Outer Courtyard Martial Instructor

This was also the work Feng Xiao usually did, mainly teaching those Martial Students, as well as the Laborers in the rear courtyard.

"Requires the Second Meridian Realm, a base salary of three taels, with performance calculated by the number of martial artists who break through... Not bad, this suits me perfectly!"

Xu Yuan made his decision. Master Feng had discussed this position with him before.

Every day, he would teach the Laborers for half an hour at the hour of the Snake, while he would teach the Martial Students in the front courtyard for half an hour afterward and another half hour at the hour of the Goat (1 PM).

Though the schedule appeared neatly fixed, the Shangyang Family did not actually impose many requirements. As long as he ensured the basic instruction, the rest was entirely up to the martial instructor.

In addition, he would receive five mace of silver for every formal martial artist he trained. However, at least two people had to break through; otherwise, five mace of silver would be deducted for each person short.

"This is basically commission by the piece. How much I earn depends on how carefully I teach. It's also a relatively leisurely job."

Xu Yuan stroked his chin in thought, then picked up the martial instructor posting and headed for the registration window.

"Outer Courtyard D martial instructor... Not bad. You can report to Outer Courtyard D this afternoon."

Zhao Qiusheng glanced at the job slip in his hand and nodded slightly. Though this position's monthly pay was not particularly high, it was stable and fixed, and it still left plenty of time for daily cultivation.

As he spoke, he took out two taels of silver from the cabinet and handed them over.

"This is your base salary for the end of this month. The remaining tael and any additional rewards will be settled next month."

"Thank you, Steward."

Xu Yuan nodded and clasped his hands in thanks.

After choosing his assignment and coming outside, he happened to run into Chen Sanli and the others.

"Brother Xu, happy New Year!"

Chen Sanli bent slightly at the waist, his face piled with smiles. "Brother Tian, Brother Gao, and I just came to choose our assignments. The moment we saw Brother Xu standing here, we hurried right over."

From Chen Sanli, Xu Yuan learned what assignments the others in the dormitory had chosen.

Gao Yuan and Tian Yang had both remained within the Shangyang Family estate. The former had chosen night watch duties for Laborers and Martial Students, requiring him to stay up from time to time, with a monthly salary of one tael of silver.

The latter had chosen to guard the Enforcement Hall's gate courtyard—well, he was basically a gatekeeper—and likewise earned one tael of silver a month.

Chen Sanli, on the other hand, had chosen to go outside the city, assisting martial instructors in managing and guarding medicinal fields. His monthly pay was one tael of silver, and he could occasionally receive some Precious Meat as an extra benefit.

As for the remaining four, whose fist arts and cultivation had shown no improvement, Li Shan had been slightly luckier and was assigned to a Level Three area, while Wang Huan, Xiao Sheng, and Qin Yang were sent directly to Level Four areas.

Their jobs all paid almost one tael of silver per month, with extra rewards mainly earned through killing enemies.

But Level Four areas bordered the Bai Family, and everyone knew the risks involved. Xu Yuan could only wish them good luck.

"As expected, a genius like Brother Xu is amazing. Just like that, you've landed a fine job paying three taels of silver."

After hearing about Xu Yuan's chosen position, Chen Sanli's tone was full of envy, and his manner became even more respectful.

"Rest assured, Brother Xu. Once I'm over at the medicinal fields, if I hear any interesting tidbits of news, I'll bring them all back to tell you. You just focus on cultivating in peace."

Ever since taking sides in the dormitory that day, Chen Sanli had completely become Xu Yuan's lackey. In both word and deed, he put Xu Yuan first and spared no effort in flattering him.

Perhaps in other people's eyes, behavior like Chen Sanli's was lowly, selfish, shameless—so disgraceful that they would be ashamed to keep company with him.

But when someone put his whole heart into flattering you, devoted himself to pleasing you, stood firmly on your side, and filled your emotional cup to the brim, how could you not like him?

