Chapter 431: Insufficient Qualifications (2/10, Autumn Subscription)

Blazing Flame Sect?!

Fang Yue's heart gave an abrupt lurch.

As if with a guilty conscience, he hurriedly restrained his aura, and even ducked behind Lin Ling beside him.

His Blazing Flame Heart Method had been bought through a merchant caravan under dubious circumstances—if the Blazing Flame Sect found out, there would be endless trouble.

Although he happened to have a letter written by Lord Qi Ba Jiu at some unknown time, god knew whether the Blazing Flame Sect would still honor it.

One had to remember that back then Lord Qi Ba Jiu was still the Blazing Flame Sect Master, but after emerging from the Soul-Sending Jade Pendant, he had transformed directly into the Extreme Ice Sect's Supreme Sect Master.

The whole mess was dizzying even for Fang Yue. What if he pulled out the letter and the other side not only refused to honor it but treated him as a traitor? That would be a disaster.

So caution was still warranted.

Following the source of the voice, he saw the Blazing Flame Sect's party—well over ten people, each wearing a vivid crimson Blazing Flame robe, extremely eye-catching.

The horses beneath them were also big red date-colored steeds, each one sturdy and powerful, looking fierce and menacing.

Horses on the road inevitably kicked up clouds of dust.

As the others actively stepped aside, the Blazing Flame Sect's group charged straight toward the city gate.

"People of the Blazing Flame Sect, stop at once!"

One of the guards, wearing a bamboo hat, suddenly turned cold-faced, placed his hand on the hilt at his waist, and shouted sternly.

"Urgent matter! We cannot stop!"

Unexpectedly, the Blazing Flame Sect people had no intention of stopping. After closing to a certain distance, they suddenly flung a token engraved with a flame pattern toward the bamboo-hat man.

"The Flame Pattern Token is temporarily deposited here—please Lord Dou let us pass!"

Flame Pattern Token?

Lord Dou caught the token, checked its authenticity, and frowned. The other guards gathered behind Lord Dou.

"Lord Dou…"

"It's genuine. Let them through."

"Yes."

The battle that had been on the verge of erupting suddenly subsided.

The guards stepped aside, letting the Blazing Flame Sect people ride their horses into the city.

"Many thanks to Lord Dou! When there's time, I'll host a banquet at Qingluan Lou and treat you to drinks!"

"…Hmph."

After the Blazing Flame Sect people left, order was restored at the city gate.

"Too arrogant! These Blazing Flame Sect people!"

"Exactly—not only do they not line up, but don't they see so many of us here? Riding so fast, rushing to be reborn or what!"

"…Enough said, that's the Blazing Flame Sect—we can't afford to offend them."

In the queue, many cursed and grumbled, but all kept their voices low, only daring to mutter quietly.

Clearly, the Blazing Flame Sect's fearsome reputation was not something they could afford to provoke.

Fang Yue asked curiously, "Lord Han, what's the Flame Pattern Token for?"

"Not sure—I don't know much about sect affairs. It should be some kind of important token of the Blazing Flame Sect. And they only said temporarily deposited, so obviously they intend to take it back."

After a pause, Lord Han, fearing Fang Yue didn't understand, began explaining the relationship between sects and Qingsi County.

Simply put, it was a mutually beneficial relationship.

Sects weren't beings who lived above mortal concerns—they had to eat, make money, and acquire resources too.

Although many sects produced and sold their own goods internally, the shortfall was huge, requiring procurement from larger places.

At the same time, they would also take on tasks that Qingsi County put out externally—on one hand selling labor for resources, on the other hand training their disciples. Even powerful sects would sign agreements with Qingsi County to establish stable working relationships, achieving mutual benefit.

So most sects had decent relations with Qingsi County.

The Blazing Flame Sect, as a major sect of the Heiqing Shanmai, was naturally no exception.

"The structure of sects is mostly like this—only differing in the size of their power and geographical location. Small factions mostly get simple jobs with meager rewards. Major sects have specific big jobs available, with generous rewards.

And if they're far from Qingsi County, small sects will also choose to help nearby villages—solving problems and even providing protection—to earn income."

Fang Yue understood immediately.

Qingsi County was fine—its relationship with any sect was cooperative, and it held the position of Party A.

It couldn't be said to be stronger than the sects in actual power, but in contractual standing, it was definitely the more dominant side.

But for small villages—what the hell, isn't that just collecting protection fees!

"Lord Han, then why have we never seen any sect protecting our village?"

Hearing Fang Yue's words, Lord Han glanced at him: "Our place is so remote we might not see a sect person for years—how could any sect possibly provide protection?"

Damn!

So it's because the location is too remote—no sect gives it a second look.

Fang Yue even suspected that the reason they could still see a sect person once every few years was because of Lord Han's presence.

He remembered Lin Ling saying that when those sects came to recruit disciples, they had all come specifically to visit Lord Han, and only took in disciples as a side matter—and in the end, no one was even chosen.

Damn!

So what if it's a small place—do small places deserve to be looked down on! Anger, cold, tremble! When will small places ever stand up… oh wait, small places have already been bizarrely flattened, so never mind.

Fang Yue figured that for a disaster on the level of the Wuyu Tribe, even sects coming would just stand helplessly and be buried along with everyone else.

So Lord Han is still the reliable one.

"Sects!" While Fang Yue and Lord Han were chatting, Lin Ling suddenly clenched her fists.

Fang Yue glanced at Lin Ling curiously, only to see her raise her head and look firmly toward Qingsi County: "I must enter a sect! To cultivate Martial Techniques, grow stronger, and break through to the next realm!"

"Huh? Aren't you coming with me to Qingsi County?"

"Qing Si... my qualifications aren't enough."

Lin Ling stiffened and said bitterly.

The Qing Si isn't something you can just join whenever you want.

To become a Captain of a village below, one needs to accumulate enough merit, gain the recognition of the county-level Qing Si, and only then qualify to take the assessment.

Only by passing the assessment can one be promoted from a village head to taking a post in the Qing Si.

Of course, for those promoted internally like this, the starting rank is White-Robed — roughly equivalent to the status of a Squad Leader.

Grey-Robed, Black-Robed, White-Robed, Cyan-Robed.

These are the four internal rank divisions of the Qing Si.

There are many specific position distinctions, but as long as the official robe is the same color, the status is the same level — no matter how big or small — even if the positions are completely different.

Grey-Robed is the lowest rank within the Qing Si — they do the most work, take on the toughest tasks, and their numbers are also the largest.

"Back in the day, I also had a chance to go to Qingsi County as a Grey-Robed!"

That's what Lin Ling bragged about. According to him, he couldn't bear to leave Gu Yue Cun and didn't want to leave his hometown, so he refused.

But Lord Han quickly exposed him: "Captain Lin thought being a Grey-Robed in Qingsi County paid less than the Deputy Captain position in Gu Yue Cun, so he gave it up."

Obviously, Lin Ling back then was still a Deputy Captain — that was probably a long time ago.

Besides selecting internal members from nearby villages' Guard Teams, Grey-Robed also opens recruitment to people of Qingsi County.

(End of Chapter)