Night.
Li Xian lay on the plank bed, the servants around him already asleep. Snores arose all around, the smell of sweat and foot odor unbearably unpleasant.
Servants are not entitled to bathe. Filthy, smelly, and sticky, they can only endure until the twice-monthly bath days to quickly wash their bodies.
He lay awake for a long time, pondering repeatedly in his heart.
"Bi Hao was right in one thing, even as a servant, you need skills to rely upon."
"If one could learn some culinary skills or perhaps some gardening, life in the mansion would certainly be much better. If there’s opportunity, one should strive to move up."
As a transmigrator, this aspiration seems a bit small.
But such is the harshness of reality.
He rested his head behind him, moonlight cast on his side cheek, his eyes unusually bright.
"I’ve been here for more than half a month, yet I wonder what this world is truly like?"
Not thinking further, he closed his eyes and fell asleep.
Perhaps because knowing his younger brother is well-fed and clothed, his mind was clear, and he slept soundly.
In the blink of an eye, it was already the fifth watch, the sky not yet bright, Li Xian woke up first, a flash before his eyes.
[Skill: Sleep]
[Skill Level: 2/500 Beginner]
[Description: Who in life has never slept? Don’t wait until eternal slumber to realize the value of sleep.]
"Could it be that even ordinary sleep has its intricacies?"
Before Li Xian could ponder deeply, the servant leader struck the copper gong.
"Clang!"
"Clang!"
"Wake up, wake up. Time to start working."
This is the daily wake-up call, the sound heralds the beginning of the day’s labor.
Because he did a good job weeding yesterday, Bi Hao assigned Li Xian to handle the backyard of the deserted house again.
Specifically responsible for the weeding area.
This unpleasant task that no one wanted fell squarely on Li Xian’s shoulders.
"Little Li, do it well." Bi Hao said perfunctorily, then turned around and left.
Li Xian was actually glad for the leisure; this patch of weeds was nothing to him.
Now familiar with the routine, it was even easier than other tasks. He rolled up his sleeves, bent down, and worked vigorously.
[Skill Level +1]
[Skill Level +1]
[Skill: Weeding]
[Skill Level: 19/1000 Mastery]
The more he weeded, the more proficient he became, each bend of the waist subtly containing a natural grace.
In the blink of an eye, it was evening, Bi Hao made his routine inspection, seeing the backyard weeds cleared cleanly, he nodded quietly in appreciation.
However, this time, he did not reward Li Xian with any money, he just said lightly: "Very good, tomorrow go to the next room, continue weeding."
So it went on for several days.
Li Xian had nothing else to do, specifically responsible for weeding. Outsiders thought he was working hard, but actually, they didn’t know, he had more and more free time.
It only took him half a day to clear an entire backyard of weeds. The other half of his time, he fully used to practice "Wild Bull Fist".
This evening.
[Skill Level Full!]
[Skill: Weeding]
[Skill Level: 0/1500 Minor Achievement]
[Description: Weed a thousand times, the meaning reveals itself, focus on breathing, could you discover profoundness?]
Based on the [Description], Li Xian focused on his breathing while weeding. He only felt that his whole body’s fatigue was greatly alleviated.
"The weeding skill upon reaching minor achievement seems to have enhanced my endurance and fatigue resistance."
"This effect seems to originate... from breathing?"
He found that his breathing became increasingly smooth and natural, hard to describe, but indeed beneficial.
[Wild Bull Fist Fragment]
[Skill Level: 139/1000 Mastery]
In comparison, the Wild Bull Fist progress was slower, but still quite considerable.
He could feel that the heat flow in his lower abdomen had become larger, from a thin strand, to the thickness of a finger.
The punches now carried more power, these things, gave him some sense of security.
"Weeding every day, although giving me a lot of free time, it... doesn’t help my status at all."
"How can I break the predicament?"
Li Xian had to think, now that he entered the deep courtyard, the only way was to climb up!
Just at this moment, he suddenly heard a commotion in the courtyard. A rush of footsteps quickly approached.
