togophonebook Chapter 13 Layering
Chapter 13 Layering
For half a month, the two Huang family members remained grayed out in the system's status.
[Disciple: Huang An, Loyalty: 35 (Unsatisfactory), Spiritual Energy Cannot Be Extracted]
[Disciple: Huang Ning, Loyalty: 32 (Unsatisfactory), Spiritual Energy Cannot Be Extracted]
Their loyalty is pitifully low, making it completely impossible for them to bond with you.
Shen Qing was not surprised by this. How could two teenagers who grew up in the family and were sent to be spies truly accept the Qingyun Sect?
Aside from that, what surprised Shen Qing was that the two boys performed exceptionally well, so well that it was impeccable.
During literacy classes, the two would take the initiative to tutor Shen Qing's fellow students who couldn't even write characters well.
He was incredibly patient, teaching her again and again without ever complaining.
During the martial arts class, the two of them already had a good foundation, and they learned the mortal martial arts techniques taught by Uncle Zhou very quickly. Then they took the initiative to help their fellow disciples who were progressing slowly to correct their movements.
When it was their turn to look after the wasteland behind the mountain, the two of them never slacked off. They did all the work they were supposed to do, and they didn't have the arrogance of scions of noble families. They would ask questions if they didn't understand something, and they were extremely respectful to their fellow peasant disciples.
Shen Qing observed them secretly for several days and confirmed that this was not a pretense; they were genuinely doing these things.
Shen Qing could roughly guess the reason.
In the Huang family, they possessed mixed spiritual roots of four attributes, making them the least noticeable members of the family.
The more talented brothers are given special training, while the others can only follow behind and pick up the scraps.
But in the Qingyun Sect, he was called "Senior Brother Huang" by his fellow disciples.
Those fellow students, who came from dockworker, beggar and vagrant backgrounds, knew nothing about reading and writing, yet they could easily write neat characters.
Those fellow disciples knew nothing about martial arts, yet they could perform each move with impressive skill.
Here, they experienced what it meant to be superior for the first time.
Shen Qing decided to add fuel to the fire.
On the last day of the half-month period, after evening classes, Shen Qing left all his disciples at the training ground.
The afterglow of the setting sun illuminated more than thirty faces. The routine of the past month had changed these once emaciated peasants quite a bit.
Because he had food in his belly, his face regained color; he learned to read and write, and his intelligence was awakened, and his eyes shone with wisdom.
Since they entered Qingyun Mountain, they have undergone a complete transformation.
"I have something to announce today."
Shen Qing's voice carried on the night breeze.
"Qingyun Sect disciples will be officially classified from this day forward."
A commotion arose below, which Shen Qing suppressed with a gesture, and continued, "Qingyun Sect disciples are divided into three levels: personal disciples, inner disciples, and outer disciples."
"Personal disciples will receive one-on-one instruction from me, have exclusive access to the sect's refined cultivation techniques, and be provided with one Qi Gathering Pill per month. Personal disciples are the future of my Qingyun Sect."
Upon hearing this, everyone's eyes lit up.
"Inner disciples learn the sect's orthodox methods and are assessed monthly. Those who excel will receive Qi Gathering Pills as a reward. Inner disciples are the future foundation of our Qingyun Sect."
"Outer disciples practice martial arts for ordinary people and are responsible for the daily affairs of the sect. Those who perform exceptionally well may be promoted to inner disciples."
Shen Qing paused, his gaze sweeping across the entire room.
"Personal disciples are currently unavailable."
The initial expectations were dashed, but then reignited. The temporary lack of a position meant that everyone had a chance.
"The first batch of inner disciples consists of eight people."
Shen Qing began to read the names.
"Zhao Shitou".
Zhao Shitou was stunned for a moment, then strode forward and knelt on one knee.
"Disciple is here!"
"Lin Xiaoyue, Wang Ergou, Su Xiaomei... Zhong Xiu."
After mentioning Zhong Xiu, Shen Qing's gaze fell on Huang An and Huang Ning.
"Huang An. Huang Ning."
The two Huang brothers were clearly taken aback.
They clearly didn't expect to be assigned to the inner sect.
In their minds, even if Shen Qing didn't send them down the mountain, he would at least put them in the outer sect to do odd jobs.
After all, they were members of the Huang family, spies planted by the family head.
"Huang An, Huang Ning," Shen Qing called again.
The two then realized what was happening, quickly stepped forward, and knelt down on one knee.
"Disciple is here."
Shen Qing looked at them calmly.
