Chapter 21, Inner and Outer Distinction and Disciple Hierarchy

Translator: StarReader

[Could it be that this is what Master intended?]

Wang Fugui was startled, his mind racing quickly.

Li Kui spoke coldly: “It seems you inner disciples have been too comfortable in Medicine King Group, forgetting how things were when you first joined the group six months ago. You two should remember this: from the moment you were classified as inner or outer disciples, it determined your different statuses within the group.

“The inner disciples undergo rigorous training and selection, destined for leadership roles within the sect. In contrast, the outer disciples are cultivated to serve as errand disciples, working tirelessly for the group’s interests. Their primary purpose is to contribute their strength, not aspire for higher positions or form bonds that could challenge the existing hierarchy.”

Li Kui added, “The group supports them with substantial resources, offering free education—not to replace the inner disciples but to ensure they work diligently for our cause. We don’t want them to be united, especially forming any alliances.”

He paused, shaking his head. “Some outer disciples, after spending too much time in the group, delude themselves into believing they might one day become core disciples with promising futures. How naive that is!”

Thus, Li Kui’s words painted a clear picture of the group’s hierarchy and strategies to maintain control over its members.

Li Kui took a sip of tea to wet his throat, giving Wang Fugui time to process.

Wang Fugui nodded repeatedly, fully agreeing.

Inner disciples like them either came from groups of faction leaders or high-ranking officials or were from prestigious families or wealthy clans. It had cost them unimaginable amounts of money and contributions to secure this inner disciple status.

Such a huge investment was far beyond what outer disciples could ever achieve.

“These outer disciples just don’t have the depth. No matter how hard they try cultivating, there’s always a limit to what they can achieve. They’ll end up as low-level members all their lives, and it’s pointless to expect them to amount to much.

“But there are so many lower-tier disciples within the organization who are lazy and self-serving. We must be cautious of them forming alliances and undermining the upper echelons. If that happens, the leadership could easily be misled, and their orders would no longer be carried out effectively.

“I’ve taken some measures to divide them. After they’ve worn themselves out fighting each other, they’ll have no grand ambitions left—only a desire to remain obedient and hardworking.

“But you two, as inner disciples, are in a different category altogether. Especially you, Fugui. I have high hopes for you. With your progress in cultivating, you stand an excellent chance of becoming a first-rate expert within three to five years. And after a few more years of dedication, you could rise to the mid-to-high ranks in the group and become a celebrated young talent in the Wu Region!”

Li Kui continued to instruct Wang Fugui in the art of intrigue within the groups, emphasizing that such strategies for controlling lower-ranking members were only passed down among senior figures and never shared indiscriminately.

Li Jiao listened to the conversation, slowly comprehending after a while that they were discussing power struggles within the group. As the daughter of a wealthy grain merchant, her perspective was limited, and her parents hadn’t taught her these things, leaving her unable to contribute to the conversation.

Only Wang Fugui occasionally engaged in discussions with Li Kui, asking questions and seeking advice. She gazed at Senior Brother Wang Fugui’s expression, filled with admiration. Master Li Kui posed such profound questions that she couldn’t begin to fathom, but it surprised her how Senior Brother Wang could discuss them so earnestly with Master.

“Thank you, Master, for your nurturing and guidance. Disciple vows not to betray your expectations. I will strive to quickly reach a first-rate rise to the highest ranks of our faction and make a name for myself in the Wu Region.” Upon receiving Master Li Kui’s approval, Wang Fugui was overjoyed and respectfully bowed to express his gratitude.

Master was right. Wang Fugui’s fate differed from those lowly outer disciples. Born into the illustrious Wang family of Wu Region’s thirteen counties, he was groomed by the family, initially pursuing literary arts with plans to excel in the imperial exams. However, as societal chaos grew, regional martial groups surged, weakening the court’s control. Foreseeing this, Wang family elders directed some youths towards martial arts, including Wang Fugui, who joined the prestigious Medicine King Group.

With his uncle, Magistrate Wang, and Master Li Kui’s support, he swiftly rose within the group. Expected to become a senior figure by his thirties, he aimed for leadership roles despite starting martial training at thirteen, slightly later than peers.

But this was no big problem for the Wang family; their wealth and influence were vast, allowing them to purchase various grades of refining herbs that could forcibly push his cultivation to higher levels. In just half a year, he had successfully cultivated his Lower Dantian, reaching the level of a third-rate practitioner, and had begun to practice a high-level sword technique. He was like a swift about to take flight.

Once the Middle Dantian was perfected in three to five years, he would rise to become a first-rate expert, and then it would be time for him to spread his wings like the swift, soaring heavenward and become a dazzling figure among the younger generation of martial artists in the Wu Region. Meanwhile, Su Chen, Yang Caizhi, and the other lower-level outer disciples of the Medicine King Group were nothing more than mice scrounging for scraps. They were pawns in the hands of the high-ranking members of their groups, stuck at the third-rate level and lucky if they ever made it to second-rate.

As Wang Fugui fantasized, his face remained calm and composed as he waited for the results of this bi-annual elimination process. He was eager to watch a good show; these five outer disciples would certainly not go down without a fight. There were promised to be some intriguing power struggles and brotherly betrayal to observe.