After Hu Ma handled this small matter and inquired about his family situation, the Shopkeeper seemed even more at ease.
All significant and minor affairs were entrusted to Hu Ma. He was tasked not only with arranging the nightly patrols and clearing nearby evil spirits but also with managing the monthly donations from the surrounding villages, distributing Blood Food to the Manor's outer courtyard servants, and handling the accounting of funds and provisions.
During this period, the Shopkeeper only made one other brief appearance. This was when he arranged for relatives from the Xu Family in town to pick up Xu Ji, with whom he exchanged a few words. The person who came seemed to be just a distant relative, completely unaware of the competition between Hu Ma and Xu Ji. They happily left with a packet of silver coins given by the Shopkeeper, not even mentioning the red wooden sword.
