Free Web NovelChapter 47: Chapter 47: Core Disciple, Great Harvest
Cao Shan was already an eloquent speaker. He embellished the story, conveniently omitting the fact that the Iron Cloth Sect had first suffered consecutive losses.
After his dazzling display of rhetoric, the crowd of gawking bystanders came to believe that the Iron Cloth Sect had sent out a single nominal disciple to force the retreat of the other two schools’ alliance.
Besides, the crowd had been watching from outside for a long time. Even if they couldn’t see the details clearly, they had definitely witnessed the people from the Divine Weapon Hall and Black Tiger Fist Hall leaving in disgrace. They were now utterly convinced.
Many people immediately started cheering. A few young men came forward right away to inquire about studying martial arts. Cao Shan naturally perked up and launched into his sales pitch again, equating the Iron Cloth Shirt to the Golden Bell Shield and the Iron Cloth Sect to the Prajna Temple. He spoke endlessly, determined not to let these potential recruits slip away.
In the foreseeable future, it was certain that after hearing about this battle, many more people would be inspired to join the Iron Cloth Sect.
Among the enthusiastic crowd outside, a few men in martial attire stood at the periphery, having apparently watched for a long time.
The man in the lead was quite young. He wore a short blue robe embroidered with cloud patterns and smiled as he looked at the scene both inside and outside the gate.
"Interesting, very interesting. We come back to report on our mission and get to see such a great show."
He turned to ask his subordinate, who had an imposing aura:
"That young man... he’s pretty impressive, isn’t he?"
"He is indeed quite skilled."
"Mm."
The young man in the blue robe nodded. His gaze swept over Xie Yuan, who was surrounded by the Iron Cloth Sect members, and then he waved his hand.
"Let’s go! We need to report back first. This trip has exhausted me."
The fierce-looking men turned and left. Despite the surging crowd, they effortlessly cleared a path for themselves.
Inside the gates.
Xie Yuan stood in the center of the yard, panting slightly.
After fighting continuously, he felt a little weary, despite his strong constitution and deep, enduring internal breath.
The last two fights against Yu Jin were especially intense and draining. His final three-strike assault had consumed most of his strength and internal breath, which was what allowed him to snap the refined iron spear as if it were firewood.
In a true contest of weapon styles, Xie Yuan could hardly guarantee victory. After all, his opponent had an established lineage and a range of techniques, while he only had a single killing move.
Therefore, he decided not to get drawn into a protracted fight, opening instead with his three-strike gambit. If his opponent couldn’t withstand it, he’d win. As expected, the power of his three strikes was immense, especially when infused with his internal breath. No one below the rank of a Martial Artist could withstand it, and Yu Jin was completely unable to parry.
"Brother Xie, that was awesome!"
Tao Jelin’s voice rang out, his face flushed with excitement.
Nearly all the Iron Cloth Sect disciples crowded around, clapping Xie Yuan on the shoulders and back.
"Junior Brother Xie, you’re amazing! That was incredible!"
"You’re a hero!"
"You saved our school!"
"And you really put them in their place! Those guys were so arrogant. Thank goodness we have Junior Brother Xie!"
Xie Yuan felt a bit dizzy from the deafening roar of voices and all the disciples pulling at him.
He hadn’t felt this overwhelmed even during the fight... ’But I have to admit, it feels pretty good.’
Xie Yuan cupped his fists and bowed to the surrounding crowd.
"Brothers, you praise me too much. I only did what any disciple of the Iron Cloth Sect should do."
"Well said!"
A loud shout of praise came from the edge of the crowd. Hearing the voice, the disciples automatically parted to make way for Liu the Monk and Hodar to walk through.
Liu the Monk had a look of deep admiration as he clapped Xie Yuan on the shoulder.
"Well said! Ah, what an outstanding young man. Brimming with talent, truly one in a million! All of you should learn from Xie Yuan."
Xie Yuan cupped his fists again.
"Sect Leader, you flatter me."
Liu the Monk waved his hand dismissively.
"Flattery? Not at all! When Old Ghost Fang took in Yu Jin, he claimed the boy was a one-in-ten-thousand martial arts prodigy, yet he paled in comparison to you. Xie Yuan, your talent and comprehension are far beyond those of any ordinary practitioner. Hmm, at your current level, the status of a nominal disciple is clearly no longer suitable. Are you willing..."
