darknovel Chapter 32 Getting Back on His Feet
Chapter 32 Getting Back on His Feet
Shen Qing's gaze swept over the three of them.
"However, I must tell you that since you all arrived at Qingyun Mountain, you have been branded as members of the Qingyun Sect. The prejudices between sects in this world are far greater than you can imagine!"
"My hiding you is not out of distrust, but to protect you. A common man is innocent, but possessing a treasure is a crime. Your talents are your greatest asset, and also your greatest source of trouble. Therefore, until I have sufficient power to protect you, you must remain hidden."
After Shen Qing finished speaking, the quiet room remained silent for a long time. He was actually a little uneasy about confessing to the three of them today.
Today's decision was made after careful consideration. After all, as their cultivation progresses, they will eventually stand out among the disciples.
If he doesn't make some preparations now, their existence will soon be impossible to hide.
Therefore, Shen Qing deliberately chose the time when Xu Ping and Fang Xue were breaking through to concentrate, and he was not very confident about the outcome.
After a long silence, Xu Ping was the first to speak: "I understand the Sect Master's good intentions. I swear today that I will not let the Sect Master down."
Fang Xue, standing to the side, nodded vigorously: "Me too."
[Disciple Xu Ping's loyalty +5, current loyalty 87]
[Disciple Fang Xue's loyalty +4, current loyalty 84]
The two hints relieved Shen Qing; his efforts had not been in vain.
Although Zhong Xiu did not express her opinion, her loyalty level on the system panel jumped from 90 to 93.
Slightly relieved, Shen Qing got up, walked to the window, and turned her back to the three people.
"Qingyun Sect currently only has this small hill and a few dozen disciples, but this is not the end for Qingyun Sect. In the future, Qingyun Sect will have more disciples, more hills, and more resources. We will expand beyond Qinghe County, beyond Fenglin County, and beyond Chuzhou."
He turned around and looked at the three of them.
"By then, Qingyun Sect will need people to manage affairs, to lead teams, and to control resources. I cannot do everything myself. For those important positions, those places that concern the lifeblood of the sect, who else can I trust besides you?"
"You, like me, have crawled out of the mud. You know what it feels like to be trampled underfoot, what it feels like to have nothing, what it feels like to be abandoned by the whole world."
"Therefore you will cherish Qingyun Sect more than anyone else, because Qingyun Sect is your only home. If you are strong, your sect will be strong, and if your sect is strong, you will not be bullied."
Upon hearing the word "home," Fang Xue finally couldn't hold back any longer and burst into tears, while Xu Ping lowered his head, his shoulders trembling slightly.
As for Zhong Xiu, who remained silent, Shen Qing was already used to it. This little girl seemed to have a strong resistance to his tricks.
Shen Qing waited until Fang Xue's crying subsided before continuing, "From today onwards, I will personally teach the three of you every three days."
"Whether it's martial arts cultivation or Qi refining methods, I will impart all my knowledge to you. Xu Ping and Fang Xue, when you break through to the fourth level of Qi refining, you will officially become my personal disciples, just like Zhong Xiu. At that time, you will be able to participate in some decision-making matters of the sect."
"Once you break through to the seventh level of Qi Refining, I will assign each of you to a specific task. You may manage resources, train disciples, or administer punishments."
"The stronger you become, the higher your status and the greater your power within the Qingyun Sect will be. This is not something I bestow upon you as charity; it is something you earn yourself."
The three were all shocked upon hearing this, for power is the greatest driving force for people to strive for progress.
Shen Qing looked at the three of them, a complex mix of emotions welling up inside her.
This set of rhetoric was compiled by him based on his past life experiences.
By employing a series of combined tactics—empathy, assigning identities, creating crises, binding interests, and calling for a mission—they instilled in them a sense of shared destiny with the Qingyun Sect.
Although these items were packaged by Shen Qing, they weren't exactly counterfeit.
