Chapter 1653 – Assignment

Zhang Hao was now in the office of an Elder assigned in the Handyman Hall. The Elder wasn’t very strong at only the Gold Core Stage. Because of his age, going further with his cultivation was hopeless. Because of this, the Black Tiger Gang assigned him his current position to manage the hall’s disciples. Although he wasn’t too influential, nobody wanted to offend him.

Naturally, with his age, this elder also didn’t want to offend anyone. If he has time, he would help the younger generation and assist his family.

The Elder was old and his hair and beard were all white. He was surnamed Hu so people call him Elder Hu. This Elder was always kind to others and smiled at everyone.Despite his kindness, his management ability was strong and he handled things systematically.

At the same time, his actions were measured. He did things he should do and didn’t do things he shouldn’t do. Because of this, he was quite a good figure in the Handyman Hall.

Zhang Hao stood in front of Elder Hu. Despite being in the Golden Core Stage, Elder Hu wasn’t arrogant at all. He smiled at Zhang Hao and said, “Little Hao, why did you visit? Do you need anything from me? Didn’t you follow your First Senior Brother to handle the Battle Slaves? What happened? Did you offend him and get sent back?”

Zhang Hao forced a smile and said, “Elder Hu, I hope you are well. I won’t dare offend First Senior Brother. I am indeed here to ask you for something.” After he said that, he showed Zhang Feng’s token to Elder Hu.

Elder Hu’s expression unconsciously changed when he saw the token. He discovered that the token belonged to Zhang Feng. It seems like Zhang Feng sent Zhang Hao for an errand. Elder Hu’s expression turned serious as he said, “So it’s the First Senior Brother’s business. Then this little old man will take care of it. May I ask what his orders are?”

Although Elder Hu’s beard was already white, he still called Zhang Feng his title of First Senior Brother. This was because strength defined status in the Great World of Cultivation. Elder Hu was only at the Gold Core stage while Zhang Feng was at the Nascent Soul Stage. In this case, he naturally had to address Zhang Feng with the correct title.

Zhang Hao looked at Elder Hu and said, “Elder Hu, I don’t know if you have heard, but our Black Tiger Gang has been quite famous in the Fire Mountain Life and Death Arena recently.”

Elder Hu nodded and said, “I heard about a new Battle Slave that’s very strong. He was able to defeat his opponent easily. He brought great fame and prestige to the Black Tiger Gang.”

Zhang Hao forced a smile and said, “This is the issue. Zhao Hai is very strong, it can be said that it’s not impossible for him to achieve 100 victories. But because he’s a newcomer, nobody favored him in his first fight. His victory caused First Senior Brother to lose a lot. Others in the gang also lost a lot. First Senior Brother doesn’t want Zhao Hai to become famous. Because of this, he made an impression to promote Zhao Hai to the outer sect ahead of time. Then he would be given an idle post so that people would forget about him as soon as possible.”

Hearing Zhang Hai, Elder Hu couldn’t help but criticize deep inside. He was aware of Zhao Hai and he knew that it wouldn’t be difficult for him to win 100 battles. Entering the sect with 100 victories would mean that Zhao Hai would be treated well. But in his first battle, Zhao Hai caused Zhang Feng and the others to lose a lot. Due to this, people naturally wanted him out of their sights. They wanted to kick Zhao Hai to the outer sect and assign him an idle position so that he would be buried and forgotten by everyone.

If Zhao Hai entered the Black Tiger Gang ahead of time, then his future would be cut off.

Elder Hu also scolded Zhang Hao inside for being insidious. However, he didn’t think about it for long. Things like these were very common in the Great World of Cultivation. It wasn’t a unique situation.

Although Elder Hu pitied Zhao Hai, both were strangers to each other in the end. Moreover, Zhao Hai offended Zhang Feng. So Elder Hu nodded and said, “Alright, arranging him to enter the outer sect early isn’t a problem. But where does First Senior Brother Zhang plan to assign him?”

Zhang Hao smiled at Elder Hu as he said, “How about the Ignored Valley? Old Man Tou is getting old. I heard that his family wanted to take him back. So the valley needs someone right now. What do you think?”

Elder Hu quickly felt a cold sweat going down his head. At the same time, he inwardly cursed Zhang Hao for being ruthless. The Ignored Valley was an extremely remote place. It would take years before people would visit it. Most importantly, it was a place where waste ingredients from pill-making and artifact refining were thrown into.

The Black Tiger Gang has an army of alchemists and refiners. The amount of pills and artifacts they make each day was massive. Naturally, this meant that their waste materials were equally as huge. There were people whose job was dedicated to collecting the waste materials and delivering them to the valley through a transmission formation. These people would just exit the transmission formation and dump the waste before leaving. In other words, the people dumping the garbage wouldn’t necessarily see the ones guarding the valley.

