Who else objected?

The hall was spacious, sixty feet long and wide and roughly twenty feet high, perfectly square. Eight armchairs stood inside, four on either side, beneath a plaque bearing the words "Azure Dragon Hall."

Against the far wall stood an ancestral altar bearing more than a dozen spirit tablets. One was new, inscribed with the name of his adoptive father, Pei Yuanfeng.

A long spear also lay horizontally before the altar. Countless fine scratches covered its shaft; one glance was enough to tell that this old spear had weathered many years in the martial world.

The eight armchairs were already occupied by five men and three women in fine clothing. Their expressions were solemn as they all turned in unison to look toward the entrance.

?!

Ye Jingtang had been wondering what eye-opening sights awaited him in the basement. Suddenly confronted with such a grand, formal hall and eight solemn elders, he was genuinely taken aback.

Although he had no idea what was happening, Ye Jingtang immediately composed himself, adopted a stern expression, and stood behind Pei Xiangjun to assess the situation.

As Pei Xiangjun appeared, all eight Incense Masters in the underground hall rose and saluted.

"House Master!"

"No need for formalities."

Pei Xiangjun's bearing transformed completely, revealing the dignity befitting a female sect leader as she walked unhurriedly to the front of the Azure Dragon Hall and took her seat.

Ye Jingtang was a little bewildered, but the titles, spirit tablets, and other details gave him a rough idea of where he was-a branch hall of the Red Flower House.

This did not particularly surprise Ye Jingtang. He had harbored suspicions ever since the Red God of Wealth came knocking; now those suspicions had been confirmed.

So that traveler in the bamboo hat really was Third Madam...

No wonder the Red Flower House was doing so badly...

Unable to ask questions openly, Ye Jingtang quietly took his place behind Pei Xiangjun's grand armchair and surveyed those present.

The eight Incense Masters seated in the Azure Dragon Hall looked at Ye Jingtang with varying expressions after he appeared. The three women's eyes shone with admiration.

Li Sanwen and the others, however, regarded him scrutinizingly.

Pei Xiangjun did not explain the background to Ye Jingtang, because he was clever enough to understand the situation.

Seated at the front of the Azure Dragon Hall, she surveyed the eight Incense Masters on either side.

"This is Ye Jingtang, my second brother Pei Yuanfeng's adopted son. I already told you about Second Brother's passing last month and how he entrusted him with bringing his estate to the Capital City. His character and abilities are worthy of great responsibility, so I intend to appoint him Young House Master. Does anyone object?"

Wang Ren said, "The Red Flower House is more than that little Skywater Bridge outside, and our opponents aren't idle street loafers like Yang Guan..."

Pei Xiangjun raised a hand to interrupt him and looked at Ye Jingtang.

"Jingtang, are you confident?"

Ye Jingtang was still bewildered and did not even know who these people were, but his answer to Pei Xiangjun's question was straightforward.

"The Pei Family are my adoptive father's relatives. Third Madam has treated me generously and given me a handsome salary. If trouble arises, I'll naturally do everything in my power to protect them. Whether the Pei Family's holdings consist of Skywater Bridge alone or stretch across the five lakes and four seas makes no difference to me."

Pei Xiangjun was very pleased with these words, but Li Sanwen frowned.

"A newborn calf knows nothing of the heights of heaven or the depths of earth. The entire martial world is making trouble for the Red Flower House now! Even loyalty and honor must be backed by ability. How can we trust you on empty words alone?"

Feeling the barbs in the old man's words, Ye Jingtang replied evenly.

"I'm not a member of the Pei Family. I'm helping them out of affection and loyalty alone. Even if you don't trust me, I'll still do what I should. Even if you do trust me, I won't agree to do what I shouldn't."

Some of the eight Incense Masters present frowned, while others nodded. They exchanged looks, apparently conferring among themselves.

Seeing them discussing things among themselves and leaving Third Madam out in the cold, without even the most basic respect for their leader, Ye Jingtang inwardly frowned.

