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As soon as he reached the hillside, two young boys dressed in blue emerged from the roadside, both around fifteen or sixteen years old. They blocked Xunuo's path and said, "Where did this kid come from? Don't you know this is the territory of the Wuhua Sect? Trespassing at the mountain gate, are you looking for a fight?"
Xunuo quickly replied, "Brothers, please don't misunderstand. I am here to seek apprenticeship."
One of the boys chuckled and said, "You look too delicate and refined; you hardly seem like someone suited for martial arts. Besides, the Wuhua Sect only accepts disciples in the spring each year. You've missed the time. If you truly wish to become a disciple, come back next year."
Finished speaking, he attempted to drive Xunuo down the mountain.
Xunuo hurriedly took off the ring hanging around his neck and said, "Brothers, please wait. I have a token from the Sect Leader; just take a look first."
Upon hearing about the Sect Leader's token, the two boys immediately refrained from using harsh words. They took the ring and examined it but were unsure of its significance.
After a moment of thought, one boy said to the other, "Junior Brother, you stay here with this guest while I go inform someone up top."
With that, he cupped his hands in respect to Xunuo and ran up the mountain with the ring.
It turned out that these two were also newcomers who had recently joined and were not familiar with many of the sect's traditions. They were worried about delaying matters and offending someone. After all, if this visitor truly possessed a token from the Sect Leader, it meant he had some connection with him—something not to be trifled with by mere Outer Sect Disciples.
The boy ran up to find a senior brother in charge and showed him the ring. This senior brother was an elder in the sect. Upon seeing the ring, he immediately asked, "Where is this person now? Quickly bring him up!"
After sending off the boy, this senior brother took the ring and reported it to both the Hall Master and Vice Hall Master.
By the time Xunuo arrived at the mountain gate, many people were already waiting and watching. Those older members of the sect knew that anyone holding a token from the Sect Leader either had an old relationship with him or had some merit with the sect. Such visitors seeking apprenticeship were guaranteed acceptance. Some people approached Xunuo to chat and asked for his name and origin.
Xunuo thought for a moment but decided not to reveal his real name; instead, he responded with "Lu Zaisheng." He didn't hide anything else. Upon hearing that Xunuo was alone and had traveled all the way from Suzhou, they expressed their amazement.
As the crowd was discussing, a middle-aged man dressed in a long robe arrived. Seeing everyone gathered around Xunuo, he dismissed them and led Xunuo to a grand hall.
Inside the hall, several people were engaged in heated discussions.
At the front sat an elderly man with a slightly yellow complexion and five strands of long beard. This man was Ximen Tower, the leader of the Wuhua Sect, known in the Jianghu as Sick Noodle Iron Hand. On either side of him sat three or four others, all high-ranking members of the Wuhua Sect, including Hall Masters and Vice Hall Masters. However, the atmosphere seemed quite tense.
A tall man with a round face and short beard spoke up, "I absolutely cannot agree with you, High Hall Master. When someone is in trouble, I cannot just abandon them like a discarded shoe, fearing that I might take on even a bit of risk. Is there still any Jianghu righteousness to speak of?"
Immediately, a middle-aged man with a pale face and no beard flushed with anger. "I say this for the sake of our sect. The Xu family has violated national laws and incurred the wrath of the heavens; how can a small sect like Wuhua Sect protect them?"
A noisy argument erupted among them.
It turned out that when the token was handed to the leader, Ximen Tower recognized it as belonging to a descendant of the Xu family. When the Xu family fell into trouble, it was said that they were exiled to the Western Regions and enslaved by armored men. The Wuhua Sect had sent a Vice Hall Master along with several disciples to Suxzhou to provide care and escort. However, upon arriving in Suxzhou, they learned that the Xu family had encountered misfortune on their way to exile and that all had perished at Black Wind Mountain.
Although this Vice Hall Master had his doubts—thinking that bandits typically only robbed for wealth and would not be interested in a prisoner transport—he speculated that it was likely an act orchestrated by rivals within Officialdom. However, martial arts sects were most wary of engaging with Officialdom due to frequent disputes in the martial world that often resulted in injury or even death. Reporting such matters to officials could lead to severe consequences for murderers. Thus, they avoided any dealings with officials and could only return to Wuhua Sect to report.
Upon receiving this news, Ximen Tower could only feel disheartened. After offering distant prayers for the deceased, he decided to move past this matter.
Now seeing a descendant of the Xu family holding a token, he felt somewhat uneasy. Initially sending someone for escort was an act of Jianghu righteousness and did not conflict much with Royal Law. However, if they were to harbor this fugitive now, it would mean opposing Officialdom. Unsure of what decision to make, he called upon several Hall Masters and Vice Hall Masters for discussion.
