Chapter 122: Chapter 121: Preferential Treatment

"Senior Brother Chu, I already told them I was acting on your orders."

"But that Steward from the Pill Hall wouldn’t listen to any explanation. He insisted I had broken the hall’s rules and threw me out. He clearly has no respect for you, Senior Brother!"

Jiang He’s voice held a sob as he furtively observed Chu Feng’s reaction.

Chu Feng sat upright in the sandalwood chair at the head of the room, his fingertips lightly tapping the armrest. His expression was calm, but a shadow of gloom flickered deep in his eyes.

’That old fox of a Steward at the Pill Hall... I know him, of course. He’s usually polite enough to me. For him to deal with Jiang He so decisively this time is certainly unexpected. On the surface, it looks like he’s just disciplining an ordinary disciple, but in reality, it’s a slap in my face. If I can’t even protect someone who works for me, who will be willing to serve me in the future once word gets out?’

"I’m aware of the matter."

Chu Feng’s voice was indifferent, betraying no emotion, but those who knew him understood he was angry.

"Since you got into trouble while working for me, I naturally won’t just stand by and do nothing."

His gaze shifted to Song Xiang, who was standing respectfully to the side, and he gave an order.

"Song Xiang, go to the Task Hall and find Steward Liang. Have him arrange a relatively light duty with decent Contribution Points for Jiang He as compensation."

"Yes, Senior Brother."

Song Xiang bowed in acknowledgment. He glanced at Jiang He, and though he held a low opinion of this newly pledged disciple, he had to carry out Chu Feng’s command.

"Thank you, Senior Brother Chu! Thank you, Senior Brother Chu! I, Jiang He, will never forget your great kindness for the rest of my life!"

Hearing this, Jiang He’s face instantly filled with tearful gratitude as he said this repeatedly.

"Just be sure to work for me diligently from now on. I never mistreat those who follow me."

Satisfied with Jiang He’s attitude, Chu Feng spoke faintly.

"Yes, yes! From now on, I will go through fire and water for you, Senior Brother, without hesitation!"

Gratefully, Jiang He stood respectfully to the side with his hands lowered.

About half an hour later, Song Xiang returned and reported to Chu Feng.

"Senior Brother, it’s all been arranged. It’s a cushy job guarding a warehouse, worth eighty Contribution Points a month. Jiang He just needs to report directly to Steward Liang."

Upon hearing this, Jiang He’s face lit up with joy. After thanking Chu Feng profusely once more, he carefully backed out of the room at a signal from Song Xiang’s eyes.

After Jiang He had left, Song Xiang took two steps closer and lowered his voice.

"Senior Brother, I made some inquiries. The reason the Pill Hall took such a hard stance is because... Senior Brother Wang Miao stepped in and put in a word for that Fang Han."

"Wang Miao?"

Chu Feng’s tapping fingers paused, a flash of genuine surprise in his eyes.

"What’s his relationship with Fang Han?"

"According to my investigation, the Fang Family of Liangshui City and the Wang Family of Lishan City are old family friends. They have some connection."

"Senior Brother Wang Miao probably stepped in for two reasons. First, out of respect for their families’ ties. Second, likely because Fang Han is now ranked seventh in the Sub-Branch and has shown potential worth investing in."

Song Xiang relayed the information and analysis he had gathered.

Hearing this, Chu Feng fell silent for a moment, his expression unreadable.

Wang Miao, ninety-third on the Celestial Pride List. Even for a True Inheritor like him, that name was as resounding as thunder.

He truly hadn’t expected someone of that caliber to be backing Fang Han.

Song Xiang observed Chu Feng’s expression and cautiously tried to persuade him.

"Senior Brother, now that Fang Han has Senior Brother Wang Miao looking out for him, and with his own exceptional talent, it might not be wise for us to continue targeting him... Perhaps it’s better to let this go."

"Let it go?"

Chu Feng’s head snapped up, his sharp gaze landing on Song Xiang as the corner of his mouth curved into an icy arc.

"Song Xiang, you’ve followed me for so long. Do you not know my temperament?"

His voice grew colder, laced with suppressed rage.

"A mere ordinary disciple dared to defy me. If I just let this go, where would I, Chu Feng, put my face? Wouldn’t everyone think they could walk all over me in the future?"

"Senior Brother, calm your anger!" Song Xiang’s heart went cold, and he quickly lowered his head. "I was just worried..."

"Say no more!"

Chu Feng cut him off. His eyes gleamed; he had clearly already made up his mind.

"Wang Miao’s rank of ninety-third on the Celestial Pride List is indeed a bit troublesome, but it’s not enough to make me afraid."

He paused, his tone exuding a powerful self-confidence as he spoke slowly.

"I have a feeling that I’ll be able to break through to the Fifth Grade soon. Once I step into the Fifth Grade, with my foundation, I might even have a shot at the bottom ranks of the Celestial Pride List."

"At that time, he’ll be on the Celestial Pride List, and I’ll be on the Celestial Pride List as well. I won’t be any less than him."

Song Xiang’s head shot up, his face a mask of incredulous delight.

"Senior Brother... you’re confident you can make it onto the Celestial Pride List?"

The Celestial Pride List!

That was the highest honor that all the young Martial Artists in Qingyang County dreamed of achieving.

Once on the list, one’s status and position would undergo a world-shaking transformation, far beyond what an ordinary True Inheritor could compare to.

If Chu Feng could really make the list, then as his earliest and most trusted subordinate, his future position...

At this thought, Song Xiang’s breathing grew rapid. His earlier cautious advice was thrown to the wind, replaced by immense excitement and anticipation.

"Don’t spread this news for now."

Chu Feng waved his hand dismissively, but the confidence in his eyes was plain to see.

