What a wonderful day.

Xueyan was a beautiful state, through and through. Even Lixue would agree. Had to, at least. Last time, when they'd debated in the lǐtáng, the thought had slipped through the huli jing advisor's lips, before he had to force himself to clamp his mouth shut.

Well. Xin Yang supposed even grumpy little foxes had a loose tongue.

Today? Xin Yang was in a particularly wonderful mood — not like the Great Warrior was ever in a bad mood. People should feel irked by his eternal smile and that continuous warmth radiating from his body like he was some God of Light reduced to a mere human.

But of course, he wasn't. In fact, as much as people insisted the blessings of Tianzhu made him something more, he just smiled and waved it off.

No, he was still a human. And Tianzhu...he wouldn't have wanted it anyway else.

Huh. A pang of something rose in his heart, but he put it back down like extinguishing an old flame. It was so long ago. He was younger, more naive, more...everything good. Now, he was just a war-hardened man who still managed to smile his way through life.

...just the way Tianzhu would have wanted.

His line of thought was — thankfully — broken. He already knew who it was as the footsteps entered the assembly hall, stopping right behind him. He knew it in the way his soldiers remained silent as the figure entered.

"Ah, my lord." Xin Yang turned, letting his wings unfurl before the windows, casting a brilliant shadow, smiling his same old disarming smile. "Yes, I was awaiting your presence. I hope the journey wasn't too arduous?"