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

Chapter 86: Fight with Him

Xie An had actually planned to burn Liang Zhi's confession letter a long time ago, but his experience with Wei Dian's incident only accelerated his decision.

After all, now that you're stronger, there's no need to resort to those unpleasant little tricks.

Power in hand is the best deterrent.

After being stunned for a long time, Xie An picked up the medicine and prepared to close the gate and take a medicinal bath.

Xie An was no longer young, and he had long passed the stage where he needed to be depressed for a long time or get drunk before he could adjust to the situation.

This certainly means seeing things clearly and letting go, but it also means being more solitary and boring.

Only Xie An himself knew what he was doing.

Just then, footsteps were heard outside the door.

It was Zhang Lin who walked in.

"Xie brother, have you found the incense master?"

Ever since Xie An went to ask Zhang Lin just now, Zhang Lin saw that Xie An looked anxious and thought something had happened, so he also looked for Wei Dian everywhere.

Xie An said: "Yes, I found it."

call.

Zhang Lin breathed a sigh of relief, "But what happened?"

Xie An thought for a moment:

Before leaving, Wei Dian didn't tell anyone, not even himself. It can be seen that Wei Dian really let go of everything in his heart at that time and just wanted to go on the road in a carefree manner.

But Wei Dian's departure would eventually become public knowledge. Besides, Zhang Lin was no outsider.

"Master Wei... is gone."

"What? Gone?!" Zhang Lin gasped, his eyes widening and his body trembling. Then, he collapsed to the ground, as if he had received a huge shock.

Although Lin Yun had said a month ago that Wei Dian had been poisoned by the Corpse Poison Pill and would not have much time left, Zhang Lin was mentally prepared for this, but when it actually happened, he still felt an unconcealable sadness.

Xie An knew that Zhang Lin had misunderstood and thought Wei Dian was dead.

But...it doesn't seem to make much difference.

Xie An explained, "It's not what you think. After Wei Xiangzhu was poisoned by the corpse poison pill, his whole body was festered. He didn't want to die in such an ugly way in front of his acquaintances. So he rode away quietly on his horse."

Eh.

Zhang Lin sighed deeply, "Master Wei Xiang was kind to me, but I didn't even have the chance to say thank you."

Xie An said, "If I hadn't found him in time, I wouldn't have had time to say goodbye. But Brother Zhang, don't worry. I think Master Wei Xiang made this choice because he didn't want to be entangled by too many ties."

Zhang Lin sighed helplessly, "Master Wei Xiang worked tirelessly for half his life for the Blood Ridge black market. It's truly a pity that he's gone like this... I hope Master Wei Xiang can find an antidote out there and have a peaceful end..."

Xie An nodded. Wasn't he also looking forward to it?
After a period of grief, Zhang Lin began to ask:
"Without Fragrance Master Wei at the forefront, our Blood Ridge lineage wouldn't be able to survive on our own. Furthermore, Fragrance Master Wei and Fang Baiyu have always been at odds. Even before the exam begins... we might be facing Fang Baiyu's retribution. Brother Xie, what should we do now?"

A month ago, Xie An and Zhang Lin discussed this matter:

The two chose to stay and accompany Wei Dian on his final journey before discussing other matters.

Now, Wei Dian is gone...

According to the original agreement, Zhang Lin and Xie An should leave the Xueling black market and seek better opportunities.

Xie An didn't express his opinion, but instead asked, "By the way, is there any news about the exam?"

In the battle at Chen Mansion, two of the four great incense masters of Baiyu Hall died, one was crippled, and now Wei Dian is gone. A month ago, Fang Baiyu's plan fell through because Wei Dian informed Tang Qingyun.

Since then, the Examination Hall has been negotiating with Fang Baiyu on the details and timing of the examination. Wei Dian had said it would be about a month later, but now, a full month has passed, and there's still no detailed plan.

Zhang Lin said: "Zhou Xing just came back from the hall and said that the examination process and time have been determined.

Seven days later, on Laba Festival, Elder Tang would personally come to the hall and treat everyone to Laba porridge. This would be the test to select the new incense master.

As for the candidates for the examination, the selection process was very flexible. Any deacon in Baiyu Hall, as well as all stewards above the deacon level, could take the stage. Moreover…"

At the crucial point, Zhang Lin paused for a moment before exclaiming in surprise, "And Elder Tang has relaxed the conditions—deacons from the entire Tiger and Wolf Sect can take the test. The top four will become the four great incense masters of the White Feather Hall. The winner will become the incense master of the Blood Ridge Black Market."

