I am about to die of old age, and I have awakened the character of longevity.

Chapter 32 Elder Tang

call!
Xie An secretly breathed a sigh of relief and felt an unprecedented sense of relief.

Looking at that name, looking at those scarlet fingerprints, looking at the heavy snow falling from the sky...

The snow is still falling like in previous years, but the future is already on the way.

It’s the same world, but the scenery is different.

Elder Tang smiled and closed the roster. "I'll have someone make your nameplate when I get back. It will be delivered within a day. Then you'll be an official deacon."

Xie An bowed and thanked him, "Thank you, Elder Tang."

Elder Tang waved his hand and said, "No need to thank me, it's your own ability."

After saying that, Elder Tang gave Tongshan and Zhang Lin a look. The latter two seemed to realize something and found an excuse to bow and say goodbye.

Obviously, they were all elders of the Tiger and Wolf Sect, and they knew that the examination in the Examination Hall had always been strict, especially since Elder Tang was present in person and had to do everything personally.

Although Xie An passed the test of strength, Elder Tang needed to have a private conversation with Xie An next.

It's similar to doing some ideological work.

After leaving the yard, the two did not leave, but stood in the snow at the door and waited.

Tongshan, who was usually aloof, spoke up at this moment, "Deacon Zhang has good eyes. He recommended a talented person to Elder Tang. He will certainly receive great credit in the future. I've followed Elder Tang for many years, and I've rarely seen him so happy."

Zhang Lin knew Tongshan was a popular figure around Elder Tang, so he kept a low profile. "It's all thanks to Elder Tang's keen eye; my contribution is but a tiny one. By the way, Brother Tongshan, did Elder Tang come here in person just to test the new deacon?"

Tongshan glanced at Zhang Lin, a little hesitant, but finally spoke out, "Zhang Biao's death has angered a certain incense master of Baiyutang. He has repeatedly gone to the White Tiger Wolf Sect headquarters to complain and express his dissatisfaction with Wei Dian. Elder Tang came here in person, not only to test him, but also to investigate and rectify the atmosphere in the hall. For a while, Elder Tang will come here frequently."

Hearing this, Zhang Lin felt tremendous pressure.

Elder Tang was a person who was equivalent to the head of the Imperial Examination Hall, and he examined the promotion and achievements of all the officials under the head of the Tiger and Wolf Sect. Frequent visits to the White Feather Hall undoubtedly brought great pressure to Zhang Lin.

What's more, Zhang Lin had some guesses about Zhang Biao's death...

Tongshan seemed to have sensed Zhang Lin's concern. "Deacon Zhang, there's no need to be too nervous. Elder Tang has always been fair and just in his work and would not wantonly implicate the innocent. If you perform well, Elder Tang will certainly notice."

Zhang Lin bowed and said, "Brother Tongshan is absolutely right."

……

In the courtyard, only Xie An and Elder Tang were left.

Zhang Lin had previously told Xie An privately that in addition to strength, the assessment also required a conversation.

Xie An was mentally prepared for this and didn't reject the idea. He even felt that the Tiger and Wolf Sect's behavior showed they valued talent even more. For someone like him, with no background, it was actually an opportunity to make a name for himself.

Elder Tang looked at Xie An for a moment and said, "You've never practiced martial arts, have you?"

Xie An did not hide it, "Yes."

Elder Tang continued, "Looking at your white hair, you must be fifty years old. But your Qi and blood are full, and your strength is enduring. Are you practicing health-preserving exercises?"

Xie An's heart skipped a beat.

Can you see all this?

Could it be that this Elder Tang in front of him is also proficient in health-preserving exercises?
Xie An suppressed his doubts and said, "Elder Tang has a keen eye. Nothing can be hidden from you."

Elder Tang received a positive answer, waved his hand and smiled, "That's nothing surprising. I'm from Tangjiabao in the county town, and have been practicing health-preserving exercises with my family since I was a child. Naturally, I have a good understanding of health-preserving exercises. There are very few people practicing health-preserving exercises in this world these days, and even fewer who can cultivate to your level. Who is your master?"

Hearing that Elder Tang was from Tangjiabao, Xie An felt relieved, and his previous doubts were answered.

No wonder Elder Tang changed the risky combat test to a shooting test. Besides feeling sorry for his age, it was also because he and he were both practicing health-preserving exercises.

Xie An felt that there was no need to hide anything, so he told Tang Qingfeng everything about how he had learned the health-preserving exercises from him. Finally, he bowed and said:

"I am where I am today thanks to Master Tang Qingfeng's guidance. I will never forget Master Tang's teaching." This is a bit of an exaggeration.

