Xiao didn't know why he was being like this. He just expected something different from this feast. He supposed he did meet new people and even learned new things, but he wasn't as happy as he thought he would be. Perhaps, and he knew it was true but didn't want to admit it, his thirst for knowledge had hindered his ability to be able to interact with his brothers. His only solace was that he was becoming close friends with Reece and Kun and Grandmaster Maguire.

He hadn't missed Cole's expression at his refusal either. It was sadness and pity that he saw and he did not like that at all. When did he become someone to be pitied? Where was his playful attitude? He also caught an ear of Jonah's apologies for him. That made him feel worse. One thing he did not feel, though, was apologeticness for his refusal. Cole deserved it for what he did. However, that shouldn't hinder Jonah's learning. 

Xiao shook his head as he walked down the winding roads of Mount Huai towards the winehouse halfway up the hill. It was the old winehouse that he had sneaked alcohol from as a young disciple. It was one of the few things that had stayed the same and he treasured it. He remarked that coming back to changes would be the cost of travelling around. But then, that was the life he led, wasn't it? It was unrestrained and beautiful, so he shouldn't feel sad because of some changes.

The thing was as Xiao hadn't any family left when he came to Mount Huai, the mountain was his home. Grandmaster only brought him to Mount Huai because he pitied the young, abandoned child that Xiao was. Perhaps that was the reason why Bradley hated him too. Xiao didn't pay any money for training and more importantly, Bradley was supposed to be brought up alone. Then he ended up being paired with some unruly kid?

Xiao grabbed at his face then pretended to toss aside all his worries. That at least made him laugh. Then he got a bottle of TianMu and headed back uphill. The trek got him through the afternoon and he drank the rest away. When night fell, he headed to the feast, ignoring the fact that he still had dust on his outer robe. It didn't matter though, now that he had fully accepted that he didn't really belong with all these real "rich brats".

Jonah was outside the great hall. "Xiao," he scolded. "You're almost late."

"Did you learn much from Cole Fessler?"

Jonah hesitated before saying "yeah".

Xiao clapped him on the back. "That's good. Let's go in now."

Jonah sighed. "At least you showed up." Then he dusted off Xiao's robes with harsh and quick movements and then ushered him in, as if he was afraid Xiao would run off.

In the usually simple, minimally-decorated great hall, new, dark purple drapes were hung in place of the usual white ones and there was a plethora of candles and chandeliers. The servants bustled around in the extravagant hall, all dressed in white. Four people occupied a table and most people have already sat down. Xiao looked around to see Stephanus and Bradley sitting closest to the head table like the kiss-ups they were. Jonah had seen them earlier and was already dragging Xiao towards them. When Xiao realized this, he pulled his wrist out of Jonah's grasp. "I'll sit with Reece and Kun," he said.

He had spotted them with Hao from Xue Lake. 

Jonah tsked. "Xiao, you can't avoid your brothers too!"

Xiao shook his head. "I will not sit with Bradley and Stephanus," he said firmly and headed towards his new friends.

They greeted him warmly, warmer than Bradley would have done. They didn't comment on his robes, which was partly due to Jonah's aggressive dusting, nor did they ask him where he went the whole afternoon. Xiao sat down next to Hao. "I don't think we've ever eaten together," he said, grinning. 

Hao agreed. "I haven't gotten the chance to talk to the famous Xiao from Mount Huai."

"Stop teasing," Xiao said in a mock whine.

Everyone laughed at his tone. Instantly, Xiao felt at ease.

It was Reece and Kun's first time eating with Hao, too. The Xue Lake disciples barely interacted with the other disciples. So all three focused on Hao.

"How is Xue Lake?" Kun wanted to know.

"It's quieter than Mount Huai by a great deal," Hao said honestly. 

Xiao laughed. "Even I'm not used to Mount Huai being this loud and I'm one of the loudest person you'll meet."

"Mount Phoenix is normally quiet, too," Reece said. "I think it's because of Xiao that we all became so loud here."

Xiao smiled. He did have the tendency to get everyone to be loud, either in anger or excitement. He picked up his wine and tilted his head back to drink it. As he looked up, a swish of white caught his attention and he saw Cole sit down in a table directly in front of him. He was with the other three Wen River disciples and he laughed along at a joke Jason just told, his whole face lighting up. Xiao pursed his lips. Anyone hanging out with that molester wasn't someone he wanted to be around. 

