Chapter 21
Chapter 21
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 21
Chapter Title: Entering the Outer Sect
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Yuk-gyeong wondered if he'd misheard.
What? Exclusive herb assistant?
"Yes?"
"Can't you understand on the first try? From now on, you're under this elder as his exclusive herb assistant. Got it?"
Just like that, no discussion?
What about my opinion? Doesn't it matter if I want to or not?
But what could he do? Rank was everything here. The other was an elder, while he was just a lowly entry disciple in the Miscellaneous Labor Quarter.
Even if he served out his adaptation period and rose to outer disciple, entering an elder's service was considered an honor he would have to accept.
Especially becoming an exclusive herb assistant—which meant jumping straight from the Miscellaneous Labor Quarter to outer disciple status. Anyone would welcome it with open arms.
Of course, Yuk-gyeong had zero desire to work with this pill-crazed maniac, so far from honored, he wanted to pawn him off on someone else.
Still, swallowing his bitterness, Yuk-gyeong bowed his head in thanks.
"It's an honor, Elder. I will exert myself to the utmost."
The deputy elder, as if he'd been waiting for those words, nodded with a pleased smile. The pill maniac seemed to love this kind of formality.
His tone softened at last, treating Yuk-gyeong warmly.
"Good. I'll handle things with the Miscellaneous Labor Quarter, so start living at the Herb Hall from today."
"Thank you for your consideration, Elder."
Yuk-gyeong bowed again in gratitude.
The outer sect herb assistants' quarters were indeed far more comfortable than the Miscellaneous Labor Quarter dorms.
This counted as consideration.
Sigh. Jumping straight to outer disciple was great, but the thought of working daily with the pill maniac filled him with dread.
The guy tried to ban him for life from the Herb Hall over touching a pill furnace once. Who knew what might set him off while working together, leading to another ban and getting kicked out?
It felt like every day would be walking on thin ice.
And so, Yuk-gyeong went from entry disciple adapting in the Miscellaneous Labor Quarter to outer disciple.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Yuk-gyeong's meteoric rise from entry disciple in the Miscellaneous Labor Quarter to elder's exclusive herb assistant caused a stir among the entry disciples.
They all had to do menial chores there for months—it was unbelievable.
In Yuk-gyeong's terms, it was like a recruit spinning their wheels in boot camp catching the division commander's eye and getting shipped straight to division HQ.
Impressing an elder like that was a massive leap in status.
"How on earth did he do it? How'd he catch the Pill Maniac deputy's eye?"
"I heard the Pill Maniac Deputy Elder has no kids or disciples. Maybe working as his herb assistant could lead to becoming one."
"Yuk-gyeong's a single spiritual root holder, right? That must be why the elder took notice."
"I've heard single spiritual roots are legendary rare, but only up to Core Formation... Though that's still realms beyond us."
The entry disciples threw a farewell party to send Yuk-gyeong off.
Their cohort would head to the outer sect in a few months anyway, but it was the thought that counted.
They rented the cafeteria for a modest gathering.
Yuk-gyeong scanned for So Hyang, but she was nowhere to be seen.
Mun-yeol, the single spiritual root guy, plopped down with a pout.
Full of complaints, yet he never missed a chance to show up.
According to Yeong-yeong, he threw himself into everything.
Yeong-yeong had taken the leader role for this cohort of entry disciples. The Quarter steward acknowledged it, as did the others.
"Let's celebrate our cohort mate Yi Yuk-gyeong heading to the outer sect. Everyone, give him a round of applause!"
Clap clap clap.
A modest smattering of applause.
With only five in the cohort, it was low-key.
"I asked the cafeteria to prep some snacks, so let's eat and chat."
Under Yeong-yeong's smooth hosting, the party flowed nicely.
Yuk-gyeong munched on dry snacks like jerky, feeling relaxed for the first time in ages. Far better than tense days at the Herb Hall—laughing with fellow entry disciples felt like home.
Yeong-yeong subtly pushed snacks his way with a bright smile. Her bold features lit up the room when she grinned.
Is this a signal? Is she hitting on me?
As Yuk-gyeong puzzled over it,
Seon-yang and Myeong-ho, true to form, chattered away, peppering him with questions. They'd been shy at first from nerves, but a few days of adaptation brought out their kid sides.
"What's the secret to getting into the outer sect so fast?"
"How's the deputy elder? As scary as the rumors?"
"Lots of disciples in the outer sect? What are they like?"
"Any bullying? Initiation rituals?"
Yeong-yeong waved them down amid the barrage.
"Kids, one at a time. Give Yuk-gyeong a chance to answer."
"Haha, I'll answer everything, no rush."
Yuk-gyeong laughed. Adorable. Kids gotta be kids.
"Me first!"
"No, my turn!"
