Everyone Has Their Fate, Shortcuts into Immortal Sects (4,500 Words)

Fang Shu narrowed his eyes at Su Qingao, kneeling before him, and for a moment thought he had mistaken her for someone else.

Seeing that he said nothing, Su Qingao spoke even more urgently. She reached for Fang Shu's hand, trying to place it on her body.

But Fang Shu merely shifted lightly aside, avoiding her movement.

When the woman tried to press herself against him again, Fang Shu's expression did not change, but the blood and qi he had kept contained suddenly surged forth.

An aura like tigers, wolves, venomous snakes, and vipers spread out, making Su Qingao tremble all over. She no longer dared act rashly.

Thud, thud!

Unable to continue harassing Fang Shu, Su Qingao began knocking her head against the ground, crying out, "Brother Fang, please, show me mercy and take me in.

"That old bastard isn't even human, boohoo..."

Yet Fang Shu merely squinted at her, still saying nothing.

Just then, the commotion in the room disturbed the two neighboring households.

Dou Sufu and the talisman master Li Yuan both poked their heads out to look over.

Cursing also rose outside the door. "Run! You little bitch, running again! Even if you run, won't you still have to come back..."

The voice belonged to the old man with whom Su Qingao was staying. He had already reached the vicinity of the uncle and nephew's paper house.

When he saw Su Qingao had slipped into their home, his curses abruptly quieted, then fell silent altogether.

Inside the house.

Seeing Fang Shu pondering without a word, Second Uncle Yu Le acted before Fang Shu could respond. He pressed a hand onto Fang Shu's shoulder, then gathered some clean leftover food from the room and wrapped it up.

He stepped forward and shoved it into Su Qingao's hands, then shook his head and waved her away, signaling for her to return.

The old man outside had stopped cursing aloud, but he had not left. He was lurking in the shadows.

When he saw what Second Uncle Yu Le had done, he suddenly darted to the doorway. With a shameless grin, he cupped his hands toward the uncle and nephew. "This lowly wench offended Master Yu and little brother Fang. Please don't take offense, don't take offense!"

Once he had finished speaking, the old man grabbed Su Qingao by the hair and dragged her outside, continuing to curse. "You bitch! Stop disgracing me here! With trash like you, nobody would want you. Only I would take you in."

Su Qingao fell to the ground and struggled. Her wailing was endless, her shrieks like a cat in heat. "No! Don't! Brother Fang, save me.

"My body is still clean. I still have my primordial yin. Save me!!"

Taking advantage of the old man's inattention, she suddenly crawled back again. But instead of begging Fang Shu, she threw herself before Second Uncle Yu Le. "Uncle Yu, please show me mercy!

"You need someone in your home too. Let me come and take care of you, all right!?"

Her hair was in disarray, but her face was full of hope.

The only response she received was Second Uncle Yu Le's bitter smile of apology. He merely cupped his hands to her, then shook his head firmly.

Su Qingao tried to look past Second Uncle Yu Le toward Fang Shu inside, hoping to beg him once more.

But Second Uncle Yu Le stepped out of the paper house and completely blocked her sight, no longer allowing her a chance to plead with Fang Shu.

And so, before the door, another bout of hysterical crying, howling, and mocking erupted between Su Qingao and the old man. The noise woke quite a few Paper Workshop neighbors who had been preparing to rest.

Some opened their doors, others their windows, all casting their eyes toward the uncle and nephew's paper house.

Second Uncle Yu Le stood at the entrance, continuing to smile bitterly as he cupped his hands toward the neighbors all around.

Only after the old husband and young wife returned to their nest did the uproar in the Paper Workshop finally lessen. Yet crying and scolding still echoed through the paper walls, likely to continue for half the night.

At this point, their neighbor Li Yuan strolled over. Looking in the direction the old husband and young wife had gone, he clicked his tongue repeatedly.

The talisman master Li Yuan gave Second Uncle Yu Le a thumbs-up. "You can really hold your ground, Old Yu. If your nephew got tangled up with that woman, you'd have to worry about his reputation getting spoiled."

