The immortal. This is the best combination card if I had any cards of yang. The rest of my hand is Buddha and yin though... Should I fold?

Felix glanced up from his cards and then looked back down to avoid the oppressive stares. The mundane social pressure somehow reminded him of a nascent soul's gaze.

I suppose I deserve this. I mean I’ve made such a large scene and I’m openly favored by my elders. People can’t help but dislike it when the world feels unfair. They can’t see me in the same light and don’t know how to treat me… but, but how was I supposed to know it would be this awkward? Everglade, you were supposed to make things better!

At least Cao Tao and Min Jie seemed equally uncomfortable, if not more so.

The two barely paid attention to their cards. Their eyes alternated between him and the source of the room's tension. Multiple times Cao Tao had folded his hand without even looking at his cards. Min Jie had resorted to betting the bare minimum.

I didn’t realize a middle grade essence condenser could make them so nervous. They are all lower-level essence condensing but I suppose even that difference makes them nervous. Oh, be honest with yourself Felix. This issue has nothing to do with cultivation for once in this messed up world.

Felix glanced at the source of tension and Everglade returned an easy smile. She was somehow the most comfortable person in the room.

How did it go so wrong? I thought everything was going so great and I could finally unwind. With Martel still gone, I need friends or at least peers I can hang out with.

It had started well. She’d ingratiated herself with enviable aplomb and took the focus off himself like he'd planned. Cao Tao and Min Jie had been so smitten that they barely minded when she won several hands in a row. A sweet laugh and a quick quip about playing the game with her siblings long ago had them falling over themselves to complement her. Jetchi had been more withdrawn, but she'd somehow mollified him as well.

Puddy in her hands. Until the sixth member of the room spoke.

Felix hadn’t quite heard what Hui Yin had said about Everglade’s family. Her words had nothing wrong with them, technically, so he ignored her. He'd started to relax and focus on the cards. Escape amongst people that had nothing to do with politics, cultivation, or the fear for his very soul.

Then he looked up to see the two boys' horrified expressions and Jetchi's exasperation. He started to follow the girl's conversation.

I’m missing some kind of context. Everyone else got what she was implying. Everglade works with flowers and fertilizer… Wait, is it a shit reference? That’s a fertilizer.

Everglade responded kindly. At least on the surface.

I thought she was going to do her social thing. I thought that was a compliment but no one else did. Though that is a weird way to bring up sewing skills...

Felix had tried to focus on his cards as the hidden barbs flew. Now Hui Yin stared daggers at the diminutive woman. Her every ounce of feigned politeness fell away. Everglade smiled and gently pulled another pot of winnings toward her growing pile.

“This really is quite embarrassing,” said Everglade. “You’ve all been so gracious to include me in this game and I embark on this string of lucky hands. I might be decent at the game, but I’ve rarely got such good cards.”

Please someone speak up besides Hui Yin. Come on Cao Tao, don’t you love to boast? Or you Min Jie? I would speak up but…

Felix’s mouth snapped shut as Hui Yin’s head wiped in his direction.

I’m not even sure what I did wrong!

[Orange Voice] She has a crush on you, idiot. You are awful at noticing this.

Oh… are you sure? Why would she act like this?

[Orange Voice] She has a crush on us stupid and is acting emotional. Emotional investment means she will react stronger towards what you do. Such as siding with someone she has a conflict with.

I would not have even considered that.

[Orange Voice] I’m a moron.

“If I didn’t know your reputation, Fairy Everglade, I would almost think you are sandbagging us.” Said Jetchi, finally breaking the silence. Hui Yin shot him a glare, but he only gave her an unimpressed glance. “This isn’t an easy game to get good at without lots of practice. I shudder to think of a whole family with this much skill.”

“I’m afraid I’m not hiding a bunch of little Demons and Deities experts at home. They are good, sure, but mortals only have so much time to play games. If you think I am good, you should play against my fellow sect members. That’s where I was forced to grow as a player. She would show you a whole other level of skill. She becomes quite petulant if you don’t play the high complexity versions. Claims the higher version rewards skill more than this level.”

