Chapter 19 : Chapter 19
Chapter 19. One-Stripe Retainer
“Thank you, Instructor Feng, for your candid guidance.”
Xu Yuan felt deeply enlightened. He bowed respectfully once more.
Tian Yang hurriedly followed suit.
“It is nothing.”
Feng Xiao waved his hand. Though he did not say it aloud, he was quite satisfied with Xu Yuan’s attitude, knowing he had casually formed a favorable connection.
Seeing that they were about to reach the registration office, he gave a final explanation:
“Our Shangyang Residence is divided into five halls: the Alchemy Hall, the Enforcement Hall, the Affairs Hall, the Supervision Hall, and the Transmission Hall.”
“The Alchemy Hall is where you purchase cultivation medicine—items like Vein-Nourishing Soup and Blood-Activating Pills are all there. The Enforcement Hall, as the name suggests, maintains order and discipline. The Affairs Hall handles the registration of martial artists, distribution of monthly stipends, and assignment of duties.”
“As for the Supervision Hall, if you feel there is any unfairness in your assignment, you may go there. The Transmission Hall needs no further explanation—later, you can go there directly to receive the martial technique Thunderclap Fist.”
With that, Feng Xiao led them straight into the registration office of the Affairs Hall.
Recalling the instructions from last night, Xu Yuan spoke to a maidservant. Zhao Qiusheng soon came out.
Feng Xiao was clearly acquainted with him. After exchanging a few pleasantries, he even spoke a few good words on Xu Yuan’s behalf.
This surprised Zhao Qiusheng.
After all, Feng Xiao was usually taciturn. While he did not engage in underhanded tricks, he was certainly not someone easy to deal with.
Yet now he showed such appreciation for Xu Yuan, which piqued Zhao Qiusheng’s interest.
After Feng Xiao left, the three entered a room and began registering their information one by one.
As Zhao Qiusheng looked over their completed forms, he suddenly frowned slightly. “You have a conflict with the Wild Wolf Gang from the outer city?”
“Yes. My father was previously… involved with them. That is the situation.”
Xu Yuan did not hide anything and filled out the interpersonal relations section clearly as required.
After all, even if he did not say it, the Shangyang Residence could easily investigate. It was better to be honest than risk making mistakes by concealing things.
Zhao Qiusheng’s expression relaxed as he said casually, “It is nothing, as long as it is not connected to the Bai family.”
“As for this Wild Wolf Gang? Just a group of ruffians scraping by in the outer city—nothing worth mentioning. Rest assured, they would not dare act against you openly. Just be careful in your daily life.”
Xu Yuan cupped his hands slightly, knowing his guess had been correct.
Even if he could not use the power of the Shangyang Residence to eliminate the gang, as long as he remained cautious, it would be enough to protect himself.
After recording their information, Zhao Qiusheng took out a token and a set of gray clothing.
“From today onward, you are One-Stripe Retainers of the Shangyang Residence.”
“Retainers are divided into three levels. Above them are Black-Robed Stewards. Unlike the maids and matrons of the side courtyards, who rely on seniority or patronage, here there is only one standard: your cultivation level!”
“If you can break through to the fourth meridian, you will become a Four-Stripe Steward. Your status and resources within the family will rise significantly.”
“Even outside, ordinary officials would have to avoid your edge.”
Four-Stripe Steward!
Xu Yuan and Tian Yang’s eyes flickered with excitement, their hearts filled with longing.
“I have digressed. As One-Stripe Retainers, your base monthly stipend is one tael of silver. At Two-Stripe, it becomes three taels, and at Three-Stripe, five taels.”
Zhao Qiusheng glanced at them and continued, “In addition, you will receive extra pay based on your assigned duties.”
With that, he handed them their stipends and took out a receipt form. “Fill this out to confirm you have received your payment.”
After completing the form, Xu Yuan took the money pouch and weighed it in his hand. Something felt off—this seemed closer to two taels?
