49 - A Sect Leader’s Ascension

The biting winter wind stung their faces, and sporadic snowflakes danced in the air as a sizeable procession of nearly two thousand people trudged along the wide, straight road at the southernmost edge of Qi Yun Kingdom. The procession included men, women, and children, all bearing fatigued expressions. Many were in tattered clothing, their faces numb and mechanical as they shuffled along with the crowd. Qin Ji stood by the roadside, expressionless as he watched the procession pass. He was exceedingly tall, clad in a navy-blue cloak, standing as straight as a spear. His bronzed skin, weathered from the long migration, and his ruggedly handsome features couldn't obscure the nobility in his eyes. His left hand gripped the hilt of a treasured sword at his waist firmly. His brocade robe was slightly worn, yet immaculate, with expert stitchwork patching several spots—nearly invisible unless closely inspected. "Master!" An old servant hurriedly approached Qin Ji, gasping for breath. "The Lord of the Wang Family is just ahead; it would be best for you to pay your respects promptly." "Oh?" Qin Ji raised an eyebrow, curious. "He’s a baron, and I'm merely a 'scholar.' We'll have to rely on his goodwill, so why wait for me?" The elderly servant clutched a corner of Qin Ji's cloak, urging him, "Master, no matter why, he's ahead of us now. We must hurry to greet him properly to avoid any disrespect. Zhan Xian Shi made it clear last time that the immortals at the gate are under the Wang Family's care. They are not people we can afford to offend." Hurriedly led by the old man, Qin Ji frowned and said, "Will the gate’s immortals really consider my Qin family? When Zhan Xian Shi came, he only asked for a dozen households to serve as servants at the mountain gate. The others were placed on Wang Family's land under the pretext of lack of housing. Are we being sold off? Qin Bo, what do you think of the Wang Family’s Lord?" The elder, Qin Bo, pondered before replying, "Back when the late master was alive, the current Sect Master Qi Xiu was merely a recluse, a peripheral disciple with no misdeeds. The late master did praise his integrity and honesty. He shouldn't resort to such disgraceful actions, right?" "Let’s hope so," Qin Ji sighed. They hastily moved forward until they saw flags waving ahead. A distinguished man, clearly the Wang Family's Lord, sat atop a high horse. Qin Ji rushed forward to respectfully kneel, and the baron, very kindly, dismounted to help him up. "Master, I’ve come hastily without proper gifts. This sword was beloved by my ancestors. Seeing your grandeur today, I offer it as a token of gratitude for your shelter," Qin Ji said, avoiding Qin Bo's reluctant gaze as he unsheathed his sword, offering it to the baron with both hands in deference. The baron accepted it with a warm smile and exchanged some polite words. He then assigned guides to lead Qin Ji’s group and rode away. "Why did you give away…" Qin Bo began, but was hushed by Qin Ji. "An heirloom, precious as it is, is still just an object. This is our last checkpoint heading south. Living under their roof, it is necessary to bestow a hefty gift." "In the past, we were viscounts! Even barons had to serve our ancestors kindly. The world has indeed declined…" Qin Bo lamented, fond of reminiscing about olden days, while Qin Ji let him reminisce. Guided by the escort, the caravan finally left the main road, taking a narrow forest path toward the temporary settlement provided by the Wang Family. During their journey, a few large geese suddenly swooped through the dense forest, circling above the group. Most of the riders on the geese were women, pointing and laughing in Qin Ji's direction. "Here they come again! Always these southern women!" Qin Bo exclaimed, visibly agitated, as if having a past grievance with those on the geese. He tried to shield Qin Ji protectively, shaking his fist at the sky and loudly berating, "Get lost! You shameless little minxes." His crude outbursts only drew melodious laughter from above. "Oh, snowflakes drift on a winter's day, gently floating into my heart. Leave us be, old man. The maiden loves the young lad…" sang the woman riding the leading goose, her voice both direct and provocatively enticing in the southern style. Her figure, barely clothed in elegant furs, didn't seem troubled by the chill. Her bold gaze locked onto Qin Ji as the lyrics became increasingly suggestive, prompting the migrating Qi Yun families to cover their children's ears in embarrassment. "Ignore them," Qin Ji urged. Though his maturity stood out amidst their migration, he was still only sixteen or seventeen. Feeling flustered, he instinctively tugged at his cloak to hide its patched areas, blushing as he curbed Qin Bo’s anger and kept his head down, focusing on the journey. The women on the geese tailed them throughout, finally scattering when they neared a village. Peering ahead, Qin Ji spotted Zhan Xian Shi waiting at the village entrance, prompting him and Qin Bo to quickly approach and greet him. Zhan Yuan had known Qin Ji well since the time when Qi Xiu, as the newly appointed sect master, first came to relay messages to the Qin family, fostering a good relationship. This village, established at the behest of Qi Xiu by compensating the Wang Family with spirit stones, served as a temporary refuge. It was large enough to house the thousand-plus migrants, albeit lacking arable land for farming, suggesting a difficult future. "Settle here quickly, Qin Ji. The new year's almost upon us, and Sect Master Qi plans to hold the first Ascension Gathering since our southern migration right here. Every child from three to fifteen should participate. Ten or so loyal families will be chosen to serve as servants, joining the selected children to live on Black River Peak," instructed Zhan Yuan before hastily departing. "The Ascension Gathering? Isn’t such a significant event typically conducted at the sect’s location? Why here, and what needs preparing?" Qin Ji asked. Although he had attended an Ascension Gathering before, this was his first as a head of a household, leaving him puzzled. Thankfully, Qin Bo, familiar with household management, explained everything thoroughly. Everyone celebrates the new year, but for cultivators, it differs slightly from the mundane. Major events like taking apprentices, accepting disciples, and marriages usually occur during this time, mainly because cultivators aim to take breaks, making it easier to invite guests. The Ascension Gathering is the largest, most significant of these events, where all children previously untested for spiritual roots gather for inspection to determine their potential for cultivation. Those selected ascend to the status of aspiring immortals, a golden opportunity. It requires little preparation, merely a few large rooms and some tables and chairs. Once Qin Ji understood the situation, he swiftly began the myriad tasks of organizing: restoring houses, allocating residences, preparing for the next year's farming, and arranging for the Ascension Gathering. The majority of his companions bore the Qin surname, largely from his immediate family line—those who didn’t align with the side of the Qin elder who had joined the Flowing Flower Sect. After enduring seven grueling months of migration without abandoning each other, now that they could finally settle, they were resolved to endure any hardship, throwing themselves into laborious work with unwavering determination.