Winning Hearts

Jiang Dao's brutal methods plunged everyone into terror.

They found it hard to imagine what kind of devil this was.

Everyone present, asking themselves, they hadn't always done good deeds.

But to kill people so casually like Jiang Dao, they truly hadn't done that.

For a moment, no one dared to utter another word.

On the side, Yang Xu was completely stunned.

Unbelievable!

This nephew was truly unbelievable.

An entire hall full of troublemakers, and he settled it instantly?

"Right, you reported meritorious service just now, what's your name?"

Jiang Dao suddenly looked calmly at the man who had spoken the names earlier and asked.

"L-little man's name is Wang Bao!"

The man said with a trembling voice.

"Good, from today onwards, you are promoted to Helmsman. Go get the roster for me!"

Jiang Dao said.

"Yes, yes!"

The man, filled with both joy and fear, trembled inwardly, still feeling like he was dreaming. He quickly rushed into the room and brought out a thick roster.

The roster contained over six hundred members.

Most members were active outside and couldn't make it.

There were only about a hundred regular members within the hall.

Jiang Dao quickly scanned it and found that Flying Eagle Hall had eight Helmsmen. Those he had just sent to clean up horse dung were, without exception, all Helmsmen.

"Still saying you didn't get in through connections? Eight people serving as Helmsmen simultaneously, there must be something fishy. In my Flying Eagle Hall, I hate it the most when people use connections!"

Jiang Dao's expression turned cold as he looked at everyone. "There are now seven vacant Helmsman positions. How about this: whoever has the higher martial strength will be appointed. If any of you feel your martial strength far surpasses your peers, step forward yourself, and I will appoint you as Helmsman!"

As soon as he said this, the remaining people were both shocked and delighted.

Appointing them as Helmsmen?

They were about to step forward, but suddenly their scalps tingled, and they shrank back.

If they became Helmsmen now, wouldn't that mean they would offend the Left Guardian from now on?

Everyone knew that the Left Guardian had arranged for many of his confidants to take important positions in Flying Eagle Hall. Now that these positions were being taken by them, would the Left Guardian let them off easily?

For a moment, everyone trembled and lowered their heads.

"What? The prestigious position of Helmsman? No one wants it?"

Jiang Dao frowned, staring at the bowed heads.

Everyone remained silent.

Suddenly, Jiang Dao understood and let out a cold laugh. "Don't worry, as long as you take on this Helmsman position, from now on, you are my own people. No one else has the right to deal with you. Whoever dares to deal with you is going against me, including the Left Guardian. What do you say, still hesitating? The opportunity is now given to you, so grasp it well. You must know that in this life, such opportunities don't come around every time!"

The expressions on everyone's faces shifted as they struggled internally.

Soon, someone boldly stepped forward, cupping his fists. "Hall Master, this humble one is Guo Dutian, willing to serve as Helmsman. I have mastered a fast blade technique, the sixty-four forms of the Fast Blade. In terms of strength, I rank among the top in Flying Eagle Hall. I hope the Hall Master will grant my request!"

"Fast Blade? If you have such skill, why weren't you appointed to an important position before?"

Jiang Dao asked.

"Because... because I have no connections behind me, so... I could only do odd jobs."

The man said in a low voice.

"I see!"

Jiang Dao smiled. "Very good. From now on, you are the East Gate Helmsman of Flying Eagle Hall, responsible for the East Gate Street area!"

"Thank you, Hall Master!"

Guo Dutian was overjoyed and bowed solemnly.

Seeing this, the others were shaken and immediately stepped forward to recommend themselves.

These people were basically not weak. Like Guo Dutian, they had no connections behind them, which was why they had no path for promotion. But now that Jiang Dao had cleared the obstacles for them, it immediately gave these people hope again.

Jiang Dao was extremely satisfied and appointed them one by one.

Soon, all the vacant Helmsman positions were filled.

"Don't worry, as long as you honestly follow this Hall Master, this Hall Master will naturally not treat you poorly. Today is my first day in office, everyone gets a celebratory bonus. Now, each person will be rewarded ten taels of silver, and those at the Helmsman level will receive one hundred taels!"

Jiang Dao announced.

Ten taels of silver was equivalent to the income of an ordinary person for four to five years.

Many of the servants in their Jiang manor only earned two qian of silver a month, so these ten taels were already a small fortune for everyone. As for the Helmsman's hundred taels, that was practically swimming in wealth.

The crowd was overjoyed once more, quickly bowing their heads and pledging their absolute loyalty.

