Disheveled, and a mess, Sage bowed his head to Kang Yung and then turned around. Walking back the way he came and turning to head into the outer crowd rather than the central area. He moved to join the crowd and as he moved to join them he realized the difference in treatment. It was like the Kang Clan were standing on a large well lit dance floor, separated from the crowd by many tables they weren’t even allowed to sit at. Further away, there were buffet tables, something that Sage had seen very little of in this world. Most cultivators were rich and powerful, if they didn’t have lower ranking servants they had mortals, and if they were introverts they might even use puppets or other magical stand-ins. Yet, here in the Kang Clan, they just set out huge buffet tables of foods and drinks and made people get it themselves.

Truly a unique mindset in this clan.

Despite how terrible he looked, Sage’s injuries were not that severe. The pressure he’d felt was all encompassing. It hadn’t targeted any specific part of his body, instead dispersing the power equally throughout him. While that meant it caused wide ranging damage, the actual damage itself was small. Somewhat how a thousand paper cuts would be gruesome to suffer, but the damage was only superficial as long as medical attention was sought quickly enough.

Sage swallowed a couple Blood Clotting Pills, not wanting to reveal his abilities in front of a crowd. Truthfully he could heal such minor injuries in a few minutes given the regenerative powers he gained from the Fat Grass Worm bloodline. He made a note to purchase better healing pills in the future, for just such an occasion as this, and also for his human subordinates. He started to head towards the restroom, but unfortunately, a few people in the crowd decided this was the perfect opportunity for an introduction. His clothing was bloodstained and his skin was rapidly scabbing over with the help of the pills. Even so, this group obviously didn’t want him to have the chance to restore his dignity.

“We’ve heard so much about the Jade Horde lately. It’s quite surprising to see that their leader is so… young. Don’t worry, son. You’ll see with experience that it’s better not to take on more than you can handle.”

Just as Sage had guessed, they were already belittling him and he felt the urge to throttle them. It was an insane idea, but he still felt the urge bubbling up from within and he forcibly suppressed it. The group in front of him was made up of three men, and six women. Their outfits a mix of robes and combat suits. They wore long orange robes, with black trim and highlights, but they were split at the sides from hip to floor. They wore long pants underneath the robes, but they had no sleeves and instead wore large studded metal bracers. Their uniform seemed to consist of only wearing black and orange, with the three men standing at the front and a lady standing to each of their shoulders. The ladies didn’t seem to wear long pants like the men did and the long slits in their robes showed quite a bit of skin as they walked. The ladies outfits were also missing buttons all the way to the collar and showed quite a bit of cleavage.

Sage was a bit taken aback at this strange group in front of him. At this event given by the Kang Clan they chose to bring along a half dozen scantily dressed women. From what he could tell, the ladies were far weaker than the men, so it definitely wasn’t a case of a group with lots of powerful women. Instead they must have brought them around just to be indulgent. Sage clasped his fists towards the group and then bowed his head down low to them.

“Please forgive this lowly one. How lucky am I to be in the presence of such great heroes. We feel like mere mortals when standing so close to what obviously must be divinity. There’s no way a fool like me could ever think to bring such heaven defying beauties to the Kang Clan’s gathering. Truly, you are matchless, valiant, brave, strong, and possessed of true vision!”

It was far more difficult than it had been in the past, but Sage managed to stifle the surge of rage and lay on his flattery quite thick. The three men smiled widely as he began, their faces changing from disdain to pleasure. Of course, this piddling little nothing should address them like this. Two of them could only smile wider and wider the more Sage spoke, but the third man’s smile faded. He had a sinister look about him, dark circles around his eyes and sallow skin. The other two men smiled happily and goaded Sage to continue praising them. The sinister man only seemed to grow more annoyed. Finally, he couldn’t take it anymore and he whispered something to the other two men. Their necks started to turn red and the whole group of them quickly turned around and stalked away.

Idiots.

Sage was usually an excellent bootlicker, but for some reason this time his anger came through and mixed in with all his compliments were a few critiques of the three men and their choices.

Guess I was a little too passive aggressive there.

He didn’t really know who they, or anyone else here, were so he didn’t let it bother him. Instead he took the opportunity to get washed up. Finding a bathroom, he set a concealing formation and stepped into the Universe Ring. Taking a quick shower, he healed his injuries and changed his clothing. He returned to the party and took a look around the crowd. The group in orange was now talking with others and they sent telling looks his way. When they did, the others they were talking to also glanced over.

Who’s the idiot now… me and my big mouth.

A young man walked over, accompanied only by an old man at his side. They wore simple clothing with muted colors, looking quite like normal mortals. A close inspection would show that their clothes were actually made of very fine and high quality materials with tiny array symbols sewn into the seams. These garments were magical equipment of some sort and would be far more expensive than the most elaborate and gaudy gold and jewel encrusted clothing. The younger man smiled at Sage’s group and gave them a bow.

“I am Gao Yahui, Head of Champion Security. It’s a pleasure to meet the most mysterious leader of the Jade Horde.”

Sage was expecting more ridicule, but he was glad to have a more enthusiastic response. He quickly responded with humility and some praise for their outfits before introducing King and the Seven Stars.

“Nice meeting you all, this is just my Uncle Shu. He doesn’t like to talk much, so don’t mind him. Sorry about those other fellows. They’re the ‘Three Lords’ of the Fierce Tigers.”

Gao Yahui watched Sage’s reaction to see how informed he was, and Sage gave the man a knowing smile. Even if he hadn’t been building an information network he would know them. Unfortunately, the current information network only passed scrolls of information so he had no faces to attach to any names. So, as soon as he heard their names he knew exactly what the deal was. The ‘Fierce Tigers’ were a mercenary team that considered the Jade Horde to be a band of upstarts. They liked to swagger around and show off how amazing they were in front of all the normal folk. On the other hand, as soon as anyone with real power showed up they were as meek as kittens. It didn’t even take a first rate power like the Kang Clan, they were also instantly subservient to even the second rate powers that ran counties. They were a prime example of bullying the weak, and fearing the strong.

Only a few others bothered to make introductions, or responded kindly when Sage went to meet them. The rest seemed to have already taken the side of the Fierce Tigers or were extremely dismissive. They acted polite, but didn’t attempt to form any relation whatsoever, making excuses to extract themselves from any interaction as quickly as possible. Only Gao Yahui seemed to offer them friendship, though Sage could see a number of groups that kept their distance.

Convenient. If we never meet, then they don’t have to choose how to treat me.

Despite looking casual, there were quite a few groups of people that were able to keep their distance from him. In order to approach them he would have to make a scene out of it, and that would be reason enough for them to rebuke him.

The Jade Horde is going to need to recruit a few politicians and socialites to handle this nonsense in the future.