Martial Saint with Passives

Before, it had been the standard courtesy a senior brother shows a junior. Though his attitude was always good, it stemmed more from a sense of duty and a good upbringing than from any genuine concern for Jiang Che as a person.

Now, however, it felt more like the respect and desire to build a rapport one would show to an equal.

Jiang Che sighed inwardly.

’As expected. In this world, strength is what truly determines how others treat you.’

’Even someone as gentle and humble as the First Senior Brother was no exception.’

’Then again, he found it perfectly normal. It was just human nature.’

...

Afterwards, Xiao Mingqian escorted Jiang Che to the great hall of the Internal Affairs Hall, the department responsible for assigning Stewards.

Applying for a Steward position required one to go in person; it couldn’t be done by proxy.

Thus, after giving him a few more pointers, Xiao Mingqian departed.

The hall was dimly lit, and the air was thick with the musty smell of old scrolls and paper.

An Elder with grizzled hair and a matching beard received him. His face was deeply wrinkled, and his eyes seemed to carry a perpetual daze, as if he had never quite woken up.

Jiang Che stated his purpose and handed over his Identity Token and application form.

The Elder slowly took the form, his eyelids lifting slightly. He glanced at Jiang Che, his tone as bland as boiled water:

"Oh, so you want to be a Steward? Got it. But it all depends on where there’s a vacancy. No telling where you’ll end up."

The implication was clear: a newcomer with no backing couldn’t afford to be picky.

Jiang Che had come prepared. Maintaining a smile, he discreetly slid a gold note worth one hundred taels over to the Elder.

"I hate to trouble you, Elder. This disciple is just hoping for a quiet post. Could you perhaps help arrange an assignment with the Sect patrol?"

A faint glint seemed to flash in the white-bearded Elder’s cloudy eyes. With an impossibly natural flick of his fingers, the gold note vanished.

He remained poker-faced, his voice showing no inflection. "Mm. Understood. Go back and wait for news."

...

「Meanwhile, in an elegant courtyard.」

Xie Xingwen was reclining on a plush divan, listening to a subordinate’s report.

After hearing the report, he gave a cool command: "There can be no mistakes at the Mining Area. Zhao Kui, get ready. You’ll be the Steward there this time. I’ve already put in a word with the Elder at the Internal Affairs Hall, so there shouldn’t be any issues. Remember, keep things stable. No screw-ups."

The Xie Family had long held secret control over this Mining Area.

Key positions, such as the Mine Supervisor and the Guard Captain, were all filled by men loyal to Xie Xingwen.

They had been secretly siphoning off the highest-quality Profound Iron Ore, Snow Crystal Jades, and other rare minerals found alongside them.

They sold these resources to the Demon Sect through clandestine channels for exorbitant profits.

Sending his trusted subordinate, Zhao Kui, this time was to ensure this stream of revenue remained as solid as a rock.

The subordinate, Zhao Kui, was a burly man with a grim and sinister gaze.

A flicker of delight crossed Zhao Kui’s face upon hearing Xie Xingwen’s orders. "Thank you, Young Master! Your subordinate will not fail this mission!"

"By the way, what’s the situation with that Jiang Che?" Xie Xingwen asked suddenly.

Zhao Kui quickly replied, "Young Master, that brat surnamed Jiang has been in seclusion for the past year. But I heard he recently broke through to the Bone Forging Realm and is also applying to be a Steward."

A gleam of delight lit up Xie Xingwen’s face. "Really? Then hurry and have someone watch him. The moment he steps outside the Sect’s gates, find someone to kill him for me!"

He had been stewing over how Jiang Che had ruined his "good fortune" for a long time.

But with Jiang Che always hiding within the Sect, he’d never had a chance to make a move.

Now, hearing that Jiang Che was leaving to become a Steward, he saw a golden opportunity!

"Understood!"

...

「Internal Affairs Hall.」

The white-bearded Elder was sorting through a mountain of scrolls.

He pulled out two newly submitted applications for the position of Steward.

One was from Jiang Che; the requested assignment was "Sect Patrol."

The other was from Zhao Kui; the requested assignment was "Mining Area."

He rubbed his bleary eyes, muttering to himself:

"Jiang Che... patrol... mm, patrol... Zhao Kui... Mining Area... Jiang Che... Mining Area..."

Then he began filling out the assignment orders based on the requests.

"Hmm... Jiang Che... Mining Area... Zhao Kui... Patrol... Yeah, that should be right..."

With that, the two assignment orders were sent out:

Jiang Che was assigned to the Mining Area to serve as a Steward.

And Zhao Kui was assigned to oversee the Sect patrols!

...