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

At the entrance of the Li mansion.

Li Ru and his wife stood under the eaves, gazing anxiously at the bluestone street covered in snow.

According to the agreement, Li Shaoyun would take leave from the Tiger Wolf Sect this morning and return early to celebrate the Little New Year. As parents, they were naturally very much looking forward to it.

While waiting, Li Ru said with a smile, "Although Shaoyun's initial time at the Tiger Wolf Sect wasn't smooth, he's finally on the right track. Next, Shaoyun only needs to diligently practice martial arts, and passing the martial arts imperial examination in the future will be a certainty."

Madam Li's aged face also involuntarily revealed a relieved smile, "Passing the martial arts imperial examination, how could that be such an easy thing? However, I have noticed that Shaoyun's temperament has become much more steady this past year. Especially in the last ten days or so, not only has he been diligently practicing martial arts, but he also brings back small gifts each time he returns, understanding how to be filial."

Speaking of this, Li Ru's smile became even wider, "What the madam says is true. Shaoyun was somewhat unruly and arrogant before, but now… he's become much more sensible. Perhaps it's because he's been in the Blood Ridge Black Market for a long time and no longer relies on his parents, so he's slowly become more understanding."

Madam Li glared at Li Ru, "Shaoyun's bad temper, isn't that all learned from you? Shaoyun told Chunlan in private that he was imprisoned for nearly half a year for secretly learning martial arts and was only released more than ten days ago. The reason he's become more mature is because he learned from his mistakes. That child didn't even tell me he was imprisoned, it breaks a mother's heart."

Li Ru, however, didn't take it seriously, "What's wrong with young people suffering a little?"

Madam Li tactfully reminded him, "There's nothing wrong with suffering a little. Shaoyun now seems more stable than you. You should also restrain your temper; you're already old, how many years do you have left? Don't be so hot-tempered, always resorting to beating the servants. If you continue like this, when you get old, there won't be many people who are truly sincere to you; it's not worth it."

Li Ru was momentarily embarrassed, his face slightly flushed.

Although Li Ru was known to be harsh, the Li mansion was considered a wealthy household in Black Bridge Town. However, Li Ru still respected his wife very much, partly because Madam Li came from a large family in the county town and her family was still around, so Li Ru didn't dare to do anything.

On the other hand, after spending thirty years with Madam Li, he also sincerely admired this mistress of the house. Not only Li Ru, but the entire Li mansion respected Madam Li.

"What the madam reminds me of is right; I will pay attention in the future," Li Ru finally reluctantly squeezed out these words.

Madam Li naturally knew that Li Ru's words were insincere, but she still felt somewhat relieved.

"Mother, Father."

A warm greeting was heard.

It was Li Shaoyun, carrying osmanthus cake from Wufangzhai, walking over against the wind and snow with great interest.

Madam Li took the mulberry paper-wrapped pastries while brushing the snow off Li Shaoyun's shoulders, "In this snowy weather, why did you still buy pastries for your mother? It would be terrible if you caught a cold; come in quickly."

After entering the inner courtyard, Madam Li had the maidservants fetch hot water and also ordered someone to bring a bowl of hot lotus seed soup for Li Shaoyun to warm himself.

Li Ru, on the other hand, asked Li Shaoyun about his martial arts progress in Blood Ridge these past few days.

Li Shaoyun was in good spirits, unlike his previous depression, and mumbled while eating the lotus seed soup, "Not bad. The new Master of the Sect is quite good to me, not only giving me the title of Deputy Warden but also replenishing the martial arts resources I had previously missed. Hmm, I feel like I've made great progress."

Madam Li was extremely gratified, "My Shaoyun has indeed become much more mature. No wonder you can gain the appreciation of the new Master of the Sect. However, since people are good to you, you also need to reciprocate. During festivals, you should visit them."

Li Shaoyun had been free for more than ten days and had returned home many times to report his safety. However, he had not yet revealed the matter of Xie An becoming the Master of the Blood Ridge Sect, mainly because he still hadn't recovered from the shock.

