Yang Yao’s face changed greatly. He quickly forced a smile and said: “Vice Hall Master Xu, please listen carefully while this subordinate explains.”

“Explain? You have failed the Hall Master’s expectations. You even practiced favoritism and corruption! Just look at the kind of medicine boys you selected. And you still dare to argue?”

“How would this subordinate dare to practice favoritism and corruption? However, there are indeed some hidden circumstances. After hearing them, you will certainly understand my difficulties.”

“Oh? Is that so?” Vice Hall Master Xu glanced sideways at Yang Yao, then turned and walked back into the Hundred Herbs Hall. He sat down steadily in a chair, picked up his teacup again, took a sip of tea, and said, “Now explain it in detail.”

Yang Yao wiped the sweat from his face and stepped forward, carefully recounting the reasons behind the matter. However, he kept an extra thought in mind and did not mention anything about Qiang Shi. At the end, he added:

“Not to mention the friendship between Spring Rebirth Valley and our Incense Spreading Sect, Valley Master Nie has also maintained connections with our Tuodan Hall for decades. He handles matters quite reliably, and every year his tributes are not small. Over these many years, this subordinate has seen clearly that he has exhausted his heart for the sake of his youngest daughter. This son-in-law’s future is more important to him than anything else. Since we can help, why not lend a hand? In any case, what happens later will depend on Ren Xiaoyao himself. How far he goes will be the result of his own efforts. Besides, that boy also knows a bit of martial arts. Our Tuodan Hall has always been bullied by the other halls. Isn’t it because the martial skills of our own disciples are lacking? If that boy achieves something in the future, wouldn’t that also be a glory for our Tuodan Hall?”

“Tsk tsk, listening to you say it like that, it sounds as if you were thinking entirely for the sake of our Tuodan Hall.”

Vice Hall Master Xu sneered.

“I wouldn’t dare. Vice Hall Master Xu can judge clearly. There was also a bit of personal motive. Every time Valley Master Nie comes, he brings quite a bit of Hundred Flowers Brew as tribute. This subordinate can’t keep drinking it for nothing, can he? Besides, I probably won’t see him again in the future. If I didn’t help him with this matter, I would feel that I owed him.”

“Hmph, you really calculate well.” Vice Hall Master Xu set the teacup down and said, “You helped Valley Master Nie fulfill his wish. Do you think those jars of Hundred Flowers Brew alone would be enough to send you away?”

Yang Yao chuckled, gritted his teeth, and took a short sword from his robe. Holding it with both hands, he presented it and said: “To be honest with you, Hall Master, this is a treasured sword Valley Master Nie gathered from the martial world. It cuts iron like mud. Just now this subordinate was about to present it, but you were in a hurry with official business and went out to inspect the medicine boys, so I didn’t have the chance to tell you.”

Vice Hall Master Xu reached out and took the short sword. Drawing it from its scabbard, a cold gleam flashed from the blade. Vice Hall Master Xu’s eyes narrowed. After examining it carefully, he tossed the short sword onto the table and said with a smile: “Who would have thought that you, Yang Yao, Steward Yang, are fond of sharp weapons and fine swords? How could this short sword possibly be for this old man? Don’t try to deceive me.”

Yang Yao hurriedly smiled apologetically. “What Steward or not—it’s only a bit of face granted by the Hall Master. How would this subordinate dare take it seriously? This short sword truly is Valley Master Nie’s tribute to you, sir. This subordinate merely admired it for a while.”

Seeing that Yang Yao would not admit it, Vice Hall Master Xu rolled his eyes and said: “Then what about the gift Valley Master Nie prepared for the Hall Master?”

“This…” Yang Yao hesitated for a moment.

“What?” Vice Hall Master Xu said, displeased. “Don’t tell me you only prepared a gift for this Vice Hall Master and didn’t prepare anything for our proper Hall Master?”

Now, Yang Yao was truly miserable inside. After pondering for a moment, he could only grit his teeth, take out the jade box from his robe, and say: “This item happens to be something the Hall Master has always had on his mind. You, sir…”

“Hm?” Vice Hall Master Xu suddenly grew interested and said: “Could it be that three-hundred-year-old Forget-Sorrow Grass?”