Neighbor Dou Sufu did not come out. From inside her house, she chimed in with a laugh, raising her voice. "If Brother Fang is craving a woman, remember to come find your sister... Sister will play matchmaker for you."

Her words drew a burst of laughter from the talisman master Li Yuan. "No need to play matchmaker. In this old man's eyes, your Sister Dou would do just fine."

"Pah! You shameless old fool."

Dou Sufu had only wanted to tease Fang Shu, not be teased in return. She feigned anger and cursed under her breath, then slammed her doors and windows shut.

Li Yuan clicked his tongue a few more times, cupped his hands to Second Uncle Yu Le, and turned to head back inside.

But suddenly, Li Yuan turned around and gave Second Uncle Yu Le a warning. "Oh, right, Old Yu. Don't block things for your Brother Fang, only to get yourself trapped in the end."

He lowered his voice. "That little girl may still be clean in one place, but that place is probably the only part of her that is clean. Take it easy."

Li Yuan even gestured with his lips toward Fang Shu in the paper house. "If you don't believe me, ask your nephew."

Second Uncle Yu Le was stunned for a moment, looking at Fang Shu in confusion.

Fang Shu's expression also turned strange. He immediately understood what Li Yuan meant.

With that reminder, Fang Shu grew somewhat worried that after their household became better off, Second Uncle might be ensnared by that woman's schemes.

He did not want to come home one day and suddenly find an aunt in the house, especially if that aunt was Su Qingao.

So, after the paper door closed, Fang Shu told Second Uncle Yu Le about the matter of "soaking dates" that he had overheard, along with the rumors he had heard while chatting with Li Hou'er.

For a while, Second Uncle clicked his tongue in wonder, finding it quite astonishing.

But what concerned Second Uncle Yu Le was not what humiliation Su Qingao had suffered, nor why that old man was so hateful.

What concerned him more was why Su Qingao had not escaped the Paper Workshop. How could a mere so-called marriage contract bind such a living, breathing person?

Second Uncle's question made Fang Shu ponder as well.

As Second Uncle Yu Le had said, even if Su Qingao had been deceived into marrying into the Paper Workshop, she had not become a servant with restrictions placed upon her. Nor was the old man some tough who ran mines and dug sand.

If she truly could not endure the humiliation, she could simply leave the Paper Workshop and survive by selling blood in the market district.

Unless the woman had some weakness that the old man had seized upon, or the old man had methods not to be underestimated, or Su Qingao had plans of her own...

In short, she was trouble!

Fang Shu considered it and was about to discuss it with Second Uncle Yu Le.

But when he looked up, he saw the smiling look in Second Uncle Yu Le's eyes.

Fang Shu immediately understood.

His Second Uncle Yu Le had not truly been curious about the suspicious points surrounding Su Qingao. He only cared whether Fang Shu had noticed them.

Still, Second Uncle Yu Le had worried too much.

If Second Uncle had not been there today, and Fang Shu had been alone, he would not have opened the door at all. Why let it disturb his peace?

After all, they were all just people struggling to survive in the market district. No one was nobler than anyone else, and no one more pitiful.

Seeking one's own fortune and respecting others' fates were the foundation for settling down and surviving in the market district.

But Fang Shu said no more. He grinned and honestly cupped his hands to Second Uncle.

That pleased Second Uncle Yu Le, making him look all the more composed and self-satisfied.

After chatting for a little while longer, the uncle and nephew extinguished the lamp and went to bed one after another.

The next morning.

After washing up, Fang Shu bid farewell to Second Uncle and hurried toward the Dao hall, looking forward to receiving the immortal teachings that came after entering the Dao!

To his surprise, as soon as he reached Solitary Gu Hall, he felt something soar from his body.

Looking up, he saw that it was the blood flea bestowed upon him by Hall Master Du—Flea Master. It crawled out from his hair and flew into Solitary Gu Hall's inner courtyard, most likely seeking Hall Master Du.

A few traces of regret could not help rising in Fang Shu's heart.

