Pakku Gets Confused

'Now... let's see what you're up to Pakku,' thought Genji as he looked at Pakku from afar.

He had removed his blindfold and put on a mask made of ice instead. Genji had even changed his clothes a bit and just used the Illusion skill to help him 'change' the rest.

Now, with an appearance that blends in well with the surroundings, Genji looked at Pakku from afar. At this point, Genji had already gotten closer to Pakku and was only standing three meters away from Pakku.

With his Martial Arts, Poleman, Waterbending, and Precision, with these skills, Genji was able to muffle the sound of his footsteps and was able to approach Pakku from behind like a ghost.

Genji expertly evaded Pakku's senses and even hid his emotions and energy signature away with the Calm Mind and Meditation skills.

It was all like a semi-perfect combination.

Sitting down at a nearby bench made of polished ice, Genji looked at Pakku and spied on him as Pakku believed he was spying on Genji who he believed was at his own house.

Genji stayed for a while and eventually got bored.

'Damn... he's too dedicated,' thought Genji as he stood up from the bench he was on and walked away.

Using his Navigation skill, Genji set the search and immediately began walking.

A couple of turns later, Genji soon appeared in front of a store perfectly hidden in plain sight.

Smiling, Genji quickly changed his outfit and knocked on the door whilst using his illusion skill.

Creak!

The door opened and behind it was an old man wearing pajamas. His eyes were narrowed and he was looking at Genji with scrutiny.

"Pakku...? Looks like you are seeking some more wisdom. Well you've come to the right place," said the man as he opened the door and allowed Genji to enter.

Seeing the old man's greeting, Genji smirked and thought, 'Looks like Pakku really does visit here often judging by the man's words.'

He bowed and let Genji enter the shop, a covert place for a white lotus member. Not a high-ranking one, but just one of the average members.

Genji made a gamble, and it seemed that it had worked quite well.

Before heading here, Genji thought of something.

If you could find a member of the White Lotus somewhere as remote as the Misty Palms Oasis, then there are definitely some members here in the Capital City of the Northern Water Tribe.

With that in mind, Genji searched for the 'White Lotus place that Pakku will visit'. It was another vague search, and it was a shame genji couldn't be a bit more specific. Maybe it required a higher level, but at the moment, that's all he could search for.

For all he knows, Pakku can visit this place tomorrow, next week, or even in a couple of years. But, it's better to take his chances now and slowly make some plans if he doesn't come by today.

"To what do I owe the pleasure of a Grand Lotus visiting here today," said the old man with a small smile on his wrinkly face after closing the door to the shop.

Genji smiled and said, "I apologize in advance."

The old man furrowed his eyebrows and asked, "What do you mean, Pakku?"

Genji didn't say anything else and quickly knocked out the man after hitting a couple of his acupoints. Moving about, Genji tied up the man and gagged him before setting the man aside.

After setting up a small formation, Genji made the man suddenly turn invisible to the naked eye. As long as the man isn't loud enough, and doesn't move out of the formation, he wouldn't be seen or heard despite being in the same room as one.

The formations in the world of Avatar followed similar principles to other mystic stories that involve cultivation or Murim. By using the Yin and Yang, Five Elements, Eight Trigrams, and the 64 Changes.

By using the Chi and spiritual energy in the air, the formation uses the natural elements to bend the world according to the 'nature' of the formation. A pretty amazing skill depending on how it's used.

'One can make an endless maze to trap someone that can only be broken through certain conditions from the inside. Or use terrifying strength to break out,' thought Genji as he looked around and changed his clothes. He wore the old man's clothes so that he wouldn't have to waste too much energy with the illusion skill.

It was a little tight, but it was what he needed to wear for now.

'Now, to play the waiting game,' thought Genji as he sat down on a chair before a large Pai Sho table. 'Pakku might take a while... might as well...'

Bringing up his system window, Genji pulled up a specific skill, Meditation.

[<(MIND) Meditation> (Lvl. 17 ( 13/85 + ))]

[Experience Storage: 1,213]

[Ding! Skill level up!]

[<(MIND) Meditation> (Lvl. 20 ( 0/200 + ))]

[Experience Storage: 756]

[Ding! Meditation has unlocked new effects!]

[Ding! Meditation has enhanced some effects!]

[New effects!

- Randomly learn a skill related to a currently owned skill. 5% chance of learning a related skill. (1 week cooldown)

- Enlightenment: 5% chance to enter enlightenment and then a 5% chance to attain something.]

[System Remark: Cheating! Hacks! Someone call the admin! Wait... I'm the admin...]

[Enhanced effects!

- Gain +1 Spirit every 20 hours!

- Energy recovery is much faster! Will now recover energy outside of meditation at a slower rate.]

'Oho! Very interesting!' thought Genji as he looked at the new effects. He didn't pay much attention to the enhanced effect, but instead focused on learning a random skill and the enlightenment effects.

