Chapter 009: The Cruel Half-Year Elimination

You need not feel envious. The inner disciples enjoy high待遇 because their families have made significant contributions to the sect or have donated substantial sums to the sect, thus earning the privileged status of inner disciples

At the forefront stands a dignified old man with a blue beard, dressed in a satin robe, gently stroking a pair of wall-colored double pearls in his hand, with a delicate jade pendant hanging from his waist, exuding an air of grandeur and elegance

All fellow brothers and sisters are chatting and laughing in a friendly and harmonious manner

Su Chen's thoughts were more straightforward; he simply wished to have a place in Gusu County where he could settle down and make a living

At the end, there were more than ten elegantly dressed disciples in white, each exuding an extraordinary presence, with swords and daggers at their waists, walking steadily, clearly well-trained

Five young boys and girls chatted casually, gradually becoming familiar with one another, losing their sense of unfamiliarity

The young newcomers in the courtyard looked at the senior brothers and sisters in white robes with immense envy, silently encouraging themselves

Wang Fugui, having been introduced by the deputy hall master of our faction, has been proficient in calligraphy and ink since childhood, making him a rare talent. He has been specially permitted to become an inner disciple of our faction and has taken Li Kui, the medicine master, as his teacher

The apprenticeship concluded, and the disciples were assigned their accommodations

Yang Caizhi is somewhat slender, and his eyes reveal a shrewdness. According to his own account, his father was a student in the county town who failed to pass the examination to become a scholar. Later, the family fell on hard times, and he became the accountant for a shop in the county town

Chief Steward Zhang does not shy away from discussing his origins

Chief Steward Zhang entered the courtyard and observed the orderly environment within, his expression reflecting a slight satisfaction

In comparison, the family circumstances of the other four individuals are relatively poorer

He was originally the son of a fisherman from Zhouzhuang, and now he has become an outer disciple of the Medicine King Gang. From now on, he will have no worries about food and clothing, and will no longer be bullied, which is already quite satisfying for him

A sudden commotion erupted in the courtyard as hundreds of youths quickly formed a line

Su Chen then learned that, apart from himself and Zhang Tieniu, the other three young men and women were named Yang Caizhi, Qin Huihui, and Kong Xinqiao

Inner disciples may study for a full three years, acquiring advanced martial arts and advanced alchemy skills, after which they can enter the Alchemy Hall or the Sword Holding Hall. In the future, they may be promoted to the roles of pharmacist, enforcer, or even protector, offering, or hall master, among others

Chief Steward Zhang said coldly

Within the courtyard, the common youth had long been aware of this; however, upon truly hearing that ten of them had become inner disciples, they still felt a sense of envy, and even a tinge of jealousy.

Su Chen was astonished to find himself casually selected by the pharmacist Li Kui

Alright. Next, the pharmacists will select five outer disciples under their name. There are no particular requirements; the pharmacists may accept those they find pleasing.

Those extraordinary disciples in white also entered the courtyard, looking down with arrogance at the many naive and ignorant youths before them

As outer disciples of our sect, you have contributed not a single coin to our organization, yet you consume resources funded by the Medicine King Sect while seeking to learn our skills. Being accepted as outer disciples of our sect is already a tremendous fortune for you, and you naturally lack the qualifications to stand on equal footing with the inner disciples

They have just become outer disciples of the Medicine King Sect and are quite excited, discussing the impressive deeds of the sect's disciples in the martial world, as well as the interesting and entertaining stories from Gusu County. Being lively youths, they chat endlessly.

However, do not celebrate too early. Every six months, based on the usual performance of the five outer disciples, the master will eliminate one person. Those eliminated by the master will no longer study under him and will be assigned to one of the three outer halls of the sect, losing their apprentice status.

Su Chen was abruptly awakened from a beautiful dream by a harsh kick from someone, hurriedly wiping away the drool with his sleeve as he squeezed into the crowd of youths.

Zhang Tieniu laid down the bedding on the kang, patted his chest, and wore a face full of pride

This venerable elder with a blue beard is the Chief Steward of the Yaowang Mountain Villa, serving as the direct superior to all the guardians of the villa.

