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

Burning Liang Zhi's confession was something Xie An had planned for a while. However, experiencing Wei Dian's situation accelerated Xie An's decision.

After all, now that his strength had increased, there was no need to engage in those unpleasant little tricks.

Power in hand is the best deterrent.

After being stunned for a long time, Xie An picked up the medicine and prepared to close the courtyard gate for a medicinal bath to break through.

Xie An was no longer young; he had long passed the stage where he needed to be depressed for a long time or get drunk to adjust himself after encountering something.

This could be considered seeing things clearly and letting go. But it also meant being more solitary and boring.

Only Xie An himself knew what he was doing.

Just then, a series of footsteps came from outside the door.

It was Zhang Lin walking in.

"Brother Xie, have you found the Xiangzhu?"

Ever since Xie An had gone to inquire with Zhang Lin, Zhang Lin saw Xie An's anxious expression and thought something had happened, so he also went everywhere to find Wei Dian.

Xie An said, "Yes, I found him."

Huff.

Zhang Lin breathed a sigh of relief, "But what happened?"

Xie An pondered slightly in his heart:

Wei Dian didn't tell anyone before he left, not even himself. It was evident that Wei Dian had truly let go of everything in his heart at that time and just wanted to leave freely.

However, the matter of Wei Dian's departure would not be able to be concealed sooner or later. Moreover, Zhang Lin was not an outsider.

Xie An knew that Zhang Lin had misunderstood, thinking that Wei Dian had died.

However... it seemed that there wasn't much difference.

Xie An still explained, "It's not what you think. After Xiangzhu Wei was poisoned by the Corpse Poison Pill, his whole body festered, and he didn't want to die ugly in front of acquaintances. So he rode away on horseback... silently."

Alas.

Zhang Lin sighed, "Xiangzhu Wei was kind to me, but I didn't even have time to say thank you."

Xie An said, "If I hadn't found him in time, I'm afraid I wouldn't have had time to say goodbye either. But Brother Zhang doesn't need to worry, I think Xiangzhu Wei made such a choice because he didn't want to be entangled by too many ties."

Zhang Lin sighed helplessly, "Xiangzhu Wei put his heart and soul into the Bloodridge Black Market for half his life. Now that he's gone like this, it's really regrettable... I hope Xiangzhu Wei can find an antidote outside and have a good ending..."

Xie An nodded, wasn't that what he was hoping for too?

After a period of grief, Zhang Lin began to ask:

"Without Xiangzhu Wei at the front to support us in the Bloodridge lineage, we simply cannot stand on our own feet. Moreover, Xiangzhu Wei and Fang Baiyu have always been at odds. Now, before the examination even begins... we may be purged by Fang Baiyu. Brother Xie, what should we do now?"

A month ago, Xie An and Zhang Lin had discussed this matter:

The two of them chose to stay and accompany Wei Dian to complete his final journey, and then talk about other things.

Now, Wei Dian is gone...

According to the original agreement, Zhang Lin and Xie An should leave the Bloodridge Black Market and seek other employment.

Xie An didn't express his position, but instead asked, "By the way, is there any news about the examination?"

In the battle at the Chen Manor, two of Bai Yutang's four Xiangzhu died, and one was crippled. Now Wei Dian is also gone. A month ago, because Wei Dian informed Tang Qingyun, Fang Baiyu's plan was foiled.

Since then, the Examination Hall has been discussing the details and timing of the examination with Fang Baiyu. At that time, Wei Dian said it would be about a month later, but now a full month has passed, and there is still no detailed plan.

Zhang Lin said, "Zhou Xing just returned from the hall and said that the process and time of the examination have been determined.

Seven days later, on the eighth day of the lunar month. Elder Tang will personally come to the hall to drink Laba porridge with everyone. The new Xiangzhu candidates will be selected through the examination.

As for the candidates participating in the examination, the requirements have also been relaxed. Any deacon in Bai Yutang, as well as all stewards above the deacon level, can take the stage. And..."

Speaking to the key point, Zhang Lin suddenly paused for a moment before exclaiming in surprise: "Moreover, Elder Tang has also relaxed the conditions—any deacon in the entire Tiger Wolf Gate can come to participate in the examination. The top four people can serve as the four Xiangzhu of Bai Yutang. The one who takes the top spot will be the Xiangzhu of the Bloodridge Black Market."