When he had rescued people at the Lead Mountain mine, he had clearly noticed that the mine owner surnamed Cao had only swept his gaze once each over Fang Shu's Daoist robe and calling card.

Yet whenever the man looked at Fang Shu himself, his eyes occasionally revealed a hint of gravity.

That was plainly not the look one gave an immortal who had only just entered the Dao. He had most likely sensed Flea Master on Fang Shu's body and thus remained wary.

Naturally, Fang Shu hoped he could keep such a gu insect, one capable of protecting his life and body, with him at all times as a source of confidence.

Unfortunately, Hall Master Du had only lent it to him, rather than giving it to him outright.

Suddenly, a thought stirred in Fang Shu's heart. Rather than placing my hopes on others, why not wait until I can refine one myself?

According to the fragmentary gu arts passed down by Hall Master Du, once one had entered the field, a First Tribulation immortal could potentially refine a Second Tribulation gu insect; a Second Tribulation immortal could refine a Third Tribulation gu insect. Even an Essence Refinement immortal might be able to refine a Qi Refinement gu insect.

This was quite different from cultivating spells and magical artifacts. The gu insects one refined could surpass the refiner's cultivation by one step, or even several steps!

Of course, to refine a gu insect above one's own realm, the gu refiner not only needed outstanding talent and seasoned techniques, but also excellent gu materials, blood food, and the like. It was far from as simple as the book made it sound.

Fang Shu promptly reined in his wandering thoughts and continued toward the Dao hall's inner courtyard.

Still, the idea of refining gu insects had taken root in his heart.

Before long.

Before Fang Shu could seek out Hall Master Du to offer his thanks, Senior Sister Yu'er found him first.

"You're back. Did everything go smoothly?" Du Yu'er asked with a smile.

Fang Shu cupped his hands and replied, "Thank you for your concern, Senior Sister. Everything has been settled. I was just about to seek Master and thank her."

"No rush, no rush. Come with me. First, I'll arrange a place for you to stay in the inner courtyard. There are also several vacant positions in the hall's outer courtyard. Grandmother said you have a relative who may need some arrangement, so you can look them over and choose one as well."

Du Yu'er spoke lightly.

But her words stirred Fang Shu's thoughts, and he immediately felt a few more traces of identification with Solitary Gu Hall.

He had not expected Hall Master Du to have even considered Second Uncle's livelihood.

Second Uncle Yu Le had only just returned from the mine. For the time being, he needed to recuperate at home. But once he had recovered, he would need to find work and earn money again.

Selling blood was no longer an option. It harmed the body and shortened one's life, while tanning hides was not particularly steady work either.

Hall Master Du's arrangement happened to solve the problem of Second Uncle's livelihood!

Moreover, with Second Uncle in Solitary Gu Hall, it would be easier for uncle and nephew to look out for one another. Even if the pay was a little lower, it would still be better than taking ordinary jobs in the market district.

As they walked through Solitary Gu Hall, Du Yu'er introduced the work available in the outer courtyard to Fang Shu. "The medicine hall needs someone to tend the fire and decoct medicine, but they will have to study for a while first, lest they accidentally poison themselves while preparing medicinal ingredients.

"The dining hall also needs a kitchen hand. They won't be cooking, but they will also need to work the chopping board—cutting vegetables, kneading dough, slaughtering pigs and sheep. The advantage is that they can occasionally make use of things like offal, pigskin, and pig bristles... These jobs do not pay much in money or grain. If you are not satisfied, there is no need to force it."

Senior Sister Yu'er held nothing back. She laid out the advantages and disadvantages of each position, even whether there were extra perks to be had.

After listening carefully, Fang Shu did not hesitate, nor did he send word to ask Second Uncle Yu Le, lest it create needless back-and-forth refusals.

In his heart, he directly chose the dining hall kitchen hand position. It was safer, though dirtier and more tiring, yet it occasionally came with a little extra benefit.

It suited his Second Uncle perfectly. Helping in Solitary Gu Hall's dining hall, Second Uncle could tan leftover hides and fur from the ingredients himself and earn a little extra money.

