[Essence Treasure Boiling] concluded, and the servants returned to their usual routine.
Li Xian continued weeding, using the intervals to refine his fist technique.
[Skill Level 1]
...
[Skill Level: 756/1000 Mastery]
At the current pace, three days might not be enough. Li Xian gritted his teeth, firm in his resolve.
Intensifying his fist practice!
Two days swiftly passed.
[Skill Level: 872/1000 Mastery]
Only one day remained.
That noon.
In the servant room, Li Xian made do with a al of simple stead buns and water. His gaze road, observing his surroundings.
Seeing Luo Fang and Bi Hao absent, none of the other servants focused on him.
"The ti is ripe." Li Xian softly walked out, picking up his pace after distancing himself from the others, heading toward the nursing ho courtyard.
The path was lush with greenery and pleasant scenery, featuring occasional rockeries, ponds, and other garden landscapes.
A world apart from the servant room.
"Enrollnt must happen at the last mont. That sly and sinister Luo Fang, if I register too early, he’ll surely learn of it and target ."
"Similarly... if I fail the nursing ho competition this ti, the outco will be utterly miserable. Luo Fang won’t spare ! It’s all-or-nothing!"
Li Xian clenched his fists, palms sweating, yet his steps remained steady.
"Sneaking around, what are you up to?"
Soone reached out to block Li Xian, glaring with a commanding presence.
This person was nad Qiao Dashou, one of the nursing ho guards at Yihetang Manor.
Though both were housekeepers, bound by indenture contracts, "nursing ho guards" and "servants" were worlds apart.
Just looking at the als revealed the difference.
Nursing ho guards, if nothing else, at least had at every al, their stomachs never lacking oil and water.
"Big brother, I’m here to enroll." Li Xian respectfully said.
"Enroll?"
Qiao Dashou appeared arrogant, looking down at Li Xian, and casually advised:
"Your height is suitable, but so skinny, surely you’re unsuited for the nursing ho. Go back, don’t waste effort."
Li Xian frowned; this person’s attitude was unpleasant.
"Still not leaving?"
Qiao Dashou sneered; after offering kind advice, this stubborn servant remained oblivious, he remarked: "I’ve seen many like you."
"As a servant, harboring unrealistic fantasies all day. What kind of person is Qiao Dashou? I say you’re not suitable, surely that’s no lie."
Li Xian responded calmly: "Though I’m a servant, I believe enrolling is my decision. How you see , matters not."
He sidestepped Qiao Dashou, directly entering the courtyard.
"You!"
Qiao Dashou was furious, "How dare a re servant speak to this way."
Just as he considered punishnt, Pang Long’s reminder surfaced: servant enrollnt must not be impeded, violators face expulsion.
...
Pang Long sat in the courtyard, seeing a young servant approach, he said: "Here to enroll?"
Li Xian nodded: "Servant from Class Nine, number twenty-seven Li Xian requests to join the nursing ho competition."
"Alright."
Pang Long glanced over.
This youth wore ragged clothing and had a filthy appearance, initially indistinguishable from other servants.
Yet upon closer inspection, his eyes bore a bright sharpness.
"Interesting, for a martial artist, a bit of spirit is essential. Recently, many enrolling servants have been sneaky types. This one... seems different," Pang Long thought.
Unbeknownst to him, Luo Fang feigned compliance, intentionally concealed news of the nursing ho competition.
Only leaking information to those weak and sickly, who even if enrolled, lacked competitiveness.
Also, this obscured suspicion from Pang Long.
"Write your na here and servant number. Return here tomorrow morning."
"Understood!"
Li Xian signed his information and turned to leave.
Pang Long picked up the paper, raising his eyebrows slightly: "Firm writing, has this Li Xian studied before?"
In fact, Li Xian wasn’t bad in academics. If talent were considered, pursuing the Great Wu Dynasty exams was well within reach.
However... education cost was high, Li Xiaofan, his brother, had an exceptional mory and intelligence, suited more for academia.
Before Li Xian’s father passed, the three lived by hunting, the brothers each pursuing academics and martial arts, though not wealthy, had hopeful futures.
...
That night.
Displaying determination, Li Xian, marked at the servant room, hid in a neglected room he often cleaned.
Awaiting deep night...
