*set offer_hejun false *set mask_enabled false Remembering your promise to He Jun, you ask one of the clerks working for the Arena to set up a meeting with the Envoy. The clerk nods and leaves — but returns soon after, asking you to follow him. He guides you into the higher floors of the arena, a place where various Xiantian that work here spend their time, whenever they leave their accommodations on the sect's second level. He Jun's room is spacious, not really tasteful but with enough money spent on it to appear so. The man himself sits behind a desk, writing something on piece of paper with a feather. He looks up when you enter and gestures you to a chair. "Take a seat." — He Jun greets — "I was beginning to think you wouldn't show up." "I made I promise, didn't I? Of course I'll show up." The Envoy smirks "Breaking it would've been… unadvised." "I'll get right to the point then." — says He Jun — "I want you to become a member of my He Clan." The offer isn't unexpected, as you already have speculated what this meeting would be about, but still. He Clan is truly bold — trying to poach an heir of another great clan in a such a direct, straightforward way. *label hejun_talk *temp angry_response false *choice #"Are you out of your mind?" "Envoy Jun, I am the sole heir to another great clan, it's ${ym} and its only hope." — you state, gazing at him quizzingly — "Are you out of your mind, giving me such an offer?" He Jun, however, just shakes his head. "Am I?" — he asks — "Think about it. Your clan is on the brink of complete collapse. It hasn't had a Shangtian in centuries, it's resources are dwindling and other families have lost all respect for your name. Instead, they encroach on your territory, on your Danger Zones, like hyenas attracted to an old and dying lion." "You are a genius. There is no doubt about that." — He Jun adds — "But can you develop with such a poor support? Can you grow without the appropriate resources?" "Can you even stay alive, kid?" — he questions, looking at you intently, flicking the feather in his grasp — "Who will protect you against the old monsters not wanting to see their reign threatened?" "Wind Viper Demon? Your father?" — at mentioning Wu Chao, He Jun's tone becomes [i]venomous[/i] — "Both of them would be useless if a Shangtian decides to end your life." "He Bojing, our Patriarch, however, will be able to shield you with his enormous shadow." "I'll give one more chance to consider it." *choice #"Tell me the terms." *label tell_terms "Good." — he commends — "I knew you were reasonable." "If you accept, the benefits you'd receive would be more than plenty." "Every month, you'll be granted two thousands contribution points. More, if you accomplish certain tasks for us." Two thousand? Every month?! That's an absurd, an unimaginable amount of wealth — just the first reward will allow you to become richer than most Xiantian in a few years. "Secondly, in every store owned by our clan — and believe me, there are quite a few of those — you'll receive a 50% discount, along with the opportunity to buy products not for public sale." "Thirdly, you can count on our help. Perhaps you do not understand, but having my backing will allow you to settle any problems in the sect with ease. I might be just an Early Xiantian, but am an [i]Envoy[/i]." "Having He Bojing as your guardian will prevent others clans from cooking up nefarious plots against you. There are some who would dare scheme against a Peak Xiantian, but none are brave enough to target a Shangtian." "Fourthly, if you want, we can betroth you to He Mei." — he gives you a knowing, leering look — "I'm sure you've seen her. You won't meet another beauty like that in your lifetime, not to mention as demure and as subservient as her." "And lastly, I will give you a gift. An incredible artifact you would never acquire otherwise." — He Jun tempts — "Don't ask me what it is. Accept and find out." "However, be aware: to prevent you from scheming against us in the future, you will have to change your surname, become a He. That way, everyone will know — you belong to us now." "Do we have a deal?" *choice #"Deal." *label deal_with_engagement *set meimei_engagement 1 *label deal_with_hejun *if (eligible_achievements) *achieve became_he *gosub_scene subroutines change_opinion 7 5 "+" *set working_for_he true He smiles. The first time, you think, you see his rough, stern face smile in a sincere way. "You will not regret it." — he says and takes your Sect Badge — "Consider this an allowance for our future cooperation." *set mc_sect_points +5000 [b]+5000 Contribution Points.[/b] His spatial ring then flashes and He Jun takes out a a strange wooden mask. "This is a top-grade Artifact, 'Mask of Facelessness'. If you put it on, your face will change, becoming that of a most ordinary, most plain ${pronoun_4}. Unless previously known, no one will able to see through the disguise — yet, no one will give you strange looks for a wearing a head cover either." "If you ever plan on doing… [i]heinous[/i] things and want to preserve your reputation — or simply don't want to be recognized, this mask is a must." "Take it." [b]New item gained: Mask of Facelessness.[/b] *set inv_6 +1 *set mc_surname "He" *gosub_scene subroutines reputation_change 30 "honor" "-" *if meimei_engagement = 1 "We'll proceed with the engagement after the upcoming Expedition. Mei Mei is a bit busy for now." "Go on now." — He Jun waves you off — "We'll be in touch." *page_break Leave *goto_scene free_roam #"Deal, but I don't want to be engaged." *set meimei_engagement 2 *goto deal_with_hejun #"No." *gosub_scene subroutines change_opinion 7 2 "-" "Think carefully." — He Jun's expression turns cold, the gaze in his eyes and merciless — "Our clan is not one to let harmful seeds sprout." "Are you threatening me?" He doesn't answer, just reclines on his chair, puts his hands behind his head and stares at you. "So?" — He Jun asks — "What's your final answer?" *choice #"Alright, let's do it." *goto deal_with_engagement #"Alright, let's do it, but without the engagement." *goto deal_with_hejun #"Still no." *label hejun_snorts *gosub_scene subroutines change_opinion 7 10 "-" He Jun snorts. A dangerous, suffocating aura emits from him. *if mc_sect_ranking < 10000 An aura that reminds you of Yang Bohai, except not as intense. For a second, you almost [i]hear[/i] the screams of women and women cut apart with a sword, slashed into pieces and almost [i]taste[/i] the blood that splatters in your mouth. But then, the aura rescinds. "Leave, before I lose my temper." *if (angry_response) You sneer at him and exit the Arena. *else You clasp your hands at He Jun and exit the Arena, wondering what exactly this rejection is going to cost you. *goto_scene free_roam #"No." *goto hejun_snorts #"Go fuck yourself." *set angry_response true *gosub_scene subroutines change_opinion 7 5 "-" "Who the hell do you take me for?! Do you think that I, Wu ${mc_name} am a rat that jumps a ship at the first sign of a leak?!" "No! I will not betray my family and I will not become a slave to bastards like your He Clan!" — you yell — "Go fuck yourself and relay He Bojing the same message." *goto hejun_snorts #"What do I get out of such a collaboration?" *gosub_scene subroutines change_opinion 7 2 "+" *goto tell_terms