The robe was mostly off-white on the top, while the spread large lower part was deep maroon. He had actually decided more hair style materials, but he wasn't much good at this much gorgeous hair styling as Chóng Féng—or not even a little like his father's way.
He only knew ponytail and bun.
And today even this felt embarrassing.
He had worn just two pieces of the hairpins and tied it up into a ponytail, since his usual hairstyle made him look more naive—like he was randomly caught from the road and given the robe to wear. That gem over his forehead even tickled, which was attached to his crown.
His head felt damn heavy. Like he would fall to the left or right side while his head already spun.
Natural blush already there from his cold.
He didn't know why his heart was tight, his posture too stiff but confident even with the cold, his hands holding up behind while tapping the hand fan, as if telling his frozen fire not to ruin anything now again.
But he couldn't deny he was actually looking..too good to be true—while he barely complimented himself.
But the way a few passing disciples stared as if he had stepped out of much older and gorgeous history.
He awkwardly fixed his collar while it was already fine, never even showing his collarbone, and kept his smile natural as he bowed lightly to them.
'The style feels..familiar..'
'I properly look like any fictional character in that robe.'
'It is too expensive for me..'
"Of course, of course.." Mō Qīn was trying hard not to laugh out loud while tangled around his neck even now. "You look like a doll!!"
"Shut up.." Lìngxiāo hissed faintly through his teeth while his gaze stayed ahead, kept muttering his other biggest confusion.
"I was fine with what I was wearing."
"What is so much important to wear..this much? I feel like I would stumble on the fabric and need to have some flip."
"It is not even such a big event like the Zhèng clan has arranged."
"What is going on in Xiānsheng's mind?" That question was bringing up more strange thoughts.
It didn't even feel like a normal preparation. It felt..too carefully done. And it was horrifyingly giving the same feeling he had while listening to that story of Chóng Fēi.
'No. No. This is too far. I saw him hate this term more than me.'
'There must be something else behind—'
Mō Qīn heard it all and then answered with a still silently weak smile but amazed and excited, pausing his thoughts even by his teasing excitement. "What if it is true?! I am going to faint in real! That song was dump with emotions!"
Lìngxiāo paused sharply while lightly holding up his robe like it was a floor-touching gown or something.
His feet felt too heavy simply. But it fit perfectly.
"I do not know what I would do to him if I find ANYTHING like that." Lìngxiāo hissed again, then exhaled and let his robe fall lower.
Then added the reminder. "You are tired after the reverse, am I right? So just listen and watch more. Say less."
"Oh, I would wish to see the rest of this hide and seek." Mō Qīn grinned, nit stopping ad if it is fewl of his life.
"You were not unseeing anything either." Lìngxiāo said.
Then in one straight confident walk, he was close to the grand doors which opened by two disciples after a bow—and of course a double look too.
"You are very welcome, Lìngxiāo Gōngzǐ.." Both of the two disciples said politely.
Lìngxiāo smiled softly, nodded once. "I should thank you for inviting me."
Then he walked down—the hall was designed a little like going downstairs by the wooden stairs while it was already downstairs.
The round table was full of lots of sect leaders—small ones. Young and young adult mostly, who were close in age to Chóng Fēi.
It was like all the younger ones were sent to work on their own this time.
Colorful robes didn't stop gleaming faintly under the faint lamp lights around the room, not even for being in this cursed town—which only said how some of the cultivators had already learned to live in it, since escaping was hopeless until now they were hoping for Lìngxiāo working here.
He wondered if this was why he was invited this way or something. But it was unbelievable too. People here weren't this welcoming ever.
The decision they were already working with was not friendly.
Once they noticed their guest—Lìngxiāo having entered, gracefully coming down from the stairs while the robe faintly flapped behind like wings and flower petals—in one word, something he barely did and nobody even expected him this fabulous while all he had was that permanent smile, golden-brown eyes, ordinary brown hair, and ordinary skin like others..
They stared like really some kind of walking history had come.
All of their mouths were parted lightly, blinking, murmuring which as always he didn't pick up while his one ear already felt closed and another was ringing with thousands of things.
He didn't say anything or do anything—just focused on his walk until he was standing on the flat wooden floor.
But he still couldn't help but feel..nervous inside.
Being watched like this with his usual self and like this was a different thing. He was used to being watched because of who he was. But here, they were more likely..objectifying him perhaps.
But he wasn't sure either.
Perhaps they didn't expect him coming as himself.
So he let it slip slowly.
"Hello, everyone. I am Lìngxiāo—the Smiling Exorcist you might have heard of. Recognized me perhaps..?" He said with a bow, his larger sleeves floating around as he moved his hand and lowered his head. "I am pleased to meet you all."
First was silence.
Then all bowed politely and said, "Nice to meet you, Lìngxiāo Gōngzǐ!"
Their voice echoed all over the chamber like the mountains.
"You look good in this robe, Gōngzǐ! Do sometimes change your rhythm! Life does not go in the same flow, you know!" A young female sect leader said, fanning herself while flushed.
Then more flew out of the crowd.
"Beautiful!"
"Straight out of history like the next dàoist!"
"Whomever gifted you this has a great taste!"
"Too great taste for sure!"
Lìngxiāo stood still while impossibly flushed. He didn't know how he would swallow this much compliment while he probably knew things might go wrong at the future for this matter.
'I feel like I am in my coronation ceremony or something..'
'This much compliments I perhaps did not get even with my job.'
"Obviously.." Mō Qīn whirled teasingly but didn't press much now.
Lìngxiāo bowed again, softer and smaller but appreciating as he moved forward to search for Chóng Fēi—since he was going to take the higher clan's side, he needed to stand beside him.
"Excuse me." He went to where Chóng Fēi was supposed to sit.
The spot was much higher than others, like a stage with a wood-made boundary around the table and throne. Important things like scrolls and brushes were neatly placed.
There were two thrones.
Finally he saw Chóng Fēi for the first time after entering. He was standing there, too silent, and his gaze was on him as others had in amazement.
But his one..felt different.
His ear was flushed more than his troubled nose was. His left hand on the table, gripping an ink stone with the brush as if he was preparing to write.
And his right hand was too stiffly down.
And lastly yes, he was looking more vivid here than Chóng Fēi himself.
'I really look like I am some kind of prince and he is my respected right hand or something!'
The realization made a shiver run down his spine. His bottom lip lifted faintly upwards as he bit it.
"Oh, you did burn this whole stage." Mō Qīn teased again, comparing the heir with his master by gazing up and down.
"Shh.." Lìngxiāo faintly shushed and then turned back to Chóng Fēi.
Chóng Fēi cleared his throat and moved to the other throne beside the one he was standing.
Then muttered with a half-caught up voice—for cold. "You are a little late."
Lìngxiāo could only reason into his mind since his composure and situation would never fit it.
'The hairpins..took too much time. The robe would look pale without it...'
Lìngxiāo just had a polite apologetic pressed smile and sat down on the throne beside Chóng Fēi's, placed the hand fan on the table, legs crossed unconsciously yet politely—a habit which made him actually look like he ruled here.
'He is still angry..perhaps..'
'But the reaction..It feels a bit different. Is it..what I..'
His gaze faintly met Chóng Fēi's from the corner of his eyes.
Chóng Fēi might have been looking with that same glare, but he quickly looked away with some fast blink, sitting down, legs lightly spread while crossed it too—into wilder, more dominating posture.
His once stubborn tone now shifted into authority as he announced to others confidently. "Since everybody is present..we may start our discussion which I, Chóng Fēi, heir of the Yùn Chóng clan, continue due to my zhù fù Chóng Féng's absence."