Comprehending Myriad Techniques as Woodcutter

Inside the Handyman Courtyard.

A huge crowd of handyman disciples was packed several layers deep, filling nearly the entire spacious courtyard. They left only a small clearing in the middle where a few people stood.

Xie Yuan stood in the very center of the courtyard, basking in the silent stares of every handyman present.

Before him stood the Grand Steward of the Outer Sect, watching him with a smile.

"Zhang Shan, since your arrival at the sect, your performance has been truly outstanding.

"The meticulously carved logs you produced in the woodshed are highly sought after by every peak and hall. In fact, the woodshed has now adopted your innovative method as the new standard, and they plan to continue it going forward.

"Then, during the renovation of the Main Peak Hall, you were always the first to arrive and the last to leave. Even the elders and Inner Sect Disciples on the Main Peak took notice, singing the praises of your diligence.

"After that, you were put in charge of the guest courtyard. You worked tirelessly from dawn till dusk, rarely even returning to your own quarters. You kept the guest courtyard in perfect order, and the guests had nothing but praise..."

With every sentence the Grand Steward uttered, Xie Yuan could feel the stares of the surrounding handymen grow colder. He could only manage an awkward yet polite smile.

’No need to even mention the Chopping Wood,’ he thought. ’For me, it was nothing, but for the other handymen, it just meant more work and a lot of trouble.’

’As for the Main Peak Hall renovation, I was only there early because I’d been cultivating all night and just stopped by on my way. But because I was the only one there a few times, the foreman ended up making everyone else show up early too.’

’And as for staying in the guest courtyard all day to serve the guests—’

’Between the sweet-smelling, gentle Situ Qin and the Handyman Courtyard that reeked of sweat, anyone would know what to choose. If he could, Xie Yuan would gladly spend all twenty-four hours of the day with Situ Qin, but a certain pair of Grandmasters probably wouldn’t approve.’

"The Duel of Two Sects has just concluded, and all of you have worked hard. Now is the time to reward your contributions, and we’ll start with Zhang Shan.

"Our Sword Sect has always promoted talent without being bound by convention. We don’t care about your origins. As long as you’re willing to work hard and cultivate, the Sect will give you the chance.

"Since joining the sect, Zhang Shan has completed his duties with utmost diligence, and his cultivation has not lagged behind. His Cloud Mountain Sword Form has already reached a state of practiced ease and fluid execution. To reach the Second Training in such a short time while in the handyman division is proof enough of your talent.

"Zhang Shan, are you willing to enter the Outer Sect and become an official disciple?"

"I am willing!"

Xie Yuan, of course, would not refuse. He gave a deep bow. The proficiency he had demonstrated in the Cloud Mountain Sword Form was, by design, exactly at that level—no more, no less.

"Excellent."

The Grand Steward smiled.

"Everyone, congratulate Zhang Shan! If you follow his example, it won’t be long before you, too, can enter the Outer Sect—or even the Inner Courtyard!"

A scattered smattering of applause rose from the courtyard. The Grand Steward looked surprised for a moment, his brow furrowed.

A quick-witted handyman among the disciples quickly let out a soft cough and whispered:

"Everyone, just celebrate the fact that he’s leaving..."

The applause instantly became thunderous.

The Grand Steward nodded in satisfaction and motioned to his attendants, who stepped forward and presented Xie Yuan with a white robe, the symbol of an Outer Sect Disciple, and a Long Sword with a silver tassel.

These two items were the marks of an Outer Sect Disciple of the Cloud Mountain Sword Sect.

Xie Yuan accepted them with due solemnity. In that instant, he was no longer an insignificant handyman but an official Outer Sect Disciple of the Cloud Mountain Sword Sect.

Regardless of how the handymen felt about Xie Yuan, all their expressions grew complex in that moment.

An Outer Sect Disciple might not hold a high status within Cloud Mountain itself, but out in the world, being an official disciple of Yunzhou’s number one sect—one of the world’s top Sword Sects—was a golden seal of approval.

Even if an Outer Sect Disciple hadn’t yet reached the stage of Qi and Blood transformation, their words would carry far more weight in Yunzhou than those of the old chief of the Longteng Escort Agency ever did.

And for these handyman disciples, how many times had they been jolted awake by snores in the communal bunkhouse? How many times had they been berated by a foreman during their grueling chores? How many times had they woken in the night, gazed up at the small courtyards that dotted the stream’s upper banks, and dreamt of moving there?

They watched this scene with a mix of envy, jealousy, and contemplation. Some even made a silent resolve. Perhaps this Zhang Shan had always been a bit of an outsider who didn’t quite fit in, but he had never intentionally caused them harm. And now, his hard work had paid off.

The Grand Steward observed the disciples’ expressions, his gaze shrewd. He felt he had achieved the desired effect.

Seized by a sudden idea, he decided to stoke the flames a little more.

The Grand Steward gestured, and another disciple produced two manuals, handing them to him.

The Grand Steward took the manuals and then personally handed them to Xie Yuan.

"Zhang Shan, this is the complete Cloud Mountain Sword Form. The latter stages that you all were missing are in here. This other one is the Cloud Mountain Sword Qi Skill. It’s the introductory text for nurturing your energy."

The handyman disciples’ eyes widened instantly. Upon hearing the name of the second manual, the gazes of many grew incredibly fervent.

Xie Yuan accepted them respectfully, though he was puzzled.

’Shouldn’t I only get to learn this after I officially start attending classes with the others...?’

"Normally, it would be too soon to give you these two Cultivation Techniques," the Grand Steward explained. "But given your mature and steady performance, I believe you will make good use of them now. Our Outer Sect has never been rigid. Promoting handyman disciples to the path of cultivation is common, and those who perform as exceptionally as Zhang Shan can receive additional rewards."

After his explanation, the Grand Steward struck while the iron was hot, offering a few more words of encouragement to the handyman disciples before departing with his hands clasped behind his back.

Under the silent, complex stares of the other handymen, Xie Yuan gathered his belongings, of which there were few.

After saying goodbye to a few acquaintances and some of the handymen who now eagerly crowded around him, he broke away from the group. At last, he left the stinking Handyman Courtyard behind and began walking up the slope, following the stream to the upper levels.