Following behind him were dozens of middle-aged pharmacists, some slightly plump, others stern and thin, strolling leisurely in small groups.

The above ten individuals are inner disciples of this sect, granted the white apprentice robe, with a duration of three years for their studies

Chief Steward Zhang took out a list of inner disciples from the wide sleeves of his robe, his amiable gaze sweeping over the ten newly admitted inner disciples in the courtyard

Each pharmacist may select up to five outer disciples to teach martial arts and pharmacology alongside the inner disciples, with an apprenticeship period of three years. All disciples during their apprenticeship period are entitled to numerous benefits, including free accommodation and meals, as well as the ability to borrow ordinary books from the library at no cost

Such a grand and solemn ceremony in the martial world stirred the blood of each young participant

What instructions do you have, esteemed one? You need only send two disciples over, and with a word, I shall take them there!

It is known that any outer disciple of the Medicine King Gang, while walking in the city of Gusu County, holds a status far superior to that of the common people in the county, looking down upon others.

Brother Su and all brothers and sisters, we are all disciples of the same master, so let us take care of each other in the future

Su Chen lay on the warm kang, sleeping more soundly and peacefully than he had in recent days

The first and second eliminated outer disciples, having acquired the basic martial arts and introductory alchemy skills, enter the lowest level of the Servants' Hall. Disciples within the Servants' Hall can undertake various menial tasks to earn a small amount of copper coins, representing the most basic level of membership within the Medicine King Gang

In front of the many children, they appeared proud, but could not help but show a look of panic, quickly standing up to bow in greeting

Su Chen understood clearly that the brutal elimination rules for disciples within the sect would undoubtedly sow seeds of division and estrangement among the brothers and sisters.

The county officials do not dare to easily provoke the disciples of the large sect, and ordinary citizens avoid them even more, not daring to offend these individuals from the martial world

... ...

Su Chen has a calm temperament and is not familiar with the affairs of the Medicine King Gang and the county town. Most of the time, he just listens and does not speak much

The treatment of inner disciples is the best, as they will not be eliminated and can follow their master to study for as long as three years.

The Grand Overseer warns you all. The Medicine King Gang only speaks of gang rules and contributions, and does not entertain personal feelings. Furthermore, it does not support idlers, incompetents, or useless individuals. Those who are incorrigibly unruly will be immediately expelled from the Medicine King Gang

"Chief Zhang, you have arrived!"

In the arrangement of two individuals keeping watch, it is essential that one person remains alert at all times, taking turns to rest. However, both of them were actually dozing off, which constitutes a violation of the regulations.

Li Kuizheng is indeed the master of Wang Fugui and Li Jiao. Also selected were Zhang Tieniu and three other young men and women from the county.

The layout of the small courtyard is simple, featuring a stone house with five large heated kang beds and several stone stools, all very simple yet durable. There are also a few hardwood stakes in the yard, which can be used for practicing martial arts.

The longer the apprentices study under their master, the more profound skills they acquire, and the better their future prospects become

This pharmacist Li Kui seems to be quite formidable among the pharmacists of the Medicine King Gang, as he alone has brought along two inner disciples. In contrast, many other pharmacists have not brought any inner disciples.

Return to the Discipline Institute, each take three whips! Go, wake up all the children in the courtyard and prepare to enter and pay respects to the master

Within the courtyard, the numerous young newcomers were astonished after hearing the announcement of the elimination rules made by Chief Zhang

Of course, while envy is natural, for the majority of common youth, although they may not become inner disciples, the status of being an outer disciple of the Medicine King Gang is already something worth boasting about

After quite a while, they finally formed several crooked lines under the command of the young guard. The youths had never received any training, and managing to line up at all was already quite an achievement

However, Su Chen believes that as long as he studies diligently, he will not be inferior to the other four senior brothers and sisters, and he will surely be able to achieve prominence in Gusu County in the future

Chief Zhang spoke sternly and continued: "Of course, as long as the outer disciples work hard, they too have the opportunity to stand out! If they strive diligently, there is great hope for promotion to the middle management of our sect. For instance, I myself was once an outer disciple who joined the Internal Affairs Hall, and after serving our sect diligently for several decades, I now manage the headquarters of the Medicine King Villa. I rank just below the sect leader and the various chief and deputy hall masters, above all the disciples of our sect, and this is the best proof of that."

