Data-Driven Daoist

Chapter 31: Lower Bounds

“Great! I will let you imbue the familiar.” Little Three stood up. “Since you spent a thousand Spirit Stones, with a Sea of Gold Token no less, you will receive the second-tier Bronze Level membership for the Sea of Gold Commerce! You will receive discounts on special services and other selected materials.”

“Why?”

“It’s a special rule for newly arrived rookies, Mr. Yu Han. For someone of your circumstance to already have this much spending power, we, the Sea of Gold Commerce, shall invest in your future.”

There are no free meals in the world.

“Thank you.” Yu Han lowered his head. “I’ll imbue the familiar.”

“Shall I let Miss Dong Tianlan know of the delay? She seemed quite incensed when I went out last,” Little Three said.

“It’s fine. She can practice meditation and patience.”

Yu Han closed his eyes and thought about his family.

***

When Yu Han came out of the Sea of Gold Commerce with a tired gait, he no longer had his backpack of books or halberd. But he did have a fuming Dong Tianlan.

“Unbelievable. I show you kindness and you make me wait,” she said.

“It’s the Sea of Gold Commerce’s fault. Their bureaucracy is way too slow. They should be like respected Elder Dong Chou and not make others wait.” Was he being sarcastic? He didn’t know. He didn’t care.

Dong Tianlan didn’t reply.

They went back to the group, where Yong Lefan greeted them with a false smile.

“As expected of the scion of the illustrious former Scripture Keeper of the Outer Sect. You must have had a matter of great importance to take nearly an hour.” Yong Lefan, on the other hand, had sublime skills in passive aggressiveness.

“It is all the Sea of Gold Commerce’s fault,” Dong Tianlan said. She glared at Yu Han. “At least, that’s what this brother claims.”

Li Yao raised a brow, then pulled Yu Han to the side. “Where’s your stuff?”

“I’ll tell you later.”

The group started moving again.

“Why is Song Yinuo glaring death at Fang Zhao?” Yu Han asked.

“Apparently, she knew the guy’s former fiancée. He was some kinda wastrel.”

Fang Zhao remained mostly silent despite a few offhand jabs thrown his way by the twin-tailed teenager.

They passed by a carriage station that went to the Great Barrier City, and saw what looked to be a large butchery. It was shaped like a fish market with many stalls and tented coverings. Carts full of animal carapaces were being brought from a nearby jetty and the carriage station. The jetty had boats that all looked the same, with the Sect characters on them.

“The seafood catch must be checked at the previous dock, where you arrived. Then the passable stock will be delivered here by the Sect’s own boats. The rest are sold to local buyers and middlemen.”

He pointed at the butchery, which had a long row of stalls where the butchers were cutting the meat on waist-tall stone slabs.

“There’s a butchery to process your hunt in the Great Barrier City, and many of the Outer Sect villages and towns too. But some hunts can only be processed here,” Yong Lefan explained.

They moved on, rounded a few mountains, passed by more valleys, and by the end of the day, they had seen many facilities of the Outer Sect. An Alchemy Hall, a Medicine Hall, a Training Ground, a Meditation Plaza. And many, many more.

“That mountain is where you will stay for at least the first year of your Sect life, my juniors. The Nest of the Storm-Like Heroes.” Yong Lefan pointed at the next peak over. From their angle, Yu Han saw a residential area lined up with huts and cottages. It was about a thirty minutes’ walk from the Marketplace, and half that from the Training Ground.

“In summer the huts are warm. In winter, your qi shall keep it firm.” Yong Lefan nodded proudly, as if he had just uttered an epic poem.

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“After the final itinerary of the day, you’ll select a hut there. It’s one for each. My recommendation: Don’t select the one near a stone waste tank. It’s where the sewage gathers. You cannot smell it, but it’s a matter of face, no?”

The houses had large yards; many already had disciples in them.

As they chatted, older disciples passed by them towards the Nest of Storm-Like Heroes. Some gave them cheerful greetings, others stared at them with annoyance.

“Don’t mind them. They’re wary of your talent. Resources are limited, and if you rise, they who have been stuck here without the ability to afford a better cultivation cave will fall.” Yong Lefan gave Dong Tianlan a side glance. “The state of affairs is far better with the new Sect Master. The old powers that be can only keep their heads low.”

Dong Tianlan remained expressionless.

They reached the junction of the Meditation Plaza and Practice Fields.

“Well then, dear juniors. This Yong shall leave. You have two choices now. A Sect Senior can guide you in a two-hour guided meditation, or you can join the introduction to the practice grounds. Can you find the way?” Yong Lefan asked.