"You two have been in my Qingyun Sect for half a month, and I have seen your performance. You have been mentoring your fellow disciples and have never been lazy in your work. For you two to come from noble families and achieve this is truly remarkable."
"When Qingyun accepts disciples, we don't look at their background, but only at their performance. Your performance is worthy of the status of inner disciples."
Having gained Shen Qing's approval, the two brothers lowered their heads, their eyes reddening and their shoulders trembling. This damned sense of approval was something they had never felt since childhood.
Shen Qing then took out two small porcelain bottles from his sleeve.
"This is a Qi Gathering Pill, which serves as a formal initiation gift for your entry into the inner sect."
He handed the porcelain bottles to the two brothers. When Huang An took the bottle, his fingers were trembling. In the Huang family, they were not entitled to any elixirs.
His cousins, who were more talented than him, were lined up in a row, while he, a marginal disciple with mixed spiritual roots of four elements, didn't even have the right to sniff around.
But at Qingyun Sect, he obtained it, not through the charity of his family, but through his own performance.
"Thank you, Sect Master." Huang An's voice was a little hoarse.
"Thank you, Sect Master," Huang Ning said, his voice trembling with suppressed sobs.
Shen Qing nodded, gesturing for them to stand up.
Two notifications quietly appeared on the system panel:
[Disciple Huang An's loyalty +15, current loyalty: 50]
[Disciple Huang Ning's loyalty +18, current loyalty: 53]
Shen Qing's lips curled up slightly.
Just 10 points left to bind.
Not urgent.
"Inner disciples, starting tomorrow, you will assist me in managing sect affairs."
Shen Qing began assigning responsibilities, "Zhao Shitou, you are in charge of disciple training. Lead the morning practice before the daily morning classes, and assist Uncle Zhou in martial arts classes."
"Wang Ergou, you're in charge of farming on the back hill. You'll oversee all agricultural work, from clearing land and sowing seeds to watering and fertilizing."
"Su Xiaomei and Zhong Xiu, you will be in charge of the sect's internal affairs. You will be in charge of the meals in the dining hall, the hygiene of the side rooms, and the inventory of supplies."
"Lin Xiaoyue is responsible for assisting with literacy classes. She will tutor junior students who are lagging behind after class every day."
"Chen Gou Dan, you are in charge of guarding and patrolling the mountain gate. You will be responsible for arranging the daily shifts and patrol records."
"Huang An, Huang Ning."
The two immediately straightened their backs.
"The two of you will be responsible for assisting with literacy lessons and clerical work. You will also be responsible for compiling and archiving the learning progress, assessment records, and material ledgers of all disciples in the sect. You are both educated, so you are better able to do these things than others."
Huang An and Huang Ning exchanged a glance and replied in unison, "Disciples obey."
Shen Qing's gaze swept over the remaining twenty-odd people.
"The remaining disciples will be assigned to the outer sect. Starting tomorrow, they will focus on training in mortal martial arts and basic survival skills. Those who perform exceptionally well will be promoted to the inner sect after monthly assessments. Those who fail the assessments for three consecutive months will be demoted to menial duties."
On the faces of the outer disciples, there was disappointment and resentment, but even more so, a burning fighting spirit.
The opportunity to be promoted to the inner sect is right in front of us, with a three-month deadline, and everyone has a chance.
"That concludes today's announcement. Inner disciples, please remain; the rest of you may leave."
The outer disciples dispersed in twos and threes, but the discussions lingered for a long time.
Only eight inner disciples remained on the training ground, standing in a row, their young faces illuminated by the torchlight.
Shen Qing looked at them, and after a moment of silence:
"You are the first batch of inner disciples of the Qingyun Sect. I have high hopes for you. The future of the Qingyun Sect does not lie in my hands, but in yours."
"Starting tomorrow, you will no longer be ordinary disciples. You are the backbone of the Qingyun Sect. Your fellow disciples will look to you and learn from you. What you do, they will do. The strength of the Qingyun Sect will determine the strength of the sect."
The eight men stood ramrod straight, no one spoke, but their eyes burned with fighting spirit.
"Let's call it a day."
The disciples left one after another, with Huang An and Huang Ning walking at the very back. Huang An took a few steps, then suddenly stopped and turned around.
"metropolitan."
Shen Qing looked at him.
Huang An opened his mouth as if he wanted to say something, but in the end he just bowed deeply, turned around and left quickly.
The system notification sounded again:
[Disciple Huang An's loyalty +5, current loyalty: 55]
Shen Qing watched his retreating figure and let out a soft breath.
I'm fifty-five, five points to go, no rush.
He has plenty of patience.