The two stared at one another for a while, nothing being said as the wind blew between them. Liang Fei wanted to speak first, since it was rude not to but he also wanted to hear what the girl had to say. From her expression, she seemed like the type to run if he said anything.

Thus they were stuck staring at each other.

Xinyi flinched when she saw Master Liang Fei turn his cold eyes toward her. Looking away, she struggled to get the words she needed to say out before he punished her for bothering him. She had never been on the receiving end of any of his ‘punishments’ but had heard of them. Just today he tasked some disciples to run laps around the sect grounds. The distance from one end to another was enough to tire out even the most fit but to circle the sect? That was near suicide. Who knows why he did it but it still made the young girl nervous.

Unconsciously, her hand went to her waist, palming a sachet tied there. Squeezing it released a quick and sudden burst of fragrance meant to calm ones heart. Taking it in, she relaxed and turned to look up once more, only to find Liang Fei staring down at her.

Surprised by his sudden and unheard approach, Xinyi tried to back away, only to trip on her uniform and fall. She hit the ground and tried to move away, her eyes briefly looking around to see if anyone else was nearby.

To say she was scared would be an understatement. While Master Liang Fei was a distinguished and upright man, even he was subject to rumors and hearsay. Said things whispered about were not, in any way, good. It was why Xinyi was so reluctant to take on this task. Had she not been nearby when Master Jinyi needed someone fetch Master Liang Fei, she would be back in her room, studying by herself.

Closing her eyes, she waited for his next move, sure that he would either chastise her for bothering him or punish her for it. Either way, what could she, a small alchemist do against him, a well known Cultivator?

As Xinyi imagined her own death a dozen times, Liang Fei stared down at her with a frown. When she’d fallen, he’d failed to catch her, the action of helping someone about to fall apparently not being one of his new muscle memory things. This said a lot about the original. Afterward, he’d offered her a hand, still not speaking since she seemed really nervous for some reason.

Seeing her shiver with her eyes closed, Liang Fei felt bad. Not just because he seemed to have scared her despite not meaning to but because he still found her to be cute even then. She was like a small animal, too scared to move and too scared to run. Scolding himself for such selfish thoughts, he decided to ease the tension.

“Laying down like that, one might think you are welcome mat and walk all over you.” He stated, trying to get a smile out of her. To him, the statement was funny, making his eyes glow with amusement even as his face remained still and calm. To her, her mind stopped, trying to understand his words.

Welcome mat?

Looking up, Xinyi finally noticed Liang Fei’s extended hand. Her eyes darted between the hand and his face, trying to see if there was anything more to this. Not seeing anything, she took his hand warily, letting herself be lifted off the ground.

“You’re not hurt, are you?” Liang Fei asked, wanting to see if she was okay. He figured she should be, since the fall wasn’t that serious but the girl seemed very delicate and small. Who knew what could hurt her?

“Your concern greatly comforts this disciple, Master Shao.” She replied, finally bowing after all this time. Anyone else would have chewed her out for forgetting but Liang Fei, not knowing it was a thing, let it pass. “Xinyi apologizes for bothering Master Shao.”

“As long as you aren’t, it’s fine.” He assured, nodding in understanding. “Did you come here for something?” He asked, assuming she wouldn't still be here if she didn't need something.

“Ah! R-right, Xinyi apologizes once again, Master.” She stammered, wiping her cheek nervously. “Answering Master Shao, Master Jinyi requests your presence in the East Sea Hall.”

Liang Fei thought about it. Jinyi was one of the names on the original’s ‘golden thigh’ list, so he must be a superior. He grimaced, not sure if it would be safe to meet with anyone else before he got a feel for this world. On the other hand, if he refused, it might be a sign of disrespect and cause trouble down the line.

“I see. Thank you for informing me.” He said, nodding in acknowledgement. He sighed, thinking of all the ways this could go wrong. Just as his list reached 10, Xinyi spoke again.

“If Master Shao is willing, this disciple shall escort you.” She offered, not sure why she did so. There was nothing in that part of the sect she needed and to push herself onto her master was impolite to say the least. But looking at his still-as-water expression made her think he might need an escort.

She grimaced to herself, trying to figure out why that would even make sense but as quick as the thought came to her, it faded. As hard as she tried, she couldn’t recall what she’d been thinking about before.

