Hunting Training
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A few days prior, on the first day of outer disciples.
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"Join me." Zheng Cang says. "It's a waste to see the five of you gone."
...?
Zheng Cang has approached the second group, the group he deemed to be the strongest.
"One of you is a rogue thief who was exiled from a foreign sect, two of you are hidden wanted criminals of the Murim, and the rest have a tragic past with their family." Says Zheng Cang
!!
"Are you picking a fight?" The ex-rogue thief says.
"Haha of course not. An ordinary untrained person like me stands no chance against you."
In this room, an outsider wouldn't believe Zheng Cang's description of each person because of how young they look. But their reaction reaffirmed that it is indeed true.
"You want us to follow you? On what basis?" Says the exiled boy.
"First of all, I plan to dominate the sect by any tenacious means possible. Once I've risen, I will reserve an executive seat for each of you and aid each of you in your revenge." Says Zheng Cang.
...
"Pfft! Hahaha!!" The exile laughs out. The other four shake their head in disapproval. "Someone like you? Prove it to us you are someone worthy. Maybe, I might change my mind."
Zheng Cang smiles. "I'm not putting in your mouth so you should keep your promise."
"Oh yeah, focus on Zhou Lei and Fu Cai. I couldn't find any background about them and unknown variables are best removed."
With that, Zheng Cang left the room. What is Zheng Cang's hidden motive for domination? That doesn't matter. As long as they can get their revenge and power, they will follow whomever they deem worthy.
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Present...
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"Uck?!" I purposely groan when a pile of shit fell on my head.
I look up to see a trembling outer disciple. "I-I am sorry! Z-Zheng Cang forced me!" And he quickly jumps down the tree and left.
I sigh. I was only going to the latrine in the forest beside the sect because my stomach is slightly uncomfortable.
Did Zheng Cang use laxatives too? It must be quite a strong one for a peak core formation to be slightly bothered.
I notice that Zheng Cang isn't targeting strong people like Li Ruo or Yi Mu. Instead, he is gradually expanding his influence and getting rid of weak and unknown variables.
Let me guess, he must be planning to dominate the sect.
Zheng Cang's family have an extensive source of information at their fingertips, just a simple command and Zheng Cang knows about everyone. I can already guess that Zheng Cang ordered his subordinates to focus on dangerous variables like He Zhou and I.
"Heh." I let out a small laugh.
Zheng Cang...has cunning courage but lacks experience in manipulation, there are too many things he didn't take into account.
I decide to ignore nature's calling and head for the river to wash.
I meet Tengchao beside the river, washing too.
?
Without saying anything, I take off the robe and went to wash.
"Did Zheng Cang do it to you too?" Says Tengchao.
"The shit dumping? Yeah." I reply, washing my robe.
Tengchao clicks his tongue.
...
"Do you want revenge?" I ask.
!
"...Of course, I've been living like a dog my whole life. I came here to change fate." Says Tengchao. "But I am too weak..."
"We just have to become stronger."
Tengchao sighs. "You weren't here for a month, you haven't seen the disgusting side of this sect."
?
"A week ago, we received our monthly payment of money and pills, 20 silver coins and two Qi Condensation pills. But Zheng Cang's lackeys extorted and beat up disciples behind Elder Gaoming's back. They've even been pushed to the edge to commit hideous things...haven't we experienced it?" Says Tengchao. "I...was happy when my spiritual roots were somewhat special but...I fear I lack the courage to do this."
...
I smile. "So you simply lack courage. If someone does something and attempts a rebel, would you do something?"
!!
"...I...don't know?" He replies hesitantly.
"I see," I say.
Whenever I have the time, I will ask victims with somewhat potential about their views if someone attempts a resistance. They willingly shared their thoughts with me since I am also bullied.
The results were to my expectations, the main weapon of Zheng Cang is fear. People want to take revenge, want to go against his tyranny and simply lack the push.
Hahaha!! I admire Zheng Cang, for he flawlessly fulfils his role without realising it.
I will use whatever methods there are to exponentially grow the sect faster. The first step is the strength of the sect.
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The next day, no breakfast came for me as Zheng Cang somehow influenced the servant too.
