Chapter 32: Human Relations

“Are you referring to Kong Xianian of Huaqing Sect?”

Wu Tu froze at the name, then quickly pressed: “Did he act against you?”

Li Rui shook his head: “He just asked me some questions.”

He concealed the fact that Kong Xianian had used mind-distorting art on him.

Wu Tu exhaled in relief: “I’ve heard of him. This time, Huaqing Sect sent two enforcers to Qinghe County—Kong Xianian is one of them.”

“Enforcers?”

Wu Tu explained: “Those like Zhu Yue who join Huaqing Sect are outer-disciples. Huaqing has a strict evaluation system: every three years, if you fail, you’re expelled—but there’s another path: serve Huaqing Sect externally, known as an enforcer.”

“If an enforcer performs well, there’s still a chance to rejoin as a disciple.”

Li Rui nodded.

In plain terms, it’s a temporary worker with a chance at permanent status.

Wu Tu continued:

“This time, Kong Xianian is tasked with capturing Huaqing disciples who fled. The other is gathering evidence against the Ghost Ming Sect.”

“I’m working for Liu Enforcer.”

Li Rui understood.

Wu Tu: “Brother Li, as long as you’re upright, you needn’t fear Zhao Wei or that man Kong. If trouble arises, go to Vice-Commander Zhang.”

Li Rui: “Thanks for the warning, younger brother.”

Wu Tu told him much more about the Heaven-Earth Alliance, still eager after a full hour.

Li Rui left Wu Tu’s gambling den.

He went straight back to Tianyi Hall.

Tianyi Hall remained as desolate as ever.

Occasionally, a disciple from the Scripture Transmission Hall would come to collect copied techniques—Zhou Shulin and Liang He could handle it easily.

“Hall Master.”

Zhou Shulin rose and bowed upon seeing Li Rui.

Li Rui waved him off.

“Carry on.”

Tianyi Hall had only three people, one of whom was a super-connection. If Zhou Shulin and Liang He left, he’d have to personally handle registrations.

So Li Rui had often checked on them warmly.

The two young men, inexperienced in the world, were deeply moved.

They’d drunk together several times.

Zhou Shulin and Liang He felt their Hall Master was a kind, understanding older brother, and after drinking, they poured out their hearts.

Li Rui remembered every word.

Might come in handy someday.

Though preferably never needed.

In the world of martial cultivation, the greatest taboo is revealing too much too soon—he did this simply to keep tight control over Tianyi Hall’s only two laborers.

Li Rui wouldn’t harm anyone on purpose, but he understood the value of keeping a backup plan.

Hearts are hidden behind ribs—who can say for sure?

Li Rui returned to his single “office” in Tianyi Hall.

Just as he picked up the unfinished Shangshan Dao Jing from yesterday, Liu Tong unexpectedly knocked on the door.

“Liu Tong, what is it?”

Li Rui regarded Liu Tong with concern.

With connections, the best strategy is to build goodwill—you never know what unexpected benefit might come.

Whether he showed up for roll call didn’t matter.

It was merely an uncle’s concern for his nephew.

A month had passed, and Liu Tong still looked like a kidney-deficient young master. He chuckled: “Hall Master, my brother-in-law wants me to work at the Civil-Military Hall. The transfer order will arrive in a few days. I thought I’d invite you, Hall Master, and the two brothers for a gathering.”

Li Rui wasn’t surprised.

Anyone could see Liu Tong’s departure from Tianyi Hall was inevitable.

“Fine. Why wait? Tonight?”

“Perfect.”

Liu Tong agreed immediately.

Evening.

Huaye Pavilion.

“Old Man Li’s come a long way—two visits to Huaye Pavilion in a row.”

Looking at the familiar room, the familiar plump girls,

Li Rui felt a pang of reflection.

Clearly, his understanding of feudal decay was still shallow—live and learn.

Zhou Shulin sat beside a beautiful woman, his face flushed, clutching his crotch.

As for Liang He,

He was on duty, so he could only regretfully miss tonight’s free feast.

Liu Tong was a veteran of brothels—he felt more at home here than at his own house. Most of the women knew him; at least a dozen courtesans greeted him warmly as they ascended.

Zhou Shulin was envious.

Both were connections, yet their treatment was worlds apart.

Liu Tong raised his cup: “Lately, I’ve been grateful for your tolerance, Hall Master and Brother Zhou. Brother Liang isn’t here, so I’ll remember his share and repay him another day. Tomorrow I start at the Civil-Military Hall—my brother-in-law’s order—but our bond remains.”

“Sorry, I’ve said too much. Let me drink this first—you two do as you please.”

Before he finished speaking,

He tilted his head back and drained the cup.

Though ancient wine had low alcohol content, it contained many impurities; after a few cups, both Liu Tong and Zhou Shulin were seven-tenths drunk.

“Brother Zhou, I was wrong before—I beg your forgiveness.”

Zhou Shulin, flushed, waved his hand: “Minor things, Brother Liu, don’t worry.”

Li Rui listened quietly to the two youths’ conversation.

He silently shook his head.

On the surface, Liu Tong appeared to be flattering Zhou Shulin, in a weak position—but in truth, he controlled everything.

To join the Civil-Military Hall, Liu Tong needed an evaluation. If Li Rui, Zhou Shulin, or Liang He obstructed him,

Even if he still got in,

His brother-in-law would forever see him as incompetent.

Liu Tong was indeed skilled in human relations.

Or you could say he was deeply calculating.

Li Rui didn’t mind—it was easier dealing with clever people.

Of course, another reason was that Liu Tong’s brother-in-law was surnamed Zhang.

Same surname as Wu Tu’s patron.

Since Zhao Wei couldn’t be relied on, Li Rui needed new allies within the Heaven-Earth Alliance—Wu Tu’s connection wasn’t enough.

He needed more ties to that Vice-Commander Zhang.

Gradually, he’d naturally become part of Zhang’s faction—so if Zhao Wei ever moved against him, someone would stand by him.

Of course, that didn’t mean Zhao Wei would act.

Li Rui had long grown accustomed to preparing for the worst.

Liu Tong grew seven-tenths drunk.

He waved his hand; the courtesans beside him wisely withdrew. Zhou Shulin looked reluctant.

Liu Tong lowered his voice: “Hall Master, Brother Zhou—we’re family, so I won’t hide anything.

Our Alliance Master has reportedly broken through. The Heaven-Earth Alliance’s status will soar, and ours will rise with it.

Qinghe Branch is newly founded—this is the perfect time to claim positions. Once the Master publicly announces his strength, it’ll be too late to grab spots.

I truly treat you both as brothers—that’s why I say this. Don’t tell anyone else.”

Zhou Shulin’s eyes widened, nodding eagerly.

Li Rui suddenly understood.

He realized why Zhu Ping, a patriarch of a great clan, had suddenly shown him favor—it was all because of this.

(End of Chapter)