There was still an obstacle in his heart.

Madam Li glared at Li Ru, told the whole story, and finally added with a reproach, "Your father even tried to hide it from me."

Clang!

The porcelain bowl that Li Shaoyun was holding in his hand suddenly fell to the ground, smashing into pieces with a "clang." He almost shouted, "Father, you beat He Chunli's butt! ?"

Li Ru snorted lightly, saying in an old-fashioned manner, "Hmph, this person made me lose two hundred taels of silver for nothing. If I don't beat him, how will he learn a lesson?"

Li Shaoyun suddenly stood up from his seat, walking towards the outside in a frenzy, shouting, "It's over, it's over. Our Li mansion is going to have a disaster!"

This startled Madam Li and Li Ru, but they didn't know the inside story, their faces filled with astonishment.

Suddenly, Li Shaoyun, who had just run out the door, turned back and grabbed Li Ru's hand, "Father, come with me. Immediately go and kneel down to He Chunli and apologize. You must beg for He Chunli's forgiveness, or our Li mansion will be gone."

"Are you crazy?" The clueless Li Ru was furious, "You want me, a dignified master, to kneel down and apologize to a servant? Where's your brain? I was just praising you for being mature and steady… I'm your father."

"Father!"

Seeing that Li Ru refused to go no matter what, Li Shaoyun finally couldn't help but cry out in sorrow, "Father, you've gotten into big trouble."

Li Ru still didn't take it seriously, "It's only natural for servants to be beaten when they make mistakes. It's nothing even if they're beaten to death."

"Father, do you know who the new Master of the Blood Ridge Black Market is?"

"Who is it?"

Li Shaoyun knew that he had to tell the truth, "It's Xie An. It's that old Xie Tou from our Li mansion!

That new Warden who replaced Zhang Biao before was Xie An. Later, he broke through the second level of refined flesh realm, and in the White Feather Hall in Water Lantern Town, he overwhelmed the crowd, won the top spot, and took the position of the Master of the Blood Ridge Black Market.

Now, Tang Qingyun, the son of Old Master Tang of the Tang Family Fortress, Chen Qing, the son of Chen Qinglang, the Master of the Tiger Wolf Sect… are all Xie An's honored guests!"

Hiss!

Li Ru gasped, his whole body standing upright, his brain blank.

He was different from the ordinary people of Black Bridge Town. He had been doing business for many years, and the level he came into contact with was naturally much higher than ordinary people. He knew what the Master of the Blood Ridge Sect meant.

How could someone in business not know the status of the Blood Ridge Black Market in the surrounding six towns?

The annual revenue of just the Blood Ridge Black Market alone exceeds the output value of the entire Black Bridge Town several times over.

Among the four Masters under the White Feather Hall, the Master of the Blood Ridge Sect is the leader.

The White Feather Hall is a large hall with three hundred disciples, dominating the surrounding six towns. Li Ru had personally seen countless wealthy merchants carrying boxes of silver to pay homage to the White Feather Hall every year.

If it weren't for this, Li Ru wouldn't have gone to great lengths to send Li Shaoyun to the Blood Ridge Black Market to learn martial arts in the first place.

Back then, when Zhang Biao, a Warden, came to the Li mansion, Li Ru still needed to treat him with humility.

Not to mention a Master of the Sect?

As for the Tang Family Fortress, the Master of the Tiger Wolf Sect… to Li Ru, they were like heavenly beings.

Such important figures are actually Xie An's honored guests?

Only a year… how is that possible! ?

The adrenaline in his whole body soared rapidly in a short period of time, almost causing Li Ru to choke, his face turning red and purple, "You, are you sure?"

Li Shaoyun was extremely anxious, "How could this be wrong? In the beginning, I secretly learned martial arts when my mind was not clear. According to the rules of the sect, I should have had my tendons severed or been beaten to death. But the new Warden only punished me with confinement for several months… But at that time, the new Warden was wearing a mask, and I only know now that he is Xie An!