Not to mention Zhang Lin, even Xie An was surprised.

Tang Qingyun is quite generous.

Directly consider the interests of the entire Tiger and Wolf Sect.

Moreover, Xie An also keenly sensed that Tang Qingyun wanted to weaken Fang Baiyu's control over the hall!

This is also easy to understand.

Fang Baiyu, driven by his own selfish desires, had caused the entire Baiyu Hall to suffer heavy losses, which had already caused Tang Qingyun's dissatisfaction! He then took advantage of this test to invite the deacons from other halls to participate.

It not only gave other capable deacons the opportunity to take over as incense masters, but also used their power to weaken Fang Baiyu.

Kill two birds with one stone.

However, Xie An knew very well that this was not a good thing for the Xueling black market.

This is equivalent to exposing the biggest piece of fat in the Blood Ridge black market under the eyes of all the masters of the Tiger and Wolf Sect.

The eagle looks and the wolf looks back, and the capable one will get it.

Zhang Lin suddenly added, "Brother Xie, I've heard rumors that... Fang Baiyu intends to have Deputy Hall Master Hong Lie take the test. He's a second-level, Flesh-Essence Realm warrior. This is incredibly unethical and shameless. He's hell-bent on taking over this lucrative piece of the Blood Ridge black market."

Asking a deputy hall master to condescend to compete for the position of incense master is indeed... unethical.

But Xie An was very clear about the huge benefits involved.

The Hulang Sect imitated the system of the imperial court, which can be seen from the establishment of the Examination Hall.

Although the incense master is under the jurisdiction of the hall master, he can also report directly to the sect leader.

This dual leadership system is undoubtedly more mature and can ensure that there is free flow of communication and that subordinates can check and balance each other.

This is why, despite being the head of the hall, Fang Baiyu has been unable to do anything to Wei Dian for so many years. For this reason, Fang Baiyu can only use the name of suppressing bandits to eliminate dissidents...

To put it bluntly, if the Blood Ridge Black Market really has a chance to be regulated in the future, it could directly become a gang, and it is even possible that the gang leader himself could manage it.

Now that the four major incense masters have all been replaced, it is naturally a great opportunity for Fang Baiyu to take over the Blood Ridge black market. How could he let it go so easily?
What is face in comparison?
What's more, since Fang Baiyu did this, he would definitely find a set of excuses that sounded reasonable.

After learning enough information, Xie An didn't hesitate and told Zhang Lin his decision directly and frankly, "Brother Zhang, Master Wei has been very kind to me, and I'm not going to leave. The Blood Ridge black market is facing many crises and is in a precarious situation. You don't have to be like me."

Zhang Lin was greatly surprised. "But... Hong Lie is a warrior who has just entered the Jingrou realm. Even if he were in other halls, he would be at least at the level of Xiangzhu. No deacon can defeat Hong Lie. When Hong Lie takes office, I'm afraid we will suffer a lot."

Perhaps feeling that his words were a bit ruthless, Zhang Lin explained, "If we stay, we can do something meaningful for Wei Xiangzhu and the Grand Deacon. I, Zhang Lin, am also willing to endure some grievances and exclusion, but... there is no point in us staying. Isn't it?"

Although Zhang Lin had little ability or ambition, and was even a bit timid, he was unequivocal on matters of right and wrong. Xie An remained unmoved: "Brother Zhang, I understand your good intentions, and I appreciate them. But I've made up my mind."

Eh.

Zhang Lin saw Xie An's resolute attitude and knew that no amount of persuasion would be of any use. He sighed, exchanged a few pleasantries, and then turned and left.

Xie An bid farewell to Zhang Lin and whispered softly as he closed the gate.

"Maybe, it will make sense."

Then, Xie An closed the courtyard door with a "clang" and asked Xiao Liuzi outside to guard the door and not let anyone in.

Start retreating.

……

For the next two days, the black market opened and closed as usual.

No different from usual.

The departure of the incense master had no impact on this place, and people were still busy with their own affairs.

However, an extra team of guards arrived at the black market.

The leader was a deacon named Zhu Hu, who was tall and strong, and had considerable strength.

When he came the first day, Zhu Hu was very polite to Zhang Lin, saying that he was assigned by Fang Baiyu to help restore order around Xueling.

