A Swapped Life?

"Do you have any manners?" The youth's pride was wounded yet again, and he couldn't help wanting to cover his chest with both hands.

This experience felt absolutely terrible.

In Xu Ziqing's life, far too many people had stared at his Adam's apple and chest.

In the end, everyone's eyes seemed to speak: "Huh—it's a guy?"

Though depending on one's preferences, the tone of that "huh" varied.

Xu Ziqing loathed this feeling!

He clearly had the right parts, yet so many people assumed he was a woman disguised as a man.

This kind of cliché plot from storybooks was something people still delighted in, endlessly amused.

Boundless shame and the tension of being the center of attention flushed the youth's face bright red.

Once that delicate face took on a hint of blush, it even seemed... appetizing?

On the "Borrowed Sword" forum, some troll players had photoshopped him into women's clothing.

Once the images leaked, the comments below were basically:

"That's not bad either."

"Weibo."

"Only natural."

The youth in his servant's clothes now clenched his fists tightly.

But as his gaze swept over the crowd, when he met Chu Huai Xu's eyes, he couldn't help but pause slightly.

Because his gaze seemed different from everyone else's—those looks of scrutiny and amusement.

There was an inexplicable certainty and recognition!

Yes, recognition!

Xu Ziqing didn't know why, but the sensitive youth's heart felt less pained.

He even thought: I'm going to be a servant anyway, what difference does it make where? Maybe following him isn't so bad?

Xu Ziqing didn't much like the Liu family members or the steward.

But he had no real aversion to Chu Huai Xu.

Just as he was lost in wild thoughts, he heard the young man speak again.

Only this time, he didn't raise his finger to point at the servant, as if realizing the gesture wasn't proper. His tone was calm yet unyielding: "Right, I want this kid!"

Hearing this, Xu Ziqing's goodwill toward Chu Huai Xu began to climb.

Meanwhile, Liu Tianfeng and the others started letting their imaginations run wild.

Liu Chengqi, a lecherous glutton, couldn't help glancing at Han Shuangjiang, then was inwardly shocked.

No way, with such a stunning beauty right there, you actually... you actually... sigh!

But what could they do? Chu Huai Xu's change of heart was too abrupt—he hadn't wanted a servant at first, and now he acted like he absolutely had to have one.

Liu Chenggong, something of a joker, was already struggling to hold back his laughter.

Fortunately, Liu Tianfeng was older and well-traveled; he'd seen all sorts of absurdities. After a brief moment of surprise, he continued to fawn over Chu Huai Xu, saying:

"In that case, I gift this servant to you, worthy nephew!"

Among literati and romantics, gifting a concubine was considered a refined affair.

Liu Tianfeng figured that by this logic, he and Chu Huai Xu were now on the same cultured level.

"This counts as... giving him what he likes, right?" He felt gratified, thinking this move was solid.

Liu Steward's persona remained intact—crafty and calculating, yet never quite getting it right.

"Steward Cao, bring the indenture contract." The steward was efficient.

He didn't forget to turn to Xu Ziqing, unleashing the pressure of a Third Realm cultivator, and barked sternly: "From now on, you'll follow my worthy nephew and serve well. Otherwise, as Outer Sect Deacon overseeing all outer sect affairs, I will not go easy on you!"

At his age, he sure knew how to suck up, seizing every chance to wedge himself in.

After Chu Huai Xu took the indenture contract from the steward, a smile immediately spread across his face—a smile of relief, of delight.

He didn't care what wild thoughts that smile might stir in others.

No help for it—now that I hold Xu Ziqing's indenture contract, doesn't that mean I've become the master of a World Protagonist from "Borrowed Sword"?

"Right, I am indeed his master, aren't I?" Chu Huai Xu thought.

This transmigrator's heart surged with boundless ambition.

"Two World Protagonists from the Eastern Continent—one's now my little housekeeper, the other's my servant. Both under my command!"

"Dominating the Eastern Continent is just around the corner!"

"Hehehehe!"

Seeing Chu Huai Xu happier about getting the servant than when he'd accepted the lavish gifts, Liu Tianfeng stepped forward again to chat a few more lines, strengthening their bond.

He was old, out of step with the younger generation, and couldn't care less about whatever peculiar hobbies they had. All he wanted was to use this connection to climb the Sixth Elder's good graces.