The name of the valley was also given afterward. The origin stemmed from the fact that people didn’t care about what was in the valley. Another reason was that the alchemists and refiners didn’t want to see what was in the valley. Thirdly, the people sent to guard the valley were being shunned and treated as invisible. People sent to the valley would never be promoted.

There was a saying in the Black Tiger Gang that states: Killing wasn’t the worst thing you can give your enemy. The worst thing was sending them to the Ignored Valley and letting them rot their lives away.”

Old Man Tou that Zhang Hao mentioned has been in the Ignored Valley for hundreds of years. Being in the Ignored Valley, it was already impossible for him to enter the Gold Core Stage. His lifespan has been exhausted. He was now going to elderly care. Elder Hu was always anxious thinking about who he would send to replace Old Man Tou. He didn’t expect Zhang Hao to help him solve the problem.

Elder Hu let out a long breath and said, “Alright, then it’s settled. First Senior Brother can send him over as soon as possible.”

Zhang Hao bowed and said, “Thank you, Elder Hu. I’ll go back and report to First Senior Brother. I heard that Elder Hu’s little grandson has innate talent. I’ll try to give a few good words to First Senior Brother.”

When he heard Zhang Hao, Elder Hu’s eyes lit up as he quickly replied, “Thank you, Junior Brother. I hope that you can relay some good words for me. I will be forever thankful.”

Elder Hu was a Gold Core Cultivation while Zhang Hao was at the Foundation Establishment. And with their age difference, it was enough for Zhang Hao to call Elder Hu his Martial Uncle. And yet, Elder Hu addressed him as Junior Brother. It was clear that the effect of Zhang Hao’s words was quite big.

This wasn’t to say that Elder Hu was flattering Zhang Hao. He was just taking things as they were. In the Great World of Cultivation, a lot of cultivators had their clans behind them. Some of these clans existed for a long time while some were newly made.

The clan that Elder Hu belonged to was a very ancient clan. However, Elder Hu’s line was just a branch of the clan that had completely separated themselves from the main family. In terms of classification, his line could be considered as a small clan.

Elder Hu’s son wasn’t a spectacular cultivator. He had enough talent to stay in the Black Tiger Gang and preserve the status of their clan. However, Elder Hu’s grandson had cultivation talent. If he was trained well, he would reach a very high level.

Elder Hu understood this point, but his position held as much influence as a cup of water. So even if he wanted to cultivate his grandson, he wouldn’t be able to support him very far.

But if Elder Hu’s grandson went under the umbrella of Zhang Feng and got cultivated, Elder Hu’s entire branch would prosper. This was Elder Hu’s strongest wish. Therefore, he couldn’t help but be excited when he heard Zhang Hao’s words.

Zhang Hao looked at Elder Hu’s expression and nodded as he said, “I will try my best. But Elder Hu, First Senior Brother doesn’t want people to know of this matter. We need to move Zhao Hai as soon as possible. Moreover, we didn’t have this conversation.”

Elder Hu nodded and said, “Rest assured, I wouldn’t dare neglect First Senior Brother’s affairs. Moreover, I’m old, I forget a lot of things.” His gaze met Zhang Hao’s eyes and they both laughed.

Zhang Feng didn’t know what Zhang Hao’s plan was. Elder Hu was the last person that Zhang Hao met. He also visited other Elders, but as to what he said to them, Zhang Feng didn’t know.

As Zhang Feng was handling his usual matters, he suddenly detected fluctuations from the transmission formation. Before long, Zhang Hao reached Zhang Feng’s office. But before Zhang Hao could knock, Zhang Feng said, “Come in.”

Zhang Feng looked at Zhang Hao and said, “How did it go?”

Zhang Hao replied, “It’s going well. I visited several Outer Sect Elders. Moreover, I already registered for Zhao Hai. He’s now an official outer disciple of the Black Tiger Gang. This one also arranged his designation with Elder Hu from the Handyman Hall.”

Zhang Feng looked at Zhang Hao and asked, “What is his assignment?”

Zhang Hao laughed and said, “Ignored Valley’s watchman!”

When he heard Zhang Hao, Zhang Feng couldn’t help but stare. Then his eyes shone as he laughed as well and said, “Good, good. Ignored Valley’s watchman. Zhang Hao, you made the perfect choice. Hahaha.”

Zhang Hao replied, “But I also promised Elder Hu something. His grandson has good talent. I told him that I would say a few words on his behalf for First Senior Brother.”

Zhang Feng waved his hand and said, “No problem. Take a rest first. I will pay attention to this matter.” Zhang Hao nodded before leaving.