The Steward's Token in Hand

Back at the little house in the rear courtyard, Xie An, in high spirits, opened a jar of aged wine and took out some copper coins, sending Han Li into town to buy ingredients for a "sumptuous" meal.

For a poor household, a sumptuous meal amounted to nothing more than two bowls of meat. They could not afford expensive spices either, and compared with the flavors of his previous life, it was truly far inferior.

Yet the three master and disciples drank strong wine by the cup and ate meat by the bite, thoroughly enjoying themselves.

"Master, what day is it today? What's got you so happy?"

"Did something wonderful happen? Tell us so we can celebrate with you."

Had Xie An been twenty years younger, he might have blurted it out. But he had long since passed the age of impatience. As for matters that had not even taken shape yet, he naturally would not speak of them.

Of the things in life that go awry, eight or nine out of ten do.

Until a matter was settled once and for all, it could not be considered accomplished. There was no need to boast prematurely. After all, many villains laughed halfway through, only to be killed in a counterattack at the end.

"I'll tell you once it's settled. Besides, the three of us master and disciples being reunited is cause enough for celebration."

"Master is right. Come, let me toast you. May you never grow old."

"I wish Master grows younger and younger."

The next morning.

Before dawn, while the two disciples who had drunk themselves senseless the night before were still snoring away, Xie An had already gotten up and gone into the courtyard to practice the Health Cultivation Technique.

He did not slack off because he was about to take up the post of White Feather Hall steward. Instead, he worked even harder.

Xie An knew very well that he was no child of destiny, much less a peerless genius. He had merely relied on the Lifelong Legacy. Its blessing only increased his lifespan and strength; it offered no obvious enhancement in other areas.

What was more, joining Tiger Wolf Gate had given Xie An a higher platform. But it also meant facing greater risks.

After all, it was a martial-world sect with a very wild way of doing things. Without sufficient strength, it would be difficult to establish a firm foothold in White Feather Hall.

This time, Tang Qingyun's test had made the matter perfectly clear. If his own strength had not been solid enough, even with Zhang Lin's recommendation, he would never have become a steward.

Fate often favored those who were prepared.

In the afternoon, during the hour of the Goat, Xie An once again arrived at Black Blood Ridge in disguise.

Elder Tang was not there. Instead, the brawny Tong Shan came, carrying Xie An's identity token.

It was a triangular black-iron token about the size of a baby's palm. Xie An's name and position were carved on it. On the back was Tiger Wolf Gate's totem: a blue wolf and white tiger.

There were also three sets of uniforms for duty, worn in spring, autumn, and winter. Though they were not armor, the material was excellent, and wolf heads had been embroidered on them, creating a powerful visual impact.

Xie An was also equipped with a broad-bladed sword forged of refined iron, along with various other accessories, cloud boots, and so on.

"As a steward of Tiger Wolf Gate, you must abide by Tiger Wolf Gate's rules and place the sect's overall interests above all else..."

In a highly official tone, Tong Shan listed numerous points requiring attention, along with the sect's rules and prohibitions.

Xie An listened attentively.

In summary, there were three central principles: no internal fighting, perform one's duties properly, and have the sect's members support one another and stand united.

The benefits were also explained clearly: a monthly salary of twenty taels; the right to visit a branch hall and select suitable secret manuals to cultivate; a basic medicinal supplement issued by the branch hall every three months; specialized martial artists to provide instruction; a dedicated training ground; and so on.

In addition, the sect would regularly assign various missions. Those who completed them could receive corresponding merit and rewards.

Finally, Tong Shan summed up, "That's about it. It's fine if you can't remember everything at once. Zhang Lin will guide you extensively. But remember one thing: once you join my Tiger Wolf Gate, every word and action of yours represents my Tiger Wolf Gate. Don't disgrace our name out there."

"Thank you for the reminder, Brother Tong Shan."

"Mm. Work hard. If you manage Blood Ridge Black Market well, Elder Tang naturally won't treat you unfairly." After leaving behind that encouraging official platitude, Tong Shan hurried away.

