Li Yuan left Tian Bao's grave and headed straight to Shanbao County. Today was the day Cai Ze had set for their meeting, and he had to pay him a visit.

On the street, he spent fifteen cents to buy a five-jin jar of "Rice Brew."

Due to the rising grain prices, the price of the wine naturally rose as well.

The price of rice is originally three to four times higher than millet, and brewing a jin of alcohol requires one to two jins of rice, along with fermentation starters, so fifteen cents isn't actually expensive.

In the past, fifteen cents was quite a lot for Li Yuan.

But after selling the wild boar, he had quite a bit of money in his pocket, so he could afford this small gift for a visit.

Familiar with the route, he arrived at Baiyun Alley, and after entering the second house, he gently knocked on the door.

Then he patiently waited outside.

A moment later, the door opened.

A pretty young maid peeked outside and locked her beautiful eyes on the young man waiting at the door.

This time, her attitude changed a bit, slightly different from last time, she spoke with a hint of friendliness, "Oh, it's Brother Yuan, please come in."

Li Yuan smiled and said, "I won't disturb, to save you the trouble. Where's Brother Cai?"

The maid said, "The master has gone out and hasn't returned yet, but he knew Brother Yuan would come, so he specifically instructed me to entertain you well."

Li Yuan raised his hand and handed over the jar of "Rice Brew," saying, "This is for Brother Cai."

The maid took it and walked inside, but after taking a few steps, she didn't see Li Yuan following, so she twisted her waist and tilted her head, saying, "Come in."

Li Yuan smiled, "It's no trouble. I'll just wait at the door, it's fine.

Usually, when there's nothing to do in the workshop, I lie around a lot, so it's rare to stand for a while, haha."

The maid said, "Then the master will blame me."

Li Yuan hesitated for a moment, then politely said, "Then... if it's not a bother."

Saying this, he followed the maid into Cai Ze's house, sat in the living room for a short while, and the maid served him tea, giggling, "My name is Huang Ya. If Brother Yuan needs anything, just tell me.

There is no mistress in the house, so she cannot come out to see guests."

"No mistress? That's..." Li Yuan paused, puzzled.

Cai Ze didn't seem like someone without a wife.

Had she passed away?

Huang Ya laughed, "Master just bought two maids, didn't marry a wife. I receive guests in the outer hall, and there's another elder sister who cooks and washes in the inner hall..."

Li Yuan understood.

Cai Ze really knows how to enjoy life.

Without marrying a wife, he just bought two beautiful maids.

The maids both worked and were obedient to him, trying to curry favor with him, hoping to rise in status. And whenever he had needs, he could easily release them on the maids.

Huang Ya added, "Many masters in the house are like this. Sometimes they even send the maids to serve others... haha..."

Li Yuan was speechless.

Wow, the circles of the nobility are truly chaotic.

But there's also a logic to it; these martial artists maintain desires but forget emotions.

Without women in their hearts, they wield their blades with ease. Without a wife, they can venture out unencumbered by worries. Such choices seem quite reasonable.

It's truly peculiar yet logical...

Noticing Li Yuan somewhat dazed, Huang Ya seemed to perceive that this boy from the Little Ink Workshop hadn't fully accepted such matters, so she covered her mouth and playfully laughed, "When you come to Silver Creek, Brother Yuan, you might also have to buy two maids."

Li Yuan asked, "Does everyone buy them? Where are there so many people?"

Huang Ya replied, "Hardly anyone doesn't buy. There are many refugees outside, and some people go to capture them, lock them in cages, and sell them on the black market. If they are lucky enough to be bought by good families, that's fine, but if they're unlucky... hey..."

As she spoke, the young maid sighed, evidently recalling some unbearable memories.

Li Yuan curiously asked, "If you buy them, how much do they cost?"

Huang Ya replied, "The cheap ones are five or six taels, the better ones are a dozen or twenty taels, and if they're higher, then they probably have some status or special traits.

There are many families that have fallen into poverty, and many young masters or miss who have gone astray, along with the wives and concubines of disgraced officials, and there's even some trade brought about by grudges in the social world...

If these people are caught by tooth mothers or tooth men or pass through their hands, they're taken directly from a hundred miles or a thousand miles away. The proud ones have their spirits worn down, and those with martial arts skills have their skills preemptively abolished or tamed, all sold on the black market."

Li Yuan was somewhat silent, and just then, he heard footsteps at the door. He quickly stood up, seeing a young man dressed in a government official's attire striding in from outside.

He smiled, greeted from afar, and saluted, "Brother Cai!"

Cai Ze walked up to him, took out a wooden token from his chest, and handed it to him, the token carved with the number "654."