As the kids squabbled, Yeong-yeong stole first dibs—smartly diverting their attention.
Her question was warm.
"How's it there? Settling in okay? Livable?"
"Of course. I'm not one to struggle anywhere. Outer sect's great—quiet, peaceful. The elder treats me well, understands herb assistants' woes."
He answered her warmly, heart softened.
Seon-yang, winner of rock-paper-scissors, shot her hand up.
"What does a herb assistant do? More work there?"
"Work, yeah, but way easier than here. Manage growing herbs in the Herb Hall, fetch needed ingredients, run little errands for elders. That's it."
"Whoa, I wanna be a herb assistant too."
Myeong-ho, bumped back, asked next.
"Yeah, yeah—what about the outer sect seniors?"
"Haven't met many yet, but they're all kind. We're the newbies, after all. Ask about stuff you don't know—unless it's rude, they explain in detail."
Truth was, he barely knew. Only seniors from Elder Hall meetings, a few face-passes at Herb Hall. Oh, and senior Cho who'd first guided him.
The long-haired one from Elder Hall looked down on entry disciple Yuk-gyeong a bit, but didn't bully him—no reason to badmouth.
And senior Cho was super friendly.
Couldn't shatter the kids' illusions. Let 'em hope through the Quarter; even if outer sect disappoints later, it'd help them endure.
The kids clearly idealized the outer sect—a cultivator space with time for cultivation, unlike the Quarter's chores.
"Awesome! Can't wait to join the outer sect!"
Butting in,
"Hmph, big fuss over a few months' head start."
Mun-yeol's jealousy dripped. Obvious intent to cut Yuk-gyeong down—ugly, blatant envy drew a hollow chuckle from him.
Yeong-yeong countered.
"Skipping the adaptation period for outer disciple is super rare. Yuk-gyeong'll draw elders' eyes now. Some might even take him as disciple before Gathering Qi."
Yeong-yeong firmly held the group's vibe.
Mun-yeol shut up at the leader's words, stuffing his face with snacks.
They laughed and chatted for a good while,
until it was time to wrap up.
The kids, Mun-yeol, and Yeong-yeong had dragged tired bodies after work to meet at dusk. They had to be beat.
Kids were yawning and rubbing eyes, so he sent them to dorms. They grumbled over unanswered questions; Mun-yeol trailed after.
Left alone: just Yeong-yeong and Yuk-gyeong.
She drummed the table thoughtfully, then ventured,
"Um, Yuk-gyeong. If you see my sister in the outer sect..."
"Ah, your inner disciple sister?"
Right, Yeong-yeong adapted so well thanks to her sister.
Already inner disciple—must be quite the talent.
"Yes. Her name's Yu A-yeong. If you meet her, tell her this little sis is working super hard and'll catch up soon?"
Yuk-gyeong agreed readily.
"Sure. That all?"
"And someday I'll punch that smug mouth...! Kidding. Skip that part."
Rivalry burned strong against her sister.
"Haha, with your talent, Yeong-yeong, you just might."
"Don't 'little Yeong-yeong' me—just Yeong-yeong. Anyway, if you happen to see her, pass it on. Outer disciples rarely meet inner ones, so no pressure."
Basically, the message was an excuse. She wanted to connect Yuk-gyeong to her sister as backup.
Friend of the sister bearing a message? Even cold folks would take note.
With an inner disciple backer, outer sect life would be secure.
Showed how much she cared for him. Cohort solidarity, maybe—or more.
Yuk-gyeong expressed thanks.
"Should be me thanking you for looking out."
"Hehe, no need. I'll join the outer sect soon too..."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Miscellaneous Labor Quarter steward Yeong Sun-il had to admit his failure.
He couldn't fulfill the inner disciple from the Jang family's special request: torment Yi Yuk-gyeong until he couldn't take it and fled the sect.
No—instead, he'd helped him soar.
Now in the Herb Hall elder's good graces as exclusive assistant.
Completely out of the steward's hands.
No right to assign him tasks anymore—and with an elder backer, no way to oppose him.
"What now? He might retaliate for the hardships I gave him in the Quarter. Even without that, the Jang family'll make me pay for failing..."
Sun-il drowned in despair.
When he first accepted the Jang inner disciple's offer, he'd thought: Finally escaping this hellish Quarter! Back to the main sect, wings on my cultivation path!
Who knew it'd be his worst mistake.
Dealing with one entry disciple this tough?
Single spiritual root or not, he was just an entry disciple now!
Even vile latrine duty didn't faze him. Gave him a crotchety elder's doomed task—and he succeeded! Caught that elder's eye and became assistant!
Should've refused the Jang offer.
Sun-il regretted it, but regret changed nothing.
He'd chosen, and now paid the price.
Maybe he'd never know why things went so wrong...
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