Chapter 117: The Steward of Reclining Ox Hill

The next morning, at the break of dawn, Peng Hu arrived at the Yang family’s small courtyard, presenting two thousand taels of silver with both hands and promising to move Heji Pawnshop off Xiangyun Street.

Yang Xing accepted the silver, waved his hand without saying a word.

This made Peng Hu even more uneasy. That very afternoon, he hurriedly moved his entire family away from Xiangyun Street.

Yang Xing tidied up briefly and then set off toward the Grand Tai Sui Hall.

Before any disciple assumes a post, they must first visit the Grand Tai Sui Hall.

The Grand Tai Sui Hall is not only the core place of the outer courtyard but also manages disciple transfers. Some even say that the head of the outer courtyard is equivalent to the deputy patriarch of the Four Absolutes Sect.

“Senior Sister Qi?”

As Yang Xing made his way to the hall, he saw a familiar figure approaching.

It was Qi Ruolan, the one responsible for affairs at Tianyuan Tower.

Seeing Yang Xing, Qi Ruolan smiled and greeted, “Junior Brother Yang Xing, congratulations! Are you here to receive your appointment at the Grand Tai Sui Hall?”

Her information was very reliable, and naturally, she knew that Yang Xing had just broken through to Dan Jin.

Yang Xing nodded, “Exactly.”

Curious, Qi Ruolan asked, “What position?”

Yang Xing smiled and replied, “Administrator of Wolong Ridge on Mount Fuyun.”

Upon hearing this, a gleam appeared in Qi Ruolan’s eyes. “That’s quite a lucrative post. I didn’t expect Junior Brother Yang to be so lucky.”

“You flatter me, Senior Sister.”

Words spoken unintentionally can be taken to heart. Yang Xing glanced at Qi Ruolan and asked, “Where are you headed?”

Qi Ruolan took out a few invitations. “I just received these wedding invitations, and I’m delivering them to some senior brothers and sisters inside the courtyard.”

Yang Xing looked puzzled. “Wedding invitations?”

“Don’t tell me you haven’t received one?” Qi Ruolan noticed the confusion in his eyes and explained, “The chief disciple of the Vermilion Bird Courtyard, Gu Xuan, is engaged to the young master of the Wang family, Wang Longtang. This is the engagement banquet. The chief of the Vermilion Bird branch and the head of the Wang family will both attend. All prominent figures of the Four Absolutes Sect have been invited.”

Yang Xing smiled faintly. “I see. I’m just a small character, so it’s normal I didn’t get an invitation.”

“Junior Brother Yang, you’re joking. Once you reach Dan Jin, you’re no longer a small character.”

Qi Ruolan chuckled awkwardly and quickly explained, “Maybe it’s because you just reached Dan Jin. The chief disciple of the Vermilion Bird Courtyard is very busy; perhaps they simply forgot.”

All disciples within the inner courtyard who had reached Dan Jin had received invitations. No one expected Yang Xing to be left out.

Yang Xing didn’t mind, as he didn’t know either Gu Xuan or Wang Longtang.

After some casual chat, Yang Xing took his leave.

***

Next, he went to the Four Absolutes Hall to meet the head of the outer courtyard, Duan Ling, known in the martial world as “Inverter of Heaven and Earth.”

Duan Ling wore a neat gray robe, his eyes calm like still water. Looking into them gave a feeling of being thoroughly seen through.

Yang Xing knew this man was undoubtedly a master not inferior to any branch leader within the inner courtyard.

Duan Ling sized up Yang Xing briefly, then stamped the transfer order.

Yang Xing took the order and cupped his fists. “Thank you, Uncle.”

“If there’s nothing else, go take up your post.”

Duan Ling waved his hand, his expression indifferent.

After Yang Xing left, Duan Ling frowned slightly, seemingly lost in thought.

***

Mount Fuyun, Wolong Ridge.

Inside a finely crafted pavilion, all disciples on duty around Wolong Ridge had gathered.

Today was the day the new administrator took office.

When Wu Dali saw the newcomer, he burst out laughing. “I really didn’t expect the new administrator to be Junior Brother Yang.”

Yang Xing was somewhat surprised. “Senior Brother Wu, you serve as a patrol on Mount Fuyun?”

