Pagan/Huaisang

[crab_rangoon]

"Ah! No, no. I don't need to send the messenger. Just let me go," he tells the guards at the gates, waving them away as he walks straight through with his sword at his side, his entourage behind him. They walks in with their white robes, though Pagan is in red and black, and he breathes in the Impure Realm. He hasn't been here since the death of the Nie clan leader, but he's been aiming to check on their newest leader. It's been a dark time for them, for all of them, but he still feels more than a twinge of affection for the boy.

Well, man. He's been a man for several years now, but it doesn't seem like anything has changed.

Still, he promised he'd continue to offer support, so he walks on, ignoring the protests of the guards.

Comments

[threedontknows]

There are very few people who Know, and those few people happen to be sitting with him in the Impure Realm throne room speaking to the Nie Clan Leader about their secret reserves of gold and silver. To outsiders it may seem like the powerful Nie clan is dying; its leader is young and timid, unsure about everything and leaning on the powerful Jin and Lan Clans to keep his sect a float. To those in the room the Nie Sect Leader is a shrewd and clever man, ruthless when necessary and deeply concerned about the happiness of his people. He talks excitedly to his advisors about this idea of that, but pauses when a servant rushes in from the wings to alert him to the Sect Leader Min’s sudden arrival.

Nie Huaisang dismisses the servant with instructions for tea and food to be delivered to the hall and sits in wait for his fellow sect leader with his fan spread across his chest.

Sect Leader Min is an ally from the old days. He’s a charming man, handsome, and horribly powerful. If he wanted he could build the Min Sect up to be one of the leading clans, but he always had his own desires for his people. Nie Huaisang respects that.

[crab_rangoon]

His steps are light as he walks inside, giving Huaisang a respectful bow. "And here you are," he smiles, giving the younger man a playful little wink. "I came with a gift."

He waves a hand and a boy rushes from behind him, approaching Huaisang's feet and bowing, handing a scroll to him. It has a list of crops and some luxury goods for the Nie Clan.

Pagan's heard the rumors, but he wanted to see for himself how things were progressing here.

[threedontknows]

Nie Huaisang returns the bow, low but not-so-low since he's the one in the throne. Sect Leader Min deserves the deferential bow for all that he's done to support his father and his brother though, and so Nie Huaisang rises from his seat to walk to greet him.

He holds the scroll in his hand with a polite smile. "What has Sect Leader Min so generously supplied the Nie Clan with?"

[crab_rangoon]

"What it's been said that you need," he tells him, keeping his eyes on his face the entire time. He listens to the rumors, he listens to the news, and he likes to be aware of the Nie clan in particular. There's still a little left of him there. His obligation to them.

[threedontknows]

What he needs, how interesting. He slips his fan into his sleeve and unfurls the scroll, reading the list of crops and more of the luxury things like silk and paper with a careful smile. "Sect Leader Min is generous," he says, and circles his arms to bow low again.

He won't deny the assistance; it only helps with his disguise and the spread of the rumors.

"Our rice crops were blighted; our people will know the precious gift comes from the Min Clan."

[crab_rangoon]

Pagan watches his face as he reads, but he's glad that he doesn't have to insist.

He shakes his head. "No need for that. Tell them you provided for them and we were able to oblige," he says. There's a distinct difference in it, but it means the world to the people who live in the cities.

[threedontknows]

Nie Huaisang bows again. "If Sect Leader Min insists," he says, not arguing with the logic. It's generous, but then again, Min Pagan has always been generous.

He stands back up and gestures to the adjoining room. "Won't Sect Leader Min join me for tea? Your retinue will have been seen to their accommodations, and I will make sure refreshments and hot water for baths will be brought to them."

[crab_rangoon]

He nods and turns, giving silent permission for the others behind him to scamper off.

"We always welcome the hospitality of the Nie Clan. You are a better host than your brother ever was," he says with a smile, though it's gentle. He had admired Nie Mingjue for many reasons. His attention to the softer details was not the among his strengths.

[threedontknows]

"My brother excelled in other matters," he replies, also with a smile. It wasn't Nie Mingjue's strengths, but that's why he relied on Nie Huaisang as much as he did. His priorities were in diplomacy and handling the disciples; Nie Huaisang's concerns were in the frivolous.

"Please, come," he says, walking him into the secondary chambers adjoining the throne room. "What brings you here?"

[crab_rangoon]

He walks in like he has a dozen times over, confident and poised as ever. "Can't I simply come when I'm needed?" he wonders, his hands behind his back. "And you do seem like you need it, Xiao Nie. At least, from what I've heard."

