60th of Season of Air, 57th year of the 32nd cycle

Dandelion forced himself to calm down. “I assure you I am the person you are looking for and not a fraud or a face thief.

“If you are referring to me lacking the aura of the metal-attributed spiritual energy, I have reforged my cultivation and started again. Coincidentally, I even have a witness who can confirm it in this very room.” Newt nodded despite himself, and Dandelion kept talking, surprisingly calm. “If you wish to discuss my cultivation further, Senior, we should continue the discussion in private.”

The icicles stopped moving, hanging in the air like a murder about to happen, yet all Dandelion did was sigh with exasperation.

“Look, I am no threat to you, and I have done you a favor out of the goodness of my heart, maybe expecting a small reward. I could have just let your little cousin bleed to death in a dark alley in which nobody should really go into, even if it saves five minutes when going places. All I wish is to have a talk and an amicable relationship from which both sides will benefit.”

Newt could not believe what Dandelion was doing. He stared death in the face and did not flinch. He even seemed bored.

“I have rented a suite at the Noble Dragon. We can go there.” Elder Frostgrave released the icicles, which dispersed into motes of ice particles before disappearing altogether.

“At least treat me to dinner. I am not that easy,” Dandelion smirked, while Elder Frostgrave’s pupils went wide from shock, and her entourage gasped as they realized his meaning.

The air in the room turned heavy again as ladies reached for their swords.

“I have killed people for smaller slights.”

“You are a noble woman, you would not stoop so low, especially since I have not insulted you in any way. As a benefactor of your family, I believe treating me to a meal before we discuss cultivation related matters is quite fitting and conforms to tradition.”

Elder Frostgrave opened her mouth then closed them.

Does he do this to everyone? Newt wondered and watched the scene unfold. Elder Frostgrave was speechless, while her attendants frowned and exchanged glances, as if wondering whether they were the only ones thinking dirty thoughts after hearing Dandelion’s insinuation.

“In that case, I would formally like to invite you to join us for dinner tonight.” Elder Frostgrave found her words, but her tone remained icy.

“I graciously accept your invitation, honorable Elder Frostgrave.” Dandelion bowed like a perfect gentleman, with all the respect a senior is due. “My friend, Newstar Blazing Salamander, is young and talented, his morals outstanding, his pockets empty.”

Dandelion bit his tongue, frowning at what he had just said, but Elder Frostgrave stifled a laugh.

“That was more honest than I expected, given the way you were avoiding my questions.” She looked at Newt and nodded with approval as the frosty atmosphere thawed. “Your friend has a bright future ahead of him, and it would be a pleasure to get to know him better.”

Newt had no idea what had just happened, then he looked at Dandelion’s smug face.

Did he let that slip on purpose? Doesn’t look like it, but then again, it should look accidental if it was intentional.

Whatever the case, Newt followed the group to a lavish two-story inn. A sign shaped like a golden dragon swimming through the clouds hung above the door, sparkling like brand new. Elder Frostgrave entered first, followed by her attendants, with Dandelion and Newt bringing up the rear.

Newt glared daggers at Dandelion, but the man just smiled in his face and pulled the door closed.

The inn’s common room’s smell tantalized Newt from the first breath he drew. Roasted meats mixed with herbs made his mouth water and his stomach growl.

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Elder Frostgrave ignored the sound, but the youngest girl turned around and snickered.

“Snowflake, go to your room,” the stern elder said, and the girl’s mouth dropped. “He is a descendant of an honorable senior, his fate might be yours or that of your descendants, heaven forbid.”

The girl was on the verge of tears, but she held back. She mumbled a good night and went towards the stairs rather than the lavish dining hall decorated in light-blue and gold. Unlike the Association’s large communal tables, Noble Dragon had lacquered black tables fit for one decorated with gilded engravings of dragons, radiant titanosauruses, and blazing tyrannosauruses.

Newt was impressed, but neither Dandelion nor his hosts deigned the pieces of artful furniture more than a passing glance. A pretty young woman with a professional smile approached. She wore thick, light-blue robes with golden dragon designs, matching the dining area.

