End of the Tutorial

“How could this happen!?!”

Meng Mei sighed and focused on fishing out another steamed bun from the bowl in front of her. Across the table, Meng Yong had completely disregarded the food in front of him. He'd been yowling about how unfair it was that Meng Mei couldn't join him in sword lessons for the majority of breakfast.

“Meng Yong, calm yourself.” Madam Meirong ordered. She'd also given up on eating for the moment, instead she was covering her face with her hands.

Meng Weiyuan was gone again but Meng Mei was sure he'd be enjoying the show.

“But A-niang!” Meng Yong whined. “I want meimei to be in my sword classes!”

“Well you'll have to wait. Guang Suyi knows what she's talking about. You have to respect your venerable teacher's opinion.” Madam Meirong sighed.

“Don't worry Er-ge. I'll work harder in order to be able to join you.” Meng Mei promised. Meng Yong instantly lit up. For a brief moment Meng Mei could almost convince herself that he had dog ears and a tail.

“Good.” Madam Meirong’s hand fell from her face. “It would be beneficial for you to have already learned how to wield your sword by the time you go to YuHu.”

“Yes A-niang.” Meng Mei agreed easily. It seemed that was enough to appease Meng Yong since he didn't complain about it anymore.

“Well, now that your brother has calmed himself.” Madam Meirong sent him a pointed look. “We can move on to more important issues. I received word from your father yesterday. He sent news that he's already left the YuHu sect and he should be home in the next few days. He also sent a few gifts ahead of him to apologize for his extended absence.”

With a wave of her hand a guard appeared from the shadows. He carried two carefully wrapped packages. He placed the one in front of each of the children. Meng Mei peeled back the paper wrapping to find an ornately carved box.

A phoenix in flight was etched into the jade lid. The sides of the box had delicately done protection charms carved into them. Meng Mei was almost certain that this was the gift. A full jade box that was carved so intricately would cost a fortune in this world.

It was only out of curiosity that she lifted the lid to look inside. What she found was a set of bangles that took her breath away. Cushioned on a pillow were five bangles, and all of them were different styles.

The one that grabbed her attention immediately was the jade bangle that had the same phoenix carved into it as the box did. Albeit on a much smaller scale.

The other bangles were less intricate but no less expensive. Two were pure gold with small gems set into them. One was made of plain jade, its color bright and clear. And the last one was made of dark wood and it had a jade center. Carved into it was the same protection charm from the box.

“Oh my.” Madam Meirong said as she looked at the box in front of Meng Mei. “Is there a letter?”

Meng Mei moved the bangles and found a scroll sitting underneath them. She unrolled the tiny sheet of parchment and took a look at its contents.

‘Dear Meng Xiang,

I hope you have been well these past few weeks as I've been gone. When I mentioned that I was going to write to you my friend Zhong Shoushan insisted I send this gift to you. He regrets he hasn't sent you a betrothal gift until now and consulted his daughter on what you may like. He hopes that joining the symbols of our sects will help bring you and the young master together in a similar manner. My hopes align with his.

I will see you soon, this gift should not arrive too long before me. Listen to your A-niang in the meantime.’

There was no signature but Meng Mei knew it came from Meng Xiāng's father, Meng Guoyao.

“A-die says that the gift is from sect leader Zhong.” Meng Mei reported dutifully. Madam Meirong made a pleased humming sound.

“We'll have to thank him.” She said with a pleased smile. “Yong-er, what did you receive?”

Meng Yong's face briefly scrunched up at the use of the diminutive nickname. He was only a few years away from receiving a given name after all.

“A-die sent me a new guan.” He said, showing off the golden hair ornament. It was clearly made for a prominent family with the gems and detailing on it.

“You'll have to wear it when he arrives.” Madam Meirong suggested. Though it was less of a suggestion than it was an order.

“Now finish up your breakfast, children. It's nearly time for your first classes.”

Meng Mei and Meng Yong followed her gentle instructions. They both finished up their food and then dismissed themselves. Meng Yong went outside to train and Meng Mei went to find Amah.

The older woman made all of the appropriate appreciative noises as she looked at the gift from Zhong Shoushan. She took it into her own hands for safekeeping as Meng Mei went to her political history class.

