In a world where humans and demons have long been tangled in a deep-rooted conflict and skepticism towards each other, Wei Wuxian - a child born from an unheard union of the two races, an anomaly to the world - was forced to live on the streets afte...
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"A-Yuan?"
"Mn. 'Yuan', as in 'hope'."
"I see. And his courtesy name?"
"He doesn't have any. Not yet."
"Why?"
"I want you to be the one to name him."
"Me?"
"You are his father, after all."
"I see..."
"He's gone through three years without a name, you know? You'll have to think about it quickly."
"I understand. I have thought of one."
"Really? That's quick. Were you seriously thinking about it?"
"I have been considering it for a while, ever since I knew, that we would be having a child."
"Oh..."
"Would you like to hear it?"
"Of course! What would you name him?"
"...Lan Yuan. Lan Sizhui."
***
"Noise is forbidden in the Cloud Recesses" - for no one knows how long, perhaps decades, perhaps hundreds of years since the founder decided their establishment, the banning of commotion had been one of the most famed regulations written on the Gusu Lan Sect's Wall of Discipline. Along with it, they forbade running and walking too fast, they even forbade one from laughing or sneering without a clear reason. There were four thousand rules engraved on the mountainous rock, and as austere as it looked and sounded, no one could ever deny that such rigid foundation had given birth to generations of the most virtuous and outstanding cultivators the world had ever known.
Yet for the first time in such a long, long time, the peaceful residence of the Gusu Lan Sect appeared so merry and joyful. For others who didn't bear witness to the sight with their own eyes, it would be as hard to believe as being told that a native water demon from Yunmeng did not know how to swim. No matter how unthinkable, however, it was the very truth that would be carved in the sect's history, and maybe in the cultivation world's history, as well.
From the front gate until the inner residence, the Cloud Recesses was decorated in a usual color of red. And it was not just any other red, but a very, very festive red. Glowing lanterns were hung in all corners, shining brightly as though attempting to overpower the moonlight. Guests both from neighboring towns and lands faraway were flooding the entire place; each bringing precious gifts unique to their homeland. Friends and allies of the Gusu Lan Sect, especially the Lanling Jin Sect, were undoubtedly among the invitees - with grand, lavish presents that only them could ever afford. But what baffled the rest of human society was the fact that nobles from powerful demon clans were all present there, mingling with the cultivators with whom they used to be diverging with.
