Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations
Xu Ning and Han Huxiao entered the house.
The woman in white and the handsome man also followed behind them.
“Xu Ning my friend, you have reached such a high cultivation realm at a young age, I wonder how you achieved this?”
Han Huxiao praised Xu Ning, but he was actually asking about Xu Ning’s background.
“My martial arts knowledge was all taught by my family clan.”
Xu Ning spoke in a half lying, half truth manner, “However, my family clan suffered from a war, and I was forced to leave and go into exile.”
Xu Ning did not want to reveal that he came from State Feiyun.
Although he escaped safely from the mines, Xu Ning was afraid that the news of his escape would leak, attracting the attention of the family clan behind the mine. Even though the possibility was low, Xu Ning decided to be cautious.
After hearing Xu Ning’s words, Han Huxiao stroked his beard.
There were no problems with what Xu Ning was saying.
In State Jifeng, wars were frequent, and disputes between family clans and sects were common.
There were plenty of people who have lost their homes because of wars.
However, Xu Ning didn’t convey much information about his family. Obviously, he didn’t want to mention it.
Han Huxiao pondered for a moment, but did not decide to continue asking.
“In troubled times, people are like lone boats in the sea, floating to wherever the ocean pleases…”
Han Huxiao sighed in front of Xu Ning.
“Xu Ning, I am very satisfied with you.”
Han Huxiao continued, “Next, I will tell you about our Shadowmoon Martial Arts Hall. If you feel that there are no problems, you can decide whether to join our hall and become the deputy hall master.”
Xu Ning nodded. “I’m listening.”
“For the Shadowmoon Martial Arts Hall, although it looks like we only teach martial arts, in fact, we are also involved in other businesses.”
Han Huxiao said, “We are involved in every restaurant, brothel, and casino on Fanhua Street. We are not involved in their operations, but if they encounter any trouble, our martial arts hall is required to help them.”
“In addition, we also sell escorting services. We are often hired by caravans for us to help them protect their goods in their journey, or just directly escort the caravans. The income from this service accounts for a large proportion of our revenue.”
Han Huxiao spoke as Xu Ning pondered.
Han Huxiao was talking about teaching martial arts, as well as offering protection and escorting services.
Xu Ning was wondering why the Shadowmoon Martial Arts Hall looked so lavish.
Now, it was clear to him.
“If you become the deputy hall master, we don’t need you to teach martial arts.”
Han Huxiao continued, “You only need to take action when your subordinates on Fanhua Street encounter any trouble, or when someone causes trouble at the hall; you are responsible for repelling them.”
“As for the escorting services, you can choose whether to do it or not. If you don’t do them, you will receive 30 gold taels per month. If you are planning to get involved in the escorting business, 30% of its income will go to the martial arts hall, while the other 70% will be allocated to the escort guards.”
Xu Ning listened in silence.
‘The Shadowmoon Martial Arts Hall is quite generous.’
Xu Ning was quite satisfied with the conditions offered by Han Huxiao.
“How about it? Are you satisfied?”
Han Huxiao asked.
Xu Ning thought for a moment before finally answering, “I’m satisfied.”
After hearing Xu Ning’s response, Han Huxiao smiled heartily, “Okay! In this case, from now on, Xu Ning, you will be the deputy hall master of our Shadowmoon Martial Arts Hall!”
“Thank you, Hall Master Han.”
Xu Ning stood up and cupped his fists for Han Huxiao.
This was a display of his new position.
“Han Yue, Du Che.”
Han Huxiao looked at the woman in white and the handsome man.
The two greeted him.
“Deputy Hall Master Xu!”
“Deputy Hall Master Xu, this is Han Yue and Du Che.”
Han Huxiao introduced, “Although you guys are similar in age, in the Shadowmoon Martial Arts Hall, they are your subordinates. If you need to run any errands, just let them do it.”
“Hall Master Han, you’re too kind.”
Xu Ning smiled.
“Xu Ning, where are you living now?”
Han Huxiao asked Xu Ning.
“I only came to Chun Rin Canton recently, so I am still living in a restaurant hotel.”
Xu Ning responded.
