Chapter 21

Chapter 21

Cultivation Through Copulation.

Episode 21: Entering The Outer Sect.

Yuk-gyeong wondered if he had heard wrong and asked again. What? Personal medicine attendant?

“What?”

“Can’t you understand in one go? From now on, you are my personal medicine attendant.”

Just like that, without any room for discussion?

What about my opinion? Does it not matter whether I want to do it or not?

But what choice did he have? Rank was everything. The other person was an elder, and he was merely a novice disciple in the Servant Hall.

Even if he completed the period and was promoted to an outer sect disciple, it was an honor to serve under an elder, and he had to oney.

Moreover, becoming a personal medicine attendant meant being directly promoted from the Servant Hall to the outer sect, so anyone would welcome it with open arms.

Of course, Yuk-gyeong had no desire to work with this pill-crazed maniac, so he only wanted to pass the honor to someone else.

Yuk-gyeong reluctantly bowed his head and expressed his gratitude.

“It is an honor, Elder. I will do my utmost.”

Elder Bu seemed to have been waiting for those words, as he nodded with a pleased smile. The pill-crazed maniac seemed to enjoy such formalities.

Elder Bu’s voice softened, and he finally treated Yuk-gyeong warmly.

“Good. I’ll inform the Servant Hall, so stay at the Medicine Hall starting today.”

“Thank you for your consideration, Elder.”

Yuk-gyeong bowed to express his gratitude.

Indeed, the accommodations for medicine attendants in the outer sect were more comfortable than those in the Servant Hall.

This could be considered a favor.

Sigh, being directly promoted to an outer sect disciple is a great thing, but the thought of working with the pill-crazed maniac is daunting.

He’s the kind of crazy guy who’d ban you from the Medicine Hall for life just for touching the pill cauldron once, so how would I know if something else happens while working together and he decides to ban me from the Medicine Hall and kick me out?

Every day would like walking on thin ice.

Thus, Yuk-gyeong transitioned from a novice disciple in the Servant Hall to an outer disciple.

Yuk-gyeong, who rose vertically in status from a novice disciple in the Servant Hall to a medicine attendant under an elder, caused quite a stir among the novice disciples.

For novice disciples who were supposed to do chores in the Servant Hall for several months, it was unbelievable.

In Yuk-gyeong’s words, it was like a trainee who had to slog through boot camp catching the eye of the division commander and heading straight to the commander’s office.

Being noticed by an elder was a significant rise in status.

“How did he do it? How was he able to catch the eye of the elderly Poison Master?”

“I heard the Poison Master Elder Bu doesn’t have children or disciples. Maybe by working as an medicine attendant, he might catch his eye and become a disciple.”

“Besides, Yuk-gyeong is a Single Spiritual Root holder, right? Is that why Elder Bu is interested?”

“I heard that being a Single Spiritual Root holder is so rare it’s almost legendary, but that’s only until the Core Formation stage… Well, from our perspective, even Core Formation is an unattainable realm.”

Thus, among the novice disciples, a farewell party was held to see Yuk-gyeong off.

Well, the fellow novice disciples would also enter the outer sect in a few months, but it was just for the mood.

The novice disciples rented a dining hall and held a modest party.

Yuk-gyeong looked for So-hyang, but she was nowhere to be seen.

The Two Spiritual Root holder, Mun-yeol, also pouted and took a seat.

Despite having many complaints, he subtly never misses any event.

According to Yeong-yeong, he puts effort into everything he does.

Yeong-yeong took on the role of leader for this batch of novice disciples. Even the Servant Hall deacon acknowledged it, and so did the disciples of the same batch.

“Now, let’s celebrate our peer, Yuk-gyeong, entering the outer sect. Let’s all congratulate him!”

Clap, clap, clap.

A gentle sound of applause.

There were only five of them, so it was a modest gathering.

“I’ve asked the dining hall to prepare some snacks, so let’s talk while we eat.”

