Martial Saint with Passives

”A Tributor?” Jiang Che’s heart leaped with joy. ’This is a godsend!’ He had just been worrying about money!

”Precisely!” Steward Wang then explained in full how the cloth shop had recently been harassed by gangs and was looking for an expert to provide protection.

”My master and young miss have given it much thought and believe you, Young Master Jiang, are the most suitable candidate. What are your thoughts on the matter?”

”Yes! I agree!” Jiang Che accepted almost immediately. This was a golden opportunity delivered right to his doorstep!

Seeing him agree so readily, Steward Wang was also pleased and continued, ”Then, Young Master Jiang, regarding the Tributor’s compensation... what are your requirements?”

Jiang Che recalled what Cheng Yuzhi had mentioned about the going rates. Someone in the Bone Forging Realm could ask for five thousand taels of gold. Though he was only at Force Integration, his strength was not to be underestimated, so he tentatively proposed:

”For one year... three thousand taels of gold. How does that sound?”

After speaking, he watched Steward Wang, feeling a little nervous.

Upon hearing this, Steward Wang pondered for a moment. He showed no signs of difficulty and instead nodded, saying:

”Three thousand taels... I will need to report this price to the master for a final decision. But rest assured, Young Master Jiang, this amount is within what Yin’s Cloth Shop can afford. It is not an exorbitant price.”

Jiang Che felt a bit more at ease. He then remembered that Cloud Mist Ridge was about to open and that he would likely need to purchase the next volume of his True Skill soon, so he added:

”Also, I’m in urgent need of money recently. I was wondering if it would be possible to... receive a portion of the payment in advance?”

Steward Wang’s smile didn’t waver. ”I will also report this matter to the master and do my best to make it happen for you, Young Master. Does Young Master Jiang have any other requests?”

Jiang Che thought for a moment, then said, ”One more thing. I need to spend most of my time cultivating, so I can’t be stationed at the cloth shop.”

Steward Wang said, ”Please don’t worry about that, Young Master Jiang. You only need to intervene when the cloth shop is being harassed!”

Jiang Che nodded. ”Then I have nothing more to say.”

Steward Wang smiled. ”Very well. Please await the good news, Young Master Jiang. I will go back and report to my master now!”

After seeing Steward Wang off, Jiang Che was in high spirits. The pressure to earn money had instantly lessened considerably.

’As for investigating the Demon Sect, I’ll put that off for now.’

Jiang Che glanced at the small newspaper and thought to himself.

...

...

...

Meanwhile, Steward Wang returned to Yin’s Cloth Shop with a joyful expression and reported to Yin Rong, Mrs. Yin, and Yin Yingying:

”Master, Madam, Young Miss, Young Master Jiang has indeed reached the Force Integration Realm, and he is truly an Inner Courtyard Disciple of the Cangyun Sect! He has already agreed to become our cloth shop’s Tributor!”

Hearing this, the worried look on Yin Rong’s face eased considerably. He quickly asked, ”Excellent! What conditions did he propose? How much is he asking for his compensation?”

Steward Wang replied, ”Young Master Jiang is asking for three thousand taels of gold per year. Additionally, he said he is in urgent need of money and hopes to receive a portion of the payment in advance. He also stated that because he needs to focus on his cultivation, he cannot be stationed at the shop, but he promises to intervene whenever we are being harassed.”

Yin Rong pondered for a moment, then nodded. ”Three thousand taels... If it’s true, as Yingying said, that he could kill two opponents at Great Success in Force Integration while he was still in the Iron Skin Realm, then now that he’s at Force Integration, his strength must be far beyond others of the same level. That price isn’t high. And paying him in advance is fine; it will show our sincerity.”

He then instructed Steward Wang, ”Uncle Wang, go to the counting house at once and withdraw three thousand taels in gold notes. Take the prepared Sacrificial Contract and make another trip to the Cangyun Sect. Give both the gold notes and the contract to Young Master Jiang.”

”Yes, Master!” Steward Wang bowed in acknowledgment, then turned and quickly went to carry out his orders.

Not long after Steward Wang left, a clerk at the door announced that his niece and her husband had arrived.

Yin Rong, his wife, and Yin Yingying had just gone to greet them in the living room when Wang Xiufen and Zhu Shichang walked in.

As soon as Wang Xiufen sat down, she began to speak with a smile, her tone somewhat pressing:

”Uncle, Aunt, how are the deliberations for the Tributor position coming along? If you ask me, you shouldn’t hesitate. Just pick that genius disciple from the Profound Sound Sect, Chu Xuanyi! The price is a bit high, and he wants a Treasure Fish, I know, but his future is limitless! If he breaks through to a higher Realm in the future, our cloth shop will benefit as well. It would solve our problems once and for all!”

Yin Rong smiled, his tone gentle yet firm. ”Xiufen, Shichang, thank you for your trouble. However, we have already decided on a candidate for the Tributor position. He is an old acquaintance of Yingying’s named Jiang Che, who is now a disciple of the Cangyun Sect. He saved Yingying once, and I hear his practical combat skills are quite impressive. Although he is currently only in the Force Integration Realm, we believe he is up to the task.”

”What? From the Cangyun Sect? And only in the Force Integration Realm?” Wang Xiufen’s smile vanished instantly, replaced by a trace of displeasure and disbelief.

”Uncle! We went to all the trouble of pulling strings for you, finding experts from the Taiyuan Sect and the Profound Sound Sect! How could you turn around and hire some... some greenhorn who’s only in the Force Integration Realm?”

She paused, as if trying to restrain herself, but the disdain in her voice was still obvious.

”Ah, that’s not what I meant... I’m saying, he’s not even at the Bone Forging Realm. His reputation alone won’t be enough to intimidate those local bullies! If you drop the name of one of the other two great sects, which of those gang thugs would dare to be disrespectful? The Cangyun Sect is on the decline among the Three Great Sects these days. I’m afraid... sigh!”

Zhu Shichang also frowned, his small eyes narrowing even further as he chimed in:

”Uncle, you’ve been rather thoughtless in this matter. A young disciple like that is too wet-behind-the-ears to be reliable! What kind of experience or connections could he possibly have? He probably can’t even protect himself, so how could he possibly ensure the shop’s safety? Forget about deterring troublemakers; you’ll be lucky if he doesn’t bring more trouble down on the shop! You mustn’t be penny-wise and pound-foolish just to save a little gold!”

He shook his head, putting on a regretful expression.