Chapter 9: A New Beginning: Inner Disciples

Shui Jingxuan, along with the other nine fellow disciples, went to pick up the wooden plaques and robes that certified their status as inner disciples.

After a fierce battle, everyone was disheveled and exhausted, yet they mustered their spirits to introduce themselves to each other.

Unlike their casual interactions with others, they all unconsciously treated Shui Jingxuan with a degree of awe and caution.

The seemingly frail child had taken down a fifth of their opponents single-handedly. If not for the lessons they learned and the distance they kept from him, there would have been more casualties.

To this day, they still shuddered at the memory of the child’s eerie killing intent and his cruel, unpredictable fighting style.

They did not hide their fear of Shui Jingxuan. They greeted him and introduced themselves, then obediently followed him, clearly looking up to him as their leader.

Shui Jingxuan was pleased with the atmosphere of the demon sect.

It was because the demon sect was founded by the heterodox faction, which lived in a harsh environment, that they worshipped strength so fervently.

In the sect, one could rise to prominence as long as they had strength.

Ji Wushuang, the cursed child, was despised by all.

His conjoined twin body was seen as a sign of evil in this age, and he would have been burned alive in any other place. However, he was revered in the demon sect for his superior strength.

To take over the demon sect after Ji Wushuang’s death, Shui Jingxuan had to display his abilities now and make sure they were known to all.

He had to win the loyalty of the young generation, so that when Ji Wushuang died, he could promote these new disciples and make the demon sect his own.

This was a long-term goal, and he had just taken the first step.

After receiving their plaques and robes, everyone dispersed. Shui Jingxuan and Azhuang returned to their small hut and cleaned up before sitting in meditation.

Azhuang was recovering from his injuries, while Shui Jingxuan was pushing his limits to cultivate.

When they emerged from their meditation, it was already dark, time for dinner. They had expended a lot of energy and missed lunch, so they were famished.

They put on their white robes and tied their plaques around their waists before hurrying to the dining hall.

The dining hall was packed. The eliminated disciples and the new inner disciples were clearly separated. The former would only get a thin gruel and a stale bun.

They would have to work hard in the sect to get better meals. The inner disciples, however, had a bowl of coarse rice, a dish of pickled vegetables, and even a portion of meat.

Azhuang was drooling, and even Shui Jingxuan, who usually didn’t care for such things, was tempted.

They quickly went to get their food. There was plenty for everyone, and the person in charge of the food distribution spotted their plaques and quickly served them, heaping their bowls with rice, vegetables, and meat.

Azhuang was delighted and took a big mouthful, then heaved a sigh of satisfaction. “Being an inner disciple is great, with meat every day! No wonder everyone fought so hard for this position!” he said.

Shui Jingxuan smirked. “You’re satisfied with just a few pieces of meat?” he asked.

“Of course not. Eating meat is just a bonus. I want a better life, not being hunted by the Han people or robbed by the Manchus. I want everyone in the tribe to have enough food and for the children to be taken care of.”

Azhuang ate in silence, his voice heavy with emotion.

Every child here had lost their parents, and their original village was burned and plundered by the Manchus. Their lives were hard.

Shui Jingxuan thought of Axi’s parents, who were murdered, and his heart ached.

He patted Azhuang’s head and said firmly, “Believe me, the demon sect will be better in the future. The tribe will be free from war and hunger, and everyone will have enough to eat and wear. Life will be peaceful and prosperous.”

As he spoke of the future of the demon sect, Shui Jingxuan’s resolve to take control of it grew stronger. Originally, he only wanted a place to call home.

Now, he felt a greater responsibility. Ji Wushuang, despite his incredible martial arts skills, only cared about revenge and made the tribe fight the eight sects.

He never truly considered the welfare of the tribe, and that was his greatest failure as the sect master.

Azhuang was inspired by Shui Jingxuan’s strong and confident words, and he nodded heavily. He had a feeling that Shui Jingxuan’s words would come true, because he never lied.

After a moment of silence, Azhuang’s appetite returned, and he ate the meat with gusto, making Shui Jingxuan laugh and shake his head.

At that moment, a tall, muscular youth carrying a tray of food approached, followed by nine fellow disciples. He was clearly a new disciple of one of the elders and the strongest among them, like Shui Jingxuan.

“Is that Axi?” the youth asked, lifting his chin arrogantly.

