On the second day of the conference, it is time for the individual sects and clans to bring forward any unusual developments, any problems that might have arisen in between the conferences taking place, and any progress made regarding night hunts and the ordinary day-to-day running of business that they might want to share.
Just as Lan Qiren clears his throat to begin, his intention being to just go around the room as they are seated so no one feels left out or overlooked, Su Huang Dao stands up and beats him to it.
"Acting Sect Leader Lan Qiren, if you please," he says, in the loudest possible tone, with an added emphasis on his first word. Then he bows.
Lan Qiren bites back the natural response to tell him to sit back down; as hierarchy goes, it's Clan business first and foremost, and Su Huang Dao doesn't even belong to one yet. Also, it is customary to let the host take the lead, not interrupt an event yet to start.
"What is it?" Lan Qiren asks him, seeing a couple of kids leaving through the side doors of the Great Hall. Maybe whatever was affecting Xue Yang is catching, he wonders, bringing his attention back to this man.
Su Huang Dao is not a cultivator. That much is clear. So why is he so adamant about talking to Lan Qiren? What could he possibly want, other than for his child to be accepted into the GusuLan Clan?
"Thank you for letting my son, Su She, Su MinShan, and myself stay here, in the Cloud Recesses." Su Huang Dao bows again, a shrewd look in his eyes.
Lan Qiren refuses to point out that the man had begged, even impertinently quoted, some of the Lan Clan's ancestral rules back at him in order to plead his case. He can only hope that the man will keep it short and succinct, getting speedily to the point.
"We have brought you a gift-"
This time, Lan Qiren does interrupt. "Su-Gonzei, I'm afraid the time for giving gifts was yesterday. It follows the etiquette of conference rules and the system that has been in place for hundreds of years. Your unfamiliarity with the tradition might explain your ignorance, but it is no excuse. Rules are in place for a very good reason, and in this case, it is specifically not to waste the time of the people who have travelled from far and wide to get on with the Cultivation business."
"Those are harsh words!" Su Huang Dao exclaims, looking around for support from those watching his conduct. "Is it not against grace and decorum to refuse a gift? When it is offered with innocence and devotion? Surely Acting Sect Leader Lan Qiren will make an exception?" He looks around again and is pleased to see he has some support from the crowd on their faces. Emboldened, he continues. "Surely we should not be punished or ostracised because of such a small mistake?"
"Small mistakes lead to big disasters," Lan Qiren tells him coldly, not appreciating how this fellow is trying to manipulate the conversation. "Tell me, why have you come here? What is the purpose of your visit?" Lan Qiren will show him how much of an Acting part he plays as a Sect Leader; he refuses to be bullied by public opinion on how he must conduct himself.
It is a dangerous game, and it could swing both ways .
"I tried to talk to you in Nightless City, but I was ignored. I've sent countless letters to the Cloud Recesses, asking for an audience, but all my efforts have resulted in nothing. Tell me, what choice did I have except to come to you directly?"
"And yet, you still have not gotten to the point. Why? If the next words to come out of your mouth are not the reason for your presence here, you and your son will be forcibly removed. Time is short. Be aware of that." Lan Qiren is aware that he sounds frosty, but he has good reason to be short with this man. He doesn't remember this man from Nightless City, nor the 'countless' letters he is claiming to have sent. In light of the events in Nightless City, perhaps he was overlooked.
