The Lame Daoist Priest - Chapter 92

Chapter 92

I realized that I had misspoke . Ma Xiujun stopped in front of me to say, “I’m actually already 117 years old, probably older than your grandpa, so no need to call me older brother . ”

117 years old?!!

He must be joking! He looks to be just 22, 23 . My mouth was opened wide even my linked up chin dropped, making me hastily mended it again .

Ma Xiujun smiled at my disbelieving expression . “It’s no big deal . I’m one of the younger ones here . I’ll tell you a little about Phantasm Rain Pavilion . There’s only 275 of us here . With you, 276 . We have eight leaders, with the ranks Emperor, Prince, Minister, Duke, Earl, Advisor, Messenger, and Citizen . I’m a Prince, my real name is Ma Jun . ”

“… Emperor, Prince, Minister, Duke, Earl, Advisor, Messenger, and Citizen…” I’ve heard of these titles from the Xu family . But I had never thought that that Ma Xiujun, I mean, Ma Jun, was one of the leaders .

No wonder he was so powerful . I sure got lucky, ending up with a leader of Phantasm Rain Pavilion without even trying, and he seems like a good person too . This doesn’t make sense, I usually have pretty rotten luck!

I said with respect . “I shall call you “Prince” then, just like the other two earlier . ”

“Alright . ” Ma nodded and kept walking . “Where did you learn your fire manipulation skills?”

I answered . ”From my teacher, Niu Jingtao, he’s a Taoist priest too . I got my fire control power from him . ”

“Niu Jingtao… I’ve never heard of the name . Where is he now?”

“He passed a year ago . ”

Ma seemed to show regret . “Since you already have a teacher, you can’t join our rank . You can’t be my personal nor are you an inner discipler . So, you could only become an outer disciple . Status-wise, the two are quite different . For example, inner disciples don’t have to keep watch, have more freedom, while outer disciples have a lot of chores and limited freedom . ”

“Limited freedom?!” I frowned .

“Phantasm Rain Pavillon is a secret organization, if all students were allowed to go anywhere freely, the place wouldn’t be a secret anymore . ”

I took out my cell phone, there was no signal at all! I thought my luck had turned, but now that I’m at Phantasm Rain Pavillion, I’m in a sort of jail!

I had no time to let my parents or Xiaoling know, since it was was too late last night . This morning I left very early and they weren’t up yet . I wanted to tell them at the train station or airport, but it’s too late now .

Ma Jun didn’t seem to notice my wandering thoughts, he said as he walked, “Even though outer disciples are more limited in their freedom, Phantasm Rain Pavilion isn’t a prison . You have to work for your freedom . There’s a competition every six months, and the top three winners earn one month of travel time . Of course you can’t reveal any of our secrets, or you’d be captured and never be allowed to leave again . The competitions are on June 1st and December 1st of every year . Disciples who never win could ask for two weeks off every three years . This way, our secrets are protected and the outer disciples get to improve quickly . I really think you can make it . If you want some freedom, earn it, nothing comes for free . ”

He’s right . There’s nothing given for free . Anything good comes with something bad . My freedom may be controlled but it’ll make me train like crazy for one of the top three spots . There’s 276 people at Phantasm Rain Pavilion, which is 268 minus the eight leaders . Just how many are outer disciples? I asked, “Prince, Please tell me how many outer disciples are here?”

“There’s 26 inner disciples . ”

So, if it’s 268 minus 26, there’s 242 people fighting for the top three rankings… Having seen the last two people’s power, my chances of earning a top spot is pretty slim . But if I can’t win, I’d have to wait three years to leave here . I can’t contact anyone from here . My parents would go crazy with worry!

Leave Phantasm Rain Pavilion?

I had already joined, it’s not gonna be easy to leave knowing their rules, even if I did quit, what would I tell the Xu family?

Now I understand why the leader of the Xu family was so nice to me last time . He must have taken me for an inner disciple, since only they could move freely, and I was always in Qiling City . He must know about the “no leaving” rule here .