Under moonlight and gentle breeze, practiced punch after punch, intensely training.
[Skill Level 1]
[Skill Level 1]
"The world is cruel, and my life, Li Xian, is worth little."
"But I refuse to sink here; whether it’s good or bad depends on tomorrow’s fate."
"I will...
just keep throwing my punches!"
Suddenly inspired, he punched relentlessly, feeling neither tired nor weary. Sweat soaked his clothes as if he were standing in the rain.
Ti passed...
[Skill Level 1]
[Skill Level 1]
[Wild Bull Fist·Fragnt]
[Skill Level: 915/1000 Mastery]
...
[Skill Level: 946/1000 Mastery]
By this ti, the sky was beginning to brighten.
Li Xian faced both physical and ntal exhaustion, sustained only by sheer will.
He widened his eyes, which were bloodshot.
Every punch remained steady and consistent, like an old ox chewing grass — clearly hungry but with a distinct rhythm.
Despite his youth, he showed a mature and composed deanor.
[Skill Level: 976/1000 Mastery]
By now, daylight had fully arrived, and the copper gong in the servant room rang out.
If Li Xian’s guess was correct, the class leader would already be counting heads.
Luo Fang likely knew he didn’t return all night. According to Yihetang Manor’s rules, he could seize the opportunity to put him to death!
"If a man doesn’t strive upwards, what kind of man is he?"
"Rules are made to bully honest people."
Ignoring the sound of the copper gong, he continued to swing his fists, again and again...
[Skill Level: 989/1000 Mastery]
"Just a bit more!"
Li Xian had pushed beyond exhaustion.
"Class Nine, Number Twenty-Seven!"
"How dare you stay out all night!"
"Steward Luo said if you show up imdiately, you might be spared!"
"Where are you hiding? Co out now!"
"I know you’re nearby!"
Servants from Class Nine searched everywhere.
With Luo Fang implenting a system of collective accountability, Li Xian’s disappearance made the rest of Class Nine the most anxious.
They soon found their way near the desolate house.
At that mont, Li Xian was invigorated.
[Skill Level Maxed]
[Wild Bull Fist·Fragnt]
[Skill Level: 0/1500 Minor Achievent]
[Description: Wild Bull, cunning yet straightforward... possessing an ox’s simplicity without losing the ferocity of a tiger or leopard. Head down as an ox, head up like a tiger. You’ve thrown tens of thousands of punches, thus slightly enhancing your Qi power.]
In his dantian, warmth gathered and lingered.
Heaven does not overlook those who strive; a night of practice finally bore fruit, catching up on progress!
Li Xian scaled the wall of the backyard, avoiding the servants’ search.
"As long as I successfully join the Nursing Ho, I can escape this calamity."
"Although I violated servant rules, Luo Fang, as a timid bully, would never dare to ask Pang Long for !"
Li Xian wasn’t just a hothead acting recklessly.
He had his considerations and knew how to endure, suppressing himself for his goals.
...
At the Nursing Ho courtyard.
The martial arts competition was about to begin; Pang Long sat in front, flanked by three nursing ho staff on each side.
Bi Hao stood among the servants.
Though dressed in ordinary servant attire, he stood tall, standing out in the crowd.
Pang Long’s gaze lingered on him for a few monts, thinking silently, "Among this group, only Bi Hao has so presence."
"The ti is almost up; is there anyone who hasn’t..." Pang Long asked one of the nursing ho staff before he finished his sentence, footsteps approached.
Li Xian rushed into the courtyard, catching his breath, and said, "Commander Pang, I’m here."
"Hmm, you’re not late yet. Join the ranks," Pang Long said flatly.
"Li Xian?! Why are you here too? Who allowed you to co?" Bi Hao recognized Li Xian, eyes wide with shock.
Li Xian narrowed his eyes slightly, "Brother Bi, I ca on my own. We are rivals. Please guide in the future."
"You brat! You’ve been hiding this so well, you knew about it too!"
Bi Hao was furious, leaning in and whispering, "Do you think you deserve to be my brother? Fine, showing up here is really sothing. You’ve got guts, daring to challenge ; let’s see if you can withstand my wrath!"
Li Xian couldn’t be bothered to argue, clenching his fists.
A real man shows his true strength through his fists!
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