*page_break Rest
*set lock_exp_spending false
*temp rude_to_meimei false
*set injuries_3 false
*gosub_scene cslib_string find history "prologue_tourney_lost_xiaochun"
*if cslib_ret > 0
	The tourney has only just begun, yet the greatest upset has already been suffered: a scion of a Great Clan, their sole ${YM} has lost against some no-name minor noble without significant skill. 
	
	As you go past the crowd, you hear their murmurs.
	
	[i]That's the greatest talent since ancient history?[/i]
	
	[i]Someone actually said that ${pronoun_1} might be the First Emperor's reincarnation? Haha![/i]
	
	[i]The Wu clan is trash. They should be removed from the Great Five.[/i] 
	
	They feel you with shame as you continue walking, your fists clenched and your head lowered. You take your place beside the Sect Envoy — which was supposed to be an honor for your outstanding results in the Trial of Blood, yet now feels like ridicule — and sit down.
	
	"${YM} should not be hard on ${pronoun_3}self. Fights are unpredictable and accidents do happen."
	
	You look up and meet with one of the Martial Artists that have followed He Jun. She is, perhaps, the most enthralling woman under the Heavens. With features perfect enough to be considered a work of art, a masterpiece crafted with the utmost care, her plump, satiny lips spread in a smile. A soft, delicate smile that ignites in others the desire to protect its bearer at all costs. To shield her from the dangers and perils of this ruthless world.

	You can't help but stare at her, losing the autonomy to direct your own sight at will — there is something bewitching to her, regardless of your preferences. 

	"Is there something stuck on my face?" — she asks, blinking innocently. She touches the fair skin of her cheek, spotless except for a cute, natural blush. 

	[[b]Mei Mei[/b] added to [b]Character Glossary[/b]]
	*set characters_6_opinion 50
	*choice
		#"I'm sorry, you are just too beautiful."
			*label meimei_reaction_2
			*gosub_scene subroutines change_opinion 6 2 "+"
			Her blush deepens, turning ruby. The silky strands of her long blond hair blanket her bashful face. 

			"Mei Mei thanks ${YM} for ${pronoun_2} compliment." — she says. Her bright green eyes are sincere as if the young woman has never heard appreciative words before.

			You both stand there in awkward silence. 

			"Did Fairy Mei want something or…?"

			"In truth, I just wished to introduce myself." — she says and then casts down her gaze, embarrassed by next words — "And you looked so sad… I thought you needed a cheer up." 

			"Thank you."

			You give her a small smile in return. It's nice having someone show you kindness, even if it's a small gesture. 

			"What's your full name then, Miss Mei?"

			"Right!" — she smacks herself on the forehead — "I'm He Mei, Second Young Mistress of the He Clan."

			You freeze. You glance at He Jun and discover him watching you with enmity as intense as when the mirror revealed your heaven-defying talent. You glance back at He Mei, but she just stands there confused, not understanding that her name has revealed her to be an enemy of your clan and you by extension. 

			"Who is He Gang to you?!" — you ask, jumping up. The matter of years ago poisons your tone, causing it to experience a sharp change. To become [i]hostile[/i].

			She steps back, her tender frame shrinking from your unexpected anger. She struggles to speak. 

			"He-he is my bro-brother…" — she mutters in a barely audible whisper — "Are you two familiar with each other?"

			"Familiar?" — you huff, your fists clenched — "You want to tell me you don't know what happened between us?"

			"I don't! They never tell me things!" — He Mei claims, and you can hear the frustration in her resolute voice — "Look, I don't know what my brother did, I know that he can be… temperamental. But, please, don't judge me by his wrongs, okay?"

			"Can we still be friends?"

			*choice
				#"Yes."
					*gosub_scene subroutines change_opinion 6 2 "+"
					She's right, it would be unfair to hold her brother's actions against her…

					"We can, Miss Mei."

					"Call me Senior Sister!" — Mei Mei beams.

					You chuckle.

					"Okay, Senior Sister Mei." 