I have no choice now . I have to make the most of it . Rather than regret, I better figure out how to get in the top three .

Ma Jun said, “If you are outstanding enough, I’ll promote you . Work hard! Let me take you over to the outer disciples office to sign in . ”

Then he grabbed my arm . I could feel myself being lifted, everything around me quickly receded and became blurry . Moving this fast in the wind made it hard to open my eyes; after another minute or so, we finally stopped . My hair was already standing on end .

Before I could make myself neat, I started looking around . In front of me was a big house with a courtyard, with a banner that read: Outer Court .

When we walked in, the 20 or 30 people inside the yard all bowed down on one knee .

“Respectfully greeting the Prince . ”

Ma Jun said with kindness, “Please get up . ”

A chubby middle-aged man rushed out to receive us . “Prince, I apologize for not welcoming you earlier . ”

“No worries . I brought a new kid for the Outer Court . Do all the necessary procedures for him, and let him know what to do . Don’t give him special treatment just because I brought him here . ” Ma patted my shoulder . “Do the best you can . Hope you can get one of the top spots in four months . I’ll see you later . ”

I definitely didn’t come here for special treatment . I made a bow with my hands folded, “Safe travels . ”

As Ma Jun left the yard, everyone chanted goodbye in unison .

I had no idea Phantasm Rain Pavilion had such complicated politics . I thought Ma Jun would be my protector of sorts, but everything was is up to me .

Everyone started checking me out when Ma left . Their gazes weren’t forgiving, and I began to feel uncomfortable . The chubby older man said, “Kid, the Prince seems to think you’re quite special . Come with me to sign up, I’ll tell you what you need to know . ”

The architecture here is old-fashioned, in an ancient style with wooden doors and windows covered in paper, like those old movies where the paper could be poked with a finger . Although in ancient times, the window pane papers were soaked in oil and water- and rain-proof .

We walked into a parlor . He had me sit down . “I’m Sun Yongfu, I’m in charge of the outer disciples here . What’s your name? Where do you live? How old are you? Are you married? Tell me everything, we have to record all the outer disciples’ information . ”

I answered honestly . Sun Yongfu told me, “That should be fine . Here you go . ” A file envelope materialized out of thin air in his hand, it held a few pictures and a book .

He said, “These are photos of the eight leaders of Phantasm Rain Pavilion . You have to greet them when you see them . This book is on the do’s and don’ts here, it has a map showing you where you’re allowed or not allowed to go . Also, we have a meeting here the first of the month, but you’re free for the rest of the time . ”

“Hm, where do I live?”

“There’s no provided housing for outer disciples . As you can see on the map, the 12 mountains nearby are your turf . You can build a house, dig a hole, or make a cave in the mountains . Of course, if you feel strong enough, you can take someone’s home too, but you can’t maim or kill them . ”

There’s no dorms here? And I could steal other people’s homes? Such bizarre rules .

“Other rules are all in the book, you can read them yourself . You need to pay attention to three things . One . Do not leave the outer disciples’ territory . Two . Do not kill or maim anyone . Three . Report here at 5 am the first day of every month . Alright, that’s about it . Is there anything else you need as a new disciple? I’ll do my best . ”

I considered . “Can I write a letter and ask someone to send it for me?”

“That’s not possible . ” Sun shook his head .

I said with disappointment, “Can I please have a lighter outfit? I overdressed and feel hot . ”

“That’s easy enough . ” A paper box showed up in his hand . I opened it, inside were many black and white chess pieces . “You can pick-up the clothes yourself at the Outfit Pavilion . Give the black chess pieces to the manager there . Every black chess piece gets you one outfit, as in, one top, one pair of pants, one pair of shoes, underwear, and socks . ”

“What do the white chess pieces get you?” I asked as I counted the chess pieces .

“You can read the book and find out yourself . I’ve gotta warn you though, take care of these chess pieces! You have three hours to read the book here, then you need to leave . Anyway, I have to take care of something, I’m heading out . ” He got up and left .