Grade-B Attendant

It was not until after lunch the next day that Qiao Wuwang finally arrived, fashionably late.

The moment they met, he apologized. "Sorry, brother. I meant to come this morning, but my eldest sister dragged me off to pay respects to the old man, then kept me for a meal. I came late, so please don't hold it against me."

In truth, Qiao Yaoyao had only sent people out to investigate the night before and needed to wait for their report, so she had deliberately kept him there to stall for time. Qiao Wuwang, however, knew nothing of this.

"Third Young Master is too courteous," Yang Yi said. "Having returned from a journey, it is only right to let the elders know you are safe. There is no rush on my end."

"Come. I'll take you to see my eldest sister."

Yang Yi gave his uncle and the others a few instructions, telling them to wait at the inn for news and not wander about. Only then did he leave with Qiao Wuwang.

The outer fort, Qiao'an City, had been built against the mountains. The Qiao Family Fort's inner fort, meanwhile, sat within an enormous valley, surrounded on all sides by towering cliffs that rose sheer for a thousand fathoms, majestic and wondrous.

Compared with the bustling prosperity of the outer fort, the inner fort was undoubtedly far more secluded and tranquil.

With Qiao Wuwang leading the way, they naturally encountered no obstruction.

When they reached a hall, Qiao Wuwang strode straight inside and called out, "Eldest Sister, Brother Yang is here."

Behind a desk within the hall, Qiao Yaoyao raised her head at the sound and looked toward Yang Yi, who had followed Qiao Wuwang in.

Yang Yi looked up and saw an exquisitely beautiful face. His brows shot up at once. Damn, what a beautiful woman!

Qiao Yaoyao's features were like a painting, her dark brows carrying the breath of spring. Her skin was fair, and a faint charm showed in the shifting ripples of her eyes.

Perhaps because she had managed the clan's affairs year-round, there was unconsciously a trace of scrutiny in her gaze as she looked at Yang Yi.

She had already received her subordinate's report. According to the intelligence, Yang Yi's background and origins were entirely clean, with no trace of ties to any other force.

Yet the more this was so, the more curious she became. How could an utterly ordinary village youth cultivate such astonishing ability while hiding it so completely? Had Iron Eagle of Black Wind Stronghold not sought his own death, this true dragon might have remained curled up in a pond, unknown and unnoticed.

How could someone so young possess such forbearance?

"Greetings, Miss Qiao!" Yang Yi clasped his fists below, his voice ringing loud and clear.

Qiao Yaoyao smiled brightly. "Little Brother Yang, you are too polite. You saved Wuwang's life. By rights, it should be my Qiao Household thanking you."

Yang Yi shook his head. "Third Young Master fell into danger because of the Yang Household's affairs, when all is said and done. Between Third Young Master and me, there is only friendship, not a debt of gratitude."

He understood propriety and knew where to draw the line. Qiao Yaoyao gave a slight nod.

The life-saving debt owed by the Qiao Household's Third Young Master was no small matter. If Yang Yi used that favor to settle into Qiao Family Fort, many matters afterward would become difficult to handle.

Now that Yang Yi himself could keep things clear, Qiao Yaoyao was naturally quite satisfied.

"Wuwang said you have entered the Mistblood Realm?" Qiao Yaoyao moved past the previous subject.

This was the second time Yang Yi had heard such a term. A few guesses arose in his heart, and he nodded. "Yes!"

"Would you be willing to test your hand?" Qiao Yaoyao asked with great interest.

Someone so young who had entered the Mistblood Realm naturally had to be witnessed firsthand. Besides, this could also count as an assessment.

"Of course!" Yang Yi answered calmly.

"Tie Shan!" Qiao Yaoyao called.

Not far from her stood a burly man built like an iron tower, his hands clasped behind his back. Since Yang Yi had entered, he had remained silent, not even shifting his gaze.

At her call, he immediately walked toward Yang Yi.

So tall. So huge!

Yang Yi was already rather tall himself, yet this Tie Shan was much larger than he was.

How had he grown like this?

At such close range, Yang Yi could even faintly sense the powerful, surging vitality and blood within the other man.

This guy... was stronger than him! For no apparent reason, the thought welled up in Yang Yi's heart. It was an instinctive judgment.

Tie Shan lowered his eyes slightly and said expressionlessly, "Attack me with all your strength!"

"Then be careful!" Yang Yi shouted low. His fist clenched as he drove it forward with savage force.

He gave this punch everything he had. As blood thundered through his body, he felt all the strength in him gather into his fist.

Boom...

Yang Yi stared at Tie Shan, whose body had merely swayed slightly before returning to normal. The corner of his eye twitched.

