My body relaxes into the surprisingly comfortable chair, as the hot but slightly sweet tea in front of steams the air. It also appears that the word about the rats has gone around, leading to a sharp decrease in fights and abusive behaviors. For the next few hours, I'm able to sit here and use my scanning/healing to help people with almost no issues.
Within my local area, at the caf, more nobles have co to investigate who I could be and to establish a relationship with .
On my side, Ive already been reading the book and just know the content up to the page Im on.
Its just going through so of the wars the countrys been in and how that tie into the importance of the sect alliance system.
Funnily enough, it has so good evidence for its points and is mostly unbiased. Ultimately, the clerk was right.
This book is more of an opinion piece on why things have turned out the way they have, with evidence to back its points.
Though this book may not be talking directly about the culture, it actually touches upon on the history, biases, and other aspects of the country.
From the little Ive read of the other book, it is a general cultural norms book, primarily for rchants and their family mbers, that is severely limited in scope. It only focuses on what to say and do, with our context on the why it is done. Without such a context, I could do the wrong action at the wrong ti.
While they ant it to be the book that reaches you everything, its primary mistake is that it cos from the perspective of a native, rather than soone new to the culture. So, it takes certain things for granted as it teaches what to do.
Combined with the previous book, it becos a pretty good prir to the culture.
I considered just scanning the book and getting all the information within it but soone could ask about where I am in the book. It would be a lot more realistic, if I was actually reading from it and could speak from where I've stopped reading other than the full book itself.
Not only that, there are certain nuances that a person has when they already know the content of a book, rather than when they are reading it for the first ti.
It's also a great chance to practice focusing my mind towards one thing while letting my scan and healing do sothing else at the sa ti.
During this whole ti, they continue to bring tea, so light snacks, and in so ways, I could enjoy the shows put on by other nobles as they seek to entertain and catch my attention.
Case in point, the noble that was just enjoying themselves before in a book, has now instructed their dancers to orient their gazes and actions toward the outside. Particularly towards .
Which admittedly did work, as the dancers are extrely beautiful. Comparatively so, to the higher leveled Yellow Sashes won.
So, when an attendant discreetly made their way over to my table from theirs, I was unsurprised. Their request was simple, if I'd like to join them for so gourt food and company. The noble in question was from the Lu Clan and is nad Lu Jai.
They dont appear to be a cultivator and might be a minor mber, with a asure of wealth.
While their request is simple, the intention behind it obviously is not.
I've seen many contacts run over to their table, subtly whispering in their ear. Since I focus my scan on the healing, and on protecting myself, I could only use small pulses plus the skill of lip reading, that I'm getting accustod to.
The little I saw; reveals they know I'm the person who beat young master Shui and will join the sect soon. This mostly shuts down the rumors of being a Maw.
Not completely though, as so Maw are not cultivators, but are on the path to becoming one. Being a Maw is as much a position as it is an earned title.
As long as youve could down a significant target, you could be nad a Maw. You wouldnt be confird publicly, but so people from the Plains can tell just by looking.
Focusing back in on the request, I politely decline, while still paying complints to the beauty of their dancers and the atmosphere they've cultivated within their area.
This action and way of navigating the political landscape is actually in the book that I currently reading. The section I pulled from is one that talks about how nobles navigated their situations to not offend others and also still make good impressions.
Since this is still an opinion book, it also ntions the authors take on how this allowed the alliance of sects to co about through mutual cooperation and what it could have done better.
This actually worked. The noble appeared sowhat disappointed, but was satisfied by my complints. They looked back towards multiple tis throughout the day, as well.
This happened a few more tis by a variety of different nobles, each offering sothing different and slightly more valuable.
This too, is part of the dance they do in their circles. Testing the waters of their fellow nobles to see what they do and don't like.
The recomndation from the book, for these situations and how major pitfalls could have been avoided in history, is to deny most inquiries, until sothing that truly interests you cos up. What you value will be that much more focused on from that point.
Alternatively, if you accept every invitation, the value of your interactions goes down. Which causes them, rightfully or not, to devalue you.
This tactic works best when the individuals don't know you that well. Being a mystery to them, they're more inclined to believe there is sothing of value that you hold if you deny them and others repeatedly.
The end of the day cos near.
No change cos from the healing front and I seem to be doing well.
Suspicious.
Despite my feelings, by the end of the day I end up leaving to head back to the prospective sect mber dorms with no issues.
Walking toward the dorm, I see a cultivator watching from the rooftops. He gives a nod before returning to watch the area.
As I go through the door, my scan shows him motioning to another person in the distance, who runs in another direction. My pulse shows the guy to be giving information to a few different people, mostly the nobles.
Greeting at the door is a tiny Dana, the blob. Nestled in i Lins sleeping arms is a larger version of her, in a blob like form.
It looks really comfortable
The other two heroes are still keeping watch, but give a ntal nod. I forgot that they no longer require sleep, though from my connection with them I find they do so more, as they grow more intelligent. Under tis of stress or orders, they utilize it to the fullest.
Dana shares with her microscopic selves findings, keeping watch on general areas.
The three also deterred three attempts to approach i Lin with their presence. All had approached the entrance, but noted their defense of the area and had backed away.
I might need to use her help more. This is in so ways much more convenient than my scanning ability at general information gathering.
I cant help but to praise them for their excellent work and let them know that Im looking forward to working with them even closer. I spend so ti sharing with them my day and just doing so light chatting to build our bond more.
It was actually quite nice. I enjoyed their personalities, though Dana remained quiet, but engaged.
Unfortunately, it was like a blur, as my want to sleep overca and I hopped in the bed. Although I dont need to sleep, I can still dream and it provides with so asure of ntal stability. Letting feel sowhat like a human.
My plan is to talk with them and i Lin a bit more tomorrow and to head to the market to continue my facade while healing people. Maybe find so useful items while I do so.
All the while, hoping that things dont escalate on the healing side. Only ti will tell.
Honing my focus in on my awareness technique, I allow sleep to overtake , as the hero group continued their watch.
Theyve definitely grown on . Thank goodness for them.
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