Not to mention Zhang Lin, even Xie An was surprised.

Tang Qingyun had such a grand plan.

He was directly considering the interests of the entire Tiger Wolf Gate.

Moreover, Xie An keenly sensed that Tang Qingyun intended to weaken Fang Baiyu's control over the hall!

This was also easy to understand.

Fang Baiyu had caused heavy losses to the entire Bai Yutang for his own selfish desires. This had already aroused Tang Qingyun's dissatisfaction! So he took advantage of this examination to allow deacons from other halls to participate.

This not only gave those capable deacons the opportunity to take office as Xiangzhu, but also used their power to weaken Fang Baiyu.

A double win.

However, Xie An was very clear that this was not a good thing for the Bloodridge Black Market.

It was equivalent to exposing the largest piece of fat, the Bloodridge Black Market, under the eyes of a group of experts from the entire Tiger Wolf Gate.

The capable will get it.

Zhang Lin suddenly added, "Brother Xie, I heard people privately discussing that... Fang Baiyu plans to let Deputy Hall Master Hong Lie participate in the examination. That's a warrior in the Second Stage Refined Flesh Realm, that's too immoral, he has no shame. He's determined to take the fat of our Bloodridge Black Market."

Letting a Deputy Hall Master condescend to compete for Xiangzhu was indeed... immoral.

But Xie An was very clear about how great the benefits were.

The Tiger Wolf Gate imitated the imperial court's system, which can be seen from the establishment of the Examination Hall.

Although the Xiangzhu was under the jurisdiction of the Hall Master, he could also report directly to the Gate Master.

This kind of dual leadership system was undoubtedly more mature, which could ensure that the channels of communication were smooth and that subordinates could check and balance each other.

This was also why Fang Baiyu, although he was the Hall Master, had no way to deal with Wei Dian for so many years. For this reason, Fang Baiyu could only use the name of bandit suppression to eliminate dissidents...

To put it bluntly, if the Bloodridge Black Market really had the opportunity to be promoted in the future, it could directly become a hall, and even be managed by the Gate Master himself.

Now that all four incense masters have been replaced, it is naturally an excellent opportunity for Fang Baiyu to take over the Blood Ridge Black Market. How could he easily let it go?

Compared to that, what does face matter?

Moreover, since Fang Baiyu has done this, he will definitely find a very reasonable excuse.

Having learned enough information, Xie An didn't hesitate and directly told Zhang Lin his decision, "Brother Zhang, Incense Master Wei has shown me great kindness, and I don't plan to leave. The Blood Ridge Black Market is currently facing many crises and is precarious. You don't have to be like me."

Zhang Lin was very surprised, "But... Hong Lie is a martial artist who has just entered the Refined Flesh Realm. Even in other large halls, he would at least have the strength of an incense master. No supervisor can win against Hong Lie. Once Hong Lie takes office, I'm afraid we won't have a good time."

Perhaps feeling that what he said was a bit heartless, Zhang Lin explained, "If we stay, we can do something meaningful for Incense Master Wei and Chief Supervisor. I, Zhang Lin, am willing to endure some grievances and exclusion, but... it's meaningless for us to stay, isn't it?"

Although Zhang Lin doesn't have much ability or ambition, and is even a bit timid, he is clear on matters of principle.

Xie An remained unmoved: "Brother Zhang, I appreciate your kindness, and I understand. But I have made up my mind."

Alas.

Zhang Lin saw that Xie An's attitude was firm, and knew that no matter how much he tried to persuade him, it would be useless. He sighed, exchanged a few pleasantries, and then turned and left.

Xie An saw Zhang Lin off, and when he closed the courtyard door, he murmured softly.

"Perhaps, it will be meaningful."

Then, Xie An slammed the courtyard door shut with a "bang," instructing Xiao Liuzi outside the door to guard it and not let anyone in.

He began his seclusion.

...

For the next two days, the black market opened and closed as usual.

There was nothing different from usual.

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The departure of an incense master had no impact on this place, and people were still busy with their own affairs.

However, a team of guards came to the black market.

The leader was a supervisor named Zhu Hu, who was tall and strong, and his strength was very impressive.

When he first arrived, Zhu Hu was very polite to Zhang Lin, saying that he was instructed by Fang Baiyu to assist in clearing the order around Blood Ridge.

