On his way to the dining hall, he gave a nod to Wang Jie. She was apparently aware of the awkward position she’d been placed in and was thankful that Wang Jun had retaliated on the aggressing party instead of taking the easy way out. They headed inside the dining room with two minutes to spare. Servants poured them both tea and wine as they took their seats. Wang Jun ignored the alcoholic beverage and instead savored the fermented tea. The Wang family had many shortcomings, but tea was not one of them.
The room filled almost instantly. Then, when the clock struck exactly six o’clock, their host arrived. Everyone stood up as the Wang family’s current leader, Patriarch Wuling, walked over to his seat.
“Everyone, thank you so much for accepting the last-minute invitation to the welcome banquet of one of our most promising juniors, Wang Jun,” he said. “Please, feast on this delicious fare. I have some important announcements to make after the feast, but for now, enjoy!”
Servants poured into the room and placed platters of exquisitely prepared dishes on the table. Wang Jun looked around as they moved, evaluating the competition as they spoke.
The Wang family had many juniors, but the main family only kept fifty in the main household. Forty-three had attended the banquet, but that could have been for various reasons, like seclusion. He noted that Wang Ling wasn’t there, but many of his fiercest and most powerful supporters were in attendance. Being a junior didn’t mean being young. Though many of them were in their twenties, many of their members were in their nineties. The only requirement for being a junior was being less than a hundred years old. Those worthy of becoming protectors or directors were core-formation cultivators. They would be appointed upon their hundredth birthday. Others would become elders and managers. While this was technically an honor, it was tantamount to failure in the eyes of many. Elders and managers were part of the side family, and elevating oneself out of the side family could take generations.
“It’s been a while since our last meeting,” Wang Bing said, smiling from a few places away. Apparently, her assignment in Quicksilver was over. Like him, she was in the main family, and given her abilities, she’d likely be assigned to something greater than managing an empire’s auction house. This came as no surprise to Wang Jun, who’d always been impressed by her performance.
“You’re just as pretty as ever,” Wang Jun said. “Many thanks for your help in Quicksilver. Be sure to come and see me if you need anything.”
She sniffed. “I only did my duty as an interim manager. All my decisions benefited the family and made us a fortune.”
“If you say so,” Wang Jun said. “But just the same, let me know if you need help, and I’ll be there.” He said it and he meant it. The public announcement was for her benefit, as it would be shameful to retract an official offer.
She nodded, and a man beside her he’d never seen before waved. Or at least, he thought he’d never seen him. It took him a few moments to realize that it was Wang Tong, yet another distant cousin. Wang Tong’s family wasn’t very influential in the inner circles. They were too honest and insufficiently shrewd.
Still, the man’s cultivation talent was high enough that the family had overlooked this unfortunate fact. If he played his cards right, he would be named a protector by the age of fifty. Directors were expected to be intelligent and possess good business sense, and only members of the direct line like Wang Jun could vie for the position of patriarch. The strong became protectors, which were essentially guardians for the family.
“Have you had a chance to visit the Red Dust Pavilion?” Wang Tong asked between mouthfuls. “They’ve gotten a new headmistress, and a young one at that. The whole city’s talking about it.”
Wang Jun smiled. “You know I don’t like to frequent such establishments,” he said. “Still, I’ll be sure to pay a visit. The Red Dust Pavilion’s influence is substantial, and I’d be foolish to dismiss them.”
Other juniors greeted Wang Jun one after another. He expressed heartful congratulations to some and accepted compliments in return. To others, he traded unspoken barbs and aggressive but polite banter. An hour later, he’d spoken to everyone at the table. It was at this moment that Patriarch Wuling cleared his throat. Everyone immediately quieted down.
“As you all know, Wang Jun has returned after successfully completing our family’s difficult task,” the Patriarch said. “By doing so, he has proven his worth and will be considered in the family’s leadership selection.”
Some quiet murmurs ensued.
“This is only the beginning of a difficult journey, however. Wang Jun must continue to prove himself and his suitability for the position. I have every confidence that he won’t disappoint.
“After discussing with the clan elders, we’ve decided that Wang Jun’s excellent performance deserves an appropriate position in the family. It is with great pleasure that I appoint Wang Jun as auditor general of the Wang family. All powers of investigation and prosecution will be under his supervision.”
Wang Jun’s eyes narrowed. Given his goals and the information in his hands, this appointment was too good to be true. There had to be a catch.
“However,” the Patriarch continued, “while this position might come with many benefits, it also comes with heavy responsibilities. The extra information at one’s fingertips can skew the playing field between our members. As such, we ask that Wang Jun restrain his financial activities to remove even the mere suspicion of impropriety.”
Ah, there it is, Wang Jun thought. The expected leash.
Unfazed,
