Zhu Chaoying's Scheme

Dragon Transformation Sect, Workfire Peak.

Mist coiled through the mountain ranges. Vermilion furnaces had been built against the slopes, their mouths breathing orange-red flames. The air was thick with the distinctive scent of sulfur and tempered metal. This was the core ground of the Dragon Transformation Sect's artifact refining and pill refining, and also Zhu Chaoying's place of cultivation.

Xu Weiwu stood before a massive furnace, dressed in the sect's dark robes. His posture was straight, yet he could not hide the weariness between his brows. He had only just hurried back to the sect from Changyun County and had not even had time to rest before receiving Zhu Chaoying's summons.

Before long, a burly figure emerged from behind the furnace. It was Zhu Chaoying. He was around sixty years old, taller and broader than ordinary martial artists. His face bore the marks of wind and frost, while his rough hands were remarkably steady. Faint burn marks and an almost imperceptible medicinal fragrance still lingered around his knuckles—traces left by years of dealing with furnaces and pills.

As the Dragon Transformation Sect's only grandmaster proficient in both forging and pill refining, Zhu Chaoying held an extremely exalted status. Even the sect master had to yield him three parts of courtesy.

"Elder Zhu, did you summon me for something?" Xu Weiwu hurried forward and bowed, his tone respectful and without the slightest hint of neglect.

Zhu Chaoying walked to a stone table and sat down. He picked up the coarse clay teapot on the table, poured himself a cup of cold tea, and drained it in one gulp before speaking slowly. His voice carried the hoarseness tempered by a furnace. "Has the Essence Refining Qi Gathering Formation in Changyun County been settled?"

Xu Weiwu inwardly relaxed. He had thought Elder Zhu had some urgent matter; it turned out he was merely asking about the formation. Xu Weiwu promptly replied, "Reporting to Elder, the formation has been activated successfully and is currently operating steadily. It only draws in dispersed essence qi and has not affected the local people. The Wang Clan has also taken over its daily supervision."

At that, Zhu Chaoying raised a brow slightly. His gaze fell upon Xu Weiwu with a hint of scrutiny. "I heard that the formation in Changyun County was handed over to a small local clan for supervision?"

A cold sweat instantly seeped down Xu Weiwu's back. Elder Zhu knew about this! His heart gave a thump as he secretly speculated. The right to oversee a formation was already a rare opportunity within the sect. Those stationed there could enjoy the essence qi condensed by the formation every day, accelerating their cultivation. Elder Zhu had suddenly asked about it—could someone in the sect be dissatisfied and want to replace the overseers? Or had something else changed?

He steadied himself and gritted his teeth. "Elder, please see clearly. I reported this matter to my master in advance, and he agreed to let the Wang Clan supervise it. Though the Wang Clan is merely a small county clan, they are extremely loyal to the sect. Nothing will go wrong if the formation is entrusted to them."

He deliberately brought up his master, both to make his argument more convincing and to imply that someone at the elder level had already approved the matter, hoping Zhu Chaoying would not interfere too much.

Seeing how nervous he was, Zhu Chaoying suddenly laughed and waved a hand. "Do not be nervous. I am not here to pursue this matter."

His smile let Xu Weiwu's suspended heart settle somewhat, but Xu Weiwu still did not dare lower his guard. Zhu Chaoying had always been deep-minded and would not mention this matter for no reason.

"I summoned you because I have a small task for you. It will not put you in a difficult position."

Zhu Chaoying spoke evenly as he lifted the teapot and poured Xu Weiwu a cup of tea as well.

Xu Weiwu breathed a sigh of relief and quickly cupped his hands. "Please instruct me, Elder. This disciple will certainly see it done."

"Since that small clan is helping the sect oversee the formation, they can be considered to have formed ties with the sect." Zhu Chaoying spoke slowly. "I want you to pass on a message. Have them collect some things for the sect: spiritual herbs from the mountain ranges around the county, as well as some uncommon metal materials, such as Profound Iron, Cold Copper, and the like. The more, the better."

He paused, then added, "In return, I can grant them the foundational methods of pill refining and forging, allowing them to train some disciples in those fields. It can also be considered a way of storing up talent for our sect. After all, the sect's future development cannot do without such crafts."

The moment Xu Weiwu heard this, a flash of delight crossed his eyes. How was this a "small task"? It was plainly a heaven-shaking opportunity!

The foundational methods of forging and artifact refining were things that only some disciples within the sect were qualified to learn. Elder Zhu was willing to grant them to the Wang Clan. With Elder Zhu as their backer, no one in the sect would dare covet the formation's supervision rights again, and the Wang Clan's network of connections within the sect could spread from there!

"This disciple understands!" Xu Weiwu immediately agreed, unable to conceal his excitement. "I will return to the Wang Clan at once and have them fully cooperate with the sect in gathering supplies!"

Watching his excited expression, Zhu Chaoying's lips curved into an almost imperceptible smile. Yet he had another calculation in mind. He was not sincerely trying to "nurture talent"; he merely wanted to use the Wang Clan to expand the power and influence of his Workfire Peak faction.

