Chapter 126: I Am a Master Teacher

"Ahem..."

Hearing this, the boss's face changed color, and he hurriedly forced a dry laugh: "What are you saying, sir? This mansion is a five-courtyard house in such a prime location. Fifteen thousand a month is truly not expensive..."

"Not expensive?"

Zhang Xuan's lips curled: "The original owner of this mansion is Du Qiao, a merchant indeed, but he didn't die. He encountered bandits, and his business suffered greatly. He originally wanted to sell this place, but couldn't find a buyer in a short time, so he had to lease it. The agreement he made with you was five thousand a month, and you take a fifteen percent commission... Now you tell me fifteen thousand—isn't that a bit greedy?"

"Sir, you... you..."

Hearing his words, the boss stumbled back two steps.

Was it true or false?

He had indeed signed a contract with Du Qiao for this house, exactly as the other said, only five thousand a month. But... this was a business secret. When they signed, no outsider was told. How did this fellow know so clearly?

"What? Want to deny it?" Zhang Xuan looked over calmly: "You made the deal three months ago at the Jadeite Pavilion, accompanied by the top courtesan Cui Ling. You drank eight-year-old Lingbo Drunk, ate realgar rabbit meat, and even had Ming Xinyue play a tune. After the deal was done, you happily called for three girls... Do you want me to count these things one by one for you?"

"Ah..."

The boss looked as if he had seen a ghost, filled with terror.

The other spoke without a single error, as if he had witnessed it himself.

This was too terrifying!

"You... who exactly are you?"

Fearful, the boss's face trembled.

Standing before this man, it felt as if all pretense was stripped away, making him involuntarily feel guilty.

"I'm just a man looking to rent a house, not someone to be taken for a fool!"

Zhang Xuan's expression was calm.

"I was blinded by greed. This house, as you said, is five thousand gold coins a month!" Having heard so much laid out, the boss was truly afraid and dared not waste words, quickly saying.

"Mm." Seeing the other admit it, Zhang Xuan nodded in satisfaction and casually took out a stack of banknotes: "Here's ten thousand gold coins. I'll book it for a month first. Use the rest to get me some servants... Also, you'll stay on as my steward for now. If you perform well, not just five thousand, but ten thousand—whatever you want, I can give you. That's more than you'd make running a rental agency."

As a master teacher, he naturally couldn't clean such a large mansion himself, nor could he do everything personally. Servants and maids were a must.

As for why he wanted this fellow as steward, it was even simpler.

He knew how to swindle money!

To dare ask for triple the price right off the bat—his guts were certainly big enough.

His purpose in posing as a master teacher was to make some quick cash, and he was just short of such talent.

"Whatever I want?"

The boss's breathing immediately quickened.

Running a rental agency, he earned at most ten to twenty thousand gold coins a year. For this mansion, it might be a year or two before anyone rented it. No matter how high he set the price, if the other didn't fall for it, it was useless.

That was why, seeing the other casually pull out ten thousand and say such words, he was so excited he felt like he was about to burn up.

Damn, he knew this was a big spender, but he didn't expect it to be bigger than a cow's leg.

"What? Not willing?"

"No... no, I'm willing." The boss quickly took the banknotes, his movements faster than when he dodged the attack earlier.

With such a good deal, only a fool would refuse.

"Mm. I'll only be in Tianxuan City for a while. Serve me well, and I'll let you earn ten years' income in a month. How to choose... you should know very well." Seeing the fellow was sensible, Zhang Xuan nodded in satisfaction.

"Rest assured, sir, I will serve you well."

Hearing the promise, the boss nodded repeatedly.

Zhang Xuan acknowledged.

To make someone completely loyal, balancing kindness with authority, the carrot and stick, was the only way. By exposing the other's little scheme at the start, he instilled awe, then threw out huge benefits—it would be strange if the other wasn't convinced.

"What's your name?"

"Your subordinate is Sun Qiang!" the boss quickly answered. "You can call me Xiao Qiang from now on!"

"Xiao Qiang?" Zhang Xuan's expression was odd.

"Yes!" Sun Qiang nodded hurriedly.

"I have something to instruct you now."

Suppressing the urge to call him 'Cockroach,' Zhang Xuan waved his hand: "First, tonight, gather the servants and maids in the courtyard. When I come tomorrow, I want to see them. Second, through your connections, spread the news that I'm living in this courtyard. Say... the master teacher 'Yang Xuan' passing through will stay here for a short time. Spread the news as far as possible."

Since he couldn't use his real name, he had to use a fake one. Yang Xuan was his online alias from his previous life, so he used it casually.

"Master teacher?"

Startled, Sun Qiang looked up at the sir before him in doubt.

"Mm, I am a master teacher. I plan to find something here, so you need to spread the news, the wider the better."

Zhang Xuan snorted and continued: "The ten thousand gold notes I gave you earlier—after hiring servants, there should be some left. Use that money to do this job well, and you'll be rewarded. I see your cultivation has been stuck at the peak of True Qi Realm for over ten years. While I'm in Tianxuan Royal City, I'll guide you to break through—it's nothing much."

"Thank you, sir!" Sun Qiang quickly knelt down.

As the other said, he had been stuck at the peak of True Qi Realm for over ten years, but he never found the method to break through. If he could truly receive guidance from a master teacher, becoming a Martial Artist Fourth Layer would be within reach.

He secretly looked up and saw the newly acquainted sir standing with his hands behind his back, quietly bathed in the setting sunlight. The pale yellow light enveloped him like an immortal untouched by the mundane world.

Seeing this scene, he instantly felt deep admiration from his heart.

He was utterly convinced of the other's identity as a master teacher.

If he weren't a master teacher, how could he have spoken so accurately about his internal dealings? If he weren't a master teacher, how could he be so wealthy and generous?

The key was the other's temperament and demeanor, naturally carrying an air of superiority. Now, if someone said he wasn't a master teacher, he would think they were lying.

"Rest assured, sir, I will handle this matter well."

Having responded, Sun Qiang was filled with energy.

A master teacher—this was the most honored group in the entire world. Even if King Shen Zhui of the Tianxuan Kingdom met one, he would show great respect and courtesy. As an ordinary nobody, being able to serve such a person was a stroke of immense luck.

"Go on."

Seeing the other completely won over, Zhang Xuan waved his hand.

"Yes!" Sun Qiang walked out, brimming with excitement.

After he left, Zhang Xuan finally dropped his posture, stretched, and sighed.

"Who knew showing off could be so tiring..."