Jetchi peaked over his cards and scanned his competition.

They make it too easy.

His one friend and their returnee guest were littered with tells. A nervous twitch there, a shift of the eyes here, none of it escaped his eyes. His eyes settled on the last person still competing in this round of cards, Cao Tao of the Hidden Badger Sect. His face remained impassive.

A neutral expression doesn’t help him when his sweat acts a tell. To think he is a cultivator. It is these kinds of slip-ups that have made our missions so much more dangerous. Save me from pig-like friends.

Jetchi casually mimed making a bet and Cao let a disgusted snort, tossing his hand of cards on the table.

“Fine, I fold you bastard,” said Cao Tao. “The pot is yours.”

“By your will,” said Jetchi, reaching out to pull the pile of chips in the middle of the table to add to his own. “I know of course that you would have won if you stayed in. This humble practitioner can only live by your continued benevolence.”

“Oh, spit blood, you preening bastard,” said Cao Tao. “You’ve been fleecing us all night. You’re the only one who is really winning. That and Hui Yin.”

At her name, the girl with the Yin Lily Sect uniform popped her head up.

“That is just because of my superior skills.” Said Hui Yin. “Also, watch your language. Saying such filthy things around a delicate Fairy of Yin Lily Sect. No wonder everyone says the Hidden Badger sect is a bunch of mongrels.”

“Stop putting on a show. We all know you hate that. It only took a candle's time last poker night to find out your true nature. Hell, you can spit blood too,” said Cao Tao, as he turned a baleful glare her way. “Your lack of skill is only outmatched by your outrageous good fortune. The most blatant case of beginners luck I have ever seen.”

“Cao Tao, don’t forget what the Elders have said at the joint alliance lessons. Luck is one of the four foundations of a cultivator. Wealth, companions, fortune, and foundation. That sister Hui Yin has it in spades should be celebrated.” Said Jetchi.

Cao Tao deflated but shot Hui Yin an appraising look. His face turned back to indignation at her smirk.

“Nonsense. A true cultivator should be in defiance of the heavens. Not a lapdog to the handouts of its whims,” said Cao Tao. He eyed the ceiling. “Not that the heavens are foolish of course.”

“What are you talking about.” Said the fourth player, sporting a Mammoth sect uniform. “You were born with a decent quality spirit root and found by your sect at the right age. What is good fortune if that isn’t?”

“That is just my natural prowess shining through,” said Cao Tao. “You wouldn’t understand.”

Jetchi smiled as they continued to bicker and dealt the next hand.

Despite their silliness, they aren’t bad friends. Plus, I could use the extra reward points they so thoughtlessly gamble away. I’ll need to call it off soon though before they lose too much. Friendships have broken over less.

“Besides,” said Cao Tao, “My might was shown when we apprehended that criminal.”

“Yes,” said Hui Yin, finally looking annoyed. “You’ve been mentioning it all night. I was almost impressed the first two times you brought it up. It is the one thing that has been ruining my winning streak.”

“What? The tales of heroes must be spread far and wide.” Said Cao Tao, rising from his seat to spread his arms. “Our attacks were mighty but our enemy most vicious. Only through wit and skill did we succeed in our quests.”

“For the love of the Dao Cao Tao, shut up.” Said Jetchi. Maybe I should take all his reward points. “I barely have any face left with your exaggerations.” He reached out to retrieve the next pile of winnings from the middle, to Cao Tao’s obvious annoyance. “You’ve been going on about that mission for weeks now.”

“Well, what else am I supposed to brag about.” Said Cao Tao, ignoring Hui Yin’s giggles. “After that boy refused to go on the mission with us, we had to get some nobody essence gathers from one of the weaker sects. When our mission up north went crazy due to those damn kingdom bastards, we barely survived. Damn pill poppers. How am I supposed to regale people about us turning tail and running?”

“Oh, I am sure you would find a way.” Said the mammoth Sect disciple. “Besides, that boy wasn’t’ that bad. Hui Yin is also at peak essence gathering and you haven’t complained about her presence here.”