Wu Dali was one of the few inner courtyard disciples without a family background. However, he had long failed to break through to Dan Jin and was recently “persuaded to resign” by Huang Zhen.

Normally, Yang Xing and Wu Dali only exchanged nods in the Xuanwu Courtyard, acquaintances but not close.

“I’m not like Junior Brother Zou or Junior Sister Fan. They have their own family businesses and have to cover their own monthly costs for elixirs and meals.”

Wu Dali shook his head and smiled. “I’ve been here two years and know this place inside and out. Let me introduce you.”

He then introduced each of the Wolong Ridge duty disciples one by one.

They were all Four Absolutes Sect disciples, skilled in both transformation and hidden energies.

When they learned the new administrator was Wu Dali’s junior brother, they all breathed a sigh of relief and smiled.

Yang Xing noticed their expressions and felt a trace of puzzlement.

“It’s like this...” Wu Dali quietly explained, “The previous administrator, Uncle Yuan Feizhang, was harsh and irresponsible. Most of the time, he got drunk in the mountains and rarely handled matters. When mistakes happened, he always blamed us duty disciples.”

“Several senior brothers suffered because of his negligence.”

Hearing this, Yang Xing nodded slightly, then glanced around. “I’m new here, happy to work with you all. I don’t have many rules—just hope everyone can unite, be kind, and fulfill your duties...”

After these polite but superficial words, they exchanged looks.

At least for now, this new administrator seemed easy to get along with.

***

At that moment, Wu Dali looked toward a young woman and smiled. “Junior Sister Niu, why don’t you cook a few of your specialties to welcome Junior Brother Yang?”

Junior Sister Niu was a petite and charming young woman.

“I’ll go right now.”

Hearing Wu Dali, she covered her mouth and laughed softly. “You all are so lucky today, basking in Administrator Yang’s glory.”

With that, she swayed her slender waist and headed toward the kitchen.

The others smiled, their moods much lighter.

“When Mount Fuyun’s usage rights are taken back, I wonder where we’ll be reassigned.”

Wu Dali sighed, “Mount Fuyun is a treasure mountain; it’s a pity to let the Tianhe Sect have it.”

Once Mount Fuyun’s usage rights were revoked, the Four Absolutes Sect’s stationed disciples would naturally have to withdraw.

Not only Wu Dali but others also shook their heads.

Many essential herbs for the Four Absolutes Pill, taken monthly by the sect’s disciples, came from Mount Fuyun. Without it, the supply would drastically shrink.

Right now, before Mount Fuyun’s reclamation, a single Four Absolutes Pill already cost 150 taels of silver per month.

It was terrifying to imagine the price hike if the Four Absolutes Sect lost the pill entirely.

When that time came, the competition for resources among the four branches of the inner courtyard would inevitably intensify.

Those nearby were also quite regretful.

After all, this treasure mountain would soon no longer belong to the Four Absolutes Sect.

Yang Xing pondered briefly and asked, “What if they refuse?”

His words stunned everyone present.

“The two sects signed an agreement before the martial community of Hezhong Prefecture. If we don’t hand over usage rights, we’ll be despised by all factions here. Reputation is extremely important in the martial world, especially for a top sect like the Four Absolutes.”

Wu Dali shook his head. “Besides, the Tianhe Seven Sons are all high-level Dan Jin experts. The sect leader is even a master with fully realized Dan Jin, having opened all twelve orthodox meridians. Rumor has it he has deep connections with the Xie family. Their power is formidable; there’s no way they’ll let us use Mount Fuyun for free anymore...”

Yang Xing nodded silently.

The Tianhe Sect is one of the three major sects in Hezhong Prefecture, and like the Four Absolutes Sect, is situated near the prefecture city—not like Lou Wai Lou, which is hundreds of miles away.

The close proximity naturally breeds open and covert rivalry. Even if the Tianhe Sect doesn’t use Mount Fuyun, they probably don’t want the Four Absolutes Sect to hold such a treasure.

As for what will ultimately become of Mount Fuyun, Yang Xing’s current strength is too limited to influence the outcome. The wisest course is to guard the herb fields quietly and focus on cultivation.

***