Benton hummed to himself as he walked toward the gates. When he saw the small crowd of people gathered waiting for him and his four disciples, he started softly singing. “So long, farewell, auf wiederseh’n, goodnight.”
He wondered how the kids would react to seeing The Sound of Music. Maybe he could figure out some technique with illusion that would let one of his disciples recreate movies. Or maybe enter a partnership with the Chameleon Jade Sect.
Hmm. That idea might actually work. Best to not even ask the System about it yet, though. He didn’t want to be tempted to spend his limited Sect Points on frivolous entertainment. Down the road if he were swimming in points, however, and recruited an appropriately aspected disciple…
Returning his attention to the city, he figured he’d accomplished a lot during his time there, but he was more than ready to leave. The founding of his sect called.
Besides, though he’d tried to hide it from the kids and even avoid thinking about it himself, the last week or so had been incredibly stressful. One false move could have resulted in everything he was trying to build falling into ruin.
He vowed never to let his plans ride on so narrow a margin ever again.
Still, the train of wagons following behind him and the group of young people standing in front of him were a huge step in the right direction.
Kang Ya-Ting had been kind enough to send the six drivers to meet them at the warehouse, and those guys knew more about hooking up the oxen than Benton and the twins did, meaning that leaving went a lot smoother than he had any right to expect.
Each of the men drove one of the wagons slowly behind Benton, three filled with food, one herbs, one weapons, and the last the bathtubs, textiles, and some other miscellaneous items he’d purchased. Only the food ones were full to the top, which was by design so he could create space for his new recruits to cultivate by shifting things around, including into his ring, without being too obvious to prying eyes.
The cargo represented everything that had been on his purchase list and more, so he checked that task off his mental to do list.
More important than all the goods combined were his two new disciples, Zou Tian and Shi Long, who he was sure would eventually fill important roles in the new sect. Almost, or perhaps even more, crucial were the six young men driving the wagons and the eleven men and women standing just inside the gate.
The latter group who was standing next to Kang Ya-Ting were presumably the guards Benton had requested. The sect elder had acquired matching blue outfits for all of them, loose long-sleeved shirts and flowy pants, and each had a relatively new looking bags, presumably filled with spare clothes and such, and a bedroll along with enough tents for every two of them to share.
No weapons yet, but that was fine. Benton hadn’t even expected the outfits and camping gear, and he had spears aplenty.
All told, he was looking at nineteen new recruits for his sect, more than doubling his current total. Which was good because he really needed the points. He had, after all, already used four from his future earnings, so he’d have to earn six more total to be able to afford to advance to Foundation Establishment.
He’d expected Kang Ya-Ting and the guards to be there, but one addition was a small surprise—Pan Jiang.
“Greetings, Friend Kang. This looks like a fine group of guards you’ve hired for me.”
Kang Ya-Ting chuckled. “Greetings to you as well, Friend Chao. I do so hope you will find them adequate.” He turned to a stout fellow who seemed a little older than the others. “This is Ye Zan. He will lead the group of guards if you’ll have him.”
The man in question cupped his hands and bowed. Benton scanned him.
Name: Ye Zan Affiliation: None Age: 19 Cultivation: None Techniques: None Spiritual Roots: F- Qi Aspect: Loamy soil prepped for growth
Hmm. He was a terrible talent, as was to be expected, but even his qi aspect didn’t seem to be particularly good. Maybe the earth aspect would help if he wanted to be a farmer, but Benton suspected that the nature types in the village would do a better job.
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Guard probably was a good choice of occupation for him. Earth qi users tended to be strong and dependable.
Ye Zan introduced the others, and Benton asked a bit about their experience. Nine of the eleven were men, aged fifteen to eighteen mostly with Ye Zan being the outlier. The two women, both sixteen, were sisters to two of the men.
Apparently, Ye Zan and five others were a mercenary crew with a fairly good reputation who did jobs around the city, mainly protection work like escorting wagons through the slums and guarding a full warehouse and such. They were accounted to be scrupulously honest and reliable by Yang Ka-Ting and at least knew which end of the spear to point at the bad guys.
Since Benton had requested a minimum of eight, they had filled their ranks with three boys they knew, and two siblings of the original group members decided to come along as well.
“And you all realize it may be a while before you get back to Sixth Flawless Flowing City?” Benton said once the introductions were complete. “I’ll pay you once we reach the village, but it may be a year or more before I or my disciples return. You’re free to leave the village whenever you want, of course, but the conditions against that may be adverse.”
