Chapter 23:

I woke to the feeling of soft sheets and a cool pillow. Yet something felt off. I couldn’t quite place what the problem was, but something nagged at me in the back of my mind. Still, I wasn’t much of a morning person, and for some reason, I felt especially worn out and tired today. My alarm also hadn’t woken me up, so I could probably just figure it out later. After some more sleep.

I turned in my bed, trying to get more comfortable and ignore the world around me for a bit longer. It was probably the weekend, so I could afford to sleep in…

Except, that nagging feeling wouldn’t go away. I tried to ignore it by burying my face in my pillow, but I realized then that even that felt wrong. My pillow felt too smooth. Not like the soft worn cotton it should have been. Did my mom change my sheets?

I rubbed my hand against the strange fabric, trying to figure out what was happening. Was I not at home? Did I sleep over at a friend’s house? I didn’t remember planning anything like that. The only thing I could remember planning was that going away party. It was our last big get-together before I would leave for college…

Oh.

The memories of that party came back to me slowly. Then what happened on my way back home hit me like a truck.

Arriving in a whole new world. The fight with the cat. The System. Thinking I finally found safety, only to get captured by bandits. The mines and the horrors there. Finally escaping only to volunteer for more danger to save others. Watching a battle between two people so powerful it was still hard to comprehend. The aftermath of that, and learning about the bandits that got away and their attempt at slaughter. Then, finally leaving it all behind on a flying cloud and arriving at the city.

I sighed as the reality of my situation hit me and turned to lie on my back. Then I opened my eyes. I did not see the familiar popcorn ceiling of my room. Instead, I saw a rich red-brown lacquered wood instead.

I groaned at the very real evidence that all that hadn't been a nightmare. I was still in another universe, where people could get strong enough to fly and cause explosions in their battles. And that was just the stuff I’d personally witnessed. The real powerhouses of this world could likely do a lot more, from reshaping the landscape itself to fist-fighting mountain-size monsters.

“How is this my life?” I whispered quietly to the empty room. Then I just lay there, staring at the unfamiliar ceiling, not wanting to get up. Trying not to dwell on my memories of what happened yesterday. At what the marauders did and how their leaders got away. Escaping the justice that should have come for them.

That lasted for only a couple of minutes before I heard a knocking. It was soft and gentle, but still rang out through the guest house I was staying in. I sighed and wondered if I could pretend that I was still asleep. But the knocking came again, and I knew that I was being silly. I couldn’t just hide from my new reality, no matter how much I wanted to.

And I’d already decided not to dwell on what I couldn’t change yesterday. Later, when I was stronger, I could let those memories fuel my resolve to find justice. For now, though, for the sake of my sanity, I would have to not focus on it.

So I forced myself out of bed, pausing only briefly as I saw what I was wearing. They were very silky and looked like a mix of some pajamas and robes. I’d found them in the dresser after my bath, and I’d been too tired to really pay attention at the time before going to bed.

Now, I couldn’t help but feel strange. Like I was wearing someone else’s clothes or something. And it was another reminder that things were so different now.

But, before I could dwell on that any further, another knock rang out, reminding me I was keeping someone waiting. So after making sure the pajamas weren’t somehow indecent, I made my way through the small house and to the main entrance.

I opened the door to reveal a girl waiting. She looked a bit younger than me, with big bright eyes and a heart-shaped face. She wore a red and white dress that seemed straight out of a C-drama period peace. Another reminder of just where I was.

“Good Morning, sir,” the girl said, clasping her hands together and giving me a bow. “This one’s name is Xiao Feifei and has been asked by Master Shui Jianfeng and Master Ming Lin to bring you for breakfast.”

I just stared at her in surprise for a long moment, feeling completely off guard. This level of formality and deference made me feel very awkward. Was she actually doing the subservient speaking in third-person thing? And Master Shui Jianfeng and Master Ming Lin? That sounded so strange to my ears.

“Is something the matter, sir?” Xiao Feifei asked as she straightened up. Though I could have sworn I saw an amused look cross her face for just a second. But I wasn’t sure if I imagined it or not. Was she messing with me? Or was I seeing things?

“Ugh, no,” I said awkwardly. “It's just… You don’t have to call me, sir. You can just call me M—Li Lan.” Damn it! I stuttered again. This time, I was gonna blame my morning brain. “I’m not very used to being called sir or stuff like that. Though if you have to call me that for your job, then sir is fine as well.”

“Then this humble one will address you as sir,” Xiao Feifei said, bowing again. Though once again I couldn’t help but think she sounded just a tiny bit amused despite how polite she was acting. “Will you require any assistance getting dressed for the day, sir?”

“No, that’s fine,” I said quickly, feeling embarrassed at the idea of letting this girl help me dress like I was some sort of medieval noble or something. Or a child. “I’ll just be out in a second. Do you want to wait inside or…”

“This one can wait out here,” she said, bowing again. God, did she have to do that every time she talked? It seemed exhausting.