Shui Jingxuan glanced at him and continued eating, clearly not interested in him.

The youth’s eyes flashed with anger, but he quickly suppressed it and sat down across from Shui Jingxuan. “I watched your fight. You’re very strong. I’m the eldest disciple of Elder Miao. I’m Black Tiger.”

Black Tiger introduced himself but didn’t state his purpose. His tone was more challenging than friendly, and Shui Jingxuan was disgusted. He didn’t even bother to look at him.

Black Tiger’s anger flared, and he opened his mouth, ready to speak, but Azhuang interrupted. “Is that the famous Black Tiger, Senior Brother? I’m honored to meet you!” he said, bowing.

Black Tiger had a reputation as the strongest among these children. He was well-built, resilient, and had a quick mind. Even the sect master had praised him. No wonder Azhuang admired him so much. The old Axi and the current Shui Jingxuan didn’t pay much attention to the sect’s affairs, so they didn’t know him.

Black Tiger was pleased by Azhuang’s respect and his expression softened. “It’s nothing. We’re all inner disciples now, and we should support each other. If you have any trouble, just come to me.”

His words seemed sincere, but there was a hidden agenda, and his tone was condescending. Shui Jingxuan smirked. This kid had big ambitions.

Black Tiger indeed had big ambitions. He was the strongest among these children and was often praised. He looked down on everyone except the Wolf Girl.

After entering the inner sect, the first thing he did was to reach out to the new disciples of other elders and win over the strongest to be his followers, to secure his future position.

He was indeed smart, and without Shui Jingxuan, in a few years, when Ji Wushuang died, he might have been the new leader of the demon sect. But history took a turn when Shui Jingxuan arrived.

Black Tiger and Azhuang chatted amiably, and the atmosphere lightened. Black Tiger saw that Shui Jingxuan still ignored him and felt frustrated. Now, only Shui Jingxuan hadn’t submitted to him, and he was anxious.

“Why won’t Axi, Junior Brother, say anything?” Black Tiger asked tentatively.

“It’s his personality. He’s often quiet for days.” Azhuang said, referring to the old, timid Axi.

“I see.” Black Tiger nodded, and his expression eased. Shui Jingxuan’s innocent and pure appearance was deceptive, and he quickly concluded that he was weak and introverted, not a threat. Although he had seen his skills, Shui Jingxuan’s strikes were too simple and straightforward for him to appreciate.

After learning the situation, Black Tiger was satisfied. He picked up his chopsticks and started eating, and when he saw that Shui Jingxuan hadn’t touched his pickled vegetables, he naturally demanded, “Axi, can I have your pickled vegetables?”

Shui Jingxuan didn’t like pickled vegetables and was happy to be rid of them, so he pushed the dish towards Black Tiger.

Black Tiger was pleased to have taken advantage of him. He thought Shui Jingxuan was cowardly and weak. He took all the pickled vegetables and scoffed.

Food was precious in the sect, and children rarely shared their food. If they did, it was either because they were close or because the other person was too strong to refuse.

Shui Jingxuan’s actions were seen as a sign of submission to Black Tiger, and the latter’s supporters laughed softly.

Shui Jingxuan was uninterested in what they were laughing at. He ate his food gracefully, not speaking.

Black Tiger had easily taken advantage of him and was pleased. He saw that Shui Jingxuan had only eaten a little of the meat and said, “I have a big appetite, and I’m not sure I’ll be full. Can I have some of your meat?”

Before Shui Jingxuan could answer, Black Tiger took the plate and transferred the meat to his own bowl, piling it high, with a few pieces falling on the table.

Looking at the empty plates in front of him, Shui Jingxuan finally understood Black Tiger’s intentions. He put down his bowl and tapped the rim with his chopsticks, smiling sweetly. “Then, can I have the rice in my bowl?” he asked.

“If you insist, I won’t refuse.” Seeing that Shui Jingxuan was so accommodating, Black Tiger looked down on him even more and took his bowl of rice.

Azhuang couldn’t eat anymore. He looked at Shui Jingxuan worriedly. Black Tiger’s contempt and malice were clear, and even Azhuang, who was not sensitive, could see it.

Meanwhile, three people stood quietly outside the dining hall, watching the situation at Shui Jingxuan’s table. They were Elder Mu, Ji Wushuang, and his conjoined twin sister.