Chapter 182: A Complete Idiot
Benton offered to induct Fatty Ren into the Rising Tide Sect immediately, but the Town Lord was too concerned about his former and future fellow sect members to focus on his own advancement. He insisted on summoning them to the palace immediately.
Not wanting to waste time, Benton decided to bring up the organization of the sect and the new sect branch. Fatty Ren would obviously be the branch leader for Vermilion Incomparable Rain Town, but his high cultivation realm created a major issue for Benton.
“I like you, Fatty Ren. You’re loyal and a diligent cultivator,” Benton said. “We can do great things together. We’ll build a fantastic sect.”
“But, Friend Su? I definitely sensed a ‘but’ coming.”
“But there is little trust between us, yet. As the second highest realmed cultivator in the entire sect, especially as one who will probably be advancing to Golden Core soon, you rightly should be placed second in command of the entire Rising Tide Sect, but I can’t do that. For one thing, I have two core disciples who I intend to inherit the sect. You cannot be placed above them.”
Fatty Ren nodded. “Fighting was something that came easy to me. Even before joining the sect, I was a big guy, stronger than others. And I wasn’t afraid of pain. I excelled in the arena. Up until after my breakthrough to Foundation Establishment, my cultivation came easily to me, too.” He paused. “I was never very ambitious, though. I didn’t seek to lead missions or form a faction or even try to teach others my methods in the Martial Pavilion. I never asked to be City Lord.”
Benton was very relieved that the big guy wasn’t planning on pushing to be put in what could be considered his rightful place. “I am so glad you understand and promise to find ways to compensate you for being so agreeable. You will, of course, still be needed to fill a leadership role here. You understand that, right?”
“I understand, Friend Su. Duty is as heavy as a mountain.”
Benton snorted. “Better than the alternative, death being light as a feather. Anyway, I am sorry to be adding more of a leadership burden on your plate. The good thing is that the travel time is minimal when flying, so I can be here as often as I need to be.” He removed a stack of message papers from his spatial ring and gave to Fatty Ren. “Use these whenever you need.”
The Town Lord cupped his hands and accepted the papers.
“Honestly, I’m not sure that I want to replicate pavilions here yet,” Benton said. “For the first several months, all the new inductees will be doing is cultivating and learning weapons, anyway. As long as we provide them a space to do that, feed them, and take care of all their basic needs, there’s not a lot of oversight required initially.”
“You said two hundred people, right, Friend Su? I can house that many here. It might be a little cramped as far as sleeping space, but there’s plenty of room outside to cultivate and spar.”