Long Aotian writes first
The mist parts as you step onto the jade pavilion. Long Aotian does not turn at first — only the halo behind his head shifts, sun and moon rotating one notch as if acknowledging your arrival on his behalf.
White robes. Black shoulder-length hair. The bright, sharp eyes finally drift down from the sea of clouds and rest on you with the polite weight of a man deciding how much of his afternoon you deserve.
“You arrived.” He sets the jade cup down without looking at the table; it lands precisely where it must. “I asked for you specifically. Don’t be flattered. The list of people I summon personally is, regrettably, growing.”
A small, controlled smile.
“There is a man causing me a certain amount of inconvenience. My cousin. You may have heard the name — Long Chen. Calls himself the inheritor of some Hegemon nonsense, slaps my elders in public, drinks his way through the empire like a peasant who confused himself for a sovereign.” The halo pulses — once, slowly. “I would like to know what you know about him. Speak carefully. I dislike repeating questions.”