Under Yeong-yeong’s smooth management, Yuk-gyeong’s farewell party proceeded seamlessly.

Yuk-gyeong felt at ease for the first time in a while as he nibbled on the snacks like dried appetizers. Laughing and chatting among the novice disciples felt like coming home compared to the tense life at the Medicine Hall.

Especially Yeong-yeong, who subtly pushed the snacks towards Yuk-gyeong with a bright smile. Her cheerful demeanor seemed to enliven the atmosphere.

Is this a signal? Is she trying to charm me?

While Yuk-gyeong was confused,

Sun-yang and Myeong-ho began to chatter like children, asking Yuk-gyeong various questions. Until recently, they had been tense and reserved, but after a few days of adapting, their childlike nature was beginning to show.

“What’s the secret to entering the outer sect so quickly?”

“How is Elder Bu like? Is he as scary as the rumors say?”

“Are there many disciples in the outer sect? What are they like?”

“Is there any seniority pressure? Any initiation rituals?”

As the children bombarded him with questions like a storm, Yeong-yeong waved her hand to calm them down.

“Guys, let’s ask one at a time. We should give Yuk-gyeong some time to answer.”

“Haha, I’ll answer everything, so don’t be impatient.”

Yuk-gyeong laughed and said,

“How cute. Kids should have that childlike charm.”

“Me first, me first!”

“No, I’ll ask first!”

While the children were arguing, Yeong-yeong was the first to ask. Her skill in diverting the children’s attention and taking the lead was impressive.

Yeong-yeong’s questions were warm.

“How is it there? Are you doing well? Is it bearable?”

“Of course. I’m not the type to struggle with adapting anywhere. The Outer Sect is very nice. It’s quiet and peaceful. The elders treat me well and understand the hardships of a medicine attendant.”

With a warmed heart from Yeong-yeong’s question, I answered.

Then, Sun-yang, who won the rock-paper-scissors, raised his hand and asked,

“What does a medicine attendant do? Do you work there too?”

“I do work, but it’s much more relaxed than here in the Servant Hall. A medicine attendant manages the herbs growing in the medicine hall, brings necessary medicinal materials, and runs minor errands for the elders.”

“Wow, I want to be a medicine attendant too.”

Now, Myeong-ho, who lost in rock-paper-scissors and had his turn pushed back, asked,

“Then, then, how are the outer sect senior brothers?”

“I haven’t met many outer sect senior brothers yet, but they’re all kind. Since we’re new disciples, if we ask the senior brothers questions, as long as it’s not rude, they’ll explain in detail.”

Honestly, he didn’t really know much. The senior brothers Yuk-gyeong met were only those in the Elder Hall and a few whose faces he saw in the Medicine Hall. Oh, and the senior brother who first guided him.

The senior brother with long hair in the Elder Hall seemed to subtly look down on Yuk-gyeong, a novice disciple, but didn’t particularly harass him, so there was no reason to speak ill of him.

And Senior Brother Cho was very friendly.

I can’t shatter the children’s illusions. Even if they end up disappointed when they join the outer sect later, for now, let’s give them hope to endure in the Servant Hall.

The children seemed to have high expectations for the outer sect.

Since they are given trivial tasks in the Servant Hall, they can’t help but envision the outer sect, a space for cultivators, as an ideal place where their cultivation time greatly increases.

“That’s right! I want to join the outer sect as soon as possible!”

Interrupting in between,

“Hmph, we’ll be promoted to the outer sect in just a few months. He just got in a few months earlier, that’s all. Is there really a need to make such a fuss?”

Mun-yeol’s words were filled with jealousy. It was clear he intended to belittle Yuk-gyeong. Such blatant and ugly jealousy made Yuk-gyeong chuckle.

Yeong-yeong countered Mun-yeol’s words.

“It’s extremely rare for someone to become an outer sect disciple without going through an adaptation period in the Servant Hall. Because of this, Yuk-gyeong is likely to catch the elders’ attention. There might even be elders who want to take him as a disciple before he reaches the Foundation Establishment stage.”

