The Martial Saint rose to power starting as a substitute bridegroom.

Chapter 40: Giving Gifts (Seeking First Subscriptions!)

"Yes, that's fine," Lin Chong said calmly.

There was nothing more to say.

Yang Cheng came over with a smile, "Junior Brother Li, congratulations."

Li Yuan clasped his hands in thanks. "Thank you, Senior Brother Yang."

Luo Shan's rosy cheeks beamed with a smile, "Congratulations, Junior Brother Li!"

"Thank you, Senior Sister Luo!" Li Yuan replied.

Lin Chong stood up and addressed the crowd: "Today's preliminary rounds are over. Our Qingniu Martial Arts Club did well. Yang Cheng..."

Lu Qing, Li Yuan, and the other three disciples with hidden strength have all passed, and several other disciples with visible strength have also passed. However, we cannot let our guard down; tomorrow's competition is the real highlight!

"Walk!"

Lin Zhong waved his hand, leading everyone out of the examination hall and strode away.

There's no need to wait for the preliminary results to be released. Everyone knows perfectly well who passed and who didn't. With important figures from the Guicang Alliance in charge, it's impossible for anything to be faked.

Until dusk fell.

The vast majority of candidates had already left the venue.

The list of those who received awards was posted.

More than a thousand candidates entered the venue, but only a few hundred or so will participate in tomorrow's competition.

Among these lucky individuals are newly emerging geniuses and established masters who have honed their skills for years or even decades.

A group of local gentry, wealthy merchants, and other prominent figures quickly gathered in front of the notice board.

This is the moment they've been waiting for, to further examine or confirm the direction of their future investments or connections.

"Huh... he actually passed too?" Xie Wanyi was slightly surprised.

"Who? The Li Yuan you mentioned, that newly promoted Dark Force kid?" Xie Yu said calmly from the side.

"Mm." Xie Wanyi nodded.

Xie Yu's expression remained completely unchanged, as if he were already used to such things. "Not bad."

Xie Wanyi smiled. "Uncle, you're not thinking of investing in him again, are you? Li Yuan comes from a poor background, so his family is probably not well-off. The Song family also tried to recruit him, but this hothead refused... Oh, by the way, I heard he has a lower-grade aptitude."

These words are indeed true.

"Bottom-grade aptitude?..." Xie Yu pondered for a moment, then said, "Being able to break through to the Dark Force realm shows he has quite good luck, but refusing the Song family was definitely a mistake he made."

Xie Wanyi pondered for a moment, then understood the implication in her uncle's words. "So, Uncle, you don't intend to invest in him either?"

"There are quite a few disciples with hidden strength in martial arts schools. With his aptitude, there's no potential to be tapped, so why should I invest in him?" Xie Yu countered.

Xie Wanyi felt a sudden pang of disappointment for no apparent reason.

Xie Yu continued, "The situation in Linjiang City is currently volatile and unpredictable. The Merchant Alliance also needs to continue to invest large sums of money to consolidate its power. Where would they find the spare money to support a nobody with no future?"

"Yes, Uncle Xie is right!"

Just then, a clear voice rang out from behind.

The visitor was none other than Dong Guan, a talented disciple of the Tiger Might Martial Arts School, whom Xie Yu valued and invested heavily in, and whom he tried hard to win over.

Dong Guan walked over with a smile, clasped his hands in greeting to the two of them, and said, "Thank you, Uncle Xie, and Sister Wanyi."

His gaze lingered on Xie Wanyi's beautiful face for just a moment.

"Nephew Dong, you're too kind," Xie Yu replied with a fist and palm salute. "How did the preliminary test go?"

'

"I have fulfilled my mission." Dong Guan smiled and held up a small white bottle. "First place in Group Four."

"Good! Very good!" Xie Yu's face was radiant as he patted Dong's shoulder. "Truly, heroes emerge from among the young! I look forward to seeing my nephew Dong reach even greater heights tomorrow."

"Thank you for your kind words, Uncle Xie. I will take my leave now." Dong Guan cupped his hands in greeting, glanced at Xie Wanyi several more times, and then left with a hint of reluctance.

"Wanyi, if you're going to invest, invest in a young genius like Dong Guan. He's at the peak of internal strength, has real talent, and his innate constitution is top-tier. He has endless potential and a bright future!"

"Uncle's judgment is certainly not wrong!" Xie Wanyi said calmly.

She glanced again at the two characters "Li Yuan" on the honor roll and couldn't help but sigh inwardly.

