East of the city, in the reception hall of the Yang Mansion.

The red sandalwood tables and chairs exuded a subtle fragrance, and the walls were adorned with landscape paintings and calligraphy. Every detail radiated an overwhelming air of affluence.

The Patriarch of the Yang Family, Yang Chongren, sat in the host’s seat. Dressed in a scholarly green robe, he rolled two white jade baoding balls in his hand, a warm and pleasant smile on his face.

Behind him, the two sisters, Yang Zhen and Yang Ai, stood gracefully, though their expressions differed.

"Nephew Su, you are indeed a fine, talented man." Yang Chongren looked Su Yu up and down, smiling. "To break through to the Martial Artist realm at such a young age... with such talent, you are certain to have a bright future. It is my daughters’ good fortune to have made your acquaintance."

Su Yu remained calm, setting down his teacup. "Uncle Yang, you flatter me. I came today regarding the Tributor position. Shall we get straight to the point?"

Yang Chongren hadn’t expected Su Yu to be so direct. He gave a slight chuckle. "Nephew Su is a straightforward man. In that case, I’ll be frank. Although the Yang Family has some modest means, we can only afford to retain two Tributors."

He paused, then continued, "For one position, I have already hired an expert from the Iron Armor Martial Arts Hall, Lord Wang Nianshen. As for the remaining spot... my daughters have recommended you most highly, Nephew Su."

Behind her father, Yang Ai gave Su Yu a playful wink.

But in the next moment, Yang Chongren’s tone shifted. "However, the world of commerce is a battlefield. What the Yang Family needs is a Martial Arts expert who can command respect and handle any situation. While I am unaware of Nephew Su’s current level of skill in the Martial Arts, since my daughters recommend you so highly, I imagine you must be quite capable."

Yang Zhen, standing behind him, frowned slightly. ’What does Father mean by this?’

She had already given a detailed report on Su Yu, and her father had seemed very optimistic about Brother Su before. ’Why is he acting like this now?’

Su Yu’s calm gaze swept over Yang Chongren as he said, "I have only recently become a Martial Artist and have not yet opened any acupoints."

"You haven’t opened any acupoints?" Yang Chongren feigned surprise, then clapped his hands and laughed. "What a coincidence! Tributor Wang is at the same realm! And he comes from the Iron Armor Martial Arts Hall, renowned for its incredible external conditioning techniques. This is a perfect opportunity for you and him to exchange pointers and have a friendly spar, Nephew Su."

Before he had even finished speaking, the sound of heavy footsteps came from outside the door.

"Patriarch, Tributor Wang has arrived."

"Ah, speak of the devil! Tributor Wang is here. What a coincidence! Quickly, show him in." Yang Chongren immediately stood up and went to the door to welcome him.

Su Yu’s expression remained placid as he silently watched Yang Chongren’s movements.

Behind him, Yang Ai pouted, watching her father’s back with a look of dissatisfaction. ’Aren’t we supposed to be discussing the Tributor position with Brother Su?’

’Why did Father go to welcome Tributor Wang?’

Just as she was about to speak, Yang Zhen tugged on the corner of her sleeve and gave her a look, signaling for her to be patient.

A short while later, a tall, middle-aged man walked in with Yang Chongren.

The man who entered had a tower-like frame and a full, bushy beard. Despite the winter chill, he wore only a thin, short-sleeved tunic, revealing two arms as gnarled and solid as rock. A thick, wide-bladed greatsword was strapped to his back, and he exuded a fierce aura as he walked.

This was the man from the Iron Armor Martial Arts Hall, Wang Nianshen.

As soon as he entered, his large, bell-like eyes swept fiercely toward Su Yu. With an undisguised, scrutinizing gaze, he strode forward.

The atmosphere instantly tensed.

Just as Su Yu thought the man was about to make a move, Wang Nianshen reached the table. His ferocious expression suddenly vanished, replaced by a brilliant smile as wrinkled as an old chrysanthemum. "You must be Brother Su, correct? I’ve heard so much about you! I am Wang Nianshen, a disciple of the Iron Armor Martial Arts Hall!"

The speed of his change in expression was worthy of a Sichuan opera.

A strange look flickered across Su Yu’s face, but he quickly cupped his fist in greeting. "White Ape Martial Arts Hall, Su Yu."

’You don’t hit a man who’s smiling at you.’

’This Wang Nianshen looks fierce, but his personality seems more like that of a wily old veteran of the martial world. Better to play along with a smile until I figure him out.’

Seeing the two of them getting along so amicably, the smile on Yang Chongren’s face froze for an instant. He quickly covered it up with a broader grin. "Tributor Wang has long heard of Nephew Su and was quite curious about you, which is why I immediately invited him over."

"Come, come, both of you, please sit."