They all affirmed.

“Great, great. Enjoy the tournament afterwards. The coming year will be your turn. Well then, until next time.” He sauntered off, humming a poem.

“Interesting fellow. How heavy do you think that stone slab was?” Li Yao asked.

“It looked like a stone book,” Hu Feng said.

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“Maybe it’s a weapon?” Yu Han guessed.

“It’s a Stone Book of Sealing. It probably houses his contracted Spirit Beast, although I don’t know why he has such a large one. Maybe he has more than one Spirit Beast contracted?” It was Fang Zhao who replied. This was the most he’d spoken.

“Trying to act cool? Pretend to be a scholar now? Who doesn’t know of the depraved past of the Fang Family’s cripple? It’s no use trying to woo Sister Niuniu!” Song Yinuo scowled.

“Maybe you could be a bit kinder, Yinuo? I think you’re such an adorable girl. You could make so many friends.” Huang Niuniu gave Fang Zhao an apologetic look.

“But Sister, do you know what this guy did? There’s no one in the Great Xia Dynasty who doesn’t know of his—”

“Well, I don’t,” Yu Han blurted out. Song Yinuo’s voice was becoming grating.

“You guys are just commoners from the Lower Bounds Province!”

“No I’m not. I’m from the Riversong Commandary of the White Lotus Kingdom. Li Yao, did we have provinces?” Yu Han asked.

“Not that I remember,” Li Yao shrugged.

“Tsk, tsk. This is why commoners are so dumb. You call them kingdoms, but that’s only because the Great Xia Dynasty thinks they’re too insignificant to be part of the Empire properly. In Great Xia scale, they’re basically small Prefectures in the various Circuits of the Province. There are about a hundred such prefecture-kingdoms in the Lower Bounds alone. And the only reason the empire grouped them into a proper Province, is because it makes paperwork easier. Your kings are nothing but magistrates, your nobles are glorified bailiffs. You guys are from the boonies. You know nothing!”

“You’re acting so proud, but why are you in a Sect in such a backwaters Province?” Li Weidong asked, crossing his arms.

“Fool, the Stormy Reef Sect isn’t in the Province. Do you have any idea why it’s called ‘Lower Bound’? Of course you don’t. It’s the lowest, southernmost boundary of the Empire.”

“Then where is this place?”

“Think about that yourself,” Song Yinuo turned her face away. “And whether you really want to consort with vile creatures such as this guy.” She stuck a thumb towards Fang Zhao.

“Yinuo,” Huang Niuniu said.

“Sister, don’t stop me. Everyone should be aware of this guy. Why did you come to the Stormy Reef Sect anyway? Your Fang family only consorts with Orthodox Sects. But here you are, breaking years of conduct to join a Traditional Sect that’s far below your family’s leve—”

“Yinuo.”

“I’m sorry!” Song Yinuo moved her hands in front of Huang Niuniu’s face, flustered.

What the hell did Huang Niuniu do to tame these young mistresses?

“It’s not good to talk down of the Sect you are now part of, even if you come from a good family. What if someone overhears?” Huang Niuniu said.

“I was wrong.” Song Yinuo’s head drooped. “The Stormy Reef Sect is awesome. My respected patriarch said even I can make a name for myself here, although I’m just the hundred and seventh daughter of the family’s Yi generation.”

“It’s fine with me, Yinuo, but you met the others only today.” Huang Niuniu cupped the girl’s cheeks. “Don’t bully others. Maybe he’s here for the same reason you are—to make a name for himself.”

“Sister! I knew it. You understand me the best.” Song Yinuo cheered up instantly.

“I know you’re a good girl. Would you judge me wrongly after knowing my past? I am also from these boonies, you know.”

“B-But you’re at least a noble.”

“A concubine’s daughter. Nothing more.”

Song Yinuo broke down in tears. Shi Miao and Huang Niuniu comforted her.

“…Dude. Did you see them wiggle?” Hu Feng said, saliva running down his chin.

Li Yao and Li Weidong nodded.

Gross. Can’t trust these country bumpkins to be civilised. Yu Han took some distance. It was the fault of the era, not of the men. Johan wouldn’t mind, but Mother taught Yu Han to be respectful to ladies.

Throughout all that, Fang Zhao remained silent.

“It seems my presence isn’t welcome,” he said. “I’ll take my leave. We don’t have to stick together for the final parts.”

“It’s just one spoiled brat whining. You can stay, she can leave,” Yu Han said.

“You fat pig—” Song Yinuo shouted.

“Yinuo, he’s my benefactor,” Huang Niuniu said. “Shi Miao, let’s go and leave the smelly guys alone.” She bowed to everyone.

