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

Zhang Lin's courtyard.

Twelve burly men were building a simple shed in the yard, slaughtering pigs and sheep, preparing lunch, and making a lively scene.

These were the men with swords who had come with Zhu Hu. On their second day here, they had taken over Zhang Lin's courtyard and sent Zhang Lin's henchmen to do hard labor in the icy wilderness outside.

And they, like cuckoos in a nest, were slaughtering pigs, taking pig's blood, and roasting suckling pigs...

As the pungent aroma of roast suckling pig was released, many men gathered around the fire to warm themselves, chatting idly.

"The people of the Blood Ridge Black Market really know how to live. They even hid so many fresh livestock to survive the winter in this icy weather."

"Haha, they probably saved them for the New Year, but unexpectedly... we got them cheap."

"The examination is tomorrow, and it's a certainty that Brother Hong Lie will take the lead and win Blood Ridge. The food they saved for the New Year will eventually be ours."

"Indeed, indeed."

"Hey, isn't that the accountant Liang Zhi?"

Someone muttered, and everyone turned to look. They saw Liang Zhi pushing open the half-closed door, stepping through the accumulated snow, "May I ask if Steward Zhu is in?"

A brawny man with a beard replied indifferently, "He's in the room."

After speaking, the brawny man ignored Liang Zhi and continued chatting with the others.

Liang Zhi seemed used to such attitudes, so he lowered his head and hurried towards the bedroom.

Liang Zhi, standing outside the bedroom door, felt his scalp tingle.

Since Zhang Biao left, the atmosphere of the Blood Ridge Black Market had always been good. Both Zhang Lin and Xie An had set a positive example. He didn't expect that Zhu Hu would turn the atmosphere into this in just a few days.

Although Liang Zhi felt resentful, he didn't dare to knock on the door immediately, but waited at the door, enduring those unbearable sounds.

After about half a quarter of an hour, the howling sounds in the room stopped, and then a woman with disheveled clothes walked out of the door, glanced at Liang Zhi with almond eyes, and then left in a hurry.

Liang Zhi felt a chill in his heart.

A woman from a brothel.

Being called here to spend the night.

Zhu Hu's courage is really big enough.

However, Liang Zhi only dared to slander in his heart, but on the surface he respectfully cupped his hands, "Liang Zhi greets Steward Zhu."

After a while, Zhu Hu, who was 1.9 meters tall, walked out, glanced at Liang Zhi with displeasure, "What is it?"

Liang Zhi felt the powerful pressure released from Zhu Hu, dared not look directly, and lowered his head, "The leader has emerged from seclusion and learned that Steward Zhu has come here, and has specially prepared lunch to welcome Steward Zhu and his brothers."

Zhu Hu was stunned for a moment, then nodded and smiled: "Your leader really knows how to behave. No wonder Elder Tang appointed him. Go back and tell Xie An that I will take my brothers to the banquet later."

"Awaiting Steward Zhu's esteemed arrival." Liang Zhi cupped his hands again and again before turning to leave.

Watching Liang Zhi's receding figure, Zhu Hu was in a good mood.

Compared to Zhang Lin, Zhu Hu thought highly of Xie An.

After all, he had already found out that Xie An's position as steward was originally appointed by Tang Qingyun. Therefore, Zhu Hu dared to bully Zhang Lin at will, but he did not disturb Xie An during his seclusion.

However, hearing that Xie An was going to hold a banquet to welcome him, Zhu Hu was still very proud. He only thought that Xie An was softening.

This is Baiyu Hall after all.

What if Elder Tang appointed him?

Doesn't he still have to give face to Fang Baiyu?

Thinking of this, Zhu Hu shouted to the twelve men in the distance: "Little ones, stop fussing. Xie An is going to host a banquet at noon to welcome us."

As soon as these words came out, the men were very excited.

"Sure enough, this Xie An still has to give our Brother Hu face."

"What do you mean by giving face? He's clearly scared and just softening."

"Indeed, indeed."