"Brother Li, Brother Li, Madam has returned, Master Bi told us to quickly go to the manor entrance to welcome her, if anyone is late even a bit, they’ll have their legs broken."
A servant shouted loudly. His voice faded as it was clear he was gathering people while running.
"Madam?"
Li Xian had long been curious about this mysterious Madam, so he immediately ran out of the deserted house and gathered with the other servants.
Bi Hao and Luo Fang were present.
The usually arrogant Bi Hao had a fawning smile on his face, bowing low like a grandson.
His uncle Luo Fang also hunched over, not daring to straighten up at all, appearing extremely cautious.
Luo Fang was just a steward, above him were the accountant, grand commander of the guards, personal maids...
But someone of Li Xian’s status usually could hardly see even Luo Fang. The grand commander of guards, personal maids... were untouchable.
"Alas, just a manor, and the hierarchy is already this strict."
Li Xian blended into the crowd.
Even though he was already a servant, with no control over his life, his spirit was not diminished. He was a bit braver, keeping his head low, but daring to observe with peripheral vision.
He saw in the distance the mountain road, four Step Chariot bearers, carrying a red palanquin approaching.
Before getting close, a faint fragrant breeze wafted to the nose.
"Wow, such a luxurious palanquin, living life to this extent, truly splendid." Li Xian thought to himself.
In a daze, the palanquin had already stopped in front of the manor.
"Master." Guard Commander Pang Long stepped up to welcome, kneeling on one knee.
Luo Fang, Bi Hao, and others knelt on both knees, bending their bodies as much as possible, foreheads to the ground.
Only this way could the distinction of ranks be shown.
But the many servants stood farther back because of their dirty bodies, heads lowered, not knowing what was happening, and without anyone commanding, they just stood there dumbfounded.
Li Xian did not make any noticeable moves, only dared to vaguely observe with peripheral vision...
Vermillion curtains were lifted, out came a woman in a white dress. The woman’s figure seemed extremely beautiful, her long hair like a waterfall, but it was unclear.
Only her dress’s hem could be glimpsed, pristine and flawless, made of fine silk satin, embroidered with gilt edges.
"I have returned from a banquet, somewhat weary, keep everything simple. No need for such a fuss." The manor madam spoke, her voice like ethereal immortal sound.
The personal maid said: "Master, I have prepared hot water, would you like to freshen up first?"
"Very well." The manor madam nodded.
The manor madam and personal maid left. Then the grand commander of guards left, and only then did Bi Hao, Luo Fang, and his nephew stand up.
"Dramas are all lies. Real big figures, even if just in front, you don’t even have the right to look at them."
Having lived through two lives, Li Xian had more sentiments than most, he bitterly smiled self-deprecatingly.
"The manor madam’s cultivation seems to have advanced again."
"Uncle Luo, what do you think the madam’s cultivation level is now? Has she reached the legendary Blood Exchange Realm?"
"Little Hao, how many times have I told you, the madam’s affairs are not for us to discuss. But I’ve heard, the Songjiang Sword Sect within the Qiong Heavenly Mansion once invited the madam to be an Honored Guest Elder. The madam refused."
"The madam travels the Jianghu, having many friends, her reputation is great. Unfortunately, we are as lowly as dirt, not even qualified to inquire."
"Little Hao, you may be overseeing the servants for me, but in the end, you’re just a servant. For people like us, to get a whiff of the important figures’ farts is already a tremendous opportunity."
"Uncle Luo, no lie, I once had the opportunity to sniff Lord Pang’s fart. That taste... better than any wine or meat."
"Hahaha, indeed, indeed."
...
The conversation between uncle and nephew silently influenced many servants. They just felt that such higher-end figures were like stars in the sky, whatever they did was right.
"You bunch of worthless wretches, why still standing around? Is your work finished? Don’t wait ’til I inspect in the evening, I’ll whip you!"
Having had his back bent all day, Bi Hao now stood tall. He waved and directed the servants, full of spirit.