Hou Niao ultimately couldn't keep himself safe and uninvolved.
Several days later, a few people whispered outside the courtyard gate, so he opened the door to receive guests; though he was lazy to move, it wasn't that he was unsociable.
Outside stood six or seven people, each armed with a longsword, the men like ancient pines and the women resembling immortals in paintings.
The one leading them, with sleeves fluttering and an air of unconstrained vitality, gave a carefree bow, "From Tianfeng's Dugu Family, defenders against the outer sands; boldly we come seeking wisdom, dare we request guidance from your grace?"
Hou Niao felt a headache coming on. Could they not speak plainly?
"I am Anhe's Hou Niao. May I know your esteemed name? As for 'guidance,' I have none to give, only an invitation to enter..."
A young woman stepped forward from the group, giggling as she pulled the man aside,
"Thank you for having us, Daoist. My brother has read too many books, which is why his speech is… We belong to the Dugu Family from the outskirts of Tianfeng Plain, gathered today because a sister amongst us has joined, and together we attend the great summoning of Quanzhen.
Seeing that Daoist friend's courtyard is quiet and the scenery unique, we thought to exchange pleasantries with Daoist friend; any offense caused, we ask for your understanding."
Now that was understandable human language. A Cultivation Family was collectively taking a Quanzhen exam, and today, they happened to add a member—how they happened to take interest in his small courtyard was beyond him?
In fact, the environment in this external part of Sword Mansion was hardly different; it was not located amidst remote mountains and rivers where each place was distinct. Here, within Jin City, the only difference might be a couple more or less trees in front of a house—what of the scenery?
As for the Dugu Family, he had never heard of them; as for the outer sands, he was completely clueless; regarding Shan Country, the Quanzhen Sect, Tianfeng Plain, and Jin City, he simply didn't know enough. With less than a month into the Energy Induction phase, how could he have the time or interest to care about these things?
"Changing residence is not really a problem, but this place was arranged by Quanzhen cultivators, and I'm not sure if it's permissible to exchange. Maybe, you should ask them about it? I have no objections here."
The woman's eyes moved alluringly, with a charm that suggested many tales, "Let Daoist friend be informed, this external lodging is but a temporary residence; in a few days, everyone will leave this place. What's the big deal then?
I've asked the management brother of the external lodgings; he said it won't be a problem, as long as we ourselves agree to it."
Although Hou Niao was polite, he remained firm. His former profession had taught him the importance of rules, and he wasn't one to change his mind just because of a few pleasant words.
"If so, perhaps your family could invite the management brother of the external lodgings to be a witness? Or maybe I should inquire further later? It's always best not to be too casual when away from home."
The man who had spoken first frowned, "so inflexible, not knowing how to adapt, making a mountain out of a molehill for such a trifle?"
Hou Niao smiled, "It has nothing to do with the magnitude of the matter, only with principle; I believe we privately switching residences should first secure approval from the host, right?"
The atmosphere grew tense, but Hou Niao didn't want to give in. In this unfamiliar place, there were too many hidden dangers, and all he could do was to hold firm to his position before he became stronger.
He was to join the Quanzhen Sect, not the Dugu Family.
The woman quelled the man's dissatisfaction and gestured to a member of the Dugu Family to fetch the external lodge's managing brother, while the rest continued their standoff with Hou Niao.
The woman remained courteous, but her impatience was evident, although she still kept her emotions under control,
"I am Dugu Lan, and this is my cousin Xiao Qiang. She wants to switch residences with you because it's closer to where we live and much more convenient," Dugu Lan stated.
Hou Niao smiled and greeted them. Among the six people present, only these two women were from the Dugu Family, whose lineage was quite impressive. At the very least, in terms of appearance, each was exceptional, with the men as handsome as sculpted jade and the women charming and alluring.
Xiao Qiang? A troublemaker within the walls?
However, Cousin Xiao Qiang seemed rather apologetic, the complete opposite of Dugu Lan. This woman appeared meek and fragile, like an orchid, eliciting an instinctive desire to protect her at first glance. But Hou Niao had protected too many people over the years, so much that he'd forgotten such instinctual reactions; he relied solely on evidence.
Xiao Qiang fidgeted and said, "Cousin, I already said there was no need to come. It's just for half a month, what's the big deal?"
Dugu Lan patted her hand, "Before you came, Mother instructed us to take good care of you. We can't just leave you to live somewhere so remote, can we?"
Turning back, she looked at Hou Niao with a meaningful gaze, "As strangers in a foreign land, we should be kind to others. The Dugu Family might not count for much, but in Tianfeng Plain, we still carry some weight. Having one more friend opens one more path, but with one more family...
Not having to bother the managing senior brother might have given us a connection, but since we've involved the Quanzhen Sect, it's official business now. This is the consequence of following the rules."
Hou Niao felt a bit annoyed. This was the thought process of a cultivation family; if you were cooperative with them, you might gain their friendship. But they never considered that the other party has the right to refuse.
"I prefer to walk my own path. I don't like having too many options; the right path only needs to be one.
And it seems you've forgotten, even if the managing senior brother comes, without my consent, you can't switch residences. So now, if I don't agree to switch, will I earn your enmity instead?"
The conversation was somewhat unpleasant. The root cause lay in the Dugu Family's belief that granting their request was a favor, a way to get close to them. Such an attitude was not uncommon among individuals and groups who assumed a superior position.
Luckily, the managing senior brother arrived quickly. Not wanting to make a fuss, Hou Niao packed his belongings and left promptly. This was his character: he wouldn't let dissatisfaction change his original intention or take action out of spite; nor would he try to foster relations just because he had made a concession...
People who dealt with disciplines were just so dull, not something he found disagreeable; people like the Dugu Family were a dime a dozen in this world. You couldn't change them, the only thing that could was when your power towered above theirs. Only then would these people become exceedingly humble, seemingly understanding when to advance or retreat, when to be warm or cold...
Understanding the essence, he realized how childish the current dispute truly was.
...His new residence was the previous dwelling of Cousin Xiao Qiang. The layout was no different, only that its location was on the edge of the entire outer residence and separated by a small bamboo forest, which made it seem more secluded.
But come evening, he understood why the woman was reluctant to live here. From the closest courtyard across the bamboo forest, noisy sounds of feasting began at sunset: people singing loudly, replying in high spirits, and others drunkenly cursing their mothers.
Obviously, this was a gathering place for wild loose cultivators. It wasn't easy for cultivators to get drunk, but if low-rank minor cultivators drank real Immortal Wine, they could get particularly smashed.
Shaking his head, others had the right to drink, and he had no right to stop them. Moreover, for a cultivator, the ability to calm oneself and enter a state of cultivation under any circumstances was a must-have skill.
Amidst the noise, he entered his own realm of cultivation.
When others defy my wishes, it shows my lack of influence; when I defy others' wishes, it shows my lack of virtue.
The lack of virtue and influence is the perfect excuse to act arrogantly.