Seeing his puzzled expression, Zhao Qiusheng suddenly recalled, “Ah, right. The extra tael is a reward from the family.”
Hearing this, Xu Yuan accepted it with peace of mind. Feeling the weight of the two taels in his hand, he could not help but reflect:
“It was just this amount of silver that drove my elder brother to risk everything by borrowing money, which in turn brought the Wild Wolf Gang to our door.”
Now, it was merely two months of his wages.
He became even more aware that his identity had undergone a tremendous change.
Tian Yang, holding his own silver, was also beaming with joy.
Seeing the two lost in thought while holding their silver, Zhao Qiusheng could not help but smile.
“This amount may seem large outside, enough to support an ordinary person for several months. But for us, there are countless ways to spend money.”
“For example, Vein-Nourishing Soup costs two mace, and Blood-Activating Pills cost three mace. A single portion only lasts a First Meridian martial artist two or three days, and they are always in short supply.”
“The saying ‘scholars may be poor, but martial artists must be rich’ is no joke.”
Xu Yuan nodded silently. These things were indeed expensive.
Two taels of silver could support his elder brother’s household for more than a year.
Yet here, it would only last half a month.
“Very well. You may now go to the Transmission Hall to receive Thunderclap Fist. As for your assignments, they will be decided after next month’s evaluation.”
Xu Yuan had already heard this from Feng Xiao, but he still leaned forward slightly, listening attentively.
In contrast, Tian Yang, hearing familiar information, appeared somewhat distracted.
Zhao Qiusheng naturally noticed this and asked, “You already knew this?”
“Yes,” Tian Yang quickly nodded.
“On the way here, Instructor Feng explained it. However, as Steward Zhao works within the Affairs Hall, your perspective is naturally different. Listening to you provides unique insight, and I have gained much from it,” Xu Yuan said sincerely, cupping his hands.
“…Yes, indeed.” Tian Yang gave an awkward smile in agreement.
Brother Yuan, you are making me look foolish, you know that?
“Oh?”
Hearing this, Zhao Qiusheng could not help but take another look at Xu Yuan.
Though he was only fifteen or sixteen years old, his words were so polished—truly not simple!
Thus, while feeling impressed, Zhao Qiusheng offered Xu Yuan even more guidance about internal matters. He soon discovered that Xu Yuan was exceptionally perceptive.
There were many subtleties he could not state outright, yet Xu Yuan grasped them immediately. His manner of speaking was also impeccable, leaving no room for criticism.
By contrast, Tian Yang’s responses felt forced and slow, lacking clarity.
“The younger generation is indeed formidable!”
Zhao Qiusheng sighed in admiration. No wonder Feng Xiao held Xu Yuan in such high regard—interacting with him felt nothing like dealing with someone of his age.
He was both reassuring and efficient.
Finally, Xu Yuan requested two days of leave.
Since their conversation had been pleasant, Zhao Qiusheng had no objection.
The two then ended the discussion at the appropriate moment, and Xu Yuan took his leave.
…
After stepping outside,
The two walked back toward the dormitory.
Looking at Xu Yuan ahead of him, Tian Yang hesitated for a moment before suddenly stopping. He took out one tael of silver from his chest and handed it over.
“Brother Yuan, you saved my life. And since you need to buy Blood-Activating Pills soon, take these two taels.”
“Of course, this is not enough to repay the debt… If you ever need anything in the future, just say the word!”
By the end, Tian Yang grew emotional, his words becoming somewhat disordered.
But Xu Yuan understood his meaning. After all, within this month, ordinary martial artists relied entirely on this money for cultivation.
If they failed to make progress, they would be assigned random duties—and their lives might not even be guaranteed.
“This man may like to show off, but that is only human nature. After what happened last night, he has clearly matured,” Xu Yuan thought.
He then pushed the silver back.
“Take it. I understand your intentions, but this is a critical period—every coin matters.”
“When you are more well-off in the future, it will not be too late to repay me.”