Chapter 255

Upon arriving at the Menial Labor Hall, Yan Buji changed into the menial labor garb of the Qing Shan Sect, his expression calm and without any dissatisfaction.

Most cultivators showed nothing on their faces, but deep down they were naturally quite unhappy.

After all, they were free-spirited rogue cultivators outside; even if joining the Qing Shan Sect didn't grant them great privileges, they at least expected to be treated like ordinary disciples, right?

To be made a menial laborer right away—who could bear that?

"You all are visiting the Qing Shan Sect for the first time; perhaps you've grown accustomed to the free and unrestrained life outside and aren't used to the sect's rules." An old man stepped out, wearing yellow robes, clearly of the same rank as Elder Wang Duo of the Transmitting Skills Hall.

"I am Elder Chaoyang of the Qing Shan Sect Menial Labor Hall; from now on I will also be your overseer." Elder Chaoyang spoke slowly and deliberately, wearing a smile that made him seem quite approachable at first glance.

A newly arrived rogue cultivator asked, "Elder Chaoyang, when will we be able to become official disciples?"

Elder Chaoyang glanced over, his expression changing, and pointed at him: "You, come out!"

That rogue cultivator froze for a moment, stepped out, and forced himself to stay calm: "Elder, I....."

"Enough, you may leave. I don't like interruptions when I speak—get out of the Qing Shan Sect!"

The rogue cultivator's face darkened, his eyes widening.

"What? Do you want me to personally escort you out?"

"The Qing Shan Sect really is strict with its rules!!" the rogue cultivator muttered, gritting his teeth as he left.

"Hmph!" Elder Chaoyang gave a cold snort, looking at the crowd: "I don't care what you did down the mountain; upon entering the Qing Shan Sect you must obey the rules and laws. The Qing Shan Sect is no heretical path; everything we do stays within the rules! Including your current assignment to the Menial Labor Hall—work diligently, or don't even think about becoming official disciples!"

"If you're dissatisfied, feel free to leave right now!"

No one present dared to speak; Elder Chaoyang's display of killing a chicken to scare the monkeys satisfied him, and he nodded in approval.

"Then next, arrange lodging for them—Niu Long, take them there!"

"Yes."

A Menial Labor Hall disciple looked at the crowd, chuckled, and said, "Everyone, this way please."

Soon, the crowd was brought to their lodgings—grass-thatched huts, some even housing three people per hut.

"Remember, the Qing Shan Sect does not keep worthless fools who don't understand the rules. Those with ability and confidence can, after completing the tasks assigned by the sect within these three months, naturally become official disciples and will be given instructors for the Foundation Establishment Stage. But during this period, as menial laborers, you should work more and speak less—that is the proper way." Niu Long said with a smile.

Yan Buji's eyes shifted, he stepped forward, pulled out a pouch, and secretly slipped it into Niu Long's hand: "Senior Brother, thank you for the advice. But could you tell me which places in the Qing Shan Sect's menial labor duties one should go to and which one should avoid?"

The surrounding cultivators blinked in surprise, thinking, "You old thing, you're quick—already offering a gift?"

Niu Long satisfiedly put away the pouch, weighed it—it contained over ten Spiritual Stones—and smiled: "Fellow sect member, may I know how to address you?"

"I am Huang Hao."

"Ah, Fellow Daoist Huang, since you ask sincerely, I'll tell you: the places menial laborers can actually go are few. Besides free movement within the Menial Labor Hall itself, outside you may only clean and sweep the roads and stairways; most buildings inside the sect are off-limits unless you are assigned to go there."

Yan Buji nodded: "Thank you, Senior Brother."

"Besides handling affairs in the Menial Labor Hall, I also have some connections with the Missions Hall and the Lian Dan Tang..." Niu Long smiled, looking at Yan Buji and the cultivators behind him, his meaning quite obvious.

The surrounding cultivators came to their senses, gritted their teeth, and rushed forward to offer Spiritual Stones.

Niu Long, who accepted gifts from anyone, had his basins overflowing, and readily promised to arrange good placements for everyone.

Although they were the lowest-ranking menial laborers, if they could sweep floors in places within the Qing Shan Sect that had ample resources, that would be better than sweeping streets, wouldn't it?

If any elder took a liking to them and allowed them to shed their menial labor status early, that would be a leap to the heavens!

Taking shortcuts is human nature, without considering whether that shortcut is genuine or false.

Yan Buji stood at the back of the crowd, motionless; Liu Jun, due to his empty pockets, couldn't produce anything and could only watch.

Liu Jun leaned over and whispered, "Brother Huang, since Niu Long has connections, why don't you ask him to handle things for you?"

Yan Buji chuckled: "Just now I gave him a few Spiritual Stones, and he became all mouth, openly taking bribes in front of everyone. With so many people, how could he possibly arrange placements for all of them based solely on his mid Qi Refining stage? It's nothing but a scheme to fleece people."

"Ah?" Liu Jun blinked: "But what if he really does have connections?"

"If he truly had connections, this little bit given upfront wouldn't even fill his stomach." Yan Buji chuckled.

After Niu Long finished arranging everyone's lodgings and left, Yan Buji and Liu Jun shared a grass hut with another cultivator.

Since the menial laborers' lodgings are down the mountain, working up the mountain still requires walking a stretch. However, we still don't know how they've been assigned, so Yan Buji is waiting.

If Niu Long really does have connections, it wouldn't hurt to give him a gift in exchange for a favorable assignment.

But if he doesn't, wouldn't our initial investment be completely wasted?

The cultivators who received Niu Long's promises beamed with joy, all believing they'd be assigned to good work locations—that's truly foolish.

Can you believe the words of someone you've just met?

Yan Buji dares to guarantee that within three days, someone will surely regret it.

The next day arrived.

Elder Chaoyang of the Menial Labor Hall summoned everyone and said, "Today I will assign your work areas. The Menial Labor Hall's affairs are not heavy, but for you it is also a tempering of the mind, a process of adapting to the Qing Shan Sect. First, besides the daily chores of fetching water, chopping firewood, and sweeping, there is also the possibility of being detailed to other halls to help with work. Of course, if you perform well, I will take note."

Elder Chaoyang's words further confirmed what Niu Long had said yesterday; many cultivators grew excited, believing they would certainly be assigned to excellent work.

As expected, indeed a few cultivators went to work at the Spirit Medicine Garden and the Lian Dan Tang, drawing much envy.

The rest were either assigned to chop firewood in the mountain forests or to sweep.

Of the roughly forty or fifty rogue cultivators present, the assignments were clear; Yan Buji possibly, seeing his age, was assigned to sweep the ground down the mountain, so he wouldn't have to climb daily.

But anyone with discernment knows that down the mountain there's no way to encounter many high-ranking Qing Shan Sect members; only by going up the mountain does one have a chance to turn things around.

Even Liu Jun was assigned to sweep near the Transmitting Skills Hall up the mountain, whereas Yan Buji and several others who didn't offer money were all assigned to work down the mountain.

Yan Buji narrowed his eyes at Niu Long and Elder Chaoyang, understanding something.