51: Persuading people with reason and "legitimate" cooperatives

The loud bang of the courtyard gate being kicked open startled the few Low-level Disciples who were exchanging information or waiting inside. They nervously looked toward the Law Enforcement Team that had burst in.

The leading Law Enforcement Disciple was named Gao Peng, with a cultivation base at the Qi Refining Fifth Layer. He was one of the key members the Five Elements Courtyard had placed within the Law Enforcement Team. He had long received instructions from The Ones Above to suppress the increasingly restless Ding Zi Courtyard.

"Senior Brother Gao, what is the meaning of this?" Wen Youyi stepped forward, shielding Zhao Iron Pillar and the others behind him, his face displaying the perfect amount of "surprise" and "confusion."

"What meaning?" Gao Peng snorted, his gaze sweeping over the simple Formation Plates, Materials, and the few fearful Low-level Disciples in the courtyard. "Gathering privately, spreading Cultivation Techniques not certified by the Sect, and disrupting Outer Sect order! Wen Youyi, do you admit your guilt?"

If these charges were confirmed, the punishment would definitely not be light.

The faces of the Low-level Disciples in the courtyard turned pale, and they instinctively backed up a few steps, afraid of being implicated.

Wen Youyi sneered internally, but his expression grew even more "sincere": "Senior Brother Gao, you exaggerate. We Disciples are merely exchanging insights on completing missions and dealing with dangerous situations with a few familiar Senior and Junior Brothers, helping each other and improving together. How can this be called gathering to disrupt order? As for Cultivation Techniques..."

He paused, then took out a copy of the previous "Open Source" Jade Slip. "We Disciples are dull in Aptitude, and having occasionally gained some understanding, we dared not keep it private. We have already reported these rudimentary insights to the Sect (through the Old Deacon), aiming to elicit better ideas from others. We absolutely have no intention of spreading the Evil Path. If the Sect deems this method inappropriate, we Disciples will immediately cease discussion, without any objection!"

His words were watertight, clarifying that they were "exchanging insights and experiences" and "helping each other," which aligned with the Sect's spirit of encouraging cooperation. Furthermore, he brought up the fact that they had "reported to the Sect," placing himself in a compliant position.

Gao Peng was choked up. He hadn't expected Wen Youyi to react so quickly, or that he would have preemptively gone through the "reporting" procedure (even if only through an inconspicuous Old Deacon).

He argued nonsensically: "Hmph! Silver-tongued! Even if it's not the Evil Path, how do you explain your private trading of Materials here? How can Sect resources be treated so casually by you!"

"Trading?" Wen Youyi showed an expression of "sudden realization." "Senior Brother Gao misunderstood! This is not trading, but 'Mutual Aid'! Our Senior and Junior Brothers trust us and temporarily lend us some Materials that they cannot use but we happen to need for research. In return, we share some insignificant experience to help them better complete Sect missions and contribute to the Sect. This is purely a manifestation of fraternity among fellow Disciples; how can it be defiled by a vulgar term like 'trading'?"

With every mention of "Mutual Aid," "fraternity," and "contributing to the Sect," he placed himself on the moral high ground, dissolving Gao Peng's accusations into nothingness.

A Low-level Disciple nearby, who had been somewhat afraid, couldn't help but quietly agree after hearing Wen Youyi's words: "That's right, Senior Brother Gao, Senior Brother Wen and the others are helping us..."

"Shut up! You have no business speaking here!" Gao Peng shouted sternly. That Disciple shrank his neck in fright.

Gao Peng's face was gloomy. He knew it would be difficult to pin conventional charges on Wen Youyi today. He stared at Wen Youyi, his tone chilling: "Sharp-tongued! I warn you, the Outer Sect has its rules! There are people you cannot afford to provoke! There are things you shouldn't touch! Look out for yourselves!"

After speaking, he glared fiercely at Wen Youyi and led his subordinates away resentfully. If he stayed any longer, he feared Wen Youyi would infuriate him to death.

Watching the Law Enforcement Team leave, everyone in the courtyard breathed a sigh of relief.

"Little Wen, you're amazing! You drove them off with just a few sentences!" Zhao Iron Pillar excitedly patted Wen Youyi's shoulder.

Wang Wu, however, frowned and said, "Junior Brother Wen, since they failed this time, they definitely won't let the matter rest. Moreover, they have the Five Elements Courtyard backing them..."

Wen Youyi nodded, his gaze sweeping over the few Low-level Disciples in the courtyard who were still shaken, and he made a decision.

He announced clearly: "All Senior Brothers have seen that our actions at Ding Zi Courtyard are open and aboveboard, purely for the mutual aid and collective improvement of fellow Disciples. However, the tree desires stillness, yet the wind will not cease. To avoid similar misunderstandings in the future, and to make our 'Mutual Aid' effort more legitimate..."

He paused, then declared emphatically: "I have decided to formally apply to the Sect to establish the 'Outer Sect Disciple Mutual Aid Society,' bringing our experience and methods under Sect supervision to benefit more fellow Disciples!"

As soon as he said this, everyone was astonished!

Formally applying to the Sect? Establishing a Mutual Aid Society? Isn't that too bold!

But upon careful thought, this was undoubtedly the best way to break the deadlock! Once they received official Sect recognition (even if just tacit approval), it would be like having a Protective Talisman. Whether it was the Law Enforcement Team or the Five Elements Courtyard, if they wanted to openly suppress them again, they would have to think twice!

Moreover, bringing the "Cooperative" into the open would attract more Low-level Disciples to join and gather strength!

"A great idea!" Wang Wu was the first to react. "If this succeeds, we will be able to advance or defend as needed!"

Those few Low-level Disciples were also impressed by Wen Youyi's boldness and expressed their support one after another.

They acted immediately. Wen Youyi personally drafted a heartfelt application filled with "Sect honor" and the "spirit of fraternity among fellow Disciples." It detailed the original intention and purpose of establishing the "Outer Sect Disciple Mutual Aid Society" (mutual assistance, improving mission efficiency, and strengthening Sect cohesion), along with preliminary plans, and attached parts of the simplified "Cooperation Method" as evidence.

He submitted this application, once again through the Old Deacon at the Mission Hall.

This time, he was betting that the Sect High-level Members were not monolithic, and that there were always some who wished to see the lower ranks revitalized or who were dissatisfied with the existing rigid order.

After the application was submitted, it was like a stone sinking into the sea—there was no response for several days.

The outside world was rife with discussion. Some thought Wen Youyi was indulging in fantasy, others waited to see him fail, and the Five Elements Courtyard applied pressure in secret.

The people of Ding Zi Courtyard remained outwardly calm, but their hearts were inevitably uneasy.

Just as the atmosphere became somewhat oppressive, the Old Deacon swaggered over again and tossed Wen Youyi a Wooden Plaque. The character "Yǔn" (Allow) was carved on it, along with a line of smaller text: "Limited strictly to experience exchange and mission cooperation. May not involve Cultivation Technique Legacy. Subject to Mission Hall supervision."

The application... was actually tacitly approved!

Although there were many restrictions, the "Outer Sect Disciple Mutual Aid Society" now had a semi-official status!

As the news spread, the lower ranks of the Outer Sect erupted in cheers! Meanwhile, certain individuals smashed the teacups in their hands in anger.

Wen Youyi rubbed the Wooden Plaque, which represented their "legal" status. He knew the temporary crisis had passed, but they had also truly stepped out from behind the scenes and onto the stage.

The path ahead would undoubtedly be even more magnificent.

(End of Chapter)