The note lingered for a moment as their gazes met. Just as it became uncomfortable, Daiyu’s frozen arm moved in a dance across the strings. Where previously the notes communicated tranquility, they evoked a sense of lightness that touched the heart. She finally turned her head toward Onooka Elder Maun and the notes became discordant with displeasure. Maun shook his head and left the room.

Daiyu watched him go before her head turned back toward Felix. He shifted awkwardly as the song turned light and cheerful once again. With a sigh, he sat down crosslegged and rested his chin on his hand.

While the staring is a little weird, I have to admit it is nice to hear music again. I never even realized it was missing but now that it is pointed out… I can only feel that this world is lesser than I thought. There are so many fewer distractions in this life, though it does make it easier to cultivate.

He closed his eyes. The beat of the music set the stage while the melody painted a picture. An odd kind of peace settling in the tumult of his mind as he let it.

It is almost like Everglade's tea, producing a quietness of mind. Yet that was more a single mindedness that left everything else in my head muffled while those other parts of me are still there yet feel a little more insync. A little less discordant. Like the shared mood of a crowd listening to the same song.

The mood of the song shifted and built to something grand. The different patterns coming together in one final harmony. A sense of loss filled Felix as he felt that sense of unity fade and only after the last note faded did he rouse himself to see Daiyu putting her instrument away.

“That was quite beautiful. Thank you for sharing that with me.” Said Felix. His eyes slid to the closed case. “I did not know you played an instrument.”

She gave a slight nod and pulled out her chalkboard.

“It is my favorite pastime,” wrote Daiyu.

“Oh?” said Felix. “I had assumed it was some kind of cultivation tool.”

“That isn’t unheard of, though I haven’t met many people who do so. I don’t have any interest in that.” she wrote.

“Really? Considering your clan’s relationship to silence, I would think you would only do so if you had a talent for it. Which you obviously do.”

“Thank you.” Wrote Daiyu. Felix raised an eyebrow at the smiley face drawn at the end of the sentence. “However, it is actually the opposite. Our clan doesn’t dislike sound and many of us pick up the instrument as a pastime. In fact, we sometimes use it as a way to express our emotion.”

“I am flattered Daiyu,” Said Felix. “I didn’t realize you were trying to flirt. Forgive me, but I thought we barely knew one another.”

Daiyu paused mid chalk stroke and then hurriedly erased what she was writing.

“What an embarrassing idea. To actually consider it something so salacious.” Wrote Daiyu. “No, it isn’t that personal. Our lack of facial or voice has been found to be rather off putting. My mother taught me that it sometimes takes very straightforward shows of affection to make bonds with those outside the clan.”

“That’s actually a very smart way to get around the issue.” Said Felix. “Still, it seems wasted to only use such a gift for communication. I can’t imagine living in so much silence.”

“I just wrote that we have instruments and explained we aren’t always in silence, silly. In fact, the Onooka clan hall almost always has someone playing an instrument of some kind. It is only in the cultivation area that no sound is allowed.”

“It must be lovely. I wouldn’t mind seeing it one day. More importantly, why did your Elder bring me here? Not that I didn’t appreciate his help.”

“He helped you?” Wrote Daiyu and cocked her head.

“Yes, that Elder from the Clear Sky Sect was trying to interrogate me for some reason. I’ll be honest, I am not sure why he was doing it but I was beginning to be unnerved by his persistence.”

“That is rather abnormal for a nascent soul cultivator. I am glad Elder Maun could be of help but I did not know anything was wrong. I actually just wanted to discuss with you how I could pay you back.”

“What? No, no. You don’t need to pay me back. It was between me and Elder Maun anyway.” Said Felix.

She shook her head.

“As the heiress of the Onooka clan, I have certain responsibilities. Do not worry, what I have in mind is fair. You see, I heard that you are looking for an essence condenser to lead you on a mission.

“…How did you hear about that?” Said Felix.

He watched as she hurriedly wrote a response. Then she flipped it to show a winking smiley face hold a finger to its lips.

“Most amusing.” Said Felix. “But seriously, how did you hear about that?”

“If you insist. It was more coincidence than our usual means. One of my fellow clansmen was going to request an information report when he overheard you two discussing it. He mentioned it to me in passing and I decided it was a good opportunity to help you. So, do you want me to lead you?”

“…What exactly did you have in mind?”

