After a full breakfast, Bai Yuan headed to the Huwei Arts Hall as usual.

The moment he arrived at the Martial Arts Arena, Zhang Yang sought him out.

"The Zhu Family’s Young Master, Zhu Huan, is dead."

"Dead?!"

Bai Yuan looked shocked, then immediately asked, "Who killed him?"

Zhang Yang stared intently at Bai Yuan, then rolled his eyes. "How should I know?"

"I heard you had a bit of a conflict with him yesterday?"

"Yes."

Zhang Yang patted Bai Yuan’s shoulder meaningfully. "Don’t worry. You’re one of us at the Huwei Arts Hall. The Zhu Family won’t dare to do anything to you."

Bai Yuan nodded. "Master, I have nothing to hide. I didn’t do it, and that’s that."

"Good. Now I can rest easy when you eventually leave the Martial Arts Hall."

Zhang Yang grinned widely and laughed, then turned and strode away. He just loved the cheeky way his apprentice spouted nonsense.

Bai Yuan felt a bit frustrated; it seemed his master had misunderstood him again.

’My acting skills still have a lot of room for improvement.’

...

At noon, just as expected, people from the Zhu Family showed up at the Huwei Arts Hall.

"Does your esteemed hall have a disciple by the name of Bai Yuan?"

A Zhu Family Elder, leading seven or eight Zhu Family disciples, arrived menacingly at the Huwei Arts Hall. 𝑓𝘳𝑒𝑒𝓌𝘦𝘣𝘯ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝑚

As it happened, Zhang Yang was the one on duty today.

Zhang Yang crossed his arms. "We do. What do you want with him?"

"Yesterday, Bai Yuan had a conflict with our Young Master, Zhu Huan. We’d like to understand the situation."

The Zhu Family Elder did not explicitly state that they were there to investigate Zhu Huan’s death.

The Huwei Arts Hall was no ordinary power. The hall alone had three Yijin Powerhouses, and its Hall Master, Xue Gui, had even entered the Strong Organ Pass. The Zhu Family dared not offend them lightly.

Most importantly, the Zhu Family Elder did not believe a mere Outer Disciple could kill Zhu Huan, who had already passed the Bone Forging Pass.

"Go, bring Bai Yuan to me."

Zhang Yang shot a look at a gate-keeping disciple nearby.

Receiving Zhang Yang’s order, the disciple trotted off to the Martial Arts Arena.

Within the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, Bai Yuan appeared at the entrance of the Martial Arts Hall.

The Zhu Family Elder carefully sized up the unfamiliar youth. "You are Bai Yuan."

Bai Yuan cupped his fist in salute, a puzzled look on his face. "I am."

After confirming his identity, the Zhu Family Elder’s aura surged, attempting to pressure Bai Yuan into telling the truth.

Seeing this, Zhang Yang let out a cold snort and stepped in front of Bai Yuan protectively.

"If you have questions, just ask."

The Zhu Family Elder saw how protective Zhang Yang was. Although furious, he suppressed his anger and asked.

"Yesterday, you had a conflict with our Young Master, Zhu Huan, over the matter of the Hongqiao Dye Workshop. Is that correct?"

Bai Yuan put on a well-behaved expression.

"That is indeed the case. After discussing it with Senior Brother Zhu, I have already decided not to pursue the matter."

"Not pursue the matter?"

Hearing this, the Zhu Family Elder’s eyebrows shot up. He had already investigated what happened at the Hongqiao Dye Workshop yesterday in full detail. It was clearly Bai Yuan who owed Zhu Huan two thousand taels of silver, yet now, coming from Bai Yuan’s mouth, it had become a matter he wouldn’t pursue.

"Nephew Bai, I recall it was you who owed our Young Master two thousand taels of silver, wasn’t it?"

"Two thousand taels of silver?"

Bai Yuan’s face was the very picture of innocence, as if he were hearing about this for the first time.

Seeing this, the Zhu Family Elder could no longer contain his rage. "You little brat, feigning ignorance! Are you trying to welsh on your debt?"

Just as he was about to strike, Zhang Yang let out a cold snort and spoke slowly.

"Is the Zhu Family trying to bully the Huwei Arts Hall as if we have no one? If you have a problem, Your Excellency, feel free to present your evidence. I can take you to Master Xue to arbitrate."