"Are you and Robbie the only disciples of the Grandmaster of Xue Lake?" Reece asked. 

Hao nodded. "Our grandmaster only ever took in us two. You guys probably heard that he doesn't like leaving his seclusion nor taking in many disciples."

We've also heard you guys were quite secretive, Xiao wanted to say but held back. He was the host of the table after all. Instead he looked around and saw John walking in. John was in a tailored purple outfit with golden threads at the hems. He headed straight towards Jonah, Stephanus, and Bradley who pulled out his seat and filled his goblet. John said something and the rest laughed. No one seemed to care whether Xiao was there or not. 

A tinkling sound quieted down the room. Grandmaster Liang had risen up. "Everyone, we gather here to celebrate the discovery of a famous sword, Qiushui. As many of you know, this sword's last known wielder was Zhao Fang, a few hundred years ago. A month back, I had found this sword when the back of this mountain had a minor earthquake and revealed a hidden cave."

Everyone applauded and cheered. Amid the cheers, Grandmaster Liang placed the sword with its dark brown scabbard out onto the table. He unsheathed it in one swift motion and lights flashed. The sword reflected the bright candlelight. Instantly, silence fell. It was the most beautiful sword anyone had ever seen. It was slender and a few inches longer than most swords, thus there was a feminine air to it that made it so gorgeous yet dangerous that it had a treacherous air about it. On the hilt, there were four diamonds that radiated purple light and the golden guard was curled on the end gorgeously. Xiao understood the name that meant autumn river. The sword's bright metal almost resembled a clear river. It reflected the light as a river would reflect the sky.

"Let's drink to it," the Grandmaster of Svetlana River said. Everyone stood up and drank whatever they had in their cups - be it wine, tea, or other beverages.

Then, talk broke out in all tables. "That was the most majestic sword I've ever seen," Kun declared.

Xiao nodded in agreement. He couldn't take his eyes off the sword.

"Grandmaster, show us what it can cut through!" someone requested.

Bradley instantly went up to the head table with a block of wood and presented it to Grandmaster Liang. Xiao forced himself not to curl his lips in disdain. Grandmaster Liang nodded at Bradley and cut the block of wood as easily as chopping some tofu. Everyone cheered again. Xiao felt his heart beating faster and faster as envy filled him. His own sword, Severus, most definitely could not do that. He instantly regretted not being more of a model disciple the past week. With his recent behaviours and his mentor thinking that he was being a slave to learn sword sequences, he knew he would not be getting the sword. He watched as the sword was handed to Bradley to be passed around.

"I wish my sword would do that," Hao said enviously.

Reece nudged Xiao. "You have a chance at it, Xiao-Ge."

Xiao smiled as sweetly as he could manage to cover up his longing for the sword. "Mentor will most definitely give it to Brad-Ge. He's older."

As he spoke, he watched the Wen River disciples. They had the sword and they wooed and ahhed after it. Xiao let out a sharp exhale at Jason holding the sword. Then Jason passed it to Cole, to Xiao's growing resentment, who took it carefully and examined it quietly. Then he nodded and sheathed it, passing it to the next table without a word.

Reece tsked. "We haven't been here long but we know who is the more charming one of Mount Huai."

Kun nodded. "He would give it to you, Xiao-Ge."

Xiao laughed. "What's up with you guys and white lies? I'm fine with my own sword."

They nodded, quietly skeptical but also understanding the situation. Then the sword reached their table and Xiao reached for it eagerly. It was a bit heavier than Severus but still comfortable enough. He unsheathed it slowly. Up close, he felt the sword emit a stream of cold air. He involuntarily hissed in appreciation and shock and placed the scabbard on the table. Then using two fingers, he gently stroked the blade of the sword. As it ran along the blade, he felt more and more drawn to it. He could imagine the cold blade penetrating the flesh of his enemy and the red on it when it came out. His grip tightened as he thought of fighting using Qiushui.

But then, the sword would never be his. Sighing, he released his grip on the sword and passed it to Reece. When they were all done with it, Xiao let a servant take it away and he leaned back on his chair and let out a quiet sigh.

"I wonder how much the diamond is worth," Reece said.

Xiao smiled politely. The sword was the property of Mount Huai's and what could he say that wouldn't come off as bragging? Besides, speculating about the worth of someone's property wasn't so tactful. Reece realised his mistake too and he hastily turned the subject on the other famous, lost sword, Xingchen.

