[ He wouldn't, but Mo Ran doesn't know that. Still, reassured, he goes back to eating, digging into his food with relish. He's never had someone offer to take care of him so explicitly, so he feels happy, his heart content. ]
You are too kind, Senior. I do think I've learned a lot on my travels over the past five years, but it's different here. Everyone seems to work together.
[ There's somethong infectious about Mo Ran's good cheer. ]
All cultivators should help each other, otherwise what are we doing with our lives? Sects and clans, these differences should be celebrated, but at heart we are one family.
No. [ He snaps it, the word rushed, and then presses his lips together, looking away. ]
Forgive my outburst, senior, but the sects in my world were not noble or helpful and left the common people on their own or charged exorbitant prices for their work. I am not family with them.
[ The snapped tone makes him sit straighter, watching him as Mo Ran apologies and explains. Unexpected. ]
I'm sorry. In truth, there have been many conflicts between the sects I know: peace was only found long after two were eradicated, and not as a direct result. It was a mess for a long time, with betrayal and murder laced behind the scenes.
I don't intend to put up with that kind of behaviour from anyone anymore, whether they are my equal or not.
[ Two sects wiped out. That is unusual. For all the petty differences in sects in his world, Mo Ran did not know of any that were completely eradicated beyond the ones he destroyed in his reign as Taxian-jun, emperor of the cultivation world. ]
It is a pity that the sects do not attempt to use their cultivation powers for the betterment of the common people. My shizun taught me to do that, and I tried to take on his mantle while he was recovering for a time.
First the Yiling lands, they became the Burial Mounds, then the Wens were all but exterminated after a war because the hatred against them was so rife. It was a bloody and unfortunate time.
[ That said, he sips his tea and listens to Mo Ran. It makes him smile softly to hear such kindness is alight in the young man, the fire within him doesn't idly burn in any direction. ]
You're a good boy. I'm sure your shizun knows it. If he returns here and you and I continue to stay in touch in the future, I'll speak for your conduct should he ask.
While none of our sects have been eradicated as such, a town died and a portal opened, allowing demons and monsters to escape, and the ten great sects all suffered massive losses. Which left cultivators still unwilling to help.
[ Disappointment tints his tone, as though he has any right to be disappointed, but Mo Ran didn't expect any differently from most of the sects.
He grins at Lan Xichen, ducking his head. He doesn't deserve that, and he knows it, but also he has no need to tell Lan Xichen about such things. ]
Thank you, senior. Should any of your sect show up, I will praise your cooking skills.
[ It's enough to hear of such things and, not wanting to pry or force Mo Ran to have to relieve such unfortunate events, he merely nods and solemnly remembers what he's told. Fortunately, a happier topic comes along in short order and Xichen softly snorts. ]
Enough of my sect are already here, I think. My brother and his husband, and their son ... that's quite enough to be getting on with for now. I have already fed them, the only people who would have perhaps been honest if what I was making was truly heinous.
The other Senior Lan? Wears white, has a very sharp tongue? [ He's talked to Lan Wangji a few times, told him some things; he was there when Mo Ran lost control while trying to play a suitor, and Taxian-jun came out. ] He's mentioned his husband and son. Still not sure how he ended up married.
[ It's good, though, that Lan Xichen has people who would be honest about food. It's impossible for Mo Ran to manage that. ]
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You are too kind, Senior. I do think I've learned a lot on my travels over the past five years, but it's different here. Everyone seems to work together.
no subject
All cultivators should help each other, otherwise what are we doing with our lives? Sects and clans, these differences should be celebrated, but at heart we are one family.
no subject
Forgive my outburst, senior, but the sects in my world were not noble or helpful and left the common people on their own or charged exorbitant prices for their work. I am not family with them.
no subject
I'm sorry. In truth, there have been many conflicts between the sects I know: peace was only found long after two were eradicated, and not as a direct result. It was a mess for a long time, with betrayal and murder laced behind the scenes.
I don't intend to put up with that kind of behaviour from anyone anymore, whether they are my equal or not.
no subject
[ Two sects wiped out. That is unusual. For all the petty differences in sects in his world, Mo Ran did not know of any that were completely eradicated beyond the ones he destroyed in his reign as Taxian-jun, emperor of the cultivation world. ]
It is a pity that the sects do not attempt to use their cultivation powers for the betterment of the common people. My shizun taught me to do that, and I tried to take on his mantle while he was recovering for a time.
no subject
[ That said, he sips his tea and listens to Mo Ran. It makes him smile softly to hear such kindness is alight in the young man, the fire within him doesn't idly burn in any direction. ]
You're a good boy. I'm sure your shizun knows it. If he returns here and you and I continue to stay in touch in the future, I'll speak for your conduct should he ask.
no subject
[ Disappointment tints his tone, as though he has any right to be disappointed, but Mo Ran didn't expect any differently from most of the sects.
He grins at Lan Xichen, ducking his head. He doesn't deserve that, and he knows it, but also he has no need to tell Lan Xichen about such things. ]
Thank you, senior. Should any of your sect show up, I will praise your cooking skills.
no subject
Enough of my sect are already here, I think. My brother and his husband, and their son ... that's quite enough to be getting on with for now. I have already fed them, the only people who would have perhaps been honest if what I was making was truly heinous.
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[ It's good, though, that Lan Xichen has people who would be honest about food. It's impossible for Mo Ran to manage that. ]
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[ His lips twitch at the criticism because, honestly, he can understand outsider views of Wangji. ]
He's very loyal and brave, so I have it on good authority he was easy to fall for.
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[ Says the guy who fell in love with his shizun, who was a terrifying figure in the cultivation world.
He just doesn't realize that yet. ]
Are you married, Senior?
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No, I never accepted the proposals. It was never the right time.