38. A Small Display of Skill

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The Inner Courtyard of the Li Residence

The family of three had finished breakfast early. Li Shaoyun had changed into a finely tailored brocade robe, fastened an elegant belt, and secured his hair with a jade pin, revealing an air of exceptional distinction.

Mrs. Li smiled as she advised him, “Today is your first day taking up your post as a nominal deputy steward at White Feather Hall. Though it is only an honorary position, Steward Zhang is gone now, so you must keep a low profile in everything you do. White Feather Hall is not our Li Residence. When it is time to bow your head, bow it, and do not provoke anyone you should not.”

Li Shaoyun was in exceptionally high spirits, his expression brimming with confidence. “I know, Mother. I was merely appointed a nominal deputy under Steward Zhang. Now that he is gone, I shall serve under whoever replaces him. I only wonder who the new steward will be, what sort of temperament he has... and whether I ought to prepare a gift...”

Li Shaoyun was already twenty years old and had graduated from the county’s Martial Academy long ago.

With the distinction of a military licentiate, he should have been able to study under one of the renowned families in Nanyang Prefecture and prepare for the provincial examination three years from now. Unfortunately, the Li family had no such connections, so he could only seek out a prestigious school within Qingwu County.

The Tiger-Wolf Sect was undoubtedly one of the two great sects in Qingwu County.

That Li Shaoyun could take up even a nominal deputy-steward position in the Tiger-Wolf Sect was entirely due to the five hundred taels of silver Li Ru had previously given Steward Zhang as a bribe. Li Ru had thought the matter foolproof. He had never expected Zhang Biao to... pass away.

Although Zhang Biao had finalized Li Shaoyun’s appointment before his death, the sudden replacement of the steward still left the family of three feeling deeply insecure.

Li Ru gritted his teeth, took out a money pouch, and reluctantly handed it to Li Shaoyun. “Your concern is not without reason. To ensure that your appointment proceeds smoothly, take the one hundred and eighty taels meant to ransom Old Xie and present it to the new steward. Only by cultivating the right connections will your path be smooth. If you pass the provincial examination in three years, this expense will have been worthwhile.”

Li Shaoyun accepted the pouch and cupped his fists gratefully. “Thank you, Father! Once I pass the provincial examination three years from now, I shall repay your kindness and Mother’s twice over.”

…

By the time Xie An reached the Blood Ridge Black Market, it was already the hour of the Dragon.

The black market did not open during the day, so there were few people about. Apart from the shopkeepers and assistants who lived here year-round, those coming and going were mostly stallholders making preparations in advance.

Members of the Tiger-Wolf Sect could be seen patrolling everywhere.

“Old Brother, at last you have arrived.”

Upon seeing Xie An, whose face was covered, Zhang Lin greeted him with his usual warmth. He had already ordered Zhou Xing to clean out a separate courtyard for Xie An to rest and practice his martial arts.

The courtyard was not particularly large, perhaps three hundred square meters, but its layout was exceptionally refined.

There were two osmanthus trees, as well as an ornamental rockery and pond, pavilions, terraces, and towers. It contained a reception hall, bedroom, kitchen, and more. One room had been set aside specifically for weapons, with a weapon rack and training equipment such as stone locks.

In the thirty years since crossing into this world, Xie An had never owned such a luxurious residence.

In his previous life, he had always yearned to own a large villa of his own. Unfortunately, his abilities had been limited, and he had never achieved that dream before his death. He had never expected to fulfill this modest wish after crossing into another world.

“Zhou Xing, what are you staring at? Hurry up and carry Old Brother’s luggage.”

Scolded by Zhang Lin, Zhou Xing belatedly hurried over to Xie An and helped remove the pack from his back.

Xie An did not stand on ceremony. Now that he was, in one way or another, a manager, having someone carry his luggage seemed perfectly reasonable. He handed the pack to Zhou Xing.

He had his grand villa, and he even had someone to carry his luggage...

In a word: bliss.

Once inside the reception hall, Zhang Lin personally brewed tea for Xie An and patiently began explaining the black market’s operations.

Generally speaking, the Blood Ridge Black Market’s business was divided into two parts.

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The first was security: maintaining order and ensuring the safety of merchants and customers. Zhang Lin was responsible for this side.

The second was the black market’s commercial operations, including stall fees, admission fees, various commissions, and the management of personal connections. This side had previously been handled by Zhang Biao, and now naturally fell to Xie An.

In short, Xie An’s position was far better than Zhang Lin’s. He would not need to fight and kill, his work would be leisurely, and the profits would be greater.

Moreover... although Zhang Biao and Zhang Lin had both been stewards, anyone could see that Zhang Biao had been the true master of the Blood Ridge Black Market, while Zhang Lin had been second-in-command.

Now that Xie An had replaced Zhang Biao, did that make him the black market’s chief?

Zhang Lin seemed to discern Xie An’s confusion and explained with a smile, “The Blood Ridge Black Market is overseen by Hall Master Wei Dian. There is also a Chief Steward named Lin Yun, who serves as Hall Master Wei’s deputy. They do not usually come here and only come to review the accounts at the end of each month. Before this, I assisted Zhang Biao. Now that you have arrived, Old Brother, I shall naturally assist you.”

Zhang Lin had wanted to rise higher as well, but Tang Qingyun had spoken against it back then. Though he felt a little disappointed, he was still content. At the very least, working with Old Brother was far more comfortable than working with Zhang Biao.

Xie An nodded slightly. “I see. By the way, Brother Zhang, the Blood Ridge Black Market only opens at night. What does everyone do during the day?”

Zhang Lin answered honestly, “During the day, we handle cleaning, cultivate business connections, and so on. But those matters are generally handled by the people below us. As stewards, we receive special privileges.”

