain - ah yes, I remember you mentioning that earlier.” When Jiuli turned with interest, the old man felt encouraged to continue. “The truth is, I used to live at the foot of Baijing and...”

[niejiulixx]

He did not know what a snapchat was and had no intention of ever using it. Yet, this one annoying guy kept on installing it on his phone and whining for him to start snapping so they would be able to have a ‘streak’. One day, Jiuli finally caved in - sometimes it was easier to just give Wei Yukai what he wanted instead of feeding him more nos. Anyway, they were on day streak 27 and most of Jiuli’s snaps were of poor quality & dim lighting. He took most of the snaps himself, but occasionally, his sister Siying would help.

[niejiulixx]

「gravesite visit.」

[niejiulixx]

jinziyuxx‌:

(...)

“I’m sorry,” She sobbed, shaking her head. “Father orders me never to cry in front of others. But…” She looked up at Jiuli, her face twisted in grief. “Its just you and me. Is it okay to cry, now?”

What was that?

Jiuli had received many compliments in his life time, but that was a rare one he never heard from anyone except for his mother. He supposed in the Nie sect, kindness could be seen as a weakness and the last quality one would want to assign to their future sect leader.

“I am not known for that,” he said. “Kindness.” Still, he allowed himself to follow Ziyu’s train of thoughts, imagining the woman who would have defended him to a little sister. His expression softened a touch, though his brows remained tightly knitted. Perhaps he would have tried for that woman, to be a kind man just as she believed he was.

Young lady Jin began to cry and it was not the type of tears he was used to. Women of his family were known for their stubbornness and dignified nature - even when they wept, they did so with fire in their eyes and lungs. This girl cried with a softness, which he was unaccustomed to and had no idea what to do with. “It is okay to cry,” he said after a moment of contemplation. He was not standing on Nie ground, and this was not one of his siblings. He did not need to be nor did he have the right to command her to be strong.

He watched in silence for a while, taking note and trying to understand her the magnitude of her pain. Jiuli wondered if he would behave like this if one of his younger siblings died. If he would also stand in the cold rain and shed tears in front of a stranger. Likely not. His pride would not allow him to display such emotions. In this regard, young lady Jin was braver than he could ever be.

Jiuli untied his fur trimmed cloak and draped it over her shoulders. On her, it was comically long, to the point of reaching the ground. “Black wolf’s fur,” he commented as he tied the ribbon for her - a single plain knot. “Not soft not silky, but it will keep you warm.”

[xxxiaojian-deactivated20210908]

* lord of cinder,

[niejiulixx]

xxxiaojian‌:

Jian sauntered up to the cart, his gait interrupted with each supportive step from his cane. He was certain it made him look vulnerable enough to lower their guard. “You there. Tell me.” A silver tongue, he did not possess and he was aware of such. “You’re aware of the goings-on at the mountain, right? I can see it on your face you must know something.”

Somehow, though this man was a part of most lecture sessions, Jiuli had managed to ignore his presence until this point.

First of all, he didn’t understand why this crippled nobody was even invited to Cloud Recesses. Most of the invitations were sent out to inner disciples of major sects. Some minor clans received an invitation or two and then, a few outer disciples who had generous sect leaders also managed to luck out. This Xiao Jian character, however, belonged to nobody except himself which by cultivation society standard, made him unimportant.

Jiuli never felt the necessity to acknowledge those who were beneath him.

Today, however, was going to be different. “That is not how you ask for information.” Jiuli stepped out from the crowd that was quickly gathering around the vegetable stand. The owner looked grateful for Jiuli’s intervention until he got a proper glance at his face. Then, strangely enough, he looked even more fearful than he did before. Must have been Jiuli’s stern expression - he was informed before that it could be quite alarming.

“Ask the man with courtesy and kindness,” he ordered Jian tersely. “Or answer to my sabre.”

