Incense Master Wei

The next day, early in the morning.

Li Manor.

Li Ru and Madam Li woke up early and stood at the main gate waiting for Li Shaoyun's return.

Yesterday was Li Shaoyun's first day reporting to the Blood Ridge Black Market. Due to Zhang Biao's death, a new supervisor had been appointed. Li Ru and his wife were very worried about whether Li Shaoyun could get along with the new supervisor and whether he would be appreciated by the new supervisor, thus receiving resources for martial arts training.

It could be said that Li Shaoyun's future was entirely decided by the new supervisor's words.

The Blood Ridge Black Market opened at night and closed at dawn.

At this time, Li Shaoyun should be returning.

After a while, the couple saw Li Shaoyun return with a face full of exhaustion, his clothes dirty, and his face covered in dust, looking as if he had been abused.

Madam Li felt heartbroken upon seeing him and quickly pulled Li Shaoyun back to the inner courtyard to wash up. She also had the kitchen prepare some snacks. Only after Li Shaoyun's emotions had somewhat calmed down did she ask about the reason.

"What happened to you?"

Li Shaoyun gulped down meat buns and said indignantly, "Don't even mention it. The new supervisor has a huge appetite and wasn't satisfied even after taking my 180 taels of silver. Not only did he not give me any martial arts resources, but he also neglected me. He hinted that I should continue to send him money... he's truly asking for the moon."

Sigh!

Madam Li sighed helplessly.

Li Ru angrily criticized the new supervisor for his vile character and lack of principles, but he stopped after Madam Li glared at him.

The Tiger Wolf Gate was a major martial arts sect spanning Qingwu County and beyond, and it was not something a small Li Manor could criticize. If Li Ru's angry words today were to be spread by someone with ulterior motives, the Li Manor might face utter destruction.

Finally, Li Ru sighed, "The Tiger Wolf Gate is too powerful, we can't afford to offend them. I'll prepare another 200 taels for you, and you can go and smooth things over with this new supervisor. Remember, be humble and discreet, don't offend this supervisor, and you must try your best to please him."

"I know, Father."

Although he said that, Li Shaoyun still felt indignant. He hadn't even met the new supervisor, so how could he have offended him? And how could he please him?

Three days later.

Li Shaoyun once again asked Liang Zhi to deliver 200 taels of silver to the new supervisor.

According to the rules of the Tiger Wolf Gate, deputy supervisors also had the opportunity to receive medicinal supplements, secret manuals, and so on for free. However, this required a written order from their superior supervisor.

What surprised Li Shaoyun was that the new supervisor still hadn't met him. Instead, he had Liang Zhi convey a message that he should work hard and that what he was entitled to would not be lacking.

Li Shaoyun grumbled inwardly but dared not show it, so he diligently went to do some manual labor.

A month passed quickly. Li Shaoyun gradually lost his initial spirit, became numb towards his work, grew dispirited, and became somewhat like a walking corpse...

Meanwhile, Xie An had stayed in the Blood Ridge Black Market for this past month.

Besides patrolling the black market, understanding its operations, and getting acquainted with the shopkeepers of various stalls, he spent the rest of his time in his courtyard practicing the Health Cultivation Technique with all his might.

During this period, the Great Supervisor Lin Yun visited twice. The first time, he came on behalf of the Incense Master to visit Xie An.

The second time, he came to check the accounts. Upon discovering the surplus in the accounts had increased, he praised Xie An for being efficient and capable.

With 400 taels of silver in hand, Xie An could now afford to procure Tang Qingfeng's unique medicinal prescription without difficulty.

With the support of the medicinal prescription, Xie An's Health Cultivation Technique was slowly progressing.

Although the progress was not significant, he felt a sense of improvement every few days, which brought him joy.

At the beginning of this day, as the Blood Ridge Black Market closed, Xie An returned to his courtyard to rest and began to plan for the future:

"After a month of diligent management, the Blood Ridge Black Market has not encountered any unexpected incidents, and business is even better than when Zhang Biao was here. I have also received the approval of the Great Supervisor Lin Yun. Furthermore, I am now familiar with all the details of the black market. I can go to the hall to find a martial art to practice, and also visit the Incense Master Wei, whom I have never met."

"Moreover, after a month of hard cultivation, my Health Cultivation Technique has improved considerably, and my strength has increased further."

Although the Health Cultivation Technique was not good at killing, with the continuous improvement of strength and speed, crushing a martial artist at the minor accomplishment stage of the Bronze Skin Realm would be no problem.

