A Rift Between Master and Disciples

Night had deepened, and the heavy dew brought a biting chill.

The wind made the candle flames in the room sway incessantly, giving off faint crackling sounds.

Han Li and He Chunli both stared wide-eyed at Xie An, waiting for his arrangements.

Xie An sat in his seat, carefully sizing up his two disciples.

To speak honestly, Han Li was quick-witted, sharp-minded, and more suited to doing business. He Chunli, though earnest and poor with words, had more solid skills and was steadier and more dependable.

Putting Han Li in charge as Appraisal Master would benefit the pawnshop's business.

Putting He Chunli in charge as Appraisal Master might hurt business a little, but the pawnshop's operations would be more solid and have a better chance of going farther in the future.

Moreover, during the most difficult period of Xie An's life, He Chunli had constantly served him at his bedside with filial devotion. Xie An had seen it all and, to some extent, harbored a few selfish thoughts.

He wasn't a machine, after all. He was a person too.

With that in mind, Xie An stopped hesitating. "Han Li, you're quick-witted and good with words. You have the makings of a fine businessman."

Han Li's heart leaped with joy when he heard this.

Then Xie An's next words poured a basin of cold water over him.

"He Chunli may be a little slow-witted, but his skills are solid. He doesn't reach for what is beyond his grasp, and he works steadily. It would be more prudent for He Chunli to become the Appraisal Master. After all, you're both servants, so the quality of the business isn't the most important thing to you. Your foundation is ensuring that nothing goes wrong at the pawnshop. If something goes awry in the business, then no matter how much silver you earn for Li Manor, it won't matter. They'll punish you just the same."

Deep disappointment filled Han Li's eyes, and his whole body seemed like a deflated ball.

By contrast, He Chunli's eyes shone with delighted surprise. He glanced at the disappointed Han Li beside him and wanted to decline. After all, he had always felt that Han Li was more suited to becoming the Appraisal Master. He had even considered it a foregone conclusion.

He had never expected his master to appoint him as the Appraisal Master.

But—

An Appraisal Apprentice earned no more than six or seven taels a year. An Appraisal Master, however, started at a dozen taels at the very least—a doubled income.

He Chunli might have been slow-witted, but he wasn't stupid. More importantly, he knew this might be his only chance in life to rise above his station. He didn't want to miss it.

All he could do was let Han Li down.

With that thought, He Chunli gritted his teeth and cupped his fists. "This disciple will devote himself wholeheartedly to the pawnshop, do his best to avoid mistakes, and not disappoint Master's expectations."

Han Li also gritted his teeth, forcing down his disappointment and resentment. "I'll abide by Master's decision."

Xie An nodded slightly. "Good. I hope you two will support each other from now on. I'll be moving out tomorrow."

Xie An was now an enforcer of Tiger Wolf Gate. If things went well for him in the future, he would naturally have the ability to help the two disciples buy back their freedom. It would be nothing more than a single sentence.

But Xie An did not say this aloud. For one thing, he had not even reported to Tiger Wolf Gate yet, and his future was still uncertain. Naturally, he could not make any promises.

For another, Xie An felt that every person had their own fate.

If the two disciples kept their original hearts and continued to respect and serve him with filial devotion, then he would lend them a hand when he had the ability.

But if they changed their hearts later, there would be no need to help them.

During dinner, He Chunli remained as attentive as before, sticking out his backside as he poured Xie An tea, served rice, picked up dishes, and so on. Han Li, meanwhile, looked gloomy and only lowered his head to shovel rice into his mouth.

Xie An saw it all and knew that Han Li had begun to harbor a rift with him.

Xie An did not expose it.

Something like this had to be weighed and adjusted by Han Li himself.

After all, Xie An had raised him for more than ten years, from a child into the young man he was now. He had also taught him the craft of appraising objects. That debt of gratitude alone far outweighed everything else.

If Han Li understood what mattered, he would figure it out on his own.

But if this caused him to develop hatred for Xie An, then Xie An could only feel disappointed and helpless.