Well, He Zhou has it worst. She showed up in the dining area all smelly and tattered, Zheng Cang's group was snickering at her ugly appearance.
I notice one thing. Zheng Cang has already affected more than half of the outer disciples under his rule, whether forced or willingly.
It's the usual routine, except Gaoming is not asking us to do the horse stance.
"Today, we will not be doing the sets of mountain training." Says Gaoming.
A few disciples seem relieved by that.
"Instead, we will be practising beast hunting."
?!
"Each group will work to hunt grade 1 beasts. Even one experienced mortal can hunt it, I don't expect failure from you." Says Gaoming.
Now that I take a good look at the disciples, everyone has a better physique and the weakest is in the first stage of Qi Condensation.
I look at my body, some of the Qi dissipated from my fight with the elder and my body slightly went back to the fit self.
Right, it's been more than a month and they have started the hunting curriculum.
Gaoming hands each of us a real sword. Some tremble at the sight of it.
"Now, each will be given a talisman. If you need help, tear it up immediately and I will come. Throughout the hunt, I will be observing from above." Says Gaoming.
I don't trust talisman anymore from previous events with the Blood sect.
Regardless, every outer disciple packs up rice grains enough for 5 days and sets off with Gaoming. We arrive at a secluded location at the base of Mount Hua Xi.
"This is a habitat of grade 1 beasts because of the low Qi density. Grade 1 beasts are merely normal animals slightly enhanced by Qi, one or two of you won't be able to defeat a beast alone so the entire group will have to work together. You may stay behind to discuss strategies later on." Gaoming takes out a small golden ball that looks like a pill. Instead, it seems to be absorbing a small amount of Qi. "This is a beast core. it is usually located near the head so once you killed the beast, collect it and it will be counted as a point. As always, the top 3 groups will get an extra prize and the last 2 will not receive dinner. Return before sunset, begin!"
Zheng Cang gazed at my group. His intentions are too obvious.
"Uh-" Kai Fei attempts to speak to Minghe and the mysterious lady, but both ignore Kai Fei and dashed into the forest instead with Zheng Cang's group. Some other groups also dashed in for a headstart.
...
Kai Fei stares at the forest. Usually, he would be the one leading our group but he became slightly timid after the incident with Zheng Cang and feared his team.
"I suppose it will just be the three of us," I say.
Kai Fei and He Zhou nod.
"...Well, Kai Fei are you confident at the rear?" I ask.
He nods.
"I will take care of the right side, Zhou Lei, left. Let's go." and my group dashes in.
We came across a group already fighting what seem to be a grade 1 boar beast at the Qi condensation. It has several black stripes like a zebra and tougher skin, otherwise, it is a normal boar.
Yet the group is struggling with everyone standing still to take on a charge from the boar. They couldn't stand their ground and were knocked back instead.
Kai Fei has a sudden urge to help but is held back.
...
"Let's help them," I say. It is best to not let their core fall into Zheng Cang's hand after all.
He Zhou clicks her tongue at my suggestion. Kai Fei gulps and nods.
When the boar has its attention on the group, I leap out and stab the body with the sword, it squeals in pain as it twirls its body, trying to rid of the foreign object in its body. Suddenly, it dragged my body and attempts to slam me against the tree.
I, however, dig my leg into the ground and slowed its advance.
"Now!" I shout.
Kai Fei jumps out and strikes the boar's head with the blade, it bounced off.
?
He Zhou takes that chance and swoops in, piercing the eyes of the boar and swiftly killing it.
"Your momentum is too clumsy, you need to channel the movement from your legs to your arms and thrust instead of slash. The skin is too hard." I say when I pull my sword out.
Kai Fei gulps and nods.
I stare at Kai Fei walking with trembling arms to extract the beast core from the boar.
"Hey! Do you mind if we take this?" I ask.
"..." The disciples glare at us. They seemed very pissed.
Oh! I just remember seeing this five behind Zheng Cang before, so they are his lackeys huh...
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Zheng Cang stares at a group trying to desperately fight a grade 1 yellow tiger, he is hiding in the trees with close to 15 people.
"Phew...We finally managed to kill it." The outer disciple says.
Zheng Cang smirks. "Now."
His lackeys reveal themselves from the tree and draw their weapons.
!!
...