					"Great! It makes me happy." —  she laughs in relief, tilts her head, and grins, showing off her dimples. 

					"MEI'ER!" — yells He Jun. Mei Mei rolls her eyes and waves you goodbye. 

					"Don't even think about it, you little bastard." — the Sect Envoy tells you  — "You are lucky to have that turn-coating snake protecting you. But if he already has betrayed his own bloo-"

					You feel the wind raffle. An unexpected gust of draught blows in between the two of you. He Jun growls as he clutches his throat in the same place as he was cut before. Another warning, you presume.

					"Old fucking fart, do you think you can keep ${pronoun_2} in the dark forever? $!{pronoun_1}'s bound to know!"  — He Jun snorts and turns away to announce the results of the concluded fight. 

					"Uncle Tao?"  — you whisper into the empty air, but hear nothing but silence in return. 
				#"No."
					*gosub_scene subroutines change_opinion 6 1 "-"
					"Oh… I see." — she turns around quickly, but you swear you saw a hint of tears on the edges of her large eyes — "Farewell then."
				#"Go fuck yourself."
					*gosub_scene subroutines change_opinion 6 2 "-"
					"Oh… You seem to hate my family a lot…"  — she turns around quickly, but you swear you noticed a hint of tears on the edges of her large eyes — "Farewell then."

		#"Hm? I was just thinking about... stuff."
			*gosub_scene subroutines change_opinion 6 1 "+"
			Her face scrunches into a charming pondering expression as she contemplates your answer.

			"Many people tend to be spaced out, thinking about [i]stuff[/i] when they meet Mei Mei…" — she complains — "${YM}, am I that bland?"

			"What? No! You're very beautiful!" 

			*goto meimei_reaction_2
		#"Go away, I'm resting."
			*gosub_scene subroutines change_opinion 6 1 "-"
			"Mei Mei just wished to cheer ${YM} up and see if ${pronoun_1} wanted to be friends…"  — she says, her gaze cast down in embarrassment —  "I'm sorry to have bothered you. I'll be on my way." 

			She turns around quickly, but you swear you saw a hint of tears on the edges of her large eyes. You're not sure whether they are due to your refusal or to your rudeness.
	*goto_scene after_tourney_2 lost_against_xiaochun

*gosub_scene subroutines prestige_change 10 "+"
Your victory does not surprise the gathered scions: it would've been a heavenly miracle, a great upset if you had lost instead. Still, most — especially those ranking on the lower side of combat prowess — seem to be
*gosub_scene cslib_string find history "hurt_xiaochun"
*if cslib_ret > 0
	aghast at your cruelty. If you were so vile against an opponent that didn't pose you any threat, how far will you go against one who does?
*else
	relieved that, despite your strength, you do not indulge in unwarranted cruelty.

You take your, as the top scorer in the Trial of Blood, rightful place beside the Sect Envoy. Finding a comfortable position while sitting cross-legged on the ground, you prepare to rest before the upcoming fights — but a sweet, gentle-sounding voice interrupts you.

"A marvelous display of Wu Clan's might. The rumors of their decadence must surely be false and overstated if their ${YM} is so exceptional." 

You look up and meet with one of the Martial Artists that have followed He Jun. She is, perhaps, the most enthralling woman under the Heavens. With features perfect enough to be considered a work of art, a masterpiece crafted with the utmost care, her plump, satiny lips spread in a smile. A soft, delicate smile that ignites in others the desire to protect its bearer at all costs. To shield her from the dangers and perils of this ruthless world.

You can't help but stare at her, losing the autonomy to direct your own sight at will — there is something bewitching to her, regardless of your preferences. 

"Is there something stuck on my face?" — she asks, blinking innocently. She touches the fair skin of her cheek, spotless except for a cute, natural blush. 

[[b]Mei Mei[/b] added to [b]Character Glossary[/b]]
*set characters_6_opinion 50
*choice
	#"I'm sorry, you are just too beautiful."
		*gosub_scene subroutines change_opinion 6 2 "+"
		*label meimei_reaction
		Her blush deepens, turning ruby. The silky strands of her long blond hair blanket her bashful face. 
		