From beginning to end, Tong Shan had not asked about Xie An's background, household registration, appearance, or any other details. Clearly, Tiger Wolf Gate truly recruited talent without asking about origin, looks, or age.

But Xie An understood. Now that he had taken up the steward's post, he would have to come here and work from now on. He could no longer keep his job as an Appraisal Master at the pawnshop.

It seemed he had to redeem himself as soon as possible and resign as Appraisal Master.

"Congratulations, old brother."

After seeing Tong Shan off, Zhang Lin could barely contain his excitement. He stepped forward enthusiastically and slapped Xie An on the shoulder.

He and Zhang Biao had worked together for years, constantly scheming against each other and living in a state of constant turmoil. Now they had finally entered an entirely new environment, so naturally he was overjoyed.

Xie An was naturally happy as well. "I'll be counting on your guidance from now on, Brother Zhang."

"Of course. Today is the sixth day of the first lunar month. Many of the disciples have taken leave to return home and won't be back until the day after tomorrow or the next day. When they return, I'll assign you disciples and work."

"Good."

The Black Market was deserted on the sixth day of the first lunar month. Xie An took two laps around the courtyard before leaving.

He returned to the little house at the pawnshop, took his entire savings of one hundred and eighty taels, and headed straight for Li Manor.

The day after tomorrow was when the pawnshop would officially reopen to customers. According to tradition, as a pawnshop attendant, he would have to start preparing tomorrow.

Xie An had to redeem himself and resign as soon as possible. He could not let this delay his work at Blood Ridge Black Market.

Actually, Xie An had gathered enough money two or three days ago. The reason he had not hurried to find the master of Li Manor to redeem himself was simply that people at the bottom lacked a sense of security. They always felt it was more prudent to secure the next offer before resigning.

Now that the steward position had been settled, Xie An could redeem himself calmly, with no worries hanging over him.

He arrived at Li Manor at a quarter past the hour of the Rooster. He found Chunlan and asked her to inform the master and Madam of Li Manor that he had business and wished to see them.

Chunlan did not ask many questions. She only said, "I'll go inform them right away. However, the master and his family are having dinner in the inner courtyard. Appraisal Master Xie, please wait here for a while."

"All right."

Xie An folded his hands and stood patiently in the wind and snow.

Though the wind and snow were fierce, Xie An was very patient.

He had endured thirty years already. What was a single meal's worth of time?

Inner-courtyard reception hall.

Li Ru's family of three sat around the table eating.

The table was laden with delicacies from land and sea, all things Xie An had never eaten in his entire life.

"Shaoyun, did you get results concerning the matter you entrusted to Zhang Biao?" Madam Li affectionately added a piece of braised pork to her son's bowl and asked casually.

Li Shaoyun swallowed the braised pork in one bite. "It's all taken care of. Tomorrow I'll go to Blood Ridge Black Market and make a token appearance. Then I can become Zhang Biao's deputy, a nominal deputy steward. I won't have to do any work, yet I'll be able to obtain all sorts of martial resources from White Feather Hall."

Li Ru's face was wreathed in smiles. "It seems those five hundred taels weren't wasted. With White Feather Hall's martial resources, my son will certainly pass the provincial examination and become a recommended scholar three years from now."

Li Shaoyun suddenly frowned. "But I just had someone make inquiries. They said Zhang Biao was killed. Tiger Wolf Gate will most likely send someone else to take over Zhang Biao's steward position..."

"What? Even Steward Zhang Biao was killed? Do we know who did it?" Li Ru was so shocked that his chopsticks nearly fell to the floor.

In his eyes, Zhang Biao was a lofty martial artist, an existence Li Manor absolutely could not afford to offend.

And he had actually... been killed?

Li Shaoyun's face was filled with worry. "I don't know. I only hope that the new steward who replaces Zhang Biao won't make things too difficult for me."

Just then, Chunlan hurried in and respectfully bowed. "Master, Madam, Young Master. Appraisal Master Xie is at the entrance. He says he has something to discuss."

Li Ru gave a cold snort. "Old Xie must have been left out in the cold for a few days and tempered his temper, realizing his status as a servant. Tell him to wait outside."