Chapter Text
The third son of the Dragon King of the Eastern Sea, Aobing, has agreed to take on a very important mission, one assigned by the great Immortal Taiyi Zhenren himself. He has been given the harrowing task of providing much-needed guidance to his star pupil, guidance that only a fellow student can provide.
In order to make Nezha into a proper young master, one who will defy the reign of the heavenly realm, he needs to...
…help Nezha learn some manners?
When he first heard about this, Aobing had been confused at first too.
"Think about it," the ex-candidate to the 12 Golden Immortals had told him after glugging down one too many jugs of celebratory wine, lips loose from the alcohol and in a gossiping mood after the high of their last victory. "He has no manners, no class, and no sense of delicacy whatsoever! Is there anyone in this world who would follow such a hooligan? Who in their right mind would respect someone with such an unruly attitude as Nezha?"
He belches loudly and slams the wine jug he just emptied against the table with a frustrated cry. Aobing doesn’t know how he was the one who got stuck listening to his inebriated ranting, but he politely doesn't mention the lack of manners, class, or delicacy of such an action.
"And don't get me started on his sloppy appearance! His posture is terrible, and he still dresses himself in rags! Even if he did have a small number of supporters from his hometown and a handful of witnesses to his good deeds, just look at him! Who in all the three realms would want to call such a crude person their hero!?"
At the time, Aobing had felt his words were much too harsh, but he didn't have the chance to say anything.
In truth, he couldn't get a word in because Taiyi Zhenren had passed out in a drunken stupor not long after. He had fallen face-first into the dining table mid-tirade and Aobing was left speechless.
But after the great immortal master had woken up when Aobing went to check on him the next day, he eventually remembered what he had been rambling about. That was when he made this special assignment an official one. One that commanded all of his authority as an immortal master.
"Aobing." Nezha's shifu had told him as the sun rose behind him, basking them both in a golden ethereal glow. Taiyi’s posture was immaculate, his tone harnessing as much seriousness he could muster while tinged green in the face.
Nevermind the fact that Taiyi was just puking into the jug that he had drank wine from the night before.
"As Nezha's rival and friend, you are the only one suitable for this undertaking."
Taiyi bows formally to Aobing to ask him this favor, before lurching forward with the groan. Maybe if he weren't so severely hungover, he might actually look like a grand heavenly master worthy of awe and respect.
"Please, this master seeks your assistance. I'm begging you to help this venerated one's degenerate disciple."
Aobing had bowed in return, taking on the role of the ever-reliable disciple ready to assist his shifu's colleague, graciously accepting this new task.
It was only after Aobing excused himself with a polite and determined nod, Taiyi ran off to immediately stick his head back into the puke jug and retch, ruining the moment.
Of course, Aobing was forbidden from telling Nezha about the details of his mission.
If he were to find out, Nezha's rebellious spirit would never accept his help. In fact, Taiyi had warned him already; keeping this task a secret was crucial. If he ever found out, Nezha may get angry, lose his trust in Aobing completely, and become even more defiant. In the heat of the moment, Aobing wasn't able to argue with that reasoning.
Besides, Aobing understood the immortal master had good intentions. He had to admit Nezha wasn't the most well-mannered. In fact, his manners are so lacking, he may as well have never learned them at all. Maybe if Nezha learned how to be more polite, people would be less afraid of him. Then more and more people would accept him and appreciate him for his good deeds.
Aobing can hardly see any fault with that.
And so, by the order of Taiyi Zhenren, Aobing has now taken it on himself to help Nezha become a more polite and upright young man. With his help, his best friend will become the best version of himself that he can be!
This all sounded very good on paper but, honestly, Aobing has no idea where to start.