Of course, they all would likely be staying near the village as members of his new sect, but it wouldn’t be a good idea to mention that while still inside the city limits. Best to act as if the guards were a temporary addition.
“We understand, Esteemed Master Cultivator. None of these lowly ones have been outside these walls, and accompanying such a renowned cultivator seems like the opportunity of a lifetime.”
He wasn’t exactly wrong about the opportunity part, but renowned might be a stretch.
“Well,” Benton said, “pleasure to have you aboard then. There are spears in the fifth wagon back. Don’t take any of the red ones, but the rest are fair game.”
Ye Zan cupped his hands and bowed in acknowledgement.
It didn’t take the guards long to find weapons and get themselves situated. They all seemed pleased with the quality of the weapons, which made Benton wonder about what they normally used. The spears he’d directed them to use were the inexpensive ones destined to be beat to pieces during training.
Benton stifled a chuckle when Ye Zan literally slapped away the hand of one of the younger members of their group when he reached for one of the red spears.
As Benton was preparing to direct the guards on where he wanted them, Ye Zan stepped up and started barking orders. He placed two in front of the first wagon, two behind the last one, and two on each side of the wagons spaced between the front and back. He declared his intent to roam to make sure his people were paying attention.
Benton couldn’t help but wonder if the man knew they would be walking from sun up to sun down for the next sixty days or so. It seemed like a rest schedule would be a good idea with half walking and the other half riding in the wagons. They could address that later, though. Ye Zan probably just wanted to make a good first impression, portraying his guards as hard, diligent workers.
While Benton conducted his business, Pan Jiang had waited patiently. Once the discussion with the guards was complete, the sword wielder stepped forward. Benton was mildly interested in what would happen next.
The boy cupped his hands and bowed deeply. “Esteemed Master Cultivator, this lowly one expresses much gratitude. This lowly one couldn’t see Mount Tai and was rude to the Esteemed Master Cultivator and his disciples. This lowly one’s poor display was met with only generosity. Much, much gratitude to the Esteemed Master Cultivator. The technique gifted to this lowly one is … is … phenomenal. If there is any way that this lowly one can repay the Esteemed Master Cultivator’s kindness, please let this lowly one know.”
Benton’s initial impulse was to say that the boy’s master had him covered, but something occurred to him. “Truthfully, there is one thing I really desire from you.”
“Anything, Esteemed Master Cultivator. Even my sword.”
“Keep your family’s sword, Pan Jiang. I think Friend Kang just went apoplectic from you making the offer.”
“Then what, Esteemed Master Cultivator? Ask this lowly one for anything.”
“I want you to practice that technique diligently and master it. Then, the next time Yang Ru and I visit the city, I can watch you and him exchange pointers. No bet. No stakes. Just two cultivators who are good with their weapons trying their best to beat the other and to improve.”
Pan Jiang grinned. “That this lowly one can do, Esteemed Master Cultivator. I swear it on my family’s honor.”
“Well, then, I look forward to meeting you again.” Benton offered a shallow but respectful bow to the young man.
After a much deeper bow, Pan Jiang left.
“I’ve known that boy his entire life,” Kang Ya-Ting said. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen him as motivated as he has been since I let him learn that sword technique. I’m pretty sure, though, that he’s only going to be more motivated going forward. I really appreciate what you did for him. His father is going to appreciate it as well once he learns of the results.”
“Think nothing of it. I sincerely like helping kids grow. If I was able to assist in some small way, then that is my true reward.”
“There is one matter that we haven’t discussed.”
“Yes?” Benton didn’t know if he should be worried.
“It wasn’t clear if the sword technique was solely for Pan Jiang’s use or if it was intended for any who could use it. The sect didn’t want to overstep our bounds and give it out freely.”
Whew. That topic was actually easy.
“It was a gift meant to help Pan Jiang specifically, but I gave it to you. I’m grateful that the intended recipient is getting use out of it, but I have no objections to you using it however you wish. Let me know if you need more copies.”
“Thank you once again, my friend. Until we next meet.”
“Until we next meet.”
The two parted and soon the wagon train made its way out of the city. Finally.
Just being a step outside the walls made Benton feel better. He was sure miles would be even better still.
The next time he returned, he wanted to be at least Golden Core.