The two transport disciples watched as Li Haiying was executed on the spot. They looked toward the man who had struck the blow, their eyes filled with a sense of helplessness.
The executioner was Situ Ping. Everyone knew he was silencing the witness, but as mere outer disciples, the two men knew that with Li Haiying dead, there was no way to prove anything. Even if they could prove Situ Ping was the mastermind, the accidental death or escape of a single Mountain Armored Beast was a trivial matter to an inner sect disciple.
"Feng Ping greets Senior Brother Situ!"
"Jian Wei greets Senior Brother Situ!"
Though they suspected Situ Ping had ordered Li Haiying to sabotage the beast specifically to make them look bad, they had no choice but to bow their heads.
Situ Ping looked down at the corpse. "What kind of person did Hai Futong recommend? To frame a subordinate, he actually dared to commit such a crime. However..." He turned his gaze toward Lin Haoming. "You did quite well. You managed to take down that beast yourself. You're at the 7th level of Qi Refining—barely qualified. Are you willing to take over as the new manager?"
Lin Haoming was stunned. Only a day ago, he was worrying about how to survive Li Haiying; now, the roles were completely reversed. He knew Situ Ping was no saint—the cold-blooded execution of his own pawn proved that—but he also knew that refusing would lead to a bitter end.
Besides, Lin Haoming had no direct conflict with Situ Ping yet. As for the rival, Zhou Zhiye, he had only heard the name; who knew if he was any better? It would be foolish to let an opportunity for advancement slip away.
Lin Haoming cupped his hands. "Thank you for thinking highly of me, Senior Brother Situ. Since you've removed the man who tried to frame me, I will certainly be a good manager and repay your kindness."
"Good. Very good. I hope you are a smart man," Situ Ping replied with a satisfied nod.
Once the body was hauled away, Situ Ping asked impassively, "What is your name?"
"Lin Haoming," he replied honestly.
Situ Ping didn't seem to remember the descendants of the fallen ancestor. He simply ordered, "I'll give you fifteen minutes. Pack your things and follow me."
Lin Haoming knew that being a manager required being officially registered. Since Situ Ping had promised the position, he had to finalize the paperwork. Managers also lived in a different, better cave dwelling.
Back in his old stone chamber, Lin Haoming quickly packed his belongings into a large bundle. As he went to retrieve the spirit stone from the formation's core, he was shocked to find that the stone still felt full of spiritual energy.
Wait, he thought. I put this stone in at the beginning of the month, and I've left the formation running almost constantly. By all rights, it should have been drained by now.
Could it be the Spirit Accumulation Bead? Did it not only recharge itself but also passively recharge other spirit stones in its proximity? If that were true, Lin Haoming had just discovered a literal gold mine.
He didn't have time to investigate further. He tucked the stone away and hurried back out so as not to keep Situ Ping waiting.
As they walked through the tunnels, Situ Ping spoke: "Junior Brother Lin, I can see you're a clever person. I don't care what history you had with Li Haiying. Since I've made you a manager, you are now my man. Do you understand this principle?"
"Senior Brother, you gave me this position. Naturally, I will repay you," Lin Haoming replied with a smile.
I'll give you the protection fees everyone else gives, Lin Haoming thought privately, but if you ever try to make me your scapegoat, don't blame me for turning on you.
They arrived at a larger grotto. The stone chambers carved into these walls were significantly larger, and the spiritual energy was noticeably denser. Several other managers from the Stupa Grotto were gathered there.
"Senior Brother Situ!" These managers, mostly at the 8th or 9th level of Qi Refining, bowed respectfully.
Situ Ping nodded and addressed a white-haired elder. "Manager Ma, the man who was supposed to succeed Hai Futong committed a crime and has been dealt with. This is the new manager. Register him."
The elder was Ma Gaofeng, a cultivator at the Great Perfection of Qi Refining. He was nearly a hundred years old—the natural limit for most Qi Refining practitioners. While many at his age would leave the sect to enjoy a final few years of luxury in the mortal world, Ma Gaofeng stayed to manage the twenty-odd managers of the Stupa Grotto.
Ma Gaofeng scanned Lin Haoming with cloudy eyes. "Cultivation is a bit low, but reaching the 7th level at your age isn't easy—even inner sect disciples are often at this level. What is your name?"
"Lin Haoming."
"Oh?" Ma Gaofeng's aged face cracked into a small smile. "No wonder. No wonder."
Lin Haoming realized the old man recognized his lineage. Ma Gaofeng pulled a jade plaque from his storage bag, infused it with Qi, and tossed it to him. "Regardless of your past, you are now the Manager of Mountain Armored Beasts. Work hard; you might still have a chance. This plaque is your identification and the key to your new cave."
Situ Ping gave a few final instructions—mostly telling Lin Haoming where to find him if anything (meaning bribes) came up—and left.
The moment he was gone, a man who looked like a pale-faced scholar sneered, "A mere 7th level becoming a manager? You certainly have skills, don't you?"