“Really?” said Jetchi, perking up. “I am impressed that anyone here has the time to learn all the extra rules. You say mortals don't have time but cultivation isn’t exactly a lifestyle that leads to much free time. At least at our level. Who is this sect member of yours? I would love to have such a member at our weekly get-togethers.”

“Oh, perhaps I can introduce her next week.” Said Everglade. “As long as Sister Hui Yin is fine with it of course. Though I know the Yin Lily sect is known for their tolerance, I fear she would find my friend's calm disposition unpleasant.”

Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

“Of course.” gritted Hui Yin. “I would be delighted.”

“Maybe we should meet her first.” Said Cao Tao, a bit of fire returning to his presence. “We, of course, are grateful for your presence, Fairy Everglade, but these gatherings were intended to allow new members only after they were vetted. Newer members aren’t supposed to bring people without the group’s consent.”

I feel that was directed at me, but none of you mentioned such a rule! Fine, I can take a hint.

“I should apologize for not saying anything to any of you,” said Felix.

“Well, we hadn’t exactly told you,” said Hui Yin, sending her first smile of the evening. “Though we just want to ensure we don’t let any cultivator with no conviction into the group. People who don’t truly care about cultivation will spread the wrong mentality. Some people are deadweight. Though I’m of course not implying anything of the sort about Fairy Everglade.”

Okay, I picked up on that one. Also, this is a card playing group, Hui Yin.

“Of course, I wouldn’t take it that way, Fairy Hui Yin. Anyone who would think such a thing wouldn’t be very bright,” said Everglade. “Though you shouldn’t blame Junior Brother over my presence. He tried to divest himself of me, but I wouldn’t take no for an answer. He wanted to come so badly, and I was being a little untactful. I am sure he would have talked to all of you before otherwise. When he finally confessed that he was headed, I insisted he invite me. ”

“Not the only hint you can’t take.” Muttered Hui Yin under her breadth.

…I guess we’ve given up on any hint of subtlety.

“Yes, well.” Said Jetchi, shooting Hui Yin a quick glare. “No harm done. We had been hoping to make more inroads with the Thousand Season Sect. Senior Everglade is certainly that. That was our goal, and I hope all of us remember that.”

“oh, you are too kind, Junior.” Said Everglade, matching Cao Tao's bet. “I would be happy to make more connections myself, as you can never have enough friends. Though I have to ask how you all know Felix? Unlike myself, he is a bit of a recluse. Always working on his understanding of cultivation.”

“Actually, I’ve been meaning to ask about that.” Said Min Jie, saying his first sentence longer than two words of the night. “What are you always studying so much?”

“Excuse me?” said Felix. “To cultivate.”

“You spend all your days in the Hall of Knowledge.” Said Min Jie. “An inordinate amount of time.”

“Well, I’m doing what all of us do.” Said Felix. What the fuck is he getting at? “Do you, uh, not use manuals or something.”

“Yes, I do.” Said Min Jie. “Normally you get a manual and study it ad nauseam. At our level time is too precious not to be advancing our cultivation. A cultivator should broaden their horizons once they reach a high realm. Yet you spend more time in your sect’s library than anyone I know.”

“Well, it's my passion.” Said Felix.

“Passion huh…” said Min Jie. “I would have thought so too. Then that elder of the Dragon Spear Sect said something about you knowing his manual.”

“That all?" said Felix and tried to smile. “I didn’t want to talk about it much, but I did go on a secret mission for the sect. Well, I went on a routine mission for the sect that ended up important. I’ve been told not to talk about it.”

“You can’t give us the details? Come on," said Cao Tao. “We told you about our mission. Give us a few tidbits at least.”

“I would love to hear about your adventures Brother Felix.” Said Hui Yin sweetly.

“He said he can’t talk about it.” Interjected Everglade. “He hasn’t even told me about it when I asked.”

“Well, maybe you aren’t important enough.” Said Hui Yin.