“That this could be a good opportunity for both of us. As the heiress, the more times I can prove myself the better. It is just part of the political nature of inherited leadership. Yet with this new phase in the central region's history, I believe that reaching out is also important. Therefore, going on a mission with you two has additional merits.”

“Is it safe for one of your, uh, political positions?”

“It is an acceptable one. In fact, it is sometimes required for such positions. A paper tiger is either a puppet or is torn down. Worst comes to worst, my clan has people who can take up the mantle. So, do you accept?”

“Alright, I suppose I can work with that. Yang Mei and I haven’t decided on a mission yet. We wanted to avoid the war front if we could, for obvious reasons.”

“There is a mission that I know should work. In fact, it is one where we can do multiple missions at the same time.” Wrote Daiyu.

“Really? What does it entail?”

“We have to go to the south and investigate the beast activity at the edge of the Endless Wilds. The trading Pale Hill City is the largest in the area and heading there should be our first step. We should be able to employ some of the locals and I wouldn’t be surprised if the local lord had their own information they could share.”

“Is that really important? I mean, is it actually a real concern because I feel like I would have heard of it by now.”

Or I haven’t heard of it because I basically have amnesia. I hope this isn’t common knowledge.

“Not really.” Wrote Daiyu. “The clans and spirit beasts that make the Endless Wilderness their home are unlikely to cause the central region serious issues. Historically, they have only united when provoked.”

“And I suppose the elders don’t want to make sure that now isn’t the exception, correct?”

“Exactly,” wrote Daiyu.

“Shouldn’t this be done by, I don’t know, some elder from the alliance. I mean, this seems pretty important.”

“It is one concern of a million and I wouldn’t be surprised if there was one. However, a wide net is sometimes better than a sharp spear.”

“I suppose…” Said Felix. “Do you at least want to invite one of your clanmates to come with us?”

“No, I think I’ll get the most out of the mission if I don’t include clan members. Still, if you can think of another person to come with us since most of our group seems to be essence gathers. Larger numbers would be good.”

“I’ll ask my friend Martel. He will likely want to come. That said, I do have one request if we are going to go together.

“Fantastic.” She wrote. “What is your request then? As long as it isn’t something unreasonable then I am happy to acquiesce.”

“Can I see your face?” Said Felix.

She paused for a bit and seemed to study him.

“Now, that is a personal matter. There are both cultural and practical reasons we wear these masks. We aren’t trying to appear spooky.”

“Oh, I didn’t realize it was such a big deal. Excuse me.”

“Thank you. Perhaps I can help you in some other way.”

“Well… maybe on this trip you can spar with me a bit. Though it would be great if you could be a little gentler this time.”

“I will be as harsh as I need.” Wrote Daiyu. She drew an extra big smiley face.

----------

Felix made his way back toward Elder Rong’s residence to find a familiar figure standing at the door. Elder Shen didn’t immediately face him but looked at the horizon, his round face etched in worries. A tiny, glowing hand print rested on the man’s cheek, pulsing with malevolent power. A random spark of green flashed out of the handprint and seemed to break the elder from his thoughts.

“It is good to see you, disciple Felix. Had a good discussion with the little Heiress?”

“Are you always watching me, Elder Shen?” Said Felix.

“Why, how do you think Maun knew where to find you in your time of need? He certainly wouldn’t have been able to locate you with Zetsu there.” Said Elder Shen. “Now come, I assume you have questions, and we need to discuss this little adventure you want to go on.”

Elder Shen turned and Felix followed him to the house. They came to a room that had a giant window that showed a small garden before trees blocked the view. They took a seat and Elder Shen began to tap his fingers on the table.

“Now, after I overheard your question to Xue, the other Elders and I discussed your idea. At the time I thought it was a good idea but some of the other Elders have reservations. Before I explain why, please tell me why you think it is worth the risk.

“Sorry, but I have to ask, what is going on with your cheek?” Said Felix and pointed to the handprint that was even now sparking. “It is making it difficult to look you in the eyes.”

Elder Shen rolled his eyes and vainly tried to wave the sparks away with one hand.

“The wound is merely cosmetic. After your little incident with the Dragon Spear boy, Elder Zhenzhen insisted we spar. The little minx caught me by surprise and she had the audacity to use a variation of a tracking technique instead of a normal attack. This damn thing doesn’t actually do anything except look bad. Quite embarrassing actually.”

“So that’s why you didn’t help me with the Clear Sky Elder?”

