Chapter 55: Bathing in Beast Blood, Entering Class B
With the winter hunt over, the once bustling Xionghu Mountain was deserted.
The wild animals scattered all over the ground were naturally carried away by the servants in the servants' quarters.
Luo Fang brandished his whip, striking the air with a loud bang. The servants quickened their pace in fright, not daring to slacken their pace for even a moment, lest the whip fall upon them.
The uncle and nephew were quite at ease, walking side by side without any heavy loads, discussing what had just happened in hushed tones.
"You good-for-nothing, look at Li Xian and then look at you. Just looking at you makes me angry."
“Uncle, I’ve figured it out. We can’t beat Grandpa Li. The reason we lost to him back then wasn’t because I was useless, but because he was too fierce.”
"You piece of trash, how dare you bring this up? If it weren't for you, would he be where he is today?"
“Uncle, if I had been replaced by a younger you back then, you might not have won either.”
"What nonsense are you spouting? Who is your cousin? How could he possibly lose to that brat?"
"Uncle Li will soon be a Class B guard. I remember you, cousin, were only a Class C guard at best. Besides, your best catch during the winter hunt was just a sika deer. How can you compare to that monster?"
"Besides, he was born to be a big shot. We should kneel down and kowtow to him to curry favor. Someone like him wouldn't bother with us little ants."
Luo Fang, however, had lost his former spirit, and his eyes were filled with sorrow.
He had long been secretly apprehensive. If he could set aside past grievances, he would be more than willing to kneel down, kowtow, and offer his treasures while feigning misery.
But unfortunately...
There was that incident involving Li Xiaofan.
It will be difficult to forgive and forget again. For now, perhaps we can at least live a relatively peaceful life.
Once Li Xian has gained a foothold and has some free time, he'll have enough to drink several jugs of wine.
"Damn it, who knew this kid would improve so quickly."
...
...
On the other side.
Inside the vegetarian restaurant, Pang Long and Li Xian sat at the same table. Because the promotion was not yet fully finalized, the restaurant was only offering Class C meals.
There were plenty of meat and animal dishes, all glossy and fragrant, looking very appetizing.
"You've really opened my eyes, kid."
Pang Long thought his grades were good, but compared to Li Xian, they were insignificant.
"Just lucky," Li Xian said with a smile.
"Don't be modest. This achievement is a testament to your skill," Pang Long said heartily. "I never imagined that you would become a second-class guard in the blink of an eye. You've been a great help to me."
"Around tomorrow, during morning training, you will become a Class B guard."
"You can find out the details of those benefits and patrol regulations yourself; I won't go into them."
Pang Long asked for a bowl of egg drop soup. He soaked the rice and dishes in the soup, slurped them down, and most of the rice and dishes were gone.
"Will it taste better this way?" Li Xian asked the question that had puzzled her for a long time.
"It will be faster." Pang Long drank it down in one gulp, put down his chopsticks, and left.
I've heard that he's made further progress recently... getting closer and closer to a state of complete transformation.
There's plenty of game meat in Xionghu Mountain, but the taste is mediocre. The chef at the vegetarian restaurant, however, has truly excellent skills.
The food I made suited his taste perfectly, with just the right amount of salt.
Li Xian focused on eating, while the guards passing by whispered amongst themselves. At this moment, Li Xian was the most prominent figure in the manor.
Zhao Han and the other two saw his back from afar and didn't even dare to greet him.
Having eaten and drunk his fill, and with his business done for the day, Li Xian, enjoying a rare moment of leisure, strolled around the outer courtyard.
Thinking of the battles with wild beasts and the struggles to survive, I couldn't help but let out a long sigh.
"Now that I have successfully become a Class B nurse, it is naturally excellent."
"But my martial arts cultivation has not kept up, and I am definitely at the bottom among the second-class guards."
"It would be best to promote him as soon as possible."
In any place, one's own strength is always of paramount importance. Without strength, he would find it difficult to hold onto this position of second-class guard.
Throughout Yihezhuang, there are a total of fifteen Class B guards.
We strolled to a scenic spot.
