Chapter 3
1027 Words
Ryan read the notice again. Then he placed it on his lap and gave a deep thought.
This is not a very tangible reason to dismiss him for the test. It was Leng's hand work and Elder Gou knew about it too. Which means they had been on the plan for a long time.
Changing his location at the zone wasn't their main intention but this cancellation was and this meant he would have no access to better missions. Meaning he would have no stones or silver coins and which means he would be caught up in the debt within two weeks.
This was pure wickedness and an order from the top means no acess to plea or complaint.
Ryan picked up his pen and wrote down in the log.
*They are trying to defeat me before I get started through paper work but I won't relent. This is a different problem and it requires a different solution.*
He gave a long thought for a few minutes then he got up and tired the notice and went to a deep sleep.
****
He went to the sect law hall the next morning when it opened.
He didn't go to the outer disciple hall but the sect law hall. It had a different building with different workers there. It was at the northern side of the compound and handled disputes between different disciples of any rank or position.
Most outer disciples didn't know it existed. Ryan had found it at the footnote when reading the fifth manual.
“I've been given a wrongful cancellation and I came to file a complaint,” Ryan said. He said putting the paper on the desk.
“My first stage certification test was not approved for no specific reason.” He added.
The clerk in the office took a glance at the notice. Then at Ryan.
“Who filed the review?”
“From Elder Gou.”
The clerk read the notice once again. His expression wasn't changed but he lingered on the third paragraph.
“You need to fill out the seventh form. He said. “Dispute gets checked within three days.” The test slot will be held in reserve until it will be resolved.”
Ryan filled the seventh form at the desk and handed it back then he left.
***
He spent the morning on the remaining missions left for him. The lowest tier posting needs no certification so Leng had no upper hand here.
These missions include cleaning the outer hall floor. Carrying equipment to the training yard. Moving crates from the Eastern gate to the storage room.
These missions paid almost nothing and it's not really motivating the outer disciples but Ryan did his work with more speed and concentration. By noon he was able to collect six coins for work done.
He had begun to build a picture and this has started from the first day.
There was another disciple named Yang who managed the mission board posting. For almost five times the previous week Ryan had watched other disciples handing him something small and wrapped. After the bribe the disciples were posted to better places with better acess the next morning.
Ryan could notice Yang eating his lunch alone at the far end of the table and was relaxed without bothering.
He ignored him and kept eating.
****
The result of his seventh form submission came that same day.
The cancellation was ruled invalid because there is no misconduct filed against Ryan. And if any misconduct there's no evidence to back it up.
Ryan test was approved to commence the next morning.
He was to the test area that morning before the given time.
There were ten other disciples testing for different stages too. Four were outer disciples and six were inner.
A lady with a white sect band at her wrist separated herself from the group and watched Ryan walk in. She didn't turn when he noticed her watching.
He took note and focused on the test.
The Elder in charge of the test was a short stout man named Elder Sun. She did the stage one test for everybody. She stood on the platform and channeled qi through the first meridian line on command then held it for a full count of hundred while she checked the results with a stone for measurement.
Four out of the ten disciples immediately failed. Two others could not hold to hundred. One of the inner disciples did not withstand.
Ryan was still on the platform when his name was called.
Elder Sun held the stone with measurements.”Channel and resist.”
He dragged the qi in, pushed it through the main line and resisted. The measuring stone shone. He counted to a hundred and he wasn't broken.
Elder Sun stared at the reading. She then stared at Ryan.
She observed the reading again.
“Fierce?” She said,
“Yes”
She scribbled down something on a tile and gave the officials at stage one certification to approve him. She watched him step down the platform with the same look elder Gou had used on him on the first day.
The inner disciple with the white band was still standing in the courtyard when the test ended.
She approached Ryan as the others left.
“You filed a complaint against Elder Gou's office yesterday.” She said,
“The cancellation notice wasn't relevant.” Ryan said.
“I'm aware. I was the one who wrote your seventh form.” She stared at him coldly.
“Gou's office was able to file a misconduct against you this time and there's a charge attached.”
Ryan stood shocked.
“Why, what have I done wrong again?”
“Bullying and assault. Leng Chao is claiming you beat him without reason a few days ago and claimed you stole his spirit stones and talisman.”
She held out a piece of paper and handed it over to him. It has an official seal with his name on top.
“Your hearing is in three days and if you lose, your outer discipline rank will be pulled.”
- Writer