“Partly, yes.” Said Elder Shen. “There are other reasons but that is one of them. The bigger reason is that it is hard for anything Elder Zhenzhen is focused on to escape.”

“Oh, are you and Elder Zhenzhen together?”

The always smiling monk paled and Felix could have sworn he could actually see the sweat actively bead on the man’s forehead.

“What a thing to suggest.” Said Elder Shen. He shivered and let out a small laugh. “Now let us stay focused, what are your concerns?”

Nodding slowly, Felix began to list his concerns. Elder Shen sat through the monologue, slowly nodding his head here and there.

“…So you see, elder, I think this is the point where I should be looking for new ways to get ahead. My gift seems to depend on these KE points yet I am almost out. Without a way to replenish them, I lose my main advantage but the only way I have found so far to do so is with these ‘quests’. I already finished the two I had, one for meeting people and one for helping choose those disciples.

“That is most troubling. Your gift is amazing, and I was hoping to have you apply it to some of the more secret manuals of the sect. We also cannot let you fall behind in your studies either. Yet it would be remiss of us to deny you opportunities to grow and treat you as only as a treasure. Still… to allow you to leave the sect seems premature. You say that these 'quests' have been connected to helping the sect, yes?”

“That’s just my speculation at this point.” Said Felix.

“Then we should endeavor to see if we can put you in situations that stimulate this process.”

“That could work.” Said Felix slowly. “It is just that I have tried that before to little success.”

“We will just have to try more. For example, we could get you involved in the recruitment process. Though we can only expand so fast.”

“Actually, I can do that quest pertaining to that. In fact, I can do it as many times as I want, though it indicates negative consequences depending on what I do.”

“Well, that’s something. This isn’t the time to recruit but depending on how long the war goes on, you will have plenty of opportunities to help in that way.”

…that has a really dark implication.

“Felix?” Said Elder Shen. Felix blinked and looked at him. “You blanked out there for a second. Now, since we can’t do that right away, we can spend the next few days trying to get more of these quests. If we can’t… Then we will allow you to attempt the mission.” He raised a hand as Felix grinned. “We will look over any mission you accept. Also, I will give you an extra-large cosmic bag and permission to a large number of books that Xue can help you choose. You must continue to study on your own manuals as well as improving Everglade and Xue’s manuals. Don’t give me that look, I watched you make a promise to Everglade and heard about the promise to Xue, and to think I thought you needed my help in that area… regardless, I expect you to make significant progress while you journey. Now, do you have any other concerns?”

“Actually, there is another topic I wanted to discuss with you,” said Felix, shifting in his seat. “One of the quests I have remaining says that I need to help Edward.”

“What? How exactly?”

“Well, it said that as he would be a danger to the sect. It also implied that I would receive a minimum reward if I… solve the issue permanently.

“That is a very harsh thing for it to suggest. Unfortunately, he is also currently away from the sect. We were hoping to keep him away from prying eyes. He isn’t exactly in a good enough state of mind to keep his mouth shut.”

“Surely it would be safer to have him here.” Said Felix. “I would think that given the danger he poses; you would keep him closer to hand.

“Well, we could keep him locked away in a cell. None of our new allies would see him there. However, such an action would likely hurt the boy and sour our relationship forever. I will talk to the others and we will see what we can do… Did the quest change after I said that?”

Felix blinked and then brought up the quest. After a moment he shook his head.

“No, it is the same.”

“Most unfortunate…” Said Elder Shen.

“If I stay, will I be able to see Edward soon?”

“That may be for the best. I am uncomfortable bringing him to the sect with so many eyes but… it may be necessary.”

“Elder, is it not better to kill him. I don’t mean to sound callous, but I expected you to react very differently to a threat to the Sect. It isn’t like he is a normal disciple since we basically kidnapped him.”

“I am surprised you are so bloodthirsty. I had gotten the impression that you wouldn’t bring that option up.”

“No, no, as I said, it was something I expected a leader of the sect to consider. I felt I needed to ask.”

“Well, we may.” Said Elder Shen. His tense expression relaxed as he saw the change in Felix’s face. “Calm yourself, the boy is safe for now. We are not ones to so easily be coerced into slaughter. Nor do I trust the information of your gift in this matter fully. Divination, which your gift likely has some connection to, is a dangerous thing to make decisions based on. Whether you can get a quest or leave the sect, we will have you meet him.”