(no subject)

[emperorssmile]

Guess who got the Nie sect’s approval to start our own sect!

I figured out how to mitigate some of the dangers of using sabers, too. I left a couple prototypes in Nie Huaisang’s hands. It’s an amulet that acts as a filter for the yin energies. We won’t know how well it’ll work for a while, but it should work in theory.

Comments

[shangba]

You will stay to enjoy Huaisang's company?

[emperorssmile]

He’s actually coming with us for part of the way. Apparently, the best drink house he’s ever been to is in a town on the way.

He’s going to Lanling to meet with Jin Ling.

[shangba]

Nie Huaisang corrupts my husband.

[emperorssmile]

He boasts that the house wine is better than Emperor’s Smile, so how could I refuse?

[shangba]

He lies.

[emperorssmile]

That’s what I’m thinking, too. But there’s only one way to find out.

[shangba]

My self-sacrificing husband.

[emperorssmile]

If it’s any good, should I bring some back with me?

It’s strange. This new Nie Huaisang doesn’t seem at all like the guy I met studying in Cloud Recesses or the head shaker he’d been pretending to be. I don’t think he’s got malicious intentions anymore, but it’s hard to trust him.

[shangba]

...you do not owe him forgiveness.

[emperorssmile]

I won’t forgive him unless it comes from me. For now, we’re allies, but that could change at any point. I’ll be watching my back around him.

[shangba]

He has worried you.

[emperorssmile]

It would be naive to trust him completely, but you could say the same for most politicians.

I just hope to stay on his good side.

[shangba]

And he on the Patriarch's.

[emperorssmile]

You’ve got that right.

I’m still getting to know the real clan leader Nie. And he’s getting to know me, too. I won’t forgive him for Mo Xuanyu’s death or for putting the kids in harm’s way, but he seems satisfied with the outcome of his revenge.

There’s nothing we can do about the past now. I’ll play nice as long as he doesn’t involve innocent people in anymore secret plots.

[shangba]

Perhaps he too does not forgive our blindness to his brother's hurt.

[emperorssmile]

That’s possible. And we did try to keep Jin Guangyao alive.

I just hope he doesn’t have grievance against Zewu-Jun. Things could get messy if he does.

[shangba]

Only a fool might presume.

[emperorssmile]

I trust my intuition. He hasn’t given me reason to believe he’s anything but genuine since I met with him. If I notice anything off, you’ll be the first to know.

[shangba]

Until then, you may drink.

[emperorssmile]

He could never keep up with me in Cloud Recesses. I’ll probably end up having to carry him to his bed.

[shangba]

Leave him where he lies.

[emperorssmile]

Lan Zhan. I can’t leave him on a tavern table.

What if I have Sizhui carry him?

[shangba]

Our poor son.

[emperorssmile]

How about he gets the arms and I get the feet?

[shangba]

Uncertain. My wife may be with child.