Elder Tang

Whew!

Xie An secretly let out a sigh of relief, feeling a lightness he had never experienced before.

Looking at the name, looking at the scarlet fingerprint, looking at the goose-feather snow drifting down from the sky...

The falling snow was still the same as in years past, but the future was already on its way.

It was still the same world, yet the scenery had changed.

Elder Tang smiled and closed the register. "When I return, I'll have someone make your identity plaque. It can be delivered within a day. Once you receive it, you'll officially be a steward."

Xie An cupped his hands in thanks. "Many thanks, Elder Tang."

Elder Tang waved his hand. "There's no need to thank me. You earned this with your own ability."

With that, Elder Tang gave Tong Shan and Zhang Lin a meaningful look. The two of them seemed to understand, so they found an excuse to bid him farewell with cupped hands.

Clearly, they were both old hands of the Tiger Wolf Gate and knew that the Examination Hall's evaluations had always been strict. Especially with Elder Tang personally present, every matter had to be handled with his own hands.

Although Xie An had passed the test of strength, Elder Tang still needed to speak with him in private.

It was similar to doing some ideological work.

After leaving the courtyard, the two men did not depart. Instead, they stood waiting in the snowy ground outside the entrance.

The usually cold and indifferent Tong Shan spoke at this moment. "Steward Zhang, you certainly have a good eye. You recommended a great talent to Elder Tang. You'll definitely receive no shortage of credit. I've followed Elder Tang for many years, and I've rarely seen him this delighted."

Zhang Lin knew that Tong Shan was a highly trusted aide beside Elder Tang, so he kept his posture humble. "It's all thanks to Elder Tang's discerning eye. I only contributed a little. By the way, Brother Tong Shan, did Elder Tang really come here this time solely to assess the new steward?"

Tong Shan cast a glance at Zhang Lin, appearing somewhat hesitant, but finally spoke. "Zhang Biao's death enraged one of White Feather Hall's incense masters. He repeatedly went to the Tiger Wolf Gate headquarters to lodge complaints, voicing his many grievances against Wei Dian. Elder Tang came here not only to conduct the assessment, but also to investigate and set the hall's conduct straight. For some time to come, Elder Tang will be visiting this place often."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Lin felt immense pressure.

Elder Tang was practically on the same level as the Examination Hall's hall master. He oversaw the promotion and merits of every manager below the hall-master level throughout the Tiger Wolf Gate. His frequent visits to White Feather Hall would undoubtedly place tremendous pressure on Zhang Lin.

What was more, Zhang Lin had certain suspicions regarding Zhang Biao's death...

Tong Shan seemed to notice Zhang Lin's concern. "Steward Zhang, there's no need to be overly nervous. Elder Tang has always handled matters fairly and strictly. He won't recklessly implicate the innocent. If you perform well, Elder Tang will naturally take notice."

Zhang Lin cupped his hands. "Brother Tong Shan is absolutely right."

Only Xie An and Elder Tang remained in the courtyard.

Zhang Lin had privately told Xie An earlier that the assessment would involve a conversation in addition to testing his strength.

Xie An was mentally prepared and did not reject such a conversation. In fact, he felt that the Tiger Wolf Gate's approach showed that it valued talent even more. For someone like him, who had no background, it was instead an opportunity to rise above his station.

Elder Tang studied Xie An for a while before saying, "You've never practiced martial arts, have you?"

Xie An did not conceal it. "That's right."

Elder Tang continued, "Judging by your white hair, you should be around fifty years old. Yet your qi and blood are vigorous, and your strength is enduring. Have you been practicing the Health Cultivation Technique?"

Xie An's heart gave a sudden thump.

He could even tell that?

Could it be that this Elder Tang was also proficient in the Health Cultivation Technique?

Suppressing the questions in his heart, Xie An said, "Elder Tang's discerning eye sees through everything. Nothing can be hidden from you."

Having received a definite answer, Elder Tang waved his hand and laughed. "There's nothing strange about that. I'm from Tang Family Fort in the county town, and I've practiced the Health Cultivation Technique with my family since childhood. Naturally, I know quite a bit about it. In this day and age, very few people practice the Health Cultivation Technique, and it's even rarer to reach your level. Who was your teacher?"

When Xie An heard that Elder Tang was from Tang Family Fort, he felt relieved, and his earlier doubts were answered as well.

No wonder Elder Tang had changed the risky practical assessment into an archery test. Apart from taking pity on his advanced age, it was also because Xie An, like him, practiced the Health Cultivation Technique.

Xie An felt there was no need to hide it, so he told Elder Tang everything about how he had once studied the Health Cultivation Technique under Tang Qingfeng. At the end, he cupped his hands and said:

"Thanks to Master Tang Qingfeng's guidance back then, I was able to reach where I am today. I'll never forget Master Tang's kindness in teaching me."

Those words were somewhat exaggerated.