[niejiulixx]

「first time host.」

@xxjianren

He practised his stern expression through studying his reflection in the tea cup, wanting to make sure he looked right for this meeting today. A lot of important people were coming to the Nie sect, including other sect leaders and disciples. Even the Lans were going to show up, and their presence was a more exclusive one at gatherings.

Jiuli was put in charge of dealing with the little ones and he was not taking the task lightly because most of these kids were inner disciples. The only ones he knew well already were Jiang Lian and the Jin twins because of their close alliance.

The Lans were scheduled to arrive two days prior as they had to leave the gathering early to attend to something else. Jiuli stepped out to greet the inner disciples while his father walked off with the sect leader, only to discover it really was a bunch of kids. The only one around his age was the lady Sulei, who was escorted off promptly by servants to change.

“Greetings,” he folded his hands and bowed politely. “You must be Lan Jianren. And this...” There was a child clinging to the other’s legs. “...must be Lan Jingyun.” Why would the Lan sect bring a child, Jiuli did not know. At least Siying would be happy with this, she was old enough to outrun her servant girls now and becoming quite restless. A playmate would do her well and this one seemed quite calm - something she could learn from. Oh, how Jiuli missed his sister as a small toddler with chubby legs and cute smile.

“Please, come with me.”

[niejiulixx]

「gravesite visit.」

@jinziyuxx

It was raining - a fitting weather for this sombre occasion.

No one knew Jiuli was coming, and in fact, he did not know it either until he literally entered through the gates. The Jins were buried in a beautiful place, with fresh flowers offerings and perfectly carved stones. Servants stepped forward and offered him incense, which he took with a blank expression.

Someone was already there - the younger Lady Jin, his new betrothed. When his original lady passed away due to her illness, the Jin family asked to retain the right of the betrothal and exact it for a different daughter. Though it hurt the Jin leader very much to lose his precious eldest daughter, the marriage was a symbol of friendship between the two sects and he wished to keep it.

The younger Lady Jin, just as beautiful as Jiuli’s original fiancee, was presented to the Nie sect for the first time three months after her sister’s death. Jiuli recall giving her exactly one glance before dipping his head in agreement and stating he was honoured by this new arrangement. It was, after all, a part of his duty as the future leader to maintain important alliances.

He did not have much of an opinion of Jin Ziyu and in fact, did not look at her again until she was asked to dance during the banquet. She did not look pleased by the request and in the tall Nie sect chair, looked so very small and helpless. For a moment, Jiuli pitied her and thought of his own sister, who would never be expected to entertain because she was raised to be a warrior. He ended up diverting the conversation, so little Lady Jin never had to perform.

This would be their second meeting.

“I am sorry for your loss.” He didn’t know what else he should say so for the longest time, he just stood there beside her, umbrella in hand and stone-faced. “You...should not stay too long,” Jiuli added eventually. In hindsight, maybe he shouldn’t have done that because he used his stern voice. “I don’t mean to scold you. It’s just cold and you are wearing very thin layers.”

[niejiulixx]

He had a terrible reputation, especially among the young women. To the point that despite his social status, combat capabilities and relatively agreeable visage, very few wished to enter into marriage with him.

Jiuli knew what was out there and unfortunately, most of the stories were true. Indeed, he beheaded a man at the age of eight without any hesitation. It wasn’t out of cold blood, however, but desire to protect his family. And yes, he had set fires to houses and slaughtered whole households, but they were criminals deserving of death. Their children, the Nie sect always spared, to be sent away and raised under different identities so they’d not have to carry their parents’ sins.

He did not meet the young Lady Jin, but knew her by reputation. She was intelligent and beautiful, desired by many. Many considered him lucky for having won such a lovely woman’s hand but Jiuli was...concerned. What if, he thought, she was forced to accept him?

The arrangement had already been made and he would never dishonour his parents by questioning their decision. Still, Jiuli found himself asking his mother what made a good husband one day. He regretted the question immediately, but the words had already left his mouth and his mother would not let him take it back. Instead of answering right away, she made him think. “I will put a roof over her head,” he said with a heavy-set frown. “Clothes in her wardrobe and jewels in her hair. Food on the table and...children in her belly.” He should have covered all of the husband duties, right?