“Alright, then, see you in a bit,” I said before closing the door and going off to get changed. I went back to my wardrobe to see what else I could wear, as my Earth clothes were still dirty and bloody. I’d have to deal with that eventually but not now.

However, as I looked through what was available in the wardrobe, I realized something I hadn't considered. The clothing here was a bit more complex than what I was used to. T-shirt and jeans these robes were not.

I grimaced as I took it all in and wondered if I would actually need to go get Xiao Feifei’s help. But the idea of that was too embarrassing, so I decided I would just wing it. How hard could it be?

Way more time than I would like to admit later, I finished dressing myself in some white and pale blue robes. As I looked at myself in the mirror—something that I couldn’t help but wonder if it was normal here or a luxury—I thought I was wearing it all correctly, though, admittedly, I wasn’t sure. But I didn't want to make the servant girl wait any longer, so I decided it was good enough and went to leave the house.

Judging by the amused look that seemed to flash across the girl's face when she took sight of me, I fucked something up. But she didn’t comment and instead bowed and started leading me away.

“I’m not used to these kinds of clothes,” I said, feeling the need to defend myself. “They're very different from what people wear where I’m from.”

“Of course, sir,” Xiao Feifei said with a smile as we walked. She led me out of the courtyard where my guest house was situated and into a much larger walled garden. Then we started heading along the stone pathways towards one of the bigger buildings that bordered the garden. “And this one thinks you’ve made a very admirable attempt for your first time. Should you require assistance for next time, however, this one would be happy to help.”

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I did my best to not grimace at that. “Ugh, thanks. I appreciate that. And, ugh, it’s not that I don’t want your help specifically. It’s just having servants help me put on clothes is… odd to me. So, just so you know, it’s not anything against you or anything.“

“This one understands,” Xiao Feifei said. “And appreciate sir’s reassurances.”

After that, we continued on in silence, passing a couple of other servants as we went. At least, I assumed they were servants since their clothes were the same red and white as Xiao Feifei. They greeted her, but for some reason, gave the girl odd looks when she responded to them.

I wasn’t sure why, but that mystery soon left my mind when I caught a whiff of something delicious in the air. I couldn’t quite place the smell, but it reminded me of going to get dim sum as a kid.

Xiao Feifei led me into a large open building with lots of rooms that were divided by thin screen-type walls. She led me past a larger open area with several tables that looked like some kind of dining hall for the servants, which didn’t have too many people there at the moment. Instead, she took me to a room in the back of the building that seemed like a private dining room in a restaurant.

There, I found Shui Jianfeng and Ming Lin—still disguised as a male—waiting. They were both looking much better than I’d last seen them, clean and without any visible injuries. They wore black and red robes that reminded me of the ones worn by the Alchemist Guards.

Shui Jianfeng greeted me with a big smile and wave, while Ming Lin gave me a more subdued smile and a nod. At least, that's what happened at first. Then they both looked me up and down and had a rather puzzled look on their faces.

I sighed at that. “I’m not used to these clothes, okay?”

“Ah, understandable,” Shui Jianfeng said, nodding. “I suppose not too long ago I might have done something similar. It’s hard getting used to wealthy people's clothing. Though not as bad as learning how to speak properly.”

For some reason, both Shui Jianfeng and Ming Lin shuddered at that last comment. I wasn’t sure what that was about. Sure, it was probably worse for them going from orphans on the street to all this. But had it really been that bad?

“This one has brought Li Lan as you’ve commanded Master Shui Jianfeng,” Xiao Feifei said solemnly and gave a very exaggerated bow. “Is there anything else you wish of this lowly one?”

Shui Jianfeng stared at Xiao Feifei with wide eyes for a long moment. Then he groaned and looked away. “Feifei, please stop that.”

Xiao Feifei let out a gasp. Then she clasped her hand and bowed. “Has this one done something to displease the great and powerful Master Shui Jianfeng? This one apologizes for whatever offense she might have—”

The rush of what I was pretty sure was an exaggerated apology was cut off by a white bun being tossed at the girl. It bounced off her head, but she quickly reacted and caught it before it could fall to the ground. Then the previously groveling girl directed an annoyed look at the culprit, steam bun in hand.

“Just cause we don’t go hungry anymore doesn’t mean you should just waste food,” Xiao Feifei said, shaking the bun at Ming Lin. “Don’t make me tell Granny.”

Ming Lin just scoffed at that and took another bun from the bamboo baskets that sat in the middle of the round table they were sitting at. “Then don’t act like some kind of sniveling servant. It's gross.”

“But look at Jianfeng,” Xiao Feifei said, pouting and pointing at Shui Jianfeng. “Look how red I made him. How can I not? It's so cute!”

Shui Jianfeng just groaned at that and rubbed his face. Ming Lin shook her head but did laugh a little.

I laughed as well and moved to sit at one of the open seats at the table. Xiao Feifei noticed and quickly placed a plate and a bowl in front of me along with some chopsticks. I thanked her for that and expected her to do the same for herself as well. She was clearly not just a servant, after all. Or maybe she was, but was clearly close with Shui Jianfeng and Ming Lin.

