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Chapter 90 – Belonging
🕑 Added 2024-10-20 03:21:38 +0000 UTCA much smaller group gathered with Benton the next morning in front of the gate. His council, with the addition finally of Zhong Wen and Wan Ai, numbered eleven, and for so few people, it was relatively easy for him and the twins to kill the spirit beasts en route to the sect grounds while Ye Zan and Hou Yazhu kept any leakers from causing damage.
Not that Benton and the siblings let any beasts through, of course, but it was nice to have backup. He led them all into the arena and out onto the dirt, where he pulled a table and chairs from his ring.
Yang Xiu and Yang Ru looked perfectly in their element. They knew their place and clearly belonged as a part of the sect’s leadership. How far they’d come in seven short months.
Wan Ai sat right next to Yang Xiu, and the smaller girl appeared to want to be anywhere but where she was. Being outside the village still terrified her even though she was surrounded by powerful cultivators and was one herself. Of everyone, she was the most unsure of her position.
In contrast, Zou Tian continued to grow in confidence. His advances, sparring with Yang Ru, and practicing his shadow technique with Yang Xiu had done the boy a world of good.
Zhong Wen seemed happy to be included. Benton had told her that she would be a valued member of his sect, but the meeting was the first time besides the feast the previous evening he’d actually followed through on that promise. Regardless, she didn’t appear intimidated at all. Perhaps the mostly young ages of the cultivators surrounding her had something to do with that.
Shi Long was, perhaps, the most ambivalent. Having spent two months in transit being dragged into such meetings, he neither appeared to relish the role nor reject it.
Ye Zan, on the other hand, was really growing into his role as captain of the guard. He freely offered tactical and strategic advice. Su’s experiences had been mostly as fighting one on one while sometimes and sometimes not being surrounded by sect members, so Benton looked to Ye Zan more and more when it came to managing groups in combat or patrol situations.
Like Zhong Wen, both Peng Zhen and Hou Yazhu appeared pleased to just be included, though they still seemed a mite intimidated by the people around them.
Ironically, besides the twins and Zou Tian, the only mortal at the table, Xun Wu seemed the most relaxed. Of course, he was also the oldest besides Benton’s real age and, while not a cultivator yet, he had a natural confidence about him born from becoming an expert blacksmith, someone near the top of their profession.
Finally, there was Zi Delan, who seemed eager to please. Other than that, Benton didn’t have a good read on the young man yet.
“Thank you, my council, for joining me here today,” Benton said. “We have a lot of work to do, so let’s get started. The first thing that you all need to know is that there will be a beast tide affecting the sect and the village. We have one to two months at a minimum and likely a year or two at the maximum before it occurs, but it will happen.”
The was a bit of a murmur at the news, but no one looked too panicked. Benton didn’t know if that lack of reaction was because they didn’t understand the magnitude of such a threat or if their confidence in his ability to handle the situation was that supreme.
Honestly, he didn’t know how to feel about their detached response. If they had experienced what Su had, most of them would have run for the hills. It was good they weren’t so scared they couldn’t function, but they also needed to take the beast tide seriously.
Very seriously.
“The first takeaway from that news,” Benton said, “should be that every decision we make for the immediate future should be focused on how it prepares us for the beast tide. Understood?”
Everyone nodded.
“First question, should we contact allies for help? Kang Ya-Ting and Fatty Ren might be willing to send help.”
Zou Tian frowned. “I don’t like the idea of asking for help from another sect, Master. Even if they are friendly, it’s a loss of face for us. My advice would be to let the Poison Claw Sect know about it in a very matter of fact way but not to make any requests. If they’re able and willing, they’ll send someone.”
“I agree with Zou Tian, Master,” Ye Zan said, “especially since any help they’d send would be complicated by not having a clear timeline. Also, the Vermillion Incomparable Rain Town Lord might not be in a position to help as the tide may reach his walls as well. In fact, I'd couch your message to the Poison Claw Sect as a request for help on Fatty Ren’s behalf since the situation there is so poor.”
“Those are both great ideas!” Benton said. “Further thoughts or disagreements anyone?”
There were none.
“The next concern,” Benton said, “is that this event might be an all hands on deck type situation. If we fall, all our sect members fall, and the entire village will fall. I had intended to have the kids do basic training with weapons but with no real plan to put them in harm’s way. Should we change that plan and increase their martial training? I had also planned on teaching them spears first, but if they’re really going to contribute, archers on the wall might be a better place for them.”
“They are part of the sect and old enough to contribute, Master,” Zhong Wen said. “I can’t speak to whether they should learn spears or bows, but that’s my judgment on if they should fight.”
Benton saw all the orphans as little grandkids but knew the culture of his new planet viewed them nearly as adults. It was nice to have Mistress Zhong to offer her much more unbiased judgment.
“Well, you are my designated outer sect elder,” Benton said, “so honestly, it’s your call to make.”
