Chapter Seven: Court Etiquette

“One Realm, Three Grades. Just entering the Qi Mastery Realm means you’re at the lower grade…” Tang Fei eyed Phoenix with suspicion and asked, “With merely the lower grade of Qi Mastery, what makes you think you’re capable of protecting yourself? And what gives you the confidence that none of them will return alive?”

The Qi Mastery Realm is the second level of the Mortal World Realm.

Yin alone cannot flourish, and Yang alone cannot bear fruit, so heaven and earth must be balanced by both. Every person has both Yin and Yang within, what we refer to as ‘Yin Qi’ and ‘Yang Qi’. When Yin and Yang merge, one attains what is called ‘Vital Qi’. In some ancient martial tales, it is also known as ‘True Qi’. When one can use special techniques to project and manipulate the Yin and Yang within to harm an enemy, then they have reached what we call the Qi Mastery Realm.

Phoenix gave Tang Fei an odd look and asked again, “Are you truly ignorant of cultivation?”

“Do I look like someone versed in cultivation?” Tang Fei shot back.

Phoenix studied Tang Fei carefully, then gave up on the fanciful notion in her mind. As he had said, for a youth to survive among the ruins was already a feat—where would such a person find the time or energy to cultivate? Knowing a bit of Tai Chi or practicing sets like the ‘Five Animal Frolics’ or ‘Nine Section Brocade’ hardly counts as cultivation… at best, it’s physical training.

Real cultivation is the harmonious practice of both technique and inner discipline, requiring guidance from a true master at the outset…

How could Tang Fei possibly have access to such techniques or find a master to guide him?

Thinking of the filthy old man always by Tang Fei’s side...

Better not to dwell on it.

Yet, how could someone who had never cultivated, who knew nothing of cultivation, respond to her mention of Qi Mastery with such unconcealed disdain, as if it were nothing at all?

She knew well that, due to changes in the environment and the loss of secret tomes, cultivators were exceedingly rare—one in tens of thousands, perhaps. To reach Qi Mastery at her age was almost unheard of; ‘genius’ was not an exaggeration.

Yet from Tang Fei’s expression and tone, you could sense a feeling that simply shouldn’t be there: “This is it?”

Phoenix felt insulted.

But, given the harshness of their current situation, she decided to pretend she hadn’t noticed the slight.

“You really don’t seem like it,” Phoenix shook her head. “Still, there are so few cultivators, and on the ruins, even fewer… Is lower-grade Qi Mastery truly not enough to keep oneself safe?”

“It’s fine here among the ruins, but those chasing us aren’t likely to be common thugs, are they?” Tang Fei countered.

“I have a fair idea of their abilities… If we plan well and set traps in advance, they won’t gain anything from us.” Phoenix’s confidence was unmistakable. At this moment, she had to show it; she knew all too well the smiling youth before her—if she showed even a hint of fear or worry, he might abandon her in this desolate land…

Or demand more payment.

“Of course, I won’t deny it’s dangerous. That’s why I asked for your help… You all know my situation now, so it’s your turn to decide.”

“Will you follow through with our deal, or throw me out and leave me to fend for myself in this unfamiliar, perilous place?”

Phoenix bit her lip, her voice plaintive. “I’ve heard those predators and the Flame Society are capable of anything…”

With no alternative, she even resorted to feminine wiles, something she once despised. Now, she understood herself all too well…

Little Fatty tugged at Tang Fei’s arm, unable to bear it. “Bro…”

Tang Fei cut him off. “Hungry again? Hold on—let me finish this first…”

Then his gaze slid back to Phoenix, his tone turning serious. “We’re willing to take risks, but only if it’s worth our while… I know, to you people, lives here on the old earth are worthless…”

Phoenix opened her mouth to protest, but no words came. On the new world, those left behind were called ‘vagrants’, ‘drifters’, ‘outcasts’, ‘abandoned’, ‘exiles’…

Not a single one of those names carried the slightest respect.

Tang Fei read every nuance of her expression, a trademark smile curling on his lips. “But each of us only gets one chance at life in this world. Only one life… I want to sell our first, and only, chance for a good price…”

He looked at Phoenix and finally revealed his hand. “We want double the supplies, and three passes to the new world.”