Because the essence of these words is that every single one is true.
The covetousness of the Huang family is real, and now Zhao Yuanlang's threat is equally real; the dangers of the outside world are just as real.
Shen Qing's expectations for these three people were even more genuine. It was also true that he wanted to make Qingyun Sect bigger and stronger, and it was also true that Shen Qing needed trustworthy people to share the great responsibility in the future. Therefore, Shen Qing did not feel that he had deceived them.
"There's one more thing."
Shen Qing's gaze fell on Xu Ping and Fang Xue.
"Your names are better than Wang Ergou's or Zhao Shitou's, but since you've joined my Qingyun Sect as potential disciples, I will bestow names upon you today if you wish. Are you willing?"
Xu Ping and Fang Xue were both shocked upon hearing this, as they naturally knew from other disciples that the sect leader had bestowed names upon their senior brother and sister.
These disciples who joined later had long dreamed of one day receiving such an honor, but they never expected it to come so soon. The two exchanged a glance, rose, and kowtowed, saying:
"Disciple Xu Ping is willing."
"Disciple Fang Xue is willing."
Shen Qing nodded and looked at the two of them: "Xu Ping, you are calm and composed, and you remain composed in the face of adversity. I bestow upon you the name 'Shouzheng,' which is derived from the saying: 'Be mindful of danger in times of peace, and uphold righteousness to secure the country.' As the ancient saying goes: 'Peace brings security, and security brings longevity.' May you maintain inner peace and safeguard the stability of the sect. In the future, may you be the cornerstone of my Qingyun Sect."
Xu Ping's forehead slammed heavily against the bluestone ground.
"Disciple Xu Shouzhen kowtows to thank the Sect Master for bestowing this name upon me!"
"Fang Xue, you are gentle on the outside but strong on the inside, with a resilient heart. I bestow upon you the name 'Shou Rou' (守柔), which is derived from the saying: 'The highest good is like water, which overcomes the strong with gentleness.' 'Shou Rou is strength,' meaning to not compete for prominence, yet to endure. I wish you to be like clear water, penetrating stone without contention, and to bless my Qingyun for a long and prosperous future."
Fang Xue also touched her forehead to the blue stone, sobbing uncontrollably.
"Disciple Fang Shourou... kowtows to thank the Sect Master for bestowing this name!"
Shen Qing nodded and turned his gaze to Zhong Xiu.
"Zhong Xiu, today I bestow upon you the name Shouhuang. Informing them both today that from this day forward, you are the senior disciple of the Qingyun Sect."
Zhong Xiu stood up, walked between Xu Shouzhen and Fang Shourou, and then knelt down on both knees like them.
"Disciple Shouhuang kowtows to thank the Sect Master."
Three notifications popped up in succession on the system panel:
[Disciple Zhong Xiu's loyalty +3, current loyalty: 93]
[Disciple Xu Ping's loyalty +5, current loyalty: 92]
[Disciple Fang Xue's loyalty +6, current loyalty: 90]
Shen Qing looked at the three people kneeling in front of him and remained silent for a long time.
"Get up, everyone."
The three of them got up as instructed.
"Remember this day. From this day forward, the three of you will be the true foundation of the Qingyun Sect. As long as I am here, the Qingyun Sect will exist; as long as you are here, the future of the Qingyun Sect will be here."
The three replied in unison, "We will remember."
When I came out of the quiet room, it was already late at night.
Xu Ping walked at the front, his steps much more steady than when he arrived.
Fang Xue followed behind him, her tear stains dried, replaced by a radiance never before seen on her face—a confidence that was just beginning to emerge.
Zhong Shouhuang walked at the back, the moonlight shining on her and casting a long shadow.
When Zhong Xiu left, her good friend Su Shoujing was waiting for her in the side room. Now that she saw Zhong Xiu return, she went up to her and asked, "Xiuxiu, what did the sect leader want with you?"