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

Back in the backyard hut, Xie An, in high spirits, opened a jar of old wine. He also took out some copper coins and asked Han Li to buy some ingredients from the town, making a "lavish" meal.

The lavish meal of a poor family was nothing more than two bowls of meat. Nor could they afford any expensive spices; compared to the flavors of his previous life, it was truly lacking.

But the three disciples savored the strong liquor and meat with relish.

"Master, what day is it today that makes you so happy?"

"Could it be that you've encountered some great joyous occasion? Tell us about it and let us share in the happiness."

If Xie An were twenty years younger, he might have said it directly. But now he was long past the impatient age, and naturally wouldn't speak about matters that weren't even close to being settled.

Life is filled with disappointments, eight or nine times out of ten.

A matter isn't settled until it's set in stone. There's no need to boast beforehand. After all, many villains laugh halfway before being killed in a counterattack.

"I'll tell you when it's settled. Besides, our reunion as master and disciples is a joyous occasion in itself."

"Master is right. Come, I'll toast to Master. Wishing Master eternal youth."

"I wish Master gets younger and younger."

… …

The next morning.

Before dawn, while the two disciples who had been dead drunk the night before were still fast asleep, Xie An had already gotten up early and was practicing his health-preserving exercises in the courtyard.

He didn't relax or slack off just because he was about to take office as a deacon of the White Feather Hall. Instead, he worked even harder.

Tang Qingyun's test this time undoubtedly illustrated the problem. If his own strength hadn't been hard enough, even with Zhang Lin's recommendation, he wouldn't have been able to become this deacon.

Fate often favors those who are prepared.

In the afternoon, at Wei time (1-3 pm), Xie An once again came to Black Blood Ridge masked.

Elder Tang wasn't there; it was the strongman Tong Shan who came, bringing Xie An's identity badge.

It was a triangular black iron badge the size of a baby's palm, with Xie An's name and corresponding position engraved on it. The back was the totem of the Tiger Wolf Gate: a blue wolf and a white tiger.

There were also three sets of uniforms for wearing on duty, for the spring, autumn, and winter seasons respectively. Although they weren't armor, the material was very good, and a wolf's head was embroidered on them, making a strong visual impact.

Xie An was also equipped with a broadsword made of refined iron, as well as other accessories, cloud boots, and so on.

"As a deacon of the Tiger Wolf Gate, you must abide by the rules of the Tiger Wolf Gate, and prioritize the overall situation of the Tiger Wolf Gate in everything…"

Tong Shan enumerated many points of attention, rules, and precepts in a very official tone.

Xie An listened carefully.

Summarized, there were only three core points: prohibit internal strife, do a good job in your duties, and sect members should help each other and be united.

The benefits were also made very clear: a monthly salary of twenty taels, the ability to go to the branch halls to choose corresponding secret manuals for cultivation, the hall would also distribute a basic medicinal supplement every three months, the hall had specialized martial artists to teach, and there was a specialized martial arts training ground, and so on.

In addition, the sect would also regularly issue some tasks. If they could be completed, corresponding merits and rewards could be obtained.

Finally, Tong Shan made a summary: "That's about it. It doesn't matter if you can't remember everything at once. Zhang Lin will take you around more. But there is one thing to remember: once you enter my Tiger Wolf Gate, your words and deeds represent my Tiger Wolf Gate, so don't lose the prestige of my Tiger Wolf Gate outside."

"Thank you for your guidance, Brother Tong Shan."

"Well, do a good job. If you manage the Black Blood Ridge market well, Elder Tang will naturally not mistreat you." Tong Shan left a word of encouragement and left in a hurry.

From beginning to end, Tong Shan didn't ask about Xie An's background, household registration, or appearance details. It could be seen that the Tiger Wolf Gate really didn't ask about background, appearance, or age when recruiting talents.

But Xie An knew in his heart. Now that he had taken office as a deacon, he would have to come here to work in the future. The job of appraiser at the pawnshop could not be taken care of at the same time.

It seemed that he had to redeem himself and resign from his pawnshop master as soon as possible.

"Congratulations, Old Brother."

After seeing Tong Shan off, Zhang Lin couldn't hide his excitement and enthusiastically patted Xie An on the shoulder.

Previously, he and Zhang Biao had worked together for many years, constantly calculating against each other, and every day was filled with exhaustion. Now, he could be considered to have ushered in a completely new environment, and was naturally overjoyed.

Xie An was naturally also happy, "I hope Brother Zhang will give me more pointers in the future."

"It should be. Today is the sixth day of the new year, and many disciples have taken leave to return to their hometowns. They won't be back until the day after tomorrow. I'll assign disciples and work to you then, Old Brother."

"Okay."

… …

The Black Market on the sixth day was deserted. Xie An strolled around the courtyard twice before leaving.

He returned to the small house of the pawnshop, took all his savings of one hundred and eighty taels, and went straight to the Li residence.

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The day after tomorrow was the time for the pawnshop to officially open its doors to customers. According to the usual rules, as a pawnshop employee, he had to start busying himself with preparations tomorrow.

Xie An had to redeem himself and resign as soon as possible, so as not to delay the work of the Black Blood Ridge market.

In fact, Xie An had raised enough money two or three days ago. The reason why he wasn't in a hurry to find Master Li of the Li residence to redeem himself was simply because low-level people lacked a sense of security, and always thought it was more appropriate to resign after getting the next offer.

Now that the position of deacon had been settled, Xie An could calmly redeem himself, with no more worries.

He came to the Li residence at three quarters of You time (5:45 pm). He found Chunlan and asked her to inform Master and Madam Li, saying that he had something to ask to see them.

Chunlan didn't ask much, only saying, "I'll go and inform them now. However, Master and his family of three are having dinner in the inner courtyard. Master Xie, please wait here for a while."

"Okay."

Xie An folded his hands and waited quietly in the wind and snow.

Although the wind and snow were heavy, Xie An was very patient.

He had endured thirty years, let alone the time for a meal?

Inner courtyard living room.

The Li family of three sat around the table for dinner.

The table was full of delicacies, good things that Xie An had never eaten in his life.

"Shaoyun, is there any result to the matter you asked Zhang Biao to do?" Madam Li lovingly added a piece of braised pork to her son's plate and asked casually.

Li Shaoyun swallowed the braised pork in one bite, "It's all settled. Tomorrow, I'll go to the Black Blood Ridge market to go through the motions, and I can become Zhang Biao's deputy, holding the title of Deputy Deacon. I don't have to do anything, but I can get many martial arts resources from the White Feather Hall."

Li Ru smiled: "It seems that the previous five hundred taels of silver were not spent in vain. With the martial arts resources of the White Feather Hall, my son will definitely pass the provincial examination three years later."

Li Shaoyun suddenly frowned and said, "But I just asked someone to inquire, and they said that Zhang Biao was killed. The Tiger Wolf Gate will most likely send someone else to replace Zhang Biao's position as deacon…"

"What? Deacon Zhang Biao was killed? Do you know who did it?" Li Ru was so frightened that he almost dropped his chopsticks on the ground.

In his eyes, Zhang Biao was a high-ranking martial artist, an existence that the Li residence could not afford to offend.

He was actually… killed?

Li Shaoyun looked worried: "I don't know. I hope the new deacon who replaces Zhang Biao won't make things too difficult for me."

Just then, Chunlan walked in in a hurry and respectfully bowed: "Master, Madam, Young Master. Master Xie is at the door, saying that he has something to ask to see you."

Li Ru snorted softly, "Old Xie must have been left out for a few days, put away his temper, and knows his identity as a servant. Let him wait outside the door."