Later, after I was released, it was because he was promoted to Branch Leader and threw a grand banquet that they let me go. At that time, he told me to take good care of my mother.”

Thud.

Li Ru was momentarily unsteady, and his whole body slumped to the ground. “Heavens, Old Xie Tou actually became the Great Branch Leader of the Tiger Wolf Gate… This is terrible. And I even tried to fleece him before…”

Speaking of fleecing him, Li Shaoyun's thoughts were stirred, and he felt extremely fearful. “According to the information I’ve gathered, he had already replaced Zhang Biao as a Deacon of the Tiger Wolf Gate when he redeemed himself. We fleeced him of one hundred and eighty taels back then… If he gets angry, in a fit of rage… our Li Mansion will be finished. Not to mention now…”

Upon hearing this, Li Ru felt a chill run down his spine and hurriedly scrambled up from the ground. “Quick, call for Doctor Li and go to the pawnshop immediately to see He Chunli. Madam, quick, take all the silver and come with me.”

Madam Li was also terrified, her face ashen. She stumbled and ran to the inner room to get the silver. Because she was too anxious, she tripped over the threshold, lost her balance, and crashed into the door panel.

“Mother.” Li Shaoyun wanted to help her up. Madam Li endured the pain and stood up, rubbing her temples as she ran into the room, opened the drawer, took out the ten silver ingots inside, and then took out the silver notes, bundled them together, and hurried out.

“Hurry up!

I told you to treat others kindly a long time ago, but you just wouldn't listen, thinking you were so great just because you became masters. You beat people for no reason, even though they had no bad intentions.

You treated Old Xie Tou like that before. He diligently managed the shop for our Li Mansion for thirty years. When he got old and wanted to redeem himself, it was only right and proper not to make things difficult for him. But you insisted on fleecing him.

Was it worth it for that bit of selfishness? Put yourself in his shoes.

Now you're treating Master He the same way. You give him a beating just because he misjudged an item…

What's so great about being masters? This world is very chaotic. In the eyes of important figures, our Li Mansion is just a pitiful worm. Why do you have to be like this?

Now you've stirred up a hornet's nest. If anything happens to the family, I… won't live either.”

Madam Li muttered as she walked out of the living room door, her eyes red.

Li Ru drooped his head, not daring to say a word in rebuttal.

…

Meanwhile, when Xie An entered the pawnshop with the pastries and clothes, Yu He knew they had things to say, so she didn't go in but stayed at the pawnshop entrance watching the carriage.

After a year away, the pawnshop was still the same.

Chunlan led the way, respectfully recounting the changes of the past year.

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“After you left, He Chunli became the manager. Although business is not as good as it was in your time, He Chunli is diligent and steadfast, and Han Li has no resentment, assisting him from the side. The two of them work together and manage the shop in an orderly manner. The madam has praised them several times for getting the hang of it quickly.

He Chunli has opened up and is not so shy anymore, and he also knows etiquette. He brings gifts to the madam and master during festivals.

Han Li is eloquent and has attracted a lot of business.”

Xie An felt greatly relieved hearing this.

Xie An knew that it was only a matter of time before He Chunli became enlightened and sensible.

What pleased Xie An was Han Li, who had let go of his prejudices and opened his heart. He did not feel resentment because of Xie An's arrangements and did not go down Zhang Bing's old path.

Xie An entered the pawnshop, scanned the surroundings, and did not see his two disciples. “Why isn't Little He here, as a appraiser master?”

Chunlan stammered, finally unable to face Xie An's imposing gaze, and recounted the whole story.

He got beaten again?

Last time it was Li He, this time it's Li Ru…

It's the end of the year, and it's snowing again.

Xie An took out a box of pastries from Wu Fang Zhai and stuffed it into Chunlan's hands. “Keep it, Miss Chunlan, this is a small token of my appreciation. The Li Mansion is still busy, so you should go back first. I'll go to the Li Mansion to see you later.”

