Rising Up

White Crane Merchant Association.

White Crane Hall.

As soon as Jiang Yan stepped inside, he found the usually quiet, sparsely populated hall bustling with noise. The White Crane Hall stewards had gathered in small groups, occupying various spots and murmuring among themselves.

At the back of the hall, Xie Jun and Yin Zhong were also discussing something with a white-bearded man, their heads lowered.

Just then, Yin Zhong seemed to sense him. He looked up, saw Jiang Yan had arrived, and made a small gesture with his arm, indicating that he should wait a moment.

Jiang Yan understood. He bowed slightly, found a chair by the entrance, and sat down quietly.

He paid little attention to what everyone was discussing. Lowering his eyelids, he half closed his eyes and began to rest.

Half an hour later, White Crane Hall finally grew quiet again.

"Heh."

Yin Zhong chuckled, rousing Jiang Yan and motioning him to come sit nearby. Then he pointed to the white-bearded man beside him and introduced him:

"This is Zhang Xiao, our hall master. Get to know him."

Zhang Xiao didn't look all that old, perhaps around forty. His clothes were fine, and his partly white hair was immaculately groomed. His expression was stern, and he rarely smiled.

He looked like a rather rigid man.

As the White Crane Merchant Association's "muscle," White Crane Hall had three hall masters. Xie Jun was the chief hall master, a Wén Realm martial artist.

Below Xie Jun, Yin Zhong and Zhang Xiao served as hall masters, handling White Crane Hall's daily affairs and keeping it running smoothly.

In the past, Jiang Yan had dealt with Xie Jun and Yin Zhong, but he had never met Zhang Xiao. He had only heard his name and knew he existed.

"Greetings, Hall Master Zhang."