Yang Yao gave a bitter smile. “Vice Hall Master Xu’s insight is correct. It is indeed the Forget-Sorrow Grass.”

Then he presented the jade box with both hands.

Vice Hall Master Xu glanced at the jade box but did not take it. He sneered: “That’s Valley Master Nie’s treasured possession. Even when the Hall Master hinted at it before, he kept making excuses and refused to offer it. Yet now he’s brought it out. Keep it. It’s not for this old man anyway. What would I be looking at it for?”

Seeing this, Yang Yao could only hold it in his hands. Putting it away didn’t seem right, yet continuing to hold it didn’t seem right either. In a low voice he said:

“Valley Master Nie also knows that Vice Hall Master Xu is a man who loves herbs. But how could their Spring Rebirth Valley compare with our Tuodan Hall? They only have that Inner Valley where they can plant spiritual herbs. From several generations ago, they happened to inherit this single plant that might still catch our eye. The rest are nothing worth presenting. Therefore, Valley Master Nie also asked this subordinate to convey a message to Vice Hall Master Xu. If he brought medicinal herbs to fool Vice Hall Master Xu, it would be a great disrespect. It would be better to find another approach. Although Vice Hall Master Xu may not like divine weapons or sharp blades, this is still a formidable weapon from the martial world, and it is not well-known. It is said to be a relic left behind by earlier generations of the Artifact Refining Sect. If Vice Hall Master Xu keeps it, it would still give some face.”

After hearing this, Vice Hall Master Xu’s expression softened slightly, though he still looked cold. “Hmph, your words sound even better than singing. As if Valley Master Nie really said all that.”

Yang Yao forced a bitter smile. “Vice Hall Master Xu, please don’t blame me. Valley Master Nie truly said these words. This subordinate is only repeating them.”

Vice Hall Master Xu glanced at Zhang Xiaohua standing outside the hall, then looked again at the short sword on the table. He reached out, picked it up again, drew it out, and examined it carefully. Yang Yao accompanied him cautiously, occasionally stealing glances at Vice Hall Master Xu’s expression. After another quarter of an hour, Vice Hall Master Xu slowly said:

“Since Valley Master Nie cares so deeply about his beloved son-in-law, we cannot disappoint his feelings. I will accept this small tribute of his. However, this will be the only time. There will be no next time. Oh, I almost forgot—you won’t have a next time anyway, hehe. By the way, I think Cheng Qianshui in the hall is quite a good person. He is loyal and capable in handling affairs, a good seedling worth cultivating. You should pay more attention to him in the future.”

When Yang Yao heard this, he finally let out a breath of relief in his heart. He immediately nodded and said: “This subordinate understands, this subordinate understands. If he goes to Spring Rebirth Valley to handle matters, he will certainly act impartially, unlike this subordinate, who always harbors a bit of selfish intent.”

Vice Hall Master Xu nodded after hearing this and waved his hand. “The medicine boys will be arranged like this. Hurry and make arrangements for them to go down. They can be considered a bit of fresh blood for our Tuodan Hall. If they are trained, it may also ease the shortage of manpower in our Tuodan Hall.”

Yang Yao bowed and said: “This subordinate will go make the arrangements immediately. It can also be considered the final full stop to this subordinate’s duty.”

Afterward, he put the jade box back into his robe and turned to leave.

At that moment, Vice Hall Master Xu’s gaze swept over the jade box, and there was still some unwillingness in his eyes. His eyes rolled, and he suddenly called out loudly: “Yang Yao, wait.”

Yang Yao’s heart skipped a beat. He immediately turned back and said: “Vice Hall Master Xu, is there anything else?”

Vice Hall Master Xu said with a smile: “Just now you said that this Ren Xiaoyao knows martial arts, and that he is even stronger than ordinary martial world disciples?”

A bad premonition rose in Yang Yao’s heart. “Yes, Vice Hall Master Xu. This Ren Xiaoyao even defeated quite a few people on the martial contest stage during the marriage competition at Spring Rebirth Valley.”

