The Storm Is Brewing

Since the stewards' tournament, Xia Qi'an had become famous in a single battle, shaking all of Jinling City.

His glorious record of defeating twelve Bone Forging Realm experts in succession spread throughout Jinling City like a whirlwind.

For a time, the teahouses of Jinling City were packed to the rafters, with not a single empty seat.

The storytellers in the teahouses, in particular, spun the tournament into a legendary epic, dividing it into three chapters: upper, middle, and lower.

Every day, they would tell three to five segments in the teahouses, interspersed with risqué tales about down-and-out scholars and mountain spirits and wild demons.

In just two or three days, they could earn enough silver to spend for several months without running out.

To make the story even more captivating, the storytellers had also bestowed upon Xia Qi'an the title of "Wrathful Vajra."

At that very moment, Xia Qi'an was in Si Nan Manor, respectfully listening to Si Nanyue's lecture.

Si Nanyue had summoned Xia Qi'an this time to issue him his steward's uniform and official seal.

She also wanted to discuss matters concerning the future.

Although the Hound Guard steward was a newly established position, it was still, at the very least, a leadership role.

In an official government office, it would be equivalent to being promoted to constable, so he naturally had to be distinguished from ordinary Hound Guards.

Perhaps to save trouble, the Wei Dao Si headquarters had not specially tailored an official uniform for stewards. They had only prepared a set of black-iron armor plates.

These plates could be worn over the original official uniform. They included a pair of shoulder guards, a chest guard, a waist guard, and a pair of leg guards.

The plates protected the body's vital areas, each one gleaming with a deep, weighty black sheen.

Set against the original black uniform, they added several degrees of icy severity.

"Lord Sinan! Regarding the personnel assigned to me..."

"Could you reconsider it?"

Xia Qi'an accepted the armor plates and seal, hesitation stirring in his heart as he started to speak, then stopped.

According to the rules, each Hound Guard steward would originally be assigned a number of Hound Guards to work under him.

The number was not fixed, and the personal wishes of each Hound Guard were fully respected.

In other words, a Hound Guard could choose whichever steward he wished to serve under.

Now, the four steward candidates had been finalized: Jiang Feng, Lin Beihai, Xia Qi'an, and Wang Xie.

There was no need to say anything about Jiang Feng and Lin Beihai. They had deep seniority among the Hound Guards and excellent connections, so naturally many people were willing to serve under them.

As for Wang Xie, the Hound Guards from aristocratic families had basically all pledged themselves to him.

Xia Qi'an's situation, by contrast, was rather awkward. He had not been in the Wei Dao Si for long.

Most of the skilled veterans with deep experience and strong abilities were his seniors. Having them come under his command would inevitably feel awkward. Besides, most of those people had gone to Jiang Feng and Lin Beihai.

The remaining personnel were all spoiled scions of aristocratic families.

Normally, they were unwilling to take assignments. The moment they heard that demons were running rampant, they scattered like frightened birds, hiding as far away as possible.

Naturally, Xia Qi'an did not want to use such people either.

As a result, Xia Qi'an had not a single subordinate at present.

He was currently discussing how to resolve the matter with Si Nanyue.

"What good ideas do you have regarding the personnel under your command?" Si Nanyue asked curiously, unsure what kind of trouble Xia Qi'an was about to stir up this time.

Xia Qi'an organized his thoughts and slowly said, "I want to recruit experts from the martial world and have them serve as personnel under my command!"

"We can classify these people as unofficial members of the Wei Dao Si, then have them registered with the Snake Guard."

"However, their daily treatment and the privileges they enjoy through the Wei Dao Si must be the same as those of official members."

"The merit points they earn from completing missions will simply be recorded under my name."

"If they later want to exchange merit points for cultivation techniques or other resources, they only need to report to the Wei Dao Si in my name. Once the items are sent from headquarters, I will pass them on to them!"

"What do you think, my lord? Is this plan feasible?"

"The relationship between the martial sects and the Wei Dao Si has always been taut as a drawn bowstring. Aren't you afraid those people will act against you?" Concern showed on Si Nanyue's face.

Xia Qi'an shook his head. "Not every martial artist in the martial world is a vicious, irredeemable criminal! Most people are like me—they simply want silver and resources to improve their martial cultivation."

"If we promise them a bright future, they have no reason to make trouble for me!"

After hearing this, Si Nanyue nodded. "Your idea is somewhat similar to Lord Hanshuang's policies!"

"I never expected someone so young to have such insight. It is truly rare!"

Si Nanyue seldom praised others to their faces, but this time she lavished Xia Qi'an with compliments.

Confused, Xia Qi'an asked without thinking, "Who is Lord Hanshuang?"

At that, Si Nanyue's expression froze briefly before she slowly said, "You are now a Hound Guard steward. There are some things you ought to know."

"The Kirin Guard of You Province is named Baili."

"Lord Baili is advancing in years and will retire in a few years."

"The next Kirin Guard of You Province has not yet been decided."

"Lord Baili has a son named Baili Shouyi and an adopted daughter named Baili Hanshuang."

"The two of them are the strongest contenders for the next Kirin Guard!"

"Of course, the other Tiger Guards of the Wei Dao Si are also eligible to compete for the position of Kirin Guard. But let's set that aside for now."

"Lord Baili Hanshuang intends to enact reforms, removing the influence of the aristocratic families from within the Wei Dao Si."

"At the very least, the major aristocratic families cannot be allowed to continue controlling the channels for selecting the Wei Dao Si's grassroots martial artists."

"This is also meant to prevent the Wei Dao Si from becoming a stagnant pool in the future!"

"Your idea just now might provide Lord Hanshuang's reforms with a different approach!"

Xia Qi'an nodded. "I see!"

Xia Qi'an had only mentioned it in passing, purely because he did not trust those scions of aristocratic families.

He had wanted to recruit some martial artists from the wider martial world—people with powerful abilities who were also willing to seek a future in the Wei Dao Si.

He had not expected the matter to become entangled with the succession to the Kirin Guard.

"Um... May I be so bold as to ask what relationship Lord Sinan has with Lord Hanshuang?"

"Lord Hanshuang... is my master..." Si Nanyue blurted out.

"That family background is really formidable..." Xia Qi'an scratched his head after hearing this and muttered under his breath.

"What did you say?"

"Nothing... I said Lord Hanshuang is both tall and tough!"

Si Nanyue frowned. "What do you mean?"

Xia Qi'an scratched his head and explained, "I mean Lord Hanshuang is brilliant in her methods and unyielding in character!"

"Mm!" Si Nanyue nodded slightly, clearly in complete agreement.

"Then, about recruiting experts from the martial world...?" Xia Qi'an returned to the matter at hand.

"This matter is no small thing. I need to report it to Lord Hanshuang. Once she gives her reply, I will send someone to notify you!"

After leaving Si Nan Manor, Xia Qi'an immediately arranged a meeting with Liu Qing.

Recruiting martial artists from the martial world would be most reliable if entrusted to the Snake Guard.

However, the recruits could not be chosen casually. They had to be carefully screened.

Their martial talent, temperament, and family background all had to be investigated thoroughly.

If some notorious criminal concealed his identity, changed his appearance, and infiltrated them, it would cause no end of trouble.

So Xia Qi'an immediately went to find Liu Qing for help, asking her to look for suitable candidates and screen them as well!