C13 Outer Disciple

Inside the house, Grandma Zhao assisted Zhang Hao in packing his luggage. After a moment of hesitation, Zhang Hao couldn't contain himself and spoke up.

"Grandma, I don't want to go to the Kong family. I'd rather stay here in Hillfar Village."

Upon hearing these words, Grandma Zhao wrapped Zhang Hao in a warm embrace, her smile radiating kindness.

"My dear Hao, it's hard for me to let you go, but you must," she said gently. "You need to see the world beyond our village. You can't stay confined here. I believe in you, Hao. You're destined for great things."

"When you're with the Kong family, remember to look after yourself. Whatever challenges come your way, you must be patient and strong."

Realizing Grandma Zhao's resolve, Zhang Hao fell silent, choosing to hold back any further words.

Once his luggage was ready, the villagers gathered at the village entrance to bid him farewell. Zhang Hao knelt and bowed deeply three times in gratitude.

Accompanied by several of the Kong family's strongmen, he left Hillfar Village and set out for Conriston.

They reached Conriston by evening, finding the city gates still thrumming with life and activity. The news that the Sun Family had acquired the corpse of a Late Period Blessed blood-furred wolf had spread far and wide, drawing curious onlookers from all over.

The rarity of such a creature meant that many speculated this could be the Kong family's chance to reclaim their former glory.

Upon arrival at the Kong family's estate, the head of the family instructed a guard to sort out Zhang Hao's living quarters.

Following the guard, Zhang Hao made his way to the central courtyard, where the younger members of the Kong family resided. His arrival sparked a buzz among the Kong disciples.

"Looks like we've got a new disciple from outside the family. But why are his clothes so worn?"

"Who is this fellow? Dressed so plainly, lugging that big bag, he's clearly from the countryside."

"A country bumpkin worthy of staying in the central courtyard?"

"What was Uncle Fan thinking, recruiting a disciple from the countryside with a different surname? It's beyond me."

"A country disciple without a spiritual root is of no use to us. Why bother bringing him in?"

The Kong family's young disciples chattered away, but the guard made no effort to silence them as he led Zhang Hao to a house.

"Zhang Hao, this will be your home from now on."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Hao gave a slight bow and entered the room, his large bundle in tow.

This room was a step up in luxury compared to Zhang Hao's previous dwelling, but he seemed indifferent to his new surroundings.

While Zhang Hao was tidying up, two other disciples with different surnames entered the room.

"Uh, can I help you?"

Zhang Hao looked up, puzzled, as the two made their entrance.

The youngest of the two was about Zhang Hao's age, while the eldest appeared to be in his mid-teens.

They, like Zhang Hao, were outer disciples recruited by the Kong family.

There was a stark distinction between inner disciples, who shared the Kong surname, and outer disciples like Zhang Hao.

Inner disciples were the Kong family's progeny, groomed to take over the family affairs and given priority in their upbringing.

Outer disciples, on the other hand, were brought in from Conriston and were expected to fulfill roles like guarding, without much regard or expectation.

These outer disciples were typically from small families, minor factions, or even merchant backgrounds, but overall, they were the youth of Conriston.

In the hierarchy of the Kong family, outer disciples were clearly a notch below their inner counterparts and were expected to show deference.

Even among the outer disciples, there was a pecking order; those from minor families looked down on those from smaller factions.

And those from smaller factions, in turn, looked down on those from merchant families.

With Zhang Hao's arrival, he was essentially at the bottom rung of the outer disciple ladder.

Despite this, a disciple from a merchant family was still a person of Conriston.

Zhang Hao's attire was plain and humble, marking him as nothing more than a countryside disciple.

The two merchant family disciples had long been the target of bullying by their fellow outer disciples.

Now that a young man of even lower status had appeared, the two merchant apprentices weren't about to miss their chance to assert dominance.

They were ready to demonstrate through action that Zhang Hao was the lowest-ranking disciple within the Kong family.

"Just a lowly country disciple, and he doesn't even bow before speaking to me!" sneered the tall, teenage disciple, fixing Zhang Hao with a contemptuous glare.

The chubby disciple, roughly Zhang Hao's age, noticed him standing silently and said with a sly grin, "Brother Liao, look at him. He seems a bit defiant, doesn't he?"

Upon hearing this, the disciple known as Brother Liao cracked his knuckles, seemingly eager to put Zhang Hao in his place.

At that moment, Zhang Hao stood still as the voice of the Black Hou Beast echoed in his mind, "When you face cowards who prey on the weak, you need to hit them hard. Show them strength, and they'll fear you."

Zhang Hao ignored the Black Hou Beast's advice, instead recalling Grandma Zhao's words about the importance of patience and forbearance in any situation.

Sensing Zhang Hao's thoughts, the Black Hou Beast dismissively added, "If you choose to hold back, they'll only escalate their bullying."

Still, Zhang Hao disregarded the creature's counsel. After a brief pause, he offered a respectful nod, "Zhang Hao, at your service, Senior Brothers."

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