When he made his joke, Kai immediately realised that he might have insulted his interlocutor. But the words had already been spoken, and he calmly awaited a response.
At that moment, the Lonely Buddha calmly scratched his chin, looking up. And turned to Kai and said:
- Yes. I think that's one of the reasons.
He replied completely calmly, without any extra emotion. This guy seemed to have a very detached attitude towards life. As if it didn't concern him at all....
- I thought I'd hurt you with what I said. Good thing I didn't. - Exhaling, Kai replied with a smile.
- Other people's words are not capable of hurting me. I am only responsible for my actions and thoughts. Why worry about something I have no control over? Everyone is free to think what they think and do what they do. - The Lone Buddha replied calmly.
When Kai heard these words, he was in no hurry to answer. He even fell silent for ten seconds..... This phrase made him think.... In turn, the interlocutor waited, and did not interrupt Kai's thoughts. After a while, he replied:
- Hmm... Your words are close to me, though I always act a little differently... Other people's words don't hurt me for a different reason. - Kai replied thoughtfully.
- And for what reason? - Asked the Lonely Buddha.
- Hmm... Mostly because I just don't notice other people and their reactions. Recently, I've started to think that this is not a good thing. - Answered Kai frankly.
- You're right. It's a bad trait. - replied the bald guy, -Keep your detachment from other people's influence. But at the same time, memorise everything they say. Also, analyse why someone did what they did, or what purpose was hidden in their words. - Nodding his head Lonely Buddha advised.
- Did it help you? - Kai asked with interest.
- I am a slightly different case. I live by the principle of restraint from temptation. But given what I saw at the banquet, you have a different path. It seems to me that if you forcibly suppress your true character traits, you lose your essence. - He answered truthfully, 'That's why I advised you to do just that. Don't change yourself, just add another trait that will only improve your position. - Seriously explained the bald guy.
''Just remembering what others say and analysing it? That could work... If you use it properly, you can control people more easily...' - Kai suddenly wondered.
People are mostly only focused on themselves. If an interlocutor remembers the smallest details of their personality, and understands what's important to them, it boosts their ego a lot. Used properly, this information can help you a lot.
- And you're a pretty wise guy. - Looking at his interlocutor, Kai said.
- That's not entirely true. - Shaking his head the guy replied.
- Why not? - Kai asked curiously.
- Only those who have discovered some truth on their own are wise. What I'm telling you is just the correct use of the information I've learnt so far. I learnt all this knowledge from my mentors in my Temple. - Frankly explained his position Lonely Buddha.
- Even the fact that you understand this already makes you wise. - Parried Kai.
- Perhaps. But only partly. - The Lonely Buddha half-agreed.
Although they exchanged small phrases, they made a lot of sense. Sometimes a short conversation can contain much more substance than hours of idle chatter.
- You're a pleasant conversationalist. - Kai said with a smile.
- It's mutual. It's rare for me. - Nodding his head, the bald guy replied calmly
Suddenly thinking about something, Kai asked:
- Listen, now that we're talking a bit... You said that your faith is only one of the reasons why you're shunned by everyone. Are there other good reasons? - Kai asked with interest.
- I think so. You haven't been in the Shadow Sect long, so you don't know. I'm very fond of self-improvement. And my way is to fight. I am always looking for opponents and fighting them. It so happens that over the years, I have destroyed the confidence of many. Because of that, there are few who want to do business with me. However, I don't care much about that. - Lone Buddha calmly replied.
Hearing this, Kai instantly smiled. But there was a slight excitement and cunning in that smile.
- Perfection through combat? I like that kind of thing too! Hehehe. - Kai laughed, -Should we spar? - Kai asked with a smile.
- You're too weak. - The bald guy replied emotionlessly.
- Yeah... You didn't even think for a second. - Shaking his head, Kai replied with a smile.
- It's an obvious truth. It doesn't even take a second to realise it. - Said Lone Buddha.
- Hahaha. - Kai suddenly laughed, -I think I know another reason why you are shunned. - Wiping his tears, Kai said.
- Yes? Enlighten me. - Answered Kai's interlocutor
- You are very direct. People don't like to hear something unpleasant about their personality, even if it's obviously true. - Kai replied with a smile.
- You're right. And what about you? - The Lonely Buddha agreed briefly and reservedly, asking a counter question.
- Like I said before. I don't give a shit about other people's thoughts. No offence, but not even yours. So, I'm pretty straightforward too. - But at the same time, I'm not crazy. For example, I realise that I am not your opponent. - Kai added honestly.
- Then why did you ask for sparring? - Calmly asked the guy.
- Hmm... You know... I want to know how skilled the best Personal Disciples of the Shadow Sect are. I need to understand how far behind I am. So far, you're the only one I know of with that kind of personality. It's unlikely that any of the others would even be willing to listen to me. - Kai replied sincerely.
- You have a point. Good. I'm interested in seeing your power too. But you'll have to pay for sparring. - Replied the bald guy.
- Lonely Buddha is money hungry? Hehehe. - Teasingly, Kai asked.
- I think you know the answer to your own question. - The Lonely Buddha replied emotionlessly.
In fact, it was simple, such were the rules and regulations of the Shadow Sect. If a weak disciple wanted to challenge a strong disciple to spar, they had to pay. By skipping this tradition, you were insulting your opponent and the very traditions of the Shadow Sect.
It was clear that one of the top Personal Disciples had far more money than Kai. He definitely wasn't interested in this sparring fee. Most likely, the Lone Buddha would only take a token amount. It might not even be tangible to Kai's savings. But that was only because Lonely Buddha himself was interested in Kai's personality. And with this guy, that rarely happened.
- You're boring... Why don't we go out and spar then? It'll be more fun... - Kai said, rolling his eyes and standing up.
- I agree. Let's go to my place. I have a spacious arena for training. - Also standing up, the bald man replied.
- In the Shadow Palace? - Kai asked in surprise.
He also had his own training room in his room. Naturally, it was big enough for one person. But it wasn't exactly spacious.
- No. I don't like living in a palace. I bought a small house with an enclosed plot on the outskirts of the Shadow Sect's territory. Naturally, I've equipped an extensive area for my training.'' - Lone Buddha calmly replied.
- And you're completely alone there? - Smiling, Kai joked, playing off his interlocutor's name.
- I'm certainly not drunk. - The Lonely Buddha calmly parried.
- Wow! So you can joke too! Hahaha. - Kai replied and immediately laughed out loud.
- Hush. We're still in the Library. - The bald guy said emotionlessly.
- Yeah... I didn't think of that...' Kai said quietly, instantly silent.
- In answer to your previous remark. Of course I can joke. It's just that no one has ever listened to me before. - With a stone face, the Lonely Buddha joked again.
- Pffh... Ha... Hahaha... - Covering his mouth with his hands, Kai started laughing again.
As it turned out, his interlocutor was not as simple as it seemed at first glance. If they spent some more time together, maybe he would reveal something else interesting. It seemed that the new acquaintance had quite a few non-obvious character traits.
In such a short period of time, this bald guy had already managed to like Kai. But aside from that, he was especially eager for their sparring. Finding a worthy opponent was what he wanted the most!