“You really don’t like me?” she asked Yu Han.

“Scram,” Yu Han said.

“You don’t need to be so rude. But it’s fine. We’ll go to the Meditation Plaza. I’ll see you next time.”

What next time? And why is rudeness fine? Talk back, damn it! Yu Han’s nose itched.

“I’ll take my leave too,” Fang Zhao said. “It was great knowing you, brothers. But I fear being with a cripple like me will attract more ire. I… No, forget it. We are all part of the Great Xia Dynasty, whether I am here at the Stormy Reef Sect or the Divine Capital.” With that, he walked away.

“Where are you going?” Li Yao asked.

“Perhaps the practice fields,” Fang Zhao said without stopping.

“Be careful not to offend anyone.” Dong Tianlan left, leaving that warning. She headed in the direction Huang Niuniu went.

“Let’s go to the practice fields too!” Hu Feng suggested. “The tournament’s from dawn tomorrow, right? We can sleep well tonight and head off to the arena. I heard the Sect Master is going to show up for the opening ceremony.”

Yu Han didn’t mind. He already knew meditation, but wanted to see what the practice fields would be like. Apparently, they would teach all disciples a basic Martial Art of the Sect that paired well with the Calm Before the Storm Breathing Technique. Although he already had Ox Tail 72 Sweeping Forms, having direct guidance would be better.

As for the tournament, it would be the perfect place to gather some data and see if there were any business opportunities. Where there were people, there was money.

And he had to admit, he was looking forward to seeing what strange superpowers his senior disciples would show.

I’ll know what is possible to achieve with only a year of training.

They made it to the Practice Fields in good time. It was a large field, with training dummies lined up on one end. There was a barrack-like structure on one side, with weapon racks full of blunted armaments. There were places for washing up too.

Most importantly, it was huge. It could probably hold a few thousand practitioners at a time.

A buff, bald dude in a messy robe stood in the middle with arms crossed. Yu Han’s group were near the front, so they had a good view.

“We’ll start the introduction now,” Buff Baldy said. Yu Han covered his ears. His voice was booming.

“The technique you’ll learn here is the Eye of the Storm Martial Movement. It’s a twin technique with the Calm Before the Storm Breathing Technique. If the Cultivation Art is the Calm, then the Martial Art is the Storm. I’ll go through the movements.”

Buff Baldy got into horse stance, then punched out with both hands consecutively. After a few seconds, he jumped, and while midair, he kicked out as if climbing up stairs, but in all directions.

He landed, crouched, and swiped with his leg. With the momentum, he spun and got on his arms, then kicked out more with his legs above his head.

This… doesn’t look like it’s for me.

It took about five minutes for Buff Baldy to get through the movements.

“As you go through the motion, you breathe. The breathing is the same as the Calm Before the Storm Breathing Technique. You do both, at the same time, and get twice the benefits!”

The crowd of about a hundred and fifty recruits gaped.

“This is the benevolence of the Sect! Always remember. Lesser Sects don’t have such deep heritage. We at Stormy Reef only accept the valiant, and we train you to become heroes. I’ll be here for the upcoming year, spending my own precious time to train the future backbone of the Sect,” Buff Baldy shouted, his eyes wide and fists clenched. He stared right at Yu Han.

Look away. A bad feeling rose in Yu Han’s heart.

“Li Yao, have we met this guy before?”

“Not that I remember.”

“Then why does he look like he wants to murder me?”

“You have an ugly face.”

“I’m serious.” Yu Han took a step back. “I’m leaving.”

“But it seems that some cowards have snuck into our Sect too!” Buff Baldy said. “Someone who fights with underhanded methods, targeting the eyes and going for the crotch. Someone who cost our Sect a Profound Talent, forcing him to leave for a rival Sect because of his sheer cowardice, ruining the reputation of the great Stormy Reef Sect.”

Yu Han walked away. Brisk pace. Jog. Run!

“Whoa, what’s the hurry?” He was suddenly blocked by three boys.

“Let’s stay. Maybe you’ll get lucky and receive one-on-one tutelage,” Sima Yan said, no smile on his face.

“You scheming little—”

“So let’s pit it. Underhanded means versus righteous martial arts.” Buff Baldy’s voice came from right behind him.

Yu Han turned, his heart beating like a drum.

“Junior Yu Han. Come, I’ll determine if you have been paying attention,” Buff Baldy said. His face morphed into anger itself, sharp eyes digging holes into Yu Han’s own. “If you don’t perform, as your Senior Brother, I’ll have to discipline you.”