Zhang Lin naturally realized that Fang Baiyu's reckoning had begun.

But there was nothing he could do. Seeing that Zhu Hu was quite polite, he could only endure it.

The next day, Zhu Hu became rude to Zhang Lin.

He actually forcefully took over the defense and patrols of Blood Ridge, and made Zhang Lin's men do odd jobs for Zhu Hu...

Even Zhang Lin, the deacon, was ordered around by Zhu Hu like a younger brother. If Zhang Lin objected, Zhu Hu would just say, "I'm following the orders of the hall master."

No matter how angry Zhang Lin was, he had to endure it and let him command him.

On this day, after the black market closed, Zhang Lin returned to his own villa, sat on a chair and drank tea in silence, his mouth twisted with anger.

Damn it.

Just now Zhu Hu actually asked him to clean the toilet!

Isn't this clearly humiliating?

Zhou Xing, who had followed in, was also furious. "Boss, Zhu Hu is going too far! We've been in the Blood Ridge black market for ten years and have never been bullied like this. I'm going to the hall now and tell the incense master."

"Don't waste your energy." Zhang Lin sighed, "Master Wei is gone."

"What? Gone?"

Zhang Lin showed rare patience and told Zhou Xing what had happened.

After hearing this, Zhou Xing sighed, "The test hasn't even started yet, and Fang Baiyu is already impatiently reaching out to us at Blood Ridge. Waiting for Hong Lie to take the position of Incense Master, do we still have a chance of survival? We might as well just leave."

Zhang Lin was also troubled by this matter.

There is no point in staying here except being excluded, suppressed and wronged.

He then began to think about leaving.

Seeing that the boss didn't answer, Zhou Xing asked angrily, "Then...should I go pack my things now?"

Zhang Lin didn't express his opinion, so Zhou Xing assumed that Zhang Lin agreed and immediately ran inside to pack his things. Soon, he pulled out several bundles stuffed to the brim. Zhou Xing also pulled a carriage and laboriously loaded the bottles and jars onto it.

In a short while, the carriage was filled to the brim.

Zhou Xing jumped off the carriage and clapped his hands. He thought he was very capable and seemed to be trying to take credit for it. "Boss, I'll take these things to your house in Shuideng Town first."

"Wait a minute, I'll go talk to Brother Xie." Zhang Lin gave the instruction and went out.

When I arrived at Xie An's courtyard gate, I found it closed.

Zhang Lin tried to knock on the door, but the gatekeeper, Xiao Liuzi, stopped him and said, "Deacon Zhang Lin, I'm sorry. The boss told him to be in seclusion for the next few days. He won't see anyone."

Zhang Lin felt a little disappointed and helpless.

Zhu Hu had been at the black market for two days, but Xie An hadn't paid any attention to him, concentrating on retreat. He didn't know where the chief steward, Lin Yun, had gone. Zhang Lin was so upset, he had no one to confide in.

It makes me feel even more depressed and annoyed.

"Where's Liang Zhi?"

Xiao Liuzi said, "Brother Liang is also in seclusion."

"Where's Wang Xiang?"

"Also in retreat."

Zhang Lin was suddenly stunned.

He's not stupid.

As soon as Wei Xiangzhu left, Xie An went into seclusion for a rare period of time.

Zhang Lin could guess what the other person was going to do.

Wei Dian taught Xie An the Chongshan Knife, and Xie An took the time to go into seclusion... Zhang Lin could understand.

But Liang Zhi and Wang Xiang both... shocked Zhang Lin.

Zhang Lin vaguely felt that... the morale of the people in the Xueling black market did not collapse because of Wei Dian's departure. Instead, they became unprecedentedly united in another way.

Zhang Lin had only felt this feeling when he first joined the black market.

"If Brother Xie comes out of confinement, notify me immediately."

After instructing Xiaoliu Zihou, Zhang Lin returned to his own villa.

Zhou Xing was already standing by the carriage, waiting. "Boss, shall we go?"

Zhang Lin shook his head. "Unload the stuff. I'm not leaving. Also, go comfort those brothers who have been wronged. Tell them to be patient. Everything will be over after the test."

Zhou Xing was greatly surprised: "Boss, what are you doing..."

Zhang Lin said, "Since someone wants to give it a try, I'll fight with him!"

(End of this chapter)