I am about to die of old age, and I have awakened the character of longevity.

Chapter 42 Wei Xiangzhu

The next day, early in the morning.

Li House.

Li Ru and Mrs. Li got up early and stood at the gate waiting for Li Shaoyun to return.

Yesterday was Li Shaoyun's first day reporting to the Xueling Black Market. Due to Zhang Biao's death, a new deacon had been appointed. Li Ru and his wife were concerned about whether Li Shaoyun could get along well with the new deacon, and whether he would be appreciated and given the resources to train in martial arts.

It can be said that Li Shaoyun’s future is entirely determined by the new deacon.

The Blood Ridge black market opens at night and closes at dawn.

At this point, Li Shaoyun should be returning.

Not long after, the couple saw Li Shaoyun returning with an exhausted look on his face. His clothes were dirty and his face was covered with dust, as if he had been abused.

Mrs. Li felt very distressed when she saw this, and hurriedly took Li Shaoyun back to the inner courtyard to wash up. She also asked the kitchen to prepare some snacks. After Li Shaoyun's mood calmed down, she asked him the reason.

"What's wrong with you?"

Li Shaoyun swallowed his meat bun in big mouthfuls and said indignantly, "Don't mention it. The new deacon has a big appetite. He accepted 180 taels of silver from me and still wasn't satisfied. Not only did he not provide me with the resources to practice martial arts, he also ignored me. He hinted that I should continue to give him money... What a huge demand."

Eh!
Mrs. Li sighed helplessly.

Li Ru angrily criticized the new deacon for his despicable character and lack of bottom line, but he finally gave up after being glared at by Mrs. Li.

The Tiger and Wolf Sect was a powerful faction that stretched across Qingwu County and beyond, and was far beyond the reach of the small Li Mansion. If Li Ru's angry words were to be spread by someone with ulterior motives, the Li Mansion would likely face catastrophic consequences.

Finally, Li Ru sighed, "The Tiger and Wolf Sect is too powerful to offend. I'll give you another two hundred taels, and you can go and talk to the new deacon. Remember, be low-key and humble, don't offend the deacon, and try your best to please him."

"I know, Dad."

Despite saying this, Li Shaoyun was still furious. He hadn't even met the new deacon, so how could he offend him? How could he possibly curry favor with him?

……

Three days later.

Li Shaoyun once again asked Liang Zhi to deliver 200 taels of silver to the new deacon.

According to the rules of the Tiger and Wolf Sect, deputy deacons also have the opportunity to receive free medicine supplements, secret manuals, etc. However, a letter from the superior deacon is required.

But what surprised Li Shaoyun was that the new deacon still did not meet him. Instead, he asked Liang Zhi to tell him to work hard and he would get what he deserved.

Li Shaoyun was secretly dissatisfied but didn't dare to show it, so he just went to do the rough work.

A month passed quickly, and Li Shaoyun gradually lost his original enthusiasm. He began to become numb to his work, depressed, and became a bit like a walking corpse...

However, Xie An stayed in the Xueling black market for the past month.

Besides patrolling the black market, understanding the business, and getting to know the owners of the major shops, he spent the rest of his time practicing health-preserving exercises in the yard.

During this period, the chief deacon Lin Yun came twice. The first time was to visit Xie An on behalf of the incense master.

When he came to check the accounts for the second time and found that the surplus had increased, he praised Xie An for his efficiency and ability.

With the huge sum of four hundred taels in hand, Xie An no longer had any difficulty in preparing Tang Qingfeng's unique prescription.

With the support of the prescription, Xie An's health-preserving skills were slowly improving.

Although the progress was not significant, there was improvement every few days, and Xie An was happy with the feeling.

In the early morning of that day, as the Blood Ridge Black Market closed, Xie An returned to the yard to rest and began to think about the future:
"After a month of diligent management, the Blood Ridge Black Market has not encountered any incidents, and business is even better than when Zhang Biao was here. I've even received approval from Grand Deacon Lin Yun. Furthermore, I'm familiar with many details of the black market. I can go to the hall and find a martial art to practice, and by the way, visit Master Wei Xiang, whom I've never met before."

"What's more, after a month of hard training, my health-preserving skills have improved a lot, and my strength training has reached a new level."

Although the health-preserving skills are not good at killing, as the strength and speed continue to increase, it is no problem to crush a warrior who has achieved minor success in the Bronze Skin Realm.

