Gusu , Cloud Recesses
* Alcohol is prohibited.
* Talking behind other people's back is prohibited.
* Running is prohibited.
* Killing livestock within the area is prohibited.
* Fighting without permission is prohibited.
* Promiscuity is prohibited.
* Disturbing female cultivators is prohibited
* Venturing out at night is prohibited.
* Causing noise is prohibited.
* Sneering for no reason is prohibited.
* Sitting improperly is prohibited.
* Eating more than three bowls is prohibited.
* Arrogance is forbidden.
* Do not be picky with food.
* Do not work after 9 PM.
* Do not rise after 5AM.
* Do not stand incorrectly.
* Do not smile foolishly.
* Do not be of two minds.
* Do not succumb to rage.
* Do not be miserly.
* Do not steal.
* Do not tell lies.
* Do not use frivolous words.
* Do not flatter.
* Do not fear the strong.
* Do not bully the weak.
* Do not indulge in debauchery.
* Do not be greedy.
* Do not disrespect the elder.
* Do not disrespect the younger.
* Do not be haughty and complacent.
* Do not praise yourself and slander others.
* Do not say one thing and mean another.
* Do not take advantage of your position to oppress others.
* Do not mix public and private interests.
* Do not break faith.
* Do not make assumptions about others.
* Do not take a life within the premises.
* Do not exult in excess.
* Do not grieve in excess.
* Do not form a clique and exclude others.
* Do not be promiscuous.
* Do not insult people.
* Do not laugh for no reason.
* Do not build wealth by using others, for this wealth will not last.
* Do not wallow in luxury and pleasure.
* Do not argue with your family, for it does not matter who wins.
* Speak meagerly, for too many words only bring harm.
* Be a filial child.
* Organize work properly.
* Diligence is the root.
* Morality is the priority.
* Harmony is the value.
* Learning comes first.
* Do not take your own words lightly.
* Do not act impulsively.
* Do not give up on learning.
* Make sure to act virtuously.
* Do not forget the grace of the forefathers.
* Be careful with your words.
* Be respectful and humble.
* Be loyal and filial.
* Be amicable and unedited.
* Be of one mind.
* Train your body and your mind.
* Stop the bad habits.
* Be strict with yourself.
* Be easy on others.
* Do not hold grudges.
* Love and respect yourself.
* Maintain your own discipline.
* If others win over you, do not envy them.
* If others lose to you, do not look down on them.
* Do not be wasteful.
* Do not create damages.
* Love all beings.
* Honor good people.
* Steer away from bad men.
* Respect the filial ones.
* Destroy the five poisons.
* Nurture aspirations.
* Uphold the value of justice.
* Shoulder the weight of morality.
* Embrace the entirety of the world.
* Perform acts of chivalry.
* Have courage and knowledge.
* Have courtesy and integrity.
* Have affection and gratefulness.
* Have wins and losses.
* Be fair, and others will follow.
* Be trustworthy, and others will believe you.
* Be mighty, and others will die for you.
* Take the straight path.
* Reject the crooked path.
* Earn trust.
* Believe sincerely.
* Have a strong will and anything can be achieved.
* Win friendships with kindness.
* See friends as neighbors.
* Be just.
* Be generous.
* Be ethical.
* Be grateful.
* Be loyal.
* Appreciate the good people.
* Banish demons, establish laws, immortalize Dao.
* Propriety suggests reciprocity. It is impolite not to reciprocate.
* No dishonest practices.
* Do not privately use concealed weapons.
* Do not accept disciples without careful screenings.
* Avoid imparting knowledge to the wrong individuals.
* No concealed sharp weapons.
* Change clothes after taking a bath.
* Your forehead headband reminds you of self-restraint.
* You are not allowed to use other people's headbands without authorization.
* You cannot use your headband in any other ways.
* No adorned beads, chains with bells, or anything that makes a sound.
* No more than 3 pieces of adornment on your waist.
* No alterations of clothes without permission.
* Do not move arbitrarily.
* Do not covet other's property.
