Martial Cultivator

Autumn was gradually approaching.

Through the cycle of the four seasons, by this point, half the year had already passed. Just like a person’s life, moving past middle age and slowly stepping into old age.

Yet as autumn neared, the common people finally reached the end of their long wait. This year had been a good one. No matter what great events shook the world, in the eyes of these people, as long as the harvest was bountiful and they could survive the coming year, that was the best thing.

The many medicinal herbs in the Infatuation Daoist Temple were also nearing maturity.

Foreign cultivators planted spiritual herbs for alchemy. Aside from some high-grade spiritual herbs that require ten or twenty years to fully mature, most common medicinal herbs could be harvested in about two or three years. Sown each year, they naturally yielded a harvest every year.

The disciples who were responsible for harvesting the medicinal herbs were those who had only recently arrived at the temple. They needed to familiarize themselves with everything within the Infatuation Daoist Temple. In their early years, they were responsible for supplying the other disciples with food, clothing, and daily necessities, as well as handling the distribution of medicinal pills.

After several years, those with outstanding aptitude would be taken in by their respective mentors for proper guidance. If they made something of themselves in the future, they would finally step onto the true path of cultivation.

Yu Lu had been on the mountain for three years now. This young daoist had rather poor luck.

The Infatuation Daoist Temple cultivator who had taken him in and brought him up the mountain had never been highly regarded. Among the second-generation disciples, his talent was mediocre at best. He had spent his entire life struggling just to reach the Bitter Sea Realm, only to find his cultivation deteriorating with age. Eventually, his health declined further, and as he grew old and feeble, the temple took pity on him and allowed him to descend the mountain to find a successor. The old daoist’s judgment was just average, and pressed for time, he quickly found a young boy and brought him up the mountain - that boy was Yu Lu.

Not long after Yu Lu arrived, the old daoist passed away. The Infatuation Daoist Temple valued proper lineage and succession. Without a master, the young daoist naturally became an easy target for bullying. Thus, he remained responsible for miscellaneous chores on the mountain. Even when the time came for him to be taken under a master’s wing, there was no longer anyone to claim him. As a result, Yu Lu could only continue handling menial chores. Barring some unforeseen change, his fate was sealed, he would never have the chance to rise.

Because he was at the bottom, he had no access to profound daoist techniques, nor was there any renowned master to guide him. In the end, his chances of changing his fate were extremely slim.

But no one was willing to spend their lives at the bottom. Moreover, Yu Lu was already a disciple of the Infatuation Daoist Temple, a sect that many could only dream of joining their entire lives. Since he had made it in, his only option was to climb upward through sheer effort.

Yet the opportunity never came. All Yu Lu could do was wait, biding his time in silence. Finally, just a few days ago, this young daoist found his chance.

That day, as usual, he was patrolling the temple’s medicinal fields when he saw a black ox slip into the fields and feast on the herbs wantonly.

Had it been another disciple, they would have immediately reported it to their superiors. But Yu Lu, sharp-witted, recalled something - the temple’s current Temple Master, who was once the Chief Enforcer, had tamed a spiritual beast as his mount during one of his excursions outside the mountain. That beast was none other than a black ox.

With this in mind, not only did Yu Lu not report this matter, he even took the initiative to cover it up for the black ox. In the days that followed, he even started bringing the black ox extra herbs. Over time, this one man and one beast developed a bit of friendship.

On this day, Yu Lu picked a bag of medicinal fruits from the herb field and set off to find the black ox.

Yu Lu was highly skilled at picking medicinal fruits. He never harvested all the fruits from a single plant. Instead, he selectively plucked just one or two from those that bore multiple, ensuring that his actions would go unnoticed.

Carrying the medicinal fruits, he carefully made his way to the agreed-upon spot. Yu Lu had done this many times before, but each time, he remained extremely cautious. Every instance was a gamble with his life. If he were ever caught, given his lack of status in the temple, the lightest punishment would be having his cultivation crippled and being expelled. A heavier sentence might see him imprisoned, or even executed on the spot.