"A dragon among men, truly a dragon among men!"

Yang Xu, standing to the side, marveled inwardly.

First, he had used his thunderous methods to intimidate them, and then he used a large sum of money to win their hearts!

A perfect balance of pressure and reward, executed flawlessly!

It was no wonder the Left Guardian's confidantes were defeated.

"Third Uncle, everything is stable here for now. If you're busy, you can head back."

Jiang Dao said as he turned around.

"Alright, I was worried you wouldn't be able to completely subdue the Flying Eagle Hall, but it seems I was overthinking it!" Yang Xu sighed.

He immediately mounted his swift horse and quickly departed.

"Everyone else, disperse. The eight Helmsmen will come in with me!"

Jiang Dao commanded, walking towards the main hall. He suddenly stopped and looked back at the Helmsmen he had dismissed, saying coldly, "Keep an eye on them. Don't let them leave. Anyone who lets them go will be held accountable!"

A group of gang members hurriedly nodded, promising not to let anyone escape.

On the ground, the dismissed Hall Masters all wore bitter expressions, their hearts filled with frustration.

If they had known this would happen, they would never have agreed to help the Left Guardian deal with Jiang Dao.

Inside the main hall.

Jiang Dao sat quietly, dressed in a snow-white mink coat. He had a robust build, broad shoulders, and thick, dark, long hair. His face was fair, making him look like a wealthy young master.

He picked up a teacup and blew on it gently, then said calmly, "Everyone, I've heard that our Blazing Flame Sect has quite a few martial arts texts. Where are these texts kept? And are there any restrictions on studying them?"

"Reporting to the Hall Master, all these texts are kept in the headquarters' [Martial Repository Pavilion]. It contains everything, with methods for all kinds of weapons like sabers, spears, staffs, and swords. Access requires contribution points, but naturally, the Hall Master wouldn't need to go through such trouble. Generally, each Hall Master can enter twice a month, and the manuals on the first three floors of the Martial Repository Pavilion can be viewed for free."

Guo Dutian replied.

"Viewed for free?"

Jiang Dao's eyes flashed.

"Yes, but the manuals on the fourth floor and above require contribution points."

Guo Dutian added.

"Does the Blazing Flame Sect have any internal energy cultivation methods?"

Jiang Dao asked.

"Yes, our Blazing Flame Sect has two profound internal energy cultivation methods. One is the [Blazing Sun Divine Skill], which only the Sect Leader can cultivate. The other is the [Black Heart Poison Palm], which only the Sect Leader and Deputy Sect Leader can view!"

Guo Dutian said.

"Only the Sect Leader and Deputy Sect Leader can practice them? Are there no internal energy cultivation methods for Hall Masters to practice?"

Jiang Dao frowned.

"It seems not!"

Guo Dutian gave a wry smile.

Jiang Dao pondered.

This was going to be difficult.

He had originally thought that as soon as he joined the Blazing Flame Sect, he would quickly obtain internal energy cultivation methods.

But now, it seemed useless.

Just as Pang Lin had said, the importance of this item was beyond imagination.

Without being the Sect Leader or Deputy Sect Leader, he had no right to view them.

"Tell me roughly about the territories managed by the Flying Eagle Hall."

Jiang Dao asked casually.

He was already making plans to go to the headquarters' Martial Repository Pavilion tomorrow to select some manuals.

Even if he couldn't get any internal energy cultivation methods, learning a few saber techniques or external martial arts would still be good.

"Yes, Sect Leader!"

Guo Dutian cupped his fists.

The day passed quickly.

Jiang Dao had completely taken over the entire Flying Eagle Hall, from top to bottom.

The news reached the Left Guardian, once again enraging him.

He smashed a wooden stake with a single palm strike, his sleeves billowing, his hair bristling with rage, his eyes chilling.

"This is too much, absolutely too much!"

"Guardian, please don't be angry. This Jiang Dao is just a young man. It's not unusual for young people to be a bit spirited. We can't deal with this person by force."

A sycophantic advisor beside him spoke indifferently, "I have a plan that can get rid of him. Not long ago, a group of our Blazing Flame Sect's members disappeared in Greenstone Town, suspected to be caused by evil spirits, right? The Sect Leader wants to find someone to investigate this recently. Why don't you recommend Jiang Dao? Then, send a few confidants with him. Along the way, kill him. Even if he dies, it will be a death for nothing."

The Left Guardian took a slow breath, his eyes gloomy, and slowly nodded.

"Good, that suits me perfectly. Let Hu Biao and Fan Hu handle it..."