A Small Display

Inside the Li Manor's inner courtyard.

The Li family of three had finished breakfast early. Li Shaoyun, in particular, had changed into an exquisite brocade robe, complete with a belt and hairpin, showcasing his extraordinary demeanor.

Madam Li smiled and instructed, "Today is your first day as a deputy steward at White Feather Hall. Although it's just a nominal position, with Steward Zhang gone, you need to keep a low profile in everything. White Feather Hall isn't like our Li Manor. You must know when to bow your head and avoid offending people you shouldn't."

Li Shaoyun was in high spirits, looking very proud. "I understand, Mother. I was nominally appointed under Steward Zhang. Now that Steward Zhang is gone, I'll be under the new steward. I just don't know who the new steward is, or what their temperament is like... whether I need to offer a gift..."

Li Shaoyun was already twenty years old and had graduated from the Martial Arts Hall in the county town.

With his Martial Scholar title, he could have apprenticed under a prestigious sect in Nanyang Prefecture to prepare for the provincial examinations three years later. However, the Li Manor lacked the necessary connections, so he could only find a reputable sect within Qingwu County.

Tiger Wolf Gate was undoubtedly one of the two major sects in Qingwu County.

Securing the nominal position of deputy steward at Tiger Wolf Gate was something Li Ru had arranged by giving Zhang Biao five hundred taels of silver. He thought everything was foolproof, but then Zhang Biao... was gone.

Although Zhang Biao had finalized Li Shaoyun's deputy position before his death, the sudden change of stewards made the Li family of three feel insecure.

Li Ru gritted his teeth, took out a money pouch, and reluctantly handed it to Li Shaoyun. "Your concerns are not unfounded. To ensure your position is secure, take the one hundred and eighty taels that Old Xie gave us as ransom and present it to the new steward. Once you've smoothed things over, your path will be smoother, and these expenses will be worth it when you pass the imperial examinations in the future."

Li Shaoyun took the money pouch and cupped his hands gratefully, "Thank you, Father! When I pass the imperial examinations in three years, I will repay you and Mother doubly."

By the time Xie An arrived at the Blood Ridge Black Market, it was already the morning hour of Chen.

The black market wasn't open during the day, and the crowds were sparse. Besides the shopkeepers and employees who resided there year-round, the visitors were mostly stall owners preparing their goods and wares in advance.

Tiger Wolf Gate disciples patrolled everywhere.

"Old brother, we've finally been waiting for you."

Upon seeing the masked Xie An, Zhang Lin greeted him with his usual enthusiasm. He had already had Zhou Xing clean out a separate courtyard for Xie An to rest and practice in.

The courtyard wasn't large, only about three hundred square meters, but its layout was exceptionally exquisite.

There were two osmanthus trees, as well as rockeries, ponds, pavilions, and corridors. It included a reception hall, bedrooms, and a kitchen. There was also a specially designated room for weapon racks and practice equipment like stone locks.

Having lived in this world for thirty years, Xie An had never owned such a lavish courtyard.

In his previous life, Xie An had always longed to own his own villa, but his abilities were limited, and he never achieved it even by the time he died. He never expected to fulfill this small goal after transmigrating.

"Zhou Xing, what are you spacing out for? Hurry and carry Old brother's luggage."

Under Zhang Lin's scolding, the slow-to-react Zhou Xing quickly ran up to Xie An and helped him unload the luggage from his back.

Xie An didn't stand on ceremony, thinking that as a steward, it was perfectly reasonable for someone to carry his bag. He handed the luggage to Zhou Xing.

He had a villa, and he had someone to carry his bag...

There was only one word for it: comfortable.

Entering the hall, Zhang Lin personally brewed tea for Xie An and patiently explained the work at the black market.

In general, the business of the Blood Ridge Black Market was divided into two parts.

One was security, responsible for maintaining order and ensuring the safety of merchants and customers. This part was managed by Zhang Lin.

The other part was the business of the black market itself, which included stall fees, entrance fees, other commissions, and interpersonal dealings. This part of the business had previously been handled by Zhang Biao, and now it naturally fell to Xie An.

Speaking of which, Xie An's job was much better than Zhang Lin's. It didn't involve fighting and killing, it was quite leisurely, and it had more lucrative opportunities.

Moreover... although Zhang Biao and Zhang Lin were both stewards, it always seemed like Zhang Biao was the boss of the Blood Ridge Black Market, and Zhang Lin was the second-in-command.

Now that Xie An had replaced Zhang Biao, he had become the head of the black market?

Zhang Lin seemed to have noticed Xie An's question and explained with a smile, "The Blood Ridge Black Market is overseen by Incense Master Wei Dian, and there is also a Grand Steward, Lin Yun, who is Incense Master Wei's deputy. He doesn't come here often, only to review the accounts at the end of each month. Previously, I cooperated with Zhang Biao. Now that Old brother is here, I will naturally cooperate with Old brother."

Zhang Lin also wanted to be in charge, but Tang Qingyun had given his instructions back then... Although he felt a slight disappointment, he was also content. At least getting along with Old brother was much more comfortable than with Zhang Biao.

Xie An nodded slightly, "I see. By the way, Brother Zhang, the Blood Ridge Black Market only opens at night. What does everyone do during the day?"

Zhang Lin honestly replied, "During the day, we are responsible for cleaning, canvassing for business, and so on. However, these tasks are usually handled by subordinates. We stewards have special privileges."

"Special privileges?"