It would be wonderful if they really found some genius, Zhu Chaoying thought.

The sect was about to throw open its mountain gates and recruit disciples under twenty years of age. That meant a great number of crude martial men who understood only martial arts and knew nothing of craftsmanship would enter the sect. Over time, Workfire Peak's numbers and voice would gradually be diluted.

When that happened, not only would the sect's daily supply of pills and weapons fail to keep up, Workfire Peak's disciples would also be worked half to death.

This is the general tide; it cannot be avoided, Zhu Chaoying thought. Since the sect is changing, then my Workfire Peak must take the initiative and adapt. We can establish branches in the counties below, letting affiliated forces like the Wang Clan cultivate artifact-refining and pill-refining talent. When those people enter the sect in the future, they will naturally fall under Workfire Peak. That will both ensure the supply of materials and stabilize our faction's position. It will ease the sect's burdens while paving the road for my Workfire Peak.

If nothing unexpected happened to the Wang Clan, then perhaps the same could be done in other counties as well.

He recalled the sect master's roar at the elders' council several days earlier. That sentence, filled with hatred for their failure to live up to expectations, still echoed in his ears.

"You may leave now. Have the Wang Clan begin gathering supplies as soon as possible. Report to me promptly when there is news. I will send out a pill refiner and a forger." Zhu Chaoying waved his hand, his tone returning to calm, as though his earlier thoughts had never existed.

"Yes! This disciple takes his leave!" Xu Weiwu bowed, turned, and departed at a brisk pace. He needed to deliver this good news to Wang Hezheng as quickly as possible. This was a rare opportunity for the Wang Clan.

Zhu Chaoying watched his back vanish into the mist. Picking up the coarse clay teacup on the table, he gazed toward the distant furnaces, his eyes profound. "The world is changing, and the sect is changing. If we do not lay out our pieces in advance, then in the future... we may not even have a place to stand."

The flames at the furnace mouths continued to dance, illuminating his burly figure and the move he had placed upon the board—a move tied to the rise and fall of his faction and the sect's future.

This was only natural. There were factions within factions, in every strange and varied form.

Three mornings later, the atmosphere in the square before the Wang Clan ancestral hall in Changyun County was especially grave.

Wang Hezheng stood at the top of the steps in a dark blue brocade robe. Behind him stood the heads of the Wang Clan's Fifth Branch, some composed, others watchful, all their eyes fixed upon the entrance to the square.

Before long, three figures appeared at the entrance. Xu Weiwu led them, still dressed in the sect's dark robes, his expression calm.

To his left followed a sturdy middle-aged man in short gray clothing. His hands were covered in calluses, a forging hammer hung at his waist, and his eyes were sharp as blades. He radiated the hard, unyielding air of someone who had dealt with metal for years.

On his right stood a man in a long green robe. His features were refined, and he carried a large cloth sack on his back. A faint medicinal fragrance clung to him, and his temperament was gentle.

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"Brother Xu!" Wang Hezheng quickly descended the steps and greeted him with cupped hands, a polite smile on his face. "You have had a tiring journey."

"Hezheng, you are too courteous." Xu Weiwu returned the gesture with a smile, then stepped aside and introduced them. "This is Liu Haibing, a forger from the sect's Workfire Peak."

"This is Fu Shuangyun of Workfire Peak, a pill refiner skilled in concocting pills. The two of them have come to the Wang Clan to oversee the teaching of weapon forging and pill refining."

Liu Haibing slightly cupped his hands toward Wang Hezheng, his tone steady. "Liu Haibing greets Clan Head Wang."

Fu Shuangyun also bowed, his voice clear. "Fu Shuangyun greets Clan Head Wang."

"Masters, you have come from afar. You have worked hard!" Wang Hezheng hurriedly returned the courtesy. He examined the two men for a moment and secretly nodded. They surely possessed genuine skill. If the Wang Clan could learn the crafts of weapon forging and pill refining, they would no longer need to rely on others in these two fields.

He turned and led the three men into the ancestral hall, with the heads of the Fifth Branch following closely behind. Their expressions varied.

The First Branch looked expectant, believing this was an opportunity for the Wang Clan to rise.

The Third and Fourth Branches, however, had their brows tightly furrowed, worried that this matter would draw reprimand from the sect. After all, Xu Weiwu had previously said that this was Zhu Chaoying's personal intention, not an official decision of the sect.

After entering the main hall of the ancestral hall and taking their respective seats, Xu Weiwu did not beat around the bush. He went straight to the point. "Hezheng, I brought these two masters here today to carry out Elder Zhu's instructions: to broadly establish weapon forging and pill refining within the Wang Clan, with Master Liu and Master Fu responsible for the instruction."

He paused before continuing. "However, there are two matters requiring the Wang Clan's cooperation. First, weapon forging requires large amounts of iron ore and coal, while pill refining requires all kinds of medicinal herbs. The Wang Clan must supply these materials."

