Upon arrival at White Tiger Hall, they would be nurtured to feel a sense of belonging and involvement. By then, they would each be a valiant disciple of the White Tiger Camp.
Moreover, the basic requirement for White Tiger Camp disciples now was the Refining Body Realm, with a minor position requiring one to be in the Willow Tendon Realm, and a team leader level in the Iron Bone Realm.
Chen Jie quickly arranged for these people. At this time, Zhou Chu came over with a smile and said to Chen Jie, "Hall Master, besides these fellows, there are some other people to deal with."
Upon hearing this, Chen Jie looked towards Zhou Chu, who clapped his hands.
Soon, about a hundred more people came. Zhou Chu said, "These are Nan Batian’s servants; these men are house slaves, and these women are maids and old ladies."
Chen Jie frowned and said, "Just dismiss them all!"
Chen Jie spoke directly. Hearing this, those people immediately knelt on the ground, "Grandpa Chen, please give us a meal to eat!"
Zhou Chu said with a pained expression, "You see, dismissing them is not that easy."
On seeing this, Chen Jie without a wrinkle inquired, "Why do you not wish to be dismissed?"
Then one person spoke up, "Grandpa Chen, our families truly can’t any longer. Otherwise, we wouldn’t have sold ourselves into servitude. Please have mercy, Grandpa Chen, and keep us."
Chen Jie frowned. At this time, the rest pleaded, "Grandpa Chen, we beg you to give us a meal to eat."
Chen Jie pondered for a moment before saying, "Zhou Chu, how many can you take back to your household?"
Zhou Chu said, "My lord, I can take the one who looks after the horses and the cook, but these ten or so maids, I, I can’t handle it!"
Chen Jie pondered before saying, "They’re of no use to me either."
Zhou Chu whispered, "My lord, these are Nan Batian’s maids; one can never tell if the Second Madam had her hand in it. It would be fine to keep a few."
Chen Jie looked at Zhou Chu in surprise.
Zhou Chu said, "Hall Master, are you confused? Huang, Mrs. Huang."
Chen Jie asked, "How come she is called the Second Madam now?"
Zhou Chu replied, "What else, Hall Master? We don’t meddle with other matters, but Mrs. Su must be the First Madam. Otherwise, brother, I cannot agree."
Chen Jie looked at Zhou Chu with a smile and said, "OK, I promise you that! But these?"
Thinking it over, Chen Jie turned to address the people, "If you are willing to stay, then stay; I will find work for you. As for those unwilling to stay, two silver taels each, take back your servitude contracts and return home."
"Thank you, Grandpa Chen!"
Upon hearing this, everyone thanked him, and Chen Jie turned to leave.
But just then, a maid suddenly stepped forward and knelt with a thud, saying, "Grandpa Chen, I, I..."
Chen Jie looked at the maid and asked, "What’s wrong with you?"
The maid said, "I wish to stay and serve Grandpa Chen!"
Everyone was taken aback; Mudan sure had some nerve.
Chen Jie slightly frowned at Mudan, who looked up to reveal an exquisite visage, clearly a beauty in the making.
Chen Jie realized she was yet another Cuiju who wanted to rise through her beauty.
But she might have a harder time, as this was Nan Mansion; given Nan Batian’s condition, he probably lost interest in women, which is why she was still just a maid.
Chen Jie narrowed his eyes as he looked at her.
Chen Jie was not afraid of ambitious people, as long as their ambition was not greater than his—he could control them.
People with ambition often have abilities, too.
Like Mudan, who at least had the guts. Although Chen Jie didn’t dislike her, he couldn’t agree so easily.
Chen Jie looking down at Mudan said, "If you wish to serve me, then you must show your value!"
Mudan was startled and, looking around with a blush, said, "In front of so many people?"
Chen Jie was surprised, then continued, "If beauty is all you can offer, then there’s no need; I’m not short of beauties by my side."
Mudan was taken aback, bit her lip, lowered her head and after some thought said, "Grandpa Chen, I have something to tell you alone."
Chen Jie started, glanced at the kneeling servants behind and said, "You all may leave."
Upon hearing this, Zhou Chu motioned, and naturally, someone arranged for those people to leave. Soon all had left except Mudan. Chen Jie looked at her and said, "Alright, here’s your chance, speak."
Upon hearing this news, Mudan looked at Chen Jie and said, "Grandpa Chen, I know of Nan Batian’s secret chamber!"
Chen Jie’s eyes sharpened, and Zhou Chu and Xiao Hu also perked up.
A secret chamber would surely hold treasures!
At this point, Chen Jie said, "The courtyards inside and out have been searched clean; are you sure that Qimu Ge and the others haven’t searched this secret chamber?"
Mudan said, "Absolutely not, it’s very hidden."
Chen Jie looked at Mudan and said, "Alright, lead us there. If there is any gain, I can give you a chance."
Mudan looked at Chen Jie and replied, "Thank you, Grandpa Chen."
Saying this, she led Chen Jie towards Nan Batian’s study. Before long, the group arrived at the study.
Upon entering, Zhou Chu cursed, "Fuck, this bunch really left it bare!"
Chen Jie also swept a glance around and found that even the desk and bookshelves had been removed, leaving only an empty room with discarded account books and texts strewn on the ground.
Chen Jie picked up a book and flipped through it at random, finding it all useless.
Xiao Hu also said, "With the room turned upside down , what could possibly be left? Mudan, are you deceiving us?"
Mudan immediately waved her hands, "I dare not, I dare not deceive the lord. The secret chamber is right above that wall."
Zhou Chu went to the place and asked, "How to open it?"
Upon hearing this, Zhou Chu pushed hard, only to find it wouldn’t budge, and immediately turned to say, "It won’t move! It’s just a dead wall."
"Ah, how can it be? I saw with my own eyes the Gang Leader push this wall and enter."
Hearing this, Chen Jie looked at the wall, then quickly approached it, channeled his Inner Strength, and pressed against it.
Chen Jie exerted force, and immediately there was a sound of moving mechanisms, and the wall slowly revolved open, revealing the secret chamber behind it!