First-Rank Household Guard

"Thank you for your frank advice this time, Master Feng."

Xu Yuan felt deeply enlightened and bowed respectfully to him again.

Tian Yang hurriedly followed suit.

"It's nothing."

Feng Xiao waved his hand. Though he didn't say it, he was quite pleased with Xu Yuan's attitude and knew he had subtly forged a connection.

Seeing they were nearing the registration area, he gave a few final introductions: "Our Shangyang Family is divided into five halls: the Pill Hall, the Enforcement Hall, the Personnel Hall, the Supervision Hall, and the Skill Hall."

"Among them, the Pill Hall is where you purchase cultivation medicines, like Meridian Nourishing Soup and Blood Activating Pills; the Enforcement Hall, as its name suggests, maintains order and discipline; the Personnel Hall registers Martial Artists, distributes monthly stipends, and assigns tasks."

"The Supervision Hall is where you go if you feel any assignments are unfair; the Skill Hall, I believe I don't need to explain further, you'll directly go there later to collect the martial skill, Thunderclap Fist."

With that, Feng Xiao led them directly into the Personnel Hall's registration office.

Remembering the instructions from last night, Xu Yuan found a maid and informed her. Zhao Qiusheng soon came out.

Feng Xiao clearly knew him, and after a brief exchange, he even put in a good word for Xu Yuan.

This action surprised Zhao Qiusheng greatly.

Feng Xiao was usually a man of few words. While he wasn't one for underhanded tactics, he wasn't exactly easy to talk to either.

Seeing him so appreciative of Xu Yuan now, Zhao Qiusheng couldn't help but become more interested.

After Feng Xiao left, the three of them went to a room and began registering one by one.

Zhao Qiusheng looked at the information they had filled out and suddenly frowned, "You have a conflict with the Wild Wolf Gang from the outer city?"

"Yes, my father was previously targeted by them... that's why."

Xu Yuan didn't hide anything, filling out the section on relationships clearly as required.

After all, even if he didn't say anything, the Shangyang Family could find out at any time. It was better to be honest and avoid making things worse by trying to conceal it.

Zhao Qiusheng's brow relaxed, and he said nonchalantly, "It's fine, as long as it's not related to the Bai Family."

"As for this Wild Wolf Gang? A bunch of petty thugs from the outer city, not worth mentioning... Don't worry, they won't dare to openly attack you in the future. Just be careful on your own."

Seeing this, Xu Yuan cupped his hands slightly, knowing his guess was correct.

Even if he couldn't use the Shangyang Family's influence to eliminate the gang, just being careful would be enough for self-preservation.

After Zhao Qiusheng finished recording their information, he took out a token and a set of gray clothes:

"From today onwards, you are First-Rank Household Guards of our Shangyang Family."

"Household Guards are divided into three ranks, and above that are the Black Robe Servant Leaders. Our standards aren't like those in the side courtyards, where you need seniority or noble patronage. Here, it depends on one thing: your cultivation realm!"

"If you can break through to the Four-Vein Realm, you will become a Fourth-Rank Servant Leader, and your status and resources within the family will significantly increase."

"Even outside, ordinary officials will have to temporarily avoid you."

Fourth-Rank Servant Leader!

Xu Yuan and Tian Yang's eyes flickered, their hearts filled with longing for it.

"Getting ahead of myself, you are currently First-Rank Household Guards. Your basic monthly stipend is one tael. At Second-Rank, it's three taels, and at Third-Rank, it's five taels."

Zhao Qiusheng glanced at the two of them and continued, "Additionally, you have task stipends, which depend on the tasks assigned to you."

With that, he handed them their monthly stipends and took out a receipt. "Fill out this form to acknowledge receipt of your monthly stipend."

Xu Yuan filled out the form and, as he took the money bag, he felt its weight. Something was off; it felt like there were two taels?

Seeing his confused expression, Zhao Qiusheng suddenly realized:

"Ah, yes, the extra tael is a reward from the family."

