Even if the families were aware of the hardships, would they dare to challenge the Azure Dragon Sect, the group that allowed them to trade in large cities? They were forced to balance their personal gains with the wellbeing of their young members in the sect.
The sect's membership gave them respect among other clans. Despite their members in the sect working hard, it didn't affect the family's reputation. Having a member in the Azure Dragon Sect was an honor.
They might have hoped that their members would withstand the tough conditions, survive, and eventually rise to prominent positions within the sect. If they survived and became stronger, they might even become elders of the sect, giving their clans more power and respect.
Han Cai speculated that the families decided to keep quiet, allowing their members to endure the hard work. It was a risky situation filled with hopes for a better future. The outcome was uncertain, but they were willing to take the gamble.
A month went by in the pill-making labor camp.
At the end of the month, Elder Du came to check their work. Han Cai had met his goal of five thousand pills. However, He Jun had only managed to make a thousand. The other disciples also reached their individual goals.
During this time, Shu Tao didn't take part in the pill-making. He was supervising the six disciples' progress and work.
Elder Du was surprised that Han Cai had met his goal. Every time new disciples came for the first month, they were expected to fail and be punished so that they would take their work more seriously in the future. He looked at Han Cai, nodded his approval, and then turned his attention to He Jun and Shu Tao. He warned them that just because they had relatives in the outer sect didn't mean they were safe. If they didn't meet the expected amount, his leniency would end.
Shu Tao nodded at Elder Du's warning. Suddenly, Elder Du released his Qi, and He Jun, who had been standing, was pushed to the ground. Shu Tao quickly disappeared and came back with a rope to tie up He Jun. Elder Du moved his hand, and a whip appeared.
He Jun received five hundred lashes from Elder Du in front of the other workers. When the punishment was over, He Jun's clothes were ripped, and his skin was a patchwork of red and black, blood seeping from the whip marks.
Elder Du looked at the scared disciples, who seemed too weak to even make a sound. He nodded, satisfied. "All of you have met your goals, so tonight, you'll get spirit food in my courtyard." He then told Shu Tao to assign both of them ten thousand pills for the next month.
Han Cai thought about how the old man punished them first and now would reward them.
Shu Tao nodded to acknowledge the elder's order. Elder Du divided the pills into two storage bags, telling Shu Tao to take five thousand to the pill hall and sell the rest separately.
Han Cai realized that each elder was only required to submit five thousand pills a month to the Pill Hall. Yet the elder was making each disciple make ten thousand low-grade fasting pills, working non-stop throughout the month.
The understanding of Elder Du's manipulation made Han Cai sigh. This world was a ruthless place, and an innocent person like him suffered at every step due to its greed. He wondered how he had managed to survive so long in such a cruel world.
After Shu Tao left, two kids helped He Jun, putting ointment on his wounds to help him recover. In the evening, the disciples gathered again at Elder Du's place, this time for a good meal.
When Shu Tao came back, he brought a large quantity of spirit food. It turned out that the sect's ferrymen, who traveled to the cities and back, were also black-market suppliers and sellers in the outer sect. Shu Tao had bought the spirit food brought by these ferrymen.
The food was shared among the children, and both Shu Tao and Elder Du enjoyed spirit wine.
"I know you kids feel this is unfair," Elder Du began, his voice softened by the wine. "But this is me teaching you that life is unfair. You can't learn life's lessons without suffering. I'm doing this for your own good."
Han Cai looked at the old man trying to justify his actions and manipulating these young kids. He argued, "But with this workload, we won't have time to cultivate."
Elder Du's brow furrowed in response to Han Cai's argument. "You should cultivate in your free time. Do you think the food in the sect is free just because you've been accepted? From next month, you need to concoct fifteen thousand pills."
Han Cai responded quickly, "If the food in the sect isn't free, then are you paying for my meals, or is the sect?"
Elder Du's temper rose at this cheeky question. But before he could answer, Han Cai continued, "My predecessors. You worked them to death, didn't you? Why must all of you cultivators act like villains? Can't you be more normal?"
Elder Du was furious. Han Cai was being extremely disrespectful. "Kid, it seems like you want to meet your predecessors. Your weak family won't come to protect you. I can say you died from alchemy poisoning, and no one will question me."
Han Cai, undeterred, asked, "How many kids like me die this way every month in the sect? Can you give me a number?"
Elder Du was taken aback by the audacity of this boy.
Han Cai continued," I am a naive little soul who keeps facing adversity in this world. I don't mind others suffering, but how could you not care about my suffering? Old man, tell me this I worked my ass off for you. But you are so cruel drinking wine alone, giving it to only the kid that did not do any work. WHERE IS JUSTICE?"
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If we reach 2000 power stones, I will release two supplementary chapters.
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