“Good evening,” she gave a deep bow, and from up close, Newt confirmed she was a regular mortal, not a monster like Elder Frostgrave. The difference was that the elder did not have a speck of visible spiritual energy, while the mortal had traces running throughout her body.

Elder Frostgrave ordered a veritable feast of meats, vegetables, and pastries, after which the server thanked her and excused herself.

“Do you mind if I call you Newstar?” Elder Frostgrave said, and Newt took an embarrassingly long moment to realize she was addressing him.

“No. Not at all, Senior.” He tripped on his own words, and the woman gave him a warm smile.

“Your ancestors moved to this remote region ages ago, correct?”

“Yes, Senior.”

“No need to be so formal, treat me the way you treat your friend here.” Elder Frostgrave glanced at Dandelion who was smiling, waiting for his spirit wine.

“Yes. Thank you for the honor,” Newt said, thinking he would never treat her like Dandelion for everyone’s sake.

Elder Frostgrave smiled and continued speaking. “When I was young, my teachers warned me and the rest of my fellow disciples not to cause trouble for your family. Back then, some of your ancestors were still alive, watching over the region, and helping with any incidents involving the Savage Wood.”

Newt wondered how old Elder Frostgrave was, but he did not dare ask something like that. He then considered what she had said, wondering if he had missed a question, and eventually remained silent.

“What were his ancestors like?” Dandelion asked, breaking the awkward silence just at the right time.

“I have never met them, but they had a reputation of fierce warriors, honorable, but with explosive tempers. They kept the region safe, both from spirit beasts and demonic cultivators. It’s a shame your family has suffered such an unfortunate setback, but I am certain you will help them reforge their former glory.”

The short description left Newt with conflicted feelings. Elder Frostgrave’s tone was one of pity, rather than admiration or encouragement, and Newt was unsure whether she pitied him as a talented individual, or his clan as a whole.

The topic was awkward and felt like picking a scab, or maybe a still bleeding wound. Newt could not decide which. Dandelion either recognized Newt’s unease, or he was simply that chatty, but he made irrelevant small-talk with Elder Frostgrave straying further and further from the subject of Newt’s ancestors, and the young man was grateful for the change.

“I stumbled across an Association mission your disciples might be interested in,” Dandelion finally said, and Elder Frostgrave gave him a cold look.

“What kind of mission?”

“Nothing epic. Frostworms overwhelmed a nearby deposit of ice jade, apparently a generation of hatchlings has matured, flooding the tunnels. Newstar and I will head out tomorrow, and if any of you disciples are interested, they may join us.” Dandelion smiled. “We could call their help a reward for helping your little niece.”

“You are offering them training, and probably a fair portion of the reward, and you dare say that is me doing you a favor?” Elder Frostgrave snorted. “How cheap do you think I am?

“No.” The haughty woman shook her head. “I shall give you a proper reward once you prove to me you are not some ancient demonic cultivator possessing a young man’s body. As for allowing my disciples to venture with you, whether they decide to adventure with you or not is their choice.”

Dandelion took that as permission, and discussed the mission’s details with the lower realm women, focusing on the third realm ones. Newt paid little attention to what Dandelion said and examined the two women.

They were beautiful, but their beauty was distant and frosty, somehow managing to make them unattractive, alien even. Their voices were pleasant, but sentences direct and words scant. Still, as the conversation flowed, Dandelion obviously enticed the women with cold logic, and their eyes drifted towards their master, seeking permission.

“You have my blessing, and I will watch over you until you enter the ice jade quarry.” She pierced Dandelion with her gaze. “Assuming I remove all my doubts about this young man’s identity.”

I guess pretty much everyone’s young compared to her, if she remembers the time when my clan was a regional power.

Newt did not ask Dandelion what he stood to gain from their little expedition, the former sect master had already hinted at the benefits, and Newt would not pass them up. Five spirit gems he owed to Dandelion, another one gone for the Formation Scribes’ Guild’s test, and yet another to join the Association.

Dandelion was not joking when he said Newt’s pockets were empty. Worse, he was in debt.

I need to find a good source of income, or at least a way to earn a living without relying on Dandelion.