“I’ve never seen a beast tide, Master,” Ye Zan said, “but I’ve read about them and talked to men who have seen them. No matter how tall the walls are, beasts will get to the top. We’ll need spears as well as bows both for defense and for sorties. Maybe shade to the latter a bit for the young ones, though.”
Benton nodded. He’d been leaning to having them all learn bows, but he’d yield to Ye Zan’s wisdom.
“Good,” Benton said, “now on to a lighter topic. Org chart. Right now, my vision is to split the sect into five pavilions—Martial, Alchemy, Forges, Formations, and because of our proximity to the Orange Vigor Spirit Wood, Woodworking.
“With the exception of Zhong Wen and her subordinates who will run the outer sect and Peng Zhen and his wife, who will run the contribution store, I’d like for each of our members to be put into one of the pavilions. Obviously, everyone will learn at least a little combat and people can study multiple crafts, but each should have a designated primary pavilion.
“We need to figure out who is running them and who is a member.
“One issue, however, is that I told the orphans from town they’d have a while to figure out their passion. I don’t want to go back on my word.”
Given that his oath had been recognized by the heavens in such a visible manner, he really didn’t want to go back on his word. Ever. Who knew if he’d get struck by lightning or something if he did. That was truly a possibility.
“Does an initial placement have to be permanent, Master?” Yang Xiu said.
“Good point. I suppose not.”
“I will assist you in placing each of the children in the pavilion I believe most suits their talents, Master,” Zhong Wen said. “I don’t think your word is broken as long as they have an opportunity to switch later if they don’t fit in.”
“Works,” Benton said. “Wan Ai, you’re head of the Alchemy Pavilion. I know that isn’t something you aspired to, but it is what it is. We’ll do our best to get you help with the administrative stuff so you can concentrate on other things. But you are the lead.”
“Yes, Master.”
“Shi Long, unless you strenuously object, I’d like to have Xun Wu as the head of the Blacksmith pavilion.”
“That is absolutely fine by me, Master. I don’t know a thousandth what he does.”
Benton eyed Xun Wu, who nodded his assent.
“Yang Xiu and Yang Ru, I’d like you to be co-leads of the Martial Pavilion, but I expect both of you to listen to the counsel of both Zou Tian and Ye Zan.”
“Yes, Master,” they said in unison.
“Zi Delan and Hou Yazhu, you’ll both obviously be part of the Martial Pavilion as well.”
“Yes, Master.”
“Alright, that still leaves Woodworking and Formations unmanned, but it’s a start,” Benton said. “Everyone here has a defined role, correct? Anyone doesn’t like where they’ve been assigned?”
No one spoke up, and Benton thought the silence was most likely because none of them truly objected to where he assigned them. Part of that was cultural. People of his new world, especially those who’d been peasants, were much more accepting of being told what to do than people back on Earth. He also felt that, besides Wan Ai, no one truly had a problem with their designated role.
“Next, initial tasks for each pavilion,” Benton said. “Wan Ai, Body Cultivation is going to play a big role in our defense. I have enough herbs for eight hundred baths. We’ll have some other logistics for others to handle later, but your mission is to get all those herbs prepared. Again, we’re going to try to get you help, but you’ll have your work cut out for you.”
“Yes, Master.”
“There’s a lot for our Formations lead to do once we get one on board. All the sect buildings have arrays that need to be figured out, especially the cultivation rooms, and we need an array to help grow more herbs.
“Woodworking for now will be, I think, focused on wood harvesting and fletching. I only bought a thousand arrows. We’ll need more than that. A lot more than that.
“Xun Wu, the same goes for you. Our most important need is going to be arrowheads for the immediate future.”
“Yes Master.”
“Any thoughts on priorities for our crafters?” Benton said.
“More bows, Master?” Ye Zan said. “We have plenty of spears, but if we’re assigning everyone to the wall, everyone is going to need one.”
“Good point. We’ll have to see if the village has a bowyer as well as a fletcher.”
Benton paused for a moment to see if anyone else had a suggestion before continuing. “Next, the martial pavilion. Lots to do there. First of all, Yang Xiu, Yang Ru, everyone who hasn’t reached at least Large Success with a weapon needs lessons, so you need to organize those. Try to figure out the most efficient way to get everyone to Large Success with their primary and to Small Success with their secondary.”
“Yes, Master,” they said in unison.
“Ye Zan, Hou Yazhu, seventeen in one group doesn’t work. I need two groups. Split it up how you think best. The groups have to be able to work independently, but ideally, could also come together. We have several tasks that you’ll need to be able to accomplish. The wood harvesters will need guards, as will the people assembling the walls here at the sect and possibly people working here prior to the walls being complete. Additionally, caravan duty if we arrange for more shipments.”
“Yes, Master,” Ye Zan said.
“Zi Delan, your first task is to get to minor realm three and then four. Learn your weapon techniques primary and secondary like the others. After that, work with Ye Zan on squad tactics, but you’ll be focused on extending force rather than guarding.”
“Yes, Master.”
“Everyone understand their position and tasks?” Benton said.
“Yes, Master.”
“That’s good, because we still have a lot to cover.”