Iron Eagle's skull had caved in beneath a single punch from him, yet Tie Shan had only swayed a little?

Even Yang Yi's fist hurt somewhat.

This fellow truly was far stronger than him. That was normal enough; after all, Yang Yi had cultivated for only a short time.

"Well?" Qiao Yaoyao asked as she looked at Tie Shan.

A flush flickered across Tie Shan's face and vanished. He exhaled lightly before speaking. "It is Mistblood."

"Good!" Having received confirmation, Qiao Yaoyao's face lit with delight as she turned to the main matter. "Little Brother Yang, Wuwang wishes to recommend you as an Attendant of Qiao Family Fort. What do you think?"

"Since Third Young Master thinks so highly of me, Yang Yi is willing to serve Qiao Family Fort!"

Qiao Yaoyao grew even more pleased. "Those of the Mistblood Realm who join Qiao Family Fort become Grade-B Attendants. Your monthly silver will be five hundred taels, along with six hundred jin of meat and a certain amount of rice, flour, and other provisions. Should you go out to carry out assignments, you will receive compensation and rewards as appropriate. Are you satisfied with these terms?"

Five hundred taels of silver a month, six hundred jin of meat... Yang Yi would not even have dared dream of such things before. What was there to be dissatisfied with?

Moreover, Qiao Wuwang had brought him into Qiao Family Fort, so the Qiao Household certainly would not shortchange him in such matters.

"I have no objections." Yang Yi nodded.

"Good, Attendant Yang. From this day onward, we are family." Qiao Yaoyao's smile was warm, and even the way she addressed Yang Yi had changed.

"Also, Grade-B Attendants may reside in the inner fort, and their families may move here with them as well."

"Eldest Sister, if I remember correctly, Cuiwei Residence is still vacant, isn't it?" Qiao Wuwang said with a smile.

"Cuiwei Residence..." Qiao Yaoyao pondered briefly, then nodded. "That will do!"

Before her words had even faded, a hearty laugh suddenly came from outside.

"Haha, eldest niece, this is good news." With the laughter, an elderly man dressed simply strode in from outside. Two round iron balls spun in his hand. Though he was advanced in years, he walked with the stride of a dragon and the gait of a tiger, vigorous and hale.

A sword-bearing man followed the elder inside.

"Second Uncle." Qiao Yaoyao's eyes flickered, and she hurriedly rose. Qiao Wuwang likewise hastened to bow.

"Wuwang is back?" Second Uncle Qiao first narrowed his eyes at Qiao Wuwang. "When did you return?"

"I returned last night." Qiao Wuwang answered respectfully. "It was too late then. I was preparing to visit Second Uncle today."

"It is enough that you have such thoughtfulness. Your grandfather is old, and I can no longer fight on. Qiao Family Fort will have to be handed over to you younger generation in the future. Show more filial respect before your grandfather from now on. Do not run around everywhere, making friends with all sorts of dubious people."

Yang Yi, standing nearby, lifted his eyelids.

Qiao Wuwang frowned slightly.

"Second Uncle, this is..." Qiao Yaoyao interrupted the conversation between uncle and nephew and looked toward the sword-bearing man behind Second Uncle Qiao.

"Eldest niece, this is the good news I mentioned." Second Uncle Qiao laughed heartily, stepping aside as he looked at the man. "Introduce yourself."

The sword-bearing man stepped forward and said in a deep voice, "Shen Qian. Greetings, Miss Qiao."

"You are Shen Qian, head of the Shen Lineage in Clearwind City?" Qiao Yaoyao asked in surprise. Clearly, she had heard of this name.

"That would be Shen!" Shen Qian replied proudly.

"I have long heard of your great name."

"You are too courteous, Miss."

"Eldest niece, Shen Qian intends to become an Attendant of our Qiao Household. I have already agreed to it and came specifically to inform you." The iron balls in Second Uncle Qiao's hand turned slowly, his face full of smiles.

Qiao Yaoyao was exceedingly surprised. "Head Shen wishes to join our Qiao Household?"

Second Uncle Qiao said, "Would you not call that good news?"

Qiao Yaoyao nodded. "If so, then it truly is wonderful news."

"According to clan rules, Shen Qian possesses Mistblood strength and should be a Grade-B Attendant. Aside from receiving all necessary provisions, he may also reside in the inner fort. I have already ordered people to clean Cuiwei Residence. It will be ready today."

"Cuiwei Residence..." Qiao Yaoyao frowned. "Second Uncle, I'm afraid Cuiwei Residence will not do. Choose another place."