Tang Qingfeng's Reply

Xie An didn't have much silver left.

It was the five taels Madam Li had given him before he left.

He'd spent fifty wen on a meal just now, leaving him with just over four taels. He couldn't afford any good gifts. So, he found a shop selling local specialties and bought some cured meat from Wuqiao Town, tianqi, and so on. Then, he wrapped them in mulberry paper.

The total cost was two taels of silver.

While it wasn't exactly precious, it was presentable enough.

This time, when visiting Tang Qingfeng, one reason was his desire to peek at the Tang Family Fort's ultimate techniques. Another was that he genuinely felt grateful for Tang Qingfeng's past guidance.

After asking passersby for directions to the Tang Family Fort, Xie An led his horse there.

For ordinary folk, riding a horse within the city was a major taboo. Although Qingwu County hadn't explicitly forbidden citizens from riding horses within the city, everyone tacitly acknowledged this unwritten rule.

Only wealthy families or officials from government garrisons typically rode horses within the city.

He passed through the crisscrossing bluestone streets and finally arrived at the main gate of the Tang Family Fort.

Xie An was truly shocked by the sight before him.

The Tang Family Fort's architecture, comparable to the Qiao Family Courtyard from his previous life, had towering, mountain-like walls. Outside the gate was a spacious plaza, currently filled with people – youths participating in the recruitment drive, and even some middle-aged men who had come by reputation.

There was a long table by the entrance, with an examining official seated behind it, flanked by several armed guards, all of whom possessed considerable strength.

The crowd lined up to register at the table, then performed the Health Cultivation Technique, or had their pulse taken and bones examined by the official to test their innate talent. It was quite lively.

Xie An tied his horse to a camphor tree by the roadside, then, carrying his gift, joined the queue and moved forward step by step.

After more than half an hour, when it was finally Xie An's turn, the examining official glanced at Xie An's full head of white hair and his somewhat aged face, and frowned.

Most of the young men attending the recruitment were under eighteen, with the oldest being no more than thirty.

Why had a man in his fifties shown up?

In reality, Xie An's appearance wasn't much different from a forty-year-old man; it was just his shock of white hair that was too eye-catching.

However, the examining official politely said, "Elder, our Tang Family Fort's recruitment is limited to those under thirty years of age. You should... head home early."

As soon as he said this, it immediately drew jeers from the surrounding crowd.

Xie An didn't pay much attention. He presented the gift, wrapped in mulberry paper, to the examining official with both hands and explained his purpose: to express his gratitude for Tang Qingfeng's past guidance.

Upon hearing Xie An's sincere words, the jeering crowd fell silent.

They all felt Xie An was a grateful old man.

The examining official also looked at Xie An with more respect. He knew that the Tang family traveled around promoting the Health Cultivation Technique, but no one had ever come to their door to express their thanks like this old man.

If he informed Tang Qingfeng himself, Tang Qingfeng would surely be pleased and think he, the examining official, was capable, perhaps even earning him a good impression.

With this thought, the examining official's attitude improved considerably. "Elder, please wait a moment. I'll go inform Brother Tang."

Xie An nodded in agreement and stood there waiting.

A short while later, the examining official returned. He no longer had the gift in his hands, but his face was full of smiles as he said, "Brother Tang says he knows the elder's intentions. Currently, Old Master Tang is unwell, and Brother Tang is attending to him and cannot get away. He has asked me to thank you on his behalf."

After speaking, the examining official cupped his hands and bowed to Xie An, returning the thanks on behalf of Tang Qingfeng.

Then, the examining official added, "My surname is Lu, and my courtesy name is Changshui. If the elder also wishes to seek an opportunity, please perform a set of the Health Cultivation Fist. If you perform it well, I can report the situation to Brother Tang, and perhaps we can make an exception for you."

Xie An could tell that this Lu Changshui probably thought he had some connection with Tang Qingfeng and was actively trying to curry favor with him, thus putting on a show.

It was merely a gesture of courtesy.

If no one else was given an exception, and Xie An was the only one to get one for giving a gift, how would others perceive it?

