“Grave Lords are responsible for recruiting new members who may replace us when we’ve finished our advanced studies or moved on from our positions.”

  I idly tap my wings, lifting them slightly then letting them fall, not flapping or fanning them out, just flexing idly as I wait for my “graduation” and more information on “my” duties. How are they going to tell me I have work to do for the Sect when they told me I’d joined, didn’t clarify that I was still in the probation period, and then I breezed through almost entirely unassisted.

  “Mind you, we’re not allowed to give material assistance, but guiding words and sound advice are encouraged.”

  “The Disciples should be capable of advancing with guidance,” another elder says in agreement.

  One of the girls scoffs and I flare my wings and roll over, smacking them awkwardly. There are protests, -- wings make brains go brrr, -- and then I’m lying belly up flopped on my back.

  “This pamphlet was personally printed for your recruits, correct?” Little Corpse asks quietly, bowing respectfully to Widow’s Sigh with the pamphlet stretched open for study.

  -I said “almost” unassisted,- I point out as one of the girls pats my belly like my drum. -Whatever happened to it?-

  -Idiot! It’s still going!- one girl snaps, slapping my belly once.

  “It helps cut down on misunderstandings when things are written down.”

  “Receipts, as they are. I do something similar with wooden tabs,” one of the other masked elders says. “Recruits can make contributions, earn tabs, then trade them in. It helps for recruits that are active but don’t advance as quickly. Or aren’t as well funded.”

  Your side-eye can suck my colorful silk spouts. You have to find them first. Pretty sure I got rid of them.

  “My master is a very capable bank bug and gathered most Resentment without outside help,” Little Corpse quietly reminds them. “Even before their contract they’d gathered the resentment and crystallised it into new forms.”

  “Ah,” a masked elder rocks back before nodding. “The shards...”

  -Huh?- Oh, drum. I can’t quite focus enough, but I kinda hear it faintly. -I already admitted that being dropped on top of Little Corpse was a wonderful break. I wonder what other treasures are lying around.- I thrash around in an attempt to roll back over, eliciting annoyed smacks. -I still want a Bone Snare for cultivating, but what other treasures are there? Are all Broken Servants untrained cultivating geniuses?-

  -Tch!-

  The girls murmur and start shuffling around, Little Corpse excusing himself from the conversation and backing from his cushion before they work together to set up a low table with a lot of tasty looking foods. The girls grab chopsticks and start offering me foods. They’ve moved their cushions and are still holding me, but seem content with hand feeding me for some reason.

  “My master is still willing to purchase more information if it’s available,” Little Corpse says, bowing as he retakes his seat.

  “I’m aware of some people keeping some of the non-hunan ghosts as something similar to pets,” one elder says hesitantly.

  -We’re keeping the horse, right?- I turn back to wave a leg at Little Corpse who ignores me. -Tch!-

  -He said the horse was his, so we have to find our own pets,- one of the girls pats my back before kissing the top of my head. I flick my antenna, slapping them in the face, -- fack! No! I was hiding those! -- and the girls squeal before I shift to my hunan form to get away.

  “We --,” Little Corpse begins, sighing heavily and waiting for the madness to end.

  -Hands off of those!- I snap, crashing over the table to get away. -Oof!- I land on the other side glaring at them before calmly donning a set of black over robes with red shoulders and silver grey under robes. -Antenna are off limits! Fuckers want to mess with my silk and wings? No one touches my antenna! Hmph!-

  I calmly start eating from the mess I’ve made with a pair of summoned chopsticks, not the least bit ashamed to slurp broth off of the table. The girls start cleaning up the mess, banking things to me and accepting items Little Corpse requests and directs them to. So far it’s all pretty good, scattered or not.

  “Our master is willing to buy more technique manuals covering nearly every subject conceivable, if you know of any sellers,” Little Corpse continues.