		"Mei Mei thanks ${YM} for ${pronoun_3} compliment." — she says. Her bright green eyes are sincere as if the young woman has never heard appreciative words before.
		
		*if mc_health < ((mc_health_total*95)/100)
			Mei Mei notices your injuries. Her adorable mouth shapes itself into an 'O' and she gasps in concern. 

			"Oh no! You're hurt!" — she runs to you, intent on caressing your wounds, but stops herself from actually touching you. 

			*fake_choice
				#"Yes, yes, I'm very hurt..." 
				#"Nothing but a scratch."
			"Mei Mei has a healing paste with her. I wonder if ${YM} wants it?" 
		*else
			"Although ${YM} has not suffered any injuries in ${pronoun_3} fight, Mei Mei can't help to worry about the future. This tourney shapes up to be very competitive." — Mei Mei frowns in concern — "I have a healing paste with me. I wonder if ${YM} wants it?"

		"Healing pastes require days to take effects. Thank you for the offer, but I don't think it'll help me much." — you reply. 

		Shaking her head, Mei Mei takes out a jar from her spatial ring. 

		*label no_ordinary_paste

		"This is no ordinary paste." — she explains — "There is phoenix blood in there, mixed with a thousand-year ginseng alongside other ingredients. Father gave it to me in case of emergencies."

		Phoenix blood?! While dragons are the undisputed rulers of the bestial world due to their tyrannical strength, phoenixes are right behind them in the social hierarchy of animals. Just a drop of their blood capable of reforming their bodies to completion, it's priceless to the point where you don't think your clan has any left in storage. 

		Now she offers you a paste made from it? Also with a thousand-year ginseng? For what?

		*if (rude_to_meimei)
			"This is not something I can repay, Miss Mei." — you refuse, albeit with a heavy heart. 
		*else
			"I can't repay it, Fairy Mei." — you refuse, albeit with a heavy heart. 

		"Call me Senior Sister!" — Mei Mei beams, extending the jar with the paste towards you — "Don't worry about the price, this is a gesture of goodwill. How about you'll just owe me a favor?" 

		"Can you at least introduce yourself, before making such an expensive gift?" — you say, wondering which Great Clan produced such a terrific jade beauty. 

		"Right!" — she smacks herself on the forehead — "I'm He Mei, Second Young Mistress of the He Clan."

		You freeze. You glance at He Jun and discover him watching you with enmity as intense as when the mirror revealed your heaven-defying talent. You glance back at He Mei, but she just stands there confused, not understanding that her name has revealed her to be an enemy of your clan and you by extension. 

		"Who is He Gang to you?!" — you ask, jumping up. The matter of years ago poisons your tone, causing it to experience a sharp change. To become [i]hostile[/i].

		She steps back, her tender frame shrinking from your unexpected anger. She struggles to speak. 

		"He-he is my bro-brother…" — she mutters in a barely audible whisper — "Are you two familiar with each other?"

		"Familiar?" — you huff, your fists clenched — "You want to tell me you don't know what happened between us?"

		"I don't! They never tell me things!" — He Mei claims, and you can hear the frustration in her resolute voice — "Look, I don't know what my brother did, I know that he can be… temperamental. But, please, don't judge me by his wrongs, okay? Consider this paste an apology for his actions."            

		*choice
			#Accept.
				*gosub_scene subroutines change_opinion 6 2 "+"
				*set meimei_poisoned true
				*set history history&"tourney_healing_paste|"
				She's right, it would be unfair to her… In addition, it's impossible to say no to that medicine…  

				"Thank you, Senior Sister." — you sigh and take the jar.

				"Great! It makes me happy that we can be friends." —  she laughs in relief, tilts her head, and grins, showing off her dimples. 

				You nod. Why can't everyone in He Clan be like her?

				*temp servants "girls"
				*if mc_orientation = "men"
					*set servants "boys"

				"Should I call some servant ${servants} to help you apply the paste?"

