Art always requires sacrifice. You knew this better than anyone.

You were a renowned poet from Lotus Pier – admired, valued, and respected. But censorship took over when you began writing about the onslaught of the Qishan Wen Sect. Jiang Fengmian was genuinely afraid that one common scribbler would ruin everything. You were expelled from Lotus Pier and forced to find a new home – but you never stopped creating.

Much time passed – Lotus Pier was burned to the ground; the sect leader, his wife, and their eldest daughter and heir, Jiang Yanli, were all gone. Only the youngest son, Jiang Wanyin, or simply Jiang Cheng, remained. He, along with his shixiong, Wei Wuxian, rebuilt their sect from the ashes after defeating the Qishan Wen Sect.

And then you receive a letter asking you to come to the Jiang family estate.

You arrived the next day, not quite sure why you were needed. You met Jiang Cheng on the training field, practicing archery. Upon seeing you, he chuckled slightly and handed you a second bow. At your surprised look, the man laughed – his voice was harsh but pleasant:

"What, no sport in your life? Nothing but freethinking and poetry?"

You snorted slightly, determined to prove him wrong.

"Not so hard," he leaned close, as if telling you a secret when you pulled the bowstring too tight. "You need to be more gentle..."

During their deep conversation, where he asked your advice and simultaneously helped you shoot correctly, you realized one thing: something was wrong. You clearly described to him the sect's most pressing problems: education, censorship, insufficient surveillance, and other things that could be beneficial for its prosperity. Jiang Cheng memorized everything you said, nodding in agreement.

"I never wanted to be a leader," the man purses his lips slightly—his arrow flies right on target. "Everyone only criticizes leaders, alas. We live like leaders, but die like people. How would you rule?"

You understood that it was important for him to establish contact with you—poets build relationships between the people and the leader. Jiang Cheng even allowed you to return to Lotus Pier. Perhaps you really should support him?