The two exchanged pleasantries, chatting cheerfully.

It was a good while before the Liu clan members finally took their leave.

Outside the Bamboo House, only Chu Huai Xu and the two World Protagonists remained.

Han Shuangjiang stood off to the side, sneaking glances at them, her eyes tinged with a hint of "shipping goggles."

Truth be told, the brothel she'd been in before had offered such services too.

"What's with that look?" Chu Huai Xu lifted his gaze and shot her a glare.

It's just that my profession left me mildly misogynistic, but I'm really not into guys.

The Cold-faced girl immediately turned her face away, realizing she had overstepped. After all, such matters were deeply private and deserved respect.

Only Xu Ziqing was at a loss.

He was meeting this man and woman for the first time, knowing nothing about either of them.

Moreover, he had no idea what he was supposed to do next.

At the Liu Residence, the butler would always assign whatever dirty work needed doing.

"Maybe I should ask them where the latrine is around here?" the Delicate-looking youth, already a bit of a seasoned laborer, thought to himself, diligent and eager.

Clearly, Chu Huai Xu had a shred of human decency since childhood.

He didn't assign Xu Ziqing, this World Protagonist, any grunt work. He simply told him to carry the gifts inside and sort them out.

He'd just glanced—Liu Tianfeng's offerings were mostly practical, mostly related to food and clothing.

But there seemed to be two bottles of Spirit Pills?

"Yes." Xu Ziqing bowed in acknowledgment, but then hesitated on how to address the other.

By custom, it should be "sir," "young master," or "lord."

After arranging the Delicate-looking youth, Chu Huai Xu turned to arrange the Cold-faced girl, whose gaze was still playful.

"Still sneaking looks! Why don't you go master the Eight Wastelands Roaming Dragon completely!" he said, exasperated.

Han Shuangjiang's Comprehension was extremely high—she already knew the technique, but wasn't yet proficient.

"Oh." The iceberg responded, still expressionless, but seeing his slightly flustered demeanor, she couldn't help a small, smug satisfaction from her little prank.

At that moment, Chu Huai Xu, who seemed idle, actually had real business to attend to.

Through the bamboo door, he glanced at Xu Ziqing crouching inside, sorting the gifts, and directly tossed an Information Scan his way.

"What a twist of fate—Li Chunsong brought me up the mountain, and he somehow ended up a menial laborer," he mused.

Right then, Chu Huai Xu expected to get only a sliver of information.

After all, his overall strength was low, so his Information Scan's authority was low too.

Like earlier today, when he'd tossed a scan at Han Shuangjiang's rear—the only info he got was that her third aperture was open.

Chu Huai Xu knew Han Shuangjiang's Spirit Fetus was Mysterious Yin.

But the Information Scan wouldn't reveal that result.

It was basically telling him: with your strength, you're not worthy of probing a top-tier Spirit Fetus yet.

To be precise, when he'd been playing around with Information Scan in the market, at the Aperture Opening Stage, he couldn't see the Spirit Fetus attributes of any Dao Sect disciple.

Yet with Xu Ziqing, there was an "unexpected gain."

"Pseudo-Spirit Fetus?"

"How can he be a Pseudo-Spirit Fetus?"

This was one of the esteemed World Protagonists!

Since the Public Test of "Borrowed Sword," the four World Protagonists had always been far above the players in level, so players never had the authority to scan them.

Thus, Chu Huai Xu hadn't known before that Xu Ziqing was a Pseudo-Spirit Fetus.

"What? Han Shuangjiang takes the Genius Path, and Xu Ziqing takes the Waste Path?"

"These World Protagonists in 'Borrowed Sword' really cover all the tropes."

But as Chu Huai Xu thought it over, he suddenly realized: "It seems among the four World Protagonists, Xu Ziqing has always been the lowest in realm, often falling a whole major realm behind, sometimes even two!"

Yet even so, no player ever underestimated him or thought him the weakest.

Chu Huai Xu continued watching the Delicate-looking youth's busy back.

The reason was simple: this game was called "Borrowed Sword."

"Why did that sword choose him of all people?" He was somewhat puzzled.

--That sword left by the Dao Ancestor.

(PS: First chapter, Request monthly votes.)