Zhang Lin naturally saw that Fang Baiyu's purge had begun.

But there was nothing he could do. Seeing that Zhu Hu was still polite, he could only endure it.

By the second day, Zhu Hu was no longer polite to Zhang Lin.

He actually forcibly took over the defense and patrol of Blood Ridge, and made Zhang Lin's men do odd jobs for Zhu Hu, ordering them around...

Even Zhang Lin, the supervisor, was bossed around by Zhu Hu as a lackey. If Zhang Lin objected to anything, Zhu Hu would say, "I am acting on the orders of the hall master..."

No matter how angry Zhang Lin was, he could only endure it and let him drive him.

On this day, after the black market closed, Zhang Lin returned to his own courtyard, sat on a chair, and drank in frustration, his mouth twisted with anger.

Despicable!

Zhu Hu actually asked him to clean the toilet!

Isn't this just blatantly humiliating people!

Zhou Xing, who followed him in, was also indignant, "Boss, Zhu Hu is too much! We have been in the Blood Ridge Black Market for ten years, and we have never been bullied like this. I'm going to the hall now to tell the incense master."

"Don't waste your effort," Zhang Lin sighed. "Incense Master Wei is gone."

"What? Gone?"

Zhang Lin rarely showed enough patience to tell Zhou Xing what had happened.

After listening, Zhou Xing sighed, "Before the assessment even started, Fang Baiyu couldn't wait to extend his black hand to our Blood Ridge. Once Hong Lie takes the position of incense master, will we still have a chance to live? We might as well leave."

Zhang Lin was also annoyed by this matter.

Continuing to stay would be meaningless except for being excluded, suppressed, and wronged.

He had the intention to leave.

Seeing that his boss didn't answer, Zhou Xing asked hesitantly, "Then... should I go pack things up now?"

Zhang Lin didn't express his position, so Zhou Xing assumed that Zhang Lin had acquiesced and immediately ran in to pack things. After a while, he took out several bulging packages. Zhou Xing then pulled a carriage and laboriously loaded the jars and pots onto the carriage.

In a short while, the carriage was full.

Zhou Xing jumped down from the carriage, clapped his hands, and felt that he was very capable, with a bit of a boastful tone: "Boss, I'll take these things to your house in Shuideng Town first."

"Wait, I'll go talk to Brother Xie again," Zhang Lin instructed and went out.

Arriving at the gate of Xie An's courtyard, he found that the gate was tightly closed.

Zhang Lin was about to knock on the door, but Xiao Liuzi, the gatekeeper, stopped him, saying, "Supervisor Zhang Lin, I'm sorry. The boss told me before that he would be in seclusion for the next few days. He won't see anyone."

Zhang Lin felt a bit disappointed and helpless.

Zhu Hu had been in the black market for two days, but Xie An didn't ask or care, only focusing on his seclusion. Chief Supervisor Lin Yun also didn't know where he had gone. Zhang Lin couldn't find anyone to confide in about the grievances he had suffered.

He felt even more depressed and annoyed.

"Where is Liang Zhi?"

Xiao Liuzi said: "Brother Liang is also in seclusion."

"Where is Wang Xiang?"

"Also in seclusion."

Zhang Lin suddenly froze.

He wasn't stupid.

As soon as Incense Master Wei left, Xie An rarely went into seclusion.

Zhang Lin could guess what he was going to do.

Wei Dian taught Xie An the Chongshan Saber, and Xie An seized the time to go into seclusion... Zhang Lin could understand.

But Liang Zhi and Wang Xiang also... made Zhang Lin feel very shocked.

Vaguely, Zhang Lin felt that... the hearts of the people in the Blood Ridge Black Market had not collapsed due to Wei Dian's departure, but had become unprecedentedly united in another way.

Zhang Lin had only felt this way when he first joined the black market.

"If Brother Xie comes out of seclusion, notify me immediately."

After instructing Xiao Liuzi, Zhang Lin returned to his own courtyard.

Zhou Xing was already standing beside the carriage waiting, "Boss, shall we go?"

Zhang Lin shook his head, "Unload the things. I'm not leaving. Also, go and appease those brothers who have been wronged. Let everyone endure it a little longer. We'll wait until the assessment is over."

Zhou Xing was greatly surprised: "Boss, you're..."

Zhang Lin said: "Since someone wants to take a gamble, I'll accompany him!"