Overall, Xie An felt he had established a firm foothold in the black market and could begin planning his future. Zhang Biao's backers were still eyeing him, and there was also the Giant Whale Gang... All of this made Xie An realize that he needed to practice martial arts as soon as possible to deal with any unexpected events.

After a simple breakfast, Xie An found Zhang Lin. He explained his purpose and Zhang Lin readily agreed. "What a coincidence! I'm also planning to go to the temple to get some medicine today. Let's go together."

"Thank you, Brother Zhang."

"You're welcome. The Grand Deacon recently gave me two extra medicinal supplements as a reward, and also allowed me to practice the Red Tiger Sword Technique. This was a recognition of my talent, and also a recognition of the gradual improvement of the black market business. This is all thanks to my elder brother."

Zhang Lin did not take credit for his contribution, but said frankly that it was all thanks to Xie An.

Xie An saw it all.

When Xie An arrived at the Baiyu Hall at the Water Lantern Pier, he realized that he was not the only one. Many of the disciples and deacons who came and went here were wearing masks or had their faces covered.

Zhang Lin, with his sharp eyes, saw Xie An's confusion and explained, "Baiyutang is located in the Six Towns near Dayin Mountain. Besides the chaotic black market, there are also many disciples and deacons who go deep into the bandit dens of Dayin Mountain to act as spies, and some of them represent the hall to do some shady things. Aside from the top leaders who know their identities, they usually wear masks when they come to the hall. This situation is not uncommon."

Xie An understood.

Walk past the bustling Loi Lantern Wharf and enter Baiyu Hall.

This is a very solid mansion. Although it is not as grand as Tangjiabao in the county town, it is still about three or four points as grand.

There is a grand martial arts training ground in the courtyard, where many disciples practice martial arts and fight each other, which attracts cheers from the crowd from time to time.

In addition, there are pharmacies, libraries, teaching buildings, armories... There are so many things that it's overwhelming.

Young deacons practicing martial arts can be seen everywhere.

It's full of passion and passion, worthy of being a famous family.

Xie An, who came here for the first time, was deeply inspired and felt that there was a sense of motivation.

Zhang Lin led Xie An on the way with great familiarity, explaining, "Now, brother, you should understand why so many people are desperate to join the Baiyu Hall. In the six towns surrounding this area, if our Baiyu Hall says we are second to none, no one dares to claim first place."

Xie An deeply agreed with this.

Compared to the ordinary people who formally attend the county military academy or other major martial arts schools, the threshold for joining the Tiger and Wolf Sect is obviously much lower, and the cost is not that much. However, the Tiger and Wolf Sect's approach is more unconventional, requiring you to assist the sect and perform tasks, which comes with certain risks. Unlike martial arts schools, where you just pay a fee and focus on training, you can't do it.

No wonder the Grand Deacon and Wei Dianxiang stayed here all year round, rarely visiting the Blood Ridge Black Market. They were both concentrating on practicing martial arts and improving their strength.

Suddenly, Xie An saw many gentlemen dressed like wealthy businessmen, carrying boxes and their servants into the room.

"Brother Zhang, what are they doing?"

Zhang Lin explained with a smile, "These are the wealthy merchants from the six surrounding towns. They often encounter bandits looting their villages and towns, so they ask our Baiyutang to help suppress the bandits. These are all gifts of filial piety."

Xie An was secretly shocked.

No wonder. When bandits plundered villages and towns, the wealthy and powerful were undoubtedly the first to be targeted. To preserve their wealth, they inevitably spent a large sum of money to honor Bai Yu Tang and cultivate good relations.

No wonder Baiyutang is so prosperous, these tributes alone are worth a lot.

As to whether these bandits were real bandits or hired by Bai Yutang to impersonate them... that is unknown.

"Brother, I'll take you to the library. With your deacon's badge, you can choose a martial art for free."

Xie An said, "I have just arrived, so I will go and visit Master Wei Xiang and the chief deacon. I would like Brother Zhang to lead the way."

Zhang Lin was stunned for a moment, then smiled and said, "Brother, you are really thoughtful. This is the way it should be. I will take you to the courtyard where Wei Xiangzhu practices martial arts."

Under the guidance of Zhang Lin, they crossed the bustling square and came to a secluded courtyard.

Zhang Lin knocked gently on the gate and said, "Master Wei, Zhang Lin is here with the new deacon."

After a while, an old voice came from inside, "Come in."

(End of this chapter)