However, instead, once she was done, she moved to the door. Though not before sticking out her tongue at Shui Jianfeng. “Now I’ll leave you three to your super secret meeting. It was nice meeting you, Li Lan.”

And with that, she closed the sliding door to the room and left.

I stared at the door in confusion for a moment before turning back to look at the rest of the room. “Secret meeting?”

“Nothing so dramatic,” Shui Jianfeng said with a shake of his head. “It’s just Ming Lin and I thought we should talk to you about something before your meeting with the Young Miss. She should send someone to get you before the end of the day.”

“Talk about what?” I asked, confused.

“About what you can do,” Ming Lin said, cutting in. “And how you should not tell anyone else about it. Not even the Young Miss.”

I blinked in surprise at that statement. I hadn’t been planning on telling Sun Xia. Though admittedly, I hadn’t given it much thought either. Hadn’t had a chance to think about it since waking up, and last night I’d just been trying to relax and not think about my problems.

Still, I was no longer in danger or desperate anymore. And I remembered how Ming Lin had helped contextualize what I could do when it came to harvesting from people. How I could essentially steal techniques from the dead, and how various sects and powers would react to such a thing. So I didn’t have very many reasons to mention what I could do to anyone else.

Well, except maybe if I wanted to get Sun Xia to help me get a lot of strong Skills quickly. But I wasn’t sure if the risks were worth that. Or if I would even need to reveal everything to get that help, given her desire to reward me.

But for them to go out of their way to mention it? Was there something I needed to worry about when it came to Sun Xia?

I posed this question cautiously to the two of them.

Thankfully, though, it didn’t seem to be anything sinister like that. It was mainly Ming Lin being cautious. Apparently, she was the one who suggested we had this talk. Though for some reason I think Ming Lin might have hit Shui Jianfeng for revealing that. Weird.

Regardless, they just wanted to remind me that the more people who knew, the more danger I was in. And while the Young Miss was a good person, it was better to not give her the temptation of what I could do. Even the best people can be pushed to do terrible things if they become desperate enough. At least, that was what Ming Lin thought.

After assuring them that I wouldn’t be revealing what I could do to anyone else anytime soon, we moved on to finally eating breakfast. Something I found incredibly enjoyable. Despite being a world away from home, the food was rather familiar. Most of it was pretty much exactly like Chinese breakfast food—steamed meat buns, congee meat and egg, fried bread sticks, sweet fried bread sticks. There were some differences, but I wasn’t sure if that was a this-world thing or if the cooks here were just really good compared to any restaurants I’d been to.

Either way, I enjoyed the meal greatly. Especially since I hadn’t eaten any good food over the last couple of days.

It was only when I was finally full, did I realized I’d ended up eating a lot more than normal. Which was saying something. I was a growing boy, after all, and could pack away quite a lot of food. Yet I still ate way more than normal, to the point more food was brought to us before I’d been done.

This worried me for just a moment, making me wonder if it was a consequence of my Spirit Beast cultivation and if it might get worse. But when I brought this up, my worries were quickly assuaged. Apparently, it wasn’t uncommon for body cultivators to experience something similar, and even other Qi cultivators as well depending on their techniques. There were ways around this, either spiritually potent food or pills.

Still, despite that not being too much of an issue, it reminded me of an actual problem I still had. That being my spirit beast core and how to hide it. I decided to bring this up to see if either of them had any more ideas about it.

Unlike before, they both suggested I ask Sun Xia for help with it when I met with her. Unlike my other secret, this one shouldn’t be as big of a deal to her. And she was intending on rewarding me anyway. Which made sense, I suppose, so I decided to put that worry in the back of my mind until I met with Sun Xia.

Until then, with breakfast done, we decided to kill some time with some sparring. Or, in reality, Ming Lin decided that for the three of us. Apparently, she thought one of the best ways they could repay me for helping them get out of the mines was helping me get stronger. And training and sparring was the best way to do that.

I didn’t disagree, but soon I couldn’t help but wonder if she might still somehow be mad about me breaking her disguise before. Because she was relentless in our spars, showing the massive difference between my artificial strength, and her hard-won training and experience. It was informative, if a bit painful getting my butt whooped like that.

Still, it was a good reminder that for all my strength and all my Skills, I was a novice fighter. Even when using a sword, my lack of experience showed, and I also wasn’t good at remembering all the tools I had at my disposal at any one time.

It was something I would have to work on. Something Ming Lin agreed with and was eager to help with. Or eager to kick my butt. The results were the same either way.

This continued from the morning up to the mid-afternoon until we were finally interrupted.

Zhao Wei appeared in the training courtyard like she’d always been there, surprising the three of us. Apparently, I was to have lunch with Sun Xia to discuss my reward for what I’d done.

Not wanting to keep the lady of the house waiting, I quickly followed Zhao Wei and was led to meet with Sun Xia. It was time for some rewards and hopefully a solution to some of my problems.