The so-called miscellaneous servants referred to the group with the lowest status in the sect. In reality, although these people were called disciples, they were essentially no different from laborers. They were given only a symbolic martial arts manual, and very few of them could ever become official outer sect disciples. Even if they did, they would still be at the very bottom, looked down upon by others.
Li Tan chose to become a miscellaneous servant disciple. Partly to avoid gossip, and partly to send a message to others. However, the other reason, which others did not know, was because of that chubby kid.
Humans are peculiar creatures. Sometimes they do things which they themselves cannot understand afterward. For example, right now, Li Tan couldn’t understand why he had suddenly shown kindness and concern for the child of a mercenary he had only met once.
Thinking more about it was useless. Li Tan was not a hesitant person. Once a decision was made, he wouldn’t dwell on it. After exchanging a few more words with Zhang Chenghuan and her daughter, he found a quiet place to wait for the recruitment ceremony to end.
Zhang Zhi said that although he was the sect leader, he couldn’t ignore the sect rules. Therefore, during Li Tan’s time as a miscellaneous servant disciple, he could only verbally assist him. Zhang Chenghuan appeared somewhat unhappy, thinking he should directly enter the outer sect.
But that was just talk. She didn’t try to persuade him further.
Sitting in the shadow of a tent on the plaza, Li Tan was bored watching the recruitment ceremony taking place not far away when suddenly someone pushed his shoulder.
Slightly puzzled, he turned around and saw a male disciple from Tianlang Sect wearing a light blue uniform, standing there with a gloomy expression.
“Do you have something to say?”
Li Tan asked, frowning slightly.
The male disciple eyed Li Tan suspiciously, then snorted twice before speaking. “Kid, what exactly is your relationship with Senior Disciple Zhang?”
Would saying they had no relationship at all make this guy believe?
Li Tan curled his lips.
If he believed, then there would be ghosts.
So without hesitation, he replied, “Why do you care?”
The male disciple’s unfriendly gaze intensified as he coldly said, “You’re the first man who has ever held Senior Disciple’s hand. A complete stranger with an unknown background—why does Senior Disciple care so much about you? As her senior brother, I naturally have the responsibility to investigate thoroughly, to prevent her from being deceived by someone.”
Zhang Chenghuan, naive?
And being deceived?
Li Tan gave the male disciple a disdainful glance and impatiently said, “I’m right here, so how do you plan to investigate?”
The male disciple coldly snorted and said, “That’s none of your business. I’m just here to warn you—don’t even think about inappropriate things!”
“Inappropriate thoughts?
Hmph, in my opinion, the one who shouldn’t have any thoughts is you, the hypocrite.”
Li Tan scoffed at his words.
The male disciple’s expression immediately darkened, wearing a murderous look, while Li Tan sat beside him indifferently, showing no fear at all.
Zhang Zhi and the others were in the tent next door. How could he be afraid of this guy?
As expected, although the male disciple was extremely resentful, he left only with a childish threat.
“I have absolutely no interest in your Miss Zhang,” Li Tan muttered to himself. Then, with a helpless sigh, he added, “But I guess no one would believe that anymore. I’m glad I didn’t directly enter the core disciple group, otherwise the sect mountain would probably be surrounded every day.”
Li Tan, who had wanted to keep a low profile but ended up becoming widely known, waited with a slightly depressed mood until the recruitment ended. Then he followed the group to the Tianlang Sect’s mountain.
Just like Feiyu Sect, there were no towering peaks piercing the clouds as described in folk tales, no immortals flying with swords, and no playful celestial cranes. The only difference between this place and ordinary mountains was that the trees were taller and the spiritual energy was denser.
Yawning, Li Tan climbed the mountain with the group. Then, under Zhang Zhi’s instructions, the group was divided into two. One half, looking elated, were outer sect disciples. The other half, either dejected or expressionless, were miscellaneous servant disciples.
Li Tan was the most expressionless among the miscellaneous servant disciples. He was somewhat annoyed because that chubby kid had been buzzing around like a fly and wouldn’t stop talking, making it impossible for Li Tan to completely ignore him.
“Hey, bro, what’s your relationship with that seemingly powerful girl just now?”
“Didn’t you stand in the wrong place? This is where the miscellaneous servant disciples are.”
“What? You really are a miscellaneous servant disciple?
That doesn’t seem right!”
Facing these difficult questions, Li Tan chose to remain silent. However, that wasn’t what annoyed him. What really annoyed him were the unfriendly gazes from those who were about to become his fellow disciples.
Could it be because of that minor incident during the talent test that he had become the enemy of all the new recruits?
That didn’t seem reasonable at all. Suddenly, Li Tan thought of the male disciple he had met earlier while resting in the shade and sighed helplessly.
Could it be his doing?
With this question in mind, Li Tan asked the chubby kid, “These people seem to hate me. Why aren’t you like them?”
Scratching his head, the chubby kid looked a bit embarrassed as he replied, “My father said you’re a good person when he left, and told me to stick with you.”
So that mercenary had seen through him, which explained why the little fat kid had approached him so quickly.
Li Tan’s question was partially resolved. He asked again, “Was there someone here talking about me while I was away?”
The chubby kid shook his head. “No one came, but another person who also became a miscellaneous servant kept badmouthing you.”
“What did he say?”
“He called you a good-for-nothing pretty boy.”
“Do you believe him?”
“No.”
“Why not? Just because of what your father said?”
“No. If you were a good-for-nothing pretty boy, how could you end up here with us?”
Upon hearing this, Li Tan smiled cheerfully.
Rumors were truly terrifying, especially when fueled by jealousy. They could become like floods and ferocious beasts.
Were these people reacting like this because they despised him as a pretty boy?
No, quite the opposite. They were jealous of him. They envied him for being a “pretty boy” and resented themselves for not being one. Thus, they lost their ability to judge information rationally and banded together, distancing themselves from Li Tan.
For an ordinary person, being isolated like this would indeed be a tricky situation, as they would surely face difficulties everywhere afterward. However, Li Tan didn’t really care. He simply didn’t pay attention to it.
He was just here to pass time, waiting for an opportunity to capture Liu Yong. He wouldn’t stay for long anyway. Let them think whatever they wanted.
Walking up the mountain path, Li Tan lazily yawned and thought about finding an opportunity to figure out why Liu Yong had appeared at Tianlang Sect and what his identity was there.
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