Then, Xie An hurried towards the backyard, carrying the large bags.

As soon as he entered the backyard, he heard the voices of Han Li and He Chunli coming from that familiar house.

“Hiss, be gentle.”

“I haven't even touched your butt, what are you yelling about? Okay, go to the Li Mansion for the New Year's Eve dinner. Remember, just eat a few bites. I'll wait for you at the entrance of the Li Mansion after I finish the work in the shop. By the way, take this bracelet.”

“Ah? This bracelet… are you really going to give it to Chunlan?”

“You're willing to spend half a month's salary to buy it, but you don't dare to give it? Coward.”

“I… I'm afraid Miss Chunlan won't like me.”

“You're an appraiser master now, what are you nervous about? In the entire Wuciao Town, how many appraiser masters are as young as you?”

“That's true. Okay, then I'll keep it on me first, and if the opportunity is right, I'll give it to her.”

“What do you mean, 'if the opportunity is right'? You're still putting on airs? Let me tell you, Miss Chunlan is very popular. Many of the Li Mansion's employees are secretly admiring Chunlan, and there are even a few young masters from the town's shops who have taken a liking to Chunlan.”

“Damn, don't scare me.”

Just then, a hearty voice came from outside the door: “You like Chunlan, right?”

“No, no, Han Li is talking nonsense…” He Chunli instinctively denied, his face turning red. The next moment, He Chunli's whole body shook.

Han Li was also stunned.

Then, the two of them simultaneously rubbed their eyes hard, and when they opened them again, they saw a tall, middle-aged man in a luxurious brocade robe standing at the door.

“Master!?”

“Mm.”

Xie An nodded in satisfaction.

After the greeting, the scene… became awkward!

Han Li was sharp-eyed and quickly stepped forward to take the two fine cotton jackets in Xie An's hands, as well as the pastries from Wu Fang Zhai, and placed them on a bench nearby. Then he stood back, looking at Xie An in his brocade clothes, feeling somewhat hesitant.

He Chunli was also a little at a loss.

They were no longer the naive newbies they once were. After a year of experience, they naturally saw that Xie An's brocade robe was expensive, and Xie An's whole demeanor was noble and outstanding, clearly superior to ordinary people, giving people a strong impact just by looking at him, making people afraid to approach.

Xie An saw through their little thoughts at a glance and said, “What, do you think I'm too rich and don't recognize me as your master?”

“No, no.”

“How dare we? My master will always be my master.”

“Then come here.”

The two disciples walked hesitantly to Xie An, and Xie An stretched out his hands and pulled the two disciples into his arms. “You miss your master, and your master misses you too.”

Although it was just a simple hug, it made the two disciples' eyes turn red.

Especially He Chunli, who called out 'Master' in a suppressed voice.

After a while, when Xie An let go, the estrangement between the three disappeared for the most part, and their faces were filled with undisguised smiles.

Xie An took out the fine cotton jackets and let the two disciples put them on, and then took out the pastries from Wu Fang Zhai to share.

After thanking him, the two disciples, wearing new clothes, moved the low stools and sat around Xie An, eating pastries while asking Xie An about his experiences over the past year. Of course, He Chunli, because his butt was in bloom, couldn't sit and squatted aside.

Whenever Xie An told an exciting part, the two people's eyes would widen…

This scene was just like the New Year's Eve vigil a year ago.

They also sat around Xie An like this, listening to Xie An telling about the experiences of the older generation, as well as the principles of life.

As in the past, a fireside chat.

— — — —

ps: Some readers mentioned that the details of Han Li's family are inconsistent with the previous text. I made changes in Chapter 23. I said a long time ago that Han Li asked for leave for three months due to family affairs. Originally, Chapter 23 said, “They may not have parents, or they may be sold by their parents,” which was changed to explicitly state that Han Li was the latter.