Xie An's current status was largely due to his longevity. However, Tang Qingfeng's guidance certainly played a significant role. While Elder Tang was around, expressing gratitude to Tang Qingfeng would undoubtedly make him even happier and more joyful, making him feel like a grateful and sensible person.

As expected, after listening to Xie An's story, Elder Tang's eyes showed an expression of affirmation, "You remember it clearly. The last time Tang Qingfeng came back from promoting health-preserving exercises at the Chen Clan Martial Arts Hall in Wuqiao Town, he mentioned to me that there was a fifty-year-old man who was still strong and vigorous. I think he was talking about you."

Xie An had never expected that a big shot like Tang Qingfeng would take the initiative to talk about him. He felt flattered and quickly bowed and said, "Thank you, Master Tang, for still thinking of me."

Seeing that Xie An was grateful, Elder Tang looked at Xie An with a little more affection. "Tang Qingfeng is my sworn brother. He was taken in as a disciple by my father since he was young, and he followed my father to learn health-preserving exercises. Later, when he became successful in his practice, my father gave him the surname Tang and adopted him as his son. He hoped that he could inherit the century-old health-preserving skills of the Tang Family Fort. Over the years, he has not disgraced our family, and has traveled around to promote health-preserving exercises. In this regard, I am not as good as him."

At the end of his speech, Elder Tang showed some shame.

Xie An could sense from his words that although Tang Qingfeng and Elder Tang were not blood brothers, they should have a good relationship. Moreover, Elder Tang should have quite admired his sworn brother.

Xie An naturally did not want to interrupt other people's family affairs, so he just bowed and kept listening attentively.

Elder Tang exchanged a few more pleasantries with Xie An, and finally said, "Although many of the young men and deacons who travel to the black market will wear masks to hide their identities to avoid trouble, now that you are a deacon of my Tiger and Wolf Sect, I must see your face clearly. After confirming it, you can continue to carry out your official duties with a mask on, and I will not interfere."

"Yes."

Xie An took off his mask and looked up to show Elder Tang.

Elder Tang studied him for a moment, then stood up. "Welcome to the Tiger and Wolf Sect. Although you are the oldest of the many deacons in the White Feather Hall, with the blessing of the health-preserving exercises, as long as you persist day by day, you won't necessarily be as weak as those young and strong ones."

"Thank you, Elder Tang, for your advice."

"Also, my name is Tang Qingyun. If you can develop a sense of Qi in the future, you can come to me at any time. My Tang Family Castle will have an opportunity for you." Elder Tang left after leaving a few words.

Xie An didn't expect that Tang Qingyun and Tang Qingfeng said the same thing. It can be seen that Tang Qingyun also wanted to promote the health-preserving exercises of Tangjiabao.

This is undoubtedly good news for me.

Xie An thanked him and then covered his face to see Tang Qingyun out.

"Elder Tang."

Zhang Lin immediately bowed, as if waiting for something.

Tang Qingyun glanced at Zhang Lin and said, "Let the new deacon take over Zhang Biao's job. I will remember your contribution in recommending him. From now on, you two must manage this black market well."

Zhang Lin's eyes showed disappointment, but he quickly adjusted himself: "Yes."

Only after Tang Qingyun and Tongshan disappeared into the distant snow did Zhang Lin turn around and look at Xie An. He couldn't help but wonder, "This guy is still wearing a mask? He's being too cautious."

However, Zhang Lin remained calm and bowed to Xie An, saying, "Congratulations, brother. Not only did you successfully pass the examination at the Examination Hall, but you also received the appreciation of Elder Tang. Your future is limitless."

Xie An replied, "Thank you very much, Brother Zhang, for your introduction."

Zhang Lin was very satisfied with Xie An's humble attitude. "Brother, you are polite. It's because you are capable. Otherwise, I would have been scolded by Elder Tang. From now on, brother, you will replace Zhang Biao as the deacon. The daily affairs of the Blood Ridge Black Market will be handled by you and me. We need to help each other."

"That's natural."

"Tomorrow afternoon, my elder brother will come here again and get his ID card, and then he will officially take up his post."

Xie An nodded in agreement, then said goodbye and left, heading towards Wuqiao Town.

As dusk falls, twilight gathers and the sky is filled with fiery clouds floating.

The breeze is clear and the moon is bright, but things and people have changed.

Xie An's tense heart finally relaxed.

As long as the identity badge of the Tiger and Wolf Sect comes down, we can take charge.

"Tang Qingfeng and Tang Qingyun both mentioned the opportunity of the Tang Family Fort... Could it be that they're looking for a successor for the dying Mr. Tang?"

(End of this chapter)