His mother smiled into her sleeve and shook her head. Jiuli knew he must have given the wrong answer and was ready to walk away in shame. She stopped him, however, with a gentle tap on his forehead, her eyes warm. “She will bring life to the house you put her in. Your eyes will enjoy the beauty of her clothing and jewels. She will remember your favourite food and carry your heirs for months, then bring them into the world through her hard work and agony. So tell me, Jiuli, bearing in mind all of this, what are you giving her?”

He felt a bit stumped by this. Sounded like she was getting the short end of the stick. Why would women choose to become wives, then, if they were to be put in such disadvantage?

Lady Nie’s smile only widened at his dumbfounded expression. She brushed her fingers through his hair, something she had not done since he was a child. “It would appear our Jiuli can think of nothing else to offer. Luckily for you, I have a suggestion. Your heart does not weigh much, but I think your future wife would grudgingly accept it as payment for all her effort. Give her your love, and I think she will be satisfied. Us women, we really don’t ask for much.”

But what was love, really?

Was it the flutter in his chest when Lady Jin smiled at him during their first meeting, telling him that she dreamt of stepping through the Nie sect doors in a gown of red? Was it the strange churning in his stomach when she looked down with long lashes and rosy cheeks?

Or perhaps, it was the sting in his chest when he received the news of her passing. It was as if someone had cut into him with the tiniest of blades, twisting it carefully with each breath that he took. Jiuli had grown up with all sorts of injuries, but that was the first time he ever felt that kind of pain.

That smile, gone forever. That beautiful face which he had not gotten to compliment even once, buried underneath layers of dirt. Somethings weren’t meant to be but Jiuli would have tried. You know, to offer her his heart.

[niejiulixx]

Being at the Lan sect made him feel restless.

Jiuli supposed he just wasn’t used to the peace and yearned for the busy life back at the Nie sect. He wanted to have his routine back - the meetings, the reports and the missions he had to carry out in the Nie sect’s name.

“You miss the killing.”

His hand froze, spoon sliding from his fingers into the bowl of steaming red bean soup. Jiuli’s eyes narrowed, staring into the smooth surface of the reddish liquid, picturing it darker and thicker, like the blood of his enemies gathering in a pool.

“This is blood lust and it is especially dangerous in the men of our family. You know our background, Jiuli, and how most of our sect leaders died. One day, you will be in your father’s seat and if you don’t keep an eye on that blood lust, you will find yourself falling from it, and much sooner than you'd expect.”

He shut his eyes against the memories of his mother’s warning and picked up his spoon again. She was right, of course, and as her dutiful son, he must take her advice to heart. Though he didn’t like the Lan sect, he shall do his best to learn its calming ways, perhaps even participating in those dull meditating sessions if needed. Jiuli didn’t want to die young like some of his ancestors - he had too much responsibilities and too many people he still wanted to protect. 

[niejiulixx]

「searching.」

@xxmingyan

He passed the Regulations exam as expected. Good, because it would have been shameful otherwise. A single bowl of red bean soup should have been lacklustre as the reward, but after days of plain congee, even Jiuli, who ordinarily couldn’t stand sweets, found the pinch of sugar tolerable.

After dessert time, he went in search for Jiang Lian. He had received word from his father regarding a strange occurrence back home and wanted to discuss it with the future sect leader of Jiang. He looked for fifteen fruitless minutes and instead of Jiang Lian, found the man’s adopted sister.

“Jiang Mingyan,” he greeted, acknowledging her presence with a dip of his head.