  “It’d be best if they accepted a Patron and earned rewards for their service,” Widow’s Sigh says smoothly. “Of course not all Patrons will accept the actions of minions in lieu of a Grave Lord’s service...”

  There’s a knock at the door, the heavy edifice drawn to. A viewing slot is opened by one of the masked men as the girls discuss which of the undead they’d like to have as pets after I threaten to eat their hands if they don’t stop talking about how soft my antenna are. A few words exchanged at the door and the masked man sits down before a familiar face comes in pushing a cart.

  Fashionista is followed by two other people wearing what appear to be cracked masks, the group setting up tables and placing drinks before they notice us in the back. Fashionista glares at me, unpainted, wearing what look like a commoner’s winter robes while the two with him are dressed in slightly finer cloud grass robes.

  We make faces at one another until Fashionista remembers that they’re serving more advanced Sect members, a few of the Grave Lords watching him patiently. He pales, chokes, sputters as he tries to hide his coughing, and quickly exits the room to join the other two waiting outside.

  -What’s he doing here?- I snap at Little Corpse, hoping he can dig up where I can find that entitled twat so I can get a little payback.

  “Grave Tenders or Initiates can serve Grave Lords or Mausoleum Bearers in exchange for Resentment or favors,” one of the masked elders ask, and I wonder why everyone’s so old if this is just another segment of the Sect’s training.

  -Da fuq is up with the masks?- I grumble, irritated that I could have not noticed Fashionista while he plotted against me over something that’s clearly not being used to hide identities.

  “The living shouldn’t interact with Resentment so carelessly. The masks act as wards to prevent constant cycling or absorption of Resentments,” one elder murmurs, raising a hand and chanting a mantra.

  -Tch! Pass the pickle,- I keep eating, the girls content to watch although they were willing to take the time hand feeding me.

  “Some masks are Resentment condensed into physical form, collecting any nearby Resentment.”

  -You asked and you’re not bothering to pay attention?- Little Corpse snaps at me while murmuring appreciation to the masked Grave Lords.

  “There are a few that can help with Qi cycling as well,” one elder leans forward, seemingly gossiping. “Those are worth quite a lot of favor.”

  -Are there more pot stickers?- I grabbed a dumpling thinking it was one of the fried ones, but it was just stuffed. Still tasty.

  “Back to the matter at hand,” Widow’s Sigh interrupts, and I’m sure he’s quite hot that these others are interfering by gifting information he could be using to convince me to join their patron. That referral bonus must be amazing.

  -I want soup. Can I keep my hands?- one of the girls snarks at me, eyes wide in challenge.

  I wave for them to help themselves. If they keep the food coming there will be plenty for everyone. Speaking of... I crane my neck to see what the masked ones are drinking.

  -It’s just herbal tea. I think it’s supposed to paralyze you...- Little Corpse says, sampling the tea. Tch! -It’s actually quite lovely.-

  I wave my hand for Little Corpse to bring the assassination attempt over so I can sample it. He pardons himself again, mouth twisted in a wry smile as he gets up to come around to my VIP corner to offer me the cup. I slurp it noisily, aerating it and try to taste it around the mouthful of tea I have. It’s herbal tea, but it is nice. Tastes like it’s good for you, but in a floral way. I go to compliment the tea but my mouth feels funny.

  Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.

  I try to reach up and feel my face but it’s numb and I can’t lift my arm. I try to make a joke, to point out that I maybe should have started with a light sip, but now I can feel a growing mass forming in my throat. I try to tone as a final fuck you but I just twitch and fall over.

  Well, shit.

  Breathing, check. Moving, not so much so. What the hells is in my throat? I start to panic, -- I know my airway isn’t being blocked, but apparently I don’t Know my airway isn’t being blocked, -- and I try to thrash upright. I gargle, eyes wide as one of the girls holds up her knife, fully prepared to cut my throat open.

  Ack! Bish!

  “One moment,” Little Corpse murmurs, gently moving the girls away before reaching into my mouth. “Easy now...”

