[she hadn't realized what he had meant about his sect being burned down until this moment, when he says some other sect had given the order for it. it's then that she bristles, her teeth clenching as she lets out a snarl, almost offended on his behalf]
Wait, so some jerks made you guys burn it down? And you couldn't just tell them to shove it and refuse?
...Preservation of lives must take precedence over individual defiance.
[If it had only been him, perhaps he would’ve held out, he means—but he couldn’t risk other lives out of further stubbornness. It would’ve accomplished nothing to lose his own, anyway.]
I do not wish to see them suffer. [Like, he wants them gone. They’re going to have to die to prevent further tyranny, and Lan Wangji understands that. But… hm. Maybe it’s better to say—] I would not see anyone I care for become tormentors like them.
...The Gusu Lan sect was built around the principle "be righteous". [The Rule Of Rules, really. All the rest of their 3,000 rules stem from that base idea.] Righteousness cannot stem from anger and hatred. A house built on rotten wood will crumble.
[He inclines his head slightly, acknowledging that. Indeed, that’s surely part of the reason his clan has so many rules—after all, if such things came easily, there would be no need to spend lifetimes studying them. There would be no need for cultivators at all.]
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Wait, so some jerks made you guys burn it down? And you couldn't just tell them to shove it and refuse?
[SHE DOESN'T UNDERSTAND!!]
Why not?!
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He doesn't say anything out loud, but--does he have to, with such a clear implication?]
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[her eyes narrow]
The strong will always try to crush the weak. No matter what the weak do to fight back.
[. . .]
. . . it sounds rough. What you went through.
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[A soft sigh.]
...Preservation of lives must take precedence over individual defiance.
[If it had only been him, perhaps he would’ve held out, he means—but he couldn’t risk other lives out of further stubbornness. It would’ve accomplished nothing to lose his own, anyway.]
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Do you plan on getting revenge?
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[It's against the rules, for one thing--but Lan Wangji isn't a vengeful person to begin with.
That said--]
...I would see them brought to justice someday. [If that's even possible.] Too many clans have suffered similar fates.
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[lol what is justice that isn't delivered by your own hand]
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[Not in this case, anyway. Not to him.
Because despite everything—]
I do not wish to see them suffer. [Like, he wants them gone. They’re going to have to die to prevent further tyranny, and Lan Wangji understands that. But… hm. Maybe it’s better to say—] I would not see anyone I care for become tormentors like them.
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[perhaps this is something she just can't understand]
. . . but it's your battle, I guess. You should approach it however you want to.
[she had asked him about it due to the task, and then gotten a little invested, but. . . otherwise? she has no horse in this race]
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[she admits a little quietly]
Anyone can say something is righteous if they believe it enough.
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What does it mean for you?
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. . .
I don't know.
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It can be very personal.