“Look, I can’t talk about it to anyone,” said Felix. “Don’t give me that look. It is on the order of my sect elders. Some of your elders were at that very meeting. You can ask them.”

“Oh, I suppose it is not for us to know then.” Said Hui Yin.

Smart. If other sects have elders like that, then I would be nervous as well. Who would want to go and poke those psychopaths? Everglade even said we have relatively mild elders for the most part. I mean, I’ve enjoyed my interactions for the most part but then I’ve also talked to Elder Akeno.

“That isn’t what I was getting at.” Said Min Jie. “I was more curious about the other thing he said about you. That you knew his family manual.”

“I just told you, it was a reward,” said Felix.

“Why did you pick that as a reward though,” said Min Jie.

“Since I wanted to read it?” said Felix.

“And your familiarity with Cao Tao’s manual?” said Min Jie.

“Excuse me?” Said Felix.

“Last time you were here, you noted how his sect’s manual gives a potent sense of smell,” said Min Jie.

“Alright, I’ve been using my points to read other sect manuals. You got me. I fail to see what the issue is.”

“The Issue is that you were reading my sect manual.” Said Cao Tao, standing up from his chair. “I asked you why you knew and then you lied.”

“Yeah, because you were getting all prickly about it. It is not even like I got access to the entire heritage built around it or the higher levels.”

“That is not the point.” Said Cao Tao, his face turning red.

“No, it's not.” Said Min quietly. “And sit down Cao Tao. You are missing the point as well.”

Come again?

“Are you defending him now!? You are the one who just pointed out his deception. He read my sect’s fucking manual. Our secrets. He’s read yours as well.”

“Your elders are the ones who added it to the contribution lists.” Said Min Jie. “If they weren’t ready for others to read it, then they shouldn’t have done that. As Felix said earlier, take it up with them.”

Cao Tao slowly sat down, the table creaking as he gripped it.

“Okay then, then what is the point,” said Cao Tao.

“The point my friend.” Said Min Jie, “Is ‘why’ he is accessing so many of our sect manuals, and I think I know why. Felix, I assume you’re familiar with the revised basics for weapons that your sect has recently made available to the alliance in the contribution shop.”

“I am familiar.” Said Felix, wishing the girls were still arguing. "What about it?"

“What part did you have to play in that?”

The room turned silent. Even Everglade seemed unsure of what to say.

And what can she say here? I’ve made it plain to her what most of the truth is anyway, but I can’t just come out and say it. If Min Jie can figure out the connection, surely the other sects’ elders have an inkling of what I can do. Once again, all I am left with is damage control.

“…I may be involved.” Said Felix. “Though I would prefer it if you don’t talk about it.”

“I knew it!” said Min Jie, his interrogation mode cracking. “It all lined up.”

“How did you figure it out,” said Felix.

“Oh, you would be surprised what people say if you asked the right questions. You just need to wait till the timing is right. It isn’t that hard. Still, I can’t believe your sect was able to make so many improvements to their manuals. Can you tell us which of your elders are leading the project?”

“Elders?” said Felix.

“Well of course,” said Min Jie. “It would take a whole team to do what your sect has been doing.”

So they still don’t think I am the sole responsible one? Thank God. Wait or is he playing mind games? Thought Felix, watching Min Jie’s smug expression. Hard to tell.

Just go with it either way. He’s too perceptive to risk giving more information. [Orange Voice]

I’m not meant for these kinds of mind games.

“I can’t say.” Said Felix. “I told you my Elders don’t like secrets getting out. It might put you all in danger if I say too much.”

“Min Jie you idiot!” said Hui Yin, smacking the young man in the shoulder. “You are going to get us all killed, or worse, kicked out of the sect!”

“Uhhh… yeah, forget I asked.” Said Min Jie.

“That’s impressive that you are part of such a project.” Said Jetchi, “Full Heavenly Court hand by the way.”

“Aww dammit, I know I should have folded last turn. You bastard.” Said Cao Tao, tossing his cards down.

“Hey, I wasn’t the one running their mouth,” said Jetchi.

So much for a politic free break. Yeah, just get through this.