Hopefully, he can carry his good luck into tomorrow's official competition.

Wutong Lane.

Squeak—

Li Yuan pushed open the door and entered.

Old Zhou was sitting on a bamboo chair in the yard, staring blankly at a book in the moonlight.

I haven't turned a single page in ages.

A few sparks shone from the kitchen, and Lan Jie'er, hearing the sound, lifted the curtain and came out.

Old Zhou concealed a hint of panic, stood up from the bamboo chair, and put his slightly trembling hands behind his back.

"How is it?"

His voice was hoarse and trembled slightly.

Lan Jie'er stared intently at Li Yuan with both eyes fixed on him.

"Ahem..." Li Yuan cleared his throat and continued, "The preliminary rounds are over."

Old Zhou's hands, hidden behind his back, began to tremble uncontrollably.

"real?"

Lan Jie could no longer contain her excitement and ran up to hug Li Yuan.

L.

"That's wonderful!"

Finally, there's hope for a breakthrough!

"Yuan-ge'er, I knew you could do it!"

Lan Jie'er trembled slightly. She stood on tiptoe, tightly wrapped her arms around Li Yuan's neck, and pressed her whole body against Li Yuan's, as if she wanted to burrow into his body.

Li Yuan felt a burning sensation in his chest and a dampness on his shoulders.

Seeing this, Lao Zhou silently returned to his room.

Boom boom boom!

A rhythmic, soft knocking sounded on the door.

Li Yuan opened the door and saw a man who looked like a butler, with an undisguised smile on his face and a respectful attitude.

"Is that Li Yuan, the martial arts master? My surname is Zhu, and I am the steward of Master Gu's family. You have shown great talent in the preliminary competition, which is commendable. Master and young master have sent me to deliver fifty catties of the finest beef and three silver perch."

Steward Zhu lifted the carriage curtain and saw a small pile of beef, a fish basket, and two bags of white rice inside.

He bowed and said, "Master Gu asked me to pass on a message: if Martial Arts Master Li is willing to serve as a servant in the Gu family, he will receive fifty taels of silver per month, three silver perch, and unlimited beef."

He took out a gold-embossed invitation from his sleeve and handed it to Li Yuan with both hands.

Master Gu? Young Master Gu?

After a moment's thought, Li Yuan came to a conclusion.

In Linjiang City, there is only one powerful family surnamed Gu, namely Gu Jitang, who lives near Gu Family Village. They control the management rights of the Blackwater River and their family's influence is considered second-rate in the entire Linjiang City.

Young Master Gu, could it be Gu Yunzhou, with whom I have had a past grievance?

Their gift-giving was clearly sincere; it served two purposes: to resolve past grievances and to cultivate a closer relationship.

The gift can be accepted for now, but as for the temporary post... Li Yuan didn't want to give an answer right away.

"I appreciate Master Gu's kindness. I will go back and tell Master Gu that this temporary post... is a matter of great importance, and I will have time to consider it."

Butler Zhu took back the invitation, put down the gift, bowed again in thanks, and then took his leave.

Just as Li Yuan sat down, there was another knock on the door.

"I have long admired Master Li's reputation, and meeting you today confirms it is well-deserved. I am the manager of Fuyun Trading Company, and I would like to invite you to take a position at my company with a monthly salary of seventy taels of silver."

Another one.

Several groups of people arrived in succession, but Li Yuan sent them away with the same excuse.

Later, Zhou Yanchi, the head of the Zhou family, and Zhou Huaiyi, Lan Jie'er's cousin, also arrived, pushing a small cart.

There was a bag of flour, two buckets of oil, and various other miscellaneous items such as salt and spices on the truck.

"Master Li, there was a lot of misunderstanding before. Huaiyi and I apologize to you both." Zhou Yanchi said with a smile. "Brother Yanqiu is truly enviable, having such a good son-in-law. I am extremely fortunate to be able to become family with Master Li."

That old geezer is incredibly shrewd.

Zhou Huaiyi also bowed repeatedly with his hands at his sides, appearing very respectful.

Li Yuan recalled a saying: When you stand in a high enough position, you will find that you are surrounded by good people.

The night was deep.

Inside the small house, red candles flickered.

Temperatures rose again.

"Are you tired? Lie down, I'll give you a back massage." In the candlelight, Lan'er's little face was rosy and she looked exceptionally pretty.

"Um."

"Hey, what are you doing?"

"I'll press down on you, so lie down!"

'

No... Ah... Ugh... Ugh...

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