Heavy Reward Offered, Silver Jade Manager

Inside the Council Hall, the atmosphere was solemn.

Jiang Yurán sat upright behind a sandalwood table carved with strange runes, her pretty face filled with icy coldness.

Standing before the sandalwood table, Steward Xu Xu Bei and Manager Ma Rusong stood somewhat tense, heads lowered, not daring to make a sound.

Wu Liangye, Gao Yunchao, and the other two Great Stewards sat on either side. Wu Liangye's brow was faintly furrowed as he held a wine gourd, taking a sip from it now and then.

In the lower seats, Ma Jiang and six other stewards sat on Sandalwood Chairs in silence.

The rest were forty-two Full Managers, seated in order according to when they had joined the sect. Lin Xuankong, having entered only recently, naturally sat at the very back.

He stared at Jiang Yurán and Ma Rusong in some surprise, thinking:

Looking at this, the Pretty Taoist Nun was about to lose her temper today. But Ma Rusong had such a powerful backer and had just been exceptionally promoted to Full Manager—why was Manager Jiang suddenly targeting him? This Ma Rusong really couldn't accomplish anything and only ruined things. What trouble had he caused now?

As Lin Xuankong pondered, Jiang Yurán swept her gaze over the crowd and spoke:

"Everyone has fought outside these past days and endured great hardship. Quite a few of you have also performed extraordinary deeds, such as Steward Ma Jiang, Steward Zhao Yufei, Manager Lin Xuankong, Manager Nalan Yunzhu, and others.

"Manager Lin Xuankong in particular is already advanced in years, yet he still performed extraordinary deeds. Both the Hall Master and I were greatly surprised!"

At this point, her expression softened slightly, and she smiled as she nodded toward Lin Xuankong at the very end.

The many stewards and managers could not help looking toward Lin Xuankong, their expressions holding both surprise and envy.

After all, there were only a few people in the entire Yin Talisman Sect who could receive public praise from the sect master's daughter, the illustrious Manager Jiang. Most of the time, this hot-tempered Manager Jiang was either berating people or on the way to berate people!

As thoughts stirred among the crowd, Jiang Yurán continued:

"Although the hall has already rewarded everyone according to their merits, you should have been allowed a period of rest and recuperation. Unfortunately, a major incident has occurred in the hall, so I can only trouble you all to work hard for a few more days!"

Having said that, she looked at Xu Bei and Ma Rusong.

"Steward Xu, all warehouse affairs fall under your management, correct? Manager Ma, when the theft occurred yesterday, were you leading several Deputy Managers and disciples in guarding the warehouses?"

The two men's expressions shifted. Each cupped his hands and replied, "Yes." "Yes."

A chill surfaced on Jiang Yurán's face again as she shouted:

"Then how could you allow two Flying Thieves to steal supplies from the Third Warehouse, making countless Martial Cultivators throughout Great Marsh Prefecture laugh at the Yin Talisman Sect!"

Ma Rusong's expression turned rather ugly. Xu Bei gritted his teeth and cupped his hands.

"Reporting to Manager Jiang, when the theft occurred, I was guarding the First Warehouse and knew nothing of what happened at the Third Warehouse. Besides, this matter cannot be blamed entirely on Ma Rusong!

"The two Flying Thieves targeted the Third Warehouse, where the defenses were weakest. Both possessed Layer Two cultivation, and most crucially, their dart hidden weapons were extraordinarily formidable—no dart missed its mark. Their methods were nearly as sharp as the Hat Guest's methods rumored some time ago.

"More than forty disciples on guard were all struck down by those sharp darts. More than twenty disciples lost their lives on the spot. Three Deputy Managers and Ma Rusong fought bravely, yet all of them nearly lost their lives as well."

Jiang Yurán narrowed her eyes. "By your meaning, should I reward the injured Ma Rusong instead?"

Xu Bei's expression changed, and he cupped his hands.

"This subordinate would not dare! It is only that the Flying Thieves were powerful and their flying knives were sharp indeed. They truly were not something Rusong and the others could withstand. Even if the other managers present had been there, I fear the result would have been the same.

