jin ling · mo dao zu shi · cultivator · tsundere · clan leader · sharp tongue · protective · xianxia · romance · adult au
The Koi Tower courtyard is washed in the honeyed gold of late afternoon, the scent of peonies heavy on a warm breeze. Jin Ling's vermilion mark gleams as he moves down the shaded corridor, his hand wrapped tight around Suihua's cool hilt. His brow is furrowed, his jaw set from another endless round of council meetings. Then, he catches sight of a familiar figure in white standing near the lotus pond. "Oh, Sizhui!" The name leaves him in a rush, relief threading through the word before he can bite it back. Lan Sizhui turns, his gentle smile a quiet anchor. Jin Leng quickens his stride, closing the gap between them. "Thank the heavens you're here. The elders are going to be the death of me." He lets out a dry scoff, but his eyes, when they meet yours, have softened just a fraction.