Several months passed as Dahe concentrated on washing his brain. Rinse, repeat. It began to grow stronger as the energy seeped in. He was able to loosen up a little, and returned to making tours of the various workshops. He even started a project to make study guides, which he hoped to get credits for. He would write out the information on sections of paper. Then paste them to another sheet, and go into more detail underneath. That way, if someone felt the need for clarification, they could simply lift the flap. But it was a long process. It required a lot of honing. Many people had a range of questions. There were quite a few flaps.

Finally he felt his writing skills were up to snuff. He began writing the guides carefully. He intended to write in a clear easy to read style, with simple words. Luckily the Task Office was willing to advance him the materials for the future products. A bonus that Dahe hadn’t expected, was that he gained a good understanding of the basics of quite a few trades.

It had been nearly a year since he had joined the sect, when Dahe gained recognition of his work. He had been called in to the office of a vice-sect leader.

Dahe walked into a strange office. There were few walls, the office was practically outside. The walls were sparsely decorated. A few piles of scrolls here and there. A large latticework structure attached to a wall held many scrolls and other materials. The words inscribed on the massive construction were inscrutable to Dahe, but he assumed the vice-sect leader understood them. She sat at a desk, calmly waiting for him. For a moment, he felt startled by this mirroring event.

“Vice-Sect Leader.” He said softly. Bowing towards her, he decided to keep to a mid-level city education. Just smart enough to be trusted with intelligent work.

“Please sit Dahe Feng Ji. That’s a good name.” She said, as she beckoned to a chair in front of the desk. “Thank you” he said as he leaned back in the chair. ‘I picked it myself,’ he thought, but wisely decided not to say out loud.

“I have heard about your good work. You have helped increase the knowledge and strength of this sect with your ‘study guides’. Well done. You have helped, and so, I wish to reward you. I think it might be time to accept you as a third circle member of The Flowing River Sect. If you accept, you will be able to move out of the barracks, and the sect will hire other sect members to help you build an abode of your own design. Your task requirements will be lightened, we’re hoping you will continue in the same direction you’ve already taken.

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“You would also be given a copy of the general meditation manual. However, I am told you already have an energy gathering method of your own, so instead, you would be given access to the next level of the library. You may choose two manuals to focus on. It is recommended that you not divide your attention too far. If you speak with the librarian she will be able to help you to pick something out that will be beneficial to you.”

Dahe was surprised by this, but quickly decided to accept. Perhaps this would increase his chances of learning from Fangsu. “I would be honored.” He stood and bowed to the vice-sect leader. “Please consider carefully your abode. It must be within a reasonable size, but otherwise it’s generally up to you.” The Vice-Sect leader handed Dahe a pin, then he bowed once more and left.

Dahe pinned his pin to his outer jacket. It was a series of concentric circles with the outermost highlighted in Antimony. He walked back to the task office and began preparation for his own home.

Once he arrived back in his barrack, the Di brothers were waiting. “Congratulations,” Er said. “Yeah,” said Yi. “Those study guides right? We found them helpful too.” “yeah, we never thought of trying to condense information into small books.”

Dahe smiled, “thank you both. I have been promoted to the third circle. Which means I can move out.” They continued to talk until Dahe had to cut the conversation short. He had a plan to make. He had a memory of many log homes from many shows. So he tried to put together what he thought was interesting and best. A small living room, to receive visitors. A cooking and dining area. An office that was also a library. A bedroom, and of course, a bathroom. He felt it was within the capabilities of the native people to construct a water tower for him. That way he could construct a shower for himself. And use the runoff to flush his toilet.

The furniture would have to be something that could be done. He decided to go for a mid-century modern look. The carpenters were interested in his designs. Any time he was asked about something new, he simply said it was something he had read, or heard about. From then on, he had no trouble.

Once inside the library, the third circle section was a bonanza. So many books of high level knowledge. Things that weren’t generally known to most. Though with his high level education, he did know quite a bit of it. But the things he learned about for the first time, he treasured. The Librarian was quite kind. She helped him to pick out a kicking manual that could be paired with a spear, and then a movement technique. It allowed him to move in circles, which he thought was a nice complement to his straightforward spear thrusts.

He then spent his sparring sessions working with Zao shi to get his basics firmed up. Dahe finally felt that he was getting somewhere.