"This subordinate merely hopes that Manager Jiang can give Rusong and me an opportunity to redeem ourselves through merit and capture those two Flying Thieves!"

After hearing this, the many managers seated below exchanged glances, then secretly shook their heads and kept silent.

Most of these managers were at the Early Second Layer or Mid-stage Second Layer. If they encountered Layer Two experts wielding flying knives, they truly would find it difficult to resist. After all, a Mid-stage Second Layer Martial Cultivator was not like Lin Xuankong, who was at the late stage of Layer Two; they had not yet reached the point where they could withstand sharp weapons.

Several managers who appeared to have already reached the late stage of Layer Two, however, wore faintly arrogant expressions.

Lin Xuankong, seated at the very back, secretly thought:

So two Flying Thieves had killed more than twenty disciples and looted the Third Warehouse. No wonder the Pretty Taoist Nun was so furious! But Xu Bei said those thieves resembled the Hat Guest—that was truly slandering an innocent man, and he was also looking down on my hidden weapon techniques!

With my hidden weapon techniques, against some forty Martial Cultivators without formidable defenses, if I raised my hand a dozen or so times, there definitely would not be a single survivor.

Wu Liangye suddenly took two gulps of wine and stood. He leaned close to Jiang Yurán and said in a low voice, "Manager Jiang, you may not yet have received the news while you were fighting outside these past days."

Seeing this, Lin Xuankong, seated at the very back, could not help frowning. Though he could not hear Wu Liangye's words, Wu Liangye was clearly pleading for Ma Rusong! Just what kind of backer had that filthy bastard found? Steward Xu was one thing, but even a Great Steward was pleading on his behalf!

After listening to Wu Liangye's quiet persuasion, Jiang Yurán glanced at Ma Rusong. She frowned in thought for a moment, then spoke:

"If Great Steward Wu had not pleaded for you, and if the problem had not occurred at the hall's most important First Warehouse, I would immediately have sent you two to Sifang City for hard labor!

"But under the sect rules, punishment is required. Xu Bei mishandled the arrangements and will have his salary docked for one year. Ma Rusong failed in his guard duty, but considering that he was wounded while fighting the Flying Thieves and that his circumstances are pardonable, his salary will be docked for half a year.

"Enough. You two may return to your seats. This mission counts as one for both of you as well. If you can redeem yourselves through merit, your monthly salaries will naturally be restored!"

Having said that, she looked at the crowd and shouted, "All stewards and managers, heed my order!"

At her words, everyone rose to receive the order.

"These two Flying Thieves stole two hundred and ten Vicious Lizard Liao People's Essence Blood Beads, two hundred Marsh Python Liao People's Forehead Scales, and many other valuable supplies. They also took the lives of many disciples of our Yin Talisman Sect!

"This matter concerns the lives of Yin Talisman Sect disciples, the sect's interests, and its honor. It absolutely must not be underestimated!

"From this moment on, put aside all other affairs and send out all disciples to investigate these thieves thoroughly. Search even the towns of the Outer City. Even if you must dig through all of Great Marsh Prefecture three feet deep, drag them out for me, so that others may be warned by their example!"

"Yes!" everyone answered in unison.

Jiang Yurán rose to her full height.

"Anyone who obtains definite information will be rewarded two thousand silver taels. Whoever captures these thieves, besides receiving the many spoils as a reward, will be promoted to Silver Jade Manager if they are a manager, or Silver Jade Steward if they are a steward!"

After Jiang Yurán and the several Great Stewards finished announcing the mission, they left the Martial Arts Hall and went to the Guest Room to discuss matters.

The many stewards and managers began discussing the matter in the Council Hall.

Steward Ma gathered Lin Xuankong, Steward Hu, and the other five people under his command together.

To Lin Xuankong's surprise, Han Lu, whose face carried a trace of sorrow, was among them as well. This "Local Emperor," whose leg had not even healed, had actually been transferred under Steward Ma's command. It seemed Steward Ma feared that Han Lu would slack off in his cultivation if he remained outside as a manager!