“Thank you for the offer, young lady.” Liang Fei said, bringing her back to the conversation at hand. Whatever she had been thinking of was gone, never to be brought up again. “Shall we go then?”

“En.” She replied, a shy smile gracing her lips as she gazed up at Master Shao.

***

Meanwhile, System Q sighed, hating that it had to go through the trouble of rewriting memories. It’s freebie was supposed to be automated! So why did I have to manually muddle thoughts?! Annoying! Tedious!! Gross!!!

Huffing, Q relaxed, watching Liang Fei continue to talk with the Female Lead. Things were going well so far but that was boring. It’d hoped that the dumb human would struggle more but it turned out that he was a lot more adaptable and quick than anticipated. So boring.

Checking up on the protagonist, It found him training by himself, his thoughts filled with anger and a deep desire to prove himself. While Q was unable to influence him as it did with the FL, it was content to find that he had yet to note any changes. Too much fluctuations and Q might have to get involved.

It groaned at the thought of all that work. It’d rather just enjoy the show.

Just then, a wave of discontent ran though the little puff ball. This wasn’t unusual but it knew this aura well. It just prayed to gods it usually wouldn’t trust to tell it the time of day that it wasn’t directed at it.

{Q…} A grumble rumbled through the space, bring with it dread and heartache.

[Shit!]

***

Liang Fei and Xinyi continued to talk, though it mostly her talking. She didn’t seem to see anything strange about him asking so many questions about her studies. Perhaps she just figured that since he was a warrior, he would be curious about what an alchemist did.

From their conversation, he learned that Xinyi was an alchemist in training, which meant that rather than training her qi to strengthen and fortify her body, she used her qi to create pills and medicine. So she was kind of like a doctor in a way, at least that what he got out it.

Still, he couldn’t help but feel a bit nervous since that meant she had or would create the pill that would be used during his long march to death. When asked, he learned that the blood replenishing pill was something she was studying since it saved lives.

It would not be saving me! He cried in his heart, wanting to cry but having no tears. He still had to figure out the best means of surviving so he was nervous for the future.

“Master, we’ve arrived at the East Sea Hall.” Xinyi mumbled, a bit disappointed. She so rarely had someone to talk to about her studies. Everyone else in her section was very competitive so talking amongst each other was a sure fire way to get betrayed. Those outside weren’t even vaguely interested in the complexities of pill making or the the vast variety of combinations of variables that could produce a pill.

Seeing her disappointment, Liang Fei couldn’t help but pet her, wanting to comfort her. He’d come to like Xinyi. Sure, she was a chatterbox, much like his sister but while he complained about her being talkative, it wasn’t something he disliked.

“Perhaps we can continue our discussion at another time.” He offered, his eyes softening at the edges. “I’d love to hear more on your theories on purification and time ratios.” He now had a somewhat better understanding of what could and couldn't be done but he definitely needed more information. Learning about the world from a child was not something he really wanted to do.

Xinyi beamed, holding in her excitement for propriety's sake. With a smile, she bowed and walked away, excited at the prospect of telling Master Shao more about her research.

Liang Fei waved at her, though she probably didn’t notice. He was pretty surprised by how easy to read she was despite her initial reluctance to be near him. Perhaps he was already on the path to saving himself from the path of a slow and painful death.

***

Liang Fei entered the hall, noting the blues and greens used as decoration. He kept his gaze steady, years of covertly ogling cute things from the corner of his eyes making him expertly study the interior without turning his gaze once.

Luckily for him, before anyone would notice him walking around in circles, he was greeted by another man. He was dressed in the same manner as the youths from before, though a lot less ornant. The man walked up to him with a smile that failed to reach his eyes.

“Master Shao, you finally deigned to join us.” He sneered, cocking a brow at him. “Master Jinyi arranged for us to meet quite some time ago and yet you only now arrive.”

This man, Ge Wuying, as his memory told him, was slightly shorter than him.This left him sneering up at Liang Fei. Despite his height, he (LF) felt as if he was being looked down upon.

“I’ve kept you waiting then.” He replied with a nod. “Shall we go?” He offered, not giving him an apology. While this man might have been on the ‘golden thigh’ list, his relationship with him was unclear. From his tone, they might be on bad terms but it was hard to tell whether or not it was due to his tardiness or some past grievance.

