Chapter 115: The Eligible Guests

Paike found his robes cleaned and mended after he left the hot springs. He was grateful, but also surprised. No one had said anything about the service, and it made him a bit more wary of their hosts. It just reminded him that he could not expect security or privacy here.

Still, after soaking in the springs, he felt better than he had in a very long time. Maybe since before he left for the grand sect, when he was a mortal. But that didn't really count. Being a cultivator was worth everything. So maybe he had never felt this good.

His mind felt clear and rested. Every part of his body was fresh and limber, yet his arms and legs felt full of strength. Even his spirit felt refreshed.

Beyond just feeling rested and clean, he also had two stages of spiritual advancements to get used to. The absolute change in strength was certainly more than he had ever had before. The gap between stages grew as one climbed higher in cultivation. But it was still not as large a proportional change when he crossed the realm barrier to Topaz.

He would have to adjust to the power he could channel through his qi and the additional control it afforded. Several of his techniques would need to be refined, and he could likely dial in all the tricks he had learned with Guan Li even more. His qi workings could made to be a little more precise and could be executed a bit faster.

To start with, he worked on pushing his internal circulation a bit faster as he dressed. The changes would be noticeable, and he couldn't wait to try them out.

But a banquet was no place for wanton violence. Maybe he could get someone to challenge him to a duel?

Though it was a barbarian feast, so it might be more interesting. He had never been to one of those before; would they be anything like the events held in the empire? Even though his family held no titles, they were still expected to host such things on occasion. Not having the title did cut down on the times they did, though.

He had been too young to attend them for the most part until a year or two before he was supposed to awaken.

That was when he was being introduced to society.

He and Taka had done fabulously. The way they split their responsibilities when it came to scheming and execution of plots had worked wonders, and they had danced circles around their peers from other families.

If it was insults and clever maneuvering, Taka left them all in the dust. When it went too far, and a duel or some sort of sporting event or tournament was called, well, Paike would handle it if the rules allowed, or they would work together to take the day.

That had all ended not long after Taka awakened, and Paike had not. The rift only grew, and eventually he spent the baquites in the training room beating on any sparring partner or piece of training equipment he could find.

The next time he was forced to attend the events was his going-away party, but by then he was out of practice, and it felt awkward. He had allowed Liming to be the focus as the family prodigy, and he was just the afterthought.

It was funny enough that if they could see him now. What would they all think when they learned that he had just crashed through to Peak Topaz? It wasn't even that he was bitter; looking back, he realized a lot of the isolation had been self-inflicted or at the hands of other children. The adults in his family had been nothing but understanding. Not that they would have accepted him slacking off, but he was honestly doing his best for his family.

He just wanted to make them proud.

The whole situation was wildly unfair to Liming. She was the family's most recent prodigy. The most promising Kong born in the last hundred years.

Everyone, Paike included, had high hopes for her. And she had exceeded all of them. But would that matter?

Ignoring Paike, only Li Feng advanced faster than her, and it wasn't by that much. The Li clan was also known for its talents, and Li Feng's potential stood head and shoulders above any of the Li in living memory.

Liming was likely leading the outer sect by now. Paike hoped that she would get the credit she deserved and wouldn't be compared to him too much. He knew what it was like to live in a brother's shadow. All the Kongs did in a way, but it was different when they were so close in age.

Paike shook the memories away. There was no point in reliving all of that now, not when he had to figure out the plan.

He left his private room and went to go find Taka. While he didn't have the same trust in his twin as before, he would at least listen to his plan for the social event. If they could fight together as they had in the spar, there was no reason why they couldn't work together here as well.

There was a small gathering of inner sect disciples in the common area that grew quite as Paike approached. They all watched him warily, but he just gave them a polite nod and met Taka's eyes.

His brother understood and stood up. "If you all would excuse me for a moment,"

Paike walked to a nearby alcove of cushions and settled in. Taka joined him a moment later.

"Have you learned anything about what we should expect?" Paike asked first thing.

"It should be more civilized than I would have first thought when I heard about a barbarian feast, but that's just based on the hospitality we have been shown," Taka said. And that he didn't have any more to say was surprising, but that was likely because they hadn't had any contact with their hosts so far.

"Father had said he helped them get banished instead of a worse punishment, so I'm not too surprised they still know of manners if they came from the empire," Paike said.

"Well, it would help if we knew even the century that happened in," Taka said dryly. "Their customs might have evolved since then, but we would have some context. Can I take it you'll work with me on this?"

Paike was surprised that Taka asked so directly, but he supposed it was best to be clear. He considered for a second. The problem was if he put any contingencies on his help, Taka would know how to push. For example, if he said he would think for himself but would have Taka's back, then Taka would just put himself in a situation where Paike would have to rescue him without checking with him first. Taka wouldn't really have a choice from his point of view because he couldn't count on Paike's cooperation unless he forced his hand.

Looking at that now, Paike realized what a character flaw that was in his brother, but he had to admit that, like in battle, there might not be time to tell someone that plan in a social setting. The problem was that Paike didn't trust that they had aligned enough interests to let Taka decide for him.

"What is your plan?" Paike asked.

"To raise the station of our family, of course," Taka said.

"I don't think it matters what a bunch of barbarians think of us, even if they are just outcasts." Paike rebutted.

"Well, Father seems to care," Taka countered. "But it's not them I care about," he indicated the other disciples with a tilt of his head. "While they might not matter, the stories they tell will."

Paike considered. He wasn't against putting on a show for the disciples to tell others about. It did feel a little underwhelming, though. "I can't say that's very tempting."

Taka shrugged. "It's probably not that important. We can play it by ear if you would like."

That was him backing down, and Paike nodded, but he was still suspicious. Taka didn't give up easily, and he always had a grand plan. This one didn't seem believable.

***

A guide led their party through the tunnels. Paike and Taka walked half a step behind their father, flanking him on each side. Their 'guards' followed behind in procession.

It was only a short walk, but it gave them a better view of this mountain home. It wasn't just winding tunnels; there were lots of rooms and large spaces carved to mimic the outside in some superficial ways.

Paike could only imagine living here without going out more, but the spirit beasts in this region were deadly and powerful. Even fourth realm cultivators needed to be wary when out of cover.

It didn't take long for them to reach the hall. Even Paike was impressed.

A guard announced their arrival to the hall, just like a proper banquet would. This also gave the occupants a chance to turn and stare. There were surprisingly many from what Paike knew of the barbarian tribes.

The great hall was carved large and long. Tables lined the room, leaving a large open space in the center. At least a few hundred cultivators were in attendance. As expected, the vast majority of them were all Ruby, but there was a respectable number of higher-realm cultivators too. The ratios were about what one would expect from a lower-ranking noble family in the empire.

Curious eyes followed them as their guide led them to the long table at the head of the room. It was positioned to run perpendicular to the rows of tables that everyone else was sitting at. That way everyone could see what was happening at the important table even if they couldn't contribute.

It appeared that they were to be seated in positions of honor. At the table, it was clear the elders of the sect were seated, with a few select guests present. Either they were family members or favored disciples, as they were far younger than the elders.

It was that last group that caught Paike's attention. Eyes had been following them all and him since they had set foot in the hall. However, these were different. About four out of every five of the elders' guests were young women, within a few years of Paike and Taka in age.

A slight feeling of unease started to build in his gut