After considering it, Fang Shu gave Du Yu'er a deep bow. "The kitchen hand position suits my Second Uncle well. I'll trouble you, Senior Sister."

Du Yu'er smiled and waved her hand. "Why be so polite? Once you enter the inner courtyard, we are all family. Oh, and this is the private room I picked for you. I have already hung your plaque outside. What do you think?

"If it doesn't suit you, there are several empty rooms next door. You can switch again."

Fang Shu looked up and found it was a side room near the edge.

After entering to inspect it, he found it was not particularly fine, nor was it large—only about one zhang across. But the materials were sturdy, all made from excellent hardwood, and the walls even seemed to have been built with bricks between them.

Furthermore, one side of the room faced an open space with no neighboring room, while the other side adjoined a room that was currently vacant. It was quite quiet.

Such consideration was clearly thoughtful.

Fang Shu agreed at once. "I'll take this room. Thank you, Senior Sister."

With those two small matters settled, Du Yu'er led Fang Shu toward the inner courtyard, presumably to pay respects to Hall Master Du.

Along the way.

Fang Shu suddenly recalled something and casually asked, "Senior Sister, you are also an immortal who has entered the Dao. Why do you still stay in the outer courtyard and squeeze into the communal sleeping quarters with the female disciples?"

After entering the Dao, he had discovered that Senior Sister Yu'er, who appeared delicate, gentle, and quiet, actually possessed astonishing blood and qi, and could restrain it freely. She was far more profound than he was, a newly initiated inner-courtyard disciple.

Fang Shu even suspected that Senior Sister Yu'er might be a Second Tribulation immortal.

Hearing Fang Shu's question, Du Yu'er first said, "Grandmother finds it inconvenient to mingle too closely with the disciples. The hall is short-handed, so I handle things."

Then a sly look appeared on her face. She beckoned Fang Shu closer and whispered into his ear, "As for the one squeezing into the communal sleeping quarters with the disciples at night, it might be me during the first half of the night. But during the second half, it is merely a medicine-hair puppet.

"It can help keep watch over the female disciples in the hall and guard against sneaky villains."

Fang Shu heard this and only half understood.

Though he did not know the difference between this so-called medicine-hair puppet and the firework dolls of the mortal world, it was likely some kind of immortal spell that Senior Sister Yu'er used directly as a substitute to guard the courtyard.

While chatting, the two had already entered the inner courtyard.

After finding Hall Master Du, she did not ask Fang Shu a single question. Instead, she simply instructed the two of them, "The usual place."

Then, in a corner of the inner courtyard.

The ground there was paved with Bagua stone bricks, with bronze pillars and banner flags planted in the eight directions. It resembled both a ritual altar and a square. Fang Shu saw Li Hou'er, Qin Min, and the others arrive one after another.

Those who appeared today were clearly all official disciples of Solitary Gu Hall's inner courtyard, or rather, official Daoist acolytes.

There were not many of them. Including Fang Shu and Du Yu'er, there were only six in all. Many others had not shown themselves.

Among the newcomers, aside from Li Hou'er, who winked and made faces at Fang Shu, the rest all looked at Fang Shu with considerable scrutiny.

Fang Shu paid those looks no mind. He had no intention of immediately becoming close with these senior brothers and sisters. He merely lowered his eyelids, waited silently, and pricked up his ears.

Hall Master Du had gathered everyone today clearly to teach him Fang Shu his first lesson after becoming a disciple, and to pass down cultivation methods, experience, rules, and all manner of things.

These were what he ought to value and focus on most after entering the hall.

Sure enough, after everyone had arrived, Hall Master Du spoke. "Today's lecture, aside from introducing the new disciple who has entered the inner courtyard, and as usual teaching this hall's secret Insect Method and checking your progress...

"This old man will first tell you about several shortcut methods for entering an immortal sect."

Her voice was not loud, nor did it rise and fall much.

But as soon as she spoke, not only did she seize Fang Shu's attention, she also made the other disciples raise their eyes in unison and stare intently at Hall Master Du.

Even Qin Min, the hall's spiritual talent, was no exception.