My Martial Arts Level Never Drops

Chapter 397: Chapter 189: Watching Fish

Unsurprisingly, Qian Ruhai readily agreed.

An Outer Steward of the Wan Tong Commerce Association.

The Chief Steward to a First Hall True Inheritance disciple of the Heavenly Gang Wuji Sect...

You didn’t need a brain to know which to choose!

...Even if Qin Fang himself had yet to establish any real power base in Lanyang City.

The Guiyuan lineage behind him... was the greatest power of all!

Once Qian Ruhai agreed, Qin Fang immediately used his Identity Token to contact Senior Sister Wen. The tokens worked anywhere within the bounds of Lanyang City.

After all, Lanyang City itself was built around a massive Array established by the Heavenly Gang Wuji Sect.

Senior Sister Wen heard him out and replied that she would arrange for an Inner Sect Disciple to pick Qian Ruhai up from Qin Fang’s estate the next day.

Qian Ruhai would then become Qin Fang’s first Personal Guard, be taken to his Peak Vein, and have his name officially recorded in the Heavenly Gang Wuji Sect.

After Qin Fang thanked her, the two ended their communication.

When Qian Ruhai heard the news, his eyes lit up...

...He was a Huajin Martial Artist, but he knew his own Talent had taken him as far as it could. In a normal Martial Arts Examination, he would have, at best, only made it into the Outer Sect.

But now, thanks to Qin Fang, he was becoming an Inner Sect Disciple of the Heavenly Gang Wuji Sect.

And a True Inheritor’s Personal Guard, no less...

...It was a meteoric rise.

Of course, his personal ambitions didn’t actually lie in the Martial Arts.

He had an unusual passion for networking and social climbing.

Now, by connecting with Qin Fang... his social circle had leaped directly into the highest echelons of Lanyang City.

...That alone was more than enough!

What was even better... was that because he was a True Inheritor’s Personal Guard, his situation was unique. Though technically an Inner Sect Disciple, the rules governing him weren’t nearly as strict.

Inner Sect Disciples were forbidden from leaving the Sect without express permission.

A True Inheritor’s Personal Guard... had no such restrictions.

For a Personal Guard, carrying out the orders of their True Inheritance disciple was the highest priority.

As a result, Personal Guards enjoyed a great deal of freedom.

"Everything is arranged. Someone will come here tomorrow to bring you into the Sect. I may be leaving for a while—anywhere from half a year to a year. During that time, this estate and my Peak Vein within the Sect will be in your hands to manage, Chief Steward."

Qin Fang said with a smile.

Qian Ruhai was thrilled, but he quickly took a deep breath and said, "Young Master, rest assured. I will not disappoint you!"

"Young Master?"

Qin Fang froze for a second.

Qian Ruhai’s expression turned solemn. "Before, we had a personal friendship, so we could be informal," he said seriously. "But from now on, while we are nominally fellow disciples, I am in truth your subordinate. We can no longer be so casual... It would be detrimental to your efforts to build prestige, Young Master. If ’Young Master’ sounds strange... how about Young Peak Master?"

"Don’t!"

Qin Fang immediately stopped him!

’...Young Peak Master?’

’Although he was now a personal disciple of the Hall Master... he wasn’t the only one.’

’He had a senior brother and a senior sister above him.’

’The position of Peak Master might not necessarily fall to him in the end...’

’...Of course, he didn’t actually care about the position of Peak Master.’

’But if that title were to get out, it would be highly inappropriate.’

However, Qin Fang understood Qian Ruhai’s concern. After a moment’s thought, he said, "Just call me Senior Brother."

’The whole "Young Master" thing was a bit much... Qian Ruhai was loyal to him, not his Master, so why bring "Young Master" into it?’

’Qin Fang found "Young Lord" a bit strange as well.’

’It was better just to be called Senior Brother.’

Qian Ruhai considered this for a moment, then said respectfully, "Yes, Senior Brother."

...He had become respectful in an instant.

’Qin Fang felt a little resigned... but that was just Qian Ruhai’s personality.’

’Act according to your station.’

’In fact, wasn’t that precisely why Qin Fang valued him?’

"Have a seat. I’ll tell you about some of the Sect’s rules... though you’ll most likely receive a Rule Jade Scroll tomorrow anyway."

Qian Ruhai sat bolt upright, all attention.

Qin Fang began to explain some of the Sect’s rules and also laid out a few minor requests.

Before they realized it, the sky had grown dark. Qian Ruhai mentioned he still had some affairs to settle... After tomorrow, he would be Qin Fang’s Personal Guard, which meant he needed to make a clean break with the Wan Tong Commerce Association.

’...He knew all too well that merchants chase profits.’

’If he didn’t ensure a clean handover now, there was no telling what outrageous things the people at the Wan Tong Commerce Association might do in Qin Fang’s name later on.’

’...In fact, it was almost a certainty.’

’So, it was best to cut ties immediately.’

Qin Fang admired this very decisiveness in Qian Ruhai. He nodded at his words and said no more.

"Do you need me to make an appearance?"

he asked finally.

Qian Ruhai chuckled. "Senior Brother, you underestimate me. Is there anyone in all of Lanyang City who doesn’t know whose man I am now? It’s a trivial matter; I can handle it."

Hearing this, Qin Fang nodded and didn’t press the issue.

He slept at the estate that night.

It was worth noting that... two maids came to his room that night, looking apprehensive.

It was obvious they were waiting to attend to him in bed...

This, in turn, made Qin Fang quite uncomfortable.

’...Qian Ruhai had clearly gone to great lengths to select these two maids; their figures, looks, and temperaments were all excellent.’

He, however, had no such inclinations at the moment and sent them away.

As the two left, their faces were flushed bright red...

Early the next morning, Qin Fang prepared to depart.

Now that he had Qian Ruhai to manage his affairs in Lanyang City and within the Sect, he no longer had to worry. He was confident that Qian Ruhai’s capabilities were more than enough for the job.

But before leaving Liuyun Square, Qin Fang made a trip to Jiazi No. 18.

...This was the house intended for Senior Sister Wu Xueci.

It wasn’t far from his own estate.

...It was also the address his master had left for him.

He arrived to find the main gate shut tight, with no sound coming from within.

He stood outside the gate for a long while before finally turning to leave.

He shot into the air, and in an instant, his flying speed far outstripped that of any carriage. He quickly arrived at Nine Dragon Bridge, the junction between the inner and Outer Cities.

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