"The Blood Ridge lineage is ours now."

"..."

Liang Zhi walked in the snow, listening to those harsh voices around him, feeling very uncomfortable. But he was also helpless, drooping his head, and hurried away. It seemed that staying for even a moment longer was a kind of torture.

...

Meanwhile, Xie An helped Zhang Lin back to his courtyard.

Then he asked Xiao Liuzi to take out the winter food to cook, and also asked someone to invite the pharmacist of the Black Market to come and apply medicine and massage Zhang Lin's injured leg.

After some tidying up, Zhang Lin's leg injury was relieved, and there was more blood on his face.

Soon, a group of henchmen built a shed in the yard and built a simple stove, cooking in full swing.

Xie An's courtyard was equipped with a kitchen, but today there were many people, and the kitchen alone could not handle it, so an extra stove needed to be built, and a large pot was needed to meet the demand.

Zhang Lin looked at it with emotion, his heart filled with mixed feelings, "Old brother, you don't need to apologize to Zhu Hu for my sake. They don't regard us as human beings at all, and they may not appreciate your kindness."

Xie An said lightly: "He doesn't need to appreciate it."

Seeing that Xie An's attitude was firm, Zhang Lin did not persuade him any further, "When Zhu Hu and the others come later, I should avoid them."

As he said that, Zhang Lin got up and limped away.

Before, he had been beaten in public by Zhu Hu with a stick, feeling that he had lost face, and his heart was covered with dust, so he was embarrassed to face Zhu Hu. What's more, Zhang Lin felt that Xie An's invitation to eat was also to soften and seek survival, to resolve the contradiction, which was even more uncomfortable.

But Xie An pulled Zhang Lin back, "Brother Zhang, don't leave."

Zhang Lin was very embarrassed, "But..."

Xie An said, "I initially thought Brother Zhang would leave. Since Brother Zhang didn't leave, I knew you stayed for my sake. This grievance of yours cannot be in vain."

Zhang Lin's heart was greatly moved, "But... I don't want Elder Brother to suffer grievances from this birdman Zhu Hu for my sake."

"It's not a grievance."

"Eh."

Zhang Lin sighed, ultimately unable to reject Xie An's good intentions, and sat back down.

Time quickly arrived at noon.

A large canopy was set up in the courtyard, with three large round tables placed, and delicious dishes were already on the table.

A burst of dense footsteps came from outside the door.

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"Brother Xie."

Along with a hearty laugh, Zhu Hu led twelve men in, striding in carelessly.

Xie An got up and said, "Welcome Brother Zhu. I have prepared a little wine to welcome and wash away the dust for all the brothers. Please take a seat quickly."

"Mm."

Zhu Hu was very satisfied with Xie An's attitude. He directly took the lead and sat in the chief position, and the other twelve men also took their seats one after another. Without waiting for Xie An to speak, they treated this place as their own home and began to feast.

Xie An led the somewhat hesitant Zhang Lin to follow and take a seat.

The seating arrangement was very particular.

Xie An sat on Zhu Hu's left, while Zhang Lin sat on Xie An's left.

Zhu Hu looked at Xie An taking a seat beside him without showing any dissatisfaction, and immediately felt that Xie An's willingness to submit was evident. He was very happy and smiled:

"Everyone says that when Brother Xie was a steward, Elder Tang personally assessed him. He really knows how to deal with people and things, which is very comfortable.

When Brother Hong Lie becomes the new Master of Blood Ridge, I will definitely say a few good words for Brother Xie in front of Brother Hong. After all, we will all be working under Brother Hong in the future. You are familiar with this place, so we still need Brother Xie to help us a lot."

Xie An smiled insincerely, "Easy to say, easy to say."

Immediately, Xie An filled a large bowl of wine, raised it to the group of men, "Everyone, eat and drink well."

Zhu Hu was increasingly satisfied with Xie An's attitude. Seeing that no one picked up their wine bowl, he took the initiative to say, "What are you all spacing out for? Brother Xie is inviting everyone to eat and drink well, shouldn't you return the favor with a bowl?"

