Free Web NovelChapter 18: Chapter 18: Sect Leader
Xie Yuan thought of the tree where the tiger had been sleeping.
It was so thick it would take several people to encircle it. Its branches spread out like a canopy, shading half of the clearing, and it remained lush and verdant even in winter.
Though he couldn’t identify the species, he knew it had to be high-quality wood. ’If I chopped it down, how brightly would it burn?’
’No, it would be a waste to use it for firewood. That wood looks top-grade. If I could haul it out and sell it to the filthy rich families in the city to make furniture, I’d make a fortune!’
Unfortunately, the tree was simply too large. Xie Yuan wasn’t confident he could even fell it, and even if he could, he wouldn’t be able to transport it. Besides, it seemed a real pity to chop down a tree with so much Spiritual Qi.
If he remembered correctly, though, he had seen several camphor and nanmu trees on the way to hunt the tiger. They were both excellent materials for furniture, located right around that clearing. He could harvest those and sell them for a good sum of money.
Before, he might not have been able to recognize them, but after his Chopping Wood skill had advanced, his ability to identify trees had improved. He also knew how to chop without damaging his axe or ruining the wood.
’I’ve been too busy with the initial, critical phase of my martial arts training these past few days to chop any wood... Once this period is over, I have to find a way to get those trees. That’s a lot of silver!’
Chopping Wood was his main source of income right now; he couldn’t give it up.
Besides, leveling up Chopping Wood had granted him powerful abilities, and it seemed like it could still grow. It was definitely not something to abandon!
’Ten thousand points is a lot, though... But the first two times gave me pleasant surprises. I wonder what I’ll get next time?’
’No rush. I’ll take it slow.’
Filled with anticipation, Xie Yuan returned home and put in some extra practice.
The next day, when Xie Yuan returned to the Iron Cloth Shirt Sect, his Pile Skill was even more proficient, earning him praise from Hodar and Cao Shan.
Aside from Tao Jelin, the other three initiates from his group couldn’t help but approach him, making somewhat awkward attempts to be friendly.
Xie Yuan treated them all equally, answering any questions they had.
It wasn’t like there was any competition between them. They were all fellow students, brought together by fate, so he helped where he could. However, he had only been training for two days himself. He didn’t really have any great insights to share; it was all thanks to his natural talent and aptitude.
Even in the training grounds for the senior disciples, word had spread that there was a talented one among the new recruits.
Everyone felt that Xie Yuan was very likely to become a Core Disciple.
"Do your best tomorrow. Try to become a Core Disciple like me, and we can be true martial brothers!"
Cao Shan patted Xie Yuan’s shoulder and said with a smile before he left.
Xie Yuan replied politely,
"Then it would be my honor."
He made a special trip to buy some braised beef, then went back and asked Sister Orchid to steam extra rice. Xie Yuan ate his fill, building up his energy and spirit.
’If I can really become a Core Disciple, my training will be faster, and I’ll also save a lot of silver...’
After a night’s sleep, Xie Yuan arrived at the Iron Cloth Shirt Sect, full of vigor.
Today, all five of them were particularly solemn.
After three days of initial training, this was their first time meeting the Sect Leader, Liu the Monk, to demonstrate their progress.
No one knew the real name of the Iron Cloth Shirt Sect’s Sect Leader, Liu the Monk; everyone just called him that. Because of his mastery of Horizontal Training, he had earned the nickname "Iron Monk."
As Xie Yuan and the other four stood ready in the morning light, Liu the Monk, his head covered in a short, bluish stubble of hair, appeared before them.
He was not what one would imagine. One might expect the leader of a sect specializing in Horizontal Training to be a hulking brute covered in muscle, with an intimidating presence even when not angry.
But Liu the Monk was short and stout with a kind face and eyes narrowed to slits. He looked more like a businessman than a martial artist and even had the air of a Maitreya Buddha.
"Welcome, welcome, new disciples."
Liu the Monk said with a broad smile,
"I’ve been busy these past few days and haven’t had a chance to guide you. Come now, show me your forms. Let me see how well your Eldest Brother has taught you."
Xie Yuan and the others felt that this Sect Leader was quite approachable. The pressure on them eased, and they struck their stances with more confidence.
[Iron Cloth Shirt - Novice: (72/100)]
Xie Yuan glanced at the text floating before his eyes.
’In another day or two at most, I should be able to truly master the basics and sense the so-called "qi," right?’
He sank into his horse stance and began the demonstration along with the other four initiates.
The difference between them was immediately apparent.
Among the other four, even the best performer, Tao Jelin, could only execute the first five sets of the Pile Skill with relative fluidity. He stumbled through the final set, barely managing to complete it.
Of the other three, the better ones were proficient in three or four sets. The worst of them hadn’t even mastered the second set; he just stood there, his face red, stuck in a bind like a student who couldn’t answer a question in class.
But hardly anyone paid him any mind. Liu the Monk, Hodar, and even the other disciples in the training yard all had their eyes fixed on Xie Yuan.
Xie Yuan moved like a veteran disciple who had been training for months. His transitions between the six sets of the Pile Skill were methodical and perfectly standard, completely lacking the awkward pauses of a beginner.
His movements might have lacked fluidity, but complete mastery wasn’t expected of nominal disciples. In fact, many of them were not as good as Xie Yuan was now, and they felt a little ashamed watching him.
"What a talented guy... I’m so jealous. Looks like he’s going to be a Core Disciple."
Someone whispered under a tree. The rich kid, Xu Yang, heard this and snorted softly, sizing Xie Yuan up from head to toe.
When Xie Yuan finished, Liu the Monk burst out laughing.
"Good, very good! All five of you have done well!
"There are a few issues, but that’s normal for beginners. Let me explain them to you...
"Your shoulders should be low and broad, your horse stance firm and solid... Lower your hand a bit, yes, like that..."
He gave a few pointers to each of the five disciples, then finished with a smile.
"Keep up the hard work, lads. After you master the basics, you can try using medicinal soups and baths. I guarantee your progress will be swift!"
With that, he turned and left. freёwebnovel.com
That was it?
Everyone was baffled, looking back and forth between Liu the Monk’s retreating figure and Xie Yuan.
Shouldn’t he have chosen a Core Disciple just now?
Seeing how well he performed, they thought it was a sure thing!
In the silence, Xu Yang let out a sneer, looking quite pleased with himself as he turned to resume his own practice.
Hodar frowned slightly and hurried to catch up with Liu the Monk.
"Master, I think that Xie Yuan is a promising seedling. Did you find something wrong with him?"
With his hands behind his back, Liu the Monk’s smile faded. He nodded faintly.
"He certainly has a gift. To be at this level after only three days... he’s a lot sharper than a blockhead like you."
Hodar looked embarrassed and scratched his head.
"I was a bit slow when I first started..."
"A bit slow? If it were now, you’d only qualify as a nominal disciple! And one that has to pay extra!"
Liu the Monk spat.
"It’s only because you were shamelessly kneeling at my door, refusing to leave. I had just arrived here, and I saw that you were at least hardworking and ambitious. I also needed someone to serve tea. That’s the only reason I took you in. But look at you now, what have you even accomplished all these years? Hah!"
Hodar just gave a simple, foolish grin, his face a mask of honesty.
In truth, his Horizontal Training was quite famous in Panlong Town. As a First Training Martial Artist at his young age, he was by no means subpar.
But his master was always berating him, and as a disciple, he could only take it.
"In that case, Master, why didn’t you accept him as a Core Disciple?"
Liu the Monk looked impatient.
"I called you a blockhead, and you really are one. Why didn’t I accept him... you can’t even figure that out?"