He was like Gao Qiu and Heshen from my past life. In other people's eyes, they were good for nothing, with their noses in the air—but who knew that before those in high places, such people wore an entirely different face?

Xu Yuan sighed inwardly. At least he knew what kind of person Chen Sanli was, so there would be no twists and turns in dealing with him. It was worry-free enough.

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"Then I'll have to trouble you, Sanli." As Xu Yuan thought this, a faint smile appeared on his face.

"Ah, why are you being polite with me, Brother Xu?" Hearing the way Xu Yuan addressed him, Chen Sanli's smile became even brighter. He knew that he had truly drawn closer to Xu Yuan.

At this time, the other six also came over after collecting their monthly pay. No matter what conflicts they had had before, at least for the moment, everyone appeared cordial.

After learning what assignment Xu Yuan had chosen, every one of them offered congratulations with envy.

Li Shan had been in a good mood. By sheer luck, he had been assigned to a Level Three area, where the risks were somewhat lower and the treatment was decent. Compared with Wang Huan and the others, he was far better off.

But after hearing about Xu Yuan's job, that trace of joy immediately faded. Seeing Chen Sanli's smug expression and Xu Yuan's rather cold attitude toward him, regret rose in Li Shan's heart.

Wang Huan was equally jealous, but then he felt that Xu Yuan was being overly timid and cautious, and sneered inwardly.

What use is good talent? As a martial artist, you have to go to the battlefield and see blood. If you stay in this comfortable place enjoying yourself every day, it'll be hard to make any further progress.

After making several sour, mocking remarks to himself, Wang Huan felt much more balanced and soon took his leave.

After exchanging a few pleasantries, the others also departed one after another, heading to the areas where their respective assignments lay.

"Brother Xu, I'm off. Wait for my news," Chen Sanli said in farewell.

"See you later, Brother Xu." Tian Yang and Gao Yuan nodded to him without saying much more. After all, they were all within the Shangyang estate and not far apart.

As for Xu Yuan, after lunch, he went to Outer Courtyard D, completed a brief orientation with the martial instructor there, and moved his belongings over.

The next morning.

The sky was gray and hazy, fine threads of rain drifting down through the air as the chill deepened.

Xu Yuan arrived at the training ground early. After practicing his stance work, he followed it with a full set of Thunderclap Fist.

Only when his qi and blood surged and warmth spread through his whole body did he stop. Looking up, he saw that quite a few people had already gathered around the field.

Because Xu Yuan wore a two-stripe blue robe, several Martial Students had begun practicing along with him. When they saw him stop, they smiled sheepishly.

"They're quite diligent."

At that moment, two maidservants in flowing white silk dresses approached gracefully, carrying a waist-high insulated barrel between them.

As the two drew closer, even the gloomy weather seemed to brighten by several degrees.

The two maidservants were both at the age of budding youth, slender and graceful. One of them, taller than the other, was particularly eye-catching. Her skin was fair, her features delicate, her brows and eyes picturesque.

Because she was carrying something heavy, a few beads of fragrant sweat had formed at her temples, and her cheeks were flushed pink, making her seem all the more pretty and charming.

Seeing the two-stripe markings on their shoulders, Xu Yuan immediately knew that they were the Two-stripe Maids responsible for supplying Meridian Nourishing Soup.

They needed to remain on duty at the training ground so that Martial Students could purchase it when needed.

But before the two had even reached their designated spot, a sharp-eyed Martial Student hurried forward to help them carry the insulated barrel.

Then, blushing with embarrassment, he bought a serving of Meridian Nourishing Soup from them. His intentions were plain for all to see.

The two maidservants had barely set up their stall when they had already made their first sale.

No wonder being prettier is an advantage.

Xu Yuan raised his brows, then walked over and clasped his hands.

"I am Xu Yuan, the new martial instructor here. Happy New Year, elder sisters."

"Ah, happy New Year!" The taller maidservant froze for a moment when she saw the young man's upright features, sharply defined contours, and rugged, masculine bearing. Her cheeks grew warm, and she hastily replied.