Chapter Seventeen: Recruitment (Please Recommend and Add to Favorites)

After leaving Old Oil Liu’s house, Lu Zhe felt as if a great weight had been lifted from his heart. Gratitude seemed to course through his whole body; even the air felt fresher. He took a deep breath, smiled, and turned toward the pier to begin his work.

That day, he worked with unusual vigor, and before he knew it, the sun was setting in the west. He tidied up, settled the day’s wages with Old Qian, and made his way into town to buy some groceries for dinner. Ever since Little Ash had left, Lu Zhe’s days had grown steadily better. Without the burden of Little Ash, the pressure on him had lightened. Not only could he feed himself, but he even managed to save a little money. With those savings, he’d repaired the dilapidated temple he called home—at least now, moonlight no longer served as his lamp, nor did the wind sweep his floors. Winter was approaching fast; it was about time to buy himself some warm clothes. Life was good—why risk his life to pursue some mysterious spiritual cultivation? Lu Zhe pondered this quietly.

Returning to his rundown temple, Lu Zhe brought out a stool and a table, intending to eat his dinner outside. After setting out his meal, he picked up his chopsticks, but suddenly paused, setting them down again. He raised his eyes to the full, bright moon above and murmured, “I wonder how Little Ash is doing. Is he well? Has anyone been bullying him? Has he eaten yet...” As the thought crossed his mind, he felt a sudden urge to go searching for him, but this notion was quickly dismissed—the world outside was simply too dangerous.

“Should I really go out and seek my fortune?” At that moment, Lu Zhe thought again of Old Oil Liu’s words from the previous day. Once more he found himself lost and hesitant, trapped in uncertainty.

Night slipped away as Lu Zhe pondered, and soon the crimson sun was rising over the mountains. Gazing at that first beam of morning light, Lu Zhe let out a quiet sigh. Once again, he had passed a sleepless night.

Rubbing his aching temples, he stood up slowly and stretched. Looking at the fiery sun climbing the horizon, he laughed at himself. “If Little Ash knew how much I fear for my own life, I wonder what he’d think of me.”

Little Ash—a boy Lu Zhe had rescued from street thugs two years ago—had vanished without a trace a year back, for reasons unknown. Lu Zhe had searched everywhere, but to no avail, and finally had to give up. Somehow, the boy he’d saved had become his only lingering concern, even though there was really no special bond between them.

Shaking his head to clear his thoughts, Lu Zhe pulled himself together, carried yesterday’s chair and table back inside, and then went to the brook to wash his face. Afterward, he descended the mountain.

As he walked down the road at the foot of the mountain, Lu Zhe couldn’t help but notice how much quieter the street was than usual. Several shops hadn’t opened, and those that had were empty. He was puzzled, but hesitant to ask anyone, so he hurried on toward the Qingxi Pier.

The pier, by contrast, was bustling with activity—a stark difference from the deserted streets. Just as Lu Zhe was about to ask someone what was going on, a hand landed on his shoulder. He turned to see it was Hu Ge, his good friend.

Hu Ge’s real name was Li Hu. His family lived right here in Qingxi Town, and like Lu Zhe, he worked at the pier. Since they were about the same age, they’d become close companions. Today, Lu Zhe noticed a broad grin on Li Hu’s face, as if something wonderful had happened. He asked, “What’s got you so cheerful today, Hu Ge?”

Li Hu let out a hearty laugh and threw an arm around Lu Zhe. “Old Lu, are you really in the dark, or just pretending?”

Lu Zhe blinked in confusion. “About what?”

Seeing Lu Zhe didn’t seem to be joking, Li Hu pressed him, “You really don’t know?”

Lu Zhe nodded.

Li Hu said with a hint of mystery, “Since you really don’t know, I’ll tell you.” He lowered his voice conspiratorially. “Do you know why the streets are empty today?”

Lu Zhe shook his head.

Without further explanation, Li Hu draped an arm over Lu Zhe’s shoulder. “Come on, let me show you something.”

Perplexed but unable to refuse, Lu Zhe followed Li Hu as he wound through the streets, turning this way and that, until they emerged into a wide open space. Lu Zhe immediately recognized it—Qingxi Square.

Qingxi Square was the largest plaza in town, usually reserved for temple fairs and grand performances. Most days it was deserted, but today, it was packed to the brim, a sea of people leaving no room to move.

Lu Zhe’s curiosity grew, but he said nothing. He saw Li Hu craning his neck to peer into the crowd and tugged at his sleeve, whispering, “What’s going on, Hu Ge? Why so many people?”

Li Hu gave no answer, simply seized Lu Zhe’s arm and began pushing their way through the throng.

Buffeted by the crowd, Lu Zhe’s confusion only deepened. He muttered to himself, “This place is usually empty—what could draw so many people? Are they giving out gold today?”

As he spoke, Li Hu had already pulled him near the front, and the scene ahead became clearer. In the center stood a tall stage, about two stories high, with a staircase leading down into the crowd. People lined the steps—though from a distance, Lu Zhe couldn’t make out who they were.

Soon they reached the very front, and Lu Zhe saw everything clearly. The crowd gathered around the tall platform, connected to the ground by the same staircase he’d seen before. The people standing on the steps were all about his own age, each accompanied by someone who appeared to be a parent.

“What are they doing?” Lu Zhe asked Li Hu.

Li Hu grinned. “This is a recruitment event for the Windward Sect.”

“The Windward Sect?” The name was legendary in Qingxi Town. Though Lu Zhe rarely left the area, he was no stranger to its fame.

The Windward Sect was said to be the foremost order in the Oga Empire, established more than five centuries ago. In those five hundred short years, it had grown from humble beginnings into the empire’s greatest power. Rumor had it that the sect was filled with masters and heroes, and countless nobles vied to send their children there, hoping they might become revered throughout the land.

Lu Zhe couldn’t help but laugh at himself. “I should have guessed—only the Windward Sect could cause such a spectacle. There’s no second in the Oga Empire.”

Li Hu didn’t notice Lu Zhe’s self-mockery. He stared at the stage for a while, then leaned in, voice low and secretive. “If it were just recruitment, I wouldn’t have dragged you here.”

Lu Zhe blinked. “There’s something else?”

Li Hu chuckled. “Do you know, this year marks the sixteenth birthday of the sect’s young mistress, Shangguan Yijing. The sect leader hopes to find her an ideal husband from among these thousands of candidates.”

Lu Zhe stared in disbelief. “So is this a student selection, or a groom selection?”