40. The Redemption Money Was Returned Once Again

"I shall follow your lead until death, my lord."

Liang Zhi prostrated himself, kowtowing deeply. His words were a mix of truth and pretense—half born of helplessness, half genuine.

Xie An replied, "Go about your business. If anything further arises, you may report to me at any time."

"Yes."

Liang Zhi rose and bowed his way out. As he stepped out of the great hall, he felt as if needles were pricking his back, a bone-chilling cold cascading from the crown of his head down to his heels. His inner garments were already soaked with a cold sweat born of terror.

After this initial encounter with the new steward, not only had he suffered a total defeat, but the pressure weighing upon his shoulders was immense.

Not far from the entrance, Wang Xiang and a dozen or so subordinates swarmed him.

"Brother Liang, what did that old man say? If he humiliated you, just say the word, and we’ll go demand an explanation. We can’t let some old geezer push us around—ah!"

Before Wang Xiang could finish his sentence, he caught a heavy slap across the face from Liang Zhi.

Liang Zhi snarled, "What 'old geezer'? Call him Steward. From now on, everyone keep your tails tucked. Obey the Steward’s orders faithfully. If anyone dares to defy him, don't blame me for being heartless. I’ve said my piece today; if you cross him later, don't blame me for not warning you."

Having said this, Liang Zhi stormed off.

Half of his anger was a sincere warning to his men; he had been effortlessly manipulated by the Steward, and if these subordinates dared to provoke him, the consequences would be too gruesome to contemplate. The other half was simply because he had been frustrated by Xie An and needed an outlet. After slapping Wang Xiang, he felt much better.

"Brother Wang, you..."

*Smack.*

A subordinate who had tried to show concern for Wang Xiang received a slap in return. "Shut your damn mouth and listen to Brother Liang."

The frustration trickled down the line... and ultimately, the one who suffered most was the lowliest subordinate. Once Wang Xiang had left, that subordinate kicked a small weed by the side of the road, muttering, "You heard him, shut your damn mouth and listen to Brother Liang."

...

In the reception hall, Xie An felt that after initially cowing his subordinates, things were progressing smoothly. The black market operations should get off to a good start, and he would be able to command his men with the precision of his own limbs. He had, effectively, secured his footing in the Tiger-Wolf Gate.

However, there were still issues.

First, Xie An knew that to truly establish himself in the black market, he needed to cultivate his own confidants. This would take time, but he was not in a rush.

Second, Xie An had never dared to show his true face, and the risk lay with Zhang Lin. It mattered little if others saw his face, but Zhang Lin had seen him when he was masked, back when he killed Lu Wei and Zhang Wei.

After six months of interaction, Xie An felt that Zhang Lin valued his word and was reliable. Now that Zhang Lin had even recommended him for the Tiger-Wolf Gate, they were like grasshoppers on the same rope; he was, after all, his guide.

However, the ever-cautious Xie An did not rely entirely on Zhang Lin’s integrity. Although Zhang Lin had helped much, it was merely an exchange of interests. Xie An could repay this debt, but should Zhang Lin take any untoward actions, Xie An would not hesitate to strike.

Through long observation, Xie An knew that Zhang Lin’s strength was similar to Zhang Biao’s; he was no match for him. It was precisely because he had the strength to crush Zhang Lin that he dared to take this position.

Still, wearing a mask at all times was uncomfortable, and he needed to find an opportunity to resolve this.

"In the end, it comes down to a lack of strength. Otherwise, why the need to skulk about like this?"

Clearing his mind, Xie An began to practice the Five-Animal Frolics. At times he was like a fierce tiger descending a mountain, at others a deer running, a bear shaking, an ape picking fruit, or a crane in flight...

Each movement appeared naturally through Xie An’s hands, full of vigor and life.

Once he was drenched in sweat and his muscles and bones burned with heat, Xie An stopped. He sat in meditation and began to practice the Fetal Breathing Technique.

Since his Fetal Breathing had reached the second stage—the Interplay of Yin and Yang—he had yet to practice it in earnest. Settling into meditation, he closed his mouth and nose, breathing only through his navel. At the same time, he recalled the various mantras and techniques of the art.

According to the teachings, the primary level of the Fetal Breathing Technique involved three methods of breath regulation, progressing layer by layer. The sign of reaching the major completion was breathing through the navel. Xie An had already achieved this.

The second stage, the Interplay of Yin and Yang, was also divided into three phases: Eye Interplay, Heart-Kidney Interplay, and Inner-Outer Interplay.

The so-called "Eye Interplay" posited that the left eye belonged to Yang and the right to Yin; by focusing both eyes on each other, divine light was produced. This light illuminated the energy center, transforming Yin to generate Yang, much like the sun in the sky illuminating the earth to grow all things. Without it, nothing could flourish.

Merely understanding this was difficult for Xie An. All he could do was force himself to operate according to the instructions and leave the results to his Longevity trait.

After a full hour, Xie An felt deeply uncomfortable. His eyes could not meet, and even when he forced them... they simply would not intersect. He had to stop and pull up his data panel.

[Current Longevity Trait: Level One!]
[Five-Animal Frolics: Internal Strengthening of the Five Organs (8/100)]
[Fetal Breathing Technique: Interplay of Yin and Yang (1/100)]
[Remaining Lifespan: 30 Years]

Seeing the progress of the Five-Animal Frolics increase by one point was gratifying, but the lack of progress in the Fetal Breathing Technique left him disappointed.

"The second stage is truly difficult. Even with the boost from the Longevity trait, the progress is agonizingly slow."

Xie An warned himself not to be anxious. Thirty years of life was enough to last him a long time. There was no need to panic. Besides, the improvement in the Five-Animal Frolics was visible; once he completed the strengthening of the five organs, his lifespan would increase again.

Since it was difficult, he would simply persevere.

"If I want to improve my combat power in the short term, I must practice martial arts. Once the black market business is stable, I’ll ask Zhang Lin to take me to the White Feather Hall to learn a technique. There are free medicinal supplements and free instructors there..."

Thinking of this, Xie An let out a long breath. The future was promising. However, he knew clearly that the supplements provided by the White Feather Hall were basic and could not satisfy all the needs of martial training. To train effectively, he would have to spend extra money.

Moreover, his unique medicinal formula for the longevity arts was exhausted, and he was in dire need of funds. Currently, he only had four taels of silver to his name.

"Still so poor..."

If Li Ru hadn't been so greedy, Xie An wouldn't have been reduced to this state.

"I can only hope that the 'pot-carrying lad' comes tonight..."

Just as Xie An was worrying about money, a knock sounded at the door. The courtyard gate wasn't locked, but his subordinates, out of respect, would always knock and wait for permission before entering.

"Enter."

The gate opened. It was Liang Zhi, who hurried through the courtyard and into the hall, bowing to Xie An. After the earlier lesson, his attitude was quite correct.

Xie An sat on the main seat, exuding the dignity of a steward. "Liang Zhi, what is it?"

Liang Zhi said, "A nominal Deputy Steward has arrived outside, saying he is here to report to you. The man is sensible; he brought a gift for the Steward."

As he spoke, Liang Zhi took out a money pouch and placed it on the table beside Xie An.

Xie An opened it. It held about a hundred and eighty taels. Who would give such a heavy gift?

Looking closer, he saw traces and dents on several silver ingots that looked very familiar.

*Good heavens...* isn't this the ransom money I gave to Li Ru the other day?

It had gone in a full circle and returned to his hands.