  The frick? It’s like the Orbs all over again. Whatever this is is small, but I’m kinda stuck right now.

  [Death Knell]

  [+1 Con. Qi]

  [-30 -Resentment]

  [+30 Resentment]

  [+10 Karma]

  [Last Rites II Enhanced]

  [+1 Con. Qi]

  [+1000 +Resentment]

  [+1000 Karma]

  [Karmic Pearl Produced]

  [-1000000 +Regard]

  [+10 Con. Qi]

  [-10000 Qi]

  [+1000 Karma]

  [Ghost Pot: +170/-0]

  [Resentment: +2036550/-111324]

  [Current Condensed Qi: 1835792/26731396]

  [Current Qi: 602820/957945100]

  [Current Karma: 106925587/107275977]

  I thrash, dispensing my payload, thankful that my throat and jaws don’t appear to have a limit. I just sit up, panting, mouth breathing loud as fack, just happy knowing that I’m not giving birth and that there aren’t like a million more of those things coming out.

  Now what the fack was that?

  [Karmic Pearl]

  [Resentment Wallet: 200C.St.,113R.Sl.,228R.Sh.,0D.M.R.N., 0 + 1 I.D.P.]

  [Resentment Wallet: 200C.St.,113R.Sl.,228R.Sh.,0D.M.R.N., 1I.D.P.]

  [Mortal Wallet: 12E,692K,180P,697R,179Da,258De,2605k]

  [Spirit Wallet: 0Dr,0Ph,0Th,1325Di,126Co,10679St]

  I’m in my logs when Little Corpse thinks lots of swear words while quickly depositing an “Immortal Dragon” Pearl. Aren’t those valuable? How’d I crap one of those out? I feel my eyes widen, blood boiling as I see how much it took to create.

  Silent Howl:

  I agree with Little Corpse.

  You should run.

  -*I spent how much positive Resentment?*- I slowly inhale, eyes as wide as they can go as I prepare to shriek in rage.

  “Did... We just witness a Dragon Pearl condensing? Out of a bug?” one of the masked elders says, recoiling in heartbroken disgust at the miracle Little Corpse is trying to cover up.

  “A ten-thousand year treasure...” the elder who’d chanted says earlier. I’m assuming it’s the same one because he monks up and starts chanting again.

  -So I’ve been called,- I snap, snatching up the cup and glaring down into it. -What was this?!-

  “A blessed repelling potion,” the disfigured masked figure says, giving a half shrug while holding their cup up. “It’s good for Purifying Resentment. The blessing just makes it work faster.”

  -*Shimmering Steel would be pissed if she found out what I just made,- I snicker, letting Little Corpse help me back up to the table. -The tea was pretty good... I don’t want to do that again before I finish whatever molt I have next, but I’d like to know how this was made.*-

  -*I’ll ask, just, for the love of all, hide in your void!- Little Corpse hisses, gently guiding me to my feet and to the corner as the girls put the table away. -They’re just moving it to your void. Go eat. Just go!*-

  I grumble as I transfer. I didn’t do anything wrong, why should I be punished? I gathered enough positive Resentment to make the treasure, shouldn’t they be afraid of offending me? In a pay-to-win sect and I’m supposed to worry about they trying to steal my account? I don’t use banks! Outside of myself.

  Wait. Can they hack me? Slaves are a thing and might makes right. Shit!

  -If they try anything we’ll help you run,- one of the girls reassures me and I collapse in relief. I thought they were going to say some nonsense about fighting old monsters for me. -Tch! We’re not stupid!-

  -We can handle the commoners in the Graves, but these Mausoleum based ones would be impossible if they joined hands,- the other says quietly, sitting beside me on her heels, gently petting my head.

  -I said no antenna, why are you touching my head,- I drone at her and she blushes while shuffling backwards.

  Tch! All this time I thought people were comforting me, were they messing with my antenna?