"What are your thoughts?" Ma Jiang asked.

The several managers all shook their heads slightly and lowered their heads in thought. For the moment, no one spoke.

Lin Xuankong secretly thought: The sect's Forehead Scales had actually been taken by those Flying Thieves. The other supplies those thieves had carried off could be set aside for now, but two hundred Marsh Python Forehead Scales were simply too tempting. If I got them, I would be only two hundred away from my eight hundred Forehead Scales!

I have to find a way to capture these Flying Thieves!

Especially since this is my third mission. Even if not for the Forehead Scales, merely to learn the Yin Talisman Art sooner, I must complete this third mission!

Yet as he looked at the many stewards and managers around him, all discussing fervently, he thought: There will be no small amount of competition for this mission!

"Xuankong, what are your thoughts?" Ma Jiang suddenly asked.

Lin Xuankong, who had been lost in thought, paused.

After considering it, he said, "First, we must inspect the scene and carefully question the disciples who fought the Flying Thieves that day.

"Second, we need to find the darts used by the thieves and see whether we can uncover clues from their origin and from Martial Cultivators skilled at using darts. Every family, sect, and martial arts school that teaches dart hidden weapons must receive extra attention!

"Third, those Flying Thieves will have to dispose of the supplies sooner or later. During this period, we should also send people to keep watch on the merchants who purchase supplies and on the official auction house of Great Marsh Prefecture!"

Seeing how clearly and methodically he spoke, Ma Jiang nodded repeatedly in praise. "Not bad, very comprehensive. It mostly aligns with what I was thinking.

"Then the task of investigating the origin of the darts and looking into those martial arts schools that cultivate dart martial arts will be left to you. Remember, do not alert the enemy!"

After Ma Jiang said this, he looked at Han Lu again. "What are your thoughts?"

Han Lu froze, then said, "Master, do you think one of those two fellows who used darts might be the Hat Guest? They are both hidden weapon experts! Shouldn't we investigate from that angle?"

Lin Xuankong:

Ma Jiang frowned. "I should not have asked you. Next, you should send people to watch the merchants and auction house. That job should not require much thought!"

Han Lu said somewhat gloomily, "It seems Master thinks I have no chance of becoming a Silver Jade Manager!"

At the mention of a Silver Jade Manager, Ma Jiang could not help sighing with emotion.

"This time, it seems Manager Jiang and the Hall Master have made up their minds to kill a chicken to scare the monkeys. They are determined to spare no cost in capturing these Flying Thieves!

"Because in the Great Marsh Hall of our Yin Talisman Sect, no disciple has been promoted to Silver Jade Manager or Silver Jade Steward for decades!

"The monthly salary, medicinal materials, and other benefits of a Silver Jade Position are fully double those of ordinary managers and stewards. It is an honorary position attainable only by performing multiple extraordinary deeds!

"For decades, only Hall Master Xu Zhenhuan performed several extraordinary deeds while serving as a manager and became a Silver Jade Manager. Even now, people still speak of it as a fine tale!

"From that time onward, he rose step by step into the great figure he is today, second only to the sect master within the Yin Talisman Sect!"

Lin Xuankong's eyes stirred at those words. Double the salary of a Full Manager?

Under normal circumstances, he could receive two portions of medicinal materials. If he became a Silver Jade Manager, would that not mean six portions of medicinal materials every day? That was so much that he could drink medicine until he burped medicinal water!

This Silver Jade honor was far too incredible!

However, competition for this mission would certainly be extremely fierce. After all, who did not want all those supplies? Who did not want to become the one-of-a-kind Silver Jade Manager or Silver Jade Steward with a boundless future?

But he had to complete this mission before anyone else. The abundant medicinal materials of a Silver Jade Position, two hundred Marsh Python Forehead Scales, and the cultivation of the Yin Talisman Art—every one of these was far too important to him! Lin Xuankong secretly clenched his fist.