Chapter 2: The Xiao Sect

Among the hundreds of thousands who live in Eastern Port City, there is not a single person who does not know of the Xiao Sect. Among the many clans and sects in the city, the Xiao Sect is the strongest and richest. Under normal circumstances, someone like Liu Jin would not even be allowed to look at them. Although his family is not poor, to the Xiao Sect he might as well be a beggar.

Even a rich man like Doctor Wu would have to bow his head to the Xiao Sect if he sees them passing by the street.

Yet this morning, Liu Jin dares to approach the Xiao Sect’s door.

It is a massive thing, both taller and wider than his house. Even though Liu Jin is but seven years of age, the difference in status is something he can keenly feel whenever he is in front of that gate.

In spite of that gap, the guards in front of the door smile and greet him.

“Good morning,” the youngest of the guards says. Liu Jin recognizes him. His name is Xiao Nan. He often guards his father when he has to gather medical herbs outside the city. “The Patriarch told us you would be coming here today.”

“Yes, this Liu Jin is here to begin his training,” he says with clasped hands.

“I see,” Xiao Nan says. “Then I guess I will have to start calling you little brother. Open the Gates!”

At his voice, the guards quickly start pushing the massive gates open to welcome Liu Jin in. For a mere boy like Liu Jin, this type of welcome should be unthinkable. At least, that is what an outsider would think. The truth is the link between his father and the Patriarch of the Xiao Sect is quite strong.

It all started a year or two after his father first arrived at Eastern Port City, back when Liu Jin was still a baby. A horrible disease struck Xiao Zheng, the Xiao Sect’s Patriarch. All the great doctors in the city tried to heal him and failed. Even the great Doctor Wu failed.

His father, Liu Jianguo, did not fail.

No one in the Xiao Sect expected much from his father when he offered his services. The Patriarch allowed him to treat his illness only because he had nothing to lose. All the doctors who had seen him estimated he had three years left at most. Xiao Zheng had already been planning how to prepare the Xiao Sect for his eventual death.

Yet he did not die.

Liu Jianguo, a doctor barely anyone had heard of, cured the incurable disease.

From that moment on, Xiao Zheng has been eternally grateful to Liu Jianguo. From that moment on, Xiao Zheng has protected Liu Jianguo and his business. For example, whenever Liu Jin and his father go out of the city to gather herbs, a member of the Xiao Sect is sent with them to protect them.

In fact, Xiao Zheng is the reason why a man as rich and powerful as Doctor Wu has to resort to mere rumors to attack a humble doctor like Liu Jianguo. Doctor Wu does not dare attack Liu Jianguo directly out of fear of angering the Xiao Sect.

“You are free to enter now,” Xiao Nan says once the doors are fully open. “The young master will be waiting for you in the Eastern Courtyard.”

At this, Liu Jin frowns but nevertheless makes his way in.

Yes, the Xiao Sect are without a doubt precious allies of his family. Liu Jin has lost count of the number of times a member of the Xiao Sect has defended him and his father from Spirit Beasts when they go to gather herbs in Poison Fang Canyon.