Overall, Xie An felt that he had established a foothold in the black market and could start planning for the future.

Zhang Biao's backers were still watching, and there was also the Giant Whale Gang... These made Xie An realize the need to practice martial arts as soon as possible to deal with any unforeseen events.

After a simple breakfast, Xie An found Zhang Lin. He explained his intentions, and Zhang Lin readily agreed, "What a coincidence, I was also planning to go to the hall to collect medicinal supplements today. Let's go together."

"Thank you, Brother Zhang."

"You're welcome. Recently, the Great Supervisor gave me a reward of two extra portions of medicinal supplements and allowed me to practice the Red Tiger Saber Technique. On one hand, it's an affirmation of my contribution in discovering talent, and it also acknowledges the gradual improvement of the black market business. This is all thanks to you, my elder brother."

Zhang Lin did not take credit for himself but openly attributed his success to Xie An.

Xie An took it all in.

When they arrived at the White Feather Hall at the Water Lantern Pier, Xie An realized he was not the only one. Many disciples and supervisors coming and going wore masks or had their faces covered.

Zhang Lin, with his sharp eyes, noticed Xie An's confusion and explained, "The White Feather Hall is located in the six towns near Great Yin Mountain. Besides the chaos of the black market, many disciples and supervisors infiltrate the bandit dens in Great Yin Mountain as spies, or represent the hall in doing unsavory business. Except for the higher-ups who know their identities, they usually wear masks when they come to the hall. This situation is not uncommon."

Xie An understood.

Walking past the bustling Water Lantern Pier, they entered the White Feather Hall.

It was a very sturdy mansion. Although it wasn't as grand as the Tang Family Fort in the county town, it still had about three to four parts of its grandeur.

Within the courtyard, there was a magnificent martial arts training ground. Many disciples were practicing and sparring here, occasionally drawing cheers from the onlookers.

In addition, there were also medicinal preparation rooms, a library, a teaching building, an armory... all sorts of facilities that were overwhelming.

Everywhere, disciples and stewards were seen sweating as they practiced martial arts.

The place was overflowing with a passionate atmosphere, truly living up to its reputation as a sect's hall.

Xie An, visiting for the first time, felt deeply inspired, sensing an invigorating aura.

Zhang Lin familiarized Xie An with the surroundings as he led the way, explaining, "Now, elder brother, you should understand why so many people are desperately trying to join White Feather Hall. In the six towns radius, if White Feather Hall doesn't claim the second spot, no one dares to claim the first."

Xie An couldn't agree more.

Compared to ordinary people who would earnestly go to county martial arts halls or various martial arts schools to learn, the entry barrier to Tiger Wolf Gate was clearly much lower, and the cost less. However, Tiger Wolf Gate's methods were rather unorthodox; disciples had to do things for the sect, which also came with certain risks. It wasn't like martial arts schools where you just paid money and focused solely on training.

No wonder the Grand Steward and Incense Master Wei stayed here year-round, rarely visiting the Blood Ridge Black Market. They were all diligently cultivating and improving their strength.

Suddenly, Xie An noticed many gentlemen dressed as wealthy merchants and influential families, bringing boxes with their servants.

"Brother Zhang, what are these?"

Zhang Lin smiled and explained, "These are the influential families and wealthy merchants from the six towns radius. They often encounter bandits raiding villages, so they request our White Feather Hall to eliminate them. These are tokens of gratitude."

Xie An secretly clicked his tongue.

It made sense. When bandits raided villages, the influential families and wealthy merchants were the first to suffer. To protect their fortunes, they had no choice but to spend a considerable amount of money to show their appreciation to White Feather Hall and build good relationships.

No wonder White Feather Hall's main hall was so prosperous; just these tokens of gratitude alone were substantial.

As for whether these bandits were real or if White Feather Hall hired people to impersonate them... that was unknown.

"Elder brother, I'll take you to the library. With your steward's identification token, you can choose a martial art for free."

Xie An, however, said, "As I've just arrived, I should pay a visit to Incense Master Wei and the Grand Steward. Please, Brother Zhang, lead the way."

Zhang Lin paused for a moment, then chuckled, "Elder brother is indeed thoughtful. It should be done this way. I'll take you to the separate courtyard where Incense Master Wei specifically practices."

Led by Zhang Lin, they passed through the bustling plaza and arrived at a secluded courtyard.

Zhang Lin gently knocked on the courtyard gate and cupped his hands, saying, "Incense Master Wei, Zhang Lin has brought a newly appointed steward to pay his respects."

After a moment, an aged voice came from within, "Come in."