“Ming Jie, you’ve betrayed me too?” said Cao Tao. “You were my fellow compatriot against that vile fiend! I knew brother Jetchi liked to underplay our achievements due to his humble nature, but I expected more from you!”

“Will you knock it off? It was fun for the first few days, but it is getting old Cao Tao.” said Min Jie, rubbing the back of his head as he accepted another hand of cards from Jetchi. He cringed as Hui Yin’s giggles increased. “Plus, after that mission up north- I think we should focus more on our cultivation. I’ve heard a few of the books the Thousand Season Sect have released from their vaults are unusually effective.”

Cao Tao seemed like he would explode but a knock came from the front door.

“Who in the Dao’s name is that,” said Cao Tao.

“That boy who didn’t have time to go with us.” Said Jetchi, pulling in another pile of winnings to add to his own. “You know, the one you just blamed for our mission’s failure.”

“And why is he here?” said Cao Tao, his face faltering. “Oh Dao, did he find out I’m the one spreading rumors about him? I’m still recovering from our- Wait, you invited him?”

“Yeah Jetchi?” said Min Jie. “You must have if you know who it is. If he didn’t have time for us then, why would you invite him to hang out with us now?”

“Oh, who is this?” said Hui Yin, glancing at the door. She shifted slightly and Jetchi frowned as he spotted a needle appear in her hand. Yin Lilly disciples… Their name should be the rose sect, for all the thorns they hide. “I thought you three just wanted to make friends in other sects, so I came. Now there is a fourth here? A little suspicious.”

“I didn’t think he would come, so I didn’t mention it.” Said Jetchi. He rose and walked toward the door. “He is the first Thousand Season Sect disciple that would give us the time of day after all. Even those still in essence gathering have their mind in the clouds. I can’t blame them after seeing some of the books added to the Alliances reward system. I thought he was humoring when he said yes to meeting tonight.”

“Pfft, Thousand Season Sect disciples.” Said Hui Yin, absently toying with her cards. “I’ve been disappointed by them with few exceptions. All the decent disciples are hiding away further up the mountain. Probably hidden by their elders since they are embarrassments. Even the popular Everglade isn’t anything truly special. Though I did hear that they have a rather impressive core disciple, even if there is only one. Once in a century genius, they say. I bet half of those rumors are probably exaggerations, and as you’ve seen with my luck, I’m probably right.”

Jetchi sighed and opened the door to reveal a Thousand Sect disciple at the cusp of adulthood. The young man’s dark eyes vacantly stared past Jetchi, and he continued to mumble unintelligibly. Hair and robes both ruffled, the smell of parchment and ink wafted off him.

What is one more weirdo friend? Not like eccentrics are uncommon among cultivators… Still, he does give off a striking air. Almost feels like a sword cultivator despite his obvious scholarly inclinations.

Jetchi felt several pricks in his back and then his limbs went numb. Before he could even circulate his qi, a hard shove pushed him to the side and Hui Yin took his place. A burst of power expelled the needles as he stilled stumbled, and he righted himself. A clenched fist second away from striking at Hui Yin’s back. She didn’t pay him one bit of attention.

“Senior!” said Hui Yin. “I didn’t know you were coming. Oh, this is so embarrassing. If I had known we had such a talent attending, I would have worn something nicer!”

“Huh? I’m nothing special,” said Felix, finally focusing on the girl in front of him. “Oh… Who are you?”

“Senior is so funny!” said Hui Yin, stepping into Felix’s space. “I’m the one who helped you when returned to the Sect! Hui Yin!”

Jetchi's eyes narrowed as Felix’s hands twitched and then relaxed.

That was a physical martial move. There was power in that small move. How did Hui Yin not see that? She has decent instincts. Then again, she put her back to me.

Then he noted how her eyes had not wavered from Felix’s face. Her smile continued to grow even as Felix returned a confused look.

Ahhh… that makes more sense. Not a complication I ever considered.

“Oh, that’s right…” said Felix, slowly freeing his hands. “You were immensely helpful then, thank you. Though I don’t believe you introduced yourself then. You ran off so quickly.”

“Oh, silly me,” said Hui Yin. “I just had somewhere I needed to be, but this is fate that we meet again.”

Felix watched her as she continued to prattle on but suddenly tilted his head as if he were listening to something. Then his face turned a deep shade of red.

“How about you two come inside and we play?” said Jetchi. Felix gave him a grateful look and Hui Yin sent one of annoyance.

Yeah, definitely trouble.

“Hurry up you slowpokes. This daddy isn’t going to get rich just sitting around.” Said Cao Tao from the table. Then he let out a little laugh. “At least not without all of you sitting too. Come on over.”

Felix shuffled over with Hui Yin sticking to him like glue. Eventually, they settled back down at the table, a chair pulled over to allow Felix to sit. Jetchi passed him a stack of coins from a box at his feet and then dealt them all four cards each.

“So, this is Demons and Deities?” said Felix, tentatively picking up his four cards. “I am not sure why you invited me to this Jetchi. I’ve never played before.”

He cannot even hold them right. No, I am starting to feel bad. This was to build bonds, not be an ass.

“We can play a few practice hands.” Said Jetchi, as he ignored Cao Tao’s scowl. “We can even lower the chip values to use less coinage. It’s not like we play for much anyway.”

“Wait, we are using money?” said Felix, half standing in his chair. “I am not sure I can be so frivolous with my finances.”

“No, we don’t use actual money. Besides, nothing but spirit stones would be of any use to us in the alliance. Instead, we are using the reward points given out by the alliance.”

“We are able to do that?” said Felix. “I thought the alliance would ensure the points can only be exchanged with them.”

“Not explicitly no… but there are ways to get around that. Completely legal, of course.” Said Jetchi. “So, a practice hand?”

“No, I think I will be good. I read a decent number of books about the game. Besides, my senior sister insisted I take a break again. This is not a bad way to do it.”

Take a break? A fortuitous start to the wooing of a potential ally and friend. I’ll try to keep the bets small then.

“Wow Senior, you were actually made to stop working?” said Hui Yin, leaning forward in her chair. “Were you cultivating? You are so diligent! You should listen to your senior sister. Being able to maintain peace of mind is important. I’m taking a break too!”

Save me flatters. Thought Jetchi, focusing on his cards as Hui Yin continued to prattle on. Mmm, I’m not liking the cards I’m getting.

They all exchanged some cards from their hands with the deck, and the pile in the middle grew. Felix didn’t seem to notice as Hui Yin leaned a few degrees more in his direction. Jetchi wanted to snort but a small bet by Cao Tao had him folding. The Hidden Badger winning that round’s pot.

“I’ve been working on a personal cultivation issue.” Said Felix slowly. “Just taking my time to make sure I do it right the first time.”

“So methodical!” said Hui Yin. “It speaks of senior’s experience that he is so careful about building his foundation. I’m about to attempt breaking through to essence condensing from essence gathering. I have only waited this long because my elder said the pills my family provided made my foundation unstable. Though I am sure my breakthrough would be even more assured with your guidance. Perhaps you could give me a few pointers later?”

“Oh, I’m not sure I should.” Said Felix, eyes on his cards. He glanced briefly at Cao Tao’s face, oblivious to the flash of annoyance on Hui Yin’s face. “I may have a wealth of knowledge, but I don’t know the details of your situation. Your elders would be more helpful. They know you best. Besides, I am from a different sect. Even with an alliance, surely your fellow sect members would be more trustworthy?”

“I know someone as diligent and hardworking as Senior brother wouldn’t do something so despicable.” Said Hui Yin.

“Mmmm, sounds like the Halo effect,” muttered Felix, folding and allowing Cao Ming to win all the chips in the middle.

“Huh?” said Hui yin.