Jiuli did not have the best opinion of the young woman standing before her, even though they’ve never actually spoken. The reason was simple, straight forward and considerably petty. You see, Jiang Mingyan was often seen wearing clothing outside of her sect colour. One would have thought after being kindly adopted by the Jiangs, the woman would show gratefulness by wearing the purple. Jiuli did not know why she chose against dressing the same as her brothers but came up with several hypotheses. The first, and the also the most incriminating, would be that she was vain and did not care for the Jiang purple. The second, somewhat related to the first, would be because she wanted to stand out among the other Jiang disciples.

For what purpose, though? Use her beauty (he shall not deny that) against people? Seduce Jiang Lian? No, he was thinking too deeply about this. If one wished to seduce Jiang Lian, an armful of red bean buns would be more likely to do the trick than a brighter outfit. Perhaps the woman was still in mourning or something and opted for softer tones for that reason?

"I see that you have also passed the Regulations exam.” She was still holding her reward. “Anyway, I am looking for your brother.” It should be obvious which one he was referring to, since the second born son was never as important as the first.

[xxsiying-deactivated20210606]

a moment’s peace,

[niejiulixx]

"It is not appropriate for a lady to eat so much," Jiuli said, a hint of judgement in his eyes. Indeed, Siying should thank their family's naturally fast metabolism. A less lucky lady, eating at the same amount, would mayhaps be twice her size.

He would have said something more, but was distracted by Siying's hand tugging at his sleeve. Though he was reluctant to admit it, Jiuli was actually quite pleased. His little sister wanted to sit with him - this surely meant they were getting closer as siblings.

Though Siying never mentioned it, a part of Jiuli always wondered if she secretly disliked him. He wouldn't be surprised, considering that he hardly ever had time to spent with her. And whenever they were actually physically together, it was likely associated with important clan business.

More often than not, their business involved ending lives and delivering justice.

"Very well, I will sit." He did so awkwardly, because the rock they selected did not hold him well. In fact, its edge was sort of digging into Jiuli's thigh. "If you see Wei Yukai and he tries to talk with you or engage in physical affection such as hugs, feel free to ignore him." They were no longer kids, after all. "I heard father thinking about marrying you off to him the other day and I disapprove." His old man was joking, but Jiuli's mind went into panic mode anyway.

[xxsiying-deactivated20210606]

a moment’s peace,

[niejiulixx]

xxsiying‌:

(...)

“Wow… you guys are so cute. Don’t you think it’s tiresome here? Don’t you want to come with me back to a super cool family? So many carrots and fruits. Imagine it…” Siying spoke closely to the bunnies, attempting to coax one or two into her arms to eventually stow with her back home. One already rested within her outermost robe, gently shifting from time to time in its sleep. At least one seemed to have taken a liking to her so far.

Stern eyes, firm steps. Nie Jiuli's confident stride suggested he was walking with a clear destination in mind. In reality, he was completely lost.

Too prideful to ask for help, he wandered around aimlessly at Cloud Recesses for approximately half-an-hour before arriving at the back mountain, which, by the way, was not where he had intended to be.

However, though his navigation was off, his goal of finding his sister was fulfilled. She was not at her quarters as he expected (and as a young lady should) and instead, out here with a few wiggling creatures in her arms, getting her pristine robes dirty.

Such inelegance.

Immediately upon the sight of her, Jiuli’s eyes narrowed. He opened his mouth with the beginning of a reprimand on his tongue, only to swallow the words back down because...well, Siying seemed happy. He had not seen his sister look so unguarded and genuinely pleased in a long time, though they lived in the same household. As her temporary guardian and future of sect leader, perhaps he should lecture her about the importance of up keeping the Nie family reputation. As a brother, however...

Clearly, he stood still for too long and the furry white animals that had overran this portion of the mountain took it a sign of weakness. One of these rabbit creatures decided to take upon itself to climb atop his shoe. To Jiuli’s shock and obvious displeasure, another rabbit had followed the first one’s insolence. He let out an irritated huff, expecting for the rabbits to understand their erroneous ways and scatter.

Instead, they ignored him. And the sound he produced alerted Siying.

“Greetings,” he said, stone faced. “I trust you have...eaten well?”