Chapter 20 - Going Out

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  Gu Xuan who walked his way down from the Central District to the West District of the Lower District, encountered quite a few acquaintances.

  From Elder Liao Weimin coming out of the Treasure Pavilion, Yu Wencheng and Zhong Wenling on the Central District’s Gate, to Chen De from the Butcher’s House at the bottom of the Coiled Path.

  And on his way to the pier at the West District of the Lower District, Gu Xuan would nod and smile every now and then to the lower district disciples he encountered who would bow to him in respect.

  Of course, as a person who’d rather get along with people than have enemies, Gu Xuan exchanged pleasantries with them even if they are minimal.

  Gu Xuan had stopped training early in the morning, and climbed up the mountain, and it hasn’t been too much time since he climbed up so it wasn’t even afternoon yet.

  Although it was still early in the morning, as Gu Xuan headed towards the pier, there were already a lot of Lower District disciples awake and as he passed by, they would bow to him in respect, meanwhile he would nod in response.

  Children in the Lower District disciples are grouping up and playing around, and teenagers on the other hand were chatting on some corner in groups of four to five.

  After entering the forest area between the South and West District, Gu Xuan began to run onto the various tree branches he encountered at a moderate pace.

  But even Gu Xuan’s moderate pace is quite fast compared to other disciples, after all, he had trained for an entire year in the forest. The forest was basically his backyard, and the trees that he encountered were like his toys.

  Although he didn’t use inner qi, it didn’t take him long, only about 15 minutes, he reached the West District.

  Unlike the other districts, the West District was more open due to it having a pier by the side.

  The houses here were tens of meters apart compared to other districts so that the view of the pier would be more visible.

  At the edge of the West District was a rocky coastline.

  Though the shore was filled with uneven and sharp rocks, the disciples who lived by the pier had long since made it livable. Wooden planks were laid down the stones, transforming the harsh terrain into a walkable path.

  Unlike the South District, the West District was at the edge of the Crescent Island so Gu Xuan who had just arrived couldn’t help but take in a deep breath smelling the salty sea.

  It was a nostalgic smell that he had only smelt in his previous life, in contrast to his current self which the smell was greatly unfamiliar to.

  He walked stably on the wooden path by the sea shore.

  By the sea were 5 small boats tied into thin but sturdy wooden pillars that were by the edge of the wooden planks at the side of the shore.

  Near the wooden path, was a small open wooden house.

  The structure of the house was designed to welcome the breeze from the sea compared to the houses in other districts that are designed to shut out the cold wind of the night.

  In other words, it was designed only to be a place to stay during the day or afternoon, but not to sleep at night.

  Its windows were made up of wooden panels. The wooden panels were designed to be pushed upward to the outside.

  A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

  Just like how it was raised currently with a thin and sturdy wooden prop to keep it up as the 4 middle-aged men laughed and chatted with each other as they stayed inside to protect themselves from the sunlight.

  The 4 middle-aged men, just like the other disciples wore pure white robes, but unlike usual disciples, their robes were sleeveless, most likely designed as such for disciples who would guide Central District disciples out of the island.

  Of course, this was all Gu Xuan’s assumptions so he approached them and asked politely, “Um, uncles? Are you the ferrymen who guide disciples outside the sect?”

  The 4 middle-aged men turned their attention to Gu Xuan and as they saw Gu Xuan’s clothes that were out of the standard pure white robes, they instantly knew that Gu Xuan was a Central District disciple. Unless there’s special exemptions, lower district disciples are not allowed to wear a different style of clothing.

  They stood up simultaneously and greeted, “We, ferrymen, respectfully greet the Central District Disciple.”

  Although they didn’t know Gu Xuan, they could notice that Gu Xuan’s age was far younger than those that they usually ferry, meaning that compared to others, his status was far higher than the others due to his ability to reach the Central District at such a young age, of course, they, lower district disciples, wouldn’t miss the chance to curry favours.

