Receiving the Appointment

The next day.

Shen Mu rose early to wash and dress, and after meeting Luo Tao on the street, the two walked together toward the headquarters of the Firewood Gang.

"Brother Shen, you've arrived."

As they entered the gates of the Firewood Gang and reached the training grounds, Mao Shouzhuo greeted them with a warm, enthusiastic expression.

Shen Mu followed suit, smiling as he replied, "Brother Mao, I was busy collecting firewood fees yesterday, which delayed me by a day. I truly apologize."

"No matter."

Mao Shouzhuo chuckled, "Come, let me take you to register."

"Then I leave it to your hard work, Brother Mao."

Immediately, under Mao Shouzhuo's guidance, the two walked toward the Gathering Heroes Hall of the Firewood Gang.

The crowd tempering their bodies on the training grounds watched the two leave with eyes full of envy.

On the way, Mao Shouzhuo did not forget to recount the history of the Firewood Gang.

It is said that hundreds of years ago, the Firewood Gang relied on banditry in the mountains to amass a significant fortune before they began to wash their hands of their past.

The Firewood Gang in Cloud Dragon County was merely a branch split off from the main gang in the prefecture city.

At the same time, many customs from the old mountain strongholds had been passed down.

Now that he had advanced to the first level of the Boiling Blood Stage, he was qualified to become a true member of the Firewood Gang.

Before becoming a member, one had to light incense in the Gathering Heroes Hall to pay respects to the ancestors of the Firewood Gang and swear an oath to share life, death, and prosperity with the gang.

Only then would the registration take place, followed by the selection of a hall to join and the assignment of specific duties.

Upon arriving at the Gathering Heroes Hall, two guards stood watch at the entrance; only after Mao Shouzhuo explained their purpose did the guards allow them to enter.

Inside the Gathering Heroes Hall was a somewhat spacious, empty hall with tables and chairs placed on both sides, and an incense altar standing at the front, covered in a dense array of spirit tablets.

Shen Mu clicked his tongue in secret, seemingly surprised that the Firewood Gang had such a long history.

At the same time, after advancing to the first level of the Boiling Blood Stage, his senses had become somewhat sharper.

He clearly perceived that ever since he stepped into the Gathering Heroes Hall, he had felt a sensation like needles pricking his back.

He guessed that someone in the shadows was watching him, and that person's martial cultivation was extremely high—if they wanted to kill him, it would take no effort at all.

"Brother Shen, here."

Mao Shouzhuo took three sticks of burning incense from the altar and handed them to him.

"Brother Shen, once you pay your respects to the ancestors, you will be a true member of the Firewood Gang, sharing life, death, and prosperity with us from this day forward. Have you considered this carefully?"

Mao Shouzhuo asked in a deep, solemn voice.

Shen Mu's expression was grave as he replied firmly, "If the Firewood Gang does not fail me, I shall not fail the Firewood Gang!"

"New Firewood Gang member Shen Mu, paying respects to the ancestors!"

Mao Shouzhuo looked at him deeply and shouted, his voice ringing throughout the entire Gathering Heroes Hall.

"Duang~"

Outside the hall, a gang member struck a bronze bell, the sound echoing throughout the entire Firewood Gang headquarters and carrying far into the distance.

At this moment, everyone in the Firewood Gang stopped what they were doing and looked toward the direction of the Gathering Heroes Hall.

The ringing of the bell signified that a new person had joined the Firewood Gang and become a true member.

Under the tolling of the bell, Shen Mu stepped forward to light the incense, performing the ritual of three kowtows and nine bows to complete the initiation ceremony.

"Brother Shen, let's go. I'll take you to register!"

After Shen Mu finished the ceremony, Mao Shouzhuo led him to the Incense Hall to register while introducing the division of duties within the gang.

"The ranks in the Firewood Gang are, in order: Gang Leader, Hall Master, Incense Master, Workshop Master, Deacon, Core Member, and Member. Those at the first to third levels of the Boiling Blood Stage are Members, the third to sixth are Core Members, the seventh to ninth are Deacons, and once you enter the ninth grade of the Yi Jing, you can serve as a Workshop Master..."

"At the first level of the Boiling Blood Stage, you can receive a monthly salary of one tael and two catties of unranked demonic beast meat."

"Upon advancing to the second level of the Boiling Blood Stage, you can receive a salary of two taels and five catties of unranked demonic beast meat."

"..."

