"Two hundred thousand life money, buying my favor, it’s really valuable!"

In normal times, Wu Yan wouldn’t even care about this two hundred thousand life money. Although it’s his salary for many years, he has no choice now!

To obtain the identity of a First Level Executor, the bribes required aren’t a small number. Most of the money he earned over the years was spent on honing his cultivation. Although there’s still some left, it’s just that. The extra two hundred thousand life money from Chen Jiuge is crucial!

"I... agree!"

Hesitating for a moment, Wu Yan still agreed. 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚

A penny can topple a hero, in the Yellow Springs Realm, money is really important.

After the deal was done, Wu Yan directly took Deng Han away, as a small gesture to Chen Jiuge.

"Congratulations, boss, no, now you should be called Manor Master!" Mad Bear said with a grin.

"Thanks to you all."

"Next, I’ll have to trouble you to help clear the manor. I wouldn’t want any accidents a few days after becoming the Manor Master!" Chen Jiuge said, clasping his fists.

"Naturally!"

..............

Dusk Manor had been controlled by Deng Han for thirty years, with roots obviously deeply embedded. The three Third Level Guards were his biggest accomplices.

With these three’s martial deterrence, Deng Han can be said to have been the true despot of Dusk Manor, deciding everything within the manor.

Dusk Manor isn’t just a simple estate, its main industry is Dusk Wine. A lot of labor is needed for brewing, and these laborers all reside in the back mountains of Dusk Manor.

In no time, all the people in Dusk Manor were cleared out by the guards led by Xing Xia!

There are about two hundred maids and guards living in Dusk Manor. Xing Xia divided these two hundred people into two sides.

"The ones on the right are unpredictable but still have decent strength. The left ones, though not strong, are relatively honest and fall into the oppressed category."

Xing Xia practices a rare Mind Master, allowing her to see through human hearts, but only for those with low cultivation and no special abilities.

Despite having many current statuses, this ability provided Xing Xia with a lot of intelligence.

"Anyone harboring murderous intent towards me?" Chen Jiuge asked with a slight nod.

"Murderous intent?"

Xing Xia shook her head with a smile and said, "Just a bunch of undocumented refugees, though they have some strength, it’s impossible for them to bear murderous intent towards you, boss!"

"Refugees? Not a single formal citizen among them?" Chen Jiuge found it hard to believe.

"No, it’s normal now. For private territories like Dusk Manor, only by using refugees can loyalty be ensured, some even use slaves as guards!"

Though slaves and refugees have different titles, their status gap isn’t very large.

"Is that so? I understand!"

Chen Jiuge stepped forward, looking around, and said calmly, "I am the new master of Dusk Manor, which means you will serve me from now on!"

"I am not demanding, nor harsh. As long as you do your jobs well, I won’t trouble you."

"What’s your salary?"

After a long silence, among the Third Level Guards previously restricted by Mad Bear, one stepped forward and said solemnly, "No salary!"

"None?"

Chen Jiuge looked at the person in surprise and disbelief, "Even you don’t have any?"

"None!"

Chen Jiuge was speechless, "No salary and you still work for him?"

The guard showed a bitter smile, "He promised us, if we work for a hundred years, he’d give us formal citizen status!"

Xing Xia laughed, "Formal citizen status?"

"Do you know what you need to become formal citizens?"

"What?"

"The first, as you all know, is achieving Fourth Level Cultivator status, then automatically attaining Third Level Citizen status, the best pathway."

"But, given your aptitude..."

Xing Xia didn’t continue. Though these three had become Third Level Cultivators, their foundation and talent were too poor, obviously forced up using Spiritual Medicine, not lacking breakthrough chances but requiring greater sacrifices.

"The second is spending money!"

"For ten thousand life money, you can buy First Level Citizen status from the Political Affairs Department!"

"What?"

The guard was incredulous.

"Ha ha, no need to deceive you. Why does the Political Affairs Department have people from the Four Great Forces? It’s not because of the huge profit, even the Ten Halls Yama wouldn’t dare monopolize."

"It’s simple then, First Level Cultivators earn five thousand a month, Second Level ten thousand, Third Level fifty thousand, additional contributions garner rewards!"

Speaking of Dead Money, fifty thousand equals five hundred life money, six thousand a year, with savings, the Third Level Guards could attain freedom within years.

"Really?"

"Of course, I’m not short on small money!" Chen Jiuge said calmly.

"Willing to serve the Manor Master!"

With the first oath of allegiance, the remaining two hundred also echoed high.

"That’s about right!"

Without others in charge, Chen Jiuge could only make do with them temporarily, as for Xing Xia and others, he only employed them for a year, then they would leave, considering further employment.

Chen Jiuge smiled bitterly, too expensive, not affordable unless he found a new way to make money.

The loyalty issue of Dusk Manor’s guards was roughly handled, and time was about at night.

Looking up at the sky, Chen Jiuge said calmly, "Let’s leave it there for now, it’s late, rest first!"

"As you will, we’re only here to earn the money!" Xing Xia said calmly.

"Still, thank you very much!"

This minor conflict was greatly aided by Xing Xia, compared to the slight intervention of Mad Bear and nearly none from Leng She, Xing Xia’s intelligence and help in discerning good from evil within the manor were significant.

Led by a beautiful maid, Chen Jiuge arrived at a luxurious bedroom.

"Sir, this was Lord Deng’s former residence, everything inside has been replaced, they are all new!"

"Alright, leave!"

"Yes, sir!"

The room is large, about a hundred square meters, with black flooring. Though the color is not appealing, giving a suppressed feeling, the emitted aura clears the mind.

"These Spirit Wood even have a calming effect, truly luxurious!"

Such Spirit Wood is extremely precious in both Heavenly Gift Realm and True Realm but is only fit for flooring in the Yellow Springs Realm, truly astounding!

"Hmm?"

Planning to appreciate it, Chen Jiuge suddenly saw a figure.

"Who are you?"

A very beautiful woman, no matter the exquisite features or starry eyes, provoked a longing to explore further.

Especially as she cried quietly now, igniting a pity that drove compassion.

Cai didn’t answer Chen Jiuge’s question, her tears dropping faster.

The maid who came to clean told Cai that the oily middle-aged man had fallen, now the entire Dusk Manor belonged to this seemingly twenty-year-old young man.

But to Cai, it made no difference.

Walking to Cai, taking in her beauty shook Chen Jiuge, then he frowned slightly, "Are you a maid in the manor?"

Cai’s attire is very modest, even poor, a coarse ragged apron over her clothes. No jewelry is worn, yet her nervous hands bore differently sized calluses from long manual labor.

"If you’re a maid, please leave. I need to rest!"

Cai looked at Chen Jiuge as if seeing a ghost, recalling the maid’s threat, nodded vehemently and comforted herself saying, "At least this man is better than Deng Han, right?"

"I’m here to serve, sir!" Cai said a bit ashamed.

"Serve?"

Chen Jiuge refused shaking his head, "I don’t need it, go out!"

"If fearing trouble, say it’s my order!"

"Sir......." Cai uttered, unsure how to speak.

"Leave!"