"Huh… that was tiring…"
Ken sighed as he watched his handiwork. He was satisfied with the results, happy that his research and theories were proven true, and the experiment succeed.
'I should have a few hours before Elodie arrives, let's use them to bathe and sleep. After lunch with her, I can finally have time to read the Mysteries of Luck manuals.'
Ken left the room and grabbed something light to eat while Soleil prepared his bath. As he entered the bath, he began thinking about his clan and new life in Phoenix Feather Sect.
'They turned nice, now I know the struggle of protagonists who have been abandoned by their clans but later revered by them. Unfortunately, it's too late for them to come around. I've already made my decision to leave, and the fact they had known my mother was crippled and did not care remains.'
He was not soft enough to feel sorry for them only because they turned nice to him once he proved his value was higher than his oppressors'. His plan was already set in motion, and he had already agreed to join the Serene Lotus Sect after causing a war between the Four Seasons Sect and the Phoenix Feather Sect.
'Don't look back.'
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"Young Lady Elodie has arrived."
Ken got up a while ago and was checking on Emrys. The now-golden pup was doing well, and his condition improved significantly. Ken used his Alchemical Qi to help the wolf heal faster, and he fed it with nutrient pills to ensure the wolf did not die due to starvation or dehydration.
"I'm coming."
Ken wore his blue inner disciple robes and went to meet with the tanned woman.
"Hello, Brother Ken."
"How are you doing, Sister Elodie?"
"I'm good, but you seem happy today, did anything good happen to you?" She asked, intrigued.
"Nothing worth mentioning. What about you, your face seems grumpy."
"Ah… nothing like that, you just haven't introduced me to your friend." Elodie shot a bitter glance at the bald monk walking by their side.
"This is Henry Karras, he has gained a bit of fame lately after killing a kid from the Han clan."
"I did hear about this incident, although that so-called kid must be 4 times older than you," Elodie teased back.
"It's about the mentality. Anyway, I hope you don't mind that I invited him. He is a man of a few words."
"No, not at all." She didn't think having Henry would give Ken much of an edge in the conversation. Henry was not of equal status, and it seemed like he knew it by his silence.
The young woman did not worry about the skirmish against the Han clan, the elite clans always had them, and they never let them develop into something too serious.
It was just a way to gain more face by comparing sizes. In her mind, the Han clan just lost a member of a branch family, while the Sue clan merely risked the death of a bodyguard.
The two engaged in a casual conversation while they walked to the Heavenly Snake restaurant. She slowly got over the third wheel that got stuck in their meal.
"Hello, Young Lady Elodie, Young Master Sue. We've prepared a private room on the fourth floor for you."
A beautiful hostess in green qipao welcomed them as soon as they stepped inside. Normally, people would use the first name when they knew it, or simply refer to the person by their family name when they didn't. Hence, the hostess called Elodie by her first name and Ken by his last name.
A waitress quickly arrived and led them to their room, a beautiful wooden space with carvings of phoenixes, dragons, and snakes. The carvings were painted in various colors, adding life and vividity.
"The food will be served shortly."
The waitress left after bowing, leaving the three on their own.
"We don't get to choose our food in the Heavenly Snake restaurant?" Ken asked Elodie in a surprised tone.
"You do, but I've ordered the best dishes in advance to avoid wasting our time. If Brother Ken doesn't like my choices, I will call the waitress and you can order anything you like."
"I see. Anyway, regarding your offer, I can become a student under Grand Elder Typhon, but not a direct disciple. I also have Grand Elder Fernando as my teacher, and it'd be inappropriate to take a master now," Ken cut to the chase and declared his intentions.
"I'm not sure it's possible, Brother Ken. You know how much elite clans dislike to teach outsiders, after all, you come from an elite clan yourself. Being in a master-disciple relationship can allow you to be part of our clan and inherit our knowledge. Isn't it better?"
Elodie countered his words with different reasoning, but Ken did not wish to intertwine his fate with another clan even if his family would instruct him to do so. Especially when considering he'd leave the sect within a few months.
"Sister Elodie, let's not talk in codes. We know that if I become a direct disciple of Grand Elder Typhon, I will also be expected to marry one of your clan's women in the future. Although the tanned skin and the exotic eyes have an enchanting allure, I'm not interested in committing my life to another clan so early. I'm already at the fourth rank, who says I can't become a seventh-rank alchemist without a master?"
Ken's words explained that he was asked to give up more than he received in return.
"Brother Ken, does it mean you like my skin and eyes?" She asked with a playful smile as she leaned closer to him across the table.
Before Ken could answer, a knock on the door interrupted their chat, making them turn their heads to see what happened.
The door opened, and the hostess from before bowed and apologized.
"I apologize for the interference. Two young ladies have arrived and asked to be your guests, and I came to ask you whether you want to accept their company."
"Who are they?" Elodie asked in an irritated voice. Not many could make the hostess dare interrupt them.
"Mary Sue and Naomi Geller."
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