Shen Mu clicked his tongue in secret, not expecting the hierarchy within the gang to be so strict.

However, upon reflection, the Firewood Gang had been developing for hundreds of years, and the branch in Cloud Dragon County was merely a minor offshoot; the division of these duties had long since stood the test of time.

After arriving at the Incense Hall to register, Shen Mu received two sets of Firewood Gang uniforms and a wooden token proving his identity, with the character for "Firewood" on the front and his own name on the back.

In addition, Shen Mu also received the body-tempering mantra for the second to fourth levels of the Boiling Blood Stage, and an unranked martial art called the Army-Breaking Saber Technique.

Mao Shouzhuo explained, "Brother Shen, if you advance to the fourth level of the Boiling Blood Stage and become a Core Member in the future, you can come here to receive higher-level body-tempering mantras."

"As for this Army-Breaking Saber Technique, it is a simplified version of the Yellow-grade primary martial art, the Demon-Subduing Saber Art, provided for those in the Boiling Blood Stage to practice. It also possesses body-tempering effects, so you could say it kills two birds with one stone."

"If you can successfully enter the ranks in the future and then practice the Demon-Subduing Saber Art, you will achieve twice the result with half the effort."

Shen Mu nodded and smiled, "So that is how it is. This humble one understands."

"Registration is now complete. Next, you must pay your respects to a hall."

Mao Shouzhuo smiled and said, "The Firewood Gang has the Beast Hunting Hall, the Yuan Mulberry Hall, and the Firewood Hall. I wonder which one Brother Shen prefers?"

"However, Brother Shen must consider this carefully. Once you join a specific hall, you cannot change it!"

Seeing the hesitation on Shen Mu's face, Mao Shouzhuo continued, "Of course, if Brother Shen has not yet made up his mind, you could also serve as an instructor at the gang headquarters like me, teaching outer-circle members in body tempering until you have made your choice..."

After some deliberation, Shen Mu smiled and said, "Brother Mao, I would like to join the Yuan Mulberry Hall and take up a position there."

"The Yuan Mulberry Hall?"

Mao Shouzhuo was taken aback for a moment, then nodded. "The Yuan Mulberry Hall is indeed a good place. Since Brother Shen has made his decision, I will take you there."

"Then many thanks, Brother Mao."

Mao Shouzhuo laughed, "It is nothing. From now on, we are brothers, and we should look out for one another."

It had taken Shen Mu only one month to advance to the first stage of Boiling Blood. This speed of cultivation was a rare existence even within the entire Firewood Gang.

Whether Shen Mu had accelerated his blood qi growth through Blood Qi Pills or reached this point through his own diligent practice, the potential he had displayed made him worthy of an investment in friendship.

Upon arriving at the main gate of the Yuan Mulberry Hall, Shen Mu saw a plaque hanging above the entrance inscribed with the words "Yuan Mulberry Hall."

Walking inside, Shen Mu saw a young man of about twenty-six or twenty-seven, bare-chested and displaying sturdy muscles, wielding a long saber with impressive vigor.

His entire body was steaming with thick, blood-colored sweat, which secretly shocked Shen Mu.

With such dense blood-colored sweat, he must not be far from entering the ranked stages, right?

Shen Mu thought to himself.

Mao Shouzhuo did not interrupt the man's practice of the Army-Breaking Saber Technique. Instead, he stood to the side with Shen Mu and whispered, "This man is Qin Yu, a deacon of the Yuan Mulberry Hall. He is currently at the peak of the eighth stage of Boiling Blood. His father, Qin Xiong, is the incense master of the Yuan Mulberry Hall and possesses the cultivation of the ninth stage of the Yi Four Scriptures."

Shen Mu nodded, naturally understanding the deeper meaning behind Mao Shouzhuo's words.

If he joined the Yuan Mulberry Hall and could build a good relationship with this man, combined with his background, he would surely be able to navigate the hall with ease in the future.

However, he also knew that if he did not display enough potential, why would he attract the other's attention?

After about the time it takes to burn a stick of incense, Qin Yu finished his practice and stood still, looking toward the two of them.

"Shouzhuo, what brings you two here?"

Qin Yu asked with a smile.

Seeing Qin Yu greet Mao Shouzhuo so warmly, Shen Mu's heart stirred.

It seemed that this Mao Shouzhuo likely had a background in the Firewood Gang as well; otherwise, how could he be permanently stationed at the headquarters?