Only then did the men raise their wine bowls and return the toast to Xie An.

Although everyone drank heartily, they all showed contempt for Xie An between their brows. Everyone could see that Xie An was just trying to please Zhu Hu. They were just benefiting from it and didn't take Xie An seriously.

Xie An naturally saw it all. After saying, "Everyone, eat and drink well," he drank the wine in the bowl in one gulp.

Zhang Lin, who was beside him, felt even more uncomfortable and just focused on drinking in silence.

After three rounds of wine and five flavors of dishes,

Xie An suddenly said, "Brother Zhu, I have something I need you to state your position on."

Zhu Hu laughed loudly, "Brother Xie, please speak frankly."

Xie An said to Liang Zhi, who was pouring wine for the men in the distance, "Let Wang Xiang outside the door bring the horse over."

Liang Zhi nodded in agreement and went out to call Wang Xiang.

Before long, Wang Xiang brought Zhu Hu's big white horse in, to everyone's shocked expressions.

Xie An then instructed Liang Zhi, "Liang Zhi, close the courtyard door. I have a few things to say behind closed doors."

Although Liang Zhi didn't quite understand, he still did as he was told, closed the courtyard door, and even bolted it.

Zhu Hu was very curious and frowned, "Brother Xie, what does this mean?"

Xie An said, "I heard that Brother Zhu's horse neighed twice in the middle of the night, and Brother Zhu blamed Zhang Lin for not feeding the horse enough, and broke Zhang Lin's leg. After all, a horse is just a horse, how can it be more important than a person? Moreover, Zhang Lin is also a steward, and he is also my friend."

Zhu Hu narrowed his eyes and sized Xie An up.

Although Zhu Hu had a straightforward personality, he wasn't stupid.

He had already realized that Xie An wanted him to give an explanation.

Staring at Xie An for a long time, Zhu Hu thought of Tang Qingyun behind Xie An and didn't want to completely break face over this trivial matter, so he revealed a smile, "So Brother Xie is concerned about this little thing. I won't hide it from you, Brother Hong has given instructions. After Brother Hong takes office as the Master of Blood Ridge, he will only leave three stewards.

I will definitely be one of them, as the chief steward.

Lin Yun has contributed to Wei Dian's establishment of the black market, so Brother Hong naturally can't kill the donkey after it grinds the mill, so as not to ruin his reputation. He will naturally be one.

And Brother Xie has Elder Tang backing him, and he also knows how to handle things, so he will naturally be one as well.

Therefore, Zhang Lin's steward position... is gone. What I did can also be considered as disciplining subordinates in advance. Since Brother Xie said that Zhang Lin is your friend, I will naturally give Brother Xie face."

After speaking, Zhu Hu filled a bowl of wine, raised it to Xie An and Zhang Lin, "The previous matter, I was a little too heavy-handed. After drinking this bowl of wine, let's turn the page."

Glug.

Zhu Hu finished the wine in one gulp, heavily put down the wine bowl, patted Xie An's shoulder heartily, and smiled, "Come, come, Brother Xie, let's continue drinking. Don't let a little thing ruin our friendship. Brother Xie has Elder Tang backing him, and his future prospects are limitless. We can share wealth and glory together."

Xie An narrowed his eyes and smiled very brightly.

Immediately, Xie An picked up his chopsticks and gestured for everyone to pick up food, "Come, everyone, don't be restrained, eat and drink well."

While speaking, Xie An also took the initiative to put a chicken leg in Zhu Hu's bowl, "Brother Zhu, eat well."

Seeing Xie An's flattering attitude, Zhu Hu also laughed loudly, "Brother Xie really knows how to handle things... Ah!!"

A shrill scream tore through the entire villa!

It was Xie An's chopsticks, which suddenly pierced into Zhu Hu's forehead, protruding from the back of his head, and scarlet blood dripped down the chopsticks.