				*choice
					#"I would prefer if you'd do it, Sister Mei." @{(tooltip) [b][SEDUCTION][/b] |}
						*gosub_scene subroutines change_opinion 6 1 "+"
						*gosub_scene subroutines change_personality 1 "indulgent" "+"
						"Junior ${polite_address}! That's not appropriate!" — she furiously shakes her head, as if even the idea of such intimate, public contact horrifies her. 
						*gosub_scene subroutines stat_check "chr" 6
						*if (stat_check)
							You give her your best cocky smirk.

							"Who would dare criticize us? You are the daughter of He Bojing and I'm the most talented youth in the Celestial Empire."

							"I-I… I mean… If $!{polite_address} ${mc_name} rea-really wants me to…" — she gulps and moves closer.

							"MEI'ER!" — He Jun yells. Mei Mei flinches, and, like a spooked rabbit, runs away. 

							"Don't even think about it, you little bastard." — the Sect Envoy tells you, with his eyes full of hatred squinted  — "You are lucky to have that turn-coating snake protecting you. But if he already has betrayed his own bloo-"

							You feel the wind raffle. An unexpected gust of draught blows in between the two of you. He Jun growls as he clutches his throat in the same place as he was cut before. Another warning, you presume.

							"Old fucking fart, do you think you can keep ${pronoun_2} in the dark forever? $!{pronoun_1}'s bound to know!"  — He Jun snorts and turns away to announce the results of the concluded fight. 

							"Uncle Tao?"  — you whisper into the empty air, but hear nothing but silence in return. 

							In a few minutes, a bunch of servants comes around. They help you rub in the medicinal paste. After an hour, it takes complete effect and reinvigorates you to a condition even better than before your fight with Xiao Chun. Your injuries fade and disappear, your exhaustion vanishes without a trace. You're as fresh as a daisy. 
							
							*set mc_health mc_health_total
							*set mc_stamina 0

							[b]Health: ${mc_health}/${mc_health_total}
							
							[b][i]You've gained the healing effect of Phoenix Paste. Your health/stamina will restore themselves in-between tourney fights. [/b][/i]
						*else
							"Of course, of course, I was just joking." — you agree, a bit disappointed at her firm refusal. 

							He Mei eyes you with suspicion but soon lets it go as if your ulterior motive completely eludes her. 

							*label hejun_call

							"MEI'ER!" — yells He Jun. Mei Mei rolls her eyes and waves you goodbye. 

							"Don't even think about it, you little bastard." — the Sect Envoy tells you  — "You are lucky to have that turn-coating snake protecting you. But if he already has betrayed his own bloo"

							You feel the wind raffle. An unexpected gust of draught blows in between the two of you. He Jun growls as he clutches his throat in the same place as he was cut before. Another warning, you presume.

							"Old fucking fart, do you think you can keep ${pronoun_2} in the dark forever? $!{pronoun_1}'s bound to know!"  — He Jun snorts and turns away to announce the results of the concluded fight. 

							"Uncle Tao?"  — you whisper into the empty air, but hear nothing but silence in return. 

							In a few minutes, a bunch of servants comes around. They help you rub in the medicinal paste. After an hour, it takes complete effect and reinvigorates you to a condition even better than before your fight with Xiao Chun. Your injuries fade and disappear, your exhaustion vanishes without a trace. You're as fresh as a daisy. 

							*set mc_health mc_health_total
							*set mc_stamina 0

							[b]Health: ${mc_health}/${mc_health_total}
							
							[b][i]You've gained the healing effect of Phoenix Paste. Your health/stamina will restore themselves in-between tourney fights. [/b][/i]

					#"Yes."
						"No problem, Junior ${polite_address} ${mc_name}! You just focus on being healthy!" — she excitedly chirps. 

						*goto hejun_call


					#"No, I'd like to save it for later use." 
						*if mc_health < ((mc_health_total*95)/100)
							"What? I can't allow you to go injured into your next fight! Not happening! Not on my watch!" — she says and puts her arms on her hips. 

