video

[originalshen]

[The feed opens to a trio of pretty prismal girls in what appears to possibly be a Caihong brothel, judging by the aesthetic. Another young woman can be heard from the recording end: "There, it's on! Say hello, girls!" The girls happily wave at the camera!

"And now if you press this right here—" Ah there we go, selfie mode! Instead of those other girls, we now get a vision of another local lady with a curious-looking man in soft green robes.]

That easy, is it?

["That easy!" as she hands the communicator back to its rightful owner. He stares at the screen for a moment, contemplating whether he should just turn it off - but those girls are coaxing him to try saying something, so eventually he relents.]

So people can see this, is that right? [Awkward!] ......Well. I suppose if anyone here knows of quiet areas to visit or stores that serve good tea, I'm...open to suggestions. [Ahem.]

That is all.

[Aaand after some fumbling (and more help and laughter from his friends), he manages to turn the thing off. All replies will be in voice from here on out!]

Comments

[sizhui]

It is exactly time, and also focus, Peak Lord Shen. There are things that are very disparate. I find not enough attention is paid to music on its own, and far more so to natural sciences, compared to what we study. And I do not know how good I would be at the science of numbers, though they are fascinating.

And then there is the science-magic of this world, and I wonder if studying that will not get in the way of development of the spiritual core.

[originalshen]

Do they not teach music in schools here? [That's disappointing.

Honestly he kind of wants to ask who this boy is, but that can probably wait until after he finishes getting all this free info about the local school system, right? (It's probably Sizhui isn't it, all the people with familiar-looking names seem to just be using their actual names...)

Also if distracting yourself studying the local technology could impede the kid's cultivation--no he's already gotten himself murdered over that once. One time too many.

Ahem.] If you don't wish to hinder your spiritual development, then it would clearly be best to focus on those subjects relating to such. Math is certainly something you should know though, as a rule.

[sizhui]

Not the way that I have learned it - although with Hanguang-Jun here, that should not be a problem.

And mathematics... I have never done poorly in my study, [ the nephew of the Sect Leader was not allowed to, ] but they use a system of notation here which includes a character for 'none.' It changes things greatly, so I will have to start at a much lower level and re-learn everything.

[ Will it be interesting? Maybe. Is it necessary? Sizhui is... uncertain. ]

[originalshen]

[And who is this Hanguang-jun...some high-ranking cultivator?]

A character for 'none'? I don't see the point of that...if the mathematics are truly so different, it might be better to forgo it for more relevant topics of study.

[Aaaaand giving in.]

You've yet to introduce yourself, by the way.

[sizhui]

[ ... huuuh? ]

But I - already did? When you told me about the importance of moonlacing?

[ Perhaps if they were meeting face to face, Sizhui would have realized he is facing an actually different person.

But over this... no. He hasn't. ]

[originalshen]

I'm afraid you may be thinking of someone else.

[A different Shen Qingqiu, in fact, but he doesn't feel like elaborating. He also can't help if "the importance of moonlacing" is really something worth telling other people's disciples about, but on the other hand...he's admittedly been avoiding it as much as possible, on his own end.]

[sizhui]

[ Sizhui doesn't look convinced. But he's too polite to keep arguing with a senior, so he inclines his head low - cupping his hands when the device is on your wrist is ... probably going to be nauseating for the other side. ]

Lan Sizhui, Peak Lord Shen. Or... would you rather I call you something else...?

[originalshen]

[A flicker of something flashes through his eyes at that question, though his face stays as impassive as ever.]

......Just Master Shen would suffice.

[Or whatever other honorific the boy wants to go with. He lost his peak lord status a long time ago, after all.]

[sizhui]

Master Shen, then. I will remember.

[ He'll... try. It may take him a while to catch on to the differences between the two of them, but he's sure he'll manage.

This place is strange. ]