Han Huxiao said, “Since you are part of our martial arts hall, you don’t need to live in a restaurant hotel anymore. We have a lot of empty rooms in the martial arts hall. If you want to, you can move in and live here.”
Xu Ning thought about it before he responded, “Thank you very much.”
Since he didn’t have a permanent place to live, moving into the martial arts hall would also save him money from renting a room.
“In this case, tonight, let’s gather at the restaurant on Fanhua Street. Let the martial arts hall instructors and the shopkeepers on Fanhua Street meet Deputy Hall Master Xu!”
Han Huxiao made the decision.
That night, Xu Ning was invited to a large restaurant on Fanhua Street.
Xu Ning used this opportunity to meet the people from the Shadowmoon Martial Arts Hall.
Soon after that, Xu Ning left the restaurant hotel and moved into the martial arts hall.
Xu Ning knew that his new life in Chun Rin Canton was about to begin.
Half a month had gone by.
Over this time period, Xu Ning stayed in the martial arts hall, but he did not encounter anything that needed to be dealt with personally.
This made Xu Ning a little uncomfortable. He was just eating and sleeping all day, doing nothing, while still receiving a fat salary.
“Deputy Hall Master Xu, it’s time to eat.”
When it was time for dinner, Han Yue called for Xu Ning.
Han Yue had changed into a light green shirt. Although it was not a revealing outfit, her straight and slender legs were still eye-catching.
“Coming.”
Xu Ning came out of the room.
There was a specially-assigned cook at the martial arts hall who was responsible for cooking three meals a day.
Whenever it was time to eat, someone would call for Xu Ning.
In the hall, Xu Ning, Han Huxiao, Han Yue, and Du Che were sitting at the table with a maid serving by their side.
“Deputy Hall Master Xu, tomorrow Du Che and I will be leaving for an escort mission. So, the martial arts hall will be handed to you for the time being.”
Han Huxiao made a request to Xu Ning, which was rare.
“Escort mission?”
Xu Ning put down the bowl and chopsticks in his hands. “Don’t you need me to come?”
“No need.”
Han Huxiao waved his hand dismissively. “This time, the guest personally requested for me. They said that the goods are very important, so I have to escort them personally. They also promised a very generous reward, so I agreed.”
“What guest?”
Han Yue asked.
“A foreign merchant, coming to Chun Rin Canton to import goods.” Han Huxiao explained, “And because the goods are precious, they are afraid of problems on the road.”
“Han Yue, when I’m not at the martial arts hall, you have to assist Deputy Hall Master Xu.”
Han Huxiao said to his daughter Han Yue, “Try your best to deal with the trivial matters. If you can’t handle it, go to Deputy Hall Master Xu.”
“Hall Master Han, you’re too kind. I need to take on more duties.”
Before Han Yue could respond, Xu Ning spoke first.
Xu Ning insisted on practicing martial arts every day to cover up the fact that he had nothing to do.
Although through pure practice alone, due to his talent, it was impossible for him to improve.
But since he was living with others, he still had to act diligent.
Otherwise, if he suddenly improved in the future, he would not be able to justify himself.
Han Huxiao was satisfied with Xu Ning’s attitude.
After half a month of getting along, he noticed that Xu Ning had a good character. He did not have the self-confidence and arrogance of a young genius.
Xu Ning made people feel very relaxed.
In just half a month, everyone at the martial arts hall had a good impression of Xu Ning.
“Du Che, go back and prepare. Remember go to bed early tonight, don’t get up late tomorrow morning.”
After they were done eating, Han Huxiao reminded Du Che.
“Understood, master.”
Du Che stood up, cupped his fists and nodded.
As he lowered his head, he glanced at Xu Ning.
This glance was caught by Xu Ning.
Xu Ning’s senses had gotten extremely sensitive after he reached the state mind realm.
On the surface, Du Che listened to instructions, was humble and polite, but Xu Ning always felt that he was hostile to him.
However, Xu Ning didn’t think much of this hostility.
He could see that Du Che had feelings for Han Yue.
Ever since he came to the martial arts hall, Han Yue was instructed by Han Huxiao to take good care of him, so their relationship had gotten closer.
Thus, it was normal for Du Che to feel some resentment.
But Xu Ning was still wary of Du Che.
He had to keep his guard.