“Special privileges?”

“Yes. We may go to White Feather Hall to study martial arts...”

From Zhang Lin’s explanation, Xie An finally learned what those special privileges entailed.

White Feather Hall was located near Water Lantern Wharf, not far outside Wuqiao Town and not far from Water Lantern Town either. The hall had three hundred disciples. Hall Master Wei and Chief Steward Lin usually lived there and practiced martial arts.

The other hall masters and deputy hall masters were also based there.

To promote the study of martial arts, the Tiger-Wolf Sect had established a training ground, a library, a teaching hall, and other facilities at White Feather Hall. Once the disciples had finished their regular duties, they could go there to attend lessons on martial arts.

Stewards were the lowest-ranking managers in the Tiger-Wolf Sect, but they enjoyed certain privileges when it came to martial training. For example, the steward of the Blood Ridge Black Market was responsible for the market’s affairs at night, but could study martial arts at the hall during the day.

White Feather Hall also contained a library, an apothecary, a weapons shop, and various other facilities.

After hearing all this, Xie An was thoroughly pleased. He felt more and more certain that he had come to the right place.

“If Old Brother is eager, I can take you to the hall right now. With your status as a steward, you may choose one martial art for free, find a teacher at no cost, and obtain medicinal supplements for your training...”

Xie An weighed the matter briefly before suppressing his impatience. “Thank you for your kindness, Brother Zhang, but I have only just arrived. It is more important that I first familiarize myself with the black market’s business. Once I understand the operations and the market is running smoothly, it will not be too late to visit the hall.”

Zhang Lin could not help but regard Xie An with greater respect, and his approval deepened. “Old Brother is indeed steady and practical. If Hall Master Wei hears of this, he will certainly be pleased.”

Xie An merely smiled without offering an explanation.

He had just arrived and had no background. If he ignored his primary duties and rushed off to practice martial arts, he might well leave a poor impression on Hall Master Wei and Chief Steward Lin Yun.

With the support of his Longevity Fate, Xie An was in no hurry. He would first establish himself in the black market, then proceed gradually.

“By the way, Brother Zhang, are Hall Master Wei and Chief Steward Lin at the black market today? I would like to prepare some gifts and pay them a visit.”

As a newcomer, one first paid respects to the local power.

Xie An understood this rule well. He certainly did not imagine that becoming a steward meant he could let his pride soar to the heavens.

Zhang Lin replied, “Hall Master Wei and Chief Steward Lin were summoned by the Hall Master to suppress bandits. I am afraid they will be occupied for some time.”

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Disappointment appeared on Xie An’s face. “Then I shall trouble Brother Zhang to acquaint me with the black market’s business.”

“Old Brother truly works with efficiency. Come with me.”

Zhang Lin patiently led Xie An around the black market, explaining its various details and rules.

In general, the black market’s core business consisted of several major categories: weapons, medicinal supplements, secret manuals, and materials from ferocious beasts. Everything else was merely incidental.

For ordinary itinerant stallholders, the black market collected only a stall fee.

However, some large vendors had established permanent shops here. From them, the black market took a certain percentage of commissions. This was the market’s principal source of income.

Maintaining good relations with the various shopkeepers was one of Xie An’s primary responsibilities as a steward.

Xie An asked detailed questions and made certain he understood everything clearly.

Once they had finished, Zhang Lin brought Xie An back to the separate courtyard and instructed Zhou Xing to bring over all of Zhang Biao’s former subordinates to meet the new steward.

While waiting for them to arrive, Zhang Lin offered a warning. “Old Brother, most of Zhang Biao’s former subordinates are unruly men. You may have to put in considerable effort. Only after you have brought them under control will you be able to establish yourself here.”

Xie An thanked him and took note.

Before long, the disciples filed in one after another and stood in the courtyard with their heads held high.

There were more than ten of them, most sturdy men who had clearly practiced martial arts. Upon seeing Xie An’s head of white hair, they merely gave him a careless salute and addressed him as steward.

Although they called him steward with their mouths, Xie An keenly noticed the defiance in their eyes. They evidently took him for an old man who had secured the position through connections and therefore did not take him seriously.

Xie An saw everything, but did not react.

Zhang Lin placed particular emphasis on introducing two men: Liang Zhi, the accountant responsible for money coming in and going out, and Wang Xiang, one of Zhang Biao’s former enforcers.

Xie An studied the two men carefully.

Liang Zhi was a slightly plump man in his forties, with a conspicuous tuft of white beard. Though he was advanced in age, he had practiced martial arts and appeared quite robust. Wang Xiang was in his thirties and gave off an unruly air. His gaze toward Xie An was filled with undisguised dissatisfaction.

Xie An knew that although his face was still covered, there was no way to conceal his white hair. The sight of an old man taking Zhang Biao’s place would naturally make them resentful.

This was all within Xie An’s expectations.

He was now, at the very least, a minor leader. If he wanted to perform his duties well, his first priority was to discipline these men and ensure that they carried out his orders.

To intimidate them quickly, he would have to display a little of his strength.

With that thought, Xie An deliberately adopted a stern expression. “I value fairness in rewards and punishments above all else. If you work diligently, I will naturally reward you handsomely. But if you grow negligent, become listless, or play tricks behind my back, and I discover it, then you will end up like this stone lock...”

As he spoke, Xie An walked over to a seven-hundred-pound stone lock. Under the astonished gazes of the assembled disciples, he lifted it above his head with one arm, swung it forcefully twice, and then smashed it against another stone lock.

With a sudden thunderous boom, both stone locks shattered at once, spraying countless fragments of dust into the air.

Hiss.

The entire courtyard fell silent, as if a chill wind had frozen every soul.