Chapter 42 : Chapter 42
Chapter 42. Where Everyone Goes
Outer Courtyard Martial Instructor.
This was also the kind of work Feng Xiao usually did—mainly responsible for teaching the martial trainees, as well as the laborers in the rear courtyard.
“Requires Second Meridian cultivation, base salary of three taels, and performance is calculated based on the number of martial artists trained… Not bad. This suits me perfectly.”
Xu Yuan made his decision. Instructor Feng had already discussed this assignment with him before.
Each day, he would teach the laborers for half an hour during the Si hour, and then teach the martial trainees in the front courtyard for another half hour, followed by another half hour during the Wei hour (1 PM).
Although the schedule seemed structured, the Shangyang Residence did not impose strict requirements. As long as the basic teaching was completed, the rest depended entirely on the instructor’s own discretion.
In addition, for every Formal Martial Artist he trained, he would receive a reward of five qian of silver. However, at least two people must break through; for each person fewer than that, five qian of silver would be deducted.
“This is basically commission-based pay. The more I earn depends on how carefully I teach. It is also a relatively relaxed position.”
Xu Yuan stroked his chin in thought. Then he picked up the assignment slip for the martial instructor and walked toward the registration window.
“Outer Courtyard Martial Instructor… Not bad. You may report to the Outer Courtyard this afternoon.”
Zhao Qiusheng glanced at the assignment slip in his hand and nodded slightly. Although the monthly pay for this position was not particularly high, it was stable, and there was plenty of time left for personal cultivation.
As he spoke, he took out two taels of silver from the cabinet and handed it over.
“This is your base salary for this month. The remaining one tael and any additional rewards will be settled next month.”
“Thank you, Steward.”
Xu Yuan nodded and cupped his fists in thanks.
After selecting his assignment, he happened to run into Chen Sanli and the others.
“Brother Xu, Happy New Year!”
Chen Sanli, slightly shorter in stature, wore a wide smile. “I just came here with Brother Tian and Brother Gao to choose our assignments. When we saw you standing here, we came over immediately.”
From Chen Sanli, Xu Yuan learned about the choices made by the others in their dormitory.
Gao Yuan and Tian Yang both remained within the Shangyang Residence. The former chose night watch duty for laborers and martial trainees, which required staying up late from time to time, with a monthly salary of one tael of silver.
The latter chose to serve as a guard at the gate of the Enforcement Hall—essentially a gatekeeper—with the same monthly pay of one tael.
As for Chen Sanli, he chose to go outside the city to assist martial instructors in managing and guarding the medicinal fields. His monthly salary was also one tael, but he could occasionally receive treasure meat as an additional benefit.
As for the remaining four, whose fist techniques and cultivation had not improved—aside from Li Shan, who was fortunate enough to be assigned to a third-level area, Wang Huan, Xiao Sheng, and Qin Yang were all directly sent to fourth-level areas.
Their assignments all paid about one tael per month, with additional rewards mainly coming from killing enemies.
However, the fourth-level areas bordered the Bai Family. Everyone knew the risks involved. Xu Yuan could only wish them good luck.
“As expected, someone as talented as Brother Xu easily gets a good assignment worth three taels of silver.”
After hearing about Xu Yuan’s choice, Chen Sanli’s tone was full of envy, and his attitude became even more respectful.
“Brother Xu, rest assured. Once I go to the medicinal fields, if I hear any interesting rumors, I will report back to you. You can just focus on your cultivation.”
Ever since taking Xu Yuan’s side that day in the dormitory, Chen Sanli had completely become his follower. In both speech and action, he placed Xu Yuan first, going out of his way to flatter him.
To others, such behavior might seem cheap, selfish, and shameless—something to be ashamed of.
But when someone devoted themselves wholeheartedly to pleasing you, firmly stood by your side, and provided full emotional support, how could you not like them?
‘It is like figures such as Gao Qiu or Heshen from my previous life. In others’ eyes, they were worthless and arrogant, but who knew that in front of those in power, they showed an entirely different face?’
