Benefits

There were plenty of people in this troubled age who were hard-pressed for money.

As the saying went, even a hero could be brought low by a single coin. How many great men had been trapped by poverty?

It was no exaggeration at all.

Xie An clearly possessed enough strength to effortlessly crush martial artists who had just entered the Bronze Skin Realm, yet he still had no choice but to run around seeking help for a hundred taels of silver.

What I lack most is still money...

Ordinarily, Xie An had not even joined White Feather Hall, yet he was asking for six months' pay in advance. That did not fit the rules. Xie An was already prepared for Zhang Lin to refuse him. He had only meant to try his luck.

Unexpectedly, Zhang Lin became highly excited upon hearing this and agreed at once. "As long as Elder Brother is willing to join White Feather Hall, everything else is a small matter. Six months' pay... one hundred and twenty taels. I'll lend it to you personally. Once the hall pays your wages later, you can pay me back then."

Zhang Lin had become a martial artist ten years ago and had been with White Feather Hall for many years. His monthly pay was already quite high, and with all sorts of under-the-table income, he had naturally amassed considerable savings.

But Xie An was still startled that he was willing to lend him one hundred and twenty taels in a single breath.

"Thank you, Steward Zhang."

"Hahaha, we're all on the same side. No need to be so polite—just call me Old Zhang." Zhang Lin was in excellent spirits and immediately instructed Zhou Xing, "A-Xing, go to my room and bring out one hundred and twenty taels of silver."

Zhou Xing nodded in agreement and jogged to the room. When he came back out, he already had a cloth bag in his hand.

Zhang Lin took the bag and presented it to Xie An with both hands. "Go ahead and take it, Elder Brother. There's no interest. Once your finances are more comfortable, you can pay me back."

Xie An had not expected Zhang Lin to hand over the money so readily. He had not even mentioned writing an IOU, and he did not want any interest either.

In these times, when borrowing money, paying back nine for every ten borrowed, or even thirteen for every ten, was utterly commonplace.

Zhang Lin was trying to make him owe a favor.

But Xie An felt that Zhang Lin was doing this even more as an exchange of benefits—as an investment in him.

"Thank you, Brother Zhang."

Xie An did not put on airs and accepted the money bag.

Zhang Lin smiled warmly. "From now on, we'll be colleagues. It's only right that we help each other. Ah, yes—Incense Master Wei has gone home to visit his family these past few days and won't be back for a while. I'll write him a letter shortly explaining Elder Brother's situation. Once his reply arrives, Elder Brother can complete the procedures and take up your post."

Xie An keenly caught the crux of the matter. "Procedures?"

Zhang Lin explained, "When the time comes, Tiger Wolf Gate will send someone down to test Elder Brother's strength. You only need combat power comparable to the Bronze Skin Realm. With Elder Brother's abilities, that naturally won't be a problem."

Understanding dawned on Xie An. Feeling that it was quite reasonable, he clasped his hands. "Sorry for the trouble, Brother Zhang."

"There's no need for thanks between colleagues. A reply will arrive in two days, so come by again then. Don't worry. With me smoothing things over, the so-called test will merely be a formality."

"Good."

Xie An agreed at once. After exchanging a few pleasantries with Zhang Lin, he rose and took his leave.

"Elder Brother, let me see you out."

Accompanied by Zhou Xing, Zhang Lin personally escorted Xie An out of the canyon where the Blood Ridge Black Market was located. Only after Xie An had gone a long distance did Zhang Lin turn back home.

On the way back, Zhou Xing still felt puzzled. "Boss, that old man agreed to join our White Feather Hall, and you're even happier than you are during New Year's."

Zhang Lin chuckled. "All these years, Zhang Biao and I have jointly managed this black market, and he's schemed against and ostracized me at every turn. Not only did he cut off my path to advancement, he also kept me walking on eggshells day and night. Now that I've found someone easy to get along with, I can finally have a few peaceful days, and I'll have something to look forward to in the future too."

While feeling relieved for his boss, Zhou Xing asked, "But that old man is about to take up his post, and he's still covering his face. Aren't you going to ask about his identity and origins?"

Zhang Lin gave a soft laugh. "This man is cautious by nature. Since he had no intention of revealing his identity today, why should I force him? If that creates a rift between us, it would be a losing bargain. Besides, our White Feather Hall has always recruited talent without asking about their background."

With a huge sum of money tucked against his person, Xie An hurried toward the town.

Today's trip to Blood Ridge had gone far more smoothly than expected.

Xie An had also roughly guessed that Zhang Lin wanted to win him over. For the Xie An of today, that was a good thing.

After returning to the small room in the rear courtyard of Li Family Pawnshop, Xie An did not hurry to take the money to Master Li of Li Manor and pay for his freedom.

He planned to wait until his position as a steward of Tiger Wolf Gate was firmly established, ensuring that he had a way out, before paying the money to redeem himself. By then, with his position as a steward of Tiger Wolf Gate, if Master Li tried to go back on his word or make things difficult... Xie An would only need to say a word, and Li Manor would be finished.

With that in mind, Xie An returned to the storeroom inside and began grinding away at the Health Cultivation Technique, preparing for Tiger Wolf Gate's test two days later.

His next stop would be taking up a post at Tiger Wolf Gate.

This made Xie An feel somewhat apprehensive.

After all, he had spent the past thirty years scraping by at Li Family Pawnshop. This was his first time "changing jobs," and Xie An took it very seriously. He did not want anything to go wrong.

Although Zhang Lin had said the test would be nothing more than a formality, Xie An still felt that he needed truly formidable strength in hand. Otherwise, if an unexpected incident arose, he would have no way to respond.

Two days passed quickly. On the afternoon of the third day, after putting in an extra half-day of the Health Cultivation Technique, Xie An stopped to rest and brought up the panel.

Five Animal Play: Strengthening the Five Viscera (7/100)

Fetal Breathing Technique: Yin-Yang Convergence (1/100)

Remaining Lifespan: 30 years

"The increase isn't that great, but I can feel that my strength has risen slightly."

Xie An found a five-hundred-pound stone lock. With one arm, he lifted it effortlessly over his head and swung it around for five or six breaths before beginning to feel the strain.

After setting down the stone lock, Xie An suddenly threw a punch.

The incredibly fast punch violently compressed the air, producing a loud smack.

"My single-arm lifting strength should be around six hundred and fifty pounds. On top of that, I've practiced the Five Animal Play for a long time. My limbs are nimble, and my sinews and bones are powerful. The force of a single punch... should be absolutely monstrous."

"Zhang Lin said that being able to lift four hundred pounds with one arm is the strength of a martial artist in the First Gate Bronze Skin Realm. Although I've never practiced martial arts, I can lift more than fifty percent above that standard. Even in barehanded combat, I should be able to effortlessly crush an ordinary martial artist who has just entered the Bronze Skin Realm."

During this time, Xie An had carefully learned about the lifting strength of Bronze Skin Realm martial artists from Chen He. He had made sure he knew exactly where he stood.

Only martial artists who had reached the peak of the Bronze Skin Realm might be able to lift six hundred pounds with one arm.

And Xie An was even stronger than that standard.

"This test should be foolproof."

Having made up his mind, Xie An said goodbye to his two apprentices, then hurried out toward the Blood Ridge Black Market.