"The numbers are matched with identities, recorded in the sect. If anyone seizes your token and stays here, once discovered, the Blood Saber Sect will send someone to kill them directly."

"Thank you, Brother Cai." Li Yuan took the wooden token and carefully stored it.

Cai Ze said, "Don't be in a rush to leave today, have a meal and stay the night at my place. I'll have a maid accompany you to explore Silver Creek."

As he finished speaking, the atmosphere quieted down.

Huang Ya's eyes were like autumn waters, quietly observing the young man's strong physique. Clearly, it wasn't her first time being asked to do this.

Li Yuan was momentarily stunned; he immediately understood what Cai Ze meant by "accompany."

He had just been lamenting about this matter, not expecting that it would fall on him so quickly.

"Thank you, Brother Cai, for your kindness, but I have a wife at home. Last time I returned late and got quite the scolding, haha..." Li Yuan laughed.

Cai Ze stared at him for a while, then suddenly sighed and said, "Brother, I didn't handle this matter well for you, and I feel guilty about it, so I wanted to treat you to a meal."

"What happened, Brother Cai?"

"The residency permits in Silver Creek are divided into gold, silver, and wooden types:

The golden token is for residing in the core area of Silver Creek, enjoying numerous benefits;

Next is the silver token, which I have. Being an outer disciple of the Blood Saber Sect allows one to have this kind of residency permit;

And the wooden token means living in the shanty area...

I originally thought I could help you obtain a silver token, but... it didn't work out."

Cai Ze spoke slowly, then continued, "However, I've secured some benefits for you."

As he spoke, he handed a blood-colored token to Li Yuan.

The token was bordered with black patterns, giving off an aura of solemnity and ferocity.

In the center, there was also the number "654."

"With this token, you are a peripheral member of the Blood Saber Sect.

Even as a peripheral member, being part of the Blood Saber Sect grants you a status in Silver Creek Square much higher than the ordinary people in the shanty area.

It's important to know that there are many outsiders in Silver Creek Square who aren't even qualified to live in the shanty area; they are all grouped together, living in the dirty and chaotic Crow Alley."

Li Yuan took the two tokens and smiled, "Thank you, Brother Cai... I am already very satisfied."

Cai Ze sighed; he truly believed that Li Yuan could directly become an outer disciple.

As for why it didn't happen, he vaguely guessed the reason.

The Sect Leader of the Blood Saber Sect was in seclusion, and the Vice Sect Leader was a person with a strong "regional bias" who looked down on Li Yuan, who was born in Little Ink Workshop...

Sigh, this is fate.

"By the way, Brother Cai, what do the numbers on the wooden token and the Blood Saber Sect token mean?"

"654 indicates that you are the 654th household eligible to move into the shanty area. You can bring your family and servants to live in the house, which is permitted."

"197 is your number as a peripheral member of the Blood Saber Sect, your initial ranking.

The Blood Saber Sect has always encouraged battles and competition among disciples to nurture the strong.

However, these fights must be agreed upon and witnessed, not random killings.

Winning in the arena grants you a higher ranking.

Internal violence among fellow disciples is strictly prohibited by the Blood Saber Sect.

And the higher one's ranking, the more attention and resources they receive.

Currently, the peripheral numbers extend up to 200."

"In the Blood Saber Sect, outer disciples can participate in assessments after three years. Fifteen top-ranking peripheral disciples can compete and then be selected for official entry by their merit."

Cai Ze talked at length.

Li Yuan nodded, indicating he was listening carefully.

Cai Ze continued, "Outer disciples of the Blood Saber Sect are required to perform certain duties, but they also enjoy benefits for doing them.

This is something I can help you with by putting in a good word, allowing you to choose for yourself, as a kind of compensation."

He paused and continued, "Government Office, Ming City, Black Market, Martial Arts Shop...

The Blood Saber Sect's domains are broadly divided into these four types.

The Government Office involves wearing the government uniform, collecting taxes, or resolving disputes in the name of the government.

If you go there, you'll generally be like me, wearing this official uniform,

and, in case the government returns, your identity as a government official would be recognized, yet don't expect promotion, as the government only promotes their own people;

Ming City mainly consists of taverns, brothels, and gambling dens, where you maintain order or assist in handling troublemakers,

If you choose to go there, everything in the place should be open for you to enjoy, along with various discounts on purchases;

The Black Market is much like the above, but offers a wide array of goods,

The advantage is that you get to see all sorts of merchandise and might, with some luck, find something valuable,

what you acquire is yours, and no other member can take it from you, as per sect rules;

The Martial Arts Shop focuses on maintaining urban security. If you join, you can bring a few people with you; it's prestigious but not very profitable—essentially hard labor;

Brother Li, where do you want to go?"

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