  However, unlike their expectations of a proud disciple that they usually encounter, they were pleasantly surprised at Gu Xuan’s attitude. “It’s fine, uncles, you don’t have to be so formal. Although I’m a Central District Disciple, we’re all family just Grandpa Liao said. My name is Gu Xuan, I’m only 15 years old this year so it’s fine if you call me Nephew.”

  “This…”

  The middle-aged men couldn’t help but look at each other awkwardly, they have yet encountered a similar situation.

  The one who seemed to be the leader of the 4 middle-aged men, spoke, “Fellow Disciple Gu, it’s not that we don’t want to but you should know that our sect is one that respects talent and hierarchy, so even if you don’t mind, other disciples do. If they saw us being all friendly with you, they might become displeased not only with us, but with you too.”

  “Is that so?” Gu Xuan scratched the back of his head and said, “I don’t really mind if they’re displeased with me but I can’t implicate you just because of my wants so… let’s do as you say, Fellow Disciples. Is any of you free and could lead me out of the sect?”

  “Of course.” The leader nodded and looked at one of the three other ferrymen and said, “You’re free right? Old Jin?”

  The ferryman who had an unkempt beard that the leader mentioned, nodded and said with a wide smile, “Of course, the others have plans with other Central District Disciples but I don’t.”

  The leader nodded and said, “I forgot to introduce myself, Fellow Disciple Gu, I’m Tang Yusheng, you can just call me Ferryman Tang. And this is Jin Deming, you can also just call him Ferryman Jin.”

  “Alright.” Gu Xuan nodded and simply watched Ferryman Jing untie the knot of the rope to his boat.

  Tang Yusheng then approached Gu Xuan and asked in curiosity, “Fellow Disciple Gu, this is your first time going out right? What kind of task do you have? Although we don't go out of the mortal world much, we still know some things that might help you out. Do you have any questions?”

  Hearing Tang Yusheng’s words, Gu Xuan thought for a bit before replying, “Yes, I do have questions. I forgot to ask Senior Sister Guo earlier about the currency of the outside world, does Ferryman Tang know?”

  “If that’s your question, it’s simple. Of course, I know. In the outside world, unlike what we do in the sect where we either barter or use sect points, they use precious materials such as copper, silver, and gold.”

  “Copper, silver, and gold?”

  “Yes, in the outside world, the main currency is copper coins, silver coins, and gold coins. 3 copper coins is enough to get a meal, and 10 copper coins is enough to stay at an inn for a day. Meanwhile 1 silver coin equals 100 copper coins, and 1 gold coin equals 100 silver coins.”

  “Hm, if that’s the case, then the average wage of workers like waiters in a restaurant, or receptionist in an inn is about 10 copper coins?”

  Tang Yusheng’s eyes couldn’t help but widen at Gu Xuan’s comprehension and nodded, “Fellow Disciple Gu is really bright, that’s correct.”

  “I see, then how do disciples usually earn money outside?”

  “Central District disciples like Fellow Disciple Gu unlike us, Lower District disciples can stay outside the sect for an indefinite period of time so you can do what you want. But usually, disciples like Fellow Disciple Gu take on mercenary tasks because of your high cultivation base, it’s easy for you to protect a merchant caravan. Those who are more skilled, earn through bounty hunting or hunting heinous mortal criminals.”

  Before Tang Yusheng could speak more, Jin Deming waved his hand and said, “Old Tang! Fellow Disciple Gu! The boat is ready!”

  Tang Yusheng then turned to Gu Xuan with a smile, “That’s basically it about the currencies, does Fellow Disciple Gu have any more questions?”

  “No, I have no more questions. I’ll find out for myself outside, thank you for telling me so much, Ferryman Tang.”

  “It’s the least I could do, I wish you a safe trip, Fellow Disciple Gu.”

  “Um.” Gu Xuan didn’t say anything anymore and jumped onto the boat, and as soon as he stepped onto the boat, Jin Deming started ferrying the boat.

  Gu Xuan smiled at Tang Yusheng and the other two middle-aged men who were waving their hands in goodbye towards him.

  He simply waved his hand in goodbye once, and that should be enough, he then turned his head in the direction wherein Jin Deming was ferrying the boat.

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