New disciples step forward one by one to cut their fingers and let their blood drip into a large basin of blood in front of them, collectively drinking the blood wine and together paying homage to the banner of the Medicine King Gang.

Li Jiao, recommended by the chief steward, has been studying literature since childhood, is proficient in abacus calculation, possesses both talent and beauty, and is a remarkable woman among her peers. She has been specially granted the status of an inner disciple of this sect and has taken Li Kui, the pharmacist, as her master

When he became an apprentice, Master Li Kui instructed that starting from the next day, the seven disciples from both the outer and inner sects would follow him to begin their studies in medicine and martial arts

Lazy fellows! Are you just dozing off while on duty here?

Su Chen looked at them, his heart filled with envy

The furthest from Su Chen's home is a small fisherman from the water town of Zhouzhuang, located the farthest from Gusu County.

I do not know how Ah Chou is doing now, has he entered the Tianying Gate? Once the two brothers have mastered their skills in medicine and martial arts, they will venture into the world together, and those days will surely be carefree and joyful

Qin Huihui's family is a snake-breeding household in Gusu County, and they are poor. Kong Xinqiao's family, on the other hand, is a beekeeping household located outside the city. Both young women come from humble backgrounds.

Chief Zhang politely invited the pharmacists to select apprentices

The two young swordsmen guarding the courtyard were instantly frightened, their faces turning pale, and they did not dare to argue, repeatedly begging for mercy

Under the leadership of Chief Steward Zhang, all inner disciples and outer disciples began the initiation and apprenticeship ceremonies

There are more than 20 pharmacists in total, overseeing 100 apprentices within the courtyard. Soon, all the young individuals in the courtyard were selected by the alchemists.

The first two individuals to be eliminated enter the lowest rank of the servant hall. The servant disciples are the most unfortunate, as they can only engage in hard labor and coarse tasks, and they learn nothing at all, ultimately becoming mediocre in the future

He keenly sensed that whether it was the rude Zhang Tieniu, the seemingly shrewd Yang Caizhi, the meticulous Qin Huihui, or the simple Kong Xinqiao, they all seemed to hold back during their conversations, not mentioning at all that every six months, one among them would be eliminated

He received a waist token for an outer sect apprentice of the Medicine King Gang, a brand new apprentice outfit in green, a set of bedding, toiletries, and other miscellaneous items, officially becoming an outer sect disciple

In the large courtyard, the ten young masters and young ladies who were named stepped forward one after another to pay their respects to their respective mentors, and then stood to the side, each displaying a proud expression on their faces

However, the matter of being eliminated due to the rules of assistance weighed heavily on his mind

More than one hundred youths in the courtyard have yet to awaken, and moreover, the courtyard is locked with a thick iron padlock, preventing anyone from leaving. Even if they wake up, there is nothing to do, so they can only continue to huddle and sleep in place

This signifies that from this moment on, they are no longer commoners, but have become true members of the martial world, willing to live and die for the Medicine King Gang

The hierarchy within the Medicine King Gang is strictly enforced, with the upper echelons imposing severe restrictions on the lower ranks, and the rules and punishments are harsh

Next, it is the time for the outer disciples of our sect to pay their respects to their masters

Five people are sitting in a circle in the room, chatting and introducing themselves.