Xiao listened as they spoke about it. Deep down he wondered whether he might be happier if he had sat with some of the Mount Huai disciples. There wouldn't be the difference between host and guest at least.

"What's your sword called, Xiao-Ge?" Kun asked.

"Severus," Xiao replied. "Yours, Kun-Ge?"

"Evernight," Kun said. "I got it as a gift from my mentor."

Reece nodded. "Our mentor gave each one of us a sword. Mine is called Fiona and Rose's is called Longzhao. That means the claw of a dragon, see?"

Hao gasped. "I've heard of that sword! Didn't the famous Diren Empress use it?"

Kun nodded. "Yeah. Rose is our mentor's niece, you see, so she got preferential treatment with that sword."

Longzhao. Xiao thought about it. Did Rose have that sword that night when she was trapped by Jason? Was that what Jason wanted? 

"What about you, Hao? What's your sword's name?" Xiao asked.

"Wuohu," Hao said with a proud look. Xiao's heard of this sword. It had been in the possession of the Xue Lake sect for a long time. Xue Lake was an ancient, prominent sect of knights, unlike many of the sects that were present. The Mount Huai sect, for example, was a small branch of the Mount Gudu sect. However talented and accomplished a Mount Huai disciple was, they would have to be respectful towards the Xue Lake disciples. This thought along with Hao's proud look instantly made Xiao feel less friendly towards Hao.

He let Reece and Kun gush over the sword and he picked up his goblet and gulped it down. His gaze fell on Cole again as he set down the goblet. Cole was eating a piece of meat, most likely beef judging by the colour. He took timid bites, worried about getting sauce onto his face and didn't partake in any conversation around him. Gary nudged him and said something, and Cole merely nodded. Then the other three Wen River disciples started playing drinking games. Still, Cole sat on the edge of their table and ate quietly.

Xiao tilted his head. Did Cole feel left out, he wondered. But then, he thought of everything he hated about Cole and he exerted himself into conversation again. Hao was talking about Brian from Svetlana River and how he saw Brian break a piece of wood easily.

"Hao-Ge, you should perform one of your sequences for us before we part ways," Xiao said sweetly.

The other two instantly agreed. None of them had seen the Xue Lake disciples do more than walk and eat.

Hao smiled. "What can I do that you can't, Xiao-Ge?"

Xiao let his fake smile fade. "Hao-Ge, you are being way too humble. Us knights should all show off once in a while, eh?"

Hao smiled and didn't say anything. Reece gave Xiao a look that said "drop it" and looked around the room. Xiao did the same and saw the Svetlana River disciples heading to the Wen River disciples' table.

"Aren't the Wen River disciples too rowdy?" Kun asked. "Starting drinking games this early in the night?"

"Especially with all the elders present," Hao added.

"But Cole is not joining in," Xiao said despite himself.

Reece shook his head. "Cole is different from them."

"That's true," Kun agreed. "He isn't that talkative but he is a good person."

Hao nodded. "The first time I met him I was lost on the Mount Huai grounds and he helped me back to the seclusion wing. We barely said five words to each other but I can tell he's nice."

Xiao smiled and listened, not wanting to dispute with them.

"I thought he was so cold the first time I saw him," Kun said. "While Gary and Owen were talking to me, he just sat and nodded along."

Reece lightly hit the table in the recollection. "Right, it was the first time we saw Xiao-Ge, too. In Steph's room. Cole barely said anything that night unless spoken to."

Xiao nodded. He had noticed that. But, "he did talk a lot when it comes to martial arts," he said.

Hao laughed. "Which one of us wouldn't?"

Xiao laughed too, but at the hypocrisy. However, his laugh was drowned out by an uproar from the drinking game section. Many young disciples had gathered there.

Then, Grandmaster Liang spoke to the entire hall. "The young disciples should go outside and show off some skills they have to make the feast more interesting, don't you think?"

The Grandmaster of Svetlana River smiled. "I think that would be a good idea."

All the disciples cheered and rose to leave. Xiao, however, silently cursed the Wen River disciples for making a ruckus during the feast. He finally had a chance to drink as much as he wanted on Mount Huai, yet now he was getting chased out. Shaking his head, he grabbed two jugs of Tianmu and headed out after the others.