“Oh…” said Felix, looking at her for the first time since sitting down. “Never mind that, it was just an unrelated thought. Sure, I can give you some pointers.”

Hui Yin’s face bloomed into a smile as Felix looked back nonplus.

Ugh, Ignorance has its limits. Thought Jetchi. He looked over toward the other two boys and only saw indifference. By the sword, they aren’t picking up on it either. People are idiots.

Jetchi focused back on the game but nearly cursed when Felix won the round.

“Disgusting.” Said Cao Tao, pushing the large pile of coins toward Felix. “I thought Hui Yin had beginners’ luck. It only took three rounds to be shown that you are the true lucky star of the night.”

“You’re just unhappy that Senior Brother Felix and I are superior Demon and Deities players.” Said Hui Yin.

“I am just following the advice that was written in the books…” said Felix, stacking his winnings in neat little piles. “Nothing more, nothing less.”

“A real man doesn’t rely on such things. Odds and such things will only take you so far in Demon and Deities. The real game is in your ability to outwit your enemy. That is even true in life,” said Cao Tao. “Take the war effort as a comparison. The empire thought to trick us into thinking one thing while they were really planning for a new front in the southeast. In this game, you need to do the same. Keep the opponent guessing what you have in your hand. Is it strong? Is it weak? Just like war.”

“Stop acting like you are some wise elder.” Said Hui Yin. “You just told us that the kingdom sent you running before Felix got here. Don’t go and try to pull the veil over Senior Brother Felix’s eyes.”

“That’s because they are pill popping bastards!” said Cao Tao. “They ate the damn things like candy.”

“You fought the empire.” Said Felix, perking up. “What got you mixed up with them? I thought your mission wasn’t related to the war?”

“We stumbled upon a network of spies.” Said Jetchi. He made a large bet, allowing an uneasy expression to creep onto his face. “It was totally by accident really. They had stumbled upon a massive stash of pills. Not sure why they were even there. Must have been an unlucky alchemist's hidden reserves. When they realized we had spotted them… well, things escalated from there.”

“How did you find them?” said Felix. “They are spies after all.”

“The smell,” said Cao Tao.

Jetchi raised the bet again, everybody calling it and tripling the size of the pile in the middle. Felix continued to stare incredulously at Cao Tao as called the raise.

Yes… stay distracted.

“You are going to have to explain more than that.” Said Felix. “Hold on, are you cultivating your sect’s manual? Is that what your sense of smell came from?”

“What!?” said Cao Tao, dropping his cards, revealing how weak they were. “Ah fuck! Look what you made me do. Damnit, I fold.” He tossed his cards toward the dealer and then rounded on Felix. “But you are going to explain how you know it increases nose sensitivity. It could have been a utility manual or something else. In fact, I'm sure that is the rumor.”

Someone stepped in it this time. Should I intervene? No, let’s just raise the bet again. I need to ride the wave!

“Uh, my elders told me?” said Felix. “I mean it isn’t that unreasonable for some of the general results of a cultivation manual to spread after so many years. Especially to the experienced Elders. Though they told me it was just their guess. It isn’t like I read the actual thing or something.”

“I would have sworn that was a better kept secret… Shit, did I just confirm it? Fuck me…” muttered Cao Tao. “Still, don’t go around speaking of a sect’s secrets so casually, even if you know them.”

“Brother Felix meant nothing by it.” Said Jetchi, making one final bet. “Well friends? The betting is done, what cards do you have?”

Hui Yin and Ming Jie flipped their hands, revealing the weakest combination in the game. Cao Tao just gave him a scowl and then glanced at his already folded hand. Good, good. Then Felix flipped his hand and Jetchi’s right fingers turned white as he gripped the cards.

“I have a pretty good hand, so I think I win this.” Said Felix. “What is your hand Jetchi?”

“… It is your win.” Said Jetchi, tossing his cards on the table face down. “The pot is yours.”

Felix looked from him to the largest pot of the night. With a sheepish grin, he pulled it all to his side.