[threedontknows]

Xiao Nie. A very tiny, shrewd smile tugs at his otherwise wide-eyed and innocent expression. "I am in over my head, this is true," he laments. "I'm not turning away any offered help, but it's embarrassing that word of my plight's gotten to your area of the world."

[crab_rangoon]

Pagan shrugs. "One would say embarrassing to the point of being calculated," he says and lets that hang in the air a long moment before he grins. "But wouldn't that be silly? Now. Silly politics aside. Tell me how you have been."

He settles himself down at the table expectantly. Nie Huaisang may be the leader here, but Min Pagan has never treated anyone as his better in his life.

[threedontknows]

Calculated. What a silly though indeed! He continues with an embarrassed nod, yes, very silly, and sits himself across from Sect Leader Min. He sets down the scroll and takes the initiative to pour the tea before his servant does - it's an honor from one sect leader to another.

"Not well," he admits quietly, and there is an element of truth there. "I'm not sure how my brother did all of this. There are disputes between villages in the South, and Sect Leader Jiang is becoming increasingly paranoid with thoughts of demonic cultivation, and there are my own troubles keeping disciplines."

[crab_rangoon]

Pagan picks up his tea and nods once. "Your brother was a formidable leader in his own right. But you, you are, too. You can be, at least. I do wonder where your thoughts have been lately. I don't get letters from you, you know."

He's worried about the others, but he's always had a special place in his heart for the Nie. Their clan and the Mins had been allies for generations, ruthless both of them to different degrees. And with different results.

[threedontknows]

"I didn't want to impose on Min Zongzhu."

But he does want to impose on the Lan and Jin. It brings him great joy to see the look on Jin Guangyao's face when he's having a very public meltdown about something stupid.

"And I can't offer what the Nie used to in terms of support."

His coffers are full, yes, but the Min never needed money. He can't spare the time to assist like his brother used to.

[crab_rangoon]

He waves a hand at him. "You know I have no children, Xiao Nie. I worry for you!" He leans across the table slightly, grinning over at him. "And this has never been a transactional arrangement. Not with you."

[threedontknows]

It’s good will only fostered from relationships with his father and brother, but he smiles despite that nagging reminder at the back of his head.

“You’ve always been generous with your time and money,” he says with a bow of his head. “I could use your help in a few dealings with some of the smaller clans.”

[crab_rangoon]

"Good, good."

He sits back. "Then we have no need to talk business. Whatever you want, it will be done."

[threedontknows]

He knows Sect Leader Min is a man of his word, especially when dealing with the Nie Clan. The others he’s cordial with, but his style couldn’t be more opposite to the Jin or Lan.

“I’ll fill you in at a later time. How long will you be staying in the Impure Realm?”

[crab_rangoon]

"A few days. Your home is too beautiful to take in one day."

Pagan is, above all other things, a sentimental man. He wants to talk to Huaisang's brother, to his father, in their land.

[threedontknows]

Nie Huaisang beams, and it’s not an act. “I’ve refinished a few of our gardens and pavilions. Surely a man of Min Zongzhu‘s good taste would like to tour them personally.”

And quite honestly would love to show them off. Nie Mingjue tolerated his love for gardens and decor, but it wasn’t highly appreciated. Lan Xichen loved the gardens too, but his flattery had grown stale and unwanted since his brother’s death.

[crab_rangoon]

"I would, but only if my guide is sufficiently entertaining about it."

He gives Huaisang a smile. He knows exactly where his strengths are. He knows where the gardens came from.

[threedontknows]

“If there’s one thing I can do it’s host,” laughs Nie Huaisang, picking up his cup and toasting Min Pagan with a bowing of his head. He drinks after a quiet toast to his health, food bringing brought out as he sets down his cup.

“Qinghe’s famous beef,” he smiles. “Enjoy.”

[crab_rangoon]

"I'm venturing next to Cloud Recesses, so this is much appreciated," he smiles, giving him a bit of a private wink, but he is more than happy to enjoy.

He entertains him with talks of gossip, sharing all of the rumors he's heard in a very - deliberate way. But he's enjoying himself, enjoying this mood.

[threedontknows]

He laughs conspiratorially with him. Lan food is fine for a day or two, but after that it’s just torture. All vegetables and steamed rice and early bedtimes!

He shares gossip of his own, frivolous things with no real merit in the cultivation world. Marriages and fights and snubs at banquets - stupid things that only the Headshaker would care about.

When they finish their meal Nie Huaisang invites Min Pagan to one of his gardens for a walk.