Hearing this, Xu Yuan finally relaxed and accepted it. Stroking the heavy two taels of silver in his hand, he couldn't help but sigh:

"This small amount of money was enough to make my elder brother take a huge risk and borrow money, which led to the Wild Wolf Gang coming to our door."

Now, it was just his two months' salary.

He understood even more clearly that his identity had undergone a tremendous change!

Tian Yang clutched his money, his face also beaming with joy.

Seeing the two of them staring blankly at the silver, Zhao Qiusheng couldn't help but laugh:

"This money might seem like a lot outside, enough for ordinary people to live for several months, but for us, there are many places to spend money."

"Like the Meridian Nourishing Soup at two qian, or the Blood Activating Pill at three qian. A portion is only enough for a one-vein Martial Artist for two or three days, and they're in high demand."

"The saying 'poverty in literature, wealth in martial arts' isn't just a joke."

Xu Yuan nodded silently. These things were indeed very expensive!

This two taels of silver would be enough for his elder brother's family for over a year.

But here, it would only last a little over half a month.

"Alright, you can now go to the Skill Hall to collect the martial skill, Thunderclap Fist. As for tasks, they will be assigned and chosen after your performance is evaluated next month."

Xu Yuan had already heard this from Feng Xiao, but at this moment, he still leaned forward, maintaining an attentive listening posture.

On the other hand, Tian Yang, listening to familiar content, seemed somewhat absent-minded.

Zhao Qiusheng naturally noticed his unusual state at a glance and asked, "You already know all this?"

"Yes," Tian Yang quickly nodded.

"Master Feng mentioned it when we came over, but Steward Zhao works in the Personnel Hall, so what he sees and hears is naturally different. Hearing your explanation is like a fresh perspective, and I've gained quite a bit," Xu Yuan said, cupping his hands towards him and answering sincerely.

"..." Tian Yang gave an awkward smile, agreeing.

Brother Yuan, you make me look so dumb, do you know that?

"Oh?"

Hearing this, Zhao Qiusheng couldn't help but look at him again.

He's only fifteen or sixteen, yet he speaks so eloquently. He's not simple!

So, while admiring him, Zhao Qiusheng gave Xu Yuan many pointers on courtyard affairs and found him to be very intelligent.

There were many crucial points he couldn't explain clearly, but Xu Yuan grasped them instantly. His words were also extremely appropriate, leaving no room for error.

In comparison, Tian Yang beside him couldn't hide his awkwardness, his reactions were slow, and he seemed to be speaking incoherently.

"Youngsters are truly formidable!"

Zhao Qiusheng sighed. No wonder Feng Xiao thought so highly of Xu Yuan. Interacting with him was nothing like interacting with someone his age.

He was simply worry-free and trouble-free.

Finally, Xu Yuan also requested two days of leave.

The two chatted harmoniously, and Zhao Qiusheng readily agreed.

Afterward, they appropriately ended their conversation, and Xu Yuan bid farewell and left.

After coming out.

The two walked on the road back to the dormitory.

Looking at Xu Yuan ahead, Tian Yang's expression became conflicted for a moment. He suddenly stopped and took out the one or two taels of silver from his pocket, handing it to Xu Yuan. "Brother Yuan, you saved my life, and I need to buy Blood Activating Pills recently. Please take this silver."

"However, this money is definitely not enough to repay your kindness... If there's anything else in the future, just ask!"

Towards the end, Tian Yang became emotional, his words becoming somewhat incoherent.

But Xu Yuan understood his meaning. He knew that within the next month, ordinary Martial Artists would rely on this bit of silver for their cultivation.

If they couldn't achieve a breakthrough by then, they might be assigned random tasks, and their lives might not even be guaranteed.

Although this person likes to show off, his psychology is actually quite normal. After last night's ordeal, he's clearly matured a lot.

Xu Yuan thought to himself and pushed the silver back.

"Take it back. I understand your intentions, but this is a critical period right now, and every cent has a significant role."

"It's not too late for you to repay me when you're more financially comfortable."

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