daozhangs | ic inbox, ryslig.

ic inbox, ryslig.

WELCOME TO YOUR PRIVATE CHANNEL, XIAO.XINGCHEN. FOR SECURE COMMUNICATION, USE 018.07.154.55 * XIAO.XINGCHEN has joined 018.07.154.55 <XIAO.XINGCHEN> You have reached Xiao Xingchen. <XIAO.XINGCHEN>** I am often away from my laptop, but I will do my best to answer as soon as I'm able.

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[ It is a long and thoughtful response - and coming from Xiao Xingchen, whose opinions he treasures, it is not one to be easily dismissed as he would from anyone else.

He mulls over his words and then his own response for a while, dictates some false starts which he erases before finally settling on what he wants to say, though it can't compare to Xingchen's poetic advice. ]

I chose quickly who friend and foe is. I don't know if I chose while my sight was blurred. I still stand by what I always thought of the Fog God. But the Fourth...

I have tired of fighting this war with so few allies. It is exhausting, and there is no progress. The Fourth and his followers have achieved a lot in the last year.

Maybe it wouldn't be so terribly to bend on this. Maybe it wouldn't mean fully bending myself out of shape.

I just wonder if I truly believe he can be a chance for us, or if I'm merely yearning for a sect.

If I've given you the impression that I think you incorrect about all facets of this realm, that wasn't my intention. Regarding the Fog God, you already know that my sentiments largely match your own.

You have done well in aligning with neither god before the point at which you're able to make an informed decision. I simply thought to suggest that perhaps it might be to your benefit to let that same gathered insight guide you in re-evaluating your assessment of acceptable and unacceptable compromise.

( once again, a second message comes after a pause. )

You have never been one to allow anything so sentimental as yearning to sway your decisions.

Before you disagree, ask yourself what it is that you would do if offered the chance to return to your home tomorrow.

[ A good question, with an easy though painful answer. ]

I would refuse with a heavy heart, for no matter how much I want to see my home and nephew again, I have a duty to the people of Ryslig to see this night hunt through to the end.

Once my duty to this world is done, I must return to serve my sect.

[ And nowhere had his personal happiness factored in, or the life he shares with his new husband. ]

I see what you are telling me.

Thank you. You see far more clearly than I do.

Compromise then.

Have you a plan in mind?

( xingchen has the sneaking suspicion that he does - that he simply needed to give himself permission to go through with it. )

[ That answer takes longer. Saying it out loud and seeing it in the screen makes it real. ]

I want to pledge my allegiance to the Fourth God, and serve him in this war.

I think that's an insightful and well-considered step on a far more sustainable path than the one which we've traveled thus far.

( because telling jiang wanyin that he's proud of him would almost certainly be too much of an indignity for the man to bear. )

I'm relieved you don't think me weak or abandoning my principles.

We have tried to walk this path alone together. But I will still walk it with you now, regardless of what you choose.

Because I, of course, have so very much room to throw stones on the matter of abandoning principles.

( is it too soon to lighten the mood somewhat? who knows. )

As for the latter point, I had no doubt that you would.