Liu the Monk paused, seeming to hesitate for a moment before continuing with a smile:
"Are you willing to become a Core Disciple of our Iron Cloth Sect?"
Hodar seemed a bit surprised and threw a subtle glance at his master.
A smile broke out on Xie Yuan’s face, and he immediately replied:
"I am willing!"
’I can finally learn the method to break through!’
Liu the Monk nodded and smiled.
"Good. From now on, you are a Core Disciple of our Iron Cloth Sect!
"As I said before, if you won, you would be handsomely rewarded. Hmm... since it’s the middle of winter, first go to your Eldest Senior Brother and get a new set of clothes.
"Then, when you have a moment, find your Second Senior Brother and receive one advanced medicinal bath; your cultivation is high enough for it now. Also, get a few medicinal potions to replenish your body."
Xie Yuan grew excited upon hearing this.
’An advanced medicinal bath?’
The basic medicinal bath had already been very effective, and it had cost him five silver.
But the advanced medicinal bath, as far as he knew, was infused with many precious herbs. Only Core Disciples could use it, and even at their discounted price, it cost twenty silver!
’Twenty silver!’
’Soaking in twenty silver worth of that concoction... how much would that advance my progress?’
And there were the potions, too! Listening to Liu the Monk’s tone, it sounded like he was treating them as a minor bonus.
But to Xie Yuan, they were all accelerants for replenishing his Qi and Blood and raising his cultivation level. ƒreewebɳovel.com
With all these rewards, he would probably be able to break through to the Martial Artist realm very soon.
Xie Yuan hurriedly bowed, his voice much louder than before:
"Thank you, Master!"
Liu the Monk was quite pleased with his attitude and nodded.
"I will personally guide your training for the next few days. You can ask me any questions you have. That’s all for today. You’ve worked hard; you should get some good rest.
"Oh, right."
He seemed to suddenly remember something, and looking around, he called out:
"Where is Lin Tao? Come here!"
Lin Tao, who had long since shrunk into a corner, turned pale. He walked anxiously to the center of the crowd and bowed to Liu the Monk.
"Master, what are your instructions?"
His expression was stiff, and he didn’t dare to even glance at Xie Yuan standing beside him.
’I can’t believe this guy is such a good fighter... I’m done for. He’s a hero of the school now, he’s definitely going to come after me... Sigh, how am I supposed to get by in the school from now on...’
"You don’t need to come here anymore."
’Huh?’
Lin Tao froze, staring blankly at Liu the Monk, unable to process what he had just heard.
Liu the Monk said indifferently:
"You were injured fighting for the school, so go collect some restorative medicine later. I don’t want anyone to say I’m unreasonable. But from this day forward, you are no longer a disciple of the Iron Cloth Sect.
"As for the reason, you know it well yourself."
Liu the Monk was old and shrewd. He had naturally seen that Lin Tao’s recommendation of Xie Yuan had not come from a place of goodwill.
He didn’t know about the bad blood between the two, but since Xie Yuan had turned the tide against all odds, the fault must have been—and could only have been—Lin Tao’s.
Lin Tao’s face went deathly pale. He finally understood and was filled with infinite regret.
’I shouldn’t have been greedy for that paltry sum from Xu Yang, and I especially shouldn’t have tried to screw over Xie Yuan. To think it would end like this...’
Under the silent stares of the crowd, he left the martial hall, utterly crestfallen.
Xie Yuan watched Lin Tao’s retreating back for a moment before looking away.
Immersed in the joy of his victory and rewards, he had completely forgotten about the man, but Liu the Monk had remembered on his behalf.
’What a great Sect Leader.’
Core Disciples were a vital part of the school’s strength, yet Liu the Monk had clearly made his choice without hesitation.
"Xie Yuan, are there any other issues?"
Liu the Monk asked, turning to him with a kind and pleasant expression.
"None, Master. You are fair and just. This disciple is thoroughly impressed."
Xie Yuan felt extremely satisfied.
For some reason, a phrase came to his mind. It wasn’t a perfect fit, but it felt very appropriate for the occasion:
History is written by the victors.