						*else
							"What? I can't allow you to go into your next fights without applying it! What if you get seriously hurt?!"
							
						"Can't allow me?" — you chuckle. 

						Her eyes go wide at the realization of what she just said. 

						"I-I me-mean… Right! We are friends now, yes? Friends should care for and help one another, should they not?" — she excitedly chirps, proud of herself for her cleverness. 

						You just shake your head.

						*goto hejun_call
			#Refuse.
				*gosub_scene subroutines change_opinion 6 2 "-"
				Although it might be unfair, you just can't become friends with someone from the He Clan: they are a bunch of pricks and sadly, she also belongs to that bunch. 

				"Are yo-you sure?" — she falters, not expecting your refusal — "This paste can heal you in an hour, I promise!"

				"The problem is not the medicine, Fairy Mei." — you shake your head — "It's your surname."

				"I see." — replies He Mei. You swear there are tears on the edges of her eyes that she hurriedly hides by turning away. — "I just thought we could be friends…" 

				*label hejun_yells2
				"MEI'ER!" — He Jun yells. 

				He Mei sniffs, waves you goodbye and walks away. 

				"Don't even think about it, you little bastard." — the Sect Envoy tells you  — "You are lucky to have that turn-coating snake protecting you. But if he already has betrayed his own bloo"

				You feel the wind raffle. An unexpected gust of draught blows in between the two of you. He Jun growls as he clutches his throat in the same place as he was cut before. Another warning, you presume.

				"Old fucking fart, do you think you can keep ${pronoun_2} in the dark forever? $!{pronoun_1}'s bound to know!"  — He Jun snorts and turns away to announce the results of the concluded fight. 

				"Uncle Tao?"  — you whisper into the empty air, but hear nothing but silence in return. 
			#Tell her to fuck off.
				*gosub_scene subroutines change_opinion 6 3 "-"
				Who knows what those bastards of the He Clan have planned? They might have sent her as a honey trap and poisoned the medicine, for all you know.

				"Fuck off!" — you shout. 

				Her eyes go wide at your angry refusal. 

				"You and your He Clan can go fuck themselves. Be gone and take your shitty paste with you." 

				"But… but…" — she falters, trying to come up with words to persuade you — "It can heal you in an hour! I promise!" 

				"Are you deaf?" — you ridicule — "I said FUCK OFF! Why are you so intent on slipping me this paste, huh? There is something venomous inside, right?"

				"W-what? No! No, of course not, why would I…" — seeing your resoluteness, she gives up. You swear there are tears at the edges of her eyes. — "I just hoped we could be friends…"

				*goto hejun_yells2
			
	#"Hm? I was just thinking about... stuff."
		Her face scrunches into a charming pondering expression as she contemplates your answer.
		
		"Many people tend to be spaced out, thinking about [i]stuff[/i] when they meet Mei Mei…" — she complains — "${YM}, am I that bland?"
		
		"What? No! You're very beautiful!" 
		
		*goto meimei_reaction
	#"Go away, I'm resting."
		*gosub_scene subroutines change_opinion 6 2 "-"
		"Mei Mei is sorry to bother ${YM}. I was just very impressed with your performance."
		
		*if mc_health < ((mc_health_total*95)/100)
			Mei Mei notices your injuries. Her adorable mouth shapes itself into an 'O' and she gasps in concern. 

			"Oh no! You're hurt!" — she runs to you, intent on caressing your wounds, but stops herself from actually touching you. 

			You recoil back. 

			"What are you doing? I said go away, don't bother me!" 

			"Please, don't be angry! It's just that Mei Mei has a healing paste with her that can help you recover in no time."
		*else
			"And... although you haven't suffered any injuries yet, this tourney is shaping up to be very competitive. Mei Mei can't help but worry..."  — she frowns in concern — "I have a healing paste with me. I wonder if ${YM} wants it?"

		*set rude_to_meimei true
		*goto no_ordinary_paste

*goto_scene fight_tourney_2