Xu Yuan sighed inwardly. At least he understood what kind of person Chen Sanli was. Interacting with him involved no hidden twists or schemes, which made things much easier.
“Then I will trouble you, Sanli,” Xu Yuan said with a faint smile.
“Oh, Brother Xu, why be so polite with me?” Hearing how Xu Yuan addressed him, Chen Sanli’s smile grew even brighter. He knew their relationship had truly become closer.
At that moment, the other six also came over after collecting their salaries. Regardless of any past conflicts, everyone appeared cordial on the surface.
After learning about Xu Yuan’s assignment, every one of them congratulated him with envy.
Li Shan had originally been in a good mood. He had been fortunate enough to be assigned to a third-level area, where the risks were lower and the treatment was decent. Compared to Wang Huan and the others, his situation was far better.
But after hearing about Xu Yuan’s assignment, his joy immediately faded. Looking at Chen Sanli’s pleased expression and Xu Yuan’s somewhat indifferent attitude toward him, a trace of regret arose in Li Shan’s heart.
Wang Huan also felt jealous. However, he soon convinced himself that Xu Yuan’s choice was overly cautious, and sneered inwardly.
‘What use is talent? As a martial artist, one must step onto the battlefield and see blood. Staying in this comfortable place every day, enjoying ease—how could he make any further progress?’
After muttering a few sarcastic remarks filled with bitterness, Wang Huan felt somewhat relieved and soon took his leave.
After a brief exchange of pleasantries, the others also departed, heading toward their respective assignments.
“Brother Xu, I am off. Wait for my news,” Chen Sanli said in farewell.
“Brother Xu, see you later.” Tian Yang and Gao Yuan nodded to him without saying much. After all, they were all within the Shangyang Residence and not far from one another.
As for Xu Yuan, after finishing lunch at noon, he went to the Outer Courtyard, completed a simple onboarding training with a martial instructor, and moved his belongings there.
…
The next morning.
The sky was gray, with a fine drizzle falling, and the chill in the air grew heavier.
Xu Yuan arrived early at the training ground. After practicing the stance technique, he followed it with a full set of Benlei Fist.
Only after his blood surged and his entire body warmed did he finally stop. When he looked up, he saw that quite a few people had already gathered on the field.
Because Xu Yuan was wearing a two-striped blue uniform, several martial trainees began to follow along with his practice. When he stopped, they smiled awkwardly.
“Quite diligent,” Xu Yuan remarked, glancing at them.
At that moment, two maidservants dressed in long white silk dresses approached gracefully, each carrying a large insulated container half the height of a person.
As they drew closer, even the gloomy weather seemed to brighten slightly.
The two maidservants were both in the bloom of youth, slender and graceful. One of them, taller than the other, stood out particularly—her skin was fair, her features delicate, and her brows and eyes were like a painting.
Because she was carrying something heavy, a few beads of sweat formed at her temples, and her cheeks flushed red, making her appear even more charming.
Noticing the two-striped insignia on their shoulders, Xu Yuan immediately understood—they were two-striped maidservants responsible for supplying Vein-Nourishing Soup.
They needed to stay at the training ground in case martial trainees wished to purchase it.
However, before they could even reach their designated spot, a sharp-eyed trainee hurried over to help carry the container.
With a shy expression, he quickly bought a portion of Vein-Nourishing Soup, his intentions obvious.
The two maidservants had just set up their stall, and they had already made their first sale.
‘It truly is an advantage to be good-looking,’ Xu Yuan thought, raising his brows slightly.
He then stepped forward, cupped his fists, and said,
“My name is Xu Yuan. I am the newly appointed martial instructor here. Happy New Year, elder sisters.”
“Ah—Happy New Year!” The taller maidservant was momentarily stunned. Seeing that the young man before her had well-defined features and a strong, upright aura, her cheeks warmed slightly as she hurriedly replied.
…