Li Xian sat on the ground, supporting herself with her hands, letting the cool breeze blow through her long hair, which made her nose itch a little.
Looking into the lake, one sees his reflection: a handsome face, arched eyebrows, and star-like eyes; his hair has grown long, yet it doesn't appear disheveled, but rather possesses a uniquely carefree air.
"That lady does indeed enjoy winter hunting."
"It's rare to even see her on a normal day, let alone hear her say so much."
Li Xian thought to himself leisurely.
In fact, the guards could only see the lady on the day of the winter hunt settlement.
At other times, even the top-ranking guards rarely heard the lady's voice.
...
...
The next day.
After the morning training session ended, Pang Long walked over with a smile and announced that Li Xian had been promoted from [Class C Guard] to [Class B Guard].
It attracted countless envious glances, and few people were unconvinced, after all, yesterday's performance was truly impeccable.
"Don't be envious, and don't have any other thoughts."
“There is a winter hunt every year, and Li Xian is probably the only one who can achieve such results.”
"No wonder you look at me with such respect, Madam."
Pang Long stood with his hands behind his back, using Li Xian as a role model to inspire the guards' passion.
After the group dispersed, many second- and third-class guards immediately surrounded him, asking for advice on archery techniques. As for the first-class guards, who considered themselves of a higher status, although they also wanted to learn archery skills, they were too ashamed to ask for his guidance.
This idea is truly laughable.
Li Xian did not directly refuse those who came to learn from him, but instead shot two arrows and taught them some of his skills.
As for how much they can comprehend, that depends on each person's comprehension.
...
The tokens of a Class B guard are orange-red.
Patrols are limited to two hours a day, with approximately one night patrol per week. However, without an application or special reason, no one may leave the village without authorization.
In the final analysis.
The guards were divided into four ranks: A, B, C, and D. Even the highest-ranking guards were still just guards, servants who had sold themselves into servitude.
If this point is not clarified, it may displease the lady, and she can easily revert to her old ways with just a frown.
"Li Xian, right?"
"A wild rabbit, a reward of ten coins; three wild deer, a reward of two taels and one ounce; four tigers, a reward of four taels and eight ounces; three bears, a reward of four taels and five ounces."
"A total of eleven taels and four hundred and ten cash."
"In addition, there is one deer blood pill, one tiger blood pill, and one bear bile pill."
"You may enter and exit the Leisure Martial Pavilion once."
The accountant stopped what he was doing and carefully examined Li Xian. "I remember you seem to be..."
"Born a handyman? Sold into the handyman profession a month or two ago for over five hundred coins?"
His tone was hesitant and uncertain; he wondered if he had misremembered.
“That’s me.” Li Xian nodded readily.
"Excellent, excellent!" The accountant clapped his hands in praise. "In all my years in this village, I've never seen anyone like you before."
Li Xian humbly replied, "It's just good luck, and I'm fortunate to have received guidance from Commander Pang."
The accountant said, "Eleven taels of silver and the corresponding pills are all in this brocade pouch. Take it."
"Thank you, Uncle Xiang." Li Xian cupped his hands and readily accepted the gift. The accountant's surname was Xiang, and everyone called him Uncle Xiang. His real name was long gone.
But I heard that Uncle Xiang was one of the earliest servants to follow his wife, even before Pang Long and Qiu Yue.
Thinking about it, it makes sense. Managing the accounts is tantamount to holding Zhuangzi's lifeline in one's hands. Naturally, it should be entrusted to the most trusted person.
“Yes…” Uncle Xiang continued to lower his head and adjust the accounts, but he kept talking: “Madam mentioned it to me.”
"You have successfully hunted the Ghost-Striped Leopard and the mother and cub Sharp-Mouthed Long-Tongued Bear, which is a meritorious deed. In addition to these rewards, there will be an extra bonus."
"Oh? What is the reward?" Li Xian himself hadn't heard a word about it.
Uncle Xiang was eager to say more, “What do you think the lady’s purpose was in the winter hunt? It was to collect the blood of a hundred beasts for a medicinal bath.”
“The excess portion shall be distributed downwards as a reward.”
(End of this chapter)
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