"As for Fang Han... let him have a few peaceful days for now. After I break through, we can settle the score slowly."

"Yes, Senior Brother!"

Song Xiang bowed, completely won over.

At this moment, he was ecstatic, as if he could already see the day when Chu Feng’s name would be famous on the Celestial Pride List, and his own status would rise along with it.

「...」

The next day, Fang Han went to the Task Hall alone.

The main hall was bustling with people as usual. Just as he was about to check the wooden task plaques, a sharp-eyed disciple in a Task Hall uniform with a clever face recognized him and hurried over with a smile.

"Might you be Junior Brother Fang Han?"

Fang Han was slightly taken aback but nodded. "I am. How may I help you, Senior Brother?"

"I’m a disciple of the Task Hall, my surname is Li."

The disciple surnamed Li said with a smile and a cupped-fist salute.

"Junior Brother Fang, are you here to accept a mission? The Steward instructed that if Senior Brother Fang were to come, I should lead you directly to a side hall. There are a few high-value, relatively easy missions that might be suitable for you."

Fang Han’s heart stirred. He immediately guessed that this sudden preferential treatment was likely related to Senior Brother Wang Miao stepping in for him yesterday.

He remained impassive and gave a cupped-fist salute.

"Then I’ll have to trouble Senior Brother Li to lead the way."

"You’re too kind, Junior Brother Fang. Please, follow me."

The disciple surnamed Li’s smile widened as he led Fang Han through a side door of the main hall to a quieter side hall.

Inside the side hall, a lean-faced Steward with shrewd eyes was sitting behind a desk.

Seeing Fang Han enter, his face broke into a wide smile, and he rose to greet him.

"Nephew Fang, you’re here! Please, have a seat."

"Steward." Fang Han greeted him with a salute before sitting down.

The Steward took out several wooden task plaques from under his desk, pushed them in front of Fang Han, and began to introduce them enthusiastically.

"Nephew Fang, take a look at these missions. They were all posted recently. The Contribution Points are high, the risks are relatively low, and they’re perfectly suited for your current strength."

"This one: assist in patrolling the Sect’s outer-ring mineral veins. One hundred Contribution Points for a month’s work."

"This one: escort a relative of an Elder back to their hometown. The journey is smooth, one hundred Contribution Points."

"And this one: travel to Baisan City to collect tribute from the affiliated families. It’s a five-person team mission, the work is easy, and it’s worth one hundred and twenty points..."

Fang Han listened carefully, his gaze ultimately settling on the tribute collection mission.

At one hundred and twenty Contribution Points, it was the most lucrative of the options.

He pondered for a moment before making his decision.

"Thank you for your kindness, Steward. I’ll choose this tribute collection mission."

"Excellent! Nephew Fang is indeed decisive!"

The Steward clapped his hands and laughed, then instructed the disciple surnamed Li.

"Take Nephew Fang to Waiting Room C to meet up with the other nephews who have accepted this mission."

"Yes." The disciple surnamed Li acknowledged, then said to Fang Han, "Junior Brother Fang, this way, please."

After thanking the Steward again, Fang Han followed the disciple to a Quiet Chamber on one side of the side hall.

He pushed open the door and saw three people already waiting inside.

One was a male disciple, about nineteen or twenty years old, tall and sturdy with dark skin. A Heavy Sword rested by his feet.

Clearly, the Martial Technique he practiced focused on power and overwhelming Momentum.

Another was a female disciple, also around nineteen or twenty, with a pair of Short Spikes at her waist. Her lively eyes suggested a sharp competence.

The last person was, to his surprise, Wang Meng.

She sat alone by the window, dressed in the green female Disciple’s Robe, her expression cool and detached.

The moment Fang Han saw her, she saw him as well.

There was surprise in her eyes; she clearly hadn’t expected such a coincidence, that Fang Han would also accept this mission.

Fang Han walked into the room and gave Wang Meng a slight nod as a greeting.

Wang Meng’s expression quickly returned to calm, and she gave a faint nod in response.

Fang Han found an empty seat and sat down.

"I am Liu Ye, a disciple of the Chow Courtyard. You have a new face, Junior Brother. I don’t believe I’ve seen you before."

The unfamiliar female disciple initiated the conversation.

Those who could receive such a "premium" mission obviously had significant backing. She had seen the others before, but Fang Han was a complete stranger.

Fang Han returned the cupped-fist salute. "I am Fang Han of the Sub-Branch. Greetings, Senior Sister Liu."

"So you’re Junior Brother Fang Han!"

Liu Ye’s eyes lit up, her tone tinged with awe.

"I’ve heard so much about you! Seventh in the Sub-Branch, that’s incredible, truly incredible!"

Fang Han replied humbly, "Senior Sister Liu, you flatter me. It was just a stroke of luck."

"I am Sun Ming, a disciple of the Chow Courtyard."

Hearing their conversation, the male disciple looked Fang Han over with some surprise before introducing himself.

"Greetings, Senior Brother Sun."

Fang Han said with a cupped-fist salute.

The few of them exchanged simple pleasantries, with Liu Ye doing most of the talking while Fang Han and Sun Ming occasionally responded.

Before long, the fifth team member arrived.

The newcomer was a slender young man with a plain face but exceptionally sharp eyes. He wore a Rapier at his waist.

"I am Bai Feng. Like Sun Ming and Liu Ye, I am also a disciple of the Chow Courtyard."

The young man introduced himself succinctly, his voice low.

With that, the five-person team was assembled.

After getting acquainted, they left the Task Hall together and went to the carriage post at the foot of the mountain.

At the carriage post, five cargo carriages and one passenger carriage were already waiting, along with a dozen servants responsible for driving and other miscellaneous tasks.

The five of them, including Fang Han, boarded the passenger carriage and ordered the convoy to set off.