Path of the Sect Leader

Chapter 116: Bai Xiaosheng’s New Order

The rest of the Chu Qin disciples had been waiting for hours. The moment Bai Xiaosheng stepped through the gate, Qi Xiu offered a brief introduction, then dropped to his knees alongside more than a dozen others. Voices rose in unison.

"We welcome Senior Bai as honored guest elder of the Chu Qin Sect."

Bai Xiaosheng raised a hand, bidding them rise. Simple, understated—the ceremony done.

What came next would shape the sect's foundation for a century. Qi Xiu's face grew grave. He waved everyone to their seats, yielded the head position to Bai Xiaosheng, and took a lesser chair beside him.

Zhang Shishi and the others knew only that Bai Xiaosheng was joining. But Qi Xiu's expression hinted at bigger shifts. They straightened, attention sharp.

"Good."

Qi Xiu scanned their faces, satisfied.

Two years had passed since his fortieth birthday with no new disciples added. Yet the weather held kind, the borders quiet—peaceful days, almost too easy. Ease bred slack. Yu Denou fathered late blooms. Zhang Shishi welcomed sons and daughters. Ming Jiu brought his mortal kin. Pan Rong, Yu Jing, Shen Chang—all married now, households growing louder with children and petty squabbles.

Factions sharpened: Qin clan, Zhan Yuan's people, Zhang Shishi's loyalists. Inner tensions simmered, harder for Qi Xiu to tamp down.

He'd finally agreed to Bai Xiaosheng's reforms wholesale. Time to let the man tighten the reins, set firm rules.

Balancing everything with his own authority and endless effort? Outdated now.

"Twelve full years in these southern borders," Qi Xiu began, voice steady. "We've pulled together—no divisions—and built what we have today. But numbers grow. Management wears me down. I've asked Senior Bai to lay the groundwork for our future. No square without rules. Today, we set them."

Faces varied as he spoke. Zhang Shishi's shifted through shades of doubt—old suspicions flaring. Qi Xiu sighed inside, nodding to Bai Xiaosheng.

The man rose, Foundation Establishment pressure rolling out subtle but firm, claiming the room.

"Qi Xiu and I go back years. I know he pours his heart into this sect. But I've never agreed with how he runs it. Time for change. Today starts it."

He swept his gaze across them slow.

"Listen close. These rules stand from now on. Break them—face the consequences."

"First: only five ranks in the Chu Qin Sect—Elder, Guest Elder, Sect Leader, Inner Disciple, Outer Disciple."

"Elders and Guest Elders must be Foundation Establishment. Elders must rise from inner disciples. Sect Leader requires ten years' service minimum. Inner Disciple—only those with real Foundation potential. Reach it, become Elder automatic. Everyone else? Outer Disciple."

The words landed heavy. Stripped nearly everyone of inner status. Even Zhang Shishi—old core from the original sect—demoted to outer, same as Zhan Yuan.

Zhang Shishi's face drained pale, then flushed dark. Eyes shot to Qi Xiu—closed eyes, unmoving. Then to Zhan Yuan, glare burning.

Bai Xiaosheng wasting no time—family ties or not, straight dismount for the son-in-law's side.

"Hmph. You lot..."

He half-rose, ready to erupt.

"Shishi."

Qi Xiu's eyes snapped open, voice low but edged. "Rules today. No debate."

"Sect Leader Senior Brother, I—"

Colder stare. Years of built authority won. Zhang Shishi muttered compliance, sank back silent.

"Second: only seven paid roles—Elder, Guest Elder, Sect Leader, Inner Disciple, Outer Disciple, Steward, Deacon. All other stipends? Gone."

"Public tasks: Sect Leader orders, budget approved, then draw from treasury. Private needs? Earn your own. Sect funds stay clean."

Standard for most sects. But outer disciple stipends alone? Bare bones living. No more lavish backing like Mo Jianxin once enjoyed.

Mo Guinong traded a glance with his treasured grandson. Lips moved—no words.

"Third: all public assets managed by stewards. Sect Leader oversees, schedules—no personal handouts."

"Fourth: all income funneled through treasury steward. Sect Leader oversees, schedules—no personal handouts."

"Fifth: Sect Leader chosen by Elder vote. Ties broken by majority. Previous leader? One Elder vote only—no direct appointment."

These clipped Qi Xiu's wings direct. No objections rose—he'd agreed. And if He Yu reached Foundation, became Elder? Boost for Zhang Shishi's camp. Zhan Yuan's face ashened instead.

The two young Qins—Qin Siguo too small, Qin Weiyu clueless—felt little.

"Sixth: mortal territory lord decided by Elder vote. Majority rules. Sect Leader one vote only—no direct pick."

No Elders yet—Qi Xiu held sway. But if one clan stacked the council later? Different game. For now, next century stable. As long as Qi Xiu didn't move against Qin Ji, the man sat secure. Qins bred fast—time on their side.

"Sixth continued: Stewards and Deacons appointed by Sect Leader. Elders, Guest Elders—no interference."

This shored his daily control, kept operations smooth.

"Seventh: removing a Sect Leader requires full Elder consensus—and at least three Elders."

Century-safe. Add two more beyond He Yu? Qi Xiu might gladly step down.

"Eighth: Elders may take personal disciples from inner ranks. Costs on them—no public funds."

"Ninth: Sect Leader may expel outer disciples. Inner? Joint Elder-Sect Leader decision, unanimous."

"Tenth: no mortal kin or servants in spirit lands. Beyond Sect Leader and Elders, kin barred from mountain gate unless serving as labor."

Uproar rippled.

Wei Yue'er alone spared—as Qi Xiu's nominal daughter. Everyone else's families? Out.

"Hmph. Every proper sect runs this way. Don't act ungrateful."

Bai Xiaosheng's snap silenced them.

"Eleventh: anyone may hold multiple Steward or Deacon roles. Able hands, heavier loads."

"Twelfth..."

He laid rule after rule, methodical.

Then Qi Xiu stepped in—per new order—naming stewards, deacons, setting stipends.