”Daoist Ox?”

Yu Lu quickly called out, searching for the black ox.

He called several times but received no response, making him anxious. He began looking around for any sign of the black ox.

“You’re stepping on this daoist.”

Suddenly, a voice rang out, and the ground beneath him suddenly shifted. The black ox emerged from beneath his feet.

It was precisely that black ox.

Yu Lu quickly apologized, “Daoist Ox, please don’t take offense! This disciple was blind and didn’t see Daoist...

The black ox was not one to hold grudges. It simply shook its head and said, “Forget it. Let’s see what you’ve brought today.”

Yu Lu hurriedly poured out the medicinal fruits and respectfully laid them before the black ox.

The black ox glanced at them, nodding in satisfaction as it said, “You have a good eye. These are some of the finest ones.”

Yu Lu stood to the side with a flattering smile. “How could this disciple dare to be careless when preparing offerings for Daoist Master?”

The black ox nodded, curling its tongue around a medicinal fruit and devouring it. As it chewed, it spoke with some difficulty, “Since you watch over the herb fields, why don’t you eat some yourself? If you did, your cultivation wouldn’t be so weak, and you wouldn’t be bullied by people.”

Yu Lu smiled bitterly, “How would I dare do such a thing? If I were caught, being expelled from the mountain would be a small matter. But then, who would gather these fruits for Daoist Master?”

“You little daoist, you don’t have much skill, but you sure have a sweet tongue.”

The black ox glanced at Yu Lu, not hiding the satisfaction in its eyes.

Yu Lu spoke softly, “Serving Daoist Master is this disciple’s honor.”

“Forget it. I originally intended to introduce you to the Temple Master, but on second thought, if you go to serve him, where will this daoist find someone to bring me these treats in the future?”

The black ox shook its head, showing signs of reluctance.

Yu Lu was momentarily stunned before hastily saying, “Daoist Master, you’re being foolish!”

”Mhm?”

The black ox snorted, its large nostrils flaring.

“Daoist Master, if this disciple is fortunate enough to serve by the Temple Master’s side, wouldn’t my words carry more weight in the temple in the future? By then, who in the herb field would dare disobey this disciple? When that time comes, won’t it be even easier for Daoist Master to eat as many fruits as you want?”

Yu Lu spoke carefully, all the while observing the black ox’s expression.

The black ox pondered for a moment and realized that Yu Lu’s reasoning made some sense. After thinking it over, it said, “Turns out this daoist really didn’t think this through. What you said does have a point.”

Yu Lu chuckled. “In the future, when I’m serving by the Temple Master’s side, if Daoist Master ever happens to offend him, this disciple can help smooth things over and speak on Daoist Master’s behalf.”

The black ox had still been a little hesitant, but upon hearing this, it hurriedly nodded, “Yes, yes! The Temple Master often scolds me. When the time comes, you can speak up for me.”

Yu Lu smiled. “Over the years, my cultivation hasn’t improved much, but I’ve gotten quite good at reading people’s moods. I’ll definitely be able to help Daoist Master.”

The black ox finished the last of the medicinal fruits and no longer hesitated. It grinned and said, “In that case, today you’ll come with me to meet the Temple Master. But whether he decides to keep you or not, that’s beyond this daoist’s control.”

“Of course. Daoist Master being willing to introduce this disciple is already a great kindness. If it doesn’t work out, this disciple will just return to the herb field and continue serving Daoist Master.”

Yu Lu spoke, his voice incomparably sincere.

The black ox laughed. “Then follow me.”

By now, it was extremely satisfied with Yu Lu and looked forward to what he had promised.

Leading Yu Lu toward the back mountain, the black ox could not help but remind him, “You’ve been on the mountain for years, so you should know proper etiquette. When you meet the Temple Master, don’t panic.”

”This disciple understands.”

Yu Lu nodded with a faint smile. He naturally knew what to do.