Yang Jian Jie Ming Ren can indeed transfer the lifespan they've earned, but at most, it's a two-to-one ratio. That is, if I transfer ten years of lifespan, the other party can only receive a maximum of five, or even three. The rest will be reclaimed by the underworld.

No wonder I exhausted Feng Ruohang's lifespan all at once. This is a huge favor I owe.

I don't know how I'm going to repay Feng Ruohang's favor, and now Jing Henyun's favor is added to the list.

Although the ghost soldiers sent by Hei Bai Wuchang (Black and White Impermanence) helped me erase the traces of those practitioners, some things can't be erased, like the three car accidents outside.

When Jing Henyun arrived, I originally wanted to exchange a few polite words, but she waved her hand, "You saved me, and I helped you settle the matter. Consider us even."

"I still have a lot of things to deal with here, so I won't keep you any longer."

Jing Henyun was essentially issuing an eviction notice, so we couldn't stay any longer.

Jing Henyun may not care that we owe her a favor, but I can't pretend I don't know. I have to find an opportunity to repay this favor.

And Wen Yi!

On the way back to the governor's mansion, I counted all the people I owed favors to.

I had Nie Xiaochun invite Feng Ruohang over, but I didn't bother with Lao Liu and Yun Chang.

It wasn't until after I got home that Nie Xiaochun cautiously said, "Li Po, are you really planning to kick Lao Liu and Yun Chang out?"

I said with a cold face, "Yun Chang is only lodging here. She's a術士 (shushi, Daoist practitioner) from the Black and White Clinic. I can't control her. But, Liu Bao must leave. I can't afford to employ a staff member who does things behind my back."

As I was speaking, Yun Chang and Lao Liu had already reached the door. Yun Chang's face was pale, but she stubbornly held back her tears.

Lao Liu took a breath and said, "Li Po, I know you're angry. But some things, I think it's better to say them."

"The reason I wanted you to take this business was actually to help you make a name for yourself in the world of術 (shu, Daoist arts). Or rather, I wanted the省城 (sheng cheng, provincial capital)術 (shu, Daoist arts) world to owe you a favor."

"Zhang Fang's plans for himself are exactly the scheme I'm planning for you."

"You and Ye Yang are capable, but you're both too detached. You're not enthusiastic about fame or status, more like wandering knights."

"But wandering knights can only ever be at the bottom of the martial world, either used by others or recruited by others. Only by becoming a regional overlord will you have a voice!"

I coldly retorted, "So what? You didn't even ask me before arranging a path to becoming a tyrant?"

Lao Liu said earnestly, "Li Po, you haven't yet come into contact with the core of the術 (shu, Daoist arts) world. The people you've met so far don't count as true practitioners. They're just a group of low-level figures released from the hidden sects."

"You can take on a hundred enemies now, even fight a thousand single-handedly, but when you really encounter the hidden sects, individual martial strength won't be enough. I'm also doing this..."

Before Lao Liu could finish, I slammed the table, "Are you about to say it's also for my own good?"

I stood up and pointed at Lao Liu, "You've been a幕賓 (mu bin, staff member) in the governor's mansion for many years. Do you also make decisions for him without asking the governor?"

Although I don't understand the rules of the staff member business, I know that after a staff member enters service, they must prioritize their master. Small matters can be handled on their own, but major matters must be discussed with the master.

Deciding on their own without consulting the master is a major taboo for staff members.

The color drained from Lao Liu's face, "This... Li Po, I was wrong."

"Knowing you were wrong, why don't you leave!" From the bottom of my heart, I didn't want to drive Lao Liu away. But, this kind of thing can't be tolerated.

What does it mean for a staff member to make decisions for the master?

To put it lightly, it's sidelining the master. To put it seriously, it's a harbinger of patricide.

Lao Liu nodded slightly, "I understand. Take care."

Lao Liu took a few steps, then stopped again, "Yun Chang has nothing to do with this. At the time, I told her through voice transmission that you had made arrangements in advance and weren't going to expose Zhang Fang's conspiracy. Don't blame Yun Chang."

I heard Lao Liu's words, but didn't say a word.

Nie Xiaochun said anxiously, "Li Po, you can't drive Lao Liu away! This matter, in the end, is your fault, not Lao Liu's."

Before I could speak, Nie Xiaochun preemptively said, "You said Lao Liu violated the staff member's taboo, but what is his position? Did you treat him like a staff member? Did he acknowledge you as his master?"

I then realized: there's a complete process for establishing a contract between a staff member and a master. It's both a sign of the master's respect for the staff member and a sign of the staff member's recognition of the master.

Lao Liu and I really haven't held such a ceremony. To put it bluntly, there's no master-servant relationship between us.

Nie Xiaochun said, "Li Po, you've always treated Lao Liu as family, and he also sees you as a nephew. Does an elder need to report to you in advance like a master when planning for a nephew's future?"

I always felt that Xiaochun was wrong, but I also felt that what she said made sense.

Ye Yang also said, "This matter is your fault. I think you can let it go this time."

Lao Liu also turned his head to look at me.