If Xie An really accepted, it would put Lu Changshui in a difficult position and also make things awkward for Tang Qingfeng, leaving a bad impression.

Moreover, Xie An had stated he was here to express gratitude to Tang Qingfeng, so he should act purely. Bringing ulterior motives would yield poor results.

With this in mind, Xie An quickly returned the bow. "Thank you, Brother Lu, but Brother Lu has misunderstood. I am simply here to express my gratitude for Master Tang Qingfeng's past guidance. I hope Old Master Tang recovers soon. I shall take my leave."

Lu Changshui sensed the sincerity in Xie An's words and held the elder in higher regard in his heart. He bowed and said, "Safe travels, elder."

Xie An left.

Xie An felt a bit disappointed that Tang Qingfeng hadn't met him. But he could understand; after all, Tang Qingfeng was the adopted son of Old Master Tang, and with Old Master Tang critically ill, he naturally wouldn't have the leisure to attend to him.

After all, he was just an insignificant outsider who barely had any acquaintance with Tang Qingfeng.

As long as the gift was delivered and the sentiment conveyed, it was enough.

To avoid encountering danger when leaving the city late at night, Xie An did not linger in the city. He left early and rode his horse along the official road towards Wuqiao Town.

Although Xie An now possessed the strength to crush novice martial artists in the Bronze Skin Realm, making him a top expert in Wuqiao Town, he was not considered much in Qingwu County.

The previous encounter with the Giant Whale Gang's raid still sent shivers down Xie An's spine.

Fortunately, he was not being followed on this outing.

Furthermore, Xie An had learned to ride a horse during his many trips to Qingwu County with Chen He. While his riding skills weren't exceptional, they were sufficient for traveling.

Arriving at the place where he had been attacked last time, Xie An found the area deserted and stopped. He went to the side of the road to check the dirt pit where he had buried the bodies.

The pit was hidden, and there were no signs that it had been dug up.

It seemed the Giant Whale Gang hadn't found Li Wei's body.

To be absolutely sure, Xie An had even gone several miles out of his way to check the ravine where Wang Wu's body had been dumped. He saw that the corpse had been so thoroughly eaten by wild beasts that only bones remained.

Only then did Xie An feel at ease. He returned to the roadside, mounted his horse, and continued his journey.

By the time he returned to Wuqiao Town, it was already dusk.

Xie An first went to find Chen He to return the horse, and only then did he go back to the small house in the back courtyard of the pawnshop.

As soon as he entered, he saw Han Li and He Chunli standing respectfully on either side. Their gazes towards Xie An were filled with both joy and awe, with a hint of unfamiliarity, and a touch of loss and distance.

Xie An sat down in the main seat, picked up a teacup, poured a cup of tea, and drank it down in one gulp. "What's going on here?"

He Chunli stammered, unable to speak, but Han Li said, "Shopkeeper Chen came by just now and told us about Master buying his freedom..."

Xie An understood immediately.

Han Li and He Chunli were both eighteen or nineteen years old, not young. Before, like him, they had been servants in the Li Manor. They felt they were of the same class as Xie An and had naturally felt close to him.

Now that they knew Xie An had bought his freedom and become a free citizen, a gap had opened between them. He had leaped to a higher social stratum.

It was inevitable that they would feel a sense of distance, and even a strong sense of being left behind.

After all, buying one's freedom was the greatest dream of every servant, but they were limited by their capabilities.

Xie An saw this but offered no comfort.

After all, everyone's life is different. Even if they were biological brothers born into the same family with the same starting point, some would still do well and others wouldn't.

Even parents couldn't help with these matters.

Let alone master and disciples?

Xie An encouraged them, "Master has been an Appraisal Master for thirty years; it's time for him to go out and see the world. Besides, if I leave, you'll have your chance to shine."

Hearing this, the two of them finally seemed much happier and looked at Xie An with anticipation.

They knew that being an Appraisal Master was a skilled job. With Xie An gone, the Li Manor would definitely consult him on the selection of the next Appraisal Master.

And Xie An's recommendation would essentially determine who the next Appraisal Master would be.