Yeong-yeong certainly had a strong grip on the atmosphere among the novice disciples.

At the leader Yeong-yeong’s words, Mun-yeol fell silent, putting a snack into his mouth.

After laughing and chatting for quite some time,

it was about time for the gathering to end.

Both the children, Mun-yeol, and Yeong-yeong had gathered for a farewell party around sunset, dragging their tired bodies from work. It was understandable that they were exhausted.

The children were sent back to their quarters, rubbing their eyes and yawning widely. They regretted not being able to ask more questions and left, with Mun-yeol following them.

Once again, only Yeong-yeong and Yuk-gyeong remained.

Yeong-yeong tapped the table thoughtfully for a moment before speaking to Yuk-gyeong softly.

“Um, Yuk-gyeong. If you happen to see my sister when you join the outer sect…”

“Ah, are you talking about your inner disciple sister?”

That’s right, I heard that Yeong-yeong adapted particularly well to the Dark Moon Sect, thanks to her sister.

To already be an inner disciple, she must possess extraordinary talent.

“Yes. My sister’s name is Yu Ah-yeong. If you happen to meet her, could you tell her that her younger sister is working very hard and will catch up soon?”

Yuk-gyeong readily agreed.

“Yes. Is that all you want me to convey?”

“And, that one day I’ll punch that smug mouth of hers…! Just kidding. You don’t need to pass that part on.”

She seemed full of competitive spirit towards her sister.

“Haha, if it’s Miss Yeong-yeong, I’m sure she’ll be able to do that one day.”

“Why call me Miss Yeong-yeong? Just call me Yeong-yeong. And, well, if you happen to meet my sister, just pass it on. It’s not like an outer disciple often meets an inner disciple, so don’t worry too much about it.”

In essence, asking to pass on the message was an excuse, Yeong-yeong intended to use this as a pretext to create a connection between Yuk-gyeong and her sister.

If he said he was a friend of the sister’s who came to deliver a message, anyone who wasn’t completely indifferent would naturally pay attention.

With her sister backing Yuk-gyeong, he could feel secure even when going to the outer sect.

This showed how much she cared for Yuk-gyeong. Perhaps she was simply looking out for a fellow initiate, or perhaps not.

Yuk-gyeong expressed gratitude for her thoughtfulness.

“Yeong-yeong, I should be the one thanking you for caring about me.”

“Hehe, there’s no need to thank me. I’ll move up to the outer sect soon….”

Yeong Sun-il, the deacon of the Servant Hall, had to admit his failure.

The inner disciple of the Jang family had specifically requested to harass and torment this Yuk-gyeong to the point where he couldn’t stand it and would leave the sect.

Instead, he ended up soaring even higher.

He had now caught the eye of the Medicine Hall elder and was taken in as the elder’s medicine attendant.

He was completely out of the hands of the Servant Hall deacon.

Now, there was no authority to assign tasks to him, and with an elder backing him, he couldn’t be opposed.

‘What should I do? He might seek revenge for the disadvantages I dealt him while he was in the Servant Hall. And even if it’s not for revenge, the Jang family will make me pay for failing the mission….’

Sun-il was engulfed in despair.

When he first accepted the proposal from the Jang family disciple, he thought that he was finally escaping this wretched Servant Hall. I’ll return to the mountain gate and soar on the path of cultivation!

But who could have known it would be the worst mistake?

Dealing with just one new disciple was such a daunting task.

He had heard he was a Single Spiritual Root holder, but still, he was just a new disciple!

Even when given the dreadful task of cleaning the latrines, he didn’t flinch, and when given an impossible task by a peculiar elder, he succeeded! And then he caught the eye of that peculiar elder and became a medicine attendant!

If he had known, he wouldn’t have accepted the Jang family’s proposal.

Sun-il regretted it, but regretting wouldn’t change anything.

He had made a choice, and he had to pay the price for it.

He might never understand why things turned out this way….