[Jin Ling is used to being reprimanded by his seniors, and though that feeling always sticks uncomfortably in his chest, he sets his jaw and shoots an angry look through eyes still blurred with tears. Quickly, he wipes his face off with his sleeve. He knows that someone from the Lanling Jin Sect, let alone the newest sect leader, ought to be more composed.

But it hurts!]

Haven't you seen the "manners" of the last Sect Leader?! What an example he's set for the rest of us! If I want to cry, if I want to yell-- it's not as bad as any of them have done!

[His voice shakes, on the verge of another bout of tears. It's been a mere matter of hours since that kind uncle of his held a wire around his neck! Whatever does it even mean to be a Jin? From what he's heard about his uncle and his grandfather, that's apparently a liar, a killer, and the lowest of all scum!

Once he sees the other man, however, the words dry up in his throat. He already figured from the tone of voice that he's of the same sect, but looking up, he immediately notices... something all too uncanny about his face.

He can only stare in sudden bewilderment.]