“Haha!” Vice Hall Master Xu laughed loudly. “What an excellent talent. Our Tuodan Hall is precisely lacking such outstanding young heroes. Someone who understands both the cultivation of medicinal herbs and martial arts and fist techniques—truly a rare composite talent. If we do not make good use of him, wouldn’t we be disappointing Valley Master Nie’s goodwill?”

Yang Yao frowned and said, “Then Vice Hall Master Xu’s meaning is…”

Vice Hall Master Xu waved his hand broadly and said, “Let him go to Tianmu Peak. Wu Zhouxu from the Pill Division and Chen Fengxiao from your Herb Division are currently fighting fiercely with each other. Sending Ren Xiaoyao there will also boost the morale of your Herb Division.”

Yang Yao’s expression changed drastically upon hearing this. “Vice Hall Master Xu, this… would not be appropriate, would it…”

“What?” Vice Hall Master Xu frowned. “You disagree with this old man’s arrangement? Even if the Hall Master were here, he would not question this old man’s decision. I am doing this to temper Ren Xiaoyao and give him special leniency. If you think it is inappropriate, how about you arrange it instead?”

Yang Yao was greatly alarmed and quickly shook his head. “This subordinate would not dare, would not dare. Vice Hall Master Xu is also thinking for Ren Xiaoyao’s sake and considering his future. It’s just that this subordinate feels that Ren Xiaoyao is still young—how could he be a match for those fierce men like wolves and tigers? It would be better to let him get used to things in other places first, and after a few years, then entrust him with important responsibilities.”

“Listening to you speak like this, it seems you still don’t trust this old man’s arrangement…”

When Yang Yao heard this, he knew that Vice Hall Master Xu was deliberately making things difficult. He could only nod and say: “This subordinate indeed does not dare, but I will follow the Hall Master’s instructions. However, Chen Fengxiao also comes from Spring Rebirth Valley, but…”

Vice Hall Master Xu waved his hand. “What Spring Rebirth Valley or not? Once someone enters our Tuodan Hall, they are a disciple of Tuodan Hall. Chen Fengxiao will absolutely not look at Ren Xiaoyao differently just because he himself came from Spring Rebirth Valley. You can rest assured.”

Yang Yao looked helpless. “This subordinate understands, this subordinate understands.”

“Good. As long as you understand.” Vice Hall Master Xu said with a smile that did not reach his eyes. “They are severely short of manpower over there. Send someone to take Ren Xiaoyao there right away.”

“What? You’re having him go there immediately?” Yang Yao was greatly alarmed and pleaded, “It would be better to let Ren Xiaoyao rest for one night and have him go tomorrow morning.”

“Are you the Hall Master, or am I the Hall Master?” Vice Hall Master Xu said with great displeasure.

Yang Yao sighed inwardly and bowed. “I would not dare offend Vice Hall Master Xu. This subordinate will go give the instructions at once. However, how should the other medicine boys be assigned?”

Vice Hall Master Xu again showed displeasure. “Yang Yao, this isn’t your first day doing this job. Why must this old man say one sentence before you act on one sentence? Assigning medicine boys is not something you’ve done for just a day or two. Wasn’t it always the Hall Master who entrusted you with the task every time? Now that the Hall Master isn’t here, you come to ask this old man for instructions?”

Seeing Vice Hall Master Xu again blaming him with a sour expression, Yang Yao could only nod submissively. “Very well, Vice Hall Master Xu. This subordinate understands. I’ll go handle it right away.”

After saying this, he bowed and left the Hundred Herbs Hall.

Behind him, Vice Hall Master Xu watched his departing back with cold eyes. He picked up the short sword from the table and casually played with it, letting out a cold snort through his nose.

After Yang Yao left the Hundred Herbs Hall, he called over several disciples and had them lead Qiang Shi and the others away. He personally led Zhang Xiaohua to a courtyard and said with deep apology: “Ren Xiaoyao, this old man has already done everything in his power. I finally managed to keep you here, but you’ve been assigned to Tianmu Peak under a man called Chen Fengxiao. You must go there today. This man was a medicine boy selected from Spring Rebirth Valley in earlier years. But once you go there, you must be careful.”

Zhang Xiaohua was startled and said, “Since he is someone from Spring Rebirth Valley, why must I still be careful?”