Chương 30: Steam from His Forehead

Almost immediately after Elder Chu's announcement that orientation was ending, Guan Li and Paike heard several loud concussions come from the mountain's peak. The two of them exchanged looks before breaking into a run. Paike struggled to keep up with Guan Li, who was setting a punishing pace. It wasn't that Paike was out of shape or anything, just that Guan Li was fast. Although Paike was significantly ahead of Guan Li in spiritual cultivation, that only helped in certain aspects.

Paike generally had a deeper reserve of qi, and his qi, when powering techniques, was inherently more powerful—there was a qualitative difference. But physically, Guan Li had awakened his physical cultivation before Paike and was simply a phenomenal talent. Tack that on top of an inborn attitude for running, and it made a significant difference. Guan Li actually slowed down slightly, allowing them to run side by side so Paike could maintain the pace without any problem.

Once he could speak as they ran, Paike brought up their earlier conversation. It was even more important now that they were fully combat-ready.

"We need to get you a technique as soon as possible," Paike told Guan Li.

"I agree. I think I'm going to need some more offense," Guan Li said. Paike nodded, wishing that he had brought his newly acquired bo staff with him. Not that he was particularly fond of the weapon, but it would have been more helpful than just his martial arts. Without dedicated arts for hand-to-hand combat, he could already see a time in the near future when his effectiveness would drop precipitously. He needed to make a choice about more arts and probably learn a weapon as well.

He'd probably end up selling the staff, but perhaps he should find a trainer or pick some different weapon. When they arrived back at the sect compound, they found general chaos. Many of the disciples stayed home or scurried through the walkways, trying to avoid eye contact with anyone. Even on the road they were on, Paike could see four individual duels taking place, most of them rather one-sided. Paike and Guan Li weren't exactly looking for a fight, but they knew better than to appear weak.

If Paike had been some low-ranked member of the sect, he might have been below notice, but he doubted that his age alone would have made him a target. Being older pointed him out as someone weak and slow, ready to be picked on. But he also wasn't ranked low. He was in the top ten, and by extension, Guan Li was marked as well. His family name, though, made it a whole different matter. Those who had done well in the physical cultivation trial would know that Guan Li meant business.

That being said, Guan Li and Paike didn't break stride. They continued running but with their heads held high. Several times, Paike stared down challenging faces. Most of those backed down, though others he remembered to watch out for—or perhaps challenge himself if the opportunity arose. While they were all still in the lower realms and no one had gotten too far ahead of him in cultivation, it would be the time to make his mark.

He had to be careful not to overextend and give cause for retribution, but at the same time, he didn't want to be seen as weak. If he could establish a reputation now, that should protect him later on. When they arrived back home, Paike saw that it was just in time. A trio of cultivators was approaching his door, one of them holding a burning length of log.

"Stop!" Paike shouted in his most authoritative and commanding voice. The three young men turned to face him and Guan Li, who broke off and moved to flank the enemy. Standing in the middle was a large boy. Standing only a few centimeters less than his own height, he made the difference in mass with muscle. On top of that, all three of the disciples had staves strapped to their backs.

"What is the meaning of this?" Paike demanded as he studied the three young cultivators who had just been about to burn down his house. They had been going for that building in particular, so clearly, something was off. Making a split-second decision, he puffed up his chest slightly to take up more space. It would be his role to keep their attention as much on him as possible as Guan Li was hopefully forgotten. He trusted his friend to get ready and act when he could have the most impact.

There was clearly a family resemblance between the would-be arsonists. However, none of their faces were ones that he recognized. Neither from his family's dioceses on potential rivals nor from people he had met in passing. The clear leader couldn't have been more than a year younger than him. But judging by the spiritual sense coming off of him, he wasn't one of the newly initiated disciples. The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.

Paike swallowed nervously but didn't let his anxiety show on his face or in his stance. Orientation week was over, and older cultivators were now allowed to engage with them. While the legacy cultivators of the outer sect were usually not thought of very highly—the true talents had advanced to the inner sect after their first year—having a year or more head start meant they usually outranked the new initiates.

