My Martial Arts Level Never Drops

Chapter 396: Chapter 188: Steward

With that, he said, ”Please show him in.”

”Yes.”

The servant left, and a short while later, the chubby Qian Ruhai arrived.

Upon seeing Qin Fang, his eyes lit up. But he quickly took a deep breath and bowed respectfully. ”Qian Ruhai of the Wan Tong Commerce Association... I pay my respects, Young Master Qin.”

Qin Fang smiled and picked up his teacup. ”What’s this? Has my Chief Steward grown so distant after just a year apart?”

Hearing Qin Fang’s words, Qian Ruhai’s expression immediately brightened, and he burst into laughter.

”You jest, Young Master Qin. Rules are rules, and friendship is friendship. I know the difference quite well.”

Although he said that, he dropped the formalities, took a few steps forward, and naturally found a chair to sit in.

His gaze swept over Qin Fang, and he couldn’t help but sigh with emotion. ”It’s just that... my mind is still having a hard time wrapping itself around all this.”

”I still remember it like it was yesterday—a year ago, in Tingyu Pavilion. Brother Qin, you were travel-worn, listening to me drone on about the prominent figures and scenic spots of Lanyang City, about the gossip within the Sects. I remember the look on your face so clearly. Who could have imagined that in just one year...”

He paused, his tone filled with an almost incredulous admiration. ”Not only did you take first place in last year’s Martial Arts Examination, but you’ve also risen all the way from an Inner Sect Disciple to become a First Hall True Inheritance! Heh, Wu Xueci, Luo Yuntian, Nangong Yu... all those names that I once spoke of as untouchable figures—now it seems you stand shoulder-to-shoulder with them, Brother Qin.”

”Such fortune, such a rapid ascent... In all my years of traveling far and wide, this is the first time I’ve witnessed something like this firsthand... I’m impressed. Truly impressed!”

He couldn’t stop marveling.

In his eyes, as he looked at Qin Fang, there was not only amazement but also a warm pride, as if he shared in the glory.

Hearing him bring up the past, Qin Fang couldn’t help but break into a smile.

”I was merely fortunate to have the Sect’s elders look after me.”

He paused for a moment before smiling. ”Actually, I should be thanking you, Brother Qian... You’ve taken good care of my house this past year.”

”Hah! I’m the Chief Steward... Isn’t this what I’m here for?”

Qian Ruhai said with a mischievous wink.

Qin Fang roared with laughter.

The awkwardness from not having seen each other in over a year completely vanished in that laughter.

The atmosphere in the room finally returned to the familiar and relaxed state they had shared back at the Post House.

The two maids exchanged a quiet glance, secretly sighing in relief, and retreated silently to the side to wait.

The two of them chatted and laughed, and before they knew it, the sky had grown dark.

Qian Ruhai smiled. ”It’s getting late; we should eat. I’ve taken the liberty of preparing food and wine in your home—the guest has usurped the host’s role!”

After speaking, Qian Ruhai stood up and clapped his hands toward the door.

The attendants waiting in the corridor heard the sound and sprang into action. In a moment, several nimble servants entered in single file, carrying various food containers.

Warm, mellow wine and a few exquisite cold dishes were the first to be placed on the table, followed by several steaming, fragrant main courses. The meat and vegetable dishes were well-balanced and elegantly presented. While not the most extravagant delicacies, it was clear that great care had been taken.

”I figured that since you might have just returned, Brother Qin, you probably wouldn’t have had time to prepare kitchenware and ingredients. So I took the liberty of bringing over two skilled chefs and ready-made ingredients from the Martial Preparation Workshop.”

Qian Ruhai explained with a smile as he gestured for the servants to arrange the dishes, ”It’s all local Lanyang cuisine. Give it a try and see if it’s to your liking... It’s been a long time since we had a proper drink together.”

Qin Fang laughed, ”Only the ’Chief Steward’ could be so thoughtful.”

Naturally, he didn’t take offense.

Once all the food and wine were served, the servants quietly withdrew, leaving only Qing Zhu and Lan Xin to pour the wine.

Qian Ruhai raised his cup and smiled. ”This first toast must be to congratulate you, Brother Qin, on your promotion and your further progress on the Great Dao!”

Qin Fang smiled, raised his cup in return, and they both drained their cups.

With the wine warming their bellies, the atmosphere grew even more congenial.

Only then did Qian Ruhai truly open up, no longer just sighing with emotion, but starting to speak of the changes in and around Lanyang City over the past year.

For the most part, Qin Fang listened quietly, not interrupting.

Qian Ruhai truly understood etiquette. He spoke only of his own affairs and didn’t ask Qin Fang a single thing about his.

He was especially clear when recounting the matter of the calling cards and gifts that had been sent to Qin Fang last year.

Qian Ruhai had returned the courtesy to all those families and factions on his behalf.

”However, after you became a First Hall True Inheritance, it was no longer appropriate for me to conduct business in your name... So I took the initiative to use my own name... But now, basically every major family in Lanyang City knows I’m working for you.”

Qian Ruhai said.

Hearing this, Qin Fang raised an eyebrow and then nodded slightly. He had to admit, Qian Ruhai truly understood the rules.

The top rank in the Martial Arts Examination, to put it bluntly, was just an Inner Sect Disciple with a lot of potential.

Compared to a First Hall True Inheritance, the difference in value was like that between the clouds and the mud!

After he became a First Hall True Inheritance, for someone to continue sending gifts and conducting business in his name... the implications would be enormous.

It could even, to some extent, influence the rise and fall of a family!

...Qin Fang had no interest in getting involved in such things.

Qian Ruhai’s flexible approach had made it known that he had returned the favors, all without expressing any official stance.

It was incredibly tactful.

Thinking of this, Qin Fang narrowed his eyes and said, ”I say, Chief Steward... are you interested in becoming my *actual* chief steward?”

After becoming a True Inheritance, there were too many trivial matters to handle. He figured that as his Cultivation and his status within the Sect grew, there would likely be even more.

It was truly difficult for Qin Fang to find a managerial talent like Qian Ruhai, so he simply extended an olive branch.

...After interacting with him, he felt that Qian Ruhai was someone he could trust.

And as a Hall Master’s True Inheritance, he had the right to recruit people into the Sect.

Furthermore, once they entered, they would have a status equivalent to an Inner Sect Disciple.

...A position akin to a Personal Guard.

Faced with this sudden invitation, Qian Ruhai was momentarily stunned. Then, his voice couldn’t help but tremble slightly.

”Brother Qin, are... are you sure?”

One had to understand, Qin Fang’s current identity and status were on a completely different level compared to a year ago.

If Qian Ruhai were to accept the invitation...

Then his status in Lanyang City...

It would, without a doubt, be elevated to an unimaginable degree...