"You..."

The Zhu Family Elder was livid. The other party was clearly trying to get out of the debt.

Today was not yesterday; the tables had turned. Just like at the Hongqiao Dye Workshop yesterday, the Zhu Family could not afford to provoke the Huwei Arts Hall.

Go to Xue Gui for arbitration?

It was obvious that Hall Master Xue would side with Bai Yuan.

The Zhu Family Elder had already interrogated the subordinates who were with Zhu Huan yesterday. The Zhu Family had not acted honorably in this matter, and if it were to be blown up, they certainly wouldn’t come out on top.

"Where were you last night?"

The Zhu Family Elder, unwilling to give up, asked one last question.

"At home in Baisha Town, of course."

Bai Yuan answered without a change in his expression.

"Very good."

The Zhu Family Elder didn’t even leave behind any harsh words, simply turning and leaving in disgrace.

In this life and the last, might makes right.

After the Zhu Family party left, Bai Yuan followed Zhang Yang to a pavilion.

Bai Yuan was the first to speak. "Thank you, Master."

Zhang Yang waved his hand. "What’s there to thank me for? It’s like I said: remember that you belong to the Huwei Arts Hall."

Bai Yuan’s expression turned solemn. He offered another respectful bow before taking his leave.

Not long after Bai Yuan left, an old man’s figure appeared in the pavilion. It was none other than Hall Master Xue Gui.

Seeing Xue Gui appear, Zhang Yang hurriedly bowed. "Master Xue, what do you think we should do about this matter?"

Xue Gui chuckled, stroking his beard. "The Zhu Family? They’re nothing. They’ll make a decent whetstone for Bai Yuan, though."

Hearing this, the corner of Zhang Yang’s mouth twitched.

"Master Xue, don’t tell me you also think Bai Yuan killed Zhu Huan?"

"Is that important?"

Xue Gui looked at Zhang Yang with a half-smile, retorting with a question of his own.

Then, he gazed with satisfaction at Bai Yuan, who was practicing his saber earnestly in the Martial Arts Arena not far away.

’Now *that’s* more like a successor to the Blood Tiger Saber.’

Zhang Yang looked at Xue Gui with a strange expression.

He was suddenly reminded that Master Xue had once been a ruthless figure with the blood of hundreds on his hands. It was only as he grew older that he had started to cultivate a calmer nature and rarely acted himself.

But his title, the Living Yama, had once resounded through the several counties surrounding Qinghe. Countless Martial Artists had nightmares just from hearing his name.

Zhang Yang really liked this side of Master Xue, and he really liked this kind of Martial Arts Hall.

Being protective of their own—that was very good.

If a Martial Arts Hall couldn’t even protect its own disciples, there was no point in it existing.

...

The saber forms in Bai Yuan’s hands were sharp and unmatched.

His Blood Tiger Saber had already reached the Skilled realm. Crossing the Bone Forging Pass would be a simple matter, and the only reason he hadn’t broken through was because he was deliberately suppressing his progress.

The example of Xu Wen was still fresh in his mind; breaking through too quickly would only invite crisis.

He planned to wait a few more months before breaking through. Staying in the upper-middle ranks was the most stable approach.

Zhang Yang’s assertiveness today had been a bit unexpected. His "bargain" master was actually very reliable when it counted.

In the end, all the excuses he had prepared went unused.

Not only that, but the matter of the two thousand taels of silver was also now a thing of the past.

As long as he waited for the Zhu Family’s anger to cool down, the Hongqiao Dye Workshop could still resume its business.

As for the land rent...

Bai Yuan couldn’t help but feel a headache coming on again.

Left with no other choice, he had to seek out Li Ting.

"What? You want to be affiliated with my family?"

Li Ting was astonished to hear Bai Yuan’s idea.

Bai Yuan had even rejected an invitation from Ji Hanming of Flying Eagle Castle. How could the Li Family possibly afford a higher price than them?

"What... what kind of compensation do you want?"

"We’re acquaintances. Just name a price you see fit."

Li Ting pondered for a long time before tentatively saying, "Twenty taels a month?"

Bai Yuan grinned.

"Deal!"

’As expected of the Li Family, truly generous.’