[ At the sound - and feel - of the water displacing with his movement, Shi Qingxuan finally turns his head to look at him properly.

...and then he just stops...there? And turns around?

????

Shi Qingxuan isn't bothered, just confused. He looks around them to see if anything has changed, but surely he wouldn't have made a move over a squirrel scurrying around a tree? ]

Disciples?

[ He echoes, blinking in confusion. Disciples...as in middle heaven officials that he's personally brought up? He supposes the relationship between patron official and middle heaven official can be a bit like that between master and disciple. Certainly better than simply master and servant (though that is precisely the relationship many share).

Though to ask this, Peak Lord Liu must consider his middle heaven officials to be his disciples. That explains a lot, honestly. ]

There are only a few in my palace personally, but I don't consider them my disciples exactly. I'm not suited to be anyone's shizun.

[ He waves a dismissive hand.. ]

How many do you have under your care as the lord of Bai Zhan Peak?