Ge Wuying clicked his teeth, clearly upset to have failed to get a rise from the man. Had he known what Liang Fei had to deal with on a daily basis, he’d have known to have saved himself the trouble. With a huff, Ge Wuying led him to the meeting room, in which a meeting was already in process. Their arrival was met with stares, many annoyed but a few with wariness, as if it was to be expected.

“We humbly greet you, Sect Leader Zi Shuren.” They both said, bowing with respect. For Liang Fei, he just followed Ge Wuying’s lead, figuring that since the man was a sect leader, he was above him. That and his face was one of the highest on the GT list.

“Right, please sit, Master Ge.” The man Liang Fei assumed to be Zi Shuren said. Zi Shuren, a handsome but cold man, sat at the head of the table. As Ge Wuying returned to his seat, his eyes turned to Liang Fei. “Master Shao, you are late.” He stated, his eyes narrowing.

His eyes sent chills into anyone who met his gaze, which left most choosing to look down rather than freeze to death. Dozens had fell to his frozen glare, submitting to him without a word.

That, however, was not the case with Liang Fei.

“Yes.” He replied simply, not looking away once. “I humbly apologize for my tardiness.” He said with a bow. He could have gone further but something told him that the ice cube in front of him didn’t want an excuse. Which, to be fair, was all he could possibly give.

It not like I can go and tell him ‘sorry for being late but I died and was taken over by some guy who pissed off a system.’ Even thinking of the sentence made him think it was crazy.

As Liang Fei began to question his own sanity, the group before him were staring at him with shock. Had he really managed to look their sect leader in the eye?! He hadn’t even flinched.

At the same time, Zi Shuren watched him, suddenly taking an interest in the man. Usually, Liang Fei tried to curry favor with him, making him somewhat unlikable but today he showed such resolve. Not only did he respond appropriately but he kept his gaze steady and calm, doing what most seasoned cultivators were unable to do.

“Sit. We have much to discuss.” He said with a small smile, gaining a surprised look from the other masters in the room. Sect Leader very rarely smiled and the few times he did, it was during a fight. Who was the opponent!? The collective thought as once.

“En.” Liang Fei, not noticing the looks he was getting or the atmosphere he’d created, walked to his seat. It was the only one available so it wasn’t too difficult. He served himself some tea and the conversation continued.

“As I was saying,” One man said, laying a hand on the table. “I don’t think such a small matter requires a cultivator of such a high rank. This is a low level divine beast. Why not just send a disciple?”

“Alone? They could get hurt!”

“If they are killed by such a weak creature, they must not have been very diligent in their training.” Another master, a woman sneered. “What’s more, think of all the monster cores they could collect. It’d be a good way to help their cultivation.”

“You wish to treat an invasion as a night hunt?”

“En.” She replied, taking a sip of tea. “I think it would help those who are falling behind to know what to strive for. If they falter, they’ll know being a cultivator is not for them.”

“I see your point but as teachers, we are not meant to discourage our students, even if it's for their own good.”

“It nothing like that! If they choose to leave on their own, that’s their choice.” The first man assured, waving off his concern. “Moreover, its not like anyone will die. These are reported to be low tier divine beasts. At their current level, it shouldn’t be too much of a problem.”

“That’s only if it isn’t a pack of divine beasts.”

“Whats makes you think that might be the case?”

“There are rumors that their might be a mid tier beast amongst them but it's hard to say.”

“To send our disciples against a low tier divine beast is one thing but a mid tier is sure to kill or at least critically injure them.”

“Not to mention that it isn’t known what kind of beast this is. It might be harmless but what if it’s something like a Ghoul or a Lamia?!”

The group muttered to themselves, having a much quieter discussion as Liang Fei sat and drank his tea. It was spicy and sweet, much to his delight. With a soft sigh, he let the heat rush through him. It wasn’t cold but he did like the warm feeling.

“Master Shao.” Zi Shuren said, his gaze having not left Liang Fei once during the discussions. He’d been curious as to how the young man would contribute to the conversation. In past meetings, Liang Fei always thrust himself into the discussion, trying to steer in his direction. This time, however, he’d remained silent. Quietly and respectful listening to the men speak their minds as if hearing their defense. “What say you?”