Chapter 46: Steward Zhang

“This man, to act in such a way…” The scene of Steward Zhang beating the woman made Lin Hao’s heart jolt, a chill creeping up his spine.

“Forgive me, junior brother, for my poor discipline. I’m afraid I’ve made you laugh.” After berating the woman, Steward Zhang looked at Lin Hao with warmth, as if what had just happened was as trivial as eating or drinking.

“Senior brother, aren’t you afraid the higher-ups will blame you for this?” Though Lin Hao felt fear, he kept his expression calm, only letting a hint of hesitation show in his voice.

Steward Zhang chuckled, a mocking edge to his words. “Most of them are of poor aptitude and can barely cultivate. Even if one or two die, the higher-ups won’t bother.”

“Come, follow me.” Without waiting for Lin Hao’s reply, he led him to a wooden hut. “This is the most comfortable room here. Many have wanted it, but I never agreed. Junior brother, you’ll stay here and cultivate well.”

With that, Steward Zhang produced a set of clothes, a token, and a small booklet, handing them to Lin Hao. “This is your sect identification token—drip a drop of blood on it to claim it. The cultivation manual and clothes are for menial disciples; I’m not wealthy, so this is all I can give you.”

“Oh, and once you reach the first level of Qi Condensation, you can be promoted to the outer sect. When you make your way up in the future, don’t forget your senior brother.” Zhang looked at Lin Hao meaningfully, a teasing smile on his lips.

“Rest assured, senior brother, I understand.” Lin Hao cupped his fists in salute. After accepting the items, he watched Steward Zhang leave before entering the hut himself.

The hut had a table in the center, with a bed against each wall, making it seem quite spacious. However, there were some women’s garments on the bed further inside.

“Comfortable… Don’t tell me…”

Staring at the garments, Lin Hao’s lips twitched uncontrollably.

With a quiet sigh, he put his things away and sat on the other bed, his mind racing.

“This man is vicious, caring only for profit. If he ever discovers I have little connection with Elder Xuan, he’ll turn on me in an instant, treating me as he did that woman today.

“If I return to Fangyun Town, the local gentry would surely send people to seize my belongings. Even if I fled elsewhere, there might be others like Zhang. Besides, this place is far removed from the mortal world—I don’t know how far—and I could run afoul of wild beasts on the road…”

The more Lin Hao thought, the deeper his resentment grew. “All I wanted was to sell my family heirloom and continue my studies, but now I’m left with nothing…”

“I hate this…”

He let out a long sigh.

After a long while, the scholar Lin managed to suppress his bitterness and accept his bleak fate. He picked up the unremarkable token at his side, bit his fingertip, and let a drop of blood fall upon it. The token glimmered faintly, revealing the words “Menial Disciple.”

“A treasure of the immortals—how miraculous…” Lin Hao murmured in awe, carefully tucking the token away before turning his gaze to the small booklet.

Qi Condensation Manual.

“The Daoist Xuan I met before spoke of granting me a cultivation method—could this be the immortal art?”

Seeing the tiny words on the cover, Lin Hao’s eyes shone and his breath quickened. “To be a menial disciple and receive such a reward! The immortal sect is truly generous! This book alone is worth a hundred gold!”

Excitement filled his face as he opened the first page. Majestic words leapt out at him: “The immortal’s green energy fills the heavens; my way subdues the eight directions! Enter the Azure Sieve Sect and I shall teach you the immortal path. Wealth and power will be within your grasp!” The booklet was signed by the founder of Azure Sieve.

“This…” Lin Hao was thunderstruck. “This book is worth more than a hundred gold—it's priceless! If I sold it, I could build a manor and hire some men of the martial world. That local gentry would never dare oppress me again!”

His breathing grew rapid, his eyes ablaze with longing. For a scholar whose lifelong dream was to become an official and grow wealthy, anything he valued at a thousand gold was dearer to him than life itself.

“The strength of mortals is limited. Only by cultivating the Dao can one achieve longevity. Qi Condensation has nine levels; the path to transcendence begins with generating energy within…”

He turned another page, reading aloud. “Daoist Xuan did not deceive me—he’s done me a great favor.”

“Though I’m merely a menial disciple, I’m still permitted to cultivate immortal arts. In the end, I’ve gained the better bargain… Since I’ve joined the immortal sect, I should devote myself to cultivation.”

With his resolve set, Lin Hao wasted no more time. He followed the breathing techniques described in the booklet and began his practice.

Time slipped by as Lin Hao persisted in his attempts, the sky gradually darkening.

According to the manual, sensing spiritual energy required sustained, regulated breathing. Lin Hao spent the entire afternoon mastering this breathing method. Yet, after many more attempts, he still failed to sense the warm current described in the book.

A faint creak broke the silence. A woman in worn clothes slipped into the hut—Lin Hao recognized her as the bedraggled maiden from earlier.

She dragged her exhausted body toward her bed, only to freeze when she saw someone on the other bed. Startled, she immediately drew a dagger-like object from beneath her mattress, her gaze wary and fixed on Lin Hao.

“Who are you?”

Lin Hao blinked, coughing awkwardly, feeling a little uneasy. “If I say I was assigned here by Steward Zhang, will you believe me?”

The woman remained silent, her vigilance unbroken.

Seeing this, Lin Hao shook his head and resumed meditative posture. After a moment’s hesitation, the woman produced an oil lamp from somewhere, lit it, and sat cross-legged as well, beginning her own practice.

…

“Why can’t I sense the spiritual energy written about in the book…” After two hours, Lin Hao’s frustration began to grow. He had spent hours trying, yet sensed nothing of the energy flow described in the manual.

Frowning, he glanced at the woman on the opposite bed. “Miss, when you practice according to this book, do you find anything amiss?”

Though Lin Hao forced a kindly smile, to the woman it looked lecherous and depraved.

“No,” she replied coldly, her eyes briefly flashing with a strange light before she turned away, silent.

Lin Hao shook his head and said no more, immersing himself in cultivation once again.

Time passed swiftly; before he knew it, dawn was breaking and another night had gone by.