Assuming Duty

"Martial Master, calling us 'sister' makes us sound so old."

Another maidservant, who was clearly more outgoing, glanced at him reproachfully upon hearing this. She then gracefully curtsied, smiling as she said, "My name is Li Hua, and this younger sister is Ye Qing'er."

Ye Qing'er quietly glanced at Xu Yuan and also returned the bow respectfully.

Li Hua, huh? Sounds like she has a lot of stories.

Xu Yuan thought to himself, cupping his fists in return.

"Brother Xu is truly young and accomplished. To become a Second Meridian Martial Master at just sixteen years old."

Li Hua couldn't hide her surprise when she saw him.

"Just a lucky breakthrough," Xu Yuan smiled faintly.

"If even you call it luck, what about those who haven't broken through?"

Li Hua's eyes sparkled as she looked at him, then she continued with a smile, "I was also just recently promoted to a second-class maidservant and assigned to this Outer Courtyard, Section D. I'll have to ask for Brother Xu's care in the coming months."

Since the two of them didn't practice martial arts, they would need the resident Martial Masters to step in and help if they encountered any unruly Martial Students.

"It's a small matter. I won't be far away. Just come find me if any problems arise."

Xu Yuan nodded. It wasn't much trouble.

Although the two of them had no cultivation, they had become second-class maidservants at such a young age. They must have had noble patrons supporting them, so befriending them wouldn't hurt.

By the time of the snake hour.

Xu Yuan first went to the backyard. Looking at the group of thin and short laborers before him, he couldn't help but think of his past self.

Taking a deep breath, Xu Yuan repeated what Feng Xiao had told them earlier.

"Our Shangyang Family has a deep foundation..."

"...Otherwise, family rules and iron discipline will be enforced!"

As he said the last sentence, Xu Yuan's Blood Essence surged, his voice booming like a great bell, startling the laborers, whose faces turned pale.

Next, following the procedure, he explained the mysteries of the human body to everyone before beginning to teach them the Stone Platform Stance Practice.

After about the time it took for one stick of incense to burn, Xu Yuan paced away, causing some of the laborers to show dissatisfaction.

He naturally couldn't be bothered with that, sharing the same mindset as Feng Xiao back then.

Afterward, Xu Yuan went to the front courtyard again. Estimating that the time was about right, he saw some Martial Students still surrounding Ye Qing'er and the other maidservant, trying to curry favor.

He immediately stood in the center and shouted, "Assembly!"

"What do you all look like? Get over here and line up properly!"

Upon hearing this, the Martial Students quickly ran to the training grounds and stood in formation.

Looking at Xu Yuan on the platform, who was not much older than them, they felt reverence and envy, but also shock.

He's this young!?

Xu Yuan looked at the Martial Students below with a complex expression. Three months ago, he wasn't even as important as these people; he was a laborer serving others in the backyard.

And now, he had become the teaching Martial Master for these twenty-odd people. The change was truly moving.

He shook his head and said solemnly, "The ancients said: Humans are the essence of heaven and earth..."

Just like when teaching the laborers, Xu Yuan briefly introduced the background of the Martial Path, then demonstrated the power of a Martial Artist, leaving a deep imprint on a thick wooden board, which amazed the Martial Students.

Next, Xu Yuan began to demonstrate the stance practice. After completing a set, he looked at them and asked, "Has anyone memorized it clearly? Raise your hands and come forward to demonstrate."

However, the field fell silent.

The Martial Students all looked at him expectantly, showing no intention of stepping forward to embarrass themselves.

Xu Yuan shook his head and casually picked a stronger-looking one to come forward. After guiding him, he spoke again, "Someone else come up."

The words fell, but still, no one moved.

The Martial Students exchanged glances, all waiting until they were familiar with the stance practice before stepping forward to leave a good impression on the Martial Master.

This batch of students isn't good!

Xu Yuan shrugged and picked another person. This Martial Student looked burly, but his memory was poor. Just as the next move was taught, he forgot the previous one.

Hearing the whispers from the crowd, Xu Yuan hadn't said anything yet, but this Martial Student was already blushing with anxiety, his movements becoming flustered. In the end, he lost his footing and fell to the ground.

"Forget it, forget it," Xu Yuan waved his hand dismissively, letting him go down. He stopped calling people up for individual guidance and began to lead everyone in practicing the stance practice together.

After about the time it took for one stick of incense to burn, Xu Yuan stopped punctually and instructed everyone to practice on their own.

Then, ignoring the stunned gazes of everyone present, he paced away.

As the saying goes, a master leads you to the door, but cultivation is up to the individual.

There are over twenty people in the front yard; how much time would it take for Xu Yuan to teach each one meticulously?

With the Stone Platform Stance Practice, breaking through to the First Meridian isn't that difficult. It requires either talent or sweat; these things can't be taught.

After Xu Yuan left, a murmur arose from the crowd.

"He's leaving already? This Martial Master is so young, seems a bit unreliable."

"He probably just left after finishing the basic teaching task. By the way, how did that tall guy who went on stage earlier do?"

"I, Da Chun, am not a stingy person. How about this... I'll teach you for ten copper coins."

"..."

Some of the Martial Students' voices carried a hint of complaint.

The Laborers were fine; after all, they knew that the opportunity to learn martial arts was an unexpected bonus and didn't dare to ask for more.

But the Martial Students, having paid their tuition, naturally expected more comprehensive and detailed instruction.

However, they didn't consider that the Shangyang Family only charges one or two taels of silver per month for each term, and they accept those with Aptitude, unlike martial arts schools that aim for profit.

It wasn't just the Martial Students discussing Xu Yuan; two maids in a corner of the yard were also talking about him.

Ye Qing'er watched Xu Yuan's retreating back and said to Li Hua, "Sister Hua, that Martial Master Xu is quite good-looking."

Li Hua sized her up playfully and teased, "Oh? You little vixen have a crush on him?"

"No way! Sister Hua, you're talking nonsense again."

Ye Qing'er's face instantly turned beet red as she explained, "I'm just curious... curious that he's already a Second Meridian Martial Artist at such a young age."

"Oh, come on, I know you better than that."

Li Hua rolled her eyes at her and said casually, "If you really have ideas, it's not impossible."

"The Martial Artists here have all signed contracts; they belong to the Shangyang Family. If they reach the Fourth Meridian and are promoted to Servant Leader, the family will arrange a marriage with a maid to strengthen their bond."

"With Brother Xu's Aptitude, it probably won't take long."

Ye Qing'er pretended not to listen, but her ears were already perked up. Hearing this, she was quite surprised, "A Fourth Meridian Martial Artist, that would be a respectable figure anywhere, wouldn't it?"

"Of course."

Li Hua rattled off like she was counting her family treasures, "At that level, even in the outer regions, you could be a street guard, with a dozen people under you. It's quite a decent position."

Ye Qing'er listened, her delicate eyes flickering, and a look of longing appeared on her face, "Can we maids achieve that level?"

"It's tough. Unlike Martial Artists, who are judged purely on strength, a maid's promotion heavily depends on pleasing her master. Both discernment and skill are essential, and overall, it's quite a matter of luck."

Li Hua shook her head, a hint of melancholy on her face.

"Hello, I... I'd like to buy some Meridian Nourishing Soup."

Just then, a Martial Student walked over, looking at the two of them with a shy expression.

"That will be two copper coins per serving."

A hint of distance flashed in Ye Qing'er's eyes as she offered a practiced smile.

But this was enough to make the Martial Student's heart flutter. He awkwardly replied, "Yes, Sister, yes."