Martial Saint with Passives

Mu Jun watched Yun Weiwei’s departing figure, a flicker of imperceptible desire and annoyance in his eyes. But he quickly composed himself and turned to continue speaking with Jiang Che.

"Oh, right. Junior Brother Jiang, now that you’ve reached Bone Forging, I assume you’ve applied to be a Steward? Where were you assigned?"

"The Black Stone Mining Area," Jiang Che answered truthfully.

"The Mining Area?" Mu Jun raised an eyebrow, his smile widening. He leaned in closer and lowered his voice. "Now that’s a lucrative post! That place is rich in Snow Crystal Jade. The warehouse where they store the Jade... its Spiritual Qi concentration is almost on par with a B-level Cultivation Room! And what’s more..."

He gave Jiang Che a knowing look. "With ore, some ’losses’ during mining and transport are unavoidable... Anyway, if you ever need anything, Junior Brother Jiang, just come find me. Your Senior Brother has connections. I guarantee you’ll be satisfied!"

Jiang Che’s expression was placid, his tone unruffled. "I appreciate the kind offer, Senior Brother. But as a Sect Steward, my duty is to serve with all my heart. It’s the same no matter where I’m posted."

Having been gently rebuffed, the smile on Mu Jun’s face froze for an instant. But he immediately let out a laugh. "Haha, Junior Brother Jiang, you have such high principles! I’m impressed, truly impressed!"

He then changed the subject. "By the way, I’m hosting a gathering in a couple of days. All the young elites from the great families of the Prefecture City and the top disciples of the Three Great Sects will be there. Your status is different now, Junior Brother Jiang. It would be a perfect opportunity to meet some people and expand your network, no?"

"Thank you for the kind invitation, Senior Brother, but I’ve been tied up with various matters lately. I’m afraid I’ll have to disappoint you," Jiang Che politely declined.

The smile on Mu Jun’s face faded a little, but he didn’t press the issue. "Alright, some other time then. Go on, Junior Brother. I won’t keep you."

With that, Jiang Che entered his house.

Mu Jun stared at Jiang Che’s back, his eyes dark and unreadable.

Shu Yaxin pouted and muttered to Mu Jun under her breath, "Brother Jun, why are you being so polite to him? He’s just some poor kid who got ridiculously lucky. His foundation was even damaged before, so how much can he really accomplish? Who knows how he even wangled his way into that Steward position."

Yan Hanpeng couldn’t help but chime in sourly, "Exactly! Senior Brother Mu, you showed him such kindness, and he was completely ungrateful. He just doesn’t know what’s good for him!"

Mu Jun waved a hand dismissively, his tone growing cold. "Forget it. Seeing as he just broke through and is a neighbor, I was just making a casual friendly gesture. A minor character like him is of no consequence. His presence or absence means nothing. Don’t mention him again."

...

Yin’s Cloth Shop.

Yin Rong, Mrs. Yin, and their daughter Yin Yingying were in the living room, sipping tea and chatting.

Bursts of cheerful laughter echoed from time to time.

Ever since Jiang Che had dealt with the Iron Bone Gang, no one had dared to cause any trouble, and as a result, the cloth shop’s business was thriving.

Suddenly, Steward Wang came running in, panting for breath. His face was wreathed in smiles, and his voice was brimming with joy.

"Master! Madam! Miss! Wonderful news! Young Master Jiang... he’s broken through to the Bone Forging Realm! And what’s more, the Sect has appointed him as the Steward of the Black Stone Mining Area!"

"What?!" The teacup in Yin Rong’s hand hit the table with a CLATTER, splashing out a few drops of tea.

He shot to his feet, his voice rising. "Bone Forging Realm? A Mining Area Steward? Is it true?!"

Mrs. Yin gasped and covered her mouth in shock. "Heavens... How long has it been? That boy..."

Yin Yingying was even more excited, her face flushed and her eyes sparkling. "I knew Jiang Che was incredible! A Mining Area Steward, Father! That’s a lucrative post with real power!"

Yin Rong paced back and forth in the hall, rubbing his hands together excitedly. "Bone Forging Realm... A Mining Area Steward... Incredible, simply incredible! That boy already has one foot in the circle of power in Cangzhou!"

He stopped abruptly and gave Steward Wang a decisive order. "Uncle Wang! Immediately! Prepare a generous gift—no, two! The first is to congratulate him on reaching the Bone Forging Realm. Send ten thousand taels in gold notes! The second is for his promotion to Steward. Have the deed for a thirty percent silent partnership in Yin’s Cloth Shop sent over as well!"

"A thirty percent silent partnership?!" both Mrs. Yin and Yin Yingying exclaimed in shock.

"Yes! Thirty percent!" A sharp glint flashed in Yin Rong’s eyes. "This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the Yin Family! Jiang Che is the highest branch we can possibly climb! Thirty percent might seem like a lot, but it’s what will bind us to him completely! Only when he has a stake in Yin’s Cloth Shop will he truly take its interests to heart! Just think, with his status and position now, will there be any shortage of people trying to curry his favor? The line of people bringing him money and gifts will probably wear down his doorstep! If we don’t show our sincerity now, on what grounds could we expect him to give us a second look later? This partnership is our ultimate show of sincerity—our pledge of allegiance!"

Mrs. Yin and Yin Yingying mulled it over. The more they thought about it, the more they admired Yin Rong’s foresight, and they both nodded in agreement.

Yin Yingying suddenly stood up, a mischievous look on her face. "I’m going to find my cousin and her husband right now! I’ll show them what’s become of the Jiang Che they looked down on! Hmph! Let’s see how they’ll be able to show their faces now!"

The memory of how that pair had kicked her family when they were down, taking advantage of their plight, made her seethe with anger.

Mrs. Yin quickly grabbed her arm. "Yingying! They’re still family. You should leave them some dignity..."

"Mother! Did they show us any dignity back then? I’m going, and that’s final! I want to see them squirm!" Yin Yingying pulled free from her mother’s hand and, like an excited little fawn, ran out without a single look back.

Yin Rong and Mrs. Yin watched their daughter run off into the distance. They exchanged a look and shook their heads in resignation.

Still, when they recalled their past predicament and the smug faces of Zhu Shichang and his wife, they couldn’t help but feel a secret satisfaction, as if a long-held grievance had finally been vented.

...

Yanluo Courtyard, beside a tranquil medicinal herb garden.

Dressed in a simple, elegant Daoist Robe, Ye Lianzhen was demonstrating the technique for refining a rare medicinal herb to several young disciples.

She pinched a verdant leaf between her fingertips and infused it with her Strength. A drop of milky-white liquid immediately condensed at its tip.