Trailing behind the sect leader and the peak master, surrounded by a group of excited inner disciples, Mo Zhiyuan rolled his eyes and clicked his tongue in disdain.
What was so good about Shen Ruizhe, again?
He already rejected these kids, but they stuck with them with unnerving devotion. Shen Ruizhe did not deserve their unwavering admiration at all. He was like a white grave. Pristine outside, rotten inside.
Worst of all, Han Yiran, who was walking next to Mo Zhiyuan, could barely take his eyes off the back of Shen Ruizhe's head.
A soft sigh escaped him as he muttered, "If only I could join Jinlian Peak."
Mo Zhiyuan pursed his lips in displeasure.
"You say that because you are deceived by its prim and proper appearance from the outside. Once you are inside, you will regret ever setting foot in Jinlian Peak. Wuchang Peak is much better than Jinlian Peak."
Disciples of Wuchang Peak, despite being looked down upon, lived a much longer and peaceful life compared to the disciples of other peaks.
All they had to do was run around the peak to take care of logistics, do reparation jobs, help the sect leader maintain overall control within the sect, and occasionally accompany the sect leader to meet important figures and dignitaries of the mortal realm.
For as long as Han Yiran remained in Wuchang Peak, Mo Zhiyuan was willing to stay in Wuchang Peak and accompany him.
Han Yiran turned to look at Mo Zhiyuan and sheepishly said, "Mo Shixiong, you say that because you are looking at Jinlian Peak from an outsider's perspective as well. I am sure that you would change your mind once you are inside. Is there a nobler cause in life than to dedicate oneself to the good of the mortal realm?"
Mo Zhiyuan let out a burst of cheerless laughter.
Yes, he told himself. To stay alive and chase one's own happiness. Screw the rest.
Wuchang Peak, being the residence of the sect leader and the many disciples under its wings, was by far the largest peak of the sect.
As soon as the group arrived, they were greeted by the entire peak, starting from the youngest to the oldest, the lowest to the highest rank disciples.
"Greetings to Shizun!"
"Greetings to Peak Leader Shen!"
"Welcome, new shidis and shimeis!"
Wu Mansong let out a hearty laugh and beckoned his head disciple close.
His name was Wu Gaoming. Although he shared the same surname as the sect leader, he was not related to the sect leader at all.
Even in Mo Zhiyuan's former life, Wu Gaoming, this middle-aged man with average appearance and low cultivation, had been Wu Mansong's right-hand man. He often made Wu Gaoming handle matters within the sect when he was gone.
But of course, even Wu Gaoming did not dare to overstep his boundaries when it came to Shen Ruizhe.
Shen Ruizhe's words had always been absolute law, and Wu Gaoming always trailed behind him like a dumb chick.
This time too, Wu Gaoming approached them while bowing his head as low as possible.
"Peak Master Shen, you haven't been visiting for a while. It is so good to see you again. Shizun, what can I do for you?"
"This time's induction event has concluded successfully yet again. I have something to discuss with Peak Master Shen. Please take your new shidis and shimeis back to the dormitory and show them around. Make them feel comfortable."
"Yes, Shizun!"
Wu Mansong then turned to Shen Ruizhe.
"Let us have some tea at the lake pavilion."
"Sure. After you, Sect Leader."
The two peak masters left, while the others watched their departure in awe.
Wu Gaoming snapped his fingers in front of his new shidis and shimeis, the smile he had on his face gone the moment Wu Mansong was out of sight.
"Enough staring. Come with me. I will show you where you sleep. You are no longer an outer disciple. From tomorrow on, you are a proud inner disciple of Wuchang Peak. I expect you to take care of your daily chores conscientiously. Otherwise, do not blame me for disregarding our bonds and reporting you to Shizun!"
"Yes, Shixiong," came a chorus of answers.
Wu Gaoming smirked.
"That's better."
Mo Zhiyuan's face darkened when he looked at Wu Gaoming's smug expression.
That's right.
Wu Gaoming, Wu Mansong's right-hand man, was actually a bully.
Decades of being looked down upon by disciples of other peaks made him grow bitter and cruel. Unable to lash out at others, he could only vent his anger and discontentment to his shidis and shimeis.
He often tortured Han Yiran in the former life, too.
Since Mo Zhiyuan was determined to protect Han Yiran in this life, he knew exactly what he needed to do.
He had to take Wu Gaoming's position as Wu Mansong's head disciple.
But before that, he needed to do something else first.
"Ow, ouch!"
Mo Zhiyuan dropped to his knees in a dramatic display and hugged his own stomach.
The crowd of disciples parted in awe, and Wu Gaoming stared at Mo Zhiyuan's wincing face.
"What the hell is wrong with you, you..."
Wu Gaoming furrowed his brows, as if trying to recall a name he did not know.
"Shixiong, I am surnamed Mo," Mo Zhiyuan tried his best to sound humble and helpless. "I woke up late this morning and did not have time to take a shit... Shixiong, may I please use the bathroom?"
"Ugh."
Wu Gaoming wrinkled his face in disgust.
"Go, go. No wonder it stinks like shit here. You must be farting a lot on your way here!"