* Do not harbor doubts and jealousy.
* Discipline your own words and behavior.
* Do not criticize other people.
* No slandering.
* No vulgar language.
* No improper behavior.
* Do not sow discord among people.
* Do not fail to carry out your promise.
* Honor your teacher and respect his teaching.
* Honor the aged and the wise.
* Do not sit when the elder is standing, you can sit only when the elder sits down.
* Respect a knowledgeable man as your teacher, and follow a man with high moral integrity as an example.
* Concentrate on cultivating.
* Being frugal is a virtue.
* Do not lead a luxurious and dissipated life.
* Do not indulge in a life of pleasure and comfort.
* Do not attach yourself to those in power and influence.
* Do not be a follower of the rich and powerful.
* Follow the righteous way, don't take crooked ways.
* Do not associate with evil.
* Do not fall to evil.
* Stay on the righteous path.
* Don't be unreasonable.
* Do not treat others with contempt.
* Do not desire to excel over others.
* Do not look down on the poor.
* Do not bully the weak.
* Be kind, moderate, cautious, virtuous.
* Be gentle and content in adversity.
* Store your inner wisdom deeply.
* Do not show off your skills.
* Do not lose your life goal.
* Do not let your studies go to waste.
* Firstly, one must not kill any living creature within the territory.
* Second, one must not fight without permission.
* Third, one must not commit acts of promiscuity.
* Do not make loud noises.
* Do not go out at night.
* Do not walk too fast.
* Do not bully the weak, or make fun of others.
* Do not disregard laws and rules.
* Do not disrespect the elders.
* Do not skip class. Do not leave class early.
* Do not laugh without reason.
* Do not sit with a disgraceful pose.
Finally, leaving class for the day, all the disciples heads pounded with the same sect rules they'd know since birth. Lan Jingyi
a Lan Clan disciple, stretched his arms in the air, leaning his head back, letting his deep brown almost black hair, held back in a ponytail graze past his lower back as he walked.
Beside him walked his fellow classmate and friend, Lan Sizhui, who gave a small smile to the other.
Sizhui and Jingyi had been as close as friends could he since a very young age. They were almost always together, whether that be in class, training, meditation, night hunts, always together.
Despite being so close, close friends was all they were. Even that at times was questionable, due to their clear personality differences.
Sizhui, was a loyal disciple. Often being compared to the great Hanguang Jun, with his always perfect and proper manner, incredibly mature attitude towards matters that others his age would have reacted differently to. He was kind and gentle with all his actions, always having a selfless, people pleasing attitude.
Jingyi, was a loyal disciple as well, however, he knew how to bend the rules just enough so he wasn't necessarily breaking them, but also not completely following them. He was still young, and at times that was apparent, with certain things he'd say or do. He showed his boldness more outwards, making it obvious without making it obvious.
"Posture. " Sizhui's gentle voice came across.
Jingyi's arms dropped to his sides and he gave Sizhui a look.
"Come on, don't tell me you're just shaping up to be another Lan Qiren or Hanguang Jun." Jingyi snickered giving a slight shove to the others shoulder.
Everyone knew Sizhui was basically like a son to Hanguang Jun, raised to be prefect with all he did. Sure, so were all of the other disciples, but being raised by Hanguang Jun himself? Most disciples didn't know whether to feel jealous of Sizhui or pity him.
Sizhui almost returned the playful shove but immediately refrained when he noticed Lan Xichen. His white robes and dark hair, slightly blowing with the wind, as he made his way towards them. The sound of a snort that was desperately held back, escaped from Jingyi as he noticed how quickly the his friend stiffened as if getting caught in the act of doing something shameless.
Both Jingyi and Sizhui clasped their hands in front of them and bowed to their superior. Lan Xichen gave them a smile, his eyes soft, and a nod before speaking. "I'm sure you both are aware of the situation in the Lanling Jin Clan, yes?" he questioned the two, looking down at them.
Both boys nodded.