"Second, the Wang Clan's name must be used to recruit apprentices throughout Changyun County. The apprentices' daily treatment should follow the standards for the Wang Clan's inner courtyard personnel: food and lodging provided, with a small monthly stipend."

Wang Hezheng's hand holding the teacup paused slightly as he calculated rapidly. Supplying iron ore and medicinal herbs was not difficult for the Wang Clan. There were iron ore veins around the county, many controlled by Wang Shanhai, while medicinal herbs could also be purchased from herb merchants.

Recruiting apprentices would consume some manpower, but if they could train weapon forgers and pill refiners who belonged to the Wang Clan, every bit of the investment would be worthwhile.

What was more, this had been proposed by the Dragon Transformation Sect. The Wang Clan had no room to refuse in the first place.

Yet he still had concerns. His brow creased slightly. "Brother Xu, while I believe this matter is feasible, you said before that it was Elder Zhu's personal intention... If the sect holds us accountable in the future, how should the Wang Clan respond?"

The moment he said this, the gazes of the Fifth Branch's heads instantly focused on Xu Weiwu. Clearly, this was their greatest concern as well.

Seeing this, Xu Weiwu smiled and waved a hand, his tone certain. "Rest assured, Hezheng. With Elder Zhu standing behind this, aside from a very few people, no one else in the sect is even qualified to question it, much less hold anyone accountable."

He paused, then added, "Elder Zhu's status in the sect is second to none. Workfire Peak controls the sect's supply of pills and weapons. No one will offend him over such a trivial matter."

Upon hearing this, Wang Hezheng's suspended heart finally settled completely, and the doubts on the Fifth Branch heads' faces gradually faded. With Zhu Chaoying as their backer, there was indeed no need to fear being held accountable.

"Since that is the case, the Wang Clan will cooperate with all our strength!" Wang Hezheng agreed decisively. "Only..."

His tone shifted, carrying a hint of helplessness. "Most of the young people in the county have already been taken in by various gangs and clans. If we recruit apprentices now, I fear it will be difficult to find enough people."

Changyun County was only so large. Young people with talent and potential had long since been snatched up by the major forces. Those remaining either had mediocre aptitude.

Xu Weiwu seemed to have expected this already and said calmly, "If you cannot find them in the county, then look in the towns and villages below!"

"Children from the countryside can endure hardship. Perhaps you may even unearth a few promising seedlings with talent."

He looked at Wang Hezheng and continued, "In addition, you can let the disciples from the Wang Clan's inner courtyard and Martial Academy try as well. Weapon forging tempers the body, while pill refining broadens one's knowledge. Even if they do not succeed, it will still benefit their martial cultivation."

"Most importantly, Hezheng, you must understand that if someone achieves something in weapon forging or pill refining, it will not only greatly benefit the Wang Clan. When they enter the Dragon Transformation Sect in the future, the sect will also grant them a certain degree of preferential treatment. This is a rare opportunity."

Wang Hezheng's eyes lit up. That was right! The inner courtyard and Martial Academy had no small number of disciples. Perhaps they really could find a few with talent in these areas. If they could gain preferential admission into the Dragon Transformation Sect, it would be a good thing for the Wang Clan as well.

"Good! We shall do as Brother Xu says!" Wang Hezheng no longer hesitated and solemnly agreed. "I will immediately arrange for people to recruit apprentices from the towns and villages below, while also having the disciples of the inner courtyard and Martial Academy take part in the tests."

Seeing that the matter had been settled, Xu Weiwu revealed a satisfied smile. "Excellent. Then I will not disturb you further. You may coordinate the remaining details with Master Liu and Master Fu. If you encounter a problem that cannot be resolved, send someone to notify me."

He rose to his feet and cupped his hands toward Wang Hezheng. "Farewell."

"Take care, Brother Xu!" Wang Hezheng stood to see him off. Only after escorting Xu Weiwu out of the ancestral hall did he turn and return to the main hall.

At that moment, Liu Haibing was holding a weapon-forging manual, while Fu Shuangyun was organizing a list of medicinal herbs needed for pill refining. Both were preparing for the coming instruction.

Wang Hezheng walked before them and spoke sincerely. "Master Liu, Master Fu, I will have to trouble you both with what follows. If there is anything the Wang Clan needs to cooperate with, please speak freely."

Liu Haibing set down the manual and nodded. "Clan Head Wang is too courteous. We only need a spacious Forge Workshop and a pill-refining room, along with some basic tools. As for the rest, we can arrange it slowly after the apprentices have been recruited."

Fu Shuangyun added, "As for medicinal herbs, I will provide a detailed list. Please have Clan Head Wang prepare them as soon as possible. In particular, we will need a fairly large quantity of basic herbs such as angelica, astragalus, and ginseng."

"No problem!" Wang Hezheng agreed decisively. "I will have people prepare the Forge Workshop and pill-refining room at once. The medicinal herbs will also be procured as quickly as possible. I certainly will not delay either master's teaching."

The three began coordinating the various details in earnest.