She instantly felt herself grow tired at the sight of the ever boring Feng-laoshi.

“Ah, young miss.” He said slowly. “Are you ready to present your research to me?”

“Yes Feng-laoshi.” Meng Mei confirmed. During her last class Feng-laoshi had instructed her to build a report on the history of the symbols of Libaogong and the YuHu sect.

“You may begin then.”

“Four hundred years ago when jade scarcity was at its peak people began to fear that the gods had forsaken them for their greed.” Meng Mei began, her voice evening out as she recounted her favorite lore from Seasons of Sorrow.

The people believed that the gods had taken their most precious resource as a consequence of the succession battle going on at the palace. The third prince had recently fashioned a jade throne to be made and the people believed this was a grave transgression.

At the same time, high atop a mountain, an ancient white tiger spirit took notice of this unrest. He had ruled over his mountain range for a long time and he knew that it contained much of this precious jade. At first he did not plan on revealing this fact, the unrest was of no importance to him.

That was until a phoenix landed on his mountain. She was much older than the tiger spirit and she had spent many years watching the humans. She knew that the unrest would pose a problem soon for she knew the true meaning of ‘war’.

‘Wise tiger. I advise you to share your jade with the humans.’ The phoenix cautioned.

‘Why? Human problems are far beneath me.’ The tiger rebutted. He had never left his mountain range and did not understand how vicious humans could become.

‘If the humans find your jade by themselves they will drain your mountains of all life. Their greed will destroy your domain.’ The phoenix flapped her wings, as if to take off. ‘I will be reborn, no matter what happens to my domain. Can the same be said for you?’

‘So what do you propose I do?’ The tiger asked, sufficiently alert now.

‘We shall rid the humans of the royal family and all of the chaos they bring. In their absence we shall become teachers. You shall share your jade in small rations until the humans quiet down and then you will teach them about tranquility and strength. I will take care of the riches in the palace and prevent anyone from becoming a new king. After that I will teach them respect and stability.’

The tiger saw the merit in the phoenix’s plan. He had always thought that the humans would be a lot better off if they had a similar temperament to him. It had also been a long time since he'd taught a cultivator how to strengthen their convictions. He rather missed being a teacher.

‘Very well. We will follow your plan.’ The tiger conceded. ‘I will construct a school on my mountain so I may better teach the humans.’

‘And I will construct a school on the grounds of the last phoenix nest. I will leave the imperial palace to burn.’

“Through her teaching, the phoenix birthed Libaogong. Which is why we decorate with red and carve her symbol into every surface. To thank her for her aid and her teachings. The tiger on the other hand founded the YuHu sect through his teachings. And that is why their robes are white and black and why they have the best jade craftsmen in the entire cultivation world.”

“Good.” Feng-laoshi praised. His plain robes stood out even more after the story. “Now what about the divine descendants?”

“The divine descendants are rumored to be those who can wield the power of the phoenix or the tiger. The most recent rumored divine descendant appeared in the Zhong family two hundred years ago. It was said she had white hair that contained black markings like a tiger's fur and that she could transform into a tiger at will.” Meng Mei rattled off. It was such an interesting world building myth that never reappeared in Seasons of Sorrow.

Though Meng Mei would've been happy to read about a character that was a divine descendant.

“Very good young miss.” Feng-laoshi clapped slowly. “Now if you take a seat I will begin our lesson properly.”

With a quiet sigh Meng Mei did as she was told. She settled into her seat and got ready for the following hours of boredom.

She was three hours into the lesson when a notification from the system suddenly popped up.

[The period for ‘Tutorial Quest: Take over the Role’ has ended]

[Congratulations you have finished your first quest!]

[Results loading…]

Meng Mei perked up. Finally she'd be able to see how well she'd actually done over the past few days.

[Your score has been loaded. Select yes to view.]

Meng Mei followed the instruction.

[The percentage below shows how convinced each person was that nothing had changed!

A passing score was a percentage of 70%]

[A-Mei has unlocked a bonus! From now on Meng Xiāng's family will not notice any small abnormalities. Though you should still be cautious.]

[Reward granted. Click to view the unlocked quest(s)]

[Unlocked quest(s):

Are you ready to proceed with these quest(s)? Y/N]

With a triumphant smile, Meng Mei selected ‘yes’.