Yang Zhen refilled the tea for the three men and returned to her father’s side. A trace of resentment flickered in her eyes as she looked at him.

After sitting down, Wang Nianshen picked up his teacup and downed it like an ox drinking water. He said nothing, simply leaning back in his chair with his arms crossed, adopting an air of complete indifference.

Yang Chongren felt a surge of anger.

’Damn this Wang Nianshen! We agreed he would test Su Yu’s skill, yet he shows up today with this attitude.’

’I pay him a Monthly Allowance of fifty taels of silver, and he won’t even do this one small thing for me.’

’These damn Martial Artists are all impossible to deal with!’

’If the Yang Family had its own Martial Artist, I wouldn’t need to sponsor these outsiders!’

Su Yu now understood. Yang Chongren probably thought he was too young and worried his skills were insufficient. He didn’t want to rashly appoint him as a Tributor, fearing his silver coins would go down the drain.

Deciding to drop the pleasantries, he said, "Patriarch Yang, if there’s an issue with this Tributor position, just say so. I am not a petty person. If it’s not a good fit, we can end our discussion here today."

With that, he made to stand up and leave.

"Wait, Nephew Su, you’ve misunderstood. I invited you here; I am not one to go back on my word."

Yang Chongren’s expression turned solemn. He bowed deeply and said, "I apologize for the misunderstanding just now, Nephew Su. In truth, I have already prepared the contract. A Monthly Allowance of one hundred taels! Plus, ten catties of meat each month to supplement your Qi and Blood!" With that, he took a contract from his robes and handed it over.

"Are you satisfied with these terms, Nephew Su?"

One hundred taels!

And ten catties of meat to supplement Qi and Blood!

Su Yu’s heart stirred, and he accepted the contract.

He had already made inquiries before coming. This allowance was substantial. A small family like the Yang Family would typically offer fifty taels at most. They had actually doubled the salary.

This level of pay was usually reserved for experts who had opened at least their First Acupoint. The Yang Family’s offer was indeed full of sincerity.

’If I take this Tributor position, it will just about cover my monthly expenses for cultivation pills!’

Moreover, the job of a Tributor was very easy. There was usually nothing to do. The contract also made it clear that the Yang Family could only request the Tributor to act when a Martial Artist’s intervention was required.

And the Tributor still had the right to decide whether to intervene or not.

To Su Yu, these were practically the one-sided terms of a tyrant from his past life, but this was the status of a Martial Artist!

After all, as long as a family had a Martial Artist as a Tributor, they could avoid a great deal of trouble. The money was not only worth it; it was essential.

Although he felt that Yang Chongren was an old fox, the terms were real and tangible. There was no reason to refuse. He was just about to nod in agreement.

"Wait!"

Wang Nianshen, who had been playing dead and sipping tea on the side, abruptly shot to his feet. He slammed his cattail-fan-sized hand down on the table.

BANG!

The teacups trembled.

A flash of delight crossed Yang Chongren’s eyes, but his face wore a puzzled expression. "Tributor Wang, is there a problem?"

Wang Nianshen’s face flushed with anger. He demanded, "Patriarch Yang, what is the meaning of this?"

"I hail from the Iron Armor Martial Arts Hall and I put my life on the line for your Yang Family, all for a mere fifty taels a month! And yet you offer Brother Su a Monthly Allowance of one hundred taels? Are you looking down on me?"

Yang Chongren feigned panic, bowing repeatedly. "Tributor Wang, please calm down! Calm down! The Yang Family’s funds are truly limited; we cannot afford any more silver. Besides... this was also because my daughters vouched for him, saying that Nephew Su’s strength is extraordinary and that he’s worth this price..."

"Enough. Don’t give me all that nonsense. As for who gets the one hundred taels, our fists will do the talking."

After speaking, Wang Nianshen turned to Su Yu and cupped his fist. "Brother Su, my apologies. I don’t mean to cause trouble intentionally, but I want that one-hundred-tael allowance too. How about we have a little match for it?"

Su Yu glanced at Yang Chongren, who was still maintaining his panicked facade, and understood everything.

’He’s pitting us against each other.’

However, he had come prepared. When it came to Tributor positions for Martial Artists, conflicts of interest would inevitably lead to combat!

So he slowly rose, placed the contract on the table, and said calmly, "Since Brother Wang has spoken, let’s exchange a few moves."

"After you!"

"After you!"

With that, the two men left and headed toward the Martial Arts Arena.

Yang Chongren hurried after them, not forgetting to call out, "Please make it a friendly spar! Don’t let it harm the cordial atmosphere!"

Yang Ai, her face filled with worry, lifted her skirt and ran after them. Yang Zhen, however, sighed helplessly, her expression complex as she watched her father’s retreating back.