They were both very impressive and Genji found them to be very useful effects.

'Should I actually become a monk?' thought Genji as she rubbed his chin and looked at the blue screen.

Quickly pressing on to learn a random skill effect, Genji looked at a spinning wheel appearing in front of him. A small part of the spinning wheel said 5% and the rest was blank.

Genji watched as the spinning wheel turned and spun rapidly, slowly coming to a halt.

[Ding! Random skill acquisition failed!]

"Ahh..." said Genji as he put his hands together in prayer. 'I should have prayed to RNGesus!'

Genji didn't press on the enlightenment effect in case it causes him to enter into a meditation state. He needed to be awake in case Pakku came by today.

As Genji waited patiently, he couldn't help but think of his future plans. It would probably take quite a bit of time before the old man Pakku showed up. But still, it was also possible that he could show up right away.

There was no need to rush things. Patience was key. If you rushed, then you might miss out on opportunities. And if you missed out on opportunities, you'd regret it later when the opportunity presented itself and went by without your knowledge.

It's always crucial to maintain a calm mind and continue to study one's own surroundings.

Time ticked and just when Genji believed Pakku wouldn't arrive any time soon, a knock came at the door.

Genji smiled and stood up, approaching the door with a smirk.

Opening the door, Genji saw Pakku standing outside as he stood tall and proudly, as if he wasn't just sitting and spying on someone.

"Oh, hello," said Genji as he greeted the old man. "What brings you here?"

Pakku stepped inside and chuckled a little, "I see you are not dead yet."

"No, I am alive and kicking. What do you want?"

"Well... I came here looking for the usual. Any notices from the White Lotus?"

Pakku sat down on one end of the Pai Sho table and waited for Genji to sit down and join him for a game.

Before long, Pakku and Genji were playing a game of Pai Sho.

Genji looked like he was struggling, but in reality was just wondering why Pakku wasn't half as good as the other old man, Nekun. So, he had to put on an act to make it seem like Pakku was good at the game.

'Pakku's not the wisest... huh... saw that coming from a while away,' snickered Genji as he lifted his gaze and looked at Pakku who looked like he was proud of every move he made.

"Have there been any updates within the White Lotus?"

Pakku finally began to ask the questions as the game went on and Genji decided not to pay too much attention to the game and instead decided to answer Pakku's questions.

"In fact, there has been some news recently," mumbled Genji as he 'struggled' to make a move in Pai Sho.

"Hm? What type of news?" asked Pakku, his interest peaked by Genji.

"A member was made into a Grand Lotus!"

"Oho? That's some interesting news. Do you know who this person is?"

"Sure. I heard that his name is Genji and that he's here in this city."

Suddenly, Pakku froze and he looked at Genji with skepticism.

"Are you sure his name is Genji," asked Pakku as he narrowed his eyes.

Genji nodded and said, "I just got this news today. I was shocked to find out that the newest Grand Lotus is blind."

The Pai Sho tile in Pakku's hand slipped and fell on the board as Pakku looked at Genji with shock on his face.

"This... no way... I... refuse to believe this," mumbled Pakku with a frown on his face. His eyebrows were scrunched up and he was about to get angry when he suddenly remembered what had happened this morning. "Ha! No wonder he was able to go against me. To think he had reached such a level at such a young age."

It was a bit sudden, but Pakku's anger had suddenly mellowed out and thought about Genji from the point of view of an elder.

He couldn't believe that a mere boy could reach such a high rank in the White Lotus. It was truly astounding. But then again, the White Lotus isn't all it seems to be. There's more than meets the eye.

The Order of the White Lotus values wisdom and the 'quest for truth above all else'.

It'd be surprising, but not very impossible for such a young man like Genji to become a Grand Lotus. As long as he follows the creed of the group and the ideals, then he's part of the White Lotus.

'I will have to tell the chief not to be wary of him then. Instead, he might be a blessing to the Northern Water Tribe,' thought Pakku as he stroked his beard and placed down a piece of Pai Sho.

"There's also a suggestion for you made by the majority of the White Lotus members. They had suggested for you to support or stand to the side in order to help this newest member execute his plan," said Genji as he looked into the eyes of Pakku who suddenly narrowed.

"Support? Stand to the side? Execute a plan?"

Pakku's eyebrows furrowed and wasn't too sure what the old man before him, Genji in disguise/illusion, had said.

"Yes. The Order of the White Lotus had all made a unanimous decision of helping the Northern Water Tribe to take a step forward. To help with attaining the truth of the world and the equality and balance that is offered to all souls," said Genji as he smiled and rubbed his chin.

Pakku remained quiet and thought about Genji's words. '... equality and balance that is offered to all souls...'

"Do you believe that the avatar is weak?"

Pakku heard Genji's question and seemed confused, "Huh?"