Xie An had reached his current state mainly because of the Lifelong Legacy. However, Tang Qingfeng's guidance had indeed played a crucial role. With Elder Tang present, expressing more gratitude toward Tang Qingfeng would undoubtedly make Elder Tang even more pleased and delighted, and make him feel that Xie An was someone who remembered kindness and understood proper conduct.

Sure enough, after hearing Xie An's account, Elder Tang's eyes revealed an approving look. "You certainly remember things clearly. The last time Tang Qingfeng returned from promoting the Health Cultivation Technique at Chen Martial Arts School in Wuqiao Town, he mentioned to me that there was a vigorous old man of around fifty. That must have been you."

Xie An had not expected someone as influential as Tang Qingfeng to bring him up on his own. He was instantly flattered and hurriedly cupped his hands. "I'm honored that Master Tang still remembers me."

Seeing that Xie An remembered kindness and did not forget it, Elder Tang's gaze grew several degrees warmer. "Tang Qingfeng is my sworn elder brother. My father took him in as a disciple when he was young, and he learned the Health Cultivation Technique from my father. Later, after he achieved something in his cultivation, my father bestowed the Tang surname upon him and adopted him as his son. He hoped that my sworn brother could inherit Tang Family Fort's century-old cultivation art. Over the years, my sworn brother has never brought shame upon the family. He has traveled far and wide, promoting the Health Cultivation Technique. In that regard, I'm indeed inferior to him."

By the end, a trace of shame appeared on Elder Tang's face.

From his words, Xie An could sense that although Tang Qingfeng and Elder Tang were not blood brothers, their relationship was likely very good. Moreover, Elder Tang clearly admired his sworn elder brother quite a bit.

Since it concerned another family's affairs, Xie An naturally did not dare to interrupt. He merely cupped his hands and maintained an attentive posture as he listened.

Elder Tang exchanged a few more pleasantries with Xie An before saying, "Although many of the stewards who travel to and from the black market wear masks to conceal their identities and avoid trouble, you're now a steward of my Tiger Wolf Gate. I need to see your face clearly. Once I've confirmed it, you may continue wearing a mask while carrying out official business. I won't interfere."

"Yes."

Xie An removed his mask and raised his head for Elder Tang to see.

Elder Tang studied him for a while, then stood up. "Welcome to the Tiger Wolf Gate. Although you're the oldest among the many stewards of White Feather Hall, with the support of the Health Cultivation Technique, as long as you persevere day after day, you may not be inferior to those young men in their prime."

"Thank you for your guidance, Elder Tang."

"Also, my name is Tang Qingyun. If you ever develop Qi Sensation, you can come to me at any time. Tang Family Fort will have an opportunity for you." Elder Tang left him with those words, then turned and departed.

Xie An had not expected Tang Qingyun and Tang Qingfeng to say the same thing. Clearly, Tang Qingyun also wished to promote Tang Family Fort's Health Cultivation Technique.

This was undoubtedly good news for him.

Xie An expressed his thanks, then put his mask back on and saw Tang Qingyun out.

"Elder Tang."

Zhang Lin immediately cupped his hands in salute, as if waiting for something.

Tang Qingyun glanced at Zhang Lin and said, "Let the new steward take over Zhang Biao's duties. I'll record your merit for recommending talent. From now on, the two of you must manage this black market properly."

A look of disappointment flashed through Zhang Lin's eyes, but he quickly adjusted himself. "Yes."

Only after Tang Qingyun and Tong Shan disappeared into the distant snow did Zhang Lin turn around and size up Xie An. He could not help grumbling inwardly: This fellow is still wearing a mask? He's being overly cautious.

However, Zhang Lin remained impassive and cupped his hands toward Xie An. "Congratulations, Old Brother. Not only did you successfully pass the Examination Hall's assessment, you also earned Elder Tang's recognition. Your future is limitless."

Xie An returned the salute. "I have you to thank for recommending me, Brother Zhang."

Zhang Lin was quite satisfied with Xie An's humble attitude. "Old Brother, you're too polite. You earned this with your own ability. Otherwise, I would have been unable to avoid a scolding from Elder Tang. Now that you'll be taking over Zhang Biao's position as steward, the daily affairs of the Blood Ridge Black Market will be handled by the two of us. We'll have to support each other."

"That goes without saying."

"Come here again tomorrow afternoon, Old Brother. Once you collect your identity plaque, you'll officially take office."

Xie An nodded in agreement, then bid him farewell and departed, heading toward Wuqiao Town.

Dusk had just begun to settle. The twilight closed in from all directions, while fiery clouds drifted across the sky in clusters.

The breeze was still fresh, the bright moon still hung overhead, but everything else had changed.

The taut string in Xie An's heart finally relaxed.

Once the Tiger Wolf Gate's identity plaque arrived, he would finally be able to turn his fortunes around and become his own master.

"Both Tang Qingfeng and Tang Qingyun mentioned an opportunity from Tang Family Fort... Could it be that they're looking for a successor for Old Mr. Tang, who's about to die of old age?"