"Yes. We can go to White Feather Hall to practice martial arts..."

From Zhang Lin's explanation, Xie An finally learned about this special privilege:

The White Feather Hall was located near the Shuǐdēng Wharf not far outside Wuqiao Town, not far from Shuǐdēng Town. The hall had three hundred disciples. Incense Master Wei and the Grand Steward usually lived at White Feather Hall to practice martial arts.

This included other Incense Masters and deputy hall masters.

To promote martial arts, Tiger Wolf Gate had established a martial arts arena, a library, and a teaching building at White Feather Hall. Disciples could go there to listen to lectures on martial arts after finishing their work.

Stewards were the lowest-ranking officials in Tiger Wolf Gate and received preferential treatment in martial arts training. For example, the stewards of the Blood Ridge Black Market were responsible for the black market's affairs at night and could go to the hall to learn martial arts during the day.

White Feather Hall had a library, a pharmacy, a weapon shop, and so on.

After hearing all this, Xie An was very satisfied. He felt even more that he had come to the right place.

"If Old brother is in a hurry, I can take you to the hall right now. With your status as a steward, you can choose a martial art technique for free, get a tutor for free, and even receive medicinal supplements for your practice..."

Xie An weighed his options briefly and finally suppressed his eagerness. "Thank you for your kind offer, Brother Zhang. However, as I am new here, I should first familiarize myself with the black market's operations. It won't be too late to go to the hall once I'm familiar with the business and the black market opens smoothly."

Zhang Lin looked at Xie An with more respect, his affirmation increasing, "Old brother is indeed steady and prudent. If the Incense Master knew, he would surely be pleased."

Xie An just smiled, offering no further explanation.

As I'm new here and lack any background, if I don't focus on my main job and rush into martial arts training, it's inevitable I'll leave a bad impression on Incense Master Wei and Head Steward Lin Yun.

With the Lifelong Legacy as my backing, Xie An wasn't in a hurry. He decided to establish a foothold in the black market first before making any further plans.

"Oh, right, Brother Zhang. Are Incense Master Wei and the Head Steward in the black market today? I'd like to prepare some gifts and pay them a visit."

It's customary for newcomers to pay their respects first.

Xie An understood this rule. He wouldn't get ahead of himself just because he became a steward.

Zhang Lin replied, "Incense Master Wei and the Head Steward have been summoned by the Hall Master to suppress bandits. They likely won't be free for some time."

Xie An showed his disappointment. "Then I'll have to trouble you, Brother Zhang, to help me get familiar with the black market's business."

"As expected, my old friend is efficient. Follow me."

Zhang Lin patiently took Xie An on a tour of the black market, explaining its various details and precautions.

In general, the black market's core businesses were divided into several major categories: weapons, medicinal ingredients, secret manuals, and fierce beast materials. Other items were considered miscellaneous.

For ordinary mobile vendors, the black market only charged a stall fee.

However, for the larger, long-term vendors who had established shops, a certain commission was extracted, which formed the core income of the black market.

Maintaining good relationships with the various shopkeepers was one of Xie An's main duties as a steward.

Xie An inquired in detail, making sure he understood everything.

After completing this, Zhang Lin brought Xie An back to the separate courtyard and instructed Zhou Xing to bring Zhang Biao's former subordinates to meet the new steward.

While waiting for his subordinates to arrive, Zhang Lin reminded him, "Old brother, Zhang Biao's former subordinates are mostly unruly individuals. You might have to put in some effort to manage them. Only by properly disciplining your subordinates can you establish yourself here."

Xie An thanked him, noting the advice.

A short while later, the disciples entered in an orderly fashion, standing tall and proud in the courtyard.

There were about a dozen of them, mostly sturdy men who had clearly trained in martial arts. Upon seeing Xie An's hair, which was half white, they casually cupped their fists and addressed him as "Steward."

Although they called him Steward, Xie An keenly sensed their unconcealed disrespect. They likely thought he was an old man who had secured the position through connections and therefore didn't take him seriously.

Xie An observed everything but made no immediate move.

Zhang Lin specifically introduced two individuals: Liang Zhi, the accountant responsible for financial transactions, and Wang Xiang, Zhang Biao's former formidable subordinate.

Xie An scrutinized both men.

Liang Zhi was an old man in his forties, slightly plump, with a noticeable tuft of white beard. Despite his age, he appeared robust due to his martial arts training. Wang Xiang, in his thirties, exuded an air of defiance, and his gaze towards Xie An clearly showed his lack of respect.

Xie An knew that even though he was still wearing a mask, his half-white hair was impossible to hide. It was natural for them to feel resentful seeing an old man take Zhang Biao's place.

This was all within Xie An's expectations.

He was now a minor leader, and to perform his duties as steward effectively, his first priority was to discipline these subordinates so they would follow his orders.

To quickly establish authority over his subordinates, he realized he would have to demonstrate his capabilities.

With this in mind, Xie An put on a stern expression and said, "I am a person who values clear rewards and punishments. If you work diligently, I will reward you handsomely. However, if you are lazy, passive, or engage in underhanded tactics, and I discover it, then you will face consequences like this stone lock..."

As he finished speaking, Xie An walked over to a stone lock weighing seven hundred pounds. To the astonishment of the disciples, he lifted it overhead with one arm, swung it twice forcefully, and then slammed it down onto another stone lock. With a loud "bang," both stone locks shattered, sending countless fragments flying.

Hiss.

The entire place fell silent.