[ Lan Zhan allows the linking of their arms to forge them into the shortest but strongest of chains, two pieces entwined and inseparable. Even the passage of time and the finality of death hadn't been able to keep them apart, so why should the fear of a dog when Lan Zhan's shoulders are wide enough to hide behind, scowl dark enough to fend off worse than a simple-minded animal? His reputation is far from a priority for him now, the notion carefully folded up and tucked into a corner of his mind. Another lesson learned from Wei Ying who did what he saw as just before worrying about what society believed was right.

Allowing Wei Ying to part from him momentarily, he steps into the inn and towards a corner table, requests a few extra cushions for Wei Ying and his penchant for lounging more horizontally than vertically. His own back is stiff as a board as he orders for them both—tea, wine, broth, vegetables—and then lifts his face to welcome Wei Ying to the table as a flower welcomes the sun's light after a long winter's night. He is indeed worthy of adoration, but not only because of the innocent intrigue he feigns for Lan Zhan.

Sixteen years, come and gone. He tries not to shut his eyes against the reminder. ]

I read classics, new poetry and literature are unknowns. [ He is, after all, still the same old fuddy-duddy at heart. It is also easy to ignore new practices in the remote safety of Cloud Recesses. Still, Lan Zhan had wandered the realm enough to know of some changes that may have escaped his uncle's notice. ] You know more of archery than I do.

You have seen for yourself the use of your inventions. It is a big change for cultivation.