Although Yang Caizhi has never attended a school for Mongolian studies, he learned some characters from his father, so he can recognize a few large characters. By guessing and piecing together, he is able to understand some books, which is quite enviable

A cold frost and thin mist envelop the entire Yaowang Mountain Villa, immersed in the hazy morning light

Upon completing the oath, all the new disciples shall present tea to their respective masters

Su Chen and four other outer disciples respectfully presented tea and paid their respects to Master Li Kui, the pharmacist, as their teacher

He originally looked down on Su Chen, the small fisherman from Zhouzhuang, and did not care to interact much with him. However, now that both he and Su Chen are outer disciples of the Medicine King Gang, it is no longer a matter of who looks down on whom, so his attitude has improved somewhat

Two young guards were napping outside the courtyard when they suddenly noticed the arrival of an old man with a blue beard, which immediately startled them awake

The fifth eliminated outer disciple has acquired intermediate martial skills and intermediate alchemy techniques, and has entered the Internal Affairs Hall. In the pharmacy of our Medicine King Gang, they work as assistants, pharmacists, pharmacy managers, etc., with relatively high待遇

Chief Steward Zhang cast a glance at the two swordsmen and coldly snorted as he brushed his sleeves

Su Chen, Zhang Tieniu, and three other outer disciples are all students of the same master, and thus they have been assigned to a small courtyard for disciples to reside in

This elimination is too cruel

Wang Fugui, Li Jiao, and other inner disciples hold high status, and do not reside in the same place as the outer disciples; instead, each of them has their own individual room

Although they are still inexperienced now, as long as they undergo rigorous training in the Medicine King Gang for several years, their temperament will surely undergo a transformation, becoming as poised and impressive as these white-clad disciples.

Wei Han, having been introduced by the leader of the Wang Hall of our sect, began practicing martial arts at a young age, displaying exceptional talent. He has been granted permission to become an inner disciple of our sect and has taken Zheng Cheng, the physician, as his master

Two young swordsmen hurriedly took out their keys to unlock the heavy chains, entered the courtyard, and shouted loudly to rouse the many youths still lost in their dreams, lining up to welcome Chief Zhang in hopes of redeeming themselves.

......

They also do not dare to chat too late; as night falls, the courtyard becomes silent, and they go to sleep early on the kang.

The introduction by prominent figures such as Chief Steward Zhang and various hall masters of the Medicine King Gang is certainly a privilege that ordinary children cannot enjoy

At this moment, a group of high-ranking figures from the Medicine King Gang arrived outside the courtyard gate

Blood oath, never to betray the brotherhood

Although they are fellow disciples, there exists a strong competition among them. The elimination of one person every six months means that after two years, the status gap among the five disciples in the Medicine King Gang will become very significant

Chief Steward Zhang called the roll, instructing these inner disciples to step forward and pay their respects to their respective mentors

The last disciple to be eliminated entered the Internal Affairs Hall and even had the prospect of becoming the head of a pharmacy in the county town, managing dozens of people, exuding authority, and with a promising future. This is the most promising opportunity aside from the inner disciples.

After becoming a disciple of the Medicine King Gang, he no longer worried about having enough to eat

Su Chen's mind was filled with various chaotic thoughts, but he gradually fell into a peaceful sleep, looking forward to tomorrow when Master Li Kui would impart one or two of his exceptional skills

The third and fourth eliminated outer disciples, having acquired basic martial arts and low-level alchemy skills, enter the Blade Guard Hall. On a daily basis, they practice martial arts, are responsible for guarding the estate, protecting the apothecary, and participating in conflicts within the martial world to uphold the interests of their sect

Chief Zhang smiled warmly and kindly reminded the ten new inner disciples, including Wang Fugui, Wei Han, and Li Jiao, to diligently practice in the future and not to disappoint the expectations of their elders and the senior management of the Medicine King Gang

Subsequently, he looked again at the remaining hundreds of youths in the courtyard, his expression becoming indifferent, turning solemn and imposing

They have long been designated as inner disciples, and after one to two decades of learning, they will become the upper echelons of the Medicine King Gang. Naturally, their treatment will be entirely different from that of other outer disciples

The five outer disciples are eliminated one every six months, which means that the shortest time they spend learning from the master is merely six months, while the longest can extend to two and a half years

He, as an outer sect disciple, has risen to a high position within the Medicine King Gang, standing out among the thousands of outer sect disciples. A person whose mere stamp of the foot in Gusu County and the martial world can cause three tremors, enough to make countless heroes of the martial world envious and in awe