"Kong Paike," the leader said, drawing out Paike's name as if it were an insult. The odd cadence told Paike that they were from the far north, in the lowlands, where food was plentiful and living easy. That narrowed it down to several possible clans, none of which got along particularly well with his more rugged mountain-dwelling people. Paike, though, didn't answer. Instead, he stopped a few arm's lengths away from the party.

They kept their eyes on him, completely ignoring Guan Li, who was now behind them and a little to the right. Paike avoided looking at Guan Li directly, but saw a gesture indicating that he was ready. This technically was a bit out of the rules if they were to brawl. The dueling system was for one-on-one duels, not for group battles. But he didn't think the elders would intervene, especially not with at least one disciple who had already been involved with the outer sect for a year.

He certainly knew the rules and how far to push them. So, Paike just waited for the leader to continue.

"What? I know the Kong clan isn't exactly known for their quick wits, but you don't have anything to say?" The Topaz cultivator said, raising his nose. Paike considered the challenge. Clearly, this was someone who expected to be known, but Paike wasn't familiar with them. It was probably an oversight. He was generally pretty good at remembering all the important faces. But, well, he either missed something, or this boy was overestimating his station.

The only reason Paike felt the need to give him any respect at all was that he was clearly in early Topaz. That could pose a problem. And with two other cultivators backing him up, both in late Ruby, Paike didn't exactly want a fight. Even if he could win by some miracle, his poor house would probably not fare well. With the right strike, he could punch through a wooden door with no problem, and a Topaz cultivator would have just as little issue tearing down stone walls.

Giving a casual shrug with one shoulder, Paike decided the best thing he could do was try to bait the boy into a one-on-one proper duel and contain the fallout as much as he could. He cocked his head and gave the boy a long, considering look, dragging out the silence just to the point where readiness fully crept across the cultivator's face. He looked like he was about to splutter out some angry retort.

"Oh," Paike said in a near drawl, mimicking the boy's accent, "I didn't believe there was anything worth saying to you." Those words seemed to confuse the boy. Was Paike just admitting that he didn't have anything worth saying? But that wasn't what he had said, and he could see the other cultivators recognized it. It wasn't the best response, unlike his sister, who was probably far more willing to give a scathing insult.

The leader was clearly looking to take offense at whatever was said, so as he considered it and rolled it over in his mind, the red already flushing across his cheeks deepened. Paike was almost certain that steam started to rise off the boy's forehead.

"You think I'm not worth talking to?" the still-yet-unnamed boy shouted, his voice a slightly higher pitch than before.

"That wasn't what I said," Paike responded casually.

"But I suppose I need to use simpler words." The cultivator was truly baffled, and Paike couldn't help but give himself a small smile. Getting him mad was turning out more straightforward than he had feared. He knew he wasn't exactly the fastest with wit. Still, if he just didn't say anything too stupid and left the statements vague, well… As long as his opponents fell into this trap and tried to read too much into his words, it practically took care of itself.

"Do you know who I am?" the leader practically yelled. He was at a tipping point and spluttering. This was nothing like how the proper nobility was supposed to act. He would need to poke at that. Already, he could see the uncertainty in the two lackey's stances. Paike winced slightly, reaching up a hand to pantomime, wiping spittle from his cheek. It hadn't actually hit him, but he overacted, pretending to shake it off and look at his hand in disgust as he glared at the boy.

"I'm afraid I haven't had the pleasure," Paike said, disdain dripping from his voice. At this, Guan Li nearly snorted with laughter, stifling it to avoid giving away his position. The boy was almost apoplectic with rage, and Paike actually did see steam coming off his forehead. Ah, that made sense. This was someone who had taken an attunement early and likely wasn't in complete control of their emotions. It was something that increasing and breaking through might help with—or it might worsen the problem.

Without balance and without sufficient power to control oneself, some sort of flame aspect to the cultivation was going to be challenging to manage. He honestly felt sorry for the boy, but at the same time, he really didn't want to have his home burned down. Before the boy could say anything, Paike made his move, ready to finally suggest his solution now that his opponent was in a mental state where he thought he might go for it.

"Well, why don't you introduce yourself to me over at one of the arenas?" Paike, though, realized as soon as he said that he may have pushed the boy too far. Clearly, his words didn't even register as the boy yelled, "Get him!" to his two subordinates flanking him.