After a little thought, Ye Jingtang recalled the Red Flower House's circumstances: a House Master lacking sufficient strength, martial factions watching like hungry tigers, and branch halls itching to make their move...

Looking at the alluring, graceful Third Madam beside him, who truly did not seem suited to shouldering the main burden, he considered for a moment before asking:

"Third Madam, did you bring me here today to demonstrate my abilities and win the appreciation of everyone present?"

At these words, all eight Incense Masters turned toward him.

Pei Xiangjun had been waiting for Li Sanwen to raise objections and exchange a few moves with Ye Jingtang, allowing him to prove his potential. She replied:

"Mm... more or less."

Ye Jingtang nodded slightly, stepped in front of Third Madam, and surveyed the Incense Masters.

"Then let's get straight to it. Would you like to test me one at a time, or all together?"

?!

Hearing this arrogant declaration of "I'll fight all eight," the eight Incense Masters present froze.

Even Pei Xiangjun's almond-shaped eyes widened, and she hurriedly stopped him.

"Jingtang, don't be insolent!"

Ye Jingtang raised a hand slightly and continued.

"Third Madam pays my wages and wants me to be Young House Master. Since I've taken the money, I have to do the job properly. If you think there's a problem with her decision, feel free to step forward and say so. If I can't refute you, I'll walk out myself."

Smack-

Already displeased with Pei Xiangjun's impulsive decision, Li Sanwen flew into a rage when he saw that this brat showed not a shred of respect. He slapped the armrest and rose.

But just then!

Shing-

A flash of blade light swept through the underground hall!

The three-foot silver blade at Ye Jingtang's waist left its sheath, trailing a crescent of cold light.

Its piercing cry made the hair of all nine people present stand on end!

Li Sanwen was no mediocre fighter. At the sight of this attack, terror flashed in his eyes, and he hastily retreated.

But the ferocity of the Eight-Step Mad Blade lay precisely in seizing the initiative and subduing the enemy.

Although Ye Jingtang had only comprehended it a few days earlier, he already knew it by heart. Even She Long had barely managed to block it in time. What chance did a mere Incense Master have?

The blade flashed past, heading straight for the centerline of Li Sanwen, whose backside had only just left his chair.

If nothing intervened, by the time Li Sanwen raised his hand, the strike would already have opened a gash in his chest.

Unfortunately, before the silver blade touched Li Sanwen's robes, an ink-black spear thrust out from behind and intercepted it.

Clang-

Metal struck metal with a crisp ring.

Last time, that spear strike would have knocked Ye Jingtang's saber flying.

Not this time. Despite its weight and force, the spear shaft failed to stop the blade in Ye Jingtang's hand. It was driven three inches upward and slammed straight into Li Sanwen's chest.

Thud-

Crash-

Li Sanwen flew backward, overturned his armchair, and fell to the floor.

The other seven Incense Masters rose in alarm and retreated several steps, as though facing a formidable enemy.

Not even sparing a thought for the pain in his chest, Li Sanwen scrambled up, his face deathly pale, and darted behind Pei Xiangjun as though he had seen a ghost or god.

After that single flash of blade light, the Azure Dragon Hall instantly went still.

Pei Xiangjun had never imagined that, after just a few days apart, Ye Jingtang's martial skill would have reached such an outrageous level.

Only now did she understand why She Long's arm had been wounded by a single slash from Ye Jingtang.

"What are you doing? Elder Li is your senior..."

"I only acknowledge Third Madam. I don't even know them."

"We're all on the same side. You only needed to demonstrate your skill. Why strike so hard?"

"I'm a warrior, not a performer! If someone wants to test my depths, I have to show him how deep they run."

"..."

Sensing that Ye Jingtang was rather serious, Pei Xiangjun said nothing more.

Ye Jingtang held his saber angled toward the floor and looked at the Incense Masters.

"Who else here would like to test this junior's depths?"

Only at these words did the eight intimidated Incense Masters recover their wits. They exchanged looks, remaining silent.

Naturally, the Incense Masters present were displeased at being put in their place at their very first meeting.