This matter quickly divided into two clear factions. One side suggested giving some silver to send them away peacefully without opposing Officialdom. The other side argued for sheltering Xunuo in gratitude for Xu Shaoyin's past kindness.
As everyone debated, the middle-aged man brought Xunuo into the grand hall. Instantly, silence fell over the room as everyone looked at Xunuo with varying expressions.
Ximen Tower surveyed the crowd and noticed their silence. He raised his finger with a smile and asked Xunuo, "Is this what you brought?"
Xunuo replied respectfully, "Indeed."
"Young man, there is no need to be so formal. What is your name?" Ximen Tower asked.
Xunuo glanced around at the people in the hall, pondering. They had not revealed their true names during the journey, which had kept them safe. Earlier at the mountain gate, they had used the alias Lu Zaisheng. Now, facing the elders of the Wuhua Sect, revealing an alias would seem disrespectful. However, with so many people present, disclosing their real name might invite trouble from malicious individuals.
Thus, Xunuo stood there in silence, contemplating for a while without answering.
At that moment, the middle-aged man in a long robe who had brought Xunuo over whispered a few words to Ximen Tower. Ximen Tower's expression changed as he turned to Xunuo and asked, "Did any disciples inquire about your name at the mountain gate?"
Xunuo replied, "Yes."
Ximen Tower continued, "How did you respond?"
"I answered as Lu Zaisheng," Xunuo said.
Ximen Tower let out a sigh of relief and chuckled, "That's a good name, a very good name indeed."
Then he added, "I heard you wish to join my Wuhua Sect. Is that true?"
Xunuo quickly knelt down and said, "I seek your approval, Master. I, Lu Zaisheng, have come for this purpose."
"Good," Ximen Tower said. "At such a young age, you have traveled far to reach Wuhua Mountain. You must possess great determination. I will make an exception and accept you as an Outer Sect Disciple. However, you must pass the Outer Sect Competition after one year to continue your studies here. If you cannot pass, even I as the sect leader will be unable to help you. Do you understand?"
Hearing this, Xunuo was overjoyed and replied, "Thank you, Master. I will do my utmost."
Ximen Tower then called over someone to take Xunuo to arrange for accommodation and other matters.
In truth, as soon as Xunuo entered the hall, Ximen Tower noticed their resemblance to Xu Shaoyin. He realized that Xunuo must be Xu Shaoyin's offspring. When he heard from the Vice Hall Master that Xunuo had conversed with many disciples at the mountain gate, he felt a wave of despair wash over him. This matter had already stirred up quite a commotion and was known throughout the sect. If it became known that this child was Xu Shaoyin's descendant, it would complicate matters for him as sect leader. Accepting them would be seen as openly defying the authorities and could lead to endless troubles. Dismissing them would mean losing the moral high ground in the martial world, making it difficult for Wuhua Sect to hold its head high in the future.
Unexpectedly, Xunuo reported the alias Lu Zaisheng. This provided a way for things to turn around, which allowed Ximen Tower to dare to keep Xunuo.
However, the one-year deadline set by Ximen Tower for the Outer Sect Competition was quite harsh. Normally, Outer Sect Disciples had three years to learn their skills. There was an opportunity for the Outer Sect Competition once a year. Those who failed to enter the Inner Sect after three years of martial arts training would be expelled from the mountain gate. Generally, it was only in the second or third year of training that one would have the ability to pass the Outer Sect Competition and enter the Inner Sect.
Ximen Tower's decision was also made to quell disputes among several Hall Masters within the sect. On one hand, they accepted Xunuo into the sect, but on the other hand, they anticipated that a newcomer would likely be eliminated in the Outer Sect Competition a year later. At that time, they could simply offer some silver to send him off, resulting in a happy ending for everyone.
After Xunuo left, several Hall Masters were not very satisfied with the leader's decision but understood that it was the best arrangement possible. Both differing opinions were taken into account.
The round-faced man with a short beard expressed his dissatisfaction with this arrangement but felt helpless. He bitterly remarked, "If the descendants of the Xu family suffer because of you and me, I wonder how you will face Xu Shaoyin in the afterlife."
With that, he waved his sleeve and left. The others exchanged glances for a moment.
The middle-aged man with a pale face and no beard suddenly said, "The leader's arrangement is indeed unavoidable. If Lu Zaisheng passes the Outer Sect Competition next year, what will the leader do then?"
Ximen Tower replied softly, "If a new disciple can pass the Outer Sect Competition at year's end, he must be an extraordinary talent in martial arts. With such talent joining us, I would be delighted rather than have any further plans."
Finished speaking, he seemed somewhat impatient with the pale-faced middle-aged man and stood up, walking away with his hands behind his back.
The remaining few argued for a while longer before dispersing in disinterest.
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