Ten days later, on an evening, the four Patrol Guards, the great lords, rarely gathered together before dusk and even set out food and drinks on the broken stone table in front of Sword Mansion.
They called over Hou Niao, who was in the midst of his cultivation practice, with great seriousness etched on Pang Daye's face.
"News has come from Jin City, and after verification by spies, your claims have proved to be true. Therefore, our Quanzhen Sect acknowledges your qualification to register.
Tomorrow morning, you will accompany Lu San Ye to Jin City for his errands. The journey there is not without disturbances, and it would be safer for you to travel with him. With your current realm being rather low, it's concerning."
Hou Niao was silent, aware that this day would come, but when it actually arrived, he didn't feel the relief he had expected, but instead felt a sense of loss?
His desire to sever the heads of these few "dogs" from ten days ago had now completely dissipated, and for reasons unknown, everything in Jiangyou was subtly altering his perspectives.
For someone ruled by law and determination, this change was terrifying. Could this be the power of the Demon Sect's beguilement?
During his interactions with these men, aside from their initial unruliness and violent nature, the four lords still had their integrity, even though there wasn't much communication, they never schemed behind his back.
With no grievances and no favors owed, there was no need for an extended explanation. He was reluctant to speak, and the four were likely unwilling to listen.
They preferred swords over words.
Standing up, he lifted his cup, "Meeting in Jiangyou is fate, yet our paths may not align for life; if all goes well in Jin City, I hope to discuss and drink with my fellow senior brothers again."
With that, he downed his drink in one gulp, and the four each followed with a drink of their own.
He had now only dispelled his doubts but was not yet a Quanzhen disciple. If he joined the sect, he would be brothers with them, with a future ahead. If he failed to join, there would be no need to mention anything further, simply a fleeting acquaintance.
Feeling the atmosphere still somewhat somber, a result of the unpleasant acquaintanceship with the four lords, who also felt slightly guilty but couldn't let go of their pride, he smiled faintly,
"I dare not ask for the senior brothers' help, as we are all straightforward individuals, but as the Quanzhen recruitment is significant, if there are any taboos or particular matters to be mindful of, I would appreciate being informed, to avoid any mishaps."
It was a good excuse, providing a path to reconciliation everyone could accept, also within the lords' capabilities to address.
Pang Daye chuckled, "Speaking of the conditions for becoming a disciple of Quanzhen, we do have some authority.
The Quanzhen Sect is the oldest among the sects on the Jinxiu Continent, without equal! The various streams of the Daoist and Buddhist sects only emerged later, some even after the Heaven and Earth Spirit Mechanism manifested. Yet, our Quanzhen existed several thousand years before that."
Listening to Pang Daye expound on history with pride, Hou Niao did not want to burst his bubble: how could such an ancient and venerable sect devolve to such a state over time? Not only had it failed to dominate the continent but had been overtaken by the Daoist and Buddhist sects and even labeled as part of the Demon Sect? Did the word 'demon' sound appealing?
Pang Daye went on endlessly about the glorious history of Quanzhen until he finally returned to the point at hand,
"Quanzhen's criteria for accepting disciples differ from those of the Daoist sects, which value talent, potential, realm, age, and perhaps a touch of disposition. Quanzhen does not concern itself with age or so-called talent and potential, as there is no consensus on these matters.
We look for one thing only, and that is the 'sword spirit'!"
As Pang Daye leisurely picked up his teacup, Lu Er Ye took over the conversation,
"The Quanzhen Sect may be seen as the Demon Sect by others, but in terms of skill, we could also be called the Sword Sect!
Each cultivation practice takes a different path leading to the same end, but we express our skills in only one way: the sword!"
Some people think we are neglecting the essence of Daoist Cultivation by missing the forest for the trees, but this is what Quanzhen is all about!
The sword has Five Realms, namely Courage, Will, Heart, Momentum, and Soul.
Let's not talk about the latter realms for now, but for every beginner disciple of Quanzhen, you must possess a Sword Courage; otherwise, you can't grasp the true essence of the sword. This is related to one's nature and will, and can't be forced or achieved simply through cultivation.
Without the Sword Courage, even if you are endowed with exceptional talent, rare in this world, you won't be able to be a part of Quanzhen!"
Hou Niao realized something: no wonder the Daoist Sects call the Quanzhen a Demon Sect, their actions are indeed extreme and unorthodox; and no wonder the influence of Quanzhen hasn't grown with its history. With such character and temper, it would be a ghostly sight if it did manage to flourish.
In this world, after all, the majority of people prefer stability and peace. How many are naturally inclined to fighting and killing? The so-called fierce criminals are shaped by their experiences; that's a different matter.
This alone will cause them to miss out on countless talents. It's no surprise that despite thousands of years of development, they still fail to grow.
Having such a niche selection ensures they lack the base for development and expansion.
Scholar Luo added, "Those who take part in the initiation trials of Quanzhen are well aware of what they will face, so there's never a shortage of cruel and murderous folk; they probably think that having killed a few people, they've got Sword Courage. That's incorrect.
Sword Courage is not a killer instinct! It may include your philosophy, courage, fearlessness, resilience, among other complex factors. It's difficult to explain precisely with just a few words; you either understand it, or you never will.
A Tongxuan Master will be in charge of the newcomer appraisal, as many of those who come to join are notorious robbers or bandits. They may be sincere, or just trying to join Quanzhen to evade something, to gain something...
Like those we killed in the Poplar Forest, they actually wanted to join Quanzhen! We can accept you, but cannot take in those stained with the blood of the innocent.
However, out of respect for the millennia-old traditions of Quanzhen, we can't change anything, nor can we privately execute all of these trash cultivators!
So even if you truly join us, we can't guarantee that all disciples of Quanzhen will treat their peers and the weak kindly, like we do.
This is why we are called a Demon Sect, for some it is Heaven, for others, Hell!"
Liang Four finally spoke, "All these are but the same empty platitudes, of no damned use; I say, do whatever you want. Being accepted doesn't guarantee bliss, and being rejected doesn't spell doom. Why overthink it?
Come on, drinking is better; a single drunken spree dissolves a thousand worries."
The group began to push the cups and change the bowls, no longer dwelling on the initiation matters. Old Liang Four might be crude in words, but reasonable in logic. What was essential was whether Quanzhen suited his temperament; overthinking was useless.
After getting thoroughly tipsy, Big Pang pulled out a sword and passed it over, "Since you're interested in joining Quanzhen, it's not quite suitable to carry a saber anymore; better to switch to a sword.
In Jiangyou, there's a well, casting swords naturally endowed with spirit. This sword was meant to be buried underground by the shop owner as a legacy, but we brothers bought it to present to you, also as a resolution to the Poplar Forest incident.
Take it."
Hou Niao knew such an offer couldn't be refused, so he gladly accepted it, and they continued drinking, until they all toppled over,
Scholar Luo leant back, muttering to himself:
…In Jiangyou a sword is buried, the land and water nurture the Golden Essence. Beneath the ninth earth it lays sharp, for a hundred years before its edge is revealed. Born with a fighting spirit in Heaven, drawn from its scabbard to sound the dragon's roar. Worn by the valiant around their waists, they travel ten thousand miles with ease.