Cultivation System: Stronger with Age Chapter 42 - 38: Steward Ma’s Gambling Luck, The Fellowship of Gentlemen

Ma Jiang looked at Lin Xuankong, his expression softening. "Of course, I came to see you, our great hero. All five of my Chief Stewards were out on expeditions against the Demon People Race. The other four performed terribly, but only you achieved significant success, making the entire Yin Talisman Sect look at you with new respect. Such a surprising achievement brought great pride to my face. I wish I could have come to drink with you a few days ago. Unfortunately, I was dealing with the Demon People Race near Four-direction City at that time and didn’t have a moment to spare until today!"

Lin Xuankong clasped his hands and said, "Steward Ma, you overpraise me!"

Ma Jiang took a closer look at him and sighed. "I originally thought you were just an aging Martial Cultivator at the Second Layer, but your strength is astonishing! Though you are old, you are indeed worthy of being called a Four-Seal Genius. Your Qi Blood hasn’t diminished too much; I heard you can even fight continuously for the time it takes two incense sticks to burn. I initially underestimated you, and I feel somewhat ashamed! It’s a pity, though, that a hero like you has been covertly sabotaged by some vile characters!"

Lin Xuankong was a bit surprised.

Ma Jiang continued, "I returned to the sect hall today. I was originally tasked with assisting a major town, but then I heard about Ma Rusong transporting medicinal materials five days ago! That cowardly, despicable fellow led over sixty disciples to deliver supplies. But when he encountered just twenty Marsh Python People, he scrambled back to the city, claiming it was to protect the medicinal materials and rewards! What the hell! This clearly wasn’t to protect the supplies. It was because he was too embarrassed to face you or his former subordinates! Or perhaps it was because you not only survived but also achieved great merit, so he flew into a rage out of shame and secretly undermined you! I couldn’t hold back and scolded that scoundrel furiously. But that damn Steward Xua actually defended him, saying Ma Rusong was prudent and worthy of praise. He also said Ma Rusong is no longer under my jurisdiction and told me not to meddle. This infuriated me to the point that I took the matter straight to the Hall Master..."

After hearing this, Lin Xuankong’s face remained expressionless, but his heart had already turned icy.

Ma Jiang idly rattled the dice in his hand for a moment and continued, "You’re clearly a great hero of our sect. It’s one thing not to prioritize you for supplies, but they haven’t even delivered your rewards yet! If I hadn’t returned to the city by chance, who knows how long they would have dragged their feet with the supplies! This time, while on my way to assist Lindong Town, I detoured to visit you and brought your rewards and those for the disciples. I hope these past few days haven’t delayed your cultivation or that of the Cow and Horse Street disciples!"

Hearing this, Lin Xuankong’s expression shifted slightly.

He stood up, clasped his hands, and said, "On behalf of the many disciples of Cow and Horse Street, I thank Steward Ma."

Ma Jiang waved a hand. "We’re all on the same side, no need for such formalities! Besides..."

He looked at Lin Xuankong. "Although Ma Rusong is cowardly and vile, the connections he has cultivated are quite significant, so Steward Xua highly regards him and is trying to win him over, making him responsible for managing important affairs such as the hall’s supplies. It matters little if I scold Ma Rusong. After all, I’ve been with the Yin Talisman Sect for over twenty years, and I have old acquaintances throughout the hierarchy; he wouldn’t dare to cause trouble for me. Xuankong, in the future... try to avoid provoking him directly. However, if anything happens, don’t worry. Just tell me, and I’ll make him lose face completely!"

Lin Xuankong frowned at Steward Ma, puzzled.

Seeing his expression, Ma Jiang said, "That coward inherited something valuable from his ancestors, and the one who accepted his offering is a prominent figure at the Sixth Layer Realm... Just remember my words!"

With that, he stood up and walked out. "Xuankong, I’ve left the medicinal materials and rewards in the courtyard! Recently, the Marsh Python, Evil Lizard, Evil Sheep, and other Demons have been taking a severe beating, so the Demon People they’ve dispatched to harass the area of the Twenty-Ninth Garrison are becoming increasingly aggressive. The mission to assist Lindong Town is urgent. We’ll drink next time!"

Han Lu looked somewhat surprised. "Master, are you leaving already?"

Lin Xuankong walked beside Ma Jiang, touching the Wandering Dragon Exorcism Hand on his right arm. "Steward Ma, will your trip to Lindong Town be dangerous this time? What about this Wandering Dragon Exorcism Hand?"

Ma Jiang shook his head at Lin Xuankong. "What danger could there be! As for this Wandering Dragon Exorcism Hand... Last time I bet on you winning, and indeed you won. This time I’m betting on you again, but I’m betting that you’ll surpass that Ma Rusong in the future! From now on, this Wandering Dragon Exorcism Hand is my wager, left here with you. I hope, Xuankong, that you’ll achieve great things in the future and not disappoint me! Also, Han Lu, you brat, remember this: if you haven’t reached the Mid-grade Second Layer by the next time I see you, there’ll be hell to pay!"

With that, he laughed heartily and leaped away.

Han Lu, leaning on his cane, looked somewhat gloomy. Lin Xuankong watched Steward Ma’s figure disappear in the distance, a warmth spreading through his heart.

In an instant, he couldn’t help but shake his head.

Lin Xuankong’s eyebrows twitched, a flicker of determination in his eyes.

「」

Once the rewards were delivered, Lin Xuankong had someone summon the many disciples of Cow and Horse Street. After distributing the medicinal materials and silver taels, everyone was overjoyed. Li Er, the bald-headed one, laughed heartily and nearly rushed over to hug Lin Xuankong in his excitement. However, remembering how fierce and violent their steward was when killing the Demon People, Li Er decisively restrained his impulse and turned to hug Yang Mountain instead!

Yang Mountain was mortified and indignant. He hadn’t even married yet, let alone hugged a woman, and his first intimate embrace was with a bald man! He gritted his teeth and hugged back—a man couldn’t be on the losing end of an exchange!

Seeing his disciples so happy, Lin Xuankong naturally felt delighted too. He returned the borrowed portions of medicinal materials to Han Lu and the others. After everyone had left, he took the one hundred and twelve portions of medicinal materials and three Turtle-Poria Elixirs back to his bedroom. Among these, one hundred portions were rewards, and the remainder was his Chief Steward stipend. Steward Ma was indeed meticulous, not forgetting to bring him this salary.

Taking out the three Turtle-Poria Elixirs, Lin Xuankong stared at the Elixirs, which emitted a peculiar, clear fragrance, and thought to himself: