Plum Blossom Monster!

"What? Six hundred taels?!"

Inside the Li Manor's inner courtyard, Li Ru slammed his hand on the table upon hearing his son's words, knocking over a blue-and-white porcelain tea bowl. It shattered on the floor.

The Li family had been in business for two generations, and their expenses were not significant, allowing them to accumulate considerable wealth. However, ever since Li Shaoyun started practicing martial arts, the costs of acquiring resources and managing various connections had become substantial.

Madam Li went to comfort Li Ru. "It's already happened. Venting your frustration won't change anything. We need to figure out a solution."

Unlike Li Ru, a shrewd businessman, Madam Li had been a maid in a prominent family in the county town. She learned to read and write from her masters, making her knowledgeable and refined. After marrying into the Li family, she managed the household impeccably, earning a reputation as a virtuous wife in Wuqiao Town and receiving praise from the local gentry.

Perhaps because of this, Li Ru tended to heed Madam Li's advice on matters not directly related to money.

After comforting Li Ru, Madam Li asked Li Shaoyun, "Did you offend this new steward?"

Li Shaoyun meticulously reviewed the events and finally shook his head. "I spent four months at the Blood Ridge Black Market and only met the new steward for the first time today. During that time, I was diligent and never offended him. Perhaps... the new steward has a conflict with Zhang Biao and, seeing that I bribed Zhang Biao but not him, decided to sideline me."

Madam Li and Li Ru exchanged a glance, agreeing with this deduction.

Although stewards were the lowest-ranking managers in the Tiger Wolf Gate, they wielded real power. For the Li family, they were absolutely not to be offended.

Li Ru grumbled and fidgeted for a moment before making a resolute decision. "I'll have Chen Yuan take some antique items to the county town to sell. I'll raise the six hundred taels for you."

Meanwhile, Xie An's life continued to settle into a peaceful routine.

As Zhang Lin vigorously cleared out the bandits in the vicinity of the Blood Ridge Black Market, the safety level of the market steadily improved. Consequently, business became increasingly prosperous.

Xie An's relationship with his subordinates also grew more harmonious. After repeatedly reprimanding a few troublemakers with no success, he had Liang Zhi break their legs.

From then on, no one dared to offend Xie An, the new steward.

He practiced his martial arts, drank tea, chatted with colleagues, and occasionally went out on patrols to assert his authority. During his free time, Xie An focused on his martial arts practice.

For the elder Xie An, he savored this peaceful and stable life.

One morning, three days later.

Xie An was practicing the Fuyang Saber Technique in the courtyard.

Suddenly, he heard a knock on the door. Xie An, covering himself, called out, "Enter."

As the door was pushed open, Liang Zhi walked in carrying a cloth bag.

Xie An took the bag and opened it.

It was silver, emitting a silvery glow.

A full six hundred taels.

Liang Zhi said, "Young Master Li was quite efficient."

After speaking, Liang Zhi took out a ten-tael silver ingot from his inner pocket and presented it to Xie An. "Young Master Li also gave me ten taels of silver, but I feel undeserving of it and shouldn't take it."

Xie An glanced at Liang Zhi, his impression of him improving. "Take it."

Liang Zhi really wanted to accept it, but fearing Xie An was testing him, he demurred. "Your subordinate relies on Steward Xie for sustenance. I naturally understand the importance of repaying kindness and would not dare to take anything privately."

Xie An smiled and suddenly changed the subject, his eyes flashing with sharpness. "I say you can take it, so you can take it."

Sensing the certainty in Xie An's gaze, Liang Zhi finally accepted the silver and cupped his hands in thanks. "Thank you, Steward."

Xie An waved his hand, signaling Liang Zhi to withdraw.

Over the past few months, Liang Zhi had been diligent and loyal to him. He was capable and understood social etiquette, making him very easy to manage and saving Xie An a lot of effort.

If he took six hundred taels, it was only right for Liang Zhi to receive ten.

Xie An even felt that given Liang Zhi's performance, giving him a little more would be reasonable. However, Xie An did not set that precedent.

On one hand, opening that door too easily could foster a tendency for corruption among his subordinates.

On the other hand, if he truly wanted to show favor to Liang Zhi, it shouldn't be at this moment. He should visit Liang Zhi's gravely ill mother with gifts and money later; only then would Liang Zhi be truly grateful.

Xie An contentedly pocketed the silver. "Now I have the money to commission a heavy saber. Only with a heavy saber can I unleash the true power of the Fuyang Saber Technique."

The Blood Ridge Black Market had a blacksmith shop that operated year-round and was open during the day.

This was very convenient.

After a simple breakfast, Xie An encountered Zhang Lin, who had just returned from his patrol, as he stepped out.

Seeing Zhang Lin's troubled expression, Xie An couldn't help but ask, "Brother Zhang, why the long face?"

Zhang Lin leaned his blood-stained saber against the doorframe and sighed. "It's all because of the Plum Blossom Monster. Yesterday, the Plum Blossom Monster reached into our Blood Ridge Black Market..."

From Zhang Lin's account, Xie An learned what had happened: a stall owner, carrying eight hundred taels from selling goods, was ambushed on his way home after packing up his stall. A red wooden plum blossom was left at the scene.

Finally, Zhang Lin sighed dejectedly. "I've been strengthening patrols in the area day and night, finally clearing out the nearby bandits and improving the market's business. Now, because of this Plum Blossom Monster, people are in a panic, and all my efforts have been in vain. This Plum Blossom Monster truly deserves to die."

Even Incense Master Wei had been injured by the Plum Blossom Monster. Zhang Lin, knowing he was no match for it, could only vent his frustration.

Xie An's heart tightened upon hearing this. "Brother Zhang, may I see that plum blossom?"

Zhang Lin took out a wooden plum blossom painted with red pigment from his pocket and handed it to Xie An. "It's this thing. Everyone is scared when they see it now. The market's business will likely decline again."

Xie An examined the plum blossom for a while but couldn't discern anything unusual. He put it in his pocket and then comforted Zhang Lin, "Brother Zhang, you must be tired after patrolling all night. Go get some rest. I'll think of a way to deal with this Plum Blossom Monster."

After several months of interaction, the hierarchy of Xie An as the de facto leader of the black market and Zhang Lin as his second-in-command had been established. Now that the black market faced a crisis, Xie An naturally had to take the lead in responding.

After bidding farewell to Zhang Lin, Xie An headed straight for the black market's blacksmith shop, a sense of urgency growing within him.

Commissioning a heavy saber was now an urgent matter.