Mao Shouzhuo smiled and said, "Brother Qin, this is Shen Mu. He only spent one month tempering his body before successfully advancing to the first stage of Boiling Blood. I have already taken him to pay respects at the Gathering Heroes Hall, and since he wishes to join the Yuan Mulberry Hall, I brought him here."

"Oh?"

Qin Yu realized, "So the bell that just rang at the Gathering Heroes Hall was for this little brother?"

"To be able to advance to the first stage of Boiling Blood in just one month, your martial arts aptitude is truly extraordinary."

"Shen Mu greets Deacon Qin."

Shen Mu cupped his hands in a salute and said respectfully.

"Brother Shen, I will head back now. All matters regarding your entry into the Yuan Mulberry Hall will be handled by Brother Qin."

Mao Shouzhuo said.

Shen Mu nodded and thanked him, "Understood, thank you for showing me the way, Brother Mao."

"It is nothing."

Mao Shouzhuo waved his hand, bid farewell to Qin Yu, and turned to leave.

"Follow me."

Qin Yu put on his robe and signaled for Shen Mu to follow.

Shen Mu hurriedly quickened his pace to keep up with Qin Yu as they walked into the Yuan Mulberry Hall.

Qin Yu led him inside. The layout was the same as the Gathering Heroes Hall, with tables and chairs on both sides and an incense altar in the center holding various spirit tablets. The only difference was that there were not as many spirit tablets as in the Gathering Heroes Hall.

Qin Yu looked at Shen Mu with a serious expression and asked, "Did Shouzhuo tell you that once you join the Yuan Mulberry Hall, you cannot change your allegiance?"

Shen Mu nodded and said, "He did."

"Very well. Since you are aware, go and pay your respects to the ancestors of the Yuan Mulberry Hall. From this moment on, you are a member of the Yuan Mulberry Hall."

Qin Yu instructed.

Shen Mu walked to the altar, took three sticks of incense, lit them, placed them in the burner, and performed the three-kneel and nine-kowtow ritual to the many spirit tablets on the altar.

"Good. From today on, you are a member of the Firewood Gang's Yuan Mulberry Hall."

Qin Yu's expression softened slightly as he continued, "Next, I will assign you a duty. Currently, there are three types of positions available for you to choose from."

"First, guarding ten acres of the Origin Mulberry Field to prevent outsiders from stealing the ripening Origin Mulberry Fruit. This position carries a certain degree of danger, but in addition to the monthly salary for gang members, you will receive an extra five taels of silver as compensation from the Yuan Mulberry Hall."

"Second, managing the outer-circle members in harvesting the Origin Mulberry. The work is slightly more tedious, and you can receive an extra three taels of silver in compensation each month."

"Third, managing the peripheral gang members in feeding the Origin Silkworms; the tasks are slightly tedious, but you will receive an additional two taels of silver as remuneration each month."

After Qin Yu finished speaking, he waited quietly for Shen Mu to make his decision.

Yesterday at the banquet, through Wang Jin, Shen Mu had already gained some understanding of the positions within Yuan Mulberry Hall.

By guarding the Origin Mulberry Field, he would have enough time during the day to carry out body tempering and increase his blood qi.

Although there was a certain degree of danger, everything was still within an acceptable range.

Shen Mu said respectfully, "I choose the first option: guarding the Origin Mulberry Field!"

"Guarding the Origin Mulberry Field?"

Qin Yu could not help but be taken aback, though he did not say much else, taking out a wooden waist medallion and handing it to him.

Shen Mu took the waist medallion, on which was written "Field No. 11, Grade C," which presumably was the specific area of the Origin Mulberry Field he would be responsible for guarding.

Qin Yu introduced, "The mulberry field provides lodging, but if you wish to purchase beast meat for body tempering to increase your blood qi, you will need to go into the city to buy it yourself."

"Present this waist medallion to enter the mulberry field; at that time, you can follow the guidance of the gang members within the field to reach the No. 11 Grade C Mulberry Field."

After bidding farewell to Qin Yu, Shen Mu returned to the martial arts arena to say goodbye to Luo Tao, who was in the middle of body tempering, and also greeted Mao Shouzhuo.

Following this, Shen Mu went to Wang Jin's residence to inform him that he had joined Yuan Mulberry Hall and had been assigned the duty of guarding the Origin Mulberry Field.

After parting ways with him, Shen Mu finally left the city and headed toward Emerald Cloud Valley, where the Origin Mulberry Field was located.