After all, Xie An now possessed enough strength and no longer needed to rely on the two of them for support in his old age. If this had happened a few months ago, when Xie An still needed his two disciples to support him in the future, he truly would have had to distribute his favor between them with care.

After night fell, He Chunli retired early and slept soundly.

Xie An went to the storage room next door to practice the Fetal Breathing Technique. Through the half-open window, he saw Han Li sitting alone on the steps outside, propping up his chin with both hands as he gazed at the sky in a daze.

Even through a window, Xie An could sense his disciple's helplessness, resentment, and disappointment.

But Xie An did not go comfort him.

The next morning.

It was the eighth day of the New Year, the day when shops everywhere opened their doors to welcome customers. Red lanterns hung from the shopfronts on both sides of the street, and couplets had been pasted up in hopes that business would flourish and everything would go smoothly in the coming year.

Chen Yuan arrived at the pawnshop's rear courtyard early and found Xie An.

"Congratulations, Old Xie. You've bought back your freedom and become a free man. You've turned over a new leaf and become your own master."

His voice was not loud, but Xie An could hear that Chen Yuan was genuinely happy for him. After exchanging a few pleasantries, he said, "Old Chen, I also plan to resign from the Appraisal Master position."

Chen Yuan was not surprised in the slightest. "I knew it. I heard you even fell out with the master. And now that you've bought your freedom, you're a free man, so the Appraisal Master's salary won't be this amount anymore. After you leave... which disciple are you planning to take over as the shop's Appraisal Master?"

At the end, Chen Yuan deliberately lowered his voice, the corner of his eye darting toward Han Li and He Chunli, who were working inside the pawnshop.

Xie An considered how to phrase it.

Although he was the Appraisal Master and could recommend his successor, Chen Yuan was still the shopkeeper. He could not put it too bluntly. If he provoked Chen Yuan's displeasure, then even if He Chunli became the Appraisal Master, he might still end up at odds with Chen Yuan.

Since he intended for He Chunli to succeed him, he would help him all the way.

With that thought, Xie An asked, "After what happened with Zhang Bing, I've still got a lingering fear. Old Chen, which disciple do you think would be best to take over from me?"

Without the first sentence, it would have been an ordinary question.

But with that first sentence, the implication was obvious.

Chen Yuan's heart gave a thump. "You've certainly reminded me. Han Li is like Zhang Bing: quick-witted, good with words, and skilled at reading people's expressions. But people like that can easily stray down the wrong path. He Chunli, on the other hand... I think he's honest and diligent. If he takes charge, the pawnshop is less likely to run into trouble."

Only after hearing Chen Yuan's stance did Xie An relax. "Old Chen, you really do see far ahead. That's what I thought too. But Han Li's nature isn't bad. He differs from Zhang Bing. Please guide him well in the future."

Chen Yuan readily agreed. "Have you discussed this with them beforehand?"

Xie An did not conceal anything and told him the truth.

Chen Yuan shot Xie An a sidelong glance and laughed. "Well, look at you, Old Xie. You'd already made up your mind, yet you still came to sound me out. You're quite the sly fox."

Xie An smiled in relief. "You're the shopkeeper, after all. Of course I have to listen to you."

Chen Yuan did not take offense and burst out laughing. "All right, then it's settled. I'll just go tell the master. The pawnshop is opening today, and I still have things to handle, so I'll leave first. In a couple of days, I'll treat you to a feast at Flying Cloud Tower to celebrate Old Xie buying back his freedom."

Running a pawnshop was a technical trade. Although the master of Li Manor cared deeply about it, he also understood the principle that technical work had to be done by skilled craftsmen. He would not interfere too much in the choice of Appraisal Master. At worst, if the pawnshop's business declined, he would simply replace the shopkeeper.

After seeing Chen Yuan off, Xie An briefly packed his luggage. He did not tell either disciple and left directly through the back door, heading to Blood Ridge Black Market to take up his post.

He had once been only a servant, with no connections or relationships. No one came to see him off, so he left alone with his bundle on his back.

On that same day, another person went to Blood Ridge Black Market to register and take up the post of deputy enforcer.

The eldest young master of Li Manor, Li Shaoyun.