Jiang Che followed Junior Sister Yan past several rows of houses to a row of quiet little courtyards at the eastern end of the lower compound. She pushed open a wooden door, revealing a spotless single room with a bed, a table, a chair, and a small meditation cushion. It was simple and tidy.
"Every registered disciple who enters the lower compound gets a room with a small courtyard," Yan We iwan said. "I've already cleaned it for you, Senior Brother, and the bedding and furnishings are all new. Is there anything else you need?"
"It's excellent. Thank you for going to the trouble, Junior Sister."
Seeing that he liked it, Yan We iwan smiled as well. She seemed to notice the unasked question in Jiang Che's eyes and simply explained without reserve:
"You must be wondering, Senior Brother. I arrived before you, so why do you call me Junior Sister?"
Since she had brought it up, Jiang Che made no attempt to hide it. "I was indeed a little puzzled."
"To tell you the truth, Senior Brother, my name is Yan We iwan. Everyone calls me Junior Sister merely out of respect for my father, to give me a little standing. I haven't actually joined the sect, nor have I had the good fortune to cultivate. I'm just an ordinary mortal. My father has been in the lower compound for many years. I've lived with him in the mountains since I was little, coming and going through these courtyards every day. After a while, the senior brothers simply got used to calling me that."
Jiang Che cupped his hands and smiled. "So that's how it is. I was overthinking it."
He did not ask why the daughter of an instructor who was at least at Qi Refining had never cultivated.
There was surely something behind it, but they were not close enough. Asking too much would only be inviting a rebuff.
"It's no trouble. Now that you've seen your quarters, come with me again, Senior Brother. I'll take you to meet my father. Every newly admitted registered disciple must first meet the instructor responsible for teaching cultivation methods so their future lessons can be arranged."
Jiang Che agreed and followed her out of the courtyard.
After a short walk, they reached a separate courtyard. A few slender bamboo stalks grew inside, and the door to the main room stood open. Behind a writing desk sat a middle-aged Daoist.
The Daoist wore blue-green robes. His face was lean and refined, and a gentle, composed air rested between his brows. Seeing his daughter bring in an unfamiliar face, he set down his book and looked up.
"Father, this is the newly arrived registered disciple, Jiang Che, Senior Brother Jiang," Yan We iwan announced as she stepped forward.
"My respects, Instructor Yan."
"Mm." Instructor Yan nodded and said gently, "We iwan, you may leave."
Yan We iwan answered, gave Jiang Che a slight smile, and withdrew, closing the door behind her.
"Jiang Che? Present your identity token."
Jiang Che removed his token and handed it over. Instructor Yan took it, then picked up a Jade Slip nearby and checked them against each other. Only after confirming his identity through a wondrous art did he stroke his beard and speak:
"Good, it is indeed you. Jiang Che, recommended by Willow Source County. Now that you've entered our Azure Mystic, sect rules allow every registered disciple to choose a cultivation method to study. Tell me, is there one you have in mind?"
Jiang Che considered briefly, then answered frankly, "Instructor, I already have two methods. One is the Upper Azure Smoke Cloud Embryonic Breath Method, and the other is the Azure Torrent Sword Art."
"Neither of those counts. The Upper Azure Smoke Cloud Embryonic Breath Method was taught to you when you became an outer disciple. As for the Azure Torrent Sword Art, these records say it was awarded for your meritorious service in Willow Source."
"Now that you're a registered disciple, you may still choose another introductory method."
"Thank you for explaining, Instructor."
Instructor Yan took out a thin catalog and handed it over. "This lists the cultivation methods available to you. Take a look."
Jiang Che accepted it with both hands and unfolded it to read carefully.
The catalog densely listed a dozen or more cultivation methods, each with a name and a brief explanation. He read down the lines, but one immediately caught his eye:
The Azure Heaven Wind Dew Embryonic Breath Method!
His expression did not change, but Jiang Che was already tempted!
His earlier conjecture had indeed been correct.
The Azure Heaven Wind Dew Embryonic Breath Method obtained from the instance did belong to the Sky Pillar Sect. Liu Bingyuan, Liu Bingyi, Jiang Yunwei-all of them practiced it. That was ironclad proof.
As for why the Sky Pillar Sect's introductory method was so similar to Azure Mystic's, Jiang Che had no idea. There was likely some secret behind it. Still, he had already considered that after Azure Mystic destroyed Heaven Pillar, it was only reasonable for Heaven Pillar's cultivation methods to fall into Azure Mystic's hands.
Viewed that way, it should be perfectly normal for the new generation of Azure Mystic disciples to know Azurefall Wind Dew.
For Jiang Che, all that was missing was a legitimate means of obtaining it to conceal the irregularity.
Now that means lay right before him.
It would admittedly waste the opportunity somewhat. Choosing a sword art of a different style from this catalog to strengthen his combat abilities, or an introductory manual on pill refining or formations, would certainly yield greater benefits.
But compared with those modest gains, Jiang Che preferred to use this opportunity to eliminate future trouble.
From now on, he could openly use both inner cultivation methods together, and his publicly displayed combat strength would only grow!
At that thought, Jiang Che hesitated no longer.
"I choose the Azure Heaven Wind Dew Embryonic Breath Method!"
Instructor Yan looked somewhat surprised. "Oh? Has someone advised you?"
"Uh... why do you say that, Instructor?"
"Although Upper Azure Smoke Clouds and Azurefall Wind Dew are both introductory methods, and both use the wood aspect to seek the Xun wind, with many similarities, people generally assume that practicing both would be redundant. In truth, however, they complement and enhance each other, and can circulate simultaneously. They are an excellent choice for combined cultivation."
Jiang Che rubbed his head and smiled. "So there's a reason like that. I really did choose correctly."
What else could I say?
He could not tell lies in front of a Qi Refining cultivator, yet he could not tell the truth either. This was his only option.
Instructor Yan suspected nothing. He often encountered newcomers who had received guidance from someone, so it was hardly unusual.
He took out a manual, handed it to Jiang Che, and instructed him, "Take it back and study it for three days, then return it. If you haven't memorized it, you may report that and extend the loan for another three days. If you still can't remember it, don't bother learning it. You won't master it anyway. Also, you must not copy it down or teach it to others. Passing the method outside the sect is a capital offense."
"I understand."
Jiang Che knew all these rules. He had already returned the manuals for the Upper Azure Smoke Cloud Embryonic Breath Method and the Azure Torrent Sword Art, and had likewise been warned not to pass them on.
"If there's anything you don't understand, you may ask me during the lower compound's lessons held every ten days. If there's nothing else, you may go."
Instructor Yan lowered his head again and resumed reading the book in his hands.
Jiang Che took his leave.
He never noticed that after he turned around, Instructor Yan raised his head again and stared at his back.
Once he had left entirely, Instructor Yan drew a sheet from the pile of documents on the desk. Many names were recorded on it.
He picked up his brush and added Jiang Che's name, drew a red line beneath it, then wrote several notes beside it: "entered the Dao in a single day," "exceptional comprehension," and "possibly has backing."
Looking at the first two phrases, he was thoroughly pleased. But the last brought hesitation to his face, and even considerable regret.
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