However, that and the matter of Xiao Fang being a butthead are two different things.

~~~

“You are late.”

It is the first thing Xiao Fang says to him, and although Liu Jin is young, he understands those words are going to set the tone for the rest of the day.

Xiao Fang is one year older than Liu Jin and at least a head taller. He has the trademark brown hair and sky blue eyes of the Xiao clan. Even at his age, there is no doubt in anyone’s mind that he will grow up to be a handsome man.

“I apologize,” Liu Jin says, offering a short bow. The difference between them is only a year. Based on their ages, there is no need for him to be so deferential to Xiao Fang. However, Xiao Fang is the next head of the Xiao Sect while he is the son of a simple doctor. The difference in status cannot be more obvious.

Besides, although it pains Liu Jin to admit it, Xiao Fang is not wrong.

He is late.

He arrived at the gates of the Xiao Sect’s compound on time. However, he underestimated how much time it takes to reach the eastern courtyard from the main gate. It took him over twenty minutes to do so.

Truly, the Xiao Sect’s power could not be more obvious.

“I misjudged how much time it would take for me to reach this place from the gate,” Liu Jin adds.

“Well, I suppose it is true someone who is used to living in a little hut cannot possibly be expected to be ready to see an actual house,” Xiao Fang says, tapping his chin. The matter-of-fact way in which he delivers those words makes Liu Jin grit his teeth. “Very well, I will forgive you this time, but see to it that it doesn’t happen again.”

“You have my word,” Liu Jin says. “I will not be late again.”

Xiao Fang merely looks at him with clear doubt.

“I’ll explain to you how this is going to work out,” Xiao Fang says, crossing his arms. “You are, of course, here by my father’s grace. In his kindness, he has deemed it fit for you to receive training here.”

The way Xiao Fang looks at Liu Jin when he says that makes it clear to him that if Xiao Fang had any say in the matter, Liu Jin would not be standing where he is.

“You will be taught alongside the Outer Disciples. However, make no mistake, even the lowest among us is leagues above the rabble you will find outside these walls.”

Xiao Fang puffs his chest like a peacock as he speaks.

“But do not get any ideas,” Xiao Fang says, drawing himself to his full height in an attempt to intimidate him. “You are not one of us, not really. You are not our brother. Regardless of how much you grow, you will remain an Outer Disciple. As such, you will receive a minimal amount of cultivation pills if you receive any at all. Also, do not expect us to hand out any of our Arts to you even in the event that you grow enough to actually cultivate them. You will also be expected to help with the daily chores like all other Outer Disciples. Is that understood?”

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If Xiao Fang expects him to refuse those terms, then he is quickly disappointed when Liu Jin nods. “Of course, this one is grateful for your guidance.”

After all, Xiao Fang is, once again, not wrong.

Even if he is being a butthead about it.

Liu Jin is only there because he needs to be stronger in order to ease his father’s worries. That is all there is to it, and it is only by the grace of the Xiao Sect’s Patriarch that he is able to walk within these walls. Many people in the city would cut off their right arm for the opportunity to do the same. Liu Jin understands this. He accepts this.

He is not angry or affronted by the terms.

He is grateful for the opportunity.

Xiao Fang frowns, obviously not having expected such easy acceptance. The sight brings a small amount of joy to Liu Jin’s heart, but he makes sure not to smile.

“The only guidance you will get from me is showing you where the Outer Disciples train. Do not think, even for a second, that we will be fellow disciples. You are but a poor doctor’s son.”

Liu Jin bites his tongue hard. Five seconds pass by before he answers. “Of course,” he says, keeping his voice even.

Xiao Fang clicks his tongue, evidently having hoped for a much stronger reaction. “Very well, follow me.”

Without even waiting for his answer, Xiao Fang begins walking away. Liu Jin follows behind him. Xiao Fang does his best to ignore him as he shows him the way.

Liu Jin is grateful for it.

~~~

Liu Jin is given a uniform. It is the standard uniform all disciples of the Xiao Sect wear. His has a simple blue armband signifying his status as an Outer Disciple. Inner Disciples have red armbands, and Core Disciples have yellow armbands.

It is by far the nicest set of clothes he has ever owned.

It is not–contrary to what Xiao Fang had said–that his father is poor. While their wealth cannot possibly compare to that of the Xiao Sect, they do well enough for themselves. Liu Jin can say with full certainty that he has never gone to bed hungry or woken up at night due to the cold.

It is just that the uniform’s quality–in spite of being something that is given to every single disciple–is simply that good.

The texture reminds him of silk, but he knows it is not. Liu Jin has moved around all day with it and practiced under the shining sun yet the uniform is neither dirty nor sweaty. It is just as clean as when he first put it on. No doubt it was made using some rare Spirit Beast.

Like the child he is, Liu Jin is excited at owning such a nice thing. Part of him wants to keep wearing the uniform for as long as possible. Unfortunately, he was already ordered by Xiao Fang to only ever wear the uniform while inside the Xiao Sect’s compound. After all, he is not a true disciple. To wear the uniform outside these walls would be the same as telling everyone he is a disciple of the Xiao Sect which he is not.

Liu Jin accepts this… even if it annoys him.