You mock me? I’m angry. So I’ll join you—become one of you. Then let’s see if you still dare call me an outcast.

Tang Fei’s philosophy was simple: If he could win, he’d fight; if not, he’d join. Dignity? That didn’t exist. Besides, only on the new world could one live with dignity—at least, live as a human being.

Phoenix stared at him, dumbfounded. “Passes? Three?”

“Yes.” Tang Fei nodded, resolute, his expression brooking no negotiation.

One for him, one for Little Fatty, one for the old man… Even if the old man treated them like beasts of burden, he was still one of his only two family members in this world. No matter what, he couldn’t abandon him.

“Don’t you know? Resources on the new world are limited; immigration from the old earth has long since been cut off…”

In the past, outstanding individuals from the old earth, or vagrants who had helped important figures, might have been rewarded with new world citizenship, but with resources dwindling and opposition to immigration rising, those channels had all been closed.

“I didn’t know,” Tang Fei replied simply.

“…”

“Tang Fei, I really do want to help you.” Phoenix looked at him earnestly. “I’m grateful—if it weren’t for you, I’d probably be dead…”

“I like Little Fatty too; he’s truly kind, always speaking up for me… You don’t find many like him on the new world…”

“But you’re asking for something I simply can’t provide… I really can’t grant that request.”

“Truly impossible?”

“Truly impossible.”

Tang Fei shrugged, unconcerned. “Then forget it. We’re reasonable people…”

“…”

Phoenix stared at Tang Fei, utterly bewildered. What kind of person was he, really? What if she’d just agreed…

Tang Fei patted Little Fatty on the shoulder. “Time to work. It’s too dangerous to leave the escape pod here; it’s easy to spot… If the predators or those seeking revenge see it, we’re in trouble…”

“I know a cave, well hidden—it’ll be perfect. Carry it and follow me.”

“Alright,” Little Fatty replied.

Without any help, not even a hand from Tang Fei or Phoenix, he simply grunted and hoisted the thousand-pound escape pod onto his back.

“…”

Phoenix was stunned by the sight.

This boy was born with monstrous strength…

Then she shot Tang Fei a resentful look.

So this is what you meant when you said your family was helpless and frail, young and old alike?

Tang Fei, is there a single true word that comes out of your mouth?

Tang Fei couldn’t have cared less what Phoenix was thinking. He strode ahead like a guide, leading the way to a cave hidden beneath dead branches. He pointed to it. “Little Fatty, carry the escape pod inside.”

Little Fatty obeyed, bending over to fit the massive thing through the entrance.

Once the pod was stowed, Tang Fei gathered more dead branches and leaves to cover the entrance thoroughly. He even set a few small traps with what he had on hand.

For a seasoned hunter, anything and everything could be used as a tool for trapping prey.

Tang Fei was quite pleased with his arrangement. Unless someone looked very closely, no one would suspect a cave was hidden here.

“Let’s go home,” Tang Fei said with the air of a leader, waving his hand.

On the way back, Phoenix kept glancing thoughtfully at Tang Fei and Little Fatty…

Could all survivors on the old earth be like this? With the survival skills and hands-on abilities they’d shown, they could rival any regular army on the new world—the only difference being the latter’s better equipment…

If such people were ever properly armed, what a terrifying force they’d become.

Resourceful, fearless, utterly shameless…

“Bro, rabbit…” Little Fatty suddenly pointed into the brush ahead.

Before he even finished speaking, Phoenix saw Tang Fei dart out—a blur—chasing after a mutant rabbit over a meter tall, eyes glowing red.

The rabbit ran fast. Tang Fei was faster.

“What a freak!” Phoenix thought to herself.

She didn’t dare make a sound, worried it would offend Tang Fei or Little Fatty.

As she thought this, her face instinctively adopted a look of open admiration—‘Wow, he’s amazing’—the face of an adoring fan.

A sincere smile and words of praise—these had been her lifelong lessons, taught in the name of courtly etiquette.