Currently, the Lanling Jin Clan wasn't formally being lead by a member of the Lanling Jin Clan. The Lanling Jin Clan had suffered quite a few and hefty losses leaving their clan rather .. broken, to say the least. Lanling Jin Clan as of now, was under the watch of Jiang Cheng, the uncle of the future sect leader, Jin Ling.
Jin Ling, the nephew of Jiang Cheng, was soon going to be of age to fully take over Lanling Jin Clan as the true sect leader, however, he was in no way experienced for what was needed in order for that to happen.
"Young master Ling's situation is quite different from one experienced before and the young master is" Lan Xichen paused his eyebrows twitching slightly as if thinking of his next words wisely.
"Callow*, in a way." He finished, giving both boys a look, his normal calm smile still on his face. Sizhui offered a small smile in understanding and Jingyi made no facial movements in fear that he'd break face and start uncontrollably laughing.
T/N : (of a young person) inexperienced and immature.
"Sect Leader Cheng has been having some of his own sect issues, and it has been told that it is getting rather difficult managing both Clans, leaving almost no time to spare to teach the young master, what it takes to be sect leader."
Sizhui, knew of Jin Ling though he'd never personally met the young master. Every story he'd ever heard of with him, it was always the same. Jin Ling's foul temper had gotten him into countless fights and meaningless arguments, but he always felt justified and never let up. Sizhui was aware of Jin Ling's situation, losing his parents so young, each uncle being more or less one of the seven deadly sins. However, Sizhui had no room to judge someone based off of stories and rumors.
"To the point." Xichen's voice rang through clear. "Jiang Cheng has specifically requested some support, managing both clans, and I have accepted the request and will be leaving for Lotus Pier in order to assist."
Sizhui's eyebrows raised momentarily, before recollecting his blank expression. Jingyi however, let his confusion play all over his face before subconsciously asking, "With all do respect, what does this have to do with Shizui and I?"
Sizhui shifted his gaze to his friend, digging slight daggers into the side of his head. Lan Xichen noticed this and smiled at both the arrogance of Jingyi and the correction-ready Sizhui before sighing.
"Young master Ling will be spending his days here, at Gusu until he has shown to be ready to manage his sect duties as required."
"As for the two of you, you will be in charge of looking after him, during his stay." Lan Xichen finished, with a nod signifying the end of what he had to say.
Sizhui's eyes widened at his words and beside him Jingyi's jaw dropped. Before he could make any comment, with a swift movement of his arm, Sizhui closed Jingyi's mouth.
"Understood. When will young master Ling be arriving?" Sizhui questioned the elder.
"Just before sunset, tomorrow." Lan Xichen spoke, his smile faltering momentarily, which Sizhui noticed.
Both Jingyi and Sizhui clasped their hands and bowed, as Lan Xichen strode passed them off to wherever he'd be needed next. Both boys watched him until he was completely out of site, and the moment he was, Jingyi flung himself around to face Sizhui.
Jingyi's eyes were wide with annoyance. A strand of hair brushed against his long eyelashes, causing him to blink more than normal. His eyebrows were lowered, and his lips turned down into a frown. He almost looked like he was on the verge of having a tantrum.
"We have babysitting duty?!"
"Telling us prohibited in Cloud Recesses."
"He-he's like our age! Why do we have to babysit that brat."
"Name calling is prohibited in Cloud Recesses."
"And why us?! Are we being punished?! And him?? Jin Ling is like, he's like the complete worst!!"
"Talking behind others backs prohibited in Cloud Recesses."
"You're prohibited in Cloud Recesses.!!!" Jingyi huffed, crossing his arms, his frown even more grave on his face.
Sizhui watched his friend, a small smile on his own lips, shamefully a bit amused by Jingyi's onset arrogance towards him and the whole situation.
"You've never met him. He might be worse than Master Wei was." Jingyi pointed out, lowering his voice, as his eyes gazed around to make sure no one had stopped to listen to his fit of rage.
Sizhui sighed quietly as he began to walk again. "I'll determine what I think of him, when Ive met him."
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