But the strength Ye Jingtang had displayed in that single strike already carried the bearing of a Grandmaster. For Incense Masters like them to test his depths would be courting death.

Few people in the entire martial world possessed such skill at only eighteen. With someone like him as the Red Flower House's Young Master, its potential would be limitless.

Even if this Young Master seemed somewhat fierce and difficult to get along with, swallowing a little resentment within their own sect was still better than having outside martial factions climb onto their heads and shit.

Seeing everyone hesitate, Madam Yellow Candle was the first to step forward and salute with clasped hands.

"Excellent skill, Young Master!"

At this, the other Incense Masters followed suit and saluted, Li Sanwen included.

Seeing this, Ye Jingtang sheathed his saber and returned to his place behind Pei Xiangjun.

"I have no interest in the Red Flower House's holdings. I'm standing here only because my adoptive father's spirit tablet rests on that altar. I can leave my adoptive father's estate without taking a penny, and the same goes for the Pei Family's. When Third Madam feels she no longer needs my help, I'll leave of my own accord."

After spending several days with him, Pei Xiangjun had gained a rough understanding of Ye Jingtang's temperament. She said gently:

"We can discuss that later."

Ye Jingtang said no more.

Pei Xiangjun straightened in her seat again and surveyed the hall.

The eight Incense Masters before her were far more earnest than their earlier feigned solemnity. They sat upright in utter silence, waiting for Pei Xiangjun to speak.

"The end of the month is approaching. In a few days, we'll go to West King Town to meet the hall masters. I'll bring Jingtang and formally announce this then. Do you think any of the hall masters will object?"

All eight Incense Masters shook their heads in unison.

Imagining the hall masters' jaws dropping, they were even a little impatient for it to happen.

Madam Yellow Candle said, "When the time comes, the White Tiger Hall will definitely challenge the Young Master. Young Master, don't be too heavy-handed..."

After taking a beating, Li Sanwen offered no complaints-mainly because he truly could not win. He said:

"If he isn't heavy-handed, the people below won't know what 'rules' mean! When the old House Master was alive, would the Song Family have dared let out even half a fart? They only dare make noise because the Pei Family has nothing left but orphans and widows..."

Wang Ren considered it. "Being ruthless toward our own people doesn't sound good, after all. The Zhou Family's birthday banquet is coming up. Have the Young Master attend and cross hands with their Young Master. Once the Zhou Family loses in the arena, let's see what face they have left to compete for the dock business."

"Exactly. The Young Master is the perfect person to send..."

Once someone started, all the Azure Dragon Hall's tangled pending affairs came spilling out. Several Incense Masters wished they could drag Ye Jingtang out to bolster their standing right then.

Pei Xiangjun raised a hand to quiet the clamor.

"Jingtang learned saber techniques from Second Brother, but he doesn't know spear techniques. Using a saber at the Righteous Gathering Tower is fine, but if he goes to the Zhou Family without knowing how to use a spear, outsiders will think we paid some expert from the martial world to bolster our standing."

The eight Incense Masters considered this and agreed, disappointment appearing on their faces.

But unexpectedly, the moment Pei Xiangjun finished speaking, Ye Jingtang spoke from behind her.

"With so many matters piled up, we naturally have to deal with them. Third Madam can simply teach me the spear techniques. I remember West King Town isn't far from the Watercloud Sword Pool. If we're heading out in a few days, we can settle that too and save ourselves another trip."

??

At these words, all the Incense Masters raised their heads.

Had they not just witnessed Ye Jingtang's talent, they would have cursed, "Where did this blockhead come from? Go play somewhere else."

Pei Xiangjun did not even know how to respond. Doing her best to remain calm, she said:

"A month for the staff, a year for the saber, a lifetime for the spear. Spear techniques aren't something you can master in two or three days. I know you want to help the Pei Family, but martial training can't be rushed."

"Are the Pei Family's spear techniques very profound?"

"The king of all weapons, wielded through techniques that once earned the rank of Seventh Under Heaven. What do you think?"

"..."

Ye Jingtang thought she had a point and said no more...