  -Where’s the food?- I grumble, the girls pulling their cushions out of thin air setting up at the table Little Corpse is loading off to the side.

  -I Deposited everything and Withdrew it along with fresh plates so that you stay put,- he says forcefully. -Girls? Keep an eye and get ready to pull me back if they try anything.-

  -They better not,- I grumble. They might be able to hurt me but I’ve got a lot of health and a big appetite. -See if I don’t eat them!-

  Little Corpse just sighs, roughly patting me on the head before striding off. I transfer him back to the meeting room and turn back to the food. He has permissions and knows how to use requests. Even if they disable or steal his body, he’s still mine.

  -Hmph! And how many Soldiers did you steal with help from the monks?- one of the girls reminds me while dipping a dumpling in a bowl of broth.

  Oh. Shit. How’d I forget about that? Wasn’t I just thinking about how they’d be able to steal me and claim me as a pet? Weren’t they just talking about people using the undead as pets? Well, not just, -- they’ve been talking for hours, -- but they went over it at one point.

  -Your combat ability is laughable, but your Will is high enough,- one of the girls dismisses me with a flick of her chopsticks as she reaches out, one hand holding her sleeve back, trying to access a dish in the center of the table. -That should give him adequate protection as long as none of the true elders come out.-

  -He’s earned enough positive Regard as well,- the other girl reminds us, pointing at us with her chopsticks before looking for the next bite. -Strange how there are so many monks tied to this sect...-

  -Tch! We were supposed to go back to the monks and learn more purification rites,- I grumble, rubbing my palms over my robed legs. Monks, and Death Moths, and the Graveyards, and who knows what else?

  -It’s not an evil sect, it’s a taboo sect,- Little Corpse says as he continues comparing numerous pamphlets. -You can earn quite a lot of merit by going around Purifying places with a lot of Resentment.-

  -So this is a good Sect for monks,- I flop over to stare at Little Corpse. I’m still hungry, but he’s super into those pamphlets and I want to know why.

  -I’m learning to read and the aunties and uncles in the Inner Void are advising me,- Little Corpse says.

  Mind. Blown. I slowly sit up because this dude just said he’s learning how to negotiate contracts on the fly and he cqn’t read yet! Holy shit, he’s smooth!

  -Up! Girls!- I climb to my feet, burning with resolve as I snatch up a bowl of dumplings and wolf them down. I grab another dish for the road, I can eat as we go. -We’re going to search for Broken Servants! I’m getting me more of these!-

  The girls don’t move. Technically they do, to cut their eyes at me and keep eating. Tch! Little Corpse sighs and I wave him back down. Who am I to stop his education?

  -Keep studying! We’re expecting big things from you!- I tell Little Corpse with a mouthful of rice and pickled vegetables. -Did you get a map?-

  Silent Howl:

  Set up a few markers.

  You should be able to see them.

  Ah! Fucker! I forgot I had my own map! Didn’t I use it to find Seven Moons? And the Imperial City. Oh. I did want to just get lost for a while... But knowing where I was would help me move farther away from where I don’t want to be!

  I keep eating as I look around. When I look to Little Corpse he sighs and begins putting up the pamphlets again.

  What? Oh! I can’t see the points in my void!

  -Sit down!- I grumble, waving him back down again.

  So. I don’t have to use markers... I can just... Go to Broken Servants? Worked with the Death Moths.

  I transfer out of my void into a tight space filled with sound and movement. I’m stuck cowering away from a shrieking, dusty hunan standing with arms curled up towards their body, head back, mouth wide, just screaming with unfocused eyes staring unseeing. Wherever I am is dark enough to obscure my vision, and filled with dust or rust. I don’t know.

  -Where am I?- I ask quietly. Another time I’m grateful I don’t have a bladder, because I’m pretty sure I’d be pissing myself.

  Silent Howl:

  Purify.

  Purify it all.

  Really should have let Little Corpse come...